英文慣用語30句第二集(English Idioms Episode II) 7-1-2013

 

英文慣用語30句第二集(English Idioms Episode II)

    慣用語往往短小精悍，富於哲理，具有較高的概括性和表達性，眾多學者、語言學家和文字工作者對其推崇備至。慣用語無處不在，其形式和意義的約定俗成和文字的風趣幽默大大增強了語言的生命力和表現力。

─摘自《英漢成語異同比較》作者 肖芬(Xiao Fen)老師，中國，中南財經政法大學外語學院副教授。

如有錯誤請告知：freak07291955@gmail.com

Content of English Idioms Episode II(30 Items) 01. A hat trick. 02. A little bird told me. 03. A uphill task. 04. At a crossroad. 05. Barking up the wrong tree. 06. Be all ears. 07. Bit/Push the panic button. 08. Bite off more than you can chew. 09. Bite the bullet. 10. Bite the dust. 11. Break a leg. 12. Bring house down. 13. Burn your fingers. 14. Burn the candle at both ends. 15. Can of worms. 16. Caught red handed. 17. Face the music. 18. Finger-pointing/The blame game. 19. Flights of fancy. 20. In a nutshell. 21. In the nick of name. 22. Keep eye on the ball. 23. Keep your fingers crossed. 24. Pants on fire. 25. Push/Bit the panic button. 26. Read between the lines. 27. Stab in the back. 28. Take a beating. 29. Take it with a pinch of salt. 30. The last straw.

Answers of 10 most beautiful English Idioms：

圖1.Answers of 10 most beautiful English Idioms：

1. It takes two to tango：一個巴掌拍不響

探戈舞(tango)是由男女對跳，男性粗獷、女性美艷，構成了巨大的吸引力。這種舞蹈源自於18世紀的阿根廷。
Tango有一點「誘惑、情色」之意，很容易讓人聯想起它的同音異形詞tangle「糾纏在一起」。看過奧斯卡影帝艾爾‧帕西諾（Al Pacino）主演的《女人香》（Scent of a Woman ）的網友們，想必還記得其中Al Pacino 對tango的定義

“If you make a mistake, get all tangled up, just tango on.”

如果（探戈）跳錯了，那就讓大家的舞步都混亂好了，這才是探戈。
It takes two to tango其實是取了tangle的諧音，而It takes two to tango是由英國慣用語“It takes two to make a quarrel”「一個巴掌拍不響」衍生而來。
下次如果朋友向你抱怨，他又跟女朋友吵架了，請你這樣回答他：

A conflict is not the fault of just one person or the other; they are often both to blame, because it takes two to tango.

衝突不能只歸咎於一方，你們兩個人都有錯，因爲一個巴掌拍不響。

圖2. It takes two to tango.

2. Variety is the spice of life：多彩的生活才有情趣

spice of life

生活的情趣,風味

Variety is the spice of life.
變化是生活的調味品；豐富多樣是生命的情趣所在。

Variety is the spice of life. 多彩的生活才有情趣。

3. Every cloud has a silver line. 撥雲見日

每一朵烏雲，在陽光透過的時候，總會留下銀亮的邊，這就是英文諺語中Every cloud has a silver lining.的原意，意思就是只在生命中的每個陰霾與困境中，總會有個撥雲見日的時刻。

近似成語「撥雲見日」，形容逆境中總有轉機。

If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it.
If you talk about a silver lining, you are talking about something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation.
簡單來說就是任何的困境或逆境中，都還是會有希望和轉機的意思。

4. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.是五十步笑百步的意思，與"The pot calling the kettle black."有異曲同工之妙。

People should not criticize other people for faults that they have themselves.犯有過錯的人不應去批評旁人或投鼠忌器。

5. Burn your bridges. 不要自斷後路

英文有句意思差不多的話：Don't burn your bridges.（不要燒掉自己的橋）。做人應該為自己多留一點餘地。

Keep in touch with your former boss; do not burn your bridges.

要與過去的老闆保持聯絡，不可割斷關係。（bridge多半用複數）

A smooth resignation without burning your bridges may benefit your future career. 和諧圓通的辭職而不切斷關係，對你將來事業也許有助。

Some people may burn their bridges after they think they no longer need

them. 有些人認為他們不再需要時，就切斷關係。（類似咱們所謂「過河拆橋」）

burn your bridges也可指一般的意思：During the war, the enemy may burn your bridges. 戰爭中，敵人也許會消掉你的橋樑。

6. Burning the midnight oil.

burn the midnight oil /stay up/ pull an all-night
意思都是熬夜/遲睡

I stayed up last night for my final test.
= I pulled an all-night for my final test.
= I burned the midnight for my final test.

