英語成語園地-常用中文成語英譯(11~20畫及以上)

這裡所提供的中文成語的英文翻譯都是既有的、道地的英文成語，我們不會去創造意思跟中文成語相近的英文翻譯 。

所以，有些常見的中文成語在此並未列出，原因是截至目前 ...   常用中文成語英譯 BacktotheGardenofEnglishIdioms   說明 這裡所提供的中文成語的英文翻譯都是既有的、道地的英文成語，我們不會去創造意思跟中文成語相近的英文翻譯 。

所以，有些常見的中文成語在此並未列出，原因是截至目前還找不到意思對應的英文成語，或我們才疏學淺，還不知道有對應的英文成語存在。

11畫 12畫 13畫 14畫 15畫 16畫 17畫 18畫 19畫 20畫及以上 1~10畫 　十一畫 張三李四；阿貓阿狗 everyTom,Dick,andHarry ItisnotasmartideatoadmiteveryTom, Dick,andHarrytotheparty.(允許張三李四，隨便什麼人都可以參加派對，並不是個好主意) Drawthecurtainsorwe'llhaveeveryTom,Dick,andHarrypeekinginthe window.(把窗簾拉上，否則隨便哪個阿貓阿狗都可以從窗戶偷窺) Iwantaqualifiedplumbertodothejob,notjustanyTom,Dick,orHarry. (我需要一個合格的水電工來做這項工作，不是隨便哪個阿貓阿狗都可以)   甜言蜜語；恭維奉承 sweettalk Sheusessweettalktogetherway.   情人眼裡出西施 beautyisintheeyeofthebeholder; loveisblind Youshouldremember,mydear,thatbeautyis intheeyeofthebeholder.   欲速則不達 morehaste,lessspeed "Morehaste,lessspeed,"asthesaying goes.   聊勝於無 halfaloafisbetterthannone(or nobread) Thefundisnotenough,buthalfaloafis betterthannone.   捷足先登 theraceistotheswift Ireturned,andsawunderthesunthatthe raceisnottotheswift,northebattletothestrong. (我又轉念，見日光之下，快跑的未必能贏，力戰的未必得勝--語出聖經)   敝帚自珍；言過其實 allhisgeeseareswans WeallknowJohnalwayssaysthatallhis geeseareswans.   殺雞取卵；斷絕財路 killthegoosethatlaysthegoldeneggs Theysoldpartoftheir businessbutitwasthemostprofitablepart.Ithinkthattheyhavekilled thegoosethatlaysthegoldeneggs.   殺雞用牛刀；小題大作 breakthebutterflyona/thewheel;take asledgehammertocrack/breakawalnut/nut He'sapersonwhousuallybreaksthe butterflyonthewheel.   得寸進尺 givehimaninchandhewilltakea mile/yard He'ssuchapersonthatyougivehimaninch andhewilltakeamile. 得意洋洋 walk/treadonair Susanhasbeen walkingonaireversinceshegottheofficialletterthatshe'sbeen acceptedasagraduatestudentattheUniversityofCalifornia.   患難見真情 afriendinneedisafriendindeed YoucametomysidewhenIwasintrouble.A friendinneedisafriendindeed.   動人心弦；扣人心弦 pull/tugat/onthe/one'sheartstrings Thebookabouttheromance betweena youngladyandanoldmanwasonethatreallypulledattheheartstrings.   眾擎易舉；人多好辦事 manyhandsmakelightwork Weneedafew morevolunteerstomovethefurniture--manyhandsmakelightwork,you know.   盛氣凌人；作威作福；擺架子 giveoneselfairs;lorditover Becausehehastwobighouses,heisalways givinghimselfairs. AfterMarywaselectedpresident,shetriedtolorditovertheothergirls.   畢恭畢敬；卑躬屈膝 bowandscrape;cap/hatinhand Inthisfashionablestore,thesalespersons virtuallybowandscrapebeforecustomers. Theywenttoher,hat inhand,askingforachangeofassignment.   從容不迫；不慌不忙 takeone'stime Youcantake yourtimealteringthatdress;Idon'tneeditrightaway.   魚米之鄉 alandofmilkandhoney Taiwanisalandofmilkandhoney.   這山望著那山高 thegrassisgreenerontheothersideof thehill/fence Don'tcompareyourselfwithothers.The grassisalwaysgreenerontheothersideofthefence.Justdoyourbest. (你不必去跟別人作比較，這山望著那山高，你只要盡最大努力去做好就可以了) Youmightthinkyou'dbehappyifyouwereworkinginmycompany,but,well, thegrassisgreenerontheotherside. (你真是這山望著那山高，如果你來我的公司工作看看，你就知道你現在有多麼幸福了)   眾矢之的 anAuntSally Anumberofinstitutionsreveredand respectedinearliertimeshavebecomeAuntSallyforthepresent generation.(早期一些受到尊崇的制度，現在已成了這一代的眾矢之的) AnypublicfigurerisksbeingmadeanAuntSallybythepress. (任何公眾人物都有成為新聞界的眾矢之的的風險)   捧腹大笑；笑破肚皮；笑翻了天 (nearly,almost,etc.)split/burstone's sides(withlaughter) Themembersoftheaudiencealmostsplit theirsideswithlaughter.(觀眾幾乎笑破了肚皮) TheynearlybursttheirsideswhenItoldthemmyreasonforbeinglate. (當我說出我遲到的原因時，他們幾乎笑翻了天) WhenIheardwhathappenedtoPatricia,Ialmostsplitmysides. (當我聽到派翠西亞所發生的事情時，我幾乎捧腹大笑)   動一根汗毛 harmahairof someone'shead "Mydearlove,"saidtheelderlady,asshe foldedtheweepinggirlinherbosom,"doyouthinkIwouldharmahairof hishead?" (「親愛的，」那位年長的夫人一邊說，一邊把那個哭泣的女孩摟在懷裡，「你想我會碰他一根汗毛嗎?」)－英國大文豪狄更斯 (CharlesDickens)名著《孤雛淚》(OliverTwist)中的句子。

