IdiomsIdioms Lecture 9

At sixes and sevens On the day before wedding, the whole

house was at sixes and sevens.

At the eleventh hour The child was saved from the

kidnappers at the eleventh hour.

Bark up the wrong tree认错目标，错怪了人 They were looking for a tall thin man,

but were barking up the wrong tree; the thief was short and fat.

Be on the carpet挨骂，受申斥 His boss had had him on the carpet for

arriving late at work.

Beat about the bush旁敲侧击，拐弯抹角 If you’d got bad news, don’t beat about

the bush; come straight to the point.

Behind the eight ball受挫，处境不妙 Not having a car puts Bill behind the

eight ball; he cannot get to work.

Between the devil and the deep blue sea

进退两难 I was between the devil and the deep

blue sea and didn’t know what to do next.

Bite (on) the bullet咬紧牙关，顶住 Bite on the bullet, old man, and don’t let

them think you are afraid.

Blow hot and cold摇摆不定，反复无常 He blows hot and cold on the plan so

that I don’t know whether he will eventually help us or not.

Can not hold a candle to someone

远不如某人 Marina can’t hold a candle to her

mother as far as cooking is concerned.

Carry/take coals to Newcastle多此一举 Taking her flowers is taking coals to

Newcastle.

Cook someone’s goose挫败某人的计划 He knew his goose was cooked when he

read the story.

Cool one’s heels久等 I had to kick my heels for nearly two

hours before I could see the boss.

The die is cast事已定局，木已成舟 I’m not sure that I want to leave the job

after all but the die is cast – I’ve handed in my resignation.

Draw/pull in one’s horns退缩，节制 He said he could beat any man there

single-handed, but he pulled in his horns when Tom came forward.

Eat humble pie忍辱含垢，认错道歉 I proved that he had cheated me and

made him eat humble pie.

Face the music面对麻烦，接受处罚 Mary broke a dining-room window and

had to face the music when her father got home.

Follow one’s nose凭直觉行事 Oh, I don’t know just where I want to go.

I’ll just follow my nose and see what happens.

Get cold feet畏缩，害怕 After weeks of preparations he suddenly

got cold feet on the day of departure.