美国文化脱口秀 第662期:美国人最常用的俚语有哪些

 The most quintessential American idioms

不同的文化环境里有不同的文化习俗和传统。因此，也会衍生出一些极具本国特色的俚语表达。

Idiom: 俚语

Quintessential: /?kw?nt??s?n?(?)l/ 典型的，精髓的

#1.A piece of cake

When a task is easy or straightforward¹, Americans say it's "a piece of cake."

如果一件事情非常简单易做，美国人会说它：

a piece of cake: 小菜一碟

#2.It's not rocket science

When something is easy to understand, they might say "it's not rocket science."

当一件事情非常容易理解，美国人会说：

it's not rocket science：不是火箭科学，指不是什么复杂的事情。

或者用另一种说法：

It's not brain surgery: 不是脑部手术，指不是什么难事。

#3.Beat around the bush

美国人非常地直接，不喜欢拐弯抹角，所以这句俚语也很常用：

Beat around the bush: to delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant. 拖延或一直不说重点，拐弯抹角

它经常以否定句使用:

Don't beat around the bush. 不要拐弯抹角。

#4.Shoot the breeze

When Americans "shoot the breeze," they talk about unimportant things for a long time.

当美国人“shoot the breeze”，表示他们一直在谈论一些无关紧要的事情。

怎么用：

A: What are you guys talking about？你们在聊什么？

B: We are just shooting the breeze. 我们只是随便闲聊。

#5.Break a leg

"Break a leg" is a superstitious² phrase that originated in the American theatre. It's now used to wish someone good luck.

“Break a leg”是一个源于美国剧院的迷信说法。现在被用来祝他人好运。它的使用已经不仅仅局限于戏剧演出，考试、面试都可以用它来送出祝福。

You'd better leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg! 如果你想早点到考场你最好现在就出发。祝你好运！

#6.Monday-morning quarterback

美式橄榄球是美国最流行的运动之一，很多与之相关的俚语也被广泛使用在生活中。

A "Monday-morning quarterback" is a person who criticizes things in hindsight. Professional football games in the United States are often played on Sundays.

在美国，Quarterback（四分卫）是一个重要的得分角色，而专业的美式橄榄球比赛一般都会放在周日晚上，所以“周一早上的四分卫”就会用来形容那些“事后诸葛亮”“放马后炮”的人。

#7.Ballpark figure

还有一个源自棒球运动的俚语：

Ballpark figure : a rough estimate. 一个粗略的估计。

怎么用：

I don't need an exact number. A ballpark figure will do.我不需要准确地数字，一个粗略的估计就够了。

#8.The cat's out of the bag

和“猫”相关的俚语：

The cat's out of the bag: something has happened and you can't change it.

这个俚语表示事情已经发生了，没有办法再改变。

#9.Spill the beans

还有一个相似的短语：

Spill the beans: to let out something 把某事泄露出来，多指秘密。

怎么用：

There is a surprise party for her on Wednesday. Please don't spill the beans. 周三要给她举办惊喜派对，千万不要泄密。

#10.Don't cry over spilt milk

还有一个和spill相关的俚语：

Don't cry over spilt milk: someone might say if you're upset over something you can't fix.

如果你面对一件无法改变的事情而烦恼，别人会说这句话来安慰你。

#11.Jump on the bandwagon

When you "jump on the bandwagon,"you're joining a popular activity or supporting a popular cause.

这个俚语表示加入了某项很流行的活动，或支持某项大势的事业。

怎么用：

A: "I thought your mom hated thatcandidate." 我以为你妈妈讨厌那个候选人。

B: "Well, he's the president now, soshe decided³ to jump on the bandwagon."他现在是总统了，所以我妈妈决定跟随大势。

#12.Cold turkey

最后这个俚语和火鸡有关：

When you quit something "cold turkey," you abruptly⁴ withdraw from an addictive⁵ substance or behavior,like smoking.

这个俚语表示你突然停止某个上瘾的东西或行为，例如吸烟。

1 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

2 superstitious   

adj.迷信的

参考例句：

• They aim to deliver the people who are in bondage to superstitious belief.他们的目的在于解脱那些受迷信束缚的人。
• These superstitious practices should be abolished as soon as possible.这些迷信做法应尽早取消。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

5 addictive   

adj.(吸毒等)使成瘾的，成为习惯的

参考例句：

• The problem with video game is that they're addictive.电子游戏机的问题在于它们会使人上瘾。
• Cigarettes are highly addictive.香烟很容易使人上瘾。