Ifthekidnapperharmsahairofmydaughter'shead,I'llkillhim. (如果綁匪敢動我女兒一根汗毛，我就殺了他)   問道於盲 theblind leadingtheblind John:Mikeishelpingmefilloutmytax formsthisyear.(麥可今年要幫我填寫報稅表單) Jane:Isheataxexpert?(他是稅務專家嗎?) John:Hereadabookaboutincometaxonce.(他曾讀過一本所得稅方面的書) Jane:Soundstomeliketheblindleadingtheblind.(在我聽起來這好像問道於盲) David offeredtobemyguidethroughTokyo,butsincehe'dneverbeentherebefore either,itwasacaseoftheblindleadingtheblind. (大衛表示要當我到東京的導遊，但由於他以前也沒有去過東京，這是問道於盲，於事無補) 附註：這成語 通常位在itis(acaseof)之後。

  深藏不露 hideone'slight underabushel Ididn'tknow youcouldspeakArabic.You'vebeenhidingyourlightunderabushelall theseyears.(我以前不知道你還會講阿拉伯語。

這些年你可真是深藏不露)   眼冒金星；頭暈目眩 seestars Isawstarsfor hoursafterIhitmyheadagainstawalllastnight. (昨晚我頭撞倒牆壁後數小時，我都眼冒金星，頭暈目眩) Thedoorhitmeinthefaceandsawstarsforamoment.(門撞在我的臉上，我頓時眼冒金星) ThepainmadeAnnaseestars.(安娜痛得眼前直冒金星)   勒緊腰帶 tightenone's belt Thingsare beginningtocostmoreandmore.Itlookslikewe'llallhavetotightenour belts. (東西開始越來越貴。

看來我們都要勒緊腰帶) I'vehadtotightenmybeltsinceIstoppedworkingfulltime.(自從我不再全職工作以來，我一直得勒緊腰帶過日子)   欲擒故縱 playhardtoget Whydon'tyou returnanyofhiscalls?Areyouplayinghardtoget?(為何妳都不回他的電話呢？妳是欲擒故縱嗎？) MandysaidCorywasavoidingher,butmaybehewasjustplayinghardtoget. (曼蒂說，柯瑞都躲著她，但或許他只是欲擒故縱) Pennysaidshewouldacceptthejobifitwasofferedratherthanplaying hardtogetinthehopeofbeingofferedmoremoney. (潘妮說，如果那份工作要給她，她寧可接受而不是欲擒故縱，以期獲得較高的薪資)   造化弄人；命運的捉弄；命運的安排 (by)aquirkof fate Aquirkoffate ledhertoworkintheUSanddieinanuncannycaraccident. (造化弄人，使她到美國工作而死於一場離奇的車禍中) Byaquirkoffatethecouplebookedintothesamehotelafteryearsof beingapart.(命運的安排讓這對失散多年的戀人住進同一家旅館)   唯命是從；聽候差遣；任憑使喚 atsomeone's beckandcall WhyamIatyour beckandcall?You'renotmyboss.(為什麼我要對你唯命是從呢？你又不是我老闆) Paulwastiredofbeingathiswife'sbeckandcallalldaylong. (保羅已厭倦整天受他太太的使喚)   雪上加霜 addinsultto injury First,the basementflooded,andthen,toaddinsulttoinjury,apipeburstinthe kitchen.(首先是地下室淹水，然後雪上加霜地，廚房的一根管子爆裂了) Mycarbarelystartedthismorning,andtoaddinsulttoinjury,Igota flattireinthedriveway.(今天早上我的車子差點發不動，而雪上加霜的是，車子在車道爆胎了)   毫不掩飾 makenobones aboutsomething Mr.Huangmade nobonesabouthisdissatisfactionwiththeserviceintherestaurant. (黃先生毫不掩飾他對那家餐廳服務的不滿) TracymakesnobonesaboutwantingDillontoleave.(崔西毫不掩飾她想要狄隆離開)   異想天開 ask/cryforthe moon Don'taskfor themoon.Bereasonable!(別異想天開。

理智一點！) Weneednothopeforhighersalaryinthefuture－thatwouldbejustasking forthemoon.(我們不必期望將來薪資會提高－那不啻異想天開) There'snopointhopingforapermanentpeaceinthearea.It'ssimply/only cryingforthemoon.(期望該地區永久和平是沒有用的。

