Английские идиомы

[watering hole] or [place] {n. phr.} A bar, pub, or nightclub wherepeople gather to drink and socialize. I like «The Silver Dollar» — it is my favorite watering hole in all of Sidney, Nebraska.

[take the pledge] {v. phr.} To swear to give up drinking, smoking, or using drugs. Gary finally took the pledge and he has kept itthus far.

[make a mountain out of a molehill] To think a small problem is abig one; try to make something unimportant seem important. You’renot hurt badly, Johnny. Stop trying to make a mountain out of amolehill with crying. Sarah laughed at a mistake Betty made inclass, and Betty won’t speak to her; Betty is making a … Читать далее

[piggy-back] {adj.} or {adv.} Sitting or being carried on theshoulders. Little John loved to go for a piggy-back ride on hisfather’s shoulders. When Mary sprained her ankle, John carried herpiggy-back to the doctor.

Идиома: know when one is not wanted Перевод: понимать, чувствовать, когда кому-либо не рады Пример: I know when I am not wanted so I decided not to go to the restaurant. Я знаю, когда мне не рады, поэтому я решил не идти в ресторан.

Идиома: rain cats and dogs Перевод: льет, как из ведра (о дожде) Пример: It has been raining cats and dogs all morning. Все утро дождь льет, как из ведра.

[or other] {adv.} — Used to emphasize indefinite words or phrasesbeginning with «some» . Somehow or other, Linda managed to get tothe show on time. I’ll think of something or other for theprogram. She found a beautiful cup and saucer somewhere or other. I’ll get around to cleaning the closets sometime or other. Someone or … Читать далее

[on one’s uppers] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very poor. Mr. Whitehad been out of work for several months and was on his uppers. Compare: DOWN ON ONE’S LUCK.

[harp away at] or [on] {v.} To mention again and again. In hiscampaign speeches, Jones harps on his rival’s wealth and powerfulfriends.

[tail wags the dog] Said of situations in which a minor part is incontrol of the whole. He is just a minor employee at the firm, yethe gives everyone orders, a case of the tail wagging the dog.

Идиома: in one’s spare time Перевод: в свободное время, на досуге Пример: My cousin likes to fix old clocks in his spare time. Моему двоюродному брату нравиться ремонтировать старые часы в свободное время.

[pet name] {n. phr.} A special or abbreviated name indicatingaffection. He never calls his wife her real name, «Elizabeth,» butonly such pet names as «honey,» «honey bunch,» «sweetheart,» and»sugar.»

Идиома: under one’s belt Перевод: в прошлом, за плечами (об опыте, воспоминаниях, и т. п.; часто используется в выражении Have under one’s belt) Пример: When my friend has more experience as a cook under his belt he will begin to look for a job. Когда у моего друга за плечами будет больше опыта приготовления пищи, … Читать далее

[make the fur fly] or [make the feathers fly] {v. phr.}, {informal}Say or write mean things about someone or to jump on and fight hard. A man fooled Mr. Black and got his money. Mr. Black will really makethe fur fly when he finds the man. Mrs. Baker’s dog dug holes inher neighbor’s garden. The … Читать далее

[sleep like a log] {v. phr.} To sleep very deeply and soundly. Although I am usually a light sleeper, I was so exhausted from thesixteen-hour transpacific flight that, once we got home, I slept likea log for twelve hours.

[call one’s shot] {v. phr.} 1. To tell before firing where a bullet will hit. An expert rifleman can call his shot regularly. The wind was strong and John couldn’t call his shots. 2. or [call the turn] To tell in advance the result of something before you do it. Mary won three games in … Читать далее

Идиома: in advance Перевод: заранее, предварительно Пример: They bought the tickets in advance so that they could get a good seat. Они купили билеты заранее, чтобы у них были хорошие места.

Идиома: by chance Перевод: случайно Пример: By chance I saw my father’s friend in the supermarket. В супермаркете я случайно увидел друга своего отца.

[sound truck] {n. phr.} A truck equipped with loudspeakers. During the senatorial campaign, the streets of the big city were fullof sound trucks blaring out messages.

[see reason] {v. phr.} To think or act sensibly, especially afterrealizing what the facts are on a certain matter and accepting adviceabout it. He finally saw reason and reshaped his sales strategy bylowering the prices as his older brother had suggested.

Идиома: better off Перевод: быть лучше; становиться лучше (о ситуации, положении, и т. п.) Пример: He would be better off if he sold his old car and bought a new one. Будет лучше, если он продаст свою старую машину и купит новую.

[ask for the moon] or [cry for the moon] {v. phr.} To want something that you cannot reach or have; try for the impossible. John asked his mother for a hundred dollars today. He’s always asking for the moon. Compare: PROMISE THE MOON.

Идиома: how about that Перевод: выражение удивления, изумленя; может переводиться как «ничего себе!», «да ну!», и т. п.; часто используется с восклицательным или вопросительным знаком Пример: They’re engaged, how about that? Они обручены, представляешь себе?

[see stars] {v. phr.}, {informal} To imagine you are seeing starsas a result of being hit on the head. When Ted was hit on the headby the ball, he saw stars. The boxer’s head hit the floor, makinghim see stars.

[light housekeeping] {n.}, {slang} An arrangement in which anunmarried couple live together. Are Joe and Sue married? — Oh, no,- it’s just a case of light housekeeping. See: SHACK UP WITH.

