【3D Notes】Idioms(片語)

Format of the Note

• name
  Translation
  : Definition

  Examples

Alphabetically

A

• a fish out of water
  感到不自在
  : a person who feels awkward or unhappy because they are in a situation that is not familiar or because they are different from the people around them

  I felt like a fish out of water since I was the only man at the party.

• all of a sudden
  一下子；突然間
  : very quickly

  It seemed to happen all of a sudden - I felt dizzy and I just collapsed.

• ahead of time
  提前
  : earlier than a particular moment

  Let’s meet for lunch. I’ll call you ahead of time to decide exactly when and where.

• (just)around the corner
  不遠，就在附近, 即將來臨
  : not far away, or going to happen soon

  I’m feeling a little depressed at the moment, but I’m sure good times are just around the corner.

• as of/from
  截至；從(時間)開始
  : used to indicate a time or date at which something begins or ends

  • takes effect as of July 1
  • As of now, it’s difficult to tell in a cancer’s early stage which patients have which kind of tumor.

• as if/though
  好像；似乎；彷佛
  : used to describe how a situation seems to be

  I feel as if it’s going to rain later today.

• as is
  按現狀
  : in the state that something is in at the present time

  Will you wait till it’s finished or take it home as is?

• aside from
  除…以外
  : except for

  I hardly eat out in Adelaide, aside from hanging out with friends.

• at once
  立刻，馬上
  : immediately

  I knew at once that I’d like it here.

• at one time
  曾經
  : during one period of time in the past

  There was a grocery store next to my house at one time.

• at the end of the day
  歸根究底
  : something that you say before you give the most fact of a situation

  Of course I’ll listen to what she has to say but at the end of the day, it’s my decision.

• at the end of one’s rope(tether)
  筋疲力盡；一籌莫展
  : having no strength or patience left

  By six o’clock after a busy day, I’m at the end of my rope.

B

• back in the day
  曾幾何時(尤用於追憶美好往事時)
  : used for talking about a time in the past, usually when you are remembering nice things about that time

  • Back in the day, we had an apartment with a swimming pool.

• be/have/get something to do with sth
  與…有關係
  : to be related to something or a cause of something but not in a way that you know about or understand exactly

  • I’m not sure what he does exactly - it’s something to do with finance.
  • It might have something to do with the way it’s made.

• be there for sb
  總在（某人）身邊（提供幫助或支援）；不離（某人）左右
  : to be available to provide help and support for someone

  We haven’t always been close, but she was there for me when I needed her.

• be barking up the wrong tree
  找錯了原因；用錯了方法
  : to be wrong about the reason for something or the way to achieve something

  She thinks it’ll solve the problem, but I think she’s barking up the wrong tree.

• be no use(of)
  沒有用；沒有幫助；不可能
  : to not be useful, helpful, or possible

  It is no use trying (= there is no purpose in trying) to escape - no one ever gets out of here.

• be rotten to the core
  （某人或組織）腐敗透頂
  : If a person or organization is rotten to the core, they behave in a way that is not honest or moral

  The whole legal system is rotten to the core.

• be out of the woods
  脫離險境（或困境）
  : to no longer be in danger or difficulty

  The project has been given funding for another year, but it’s not out of the woods yet.

• be good to go
  準備好
  : to be prepared and ready to do something

  • Let me grab a jacket and then I’m good to go.
  • We have all the tools and supplies we need, so we’re good to go.

• be a sucker for sth
  對…無法抗拒；對…入迷
  : to like something so much that you cannot refuse it or judge its real value

  I admit that I’m a sucker for fried rice.

• beat around the bush
  （說話）轉彎抹角，兜圈子
  : to avoid talking about what is important

  Don’t beat around the bush - get to the point!

• before you know it
  還沒意識到之前（用來表示很快）
  : very soon

  We’ll be on our way again before you know it.

• blow someone’s mind
  使感到極度興奮（或激動）；讓 (人) 大吃一驚
  : If something blows your mind, you find it very exciting and unusual

  There was one scene in the film that really blew my mind.

• break a leg
  用來祝對方好運（特別是在上臺演出之前）
  : used for wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance

  You’re going to do so well tomorrow! break a leg!

• break the bank
  太貴，花錢太多
  : to cost too much

  It only costs $2. That’s not going to break the bank.

C

• call it a day
  結束工作；到此為止；收工
  : to stop what you are doing because you do not want to do any more or think you have done enough

  I’m getting a bit tired now - let’s call it a day.

