143 (A) collect oneself (B) hump

Ross collect one's wits /collect oneself 鎮定下來, 恢復理智 I need time to collect my wits before seeing him again. 我需要先鎮定一下才能再次見他 You should try to let him collect himself then deal with the problem. 你應該讓他先冷靜下來再來處理這個難題 hump 駝峰 Some camels have one hump and the others have two. 駱駝有些是單峰的有些是雙峰

Ben collect one's wits /collect oneself 鎮定下來, 恢復理智 I was really scared, but I knew I had to collect my wits first. 我真的嚇到了，但是我知道我必須先鎮定下來。 hump 駝峰 over the hump: past the most difficult part of something We've almost done. We finally got over the hump with three months of hard work. 我們幾乎快完成了。我們用了三個月的努力克服最難的一關。 Suggestion: You can not use "have" and "done" unless there is a direct object. Instead of done, use "finish." "We've almost finished." You could also write: "We're almost done." By putting the "with" preposition at the end of the final sentence, it seems like you are clarifying why, even after getting over the hump, you are not done/finished yet. It seems like the sentences are about to read like this: "We finally got over the hump with three months of hard work remaining." Instead, lead with the prepositional phrase. "With three months of hard work we finally got over the hump." The sentences are correct in-and-of themselves but, in composition, the sentence you lead with is where you want the reader to focus. Your leading sentence was about almost being done. So, naturally, the reader/listener exects you to explain that in the second sentence. If you led with finally getting done, then that is what the reader/listener understands to be the most important. If that is what you want to emphasize, I would construct the sentences like this: "We finally got over the hump after three months of hard work. We are almost done. A couple notes: 1) "After" may be a better preposition because you are using time "three months" and getting over the hump was the culmination of that hard work. 2) Contractions like "we're" is perfectly acceptable in speech, but unless you are quoting somebody's speech, it may be best to write out the two words. 3) These are more in-depth methods about using English. They are not necessary for communicating information but, like using idioms, they do help convey tone and emotion.

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142 (A) play truant (B) chicken out

Ross play truant/play hooky 逃學 In my last year in the high school, I played truant a lot. 我在高中的最後一年常逃學 chicken out 因害怕而決定不做某事 He had a dentist appointment but he chickened out at the last moment. 他已預約治牙, 但到時候卻不敢去了。

Ben play truant/play hooky 逃學 Jack played truant seven days this month. Jack這個月逃學逃了七天。 Suggestion: These are both great sentences. Growing up, my mom used "hooky" and I have not heard in America, "playing truant." chicken out 因害怕而決定不做某事 You're not chickening out, are you? 你並不是不敢去，不是嗎？

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141 (A) drop in one's lap (B) at the drop of a hat

Ross drop sth in sb's lap 將某事推給他人負責 You've got to deal with this. Don't try and drop it in my lap. 這事你得去自己去處理，別想往我身上推 at the drop of a hat 不拖延地/反應很快 You can't expect me to move out of my apartment at the drop of a hat. 你別指望我說搬家就搬家 通常放在句尾

Ben drop sth in sb's lap 將某事推給他人負責 How can I know who drop the job in my lap? 我怎麼知道誰把工作推到我身上來？ Suggestion: More likely you mean "directly" in the second sentence. "Direct" can be, maybe, an adverb; but usually only if it is a specific technology (ex. "Send me a message, Facebook, if you need help.") You need to conjugate "drop" into "dropped" in the first sentence. Other verbs like "put" can be used in place of "drop." Also, "how can I know" is not the best way to phrase the question. There are a variety of alternatives, depending on what you are menaing by using "know." "How can I meet whoever dropped...?" "How can I find out who dropped...?" "How could I know who dropped...?" at the drop of a hat 不拖延地/反應很快 Call me direct if you need anything. I can come at the drop of a hat. 如果你需要什麼，直接跟我聯絡。我會很快過來。

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140 (A) so to speak (B) put year on sb

Ross so to speak 可以說; 可謂 The new regulations have been officially taking effect, so to speak. 新措施可以說已經正式實施了 用法類似in general, generally speaking, 通常用在句尾 put years on sb 使某人顯得老些 The shock put years on him. 這一場打擊使他見老 The way she dresses put year on her. 她打扮的方式讓她看起來很老

