Language Café

Go Dutch AA制Joy ditched her date after he said they were going dutch.It is unusual for a boss to go dutch when eating out with his colleagues.Miles liked dating American girls since he can go dutch.Definition: "Going Dutch" is a term that indicates that each person participating in a group activity pays for themselves, particularly in a restaurant bill. It is also called Dutch date.Etymology: To "go Dutch" originate from the rivalry and enmity between the English and Dutch in the 17th century, a period known as the the Anglo-Dutch Wars. The Dutch are also stereotyped as being "stingy" or "tight-fisted" which may have contributed to the phrase.***AA制Telling our grandparents to go Dutch is virtually launching a family war. It is totally out of the question.The younger generations of Chinese people especially school children seem very comfortable with the idea of going Dutch. They could even split the costs in cents! This is amazing!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxBe hanged for a sheep as for a lamb I'm going to be late for work anyway, so I think I'll go to the shop for a newspaper. I might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.When the employers were out of town, the domestic helper decided to steal all the wife's jewelry since she would be hanged for a sheep as for a lambErnie decided to devote all his time cheating on the test instead of studying a little bit, since he might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.Definition: The idea is that "If you are going to be punished for something, you might as well be punished for something big, as for something small." Etymology: The origin of this idiom dates back to nineteenth-century England, when a person risked being deported or killed for stealing sheep, no matter what the age of the animal was. As a result, the thief might as well steal a sheep (which has more meat on it than a lamb), as the punishment was just as severe if it was a lamb that was taken. ***一不做二不休Capital punishment sometimes lead criminals into thinking that since they would be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb, why not kill more people after accidentally killing one.Xiao Li's mom is very unhappy about him still not having a girlfriend at the age of 40. Since he would be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb anyway, at this year's New Year's reunion party he decided to come out of the closet in front of the whole family.

Turn over a new leaf 翻开新的一页 重新开始Adam ruined his health; so he decided to turn over a new leaf and give up smoking, alcohol and drugs.Matt realized he was not being a good husband; so he turned over a new leaf and did some more chores around the house.Gavin was stuck in a rut; so he turned over a new leaf by volunteering at charities.Definition: Making a new start. It is often used specifically to describe changes in personal behavior that are made with the goal of being a better person.Etymology: This term dates to the 1500s. The implication is that one is turning over the previous page with the bad behavior, and starting anew on a fresh page.***翻开新的一页 重新开始At the age of 17, he got sick and tired of people calling him an ungrateful and unreliable person and turned over a new leaf to become dependable and receptive and succeeded in becoming a popular student in school. 17岁那年, 他重新开始.After seeking marriage counseling, the couple turned over a new leaf and found happiness again. 婚姻咨询后,两口子重新开始,找回了幸福. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxClean SlateAlthough Henry made an error at work, his boss said that the matter was over and he could start with a clean slate.After Jamie reunited with his girlfriend he hoped they could start on a clean slate.In order to start a clean slate, Greg left America to work in Australia.Definition: To completely start over with nothing bad in your past taken into account.Etymology: This expression alludes to the slate boards on which school work or tavern bills were recorded in easily wiped-off chalk. Since 1850, the term has been used figuratively, and it has long outlived the practice of writing on slate.***忘掉过去 重新开始 从头来过After serving three years in prison, he decided to migrate to another city because he wanted a clean slate to turn over a new leaf in life. 他决定去另一个城市重新开始.Both of them are divorced from their previous bitter relationships and are eager to have a clean slate to move on. 两人都想忘掉过去重新开始生活.