Before they had electric lamps, people used oil-burning lamps to read or work in the darkness at night.

I could see the light in your window last night. It looks like you have been burning the midnight oil.

When you are working very hard until late at night you are burning the midnight oil.

Has your son been working hard to prepare for his final exams?

Reply: He sure has. He's been up each night burning the midnight oil.

He pulled an all-night last night.

他昨晚熬夜了.

『熬夜的用法除了 stay up 之外, pull an all-nighter 也很常用, 但是像以前高中時學過的burn the midnight oil大概除了看TIME雜誌偶爾可以看到之外, 一般人是很少這樣用的. 例如：I pulled an all-nighter last night preparing my final project.。』-----摘自小笨霖英文筆記本17常用片語

小笨霖英文筆記本17常用片語的網頁如下：http://som.twbbs.org/klee/notebook/note17.htm

常在一些英文高手的網頁上看到類似小笨霖先生的評語，那些字/片語很常用；那些字/片語很少用。一開始還蠻相信的，看多看久了之後就迷糊了？？像小笨霖先生在他的英文筆記本上如是說： 「How are you doing 是最常用的, How are you 次之, Howdy 則是簡稱! 儘量不要用 Good bye, 或是 So long 這樣的用法, 在這裏相當少見.」 可是我看1976年Robert DeNino主演的《Taxi Driver》兩個多小時的電影裡，從頭到尾Robert DeNino都以so long跟老美說再見？1976距今應該還不算太久遠吧！ 這些英文高手們大概可以借用電影《6 days 7 nights》中Harrison Ford評論女主角Anne Heche的話You are opinionated, you are…and stuck up.來調侃一番吧？ 順便一提，《Taxi Driver》電影中的Jodie Forster有夠年輕天真的，當時她才14歲，一副稚氣未脫的模樣！

7. Water under the bridge  過去的事、木已成舟

 I forgive your mistake. It's water under the bridge now.

A: I often recall how badly he treated me before.
B:[Let bygones be bygones. 或 Put the past behind you. 或 Make peace with the past.
A: I am sorry I broke up with you when we were in high school.
B: Don't worry. It's water under the bridge.

8. Wear your heart on your sleeve.

To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best.

口直心快不是最好的計畫；你應該讓它含蓄內斂，它才能發揮最好的功能。
瑪格麗特·希爾達·戴卓爾，戴卓爾女男爵Margaret Thatcher (1925 -2013), interview with Barbara Walters on ABC-TV, March 18, 1987

Your friend may, however, warn you not to wear your heart on your sleeve.

It is better to not wear your heart on your sleeve.

最好不要輕易地流露感情。

9. What goes around comes around.種瓜得瓜、種豆得豆。

The American version, "What goes around comes around," refers to the way karma operates in the social world. As you treat people, so they will treat you, eventually if not soon.

是在強調「種什麼因、得什麼果」的概念。句中的 " around " 提醒著大家...世界是圓的，事情總是轉回來的。

You made your own bed, (now lie in it.) 自食惡果

中國人相信因果報應，今天種下什麼因由或禍根，將來就要承受什麼結果。所以我們說‘種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆’或‘種善因得善果’或者‘善有善報,惡有惡報’，英文也有相似的說法：What goes around comes around.
除此之外，也有句諺語：As you sow, so shall you reap. 都是‘種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆’的意思，也可簡單地說：Get what you deserve.（得到你應得的報應）。印度人特別相信‘輪回’即因果報應理論，英文即稱為Karma。

10. Two’s company, three’s a crowd. 兩人成伴，三人不歡

I hope he does not come over to our table. Two's company; three's a crowd.

我希望他不要到我們這桌，兩人成伴，三人不歡。

Two's company, three's a crowd but what is four and five?

著名的愛爾蘭作家、詩人、戲劇家，同時也是相當臭屁的王爾德有句名言：

"In married life three is company and two is none."寥寥十個字，就說出了夫妻要過百分百的兩人生活的困難。其實這句話就是從Two's company, three's a crowd衍生的！

English Idioms Episode II(英文慣用語30句第二集)：

1. A. Little Bird Told Me(據消息靈通人士稱，有人私下告訴我)

How did you know that I play chess? Let's just say I know because a little bird told me.

