1..at one’s wits end 智窮計盡
wit的意思是“穎悟力，智力，理解力”。該習(xí)語的意思是“處在智力的末端”，意即“智窮計盡”了。例如：I’m at my wit’s end with this problem. 我對這個問題真是束手無策。
A: I am at my wits’ end. 我已經(jīng)智窮計盡了
B: What’s the matter? 怎么啦？
A: If the bank won’t lend us the money, we’ll be stuck. 如果銀行不肯給我們貸款，我們就寸步難行了。
B: Don’t worry. You can ask Mary for help. 別著急。你可以請瑪麗幫幫忙。
2..at sixes and sevens 亂七八糟；意見不一
該習(xí)語一般認(rèn)為源于擲色子，原為賭博行話。據(jù)說在中世紀(jì)時，色子面上的點數(shù)是7，如想求得13點，即一個色子6點，一個色子7點，這談何容易，只有那些心煩意亂或處于思想混亂狀態(tài)下的人才會下此賭注，一試賭贏。該習(xí)語最初表示“漫不經(jīng)心地下賭注”，后來轉(zhuǎn)而表示“心煩意亂”，最后又引申出“亂七八糟”、“意見不一”等意思。喬叟在愛情長詩《特羅勒斯和克麗西德》中使用過該習(xí)語。
A: You have loused up the whole business; it’s at sixes and sevens. 整個買賣讓你弄得亂七八糟。
B: The dice is cast. It’s incurable. 一切都成了定局，沒救了。
A: I feel so terrible. 糟透了。
B: Me too. We just went to a lot of trouble for nothing. 我也這么想，一切都白忙了。
3.back to square one 退回起點；從頭再來
該習(xí)語源自擲色子游戲。當(dāng)擲出某個特定的號碼時要受罰，于是還要重新再擲。該習(xí)語即指“無所進(jìn)展，退回起點”，進(jìn)而“從頭再來”。例如：I’m back to square one with the work.（我的工作又得從頭做起。）
A: Have you finished designing that office building? 那座辦公樓設(shè)計好了嗎？
B: We are back to square one now. 我們正在重新設(shè)計。
A: Back to square one? What’s the matter? 重新設(shè)計？ 怎么回事？
B: We’ve worked out the plan, but it’s been decided that we must use cheaper material. So we have to redesign it. 本來我們都已經(jīng)設(shè)計好了，但現(xiàn)在決定使用便宜點的材料，所以只得從頭再來。
4.back to the drawing board 從頭開始，失敗后另起爐灶
drawing board指“畫板”。該習(xí)語直議為“（退）回到畫板前”，引申為“從頭開始。失敗后另起爐灶”。
A: How is Jim recently? 吉姆近況如何？
B: Very well. Since he was back to the drawing board, he’s been very successful. 非常好。自從他失敗以后另起爐灶，就一直很成功。
A: I know he will get back on his feet sooner or later. 我知道他遲早會東山再起的。
5..ballpark figure 近似數(shù)，大致正確的估計
ballpark一詞本指“棒球場”，引申為“活動領(lǐng)域”，在此為形容詞，表示“大致正確的，八九不離十的”。此類常用短語還有in the right ballpark“大致正確，差不多”。 Ballpark figure 指大致不錯的近似數(shù)。
A: What price is this building? 這棟樓的成本是多少？
B: It’s $1,00,000, just a ballpark figure. 一百萬美元，這只是個大概數(shù)。
A: So much? It must have been in excess of our budget. 這么多！肯定超出了預(yù)算了。
B: So. We go on or stop it now? 那現(xiàn)在是干下去還是停下來？
A: Of course build it. Let’s think of some ways to raise money. 當(dāng)然要干下去，我們想法去籌些錢。
6.bang for the buck 貨真價實
buck在美國俚語中是“美元”的意思。有這樣一個短語，bigger bang for a buck，它的意思是“花錢取得更大效果”。Bang原是表示巨大聲響的擬聲詞，這里引申為“效果”。
A: Listen! It’s mid-summer now. What do we need them for? 嘿，現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)是仲夏了，我們要這些東西干什么？
B: They may come in handy. Besides, these items can be true bang for the buck. 會有用得著它們的時候，再說這些東西是貨真價實的呀。
A: True bang for the buck? They’re enough for ten years’ use. 貨真價實？都夠用10年的了。
B: Stop getting on my nerves! I’m not doing something for nothing! 別煩我了，我可不是沒事找事。
7.be brassed off doing 厭煩干… ，對 … 滿腹牢騷
brass作名詞指“黃銅”，作動詞指“鍍黃銅于 … ”，而brassed off是俚語，意思是“厭煩，不滿，牢騷滿腹”。
