作为一种本能,鱼儿天生就是会游泳的,完全适应水底生活,如果有人想教鱼儿how to swim,这和在鲁班门前卖弄使斧头的功夫,在孔老夫子面前卖弄写文章的本领又有什么差异呢?
因此,teach a fish how to swim 的'含义就是“班门弄斧”,“在孔夫子面前卖文章”。
英语中类似的表达还有:teach a dog to chase rabbits;show the President where the White House is; teach the Pope how to pray;use Chinese maximsin front of Confucius.
John Bull这个名字是怎么来的呢?英国人和狗的关系非常密切,特别是斗牛犬 (bulldog),所以,十八世纪初,作家兼御医Dr. Arbuthnot写了一本《约翰牛传》(The History of John Bull),主张英、法和平相处,书中主角的名字就叫作JohnBull,作者用他来代表英国。
从此以后,John Bull成了英国和典型英国人的代名词。
例如:His ruddy countenance and stout figure made him look a genuine John Bull.
The more you take away, the bigger I become. What am I?
【谜底:A hole.】
What never asks any questions but always gets answers?
【谜底:A doorbell】
Where did Columbus stand when he discovered America?
【谜底:On his feet.】
What 5-letter word has 6 left when you take 2 letters away?
【谜底:Sixty.】
Who may marry many a wife and stay single all of his life?
【谜底:A priest.】
It has been two years since I first got to university. Some of my classmates say that the college life is boring, because they have plenty of time but do not know what to do. However, from my point of view, the campus life in college is interesting and colorful as long as you make it meaningful.
In the first semester in college, I didn't relax and I still worked hard as I was in the senior school. I usually spent two hours in study at night and I went to the classroom forautonomous learning.But the difference is that I have many extracurricular activities. For example, I went to the English Corner regularly on Tuesday night, in which I could practice my spoken English and make friends with common interests.
Besides, I join the Student Union of my department. In the Student Union, I have a group of workmates who work hard together and support to each other. Actually, it looks like a big, warm family that we can share our lives together. During various activities, I realize the importance of team spirit that helps us go further.
Finally, college is great stage to improve a student and show one's abilities. In college, I know more about our society and get more channels to explore the outside world. I realize that I am not only a student but also an adult who is preparing to step into the society.