English in the News–Get a leg up 獲得一臂(腿)之力
Get a leg up–獲得一臂(腿)之力 To receive a physical boost or lift upward 獲得助力，獲得別人推升 I think I can reach the roof if I can get a leg up from someone. To receive support, encouragement, or an added advantage 得到幫助或好處 Our after-school program is aimed to help students get a leg up in any subject they’re having difficult with. I wouldn’t have been able to afford college if I hadn’t gotten a leg up from my parents. (Seattle Times, April 9, 2016) Drone photography gives real-estate...Continue reading
English in the News–Mother lode 主礦脈
mother lode 主礦脈，資源的源頭，大量而重要的部分 the place where the largest amount of gold, silver, etc., in a particular area can be found; a major or profitable source or supply Examples: 1) Cairn Energy recently struck the mother lode of oil fields in India. 2) New York City is a mother lode of actors. (BBC, 2016/11/01) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said he...Continue reading
English in the News–Mansplaining 男性解釋
mansplain—it’s a combination of two words “man” and “explain.” 男性解釋 Cambridge Dictionary’s definition: this word means to explain something to someone in a way that suggests that they are stupid; used especially when a man explains something to a woman that she already understands. Example: I’ve just had a guy mansplain my own job to me. (Rex Huppke,...Continue reading
English in the News–to get under someone’s skin 惹毛,惹火
Get under someone’s skin惹毛或惹惱–to annoy or irritate someone Example—A: His bad temper really bothers me! B: I know, but don’t let him get under your skin. (New York Times, August 29th, 2016) In compiling research to help Mrs. Clinton prepare (for the presidential debate), her advisers have cast a wide net. They contacted Tony Schwartz,...Continue reading
English in the News–Rant and Rave 叫囂,大聲抱怨
rant and rave (為了某人或某事)叫囂,激昂地講話 : to talk or complain loudly or angrily about someone or something Examples: 1) Why don’t you stop ranting and raving for one minute and listen to me? 2) Kelly rants and raves when her children don’t obey her. Used in the news...Continue reading
English in the News–Cherry-picking 精挑細選
cherry pick—摘櫻桃,仔細挑選 to select the best or most desirable from (a group) Examples: Isn’t there a danger that the state universities might start cherry-picking the pupils with the best exam results? 這難道不會有[州立大學可能率先挑選考試成績最優學生]這樣的危險? (BBC, 6/29/2016) In a speech to the German parliament before leaving for Brussels, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU was strong enough...Continue reading
English in the News: Going through the Motions
Going through the Motions 敷衍了事 This is Bill Quinn with English in the News. Today’s key phrase is “going through the motions”. Have you ever had a time in life, maybe at work or school, when you weren’t excited about what you were doing? Maybe you just showed up for work or school, but your...Continue reading
English in the News: Raise the Bar
raise the bar 提高標準 This is Bill Quinn with English in the News. Today’s key phrase is “raise the bar”. Have you ever watched the Summer Olympics, and seen the high jump event? That’s where athletes try to jump as high as they can over a bar. As the event goes on, the bar is...Continue reading
English in the News: “Incubation Period”
incubation period 潛伏期 (in medicine, the time between infection and the appearance of signs of disease) Examples: 1) South Korea officials believe the disease has peaked and it would begin easing in coming days. Their assessment is based on a view that the virus’ maximum two-week incubation period for those infected at a Seoul hospital...Continue reading
English in the News – As the Crow Flies
As the crow flies 像烏鴉一樣飛,走直線 (2015/1/20) As the crow flies: in a straight line, by the shortest route Example: It’s only one mile as the crow flies, but about three miles by this mountain road. 1) FAA to let planes fly as the crow flies 美國民航署讓飛機飛直線 Everyone knows that the shortest distance between two points...Continue reading
English in the News: Shrug off
shrug off 聳聳肩,表示不在乎 to act as if something were unimportant or not a problem Example: She just shrugs off the pain and gets on with the job. 她不理會疼痛,繼續工作. Investors are familiar with Amazon’s quarterly routine: posting huge sales numbers with little or no profit. But they are not shrugging off the loss this quarter. 投資人對亞馬遜公司的每季財報很熟悉,它都呈現極高的銷售額,利潤卻很少,甚至沒有....Continue reading
Recent Comments