那簡直/只不過是異想天開) 附註：ask/cry forthemoon這個成語經常用進行式。

十二畫 蛛絲馬跡 hideorhair(通常以"neitherhidenorhair of"的形式出現) Ihaven'tseenhidenorhairofthe children.(or"Ihaveseenneitherhidenorhairofthechildren.")   短兵相接；肉搏戰 fighthandto hand(名詞：hand-to-handfighting) Scottishtroopsfixedbayonetsandfought handtohandwithaShi'itemilitiainsouthernIraqinoneoftheir fiercestclashessincethewarwasdeclared.   混水摸魚 fishin muddy/troubledwaters Heoftenbuysup stockincompaniesdeclaringbankruptcy;fishingintroubledwaters generallypaysoff.   畫蛇添足；多此一舉 gildthelily Offeringthreedifferentdessertsafterthat elaboratemealwouldbegildingthelily.   提心吊膽；焦急萬分 haveone'sheart inone'smouth Whentheplanewasabouttotakeoff,my heartwasinmymouth.   進退維谷；進退兩難 betweenthe devilandthedeepbluesea;betweenarockandahardplace I'm betweenthedevilandthedeepblueseaonthisnegotiation;Ineedacar, butnotattheseprices.   虛應故事；敷衍塞責；裝裝樣子 gothroughthe motions Theteamissofarbehindthatthey'rejust goingthroughthemotions. Shedidn'treallygrieveathisdeath;shejustwentthroughthemotions.   進退兩難；進退維谷 betweenthe devilandthedeepbluesee;betweenarockandahardplace;betweenScylla andCharybdis;inacleftstick Tryingtoplease bothmybossandhissupervisorputsmebetweenarockandahardplace. Becauseofnewemploymentlaws,thesecompaniesarecaughtinacleftstick. 附註：在這四個成語中，between ScyllaandCharybdis(Scylla是一塊岩礁，Charybdis是大漩渦)最早出現，而 betweenarockandahardplace最晚出現(1900年代初期才出現)。

  無與倫比；獨一無二 beinaclassof one's/itsown Heisinaclass ofhisownasacomputerexpert.   無所不知 knowallthe answers(通常用在"thinkoneknowsalltheanswers"這個片語中) Healwaysthink heknowsalltheanswersanddoesn'trespectanybodyelse'sopinion.   無憂無慮；活潑開朗 brightand breezy Sheisavery brightandbreezysortofgirl.   無稽之談；荒誕不經的故事 acock-and-bull story;atallstory;anoldwives'tale/story Jacktoldussomecock-and-bullstoryabout gettinglost. Mysister'saccountofheradventuresinAfricaduringthesummervacation soundslikeacollectionoftallstories. Toadscausewarts?That'sanoldwives' tale.   無風不起浪；無火不生煙 There'snosmoke withoutfire He'sdenied takingbribes,butthere'snosmokewithoutfire.   筋疲力盡 runoutofsteam I havebeenworkingveryhardonthisprojectformonths,butnowI'm runningoutofsteam.   喋喋不休(而使人厭煩) talksomeone's headoff Thewomanbeside meinthebustalkedmyheadoffduringourjourney.   悶悶不樂 downinthe dumps/mouth She'sbeendowninthedumpseversinceshe lostthematch. What'swrongwithhim?He'ssodowninthemouthabouteverything.   焦躁不安；坐立不安 haveantsin one'spants Thischildjust can'tsitstill;shemusthaveantsinherpants.   棋逢對手；勢均力敵 diamondcut diamond Theyhavebeen playingchessfrommorningtonight,becauseofdiamondcuttingdiamond.   揮金如土 spendmoneylike water MissWang spendsmoneylikewater-nowondershe'salwaysbroke.   晴天霹靂 aboltfromthe blue Bill'sdropping hislifeinsurancewasaboltfromtheblueforhiswife.   發號施令 calltheshots; callthetune It'suptothe bosstocalltheshots. Marysaidthatit'sherturntocallthetune.   量入為出 cutone'scoat accordingtoone'scloth Youmustcut yourcoataccordingtoyourcloth.   絞盡腦汁 rackone's brain(s);beatone'sbrainsout I'vebeen rackingmybraintryingtorecallwhereweputthekey. John'sbeatinghisbrainsouttofinishthis puzzle.   陽春白雪；曲高和寡 caviartothe general Thoughmore popularthanitusedtobe,theoperaisstillcaviartothegeneral.   童山濯濯 (as)baldasa coot Nowadaysmore andmoremenareasbaldasacoot. Aperson whoiscompletelybaldisasbaldasacoot.   惡有惡報 chickenscome hometoroost Nowthatyou're finallyadmittingyourtrueage,noonebelievesyou--chickenscomehometo roost.   惶惶不可終日；惶惶不安；忐忑不安 havekittens WhenIheardthe badnews,Ibegantohavekittens.(聽到這壞消息後，我開始惶惶不安) HismothernearlyhadkittenswhenAlexannouncedthathewantedtobea trapezeartist.(在艾立克斯宣布他想成為高空鞦韆表演人之後，他的母親幾乎惶惶不可終日)   循規蹈矩 (on)the straightandnarrow Thepolicewere surprisedthatsuchatrustworthyman,who hadkepttothestraightandnarrowallhislife,hadcommittedsuchahigh crime.(這樣一個一生循規蹈矩，值得信任的人，竟然犯下如此重大罪行，讓警方感到非常驚訝) Lashingoutatyourchildrenisn'tidealbehaviorforkeepingthemonthe straightandnarrow.(要使你的小孩循規蹈矩，嚴斥並非理想的作法)   貴人多忘事 havea memory/mind/headlikeasieve Iwasintroduced tothemanagertwice,butIstillcannotrememberhisname－I'vegota memorylikeasieve.(我曾兩次被介紹跟這位經理認識，但我仍記不住他的名字 －我真是貴人多忘事) I'veneverknownanyonesoforgetful－she'sgotamindlikeasieve.(我還沒見過這麼健忘的人 －她的記性真差)   掌上明珠；心肝寶貝 theappleof someone'seye Thelittlegirl istheappleofhermother'seye.(這小女孩是她母親的掌上明珠) Henryistheappleofhisgrandfather'seye.(亨利是他爺爺的心肝寶貝) 附註：這成語不可寫成 theappleoftheeyeofsomeone，其中的apple原指「瞳孔」(pupilofthe eye)，表示某人對自己非常重要，猶如自己的眼珠一樣珍貴。

