英语中的十个“陈词滥调”
日期:2009-01-20
英语中有一种短语叫做“cliche”，和这个词的本义“陈词滥调”差不多，这种短语是被过度使用的普通短语。通常，这种短语是应该被避免的，但实际上是避免不了的，所以他们才叫做cliche。因为这种短语被使用的很广泛，比如写信、电影、文章中都会用到，对于英语学习者来说，这种短语是你应该明白它的含义但是尽量少用的。
首先我们来说说cliche和idiom的区别。
idiom指英语中的成语或者惯用语，idiom的含义通常和组成idiom的词的本义不同，通常会有比喻在里面。比如：to get under someone's skin，这个idiom的意思是to bother someone惹人烦，如： She's getting under my skin these days!
cliche是那种滥用的短语，意思可以是词的本义的，也可以是比喻的，比如the good old days，这个短语的意思就是“从前的好时候”， 如I remember my years at college. Yes, those were the good old days.
下面是十个流行的cliche，大家可以了解一下这些cliche的含义。
1.The writing on the wall = something that is about to happen, something that is obvious
The writing on the wall意思是即将发生的、很明显的事情，明摆着的。
Example: Can't you see the writing on the wall! You need to get out of that business.
明摆着的事情你都看不出来！你需要从那桩生意中脱身。
2.To pull an all-nighter = to study or work all night
To pull an all-nighter意思是熬通宵
Example: We had to pull an all-nighter to get the work finished on time.
为了按时完成工作，我们要熬通宵了。
3.Pearls of wisdom = wise words or advice
Pearls of wisdom意思是智慧的话或者建议。
Example:I'm not really interested in his pearls of wisdom. He lived in a different period.
我对他的人生箴言不感兴趣，他生活在不同的时代。
4.Too much of a good thing = generally used when saying that's impossible to be too happy, or lucky
Too much of a good thing通常用来说不可能开心过头或者太走运。
Example: Enjoy it! You can't have too much of a good thing.
见好就收吧，你不可能太走运了。
5.Fit as a fiddle = to be ready and able
Fit as a fiddle意思是准备好了，有能力了
Example: I'm fit as a fiddle. Let's do this thing!
我准备好了。咱们开始干吧。
6.Curiosity killed the cat = Don't be too inquisitive, it can be dangerous!
Curiosity killed the cat意思是不要太寻根问底了，这可能有危险。
Example: Remember curiosity killed the cat. You should just forget about it.
记住，好奇害死猫，你应该忘了它。
7.Don't do as I do, do as I say. = Used when someone points out that you are being hypocritical (doing one thing while insisting that others that thing differently)
Don't do as I do, do as I say通常是有人指出你现在很虚伪的时候说的。
Example: Stop talking back! Don't do as I do, do as I say!
不准在背后议论，照我说的做！
8.Let sleeping dogs lie = don't look into (investigate) something that was troublesome in the past, but in which people are not currently interested
Let sleeping dogs lie 意思是大家现在不感兴趣的麻烦事就不要翻出来调查了。
Example: I'd let sleeping dogs lie and not re-open the investigation into the crime.
我会让睡着的狗就这么躺下去的，我不会把这个案子重新调查立案的。
9.A cat has nine lives = someone might be having problems now, but they are many chances to do well or succeed
A cat has nine lives意思是一些人可能现在有麻烦，但是他们仍然有很多机会东山再起获得成功。
Example: His career reminds that a cat has nine lives!
他的事业证明了猫有九条命。
10.Moment of truth = the moment in which something important will be shown or decided
Moment of truth意思是将要公布重要的事情或者做重要的决策的时候
Example: It's the moment of truth. Either we'll get the contract or we won't.
决定的一刻到了，要么我们拿到合同，要么拿不到。
首先我们来说说cliche和idiom的区别。
idiom指英语中的成语或者惯用语，idiom的含义通常和组成idiom的词的本义不同，通常会有比喻在里面。比如：to get under someone's skin，这个idiom的意思是to bother someone惹人烦，如： She's getting under my skin these days!
cliche是那种滥用的短语，意思可以是词的本义的，也可以是比喻的，比如the good old days，这个短语的意思就是“从前的好时候”， 如I remember my years at college. Yes, those were the good old days.
下面是十个流行的cliche，大家可以了解一下这些cliche的含义。
1.The writing on the wall = something that is about to happen, something that is obvious
The writing on the wall意思是即将发生的、很明显的事情，明摆着的。
Example: Can't you see the writing on the wall! You need to get out of that business.
明摆着的事情你都看不出来！你需要从那桩生意中脱身。
2.To pull an all-nighter = to study or work all night
To pull an all-nighter意思是熬通宵
Example: We had to pull an all-nighter to get the work finished on time.
为了按时完成工作，我们要熬通宵了。
3.Pearls of wisdom = wise words or advice
Pearls of wisdom意思是智慧的话或者建议。
Example:I'm not really interested in his pearls of wisdom. He lived in a different period.
我对他的人生箴言不感兴趣，他生活在不同的时代。
4.Too much of a good thing = generally used when saying that's impossible to be too happy, or lucky
Too much of a good thing通常用来说不可能开心过头或者太走运。
Example: Enjoy it! You can't have too much of a good thing.
见好就收吧，你不可能太走运了。
5.Fit as a fiddle = to be ready and able
Fit as a fiddle意思是准备好了，有能力了
Example: I'm fit as a fiddle. Let's do this thing!
我准备好了。咱们开始干吧。
6.Curiosity killed the cat = Don't be too inquisitive, it can be dangerous!
Curiosity killed the cat意思是不要太寻根问底了，这可能有危险。
Example: Remember curiosity killed the cat. You should just forget about it.
记住，好奇害死猫，你应该忘了它。
7.Don't do as I do, do as I say. = Used when someone points out that you are being hypocritical (doing one thing while insisting that others that thing differently)
Don't do as I do, do as I say通常是有人指出你现在很虚伪的时候说的。
Example: Stop talking back! Don't do as I do, do as I say!
不准在背后议论，照我说的做！
8.Let sleeping dogs lie = don't look into (investigate) something that was troublesome in the past, but in which people are not currently interested
Let sleeping dogs lie 意思是大家现在不感兴趣的麻烦事就不要翻出来调查了。
Example: I'd let sleeping dogs lie and not re-open the investigation into the crime.
我会让睡着的狗就这么躺下去的，我不会把这个案子重新调查立案的。
9.A cat has nine lives = someone might be having problems now, but they are many chances to do well or succeed
A cat has nine lives意思是一些人可能现在有麻烦，但是他们仍然有很多机会东山再起获得成功。
Example: His career reminds that a cat has nine lives!
他的事业证明了猫有九条命。
10.Moment of truth = the moment in which something important will be shown or decided
Moment of truth意思是将要公布重要的事情或者做重要的决策的时候
Example: It's the moment of truth. Either we'll get the contract or we won't.
决定的一刻到了，要么我们拿到合同，要么拿不到。