英语中，涉及身体器官的俗语和习惯短语有许多，不过它们大都有一个相似之处：明明拆开了每个单词都认识，但连在一起就是让人摸不着头脑。



比如说，我们都知道 brain 是脑子，child 是孩子，可 brainchild 又是什么意思？

难道要翻译成"大脑生的孩子"？

01

brainchild



brainchild 的英英释义是：something that one has thought of or devised, especially when it is creative or clever，即：某人想到或设计的东西，尤指有创意或巧妙的想法或主意。

例：

The electric light bulb is the brainchild of Thomas Edison, the telephone is the brainchild of Alexander Graham Bell.

电灯泡是爱迪生发明的，电话是贝尔发明的。

This harebrained scheme was your brother's brainchild, wasn't it?

这个轻率的计划是你哥哥的主意，对吧?

harebrain 同样也是一个组合词，hare 是"野兔"，而harebrain 野兔的脑子，则是指"愚蠢的，不切实际的"。



02

In the nick of time

In the nick of time 的英英释义释义为: at the last possible moment before a deadline or before something begins or ends; just in time.

这个解释有两层意思:

一是指"最后期限或某事开始或结束之前的最后一刻"；

二是指"勉强及时，刚刚赶上"。果然时间的紧迫意味着卡在时间的"脖子"上。



例：

That car moved off the track in the nick of time — another moment and the train would have smashed into it.

那辆汽车在最后一刻脱离了轨道了，再拖一会儿，火车就会撞上它。

03

Get something off one's chest

Get something off one's chest 的英英释义解释是: reveal or discuss something that has caused one emotional discomfort and that one has repressed, kept hidden, or neglected to discuss earlier for a long time, and you feel better because of this

即：揭露或讨论一些导致你情绪不适、压抑、隐藏或忽略了很久的事情，你也因此感觉更好。

例：

My doctor gave me the opportunity to talk and get things off my chest.

我的医生给了我倾诉的机会，把心事一吐为快。

04

twist someone's arm

twist是"拧，用力扭转"的意思。把手臂拧到身后去是很难受的，twist someone's arm 的意思也正是如此，它是指"给某人施加压力，迫使他做你要他做的事"。



例：

I didn't want see that movie about Mozart, but my roommate twisted my arm. I'm glad he did — it was a great show.

我本来不想去看那个有关莫扎特的电影的。可是，我的室友硬逼着要我去。不过，看了电影后我倒很高兴他那样做，因为那个电影太好了。

05

cross one's fingers

这个短语也可以这样表达：keep one's fingers crossed，这其实是一种西方的迷信行为。

cross是交叉的意思，fingers是手指；cross one's fingers，字面意思是手指交叉，实际上就是希望得到好运气的意思。

The actual gesture involves crossing one's middle finger over the index finger as a superstitious belief that it will bring good luck.

这个手势是这样的，把中指交叉在食指上，迷信地认为这会带来好运。

例：

I'm crossing my fingers that I get the job.

我在祈祷能得到那份工作。



除祈祷好运之外，cross one's fingers还有一个意思指的是"撒一点无关紧要的小谎，希望不被发现"。

例：

I told Mom I didn't eat any cookies but I had my fingers crossed.

我告诉妈妈我没有吃饼干，但我还是交叉手指，祈祷好运不被发现。

06

Pull one's leg

pull 是"拉扯"，leg 是"腿"，但 pull one's leg 可不是扯后腿的意思，真正的意思是"逗别人，开别人玩笑的意思"。

tease or joke with someone, often by trying to convince them of something untrue

即：戏弄或取笑某人，通常是试图让他们相信一些不真实的事情。



例：

Quit pulling my leg, I know there isn't a Hollywood director calling me right now.

别开我玩笑了，我知道现在没有好莱坞导演给我打电话。



今天的内容就这些，最后让我们复习一下：

brainchild 脑力劳动的产物；智力结晶

in the nick of time 在关键时刻

get something off one's chest 一吐为快

twist someone's arm 强迫

cross one's fingers 祈祷好运

pull one's leg 开玩笑

本文来自公众微信号：维克多英语