這成語都位在BE動詞之後。

  虛驚一場 afalsealarm Johnfearedthat hewouldnotbeabletopasstheexam,butitwasafalsealarm.(約翰擔心考試不及格，結果只是虛驚一場) Someonecalledtosaytherewasabombinsidetheschool,butitturnedout tobeafalsealarm.(有人打電話來說，學校裡面有炸彈，結果只是虛驚一場)   集思廣益 put our/your/theirheadstogether Ifweputour headstogetherwe'llfigureoutawaytodealwiththisproblem. (如果我們集思廣益，我們會想出一個處理這問題的方法) IftheyputtheirheadstogetherIknowtheycandefinitelycomeupwitha proposalthatreallyworks.(如果他們集思廣益，我知道他們肯定能提出一個真正管用的計畫)   寒氣逼人 anipintheair Ifeltalittle nipintheairwhenIopenedthewindow.(我打開窗戶時，覺得有點寒氣逼人) There'smoreofanipintheairaswinterapproaches.(隨著冬天逼近，寒氣更加逼人) There'squiteanipintheair.Ithinkyou'llneedyourjacketon. (寒氣相當逼人。

我想你需要穿外套) 十三畫 會吵的小孩有糖吃 thesqueaky wheelgetsthegrease Nomatterwhattabletheygiveher,Helen generallyinsistsonabetteroneandgetsit--thesqueakywheelgetsthe grease.   禍不單行；不雨則已，雨則傾盆 itneverrains butitpours Whentroublescometogether,wecansay"It neverrainsbutitpours."   酩酊大醉 (as)drunkas alord;drunkas afiddlerorskunk Hecamehomedrunkasalord.   隔牆有耳 thewallshave ears Becarefulwhatyousay;thewallshave ears.   歲月不饒人；歲月不待人 timeandtide waitfornoman Let'sgetonwiththevoting;timeandtide won'twait,youknow.   預防勝於治療；亡羊補牢不如防患於未然 prevention isbetterthancure Moreadviceisneededonhowtostayhealthy because,asweallknow,preventionisbetterthancure.   新官上任三把火 anewbroom sweepsclean Oncehetakesoffice,youcanbesurethe Presidentwillreplacemostofthepeopleonthestaff--anewbroomsweeps clean.   塞翁失馬，焉知非福 ablessingin disguise Missingthetrainwasablessingin disguise,forifIhadn't,Iwouldn'thavemetmyfuture wife.   滄海一粟；九牛一毛 adrop inthebucket/ocean Thesecontributionsarejustadropinthe bucket;thenewchurchwingwillcostthousandsmore.   愛屋及烏 loveme,lovemy dog I hadagreedtotakemynewjobonlyontheconditionthatMr.Wangremained atmyrighthand."It'sacaseofloveme,lovemydog."   腰纏萬貫 madeofmoney DoyouthinkI'mmadeofmoney?   誇大其詞 layiton thick He'dinjuredhishandslightlybuthewas layingitonabitthickabouthowpainfulitwas.   亂七八糟；七嘴八舌：眾說紛紜 atsixesand sevens We'vejust movedin,andtheofficeisstillatsixesandsevens. Thenewcollegeadmissionstestswerepoorly explained,leavingthestudentsatsixesandsevens.   勢均力敵 neckandneck; itisevenStephen/Steven Thetwoareneckandneckindevelopinga newoperatingsystemforthecomputer. Thetwoleadingcandidateshaveanequalsupportrate--it'sevenStephen.   裝腔作勢 putonanact Weknowyou'reagoodswimmer--stop puttingonanact.   落井下石；乘人之危：雪上加霜 hit/kicka man/someonewhenheisdown Neverhitaman whenhe'sdown.   微乎其微(幾乎沒有) nexttonothing Sheknowsnext tonothingaboutpolitics. Thecity hasdonenexttonothingabouttheparkingproblem.   腳踏實地 have/keepone's feet(set/planted)(firmly)ontheground Sheisagirl whohasherfeet(plantedfirmly)ontheground.   溜之大吉；逃之夭夭；拔腿就逃 taketoone's heels;show(someone)acleanpairofheels Theboystookto theirheelswhenthefarmerfoundthemstealinghismangoes. (那些男孩在農民發現他們偷芒果時都溜之大吉了) Thecriminalquicklyshowedthepoliceacleanpairofheelswhentheyfound himwiththestolencar.(當警察發現罪犯駕著那輛偷來的車子時，他飛快地逃之夭夭了)   誠實才是上策 honestyisthe bestpolicy Mary:Iborrowed Jane'swhiteblousewithoutaskingher,andthenIspilledtomatosauceon it.ShouldItellherwhathappened,orshouldIjustputtheblousebackin herclosetandhopeshewon'tnotice?Teresa:Honestyisthebestpolicy. (瑪麗：我沒先問珍就借了她的白襯衫，後來我把蕃茄醬弄在襯衫上。