Fall into one's lap 天上掉馅饼 得来全不费功夫The opportunity to work at the big company fell into Joyce's lap.The opportunity fell on to Bayern Munich's lap to win the competition, since the Final game was held in their stadium.The opportunity to cover a big story fell into the lap of the junior reporter after a comet hit his neighbors' house.Definition: Something good happens to you without any effort on your partEtymology: The phrase implies you are sitting, which emphasizes how little effort you made.***天上掉馅饼 得来全不费功夫The chance to cover the World Cup fell into his lap since the designated sport reporter got sick. 天上掉馅饼,他得到了报道世界杯的机会.After the cultural revolution, a big inheritance from his distant Hong Kong relative fell into the underdog's lap. Life is so unpredictable! 他的财富得来全不费功夫! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxKnock on woodNo one in my family ever had a terminal illness. Knock on wood.I'm sure I will get that job at Google. Knock on wood.An employee working on the Titanic probably said, "God himself could not sink this ship. Knock on wood."Definition: It is based on the superstition that you can avoid bad luck by knocking on wood.Etymology: "Knocking on wood" referred to people who spoke of secrets. These people went into the isolated woods to talk privately and "knocked" on the trees when they were talking to hide their communication from evil. Eventually the term came to mean knocking on wood to state they wanted to avoid tempting fate. It is often used when making a boast or a declaration of one's own life beyond their control. ***呸呸呸 打嘴The mother asked her son, "If you fail the job interview again, are you still going to live on us? Oh, I didn't mean it. Knock on wood." 你这次面试又不成怎么办,还住家里吗?哦,对不起,呸呸呸!In divorce, I think you are at a disadvantageous position in the assets settlement. Knock on wood! I still wish you get what you want. 财产分割你不占优势.打嘴!我还是希望你得到你想要的.

Make bank 发财了After getting the job at the audit firm, Fiona started to make bank.Jeffrey was making bank after getting promoted.Jonathon was making bank this Chinese New Year by getting red packets.Definition: Acquiring significant amount of money in a short period.Etymology:***发财了After winning the singing contest, she started to make bank. 比赛获奖,她开始发财.The internet stars are making banks by hosting bizarre shows. 网络红人发财.The one year old is making bank since all her relatives are giving her red envelops on her first birthday. 一岁小孩发财了,得了很多周岁红包.xxxxxxxxxxxSitting prettyRandall is sitting pretty after buying plenty of houses during the SARS crisis when the prices were low. The football club is sitting pretty after going 4 points clear at the top of the league table.Amy is sitting pretty on college applications after getting a perfect score on her SAT.Definition: Someone who is sitting pretty is in a good or fortunate situation, especially compared with others who are not so lucky.Etymology: This American expression comes from the early 1900's. Sitting is a comfortable position and pretty is an adjective suggesting beauty, this implies an easy, favorable situation.***幸运,过得好,令人羡慕 In other people's eyes, she is sitting pretty since she has all the enviable things in life, a good job, a rich family, a caring husband and a loving son. But few people know how hard she works because she believes nothing comes free. 别人羡慕她的生活,而她却不相信免费的午餐. If we work hard enough when we are young, we may have the chance to be sitting pretty when we get older. 少年不努力,老大徒伤悲!

Overplay one's hand 过分,过火Jesse was going to ask for a promotion, but thought she was going to overplay her hand by demanding fewer working hours.The General overplayed his hands by sending out all his units against his opponent who he believed was retreating.Jeremy, the scam artist, overplayed his hand by thinking the person he called would both listen and put money into Jeremy's bank account.Definition: To try to get more advantages from a situation than you are likely to get.Etymology: From card games.***过分,过火The father overplayed his hand by trying to control his son's life in every way. 父亲过分干预儿子的生活.The retired boss overplayed his hand by exerting influence on the new management and being overly critical of the performance of the company. 退休了还指手画脚,有点过火了.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxCarry a lot of baggageMike's mom slapped her son after he brought home a girlfriend with a lot of baggage.Allison dumped her boyfriend after finding out he had a lot of baggage.Ethan moved out of the house after realizing it had a lot of baggage.Definition: Someone who carries issues from past relationships; i.e kids, debt, drugs, addictions, psychologically issues or being not quite divorced.Etymology: They are literally carrying something with them when they come into your life.***背包袱 有负担或拖累Girls tend to carry a lot of baggage after relationships break up. 女孩在分手后容易背包袱.Mary shuns marriage because she carries a lot of baggage from her childhood where she lived through domestic violence. 家暴拖累了她,她不相信婚姻.

