美国人挂在嘴边的句子
作者: Jerry Cat
时间: 2006/07/09
链接: http://www.cppblog.com/jerysun0818/archive/2006/07/09/9611.html
1-----You can't argue with success
Though you may tell someone they are doing something in a wrong way, you have to stop criticizing them if their method works.
2-----Nothing succeeds like success
Likemoney in a savings account, success seems to compound itself. A personwho has a small success expects it to be followed by a bigger one.
3-----The end justifies the means
Itdoes not matter how you succeed. Any method is all right if it worksfor you. This proverb is not always accepted. Often one hears theopposite, " the end doesn't justifies the means."
4-----If you can't beat them, join them
Ifyou cannot compete successfully with a person or a group, stopcompeting and go join them. Then you can share in their success.
5-----Always a day late and a dollar short
Acriticism of a person who never succeeds. The failures may not bedrastic but the pattern of small failures is annoying to others,especially in two areas that Americans value as highly as time andmoney.
6-----One thing at a time
Concentration leads to success. The person who tires to do too many things at once may fail at all of them.
7-----We'll cross that bridge when we come to it
We will not discuss or worry about a future problem. If and when the problem becomes urgent, we will deal with it.
8-----Don't put the cart before the hourse
Dothings in a sensible order. For example, do something to impress yourboss before you ask for a raise in pay. Don't ask for the raise first.
9-----All's fair in love and war
Donot trust a rival or an enemy at all. His or her desire to succeed willoverrule everything else. Such a people may lie, cheat, attack or domany other things far more terrible than he or she would normally do.
10-----When in Rome do as the romans do
Flexibilityleads to success in unfamiliar circumstances. People may changes theirnormal way of doing things in order to fit in better with those theyare visiting.
11------Easy does it
Some things require gentleness for success. One should not push too hard. Force may cause damage
12-----The bigger they are, the harder they fall
Donot be discouraged by the size of your problem or the fame of yourcompetitor. (the saying is traced to a boxer preparing to fight anopponent much larger than he was.)
13-----All is well that ends well
If we can come to a successful conclusion, let us forget about the pain and mistakes along the way.
14-----Go for it
Goahead and try to achieve your goal. Don't worry about failing. Similarto this proverb--God provides food to every bird, but he won't cast toits nest, you got to earn it.
15-----Every little bit helps
Ifsomeone apologizes for giving only a small gift, the recipient mayencourage the giver by quoting this proverb. This is especially true ifthere is a huge job to do or a huge amount of money to be raised frommany people.
16-----Look before you leap
Don't jump into a situation carelessly. You may land in difficulty.
17-----All that glitters is not gold
Do not be fooled by worthless things that seem valuable or look attractive.
"Fool's gold " is the popular name for a kind of stone that glitters like gold but contains no gold at all.
18------Curiosity killed the cat
Donot ask too many questions or become too curious about things. You mayget yourself into trouble like a cat that does not see the danger in anew situation.
19-----Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Donot risk everything in one place or on one project. Divide your sourcesthat one failure will not ruin you. Similar to this proverb---Do notuse both feet to test the depth of the river.
20-----Don't bite off more than you can chew
Do not attempt something too large for you to handle.
21-----Too good to be ture
This is often used to warn about advertising. An offer looks good but turns out to be misleading.
22-----Flattery will get you nowhere
Ifflattery (insincere praise) is recognized, it will not succeed. Onesometimes hears the opposite, Flattery will get you everywhere.
23-----There is no such thing as a free lunch
Ifsomeone you do not know offers you a free lunch or other gift, watchout. The gift may be a method of getting something from you.
24------Pride goes before a fall
Do not be over-confident and careless. Your circumstances may change quickly and the emptiness of your bragging will be exposed.
25------Better safe than sorry
It is better not to take a risk than to take a risk foolishly.
26-----Winning isn't everything
Onemay enjoy the process of playing a game whether one wins or not. Thistraditional proverb is now often heard in the opposite form, Winningisn't everything. It's the only thing!
27------Time will tell
Wait and see how something will work out. Don't trust a person or thing too much right now.
28-----The burned child shuns fire
Someof life's lessons are learned the hard way. The person who has had topay for a mistake will be careful not to make that mistake again.
29-----There are other fish in the sea
Thereare opportunities! For example, this may be used to encourage someonewho has just broken off a relationship with a sweetheart.