A: I am awfully sorry that I have kept you waiting. 真是很抱歉讓您久等了。
B: To tell you the truth, I am really brassed off waiting. 說實話，我最討厭等人。
A: Sorry. I had something urgent to deal with just when I was to leave. 對不起，我正要來的時候又有急事要處理。
B: You should have told me earlier. 你應(yīng)該早點告訴我。
A: It was too late to inform you. 通知你已經(jīng)來不及了。
8.be catty 愛搬弄是非的；愛誹謗人的
英語中，cat給人的聯(lián)想總是不太愉快，如cattish的意思是“狡猾的、惡意的、偷偷摸摸的”。cat在英語中可用來指“惡意傷人的女人，包藏禍心的女人”，因此catty就有了誹謗的含義。
A: I thought you would cooperate. 我原以為你會跟我合作呢。
B: Well, I’m too busy to be catty and poke my nose into things that do not matter much to me. 我可不愿意搬弄是非去管那些跟我沒關(guān)系的閑事。
A: How do you know that he won’t do something against yourself? 你怎么知道他不會做出什么對你不利的事呢？
B: You do seem to have a glib tongue. 你真能胡攪蠻纏。
9.be down in the dumps 垂頭喪氣，神情沮喪
the dumps在非正規(guī)的口語表達(dá)方式中的意思是“憂郁”或“沮喪”。be down in the dumps常指“悶悶不樂”或“打不起精神”，也可引申為“垂頭喪氣，精神沮喪”。
A: You’re down in the dumps. What’s happened? 你看上去沮喪不堪。出什么事了？
B: I had a quarrel with our boss’s secretary. She’s been on her high horse these days. 我和老板的秘書吵了一架。這幾天她總是盛氣凌人。
A: Maybe she was only taking it out on you. Secretaries have a lot of pressure, too. 也許她僅僅是向你發(fā)泄。秘書的壓力也很大。
B: But she jumped down my throat for no reason at all. I could not put up with her. 但她無理由地斥責(zé)我，我無法容忍。
10.be in a jam 陷入困境
jam指“擁擠，阻塞”。該習(xí)語的字母意思為“在擁擠之中”，引申為“陷入困難的處境”。例如：She is in a bit of jam about money. （她的手頭有點拮據(jù)。）
A: Mike told me that his business was in a jam and he was in urgent need of money. He wanted to borrow some money from me. 邁克告訴我他的生意陷入困境，急需用錢。他想向我借錢。
B: Don’t lend money to him. He’s always lying. 別借錢給他。他總是說慌。
A: But I think he is really in difficulty this time. 但這一次我看他是真的遇上困難了?！ ?11.be in full swing 正在全力進(jìn)行，處于活躍階段
in full swing的意思是“活躍”。該習(xí)語的意思即引申為“處于（工作的）全面展開、進(jìn)行階段”。例如：The building project is in full swing.（這個建筑工程正處在全力進(jìn)行之中。）
A: I hear your company in expanding its business. 我聽說你們公司正在擴展生意。
B: Yeah. We’re setting up a new factory now and the work on it is in full swing. The project will be completed in three months. 是的，我們正在新建一個工廠。工程正處于全面施工階段，三個月內(nèi)就可以完工了。
12.be in high gear 全力進(jìn)行
gear指“齒輪，傳動裝置”，high gear的意思是汽車的“高速檔”。該習(xí)語字面意思為“機器正處在高速檔（快速運轉(zhuǎn)）”，實際指“事物正處在全力進(jìn)行當(dāng)中”。
A: By the way, how is your business going? Is it proceeding smoothly? 哎，你的生意最近如何？進(jìn)展還順利嗎？
B: Yes, it’s in high gear. 一切都在全力進(jìn)行。
13.be itching for a chance to do 很想找個機會試一試
形容詞itching的意思是“渴望的”，be itching to do意為“渴望做某事”；for a chance指“找機會”，因此整個習(xí)語的意思即為“渴望得到機會試做某事”。
A: I am itching for a chance to cooperate with Mike. I hear he’s a very competent person. 我很想找機會和邁克合作一次。聽說他特別能干。
B: Everyone who has worked with him will have a deep impression on that point. 是的。每個和他一起工作的人都對此深有體會。