• call it even(quits)
  同意已互不相欠
  : to agree with someone that a debt has been paid and that no one owes anything more

  I paid for last week’s shopping and you paid for this week’s, so let’s call it even.

• come to that
  實際上，事實上
  : in fact

  “I owe you a fiver, don’t I?” “Yes, and come to that, you never paid me back the other money I lent you.”

• consider it done
  馬上就做… ; 包在我身上
  : used to say that you will do a particular task immediately

  “Could you give me a copy of this page, please?” “Consider it done.”

D

• don’t get me wrong
  別誤會
  : said when you think someone might not understand what you say, or be upset by it

  Don’t get me wrong - I’d love to come, but I’m too busy next week.

E

• every once in a while
  每過一段時間
  : sometimes, but not regularly

  You meet some really interesting people every once in a while.

• every now and then
  間或，偶爾，有時
  : sometimes but not often

  Every now and again/then they’ll have a beer together.

F

• from scratch
  從頭開始，從零開始
  : from the beginning, without using anything that already exists

  Ben built the shed from scratch.

• from time to time
  偶爾，有時，時不時
  : sometimes, but not regularly

  I still think of her from time to time.

• for the time being
  暫時，暫且
  : for a limited period

  My car hasn’t problems for the time being.

• foot the bill
  買單
  : to pay for something, esp. something expensive

  His parents can’t afford to foot the bill for his college education.

G

• get/wrap sb mind/head around sth
  弄懂（複雜或奇怪的事）
  : to find a way to understand or accept (something)

  I find it hard to get my mind around such complex issues.

• get rid of sth
  擺脫
  : to remove something that you do not want any longer

  I can’t wait to get rid of that ugly old couch.

• get out of hand
  變得失控
  : to become difficult to control:

  It was the end of term and the children were getting a little out of hand.

• get the hang of sth
  掌握訣竅，學會做某事
  : to learn how to do something, esp. when it is not simple or obvious

  I’ve been learning English and I’ll get the hang of it someday.

• get it together
  打起精神，振作起來；下定決心
  : to make a decision or take positive action in your life

  Blake has really got it together since I last saw him - he has started a new job and lost a lot of weight.

• give sb a heads up
  事先提醒（某人）
  : to tell someone that something is going to happen

  Please give me a heads up when you’re on your way.

• give sb the creeps
  使…毛骨悚然；使…緊張害怕
  : to cause someone to have uncomfortable feelings of nervousness or fear

  All these coincidences are starting to give me the creeps.

• give sb a ride
  載(某人)一程
  : to provide transportation for someone.

  Jack gave me a ride to the airport.

• give sth a go
  試一試，搏一搏
  : To try something, especially something with which one has little or no experience

  I’ve never tasted this kind of wine before, but I’ll give it a go.

• go too far
  做得過分
  : to behave in a way that upsets or annoys people

  His jokes are funny, but sometimes he goes too far.

• go out of one’s way to
  （特別是為其他人）非常努力地做
  : to try very hard to do something, especially for someone else

  They really went out of their way to make us feel welcome.

H

• have one’s eyes on sth
  想要得到；看中，看上
  : to have seen something that you want and intend to get

  She’s had her eye on a bike for some time.

• here’s the thing
  問題來了；重點是…，事情是這樣的
  : Used to introduce a statement meant to offer important insight into or information about someone or something.

  Well, the project sounds nice. But here’s the thing: we just don’t have the money.

• here you are/go
  給你
  : used when giving something to someone

  “Could you pass the sugar, please?” “Here you are.”

• hit the ground running
  雷厲風行；一舉成功
  : to immediately work hard and successfully at a new activity

  She is in excellent shape and in good spirits. She will hit the ground running when she gets back.

• how come?
  為甚麼？怎麼會？
  : used to ask how or why something has happened

  So how come you missed the train?

I

• I’m telling you / I can tell you
  （用來強調所說的是真的）聽我說，我說的沒錯
  : used to emphasize that what you are saying is true, and should be believed

  I’m telling you, he’s the best player in the Taiwanise League.

• I’ll say
  當然！的確如此！
  : used to show that you agree very strongly with what has been said

  “Does he eat a lot?” “I’ll say!”

• in a nutshell
  簡而言之
  : very briefly, giving only the main points

  Well, to put it in a nutshell, we’re lost.

• in no time (at all)
  很快
  : very quickly

  • He had the car fixed in no time at all.
  • The machine will pay for itself in no time.

