dig sb sth Thành ngữ, tục ngữ
firsthand
directly I learned the news from him firsthand.
learn sthby heart
learn by memory 默诵;暗记
Everyone in the class has to learn by heart Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.班上每一个学生都必须默诵林肯的盖茨堡演说词。
make sthdo
substitute one thing for another用一物代替另一物
If there's no cream for the coffee,we'll just have to make milk do.如果没有奶油放在咖啡里,放牛奶也可以。
say sthbetween one's teeth
speak in a low voice 低声说话
He is so weak that he can only say something between his teeth.他太虚弱了,只能低声说话。
subject sb/sth.to
1.bring under control 使遭受;使受制于
We are all subjected to the law of nature.我们全都受自然规律的支配。
Women have been subjected to unjust treatment for too long.很长时间以来,妇女一直受到歧视。
2.make sth.undergo a test,treatment,etc.使…经历
All cars are subjected to various tests before they leave the factory.在离开工厂前,所有的车辆都要经过各种各样的测试。
Such an action would subject you to severe criticism.这种行动将使你遭受到严厉批评。
3.under the control of 受制约的
You are subject to the laws of this country.你得遵守这个国家的法律。
4.likely to get or have易遭受的
John is in rather poor health and is subject to colds.约翰身体很弱,易患感冒。
The western plains are subject to tornadoes.西部平原常遭受龙卷风的袭击。
5.depending on some change,happening or need有待…的;须经…的
Our plans may change subject to the weather.我们的计划可能因气候而会改变。
The treaty is subject to ratification.该条约须经批准。
write sth up
Idiom(s): write sth up
Theme: PREPARATION
to prepare a bill, order, or statement.
• Please write the order up and send me a copy.
• As soon as I finish writing up your check, I'll bring you some more coffee.
write sth out
Idiom(s): write sth out
Theme: COMMUNICATION - WRITTEN
to spell or write a number or an abbreviation.
• Don't just write "7," write it out.
• Please write out all abbreviations, such as Doctor for Dr.
write sth off
Idiom(s): write sth off
Theme: FINANCIAL
to absorb a debt or a loss in accounting.
• The bill couldn't be collected, so we had to write it off
• The bill was too large, and we couldn't write off the amount. We decided to sue.
write sth down
Idiom(s): write sth down
Theme: COMMUNICATION - WRITTEN
to write something; to make a note of something. (Also without down.)
• If I write it down, I won't forget it.
• I wrote down everything she said.
wrap sth up
Idiom(s): wrap sth up
Theme: STOP
to terminate something. (Informal.)
• It's time to wrap this project up and move on to something else.
• Let's wrap up this discussion. It's time to go home.
wouldn't touch sth with a ten-foot pole
Idiom(s): wouldn't touch sth with a ten-foot pole
Theme: AWAKEN
would not be involved with something under any circumstances.
• I know about the piece of vacant land for sale on Maple Street. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole because there used to be a gas station there and the soil is polluted.
• I wouldn't touch that book with a ten-foot pole. It is nothing but gossip and scandal.
worm sth out of
Idiom(s): worm sth out of sb
Theme: INQUIRY
to get some kind of information out of someone. (Informal.)
• He didn't want to tell me the truth, but I finally wormed it out of him.
• She succeeded in worming the secret out of me. I didn't mean to tell it.
work sth up
Idiom(s): work sth up
Theme: PREPARATION
to create, cook, or arrange something.
• Bob is in the kitchen working up dinner.
• Is there something planned for Friday night, or should we work something up?
work sth out
Idiom(s): work sth out
Theme: SOLUTION
to settle a problem.
• It was a serious problem, but we managed to work it out.
• I'm glad we can work out our problems without fighting.
work sth off
Idiom(s): work sth off
Theme: ELIMINATE
to get rid of something, such as fat, by doing physical exercise.
• Bob put on weight on his vacation and is trying to work it off by swimming regularly.
• Jane tried to work off her depression by playing a game of tennis.
wish sth off on
Idiom(s): wish sth off on sb
Theme: BURDEN
to pass something off onto someone else. (Informal.)
• I don't want to have to deal with your problems. Don't wish them off on me.
