常用英语口语Idioms 05《More Speak English Li...

Lesson 5 IDIOMS 英文释义

I'm afraid

→ I'm sorry to say (usually said before giving somebody bad news)

Example: I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to make it to your house for dinner on Friday night.

Example: "Can you attend the conference?" - "I'm afraid not."

(to) cost a small fortune

→ to be very expensive

Example: We tried to do it as cheaply as possible, but remodeling our kitchen ending up costing a small fortune.

(to) back out

→ to cancel a plan; to refuse to do something already agreed to

Example: You said you'd host the group of 10 visiting dancers from Russia. Don't try to back out now.

at the eleventh hour

→ at the last minute; right before an activity is to happen

Example: I'm sorry to cancel at the eleventh hour, but I'm not going to be able to drop you off at the airport this afternoon.

something came up

→ an unexpected activity or obligation has arisen (often used when you need to cancel another plan and you don't want to say exactly why)

Example: I know I promised to take you to San Francisco next weekend, but something came up.

(to) get out of it

→ to free oneself from an obligation or activity

Example: What do you mean you can't take me to the movies tonight? You promised me a week ago you'd take me. Don't try to get out of it!

in bad shape

→ not doing well, either physically or mentally

Example: Kevin was in bad shape after the car accident.

Example: After her dog died, Heidi was in bad shape.

(to) make it up to you

→ to do something nice for you (said when you have to cancel an arrangement and want to offer to make the same or similar arrangement in the future)

Example: Sorry I have to cancel our trip to London, but let me make it up to you. I'll take you to New

York next weekend.

how about

→ what if; let me

Example: I don't like the ballet. How about we go to the opera instead?

(to) treat someone to (dinner, lunch, drinks, etc.)

→ to take somebody to a meal, etc., at one's own expense

Example: I'd like to treat you to dinner on Saturday.

PO'ed

→ angry; annoyed

Example: When Amanda found out that her boyfriend Tyler had invited Megan to the school dance, she was really PO'ed.

Note: This slang term is short for "pissed off" and is considered vulgar by some.

(to) take someone up on an offer

→ to accept an offer

Example: You're willing to translate this report into Spanish? Okay, I'll take you up on your offer.