Ben so to speak 可以說; 可謂 John helps me with my math. He's my personal tutor, so to speak. John幫我準備數學。他可以說是我的個人家教。 put years on sb 使某人顯得老些 The breakup of his marriage put years on him. 離婚讓他顯得更老點。 Suggestion: These are both good. In the second sentence you may need to change "him" to "John" or whoever "he" is. This is a style issue when you have personal pronouns (him and his) that are different than the subject of the sentence (the breakup). But, this greatly depends on how often you use "John" in surrounding sentences.

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139 (A) I meant what i said (B) more than enough

Ross I meant what I said. 我是認真的 I meant what I said, and we better follow the rule. 我是認真的，我們最好遵守規則 more than enough 太多了/回絕對方好意用 A: Do you want one more cake? 你還要再來塊蛋糕嗎? B: Thanks, that's more than enough. 謝謝，我己經吃太多了

Ben I meant what I said. 我是認真的 I meant what I said. We have to finish it tonight. 我是認真的。我們必須今晚完成。 more than enough 太多了/回絕對方好意用 More than enough is too much. 適可而止。

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138 (A) in a rut (B) look before you leap

Ross in a rut 常規/慣例 My life is just in a rut. 我的生活就是這樣一成不變 When you feel stuck in a rut, it is time for you to upgrade your skills. 感覺自己停滯不前的時，就是應該技術更新的時候。 look before you leap 三思而後行 You should look before you leap when you make important decisions. 最重大決定時你應該要三思而後行

Ben in a rut 常規/慣例 I was stuck in a rut and decided to look for a new job. 我總是停滯不前，我決定去尋找新工作。 look before you leap 三思而後行 Think more carefully! Look before you leap! 再想清楚點！三思而後行！

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137 (A) get in the corner (B) lose head

Ross get sb in the corner 陷入絕境 Be smart!! Don't get yourself in the corner. 聰明點，不要讓你自己陷入絕境 lose sb's head 喪失理智/驚惶失措 A: I think we will definitely win the game tonight with the 10 points lead now. 我們現領先十分，我覺得我們今晚的比賽一定贏了 B: Let's not lose our head. Let's make sure we have really won first 咱們先別樂昏了頭，先確定我們真的贏了再說

Ben get sb in the corner 陷入絕境 They get John in the corner and he yelps for help. 他們讓John陷入絕境，John大叫救命。 Suggestion: Usually, I hear "a corner" instead of "the corner." Because the first sentences has two different subjects you will need punctuation like a coman, semicolon, or period. lose sb's head 喪失理智/驚惶失措 You'll be OK as long as you don't lose your head. 你將會沒事的，只要你不要驚惶失惜。

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136 (A) like a charm (B) turn in

Ross (work) like a charm 有神效、真靈 A: Did you take my advice and use that line on her? 你有聽我的勸告跟她說那句話嗎？ B: Yep, it worked like a charm. We are going out tonight! 有，真管用。我們今晚要一起出去玩！ A: How did that new facial mask work? 那種新面膜效果如何？ B: Like a charm! My pimples are all gone. 真靈！我的痘痘全沒了。 turn sb in 舉發，告發 The fugitive was turned in by his ex-girlfriend. 那個逃犯被他從前的女朋友告發了 A: I caught Jim cheating on the test. 我抓到Jim考試作弊 B: Are you going to turn him in? 你要去舉發他嗎？

Ben (work) like a charm 有神效、真靈 Aromatherapy worked like a charm. I relaxed and had a deep sleep last night. 芳香療法真有效。我昨晚完全放鬆，睡得很好。 turn sb in 舉發，告發 The hit-and-run driver turned himself in to the police the day after the accident. 這個肇事逃逸的司機在車禍隔天就自己去自首。

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135 (A) it's all in your head (B) getting nowhere