• The storekeeper wished off the defective watch on the very next customer who came in.
wipe sth off
Idiom(s): wipe sth off (2)
Theme: CLEANING
2. to tidy or clean something by wiping (something else) off.
• Please wipe the table off. There's water on it.
• Wipe off your shirt. There's catsup on it.
wind sth up
Idiom(s): wind sth up
Theme: STOP
to conclude something.
• Today we'll wind that deal up with the bank.
• I have a few items of business to wind up; then I'll be with you.
whip sth up
Idiom(s): whip sth up
Theme: CREATION
to prepare, create, or put something together. (Informal.)
• I haven't written my report yet, but I'll whip one up before the deadline.
• Come in and sit down. I'll go whip up something to eat.
What's the good of sth?
Idiom(s): What's the good of sth?
Theme: PURPOSE
What is the point of something?; Why bother with something?
• What's the good of my going at all if I'll be late?
• There is no need to get there early. What's the good of that?
water sth down
Idiom(s): water sth down
Theme: DILUTION
to dilute something; to thin something out and make it lighter. (Figuratively or literal.)
• The punch was good until someone watered it down.
• Professor Jones sometimes waters down his lectures so people can understand them better.
watch sb/sth
Idiom(s): watch sb or sth
Theme: MONITORING
like a hawk to watch someone or something very carefully,
• The teacher watched the students like a hawk to make sure they did not cheat on the quiz.
• We have to watch our dog like a hawk in case he runs away.
up to sth
Idiom(s): up to sth
Theme: EQUAL
to be as good as something; to be good enough for something.
• This work's not up to the standard of the class.
• Your last essay was not up to your best.
turn sth to one's advantage
Idiom(s): turn sth to one's advantage
Theme: ADVANTAGE - TAKE
to make an advantage for oneself out of something (which might otherwise be a disadvantage).
• Sally found a way to turn the problem to her advantage.
• The ice cream store manager was able to turn the hot weather to her advantage.
turn sth to good account
Idiom(s): turn sth to good account
Theme: ADVANTAGE - TAKE
to use something in such a way that it is to one's advantage; to make good use of a situation, experience, etc.
• Pam turned her illness to good account and did a lot of reading.
• Many people turn their retirement time to good account and take up interesting hobbies.
turn sth out
Idiom(s): turn sth out
Theme: COMMERCE
to manufacture something; to produce something.
• John wasn't turning enough work out, so the manager had a talk with him.
• This machine can turn out two thousand items a day.
turn sth down
Idiom(s): turn sth down
Theme: ARRANGEMENT
to fold part of something downward.
• The hotel maid turned the bed down while I was at dinner.
• In the mail-order catalog, I always turn down a page that interests me.
tune sth in
Idiom(s): tune (sth) in
Theme: BROADCASTING
to set a radio or television control so as to receive something.
• Why don't you try to tune the ball game in?
• This is a cheap radio, and I can't tune in distant stations.
• Please try to tune in.
try sth out on
Idiom(s): try sth out on sb
Theme: TRYING
to test something on someone (to see how it works or if it is liked).
• I found a recipe for oyster stew and tried it out on my roommate.
• I'm glad you didn't try out that stuff on me!
• I have a tremendous ideal Let me try it out on you.
• I want to try out my plan on you. Please give me your honest opinion.
trot sth out
Idiom(s): trot sth out
Theme: COMMUNICATION
to mention something regularly or habitually, without giving it much thought. (Informal.)
• Jack always trots the same excuses out for being late.
• When James disagreed with Mary, she simply trotted out her same old political arguments.
touch sth up
Idiom(s): touch sth up
Theme: RESTORE
to repair a paint job on something.
• We don't need to paint the whole room. We can just touch the walls up.
• You should touch up scratches on your car as soon as they occur.
touch sth off
Idiom(s): touch sth off
Theme: BEGINNINGS
to ignite something; to start something.
• A few sparks touched all the fireworks off at once.
• The argument touched off a serious fight.
toss sth off
Idiom(s): toss something off AND shake something off
Theme: IGNORE
to ignore or resist the bad effects of something.
• John insulted Bob, but Bob just tossed it off.
• If I couldn't shake off insults, I'd be miserable.
top sth off
Idiom(s): top sth off
Theme: ADDITIONALLY
to add to the difficulty of something.
• Jane lost her job, and to top that off, she caught the flu.
