English in the News–Man Up! 勇敢一點，做個男子漢
Man up—Be brave or tough, be responsible, do the things that good men are traditionally expected to do, such as providing for their families 要像個男子漢 (man is a verb here) Examples: 1) You need to man up and admit that you were wrong. 2) A: “I don’t want to go in there. They’d be staring...Continue reading
English in the News–Have Other Fish to Fry 有別的事要忙
To have other (bigger) fish to fry—to have other more important things to do 有別的要緊事要做 Example: I hope the boss will keep the meeting short. We all have other fish to fry. To have too many fish to fry—有太多事要忙 (Australia Financial Review, 2016/09/01) Hangzhou G20 meeting has too many fish to fry 杭州二十國高峰會心有旁騖 Next week’s...Continue reading
Pop singer Jay Chou’s wife expecting second child
Pop star Jay Chou’s wife is expecting a second child – and its going to be a baby boy. Writing on his Facebook this morning, Chou said “On Valentine’s Day, it is time for Mommy’s lover in her previous life to arrive. Have a wonderful Valentine’s.” The post included a picture of a grinning Chou’s...Continue reading
English in the News–On the Rocks 觸礁
On the rocks—觸礁 in a state of ruin or bankruptcy Examples: 1) Their marriage is on the rocks. 他們的婚姻觸礁了。 2) Don’t put your money in that bank. It’s on the rocks. 那家銀行情況不佳。 (Los Angeles Daily News, 2017/01/19) With Obamacare on the rocks, LA “mega-clinics” could be in higher demand 隨著歐巴馬的健保計畫觸礁，更多人會需要洛杉磯的大規模免費診療計畫 (Celebrity Laundry, 2012/5/30) Brace...Continue reading
English in the News—Flip the bird
Flip the bird—比中指 (to give someone the finger) To make a very impolite sign by raising your middle finger towards someone in order to show that you are very angry with them Example: If he had shouted at me like that I would have flipped him the bird. 要是他對我那樣叫囂，我會對他比中指的。 Another way of saying it is...Continue reading
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
ICRT’s 10th Battle of the Bands Now Accepting Demos!
It’s best on best for ICRT’s 10th Annual Battle of the Bands this year, and WE WANT YOU! We’re taking everything to the extreme for this special anniversary edition of Battle of the Bands. Contestants will face a star-studded panel of judges, including multi-talented singer-songwriter Wang Dawen, Golden Melody nominated musician Hu Shen, and songwriter-producer...Continue reading
Recent Comments