A double edged sword 双刃剑Don't hate people; it is a double edged sword.Having a high IQ is a double edged sword since no one is compatible to talk to you.Being in a position of power is a double edged sword since people can no longer treat you like a friend.Definition: Something that has both pros and cons.Etymology: First used in the 15th century. ***双刃剑Success/fame is a double edged sword. It's a life fulfilling experience that causes you to lose friends afterwards. 成功或成名是双刃剑.朋友会越来越少.Losing weight in a short amount of time is a double edged sword, sometimes it will affect one's health and reduce immunity.迅速减肥是双刃剑,有时会影响健康,降低免疫力.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXDoesn't ring a bellThe name of the famous classical musician doesn't ring a bell with Tom since he only listens to modern music.I have met Dana, but her name doesn't ring a bell.When Jeff's girlfriend talked about a girl from work, Jeff claimed the girl's name did not ring a bell. This was to conceal the fact it was his ex.Definition: To awaken a memoryEtymology: To ring a bell or "awaken a memory" is perhaps a reference to Pavlovian experiments. In a series of experiments, Pavlov then tried to figure out how these phenomena were linked. For example, he struck a bell when the dogs were fed. If the bell was sounded in close association with their meal, the dogs learned to associate the sound of the bell with food. After a while, at the mere sound of the bell, they responded by drooling.***想不起来 没有印象Her cousin told her that when she was little, she wanted everybody to call her princess. She was a little embarrassed and claimed that it didn't ring a bell to her. 她没有印象!He said we'd met on many different occasions and yet he didn't ring a bell to me. He still seems like a total stranger to me! 他说我们过去见过很多次,但我想不起来了,对我来说他就是个陌生人.

Ghost of a chance 几乎不可能 机会渺茫 Philip had a ghost of a chance of getting into the school after he swore during the interview with the dean.Mike had a ghost of a chance of dating Katy since she only dated actors.Before the Olympics in 2004, people thought Asian men had a ghost of a chance to win a medal in track events.Definition: A very small chance.Etymology: Derives from the idea that ghosts are an insubstantial shadow, dates from the mid-1800s.***几乎不可能 机会渺茫 You have a ghost of a chance to make her quit. 让她放弃工作几乎是不可能的.Children hate vegetables and doctors and parents have a ghost of a chance to make them fall in love with them. 让孩子们喜欢上蔬菜机会很渺茫.(江山易改本性难移,改各种习惯太难了!)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxSeparate sheep from goats:In order to separate the sheep from goats, Simon gave his 3 girlfriends 500 dollars to see how they would spend it.In order to separate the sheep from goats, the head doctor asked his students to all perform difficult surgeries.In order to separate the sheep from goats, the grandfather only allowed his charitable grandchildren to have inheritance.Definition: Separating good people from bad or unqualified people.Etymology: Term is biblical and refers to how the Christian god would separate people he liked and people who were bad. ***分辨好人与坏人 区分好坏/优劣The way people treat the young and the old is the best way to separate sheep from goats. 对待孩子和老人的态度是区分好人与坏人的最好的办法.The company had to separate sheep from goats. So they organized a series of tests for the newly recruited. 公司组织新人参加考试以分优劣.

