英文谚语

A

Above board 光明正大

Action* speak louder than words. 事实胜于雄辩

Add fuel to flame 火上浇油

Add insult to injury 痛上加辱

Adversity leads to prosperity 穷则思变

afraid of one’s own shadow 杯弓蛇影；极度胆小

after a fashion 依葫芦画瓢

after lunch sit a while，after supper walk a mile. 午饭后坐一会，晚餐后走一里。

After a storm comes a calm. 雨过天晴，风平浪静。

After one’s own heart 称心如意

against the grain 格格不入

against time 争分夺秒

alive and kicking 活蹦乱跳

all at sea 不知所措

the all clear 解除警报

all ears 集中注意力听

all eyes 全神贯注的看

All the cats are grey in the dark. 猫在暗中都是灰色的。

All his geese are swans. 他家的鹅都是天鹅。

All roads lead to Rome. 殊途同归

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. 只工作不玩耍，聪明的孩子也会傻。

All is not gold that glitters. 闪光的不一定都是金子。

All is well that ends well. 结局好，一切都好。

Alpha and Omega 自始至终

another pair of shoes 另外一回事，另当别论

anybodys’s guess 难以预料

the apple of one’s eyes 掌上明珠

April fool 傻瓜

armed to the teeth 武装到牙齿

Art is long， life is short. 人生有限，艺术无涯。

As a man is， so shall his company. 什麽样的人交什麽样的朋友。

As a man lives， so shall he die. 有生则有死。

As a man sows， so shall he reap. 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆。

As the call， so the echo. 发什么声音，有什么回声。

As a tree falls ， so shall it lies. 树倒在那里，就躺在那里。

As the tree， so the fruit. 是什么树，结什么果。

As busy as a bee. 非常忙碌

as changeable as the moon 变化无常

as cheerful as a lark 快乐无比

as cool as a cucumber 非常冷静

as cunning as a fox 像狐狸一样狡猾

as drunk as lord 喝的烂醉

as dumb as a statue 死不做声

as fit as a fiddle 非常健康

as greedy as a wolf 贪婪如狼

as hard as marble 非常坚硬

as like as two peas (beans) 一模一样

as light as a feather 轻如鸿毛

as merry as a cricket 非常快活

as poor as a church mouse 一贫如洗

as proud as a peacock 不可一世

as slippery as an eel 滑如泥鳅

as still as the grave 静如坟墓

as straight as an arrow 直如飞箭

as strong as an ox 健壮如牛

as stupid as a donkey 蠢笨如驴

as sweet as honey 甜如蜂蜜

as swift as lightning 快如闪电

As the touchstone tries gold， so gold tries man. 试金石可以试金，金子可以试人。

As wise as Soloman 聪明过人

ace in the hole （未公开的）王牌

Adversity often leads to prosperity. 逆境往往通向成功之路。

Advice is seldom welcome. 忠言逆耳。

After a delay comes a let. 夜长梦多。

All are brave when the enemy flies. 敌人逃遁时，个个是勇士。

All are not saints that go to church. 进教堂的不都是圣人。

All rivers run into the sea. 条条江河归大海。

All shall be well; Jack shall have Gill. 有情人终成眷属。

All that is fair must fade. 花开有谢；红颜须老。

Among the blind， the one-eyes man is king. 盲人国里，独眼成王。

An apple a day， keep the doctor away. 天天吃苹果，不用请大夫。

Ask for the moon 过分的要求

Ask much; know much. 问的多，知道的多。

The ass is not learned though he will be loaded with books. 驴子即使载满书本也不会有学问。

The ass that brays most eats least. 交的最响的驴吃的最少。

At court， everybody speaks for himself. 在法庭上，人人为自己辩护。

At a loose end 无所事事

at large 逍遥法外

at one’s wit’s end 智穷计尽，一筹莫展

at sixes and sevens 乱七八糟

at the eleventh hour （还来得及的）最后一刻

at the tip of one’s tongue 话说到了嘴边

Away goes the devil when he finds the door shut against him. 看见门户紧闭，魔鬼也要离开。

B

Bad blood 恶感，仇恨

Bad news travels fast. 恶事传千里

Bad times make a good man. 乱世出英雄

bad and baggage 彻底；全部

a bag of bones 瘦的皮包骨头

bakesr’s dozen 十三个

bark up the wrong tree 攻击错了目标，白费力气

Barking dogs seldom bite. 叫狗不咬人。

Be honest rather than clever. 与其聪明，不如诚实。

Be well off 富裕；小康的

The beacon does not shine on its own base. 灯塔不照自己。（当局者迷）

Bears are caught by honey. 蜂蜜是捉熊的诱饵。

Bear the brunt 承受打击

a bed of roses 安乐窝

Before gold， even kings take off their hats. 见钱眼开

beg the question 回避问题

Beggars cannot be choosers. 饥不择食

The beginning of all things is small. 万事起头小。

Behind the secnes 在幕后，私下

Believe no tales from the enemy’s tongue. 敌人的话不可信

beside oneself with 因为。。。而精神失常；得意忘形

beside the point 偏离话题

The best physicians are Dr. Diet， Dr. Quiet， and Dr. Merry-man. 最好的医生是：节食、静养、愉快

Better ask the way than go astray. 宁可问路，不可迷路。

Better late than never. 迟座总比不做好

Better be poor than wicked. 人穷不能志短

between the devil and the blue sea 进退维谷

between you and me 天知地知，你知我知

Beware of a man who never speaks and of a dog never barks. 当心不语的人，提方不叫的狗。

Bide one’s time 等待时机

a big mouth 夸夸其谈的人

Big mouthfuls often choke. 贪多嚼不烂。

A bird in the band is worth two in the bush. 一鸟在手胜于二鸟在林。

Bird of passage 漂泊不定的人

A bird may be known by its note， and a man by his talk. 以音知鸟，闻言而知其人

Birds of a feather flock together. 物以类聚，人以群分。

A bird’s eye view 鸟瞰

Birth is much， but breeding is more. 教育重于门第。

Birthday suit 一丝不挂；赤身*体

bite off more than one can chew 贪多嚼不烂

bite one’s tongue off 后悔自己讲过的话

black and blue 轻一块，紫一块。

A black hen lays a white egg. 黑*生白蛋，丑妇生俊儿。

Black sheep 败家子；无用之辈

blaze the trail 开辟道路

bleed one white 榨干某人的血汗（或钱财）

blind alley 死胡同

Blood is thicker than water. 血浓于水

Blood will have blood. 血债要用血来偿

。Blot on the landscape 杀风景

blow hot and cold 忽冷忽热；动摇不定

blow one’s own trumpet 自吹自擂

blue ribbon 最高荣誉

a bolt from the blue 晴空霹雳

Books and friends should be few but good. 书和朋友要少而精。

The boot is on the other leg. 张冠李戴

born in the purple 出生豪门

born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth 出身高贵

Box and Cox 轮流交换

Brains trust 智囊团

A brave man may fall but he cannot yield. 勇士可能会跌倒但不会屈服。

A brave retreat is a brave exploit. 勇敢的退却也是英勇的行为

breach of promise 毁约食言

bread and butter 生活必需品

Bread is the staff of life. 民以食为天。

Break a butterfly on a wheel 小题大做，杀*用牛刀

break one’s words 说话不算话

break the ice 打破沉默

breath of life 不可缺少的东西

brevity is the soul of wit 言以简洁为贵

A bride will enter without knocking. 贿赂进屋，不用敲门。

The brighter the moon， the more the dogs howl. 月亮越明，狗叫得越凶。

Burn one’s fingers 吃亏上当

bring something home to somebody 使某人认识到

bring the house down 博得满堂喝彩

bring owls to Athens 多此一举

build upon sand 建在沙上

bull in a china shop 瓷器店里的公牛

A bully is always a coward. 持强欺弱是懦夫

Buridan’s ass 优柔寡断之人

burn the candle at both ends 一根蜡烛两头烧

burn one’s boats (bridges) 破釜沉舟

burn the midnight oil 开夜车

A burnt child dreads the fire. 一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳。

