Hello everyone and welcome back to English With Lucy.
大家好，欢迎回到跟露西学英语节目。
Today I'm going to talk to you about 20 idioms, which have different versions in American English and in British English.
今天，我要跟你们讲20个习语，这些习语在美式英语和英式英语中有不同的表达。
You need to be really careful with these, because you risk being misunderstood, if you use the wrong version in the wrong country.
你需要谨慎使用，因为如果你在错误的国家用了错的表达，你可能会为人所误解。
Or actually that would mean you would be understood,'cause that's a double negative.
或者实际上，人们听明白了你的话，因为双重否定就是肯定。
Anyway, I'm going to tell you the British version of the idiom, and then I'm going to tell you the American version of the idiom.
我会告诉你英国版本的习语，然后告诉你美国版本的习语。
I'm going to give you the definition, and I'm going to give you an example.
我将给你解释，再给你举例。
So get you notebooks out and write these down.
拿出你的笔记本，记录下来。
Now I have curated a list of 20 idioms which mean the same things, but have different versions in British English and American English.
现在我整理了有相同意义的20个习语的单子，这些习语有英式、美式不同的版本。
They're all fairly common, and you can use most of them in everyday conversation, and you homework for today is to write in the comments any other idioms that you know, that might be different in different countries and different parts of the world.
他们都比较常用，日常对话中你可能会用到，你今天的作业就是在评论区写出你知道的其他习语，这些习语在不同的国家和不同地区不尽相同。
Right, number one.
好了，第一个。
In Britain, we say, to throw a spanner in the works.
在英国，我们说，在工厂里扔扳手。
To throw a spanner in the works.
在工作中扔扳手。
But in American English, they say, to throw a monkey wrench in the works, or sometimes, just to throw a wrench in the works.
但是在美式英语中，人们说，在工厂里扔活动扳手，或者有时候，在工厂里扔扳手。
It's basically different because what Americans call a monkey wrench, we call a spanner.
有些不太一样，因为美国人把它叫活动扳手，我们叫扳手。
And this idiom basically mean to do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding.
这个习语的意思是从中捣乱阻止计划或者行动成功实施。
For example, the intern threw a spanner in the works, by ghosting the client on Tinder.
举例，实习生从中捣乱，在Tinder上对客户不理不睬。
This actually happened to someone I know.
这个确实发生在我认识的人身上。
They met someone on Tinder, never replied to their messages, and turns out they're a big client for their company.
实习生在Tinder上遇到了一些人，但却从不回复信息，结果这些人是公司的大客户。
It didn't go well.
这事情不太行得通。
They threw a spanner in the works.
他们从中捣乱。
Number two.
第二。
As we say in British English, to blow you own trumpet.
我们在英式英语中说，吹响你的喇叭。
To blow your own trumpet.
吹响你的喇叭。
But in American English, they say to toot your own horn.
但是在美式英语中，人们说吹奏你的号角。
To toot your own horn.
吹奏你的号角。
This means to boast, or to praise your own abilities and achievements.
意思是自吹自擂，炫耀自己的能力或者成就。
For example, I don't mean to blow my own trumpet, but I read the oxford dictionary three times before the age of five.
举个例子，我不是自夸，但我在5岁前牛津词典读了三遍。
That is a lie, I did not.
那是假的，我没有。
Number three.
第三。
In Britain we say, to sweep something under the carpet.
在英式英语中我们说，将东西扫于地毯下。
To sweep something under the carpet.
将东西扫于地毯下。
But in America they say, to sweep something under the rug.
但美国人说，将东西扫于毯子下。
To sweep something under the rug.
将东西扫于毯子下。
This means to deny or ignore something, that is embarrassing or might damage your reputation.
意思是否认或者漠视一些事情，这些是让你感到尴尬或者有损你名声的事。
A lot of politicians like to sweep things under the carpet.
很多政客都喜欢置之不理，掩饰隐藏。
For example, as one of the most controversial YouTubers on the platform, I have swept many scandals under the carpet.
举例，作为YouTube平台上最有争议的播主之一，我对很多流言蜚语置之不理。
Number four.
第四。
In British English we say, peaks and troughs.
英式英语中我们说，高峰和波谷。
Peaks and troughs.
高峰和波谷。
But in American English they say, peaks and valleys.
在美式英语中人们说，高峰和低谷。
Peaks and valleys.
高峰和低谷。
This means to avoid something at all costs, or to refuse to associate with something.