14.be of one mind 意見一致，看法相同
mind可指“頭腦，心神”。該習(xí)語直譯為“一個腦子想出的問題”，由此可以引申為“意見統(tǒng)一、看法相同”的意思。
A: What do the board think about this plan? 董事會對這項計劃怎么看？
B: They are of one mind in passing it. 他們一致通過。
A: Good news. 太好啦。
15.be of two minds 拿不定主意
be of two minds和be in two minds的意思基本相同，均表示“左右搖擺”或“拿不定主意，下不了決心”。例如：Don’t depend on him to decide. He always seems to be of two minds on important matters.（別指望他能做出決定。在重要事情上他好像總拿不定主意。）
A: Are you ready to take the plunge and pound the pavements for new one? 你是否準(zhǔn)備大膽采取措施，排除障礙，重新再來？
B: I’m still of two minds. But I do seem to like to quit my present job. 我依然猶疑不決。我確實想放棄現(xiàn)在的工作。
A: What kind of job are you aiming at? I mean, do you have a particular job in mind? 你想做什么樣的工作？ 我的意思是說，在你腦子里有沒有特別的選擇？
B: I have a good mind to go into business. I think I can be equally successful as most other women in business. 我想進(jìn)軍商海。我想我會得到與商海里其他女性同樣的成功。 16.be on a gravy train 走運，有賺錢的機會
gravy在美國口語中有“容易賺得的利潤”的意思，gravy train意即“輕易發(fā)大財?shù)墓ぷ鳌?。該?xí)語直譯為“在一輛容易賺錢的火車上”，所以引申為“走運，有賺錢的機會”。
A: John seems to be on the gravy train these days. 約翰最近看起來很走運。
B: Yeah. He got a chance of going abroad to arrange an exhibition. 是啊。他得到了一個出國去辦展覽的機會。
A: I don’t know why the sun is not shining on me. 我不明白為什么我的運氣總是不佳。
B: Don’t worry. You’ll be in the chips sooner or later. 別著急，總有一天你也會很富裕的。
17.be on cloud nine 高興得飄飄然
該習(xí)語原為美國氣象用語。該習(xí)語的流行據(jù)說應(yīng)歸功于50年代播放的一個名叫《約翰尼·多拉爾》的廣播節(jié)目。Be on cloud nine的字面意思是“坐早九重云霄之上”，引申為“高興得不得了”或“飄飄然”。例如：He was on cloud nine after winning the competition. （他在比賽勝利后欣喜若狂。）
A: You seem to be on cloud nine these days. How is your restaurant business? 你近來有些高興得飄飄然。餐館的生意怎么樣？
B: How is my business? It’s none of your business! 我的生意怎么樣？這不關(guān)你的事。
A: It’s rude of you to talk to me like this. 你這樣跟我說話太粗魯了。
B: I was only teasing you. You see, we have our clients eating out of our hands now. Both Mark and I are feeling on the top of the world. 我只是在逗你玩兒。你看，我們現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)有了許多回頭客了。馬克和我都感到非常高興。
18.be on pins and needles 坐立不安
pins指“大頭針”，needles指“針”，be on pins and needles的字面意思是“如坐在大頭針和針上”，喻為“坐臥不安”或“如坐針氈”。
A: It seems you’re on pins and needles today. Anything troubling you? 你今天似乎坐立不安。有什么事嗎？
B: Yeah. I don’t know why bad things keep happening to me. You see, my car was stolen and the warehouse had been broken into. I can’t put my finger on the causes of this damned thing. 是的。我不知道壞事為什么總是找上我。你看，我的汽車被偷了，貨倉也被盜了。我弄不明白怎么會發(fā)生這些倒霉事。
A: There must be someone who had planned that. He threatened to show you the color when you refused to give him a promotion. 也許這是有人精心策劃的。因為你沒有提升他，他要給你點丈純礎(chǔ)
19.be over the hump 已度過難關(guān)
hump的本義是“小丘，山脈”，over the hump直譯為“越過山脈”，引申為“度過難關(guān)”。