我該告訴她實情，還是就把襯衫放回她的衣櫥，希望她沒注意到呢?泰瑞莎：誠實才是上策) WhenIwasayoungboy,myfatherusuallysaidthathonestywasthebest policy.(在我小時候，我父親經常說，誠實才是上策)   嗤之以鼻；不屑一顧 turnone'snose upat Ineverturnmy noseupatdessert,nomatterwhatitis.(不管什麼甜點，我都不會嗤之以鼻) JimturnedhisnoseupatAnn,andthathurtherfeelings.(吉姆對安不屑一顧，這使她的感情很受傷)   傻人有傻福 fortunefavors fools "Fortunefavors fools"meansthatfoolishpeopleoftenhavealotofgoodluck.("Fortune favorsfools"的意思是「傻人有傻福」) Popularbeliefclaimsthatfortunefavorsfools.(一般普遍的看法都認為傻人有傻福)   意外之財 penniesfrom heaven Whatmanypeople inTaiwanwantthesediredaysispenniesfromheaven. (這陣子生活十分難過，台灣許多人都想要有意外之財)   裝瘋賣傻 act/playthe goat Stopactingthe goat!(別裝瘋賣傻了！) Allenisalwaysactingthegoat;Ineverknowwhentotakehimseriously. (艾倫老是裝瘋賣傻；我根本不知道什麼時候才能把他當真)   遍體鱗傷(青一塊，紫一塊) blackandblue Hissonwas beatenblackandblueattheboardingschool.(他兒子在寄宿學校被打得遍體鱗傷) Herwholebodywasblackandblueaftershehadfallendown. (她摔了下來，跌得渾身青一塊，紫一塊)   當眾出醜；出洋相 makean exhibitionofoneself WheneverMary sings,shemakesanexhibitionofherself.(瑪麗每次唱歌都大出洋相) IfRudykeepsondrinkinghe'sgoingtoendupmakinganexhibitionof himself!(如果魯迪繼續喝酒，他終將當眾出醜！)   腹背受敵 betweentwo fires Infamily quarrelsKevin'softenbetweentwofires–hismother-in-lawcryingathim ononesideandhiswifeshoutingathimontheother.(在家庭爭吵中，凱文常常腹背受敵－ 一方是他岳母對他喊叫，另一方是他太太對他叫嚷) Thepresidentwascaughtbetweentwofiresduringlastelection. (總統在上次選舉中腹背受敵)   禍不單行；雙重打擊 doublewhammy Robert:Dude,I justgotfiredandyouknowIgotdivorcedyesterday.(老兄，我剛被炒魷魚，你知道我昨天才離婚) Sam:Doublewhammy!(禍不單行！) Criticsclaim thatthecutsinpublicspendingcoupledwithapayfreezeisadouble whammywhichwillaffectlow-paidworkersbadly. (批評人士宣稱，削減公共支出加上凍結薪資，是雙重打擊，將嚴重影響低薪勞工)   道貌岸然；表面上一副忠厚老實相；一臉無辜相 butterwouldn't meltinone'smouth ProfessorLee alwayslooksasifbutterwouldn'tmeltinhismouth.(李教授看起來總是一副道貌岸然的樣子) Mary:HowcanyoususpectSamofplayingthatpracticaljokeonyou?He lookssoinnocent.(瑪麗：妳怎麼可以懷疑山姆對妳惡作劇呢?他看起來這麼無辜) Wendy:Yes,butterwouldn'tmeltinhismouth,I'msure.(溫蒂：是啊，我肯定他是一臉無辜相)   腳踏兩條船 have/keepafoot inbothcamps Manybig corporationshaveafootinbothcampsbydonatingtobothKMTandDPPat thesametime.(許多大公司腳踏兩條船，同時捐款給國民黨和民進黨) Thedevelopers,whofavormoreconstruction,andtheenvironmentalists,who opposeit,arealwaystwocompetinginterests.Yetthemayorhasmanagedto giveeachofthemsomethingtheywant.Healwayskeepsafootinbothcamps. (主張多蓋房子的開發商和反對多蓋房子的環保人士，永遠是兩個對抗的利益團體。

但市長讓兩派力量都得到了一些好處，兩邊都不得罪) [BacktoTop] 十四畫 壽終正寢 dieinone'sbed Herfatherdiedinhisbedlastnight.   對牛彈琴 castpearls beforeswine Theoldprofessorfeltthatlecturingon semioticstoundergraduateswouldbecastingpearlsbeforeswine.   截然不同 (as) differentaschalkandcheese Idon'thaveanythingincommonwithmy brother.We'redifferentaschalkandcheese.   維妙維肖；栩栩如生 tothelife Johncancopy histeacher'smannerofspeakingtothelife.   精打細算；省吃儉用 scrimpandsave Foryearswehadtoscrimpandsave,butnow wecanenjoylifemore.   精疲力竭 flatout Hewasflatout afterhisnight'swork.   說曹操，曹操就到 speakofthe devil Why,speakof thedevil--there'sAmy. 附註：這成語是從 "Speakofthedevilandhe'ssuretoappear."縮略而來。

