Lesson 6 IDIOMS?英文釋義

It's about time

→?It's finally happening (often used to express frustration that something is late in happening)

Example: Brian finally got a job??It's about time. He's been hanging around the house for over a year.

(to) get held up

→?to be delayed

Example: Sorry I'm late. I?got held up?in a meeting.

(to) go downhill

→?to worsen; to become bad

Example: The service at this hotel has really?gone downhill. They don't even help you with your luggage anymore.

packed to the rafters

→?very crowded; overcrowded

Example: The Retox Rock Bar in New York is always?packed to the rafters?on Saturday nights.

(to) pick up the tab

→?to pay the bill

Example: You paid last time we went out for lunch. Let me?pick up the tab?this time.

like hell

→?no way (say this when you want to refuse strongly or to disagree strongly with what's just been said)

Example: "Jeff says he already paid you back." - "Like hell?he did!"

Note 1: This is considered to be strong language by some.

Note 2: This expression can also be used to:

1) Express intensity: We tried?like hell?to win.

2) Say somebody looks bad: She looked?like hell?after staying up all night.

(to) break one's date

→?to cancel a date

Example: Sorry to?break our date, but I can't make it to the movies tonight.

(to) split up

→?to end a romantic relationship; to get divorced

Example: Did you hear the news? Laura and Tony have?split up!

plain Jane

→?a plain-looking girl or woman; a female who's not very attractive

Example: "Is Rich's new girlfriend pretty?" - "No, to tell you the truth, she's a?plain Jane."

it pays to

→?it's worth it; it's a good idea to

Example: Although the restaurant was very crowded, we got seated right away.?It pays to?be friends with the owner!

Don't go there

→?I don't want to talk about that

Example: "Why did you lose your job?" - "Don't go there."

Note: You may also hear the variation "I don't want to go there"

touchy subject

→?a sensitive issue; a topic that is likely to bring out emotions in people

Example: Don't ask Joy how old she is. Age is a?touchy subject?for her.