Language Café

Bring to the table 为...带来Alex said that he could bring his clever negotiation skills to the table if he gets hired.In the movie, Lord of the Rings, Legolas brought his archery skills to the table.Chad said that he could bring his French language skills to the table.Definition: To add value to the situation when you join. It is often used when someone is joining a team, discussion, or negotiation.Etymology: 为...带来He brought to the table not only expertise but passion. 他不仅带来专业技术还带来了热情.The bride's family brought to the table all their requests for expensive betrothal gifts. 女方带来了彩礼单.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxWalk on eggshellsTony walked on eggshells around his new father-in-law since he wanted his approval.Nick walked on eggshells around his boss.Alan walked on eggshells when he visited to the temple.Definition: To walk very carefully, or try to be very inoffensive and diplomatic.Etymology: While walking on eggshells presents enough difficulty for most people, walking on the whole egg without damage would be nearly impossible.***小心翼翼 如履薄冰 走钢丝The boss is a very nice person. But why does everybody feel like walking on eggshells around him? 老板不错,但为什么他让人感觉如履薄冰.If a teacher makes students feel like walking on eggshells, he is not a qualified teacher. 如果学生在老师面前必须小心翼翼,那不是个好老师!

Get one's goat激怒 烦人 让人讨厌It really gets my goat when people don't cover their mouth when they sneeze.Sally got Amber's goat by saying her cooking tasted like airplane food.Robin got Josh's goat by cheating on their card game.Definition: An agitated person.Etymology: In horse races, horses were jumpy pure breeds. As a result they had goats as companion animals. If a rival wanted to sabotage the horse for the race, they would steal the companion goat. Later on, the race horse would freak out and perform less well. When spectators saw an under performing horse they would say "someone goat his goat".******激怒 烦人 让人讨厌She got my goat when telling me that drivers' honking is justified because it protects people. They care about people's safety! 她的话激怒了我!He got everyone's goat by starting a conversation everyday with one topic. That is complaining about his low salary, life is so uninteresting, everything is not right! 他真烦人!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxDyed in the woolAlfred is a dyed-in-the-wool gun rights activists, and walks around the town with a hunting rifle to prove it.Gemma is a dyed-in-the-wool Conservative, and asked her relatives to watch American Sniper.Roy is a dyed-in-the-wool liberal, and would often preach for equal pay for men and women.Definition: An opinionated person.Etymology: If you weave wool and dye it straight away, it will become permanent. Hence, it is dyed in the wool.******顽固 彻头彻尾I am a dyed-in-the-wool perfectionist on certain things! For example, if I increase my workload for special occasions, but I am allowed to put aside my routine work. I then find myself overstretched, because I want to be meticulous with all of my added duties. 我是彻头彻尾的完美主义者!He judges everything by appearance! You'd better dress up and impress. He belongs to that of group of dyed-in-the-wool fashionistas who only care about outer appearances! 外貌协会的,非常顽固!没救了!

Jack of all trades, aces of none万精油(ointment like tiger balm) 多面手Alex advised against going to the Pan-Asian restaurant, since they were a jack of all trades and aces of none.Claire argued with her husband that they needed a plumber; around the house, her husband was a jack of all trades, aces of none.Some argue that the International Bacheloreate makes high school students a jack of all subjects, aces of none.Definition: Someone who is decent in many things, but is not great in one single thing.Etymology: In Elizabethan English the quasi-New Latin term Johannes factotum ("Johnny do-it-all") was sometimes used, with the same negative connotation that "Jack of all trades" sometimes has today. The 'master of none' element appears to have been added later and the expression ceased to be very flattering. Today, the phrase used in its entirety generally describes a person whose knowledge, while covering a number of areas, is superficial in all of them.******1,It's just a grocery store and we only need Jack of all trades on daily baisis and whenever necessary when can find a professional to solve the problem. 我们只需要多面手. 2, Don't rely on him! He is Jack of all trades and aces of none. 别指望他,他就是一个万精油.3, We have too many Jack of all trades. For innovation we need aces of trade or master of trade. 我们需要大师, 太多万精油了! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxWolf in sheep's clothingBeware of Cory, although he just looks like someone with a heavy suitcase. He could be a wolf in sheep's clothing trying to trick the lady working at the check-in counterBrenda told Carly to beware of John, since he was a wolf in sheep's clothingAlthough the President had a friendly demeanor, many suspected he was a wolf in sheep's clothingDefinition: Refers to those playing a role contrary to their real character, with whom contact is dangerous.Etymology: The 12th century Greek rhetorician Nikephoros Basilakis said, A wolf once decided to change his nature by changing his appearance, and thus got plenty to eat. He put on a sheep skin and accompanied the flock to the pasture. The shepherd was fooled by the disguise. ******披着羊皮的狼1,In life,most people are themselves. Besides that, we will find two kinds of people, either it's wolf in sheep's clothing or sheep in wolf's clothing. 披着羊皮的狼或披着狼皮的羊.2,Good parents should be sheep in wolf's clothing. They are authoritative in appearce and gentle in heart. 好人或父母应该是披着狼皮的羊.3,我不喜欢他,因为他是一只...