Bury one’s hand in the sand 鸵鸟政策

Busiest men find the most time. 盲人最会利用时间。

Business before pleasure. 先工作，后娱乐。

But me no buts. 别老对我说"但是"了

butterflies in one’s stomach 紧张不安

by all means 尽力；一定

by a hair’s breadth 几乎；差不多

by and large 总的说来，大体上

by hook or by crook 不择手段

by the book 有根据，照章办事

by leaps and bounds 大幅度的，飞速的


C

call a spade a spade 直言不讳

call it a day 今天到此为止

call somebody names 骂人

A candle lights others and con*umes itself. 蜡烛照亮了别人，毁灭了自己。

Can’t have it both ways 不能兼而有之

cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear 母猪耳朵做不出丝钱袋

cannot say bo to a goose 胆小如鼠

can’t see the wood for the trees 只见树木不见森林

a card up one’s sleeve 王牌，绝招

Care and diligence bring luck. 谨慎勤奋，带来好运。

Care killed the cat 忧虑缠身

carry coal to Newcastle 徒劳无益；白费力气

cast sheep’s eye 送秋播，以目传情

cast pearls before swine 明珠暗投

castle in the air 空中楼阁

The cat and dog may kiss， yet are none the better friends. 猫狗可以相吻，但不会成为好友。

The cat shuts its eyes when stealing creams. 猫偷吃奶油时总是闭着眼睛。

A cat has nine lives. 猫有九条命。

A cat in gloves catches no mice. 戴手套的猫抓不住老鼠。

A cat may look at the king. 猫有权看国王

The cat is out of the bag. 泄露了秘密；走漏了风声

cat’s paw 为他人"火种取栗"的人

a cat-and-dog life 争争吵吵的日子

catch someone napping 乘人不备

catch someone red-handed 当场抓获

Caution is the parent of safety. 谨慎为安全之本。

Chalk it up 公布于众；记在帐上

The child is father of the man. 从小看大，三岁看老。

Children and drunk people speak the truth. 小孩和醉汉说的是真话。

Choose a wife by your ear rather than by your eye. 选择妻子最好用耳不用眼。

Choose au author as you choose a friend. 择书如择友

clean hands. 清正廉洁

clear the air 清除误会；清除隔阂

cold comfort 不起作用的安慰

cold shoulder 冷淡对待

Command your men and do it yourself. 指挥别人就的以身作则。

Confession is the first step to repentance. 悔罪必先认罪。

Cool one’s heel 坐冷板凳，苦等

come a long way 有了很大的进展

come clean 全盘招供

come in handy 用得上

come thick an fast 大批涌来

compare notes 交流思想

A creaking door hangs long. 旧门久用，病夫命长。

Crocodile’s tears 鳄鱼的眼泪；假慈悲

The cross on the breast， and the devil in the heart. 胸前十字架，心里怀鬼胎。

Cross one’s fingers 求上帝保佑

cross one’s mind 偶然想到

cross swords with someone 交锋；争论

cry one’s eyes out 悲痛欲绝，大哭失声

cry over spilt milk 牛奶一处，后悔无疑

curtain lecture 枕边训导

cut corners 走捷径，超近路

cut a good figure 给人好的印象

cut no ice 不起作用

cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth 量入为出，看布裁衣

cut and run 慌忙逃走

cut a long story short 长话短说

cut both ways 两方面都起作用

cut someone short 打断别人的话

cut things fine 算得很精确

cut somebody to the quick 戳到某人的痛处



D

The darkest hour is nearest dawn. 黎明之前天最黑。

Day in and day out 日复一日

Dead Sea fruit 死海之果--华而不实

The death of wolves is the safety of sheep. 狼死羊安

Deeds are fruits; words are but leaves. 言语是叶，行为是果。

Deep rivers move in silence， shallow brooks are noisy. 河深水静流，溪浅水声喧

Deliberate slowly; execute promptly. 决策要慢，行动要快。

Despair gives courage to a coward. 人急造反，狗急跳墙。

Destroy the lion while he is yet but a whelp. 杀狮应在幼年时。

The devil takes the hindmost 迟者遭殃

diamond cut diamond 棋逢对手

die game 致死不屈

die hard 很难消除；死硬派

die in harness 战死杀场

The die is cast. 木已成舟

Diet cures more than doctors. 食疗胜于医疗

Diligence is the mother of success. 勤劳是成功之母

Diligence outstrips poverty. 勤能克穷

dine and wine 请酒席

dip into one’s pocket 乱花钱

Discontent is the first step in progress. 不满足于现状是进步的开始。

Distrust is poison to friendship. 猜疑是友谊的毒药

Do as the Romans do. 入乡随俗

Do as you would be done by. 己所不欲，勿施于人

Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it. 到了桥前才过桥

Don’t trouble troubles until trouble troubles you. 麻烦不找你，不要找麻烦。

Dog does not eat dog. 同类不相残，同时不*戈

Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched. 不要过早乐观

Dot one’s I’s and cross one’s t’s. 做收尾工作

Doubt is the key to knowledge. 多疑之人

down at the mouth 情绪低落

down and out 失败

drag one’s feet 迟疑不前

draw a blank 落空；徒劳无功

draw the longbow 夸海口

drink like a fish 狂饮

drop in the ocean 沧海一粟

Drug on the market 卖不出的货物

Drowning man will catch at a straw. 溺水者见到稻草也要捞

Dumb dogs are dangerous. 不叫的狗咬人

Dutch courage 酒后之勇



E

Eagles fly alone， but sheep flock together. 鹰爱独飞，羊爱群居

The early bird catches the worm. 早起的鸟儿有虫吃，捷足先登

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy， wealthy and wise. 睡得早，起的早，聪明、富裕、身体好。

