E家之长

(1) Top dog：处支配地位者

In the present world, why should a country, often a super power, sometimes act as top dog over other countries?


　　(2) Go to the dogs：堕落；（经济）衰退

No matter a business or a country, if it is not properly managed, it is sure to go to the dogs one day.


　　(3) Do the donkey work：呆板的例常工作

Jack is not a person to work with. He will just sit back and let you do the donkey work.


　　(4) A sitting duck：容易被打击的对象

Out in the open, the hunter is a sitting duck for unseen wild animals.


　　(5) A cold fish：冷漠无情的人

Among the guests at the same table was Dr Wee's wife, who looked unfeeling and was a real cold fish to me .


　　(6) A fish out of water：如鱼离水；不适应

Qi never likes to go to a party, without friends, as he will feel like a fish out of water there.


　　(7) Have other fish to fry：另有更重要的事要干

As I had other fish to fry yesterday, I was forced to decline David's invitation to a dinner.


　　(8) There are plenty more fish in the sea：可供选择的人或事还很多

Since Andrew had gone off with another girl friend, Laura couldn't care less, knowing that there were plenty more fish in the sea.


　　(9) Cannot say boo to goose：羞怯

When foreign students first came here, they could not say boo to a goose, but there is now no shortage of eloquent speakers and outspoken thinkers.


　　(10) A wild-goose chase：徒劳的搜索

To look for a pin in the sea? Isn't it tantamount to a wild-goose chase?


　　(11) A guinea pig：被当实验的人或物

Whenever there is a research or something innovative, someone or something will be used as a guinea pig.


　　(12) Back the wrong horse：支持失败的一方

Many spectators backed the wrong horse by favouring the British team, which lost to the German team.


　　(13) A dark horse：实力难测的竞争者

No one expected Jimmy to win, but he did win. He was a dark horse.


　　(14) Change horses in mid-stream：半途改变主张，或支持另一方

If you support a person, do so from the beginning to the end; don't change horses in mid-stream.


　　(15) The lion's share of...：最大最好的部分

When the old man died, the eldest son took the lion's share of the inheritance.


　　(16) The rat race：激烈的竞争

In the rat race of today's world, only the fittest survives.


　　(17) A snake in the grass：潜伏的敌人

There has often been something suspicious about William's behaviour and he has really turned out to be a snake in the grass.

E家之长

joke of translation

1、老师让学生翻译“五讲四美三热爱”，学生翻译为：
Five talks, four beauties and three lovers.
老师大惑不解，让另一学生将这英文翻成汉语，学生翻译为：
和4个美人谈了5次话，有3个成了情人。

2、You see see，you see see，people mountain and people sea!
你看看，你看看，人山人海！

3、You color wolf!If you are not three not four, I will give you some color t
o see see and let you roll eggs!
你个色狼！你要是不三不四，我就给你点颜色瞧瞧，叫你滚蛋！

4、Car water,horse dragon.
车水马龙

5、某学校欢迎外宾，各处张贴标语，均为中英对照，“好好学习 天天向上”下边写的是
“Good Good Study, Day Day Up”。

E家之长

here are some other idioms:

●bad egg：一个坏蛋
● behind the times：过时的
● sooner or later：迟早
● to pour oil on fire：火上加油
● to save one's face：保留面子
● to turn over a new leaf：翻开新的一页
● experience is the best teacher：经验是良师
● barking dogs seldom bite：吠狗不咬人


● a busy-body：多嘴爱管闲事的人（不是“忙人”：a busy man）
● at the eleventh hour：在最后时刻（不是“在十一点时”）
● what a shame!：多可惜（不是“多可耻”）
● to be taken in：受骗（不是“被接纳”）
● to pull up one's socks：加紧努力（不是“拉扯袜子”）
● to bring the house down：全场喝彩（不是“把房子推倒”）
● to think too much of oneself：自视太高（不是“自己在胡思乱想”）
● to eat one's words：承认说错话（不是“食言”或“失信”）
● to draw up a plan：拟定计划（不是“画好计划蓝图”）
● John is only too glad to let you go：很乐意让你去（不是“ 太高兴了，不肯让你去”）
● one can't be too careful to do this kind of work：做这种工作应该越小心越好（不是“……不应该过分仔细”）
● the importance of productivity cannot be over-emphasized ：必须极力强调生产力的重要性（不是“不可过分强调……”）

E家之长

Cat /dog Proverbs and Sayings

Cat Proverbs and Sayings
1、Curiosity killed the cat. 过于好奇会惹祸上身。/ 好奇召祸
A: My son id always going places he shouldn’t and getting in trouble.
B: You know what they say. Curiosity killed the cat.

