英语习语谚语集锦 13页

英语习语一、Idioms的定义：广义的idioms包括：1.setphrase短语，2.proverbs谚语，3.sayings俗语,4.epigrams警句，5.slang俚语，6.colloquialisms口语，7.quotations名言/语录，8.two-partallegoricalsayings寓言9.allusions典故汉语中包括：1.成语setphrases，2.谚语proverbs，3.俗语colloquialism,4.歇后语allegoricalsaying二、英语idioms的来源1．FromtheBible圣经故事:1)Castpearlsbeforeswine对牛弹琴；白费好意这个成语源自《新约。马太福音》第7章：“Givenotthatwhichisholyuntothedogs,neithercastyeyourpearlsbeforeswine,lesttheytramplethemundertheirfeet,andturnagainandrendyou”.2）Don’tyouseethewritingonthewall?难道你没有看出大难临头了吗？（writingonthewall意为“不详之兆”，典出《旧约全书》）2.Fromthefables寓言故事:1)VeperandFile出自《伊索寓言》，说的是一条蝰蛇（Viper）发现一把铁锉（File），以为是一顿美餐。但铁锉说，它的天职是咬别人，而不是被别人咬。后人借此比喻“骗人者反受人骗”，汉译时要作直译或意译处理。2)killthegoosetogettheeggs，源于希腊寓言，说的是曾有一个乡下人，因为发财心切杀死了自己饲养的那只能下金蛋的鹅，以为如此就可一次获得全部想象中的金块，但其结果一无所获。3．Fromfairytales神话故事：1)raincatsanddogs，源于北欧神话，猫对天气有很大影响，英国水手至今说：“猫尾巴藏大风”。据说驾暴风雨的巫士化为猫形。狗是风的信号，狗和狼都是暴风雨神奥丁的随从。在德国古画中，风被画成狗头和狼头。因此，猫被年作暴雨的象征，狗是伴随暴雨的强风，toraincatsanddogs就是torainheavily/hard，汉译便为“下倾盆大到雨”。2)Analthea’shorn，汉译常为“丰饶的羊角”。阿玛尔忒亚（Amalthea），希腊祖籍中一神女，是宙斯（Zeus为主神，相当于罗马神话中的朱庇特Jupiter）的保姆。婴儿时宙斯由神女阿玛尔忒亚喂以羊乳。为了感思，宙斯敲下一羊角送给她。许诺让羊角主人永远丰饶。  3)theswordofDamocles达摩克利斯的剑，临头的危险（希腊神话，廷臣达摩克利斯羡慕国王狄奥尼修斯的国王生活，国王于是用一根头发将一把到件剑悬挂在王位上，让达摩克利斯坐在上面）4。Fromhistoryallusion/legend历史典故/传说1)burnone’sboats（bridges），此成语中的bridges为美国人所使用，原指古罗马朱力斯·凯撒大军乘船越过Rubicon后就把船烧了，以此向士兵指明后路已断，不可能后退。现借用来比喻“不留后路，下定决心干到底”，同汉语的“破釜沉舟“。 2）Leavenostoneunturned，相传公元前447年波斯奖军马多尼奥斯在希腊的普拉蒂亚兵败被杀后，留下一大批财宝在军帐里。底比斯的波利克拉特斯搜寻却一无所获，请示德尔斐神谕后知道要“翻转所有的石头”，最后找到了财宝。现借此比喻想方设法等，汉译为“千方百计，想尽办法”3）aSpartanlook简朴的;艰苦的（古希腊斯巴达人以简朴和不畏艰辛著称）4）aTrojanHorse内奸,暗藏之敌5）theheelofAchilles致命的弱点6）GordianKnot难题；僵局7）haveanaxetogrind别有用心,另有企图5.Fromliteratureworks文学作品:1)SimonLegree“残暴之徒，尖酸刻薄、好吹毛求疵的人”SimonLegree是美国女作家斯陀夫人所著《汤姆大伯的小屋》一书中管黑奴的工头，此人既凶狠又尖酸刻薄，将心地善良的汤姆大伯活活打死。2)Lifeisbutanemptydream，其汉译为“人生如梦”。源于美国诗人Longfellow的诗文13 3)asbusyasabee(FromChaucer"sCanterburyTales)4）Catch-22situation不可逾越的障碍（源自美国作家约瑟夫·赫勒的小说Catch-22）6.Fromsocialcustom社会风俗:1)afeatherinyourcap，汉译为“值得荣耀的事、荣誉”。源于广泛流行于亚洲和美洲印第安人当中的一种风俗：每杀死一个敌人就在头饰或帽子上加插一根羽毛，以此来显示战绩与荣誉。 2)haveaballatone’sfoot，汉译为“有成功的机会”，源于足球运动。3）Whenyouaredown,youarenotnecessarilyout.遇到挫折，并不一定丧失成功的机会。（拳击规则，被击倒还有10秒可爬起来）三、汉语成语的分类：1．联合式：山盟海誓，粗枝大叶，昂首阔步，2．动宾式：为所欲为，闻所未闻，3．主谓式：盛气凌人，想入非非，心怀叵测，忠心耿耿，自惭形秽，4．偏正式：泰然自若，洋洋得意（得意洋洋），小心翼翼，半途而废，奋不顾身，泰然处之，5．连动式：投笔从戎，见异思迁，挖肉补疮，触类旁通，无地自容，6．兼语式：引狼入室，调虎离山，7．紧缩式：脍炙人口联合结构：不学无术，四、Idioms的翻译方法：1．直译法：按原语字面意义翻译（异化译法）1）killtwobirdswithonestone一石双鸟2)Forbidden fruit is sweet.禁果格外香。3)Friends are thieves of time.朋友是时间的窃贼。4)Truth is the daughter of time. 真理是时间的女儿。5)One swallow does not make a summer.一燕不成夏。 1)薛蟠也来上学，不过是三日打鱼，两日晒网。XuePanenrolledasastudent.Buthewaslikethefishermanwhofishesforthreedaysandthensunshisnetfortwo”…2)他对乡里的情况，了如指掌。Hekneweverythingaboutthetownshiplikethebackofhishand.3)旁边一人鼓掌大笑曰：“此事易如反掌，何必多议？”（《三国演义》）Thenoneofthoseabouthimsuddenlyclappedhishands,crying,Ït’saseasyasturningoverone’shand!Whysomuchtalk?”4)他这一去如石沉大海，再无消息。Heleftlikeastonedroppedintotheseaandhasneverbeenheardof.6)这工作花了我九牛二虎之力。Theworkcostmethestrengthofninebullsandtwotigers.7）中国有句古话是这样说的：“山不在高，有仙则名；水不在深，有龙则灵。”