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| 2011/09/29 04:11:07瀏覽262｜回應0｜推薦2 | |
| 1. Fit as a Fiddle My great-grandfather is nearly ninety, but he's still fit as a fiddle. Meaning: in good health; in fine shape Origin: This expression dates from at least the early 1600s. "Fit" has always meant " in good health." But why was it joined with "fiddle" in this simile? Probably because "fit" and "fiddle" are a good example of alliteration, and a fiddle that's fit (well tuned and in good shape) can play terrific music. 2. Throw the Book at Someone Dan was expelled for writing on the walls. They really threw the book at him. Meaning: to punish severely for breaking rules or the law; to give the maximum penalty Origin: In this idiom the "book" is the law book, filled with all the penalties that a judge can impose on the wrongdoer. Imagine a judge figuratively throwing that whole, heavy law book at an offender of the law, hitting him or her with the worst possible punishments. That image was in the mind of the writer who coined this expression many years ago. 3. In the Doghouse My mother forgot it was my father's birthday, so she's in the doghouse. Meaning: in disgrace or dislike; facing punishment Origin: This might have come from the old custom of banishing a bad dog outside to its doghouse. Or it could have originated with the story of Peter Pan, in which Mr. Darling treats the beloved pet dog badly and his children fly off with Peter Pan. Mr. Darling feels so guilty that he lives in the doghouse until his children return home. 4. Cook Your Goose Loraine let the air of Andrei's tires. That really cooked his goose. Meaning: to put an end to; to ruin someone's plans Origin: There is an old story about a medieval town under siege. The townspeople hung a goose from a tower as a symbol of stupidity meant to slight the enemy. But the gesture backfired when the attackers were so angered by the goose that they burned the whole town down, literally "cooking" the goose. Today, you "cook someone's goose" if you in any way spoil his or her plans or bring ruin. 5. Sitting Pretty Rosa finished her book report and now she's sitting pretty. Meaning: to be in a lucky, superior, or advantageous position Origin: This American colloquialism comes from the early 1900s. "Sitting" is a comfortable position and "pretty" is an adjective suggesting beauty or favor. To the person who made up this phrase, "sitting pretty" must have suggested an easy, favorable situation. From:  ISBN: 0-590-27552-6 |
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