Session II: The Body Has Many Uses
1. Get in Someone s Hair = bother someone
可以用 get in someone s hair来表达麻烦某人意思,就象钻到某人的头发里,让人厌烦一样。
范例对话:
A: Children! Would you please stop making so much noise! And for heaven s sake, pick up your clothes and toys! It s hard enough trying to keep this house clean without your throwing your things all over the place!
B: Clara, I know that the children get in your hair, but you should try not to let it upset you so much.
A: Listen, Jim. I can t help it. The children bother me and make me very angry when they re so noisy and messy.
2. Tongue-In-Cheek = not serious
舌头没有放正,表示某人不是认真的。
范例对话:
A: Why were you teasing Sonia about her new hairdo? She really took offense1 at what you said.
B: I didn t mean to offend her. I was simply making a tongue-in-cheek remark when I said that it was too elaborate for a girl of her young, tender age.
A: Well, she thought you were serious. She had no idea that you were just saying that as a joke.
B: I m really sorry. I suppose I owe her an apology.
3. Pull Someone s Leg = fool someone
完全没有中文抱大腿、溜须拍马或扯后腿的意思,本短语在美语里是愚弄某人的意思。
范例对话:
A: Hey, Al.I was invited to be a judge for the Miss America Beauty Pageant2!
B: Oh, really? Come on, you re pulling my leg!
A: No, honestly. Do you really think that I m trying to fool you with a ridiculous story?
B: Well, you ve told me foolish stories before.
A: I can assure you that this one is for real.
4. Stick Out One s Neck = take a risk
把脖子伸出去,在美语中是去冒险的意思。
范例对话:
A: How come they re asking me to act as their guide through the jungle?
B: Evidently they think you re the only one who can lead them to the lost temple.
A: That jungle has danger lurking3 around every corner. Why should I stick my neck out for them? They didn t pay me for my services.
B: 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 amply rewarded.
5. Get Off Someone s Back = stop bothering someone
从某人的背上下来,表示停止麻烦某人。
范例对话:
A: Hey, John. I m bored. Come on, let s go out and do something.
B: Sorry, I m right in the middle of studying for a physics exam. I won t be able to make it tonight.
A: 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!
B: Look! Get off my back!I can t go anywhere!
A: OK. I ll stop bothering you only if you promise to let me know the minute you re finished