AnancientChinesesayinggoesthat“Anymountaincanbefamouswiththepresenceofanimmortal,andanyrivercanbeholywiththepresenceofadragon.”7)山不在高，有仙则名"Nomatterhowhighthemountainis,itsnamewillspreadfarandwideifthereisafairy;"8）城门失火，殃及池鱼。Afireonthecitywallbringsdisastertothefishinthemoat.9)木已成舟Thewoodisalreadymadeintoaboat.10）十年树木，百年树人。Ittakestenyearstogrowtrees,butonehundredyearstorearpeople.It takes three generations to make a gentleman.(套译)画饼充饥todrawacaketosatisfyone’shunger犬马之劳toservelikeadogorahorse声东击西toshoutintheeastandstrikeinthewest刻骨铭心tobeengravedonone’sheartandbones井底之蛙tobelikeafrogatthebottomofawell13 调虎离山tolurethetigerfromthemountain口蜜腹剑tobehoney-mouthedanddagger-hearted2.意译法1）There is a skeleton in the cupboard.家家有本难念的经。(thefamilyskeleton/theskeletoninthecupboard家丑)2）The die is cast.木已成舟。 3）Experience must be bought.吃一堑，长一智。5）Let the cat out of the bag.泄漏天机。6）Put the cart before the horse.本末倒置。7）The eye is bigger than the belly.贪多嚼不烂。8）WhenGreekmeetsGreek,thencomesthetugofwar.两雄相争,其斗必烈。/张飞杀岳飞，杀得满天飞9）getthesack（Tobedismissedfromajob，tobetoldtoleaveyourjob）解雇①Hegotthesackwhentheyfoundoutthathe"dliedabouthisqualifications.②Afteronly2weeksshewasgiventhesackforbeingrudetoacustomer.takeaFrenchleave不辞而别breaktheice打破僵局（沉默、拘束）drivepigtothemarket鼾声如雷undertherose，秘密地、私下地baker’sdozen一打零一、十三keepone’snosedowntothegrindstone埋头苦干1)他把老谢的话一五一十告诉了邓秀梅。HerecountedeverythingLaoXiehadsaidindetailtoDengXiumei.2)你要有个三长两短，我也不想活了.Ifanythingshouldhappentoyou,Idon’twanttolive.3)木已成舟，也只好如此了。What’sdoneisdone,andcan’tbeundone.4)“你真是不到黄河心不死”,她低声说,无可奈何地摇摇头。(《寒夜》)“Youreallydorefusetogiveuntilallhopeisgone.”Shemurmured,shakingherheadhelplessly6)我对他简直佩服得五体投地。Isimplyadmirehimfromthebottomofmyheart.7）你这人真是“狗嘴里长不出象牙”。Afilthymouthcannotutterdecentlanguage.Youarereallysuchaperson.8）他初出茅庐，没有什么经验。Heisagreenhand.9)祸兮福所依，福兮祸所伏fortuneormisfortunemayleadtotheopposite（直译：misfortunesmaypromisefortuneswhilefortunesmaypromisemisfortunes）两袖清风toremainuncorrupted望子成龙---toexpectone"ssontobecomeagreatpersonage3.借译（套译）法：套用目的语现成的成语、谚语、熟语（归化译法）1)Every potter praises his pot.王婆卖瓜，自卖自夸。9)holdawolfbytheears骑虎难下2)Afterpraisingthewinetheysellusvinegar.挂羊头卖狗肉10)hangbyahair千钧一发3)tocastpearlsbeforeswine对牛弹琴/明珠投暗11）killtwobirdswithonestone一箭双雕4）killthegoosethatlaystheeggs沙鸡取卵/竭泽而渔12）showtheclovenhoof露出马脚5）Sixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother半斤八两13）aysixesandsevens乱七八糟、6）Time tries all.路遥知马力，日久见人心。14）tolaughoffone’shead笑掉大牙7）It is easy to be wise after the event.事后诸葛亮好当。8）The pot calls the kettle black.五十步笑百步。15）Rome is not built in a day.冰冻三尺，非一日之寒。16）Too much knowledge makes the head bald.学问太多催人老/聪明的头脑不长毛。17）Twoiscompanybutthreeisnone.一个和尚挑水喝，两个和尚没水喝。13 18）You cannot eat your cake and have it.鱼与熊掌，不可得兼。19）Be just to all,but trust not all.害人之心不可有，防人之心不可无。 20）Foolsrushinwhereangelsfeartotread.初生牛犊不怕虎。21）我没有想到他对同志们的批评竟充耳不闻。Ididn’texpecthimtoturnadeafeartothecomrade’scriticism.22)又要马儿好，又要马儿不吃草.Youcan’teatyourcakeandhaveit!23)难怪他数学那么好，他父母都是大学教授。“龙生龙，凤生凤，老鼠生儿打地洞”嘛！Nowonderheisgoodatmaths---hisparentsareprofessorsofmaths.“Likefather,likeson.”indeed.24)酒后吐真言Truthliesatthebottomofadecanter./Inwinethereistruth.Winein,truthout.（三杯下肚，真话出口。）25)遗憾的是我们的呼吁如石沉大海。