Idioms & Phrases 5x12 Project Day 2

从 1 月 22 日开始，我就开始寒假班的征程了。从早上到晚，势必是没有时间写原创文了。但是，学习还是不能停止的。年前年后我共有 12 天课，每天我会分享 5 个 idioms & phrases （习语和短语）。也就是说，如果你跟着我的节奏每天定量去学习，那么一个寒假你至少能掌握 60 个有意思的习语和短语。当然，你可能会问“为什么要学习习语和短语？”，这事儿我说了不算，在这里引用一段文字希望能让你感受到习语的用处——

Idiom: a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

Every language has its own collection of wise sayings. They offer advice about how to live and also transfer some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture / society. These sayings are called "idioms" - or proverbs if they are longer. These combinations of words have (rarely complete sentences) a "figurative meaning" meaning, they basically work with "pictures".

如果你被这番话说服了，那么就行动起来吧。每个短语都会配上简单的英文注释和例句，相信对大家的理解会有帮助的 ^_

Day 2

1. Beat Around The Bush
to omit main points of a topic often intentionally or to delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant

Please stop beating around the bush and tell me what the problem is!.

2. Chase Your Tail
spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but actually achieving too little

He's been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report is still not ready.

3. Caught Between Two Stools
when someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives

If you try to organize an event that will appeal to both young and old, you can end up caught between two stools.

4. Think On Your Feet
adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions

A good sales man must be able to think on his feet to close the deal.

5. Have Your Cake And Eat It Too
to have or do two good things at the same time that are impossible to have or do at the same time

If you want a senior consultant to work here, you must pay the salary she demands. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.