B******1
发帖数: 9094 | 1 There are many English idioms whose true meaning (意译) usually has nothing
to do with their literal definition (直译). For example, the idiom “let the
cat out of the bag.” This phrase doesn’t literally mean to let a cat out
of a bag. Although originally that’s what it might have meant, now “
letting the cat out of the bag” means giving away a secret, as in Mom let
the cat out of the bag and told us Karen was engaged. This expression
alludes to the dishonest practice of a merchant substituting a worthless cat
for a valuable pig, which is discovered only when the buyer gets home and
opens the bag.
The related idiom "pig in the poke" discribe an object offered in a manner
that conceals its true value, especially its lack of value. For example,
Eric believes that buying a used car is buying a pig in a poke. This
expression alludes to the practice of substituting a worthless object, such
as a cat, for the costly suckling pig a customer has bought and wrapping it
in a poke, or sack. It dates from a time when buyers of groceries relied on
a weekly farmers' market and, unless they were cautious enough to check the
poke's contents, would not discover the skullduggery until they got home.
The word poke dates from the 13th century but is now used mainly in the
southern United States.
The idiom, “red herring”, is another example of such usage. A red herring
is something that draws attention away from the central issue, as in Talking
about the new plant is a red herring to keep us from learning about
downsizing plans. The herring in this expression is red and strong-smelling
from being preserved by smoking. The idiom alludes to dragging a smoked
herring across a trail to cover up the scent and throw off tracking dogs.
Still another idiom that comes to mind when I think of this waste of money
and time, is “get someone’s goat.” This idiom means to annoy, upset, or
anger someone, as in By teasing me about that article I wrote, he's trying
to get my goat, but I won't let him. The origin of this expression is
disputed. H.L. Mencken held it came from using a goat as a calming influence
in a racehorse's stall and removing it just before the race, thereby making
the horse nervous. However, there is no firm evidence for this origin.
Other various idioms that remind me of a bogus advertisement are listed here
“gift of gab”: the talent of verbal fluency, especially the ability to
talk persuasively. For example, His gift of gab made him a wonderful
salesman.
“to eat crow”: also, eat dirt or humble pie. Be forced to admit a
humiliating mistake, as in When the reporter got the facts all wrong, his
editor made him eat crow. The first term's origin has been lost, although a
story relates that it involved a War of 1812 encounter in which a British
officer made an American soldier eat part of a crow he had shot in British
territory. Whether or not it is true, the fact remains that crow meat tastes
terrible. The two variants originated in Britain. Dirt obviously tastes bad
. And humble pie alludes to a pie made from umbles, a deer's undesirable
innards (heart, liver, entrails). | G*******9
发帖数: 4371 | 2 长见识了。谢。
nothing
the
out
cat
【在 B******1 的大作中提到】
: There are many English idioms whose true meaning (意译) usually has nothing
: to do with their literal definition (直译). For example, the idiom “let the
: cat out of the bag.” This phrase doesn’t literally mean to let a cat out
: of a bag. Although originally that’s what it might have meant, now “
: letting the cat out of the bag” means giving away a secret, as in Mom let
: the cat out of the bag and told us Karen was engaged. This expression
: alludes to the dishonest practice of a merchant substituting a worthless cat
: for a valuable pig, which is discovered only when the buyer gets home and
: opens the bag.
: The related idiom "pig in the poke" discribe an object offered in a manner
| N***M
发帖数: 4295 | 3 惭愧
床边有一本english idiot书
本想一天看几页
现在成碗垫儿了 | m***T
发帖数: 11058 | 4 好一个english idiot!
【在 N***M 的大作中提到】
: 惭愧
: 床边有一本english idiot书
: 本想一天看几页
: 现在成碗垫儿了
| N***M
发帖数: 4295 | 5 这就叫不会idiom就离idiot不远了
【在 m***T 的大作中提到】
: 好一个english idiot!
| m***T
发帖数: 11058 | 6 You made my night,
【在 N***M 的大作中提到】
: 这就叫不会idiom就离idiot不远了
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