Itisregrettablethatourappealremainedadeadletter.。26)三思而后行。Lookbeforeyouleap.(直译：Thinktwiceandthendoit.)44)吃一堑，长一智afallinpit,againinwit;experienceteaches/Experience must be bought.27)不入虎穴，焉得虎子Nothingventure,nothinghave.28)有眼不识泰山Entertainanangelunawares.良机勿失。Make hay while the sun shines.贪多嚼不烂。The eye is bigger than the belly.如坐针毡likeafishoutofwater过河拆桥kickdowntheladder水中捞月tofishintheair不辞而别takeaFrenchleave洗心革面turnoveranewleaf小题大做makeamountainoutofamolehill赴汤蹈火gothroughfireandwater木已成舟。The die is cast. （直译：What’sdoneisdone.）鼾声如雷drivepigtothemarket①Iheardyoudrivingyourpigstomarketlastnight②“Thewholehouseshookwhenyoudroveyourpigstomarket,”Mrs.Leungsaidtoherhusband.“你打鼾时，整座房子都在晃动。”梁太太对丈夫说。洗耳恭听allears①Goaheadandexplain,I’mallears.=Goaheadandexplain,Iamfullylistening.你解释吧，我洗耳恭听。乳臭未干bewetbehindtheear没有经验的；无知的①Forgiveher,she’sstillwetbehindtheears!原谅她吧，她毕竟还不成熟老练。左右为难/进退维谷/骑虎难下/进退两难/无所适从/莫衷一是/腹背受敌betweenthedevilanddeepsea/betweentwofires/betweenScyllaandCharybdis/holdawolfbytheear/withone’sbacktothewall/stickinthemud4.增补法：A.直译加解释:1）abullinachinashop公牛闯进瓷器店──肆意捣乱/一动就闯祸2）toshedcrocodiletears流鳄鱼眼泪──假慈悲3)Thebestfishswim(are)nearthebottom.好鱼居水底--有价值的东西不能轻易得到。4）Fishbeginstostinkattheend.鱼要腐烂头先烂--上梁不正下梁歪。5）拔苗助长trytohelptheshootsgrowbypullingthemupward—spoilthingsbyexcessiveenthusiasm6）盲人瞎马Ablindmanonablindhorse—rushingheadlongtodisaster.7）黄鼠狼给鸡拜年Theweaselgoestopayhisrespecttothehen--notwiththebestofintention./GreekgiftB.意译加解释:1）throwinthesponge认输，投降（注：若拳击运动员的副手把擦身用的海绵抛向空中，则表示这个运动员认输因而不进入下一轮比赛。）2）pouroilontroubledwaters平息风波，息事宁人（注：传说航海遇到风浪时，若把油倒进海里，可起到使海浪平息的作用。）13 D.直意结合:1)初生牛犊不怕虎anewborncalfisn’tafraidofthetiger;ayoungsterisadaredevil2)磨刀不误砍柴工sharpeningyourknifewon’twasteyourtimeforcuttingyourfaggot;preparationmayquickentheprocess4)人不可貌相，海水不可斗量•don’tjudgeamanbyhisappearanceanddon’tmeasuretheseawithadouorbucket;hemaybemorecapablethanhelooks;amanmayhavemorepotentialthanyouknow5)老马识途•anoldhorserecognizesthewayback;anoldhandisagoodguide•6)生姜还是老的辣oldgingerprovesmorepungent;anoldhandhasmoreexperience7)不怕一万，就怕万一notafraidoftenthousandsbutafraidofaten-thousandth;alwayspreparedfortheunexpectedriskinamilliondoings;takeeverycarejustincaseE.为了意思完整而加词：:1）Alittlepotissoonhot壶小易热,量小易怒。2）Lockthestabledoorafterthehorseisstolen.亡羊补牢，为时已晚3）A rolling stone gathers no moss.滚石不生苔，转业不聚财4）Everybirdlikesitsownnest.鸟爱自己的巢,人爱自己的家。5．减译法汉语中有许多语义重复的成语，重复部分省去不译。如：打躬作揖、经久耐用、鬼鬼祟祟（stealthily/sneakaround）、断断续续（disjointedly）、慌里慌张（beflustered）、糊里糊涂(confused)等。1）冷淡的阳光照着他们愁眉苦脸和长发白眼。Thecold,palesunlightfellontheirgloomyfaces,longhairandlusterlesseyes.2）忽然有人在牡丹亭畔，长吁短叹。Suddenlyheheardarustleinthepeonypavilionandsomeonesighingdeeply.3）“这断子绝孙的阿Q！“远远地听得小尼姑的带哭的声音。（鲁迅《阿Q正传》）“AhQ,mayyoudiesonless!”soundedthelittlenun’svoicetearfullyinthedistance.４）在长期的革命历程中，个民主当派与中国共产党同呼吸共命运。IntheprotractedprocessoftheChineserevolution,thevariousdemocraticpartiesshardacommonfatewiththeChineseCommunistParty.5)那条小径曲曲折折通向山顶。Thepathzigzagsupthehill.6）创一溜服务，迎四海佳宾。Firstclassservicetoallguests.（*Welcomingourhonoredguestsfromallovertheworldwiththefirst-classservice.）