Easier said than done. 说比作难。

East or west， home is best. 东好西好，在家最好。

Easy come， easy go. 来得容易，去的也快。

Eat one’s cake and have it. 两者不能兼得

eat humble pie 忍气吞声

eat one’s words 自食其言

eat one’s head off 吃得过多

eat out of one’s hands 柔顺，听话

eat somebody’s salt 受人款待，欠人人请

Empty vessels make the greatest noise. 慢罐子不响，半罐子叮当。

End in smoke 成为泡影

The end tries all. 结局检验一切

Enough is as good as a feast. 知足者常乐。

Enough make the angles weep 非常动人

Envy shoots at others and wounds himself. 妒忌别人，伤了自己。

Even a worm will turn. 人太甚，必有反抗

Even Homer sometimes nods. 伟人也有打盹儿的时候

Every medal has two sides. 每一枚奖章都有两个面

Everybody’s business is nobody’s business. 人人都管等于没有人管

Every dog has his day. 人人都有得意的时候

Every dog is a lion at home. 狗是百步王，只在门前凶。

Every law has a loophole. 每部法律都有漏洞。

Every rule has its exception. 有规则就有例外。

Every tide has its ebb. 潮起必有潮落。

Every why has its wherefore. 凡事都有因。

Everybody is wise after the event. 人总是事后聪明

Everything is good in its season. 春桃秋菊，物各有时。

Everything is good when new， but friends when old. 东西是新的好，朋友是老的好。

Example is better than precept. 经验是最好的教师。

Experience is the best teacher. 经验是最好的教师。

Extreme right is extreme wrong. 极端正确就是极端错误。

Eyes are bigger than one’s stomach. 新有余而力不足。

Eye for eye; tooth for tooth 以牙还牙

Eyes speak all languages; wait for no letter of introduction. 眼睛能讲各种语言，他不需要介绍信。

The eye is the mirror of the soul. 眼睛是灵魂的镜子。




F

Face value 表面上的价值

The face is the index of the mind. 面孔是心灵的标志。

Facts speak louder than words. 事实胜于雄辩。

A faint heart never won a fair lady. 懦夫难得美人心。

A fair death honors the whole life. 死的正值，一生光荣。

Fame， like a river， is narrowest at its source. 名声如江河，开头最狭窄。

The fairest flowers soon fade. 好花易谢。

Faith can remove mountains. 精诚所至，金石为开。

Fall by the way 半途而废

fall flat 失败

A fall to the pit; again in your wit. 吃一堑，长一智。

The fall of a leaf heralds the advent of autumn. 一片落叶预兆秋天的来临。

Fall out 争吵

false alarm 虚惊

Failure is the mother or success. 失败是成功之母。

Failure teaches success. 失败是成功之母。

Far cry 很大的差距

far from the madding crowd 远离尘世

Fat hens lay few eggs. 肥*生蛋少。

A feather in one’s cap 值得骄傲的事

Feed a cold and starve a fever. 伤风宜吃，发烧宜睡。

Feed by measure and defy the physician. 饮食有节，医生失业。

Few words， many deeds. 少说话，多做事。

Fields have eyes， and woods have ears. 没有不透风的墙。

Fifth Column 第五纵队

Fight with one’s back to the wall 决一死战

find fault with 挑毛病

finishing touches 收尾工作

Fire and water have no mercy. 水火无情。

Fire proves gold; adversity proves man. 烈火见真金，逆境出好汉。

First come， first served. 先到者，先受招待。

First think， then speak. 三思而后行。

First thrive， then wife. 先立业，后成家。

The first dish pleases all. 第一道菜，人人都爱吃。

Fish in troubles water. 浑水摸鱼。

Fish out of water 离了水的鱼

flog a dead horse 徒劳无益

flowing with milk and honey 鱼米之乡

Flowers are the pledges of fruit. 花是火的保证。

Flutter and dovecotes 捣乱鸽鹏

fly high 情绪高昂，有抱负。

Fly in the ointment 一粒老鼠屎坏了一锅汤。

Fly on the wheel 狂妄自大的人

follow suit 如法制

Follow the river and you will get to the sea. 沿着河就一定会走到海边。

For better or for worse 不管好歹

Forbidden fruit is sweetest. 禁果分外甜。

Forced love does not last. 强求的爱情难**。

Forgive others but not yourself. 原谅别人，但不要原谅自己。

Forgive and forget. 宽宏大量，不念旧恶。

Forty winks 打个盹儿

A fox may grow gray， but never good. 狐狸善变，本性难移。

The fox changes his skin， but not his habits. 江山易改，本性难移。

Free and easy 无拘无束The frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean. 井底之蛙，不知海大。