A little bird told me that the singer was set to be engaged.

據消息靈通人士稱，這歌手已準備要訂婚。

A little bird told me that he was going to jump ship.

有人私下告訴我，他將要跳槽。

圖2. A Little Bird Told Me.

2. An Uphill Task(費力的工作,艱巨的工作)

Trying to conserve natural resources is indeed an uphill task.

Fight an uphill battle. 打硬仗.

This is hard, uphill work. 這是艱難且費力的工作。

圖3. An Uphill Task(費力的工作,艱巨的工作)

3. A Hat Trick(帽子戲法，一人連續三次取勝的成績)

「帽子戲法」源於英國的紳士運動“板球比賽”，指擊球手連擊三球、次次擊中目標（三柱門中的兩個門），對方三名球員因此淘汰出局。在板球比賽中，“連中三元”可不是一件容易事，球員因此會被授予一頂帽子作為至高榮譽的像徵。當然，在我們如今的生活中，「帽子戲法」已經並非單單用在板球或者足球方面。

比如前英國首相Margaret Hilda Thatcher夫人，三度競選連獲成功，這史無前例的成就，美國《時代周刊》當時稱之為“Margaret Thatcher Hat Trick”。

Robson scored two fine goals and narrowly missed a hat trick.

羅布森攻進兩個漂亮的球，差一點上演帽子戲法。

Sheva's hat trick at the Olympic against Lazio in a memorable 4-4.

舍瓦在奧林匹克面對拉齊奧上演帽子戲法，驚心動魄的比賽，難以忘懷的4-4。

It looked as though the party was going to achieve a hat trick in this election.
4. At a Crossroads(面臨抉擇關頭)

Andre was at a crossroads, when he had to decide between going to law school or medical school.

The car conked out at the crossroads. 汽車在十字路口拋錨了。

at the crossroads一般用複數因為是兩條路組成。

Our business is at the crossroads: if this deal succeeds, our future is assured; if not, we shall be bankrupt.

我們的商號正處在緊要關頭: 倘若此番交易成功, 前途自無問題, 否則就要破產

The president says America is at a crossroads in the fight against terror.

5. Be All Ears(洗耳恭聽) ＝Listening in reverent attention

You heard about the new boy in class? Shoot girl, I'm all ears.

A: Do you have a minute to talk?
B: Sure, I am all ears. What’s up?

Tell me that , I really want to know, I'm all ears.

6. Barking Up The Wrong Tree(弄錯目標，浪費時間和精力)

If you think I'm the guilty person, you're barking up the wrong tree.

A: Oh, my goodness. Look at these documents. D: What happened? A: There are some coffee stains. Now I have to re-type all of them. I was wondering who did it. D: Beats me. It wasn’t me. A: But it seems like something you would do. D: How could you say that? Not me. You hear that? A: I saw you drinking coffee.... D: Stop it, A. You are barking up the wrong tree.

7. Burn Your Fingers(由於愚蠢行為而吃苦頭)

If you don't listen to my advice, you may burn your fingers.

假如你不聽我的勸告，你會吃虧的。

With all his foolish behaviors, he finally burn this fingers.

由於他的愚蠢行為，他最後吃了苦頭。

I had my fingers burned the last time I questioned the company policy.

8. Burn The Candle At Both Ends(一隻蠟燭兩頭燒  因太勤奮工作而過度勞累或體力透支)

You'll wear out if you keep burning the candle at both ends.
I don't know how much longer I can burn the candle at both ends.

I'm worried about my daughter. In addition to her heavy class load, she's been holding down a part-time job and training to run a marathon. Next week she's got final exams, which she's been staying up late to study for. If she keeps burning the candle at both ends, she's bound to get herself sick. 女兒很讓我擔心。除了繁重的課業以外，她還要出去打工，同時為參加馬拉松進行訓練。下星期是期末考試，她每天都睡得很晚，復習功課，如果她一直這樣下去，一定會累病的。

When I was younger, I had lots of energy. I used to work all day, and then go out partying with my friends until morning without getting tired. But those days are long gone. I can no longer burn the candle at both ends.