粗枝大叶careless/carelessly，南腔北调amixedaccent狼吞虎咽towolfsthdown,同心同德withonemind,清规戒律taboos/regulations,惊心动魄soul-stirring,五、成语故事（典故）翻译：（一）意译法：familyskeleton/skeletoninthecupboard(closet)家丑①Manyoldfamilieshaveanumberofskeletonsintheirclosetswhichtheyareloathtodiscuss（许多古老的家族中有很多秘密，他们不愿谈及这些话题。）毛遂自荐tovolunteerone’sservice叶公好龙professedloveofwhatonereallyfears东施效颦crudeimitationwithludicrous南柯一梦afonddreamorillusoryjoy四面楚歌tobebesiegedonallsides//.beutterlyisolated/beindesperatestrain罄竹难书(ofcrime)toonumeroustomention初出茅庐atthebeginningofone’scareer/youngandinexperienced倾城倾国tobeexceedinglybeautiful悬梁刺股tobeextremelyhard-workinginone’sstudy风声鹤唳beseizedwithimaginaryfears13 亡羊补牢tomendthefoldafterasheepislost南辕北辙togosouthbydrivingone’schariotnorth削足适履tocut/whittledownthefeettofittheshoes缘木求鱼toclimbupatreetolookforfish指鹿为马totalkblackintowhite1）“…高鼻子‘助桀为虐’，真可恨！”蒋翊武咬紧牙关狠狠地哼了一声。（李六如《六十年变迁》）ChiangYe-wusworebetweenhisclenchedteeth:“…thoseforeigndevilsarereallyahatefulcrowd,addingbadtoworse!”2)庆父不死，鲁难未已。Therewillalwaysbetroubleuntilthetrouble-makerisremoved.(直译:UntilQinFuisdoneawaywith,thecrisisinthestateofLuwillnotbeover.)3)此地无银三百两。Aguiltypersongiveshimselfawaybyconspicuouslyprotestinghisinnocence.(直译:No300taelsofsilverburiedhere.)4)今年高考他又名落孙山了。Thisyearhefailedagainintheentranceexaminationsforcollegestudents情人眼里出西施Beautyisintheeyeofthebeholder/lover./Beauty lies in the love’s eyes.（二）套译法：tomeetone’sWaterloo一败涂地Let the cat out of the bag.泄漏天机。getthesack抄鱿鱼（Tobedismissedfromajob，tobetoldtoleaveyourjob）①Hegotthesackwhentheyfoundoutthathe"dliedabouthisqualifications.②Afteronly2weeksshewasgiventhesackforbeingrudetoacustomer.画蛇添足topaintthelily说曹操，曹操到Talkofthedevil,andhe’ssuretoappear./Speakofthedevil,andheappears.1）Many heads are better than one.三个臭皮匠，赛过诸葛亮。 2）只有破釜沉舟地跟他们拼，还许有翻身的那一天！Allyoucandoistoburnyourboatsandfighttheminthehopethatonedayyou’llcomeoutontop.3）鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利。Two dogs strive for a bone, and a third runs away with it.（三）增补法：A.音译加注释(transliteration+annotation):1)Archille"sheel---阿克勒斯的脚踵，致命弱点2)Pandora"sbox---潘多拉的盒子，灾难根源3)wordDamocles达摩克里斯的宝剑：悬剑头上、千钧一发、死到临头、幸福中隐伏的危机4)TheTrojanHorse特洛伊木马，暗藏之敌，内奸5)Judaskiss犹大之吻，背叛行为PeopleconsideredthatwhathehadplayedonthatoccasionwasnomorethanaJudaskiss.人们认为他在那种场合所表演的不过是犹大之吻──居心险恶。6)Sphinx’SRiddle斯芬克司之谜，难解之谜7）Theyhave,bythisveryact,openedaPandora’sbox.正是他们的这种做法,打开了希腊神话中潘朵拉的盒子,造成了混乱和不幸。8）ThefavorsofGovernmentareliketheboxofPandora,withthisimportantdifference;thattheyrarelyleavehopeatbottom.政府的恩惠如同潘多拉的盒子，后患无穷，主要不同之处是：盒底很少留有希望。B.直译加解释(literaltranslation+annotation):1）百步穿杨Toshootanarrowthroughawillowleafatthedistanceof100steps,extremelygoodatshooting13 Note:TheallusiongoesbacktoYangYouji,anexcellentshooterintheZhouDynasty,whocouldshootanarrowatawillowleafonehundredstepsawayandnevermissedthetarget.2)邯郸学步：towalkaspeopleofHandando;toimitateawkwardlyNote:LegendhasitthatayoungsterfromtheStateofYansawthattheHandans’walkwasverygracefulandthentriedtoacquirethewalkingmannerbutonlytofindthathedidnotlearnanythingatallandhadforgottenhowheoriginallywalked.Therefore,hehadtocrawlallthewaybackhome.Theallusionisnowusedtoridiculethosewhoimitateblindly.3)塞翁失马，焉知非福?Whentheoldmanonthefrontierlosthismare,whocouldhaveguesseditwasablessingindisguise?Alossmayturnouttobeagain.4）三个臭皮匠，合成一个诸葛亮。