From labor health; from health contentment springs. 劳动使人健康，健康使人满足。

From saving comes having. 节约才能致富。

Full of beans 精力充沛

full steam ahead 全速前进

Full vessels give the least sound. 满罐子不响，半罐子晃荡。







G

Gain ground 取得进展

game not worth the candle 得不偿失

The game is up. 游戏收场了。

Genius is nothing but labour and diligence. 天才就是劳动加勤奋。

Get out bed on the wrong side 整天脾气不好

get someone’s back up 惹恼某人

get the upper hand of 占上风

get to the bottom of 弄个水落石出

get wind of 风闻

gild the lily 画蛇添足

Give a dog a bad name and hang him. 谗言可畏，欲加之罪，何患无辞。

Give a thief rope enough and he will hang himself. 给小偷足够的绳子，他就会自己上吊。

Give me liberty or give me death. 不自由，毋宁死。

Give oneself away 露马脚

give someone the cold shoulder 对人冷淡

give someone the cue 给人暗示

Give him the dose of his own medicine. 以其人之道还治其人之身。

Give him an inch and he will take an ell. 得寸进尺

Give someone a leg up 助一臂之力

give someone the sack 解雇某人

Give one enough rope and he will hang himself. 任其放纵必自取灭亡。

give a sop to Cerberus 行贿

Glory is the shadow of virtue. 荣誉是美德的影子

go down like ninepins 被击败

go Dutch 各付各的帐

go fifty-fifty 平分；均摊

Go for it! 拚一次

go further and far worse 越搞越遭

Go in one ear and out the other. 左耳朵进，右耳朵出。

Go through fire and water 赴汤蹈火

go to the dogs 每况愈下

go the way of all flesh 走众生之路；死

go up in smoke 化为乌有

go west 死；上西天

go without saying 不言而喻

Gold will not buy everything. 金钱并非万能。

A good book is a great friend. 好书即益友

Good fame is better than a good face. 美名胜于美貌。

Good health is above wealth. 好身体胜于财富

Good horses make short way. 骏马能使远程变近。

A good husband makes a good wife. 夫善则妻贤

A good medicine tastes bitter. 良药苦口。

A good thing is known when it is lost. 好东西没有了才知道可贵。

A good winter brings a good summer. 好冬带来好夏

A good wife and health is a man’s best wealth. 男子的最大财富就是妻子贤惠，自身健康。

Good to begin well; better to end well. 善始不如善终。

The good seaman is known in bad weather. 坏天气才知好水手。

Grasp all; lose all. 贪多必失

grasp the nettle 大胆处理棘手问题

Great men have great faults. 大人物有大过

Great minds think alike. 英雄所见略同。

A great talker is a great liar. 言多必妄

Great trees catch wind 树大招风

The greater the truth， the worse the libel. 越是真理，越游人诽谤。

Green horn 新手green light 同意；允许

green with envy 非常妒忌

A green wound is soon healed. 新伤容易愈合。



H

Hair stand on end 毛发倒竖；毛骨悚然。

Hand in glove 密切配合

Handsome is as handsome does. 行为美才是真美

The handsomest flower is not the sweetest. 最好看的花未必香。

Hang by a thread 千钧一发

hang-dog look 愁眉苦脸

hang in the balance 悬而未决

Half a tale is enough for a wise man. 智者一听就懂

Happiness lies first of all in health. 幸福首要是健康

hard and fast 严格；严密

Harm set; harm get. 害人反害己

Hasty love is soon hot and soon cold. 轻率的爱情热的快，冷的也快。

Haste makes waste. 忙中出错。

Have a bee in one’s bonnet 胡思乱想

have a finger in the pie 参与；染指某事

have a good mind 很想

have … at one’s fingertips 唾手可得；十分熟悉

have one’s hands full 有很多是要做

have too much on one’s plate 贪多嚼不烂

have an old head on young shoulders 少年老成

have one’s heart in one’s mouth 战战兢兢

have kissed the Blarney stone 能说会道

have words with someone 和某人吵嘴

He cries wine and sells vinegar 叫卖的是酒，出售的是醋。

He is a good physician who cures himself. 能给自己看病的才是好医生。

He is richest that has few wants. 无所求的人最富

He that climbs high falls heavily. 爬的高，跌的重

He that does ill hates the light. 作恶的人憎恨亮光

He that helps the evil hurts the good. 帮助坏人等于伤害好人。

He that respects not is not respected. 你不敬人，人不敬你

head and shoulders above 远远高出

Health and wealth create beauty. 健康和财富能创造美

The healthy knows not of their health， but only the sick. 有病才知道健康的幸福。

Heart and soul 全心全意The heart is seen in wine. 酒后吐真言。

He laughs best who laughs last. 谁笑到最后谁笑的最好

He needs a long spoon that sups with the devil. 没有金刚钻，不揽陶瓷活。

He that is full of himself is empty. 自满者无知。

He that lives with cripples learns to limp. 跟跛子一起，就会学瘸子走路。（近墨者黑）

He that never rode， never fell. 不骑马就永远不会甩下。

He that promises too much means nothing. 许诺太多等于零。

He that returns good to evil obtains the victory. 胜利属于以德报怨的人。

He that travels far knows much. 远行者见识广。

He that will not shall not eat. 不劳动不得食。

He that will thrive must rise at five. 要想发家，五点起床。

He who has no health has nothing. 没有健康就没有一切。

He who hesitates is lost. 当断不断，必受其患。

He who inquires much learns much. 问的多，学的也多。

He who is afraid of asking is ashamed of learning. 害怕问就是耻于学。

He who plays with fire gets burned. 玩火者必自焚。

He who risks nothing， gains nothing. 不冒险就无所得。

He who steals an egg will steal an ox. 有时偷蛋，长大偷牛。

He who would search pearls dive deep. 不潜深水采不到珍珠。

Health is above wealth. 健康重于财富。

A hero is nothing but a product of his time. 实事造英雄。

High and dry 孤立无援

A high building; a low foundation. 楼高基要深。

The higher the ape goes， the more he shows his tail. 猴子爬得越高，尾巴露的越长。

History repeats itself. 历史往往重演。

Hit below the belt 暗箭伤人

hit the ceiling 暴跳如雷

hit or miss 不论成败

hit the nail on the head 击中要害

Hobson’s choice 没有选择余地

hoist with one’s petard 害人反害己

hold water 有道理；站得住脚

hold out the olive branch 建议讲和

hold the purse string 掌管钱财

The hole calls the thief. 墙洞招小偷

A honey tongue， a heart of gail. 口蜜腹剑

Homer sometimes nods. 智者千虑，终有一失。

Honey is sweet but the bee stings. 蜜甜蜂蜇人

Hope is life and life is hope. 希望就是生活，生活也就是希望。

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. 抱最好的希望，做最坏的打算。

Hue and cry 通缉令；追捕犯人的喊声

A hungry ass eats any straw. 饥不择食。

A hungry man is an angry man. 饿汉常发怒。
I

Idle folks lack no excuses. 懒汉借口多

An idle youth; a needy age. 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲

Idleness is the key of beggary. 懒汉出乞丐

If a man once falls， all will tread on him. 墙倒众人推

If the mountain will not come to Mohammed， Mohammed must go to the mountain. 人事两将就

If the old dog barks， he give the counsel. 老狗叫，是忠告。

If there were no clouds， we should not enjoy the sun. 没有乌云，就不只阳光的可贵。

If you run after two hares， you will catch neither. 脚踏两只船，必然要落空。

If two men ride on a horse， one must sit behind. 如果两人骑一匹马，总有一个人坐在后面。

If you don’t aim high， you will never hit high. 目标不高，成就不大

If you sell the cow， you sell her milk too. 卖了奶牛就没有了奶

If you wish for peace， be prepared for war. 欲求和平，就得备战

I’ll eat my hat if … 决无这回事；要是……我就不是人

Ill news travels fast. 坏事传千里In a quarrel， both parties are to blame. 两人吵架，要怪双方。

In a breeze 轻而易举的

In a calm sea every man is a pilot. 风平浪静时，人人都可以当舵手。

In doing we learn. 在干中学

in high spirits 兴高采烈

in hot water 在困境中

in one’s good books 受欢迎的

in the air 悬而未决的；人人都感觉到的

In prosperity think of adversity. 居安思危

in the same boat 同舟共济

in at one ear and out at the other 左耳朵进，右耳朵出

In every beginning think of the end. 未做一事，先思其结果

In every country the sun rises in the east. 太阳不分国别，永远升自东方。

In the long run 从长远的观点看

in one’s mind’s eye 在想象中

In the grave， the rich and the poor lie equal. 一朝入坟墓，贫富无差别。

In water you see your face; in wine the heart of another. 水中可见自己的脸；酒中可知他人心。

In a word 总而言之

in the seventh heaven 在极乐世界

ins and outs 来龙去脉；细节

iron hand in a velvet glove 外柔内刚

It is easier to fall than to rise. 跌倒容易起来难

It is easy to be wise after the event. 事后诸葛亮好当

It is Greek to me. 一无所知。

It is hard to please all. 一人难讨百人心。

It is an ill wind that blows nobody good. 有利则有弊

It is easier to make enemies than to make friends. 结仇容易交友难

It is never too late to mend. 改过不嫌晚

It is never too later to learn. 活到老，学到老。

It is the first step that costs. 万事开头难

It is too later for the bird to scream when it is caught. 鸟被抓住才尖叫，为时以晚。

It never rains but it pours. 不下则已，下则倾盆。

It takes two to make a quarrel. 一个巴掌拍不响。

K

Keep an eye on 留神；注意

keep company 陪伴

keep the ball rolling 不中断

keep a cool head 保持头脑冷静

keep one’s head above water 不欠债

keep one’s word 信守诺言

keep one’s powder dry 保持火药干燥；有备无患

keep the pot boiling 维持生活

Keep your eyes wide open before marriage and half shut afterwards. 婚前要睁大眼睛；婚后要半闭眼睛

Keep your mouth shut and ears open. 多听少讲

kill the fatted calf 热情款待

Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. 杀*取蛋；竭泽而渔

Kill two birds with one stone. 一石二鸟；一举两得

king of the castle 山大王King Stork 残暴君王

King’s English 标准英语

Kith and kin 亲戚朋友

know the ropes 懂得窍门

Knowledge comes from diligence. 知识源于勤奋

Knowledge makes humble; ignorance makes proud. 知识使人谦虚，无知使人骄傲

Knowledge is power. 知识就是力量。

Knowledge is a treasure， practice is the key to it. 知识是一座宝库，时间是库门的钥匙。
L

A labour of love 乐于做的事

Labour created man himself. 劳动创造了人类自己。

Labour had a bitter root but a sweet taste. 劳动的根苦，但尝起来是甜的。

The language of truth is simple. 真理的语言是朴素的。

The last five minutes determine the issue. 最后五分钟决定问题。

Laugh and grow. 心宽则体胖。

Lay something to heart 铭记在心

A lazy youth; a lousy age. 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲

lead by the nose 牵着鼻子走

The leaner the dog， the fatter the flea. 狗越瘦，跳蚤越肥。

Learn not and know not. 不学无术

Learn to say before you sing. 先学说，再学唱

Learn even from the enemy. 即使是敌人也可以想他学习。

Learning is a bitter root， but it bears sweet fruit. 学问根苦果甜。

Learning makes a good man better， and an ill man worse. 知识使好人更好，坏人更坏。

Last talk， most work. 少说多干

leave someone in the lurch 不顾别人的安危

lend a hand 助一臂之力

Let another’s shipwreck be your sea-mark. 别人的沉船就是你的航标

Let bygones be bygones. 过去的事就让它过去吧。

Let every man do what he was made for. 人尽其才。

Let one’s hair down 放松一下

let the cat out of the bag 泄漏了秘密；走漏了风声

Let sleeping dogs lie. 不要惹是生非。

Let those who know the way go before. 让识途者先走

Lies have short legs. 谎言腿短

Life that is too short for the happy is too long for the miserable. 生命对幸福者太短，对痛苦者太长。