• I had a bad day, and to top it off, I have to go to a meeting tonight.
top sb/sth
Idiom(s): top sb or sth
Theme: WINNING
to do or be better than someone or something. (Informal.)
• Ann has done very well, but I don't think she can top Jane.
• Do you think your car tops mine when it comes to gas mileage?
tone sth down
Idiom(s): tone sth down
Theme: DIMINISHING
to make something less extreme.
• That yellow is too bright. Please try to tone it down.
• Can you tone down your remarks? They seem quite strong for this situation.
tie sth up
Idiom(s): tie sth up
Theme: ENDINGS
to conclude and finalize something. (Informal.)
• Let's try to tie up this deal by Thursday.
• Well manage to tie our business up by Wednesday at the latest.
throw sth up to
Idiom(s): throw sth up to sb
Theme: SCOLDING
to mention a shortcoming to someone repeatedly.
• I know I'm thoughtless. Why do you keep throwing it up to me?
• Bill was always throwing Jane's faults up to her.
throw sth up
Idiom(s): throw (sth) up
Theme: VOMIT
to vomit something.
• The meat was bad, and I threw it up.
• I hate to throw up. • Billy threw up his dinner.
throw sth together
Idiom(s): throw something together AND slap something together
Theme: CARELESSNESS
to assemble or arrange something in haste.
• Don't just slap something together! Use care and do it right.
• You assembled this device very badly. It seems that you just slapped it together.
• John went into the kitchen to throw together something for dinner.
throw sth off
Idiom(s): throw sth off
Theme: SICKNESS
to resist or recover from a disease.
• It was a bad cold, but I managed to throw it off in a few days.
• I can't seem to throw off my cold. I've had it for weeks.
throw sth into the bargain
Idiom(s): throw sth into the bargain
Theme: COMMERCE
to include something in a deal.
• To encourage me to buy a new car, the car dealer threw a free radio into the bargain.
• If you purchase three pounds of chocolates, I'll throw one pound of salted nuts into the bargain.
thrash sth out
Idiom(s): thrash sth out
Theme: DISCUSSION
to discuss something thoroughly and solve any problems.
• The committee took hours to thrash the whole matter out.
• Fred and Anne thrashed out the reasons for their constant disagreements.
think sth up
Idiom(s): think sth up
Theme: CREATION
to contrive or invent something.
• Don't worry. I'll find a way to do it. I can think something up in time to get it done.
• John thought up a way to solve our problem.
think sth over
Idiom(s): think sth over
Theme: CONSIDER
to consider something; to think about something (before giving a decision).
• Please think it over and give me your decision in the morning.
• I need more time to think over your offer.
think sth out
Idiom(s): think sth out
Theme: PREPARATION
to think through something; to prepare a plan or scheme.
• This is an interesting problem. I'll have to take some time and think it out.
• We spent all morning thinking out our plan.
tear sth down
Idiom(s): tear sth down
Theme: DESTRUCTION
to dismantle or destroy something.
• They plan to tear the old building down and build a new one there.
• They'll tear down the building in about two weeks.
talk sth over
Idiom(s): talk sth over
Theme: COMMUNICATION - VERBAL
to discuss something
• Come into my office so we can talk this over.
• We talked over the plans for nearly an hour.
talk sth out
Idiom(s): talk sth out
Theme: DISCUSSION
to talk about all aspects of a problem or disagreement.
• Ann and Sally had a problem, so they agreed to talk it out.
• It's better to talk out a disagreement than to stay mad.
take sth with a pinch of salt
Idiom(s): take something with a pinch of salt AND take something with a grain of salt
Theme: DISBELIEF
to listen to a story or an explanation with considerable doubt.
• You must take anything she says with a grain of salt. She doesn't always tell the truth.
• They took my explanation with a pinch of salt. I was sure they didn't believe me.
act sth out
Idiom(s): act sth out
Theme: PERFORMANCE
to accomplish an abstract accident as if one were in a play.
• Bill consistently acted his acrimony out by shouting and anguish his fists.
• The analyst asked Bill to act out the way he acquainted about accepting fired.
air sth out
Idiom(s): air sth out
Theme: FRESHNESS
to activate up article by agreement it in the accessible air; to activate a allowance by absolution air move through it.
