Now, the Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.
Cats are the most popular pets among Americans. So it is not surprising that there are many expressions about cats. Some cats like to catch small birds, like canaries. If someone looks very proud or satisfied with himself, we say he looks like the cat that ate the canary.
Sometimes, a cat likes to play with a small animal it catches.
So if you play cat and mouse with someone, you change between different kinds of behavior when dealing with another person. For example, a child might offer something sweet to her little brother and then take it away when he reaches for it.
A cat will often catch a small animal and present it to its owner. The saying that looks like something the cat dragged in describes something in bad condition.
Two old and funny expressions describe something that is the best or finest. Americans might say that something is the cats meow and the cats pajamas.
Children might call a child who is easily frightened a fraidy cat or a scaredy cat. A copycat is someone who acts just like someone else or copies another persons work. A fat cat is a person with a lot of money.
You may have known that cats spend most of their time sleeping. Sometimes people sleep for a short time during the day. This is called a cat nap.
If you tell about something that was supposed to be a secret, we say you let the cat out of the bag. If you are not able to speak or answer a question someone might ask if the cat has got your tongue.
Have you ever watched children in a classroom when their teacher leaves for a few minutes? When the cats away, the mice will play means people sometimes misbehave when there is no supervision.
You may have heard this expression: curiosity killed the cat. This means being too concerned about things that are not your business might cause problems.
If your home is very small, you might say there is not enough room to swing a cat. But you probably should not try this at home!
If you ever had cats as pets, you know it is difficult to train them or to get them to do something. Cats are not like sheep or cows that can be moved in a group. So we say a difficult or impossible job is like herding cats.
We leave you with a song from the musical play, Cats.
This Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES was written by Shelley Gollust. Im Faith Lapidus.
词汇讲解：
1. pet n. 宠物
例句：I want a cat as a pet.
我想要只宠物猫。
2. behavior n.行为
例句：A persons behavior is often regulated by his circumstances.
人的行为常受其所处环境的约束。
3. frighten v. 惊恐，害怕
例句：It frightened me sometimes to see that.
看到那种事, 有时真令我害怕。
4. secret n. 秘密
例句：I will pledge myself to a top secret.
我发誓保守这一绝密。
5. misbehave vi. 行为不端
例句：My mom grounds me if I misbehave.
如果我不守规矩，妈妈就不准我出去。
6. supervision n. 监督，监管
例句：The work was done under my supervision.
这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。
7. train v. 训练，培训
例句：Mr. Smith trains the football team.
史密斯先生训练这个足球队。
短语讲解：
1. If someone looks very proud or satisfied with himself, we say he looks like the cat that ate the canary.
be satisfied with 对感到满意
例句：They seemed to be satisfied with our work.
看来他们对我们的工作很满意。
look like 看起来像
例句：He looks like a scholar.
他看上去像个学者。
2. Sometimes, a cat likes to play with a small animal it catches.
play with 与一起玩
例句：The kid was playing with his ball.
孩子在玩皮球。
3. For example, a child might offer something sweet to her little brother and then take it away when he reaches for it.
take away 拿走，带走
例句：A maid came to take away the tray.
一个女仆进来拿走了托盘。
reach for 伸手拿，伸手触及
例句：The soldier reached for his gun.
那名士兵伸手去拿枪。
4. The saying that looks like something the cat dragged in describes something in bad condition.
drag in 把拖进，把扯进
例句：Why do you drag in such irrelevant facts?
把这些不相干的事扯进来干什么?
5. You may have heard this expression: curiosity killed the cat. This means being too concerned about things that are not your business might cause problems.
be concerned about挂念，关心
例句：He is concerned about national affairs.
他关心国家大事。
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