Chapter 8 English Idioms汉语习语英译概要1.pptVIP

汉语习语英译 趁热打铁 to strike while the iron is hot 浑水摸鱼 to fish in the troubled water 如坐针毡 to sit on pins and needles 雷鸣般的掌声 a thunder of applause 一迅雷不及掩耳之势 at lightning speed 他泪如雨下 His eyes were raining tears. 天壤之别 Great difference as between heaven and earth (英语中类似的比喻是all difference in the world) 杞人忧天 To entertain groundless fears or unnecessary worries (be more frightened than hurt) 水中捞月 To catch the moon in the water To make an impractical attempt (fish in the air Cry for the moon Plough the sands A wild goose chase) 知人知面不知心 You can know a man’s face but not his heart. Appearances certainly are deceptive. 胸有成竹 Before an artist can draw a bamboo, he must have the image in his mind. To have a well-thought-out plan before doing something 雨后春笋 To spring up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain Of new things emerging rapidly in large numbers. Every family is said to have at least one skeleton in the cupboard. 俗话说，衣柜里面藏骷髅，见不得人得事家家有。 瓜熟蒂落 When a melon is ripe, it falls off its stem. 水到渠成 When water flows, a channel is formed. 三心二意 in / of two minds 一五一十 In great detail 不管三七二十一 Regardless of the consequences 三令五申 To have repeatedly issued orders and given warnings 三头六臂 A person of inexhaustible resources 三长两短 Unexpected misfortune or accident 粗枝大叶 Thick branches and large leaves (in doing things) do not take due care; careless or carelessly 闻所未闻 Hearing what has never been heard before; seldom heard of 盛气凌人 So arrogant as to impose oneself upon others; arrogant or domineering in manner 财大气粗 A wealthy man speaks louder; money talks 火爆玉米—— 开心 A blasted corn grain----opened at heart/happy at heart 门里出身—— 强人三分 Born into a family of a special line----more advantages than others by 30 percent 八仙聚会——有说有笑 A gathering of eight Immortals----speaking and laughing 王羲之写字——横竖都好 A character out of Wang Xizhi’s hand----it is good in every way 饭店里卖服装---- 有吃有穿 Selling clothes at an inn----enough to eat and enough to wear (you will have a decent living) 井底雕花---- 深刻 Carving a flower des