2、Has the cat got your tongue? 猫把你的舌头叼去了吗？/ 为什么不吭气？
A: I don’t know what to say.
B: What’s the matter? (Has the) cat got your tongue?

3、It rains cats and dogs. 下倾盆大雨。/ 大雨滂沱。
A: Do you think I need my umbrella?
B: You sure do! It’s raining cats and dogs.

4、Let the cat out of the bag. 说走了嘴；（无意中）泄露了秘密
A: Of course I know you were planning a surprise party for me.
B: Really? Who let the cat out of the bag?

5、When the cat’s away, the mice will play. 猫儿不在，老鼠成精。 / 大王外出，小鬼跳梁。
A: Do you think he’ll throw a party while his parents are out of town?
B: Most likely. When the cat’s away, the mice play.


Dog Proverbs and Sayings
1、a dog’s life 穷困潦倒的日子；苦痛的生活
A: My boss never let’s me stop for even a minute.
B: It’s a dog’s life.

2、Every dog has his day. 凡人皆有得意时。
A: I ’m so unlucky.
B: Don’t worry. Every dog has his day.

3、a lucky dog 幸运儿
A: Did you hear he won the lottery?
B: His sure is a lucky dog.

4、It is better to let sleeping dogs lie. 别多事。/ 别惹麻烦
A: I’m so angry at him.
B: Don’t say anything to him; it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie.

5、You can’t teach old dogs new tricks.
老狗学不了新把戏；老年人很难适应新事物
A: Dad, let me show you another way to do that.
B: Don’t bother. You can’t teach a old dog new tricks.

E家之长

How to translate the name of holiday

元旦 New Year'' s Day Jan.1
国际劳动妇女节International Working women'' s Day（women''s Day) Mar.8
国际劳动节international Labor Day（May. Day） May.1
中国青年节 Chinese Youth Day May.4
国际儿童节International Children''s Day（Children''s Day）June .1
中国共产党诞生纪念日 ( 党的生日)Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party ( the Party'' s Birthday）July .1
建军节 Army Day August .1
教师节 Teachers'' Day Sept.1
国庆节National Day October.1
中国传统节日
春节the Spring Festival （ NewYears Day of the Chinese lunar calendar）农历正月初一
元宵节（灯节)the Lantern Festival 农历正月十五
清明节the Qing Ming Festival四月五日前后
端午节the Dragon-Boat Festival农历五月初五
中秋节the Mid-Autumn Festival （the Moon Festival）农历八月十五
重阳节the Double Ninth Festival农历九月初九

E家之长

Sheep Proverbs and Sayings 与羊相关的英语谚语和短语
sheep
[Fi]
n.羊, 绵羊, 羞答答的人, 胆小鬼, 信徒

a flock of sheep 一群羊

a wolf in sheep's clothing
披着羊皮的狼, 口蜜腹剑的人

a black sheep
害群之马; 拒绝参加罢工的工人

a lost sheep
迷途羔羊, 迷失正道的人

a sheep among wolves
落入狼群; 落在一群恶汉手中的善良人

as a sheep among the shearers
仿佛落在剪羊毛工人手里的绵羊

as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb
[谚]偷大羊或偷小羊反正都得挨绞刑; 一不做二不休

count sheep
数羊(心里计数以求入睡)

follow like a sheep 盲从

One scabbed sheep infects the whole flock.
[谚] 一只羊生疮整群羊遭殃。

return to one's sheep [muttons]
回到本题

separate the sheep from the goats
区别好人和坏人

There is a black sheep in every flock.
[谚]到处都有害群之马。

sheep and goats
善人与恶人(来自《圣经》)