意思是用尽全力避免事情发生，或者拒绝和事情产生联系。
Woops, I said the wrong one.
我说错了。
This is the mixture of good and bad things in life.
这个是人生中好好坏坏交织。
For example having lovely sponsors like Skillshare helps my business through the peaks and troughs of the year.
举例，有一个像Skillshare一样的可爱的赞助商，帮我度过了今年事业的高峰低谷期。
Number five.
第五。
In Britain we would say, to not touch something with a bargepole.
在英式英语我们说，不要碰有撑篙的东西。
To not touch something with a bargepole.
不要碰有撑篙的东西。
In American English they would simply say, to not touch something with a ten-foot pole.
美式英语中人们说的很简单，不要碰有十只脚的杆子。
To not touch something with a ten-foot pole.
不要碰有十只脚的杆子。
This simply means to avoid something at all costs, or to refuse to associate with something.
意思是用尽全力避免事情发生，或者拒绝和事情产生联系。
For example, my father would not touch trifle with a bargepole.
举例，我父亲不会碰松糕。
He absolutely hates trifle.
他非常讨厌松糕。
He's very good at pretending to like things, but I've never seen him pretend to like a trifle.
他很擅长假装喜欢一些东西，但我从没见他假装喜欢松糕。
It's that dessert which is like, cake, jam, jelly, custard, cream, ugh.
这是一种有蛋糕、果酱，果冻、蛋奶冻、奶油的甜点。
I would eat it but, I wouldn't choose it.
我可以吃，但我不会主动选择它。
Right, number six.
第六。
This is a sort of superstitious one.
这个是有点迷信色彩的一个。
In British English it's touch wood.
英式英语中叫碰一下木头。
Touch wood.
碰一下木头。
In American English, it's knock on wood.
美式英语中，叫敲木板。
Knock on wood.
敲木板。
And it's a phrase that's used just after mentioning a way in which you've been lucky in the past.
这个短语常用于你在提及了过去的幸运往事之后。
And it's said to prevent bad luck.
用来避免倒霉。
So an example would be, I am not a great driver, but I've never been in a serious car crash.
举例，我不是一个好司机，但我从没有一次严重车祸。
Touch wood.
敲木板。
I'm saying touch wood to prevent myself from being in a serious car crash.
我说敲木板用以避免自己惨遭严重车祸。
I actually need to touch wood now.
我现在就需要敲木板。
Okay.
好了。
I'm not superstitious I'm just. . . I'm just British.
我不是很迷信，但我很英国人。
Number seven.
第七。
British English we would say, to flog a dead horse.
英式英语中我们说，鞭打死马。
To flog a dead horse.
鞭打死马。
In American English they would say, to beat a dead horse.
美式英语中人们说，敲打死马。
To beat a dead horse.
敲打死马。
This simply means to waste energy on something that has no chance of succeeding.
意思是浪费精力在一些没有可能成功的事情上。
For example, you're flogging a dead horse by trying to make my dad eat trifle.
举例，你劝我父亲吃松糕是徒劳无功的。
He's not gonna do it.
他才不会吃。
You're not going to succeed.
你不会成功的。
Number eight.
第八。
Now I will admit that sometimes I use the American version.
我要承认有些事情上我会用美式版本。
And you do have to bear that in mind with these idioms,because in Britain we consume so many American sitcoms, tv programmes and movies, that their vocabulary does bleed into our vocabulary.
你要在脑海中记住这些习语，因为在英国，我们看很多美国情景喜剧，电视节目和电影，因此美国词汇也会融进我们的词汇中。
But in Britain traditionally, we would say to take something with a grain of salt.
但是传统英式英语中，我们说拿东西时候加一粒盐。
To take something with a grain of salt.
拿东西时候加一粒盐。
When in America, they would say, to take something with a pinch of salt.
在美国，人们说，拿东西时候加一撮盐。
To take something with a pinch of salt.
拿东西时候加一撮盐。
And this means to view something with scepticism or to not take something literally.
意思是带有怀疑审视事情，而非全然去相信。
For example, if I offer you a tequila, you should take it with a pinch of salt and a slice of lemon.
举例，如果我给你一杯龙舌兰，你应该自己加一撮盐和一片柠檬。
Just joking.
开个玩笑，
That's proof, that you should take everything I say with a grain of salt.
这证明，你应该对我说的一切不要全然相信。
Number nine.
第九。
In British English, we would say swings and roundabouts.