ThreecobblerswiththeirwitscombinedwouldequalChuKekLiangthemastermind,meaningthatthemasseshavegreatcreativepower.5)杞人忧天likethemanofQiwhowashauntedbythefearthattheskymightfall:unnecessaryanxiety/groundlessworry6)黄粱美梦agoldmilletdream;afonddream/apipedream7)惊弓之鸟：Abirdthatfelldownatthesoundofanarrowlessshooting;adeadlyfrightenedperson五、俗语翻译俚语包括委婉语、诅咒语和粗俗语。A.委婉语：1．死---gotosleep/benomore/passaway/gowest/长眠、不在了，献身，逝世，去世、与世长辞、寿终、咽气、归西天、见马克思，2．怀孕---toweartheapronhigh/tobeinadelicatecondition/alady-in-waiting/amothertobe有喜、有身、身重、身怀六甲、梦兰、3．厕所---Ladies’(room).Gents’,loo,dressingroom,powderroom,washroom,B.诅咒语：damn,hell,devil,bloody,该死的！Damnyou!见鬼去吧！Tohellwithyou!不得好死！Hangyou!你这个杀千刀的！Youbehanged!挨刀货！Blastyou!C.粗俗语：fuck,screw,bugger,balls,shit,1)小娘养的！动了兵器了！Sonsofbitches!Theyareusingweaponsnow!2)忘了本的小娼妇儿！Ungratefulslut!3)把眼里没有主子的小蹄子打烂了！We’llgivethisimpudentlittlebitchagoodflogging!4)他妈的，你们有话就说吧！Ifyouhavesomethingtosay,sayit,damnyou!5)还有你这个浪货，跟谁来不行，非跟他！Andyoutoo,youbaggage.Couldn’tyouhavepickedsomeoneelse?Whydidithavetobehim?6)王八蛋，我终于碰上你了！Youdevils,sowemeetagain!D.其他俗语：1．不看僧面看佛面don’tblamethemonkfortheBuddha’sake;don’tblametheinferiorortheyoungforthesakeofhissuperiorortheold;forgiveonepersonforanother’ssake3．不做亏心事，不怕鬼敲门•ifyoudon’tcommitanysin,youwillnotbeafraidofthedevilknockingatyourdoor;anuprightmanisn’tafraidofanything4．财大气粗awealthymanspeakslouder;moneytalks5．差之毫厘，失之千里•anerrorthebreadthofasinglehaircanleadyouathousandliastray;aslightesterrorcanleadtoagreatestdeviation;aslightcarelessnesscanleadtoaseveremistake6．成事不足，败事有余•unabletoaccomplishanythingbutlikelytospoileverything;impossibletoachievebutpossibletoruin13 7．胜者为王，败者为寇•victorious,youwillbeaking,butdefeated,youwillbeabandit;victorymakesakingofthewinnerwhiledefeatmakesabanditoftheloser;whetheryouwillbeakingorabanditdependsonwhetheryoucanwinornot8．吃不了兜着走•ifyoucan’teatitup,youhavetotakeitaway;getmorethanonehasbargainedfor;youwillhavetotakefullresponsibilityifyouareover-engaged9．打狗要看主人面•whenyouarebeatingadog,youhavetotaketheownerintoconsideration;don’tbeatthedogfortheowner’ssake;loveme,lovemydog10．打肿脸充胖子pretendingtobeafatmanbyslappinghisownfaceswollen;pretendingtobeawealthyman11．大事化小，小事化了reducinggreattroubletosmall,andsmalltonothing12．耳边风/一个耳朵进，一个耳朵出inoneearandouttheother(adv.phr.)很快被遗忘的（副词短语）ItseemseverythingIsaygoesinoneearandouttheotherwithyou!好像我说的话你从来就只当耳边风！13.平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚 "never burn incense when all is well, but clasp Buddha"s feetwhenindistress14.难得糊涂 Where ignorance is bliss, it"s folly to be wise. 15.虎父无犬子 A wise goose never lays a tame egg16.不打不成交 No discord, no concord. 17.金无足赤,人无完人 Gold can"t be pure and man can"t be perfect.18.山高皇帝远Themountainsarehighandtheemperorisfaraway.脚踩两只船 sit on the fence酒肉朋友 fair-weather friend六、歇后语的翻译（一）定义：《现代汉语词典》将歇后语定义为，“由两个部分组成的一句话，前一部分像谜面，后一部分像谜底，通常只说前一部分，而本意在后一部分。”《辞海》将歇后语定义为，“熟语的一种。多为群众熟悉的诙谐而形象的语句。运用时可以隐去后文，以前文示意”。我们的看法是，歇后语是俗语的一种，它与俗言和谚语的区别主要在形式上。歇后语很像谜语，通常由两部分构成，前一部分为谜面，后一部分为谜底，谜面通常具有比喻性质。（二）歇后语的分类：1．典故型歇后语：八仙聚会——又说又笑；王羲之写字——横竖都好2．双关型歇后语：狗撵鸭子呱呱(刮刮)叫3．