Broken Record 破唱片 喋喋不休 唠唠叨叨 没玩没了Christine sounded like a broken record as she nagged her family.The President's constant discussion of raising taxes sounded like a broken record.Meow Meow the cat sounded like a broken record.Definition: Something that repeats causing annoyance.Etymology: How a broken record player keeps on repeating.******1,Whenever I go, I hear people talking about property prices like a broken record. 人们喋喋不休讨论房价.2,Grandma keeps asking whether I have a boyfriend or not. She is like a broken record! I don't know how to stop her! 外婆唠唠叨叨.3,Once we had a boss who talked like a broken record. But nobody dared to stop his speech. 他没玩没了... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxConsolation prizeLionel Messi was given the consolation prize of the Most Valuable Player at the World Cup after under-performing.After the Prince spurned Victoria for a commoner, Victoria's father set her up with the Prince's brother as a consolation prize.After contestants get kicked out of the game show, they are given a consolation prize of traveling anywhere in the World.Definition: A prize given to the loser or runner-up in a contest, competition.Etymology: A prize given to a contestant just for participating.******安慰(奖) 1,All kids in the kindergarten got a consolation prize. It's not really a competition. It's just a game of fun to get all kids involved in some activity. 幼儿园,人人得安慰奖.2,In the good old days here in China, siblings could take over their parents' jobs when they reach retirement age. The father chose the youngest son as his successor. As a consolation prize to his eldest son, the father told his eldest son that he was the one who could inherit everything after he passes away.

Fifth Column 第五纵队 内奸 内鬼 Lilian was worried that a fifth column was undermining her position at work.In World War 2, after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, America believed a Fifth Column of Japanese Americans was assisting the nation of Japan.Donald Trump got votes by making people fear a Fifth Column in the country.Definition: Is any group of people who undermine a larger group—such as a nation or a besieged city—from within. The activities of a fifth column can be overt or clandestine. Clandestine fifth column activities can involve acts of sabotage, disinformation, or espionage executed within defense lines by secret sympathizers with an external force.Etymology: Emilio Mola, a Nationalist General during the Spanish Civil War, told a journalist in 1936 that as his four columns of troops approached Madrid from the North, West, South and East, a "fifth column" of supporters inside the city would support him and undermine the Republican government from within. The term was then widely used in Spain. The fifth column never showed up.******第五纵队 内奸 内鬼 例句1 In spy movies, we always see how hard the fifth columnists(the fifth column people) are working and contributing to the side they serve and sometimes they sacrifice their lives for the cause and remain anonymous forever. 谍战片中,到处都有第五纵队的身影,他们默默无闻地奉献.例句2,How insensitive she is! Her so called best friend in the office was the fifth column who eventually succeeded in stealing her opportunity to study in the best university in the world. 她的好朋友居然是内鬼! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Game faceJohn brought his game face when he went to the quiz show.Edith put on her game face for the interview.Jeremy Lin brought his game face on for the NBA playoffs.Definition: A confident swagger you bring out when you are about to get ready to tackle something difficult. It can also be used when you are ready to get down to business. Etymology: Its use began in the 1980s. It refers to being ready for a game.******严肃 认真(的表情)(Poker Face 面无表情)例句1,I can't stand him any more! Every time I try to start a conversation with him, he gives me this game face expression. Does he know what is humour? 受不了他那么严肃的表情!例句2,At the age of 10, one day I went back home from school and it was rare for me to see both at home. Father had a game face. Mother was crying. (They both had a game face). The next year, mom and me moved out of the city and since then I had never seen my dad again. 爸爸妈妈表情严肃!