英式英语中，我们说秋千和弯曲路线。
Swings and roundabouts.
秋千和弯曲路线。
In American English they would simply say, ups and downs.
美式英语中人们说，上上下下。
Ups and downs.
上上下下。
These idioms are used to describe situations where there are as many gains as there are losses.
这些习语用来描述有舍有得的情况。
For example, in the UK, we pay high taxes, but it's all swings and roundabouts, because we have a great National Health Service.
举例，在英国，我们有高赋税，但是有失有得，因为我们有很好的全面医疗。
Number 10.
第十。
Another one where I might actually say the American one,because the Americanisms have bled into Britain.
另一个我要说的是一个美式习语，因为是美式习语混进英式英语中。
But the British idiom is skeletons in the cupboard.
但是英式习语说橱柜里的骷髅架。
Skeletons in the cupboard.
橱柜里的骷髅架。
Whilst in American English, they say skeletons in the closet.
同时在美式英语中，人们说衣橱里的骷髅架。
Skeletons in the closet.
衣橱里的骷髅架。
And we don't actually use the word closet, which means wardrobe in British English, but I would use the word closet for this specific idiom.
我们不用closet这个词，英式英语中我们用wardrobe这个词，但是这个特定习语中我用closet这个词。
And a skeleton in the closet is a secret that would cause embarrassment if known.
衣橱里的骷髅架意思是如果让人知道会产生尴尬的秘密。
For example, I could never run for prime minister, because I have ar too many skeletons in my closet.
举例，我从不竞选首相，因为我有很多不能为人所知的秘密。
Number 11.
第十一。
Oo this one is so British.
这个习语非常英式。
The British version is so British.
非常地道的英国版本。
To have a go at someone.
给某人一下子。
To have a go at someone.
给某人一下子。
We use this all the time.
我们常说这个词。
If there's one that you remember, remember this one.
如果有需要让你记得的习语，那就记住这个。
The American version is to tear into someone.
美式版本是猛攻某个人。
To tear into someone.
猛攻某个人。
It means to attack someone with either force or language.
意思是用武力或者语言攻击一个人。
For example, true story.
举例，真事。
A teacher once had a go at me for faking an illness when I was genuinely very unwell.
有个老师曾经在我身体真的不舒服的时候，攻击我装病。
Number 12.
十二。
In British English we say a storm in a teacup.
英式英语中我们说茶杯暴风雨。
A storm in a teacup.
茶杯里的暴风雨。
In American English, they say a tempest in a teapot.
美式英语中，他们说茶壶里的暴风雨。
A tempest in a teapot.
茶壶里的暴风雨。
That sound much more posh.
这个听起来更高级一些。
Teacup, teapot, much more tea.
茶杯，茶壶，很多茶。
This means great outrage or excitement over a trivial matter.
意思是因为一个琐事非常愤怒或者兴奋。
For example, I don't think the apocalypse is coming.
举例，我认为世界末日不会来。
I think it's big old storm in a teacup.
就是老生常谈了。
Number 13.
十三。
In British English we say a drop in the ocean.
英式英语中我们说大海里的一滴水。
A drop in the ocean.
大海里的一滴水。
And in American English they say, a drop in the bucket.
美式英语中人们说，水桶里的一滴水。
A drop in the bucket.
水桶里的一滴水。
It means a very small or insignificant amount compared to the amount needed.
意思是相比于所需只有非常少或者不重要的量。
For example, I saved 33 pence by doing my shopping online, which is a drop in the ocean compare to what I need to save for a house deposit.
举例，我网购节省了33便士，相较于买房所需存款，简直是杯水车薪。
That's what I trying to save for at the moment, and it's not easy.
这个是此刻我要攒的钱，真的不容易。
Number 14.
十四。
This is a personal favourite.
这个是我个人最喜欢的。
I just really like it.
我真的很喜欢。
And I actually love the American version.
事实上，我喜欢美式版本。
But saying makes me cringe.
但是说起来让我觉得尴尬。
The British version is hard cheese.
英式版本是硬起司。
Hard cheese.
硬起司。
The American version, and I find it very very hard to say this without sounding so ridiculous, so bear with me.
美式版本，若想听起来不搞笑是很难的，所以忍耐我一下。
The American version is tough titty.
美式版本是"多大点事儿"。
Tough titty.
"多大点事儿"。
I wonder if I could say it without smiling.
我怀疑自己是否可以严肃地说。
Tough titty.
"多大点事儿"。
No, I can't.
