关于颜色的英语习语.doc

关于颜色的英语习语-white
英语中有大量习语,它们通常短小精悍、干净利落、言简意丰,虽寥寥数语却极能传情达意--如果上天把这么好的表达方式摆在你面前你能无动于衷吗?不能吧!那么就让偶们来看看今天的
【Topic of the Day: White】
[1] a white elephant
释义:a very costly possession that is worthless to its owner and only a cause of trouble.
例句:You have bought yourself a white elephant,this house is far too one will stay here and the upkeep will ruin you.
说明:相传一国王曾以白象送予敌人,以瓦解对方。
[2] show the white feather
释义:to act in a cowardly way.
例句:The only time he showed the white feather was just before they attacked the enemy.
说明:该习语原指斗鸡的人认为有白羽毛的斗鸡不是良种鸡。
[3] show the white flag
释义:to surrender and have no desire to continue resistance.
例句:They failed,so they show the white flag to their enemy.
说明:该习语源出打败仗的部队向敌军举起白旗,表示投降。
Ok, Now let's have a guess,what on earth do the following phrases underlined mean?
“if you wish me to speak more plainly,show me your palm.""And I must cross your palm with silver,I suppose?"
Have you seen a ghost? Your face is as white as a sheet.
Why do you let Jack blackmail you like this? He has bled you white.
英语中与颜色相关的有趣习语
greenhorn: 指没有工作经验的人,生手
to be green : 嫉妒
green light : 许可,同意
red tape : 指手续繁杂,办事拖拉,不讲实际的坏风气
see red : 发怒,冒火
in the red : 亏损,负债
a red letter day : 重大,重要的日子
to feel blue : 忧郁,烦闷
till all is blue : 直到铭酊大醉,到极点
once in a blue moon : 难得,千载难逢的
a bolt from the blue : 晴天霹雳
be white as a sheet : 苍白如纸
be in a black mood : 阴郁的,情绪低落的
black and blue : 遍体鳞伤,青一块紫一块
black and white : 白纸黑字
in the black : 赢利
in the pink : 非常健康
另一颜色的马
中国人很早就懂得赛马。战国时, 齐将田忌听孙膑指点, 以下等马赛齐王的上等马, 再以上等马赛他的中等马, 中等马赛他的下等马, 结果是彼此用的马匹虽然同样分三等, 田忌却轻而易举以两胜一负成绩赢了千金赌注(《史记. 孙子吴起列傅》)。
西方人当然也喜欢赛马。据说, 古时西方赛马为求容易辨认, 骑士会骑不同颜色的马。把赌注押在某一名骑士身上的人, 当然不希望“另一颜色的马(horse of a different colour/horse of another colour)”取胜。现在, 赛马一般不会计较马的颜色了, 但 horse of a different colour 这成语依然广泛流传, 只是意思变了, 解作“完全另一回事”, 例如∶ I thought you would help. If I am to do it all by myself, that is a horse of another colour.(我本来以为你会帮忙; 假如要我独力去做, 那就完全是另一回事了。)
象这样的表达还有:英译汉: