忙得四脚朝天

　　Donny在北京学中文。他的中国朋友要是遇到了不知道用美语怎么说的词，就会来请教他。今天是杨琳要问的：忙。

　　Donny：Hi 杨琳，whats up? I havent seen you in ages.

　　YL: 别提了，我最近特别忙，I am really busy! 忙得四脚朝天，怎么说...four feet up!

　　Donny: four feet up? I can imagine. But in English, we dont say that...You can say Im up to my neck in work.

　　YL: Im up to my neck... in work ? 工作太多，堆到和脖子一样高?被工作压得喘不过气来。这个说法太形象了! 还有别的吗?

　　Donny: There is another expression that also has to do with body parts. It is ve got my hands full.

　　YL: Ive got my hands full。我明白了，就是说两手都没闲着。

　　Donny: Exactly. Oh, I just thought of another one---I have a lot on my plate.

　　YL: I have a lot on my plate? plate, p-l-a-t-e, plate 不是盘子么?说盘子里有很多东西，那一定是...忙着吃呢吧?

　　Donny: Thats possible! Anyway, when you say you have a lot on your plate, it means youre busy.

　　YL: 我知道了。哎呀，我快迟到了，快，再教最后一个。

　　Donny: Okay, this one will be easier to remember-- Ive got a million things to do!

　　YL: 太夸张了吧! Ive got a million things to do! 有一百万件事情等着我去做。

　　Donny: Right! Now, Yang Lin, tell me what youve learned today!

　　YL: 今天学到的还真不少。形容特别忙可以说，Im up to my neck in work ，工作堆到脖子了;Ive got my hands full , 两手都占着呢;I have a lot on my plate ，盘子里堆得满满的。哎呀! 我得赶紧走人了，Ive got a million things to do!