Ross It's all in your head. 胡思亂想/熟稔於胸 A: I'm just not good enough for the job. 我根本不夠格做那份工作。 B: It's all in your head. You're smarter than you think. 那全是你在胡思亂想，你比自己以為的聰明多了。 也可以表示非常熟悉，己是自己的一部份 A: I haven't spoken Japanese for years. 我己經好多年沒說日文了 B: It's all in your head. It will slowly come back. 已經全在你腦袋裡了，它會慢慢恢復的。 getting nowhere 沒有成果/沒有結果 They've been arguing for hours and they are getting nowhere. 他們己經吵了好幾個鐘頭，都吵不出個結果來 We're getting nowhere studying here. Let's find a quieter place. 在這裡讀書根本讀不下去，我們去找個比較安靜的地方。

Ben It's all in your head. 胡思亂想/熟稔於胸 It's all in your head! Just relax! 那都是你胡思亂想！放輕鬆！ It's all in your head. Let's refresh your memory. 那些都在你的腦袋裡了。咱們來喚起你的記憶力吧。 getting nowhere 沒有成果/沒有結果 I can't seem to make any progress. I'm just getting nowhere. 我一直都沒有什麼進展。

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134 (A) eat like a horse (B) fidelity

Ross eat like a horse 非常能吃 That football player eats like a horse. 那個足球選手非常能吃 fidelity 忠誠度 There was a tempting offer from another company to Jake and that really tested his fidelity to his company. 另一間公司提供誘人的工作機會，這正測試著Jake對原本公司的忠誠度

Ben eat like a horse 非常能吃 That football player eats like a horse. 那個足球選手非常能吃 fidelity 忠誠度 There was a tempting offer from another company to Jake and that really tested his fidelity to his company. 另一間公司提供誘人的工作機會，這正測試著Jake對原本公司的忠誠度eat like a horse 非常能吃 No wonder he's so fat. He eats like a horse. 難怪他這麼胖。他非常能吃。 fidelity 忠誠度 His fidelity to the company is over 25 years. 他對這間公司的忠誠度超過25年。 Suggestion: Your use of "is" in the second sentence is equating fidelity to a time period (twenty-five years). More likely you mean to describe the length of his fidelity. Here are possible alterations. His fidelity to the company is over twenty-five years OLD. (It turns 25 years into an adjective)His fidelity to the company has existed FOR over twenty-five years. He has had fidelity in the company over twenty-five years. (these last two change the object of the verb)

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133 (A) look a gift horse in the mouth (B) work like a horse

Ross look a gift horse in the mouth 對禮物吹毛求疵 It would be silly to look a gift horse in the mouth. 對禮物吹毛求疵是愚蠢的。 work like a horse 拼命工作/苦幹 He works like a horse to earn his living. 他拼命工作賺取生活所需

Ben look a gift horse in the mouth 對禮物吹毛求疵 Never look a gift horse in the mouth. 絕對不要對禮物吹毛求疪。 work like a horse 拼命工作/苦幹 If you work like a horse, you work very hard. 如果你像馬一樣工作，你工作非常努力。 Suggestion: Both of your sentences are well put together. I more often hear work like a dog. The difference between the two can be whatever you mean for it to be. I would think working like a dog implies a close proximity to a labor-master, while working like a horse can be hard work but more bourgeois (without a boss). But the difference is really what you mean for it to be.

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132 (A) a willing horse (B) flog a dead horse

Ross a willing horse 心甘情願的幫手 I've still got some work to do, but there are plenty of willing horses who'll do it for me. 我還有一些事要做,且有不少人願意幫我做。 flog a dead horse 白費力 You're flogging a dead horse by asking him to lend you money. 你向他借錢是白費力氣。 It's useless to flog a dead horse 死馬加鞭亦是枉然 (重提舊話只是白費唇舌)

Ben a willing horse 心甘情願的幫手 He is a willing horse. He always prepares to work hard. 他是個心甘情願的好幫手。 flog a dead horse 白費力 All he does is useless. He is flogging a dead horse. 他所作的一切都是沒用，白費力氣的。 Suggestion: You would say "All that he does is useless." Without the "that" the sentence is making "all he does" to BE "useless." With the "that" the sentence describes "all he does" AS "useless." Both can be correct depending on your meaning, but it makes more sense with "that." Most people nowadays say "beating" a dead horse, mostly because "flogging" has an enslavement connotation that Americans do not like.

