商务英语口语 Lesson 19《Speak Business Engl...

Lesson 19 IDIOMS 英文释义

• in a snit: in a bad mood; angry
• EXAMPLE: No wonder Donna's in a snit. She just found out she didn't get the promotion she was expecting.
• (to be or to get) bent out of shape: to be or to get very angry about something
• EXAMPLE: When Nick's boss told him he couldn't take two weeks off for a vacation, he got bent out of shape.
• (to) give somebody an earful: to say what you really think, in detail (usually criticism and often more than the other person wants to hear)
• EXAMPLE: When Doug showed up for work late again, his boss gave him an earful.
• (to) push one's buttons: to annoy someone; to make someone angry
• EXAMPLE: Liz pushes my buttons with her bossy behavior.
• (to) steer clear of somebody or something: to avoid or stay away from someone or something
• EXAMPLE: Ray is on a low-carb diet. He needs to steer clear of bread and pasta and other foods high in carbohydrates.
• hot-head: a bad tempered or very moody person; a violent person
• EXAMPLE: Don't feel bad that Tim yelled at you. He's a real hot-head, and he yells at people all the time.
• not a bad guy: an okay person (usually used when you don't really like somebody, but you want to say that they're basically not a bad person)
• EXAMPLE: Tim does have a bad temper, but he's not a bad guy.
• (to) have (some) issues: to have some personality problems (a vague way of saying that somebody is not quite right in some way)
• EXAMPLE: Unfortunately, Denise can be difficult to work with. She has some issues.
• (to) have a chip on one's shoulder: to remain angry about a past insult; to bear a grudge
• EXAMPLE: Ever since Mike was told he had to leave his office and move into a cubicle, he's had a chip on his shoulder.
• ORIGIN: This expression comes from the 19th century. Those looking for a fight placed a chip on their shoulder. If an opponent knocked it off, the fight was on. Although that custom has ended, we still say an angry person has a chip on his or her shoulder.
• (to be or to get) on one's high horse: to have an arrogant or superior attitude; to think one has all the answers
• EXAMPLE: Hank's on his high horse again, telling everybody around him how to behave.
• NOTE: You'll also hear the related expression: "Get off your high horse!" meaning to stop acting arrogant or superior.
• (to) grin and bear it: to put up with it; to pretend it doesn't bother you
• EXAMPLE: I know you don't like traveling with your boss, but it'll just be a short trip. Just grin and bear it.
• NOTE: "Grin" is another word for smile. "Bear" is to endure or tolerate.
• (to) get under one's skin: to bother; to irritate; to annoy
• EXAMPLE: Your boss is certainly annoying, but don't let him get under your skin!