sheep that have no shepherd
乌合之众

E家之长

others Dog Proverbs and Sayings

not have a dog's chance 毫无机会

top dog 当权派；头儿

treat sb. like a dog 不把某人当人看

a hunting dog 猎犬

a lazy dog 懒汉

a gay dog 一个快乐的人

a dirty dog 下流坯

dog-days n.[pl.]三伏天, 大热天; 无所作为的时期, 无精打彩的日子

A good dog deserves a good bone.
[谚]好狗应该啃好骨头, 有功者受赏。


A living dog is better than a dead lion.
[谚]死狮不如活狗。


A staff [stick] is quickly [soon] found to beat a dog with.
[谚]欲加之罪, 何患无辞。


An old dog barks not in vain.
[谚]老狗不乱吠; 老狗 一吠, 就得小心。



as [like] a dog with two tails
非常开心[高兴]

Barking dogs seldom bite.
[谚]爱叫的狗 不咬人; 咬人的狗不露齿。

be (old) dog at (a thing)
对...有经验; 对...很内行

Beware of a silent dog and still water.
[谚]提防不吠的狗, 小心 静止的水。

come like a dog at a whistle
一呼即来

Every dog has his day.
[谚]凡人皆有得意日。

Every dog is a lion at home. [Every dog is valiant at his own door.]
[谚]狗是百步王, 只在门前凶。

Fight dog, fight bear.
[谚]打个青红皂白, 一决雌雄。

Give a dog a bad [an ill] name(and hang him).
[谚]一旦给人加一个坏名声, 他就永远洗刷不掉; 人言可畏。

It is ill to waken sleeping dogs. [let sleeping dogs lie; don't wake a sleeping dog.]
别多事, 别惹麻烦。

lead a dog's life
过着牛马不如的生活

love me, love my dog.
[谚]你若把我当朋友, 也要把我的朋友当朋友; 爱屋及乌。

Scornful[Hungry] dogs will eat dirty puddings.
[谚]人到危急时, 平时所不屑做的也要做; 急不暇择, 饥不择食。

teach an old dog new tricks
使守旧的人接受新事物

teach the dog to bark
教狗怎么叫(意指多此一举)

The dog returns to his vomit.
狗回头吃自己吐出来的东西; 重犯旧日罪恶。

E家之长

HOW DO YOU SPELL WHAT?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nora confused "deadline" and "dateline", in yesterday's lesson. A "deadline" is a time before which you must finish a task. The word "dateline" usually refers to the imaginary line that separates different time zones, as in "International Dateline".

Gary is writing an e-mail...

Gary: Sorry, Jane, I'm writing an e-mail. Can you help me with the spelling?

Jane: Sure.

Gary: How to spell purchase?

Jane: Pardon? You should say "How do you spell?"

Gary: Oh, sorry. How do you spell purchase?

Jane: Purchase? What does that mean?

Gary: Purchase... You know... I want to purchase some goods.

Jane: Ahhh!Purchase!

　　　P..U..R..C..H..A..S..E.

Gary: Purchase, ah? OK!

Gary: And how to spell... sorry... how do you spell character?

Jane: I'm sorry, Gary. What's a character?

Gary: Please send us a character reference.

Jane: Oh, Gary, you mean character. That's C..H..A..R..A..C..T..E..R.

Gary: Aiyou!

Gary: And what about Lavender?

Jane: Is that French?

Gary: I don't think so. Lavender Street is near Kallang. It's where I purchased my canary. I have a few pet birds, y'know.

Jane: I think you're trying to say Lavender Street, which is where you purchased your canary! You're stressing the words in the wrong place. Let me show you something.

Jane: (She shows Gary the dictionary) Look at this dictionary...here's the word purchase... the stressed part is underlined.

Gary: But what are all those funny symbols?

Jane: That's a code that tells you how to pronounce a word. If you only want to know where the stress is, you don't need to learn that.

Gary: Let me try one... I never sure how to say calendar.

Jane: What?

Gary: The thing for seeing the date.

Jane: Ohhh! OK, go on, have a look.

Gary: (Gary finds the word) Here... ca..calen..no..calendar..calendar... is that right?

Jane: Spot on! Well done!

Gary: OK, last one... how many alphabets are there in "Japan"?

Jane: Three, I think, but they're not really alphabets... they're different systems of writing.

Gary: (puzzled) Eh?

Narrator:　Gary had some problems with word stress today. Word stress is important because if you get it wrong, people might not understand you. So, where did he go wrong?