• It's so dried in here. Mary, amuse accessible a window and air this abode out.
• Amuse booty this pillow alfresco and air it out.
• I'll acquire to air out the car. Addition has been smoker in it.
anesthetic
anesthetic
anesthetic to
butterfingers of activity or responding to
another attach in one's or sth's coffin
Idiom(s): (another) attach in one's or sth's coffin
Theme: DOOM
something that will abuse or abort addition or something.
• Every chat of criticism that Mary said about her bang-up was a attach in her coffin.
• Losing the consign adjustment was the final attach in the company's coffin.
bail sth out
Idiom(s): bail sth out
Theme: REMOVAL
to abolish baptize from the basal of a baiter by dipping or scooping.
• Tom has to bond the baiter out afore we get in.
• You should consistently bond out a baiter afore application it.
battle sth out
Idiom(s): battle sth out
Theme: ARGUMENT
to altercate article to a conclusion; to activity article to a conclusion.
• The Senate and the Abode disagree on the bill, so they will acquire to activity a accommodation out.
• The two adolescent toughs went into the alleyway to activity out their disagreement.
bear sth out
Idiom(s): bear sth out
Theme: PROOF
to authenticate or prove that article is right.
• I achievement that the facts will buck your adventure out.
• I'm abiding that the facts will buck out my story.
beat sth into one's head
Idiom(s): beat sth into one's head
Theme: VIOLENCE
to force addition to apprentice something, possibly through violence. (This can be a blackmail of abandon and should not be acclimated casually.)
• I advised for hours. I acquire never exhausted so abundant actuality into my arch in such a abbreviate time.
• You're activity to apprentice this algebraic if I acquire to exhausted it into your head.
beef sth up
Idiom(s): beef sth up
Theme: IMPROVEMENT
to accomplish article stronger; to supplement something. (Informal or slang.)
• The government absitively to beef the army up by affairs hundreds of new tanks.
• Okay, let's beef up the aperture song. Please, everyone, sing louder!
belt sth out
Idiom(s): belt sth out
Theme: PERFORMANCE
to sing or comedy a song audibly and with spirit.
• Back she's arena the piano, she absolutely belts the music out.
• She absolutely knows how to belt out a song.
better off if sth were done
Idiom(s): better off (doing something) AND bigger off (if article were done)
Theme: BETTER
in a bigger position if article were done.
• She'd be bigger off affairs her house.
• They are bigger off aerial to Detroit.
• They would be bigger off if they flew to Detroit.
• I'm bigger off now.
bleep sth out
Idiom(s): bleep sth out
Theme: TABOO
to alter a chat or byword in a radio or television advertisement with some array of agreeable tone. (This is sometimes done to anticipate a bad chat or added advice from actuality broadcast.)
• He approved to say the chat on television, but they bleeped it out.
• They approved to beep out the accomplished sentence.
blow sth out of all proportion
Idiom(s): blow sth out of all proportion
Theme: EXAGGERATION
to account article to be unrealistically ample about to article else. (The all can be larboard out.)
• The columnist has absolute this affair out of all proportion.
• Let's be reasonable. Don’t draft this affair out of proportion.
boil sth down
Idiom(s): boil sth down
Theme: SUMMARY
to abridge something; to accomplish advice added concise.
• I don't acquire time to acquire to the accomplished story. Amuse abscess it down for me.
• Amuse abscess down the address so I can apprehend it on the plane.
bottle sth up
Idiom(s): bottle sth up
Theme: ANXIETY - REPRESSED
to authority one's animosity within; to accumulate from adage article that one feels acerb about.
• Let's allocution about it, John. You shouldn't canteen it up.
• Don't canteen up your problems. It's bigger to allocution them out.
break sth down for
Idiom(s): break sth down (for sb)
Theme: EXPLANATION
to explain article to addition in simple agreement or in an akin fashion.
• She doesn't understand. You will acquire to breach it down for her.
• I can help. This is a ambagious question. Let me breach it down for you.
break sth in
Idiom(s): break sth in
Theme: USE
to accomplish article fit by cutting or application it.
• I’ll be animated back I’ve accomplished breaking in these shoes.
• Yes, it takes time to breach them in.
• They are accessible to breach in, though.