Life means struggle 生活就意味着斗争

Light burdens far heavy. 远途无轻担

Like another， like book. 有什麽样的作家，就有什麽样的作品。

Like cures like. 以毒攻毒

like a cat on hot bricks 热锅上的蚂蚁

like a red rag to a bull 惹人生气的事

Like father like son. 有其父必有其子

like water off a duck’s back 不起作用

A lion at home， a mouse abroad. 在家是狮子，出门是老鼠。

A lion is known by his claws. 观其爪而知其狮

A little bait catches a large fish. 小本赚大利

a little bird told me 有人私下告诉我

A little child is the sweetest and purest thing in the world. 小孩是世界上最可爱和最纯洁的。

Little drops of water make the mighty ocean. 涓涓细流汇大海

Little goods; little care. 钱财少，不烦恼

Little pot is soon hot. 量小易怒

Little strokes fell great oaks. 滴水穿石

Live and learn 活到老，学到老

Live and let live 自己活也要让别人活

live from hand to mouth 勉强糊口

Live not to eat， but eat to live. 活着不是为了吃，但吃是为了活着

Lock the stable door after the horse is stolen. 亡羊补牢

lock， stock and barrel 全部

Loftiest trees most dread the thunder 最高的树怕雷电

The loftier the building， the deeper the foundation should be laid. 楼越高，地基就下的越深

Look before you leap. 三思而后行

look for a needle in a haystack 海里捞针

look like a dying duck in a thunderstorm 惊慌失措

The lone sheep is in danger of the wolf. 雇羊易落狼口

lord it over somebody 对……发号施令

lose one’s head 失去理智

lose one’s tongue 语塞

lose track 失去联系；不之所在

Losers are always in the wrong. 败者为寇

Lost time is never found again. 光阴一去不复返

Love asks faith， and faith firmness. 爱情要求信任，信任要求坚定。

Love at first sight 一见钟情

Love is neither bought nor sold. 爱情不能买卖

Love is the reward of love. 爱情是对爱的报答

Love me， love my dog. 爱屋及乌

Love me little， love me long. 爱不贵亲密，而贵长久

The love of money grows as the wealth increases. 越富越爱钱

Lying rides upon debt’s back. 借债的人谎言多
M

Mad as a March hare 狂野，激动

make bricks without straw 做无米之炊

make a fool of oneself 出洋相

make a fuss 大惊小怪

make a mountain out of a molehill 小题大做

make do 凑合着用

make both ends meet 使收支相抵

make it 做成了某事

Make hay while the sun shines. 乘热打铁

make one’s hair stand on end 极度恐慌

make one’s mouth water 使人垂涎三尺

make a splash 引起一时的轰动

make short work of 很快做完某事

man and boy 从小到老；一辈子

A man cannot serve two masters. 一仆不能二主

A man of words and not of deeds， is like a garden full of weeds. 光说空话不干事，如同花园长满草

Man proposes; God disposes. 谋事在人；成事在天

Many dishes; many diseases. 食多病多

Many hands make light work. 人多好办事

a mare’s nest 无稽之谈

Marry for money; starve for love. 为金钱结婚；为爱情挨饿

Mean men admire wealth; great men， glory. 庸人爱财富，伟人爱荣誉

measure for measure 以牙还牙

meet one’s Waterloo 一败涂地

mend one’s fences 改善关系

Merry meet; merry part. 好聚好散

Messengers should neither be headed not hanged. 两国相争，不斩来使

Might is right. **即公理

the milk of human kindness 恻隐之心

Mills of God grind slowly. 天网恢恢，疏而不漏

mind one’s P’s and Q’s 慎言谨行

mind one’s own business 少管闲事

Misfortunes never come singly. 祸不单行

Misfortunes tells what is fortune. 不经磨难不知福

A miss is as good as a mile. 差之毫厘，失之千里

Money is the root of evil. 金钱是万恶之源

Money makes the mare go 有钱能使鬼推磨

The moon is moon still， whether it shines or not. 无论明或暗，月亮总是月亮

More haste， less speed. 欲速则不达

The more nearly full the moon is， the more light is gives. 月逾近园，发的光越亮

The more women look in their glass， the less they look to their house. 女人照镜子越多，照管家务就越少

