Session IV: People Do the Strangest Things(人会做很奇怪的事）
1. Shoot the Breeze = chat informally
美国人把无目的的闲聊比作是向微风射击，打风。
范例对话:
A: What are you going to be doing this afternoon?
B: Oh, I don't have anything in particular in mind.
A: Why don't you come over to my place? We can listen to some records and shoot the breeze.
B: That sounds OK to me. I'd like to relax listening to music and visit and chat informally until my folks get back from shopping.
2. Bite the Dust = go down in defeat
美国人把输了比作是头朝下啃泥土。
范例短文:
Andy did exceptionally well in all of the track events, but bit the dust in the high jump competition. Much to the disappointment of his fans, he went down in defeat, losing to a competitor from the visiting team.
3. Bend Over Backward = try very hard
美国人认为向后倾是要花很大力气才能做到的事。Bend over backward 表示非常努力去做某事。
范例短文:
When Joan first started teaching she was afraid that she would have a lot of trouble getting used to the kids and to the faculty. Her fears turned out to be unfounded. Since everybody bent over backwards to help her. Everyone tried very hard to help her feel comfortable and adjust to the school.
4. Scratch Someone's Back = return a favor
美国人认为帮别人挠背就是还礼，对别人恩惠地交换。
范例对话:
A: Hey, Bea. I need some help stacking these boxes. Would you please give me a hand?
B: OK. And I need some help tidying up the house. How about your helping me out aft...