年輕的時候，我好象總有使不完的勁兒。上了一天班以後，還能出去跟朋友開派對，鬧到大半夜，也不覺得累。可那已經是過去時了。我再也沒有那麼充沛的精力可以消耗了。

9. Break A Leg(祝你好運)

此說法源於莎士比亞時期的舞臺傳統。演出結束後，演員一般要到臺前謝幕，如果演員演得好，觀眾就會於此時給小費，而演員行「趨膝禮」，此為Break A Leg之由來。

On the night of the play, Holly's father told her to break a leg.

意思：good luck; do a great job in the show.

來源: Saying this to a performer before a show has long been a theatrical tradition. It comes from an old German saying, Hals-und Beinbruch (＝break your neck and leg), and was shortened to just the leg.

在戲劇界的傳統裡, 都會在表演者上台前跟他說這句話. 最早來源是來自德國用語-摔斷脖子和腿, 後來只用"摔斷腿".

Isn't it your first stage performance? well, go out there and break a leg.

Go break a leg.

有關leg的慣用語： 1. To pull one's leg，”逗別人，開別人玩笑”。 e.g.: Hey, stop pulling my leg, will you! 喂，你別逗我了，行不行！ e.g.: You are pulling my leg.你在愚弄我。 2. To shake one's leg(= hurry up)，指趕快動作的意思。 e.g.: Hey, shake a leg, man!老兄，走快一點! e.g.: "Let's shake a leg there, you guys! 喂！你們這幫人快點兒吧！ e.g.: "Come on, shake a leg, son, or you're going to be late for school." 兒子，你快點兒吧！否則你上學要遲到了！ e.g.: Shake a leg there! We’ve got to get to the destination by seven! 喂!動作快一點!我們要在七點前到目的地才行! 3. Break a leg!(= Good luck!) break a leg是祝福別人成功。通常對要上台表演的人說 break a leg表示祝他好運 表演成功。或者，你的朋友明天要去參加高考，你就可以對他說：Break a leg! e.g.: It’ll be your turn on stage in few minutes. Go break a leg! 快輪到你上台了。祝你好運!

10. Bring The House Down(表演得非常精彩 博得满堂喝采)

She will bring the house down at her solo show next week.

John is a funny comedian. His jokes always bring down the house.

約翰是會很逗的喜劇演員，他常常把一屋子的人笑翻。

If the band wants to bring the house down, they should play their most popular song.

11. Bite the Dust(獻身而亡)

Oh, he bit the dust yesterday. I found him floating in the tank. I'm really bummed out about it.

哦～，你是說你的魚死啦？

It was such a serious battle that all the soldiers bit the dust. The native dedicated a monument in honor of them.

戰鬥進行得異常激烈，全體戰士全部陣亡。當地人們為紀念他們，建起了一座紀念碑。

My old bike choked, spluttered before finally biting the dust.
12. Bite Off More Than You Can Chew(不自量力)

David and Sarah planned to completely renovate their house by themselves. In the end, they bit off more than they could chew and had to pay builders to finish it.

We often forget that, the key to success lies in not biting off more than you can chew.

Listen son, you have a lot of responsibilities already. Are you sure you can manage football and your studies and your job? Be careful you don't bite off more than you can chew.
兒子，聽著，你已經有許多事情要做的。現在你要參加學校的美式足球隊，你還要學習，再加上打工，你肯定能安排好那麼多事嗎？你得小心，不要不自量力。

圖4. Bite Off More Than You Can Chew(不自量力)

13. Bite the Bullet(硬著頭皮應付)

圖5. Bite the Bullet(硬著頭皮應付)

In our life, everyone may have to bite the bullet at certain times.

Getting your car repaired is often an expensive business, but all you can do is bite the bullet and pay up.

修整汽車往往是一件很花錢的事， 可是你只能咬緊牙關付帳單。

14. Caught Red Handed(當場被逮到 一個人做壞事當場被人贓俱獲。)

 想想看一個殺了人的兇手在被抓到時兩隻手還血淋淋的模樣。

Jane tried to cash a forged check at the bank, and the teller caught her red-handed.