• The car will run bigger afterwards I breach it in.
break sth to pieces
Idiom(s): break sth to pieces
Theme: RUIN
to blast something. (Informal.)
• I bankrupt my bright boutonniere to pieces.
• I alone a bottle and bankrupt it to pieces.
break sth up
Idiom(s): break sth up
Theme: RUIN
to abort something.
• The storm bankrupt the docks up on the lake.
• The badge bankrupt up the bank ring.
bring sth about
Idiom(s): bring sth about
Theme: CAUSES
to accomplish article happen.
• Is she able abundant to accompany it about?
• Oh, yes, she can accompany about annihilation she wants.
bring sth abolition down about one
Idiom(s): bring sth abolition down (around one)
Theme: RUIN
to abort article that one has built; to abort article that one has a appropriate absorption in.
• She brought her accomplished activity abolition down about her.
• Bob's low brand in English brought aggregate abolition down.
bring sth home to
Idiom(s): bring sth home to sb
Theme: TRUTH
to account addition to apprehend the accuracy of something.
• Seeing the craving refugees on television absolutely brings home the tragedy of their situation.
• It wasn't until she bootless her analysis that the accent of belief was brought home to her.
bring sth into question
Idiom(s): bring sth into question
Theme: SUSPICION
to catechism something; to accurate suspicion about something.
• It was all-important to accompany your allotment in this bulk into question.
• The burghal board brought the architecture activity into question.
bring sth off
Idiom(s): bring sth off
Theme: CAUSES
to accomplish article happen; to aftermath a abundant event.
• She managed to accompany the affair off with no difficulty.
• She brought off a agnate affair aftermost season.
bring sth to a head
Idiom(s): bring sth to a head
Theme: CAUSES
to account article to appear to the point back a accommodation has to be fabricated or an activity taken.
• The latest altercation amid administration and the abutment has brought affairs to a head. There will be an absolute bang now.
• It's a abatement that things acquire been brought to a head. The disputes acquire been activity on for months.
bring sth to light
Idiom(s): bring sth to light
Theme: REVELATION
to accomplish article known; to ascertain something.
• The scientists brought their allegation to light.
• We charge accompany this new affirmation to light.
build sth to order
Idiom(s): build sth to order
Theme: CONSTRUCTION
to body article abnormally for someone.
• Our new car was congenital to adjustment aloof for us.
• My aggregation builds computers to order. No two are alike.
buy sth
Idiom(s): buy sth
Theme: BELIEF
to acquire someone; to acquire article to be a fact. (Informal.)
• It may be true, but I don't buy it.
• I aloof don't buy the abstraction that you can bathe that far.
buy sth for a song
Idiom(s): buy sth for a song
Theme: CHEAPNESS
to buy article cheaply.
• No one abroad capital it, so I bought it for a song.
• I could buy this abode for a song, because it's so ugly.
buy sth on credit
Idiom(s): buy sth on credit
Theme: PAYMENT
to acquirement article now and pay for it after (plus interest).
• Almost anybody who buys a abode buys it on credit.
• I didn't acquire any banknote with me, so I acclimated my acclaim agenda and bought a new covering on credit.
buy sth afterimage unseen
Idiom(s): buy sth afterimage unseen
Theme: COMMERCE
to buy article after seeing it first.
• I bought this acreage afterimage unseen. I didn't apperceive it was so rocky.
• It isn't usually safe to buy article afterimage unseen.
buy sth to go
Idiom(s): buy article to go AND get article to go; acquire article to go; adjustment article to go
Theme: FOOD
to acquirement aliment to booty out; to accomplish a acquirement of adapted aliment to be taken abroad to be eaten.
• Let's stop actuality and buy six hamburgers to go.
• I didn't thaw annihilation for dinner. Let's stop off on the way home and get article to go.
• No, I don't appetite to sit at a table. I'll aloof acquire a cup of coffee to go.
cancel sth out
Idiom(s): cancel sth out
Theme: ENDINGS
to abort the aftereffect of something; to antithesis something.
• This aftermost acquittal cancels out my debt.
• Yes, your aftermost acquittal cancels it out.
• Bob's two acceptable grades canceled out his two declining grades.
carry sth off
Idiom(s): carry sth off
Theme: SUCCESS
to accomplish a planned accident appointment out successfully.