30-----Don't count your chickens before they are hatched
Do not become too confident of success before you can see that progress is happening.
31-----Rome wasn't built in a day
Do not be discouraged if your goal still seems far away. On a big project, success takes time!
32-----There is more here than meets the eye
Be careful. People are hiding something in order to protect themselves or take advantage of you.
33-----The customer is always right
Businessesinstruct their clerks not to do anything that might threaten acustomer's self-esteem, no matter how unreasonable the customer is. Anycomplaint of any customer must be carefully and politely heard by anyemployee. The
customer must not be made to feel ignorant.
34-----Be true to yourself
Donot compromise yourself or your beliefs in order to please other peopleor fit in with a system. Know who you are. Let other people know whatyou stand for. Do not give in to pressure to conform or to do thingsyou do not agree
with.
35-----Once bitten, twice shy
Thismay be used to explain the behavior of a person who is overly cautiousabout something. The wise person makes mistakes but does not usuallymake the same mistake twice.
36-----It isn't over till the fat lady sings
Irefuse to admit defeat yet. Though right now it looks like I may fall,there is still time for things to change. (The "fat lady" is aninsulting reference to an opera soloist, opera often end with a femalesolo.)
37-----To each his own
Eachindividual should be allowed to have his or her own preferences. peoplewill naturally choose different activities, goals, life-s, etc.
38-----Looking out for number one
Lookingout for one's own personal welfare more than anything else. This issometimes used to criticize a person who has abused or taken advantageof someone else, "All he was doing was looking out for number one." Orit may be used
to defend himself or herself, "There is nothing wrongwith what I did. I was just looking out for number one."
39-----When the going gets tough, the tough get going
When situation is difficult, only the determined people can handle it. They don't give up!
40-----Times flies when you are having fun
A day seems shot when it is full of enjoyable things but it seems like an eternity if one is idle or stuck with a boring job.
41-----If it feels good, do it
Live according to your desires at the moment. Forget about rules, regulations or consequences. Just have fun.
42-----Live and let live
Do not be judgmental. Do not try to control or punish other people.
You live as you like and let others live as they like.
43-----Variety is the spice of life
Variety is what makes life pleasureable. Boredom is seen as a threat and monotony is the surest route to boredom.
44------Money talks
Wealthhas influence. People who make big contributions to politicalcandidates are "talking" to the candidates and expecting them tolisten.
45-----All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
This is used to criticize someone who takes work too seriously. It affirms that play is as an essential part of human life.
46-----The more the merrier
This is a way of welcoming someone to participate. It means, the bigger the group, the bigger the party.
47------A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
A thing you already have is worth twice as much as a thing you might get in the future.
48-----You can't have your cake and eat it too
Make up your mind. Sometimes one must choose between two very desirable things, giving up one thing in order to enjoy the other.
49-----There is more than one way to skin a cat
Anyof several methods may bring about the desired result. Each person maychoose the method that best suits her. If one method does not work,choose a different one and try again.
50-----One man's meat is another man's poison
Sincethe same thing may affect different people in different ways, eachperson must choose the things that will work in his or her particularcase.
51-----Love finds a way
Loveis considered one of the most powerful and determined forces in theworld. Two people in love will "find a way" to get together.
52-----Absence makes the heart grow fonder
When lovers are separated, they may think about each other constantly. their love may deepen.
53-----Out of sight, out of mind
Thisis said of someone not considered important or worthy of loyalty. Oneforgets about that person as soon as he or she is out of sight.
54------Love makes the world go around
Loveis the driving force in all of life. Love makes life worth living. Ifyou understand love,you understand everything about life.
55-----Marry in haste and repent at leisure
Donot rush into any long-term commitment. In the past this meant, "takeyour time before you commit yourself to a marriage partner." Now itmeans, "Do not commit yourself to anyone you will be sorry." or it maymean, "Live with
a person for a while before marrying him or her." Itmay also apply to any long-term partnership, such as a joint businessventure.
56------Talk is cheap
Talkingis not doing, It is easy to talk about a plan, but this gets littlerespect untill one takes a risk and puts the plan into action.
57-----Love is blind
When people are in love, they do not see each other's faults.
58-----Time is money
Timecan be converted to money, that is, wages are often paid per hour ofwork. Managers want employees to do things quickly because "time ismoney." If employees waste time, the company loses money.