Ashley's brother was caught red-handed at the scene of the crime.
15. Can Of Worms(做了某件事會造成更多問題)

Sam：How's it going, Carol? 山姆：最近過得怎樣，卡蘿？ Carol：Not bad. But I had a weird conversation with Paul this morning. 卡蘿：還不賴。不過今天早上我和保羅的談話有點詭異。 Sam： What happened? 山姆：發生了什麼事？ Carol：We were just talking nicely, but then I asked him about his wife. 卡蘿：我們本來還聊得蠻愉快的，但後來我問起了他的老婆。 Sam：Oh, no. You shouldn't have opened a can of worms. 山姆：糟了。妳真不應該沒事找事，給自己招惹麻煩。 Carol：Yeah, I know. He spent about half an hour telling me about it. 卡蘿：對啊，我現在才知道。他大約花了半個小時講這檔事。 Sam：What did he say? 山姆：他說了什麼？ Carol：Well, I guess she's hanging out with some rock stars in town. 卡蘿：呃，我猜她正和城裡的某些搖滾明星廝混。 Sam：Oh, no. 山姆：噢，不。 Carol：Well, don't jump to conclusions. Wait until there are photos or some other evidence. 卡蘿：呃，先別急著下結論。等到有照片或是其他證據再說吧。

This political scandal is a real can of worms.
16. Finger-pointing & The Blame Game (交相指責與諉過於人)

Finger-pointing類似中文的指名道姓，甚至指著鼻子罵的意思。

至於blame game的用法如下：

Harry Truman, who was President from 1945 to 1952, was one man who did not play the blame game. He had a sign on his desk: The Buck Stops Here.

杜魯門從1945到1952年間擔任美國總統，他是一個不願意推卸責任的人，他在桌子上放了一塊牌子，上面寫著「我負責」這幾個字。

17. Face The Music(勇於承擔責任,臨危不懼)

不得不接受懲罰、承擔後果face the music = Confront unpleasantness, especially the consequences of one's errors.

Come what may I'll brace myself and face the music. I'd rather die than implicate others!

好漢做事好漢當，我死就死，決不連累旁人。

Come on now... buck up... face the music... nose to the grindstone.

好了，好了，振作起來，鼓起勇氣，埋頭工作。

Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the music when her father got home.
18. Flights of Fancy/Fantasy(想入非非, 異想天開)

Her latest flight of fancy is to go camping in the Sahara desert!

她最近心血來潮想到撒哈拉沙漠去野營！
You were talking about cycling across the US, or was that just another flight of fancy?
19. Hit The Panic Button(不要驚慌：Don't go hitting the panic button)

It's tough being calm and composed when you hit the panic button.
20. In The Nick Of Time(千鈞一髮之際、生死存亡關頭)

Nick是用刀子等銳器劃下的刻痕，原本是重要大事的戳記。in the nick或in the very nick都是指到了某個「重要時刻」。

We arrived just in the nick of the time. Another five minutes, our plane would have left without us.

Sam was experimenting with stir frying last night and the wok caught fire. Luke rushed in with the fire blanket just in the nick of time.

I reached the airport in the very nick of time and made my flight.
21. In A Nutshell(總而言之，一言以蔽之)

To put it in a nutshell, we're bankrupt. 簡潔說, 我們破產了

I will put it in a nutshell. 我將概括地說。

This is the story in a nutshell. 這故事的大概就是如此。

The whole matter lay in a nutshell. 整個事情可以一言以蔽之。

Don't beat around the bush, give me the details of the meeting in a nutshell.
22. Keep Your Fingers Crossed(祝你好運)

Cross your fingers, everything will go well.
= Keep cross your finger, everything will go well.
I hope you win the race this Saturday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
23. Keep Eye On The Ball(機靈的；反應快的，很能幹的)

That new secretary is really on the ball. I think she'll get promoted soon.

Bill would do better in his classes if he would just keep his eye on the ball.
24. Pants On Fire(有人在說謊)

在美國，小孩捉弄或取笑說謊的人時，會唱順口溜Liar, liar, pants on fire.

On the dance floor, he moved like his pants were on fire.

Somebody’s pants are on fire.
25. Read Between the Lines(體會絃外之音；懂得言外之意)

Although he seems happy, I read between the lines that he is in trouble.

雖然他看起來很開心，但我看出來他有麻煩。

	Let's read between the lines and not   jump to conclusions 讓我們好好想想他究竟用意何在，不要草率下結論。

.Reading between the lines, I'd say that Martin isn't very happy with the situation.
26. See Eye To Eye(觀點一致，意見相同)

They see eye to eye on this matter。They do not see eye to eye on how to sanction Iran。

在這件事上他們的看法是一致的。不過他們對如何制裁伊朗卻意見分歧。

Our business has been successful because Tom and I work so well together. Sure, we have some differences in personality, but on the important things, like which businesses to invest in and who to hire, we see eye to eye.