谐音型歇后语：李双双见到丈夫——有喜旺（希望）了；邮包掉到水田里--半信半疑(泥)(谐音关联);牛角抹油——又尖（奸）又滑（猾）;和尚打伞---无法(发)无天；空棺材出葬---目（木）中无人；孔夫子搬家，净是书（输）;灯草拐杖，做不得主（柱）4。语型歇后语：火爆玉米——开心；章鱼的肚子--有墨水(语意关联)5．比喻型歇后语：竹篮打水--一场空(以事喻义)，天上的云--无拘无束(以物喻义)，大水冲了龙王庙--一家人不认一家人(以事喻义)，徐庶进曹营--一言不发(以人喻义)（三）翻译方法：1．直译法：1)“咱们俩的事，一条绳拴着的两条蚂蚱,谁也跑了！”（老舍《骆驼祥子》）We’reliketwograsshopperstiedtoonecord:neithercangetaway!1）再派人去，那不是瞎子打灯笼白费一支蜡吗？Sendingsomeoneelseislikeablindmancarryingacandle.Awasteofwax.瞎子点灯--白费蜡。Itisasuselessasablindmanlightingacandle.2）泥菩萨过江，自身难保。Theclayidolfordingtheriver---it’sasmuchasitcandotopreserveitselffromdisaster3）千里送鹅毛，礼轻轻易重tosendthefeatherofaswanonethousandli---thegiftinitselfmaybe13 insignificant,butthegood-willisdeep1）茶壶里煮饺子---有也倒不出。Adumplinginaboiler(kettle)-cannotbepouredout.2）猪鼻子里插葱－－装象Apigisstickingscallionsintoitsnostrilstopretendtobeanelephant(如果是口译，只要一个词就行：“pretentious”或“vain”。)7)“朱斌这个人就是狗咬耗子多管闲事！”(吴江《红日》)“ChuPin!He’slikeadogworryingamouse,can’tmindhisownbusiness!”2．意译法（典故式歇后语或双关式歇后语）：1）他必审问我，我给他个‘徐庶如曹营---一语不发’。He’ssuretoaskquestionsbutI’llholdmytonguetobeginwith.2）穷棒子闹翻身，是八仙过海，各显其能。Whenwepassfromtheoldsocietytothenew,eachofusshowshistrueworth.八仙过海--各显其能。(Like)theEightImmortalscrossingthesea-eachshowinghisorherspecialprowess.(Eachofthemshowstheirtrueworth.)3)等他们赶来增援时，已是“正月十五贴门神---晚了半月啦”。Buttheyweretoolateforarescue.4)可是谭招弟新中却想：骑着毛驴看书—走着瞧吧，看究竟是啥原因。ButTanZhaodiwasstillthinkingtoherself:“Let’swaitandseewhatthereasonforitturnsouttobeintheend.5)咱们骑着毛驴看唱本—走着瞧吧。We’llseewho’sright.6)对新药业，老实讲，我是擀面杖吹火---一窍不通。Tobequitehonestwithyou,Idon’tknowthefirstthingaboutthemoderndrugbusiness.（直译：toblowupafirethrougharollingpin,itdoesn’twork.）7)外甥打灯笼－照舅(旧)，用“businessasusual”即可3.套译法：1）姨奶奶犯不着来骂我，我又不是姨奶奶家买的。‘梅香拜把子----都是奴才’罢咧！这是何苦来呢！（《红楼梦》）You’venocalltoswearatme,madam.Youdidn’tbuyme.Weareallbirdsofafeather---allslaveshere.Whygoforme?2)肉包子打狗，一去不回头。Adoggivenabonewhodoesn’tcomebackformore.(直译：Chasingadogbythrowingmeatdumplingsatit-gone,nevertoreturn.)3)日本曹长心里像有十五个吊桶打水，七上八下地不安宁。（《敌后武工队》）ItwasasiftheswordofDamocleshungovertheJapanesesergeant.4)老鼠尾巴上的疖子，出脓也不多。Squeezewateroutofastone5)他总是给你买昂贵的衣服，恐怕是黄鼠狼拜年，不安好心啊。Heisalwaysbuyingyouexpensiveclothes,I"mafraidtheyareGreekgiftsforyou.黄鼠狼给鸡拜年--不怀好意。aweaselwishingHappyNewYeartoachicken---harboringnogoodintention；Greekgift.6)竹篮打水---一场空。todrawwaterwithone’ssleeves/Likeladlingwaterwithawickerbasket-allisempty(nothing).／todrawwaterwithabamboobasket---allwasinvain4．减译法（谐音型歇后语，省去前半截的比喻部分，译出后半部的实际意思）1）我是想：咱们是孔夫子搬家，净是书（输），心里真点点干啥的。OnlyIfeelbadwhenweloseeveryfight.中国足球队在国际大赛中多是孔夫子搬家，净是书（输）。TheChinesefootballteamhasalwayslostinthetheinternationalfootballmatches.2)我在店里呢，是灯草拐杖，做不得主（柱）的。Mypositioninthecompanydoesn’tpermitmetomakeadecisionindividually.3）你这人是“八十老翁靠墙吃稀饭－－卑鄙（背壁），无耻（齿），下流”。Youarebase,shamelessanddirty.4）他是和尚打伞---无发（法）无天。Heisanunrulyperson.5．