2010年商务英语之流行美语 4

导读：BEC流行美语：bite off more than one can chew、bite the bullet、book off、bore someone to death、brainstorm。 　　1.bite off more than one can chew 贪多爵不烂，承担了过多的工作而不能完成
　　bite指"咬，叮",bite off意为"咬下";chew为"爵"的意思。该习语的字面意思为"咬下的比所能爵的还多",比喻"贪多爵不烂".
　　A: How's Henry's business? 亨利的生意怎么样？
　　B: Not very well, I'm afraid. 恐怕不太好。
　　A: Didn't he invest in several projects and manage quite a few businesses? 他不是投资了几个项目，还管理着几个企业吗？
　　B: Yeah. But he found that he had bitten off more than he could chew. 是啊。可能发现自己的摊子铺得太大，忙活不过来了。
　　2.bite the bullet 下定决心；咬紧牙关
　　bite指"咬，咬住",bullet指"枪弹，子弹".该习语的字面意思是"咬住子弹",形容某人"咬紧牙关，下定决心",不达目的不罢休的样子。
　　A: So you want to bite the bullet and sell your company? 你真的下决心把公司给卖了？
　　B: Yeah, I have no other choice. If I can't pay back the loan, I'll end in prison. 是的，除此之外我别无选择。如果还不清贷款，我就会进监狱的。
　　A: Anyway, I think you should have second thoughts. 你最好还是再好好考虑一下。
　　3.book off （尤指因与雇主未达协议）宣称某日不打算上班
　　该习语常在英国英语中出现，原来的意思是指"雇员下班时在考勤表上登记",现引申为"因与雇主未达协议便宣称某日不打算上班".
　　A: Is your factory still in trouble? 你们工厂是否还有麻烦？
　　B: Yeah. The unions declare that they will book off on May Day if the management doesn't accept their requirements. 是的。工会声称如果资方不满足他们的要求，他们劳动节那天就不上班。
　　A: What's the management's attitude? 那资方是什么态度？
　　B: They won't compromise either. 他们也不愿让步。
　　4.bore someone to death 使某人烦得要死
　　动词bore的意思是"使厌烦".Bore someone to death的意思就是"把某人烦得要死".例如：That guy bores me to death. He never stops taking about his past history. （哪个家伙让我烦得要死。他总滔滔不绝地讲他的过去。）
　　A: Everyone knows the feeling of working with such a dreadful boss. 人人都知道和这样一个可怕的老板一起工作会是一种什么心情。
　　B: I hate to work in the company now. It bores me to death. 我现在真恨在这个公司里工作。它真让我烦透了。
　　A: Are you thinking of jumping ship? 你考虑过跳槽吗？
　　B: I asked several friends to keep an eye on a job vacancy. But I haven't got one yet. Jobs are scarce, you know. 我请了几个朋友帮忙注意一下，看看有没有空缺的职位。但现在还没有找到。你知道现在工作很难找。
　　5.brainstorm 绞尽脑汁，费尽心机
　　brain指"智能，脑力，智慧",storm指"激发".两者的合成词的意思即为"突然想到",颇像汉语成语"灵机一动".例如：Then I got a brainstorm.（于是我灵机一动，计上心来。）
　　A: I hear that you're designing a new building. Have you finished it? 我听说你正在设计一座新建筑，是否已经完成了？
　　B: Not yet. I am brainstorming for an unique one. 还没有。我正费尽心机，想设计一座风格独特的建筑。
　　A: Why not ask Jack to help? Maybe he can give you some novel ideas. 为什么不让杰克帮帮你呢？或许他能给你一点新奇的主意。
　　B: That's a good idea. 说得对。