  需要乃發明之母 Necessityisthe motherofinvention Thefirstprisonertotietogetherbedsheets toescapeknewthatnecessitywasthemotherofinvention.   養尊處優 liveoffthe fatoftheland Thetinyupper classlivedoffthefatofthelandwhilemanyofthepoorwerestarving.   種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆 Asyousowso shallyoureap Asyousowso shallyoureap.I'mafirmbelieverthatwecreateourdestiny.   竭盡全力；全力以赴 doone'slevel best;with(allone's)mightandmain Iwasconvincedthathedidhislevelbest tofindanewgirlfriend. Shepulledontheropewithallhermight andmain. 附註："with mightandmain"這成語算是累贅，因為might和main(名詞)都意為「力量」(strengthorpower)。

  銖兩悉稱；半斤八兩；不相上下 sixofone andhalfadozenoftheother I say she'sastewardess.Shesaysshe'saflightattendant.It'ssixofoneanda halfdozenoftheother.   蒸蒸日上；竿頭日進 ontheupand up(also,ontheup-and-up) Our businessisontheupandup.(我們的生意蒸蒸日上) Fromnowoneverythingisontheup-and-up.(從現在起，一切都會越來越好) 附註：on theupandup這個成語在英式英語中意為「蒸蒸日上；竿頭日進」，但在美式英語 (口語)卻意為「誠實的，正直的(honest)；可靠的，值得信賴的(trustworthy)」，如Mary,don'tthink everyoneisontheupandupwithyou.Therearedishonestpeoplearound. (瑪麗，不要以為每個人都對你很誠實。

有些人是不誠實的)。

  盡地主之誼 dothehonors Youdothe honorsandpourouttheteawhileIbringinthecakes. (你盡一下地主之誼，給客人倒茶，我去把糕餅拿來) Hewasaskedtodothehonorsduringhisbestfriend'swedding. (在他最要好朋友的婚禮上，他被請求招待賓客)   墓木已拱 deadandgone My father'sbeendeadandgoneforquiteaspell.(我父親墓木已拱) WhenI'mdeadandgone,Ihopefolksremembermeatmybest. (當我墓木已拱時，我希望人們記得我在最輝煌、最風光的時候)   寧為雞首，不為牛後 Betterbethe headofadogthanthetailofalion Elton:I canbetheheadmasterofasmallseniorhighschool,orIcanbeateacher atafamousuniversity.WhichjobofferdoyouthinkIshouldtake? (艾爾頓：我可以擔任一所小型高中的校長或擔任一所著名大學的教師。

妳認為我該接受那項聘用通知呢？) Renee:Betterbetheheadofadogthanthetailofalion.(蕾妮：寧為雞首，不為牛後) AlargemultinationalcorporationhadaskedSimontoworkforit,buthe electedtostaywithhissmallcompanyasExecutiveVicePresident,sincehe thoughtitbettertobetheheadofadogthanthetailofalion. (一家跨國大企業已邀請賽蒙去任職，但他選擇繼續留在他現在的小公司擔任執行副總，因為他認為寧為雞首，不為牛後) 十五畫 熟能生巧 practicemakes perfect I'veknitatleastahundredsweaters,but inmycasepracticehasn'tmadeperfect.   暴跳如雷 hoppingmad Iwashoppingmadwhentheyleftmynameoff thelist.   徹頭徹尾；完完全全 tothe backbone;firstandlast Heisnaiveto thebackbone. Shewasanartistfirstandlast.   墨守成規；蹈常襲故 keeptothe beatentrack Hisbosstold himtokeeptothebeatentrackandnotuseanynewideasuntilthecompany becameestablished.   廚師多了煮壞湯；老大多了撐翻船 toomany cooksspoilthebroth(有時略作：toomanycooks) Ifsomeonesays, "Toomanycooksspoilthebroth,"he/shemeansthatyourworkwillbemore efficientifyouusefewerpeople.(如果有人說"Toomanycooksspoilthe broth"，他或她的意思是說，你的工作若用比較少的人來做，會比較有效率) Ourdirectorneverasksmorethan10peopletoworkwithhiminhis projects,andhewantsthebest10.Healwayssays,"Toomanycooksspoil thebroth."(我們主任從未要求10人以上來參與他的企畫案，他要的是最佳10人組。

他常說「廚師多了煮壞湯」)   寬以待人如待己； 自己活，也讓別人活 liveandlet live Idon'tcare whattheydo!Liveandletlive,Ialwayssay.(我不介意他們做什麼!我經常說，寬以待人如待己) Hisparentsarestrict.Minejustliveandletlive.(他的父母嚴以待人。

我的雙親則是寬以待人如待己)   黎明即起 rise(orbe up)withthelark Fewerandfewer peoplelikerisingwiththelark.(越來越少人喜歡黎明即起) I'mnotusedtobeingupwiththelark.(我不習慣早起)   樂天知命；無憂無慮；逍遙自在 happy-go-lucky Kevinisnota happy-go-luckykindofperson.(凱文不是那種樂天知命的人) Alisonisthemosthappy-go-luckypersonI'veevermet.(愛麗森是我所見過最樂天知命的人)   標新立異；獨樹一幟；別具一格；自成一家 marchto(thebeatof)adifferentdrummer Idahashada lotofgreatnewideassinceshestartedmarchingtoadifferentdrummer. (自從艾達開始標新立異以後，她一直有許多很棒的新點子) Jamesismarchingtothebeatofadifferentdrummer,andhedoesn't associatewithusanymore.(詹姆士逐漸獨樹一幟，現在不再跟我們來往了) 附註：march to(thebeatof)adifferentdrummer主要為美國成語，字面意思為「隨著不同鼓手的節拍行進或齊步走」。

