糊涂英語·咬文嚼字

carry/take the can

We were both equally at fault， but I had to carry the can. carry the can源于軍隊用語。部隊操練結束后，班長或老兵讓新兵去補給站搬啤酒來喝；喝完之后，新兵還要收拾好空罐送回去(carry the can)。此語大約20世紀50年代開始出現。后喻指“代人受過”、“背黑鍋”。上句可譯為：我們倆都有錯，但是，我必須承擔責任。

cap in hand

He went to his father cap in hand and begged his forgiveness. 舊時，下級對上級、仆人對主人說話時總是恭恭敬敬地摘下帽子，拿在手里，置于胸前，表示尊敬。cap in hand即表示“恭恭敬敬地”、“卑躬屈膝地”。上句可譯為：他畢恭畢敬地走到他父親面前請求寬恕。

cattle show

They tried to win over the voters by holding cattle show. cattle show（牛展），原指美國舉辦的菜牛和乳牛展，常與農業展覽會一起舉行，還要進行評獎。在美國俚語中則指“（競選者發表觀點、展示魅力的）亮相大會”，是20世紀70年代以來美國報刊常用語。上句可譯為：他們試圖通過舉辦亮相大會來贏得選票。

under the counter

He managed to get cigarettes under the counter. under the counter，原指第二次大戰期間商品短缺，一些不法商人把貨物藏在柜臺下（under the counter），高價售給顧客或做后門買賣。后此語即喻指“偷偷地”、“私下里”、“走后門”。上句可譯為：他試圖偷偷地弄些香煙。

in full cry

She left the airport followed by the newspaper reporters in full cry. in full cry，原指在狩獵時，當獵狗發現獵物便會一起吠叫著沖向獵物。后此語也廣泛用于其他場合，指“緊追”、“拼命進攻”。上句可譯為：當她離開機場時，報社的記者們緊追不舍。

someone‘s face is a picture

Her face was a picture when I told her the news. 如果某人的臉是一幅畫（someone‘s face is a picture），那么說明他“非常震驚或生氣”。上句可譯為：當我把這個消息告訴她時，她非常驚訝。

咬文嚼字

free hand: 全權；無拘無束

自由之手，指全權，無拘無束（complete rights; unlimited freedom of action）。 He‘s given his brother a free hand to direct his business during his absence. 他不在家時，讓弟弟全權負責他的生意。

gasbag:夸夸其談其談的人；廢話連篇的人

氣囊，俚語指夸夸其談其談的人；廢話連篇的人（a person who talks too much; empty talker）。John is a gasbag. 約翰是個夸夸其談的人。

head of hair: 濃密頭發

指濃密的頭發（a thick mass of hair on a person‘s head）。She has a beautiful head of hair. 她有一頭漂亮而濃密的頭發。

eye-opener：使人開眼界的新奇事物

I knew he was strong， but it was quite an eye-opener when I saw him lift that car. eye-opener原指晨起時空肚喝的清醒酒，19世紀初始用于美國。后喻指“使人驚奇的事/東西”、“使人開眼界的事/東西”。上句可譯為：我知道他強壯，不過當我看到他把那汽車抬起時，我才大開眼界。此語亦指“（毒品癮君子一天中注射的）睜眼第一針”。

beauty sleep：美容小睡

頭半夜的睡眠(sleep during the early part of the night ， believed to be better for health and beauty)。后亦喻指“小睡”、“打盹”。Many famous beauties take a beauty sleep every day. 許多著名美人每人都有小睡的習慣。