59-----If you're so smart, why ain't you rich
Thisquestion implies that intelligence, like time, can be converted intomoney. It is used to cut down an ordinary person (not a rich one) whohas expressed an opinion as if it is the final word on the subject.
60-----Beggars can't be choosers
Beggarshave to accept whatever they get. A poor person has very few choices inlife. This harsh reply may be used if people complain about the size orquality of a gift.
61-----The love of money is the root of all evil
Greedwill lead a person into many other evils such as cheating, oppressionand violence. (one also hears, money is the root of all evil, whichplaces the blame more on money than on greed.)
62-----A fool and his money are soon parted
Follywill always show up in the way a fool handles money. Wise people arethe ones smart enough to guard money once they have it.
63-----It isn't whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game
Playingwell and fairly is more important than succeeding. This saying issometimes used to console someone who has lost a game. The ideas isthat in spite of losing, one may still feel like a success if one hasplayed as well as
possible.
64-----Money can't buy happiness
Thereare some things money just can't buy. This reminds people that money isnot an ultimate value although it often is treated as one. The sayingmay be used as a comment when a wealthy but lonely and wretched personcommits suicide.
65-----Nice guys finish last
Successis valued more highly than kindness and politeness. If unkindness andimpoliteness contribute to one's success, they are sometimes excused as"toughness" or "what it takes." This is more often applied to men thanwoman.
66-----The one who dies with the most toys wins
This recent, cynical saying makes fun of three common American desires-- competing, accumulating property, and having fun.
67-----Just do it
Thisproverb is actually a recently invented advertising slogan for the NikeShoe company. It may also be the best three-word summary of Americancultural values. It means, "quit being indecisive, Don't botherconsulting a lot of
people. Don't waste much times on planning. Just doit and do it now.
68-----You only go around once in life
Enjoy life, do what you want to do, experience everything you can.
69-----Put your money where your mouth is
Getserious about what you are saying. When you have spoken in favor ofsomething, prove that you mean it by risking some money on it in a betor an investment.
70-----The best defense is a good offense
Be pro-active and goal-oriented, not timid or conservative. Aim to conquer, not merely to protect yourself.
71-----The road to hell is paved with good intentions
Like talking, intending is not doing. Actions matter far more than intentions. Actions determine where a person ends up.
72-----Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today
Doing is better than waiting. If you wait, you might lose your opportunity
73-----Action speak louder than words
To know people's hearts, pay more attention to what they do than what they say.
74-----Idle hands are the devil's workshop
Whenpeople have nothing constructive to do, they get into mischief. Thechild who is bored may pick up a crayon and color on the wall,something that would not happen if the child were happily occupied insome other activity.
75-----You've got to take the bull by the horns
Grab directly and fearlessly for the toughnest part of a problem. Don't look for an easy way out.
76-----Money doesn't grow on trees
You have to work for things. Success does not come on its own.
77-----Easy come, easy go
Ifyou have received something without working for it, it may soon begone. You will not be as careful with it as you will be with somethingyou earned.
78-----Too many cooks spoil the broth
Individualaction or action by the smallest group possible is better thanconsulting a lot of people. Too much consultation will waste time andcreate problems.
79-----Stand on your own two feet
Growup; act like an adult. Don't ask me to do something for you. This maybe said to a young or immature person who depends too much on others.It is like a cow kicking a grown calf that wants to suckle.
80------If you want something done right, do it yourself
Thisdiscourages people from trusting anyone except themselves. It maybesaid to someone who ask another person to do a job for him/her and thencomplains about it was done.
81------Necessity is the mother of invention
Whena person really needs something, he or she figures out some new way toget it. This creative initiative to change one's situation isconsidered much better than giving up and accepting things as they are.
82------First come, first served.
Thissaying is used when there is a limited supply of something such astickets to an event or food at a picnic. The idea is that no matterwhat your status, if you want some of what is being given away or sold,you must present
yourself in person and in good time.
83-----No pain no gain
onemust put forth an effort in order to succeed. This saying comes fromphysical fitness instructors. They say that if you do not exercise hardenough to make your muscles hurt, the exercise is not doing you muchgood.
84-----Give him an inch and he'll take a mile
Becareful of presumptuous people who take more initiative than theyshould. If you do someone a small favor or delegate a little permissionor a little power, he or she may take advantage of you.