Gary: Purchase

Narrator:　How should that be?

Gary: Purchase

Narrator:　What else?

Gary: Character

Narrator:　Again

Gary: Character

Narrator:　What about the others?

Gary: Lavender... Calendar... Canary

Narrator:　Again, with the right stress

Gary: Lavender.. Calendar.. Canary

Narrator:　The best way to find out about the stress of a word is to use a good dictionary. Sometimes the stressed part is underlined and sometimes it is marked in bold or with an apostrophe.

Narrator:　Finally, why do you think Gary was so puzzled when Jane told him there were 3 alphabets in Japan? (pause) That's right... an alphabet is a complete system of letters, so English has only one alphabet. This alphabet has 26 letters from A to Z. So the question Gary should have asked is:

Gary: How many letters are there in "Japan"?

Jane: There are 5.

Narrator:　Anyway, that's all for today from HotDotCom. Don't forget to phone in tomorrow!

E家之长

Some definitions

Some Definitions !

Adult : A person who has stopped growing at both ends and started growing in the middle.
Boss : Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early.
Classic : A book which people praise, but do not read.
College : A place where some pursue learning and others learn pursuing.
Committee : Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together.
Criminal : A guy no different from the rest of us... except that he got caught.
Dictionary : The only place where divorce comes before marriage.
Diplomat : A person who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.
Divorce : Future tense of marriage.
Ecstasy : A feeling when you feel you are going to feel a feeling you have never felt before.
Etc. : A sign to make others believe that you know more than you actually do.
Father : A banker provided by nature.
Marriage : It's an agreement in which a man loses his bachelor degree and woman gains her master.
Miser : A person who lives poor so that he can die rich.
Office : A place where you can relax after your strenuous homelife.
Optimist : A person who while falling from the Eiffel tower says in midway: "See I am not injured yet."
Pessimist : A person who says that O is the last letter in ZERO, instead of the first letter in OPPORTUNITY.
Philosopher : A fool who torments himself during life, to be spoken of when he is dead.
Politician : One who shakes your hand before elections and you confidence after.
Rumor : News that travels at the speed of sound.
Smile : A curve that can set a lot of things straight.
Tears : The hydraulic force by which masculine power is defeated by feminine power.
Worry : Interest paid on trouble before it falls due.
Yawn : The only time some married men ever get to open their mouth.

E家之长

Spring Festival Words

Greeting Season:

春节 The Spring Festival
农历 lunar calendar
正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar
除夕 New Year's Eve; eve of lunar New Year
初一 the beginning of New Year
元宵节 The Lantern Festival

Food names:

年糕 Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake
团圆饭 family reunion dinner
年夜饭 the dinner on New Year's Eve
饺子 Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli
汤圆 Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with either sweet or
spicy fillings

八宝饭 eight treasures rice pudding
糖果盘 candy tray:
什锦糖 assorted candies - sweet and fortune
蜜冬瓜 candied winter melon - growth and good health
西瓜子 red melon seed - joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
金桔 cumquat - prosperity
糖莲子 candied lotus seed - many descendents to come
糖藕 candied lotus root - fulfilling love relationship
红枣 red dates - prosperity
花生糖 peanut candy - sweet


祝你新的一年快乐幸福Wish you happiness and prosperity in the coming year!

Customs:

过年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival
对联 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry
春联 Spring Festival couplets
剪纸 paper-cuts
年画 New Year paintings
买年货 special purchases for the Spring Festival ; do Spring Festival shopping
敬酒 propose a toast
灯笼 lantern: a portable light
烟花 fireworks
爆竹 firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.)
红包 red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming
year.)
舞狮 lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.)
舞龙 dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests)
戏曲 traditional opera
杂耍 variety show; vaudeville
灯谜 riddles written on lanterns
灯会 exhibit of lanterns
守岁 staying-up
拜年 pay New Year's call; give New Year's greetings; New Year's visit
禁忌 taboo
去晦气 get rid of the ill- fortune
祭祖宗 offer sacrifices to one's ancestors
压岁钱 gift money; money given to children as a lunar New Year gift
辞旧岁 bid farewell to the old year
扫房 spring cleaning; general house-cleaning
(作者：evelyn )