A: The Asian financial crises have almost paralyzed Asian economy. 亞洲金融危機幾乎使亞洲經(jīng)濟癱瘓。
B: Your company must be influenced by it deeply. 你們的公司肯定也很受影響吧
A: Yeah. But we are over the hump now. 是的。但我們現(xiàn)在我們已經(jīng)渡過了難關(guān)。
20.be saddled with 把任務(wù)或責(zé)任強加在某人身上
saddle在這兒作動詞，意為“使負(fù)擔(dān)，強加”，saddle sb. with sth. 意為“為某人負(fù)重?fù)?dān)”，因此該習(xí)語意為“把任務(wù)強加予某人”。例如：I can’t be saddled with any more responsibilities.（我再也不能承擔(dān)更多的任務(wù)了。）
A: How is George recently? 最近喬治怎么樣？
B: Not very good. I hear that he is saddled with debts of his company. 不太好。我聽說他的公司現(xiàn)在債務(wù)纏身。
A: What happened? 怎么回事？
B: It’s said that he was cheated by his partner. 據(jù)說是他的合伙人把他給騙啦?！ ?21.be short of hands 缺乏人手，人手不夠
short作表語時指“某物不夠，缺乏某物”的意思，常與介詞of搭配使用，既短語be short of something。
A: You look worried about something. What’s the matter? 你好像很著急，怎么了？
B: My computer isn’t working and I have got an important contract to type. 我的電腦壞了，可我還有一份重要合同要打出來。
A: Why don’t you call the computer company? 你為什么不給計算機公司打個電話？
B: I did, but they said the company was short of hands and couldn’t send any man today. 我打了，可他們說人手不夠，今天不能派人來。
A: What should I do? 我該怎么辦呢？
22.be supposed to 認(rèn)為應(yīng)該，必須；認(rèn)為可以
此語用被動語態(tài)表示“被許多人相信”，如：The castle is supposed to be haunted.（人們都說那座城堡鬧鬼。）此語在口語中表示“認(rèn)為可以做某事”，如：None of us girls is supposed to smoke.（我們女孩子都不吸煙。）此語中的supposed是動詞的過去式，supposed作為形容詞，意指“假定的，被信以為真的，想象中的”。
A: The train was supposed to get to Beijing at eight o’clock. 火車該八點鐘到北京。
B: Eight o’clock? It’s already eight-thirty. 八點？現(xiàn)在都八點半了。
A: What if he didn’t see us? 要是他沒看見我們怎么辦？
B: He would take a taxi, I think. 他會打出租車的。
A: Maybe the train is late. 不會是火車晚點了吧。
B: It is impossible. I have heard the broadcast. 不可能。我已聽見廣播了。
23.be too quick on the trigger 操之過急，行動過于倉促
trigger指槍的“扳機，觸發(fā)器”。該習(xí)語直譯為“過早地扣動扳機”，引申為“行動過于倉促，操之過急”。
A: You shouldn’t have had Bob do that job. He is still a green hand. 你不該讓鮑勃做那項工作，他畢竟還是一個新手。
B: But he needs to be given a chance. 但是他也需要機會呀！
A: You should not have been too quick on the trigger. 可你不該太性急呀！
24.bear down 加倍努力
該習(xí)語本身就有“竭盡全力、加緊努力”的意思。例如：You will bear down if you expect to pass the exam. （你要是指望考試及格的話，就得加一把勁。）
A: If we can’t finish the work before deadline, we will be fined according to the contract. 如果我們不能在規(guī)定的期限內(nèi)完成工作，根據(jù)合同，我們將會被罰款。
B: We are already bearing down to do the work. 我們已經(jīng)在很努力地工作了。
A: I know. What I mean is that we should improve our efficiency. 我知道。我的意思是我們必須提高效率。
25.beat someone at his own game 將計就計地懲罰某人
習(xí)慣用語beat someone at his own game直譯為“以某人自己設(shè)計的把戲打擊某人”，與漢語的“將計就計”近似。
A: You seem to be worried about something. 你看上去很擔(dān)心。
B: Yeah. I don’t know how to deal with that smart businessman. 是呀。我不知道該怎么對付那個狡猾的商人。
A: Don’t worry. Let’s beat him at his own game. 別擔(dān)心，我們可以將計就計。
