Yangmingshan Flower Festival Has Begun 陽明山花季開始
The 2018 Yangmingshan Flower Festival has opened with a traditional dragon and lion dance. The theme of this year’s festival is “Cherry Lion.” Taipei’s Department of Information and Tourism says visitors will be able to see various types of cherry blossoms, including Taiwan Cherry and classic cherry trees. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-zhe braved the cold...Continue reading
Oscar Awards Ceremony 2018 奧斯卡頒獎典禮
One year after the biggest mistake in Oscars history where La La Land was wrongly named the Best Picture winner, viewers are expecting to see some biting political satire during the Academy Awards ceremony this time around. Slated for Monday morning Taipei time, the ceremony will be hosted by American TV talk show host Jimmy...Continue reading
English in the News-Jump the Gun 操之過急,搶先偷跑
Jump the gun—To start something before it is permissible, appropriate, or advisable. The phrase alludes to starting to run in a foot race before the starting gun goes off 操之過急，搶先偷跑 Examples: 1) Henry jumped the gun and sent the manuscripts to the printer before boss approved them. 2) “How about going out to celebrate?” “Well,...Continue reading
PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics to Kick off Feb. 9 冬季奧運2/9揭幕
The Pyeong-chang 2018 Winter Olympics is scheduled to kick off this Friday and Taiwan has sent a team of four to the Games in South Korea, the most in 16 years. They include three speed skaters, Huang Yuting, Song Qiyang and Dai Weiling, as well as luger Lian De-an. They will compete among 3-thousand athletes...Continue reading
English in the News–Once in a Blue Moon 久久一次，罕見
Once in a blue moon–rarely, 久久才一次,罕見 The term “blue moon” is something of a misnomer, because an actual blue moon-that is, the appearance of a second full moon in the same calendar month-occurs every 32 months or so. Further, the moon can appear blue in color at any time, depending on weather conditions. Examples: 1) My sister...Continue reading
Super Bowl–Where and When to Watch It in Taiwan 超級盃
Taiwan’s sports fans will be able to watch live broadcast of Super Bowl, the biggest sporting event in the U.S., on Chung-hwa Telecom’s M-O-D next Monday morning (Feb. 5). Elta TV says the exclusive coverage is scheduled to kick off at 7 AM on M-O-D’s channel 202 and runs until 11AM. The re-run starts at...Continue reading
English in the News–Keep Something(or somebody) at Bay 阻擋某事發生
Keep (hold) something (somebody) at bay—to keep something (somebody) away, to keep them at a distance 阻止某事發生，使某物(某人)不能接近 Examples: 1) These butterfly caterpillars have a powerful poison that helps keep their predators at bay. 2) The antibody helped keep the man’s HIV at bay for years. (BBC, 2017/7/26) Maori haka and language may keep dementia at...Continue reading
English in the News–Double Down on 加倍下注，更加堅定
Double down on (something)—加倍下注，更加堅定 to do something in an even more determined way than before Example: With the market booming, many companies are doubling down on their development in mobile apps and games. (CNN, 201/12/02) Alongside Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks is co-starring in the upcoming film “The Post,” which tells the story of The Washington Post’s controversial...Continue reading
English in the News–Make a Beeline for 直奔過去
Make a beeline for–To head directly and quickly toward a person or a place; go straight to 直奔過去(毫不遲疑) Examples: 1) Billy came into the kitchen and made a beeline for the cookies. 2) Every day when I come home from work, my toddler makes a beeline for me—it’s just the cutest thing. (The Telegraph, 2017/12/01)...Continue reading
English in the news–Straight from the Horse’s Mouth 根據最可靠消息
Straight from the horse’s mouth—根據最可靠消息(直接從馬嘴裡聽來), from the original or most reliable source (If you get a piece of information from the horse’s mouth, you get it directly from someone who is involved in it and knows most about it.) Examples: 1) A: “Is next Monday really a holiday?” B: “Yep. Our teacher was ahead...Continue reading
English in the News–Wear One’s Heart on One’s Sleeve 情感展露無遺
Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve—流露情感，情感或情緒展露無遺 to display one’s feelings openly and habitually, rather than keep them private (emotionally transparent) Examples: 1) Sam always wears his heart on his sleeve, so everyone knew how he was feeling. 2) It was evident that he was in love with her. He wore his heart on his sleeve and...Continue reading
English in the news—Best Thing since Sliced Bread 最棒的事物
Best thing since sliced bread: a humorous and hyperbolic statement indicating one’s belief that something is excellent, especially something new and innovative 有史以來最棒之事物 Examples: 1) These water proof jeans are the best thing since sliced bread! I don’t have to worry about getting soaked! 2) When your program first started I thought it was the best...Continue reading
Recent Comments