15.Adam's Apple喉結(jié)
亞當(dāng)是圣經(jīng)中人類的始祖,而蘋果的歷史比人類的歷史還悠久。在世界各文明古國的民間故事和神話傳說中,蘋果都是受人喜愛的一種果實。英語中有個諺語:An apple a day keeps the doctor away.但據(jù)圣經(jīng)故事上說,蘋果也給人類帶來了麻煩,男人的喉結(jié)就是因吃蘋果引起的。
《舊約.創(chuàng)世紀(jì)》第3章講到人類的起源,傳說上帝創(chuàng)造人類的始祖亞當(dāng)和夏娃,在東方的伊甸(Eden)建立了一個園子給他們居住。伊甸園里生長著悅?cè)搜勰康母鞣N樹木,樹上長著各種各樣的果實。上帝吩咐亞當(dāng)說:你可以隨意吃園中的各種果子,只是不能吃那棵分別善惡樹上的果實,吃了必定要死。這種"禁果"就是apple。后來,亞當(dāng)?shù)呐渑枷耐蘼犘派叩恼T惑,不顧神諭,吃了善惡樹上的禁果,還把這果子給它丈夫吃。亞當(dāng)因心懷恐懼,吃時倉促,有一片果肉哽在吼中,不上不下,留下個結(jié)塊,就叫"亞當(dāng)?shù)奶O果"兩人吃了這果子就心明眼亮,能知善惡美丑。但是由于他們違背了上帝的告戒而被逐出伊甸園。從此,亞當(dāng)就永遠(yuǎn)在脖子前端留下"喉結(jié)",作為偷吃禁果的"罪證"。上帝還懲罰亞當(dāng),"必汗流滿面才能糊口"
不過也說一說是正當(dāng)亞當(dāng)吃的時候,上帝來了,所以亞當(dāng)急忙吞下去,不料哽在喉嚨間了。
eg: Your Adam's apple isn't apparent.
Adam's apple can be more clearly seen on men than women's throats.
16.Sell One's Birthright for a Mess of Pottages因小失大;見利棄義
Sell One's Birthright for a Mess of Pottages直譯是:"為了一碗紅豆湯而出賣了長子繼承權(quán)"。
《舊約.創(chuàng)世紀(jì)》第25章記述了這樣一個故事傳說:*族長以撒的妻子利百加懷孕期間,感覺到2個胎兒在她腹內(nèi)互相踢打,就去問耶和華,耶和華對她說:"兩國在你腹內(nèi),兩族要從你身上出來,這族必強(qiáng)于那族,將來大的要服小的。"
后來,利百加果然生下一對孿生兄弟,哥哥叫以掃,弟弟叫雅各。兩兄弟長大后,以掃好動,常外出打獵;雅各則常在家里幫助料理家務(wù)。有一天,以掃打獵回來,又饑又渴,看見弟弟雅各在熬豆湯,就對他說:"我餓極了,給我喝點紅豆湯吧!"雅各說:"你要喝湯,就把你的長子權(quán)賣給我。"以掃說:"你都要餓死了,要這長子權(quán)有什么用呢?"于是,他便按雅各的要求,對天起誓,把長子權(quán)賣給雅各,換來餅和紅豆湯。以掃吃飽喝足后,起身走了。他哪里想到,為了這碗紅豆湯,他的后裔便注定要服事雅各的后裔。
由此,人們用to sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage短語,來比喻to exchange something of lasting value for something that is of value for a short time only; to suffer a big loss for a little gain.這個成語??s略為for a mess of pottage的形式。有時也可用to sell one's birthrights.
eg: It was argued that joining the Common Market……would be giving away her national rights and advantages for a mess of pottage.
There are many, many people who are willing to prostitute their intelligence for a mess of pottage.
17.The Apple of Ones' Eye
The Apple of Ones' Eye的字面意思是"某人眼里的蘋果",在這里,apple指的是the pupil(瞳孔,眼珠),大概因眼珠圓的象蘋果之故。瞳孔是眼睛最重要的部分,失去瞳孔,光線就無法通過虹膜中心的圓孔進(jìn)入眼內(nèi)而變成了瞎子。所以,這個成語常用來比喻象愛護(hù)眼珠一樣愛護(hù)某個最心愛的人或珍貴的東西,即表示a cherished person or object; sth extremely precious to one; sb dearly loved等意
這個成語來字《舊約。申命記》(Deuteronomy)第32章"耶和華遇見他在曠野荒涼、野獸吼叫之地,就環(huán)繞他,看顧他,保護(hù)他如同保護(hù)眼里的瞳人。"在圣經(jīng)其他地方也有類似的話。英文版《舊約。詩篇》(Psalm)第17章有這樣的句子:"Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of the wings"
成語the apple of one's eye是固定結(jié)構(gòu),不得寫成the apple of the eye of…的形式;在搭配上,它常與動詞be,keep, care for等連用。按其想象意義,它與漢語成語"掌上明珠"頗相似,但其比喻的對象較漢語"掌珠"更廣,因"掌珠"通常指心愛的女兒,而不能用與其他場合。
eg: Little Mary is the apple of her father's eye
Mind the reputation of your school as you care for the apple of your eye.