Sweep under the rug 隐瞒 避开不谈 The Queen decided to sweep the identity of the prince's real father under the rug.The employee who made a mistake swept it under the rug, in the hope his boss would not notice.The President wanted to sweep his affair with the intern under the rug.Definition: To avoid discussing or dealing with (something negative or troubling).Etymology: This idiom alludes to sweeping dust under the rug, so it wouldn't be seen.******例句1 The man wants to sweep his criminal record under the rug everytime he dates a girl. However, they have all ended up finding it out. Why not telling the truth. This way he may come up with someone who can put up with him.例句2 HIV or aids patients are still being discriminated against. That's why many of them decided to sweep the truth under the rug when applying for jobs or socializing with people. 例句3 He has a terrible personality. Nobody likes him. He has been bullied by many students. But whenever teachers investigate, students sweep the situation under the rug. 避开不谈 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPunch above one's weightChris, the personal trainer, told his student not to punch above his weight.The small football team punched above their weight by beating Manchester United.Jeff punched above his weight by asking Lindsey out on a date.Definition: 1) To be in a situation that requires powers or abilities that one does not possess.2) To be temporarily successful in such a situation.Etymology: From boxing; a fighter who is punching above his weight is fighting an opponent who is heavier and more dominant.******勉为其难 超常发挥例句1,He was sent to a remote place to assist locals in a teaching program. But unfortunately his wife got ill and he himself was not performing to the standard, the management decided not to punch above his weight and shortened his tenure. 例句2,She was not the most brilliant girl in class but that year in Gaokao she punched above her weight and got the highest scores in the examinations and was recruited by Peking University.

Water under the bridge 过去的就让它过去吧!无法挽回了!After the two nations that used to hate each other resumed ties. They agreed that past aggression were just water under the bridge.After Elliot got the job offer, he realized he should have asked for higher wages. But it was water under the bridge now.Although Justin and Erica had a bad break up, they were still able to be friendly since their past was just water under the bridge.Definition: Something that has happened and cannot be changed.Etymology: Refers to the movement of a river or a stream under a bridge that cannot be moved or recovered.******例句1:They have been divorced for two years but every time she sees a friend she'd talk about how her ex was being so ungrateful and unfaithful to her. It was her and her family who helped him to succeed in his career and while she has sacrificed everything for him. Although friends have been telling her that 过去的就让它过去吧!It was xxxx, she refused to move on!例句2:The other day I refused his invitation to his family party and I think I have offended him. We were not on very good terms all these year and he eventually made a gesture to make amends that I spurned. Anything I can do to make it up? It's xxx 无法挽回了!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxJazz upPeter Jackson jazzed up the Hobbit novel for the film adaptation by adding female characters.The commissioner of the NHL was concerned that Americans were not interested in Hockey anymore. So he jazzed it up by encouraging fighting between players.The Chinese director decided to jazz up the period TV series by making female characters have more revealing clothing.Definition: To make something or someone more exciting or sexy, or more appealing to contemporary tastes.Etymology: From the music form Jazz, jazz qualities have improvisation and quicker tempo.******活跃气氛 使变得有趣例句1:This weekend we are organizing a party in a friend's home in the suburb. I think people who are invited are a bit boring. So, let's find someone interesting to jazz up the occasion. I know someone who can 活跃气氛 (jazz up the atmosphere). 例句2:To jazz up the book fair, many famous writers were invited to meet their readers. 为了让图书节变得有趣,作家被请来与读者见面. 举办读书沙龙

De jure/de facto 名义上 实际上While the Queen is the de jure head of state. The real power lies with the Prime Minister who is the de facto head of state.The government has de jure control over the oil, but the individual tribes and clans have de facto control on the distribution of oil.Although my dad is the legal head of the household, when the front door shuts my mom is the de facto head of the house.Definition: De facto concerns fact. While de jure concerns law.Etymology: In English de facto has come to mean in practice or actuality, but not officially established. While de jure has come to mean who has theoretical or legal power, but in reality has no power.********例句1, 法律上或名义上我爸是一家之长,但实际上只有我妈妈说话算数.My father is the de jure head of the family, but my mom is the de facto head of the family.例句2, 你去找真正的老板吧,我只是名义上的负责人. You need to go and find the de facto boss, I am only the de jure one.例句3, 中国的许多家庭, 孩子说了算! In many Chinese families, children are the de facto master of the family. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxAd hocThe refugees from the neighboring country forced the government to form an ad hoc committee to deal with them.The use of corn to feed people in the movie Interstellar was an ad hoc solution to the lack of rice and bread.Using the bike to carry groceries was an ad hoc solution for the families whose car was broken.Definition: Improvised. It can also refer to a temporary organization for a particular purpose.Etymology: From Latin for "this".******临时 权宜之计例句1,战争爆发,政府解散,人们不得不成立临时政府.The war erupted in the country and the government was dismissed and people had to form an ad hoc government.例句2,春节期间保姆阿姨都回老家过年,她临时请保洁公司过来打扫卫生. Maids and Ayis all went home during the Spring Festival, as an ad hoc solution, she sought herself a cleaning company.例句3,这是紧急情况,这只是权宜之计! This is an emergency and it is only an ad hoc solution.