A mountain and a river are good neighbors. 山水禁相连

much ado about nothing 庸人自扰
N

A nail in one’s coffin 催命符

nail someone down 敲定

nail to the pillory 钉在耻辱柱上

naked truth 赤**的真实

A near friend is better than a far-dwelling kinsman. 远亲不如近友

The nearer the bone， the sweeter the flesh. 越是贴骨的肉越香

a near miss 接近成功的失败

Necessity is the mother of invention. 需要是发明之母

neck and neck 不分上下

neither fish nor fowl 不伦不类

Never bow to authority， but always tip your hat. 尊敬权威但不屈服于权威

Never hit a man when he is down. 切勿落井下石

Never offer to teach a fish to swim. 不要班门弄斧

Never put off till tomorrow what you may do today. 不要把今天能做的事拖到明天

never say die 不要悲观

New brooms sweep clean. 新官上任三把火

new wine in old bottles 旧瓶装新酒

Nightingales will not sing in a cage. 关在笼子里，夜莺也不叫

the nineteenth hole 高尔夫俱乐部的酒吧

No autumn fruit without spring blossoms. 没有春天花开，哪来秋天果满枝

No fire without smoke. 有火必有烟

No like is the same. 凡物都有差异

No man is born wise and learned. 人非生而知之

No man is happy but by comparison. 幸福是比较而言的

No man is wise at all times. 智者千虑，必有一失

No news is good news. 没有消息就是好消息

No one is a fool always， everyone sometimes. 没有终生的傻瓜，但人人会做傻事

No pains， no gains. 不劳责无获

no respecter of person* 一视同仁

No root， no fruit. 无根则无果

No rose without a thorn. 玫瑰皆有刺

No sweet without sweat. 没有汗水就没有甜蜜

not a leg to stand on 站不住脚

Nothing seek， nothing find. 无所求则无所获

Not to advance is to go back. 逆水行舟，不进则退

not to mention 更不用说

not turn a hair 不动声色

not worth the salt 无能；不称职

Nothing is difficult to the man who will try. 世上无难事，只要肯尝试

Nothing succeeds like success. 一事成功，事事顺利

Nothing venture， nothing have. 不入虎*，焉得虎子

Nothing worse than a familiar enemy. 家贼难防
O

The observed of all observers 举世瞩目的中心

Obedience is the first duty of a soldier. 军人的天职就是服从

Of nothing comes nothing. 无中不能生有

Of two evils choose the less. 两害相权取其轻

Offense is the best defense. 进攻是最好的防御

Old friends and old wine are best. 陈酒味醇，老友情深

Old love will not be forgotten. 旧情难忘

Old men go to death， death comes to young men. 老年人向死亡走去，死亡向年轻人走来

An old physician and a young lawyer 医生要年老，律师要年轻

The older one grows， the more one learns. 人老见多识广

on the Greek calends 逍遥无期

on one’s toes 准备行动

on pins and needles 如坐针毡

on the spot 当场

on the spur of the moment 一时冲动

on tiptoe 翘首以待

The on-looker sees most of the game. 旁观者清

Once a man， and twice a child. 当大人只有一次，当小孩却能两次

Once bitten， twice shy. 一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳

once in a blue moon 千载难逢

One bee is better than a hundred of flies. 一只蜜蜂胜过百只苍蝇

One boy is more trouble than a dozen girls. 一个男孩带来的麻烦比一打女孩都多

One can not put back the block. 时光不能倒流

One is never too old to learn. 学问不嫌老

One flower makes no garland. 一朵花做不成花环

One good turn deserves another. 善有善报

One hour today is worth two tomorrow. 今天一小时胜过明天两小时

One link broken， the whole chain is broken. 一环裂，全链断。

One man is no man. 个人是渺小的

One man’s story is no story， hear both sides. 兼听则明，偏听则暗

One never loses anything by politeness. 礼多人不怪

One swallow does not make a summer. 一燕不成夏

One today is worth two tomorrow. 一个今天胜过两个明天

one’s cup of tea 一个人的口味

open sesame 芝麻开门

Opinion rules the world. 舆论统治世界

Opportunities do not wait. 机不可失，时不再来

Out of the mouth comes evil. 祸从口出

Out of sight， out of mind. 眼不见，心不烦

out of step 不合拍

out of humor 闷闷不乐

out of sorts 心绪不佳

out of the blue 从天上掉下来

Over shoes， over boots. 一不做，二不休。

Over the greatest beauty hangs the greatest ruin. 红颜多薄命
P

Paddle one’s own canoe 做自己的事

Pain is forgotten where gain follows. 好了疮疤忘了痛

Pain past is pleasure. 痛苦过后是欢乐

paint the lily 画蛇添足

Pardon all but thyself. 原谅别人但不要原谅自己

part and parcel 主要部分

pass the buck 推卸责任

pass muster 基本合格

patience on a monument 极有耐性之人

The path to glory is always rugged. 光同之路长坎坷

pay back in one’s own coin 以其人之道还其人之身

pay lip-service to 口头帮忙

The pen is mightier than the sword. 笔强于剑

Pen and ink is wit’s plough. 笔墨是智慧之犁。

A penny saved is a penny earned. 省一便士等于挣一便士。

Penny-wise and pound-foolish. 小事聪明，大事糊涂。

Perseverance is the only road to success. 不屈不挠是取得胜利的唯一道路

a piece of cake 小事一桩

Plain living， high thinking. 一帆风顺

play ducks and drakes with 挥霍浪费

play fast and loose 反复无常

play for safety 不冒风险

play havoc with 搅乱，破坏

play second fiddle 处于次要地位

Pleasant hours fly past. 好景不长

Please all and you please none. 讨好所有的人结果讨不到好

plough the sand 白费力气

The pot calling the kettle black. 锅嫌壶黑

pour oil on troubled water 平息风波

Poverty is no disgrace. 贫穷不是耻辱

Practice makes perfect. 熟能生巧

Prepare for a rainy day. 未雨绸缪

Prevention is better than cure. 预防胜过治疗

Pride goes before a fall. 骄傲必败

Procrustean bed 人就范之物

A promise is a debt. 许诺等于欠债。欠债要清，许诺要还。

Promise little， but do much. 少许愿，多做事。

Proof is better than argument. 事实胜于雄辩。

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. 吃了布丁才知其味

Prosperity makes friends， and adversity tries them. 顺境交的朋友，逆境接受考验。

Providing is preventing. 有备无患

pull the chestnuts out of the fire 火中取栗--替人冒险

pull one’s leg 开玩笑，捉弄人

pull one’s punches 不用全力

pull one’s weight 竭尽全力pull strings 幕后*纵

The purest gold is the most ductile. 最纯的金最柔软

put the cart before the horse 本末倒置

put on airs 装模作样

put on the screw 施加压力

put one’s cards on the table 摊牌

put a spoke in someone’s wheel 阻挠某人的行动

put two and two together 罗列现象，进行推理
Q

Quality is better than quantity. 质胜于量

a queer fish 怪人

Quick at meal， quick at work. 吃饭快，做事也快。

A quiet con*cience sleeps in thunder. 问心无愧，打雷照睡
R

Rain before seven， fine before eleven. 早晨下雨午前晴。

Rain cats and dogs 大雨倾盆

rank and file 普通一兵，普通老百姓

read between the lines 体会言外之意

Reading makes a full man， conference a ready man， and writing an exact man. 阅读使人渊博，会谈使人机敏，写作使人严谨。