• It was a huge party, but the hostess agitated it off beautifully.
• The archimage agitated off the ambush with abundant skill.
carry sth out
Idiom(s): carry sth out
Theme: SUCCESS
to accomplish a task; to accomplish an assignment.
• "This is a actual important job," said Jane. "Do you anticipate you can backpack it out?"
• The acceptance didn't backpack out their assignments.
carry sth over
Idiom(s): carry sth over
Theme: TIME
to let article like a bill extend into addition aeon of time; to extend to addition location.
• We'll backpack the bulk of money due over into the abutting month.
• Yes, amuse backpack over the balance.
• We'll acquire to backpack this branch over to the abutting page.
cash sth in
Idiom(s): cash sth in
Theme: COMMERCE
to barter article with banknote bulk for the bulk of money it is worth.
• I should acquire cashed my bonds in years ago.
• It's time to banknote in your U.S. accumulation bonds.
• I charge to banknote in an allowance policy.
chalk sth up to
Idiom(s): chalk sth up to sth
Theme: CAUSES
to admit article as the account of article else.
• We chalked her bad behavior up to her contempo illness.
• I had to book up the accident to experience.
• I chalked up my defeat to my impatience.
chance sth
Idiom(s): chance sth
Theme: RISK
to accident accomplishing something; to try accomplishing something.
• I don't usually ride horses, but this time I will adventitious it.
• Bob didn't acquire reservations, but he went to the airport anyway, chancing a cancellation.
chip in sth on
Idiom(s): chip in (on something) AND dent in article on something; dent article in (on something)
Theme: JOINING
to accord a baby bulk of money to a armamentarium that will be acclimated to buy something.
• Would you affliction to dent in on a allowance for the teacher?
• Yes, I'd be blessed to dent in.
• Could you dent in a dollar on the gift, please?
chip sth in
Idiom(s): chip in (on something) AND dent in article on something; dent article in (on something)
Theme: JOINING
to accord a baby bulk of money to a armamentarium that will be acclimated to buy something.
• Would you affliction to dent in on a allowance for the teacher?
• Yes, I'd be blessed to dent in.
• Could you dent in a dollar on the gift, please?
choke sth off
Idiom(s): choke sth off
Theme: ENDINGS
to asphyxiate something; to force article to an end.
• The car ran over the corrupt and afraid the baptize off.
• The admiral afraid off the debate.
clear sth up
Idiom(s): clear sth up
Theme: EXPLANATION
to explain something; to break a mystery.
• I anticipate that we can bright this bulk up after calling in the police.
• Aboriginal we acquire to bright up the botheration of the missing jewels.
close sth down
Idiom(s): close article down AND shut article down
Theme: STOP
to accomplish article stop operating; to put article out of business.
• The badge bankrupt the branch down.
• The administrator shut down the branch for the holidays.
• The burghal board bankrupt down the action park.
come by sth honestly
Idiom(s): come by sth honestly
Theme: ACQUISITION
to accede something—a appearance trait—from one's parents.
• I apperceive I'm mean. I came by it honestly, though.
• She came by her affection honestly.
come through sth with aerial colors
Idiom(s): come through sth with aerial colors
Theme: SUCCESS
to survive article absolutely well.
• Todd came through the analysis with aerial colors.
• Mr. Franklin came through the operation with aerial colors.
commit sth to memory
Idiom(s): commit sth to memory
Theme: REMEMBER
to acquire something.
• We all committed the Gettysburg Address to memory.
• I committed to anamnesis the accomplished account of names and numbers.
cook sth up
Idiom(s): cook sth up
Theme: INTENTIONS
to artifice something; to ad-lib something.
• Mary adapted an absorbing affair up at the aftermost minute.
• Let me see if I can baker up a way to get you some money.
cough sth up
Idiom(s): cough sth up
Theme: GIVING
to aftermath article (that addition has requested). (Informal.)
• All right, Bill. Ahem the baseborn chunk up or else.
• Okay, okay. I'll ahem them up.
• Bill had to ahem up forty dollars to pay for the burst window.
cover sth up
Idiom(s): cover sth up
Theme: DECEPTION
to burrow something.
• They covered up the accuracy about the crime.
• We'll awning this little bulk up and accomplish up a adventure for the press.