【英式英文】英式英文常見的十個實用諺語!

編輯/蕭譯婷

各國的國情、歷史文化不同,因此發展出來的諺語或流行用語有大相逕庭。即使是使用同種語言的英國與美國,也在時間的流逝當中逐漸發展出兩套不盡相同的語言系統。

Learn British English Free的講師Chris提出了十個英式英文當中較常被使用的諺語,有些可能在學習美式英語時也曾見過,例如「a piece of cake」,但你知道其實「as easy as pie」也有同樣含意嗎?

1. A drop in the ocean 滄海一粟

e.g. They tried to minimize their expenditure so that they could pay off their debts, but it was like a drop in the ocean.
他們試著減少開支以付清債務,但那只是杯水車薪罷了。

2. A new lease of life 生命中全新的一頁

e.g. That new job has given him a new lease of life.
那份新工作開啟了他生命中全新的一頁。

3. A piece of cake / as easy as pie 非常簡單

e.g. Learning English is a piece of cake to her.
對她而言,學英文是非常簡單的。

4. Push the boat out 不惜費用地慶祝

e.g. They really pushed the boat out for that wedding ceremony.
他們大手筆地舉辦結婚典禮。

5. An axe to grind 非常不滿

e.g. A lot of British students have a real axe to grind over tuition fees.
許多英國學生對於高昂學費感到非常不滿。

6. Another string to your bow 身懷其他技能

e.g. Attending training courses shows employers you have another string to your bow.
參加訓練課程能向雇主顯現出你還有其他技能。

7. At a loose end 無所事事

e.g. He’s been at a loose end since he was made redundant.
自從他被解雇之後,他就無所事事了。

8. Can’t see the wood for the trees 見樹不見林、看不清事情的全貌

e.g. You’re too emotional to make this decision, you can’t see the wood for the trees.
你做這個決定時太過情緒化了,你還沒看清楚事情的全貌。

9. Eat humble pie 賠罪、道歉

E.g. He was wrong and she made him eat humble pie.
他做錯了,而她讓他道歉。

10. Itchy feet 渴望到處走動

e.g. I fancy travelling around the world. I’ve got itchy feet from being in the UK so long.
我喜歡在世界各處旅行。在英國待這麼久讓我好想出去走走。

圖片出處:Pexels