American idioms

 

 

Jump Down Someone's Throat: become angry with someone

 

-That's it, Greg! You'd better not come in after midnight again tonight!

-I know, dad.  You don't have to jump down my throat!  I told you that I'd make it home around 11:30.  I don't intend to be late!

-Well, you've said that before and in you come at 2:30 in the morning.  You can't blame me for getting angry and scolding you.  I've got good reason.

 

Play It by Ear: improvise¹ as one goes along

-Let's go to the movies, agreed?

-Sure.  And what'll we do after that?

-Oh, I don't' know.  Let's play it by ear.

-Well, I would like to have a more definite plan of action.

-Don't be like that.  It's always more fun not knowing what to expect and deciding what to do as we go along.

 

Stick Out One's Neck: take a risk

-How come they're asking me to act as their guide through the jungle?

-Evidently they think you're the only one who can lead them to the lost temple.

-That jungle has danger lurking² around every corner.  Why should I stick my neck out for them?  They didn't pay me for my services.

-They know that you would be taking a great risk and could possibly get hurt, but you're the only one with enough knowledge to take them to their destination.  I'm sure you'll be amply³ rewarded.

 

 

Get Off Someone's Back: stop bothering someone

-Hey, John.  I'm bored.  Come on, let's go out and do something.

-Sorry, I'm right in the middle of studying for a physics exam.  I won't be able to make it tonight.

-You've been studying for a long time.  Why don't you take a break? Come on! Let's go!  Forget studying for a while!

-Look! Get off my back!  I can't go anywhere!

-OK. I'll stop bothering you only if you promise to let me know the minute you're finished.

 

Pull Someone's Leg: fool someone

-Hey, Al.  I was invited to be a judge for the Miss America Beauty Pageant⁴!

-Oh, really?  Come on, you're pulling my leg!

-No, honestly.  Do you really think that I'm trying to fool you with a ridiculous story?

-Well, you've told me foolish stories before.

-I can assure⁵ you that this one is for real.

 

1 improvise   

v.即兴创作；临时准备，临时凑成

参考例句：

• If an actor forgets his words，he has to improvise.演员要是忘记台词，那就只好即兴现编。
• As we've not got the proper materials,we'll just have to improvise.我们没有弄到合适的材料，只好临时凑合了。

2 lurking   

潜在

参考例句：

• Why are you lurking around outside my house? 你在我房子外面鬼鬼祟祟的，想干什么？
• There is a suspicious man lurking in the shadows. 有一可疑的人躲在阴暗中。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 amply   

adv.足够地

参考例句：

• We must make our views amply clear to you.说话要明白。
• He apologized amply for his suddenness.他因自己的唐突而深表歉意。

4 pageant   

n.壮观的游行；露天历史剧

参考例句：

• Our pageant represented scenes from history.我们的露天历史剧上演一幕幕的历史事件。
• The inauguration ceremony of the new President was a splendid pageant.新主席的就职典礼的开始是极其壮观的。

5 assure   

vt.使确信；向…保证，使有保证

参考例句：

• The only ladder to assure success is to work hard.确保成功的惟一途径是刻苦努力。
• I assure you that she can be trusted to do the job.我担保她能做好这项工作。