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131 (A) can't get enough of (B) crunch

Ross can't get enough of someone/something 再多也不夠/不能沒有 I can't get enough ice cream. 我冰淇淋怎麼吃都嫌不夠 We can't get enough of Bill. He is so important in our team. 我們不能沒有Bill，他對我們團隊實在太重要了 crunch 嘎吱作響or關鍵時刻 When it comes to the crunch they will support us. 到緊要關頭他們會支持我們的

Ben can't get enough of someone/something 再多也不夠/不能沒有 I can't get enough of sleeps. 我怎麼睡都嫌不夠。 Suggestion: Sleep cannot be pluralized. You would say "I can't get enough of sleep." If you are talking about cyclical periods of rest you have to use another word or phrase. "I can't get enough of naps"; or "I can't get enough of end-of-the-day rests"; or "I can't get enough of sleeping." Our team can't get enough of John. He is the best player. 我們的球隊不能沒有John。他是最好的球員。 crunch 嘎吱作響or關鍵時刻 When it came to crunch, she couldn't agree to marry him. Suggestion: Usually I hear "crunch time." When it came to crunch time, she couldn't agree to marry him. 到緊要關頭，她不答應嫁給他。

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130 (A) fudge (B) horse trade

Ross fudge n. 奶油巧克力軟糖 v. 捏造/欺騙 fudge is a dessert made with butter and chocolate. fudge是一種由奶油及巧克力做成的甜點 The physicist fudged on his experimental data. 那位物理學家捏造實驗數據。 horse trade n. v. 談判/妥協 The government will not go through a political horse trade with the terrorists. 政府決不與恐怖分子做政治上的談判

Ben fudge n. 奶油巧克力軟糖 v. 捏造/欺騙 Joe enjoys fudge cakes very much. 喬非常愛吃奶油巧克力蛋糕。 Joe has been fudging his data for years now. 喬已經作假資料好幾年了。 horse trade n. v. 談判/妥協 The Egyptian president is going through a political horse trade with the protesters. 埃及總統正在和抗議的人進行妥協。 Suggestion: I usually hear "horse trade" as a verb; "The Egyptian president is engaged in horse trading." As a noun, I would suspect that it would function like "trade." So, you would not "go through" a trade you would "negotiate" or "navigate" or "propose" or "maneuver" a trade.

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Sue fudge n. 奶油巧克力軟糖 Little children enjoy fudges very much. 小小朋友非常喜歡吃奶油巧克力軟糖。 fudge v. 捏造/欺騙 Don;t fudge me, I'm not silly. 別欺騙我，我不是笨蛋。 horse trade v. 談判/妥協 Sales representatives are good at horse trading with their suppliers and customers to gain more profit. 業務代表擅長與供應商及顧客談判以獲得更多利潤。

129 (A) before (B) where do you stand

Ross before long 很短時間 I'll call you back before long. 我等一下馬上打給你 where do you stand?你支持那一方 Both candidates have strong background and policies, where do you stand? 兩方的候選人都有很不錯的背景及政策，你支持那一邊?

Ben before long 很短時間 I'll be there before soon! 我等一下就會在那。 where do you stand?你支持那一方 Where do you stand politically? 你政治傾向支持那一邊?

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128 (A) the other way around (B) a matter of

Ross the other way around 正好相反 A: Do you agree with the logic behind the theory? 你同意這個理論背後的邏輯嗎? B: No, I think it is the other way around. 不，我認為它正好相反 a matter of 依...而定，由...決定 a matter of principle 原則問題 A: Can you give us another chance? 你可以再給我們一次機會嗎? B: No, that's a matter of principle 不行，這是原則問題

Ben the other way around 正好相反 I think it should go on the other way around. 我想這正好相反。 a matter of 依...而定，由...決定 It's just a matter of time. 這只是時間問題。

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127 (A) when one's ship comes home (B) crape

Ross When one's ship comes home 當發財的時候 When my ship comes home, I'll buy a sport car. 等我發了財,我要買一輛跑車 crape 黑紗 People will wear a piece of crape on their arm when their relatives passed away. 有家人去世時人們會在手臂上別一塊黑紗 crapehanger 悲觀的人 Don't talk to crapehanger like Joe when you need some encouragement. 當你需要別人的鼓勵時，千萬別找像Joe那像悲觀的人

