English sayings and culture.ppt

Language Snacks(1): Let the cat out of the bag 对话： A: Can you keep the secret? B: Oh yes, Iove secrets. What is it? A: Im really nervous. Im going to ask Sally to marry me tomorrow. B: Oh, fantastic! Good luck！ A: Thanks, but remember you mustnt tell anyone at all. I want it to be a complete surprise. B: Dont worry. I wont let the cat out of the bag. 英语里有很多涉及动物的俚语，在我们看来有时候有些滑稽。但let the cat out of the bag可是有现实的依据的。过去的市场也有买卖动物的，有商人会用猫来充当猪仔装在袋子里出售，欺骗顾客，所以如果let the cat out of the bag,奸商的诡计就破产了。现在我们用这个俚语来形容泄露秘密，人们常说Dont let the cat out of the bag. 来提醒对方要保守秘密。 Language Snacks(2): Play it by ear 对话： A: Where are we meeting Dave and Jenny tonight? B: In the pub, at around 7 oclock. A: Ah, okay. Where are we going to have dinner? B: Lets decide later. If the pub has a good menu, we can eat there. Or if not, we can all go to that new Italian restaurant later. I dont mind. A: Okay, well just play it by ear then. 短语play it by ear最初被音乐家使用。它指的是不看书写的乐谱而演奏乐器。事实上，人们用单词ear来指代musical talent(音乐才能)已长达500年，直至今天，人们仍然说一位好的歌手has a good ear. 成语play it by ear在现代英语中有更为广泛的用法, 表示即兴创作，或随着事态发展而做某事，或是表示不会计划好，只是即兴做某事。 Have a try! What are you going to do if you are going to play it by ear? a) play a musical instrument b) decide what to do when the situation happens c) plan what to do before the situation happens Key: b) Language Snacks(3): Under the weather 对话： A: Sorry I didnt make it to your party at the weekend. Did you have a nice time? B: Yes, it was great! But everyone was asking me where you were. We all missed you. A: Oh, thanks. I was in bed, Im afraid. I was feeling under the weather. B: Oh, did you have that cold that everyones had? A: I think so. under the weather是一个很常见的表达方式，意思是“身体小有不适”。我们并不用它指代严重的健康问题，但要是身体碰上像感冒、头疼、肚子疼这样的小毛病，你都可以说Im feeling under the weather. 这种表达方式来源于故去的水手们(sailors)。以前，当水手们生病时，他们会在船的甲板上休息，或者就如字面含义理解under the weather. 我们还可以将它和另一个短语以前记忆，over the moon,意思是very happy. Have a try! If you are under the weather, you are: a) very sick b) a little sick c) very happy d) a