英語講義【155】有動物的慣用語(上)

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和中文一樣,英語有不少慣用語與動物有關。下面便是些好例子:
    (1) An eager beaver:做事特別賣力的人
    Every year during the long holidays in June and December, many people go abroad for a tour except Jason, an eager beaver, who will at most take a few days off in Singapore.
    (2) A busy bee:忙碌的人
    There isn't much to do today, but Nancy has been rushing here and there like a busy bee.
    (3) Have a bee in one's bonnet about…… : 對……苦思不已
    As a low-income bread-earner, Ali has a bee in his bonnet about increasing his monthly income.
    (4) Make a bee-line for ……:徑直朝向……
    After class, student rushed out of classroom, making a bee-line for the nearest canteen.
    (5) An early bird:早起的人
    Morning walk at six? No problem ! I'm an early bird, you know.
    (6) A home bird:愛在家里的人
    Jason's youngest son doesn't care for social life; he is a home bird through and through.
    (7) A bird's-eye, view of……:鳥瞰;概觀
    (i) From the plane, we can have a bird's eye view of the Singapore buildlngs.
    (ii) Jason's new book can give the reader a bird's eye view of elements of good English.
    (8) A cat nap:瞌睡
    Between lunch and the 2 p.m. class, there is at least half an hour for a cat nap.
    (9) Lead a cat-and-dog life:過著吵吵鬧鬧的日子
    Poor couples often lead a cat-and-dog life because of financial problems. Don't you think so?
    (10) Let the cat out of the bag:泄露秘密
    David was planning a surprise birthday party for Irene, but his new secretary let the cat out of the bag in a casual talk.
    (11) There is not enough room to swing a cat:沒有活動的余地
    How can you live and do your design work in such a small room? There isn't enough room to swing a cat, is there?
    (12) Rain cats and dogs:傾盆大雨
    We can't go out yet. It is raining cats and dogs at the moment.
    (13) No chicken:不再是小孩
    Don't treat Lily like a kid! She is no chicken now.
    (14) A cock-and-bull story:無稽之談
    Whenever Tom was late for work, he would tell a cock-and-bull story as an excuse.
    (15) Wait till the cows come home: 無限期的等待
    Don't lend him money. If you want him to pay back, you have to wait till the cows come home.
    (16) Crocodile tears:鱷魚淚
    Jane seemed very sad at the old man's death. Actually, she was only shedding crocodile tears because she never really liked that old man.