18.The writing/Finger on the Wall不詳之兆;大禍臨頭
這個成語的字面意思是"墻上的文字(或手指)",而實際含義是a sign or warning of impending disaster(迫在眉睫的兇兆);a sign that sth bad will happen; a feeling that ones number is up;等等。其語言外殼與內(nèi)涵是怎樣聯(lián)系起來的呢?還是出自《圣經(jīng)》
據(jù)《舊約。但以理書》(Daniel)第5章記述:有一次古巴比倫(Babylonian)的國王伯沙撒(Belshazar)正在宮殿里設(shè)宴縱飲時,突然,不知從哪里出現(xiàn)了一個神秘的手指,當(dāng)者國王的面,在王宮與燈臺相對的粉墻上寫西了四個奇怪的單詞:MENE(彌尼)、MENE(彌尼)、TEKEL(提客勒)、UPHARSING (烏法珥新)。國王張皇失措,驚恐萬分,誰也不懂墻上所寫的字是什么意思。后來叫來了被虜?shù)?預(yù)言家但以理,才明白了這幾個字的意思就是大難臨頭。他說:"彌尼就是上帝已經(jīng)數(shù)算你國的年日到此為完畢;提客勒就是你被稱在天平里顯出你的虧欠;烏法珥新就是你的國分裂,歸與瑪代人和波斯人。"果然,當(dāng)夜伯沙撒被殺,又62歲的瑪代人大利烏取而代之。
依次,"墻上的文字(或手指)"就表示身死國亡的兇兆。英語中這個成語有幾種表達(dá)方式:the writing/handwriting on the wall或a finger on the wall,通常與be,like等系動詞連用;有時寫成see/read the writing on he wall的句型,表示提出警告,such as :Don't you see the writing on the wall, 有時候也可省略on the wall,只說Don't you see the writing?意思也是一樣的。
eg: This inexplicable incident seemed, like the Babylonian finger on the wall, to be spelling out the letter of my judgement……
In this house of his there was writing on every wall. His business-like temperament protested against a mysterious warning that she was not made for him.
John's employer had less and less work for him; John could read the writing on the wall.
The writing on the wall is clear: if man behaves like an animal and allow his population to increase while each nation steadily increases he complexity and range of its environment, nature will take her course and the law of the Jungle will prevail.
When Bill's team lost four games in a row, he saw the handwriting on the wall.
亞當(dāng)是圣經(jīng)中人類的始祖,而蘋果的歷史比人類的歷史還悠久。在世界各文明古國的民間故事和神話傳說中,蘋果都是受人喜愛的一種果實。英語中有個諺語:An apple a day keeps the doctor away.但據(jù)圣經(jīng)故事上說,蘋果也給人類帶來了麻煩,男人的喉結(jié)就是因吃蘋果引起的。
《舊約.創(chuàng)世紀(jì)》第3章講到人類的起源,傳說上帝創(chuàng)造人類的始祖亞當(dāng)和夏娃,在東方的伊甸(Eden)建立了一個園子給他們居住。伊甸園里生長著悅?cè)搜勰康母鞣N樹木,樹上長著各種各樣的果實。上帝吩咐亞當(dāng)說:你可以隨意吃園中的各種果子,只是不能吃那棵分別善惡樹上的果實,吃了必定要死。這種"禁果"就是apple。后來,亞當(dāng)?shù)呐渑枷耐蘼犘派叩恼T惑,不顧神諭,吃了善惡樹上的禁果,還把這果子給它丈夫吃。亞當(dāng)因心懷恐懼,吃時倉促,有一片果肉哽在吼中,不上不下,留下個結(jié)塊,就叫"亞當(dāng)?shù)奶O果"兩人吃了這果子就心明眼亮,能知善惡美丑。但是由于他們違背了上帝的告戒而被逐出伊甸園。從此,亞當(dāng)就永遠(yuǎn)在脖子前端留下"喉結(jié)",作為偷吃禁果的"罪證"。上帝還懲罰亞當(dāng),"必汗流滿面才能糊口"
不過也說一說是正當(dāng)亞當(dāng)吃的時候,上帝來了,所以亞當(dāng)急忙吞下去,不料哽在喉嚨間了。
eg: Your Adam's apple isn't apparent.
Adam's apple can be more clearly seen on men than women's throats.
