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| 2010/08/17 04:17:01瀏覽462｜回應0｜推薦1 | |
| 1. See Eye to Eye
My parents and I don't always see eye to eye about my allowance. Meaning: to agree fully; to have the same opinion Origin: This expression can be found in the Bible (Isaiah 52:8). Imagine two people, side by side, watching the same things. Since they have the same view in mind, and since they're eye to eye (right next to each other), they will probably agree on what they're both experiencing. In the same way, people on opposite sides of the world can see "eye to eye" on an issue if they both think the same way about it. 2. Settle an Old Score It took her two years, but Shirley finally settled an old score with Roger. Meaning: to get back at; to get revenge for past wrongs Origin: In 17th-century England, a bill was known as a "score." So if you settled your score, you paid what you owed on your back bills. This phrase is now applied to clearing up any problems with people, usually by getting even with them for bad things that they once did to you. 3. Throw Your Hat into the Ring Dave threw his hat into the ring today. He's running for class secretary. Meaning: to announce one's candidacy for election to office; to issue a challenge. Origin: Men used to challenge each other to prizefights in the United States in the early 19th century by taking off their hats and throwing them into a ring on the ground. That custom became the basis for this idiom. People who state that they are running for any elective office are "throwing their hats into the ring." 4. Top Drawer Aunt Shirley always takes the family out to some top-drawer restaurant. Meaning: the highest quality; the best Origin: The most likely origin of this 20th-century phrase is the top drawer of a dresser or bureau. Many people put their jewelry and other valuable possessions in the top drawer so that they can get them easily. From that custom comes this expression, which is used to describe people of the highest social status or anything that's the best in rank or quality. 5. Hot under the Collar Better say good night. My father is starting to get hot under the collar. Meaning: very angry; upset Origin: Though this expression became popular in the 1800s, it has been observed for centuries that when people become angry, their faces and necks tend to turn red. And under their collars, their nicks are getting hot. You'd better watch out! They might blow their stacks. From:  ISBN: 0-590-27552-6 |
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