• in the way
  阻礙，妨礙
  : in a position that prevents something from happening or someone from moving

  • Work often gets in the way of my social life.
  • It’s a small street, and he parked right in the way

• It’s about time
  早該如此；終於；早該(做某事)了
  : If it is about time/high time that someone did something, it should have been done sooner or a long time ago.

  • “So Ben’s finally found a job.” “Yeah, it’s about time.”
  • It’s about time you got here. I’ve been waiting for over an hour!

• It’s not rocket science
  並不太難；並非特別複雜
  : used to say that you do not think that something is very difficult to do or to understand

  Come on, it’s only a crossword, it’s not rocket science.

J

• just you wait
  等著瞧
  : used as a way of threatening someone

  Just you wait, I will get my hands on you.

K

L

• let’s say
  比如說；假設
  : used to introduce a suggestion or possible example of something

  Let’s say the journey takes three hours, you’d be there by two o’clock.

• live a little
  活在當下；放開一點；想做就做
  : used to encourage someone to enjoy life, take some risks, or try something new and exciting

  I know you’re worried about the cost, but come on, live a little and treat yourself to that vacation you’ve been dreaming of!

M

• make it two
  我要一個一樣的
  : I’ll have the same thing as what this other person ordered.

  “I think I’ll have the chef’s special.” “Ooh, that sounds good—make it two!”

• make a fool (out) of someone
  讓某人出醜
  : to do something that makes someone, esp. yourself, seem ridiculous

  I almost stood up and sang, but I decided I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself.

• make up one’s mind
  下定決心，打定主意
  : to decide

  I haven’t made up my mind where to go yet.

N

• no wonder
  難怪
  : it is not surprising

  It’s no wonder you looked so tired.

• nothing ventured, nothing gained
  不入虎穴，焉得虎子。
  : You have to take a risk in order to get something good.

  Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

O

• once upon a time
  （表示對過去的留戀）以往，從前
  : used when referring to something that happened in the past, especially when showing that you feel sorry that it no longer happens

  Once upon a time people knew the difference between right and wrong, but nowadays nobody seems to care.

• once in a while
  有時；偶爾，間或
  : sometimes but not often

  We meet for lunch once in a while.

• on top of that
  除（尤指令人不快之事）之外（還）; 重點是… ; 最重要的是…
  : in addition to something, especially something unpleasant

  We missed our flight, and on top of that we had to wait seven hours for the next one.

• on the same page
  達成共識
  : agreeing about something (such as how things should be done)

  Try to get employees and clients on the same page.

• out of place
  格格不入
  : in the wrong place or looking wrong

  I felt a little out of place in the class since I was the only foreigner.

• out of order
  不妥的；惹人討厭的(英)
  : If something someone says or does is out of order, it is unpleasant or not suitable and it is likely to upset or offend people.n

  His behaviour in the meeting was out of order.

  發生故障，壞了
  : not working properly ; not able to be used

  This machine is out of order again.

P

• part and parcel of sth
  是…必要（或不可缺少）的部分
  : a basic and necessary part of (something)

  Stree was part and parcel of job.

• put another way
  換句話說，換個方式說
  : set phrase To rephrase something; to express something in a different way

  I’m afraid your sales figures haven’t been in line with the figures generated by our estimates. Put another way, Tom, your performance has been really underwhelming.

Q

• quick and dirty
  粗製濫造的，敷衍了事的
  : produced quickly and therefore not perfect

  The original solution was admittedly quick and dirty.

R

• read between the lines
  看出字裡行間的意思；聽懂話外音；看出（或聽出）真實的意思
  : to try to understand someone’s real feelings or intentions from what they say or write

  Reading between the lines, I’d say he isn’t happy with the situation.

• regardless of sth
  不管；無論
  : without being influenced by any other events or conditions

  I will go to the beach regardless of the weather.

• rest assured
  放心
  : to be certain that something will happen (Used to make someone feel safe or less worried about something)

  You can rest assured that you’re going to get a good deal.

• right up/down sb alley
  合口味；為（某人）所喜愛
  : especially suited to someone’s tastes or abilities

  • I love books, so volunteering at the library is up my alley.
  • That’s right up my alley. I’d love to do it.

• ring a bell
  聽起來耳熟
  : to sound familiar

  • No, I’m sorry, that description doesn’t ring any bells with me.
  • The name rang a bell but I couldn’t remember where I had heard it before.

• ruffle sb’s feathers
  使（某人）心煩意亂；使（某人）生氣；使（某人）惱怒
  : to upset or annoy someone

  She knows how to ruffle him feathers.

S

• show sb’s true colors
  顯露…的真面目
  : to reveal one’s real nature or character

  He seemed nice at first, but he showed his true colors during the crisis.