英式英語是以 marchtoadifferenttune來表達相同的意思。

。

十六畫 獨佔鰲頭；首屈一指；出人頭地 bear(or carryoff)thepalm Hecarriedoffthepalmbysheer perseverance.   興風作浪；惹是生非 makewaves We'vefinallysettledourdifferences,so pleasedon'tmakewaves.   興高采烈；喜不自勝 bright-eyed andbushy-tailed;fullofthejoysofspring Hereismynew kindergartenclass,allbright-eyedandbushy-tailed. He bouncedintotheoffice,fullofthejoysofspring.   隨心所欲；一意孤行；自行其是 (想怎樣就怎樣) bealawunto oneself;haveitone's(own)way Youcan'ttellMaryhowtopunctuate;she's alawuntoherself. Oh,haveityourownway—I'mtiredof arguing.   隨波逐流；隨遇而安 swim/drift/go withthetide/current/stream Bill doesn'thaveamindofhisown;hejustswimswiththetide. 附註：這成語的相反詞，即「不隨波逐流」，叫做 "swim/goagainstthetide/current/stream"。

  隨風轉舵；隨機應變 trimone's sails(before/tothewind) Hisadvisers toldhimtotrimhissailsbeforehealienatedvotersandbungledthe electioncompletely.   曇花一現；虎頭蛇尾 aflashin thepan Hissecondnovel provedtobeaflashinthepan. We hadhighhopesforthenewdirector,butshewasaflashinthepan.   戰戰兢兢；提心吊膽；膽戰心驚 infearand trembling Iwenttohimin fearandtremblingtoseekhisacceptanceofmyapologyformyruderemarks.   擅離職守；不告而別 takeFrench leave Is Randyreallyillagain,orishejusttakingFrenchleave?   謀事在人，成事在天 Manproposes, Goddisposes Myfather usuallysaysthatmanproposes,Goddisposes.   擠眉弄眼；送秋波 (尤指女人對男人放電) flutterone's eyelashesat Allthroughthe mealhiswifewasflutteringhereyelashesatthemansittingatthenext table.(在整個吃飯過程中，他的太太一直對鄰桌一名男子擠眉弄眼) Sheevenveryoftenflutteredhereyelashesatme.HowcouldIresist? (她甚至對我頻送秋波。

我怎能抗拒呢?)   頭上長瘡，腳底流膿－ 壞透了，爛透了 rottentothe core Thewholefamily arerottentothecore.(這一家人全都頭上長瘡，腳底流膿，壞透了) BillsaidthatKeviniseviltothecore. (比爾說，凱文壞透了) Thisorganizationisrottentothecore.(這個組織爛透了)   隨機應變 playitby ear I'mnotsurehow longI'llstayattheparty.I'lljustplayitbyear. (我不確定我會在派對停留多久。

我會隨機應變) Ihaven'tdecidedwhattosaywhenhecomes;I'llplayitbyear. (我還沒決定他來時要說什麼，到時隨機應變吧) 附註：playitbyear原意為聽過樂曲後不看樂譜僅憑記憶演奏。

  錦上添花 (the)icing onthecake Tonywas delightedtohavehisstorypublished–gettingpaidforitwasjusticing onthecake.(東尼很高興他的故事能被出版－因此而獲得報酬只是錦上添花) We'rereallyhappyplayinginTaipei,andifwewinonSundaythatwillbe theicingonthecake.(我們真的很高興能來台北比賽，如果我們星期天獲勝的話，那就錦上添花了) [BacktoTop] 十七畫 嚎啕大哭；痛哭流涕 crybuckets I cry bucketseverytimeIwatchthisdrama.   輾轉反側 tossandturn;twistandturn Iwasinthe hopethatIhadagoodnight'ssleepbutinsteadtwistedandturnedall nightlongbecauseIwasworriedaboutmyjob. (我希望一夜好眠，但由於擔心自己的工作，反而整晚輾轉反側，難以成眠) Bernardwastossingandturningallnight.(柏納德整晚輾轉反側，難以成眠)   膽小如鼠；不敢得罪人 would/could/willnotsaybootoagoose Hiswifeusedto sayhewouldnotsaybootoagoose.   膽大包天；膽大妄為；厚顏無恥 (as)boldasbrass Noonehad invitedhertothewedding,butsheshowedupatthechurch,boldasbrass.   禮尚往來；善有善報；好心有好報 onegoodturn deservesanother Hefixedmybike soIlethimusemycomputer.Onegoodturndeservesanother. (他修理我的腳踏車，所以我讓他用我的電腦。

禮尚往來嘛!) Onegoodturndeservesanothersowemadeagreatefforttohelpthose peoplewhohadhelpedusinthepast.(善有善報!所以我們盡了最大努力來幫助過去曾經幫助過我們的人)   聰明伶俐 (as)bright asabutton Mylittleson's asbrightasabutton.   瞠目結舌 someone's eyes(nearly/almost/practically)poppedoutofone'shead Mysistershowed metheringJimgaveher,andmyeyespoppedoutofmyhead.Itwasso beautiful.(我姊姊給我看吉姆送她的戒指，我驚訝地瞠目結舌。

