口语进阶Lesson08 | 美国常用idioms及表达方式
访问学者、博士后初到美国，在沟通和交流方面往往会遇到各种问题:，正如中国有各种成语谚语，美国人日常生活中也有很多常用俗语和词组搭配。提前掌握这些知识点可以让各位学者更容易理解美国人的日常对话，融入当地工作生活环境。知识人网整理相关情景对话，介绍美国人常用惯用语（idiom）及表达方式，希望能对大家有所帮助。
CINDY INVITES MARK TO HER PLACE
Cindy asks Mark to come back to her house after dinner, but Mark says he has to go to bed early. Marks asks Cindy to give him more information on Grand Foods, but Cindy says she can’t remember any more.
Mark: Cindy, as a rule, I never get back together with ex−girlfriends.
Cindy: Rules are meant to be broken!
Mark: Okay, let me mull this over. I have a lot of good for thought now.
Cindy: Speaking of food, this lobster is delicious. Want a bite?
Mark: No, thanks.
Cindy: I forgot — you eat like a bird, but you drink like a fish!
Mark: Yeah, I already feel like I've had one too many. I'm getting a headache.
Cindy: Let's go back to my place after dinner. We have a lot to catch up on.
Mark: I've got to hit the hay early tonight.
Cindy: Stay over at my place!
Mark: No, I need to wake up early tomorrow and do some work.
Cindy: Okay, suit yourself! Be a party pooper!
Mark: So can we talk about Grand Foods now and the new information you've got?
Cindy: Oh, I left my notes at home. I can't remember much off the top of my head.
Mark: I feel like you're giving me the runaround.
Cindy: No, I'm not. You can call me tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Mark: Do you know whether Grand Foods is planning to offer meal kits*?
Cindy: Yes, that rings a bell! Of course, I'll have to check my notes.
*meal kits − a pre−prepared food product, typically frozen, in which each main ingredient is packaged separately and the consumer puts them all together when cooking. For example, a Chinese food meal kit might come with a bag of vegetables, a bag of chicken, a packet of peanuts, and a packet of sauce.
IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS
Vocabulary
As a rule– 通常、惯例
Example: As a rule, I stop eating two hours before I exercise.通常，我在做运动前的两个小时不会吃任何东西。
Rules are meant to be broken – 规矩就是用来打破的
Example: “You know our teacher doesn't allow eating in the classroom!” — “I know, but rules are meant to be broken. I haven't eaten anything all day.” “老师不允许在教室吃东西！”—“我知道呀，但是规则就是用来打破的。我一整天都空着肚子呢。”
(To) mull something over – 仔细考虑某事
Example: “Are you going to take the new job you were offered? — “I don't know. I'm still mulling it over.”“你打算接受那个工作机会吗？”—“我不知道，我还在认真考虑。”
Good For thought – 值得深思
Example: Al Gore's movie, An Inconvenient Truth, provided a lot of Good For thought on the problem of global warming. 阿尔·戈尔的电影《难以忽视的真相》，引发了人们对于全球变暖问题的深思。
(To) eat like a bird– 胃口小；吃得少
Example: That's all you're having for dinner — an apple and a slice of bread? You eat like a bird! 你晚餐就吃这些吗——一个苹果和一片面包？你吃的可真少！
(To) drink like a fish– 过度饮酒；喝多了
Example: Frank drank two bottles of wine at the dinner party. He drinks like a fish. 弗兰克在晚宴上喝了两瓶酒，真是喝太多了。
(To) have one too many – 喝多了（酒）
Example: We can't let Becky drive home. She's had one too many. 贝基不能开车送我们回家，她喝酒喝的有点多。
(To) catch up on –讨论；赶上；弥补（当你在某段时间内没有和别人谈论过某些事情时，可以这样说）
Example: Come over to my house early on Saturday. We've got lots to catch up on. 周六早点来我家，我们有太多需要讨论。
(To) hit the hay –睡觉
Example: You look tired. It's time for you to hit the hay! 你看起来很疲惫，该去睡觉了！
(To) stay over – 留宿；过夜
Example: You'd better stay over at my house tonight. It's snowing too hard for you to drive home. 你最好今晚在我家留宿，外面雪下得太大，你恐怕无法开车回家。
Suit yourself – 请随意；请自便
Example: You don't want to go to Melissa and Brian's wedding? Suit yourself. I'll go without you! 你不想去梅利莎和布莱恩的婚礼吗？随便吧，我自己一个人去！
Party pooper – 扫兴的人；
Example: We just got to the party half an hour ago, and you want to leave already? What a party pooper! 我们才到派对半小时，你就要走吗？不要这么扫兴！
Off the top of my head – 未经深思熟虑，不能确定
Example: I can't remember the name of that company off the top of my head, but when I'm back in my office I'll email it to you. 我一时想不起来那个公司的名字，但是我回到办公室后马上邮件答复你。
(To) give someone the runaround − 不愿意帮忙，打发人，搪塞人
Example: I'm trying to get more money for my studies, but the financial aid office keeps giving me the runaround. 我试图为我的研究争取更多资助，但是经济援助处一直在踢皮球。
(To) ring a bell – 有印象；比较熟悉；
Example: “Your name rings a bell. Have we met before?” — “Yes, we were introduced at Joe's party last week.” “你的名字让我觉得很熟悉，我们以前见过吗？”-“对的，上周乔的派对上我们见过的。”
PRACTICE THE IDIOMS
Choose the most appropriate response to each sentence:
1) Is it time to hit the hay?
a) Yes, it's still early.
b) Yes, I'm not tired at all.
c) Yes, let's go to sleep.
2) You want Don's phone number? Sorry, I can't remember it off the top of my head.
a) Can you look it up and give it to me later?
b) Can you give it to me right now?
c) Can you tell him I called?
3) Every time we go out, Ray drinks like a fish!
a) Maybe he's just thirsty.
b) Maybe he's an alcoholic.
c) Maybe you should take him swimming.
4) Your name rings a bell.
a) Yes, I think we've met before.
b) No, my name doesn't ring any bells.
c) Yes, you've never heard of me before.
5) Am I going to get to see the doctor today or are you going to keep giving me the runaround?
a) Keep running around and you'll see the doctor.
b) Please be patient. The doctor will see you soon.
c) The doctor is busy running around today.
6) You look like you've had one too many.
a) Yes, I've had one drink.
b) Yes, I've had several drinks.
c) Yes, I'm ready for many more drinks.
7) You and I have a lot to catch up on.
a) Yes, we just talked yesterday.
b) Yes, I have a lot of news for you.
c) Yes, there's not much to talk about.
8) Thanks for the job offer. I need to mull it over.
a) Okay, what's your answer?
b) Okay, sorry you're not interested.
c) Okay, let me know tomorrow.
9) Are you coming out with us tonight, or are you going to be a party pooper?
a) I'm going to be a party pooper. See you tonight.
b) I'm going to be a party pooper and stay home tonight.
c) I'm going to be a party pooper and have everyone over to my house.
10) You're eating like a bird tonight.
a) I had a very big lunch.
b) I've got a pretty big appetite right now.
c) I'm really hungry.
ANSWERS: 1. C; 2. A; 3. B; 4. A; 5. B; 6. B; 7. B; 8. C; 9. B; 10. A
