英语讲义【127】名词惯用语

　　英语中的名词惯用语不少。这里就把常见的举些出来，并造句示范，希望大家对这种短语有进一步的认识，从而多多运用。

　　1. A breath of fresh air: 带来新气象的人

　　Joelle is so lovely and lively that she is a breath of fresh air for the whole family.

　　2. The calm before the storm: 暴风雨来临前的宁静

　　The serene atmosphere in the factory is just the calm before the storm. Once the new boss comes, things will radically change.

　　3. A dose/ taste of ones own medicine: 尝尝自己的药，即用同样方法对待对方

　　Tony has smeared Johns reputation. It is now time for Tony to have a dose of his own medicine.

　　4. A drop in the ocean: 海洋中的一滴水，即沧海一粟

　　For a banker like Mr Huang, a donation of one million dollars is nothing but a drop in the ocean.

　　5. Force of circumstances: 时势所逼

　　Owing to force of circumstances, the man has to dispose of his house to settle all his debts.

　　6. （All） grist to ones mill: 可利用之物

　　As a writer, social ills and problems are all grist to his mill.

　　7. A home from home: 第二个家；宾至如归之地

　　Many foreigners come to work and stay in Singapore; they regard this country as a home from home.

　　8. A jack of all trades: 一个样样都懂的人

　　If you have any repairing work to do, just ask Xiao Li, who is a jack of all trades.

　　9. A leap/ shot in the dark: 不顾后果的冒险行为；没事实根据的猜测

　　To enter the hiding place of the gangsters is a leap in the dark. Dont do it!/ Toms answer, though correct, was only a shot in the dark.

　　10. The lesser of two evils: 两害之较轻者

　　Employing a person who is loyal but not very capable is better than employing one who is very capable but disloyal; the former is the lesser of two evils.

　　11. The life and soul of the party: 聚会的灵魂人物

　　Thanks to Helen, all had a good time at the get-together. Helen was really the life and soul of the party.

　　12. The man in the street: 一个普通人

　　Such sophisticated music cannot appeal to the man in the street.

　　13. The man of the hour: 风云人物

　　Jason achieved one success after another. No doubt, he is the man of the hour.

　　14. A pack of lies: 一连串的谎言

　　Dont listen to him! What he has said is a pack of lies.

　　15. Rule of thumb: 凭经验而来的方法

　　Many people consider English verbs difficult. Is there a rule of thumb for mastering English verbs?/ As a rule of thumb, you have to pay $100 a month for every $1000 you borrow.

　　16. The run of the mill: 例常的事

　　There is nothing special about my work; it is just the run of the mill.

　　17. A shot in the arm: 一剂兴奋剂

　　The favourable opinion poll gave the biggest opposition party a shot in the arm.