6. to read between the lines:to interpret the hidden
meaning or a hidden message; to discern the true fact
(从字里行间体会隐含的意义;领会言外之意或能了解其中的真正意义)
As you look at this poem, be sure to read between the
lines. (读这首诗的时候,要从字里行间去体会它的含义。)
After he re-read the love
letter between the lines, he realized that he was dumped by
his sweetheart. (重读情书之后,他终于明白他已经被情人抛弃了。)
7. to let off steam:to give vent to one's anger
(发泄、出气,像放掉蒸汽以减少压力似的。这与"to fly off the handle"意思相近,但比"to lose
temper"委婉客气些 )
What will you do if your wife lets off
steam?(假如你太太大发脾气的话,你该怎么办呢?) (因为谈论的对象使对方的太太,所以语气要委婉客气些)。
但是谈到第三者,就可不必太委婉,可用 lose temper:
What will you do if one
of your staff lose temper? (如果你的同事冲你发脾气你该怎么办呢?)
Occasionally we should be given a chance to let off
steam.(我们应该不时的发泄一下情绪。)
8. to pay through the nose: to pay too much for
something or excessively expensive (花费太多,代价过高,与" to cost an
arm and a leg" 意义相近)
Don't pay through the nose when you buy the furniture.
(不要花太多的钱买家具。)
Some women paid through the noses for their
jewelry. (有些女人花大把的钱购买珠宝首饰。)
9. to take center stage:to be in the spotlight
(引人注目的中心人物;以某人为公众瞩目的对象)
Mrs. Lin always takes center stage at a party.
(林太太总能成为宴会上的焦点。)
President Bush takes center stage
wherever he goes. (布什总统不论走到哪里,都是公众瞩目的焦点。)
His constant
taking center stage could deprive him of his privacy.
(他好出风头的毛病让他毫无隐私可言。)
10. to drag(one's)feet:to procrastinate or
postpone(慢慢的拖延,行动迟缓,拖拖拉拉)
摘自中国日报网站(J-04)