16.Sell One's Birthright for a Mess of Pottages因小失大;見利棄義
Sell One's Birthright for a Mess of Pottages直譯是:"為了一碗紅豆湯而出賣了長子繼承權(quán)"。
《舊約.創(chuàng)世紀(jì)》第25章記述了這樣一個故事傳說:*族長以撒的妻子利百加懷孕期間,感覺到2個胎兒在她腹內(nèi)互相踢打,就去問耶和華,耶和華對她說:"兩國在你腹內(nèi),兩族要從你身上出來,這族必強(qiáng)于那族,將來大的要服小的。"
后來,利百加果然生下一對孿生兄弟,哥哥叫以掃,弟弟叫雅各。兩兄弟長大后,以掃好動,常外出打獵;雅各則常在家里幫助料理家務(wù)。有一天,以掃打獵回來,又饑又渴,看見弟弟雅各在熬豆湯,就對他說:"我餓極了,給我喝點紅豆湯吧!"雅各說:"你要喝湯,就把你的長子權(quán)賣給我。"以掃說:"你都要餓死了,要這長子權(quán)有什么用呢?"于是,他便按雅各的要求,對天起誓,把長子權(quán)賣給雅各,換來餅和紅豆湯。以掃吃飽喝足后,起身走了。他哪里想到,為了這碗紅豆湯,他的后裔便注定要服事雅各的后裔。
由此,人們用to sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage短語,來比喻to exchange something of lasting value for something that is of value for a short time only; to suffer a big loss for a little gain.這個成語??s略為for a mess of pottage的形式。有時也可用to sell one's birthrights.
eg: It was argued that joining the Common Market……would be giving away her national rights and advantages for a mess of pottage.
There are many, many people who are willing to prostitute their intelligence for a mess of pottage.
17.The Apple of Ones' Eye
The Apple of Ones' Eye的字面意思是"某人眼里的蘋果",在這里,apple指的是the pupil(瞳孔,眼珠),大概因眼珠圓的象蘋果之故。瞳孔是眼睛最重要的部分,失去瞳孔,光線就無法通過虹膜中心的圓孔進(jìn)入眼內(nèi)而變成了瞎子。所以,這個成語常用來比喻象愛護(hù)眼珠一樣愛護(hù)某個最心愛的人或珍貴的東西,即表示a cherished person or object; sth extremely precious to one; sb dearly loved等意
這個成語來字《舊約。申命記》(Deuteronomy)第32章"耶和華遇見他在曠野荒涼、野獸吼叫之地,就環(huán)繞他,看顧他,保護(hù)他如同保護(hù)眼里的瞳人。"在圣經(jīng)其他地方也有類似的話。英文版《舊約。詩篇》(Psalm)第17章有這樣的句子:"Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of the wings"
成語the apple of one's eye是固定結(jié)構(gòu),不得寫成the apple of the eye of…的形式;在搭配上,它常與動詞be,keep, care for等連用。按其想象意義,它與漢語成語"掌上明珠"頗相似,但其比喻的對象較漢語"掌珠"更廣,因"掌珠"通常指心愛的女兒,而不能用與其他場合。
eg: Little Mary is the apple of her father's eye
Mind the reputation of your school as you care for the apple of your eye.
18.The writing/Finger on the Wall不詳之兆;大禍臨頭
這個成語的字面意思是"墻上的文字(或手指)",而實際含義是a sign or warning of impending disaster(迫在眉睫的兇兆);a sign that sth bad will happen; a feeling that ones number is up;等等。其語言外殼與內(nèi)涵是怎樣聯(lián)系起來的呢?還是出自《圣經(jīng)》
據(jù)《舊約。但以理書》(Daniel)第5章記述:有一次古巴比倫(Babylonian)的國王伯沙撒(Belshazar)正在宮殿里設(shè)宴縱飲時,突然,不知從哪里出現(xiàn)了一個神秘的手指,當(dāng)者國王的面,在王宮與燈臺相對的粉墻上寫西了四個奇怪的單詞:MENE(彌尼)、MENE(彌尼)、TEKEL(提客勒)、UPHARSING (烏法珥新)。國王張皇失措,驚恐萬分,誰也不懂墻上所寫的字是什么意思。后來叫來了被虜?shù)?預(yù)言家但以理,才明白了這幾個字的意思就是大難臨頭。他說:"彌尼就是上帝已經(jīng)數(shù)算你國的年日到此為完畢;提客勒就是你被稱在天平里顯出你的虧欠;烏法珥新就是你的國分裂,歸與瑪代人和波斯人。"果然,當(dāng)夜伯沙撒被殺,又62歲的瑪代人大利烏取而代之。
依次,"墻上的文字(或手指)"就表示身死國亡的兇兆。英語中這個成語有幾種表達(dá)方式:the writing/handwriting on the wall或a finger on the wall,通常與be,like等系動詞連用;有時寫成see/read the writing on he wall的句型,表示提出警告,such as :Don't you see the writing on the wall, 有時候也可省略on the wall,只說Don't you see the writing?意思也是一樣的。
eg: This inexplicable incident seemed, like the Babylonian finger on the wall, to be spelling out the letter of my judgement……
In this house of his there was writing on every wall. His business-like temperament protested against a mysterious warning that she was not made for him.
John's employer had less and less work for him; John could read the writing on the wall.
The writing on the wall is clear: if man behaves like an animal and allow his population to increase while each nation steadily increases he complexity and range of its environment, nature will take her course and the law of the Jungle will prevail.
When Bill's team lost four games in a row, he saw the handwriting on the wall.