(1) clutch at a straw/straws 临危极力抓住渺茫的机会逃脱，救人等
1. In that critical circumstance he had to clutch at a straw.
在那种危机情况下，他不得不抓住一根救命稻草。
2. I knew I was clutching at straws, but I couldn't help it at that time.
我知道我是在抓救命稻草，但当时我也是无可奈何。
(2) The coast is clear. 没有被发现的或抓住的危险。
They waited until the coast was clear before loading the stolen goods into the van.
他们待四下无人时就把赃物装进货车。
(3) cut one's coat according to one's cloth 量力而行；量入为出
We wanted to buy a bigger house than this, but we had to cut our coat according to our' cloth.
我们原想买比这个更大些的房子，但是得量力而行啊。
(4) cock of the walk 在小天地里称王称霸的人；头头；土皇帝（这里的walk 指斗鸡前放鸡的场子）
He was quiet enough under the late Pope, but he is cock of the walk now.
前任教皇在世的时候，他是无声无息的，可现在他称王称霸了。
(5) cock up (sth.) 把（某事情）搞糟
1. The travel agent completely cocked up the arrangements for our holiday.
旅行社把我们假日的安排搞得一塌糊涂。
2. Trust him to cock it/things up!
保管他会把它（事情）搞糟！
(6) get / have cold feet 临阵退缩或胆怯
He got cold feet at the last minute.
事到临头他却退缩了。
(7) in cold blood 残忍地；冷酷地
1. They killed the animal in cold blood.
他们残忍地将那动物杀死了。
2. Do you know why he treats his family in cold blood?
你知道他为什么那样冷酷地对待他的家人吗?
(8) throw/ pour cold water on (sth.) 对（某事）泼冷水
You shouldn't throw cold water on his ambitious plan.
你们不应该对他的宏伟计划泼冷水。
(9) (leave sb./be) out in the cold 被排斥在外；不被理睬
When the coalition was formed, the republicans were left out in the cold.
各党形成联盟时，共和党人被排斥在外。
(10) lend/give color to (sth.) （使某事）显得真实和可信
The scars on his body lent color to his claim that he bad been tortured.
他说他受过折磨拷打，从他身上的伤疤看来倒也可信。
责任编辑：admin
上一篇：Soft Conflicts and Chinese-English Translations
下一篇：Culture, Translation and Conflicts
微信公众号搜索“译员”关注我们，每天为您推送翻译理论和技巧，外语学习及翻译招聘信息。