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有动物的惯用语(上) 
● 陈清霖 
 
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  和中文一样,英语有不少惯用语与动物有关。下面便是些好例子: 
 
  (1) An eager beaver:做事特别卖力的人 
 
Every year during the long holidays in June and December, many people go abroad for a tour except Jason, an eager beaver, who will at most take a few days off in Singapore. 
 
 
  (2) A busy bee:忙碌的人 
 
There isn't much to do today, but Nancy has been rushing here and there like a busy bee. 
 
 
  (3) Have a bee in one's bonnet about... : 对……苦思不已 
 
As a low-income bread-earner, Ali has a bee in his bonnet about increasing his monthly income. 
 
 
  (4) Make a bee-line for ...:径直朝向…… 
 
After class, student rushed out of classroom, making a bee-line for the nearest canteen. 
 
 
  (5) An early bird:早起的人 
 
Morning walk at six? No problem ! I'm an early bird, you know. 
 
 
  (6) A home bird:爱在家里的人 
 
Jason's youngest son doesn't care for social life; he is a home bird through and through. 
 
 
  (7) A bird's-eye, view of...:鸟瞰;概观 
 
(i) From the plane, we can have a bird's eye view of the Singapore buildlngs. 
 
(ii) Jason's new book can give the reader a bird's eye view of elements of good English. 
 
 
  (8) A cat nap:瞌睡 
 
Between lunch and the 2 p.m. class, there is at least half an hour for a cat nap. 
 
 
  (9) Lead a cat-and-dog life:过着吵吵闹闹的日子 
 
Poor couples often lead a cat-and-dog life because of financial problems. Don't you think so? 
 
 
  (10) Let the cat out of the bag:泄露秘密 
 
David was planning a surprise birthday party for Irene, but his new secretary let the cat out of the bag in a casual talk. (来源:英语杂志 http://www.EnglishCN.com)  
 
 
  (11) There is not enough room to swing a cat:没有活动的余地 
 
How can you live and do your design work in such a small room? There isn't enough room to swing a cat, is there? 
 
 
  (12) Rain cats and dogs:倾盆大雨 
 
We can't go out yet. It is raining cats and dogs at the moment. 
 
 
  (13) No chicken:不再是小孩 
 
Don't treat Lily like a kid! She is no chicken now. 
 
 
  (14) A cock-and-bull story:无稽之谈 
 
Whenever Tom was late for work, he would tell a cock-and-bull story as an excuse. 
 
 
  (15) Wait till the cows come home: 
 
无限期的等待 
 
Don't lend him money. If you want him to pay back, you have to wait till the cows come home. 
 
 
  (16) Crocodile tears:鳄鱼泪 
 
Jane seemed very sad at the old man's death. Actually, she was only shedding crocodile tears because she never really liked that old man. 
 
 
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