和颜色有关的惯用语
中文里的颜色词不少,与颜色有关的
惯用语也很特出。英语也如此,下面便是些例子:
(1) In the black 盈利:
Having paid off all the debts, the company is now in the black.
(2) In the red 亏损;负债
On account of mismanagement and some
unexpected bad debts, some financial companies are in the red.
(3) Black and blue 青一块紫一块:
The shop-keeper quarrelled with a
rascal and was beaten black and blue.
(4)The black sheep of the family败家子:
Among Mr Brown's Children, Alex did not behave himself and
eventually became a social outcast. He was the black sheep of the family.
(5) In black and white 写出或印出:
I don't want a
verbal promise but an agreement in black and white.
(6) Not so/ as black as one is painted 不如所形容的坏:
Many people complained about Daniel's behaviour, but he was not as black as he was painted.
(7) A bolt from the blue 睛天霹雳:
The woman was shocked at the bad news, which came like a bolt from the blue.
(8) In a blue funk 惊恐万状:
Jenny has been in a blue funk since she failed in her first job interview.
(9) Once in a blue moon 偶尔为之:
For lack of
leisure, some working people went shopping once in a blue moon.
(10) Disappear/Vanish into the blue 突然消失:
A bird was standing on a window sill. All at once, if flew away and disappeared into the blue.
(11) Give ... greenlight to ... 批准......做......:
The authorities have given our department the greenlight to purchase the equipment required.
(12) Green with envy 非常妒忌:
On
hearing about Cathy's
promotion, Jane is green with envy.
(13) Catch ... red-handed 当场被捕:
The shop-lifter stole something valuable and was caught red-handed.
(14) Roll out the red carpet 隆重欢迎:
When a foreign dignitary comes to visit the country, the government often rolls out the red carpet for him.
(15) Cut the red tape 取消繁文缛节:
If the authorities
concerned can cut the red tape, a lot of work can be more quickly done.
(16) See red 突然发怒:
When Mrs Lin entered the guest room, it was in a mess; she saw red and scolded the maid for not tidying it up
(17) Turn as white as a sheet 脸色变得很苍白:
When the car driver received a traffic police's summons, he turned as white as a sheet.
(18) A white lie 善意的谎言:
As Jenny did not want to go to Tom's party, she told him that she was busy. Such a white lie is better than hurting his feelings in other ways.
(19) A
white-collar worker 白领工人:
A secretary is a
white-collar worker, while road repairing is a blue-collar job.
(20) A grey area 含糊不清之处:
The motorists backed their cars and knocked against each other. Who was in the wrong? It's a grey area, isn't it?
关键字:
英语讲义生词表: