200ENGLISH谚语.docx

1、200ENGLISH谚语Understanding the American People through Their Common Sayings-3000原版书俱乐部2-Nothing succeeds like successLike money in a savings account, success seems to compound itself. A person who has a small success expects it to be followed by a bigger one.3-The end justifies the meansIt does not m

2、atter how you succeed. Any method is all right if it works for you. This proverb is not always accepted. Often one hears the opposite, the end doesnt justifies the means.4-If you cant beat them, join themIf you cannot compete successfully with a person or a group,stop competing and go join them. The

3、n you can share in their success.6-One thing at a timeConcentration leads to success. The person who tires to do too many things at once may fail at all of them.7-Well cross that bridge when we come to it We will not discuss or worry about a future problem. If and when the problem becomes urgent,we

4、will deal with it. 8.Dont put the cart before the house Do things in a sensible order. For example, do something to impress your boss before you ask for a raise in pay. Dont ask for the raise first.本末倒置-it has another expression : dont carry coal to Newcastle.Newcastle is famous for coal producing.

5、so this phase means do something in vain8-Alls fair in love and war爱情和战争是不择手段的。Do not trust a rival or an enemy at all. His or her desire to succeed will overrule everything else. Such a people may lie, cheat, attack or do many other things far more terrible than he or she would normally do.10-When

6、in Rome do as the romans doFlexibility leads to success in unfamiliar circumstances. People may changes their normal way of doing things in order to fit in better with those they are visiting.入乡随俗11-Easy does it慢慢来Some things require gentleness for success. One should not push too hard. Force may ca

7、use damage.12-The bigger they are, the harder they fall爬得越高，跌得越重Do not be discouraged by the size of your problem or the fame of your competitor. (the saying is traced to a boxer preparing to fight an opponent much larger than he was.)13-All is well that ends well结局好就一切都好If we can come to a successf

8、ul conclusion, let us forget about the pain and mistakes along the way.14-Go for itGo ahead and try to achieve your goal. Dont worry about failing. Similar to this proverb-Godprovides food to every bird, but he wont cast to its nest, you got to earn it.Always a day late and a dollar short 是对那些常犯些小错,

9、 把事情弄糟的人的指责. 特别是在关键方面(美国人尤其在意的时间和钱)缺这点,少那个的而不能成事, 实在是令人讨厌和失望-在打别人的小报告时用很好.15-Every little bit helpsIf someone apologizes for giving only a small gift, the recipient may encourage the giver by quoting this proverb. This is especially true if there is a huge job to do or a huge amount of money to be r

10、aised from many people.16-Look before you leapDont jump into a situation carelessly. You may land in difficulty.17-All that glitters is not gold会发光的并非都是金子Do not be fooled by worthless things that seem valuable or look attractive.Fools gold is the popular name for a kind of stone that glitters like g

11、old but contains no gold at all. 18-Curiosity killed the catDo not ask too many questions or become too curious about things. You may get yourself intotrouble like a cat that does not see the danger in a new situation19-Dont put all your eggs in one basketDo not risk everything in one place or on on

12、e project. Divide your sources that one failure will not ruin you. Similar to this proverb-Do not use both feet to test the depth of the river.20-Dont bite off more than you can chewDo not attempt something too large for you to handle. 21-Too good to be tureThis is often used to warn about advertisi

13、ng. An offer looks good but turns out to be misleading.22-Flattery will get you nowhereIf flattery (insincere praise) is recognized, it will not succeed. One sometimes hears the opposite,Flattery will get you everywhere!23-There is no such thing as a free lunchIf someone you do not know offers you a

14、 free lunch or other gift, watch out. The gift may be a method of getting something from you.24-Pride goes before a fallDo not be over-confident and careless. Your circumstances may change quickly and the emptiness of your bragging will be exposed. 字面意思 安全比遗憾好. 解释 最好不要去冒险。25-Better safe than sorryIt

15、 is better not to take a risk than to take a risk foolishly.26-Winning isnt everything One may enjoy the process of playing a game whether one wins or not. This traditional proverb is now often heard in the opposite form, Winning isnt everything. Its the only thing!28-The burned child shuns fireSome

16、 of lifes lessons are learned the hard way. The person who has had to pay for a mistake will be careful not to make that mistake again.29-There are other fish in the seaThere are opportunities! For example, this is may be used to encourage someone who has just broken off a relationship with a sweeth

17、eart.30-Dont count your chickens before they are hatchedDo not become too confident of success before you can see that progress is happening.31-Rome wasnt built in a dayDo not be discouraged if your goal still seems far away. On a big project, success takes time!32-There is more here than meets the

18、eyeBe careful. People are hiding something in order to protect themselves or take advantage of you34-Be true to yourselfDo not compromise yourself or your beliefs in order to please other people or fit in with a system. Know who you are. Let other people know what you stand for. Do not give in to pr

19、essure to conform or to do things you do not agree with.35-Once bitten, twice shyThis may be used to explain the behavior of a person who is overly cautious about something.The wise person makes mistakes but does not usually make the same mistake twice.36-It isnt over till the fat lady singsI refuse

20、 to admit defeat yet. Though right now it looks like I may fall, there is still time for things to change. (The fat lady is an insulting reference to an opera soloist, opera often end with a female solo.)37-To each his ownEach individual should be allowed to have his or her own preferences. people w

21、ill naturally choose different activities, goals, life-styles, etc.38-Looking out for number one把个人利益放在第一位Looking out for ones own personal welfare more than anything else. This is sometimes used to criticize a person who has abused or taken advantage of someone else, All he was doing was looking ou

22、t for number one. Or it may be used to defend himself or herself, There is nothing wrong with what I did. I was just looking out for number one.39-When the going gets tough, the tough get going .(形势困难,方显硬汉When situation is difficult , only the determined people can handle it. They dont give up!40-Ti

23、mes flies when you are having funA day seems shot when it is full of enjoyable things but it seems like an eternity if one is idle or stuck with a boring job.41-If it feels good, do itLive according to your desires at the moment. Forget about rules, regulations or consequences. Just have fun.42-Live

24、 and let liveDo not be judgmental. Do not try to control or punish other people. You live as you like and let others live as they like.43-Variety is the spice of lifeVariety is what makes life pleasureable. Boredom is seen as a threat and monotony is the surest route to boredom.44-Money talksWealth

25、has influence. People who make big contributions to political candidates are talking to the candidates and expecting them to listen. 45-All work and no play makes Jack a dull boyThis is used to criticize someone who takes work too seriously. It affirms that play is as an essential part of human life

26、.46-The more the merrier 多多益善This is a way of welcoming someone to participate. It means, the bigger the group. the bigger the party.Always a day late and a dollar shortThe similar term and phrase in Chinese could be : 丢三落四47-A bird in the hand is worth two in the bushA thing you already have is wor

27、th twice as much as a thing you might get in the future.48-You cant have your cake and eat it tooMake up your mind. Sometimes one must choose between two very desirable things,giving up one thing in order to enjoy the other.49-There is more than one way to skin a cat照字面的意思是：要剥一只猫的皮，不是只有一种方法。换句话说，要想达

28、到相同的目标，是有很多的办法(different ways of reaching the same goal)。Any of several methods may bring about the desired result. Each person may choose the method that best suits her. If one method does not work, choose a different one and try again.50- SinOne mans meat is another mans poisonce the same thing ma

29、y affect different people in different ways, each person must choose the things that will work in his or her particular case. One mans meat is another mans poison. 字面上的意思就是你爱吃的肉可能就是另一个人的毒药。 其实就相当于咱们平时说的萝卜青菜，各有所爱；你所钟情的流行音乐，可能就被隔壁邻居视为糟蹋耳朵的噪音。这时你除了感叹One mans meat is another mans poison.还能说些什么呢？现在生活好了，肉

30、也不再是什么稀罕的东西，人们吃肉也是要挑lean meat (瘦肉)，拣fat meat（肥肉）。肉煮得时间短就会比较tender(嫩)，煮得时间长，就会比较tough(老)。salted meat(咸肉)可以放很长时间，fresh meat（鲜肉）还是早吃为好。在湖南和四川，人们喜欢吃smoked meat (bacon)熏肉。而strong meat则是指难以消化的食品，同时也代表着难理解的事物了。 51-Love finds a way Love is considered one of the most powerful and determined forces in the wor

31、ld.Two people in love will find a way to get together.52-Absence makes the heart grow fonderWhen lovers are separated, they may think about each other constantly. their love may deepen.所谓小别胜新婚53-Out of sight, out of mindThis is said of someone not considered important or worthy of loyality. One forgets about that person as soon as he or she is out of sight.有两层意思。一是，眼不见，心不烦。一