• someone’s two cents
  (某人) 的淺見，的意見
  : someone’s opinion about something, esp. when it was not asked for or wanted

  If the changes are going to affect me, then I want to put my two cents in.

• so to speak
  可以這麼說
  : used to explain that what you are saying is not to be understood exactly as stated

  He is the king of the hill, so to speak.

• speak of the devil
  說曹操，曹操就到
  : something you say when the person you were talking about appears unexpectedly

  Did you hear what happened to Anna yesterday - oh, speak of the devil, here she is.

T

• take no prisoners
  （為達到目的）咄咄逼人，不擇手段，不顧他人感受
  : to be very determined and not care about other people’s feelings when trying to achieve something

  When Eric’s anger is aroused, he takes no prisoners.

• take place
  發生
  : to happen

  The BTS concert takes place next week.

• take (sth) into account(take account of sth)
  顧及，考慮到
  : to consider or remember something when judging a situation

  I hope my teacher will take into account the fect that I was ill just before the exams when she marks my paper.

• tell me about it!
  （用來表示有相同的感受，有同樣的體驗）可不是嘛，的確這樣
  : used to say that you feel the same way or have had the same experience

  He’s driving me crazy with his stupid jokes." “Tell me about it!”

• tell me another one!
  不見得吧！我不相信！
  : used to say that you do not believe what someone has told you

  “I worked all day yesterday.” “Oh yeah, tell me another one!”

• the thing is
  問題是
  : used to introduce an explanation or an excuse

  The thing is, my parents like me to be home by ten o’clock.

  要緊的是
  : used to emphasize the importance of what you are saying

  The thing is to keep a good distance from the car in front of you, when you’re driving in snow.

• the time has come to
  是時候…；是…的時候了
  : it is the right moment to do something or for something to happen

  We feel the time has come for him to resign.

• the time is right/ripe
  時機已經成熟
  : it is the most suitable moment to do something or for something to happen

  • I haven’t told him yet, but I will when the time is right.
  • She felt the time was right to leave.

• the new kid on the block
  剛上路的新手，初來乍到者
  : someone who is new in a place or organization and has many things to learn about it

  Hey guys,I am Jerry, I am the new kid on the block. I’m very glad to be part of the team.

• the minute(that)
  一…就
  : at the exact or first moment when

  • I like these shoes the minute I saw them.
  • The minute I got to the train station, I found out the train is delayed.

• the jury is (still) out
  （答案或觀點）尚不明確，懸而未決；下定論還太早
  : f the jury is (still) out on a subject, people do not yet know the answer or have not yet decided if it is good or bad.

  • The jury’s still out on the safety of irradiated food.

• there you are/go
  給你；拿去吧
  : used when giving something to someone, usually after a request for the thing, such as giving someone goods that they have bought

  ” There you go, and that’s 37 dollars in total.”

  用來表示「你做到了！」；「就是這樣」
  : used to indicate that something is completed or done in a satisfactory way

  You just plug it in, push this button, and there you are/go.

• through thick and thin
  不顧艱難險阻，在任何情況下，赴湯蹈火
  : If you support or stay with someone through thick and thin, you always support or stay with them, even if there are problems or difficulties.

  She has stuck with me through thick and thin.

• to die for
  特別棒的；非常誘人的
  : excellent or to be strongly wished for

  • She has a figure to die for.
  • That chocolate cake is to die for.

W

• where the rubber meets the road
  要見真章的時刻
  : A theory or idea that is put to the test to see if it actually works

  Tim built a small fishing boat, but he is unsure if it will float. This weekend, however, is when the rubber meets the road because he plans to put the boat on water for the first time.

• when it comes to
  說到；提及
  : used to identify the specific topic that is being talked about

  When it comes to playing chess, he’s the best I know.

• with bated breath
  屏息地；焦急地；興奮地 (屏息以待)
  : in a nervous and excited state anticipating what will happen

  They waited for the answer on their application with bated breath.

• with that being said
  話雖如些
  : despite what one just said

  Ice cream is delicious. With that being said, it makes me gassy.

• win hands down
  輕鬆取勝
  : to win very easily

  The team confidently expected to win hands down.

X

Y

• you could say that again
  你說得很對！一點也沒錯！
  : used to show that you completely agree with what someone has said

  “It’s so cold today.” “You could say that again.”

• you’re telling me!
  那還用說！你說的太對了！
  : used to say that you strongly agree with what someone has just said

  “Stephen’s in such a bad mood today.” “You’re telling me!”

Z