不可望文生义的十个短语

1

Busboy 餐馆勤杂工

例句：

He was a busboy, a dishwasher, a caterer and a manager.

他曾是餐馆勤杂工、洗碗工、酒席承办者和经理。

注：餐馆勤杂工曾被称为"omnibus boys"。"Omnibus"这个词源自于拉丁语，有“包括所有”的意思，因为"omnibus boys"承揽了餐馆中所有的杂务。

2

Busybody 爱管闲事的人

例句：

Some busybody has been reporting my conduct on a certain day.

有个爱管闲事的家伙一直在打我小报告，揭发我某天干的一些事。

3

Dry goods 纺织品

例句：

The floor was stacked high with bales of dry goods.

地板上高高地堆放着许多包纺织品。

4

Senior citizen 老年人

例句：

Many senior citizens' pensions are not enough for them to live decent lives.

很多老年人的退休金都不够过上体面的生活。

5

Pull someone's leg 开玩笑，愚弄某人

例句：

Stop pulling my leg – you didn't have lunch with Bono!

别糊弄我——你才没跟波诺吃饭！

6

In one's birthday suit 赤身裸体

例句：

I guess he didn't know I was in the house. When I walked into the living room, he was just standing in his birthday suit.

我猜他当时并不知道我在屋里。我走进起居室时，他正一丝不挂地站在那儿!

注：人出生时什么都不穿，因此，这个短语喻指一丝不挂，裸露的样子。

7

Red tape （官僚作风的）繁文缛节

例句：

We are removing the red tape that makes it difficult for our offices to help veterans get the care they need and deserve.

我们正在删减那些繁文缛节，以便老兵们可以更好地获得他们需要和应得的帮助。

8

Drama queen 小题大做的人

例句：

A: Oh, it's raining and my new hairdo is ruined! All those hours in the hairdresser for nothing!

B: Don't be such a drama queen. Here, take my umbrella.

A：啊，下雨了，我的新发型遭殃了！在理发店做了那么久的头发就这么糟蹋了。

B：别这么小题大做了。我的雨伞拿去用。

9

Eat one's words 收回前言，改正错话

例句：

I'll make you eat your words.

我会让你收回你的话的。

10

Got your number 知道你打的什么算盘（俚语）

例句：

You can't fool me, I've got your number – you're never going to pay me back.

你骗不了我。我知道你打的什么算盘——你根本不打算还我钱。

（编辑：杨昱芳美孜）