B: A good idea. 好主意。
wit的意思是“穎悟力，智力，理解力”。該習(xí)語的意思是“處在智力的末端”，意即“智窮計盡”了。例如：I’m at my wit’s end with this problem. 我對這個問題真是束手無策。
A: I am at my wits’ end. 我已經(jīng)智窮計盡了
B: What’s the matter? 怎么啦？
A: If the bank won’t lend us the money, we’ll be stuck. 如果銀行不肯給我們貸款，我們就寸步難行了。
B: Don’t worry. You can ask Mary for help. 別著急。你可以請瑪麗幫幫忙。
2..at sixes and sevens 亂七八糟；意見不一
該習(xí)語一般認(rèn)為源于擲色子，原為賭博行話。據(jù)說在中世紀(jì)時，色子面上的點數(shù)是7，如想求得13點，即一個色子6點，一個色子7點，這談何容易，只有那些心煩意亂或處于思想混亂狀態(tài)下的人才會下此賭注，一試賭贏。該習(xí)語最初表示“漫不經(jīng)心地下賭注”，后來轉(zhuǎn)而表示“心煩意亂”，最后又引申出“亂七八糟”、“意見不一”等意思。喬叟在愛情長詩《特羅勒斯和克麗西德》中使用過該習(xí)語。
A: You have loused up the whole business; it’s at sixes and sevens. 整個買賣讓你弄得亂七八糟。
B: The dice is cast. It’s incurable. 一切都成了定局，沒救了。
A: I feel so terrible. 糟透了。
B: Me too. We just went to a lot of trouble for nothing. 我也這么想，一切都白忙了。
3.back to square one 退回起點；從頭再來
該習(xí)語源自擲色子游戲。當(dāng)擲出某個特定的號碼時要受罰，于是還要重新再擲。該習(xí)語即指“無所進(jìn)展，退回起點”，進(jìn)而“從頭再來”。例如：I’m back to square one with the work.（我的工作又得從頭做起。）
A: Have you finished designing that office building? 那座辦公樓設(shè)計好了嗎？
B: We are back to square one now. 我們正在重新設(shè)計。
A: Back to square one? What’s the matter? 重新設(shè)計？ 怎么回事？
B: We’ve worked out the plan, but it’s been decided that we must use cheaper material. So we have to redesign it. 本來我們都已經(jīng)設(shè)計好了，但現(xiàn)在決定使用便宜點的材料，所以只得從頭再來。
4.back to the drawing board 從頭開始，失敗后另起爐灶
drawing board指“畫板”。該習(xí)語直議為“（退）回到畫板前”，引申為“從頭開始。失敗后另起爐灶”。
A: How is Jim recently? 吉姆近況如何？
B: Very well. Since he was back to the drawing board, he’s been very successful. 非常好。自從他失敗以后另起爐灶，就一直很成功。
A: I know he will get back on his feet sooner or later. 我知道他遲早會東山再起的。
5..ballpark figure 近似數(shù)，大致正確的估計
ballpark一詞本指“棒球場”，引申為“活動領(lǐng)域”，在此為形容詞，表示“大致正確的，八九不離十的”。此類常用短語還有in the right ballpark“大致正確，差不多”。 Ballpark figure 指大致不錯的近似數(shù)。
A: What price is this building? 這棟樓的成本是多少？
B: It’s $1,00,000, just a ballpark figure. 一百萬美元，這只是個大概數(shù)。
A: So much? It must have been in excess of our budget. 這么多！肯定超出了預(yù)算了。
B: So. We go on or stop it now? 那現(xiàn)在是干下去還是停下來？
A: Of course build it. Let’s think of some ways to raise money. 當(dāng)然要干下去，我們想法去籌些錢。
6.bang for the buck 貨真價實
buck在美國俚語中是“美元”的意思。有這樣一個短語，bigger bang for a buck，它的意思是“花錢取得更大效果”。Bang原是表示巨大聲響的擬聲詞，這里引申為“效果”。
A: Listen! It’s mid-summer now. What do we need them for? 嘿，現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)是仲夏了，我們要這些東西干什么？
B: They may come in handy. Besides, these items can be true bang for the buck. 會有用得著它們的時候，再說這些東西是貨真價實的呀。
A: True bang for the buck? They’re enough for ten years’ use. 貨真價實？都夠用10年的了。
B: Stop getting on my nerves! I’m not doing something for nothing! 別煩我了，我可不是沒事找事。
7.be brassed off doing 厭煩干… ，對 … 滿腹牢騷
brass作名詞指“黃銅”，作動詞指“鍍黃銅于 … ”，而brassed off是俚語，意思是“厭煩，不滿，牢騷滿腹”。
