英語講義【155】有動物的慣用語
和中文一樣，英語有不少慣用語與動物有關。下面便是些好例子：
（1） An eager beaver：做事特別賣力的人
Every year during the long holidays in June and December, many people go abroad for a tour except Jason, an eager beaver, who will at most take a few days off in Singapore.
（2） A busy bee：忙碌的人
There isnt much to do today, but Nancy has been rushing here and there like a busy bee.
（3） Have a bee in ones bonnet about : 對苦思不已
As a low-income bread-earner, Ali has a bee in his bonnet about increasing his monthly income.
（4） Make a bee-line for ：徑直朝向
After class, student rushed out of classroom, making a bee-line for the nearest canteen.
（5） An early bird：早起的人
Morning walk at six? No problem ! Im an early bird, you know.
（6） A home bird：愛在家里的人
Jasons youngest son doesnt care for social life; he is a home bird through and through.
（7） A birds-eye, view of：鳥瞰；概觀
（i） From the plane, we can have a birds eye view of the Singapore buildlngs.
（ii） Jasons new book can give the reader a birds eye view of elements of good English.
（8） A cat nap：瞌睡
Between lunch and the 2 p.m. class, there is at least half an hour for a cat nap.
（9） Lead a cat-and-dog life：過著吵吵鬧鬧的日子
Poor couples often lead a cat-and-dog life because of financial problems. Dont you think so?
（10） Let the cat out of the bag：泄露秘密
David was planning a surprise birthday party for Irene, but his new secretary let the cat out of the bag in a casual talk.
（11） There is not enough room to swing a cat：沒有活動的余地
How can you live and do your design work in such a small room? There isnt enough room to swing a cat, is there?
（12） Rain cats and dogs：傾盆大雨
We cant go out yet. It is raining cats and dogs at the moment.
（13） No chicken：不再是小孩
Dont treat Lily like a kid! She is no chicken now.
（14） A cock-and-bull story：無稽之談
Whenever Tom was late for work, he would tell a cock-and-bull story as an excuse.
（15） Wait till the cows come home: 無限期的等待
Dont lend him money. If you want him to pay back, you have to wait till the cows come home.
（16） Crocodile tears：鱷魚淚
Jane seemed very sad at the old mans death. Actually, she was only shedding crocodile tears because she never really liked that old man.
和中文一樣，英語有不少慣用語與動物有關。下面便是些好例子：
（1） An eager beaver：做事特別賣力的人
Every year during the long holidays in June and December, many people go abroad for a tour except Jason, an eager beaver, who will at most take a few days off in Singapore.
（2） A busy bee：忙碌的人
There isnt much to do today, but Nancy has been rushing here and there like a busy bee.
（3） Have a bee in ones bonnet about : 對苦思不已
As a low-income bread-earner, Ali has a bee in his bonnet about increasing his monthly income.
（4） Make a bee-line for ：徑直朝向
After class, student rushed out of classroom, making a bee-line for the nearest canteen.
（5） An early bird：早起的人
Morning walk at six? No problem ! Im an early bird, you know.
（6） A home bird：愛在家里的人
Jasons youngest son doesnt care for social life; he is a home bird through and through.
（7） A birds-eye, view of：鳥瞰；概觀
（i） From the plane, we can have a birds eye view of the Singapore buildlngs.
（ii） Jasons new book can give the reader a birds eye view of elements of good English.
（8） A cat nap：瞌睡
Between lunch and the 2 p.m. class, there is at least half an hour for a cat nap.
（9） Lead a cat-and-dog life：過著吵吵鬧鬧的日子
Poor couples often lead a cat-and-dog life because of financial problems. Dont you think so?
（10） Let the cat out of the bag：泄露秘密
David was planning a surprise birthday party for Irene, but his new secretary let the cat out of the bag in a casual talk.
（11） There is not enough room to swing a cat：沒有活動的余地
How can you live and do your design work in such a small room? There isnt enough room to swing a cat, is there?
（12） Rain cats and dogs：傾盆大雨
We cant go out yet. It is raining cats and dogs at the moment.
（13） No chicken：不再是小孩
Dont treat Lily like a kid! She is no chicken now.
（14） A cock-and-bull story：無稽之談
Whenever Tom was late for work, he would tell a cock-and-bull story as an excuse.
（15） Wait till the cows come home: 無限期的等待
Dont lend him money. If you want him to pay back, you have to wait till the cows come home.
（16） Crocodile tears：鱷魚淚
Jane seemed very sad at the old mans death. Actually, she was only shedding crocodile tears because she never really liked that old man.