Read one’s mind 直到他人的心思

Reap as one has sown. 种豆得豆，种瓜得瓜

red tape 繁文缛节

Respect a man， he will do the more. 敬人一分，受敬十分。

Rest on one’s laurels 躺在荣誉上睡觉

restless like Ulysses 劳顿不休

return kindness with ingratitude 恩将仇报

Rich man feed， poor man breed. 富人足食，穷人多子。

Riches serve a wise man but command a fool. 财富为聪明人服*，但能支配傻瓜。

Ride the high horse 趾高气扬

rind a bell 唤醒过去

rise from the ashes 从毁灭中再生

rob Peter to pay Paul 拆东墙补西墙；借钱还债

a Roland for an Oliver 势均力敌；针锋相对

roll out the red carpet 热烈欢迎

A rolling stone gathers no moss. 转石不生苔。

Rome was not built in one day. 罗马并非一天建成。

Round the clock 不分昼夜

round-table conference 圆桌会议

royal road 坦途

rub it in 反复讲别人不愿听的事

rub shoulders with 点头之交

rub up the wrong way 倒着毛摸

run one’s head against a stone wall 碰壁

Rust con*umes iron， and envy con*umes itself. 铁锈腐蚀钢铁，妒忌伤害自身。
S

Safe and sound 安然无恙

Safe bind， safe find. 藏的稳，找的准

A saint abroad and a devil at home. 在外是圣人，在家是魔鬼

salt of the earth 社会中坚

The same knife cuts bread and fingers. 同是一把刀，切面包时也会切着手指。

Saving is getting. 节俭等于增加收入。

Saying and doing are two different things. 说和做是两回事

The sands are running out. 时间不多了

Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. 互相奉承

The sea refuses no river. 大海不拒江河

see eye to eye 看法完全一致

see how the cat jumps 观望形势

see how the wind blows 观察风向；了解情况

see the light 恍然大悟

Second thoughts are best 慎思为佳

Seeing is believing. 眼见为实

Seek the truth from the facts. 实事求是

separate the sheep from the goats 区分善恶

serve one right 罪有应得

set the Thames on fire 干大事，做不寻常之事

Ships fear fire more than water. 船怕水，但更怕火。

Shipshape 井井有条

show the cloven hoof 原形毕露

show one’s colours 暴露真面目

show the white feather 胆怯

A shy cat makes a proud mouse. 猫胆子小，老鼠胆大

shylock 不择手段的守财*

Simon Legree 残暴之徒

Simple diet， healthy children. 粗茶淡饭，孩子健康

sink or swim 孤注一掷

Sit above the salt 坐上席，受尊敬

sit on the fence 骑墙，固守中立

sit on a volcano 处境十分危险

sit pretty 处于有利地位；过舒服日子

six and falf dozen 半斤八两

sixth sense 第六感官

skate on thin ice 如旅薄冰

The sky is not less blue because the blind does not see it. 蓝天并不因瞎子看不见而减少

sleep a dog-sleep 打个盹儿

sleep like a log 沉睡不醒

slip of the tongue 说走了嘴

Slanders by many mouths can melt a metal. 众口铄金

Sleep is a thief; it steals half one’s life. 睡眠是贼，他偷走了人的一半生命。

Small gains bring great wealth. 集小利，成巨富。

A small leak will sink a great ship. 小漏不补沉大船

smell a rat 觉得可疑

the smiler with the knife under the cloak 笑里藏刀

snake in the grass 暗藏的危险

A snow year， a rich year. 瑞雪照丰年

So said， so done. 这么说，就这么干

Soft fire makes sweet malt. 文火煮出好麦芽糖，满工出细活

soft soap 奉承话

Sometimes the best gain is to lose. 微损有时获巨利

Soon learnt， soon forgotten. 学的快，忘得也快。

Sooner or later， the truth comes to light. 真相迟早会大白

sore spot 痛处；伤疤

SOS 求救信号

Sow nothing; reap nothing. 不播种，无收获。

Spin a yarn 编造故事

split one’s sides 笑破肚皮

The spoken word cannot be swallowed. 说出的话收不回

A spot is most seen on the finest cloth. 在最精美的布上，污点最容易被发现。

Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. 种下的是风，收获的确是飓风。

Spare the rod and spoil the child. 不用鞭子，宠坏孩子。

Speech is silver; silence is gold. 雄辩是银，沉默是金

speed the parting guest 祝客人一路顺风

The sprit is willing but the flesh is weak. 力不从心

square peg in a round hole 不适合

stand on one’s own feet 自立；不依*他人

Stars are not seen by sunshine. 日出星隐，相形见绌。

Start from scratch 从头开始

start on the wrong foot 迈错第一步

stay put 留在原处

steal one’s thunder 抄袭，模仿

steer clear of 避开

Step by step， the ladder is ascended. 梯子是一级级爬上去的。

Stick one’s neck out 露出破绽，冒风险

A stitch in time saves nine. 一针及时省九针

Still waters run deep. 静水深流。

A stone in the well is not lost. 井里的石头丢不了。

Storm in a tea cup 大惊小怪

strike a bargain 达成协议；成交

Strike while the iron is hot. 趁热打铁

Strong in action; gentle in method. 行动要果断；方法要温和。

Stuff today and starve tomorrow. 今天大吃大喝，明天忍饥挨饿。

Such beef， such broth. 裹上糖衣

suit someone down to the ground 完全合适

Swan song 绝笔；临死哀歌；歌手的告别演出

The swan sings before death. 天鹅临死歌声美

Sweep before your own door. 正人先正己

Sweet discourse make short days and nights. 话若投机嫌日短

Sweet is pleasure after pain. 苦尽甘来
T

Tadpoles will become only frogs. 蝌蚪只能变青蛙

Tailors and writers must mind the fashion. 裁缝重式样，作家重时尚。

Take a back seat 不得意，不重要

Take away fuel， take away flame. 薪尽火自灭

Take care of pence， and the pounds will take care of themselves. 小事注意，大事自成。

Take French leave 不辞而别

Take little but give much. 少索取，多奉献

take potluck 吃家常便饭

take something lying down 善罢甘休

take the bull by the horns 敢冒风险

take the cake 脱颖而出

take time by the forelock 不失时机

take with a grain of salt 不全信

talk big 说大话，吹牛

talk Billingsgate 说脏话

talk the hind leg off a donkey 说的天花乱坠

talk shop 三句话不离本行

tall order 难办的事情

tall story 难以相信的事情

Teach others by your example. 以身作则

Teaching others teaches yourself. 教学相长

tell someone flat 直言相告

That happens in a moment which may not happen in a thousand years. 天有不测风云

That is another pair of shoes. 完全是另一码事。

There are many ways to fame. 成名有许多渠道

There is no medicine against death. 世上没有不老药

There is no royal road to Rome. 学问无坦途

There is no use crying over spilt milk. 覆水难收

There’s no smoke without fire. 无风不起浪

thereby hangs a tale 说来话长

They can do least that boast loudest. 吹牛的人做的最少

Things done can not be undone. 事以定局，无法挽回。

Things unreasonable are never dureable. 是不合理难**

a thorn in the flesh 肉中刺

Those in the same boat should row together. 同舟需共济

Three know it， all know it. 三人知，人人知。

Three scores and ten is the age of man. 七十是人之寿命

the three R’s 基本三会--读、写、算

through thick and thin 不畏艰难困苦

throw cold water on 泼冷水

Throw the baby out with the bath water 不分良莠

Throw a sprat to catch a whale 吃小亏占大便宜

throw up the sponge 认输

thumbs up 赞成

tide over 度过难关

A tiger leaves a skin behind him. 人死留名，虎死留皮。

Time and tide waits for no man. 岁月不等人。

Time cures everything. 时间能抑制一切。

Time flies. 光阴似箭

Time is the father of truth. 时间是真理之父

Time is money. 时间就是金钱

Time tries truth. 实践检验真理。

A timid cat makes a proud mouse. 猫一胆怯，鼠就翻天。

Tit for tat 针锋相对

to and fro 来来往往

To be or not to be : that is the question. 生与死是至关重要的问题

To know oneself is wisdom， to forget oneself is folly. 了解自己是聪明，忘乎所以是愚蠢

Today is yesterday’s pupil. 今天是昨天的学生。

To mention the wolf’s name is to see the same. 说曹*，曹*到。

To one’s taste 和某人的口味

To save time is to lengthen life. 节省时间就是延长生命。

Tomorrow comes never. 明天永远不会到来。

The tongue of idle person is never idle. 人懒话多

