英语明喻：言语中的图画

明喻短语・中英对照全文翻译As sharp as a razorMeaning: This simile refers to a quick thinking intelligent person.意思： 头脑敏锐；机智过人Example:My grandfather is almost 98 years old but he is still as sharp as a razor.例句： 我爷爷快 98 岁了，但头脑依然非常敏锐。As sick as a dogMeaning: This means to be very ill indeed.意思： 病得很重；难受极了Example:I couldn’t go to work this morning because I was as sick as a dog all night.例句： 我今早没法上班，因为一整晚都难受得要命。Other variations are: As sick as a parrot.同义说法： As sick as a parrotAs silent as a graveMeaning: This is usually used to make a promise not to tell anyone a secret that has been told to you.意思： 守口如瓶；像坟墓一样寂静Example:Person A: “Please don’t tell anyone what I told you. I don’t want anyone to find out what I did.”A： 请别把我跟你说的告诉别人，我不想让人知道我做了什么。Person B: “Don’t worry. I will be as silent as a grave. You have my word for it.”B： 别担心，我一定守口如瓶。我保证。*You have my word for it = I promise意思： 我保证As small as an antMeaning: Ants are tiny little creatures so when something is extremely small (tiny) we compare it to an ant.意思： 像蚂蚁一样小；极小Example:When my sister’s baby was born she was as small as an ant. She had to stay in an incubator for several weeks.例句： 我姐姐的宝宝出生时小得像只蚂蚁，在保温箱里待了好几个星期。As slippery as an eelMeaning: This simile is used to refer to a person who is deceitful and cunning.Eels are very slippery creatures therefore impossible to catch, especially when they are wet.意思： 像泥鳅一样滑头；狡猾难抓Example:The company director is as slippery as an eel. He should have been put in prison for embezzlement but he manages to hide his tracks so cleverly.例句： 这位公司总监非常滑头。他本该因挪用公款入狱，却总能巧妙地掩盖痕迹。As slow as a snail / as slow as a tortoiseMeaning: Snails and tortoises are well known for their slow pace so we compare a person’s slowness to that of a snail or a tortoise.意思： 慢得像蜗牛 / 乌龟；慢吞吞Example:We will have to find someone else to do the job. Mark is too slow. He is as slow as a snail. He likes perfection but there is no room for perfection when we have a deadline to meet.例句： 我们得找别人做这工作，马克太慢了，慢得像蜗牛。他追求完美，但我们有截止日期，容不得这么慢。As sour as vinegarMeaning: This refers to a person’s character more than anything else; someone who displays disagreement or disapproval for almost everything.It is the complete opposite of the similes ‘as sweet as sugar’, ‘as sweet as candy’ and ‘as sweet as honey’.意思： 脾气酸臭；尖酸刻薄；（食物）酸得像醋Example:I don’t really like Sandra. She’s as sour as vinegar. She is not an easy person to be around.例句： 我不太喜欢桑德拉，她脾气又酸又臭，很难相处。Her face was as sour as vinegar when I told her exactly what I thought of her.例句： 当我直言对她的看法时，她脸拉得老长。It can also refer to food.也可形容食物：Example: This milk is not fresh. It is as sour as vinegar.例句： 这牛奶不新鲜，酸得像醋。Where did you buy these apples? They’re as sour as vinegar.例句： 你在哪买的这些苹果？酸死了。To stand as much chance as a snowball in hellMeaning: This simile is used to refer to a situation which is impossible.If a snowball is near fire, it melts so it has no chance of survival.意思： 毫无希望；绝不可能Example:John stands about as much chance as a snowball in hell in getting the job. He has no qualifications.例句： 约翰根本不可能得到这份工作，他没有任何资历。As straight as an arrowMeaning: This refers to an honest and genuine person who can be trusted.意思： 正直诚实；值得信赖Example:I can trust John blindfolded. He is as straight as an arrow.例句： 我完全可以信任约翰，他为人非常正直。As strong as an oxMeaning: Very strong.意思： 力大如牛；非常强壮Example:That builder, who is working across the road, must be as strong as an ox. I saw him carrying a ton of bricks on one shoulder earlier today.例句： 马路对面那个建筑工人一定力大如牛。我今天早上看见他一肩扛了一吨砖。As stubborn as a muleMeaning: An extremely obstinate person.Mules are very stubborn animals.意思： 倔得像头驴；顽固至极Example:I tried to persuade John to stop drinking, but he is as stubborn as a mule. There is no getting through to him.例句： 我试图劝约翰戒酒，但他倔得要命，根本说不通。*Get through to (someone) = make a person understand.意思： 使某人明白；说通As sure as fateMeaning: This means that it is an absolute certainty that something will happen.意思： 千真万确；必定会发生Example:As sure as fate she arrived late.例句： 她果然又迟到了。Other variations are: as sure as death / as sure as hell.同义： as sure as death / as sure as hellAs sweet as honey / sugar / candyMeaning: When someone is very sweet, we refer to them using either one of the three similes above.意思： 甜如蜜糖；非常亲切温柔Example:She was as sweet as honey / sugar / candy with me last night. I suspect she wants something from me. This behaviour is very unlike how she normally is. Usually she is normally as sour as vinegar.例句： 她昨晚对我甜得要命，我怀疑她有事求我。这跟她平时完全不一样，她平时又酸又臭。