1. (To) Hit the books 用功
“Sorry but I can’t watch the game with you tonight, I have to hit the books. I have a huge exam next week!”
“对不起，今晚我不能和你一起看比赛，我得用功学习。下周我有一个大型考试！”
2. (To) Hit the sack 就寝
“It’s time for me to hit the sack, I’m so tired.”
“该睡觉了，我累极了。”
3. (To) Twist someone’s arm (非正式) 向…施加压力
Tom: Jake you should really come to the party tonight!
Jake: You know I can’t, I have to hit the books.
Tom: C'mon, you have to come! It’s going to be so much fun and there are going to be lots of girls there. Please come?
Jake: Pretty girls? Oh all right, you’ve twisted my arm, I’ll come!
汤姆：杰克，你今晚真的应该来参加这个聚会！
杰克：你知道我不能，我需要用功。
汤姆：来吧，你必须来！那里将会很有趣，而且会有很多女孩。求你来吧？
杰克：美女？哦，好的，你都向我施压了，那我去吧。
4. (To be) Up in the air 悬而未决
“Jen have you set a date for the wedding yet?”
“Not exactly, things are still up in the air and we’re not sure if our families can make it on the day we wanted. Hopefully we’ll know soon and we’ll let you know as soon as possible.”
“珍，你确定婚礼的日期了吗?”
“不全是，事情依然悬而未决，我们也不确定我们的家庭是否能在我们预想的那一天到达。希望我们很快就会知道，我们会尽快通知你。”
5. (To) Stab someone in the back 背叛
He always stabs others in the back.
他总是在背地里中伤别人。
6. (To) Lose your touch 失去魅力
“I don’t understand why none of the girls here want to speak to me.”
“It looks like you’ve lost your touch with the ladies.”
“Oh no, they used to love me, what happened?”
“我不理解为什么这里的女生没有想和我说话的。”
“似乎是你失去了对这些女士的魅力 哦，不，她们曾经是爱我的，发生了什么事？”
7. (To) Sit tight 不采取行动，耐心等待
“Mrs. Carter, do you have any idea when the exam results are going to come out?”
“Who knows Johnny, sometimes they come out quickly but it could take some time. You’re just going to have to sit tight and wait.”
“卡特女士，测试结果就要出来了，你有什么想法？”
“谁知道约翰尼，有时他们很快出来，但可能需要一些时间。你就得耐心等着。”
8. (To) Pitch in 一起帮忙，做出贡献
“What are you going to buy Sally for her birthday?”
“I don’t know I don’t have much money.”
“Maybe we can all pitch in and buy her something great.”
“你打算给莎丽买什么生日礼物？”
“我不知道我没有多少钱。”
“或许我们可以一起筹钱给她买个很棒的。”
9. (To) Go cold turkey 一下子戒掉原来上瘾的习惯
“Shall I get your mom a glass of wine?”
“No, she’s stopped drinking?”
“Really, why?”
“I don’t know. A few months ago, she just announced one day she’s quitting drinking.”
“She just quit cold turkey?”
“Yes, just like that!”
“你妈妈的酒，我可以喝一杯吗？”
“不，她已经停止饮酒”
“真的！为什么？”
“我不知道。几个月前的一天，她刚宣布她正在戒酒。”
“她刚刚戒酒？”
“是的，就是这样的！”
10 (To) Face the music 承担后果
“I can’t understand why I failed math.”
“You know you didn’t study hard, so you’re going to have to face the music and take the class again next semester if you really want to graduate when you do.”
“我不明白我为什么数学不及格。”
“你知道你没有好好学习，所以你将必须面对现实，如果你真的想毕业，你下学期必须再学这一门课程。”
11. (To be) On the ball 能迅速意识到和对新想法做出反应
“Wow, you’ve already finished your assignments? They are not due until next week, you’re really on the ball. I wish I could be more organized.”
“哇，你已经完成工作了？这些工作下个星期才到期，你的反应真快。我希望我能更加井井有条。 ”
12. (To) Ring a bell 听起来熟悉; （心里） 有印象
“You’ve met my friend Amy Adams, right?”
“Hmmm, I’m not sure, but that name rings a bell. Was she the one who went to Paris last year?”
“你遇到了我的朋友艾米·亚当斯，是吗？”
“嗯，我不确定，但这名字很耳熟。她是去年去巴黎的那个人吗？“
13 Rule of thumb 经验法则; 凭感觉的方法
“As a rule of thumb you should always pay for your date’s dinner.”
“Why? There’s no rule stating that!” “Yes, but it’s what all gentlemen do.”
“凭经验，你应该为你的约会买单。”
“为什么？没有规定必须如此呀。”
“是的，但所有的绅士都这样做。”
14. (To be) Under the weather 身体不舒服，心情不好
“What’s wrong with Katy, mom?”
“She’s feeling a little under the weather so be quiet and let her rest.”
“妈妈，凯蒂，怎么了？”
“她觉得有点不舒服，所以安静点，让她休息一下。”
15. (To) Blow off steam 发泄
“Why is Nick so angry and where did he go?”
“He had a fight with his brother, so he went for a run to blow off his steam.”
“为什么尼克这么生气，他去哪里了？”
“他和兄弟打了一架，所以他跑出去发泄一下。”
16. (To) Look like a million dollars/bucks <口>看起来十分健康、漂亮，
“Wow, Mary, you look like a million dollars/bucks this evening. I love your dress!”
“哇，玛丽，你今晚看起来好漂亮。我喜欢你的衣服！”
17. (To) Cut to the chase <俚>说话直接
“Hi guys, as we don’t have much time here, so I’m going to cut to the chase. We’ve been having some major problems in the office lately.”
“嗨，伙计们，我们现在没有太多的时间，所以我要开门见山。我们最近在工作上遇到了一些大麻烦。”
18. (To) Find your feet 适应环境;
“Lee, how’s your son doing in America?”
“He’s doing okay. He’s learned where the college is but is still finding his feet with everything else. I guess it’ll take time for him to get used to it all.”
“李，你儿子在美国过得怎么样？”
“他还好。他了解了大学的所在地，但仍在不断适应着一切环境。我想他需要时间来适应这一切。”
19. (To) Get over something 克服; 渡过;
“How’s Paula? Has she gotten over the death of her dog yet?”
“I think so. She’s already talking about getting a new one.”
“宝拉怎样了？她从她的狗狗的死亡中走出来了吗？”
“我想是。她刚说准备再收养一个。”
20. (To) Keep your chin up 不要气馁
“Hey, Keiren, have you had any luck finding work yet?”
“No, nothing, it’s really depressing, there’s nothing out there!”
“Don’t worry, you’ll find something soon, keep your chin up buddy and don’t stress.”
“嗨，基兰，你找到任何工作了吗？”
“没，没有。真沮丧，什么工作也没有找到！”
“别担心，你很快就会找到的，不要气馁，不要紧张”
If you’re really serious about learning English well and finding your feet with the language abroad, make sure you spend some time focusing on English idioms to make your transition and easier one. Good Luck and keep your chin up!
如果你真的很想学好英语并适应国外的语言环境，那么你一定要花点时间在英语习语上，使你的过渡更容易。祝你好运，不要气馁！