Ben When one's ship comes home 當發財的時候 When she ship comes home, she'll travel around the world. 等她發了財，她將環遊世界。 crape 黑紗 He worn a black crape because he was in mourning for her wife. 他穿著黑紗因為他正為他太太服喪。 Suggestion: I have never heard of a crape or crapehanger. I have only heard the first phrase as "when one's ship comes in," and it does not have to refer to travel. For example: "I've greedily waited for my father to die so that I could get my inheritance, and today my ship has finally come in." There were a few grammar mistakes too. When (her) ship comes in/home, she'll travel around the world. He wor(e) a black crape because he was in mourning for (his) wife. crapehanger 悲觀的人 A crapehanger is a pessimist, a man who thinks everything is as bad as possible. 悲觀的人都盡可能把事情想得很糟。 當你需要別人的鼓勵時，千萬別找像Joe那像悲觀的人

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126 (A) what brings you here (B) idel away

Ross What brings you here? 什麼風把你吹來? Hi, Ben. What brings you here. Come on in and have a seat. 嗨Ben，什麼風把你吹來的? 快請進 也可用在"不速之客"來時，但口氣不同 idle away 閒混/浪費 Lot of students idle the hours away watching TV. 很多學生把時間浪費在看電視上 He idled away his entire vacation. 他把整個假期都浪費掉了。

Ben What brings you here? 什麼風把你吹來? Long time no see! What brings you here? 好久不見！什麼風把你吹來？ idle away 閒混/浪費 She idled the afternoon away and then went to a party. 她混了一下午，然後就去跑趴了。

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125 (A) on one's way out (B) fix up

Ross on one's way out 正要出門去/退流行 I am on my way out, wait for me 我正要出去，等等我 The fur coat is on its way out in the fashion world. 毛皮大衣在時裝界己經漸漸流行了 fix up 修理/安排 Do you want me to fix you up on a blind date? 需不需要我幫你安排個相親約會? Don't worry, I'll fix you up with a place to stay 別擔心，我會幫你安排住處

Ben on one's way out 正要出門去/退流行 I'm on my way out now. See you later. 我正要出門去，待會見。 Is "the big bang theory" on the way out? the big bang theory 退流行了嗎？ Suggestion: You do not have to include "now" after using "on my way out." But either way works. fix up 修理/安排 A: So when do I get to meet them?' B: Tomorrow, if I can fix it up. A: 明天我何時和他們碰面？ B: 明天，如果我能安排好的話。 Suggestion: "Fix" and "set" can be used interchangeably in these idioms. "Fix" gernerally has a positive connotation, while "set" has a neutal connotation. As far as I know, a "fix up" is when you secretly try to get two other people to meet, generally one-on-one or as a date. So if person A is trying to "fix up" person B, then person B would not know that it is a "fix up." I do not know if "fix up" can be used as a verb. It certainly can be used as a noun, as I mentioned above. As a verb, you would not say "fix it up" because "it" would be referring to the (noun) "fix up." You should pick one, noun or verb. So, person B would say "Tomorrow, if I can fix you (person A OR person A and 'them') up. As a noun, person B might say something like: "I'm trying to get/set the fix up tomorrow."

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124 (A) abut against (B) play the best of five

Ross abut against/on 緊靠or鄰接 Their farm abuts on ours. 他們的農場和我們的農場相連 Their house abut against the hill. 他們的房子緊靠著山丘 play the best of five 五戰三勝 The rule of the final is playing the best of five, let's do it. 決賽的規則是五戰三勝制，開始吧

Ben abut against/on 緊靠or鄰接 Our community abuts on their farm. Suggestion: I've never heard "abuts on," but "abuts against" is one I've heard. I have also heard "butts against." 我們的社區緊靠他們的農場。 play the best of five 五戰三勝 They will play the best of five series for the championship. Suggestion: You can play "the best of five" or you can play "A best of five series." An alternative may be to play "the first to three" (same as best of five).

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