Idioms(英文常用习语)

1、Final Exam Review,IDIOMS,English Majors,“the coast is clear”,there is no visible danger,Example: Bob: Has the teacher turned her back so we can sneak past her? Jane: Yes, the coast is clear. Go now!,“paint the town red”,to go out in the evening and have a good time,Example: Emily: I am so glad it is

2、 Friday! Andrew: Me too! Lets paint the town red!,“tickled pink”,extremely happy,“tie the knot”,to get married,“the good old days”,used when referring to fond memories from the past,Example 1: Peter: Do you remember when we used to go fishing in the sea? Paul: Ahh yes, they were the good old days.,E

3、xample 2: Back in the good old days you could buy a bowl of rice for just yi mao.,“the in thing”,used when referring to the current fashion or fad,Example 2:Everyone is playing jianzi. Right now its the in thing.,Example 1:About twenty years ago I had a rubiks cube. Back then it was the in thing.,“w

4、hen pigs fly”,no chance at all of something happening,Example 1:Edward: Do you think Estella will go out with me?William: Yeah, when pigs fly!,Example 2:Christina: One day Im going to be the President of Neusoft.Kevin: Really? When pigs fly!,“never/not in my wildest dreams”,something has happened th

5、at you never would have believed would happen,Example 1:Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that China would win the world cup!,Example 2:Reporter: Did you ever think you would become a famous movie star?Nancy: No, never in my wildest dreams.,“dressed to kill” / “dressed to the nines”,Exa

6、mple #1: The students being interviewed were young, energetic, and dressed to kill. Example #2: Did you see Sara at the party last night? She was dressed to the nines! I wonder if she has a boyfriend,wearing clothes that are intended to make people notice you, finely attired,“out of the woods”,Examp

7、le #1: Jessicas recent cancer screening was negative, so the doctor thinks she may be out of the woods. Example #2: John has tried hard to stop his business from failing, but hes not out of the woods yet.,to emerge safely from a dangerous situation,“blood is thicker than water”,Example 1: Ben and Da

8、niel decided to put their differences behind them after their father reminded them that blood is thicker than water. Example 2: Why do those brothers always fight? Dont they know that blood is thicker than water?,family relationships are more important than other relationships,“clear as mud”,unclear

9、; you do not understand,Example: “I enjoy learning English, but sometimes its about as clear as mud.”,“wing it”,to do something without having prepared ahead of time; to improvise,Example: “The teacher called on me to speak, but Im not ready! I guess Ill have to wing it.”,I wish I had done my homewo

10、rk!,“dry spell”,a period of time without success,Example 1: If we dont get out of this dry spell, were going to have to close up shop. Example 2: I invested all of my money in that company, and their dry spell left me broke.,“over my dead body”,Example: Sally: Can I copy your homework? Tiffany: Over

11、 my dead body!,I will never allow that to happen / allow you to do that,Example: Father: If you want to break up with my daughter it will be over my dead body.,“third wheel”,a person who feels like the outsider in a group of three,“wear your heart on your sleeve”,to express your emotions freely and

12、openly, for all to see,“on the lam”,to be running away from or hiding from the police after committing a crime,Theyll never find me here!,Example: After beating a man to death in Canada, Megan was on the lam from the law. She decided to hide out in China.,“my hands are tied”,Example 1: Sorry, but my

13、 hands are tied as Mum said that I cant go to play football with you as I must help her with the housework Example 2: I would like to stay and help you with your homework, however my hands are tied. I must leave for class immediately otherwise I will be late.,unable to act on a situation,“out of the

14、 blue”,Example 1: The dolphins appeared out of the blue. Example 2: The fight between the best friends came completely out of the blue.,something unexpected or unforeseen, suddenly,Example 1:Tiffany: I want to go on holiday but I am so busy. Leslie:We are all in the same boat. But if we work hard no

15、w we can go.,Example 2:Lisa: There are so many idioms to remember for the exam! I cant remember them all. Sarah:Were all in the same boat, perhaps we should study them together.,“ All in the Same Boat”,To be in the same situation as others.To share the same problems as others.,“When in Rome (do as the Romans do)”,When you are visiting a new place, you should behave as the peop