Ship has sailed错过了 生米已经煮成熟饭When Albert asked his Ex-boss for his old job back, his boss said that ship has sailed since Albert quit.Even though Herman still loved Sandra, that ship had sailed the day she got married to someone else.The ship for Hayley to get driving lessons from John had sailed after she crashed his car.Definition: A particular opportunity has passed you by when that ship has sailed.Etymology: The idea that you can't catch a ship that has already disembarked.******1,He thought she deserved a better version of him and decided to study abroad first and then come back to propose to her. But after seven years and a PhD in hand he discovered she had already married someone else. Ship has sailed! .生米已经煮成熟饭! 她都当妈妈了!后悔吧!2,I have been hesitating on buying a bigger apartment for years, but now I guess the ship has sailed, for property prices have skyrocketed! 我错过了.买不起了.太贵了.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx101Ryan was shocked that Harry did not know how to drive a manual car since it is guy 101.You need to gel your hair before going out on a date. That's like Dating 101.Laura told her sister not to wear more than 3 different colors, since that was Fashion 101.Definition: Basics in something.Etymology: From how most intro classes in college for any major are labeled "101".******初级 入门级 最基本的1,In China when a guy dates a girl, don't go dutch on the restaurant bill. That's dating 101. 这是最基本的好不好!2,My God, that's 101! This is a good example of how love destroys a person! An 18 year old doesn't even know an egg has a hard shell. Her mom has been serving her unshelled eggs all the time. 这是初级知识!6,Sending an email letter is just "Using a computer" 101. 用电脑,发电子邮件是入门级!

Rock the boat 捅马蜂窝 挑事 无风起浪Jack, the new employee, did not want to rock the boat.The President did not want to rock the boat with the neighboring country, since the status quo was fine.Tom was told not to rock the boat before the business road show, even though his ideas were quite good.Definition: To cause trouble where none is welcome; or to disturb a situation that is otherwise stable and satisfactory.Etymology: This idiom alludes to capsizing a small vessel, such as a canoe, by moving about in it too violently. ******1,A recent survey shows that Chinese young people are more liberal and tolerant about sexuality. But how come I still feel we'd better not to rock the boat and keep our mouth shut.我们还是不要捅马蜂窝的好!2,The two have been mending relationship for quite some time. But a recent visit by their common friend rocked the boat by digging up the buried wounds. 他们的朋友挑事. 3,She hate people knowing her past. Why do you bring up the topic of her ex? You definitely rocked the boat and spoiled a nice evening. 你无风起浪,毁了一个美好的夜晚!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxWild goose chaseIn Game of Thrones, King Robert has his squire go on a wild goose chase to find a breast-plate stretcher.My mom asked me to go on a wild goose chase looking for her mobile phone in the bathroom.Christine sent her son on a wild goose chase to get a tropical disease vaccine even though they lived in Iceland.Definition: A pursuit of something unattainable or non-existent, such as in a snipe hunt. It is also known as a fool's errand.Etymology: The origin of the term is a practical joke where inexperienced campers are told about a bird or animal called the snipe as well as a usually preposterous method of catching it; such as running around the woods carrying a bag or making strange noises such as banging rocks together.******追野鹅 白费劲 徒劳1,I lost one ear ring. I started a wild goose chase after I found out. I went to every place that I went in the morening and still couldn't find it. 徒劳,别找了!2, Stop making efforst to please her. What you are doing is wild goose chase. She will never be satisfied. 你白费劲!3,As a journalist, I hate street interviews. It's wild goose chase. You spend so much time and may still end up with no suitable interviewees. 有时确实是白费劲!