VOA慢速英语:Don't Get Caught With Your Pants Down

1. Let’s see if I can name a few off the cuff, or without any preparation.

off the cuff 即兴地， 非正式地， 当场
例句：I'm not good at speaking off the cuff.
我不擅长即兴演说。

2. We sometimes say that people who are restless or nervous have ants in their pants.

ants in one's pants 坐立不安,热锅上的蚂蚁
例句：The two persons looked at each other as if they had ants in their pants. 
他俩面面相觑，如坐针毡。 

3. Then we say she wears the pants in the family.

wears the pants in the family 一家之长
例句：I think she wears the pants in the family. 
我想她在家里说话算数。 

4. Money that is likely to be spent quickly can burn a hole in your pocket.

burn a hole in your pocket 留不住钱
例句：Whenever you have money, it burns a hole in your pocket . 
每当你有钱在手，就马上花得分文不剩。 

5. If you have less money than usual, you may have to tighten your belt.

tighten your belt 勒紧腰带，省吃俭用
例句：During hard economic times, you must tighten your belt.
经济艰困时，你非勒紧裤带不可。

6. I really take my hat off to them.

take my hat off 佩服
例句：I take my hat off to him.
我很佩服他。

7. I really do. You can bet your boots on that.

bet your boots 必然，有把握
例句：You can bet your boots that benny will be admitted to a university.
你可以确信本尼会考上大学。

8. Some people who do not know him well think he is too firm and severe. They think he is a real stuffed shirt.

stuffed shirt 自命不凡的顽固者，有钱的人
例句：He's a real stuffed shirt.
他是个妄自尊大的人。

9. Also, my father has never lost his shirt in a business deal.

lost his shirt 有倾家荡产;一无所有
例句：He lost his shirt in the stock market. 
他在股市倾家荡产。 

10. We say he has a card up his sleeve.

card up his sleeve 锦囊妙计
例句：Mr Smith always has a card up his sleeve. 
史密斯先生总是胸有成竹。