85-----If it isn't broke, don't fix it
Donot bother trying to improve something if it is already workingsatisfactorily. That is a waste of time and you run the risk ofbreaking the thing while you are trying to improve it.
86-----There is no harm in trying
A person expects to be respected for making an effort even if it does not succeed.
87-----The cure is worse than the disease
While trying to solve one problem, we create an even bigger problem. We would have been better off if we had done nothing.
88-----Count to ten before you lose your temper
Do not instantly let your feelings control your actions. Slow down. Think before you react.
89-----All things come to him who waits
Sometimes patience is better than initiative.
90-----There is many a slip between the cup and the lip
Thisrefers to a plan that has gone wrong. When one is drinking from a cup,one intends to get all the drink into the mouth, but this does notalways happen. The plan is good but it can still fail.
91-----Boys will be boys
Peoplewill act according to their nature, including some mischief. This issometimes used to describe irresponsible but not too seriously wrongbehavior by men. In other words, grown men will sometimes act likelittle boys.
92------One bad apple can spoil the whole barrel
Do not associate with bad people. They may spoil you as a rotting apple spoils the apples next to it in the barrel.
93-----Better the devil you know than the devil you don't
Peopleare generally not trustworthy. It is therefore better to deal with afamiliar person or situation than an unknown one. That way you knowwhat to watch out for and you can protect yourself better.
94-----Nobody is perfect
Everyone has shortcomings. This is used as an excuse for a minor Mistake that has been made.
95------The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence
People are never satisfied with what they have. They always want what someone else has.
96-----A man is only as old as he feels
A person's energy level is more important than age.
97-----A man's home is his castle
At home a man is like a king, completely free to do as he wishes.
98-----Clothes make the man
Theway a man dresses will affect the way he sees himself and the way otherpeople see him. The implication is that if you want to succeed, dressfor success.
99-----Two heads are better than one
Two people are more likely to succeed than one working or thinking alone. It is better to consult than to act alone.
100-----Beauty is only skin deep
One should admire a person, particularly a woman, for her deep, inner character and not simply for her superficial beauty.
101-----Many hands make light work
Cooperation makes a job much easier.
102-----There is safety in numbers
Do not take large risks all by yourself. Do not walk alone on a dangerous street at night.
103-----Charity begins at home
One should be kind to close relatives before doing good to the community in general.
104-----There is no place like home
Home is the best place in the world. The most relaxing and enjoyable place.
105-----Silence is consent
Donot stay silent when you see a problem or an injustice. Speak outagainst it. Say, "Enough is enough." or people will think you do notmind the situation.
106-----What goes around comes around
Whatyou do to others, especially if it is bad, will eventually be done toyou. As you seek your own success, do not treat other people badly.They may take revenge and spoil your success.
107-----Honesty is the best policy
Whenone is tempted to cheat, this proverb serves as a reminder of theimportance of good character. Honesty brings trust and trust leads tosuccess.
108-----If the shoe fits, wear it
If an accusation is true, accept the blame. This saying can also mean, " if a suitable opportunity comes to you, take it!"
109-----You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink
Even when given an opportunity, some people will not use it. In that case the blame is all on him.
110-----You made the bed, you lie in it
You created a certain situation so you are now responsible to take the consequences.
111-----The pot calling the kettle black
Sincethe pot and the kettle are equally black from the cooking fire, the pothas not right to criticize the kettle. This might be used if someoneknown to be a gossip criticizes someone else for gossiping.
112-----Don't get mad, get even
When someone treats you badly, do not just get angry, express your anger in action.
113-----Get a life
Do not be so unreasonably critical about tiny things. Find something better to do with your time.
114-----My country, right or wrong
I am absolutely loyal to my country whether or not I agree with its policy in a certain area.
115------There are two sides to everything
Never assume that all the blame for a conflict lies on one side, especially if you have heard only one side of the story.
116-----Forgive and forget
Conflicts should be resolved and ended, not left alone to cause years of regret, bitterness and pain.
117------Business and pleasure don't mix
When you work, work. When you play, play. It is inefficient and therefore unwise to try to mix the two.
118-----Let a sleeping dog lie
Do not meddle in something that will cause you no trouble if you leave it alone. If you wake up the "dog," it may bite you.
