at the helm
掌控全局

How long has our CEO been at the helm?
（我们的总裁当家多久了？）
For almost two decades. We need some fresh blood- that's for sure.
（快二十年了。我们需要一些新血是毋庸置疑的。）

a domino effect
骨牌效应

Those workers make good money. Why are they on strike?
（这些工人的收入不错。他们为什么要罢工呢？）
It's a domino effect. Other lower-paid workers just got their wages raised, so now everybody wants more money.
（这是骨牌效应。其它工资较低的工人刚获得加薪，所以现在每个人都想要更多钱。） another story　
另一回事

I like to stay up late. It's the best time for me to write.
（我喜欢熬夜。那是我写作最好的时间。）
But it's quite another story for those of us who have to be at work by 8 a.m.
（但那对我们这些得在八点前上班的人来说就完全是另外一回事了。） at ease　
轻松自若

Were you nervous the first time you taught in front of the whole class?
（你第一次站在全班面前讲课会紧张吗？）
Not really. My students were so cute that they made me feel completely at ease.
（其实还好。我的学生很可爱，他们让我觉得非常轻松自在。）at the eleventh hour　
在最后一刻

Thank God, you're here. I thought you might not be able to make it.
（感谢上帝，你终于来了。我还以为你到不了了。）
I looked everywhere to find my passport. Then I found it at the eleventh hour.
（我到处找我的护照。终于在最后一刻找到了。）

at the end of one's rope　
失去耐性

I'm at the end of my rope with you. Are you coming with me or not?
（我对你失去耐性了。你到底要不要跟我一起去？）
Give me ten more minutes. I want to know how the show ends.
（再给我十分钟。我想知道这个节目的结局如何。）

above board
光明正大地

Our company imports drugs from America. The procedure is all perfectly above board.
（我们公司从美国进口药物。所有程序都是合法的。）
Hey, take it easy. I just want to know how many days it will take to import the goods.
（嘿，放轻松，我只是想知道货物进口需要几天的时间而已。）

as slippery as an eel
奸诈狡猾

I'm hesitating whether to buy the computer from that salesman.
（我还在犹豫要不要跟那个售货员买计算机。）
Don't trust him. He's as slippery as an eel.
（别相信他。那家伙狡猾得很。）

as right as rain　
非常健康

How's Sharon since her surgery last month?
（莎朗上个月开刀之后的状况如何？）
She's as right as rain. I saw her the day before yesterday and she looked great.
（她身体相当健康。我前天看到她的时候她气色看起来很好。）

around the clock　
全天候

What should I do if I'm about to run out of gas at midnight on my way home?
（如果我车子的油在半夜回家的路上快用完了该怎么办呢？）
Don't worry! Plenty of gas stations offer services around the clock.
（别担心！很多加油站都提供二十四小时的服务。）

a square meal　
丰盛的一餐

I miss my mom's cooking.
（我真怀念我妈做的菜。）
Yeah, me too. She always whips me up a square meal whenever I go home.
（对啊，我也是。每次我回家她总是很快就做了丰盛的菜肴。）