英文中有許多有關動物的單詞用在諺語或成語里,比如cat,dog,bird,這些詞很少直接譯出其本意「貓、狗、鳥」,其翻譯好像與這些詞風馬牛不相及,但殊不知其寓意之深。下面我們分別看一下有關cat,dog,bird這些詞的諺語或成語。
一、cat用在諺語和成語中
1. All cats are gray in the dark.人未出名時看起來都差不多
2. a cat with nine lives 富有生命力的人
3. The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.掩耳盜鈴
4. A cat in gloves catches no mice. 不下功夫不會有成就
5. The cat would eat fish and would not wet her feet. 想得到某物又怕費事
6. cat and dog life 爭爭吵吵的日子
7. A cat may look at a king. 再低賤的人也有一些權利
8. let the cat out of the bag.泄漏天機
9. like a cat on hot bricks 像熱鍋上的螞蟻(十分緊張焦急)
10. It rains cats and dogs.下傾盆大雨
11. wait for the cat to jump.看事態怎樣發展(暫不採取行動)
二、dog 構成的諺語和成語
1. Let sleeping dogs lie. 不要自惹麻煩
2. Love me, love my dog.愛屋及烏
3.Every dog has his day.凡人皆有得意日
4.Give a dog a bad name (and hang him).人言可畏
5.You can't teach old dog new tricks.老年人的舊的習慣難以改掉
6.Barking dogs do not bite.吠犬不咬人
7. die like a dog(a dog's death)悲慘或可恥地死去
8. lead a dog's life 過著憂煩的日子
9.not a dog's chance 毫無希望;一點機會都沒有
10.treat someone like a dog 把某人不當人對待
11.help a lame dog over a stile 濟人之急,幫助人渡過危難
12.Throw something to the dogs 毫不愛借地扔掉了
13.put on (the) dog 擺架子
14.a dog in the manger 占著茅坑不拉屎的人
三、bird用於諺語和成語中
1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.多得不如現得
2. Birds of a feather flock together.物以類聚
3. The early bird gets (catches) the worm.捷足者先登
4. It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest.家醜不可外揚
5. Kill two birds with one stone.一箭雙鵰
6. Each bird loves to hear himself sing.每個人都欣賞自己的話
7. Fine feathers do not make fine birds.衣著漂亮不見得人好
(ZT)