119------No man can serve two masters
Divided loyalty will break down sooner or later.
120-----Make it short and sweet
Speak briefly and to the point. We don't have time for the details
121-----What will be will be
Some things cannot be changed or avoided.
122-----A friend in need is a friend indeed
My true friend is the one who show loyalty to me by helping me when I am in need.
123-----People who live in glass house should not throw stones
Do not attact anyone if you have no way to defend yourself when they attact you in the same way.
124-----Opposites attract
Aspositive and negative magnets attract each other, so people of verydifferent types attract each other. For example, a quiet woman marriesa very outgoing man. These differences have a mixed effect on thecouple, partly making
them interested in each other but also leading tomiscommunication and conflict.
125-----The early bird catches the worm
Punctualityis important. If you want to succeed, arrive early, like the bird thathunts worms at dawn before they go into hiding for the day.
126-----Blood is thicker than water
Bloodrelationship is stronger than voluntarily chosen friendship. Brotherswill stick up for each other against their own friends if they have to.This proverb is not quoted much anymore because kinship is not ashighly valued as
it used to be.
127-----You can't teach an old dog new tricks
Once habits are learned, it is very hard to change them.
128-----To err is human
It is normal for humans to make mistakes and it is godly (or God-like) to forgive them.
129-----Haste makes waste
Throughacting quickly is generally a good thing, acting too quickly may causetroulbe. This proverb is used when someone has done a job carelesslyand wrongly. For example, a carpenter in a hurry may cut a board tooshort and have
to throw it away.
130-----Make hay while the sun shines
If you do not seize the opportunity, rain may come and spoil the hay before you get into the barn.
131-----If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen
Withdraw from an activity if you don't like the conflict and criticism it brings. Let other people do it without you.
132-----Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time
This is to tell us that we are all equal.
133-----Life is a pie
It'sdished out in large and small pieces and when's gone, it's gone. If weask for more than our share, we're just begging to be disappointed.
134-----Making every minute count
Doing something productive all the time, not letting any time "slip away."
135-----A pen is mightier than the sword
A conflict maybe resolved more deeply and effectively by writing the truth than by resorting to violence.
136-----A new broom sweeps clean
A new person in power will change many things and improve the situation. change is better than leaving things as they are.
137-----Tomorrow is another day (or, Tomorrow is a new day.)
No matter how bad things are right now, a person may hope for better prospects in the morning. New opportunities will come.
138-----Opportunity only knocks once
Opportunityis like an unexpected stranger passing by. It knocks on someone's door.If the person fails to answer the door, opportunity goes away andknocks on someone else's door. It does not return to the same person.
139-----Business is business
Do business with strangers as if they were brothers and with brothers as if they were strangers.
140-----History repeats itself
Thereare patterns in history. Nations rise and fall for similar reasons.Nations do not change their ways or learn from the mistakes of others.They repeat them.
141-----People are people
Their human nature is predictable. They respond to stimulus and incentives.
142-----Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer
A man without enemy is a man without quality. Think not? Even Jesus Christ had many, many enemies.
143-----Better late than never
Though being on time is better than being late, doing something late is better than giving up or doing nothing.
144-----Punish one, teach a hundred
Peopleproblems sometimes must be dealt with harshly. When you make an exampleof someone, make sure that everyone knows what the lesson is.
145-----Attitude is everything
A pessimist sees a glass half-empty, An optimist sees it half-full.
146-----Like father, like son
Ason will be like his father. This may be quoted whenever the son hasdone something that reminds people of the father. Whether it is good orbad.
147-----When the cat's away the mice will play
Peoplewill take advantage of a situation if they can. Employees will get lazyif the supervisor is not keeping an eye on them. A teenage son ordaughter might hold a wild party at home during a weekend when theparents have gone
out of town.
148-----Praise when praise is due (sometimes even when it isn't)
Do not criticise beyond necessity and seldom in public. And always precede criticism with a few words of praise.
149-----Turnabout is fair play
Ifa person is taking advantage of someone else, the situation may change.The one on top may end up on the bottom. Then the one who has turnedthe tables will say, "I am only doing to you what you did to me.
150-----Here today, gone tomorrow
Thingsmay change quickly. This is said as a criticism of a person who changesquickly for no good reason. It may also be said of a thing or situationwhich does not last. Change is not good when it indicates unreliability.