增补法：1)王小二过年，一年不如一年WangXiao’erspendingtheNewYear——oneyearisworsethananother/likeWangXiao’er’slife,oneyearisworsethananother13 Note:WangXiao’erinChinesecanmeananypoorfellowatthebottomofthesociety.2)丫头当媒人，自身难保•amaidservingasamatchmaker——hardtoprotectherselffromthedangerofbeingengaged;likeamaidservingasamatchmaker,itishardtopullherselffromone’sowncrisis•Note:Theliteralmeaningofthisallegoricalsayingisthatsincethemaidherselfissingle,indoingthejobofamatchmaker,sheherselfmayfallinlovewiththeman.3)牛角抹油——又尖（奸）又滑（猾）•spreadingoilonanoxhorn——tomakeitsharperandmoreslipperyorcunningandtreacherous•Note:theChinesecharacterjian,meaningsharp,isahomophoneofjian,meaningcunning,andtheChinesecharacterhua,meaningslippery,isahomophoneofhua,meaningtreacherous癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉--痴心妄想。Atoadlustingafteraswan"sflesh-aspiringaftersomethingoneisnotworthyof.纳鞋不使锥子，针(真)好！Asherbetinamidsummernight’sdream:cool!（虽说直译成中文“仲夏夜梦吃果露冰糕－－真爽！”的时候双关丢了，但英文“cool”是双关。而如果将中文原文译成“Tosewshoeswithoutanawl,aneedleisgood.”不仅丢了双关，而且毫无意义。改换意境是为了在不偏主题的情况下求双关。）狗咬耗子,多管闲事He"slikeadogworryingamouse,can"tmindhisownbusiness!狗咬刺猬，无从下口Adogtryingtobiteahedgehog-nowaytomakeanapproach.老虎吃天，无从下口atigerwantingtoeatthesky---notknowingwheretostart七、异化（直译）还是归化（套译）？1）不入虎穴，焉得虎子Ifyoudon’tenterthetiger’slair,howcanyoucatchthecubs?(异化)Nothingventure,nothinghave.（归化）Youcan’tachievethegoalwithoutarisk.（意译）2)画蛇添足todrawasnakeandaddfeettoit（异化）paintthelily（归化）3）跑得了和尚跑不了庙。Themonkeymayrunaway,butthetemplecan’trunwithhim.（异化）Afugitivemustbelongtosomeplacethatcanprovideclues.（归化）4）对牛弹琴toplaythelutetoacow（异化）tocastpearlsbeforeswine（归化）5）说曹操曹操就到mentionCaoCaoandthereheis（异化,不好）talkofthedevilandhewillappear（归化）6）易于反掌tobeaseasyasturningoverone’shand（异化）aseasyasfallingoffalog/apieceofcake（归化）7）打草惊蛇tostirupthegrassandalertthesnake（异化）towakeasleepingdog（归化）8）竭泽而渔todrainapondtocatchthefish（异化）tokillthegoosethatlaysthegoldeneggs（归化）9）雪中送炭tosendcharcoalinsnowyweather（异化）tohelpalamedogoverastile（归化）10）守口如瓶asdumbasanoyster（归化）11）Toomanycooksspoilthebroth.厨子多了煮坏汤（异化），人多手乱（归化）12)竹篮打水一场空todrawwaterin(with)abamboobasket（异化）todrawwaterwithone’ssleeves（归化）有些用归化法较好：1）Even Homer sometimes nods.智者千虑，必有一失。（归化）2)Somepreferturnipsandotherspears.萝卜白菜，各有所爱。（归化）3)Hecrieswineandsellsvinegar.挂羊头，卖狗肉。（归化）1）你真是脱裤子放屁，多此一举。YoudidcarrycoaltoNewcastle.（归化）3)胸有成竹*tohaveabambooinone’sheart(死译)13 tohaveawell-thought-outplanbeforedoingsth.(意译)tohaveacardupone’ssleeve（套译,归化）4）姨奶奶犯不着来骂我,我又不是姨奶奶家买了。“梅香拜把子———都是奴才”罢咧!这是何苦来呢!(《红楼梦》)You’venocalltosweartome,madam.Youdidn’tbuyme.We’veallbirdsofafeather——allslaveshere.Whygoforme?（归化）5）中国有句古话是这样说的：“山不在高，有仙则名；水不在深，有龙则灵。”An ancient Chinese saying goes that “Any mountain can be famous with the presence of an immortal, and any river can be holy with the presence of a dragon.”（异化）6）左右为难/进退维谷/骑虎难下/进退两难/无所适从/莫衷一是/腹背受敌betweenthedevilanddeepsea/betweentwofires/betweenScyllaandCharybdis/holdawolfbytheear/withone’sbacktothewall/stickinthemud（归化）7）四面楚歌Chu’sfolksongswereheardeverywhere（异化,不好）tomeetone’sWaterloo（归化）/Bebesiegedonallsides/beutterlyisolated/beindesperatestrain（意译）不好的异化:1）赔了夫人又折兵*giveone’senemyawifeandloseone’ssoldiersaswell（异化,不好）sufferadoublelossinsteadofmakingagain（归化）2）不到黄河心不死notstopuntilonereachestheYellowRiver（异化,不好）notstopuntilonereachesone’sgoal(意译)3）八字还没一撇儿there"snoteventhefirststokeofthecharactereight（异化，不好）there"snottheslightestsignofsuccessyet(意译)4)眉飞色舞tobeamwithjoy(死译：hiseyebrowsareflyingandhiscountenanceisdancing)5)粗枝大叶tobecrudeandcareless(死译：thickbranchesandlargeleaves)6)扬眉吐气tofeelproudandelated(死译：toraiseeyebrowsandletoutabreath)7)灯红酒绿dissipatedandluxurious(死译：withredlightsandgreenwine)8)纸醉金迷(alifeof)luxuryanddissipation(死译：withdrunkenpaperandbewitchedgold)9)开门见山tocomestraighttothepoint(死译：toopenthedoorandseethemountain)10)单枪匹马tobesingle-handedindoingsth.