Too many cooks spoil the broth. 梢工多了会翻船

Too much humility is pride. 过分谦虚即骄傲

Too much liberty spoils all. 自由过了头，一切会乱套。

Too much pudding will choke a dog. 布丁太多噎死狗。

Too much spoils， too little is nothing. 太多会坏事，太少不济事。

Top dog 大人物The tortoise wins the race while the hare is sleeping. 兔子睡大觉，乌龟跑第一。

The touch of Midas 点金术

touch wood 但愿走好运

True blue will never stain. 纯蓝不染色

True gold fears not the fire. 真金不怕火炼。

True love is giving， not taking. 珍爱是给于，不是索取。

Trust not a new friend， nor an old enemy. 不轻信新知，也不轻信宿敌

Truth conquers all things. 真理能战胜一切

Truth needs not many words. 真理无许多言

Truth will prevail. 真理必胜。

Try before you trust. 先考验，后信任。

Turn a blind eye 视而不见

turn a deaf ear 听而不闻

turn one’s head 趾高气扬

turn an honest penny 老老实实挣钱

turn over a new leaf 弃旧迎新，重新开始

turn tail and run 掉头就跑

Two can play at the game. 你耍的花招别人也会

Two dogs over one bone seldom agree. 两狗一骨，必有一争。

Two eyes can see more than one. 一人不及两人智

Two heads are better than one. 人多智广。

Two wrongs do not make a right. 两个错误不等于一个正确。
U

Ugly duckling 丑小鸭

An ugly woman dreads the mirror. 丑妇怕照镜子

under the hammer 被拍卖

under one’s nose 在眼皮底下

Under water， famine; under snow， bread. 洪水造饥荒；瑞雪照丰年

under way 在进行中

under the weather 身体不适

Unequal marriages are seldom happy. 不平等的婚姻不会幸福。

United we stand， divided we fall. 团结则存，分裂则亡。

Unpleasant advice is a good medicine. 逆耳之言是良药。

Up corn， down horn. 谷贵则肉*

ups and downs 沉浮；兴衰

up to scratch 达到标准

upset the apple cart 美梦破灭

Use a book as a bee does a flower. 用书如蜜蜂采蜜

The used key is always bright. 常用的钥匙不生锈。
V

Vain glory blossoms but never bears. 虚荣开花不结果

Velvet paws hide sharp claws. 柔软的脚蹼里藏着利爪。

Venture a small fish to catch a great one. 欲钓大鱼，先舍小鱼。

The vicar of Bray 见风使舵之人

Victory of defeat. 不成功，便失败。

Virtue is fairer far than beauty. 美德远胜过美貌。

A voice in the wildness. 荒野的呼声

The voice of the people is the voice of God. **之声就是上帝之音。

Vows made in storms are forgotten in calms. 激动时发的誓言，平静时便忘却。
W

Walls have ears. 隔墙有耳

Want is a severe but efficient teacher. 贫苦是严厉而教导有方的教师

Want is the mother of industry. 贫困是勤劳之母

Want of wit is worse than want of wealth. 无知比贫穷更糟糕

War is death’s feast. 战争是死亡的宴席。

Wash one’s dirty linen in public 当中出丑

wash one’s hands 洗手不干；不再管某人或谋事

Water can not turn backward. 河水不能倒流

The way to be safe is never to feel secure. 警惕才能安全。

The way to heaven is alike in every place. 上天堂的路，到处都一样。

Wealth is the test of a man’s character. 财富是人品的试金石

wear and tear 消耗，磨损

wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve 光明磊落

We are not born for ourselves. 人生天地间，并非为自己

We can not see the wood for the tree. 不能见树不见林

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. 井干方知水贵

We shall lie all alike in our grave. 躺在坟墓里，人人都一样。

Weeds want no sowing. 野草不必栽种

Well begun is half done. 好的开端是成功的一半

wet blanket 扫兴的事

wet behind the ears *臭未干

What can’t be cured must be endured. 无法医治的病只好忍受。

What’s done can’t be undone. 事已定局，无法挽回。

What is done by night appears by day. 夜晚做的是白天会暴露

What is learned in the cradle is carried to the grave. 幼年学的，终生不忘。

What’s lost is lost. 失者不可复得

What you have to do， do without delay. 非干不可的事，就得立刻做。

What the heart thinks the tongue speaks. 言为心声。

What’s lost is lost. 失者不可复得

When the cat’s away， the mice will play. 猫儿不在，老鼠成精。

When the fox preaches， take care of your geese. 狐狸讲道，鹅要当心。

When Greek meets Greek， then comes the tug of war. 两强相遇，必有一斗。

When gun speaks， it is too late to argue. 大一响，谈判已晚。

When a man is going sown hill， everyone will give him a push. 一人走下坡，人人推一把。

When the moon is at its full， it begins to wane. 月盈则亏。

When one will not， two cannot quarrel. 一人不愿，两人难吵。

When the owl sings， the nightingale will hold her peace. 猫头鹰唱歌，夜莺屏息。

When shepherds quarrel， the wolf has a winning game. 鹬蚌相争，渔人得利。

When a thing is done advice comes too late. 事情做过后，忠告也晚了。

When war begins ， hell opens. 战争一开始，地域门便开。

When wine sinks， words swim. 三杯酒下肚，开始说胡话。

When the wolf grows old， the crows ride him. 狼老遭乌鸦欺

When you make new friends， don’t forget the old ones. 有了新交，不忘旧友。

Where bees are， there is honey. 哪里有蜜蜂，哪里就有蜂蜜。

Where drums beat， laws are silent. 战鼓一响，法律无声。

Where light is， there shadow is. 那里有光，哪里就有影子

Where there is smoke， there is fire. 有烟就有火。

Where there is a will， there is a way. 有志者，是竟成。

While there is life， there is hope. 有生命就有希望。

White elephant 无用之物

white lie 无害的谎言

Who keeps company with the wolf， will learn to howl. 跟狼在一起，就会学狼嗥。

Who knows most says least. 知道最多的人说的最少。

Who makes friends of all keeps none. 滥交友者无友。

The wife is the key of the house. 妻子是家庭的关键。

Willy-nilly 愿意还是不愿意

wind someone round one’s finder 任意摆弄

Wine and judgement are mature with age. 酒老味醇，人老识深。

Wine and wenches empty men’s purse. 酒和美色使人倾家荡产。

Wisdom is more precious than wealth. 智慧胜过财富。

Wisdom is to the mind what health is to the body. 智慧之于心灵正如健康之于身体。

Wise men have their mouths in their hearts， fools their hearts in their mouths. 知着嘴在心里，愚者心在嘴里。

Wise men seek instruction; fools fall for applause. 聪明人寻找指教，愚蠢人想听赞美。

The wise man is always a good listener. 智者善听人言。

Wit without learning is like a tree without fruit. 光有才智无学识，如同果树不结果。

Wit and will strive for the victory. 智慧和意志是胜利的保证。

With might and main 全力以赴

with one’s tail between one’s legs 夹着尾巴；垂头丧气

Without a friend， the world is a wilderness. 没有朋友，世界成了荒野。

Without money， without tear. 没有钱，就没有忧虑。

Words are like bees， they have honey and a sting. 言语像蜜蜂，有蜜也有刺。

Words fly， writings remain. 言语飞逝，著作长存。

The world is a ladder for some to go up and some down. 人世如梯子，有人上去有人下来。

The world is an inn， and death is the journey’s end. 世界好比旅馆，死亡是旅程的终端。

Work while you work， play while you play. 工作的时候工作，玩耍的时候玩耍。

Work won’t kill but worry will. 劳动无害，忧虑伤身。

Worship the golden calf 见钱眼开

Wrangle for an ass’s shadow 无意义的争吵

the writing on the wall 不祥之兆

worth one’s salt 称职
Y

Years bring wisdom. 年岁带来智慧

Years know more than books. 岁月比书本知道的多。

Yesterday will not be called again. 昨日不再来。

You cannot be lost on a straight road. 走直路，不迷途。

You cannot eat your cake and have it. 事难两全。

You can not make a crab walk straight. 不要强人所难。

You may take a horse to the water， but you cannot make him drink. 不能强人所难。

You never know what you can do till you try. 时间才知真本领。

Youth look forward and age backward. 青年人展望未来，老年眷恋过去。
Z

Zeal without prudence is frenzy. 热情而不审慎等于狂热。

Zero hour 发动进攻的时刻；决定性的时刻；零点。