我們的生意很成功， 因為Tom跟我合作得很好。沒錯，我們的個性不完全一樣，但是在重大事情上，比如在向哪些 公司投資和雇用什麼人的問題上，我們的看法是一致的。

Will labor and management ever see eye to eye on the new contract?
27. Stab in the Back(誹謗, 暗箭傷人)

I was very hurt when Jane made those stupid remarks about me. I had not expected a stab in the back from her.

珍妮說了那些關於我的傻話令我很傷心。我沒想到她會背後說人壞話。

She promised to support me in the meeting, but then she stabbed me in the back.

她承諾在會議上支持我，但是卻暗箭傷人。

We were once friends, how could I know he would stab me in the back?

我們曾經是朋友，可是誰知道他會暗箭傷人？

He told me that he loved me and would be faithful, but then he stabbed me in the back by dating that other girl.
28. Take A Beating(虧本；了錢。)

The Knights really took a beating in last night's game.

The democrats are going to take a beating. 民主黨人將被擊敗。

If you can't take a beating it's for the best.

你不能受了打擊就爬不起來。

I hope he doesn't take a beating. 我希望他別賠錢。

29. Take It With A Pinch of Salt(對…半信半疑；對…持保留態度這件事情是審慎樂觀)

You must take his statements with a grain of salt. He often exaggerates.
你對他的言論不能盡信，他總會誇大其辭。

Take what Mr. Chen said with a grain of salt. (對陳先生所說的，必須慎重考慮，他也許不是真心話。)
I will take her story with a grain of salt. (她所說的身世，我還是半信半疑。)
(註：grain 通常只用單數，故不加 s)
They took my explanation with a pinch of salt. I was sure they didn't believe me.
30. The Final/Last Straw(忍無可忍)

The straw that breaks the camel's back，意思就是：那一根壓斷了駱駝背的稻草。現在人們經常把它簡化為：the last straw。

All these years I've tried to be a good wife, even though you're lazy, you drink too much and half of the time don't even have a steady job. But when I find out you are spending money on another woman, that's the last straw! I want you out of my house right now and I never want to see you again.

這些年來，儘管你很懶，喝酒過度，還經常沒有固定的工作，但我一直儘力做一個賢惠的妻子。可是，當我發現你把錢花在另一個女人的身上的時候，這就使我無法忍受了。你給我馬上出去，我永遠也不要再見到你了。

I put up with a lot from this guy. He borrowed my clothes, he borrowed my money, he borrowed my tennis racket. But when I caught him using my toothbrush that was the last straw, so I kicked him out!

我對這個傢伙夠寬容的了。他借我的衣服穿，問我借錢，借用我的網球拍。可是，當我發現他用我的牙刷的時候，這就叫我無法忍受了。所以我把他趕了出去。

When she showed up late a third time, that was the straw that broke the camel's back.
31. Walk a Tight Rope(四面兼顧、平衡局面)

Tightrope專指雜技演員表演走鋼絲時用的鋼纜。

So far Senator Blank has been able to walk a tightrope and keep support from both voters who favor the right to abortion and people who oppose it. But he'll have to pick a side soon。

到目前為止，布蘭克議員還能左右平衡，保住了贊成和反對婦女墮胎權的兩方選民的支援。但是他很快就不得不明確表示自己站在哪一邊了。
Keeping both sides in the dispute happy was akin to walking a tight rope.

The tightrope walker had us on tenterhooks until her reached the safety of the other side.

在那位走鋼絲者安全到達另一邊前，我們都一直提心吊膽。

They have magic shows flying trapeze arts tightrope walking and even the clowns.

他們有魔術、空中飛人、走鋼絲，甚至還有小丑。

His most dangerous stunt was walking the tightrope without a safety net.

他最驚險的特技表演是在不安置安全網的情況下走鋼絲。

32. When Pigs Fly/Pigs Might Fly(除非太陽從西邊出來，比喻不可能發生的事)

Do you think Mary will quit her job now that she's pregnant?

Yeah, when pigs fly! There is no way she is giving up her career!
Do you think we could win the race? Sure...when pigs fly.
Someday I will win the lottery and buy a Ferrari.  Yeah... and pigs will fly!

圖6. When Pigs Fly除非太陽從西邊出來。