"The Dictionary of Clichés" 词汇节选 / 分类：英语词汇

[Excalibur]

    最近没有特别想看或者适合做综述的书，所以干脆捡起英语学习的内容。第一是因为如我之前说过“Learning a language is a lifelong process.” 就像一门手艺，永远有提升空间，即使对于母语者也是如此。第二是因为这个过程适合碎片化，可以随时Pick up也可以随时放下，而不像小说读到一半放下的话心里会非常痒痒~

    这次选的书叫“The Dictionary of Clichés”， 其实是一本类似于idioms的合集，本身还是比一般的“Dictionary”要薄的。我也是在断断续续的看，打算每隔一段时间挑一些我觉得有意思或者有代表性的短语分享。所以这个应该算是长期帖了。

第一期：

 1. acid test：

     A conclusive trial to establish the truth or worth of something or someone.

    来源于使用酸溶液鉴别金属的方法：

    The term comes from a test long used to distinguish gold from copper or some other metal. Most corrosive acids do not affect gold, but a solution of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid dissolves the metal.

    引申的含义有点接近“试金石”的意思，是骡子是马拉出来遛遛的感觉。

    e.g: The new team faced its first acid test when it played the national champions.

2. afraid of one’s own shadow: 

    Extremely timid, excessively fearful.

    分享这个的原因是感觉非常的有画面感。影子本来也算是孤单人的陪伴，所谓“举杯邀明月，对影成三人”， 胆小到连自己的影子都怕，不知道是什么感受呢？

    e.g. Vick was always so carefree but since he was mugged he’s been afraid of his own shadow.

3. ahead of the curve:

    faster about doing something than other people, companies, etc.

    最近在防疫上经常听到“flatten the curve”的说法，相比大家已经很耳熟了。而ahead of the curve有点未雨绸缪，先人一步，抢占先机的意思。只要跑得快，curve就追不上我？

    e.g. The company has been ahead of the curve in adopting new technologies.

第二期待续。。。

[Excalibur]

第二期：

1. Balm of Gilead

    选这个短语是因为最近有药商Gilead被炒作的非常出名。Balm of Gilead是圣经故事中的一种香料，据传可以治百病。目前的引申意是"universal cure". 

2. Barefaced lie / liar

    Bold faced liar

    顾名思义，厚颜无耻的骗子。巧的是在中英文中都和“脸”有关。

3. Blessings in disguise

     An apparent misfortune that eventually has good results. 塞翁失马焉知非福。最近世界局势动荡不安，希望也有"Blessings"吧。。

[Newera]

原来如此，Gilead Sciences的名字就是引用自这个短语Balm of Gilead

[Excalibur]

冷不丁更新第三期：

1. On Borrowed Time

An unexpected extension of time. It often refers to someone terminally ill or in great danger but surviving longer than was anticipated, on time that is in effect borrowed from Death.

很形象的比喻，有点“时日无多”的意思，但是更进一步，多一秒都是赚的感觉。

2. Burn the Candle at Both Ends

To exhaust one’s energies or resources; to stay up late playing and rise early to work hard all day.

用现在流行的话说就是“肝”！想起另一个说法是Burn the midnight oil, 不过本词条是不是更胜一筹呢？

3. The Carrot and the Stick

Reward and punishment. The term alludes to dangling a carrot in front of a horse or donkey to get it to move, and threatening or beating it with a stick.

这个表达其实中文也用的比较频繁了，胡萝卜加大棒，双语完美转换~