我不行。
This is used to express somewhat sarcastic sympathy over a petty or trivial matter.
常用于对一些琐事表示带有一些讽刺性的同情。
For example, you missed your exam because you stayed up watching Bird Box, hard cheese mate.
举例，你错过了考试因为你熬夜观看"蒙上你的眼"，真遗憾。
Number 15.
第十五个。
Oh, another super British one that we use so frequently.
我们常用的另外一个非常英国化得习语。
To bang on about something.
猛烈撞击一个东西。
To bang on about something.
猛烈撞击一个东西。
In American English they would say to rant and rave about something.
美式英语中人们说夸夸其谈大声叫嚷。
To rant and rave about something.
夸夸其谈大声叫嚷。
This meas to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to others.
意思是长时间以来，不停地向别人唠叨一件事。
For example, I know I bang on about Skillshare, but it really is a fantastic service.
举例，我知道我一直念叨Skillshare，但他们真的是很棒的网站。
Number 16, in British English it's to call a spade a spade.
十六，英式英语中我们说把铲子就叫铲子。
To call a spade a spade.
把铲子叫铲子。
In American English, to call it as one sees it.
美式英语中，人们说看见什么说什么。
To call it as one sees it.
看见什么说什么。
This simply means to speak honestly and describe something as it really is.
意思是实事求是。
For example, my mother calls a spade a spade, if I'm being out of order, which I sometimes am.
举例，我母亲是一个实事求是的人，如果我坏了规矩，有时我确实这样。
She will put me right.
她会拉我回到正轨。
She always does.
她总这么做。
Number 17.
十七。
In British English we say, to cram.
英式英语中我们说，填鸭。
To cram.
填鸭。
Which isn't strictly an idiom, but the American version is, in American English they say to hit the books.
这个严格意义上说不是习语，但是美国版本是习语，美式英语中，他们常说磕书。
To hit the books.
磕书。
And this means to study intensively over a short period of time, usually right before an exam.
意思是短时间高强度学习，通常在考试前。
For example, I relied heavily on cramming throughout my university degree.
举例，我大学期间，一直都是考前埋头突击学习。
I wouldn't recommend it, but I did get a first class degree.
我不建议，但我确实取得了一等学位。
So make of that what you will.
所以你们自行决定。
Number 18.
十八。
In British English, to get itchy feet.
英式英语中，脚痒痒。
To get itchy feet.
脚痒痒。
In American English they say to seek new pastures.
美式英语中人们说寻找新牧场。
To seek new pastures.
寻找新牧场。
This means to start to want to travel or to do something different with your life.
意思是向开始履行或者做一些与你日常生活不同的事情。
For example, after 14 years of schooling, I got itchy feet and started to plan my move to Spain.
举例，14年学习生涯后，我心里蠢蠢欲动计划搬到西班牙。
Number 19.
十九。
In British English we say, to go pear shaped.
英式英语中我们说，变成梨形。
To go pear shaped.
变成梨形。
In American English they say, to go south.
美式英语中说，往南走。
To go south.
往南走。
This means to go wrong or to go badly.
意思做错事或者局势变坏。
For example, the party was great, but after they handed out tequila shots, it started to go a bit pear shaped.
举例，聚会很不错，但是他们拿出龙舌兰子弹头酒杯，聚会开始有些变得不太好了。
Our final idiom of the lesson, and I've saved the best 'til last, 'cause this is what I love to do.
我们这节课最后的习语，我把最好的留在最后，因为我爱这么做。
In British English we say, to queue up.
英式英语中，我们说排队。
To queue up.
排队。
But in American English they say, to wait in line.
美式英语中人们说，站成一条线。
To wait in line.
站成一条线。
Simply means to take one's place in a queue.
意思是在队伍里有个位置。
For example, as a Brit, I can honestly say there is nothing I enjoy more than queuing up, and silently judging those to who try to break the queue rules.
举例，作为一个英国人，我能坦诚说，没有比排队更让我享受的事情了，默默地批评那些试图破坏规则的人。
Ah, I love it and hate it at the same time.
我很喜欢同时也很讨厌。
Anyway, moving on.
不论怎样，我们继续。
That's it for today's lesson.
这就是我们今天的课程。
and don't forget to check out all of my social media.
不要忘了去关注我的社交媒体。
I've got my Facebook, I've got Instagram, and I've got my twitter.
我有来脸书，我有ins，我还有推特。
And I shall see you soon for another lesson.
下节课见。
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