A: I am awfully sorry that I have kept you waiting. 真是很抱歉讓您久等了。
B: To tell you the truth, I am really brassed off waiting. 說實話，我最討厭等人。
A: Sorry. I had something urgent to deal with just when I was to leave. 對不起，我正要來的時候又有急事要處理。
B: You should have told me earlier. 你應(yīng)該早點告訴我。
A: It was too late to inform you. 通知你已經(jīng)來不及了。
8.be catty 愛搬弄是非的；愛誹謗人的
英語中，cat給人的聯(lián)想總是不太愉快，如cattish的意思是“狡猾的、惡意的、偷偷摸摸的”。cat在英語中可用來指“惡意傷人的女人，包藏禍心的女人”，因此catty就有了誹謗的含義。
A: I thought you would cooperate. 我原以為你會跟我合作呢。
B: Well, I’m too busy to be catty and poke my nose into things that do not matter much to me. 我可不愿意搬弄是非去管那些跟我沒關(guān)系的閑事。
A: How do you know that he won’t do something against yourself? 你怎么知道他不會做出什么對你不利的事呢？
B: You do seem to have a glib tongue. 你真能胡攪蠻纏。
9.be down in the dumps 垂頭喪氣，神情沮喪
the dumps在非正規(guī)的口語表達(dá)方式中的意思是“憂郁”或“沮喪”。be down in the dumps常指“悶悶不樂”或“打不起精神”，也可引申為“垂頭喪氣，精神沮喪”。
A: You’re down in the dumps. What’s happened? 你看上去沮喪不堪。出什么事了？
B: I had a quarrel with our boss’s secretary. She’s been on her high horse these days. 我和老板的秘書吵了一架。這幾天她總是盛氣凌人。
A: Maybe she was only taking it out on you. Secretaries have a lot of pressure, too. 也許她僅僅是向你發(fā)泄。秘書的壓力也很大。
B: But she jumped down my throat for no reason at all. I could not put up with her. 但她無理由地斥責(zé)我，我無法容忍。
10.be in a jam 陷入困境
jam指“擁擠，阻塞”。該習(xí)語的字母意思為“在擁擠之中”，引申為“陷入困難的處境”。例如：She is in a bit of jam about money. （她的手頭有點拮據(jù)。）
A: Mike told me that his business was in a jam and he was in urgent need of money. He wanted to borrow some money from me. 邁克告訴我他的生意陷入困境，急需用錢。他想向我借錢。
B: Don’t lend money to him. He’s always lying. 別借錢給他。他總是說慌。
A: But I think he is really in difficulty this time. 但這一次我看他是真的遇上困難了?！ ?11.be in full swing 正在全力進(jìn)行，處于活躍階段
in full swing的意思是“活躍”。該習(xí)語的意思即引申為“處于（工作的）全面展開、進(jìn)行階段”。例如：The building project is in full swing.（這個建筑工程正處在全力進(jìn)行之中。）
A: I hear your company in expanding its business. 我聽說你們公司正在擴展生意。
B: Yeah. We’re setting up a new factory now and the work on it is in full swing. The project will be completed in three months. 是的，我們正在新建一個工廠。工程正處于全面施工階段，三個月內(nèi)就可以完工了。
12.be in high gear 全力進(jìn)行
gear指“齒輪，傳動裝置”，high gear的意思是汽車的“高速檔”。該習(xí)語字面意思為“機器正處在高速檔（快速運轉(zhuǎn)）”，實際指“事物正處在全力進(jìn)行當(dāng)中”。
A: By the way, how is your business going? Is it proceeding smoothly? 哎，你的生意最近如何？進(jìn)展還順利嗎？
B: Yes, it’s in high gear. 一切都在全力進(jìn)行。
13.be itching for a chance to do 很想找個機會試一試
形容詞itching的意思是“渴望的”，be itching to do意為“渴望做某事”；for a chance指“找機會”，因此整個習(xí)語的意思即為“渴望得到機會試做某事”。
A: I am itching for a chance to cooperate with Mike. I hear he’s a very competent person. 我很想找機會和邁克合作一次。聽說他特別能干。
B: Everyone who has worked with him will have a deep impression on that point. 是的。每個和他一起工作的人都對此深有體會。
