久違的英文成語又來了，本周來學好玩的十個成語。10 Funniest English Idioms to brighten up your day! 學會成語勝過背單字呵呵。

 

本周教練分享的十個成語，都是常用且有趣的，除了解釋中文的意思之外，還幫每個成語造句，讓你曉得如何使用。

1. The lights are on, but nobody's home

這個成語表達的是愚蠢的、反應遲鈍或腦筋不太靈光的意思。這個英文成語的字面意思是「燈亮著，但卻沒人在家」，乍看之下很難讓人與這個成語真正的意思產生任何腦殘的聯想。其實這句話源於美國，至少 1970 年代就開始出現，一直使用至今，它於 1974 年首次出現在印刷品中，在 Jason A. Colquitt 所著的《Organizational Behavior》一書中被提及。要注意的是，這個成語有時使用單數，即 The light is on but nobody’s home，而無論lights 或 light 的前面，都會使用定冠詞 the。

接下來看例句：

• Mary is not a very bright girl; As a matter of fact, the lights are on but nobody is home! (形容人腦殘)
• John studied interior design, but the light is on but nobody’s home. (形容人很兩光，對...不在行)

2. When pigs fly

這句話很像中文說的那句太陽打西邊出來，表達「絕對不可能」的意思。

• Money will grow on trees when pigs fly!
• A: I know Chloe is stubborn, but she might change her mind eventually.
  B: Yes, and pigs might fly!

3. To have Van Gogh's ear for music 

這句成語的意思是音痴或是五音不全。因為梵谷擅長的從來都不是音樂啊。所以有人這樣說你可別高興得太早，這不是一句讚美的話。

• My audition for the choir didn't go too well because the judges said I had Van Gogh's ear for music. 

4. To pig out 

這個成語的意思是大吃特吃，狼吞虎嚥的飽餐一頓。

• Spring Festival is a time when people often pig out.
• My friend and I went to an all-you-can-eat buffet and pigged out!

5. Everything but the kitchen sink

這句成語的意思是「幾乎所有的東西」。

• We are only going camping for two nights, but my mother insists on taking everything but the kitchen sink. 
• A: Did you bring everything we need to the campsite?  B: Yes, everything but the kitchen sink. 

6. To put a sock in it

這個成語的意思是要人安靜別出聲。

• Hey, put a sock in it, will you? I'm trying to work here. 

7. To have a cast iron stomach

這個成語就是字面的意思，鐵打的胃，意味著什麼東西都能吃。

• Chloe has a cast iron stomach - she can eat anything. 

8. To drink like a fish

這個成語的意思可不是說像魚一樣的喝水，而是指某人喝酒喝到過量，豪飲或狂飲都可以這樣用。 

• Chloe went to her high school reunion dinner party last night and she really drank like a fish.

9. Use your loaf

要人多用腦筋，可以這樣說。通常都是在被對方不經大腦思考的輕率白痴行為搞怒了之後會這樣講。

• Hey, you're not supposed to eat food in the studio. It's a really bad idea - you could damage the equipment. Oh no - look! There's salad and mayonnaise all over the recording desk! Chloe, use your loaf!

10. Finger-lickin' good 

通常用來形容東西好吃到爆。好吃到要把手指頭都舔乾淨。

• These fried chickens are finger-licking/lickin' good.