相對于在中國文化里的喜慶吉祥,紅色在西方文化中有著更為復(fù)雜的解讀,與暴力、血腥和虧空都有關(guān)聯(lián)。因此,在理解下列習(xí)語時,就不能單純地只看字面意思。
1
To be shown the red card
亮紅牌:源于足球術(shù)語,意為遭人解雇
The company Accountant was shown the red card, after they found out he was using company money for personal gain.
挪用公款謀私的事情一經(jīng)敗露,公司會計便被解雇了。
2
To be in the red
財政赤字:經(jīng)濟(jì)透支、銀行貸款或欠他人錢
I've got three credit card bills to pay off at the moment. I hate being in the red!
我有三張信用卡需要還債,我討厭財務(wù)赤字!
相應(yīng)地,to be out of the red就是“還清欠款”的意思。
Our company is finally out of the red now. We’ve managed to pay back our loan, and now we’re making profit!
公司現(xiàn)在終于擺脫赤字了。我們已經(jīng)還清了貸款,甚至還有些盈余。
3
Catch someone red-handed
抓個正著:逮到某人正在作案或做不該做的事
He kept lying to me about where he was going in the evenings, so yesterday I followed him and caught him red-handed. He was with another woman!
他一直不告訴我這些天晚上究竟去了哪里,所以昨天我一路跟著他,抓了個現(xiàn)行。他竟然跟別的女人在一起!
4
Red in the face
臉紅:感到窘迫
I went red in the face when the teacher told me off in front of everyone for arriving late!
由于遲到,老師在全班面前批評我,這讓我很難為情。
5
Red-eye
長途夜航航班:夜晚出發(fā)早上到達(dá)的旅行
We had to catch the red-eye flight last night, and I’m completely exhausted now.
昨晚,我們不得已做了夜航航班,現(xiàn)在我累壞了。
6
Red-letter day
值得紀(jì)念的重要日子
The day I graduated was a red-letter day for my mum, she still talks about it today!
對母親而言,孩子的畢業(yè)日是個大日子。直至今日,她還會說起這件事!
7
To see red
突然生氣:對某人或某事突然發(fā)怒
John saw red when he heard someone shouting at his mother.
聽見有人沖母親大喊大叫,約翰立馬生氣了。
8
Red tape
用來形容官僚辦事遲緩或手續(xù)繁瑣
I just want to start my own business, but the amount of red tape involved is so frustrating, that it almost makes me want to give up!
我想創(chuàng)業(yè),但要辦的手續(xù)實在是太多,讓人苦不堪言。一想到這些,我就想放棄。
9
Paint the town red
狂歡:出門,享受美好的派對時光
I've managed to get a babysitter for this weekend. Let’s go and paint the town red!
這周我請了人照看小孩,咱們出去玩吧!