14.be of one mind 意見一致，看法相同
mind可指“頭腦，心神”。該習(xí)語直譯為“一個腦子想出的問題”，由此可以引申為“意見統(tǒng)一、看法相同”的意思。
A: What do the board think about this plan? 董事會對這項計劃怎么看？
B: They are of one mind in passing it. 他們一致通過。
A: Good news. 太好啦。
15.be of two minds 拿不定主意
be of two minds和be in two minds的意思基本相同，均表示“左右搖擺”或“拿不定主意，下不了決心”。例如：Don’t depend on him to decide. He always seems to be of two minds on important matters.（別指望他能做出決定。在重要事情上他好像總拿不定主意。）
A: Are you ready to take the plunge and pound the pavements for new one? 你是否準(zhǔn)備大膽采取措施，排除障礙，重新再來？
B: I’m still of two minds. But I do seem to like to quit my present job. 我依然猶疑不決。我確實想放棄現(xiàn)在的工作。
A: What kind of job are you aiming at? I mean, do you have a particular job in mind? 你想做什么樣的工作？ 我的意思是說，在你腦子里有沒有特別的選擇？
B: I have a good mind to go into business. I think I can be equally successful as most other women in business. 我想進(jìn)軍商海。我想我會得到與商海里其他女性同樣的成功。 16.be on a gravy train 走運，有賺錢的機會
gravy在美國口語中有“容易賺得的利潤”的意思，gravy train意即“輕易發(fā)大財?shù)墓ぷ鳌?。該?xí)語直譯為“在一輛容易賺錢的火車上”，所以引申為“走運，有賺錢的機會”。
A: John seems to be on the gravy train these days. 約翰最近看起來很走運。
B: Yeah. He got a chance of going abroad to arrange an exhibition. 是啊。他得到了一個出國去辦展覽的機會。
A: I don’t know why the sun is not shining on me. 我不明白為什么我的運氣總是不佳。
B: Don’t worry. You’ll be in the chips sooner or later. 別著急，總有一天你也會很富裕的。
17.be on cloud nine 高興得飄飄然
該習(xí)語原為美國氣象用語。該習(xí)語的流行據(jù)說應(yīng)歸功于50年代播放的一個名叫《約翰尼·多拉爾》的廣播節(jié)目。Be on cloud nine的字面意思是“坐早九重云霄之上”，引申為“高興得不得了”或“飄飄然”。例如：He was on cloud nine after winning the competition. （他在比賽勝利后欣喜若狂。）
A: You seem to be on cloud nine these days. How is your restaurant business? 你近來有些高興得飄飄然。餐館的生意怎么樣？
B: How is my business? It’s none of your business! 我的生意怎么樣？這不關(guān)你的事。
A: It’s rude of you to talk to me like this. 你這樣跟我說話太粗魯了。
B: I was only teasing you. You see, we have our clients eating out of our hands now. Both Mark and I are feeling on the top of the world. 我只是在逗你玩兒。你看，我們現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)有了許多回頭客了。馬克和我都感到非常高興。
18.be on pins and needles 坐立不安
pins指“大頭針”，needles指“針”，be on pins and needles的字面意思是“如坐在大頭針和針上”，喻為“坐臥不安”或“如坐針氈”。
A: It seems you’re on pins and needles today. Anything troubling you? 你今天似乎坐立不安。有什么事嗎？
B: Yeah. I don’t know why bad things keep happening to me. You see, my car was stolen and the warehouse had been broken into. I can’t put my finger on the causes of this damned thing. 是的。我不知道壞事為什么總是找上我。你看，我的汽車被偷了，貨倉也被盜了。我弄不明白怎么會發(fā)生這些倒霉事。
A: There must be someone who had planned that. He threatened to show you the color when you refused to give him a promotion. 也許這是有人精心策劃的。因為你沒有提升他，他要給你點丈純礎(chǔ)
19.be over the hump 已度過難關(guān)
hump的本義是“小丘，山脈”，over the hump直譯為“越過山脈”，引申為“度過難關(guān)”。
A: The Asian financial crises have almost paralyzed Asian economy. 亞洲金融危機幾乎使亞洲經(jīng)濟癱瘓。
