Grasp at straws 抓(救命)稻草 想方设法 有病乱投医Mark was grasping at straws to come up with a reason to convince his girlfriend to stay.John could not answer the teacher's question, and was just grasping at straws.Caitlin was grasping at straws looking for her backup tapes.Definition: To make a futile attempt at something.Etymology: Derived from how straws are flimsy.******抓(救命)稻草 想方设法 有病乱投医Someone told him that his old house would soon be demolished. Since then he has been grasping at straws to stop it. 自从有人告诉他他家的老房子很快要被拆,他想方设法地想要阻止它.A girl fainted in the subway train and her friend was grasping at straws by shouting for help. 女孩在地铁车厢里晕倒,女孩的朋友为她拼命求救. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPush comes to shoveWhen push came to shove the President decided to intervene and provide free vaccinations to vulnerable children, and ignore anti-Vax parents.If push comes to shove you need to buy a new car to replace that clunker.It is only when push comes to shove you know who your real friends are.Definition: Refers to something that can be done if the situation becomes so bad that you must do it.Etymology: Pushing someone may nudge them, shoving them may cause them to fall to the ground.******事态恶化 变得糟糕For the time being, the leaking fridge is still functioning. But if push comes to shove, we need to buy a new one.目前冰箱有些小漏,暂时还能凑合用.不过一旦变得更糟,我们就该买新的了.Chinese currency keeps depreciating, when push comes to shove, we will have to consider buying some US dollars for future travels. 人民币一直在贬值,但要是继续这么贬值下去,情况不利,我们就该考虑买些美金以备今后旅行用. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxTake under one's wingHaymish will usually take the new student's under his wing at the boarding school.Everyone who lost their homes during the fire was taken under the wing by the charity organization.Alan Turing took many crossword puzzle specialists under his wing.Definition: To help and protect someone, especially someone who is younger than you or has less experience than you.Etymology: Based on the idea of a bird that protects its babies by spreading its wings over them.******保护 庇护 罩着It is man's instinct to take women he loves under his wing. But nowadays many women are taking men under their wing. 男人的本能是保护他爱的女人,但当今社会反倒是许多女人在保护男人.It's ok to take your students under your wing, but don't keep them there for too long, otherwise they will forget how to fly on their own. 你可以保护你的学生,但不要庇护他们太久,否则他们会忘了怎样独立飞行的.No worry! I will take you under my wing. 别担心!我会罩着你的.