戒指真是太漂亮了) Whenhetoldmehowmuchmoneyhewas earning,myeyesalmostpoppedoutofmyhead.(當他告訴我他賺多少錢時，我驚訝地瞠目結舌) 十八畫 謹言慎行；循規蹈矩；小心行事 mindone's P'sandQ's Theirgrandmotheroftentoldthechildrento mindtheirp'sandq's.   覆水難收 don'tcryover spiltmilk;itisnousecryingoverspiltmilk Thepapersyou wantedwentoutinlastweek'strash,sodon'tcryoverspiltmilk.   歸根結柢 when/after allissaidanddone When all'ssaidanddone,thedoctorsdidwhattheycouldforJohn,buthewas tooilltosurvive.   轉石(或滾石)不生苔； 轉業不聚財 arolling stonegathersnomoss Kate'slivedin tencitiesinasmanyyears,soIdon'tthinkthesaying "arollingstonegathers nomoss"meansanythingtoher.   鎮定自若；泰然自若；不動聲色 keepone's countenance Underthe circumstancesitishardforhimtokeephiscountenance.   舊瓶(裝)新酒 putnewwine in/intooldbottles Ourorganization isabrand-newone,soyoucanpresentanynewideas.Youwillnevermeet withputtingnewwineintooldbottles. (我們是個全新的機構，所以你可以提出任何新的構想，絕不會碰到舊瓶裝新酒的情況) 附註：這成語比喻雖力求革新，但仍無法掙脫桎梏，只能拘泥在舊有的模式或制度裡表現新意。

  雜亂無章；亂成一團； 亂象叢生；凌亂不堪 inashambles Sarahmadea (complete)shamblesoftheaccounts.(莎拉把帳目記得雜亂無章) Themeetingendedinacompleteshambles.(會議結束時亂成一團) Corruptionhasleftthecountry'seconomyinashambles.(貪污腐敗已使這國家的經濟亂象叢生)   舊事重提(尤指不愉快的往事) rakeoverthe ashes/coals There'snopoint inrakingovertheashes-allthathappenedtwentyyearsago,andthere's nothingwecandoaboutitnow.(舊事重提已沒什麼意義了－那一切都發生在二十年前，現在我們也無能為力了) Hiswifealwaysrakesoverthecoalsoftheiroldunpleasantthingswhenshe isangry.(他太太一生氣就會將他們之間不愉快的往事重新搬出來) 十九畫 懲一儆百；以儆效尤 makean exampleof Theteachermadeanexampleoftheboyshe caughtcheating. Thejudgeimposedatoughsentencetomakeanexampleofthecarthieves.   譁眾取寵 campitup;play tothegallery Amateuractors oftencampitup,tryingtobemoredramatic. Hepeppershisspeecheswithhumorandwisecracksabouthisopponent, clearlyplayingtothegallery.   懷恨在心 hold/bear/havea grudge(againstsomeone) Sheholdsa grudgeagainstthejudgewhosentencedher.(她對判她刑的法官懷恨在心) BillystillhasagrudgeagainstMarybecausesherefusedtogooutwithhim yearsago.(比利對瑪麗仍懷恨在心，因為多年前她拒絕跟他交往) [BacktoTop] 二十畫及以上 顯而易見；一清二楚 (as)plainas day;(as)plainasthenoseonyourface;(as)plainasapikestaff It's plainasdaythattheymustselltheirhousebeforetheycanbuyanother. It'splainasthenoseonyourfacethatshe'slying.   歡天喜地 oncloudnine He wasoncloudnineafterwinningthemarathon.   囊空如洗；一文不名；一貧如洗 nothavetwo halfpenniestorubtogether Whenmydadleftuswedid nothavetwohalfpennies torubtogether.   露出馬腳；洩漏天機 givethegame away Weweretryingtopretendwedidn'tknowit washerbirthdaybutDavidgavethegameaway.   轟動一時；一鳴驚人；名噪一時 makeanoisein theworld Heseemedvery eagertomakeanoiseintheworld.   變化無常；反覆無常；朝三暮四 chopand change Aftersixmonthsofchoppingandchanging, we'vedecidedtogobacktoouroldsystem.   鐵石心腸 (as) hard/toughasnails Don'taskherforacontribution--she'shard asnails.   響徹雲霄；震天價響 rendthe skies/air Patrioticsongs rendtheairatthebootcamp.   驕兵必敗；驕者必敗 pridegoes beforeafall Youmustlearn tobemodestbecausepridegoesbeforeafall.(你必須學習謙虛，因為驕兵必敗) Susan:I'mthebeststudentinmyhistoryclass.I'msureIcanpassthe examwithoutstudyingveryhard.Sam:Becareful.Pridegoesbeforeafall, youknow.(蘇珊：我是我們班上歷史課最優秀的學生。

我確信我不用太用功就可通過考試。

山姆：當心哦!驕者必敗)   蠟燭兩頭燒(過度耗費精力) burnthecandle atbothends Youlookvery tiredtoday.Haveyoubeenburningthecandleatbothends?(你 今天看起來疲憊不堪。

是不是過度勞累了?) Hehasbeenburningthecandleatbothendswithhisworkandhisstudies. (為了兼顧工作和學業，他一直蠟燭兩頭燒)   寶刀未老；老當益壯 there'slifein theolddogyet Bill:Iheard yourgrandpawillmarryawomanwhois30.He'salready85!(比爾：我聽說你爺爺要娶一名 30歲的女子。

他已經85歲了！) Jack:There'slifeintheolddogyet.(傑克：他寶刀未老) Imaybe90butthere'slifeintheolddogyet.(我也許90歲，但我老當益壯) [BacktoTop] [回到英語成語園地]