Over the moon (飘飘然) 特别高兴 欣喜若狂The polygamous man was over the moon when he found out that UK allowed babies to be born to 3 parents.Megan was over the moon when she got accepted into her reach school for university.Liverpool FC fans were over the moon when they won the Champions League in 2005.Definition: OverjoyedEtymology: Refers to floating off the ground and into space.******(飘飘然) 特别高兴 欣喜若狂1,She was admitted into Peking University. When the news came, the whole family was over the moon for days. 她被北大录取,全家都特别高兴.******2, The man was over the moon for winning the sports lottery ( or jackpot in the lottery). He had been investing in the lottery for years and and never made a fortune until now.他中了体育彩票,欣喜若狂!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxEverything but the kitchen sinkWhen Carly went to college she took everything from her home except the kitchen sink.When Dave went to the restaurant with his boss, he ordered everything except the kitchen sink since he wasn't paying for it.When Emily and Joe got divorced, Emily wanted everything Joe owned except the kitchen sink.Definition: Refers to almost everything one can think of.Etymology: It is based on the idea that if you brought many things to someone, a kitchen sink is one of the last things you would bring because it is difficult to move.******能带的都带 (尽)全力1,When I got a work visa in the UK, mom asked me to bring everything but the kitchen sink there since everything is expensive in the UK and I might not be able to find things I need and love. 我去英国工作,妈妈让我能带的都带上!2,Teachers prepare for the Gaokao with everything but the kitchen sink and students answered the exam questions with everything but the kitchen sink! 老师全力准备高考,学生尽全力答题.

The willies 害怕 恐慌 毛骨悚然Sandra got the Willies when she watched the Thai horror movie "Shutter".Kenny got the Willies when he went on a ghost hunt and thought he heard a noise.Sara got the willies when she walked through the dark woods.Definition: To be freaked out.Etymology: It refers to how wool is itchy.******害怕 恐慌 毛骨悚然1,I get the willies whenever someone knocks at my door at midnight or in the evening. On most occasions it was just the water bill lady but one day it was a man punching at my door...我特别害怕***2,Sometimes horror movies can't make people get willies but it's real people who are out of their mind who can really scare people. 不正常的人会让人毛骨悚然. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPull wool over one's eyesAlthough Damien acted stupid, no one in the office can pull wool over his eyes.The store keeper pulled wool over Laura's eyes by saying the TV was more expensive than it actually was.A man in Northern China pulled wool over the eyes of a southerner by saying the Arctic Fox was a Siberian Samoyed puppy.Definition: To deceive someone.Etymology: This term alludes to the former custom of wearing a wig, which would blind someone if it ever slipped.******欺骗 骗 1,She pulls wool over her own eyes by telling herself she is the happiest person in the world, even though she has an alcoholic husband and a criminal son. 她自欺欺人!2,Dad was not feeling very well. But he pulled wool over our eyes by not showing us the full extent of his condition. He doesn't want us to worry! 爸爸骗我们!

Mansplain 男人说教 直男癌Colin mansplained that women do not make 75 cents to a man's dollar for equal work. He mansplained that men and women take on different careers, and engineers typically get paid more than kindergarten teachers. Women are welcome to go to engineering school.Donald Trump mansplained that Hilary Clinton was doing well because she was playing the woman card.King Joffrey Baratheon mansplained to his mother that smart women do as they are told.Definition: Is a portmanteau of the words man and explaining, defined as "to explain something to someone, typically a man to woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing.Etymology: First used by feminist author Rebecca Solnit.***男人说教 直男癌The father mansplained that women should do more household chores so that men can concentrate more on work.It is mansplaining to say that women are bad drivers! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxBall in one's courtAfter making an error at work, Ben's boss said the ball was in his court to fix it.Rosalyn told Edmund that the ball was in his court to make their relationship work.Nikki had the ball in her court after she found out her boyfriend was secretly carrying a lot of baggage.Definition: The decision is up to you.Etymology: It is based on tennis where the ball lands in your side, or your court.***该...(做决定)的了 看...的了Terrorists are targeting police and innocent people nowadays and the ball is in the government's court to come up with a method to deal with it.The husband lost his job again and the ball is now in the wife's court to decide whether she should go and find a job.New media is all the rage. The ball is now in our court on whether or not to switch to it.