(死译：withasolitaryspearandasinglehorse)11)海阔天空(totalk)atrandom(死译：withavastseaandaboundlesssky)12)风雨飘摇(ofasituation)beingunstable(死译：Thewindandrainarerocking)13）绿林好汉herointhegreenwoods（异化，不好,可归化为peoplelikeRobinhood）14）名落孙山tofallbehindSunShan(意译：failedintheexaminations)八、翻译英语习语应注意的几个问题A.切毋望文生义：（1）Johnlikestopathimselfontheback.*约翰喜欢捶自己的背。→约翰喜欢自吹。（2）ThenithappenedthatIhadtoanswerthecallofnature.*当时我碰巧要回答自然的召唤。→当时我碰巧要解手。（3）Hekissedthehare"sfoot.*他吻了兔子的脚。→他迟到了。（4）Thereisnolovelostbetweenthem.*他们彼此恩爱，感情从未破裂。→他们互相憎恨，毫无爱情可言。（5）Itisagoodhorsethatneverstumbles.好马也有失蹄时。（*良马不失蹄）（6）Itisagoodmanthatneverstumbles,andagoodwifethatnevergrumbles.好丈夫也有过失，好妻子也会唠叨。（*从不失足的丈夫是好丈夫，从不唠叨的妻子是好妻子）（7）Itisanillbirdthatfoulsitsownnest.再坏的鸟也不至于弄脏自己的窝。（*弄脏自己的窝的是坏鸟雀。）13 （8）Ofsoupandlove,thefirstisthebest.恋爱如喝汤，头一碗最香。（*头一次喝汤恋爱最好。）（9）Inchoosingawifeandbuyingaswordweoughtnottotrustanother.择妻如选剑，不能靠别人。（*择妻和选剑不能靠别人。）（10）Therewasneveranightoraproblemthatcoulddefeatsunriseorhope.黑夜不能阻止日出，难题无法抹杀希望。（*黑夜和难题无法击败日出和希望）（11）Peoplewillbelongforgettingher.人们会长久记住她的。（*人们在很长时间内会忘记她）B.避免使用民族特色太浓的汉语成语来套译英语习语（1）Beautyliesinlover"seyes.情人眼里出美人。（不宜译作"情人眼里出西施"。）(2)Manyheadsarebetterthanone.一人不及众人计。（不宜译作"三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮"。）(3)Neveroffertoteachfishtoswim.不要教鱼儿游泳。(不宜译作"不要班门弄斧"。)(4)Evenawormwillturn.逼人入绝境，绵羊也反抗（不宜译作"狗急跳墙"。）(5)Giveadogabad(anill)nameandhanghim.谗言可畏（不宜译为"欲加之罪，何患无辞"，其本意是指"一旦给人加个坏名声，他就很难洗刷掉了"。）(6)Lockthestabledoorwhenthehorsehasbeenstolen.贼去关门。（不宜译作"亡羊补牢"，其原意是"马盗锁厩门，为时已太晚"。）(7)Amissisasgoodasamile.错无大小，其错一样。（不宜译"失之毫厘，谬以千里"。）(8)havetheface恬不知耻，厚脸皮（不是有面子）(9)topullsomebody"sleg开玩笑（不是拖后腿）(10)abigfishinasmallpond山中无老虎，猴子也称王。（或：林中无鸟雀称王。不是"小塘容不下大鱼"。）C.有些习语有多种译法，哪种译法恰当要视具体语境而定:（1）Takecareofthepence,andthepoundswilltakecareofthemselves.（金钱）积少自然成多。/小事谨慎，大事自成。（2）Oneswallowdoesnotmakeasummer.一燕不成夏。/轻率推论必成大错。/一关渡过并非万事大吉。（3）Stillwaterrunsdeep.静水流深。/外表淡漠然而内心深情。/沉默者深谋。（4）Don"tcrossthebridgetillyougettoit.到了桥边才过桥。/不必担心太早。/不必自寻烦恼。（5）Helaughsbestwholaughslast.谁笑在最后，谁笑得最好（鼓励）。/不要高兴得太早（警告）。（6）Don"tcastoutthefoulwatertillyoubringintheclean.清水未来，莫泼脏水。/新的不来，旧的莫丢。八、含数字的成语的翻译（一）数字不变（二）数字变化（三）不用数字1)大家七手八脚一会儿就把院子打扫干净了。Witheverybodylendingahand,thecourtyardwassoonsweptclean.一知半解、九死一生、一干二净、一窍不通、千方百计；一清二白、一举一动、一干二净、一岁三迁、一谦四益、一夕五起、一言九鼎、一目十行、一呼百应、一泻千里、一碧万顷、一官半职；三位一体、三心二意、三从四德、三令五申、三年五载、三姑八婆、三媒六证、三灾八难、三教九流；四海为家、四分五裂、四平八稳；五湖四海、五颜六色、五劳七伤、五光十色；七手八脚、七嘴八舌、七上八下；十拿九稳、十全十美。（一望二三里，风烟四五家，门前六七树，八九十枝花。）在英语习语中不存在这种数字的对举，然而也可以找到与汉语成语相同、相似或对应的英语习语，如astone’sthrow“一箭之遥”，fallinloveatthefirstsight“一见钟情”，killtwobirdswithonestone“一箭双雕”，aslikeastwopeas“一模一样”，beonthevergeofbreakingout“一触即发”，getsomethingdoneonceandforall“一劳永逸”，inacompletemess“一塌糊涂”，intwominds,half-hearted“三心二意”，again13 andagain“三番五次”，abundantharvestofallfoodcrops“五谷丰登”，atsixesandsevens“乱七八糟”，beperfectineveryway“十全十美”。13