开贴学英语：Proverbs & Sayings

william.wangzy

Actions speak louder than words

What you do is more important than what you say. E.g All the members of the family claim to love their grandmother very much, but Sue is the only one who pays her regular visits; the others should remember that actions speak louder than words

william.wangzy

It is better to accept something satisfactory while it is available, than to pursue other, possibly better, but less certain, prospects.

After several interviews Jack has been offered a job that he must accept or refuse immediately. He's still waiting to hear about a post with better prospects, but he may just decide that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

jasonliu234

Life is just like a cucumber.

one day it's in my mouth, the other it's in my arse ...

oceans

jasonliu234 发表于 2012-8-31 15:29
Life is just like a cucumber.

one day it's in my mouth, the other it's in my arse ...

what does it mean?

william.wangzy

If a job or a project is carried out properly from the start, with enough attention given to preparation and planning, then it is likely to turn out well.

E.g It's important for young couples to spend a lot of time together and get to know each other well before they get married, a good beginning makes a good ending.

好的开始，好的结局？
可以理解为：好的开始是成功的一半？高人指点

william.wangzy

The conclusion is the same however you approach it.

这个大家都知道，条条道路通罗马

william.wangzy

All enjoyable things have to end some time. The proverb originally took the form ALL THINGS COME TO AN END.
天下没有不散的宴席。

william.wangzy

Magic wand goes missing as Chinese confront a growing economic crisis
中国在应对经济危机，魔杖不灵了

Magic is in short supply now. Local governments are cash-strapped and awash in debts that could turn bad. The eurozone seems locked into permanent crisis mode while the US is bogged down with debt, economic stagnation and political paralysis. Chine proved it can live for a few years without US and European customers, but not forever.

william.wangzy

Take Asia’s surge of nationalism. Political scientists have loads of theories about why China, Japan and South Korea are suddenly at logger-heads: bad blood over WWII, energy needs, designs on controlling the Asian seas, the power vacuum left as the US focused on two intractable wars. One theory that deserves more attention is how these countries deflect the blame for troubles at home.
这些国家在转移话题

william.wangzy

Kim: Oh, Paul. We are going fishing this weekend, if you want to come along
Paul: I heard you're really into fishing these days. Thanks all the same, but I'll take a raincheck

(a very polite way say "no", not prepare to go but might change mind in last minute)

william.wangzy

A: They seemed fair dinkum at first but then we realised they were playing for time and so we pulled the plug
B: I get the picture. So now you are back to squre one.

回到起点。fair dinkum: 口语中用到，means honest or ture

william.wangzy

这是在澳洲人gossip中的一段对话，很有意思

Karen: Pina, you'll never guess what's happened?
Pina: Oh Karen, what?
K: Well, as you know, I've had a lot on my plate lately with my job. It's been so busy.  很多事、很大的压力
P: Yes, and I know you've been on edge because you don't get on with your boss. （on edge = under pressure)
K: Well, from the word go I bent over backwards trying to do a good job. But he just kept checking on me all the time, keeping tabs on me. And we just don't see eye to  eye about a lot of things.


From the word go: 从一开始
don't see eye to eye : don't agree anything

william.wangzy

P: You spat the dummy one day, didn't you? I remember you were really upset
字面意思是吧奶嘴吐出来，这里表示有一天会爆发，或getting angry

K: I wanted to but I didn't. I thought better of it and I bit my tongue. But I thought he was such a show-off; and always so full of himself.

bit my tongue: 欲言又止

william.wangzy

P: Come on, get on with the story!
K: Sorry. Anyway today I though, "That is it! I have to get this off my chest". So I went to his office to have it out with him. And to cut a long story short, he said:" Oh I wanted to see you", and he was all smiles which completely caught me off guard.
他满面笑容，让我完全解除了戒备

william.wangzy

P: I can imagine

K: He said he was very taken with my work and that I'd been such a good sport through a very busy time. And...wait for the punch line! He asked me out!

taken with ... being impressed by
a good sport - very considerated, relax
asked me out - 这里指的是the boss想make a date with her

william.wangzy

P: You're pulling my leg 你在开玩笑吧？
K: No...I'm serious. I was lost for words
being shocked, 我彻底无语了

william.wangzy

P: And...?
K: Well, I said: "OK, that'd be nice"
P: Well, you've changed your tune 你改变了你的态度/看法了？
K: Yes, I know but...

william.wangzy

It implies that you are faced with two equally bad options.

Jack knew that he had to decide whether to stay in his present job under an alcoholic manager or to leave his job and be unemployed. He felt that he was between the devil and the deep blue.

william.wangzy

If you've heard that your boss has been complaining about your work, but hasn't said anything to you, you should go and ask to discuss it with him; attack is the best form of defence (进攻时最好的防守)

william.wangzy

Bad news travels fast
好事不出门，坏事传千里

william.wangzy

I should warn you that the troublemakers in the class always go around in a group; birds of a feather flock together, as you know.

物以类聚，人以群分

william.wangzy

The threat of war hangs over all of us. We can't just bury our heads in the sand and pretend the crisis doesn't exist

william.wangzy

Don't cross your bridges till you come to them.

This proverb advises you not to start worring about some future step or decision before you have to. 杞人忧天

william.wangzy

Don't put all your resources into a single venture - If it fails you'll lose the lot. it's safer to spread them over a variety of enterprises.

In these days of uncertain financial markets, choose a good range of reliable concerns to invest your savings in - Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

william.wangzy

People make this comment drily when someone cheerfully proposes a course of action that is beset with difficulty

说来容易做来难

芒果飘香

william.wangzy 发表于 2012-9-2 12:00
P: Come on, get on with the story!
K: Sorry. Anyway today I though, "That is it! I have to get this  ...

这个不同意，不是让我解除戒备的意思，而是我没预备他会满脸笑容给我来了个措手不及的意思。

william.wangzy

芒果飘香 发表于 2012-9-5 22:17
这个不同意，不是让我解除戒备的意思，而是我没预备他会满脸笑容给我来了个措手不及的意思。
...

这个翻译更加贴切，谢谢

william.wangzy

Whatever the attractions and benefits of travel, it's a pleasure to get home.

william.wangzy

Everybody has their moment of glory.

Mike was neither athletic nor popular, but suddenly he was the school hero when he won a nation-wide essay competition - every dog has his day

william.wangzy

Even the most painful experience can't last for ever; people say this to encourage you when you're having a tough time.