[right and left] {adv. phr.} In or from every direction; allaround; on all sides. The knight rode into battle striking at theenemy right and left with his broadsword. When the talk ended, questions were thrown at the speaker right and left.

Идиома: for a song Перевод: за бесценок, почти даром (обычно используется с глаголами Buy и Get) Пример: I was able to buy my new car for a song. Я смог купить новую машину за бесценок.

[apropos of] {prep.}, {formal} In connection with; on the subject of, about; concerning. Apropos of higher tuition, Mr. Black told the boy about the educational loans that banks are offering. Mr. White went to see Mr. Richards apropos of buying a car.

[more the merrier] {n. phr.} The more people who join in the fun, the better it will be. — Used in welcoming more people to join othersin some pleasant activity. Come with us on the boat ride; the morethe merrier.

Идиома: not one’s place Перевод: что-либо, что должен сделать, совершить, сказать, и т. д. другой человек Пример: It is not my place to tell other people what they should do with their free time. Не мне говорить людям, что они должны делать в свое свободное время.

[to order] {adv. phr.} According to directions given in an order inthe way and size wanted. The manufacturer built the machine toorder. A very big man often has his suits made to order. 2. See:CALL TO ORDER.

Идиома: under the weather Перевод: нездоровый, больной, плохо себя чувствующий Пример: He is feeling under the weather so he is going to bed early tonight. Он не очень хорошо себя чувствует, поэтому сегодня он собирается лечь спать пораньше.

[sob story] {n.} A story that makes you feel pity or sorrow; a talethat makes you tearful. The beggar told us a long sob story beforehe asked for money. The movie is based on a sob story, but peoplelove it.

[heavy heart] {n. phr.} A feeling of being weighed down withsorrow; unhappiness. They had very heavy hearts as they went to thefuneral.

[snap up] {v.}, {informal} To take or accept eagerly. Eggs wereon sale cheap, and the shoppers snapped up the bargain. Mr. Hayestold Bob that he would take him skiing, and Bob snapped up the offer.

Идиома: mistake someone or something for someone or something else Перевод: принять что-либо или кого-либо за что-либо или кого-либо другого Пример: I mistook my friend’s sister for someone else when I went to the airport. Я принял сестру моего друга за кого-то другого, когда пошел в аэропорт. I often mistake one car for another car … Читать далее

Идиома: cut somebody some slack Идиома: cut somebody some slack Разг. Перевод: относиться к кому-либо проще; дать кому-либо больше свободы выбора, действия Пример: If you and your kids don’t agree about their futures, cut them some slack — explain your views, but don’t try to force them to agree. Если вы не сойдетесь со своими … Читать далее

[in one’s way] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Within reach; likely to bemet; before you. The chance to work for a printer was put in myway. Compare: PUT IN THE WAY OF. 2. or [in the way] In your path as ahindrance; placed so as to block the way. Fred tried to get to thedoor, … Читать далее

[clear one’s name] {v. phr.} To prove someone is innocent of a crime or misdeed of which he has been accused. The falsely accused rapist has been trying in vain to clear his name.

[in trust] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In safe care for another. Themoney was held by the hank in trust for the widow. At his deathMr. Brown left a large sum in trust for his son until he wastwenty-five.

[night letter] {n.} A telegram sent at night at a cheaper rate anddelivered in the morning. I waited until after six o’clock in theevening before sending the telegram home because I can say more forthe same price in a night letter.

Идиома: dead end Перевод: тупик, безвыходное положение Пример: The negotiations between the players and the owners have come to a dead end. Переговоры между игроками и владельцами зашли в тупик.

[no end] {adv.}, {informal} 1. Very much; exceedingly. Jim wasno end upset because he couldn’t go swimming. 2. Almost withoutstopping; continually. The baby cried no end.

[off-key] {adj.}, {informal} 1. Not proper; queer. When Georgetold jokes at the funeral, everyone thought his action was off-key. 2. In a false key. John always sings off-key. Compare: OUT OFLINE.

[run out on] {v. phr.} To leave someone in the lurch; abandonanother. When Ted ran out on Delores, she got so angry that shesued him for divorce.

[in character] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In agreement with aperson’s character or personality; in the way that a person usuallybehaves or is supposed to behave; as usual; characteristic; typical;suitable. John was very rude at the party, and that was not incharacter because he is usually very polite. The way Judycomforted the little girl was … Читать далее

Идиома: take a shower / take a bath Перевод: принять душ / ванну Пример: I usually take a shower when I get home from work. Обычно я принимаю душ, когда прихожу с работы.

Идиома: go behind someone’s back Перевод: делать что-либо тайком, за спиной у кого-либо (как правило, что-либо нехорошее) Пример: I thought I trusted him, but I found out yesterday he went behind my back and told everyone about it. Я ему доверял, но вчера я узнал, что он всем об этом рассказал у меня за спиной.

[trial and error] {n.} A way of solving problems by tryingdifferent possible solutions until you find one that works. Johnfound the short circuit by trial and error. The only way Tom couldsolve the algebra problem was by the method of trial and error.

[put in] {v.} 1. To add to what has been said; say inaddition to what others say. While the boys were discussing the caraccident, Ben put in that the road was icy. My father put in aword for me and I got the job. 2. To buy and keep in a store to sell. He … Читать далее