B: Your company must be influenced by it deeply. 你們的公司肯定也很受影響吧
A: Yeah. But we are over the hump now. 是的。但我們現(xiàn)在我們已經(jīng)渡過了難關(guān)。
20.be saddled with 把任務(wù)或責(zé)任強加在某人身上
saddle在這兒作動詞，意為“使負(fù)擔(dān)，強加”，saddle sb. with sth. 意為“為某人負(fù)重?fù)?dān)”，因此該習(xí)語意為“把任務(wù)強加予某人”。例如：I can’t be saddled with any more responsibilities.（我再也不能承擔(dān)更多的任務(wù)了。）
A: How is George recently? 最近喬治怎么樣？
B: Not very good. I hear that he is saddled with debts of his company. 不太好。我聽說他的公司現(xiàn)在債務(wù)纏身。
A: What happened? 怎么回事？
B: It’s said that he was cheated by his partner. 據(jù)說是他的合伙人把他給騙啦?！ ?21.be short of hands 缺乏人手，人手不夠
short作表語時指“某物不夠，缺乏某物”的意思，常與介詞of搭配使用，既短語be short of something。
A: You look worried about something. What’s the matter? 你好像很著急，怎么了？
B: My computer isn’t working and I have got an important contract to type. 我的電腦壞了，可我還有一份重要合同要打出來。
A: Why don’t you call the computer company? 你為什么不給計算機公司打個電話？
B: I did, but they said the company was short of hands and couldn’t send any man today. 我打了，可他們說人手不夠，今天不能派人來。
A: What should I do? 我該怎么辦呢？
22.be supposed to 認(rèn)為應(yīng)該，必須；認(rèn)為可以
此語用被動語態(tài)表示“被許多人相信”，如：The castle is supposed to be haunted.（人們都說那座城堡鬧鬼。）此語在口語中表示“認(rèn)為可以做某事”，如：None of us girls is supposed to smoke.（我們女孩子都不吸煙。）此語中的supposed是動詞的過去式，supposed作為形容詞，意指“假定的，被信以為真的，想象中的”。
A: The train was supposed to get to Beijing at eight o’clock. 火車該八點鐘到北京。
B: Eight o’clock? It’s already eight-thirty. 八點？現(xiàn)在都八點半了。
A: What if he didn’t see us? 要是他沒看見我們怎么辦？
B: He would take a taxi, I think. 他會打出租車的。
A: Maybe the train is late. 不會是火車晚點了吧。
B: It is impossible. I have heard the broadcast. 不可能。我已聽見廣播了。
23.be too quick on the trigger 操之過急，行動過于倉促
trigger指槍的“扳機，觸發(fā)器”。該習(xí)語直譯為“過早地扣動扳機”，引申為“行動過于倉促，操之過急”。
A: You shouldn’t have had Bob do that job. He is still a green hand. 你不該讓鮑勃做那項工作，他畢竟還是一個新手。
B: But he needs to be given a chance. 但是他也需要機會呀！
A: You should not have been too quick on the trigger. 可你不該太性急呀！
24.bear down 加倍努力
該習(xí)語本身就有“竭盡全力、加緊努力”的意思。例如：You will bear down if you expect to pass the exam. （你要是指望考試及格的話，就得加一把勁。）
A: If we can’t finish the work before deadline, we will be fined according to the contract. 如果我們不能在規(guī)定的期限內(nèi)完成工作，根據(jù)合同，我們將會被罰款。
B: We are already bearing down to do the work. 我們已經(jīng)在很努力地工作了。
A: I know. What I mean is that we should improve our efficiency. 我知道。我的意思是我們必須提高效率。
25.beat someone at his own game 將計就計地懲罰某人
習(xí)慣用語beat someone at his own game直譯為“以某人自己設(shè)計的把戲打擊某人”，與漢語的“將計就計”近似。
A: You seem to be worried about something. 你看上去很擔(dān)心。
B: Yeah. I don’t know how to deal with that smart businessman. 是呀。我不知道該怎么對付那個狡猾的商人。
A: Don’t worry. Let’s beat him at his own game. 別擔(dān)心，我們可以將計就計。
B: A good idea. 好主意。