習語集錦【2】

1. I beg to differ

　　— I don't agree with you.

　　— 恕我不能贊同

　　Example: You may think that John should be offered the job, but I beg to differ. John has no practical experience and is not highly motivated.

　　2. I/You bet

　　— I am/ you are sure.

　　— 我敢肯定；你可確信

　　Examples: 1.The weather is fine. I bet it won't rain.

　　2. You bet I'll arrive at the airport before everyone else.

　　3. Jack-in-the-box, a

　　— a person who fidgets or does not sit still.

　　— 盒中的玩偶；比喻一個人靜不下來

　　Example: “Boy! Sit properly! Don't jump up and down like a jack-in-the-box.”

　　4. Jack of all trades is master of none, a

　　— person who can do many different kinds of work may not be good at any of them.

　　— 博而不精的人

　　Example: This chap repaired the television and installed the air-conditioner all in one day, but none of the work he did seemed reliable. Isn't he a jack of all trades master of none?

　　5. Oblivious of/to something

　　— unaware of something; not noticing something.

　　— 未覺察某事；不注意某事

　　Example: What is wrong with James? He seems completely oblivious of what has happened here.

　　6. Odd man/one out, an

　　— a person or thing different from a group or left out of it.

　　— 與衆不同的人或物

　　Examples: 1. You had better learn to use a computer if you don't want to be an odd man out. 　　　　　 2. Look at the watch on the dining table! It is an odd one out.

　　7. Pack of lies, a

　　— something that is completely untrue.

　　— 一派衚言

　　Example: Don't listen to him! His story is a pack of lies.

　　8. Pack someone off （to some place）

　　— send someone away, usually quickly and without wasting time.

　　— 迅速打發某人

　　Example: The mother could not allow the children to sleep late, so she packed them off to bed at about 10p.m.

　　9. Qualify as someone/for something

　　— show that one is suitable for a profession, reaches a a standard, etc.

　　— 具……的資格；郃格於……

　　Examples: 1. After years of hard work, Judie has qualified as a dentist.

　　2. Our school is sure to qualify for the regional English debating competition.

　　10. Quarrel with one's bread and butter

　　— dislike the work by which one earns one's living.

　　— 和自己的生計過不去

　　Example: If you are against the authorities, you are quarrelling with your bread and butter and your family will be in trouble.

　　11. Race against time/a race against time

　　— hurry to do something before a certain time.

　　— 盡快工作，按時完成

　　Examples: 1. Being late, you have to race against time to finish the work by 5 p.m.

　　2. I try to get this assignment done by Monday, but it will be a race against time.