今天我們要繼續講以account這個詞為中心的習慣用語。我們要學的第一個習慣用語是: take into account。這裡account解釋"考慮"，所以這個習慣用語的意思想必是把什麼納入考慮範圍之內，或者是注意什麼。
我們來聽個例子。說話的人認為務必注意是哪些人在支持某一個候選人競選一個大城市的市長職位。
例句-1：We need to take into account who's behind this candidate -- the same corrupt people who've controlled City Hall for 20 years and want to keep on cheating us.
他說：我們務必注意是誰在支持這名候選人：就是那批狐群狗黨。他們控制市府已經有二十年了，還企圖繼續欺騙我們。
這裡take into account意思是注意。我們再聽個例子。這是籌備一家新飯店的幾個合伙人在商討要不要接受Mary合夥。我們來聽聽為什麼他們對Mary的加入十分猶豫。
例句-2：Let's take into account her record before we ask her to come in as our partner. Remember the last two places she managed went bankrupt in a year! And that really scares me!
他說：我們同意她來跟我們合夥前先得考慮她過去的經歷。記不記得她前兩次經營的地方在一年內都破產了嗎? 這可真讓我膽寒哪!
這裡的take into account意思是"考慮"。
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我們再學一個習慣用語: have an account to settle。Settle有算清、了結一筆帳的意思，所以這個習慣用語從字面來看就是有一筆帳得算。但是have an account to settle往往用在和帳目無關的地方。正如在中文裡我們說要跟某人算帳，其實意思往往是過去吃了某人的虧，對他仇恨未消，要伺機報復。我們來聽個例子，說話的人對Tom幾年前為了跟他爭一份工作而做手腳的事耿耿於懷。
例句-3：I still have an account to settle with Tom. I can't forget how he spread nasty rumors about me when we were after the same job. Sooner or later I'll pay him back for that.
他說：我還有筆帳沒跟Tom算呢!我忘不了我們一起申請同一份工作的時候他是怎麼造我謠言的。我早晚得報他那一箭之仇。
所以 這裡的have an account to settle意思是對某人仇恨未消，而要伺機報復。
我們再聽個例子，說的是一個有錢的孤寡老人，兒女和妻子都在飛機失事中喪生。他在這個世界上的親人只剩下他曾經無微不至照顧的那些侄兒女們，但是他們卻忙於各自的生活，從來也不來探望這孤獨的老人。他孤寂悽涼地結束了終生。我們來聽聽他是怎麼安排自己的身後事的。
例句-4：That old man certainly settled accounts with those nephews and nieces who never came to see him. When he died, he left all his money to cancer research and they never saw a penny of it.
這段話說：那個老人確實和他的侄兒女們扯平了。他們從來也不來看望他。在他去世的時候他把全部財產都捐贈給癌症研究工作，一個子兒都沒給那些侄兒侄女。
侄兒女們對他漠不關心，而他也把他們視作陌路人，剝奪了他們的繼承權，所以老人和他們的恩怨一筆勾銷了。這就是這裡settled accounts with those nephews and nieces所表達的意思。
Understanding the Importance of Idioms in English Language LearningAn idiom is a phrase or saying that is commonly used in everyday English to express certain ideas or opinions. Understanding English idioms is important because they require a deeper familiarity of the English language to comprehend what someone means when they use them in conversation.
Idioms may seem complicated at first, but they can actually be a lot of fun to learn. If you’re interested in building your English skills, read on to find out why idioms are so important to your English language learning.
Idioms Give You a New Way to Express Yourself in the English Language
The meaning of an idiom generally depends on the specific context in which it is used. When someone in America tells you to 『break a leg』, for example, they aren’t saying that in a literal sense, but instead are wishing you good luck, usually before a performance. Similarly, if someone asks you to 『think outside the box』, they mean that you should use a different approach than what you might normally do.
Idioms can help students in ESL school express themselves in a more creative way during conversation
Idioms can help students in ESL school express themselves in a more creative way during conversation
Idioms are particularly useful because they give you a new, creative way to express yourself. Rather than saying 『You’re correct』, you could say 『You hit the nail on the head』, which is a more complex and interesting expression. Idioms can also be quite humorous to use, which allows you to express yourself in a more genuine way, including showing off your personality and sense of humor.
Understanding Idioms Can Boost Your Conversational English Skills
You may encounter idioms most often in spoken or written conversation. Idioms can help improve your conversational skills because it shows native speakers that you understand the cultural meaning and context behind the idiom you’re using. This can help you feel more comfortable and confident with your conversational abilities the more you practice it during your English language learning courses.
You don’t have to start with the most complex idiom, either—even a simple 『break a leg』 can help you connect in a more meaningful way during the conversation you’re sharing.
Students at ASC English can use idioms to enrich their conversational skills
Students at ASC English can use idioms to enrich their conversational skills
Learning about Idioms Can Help Enrich What You Learn in Your ESL Lessons
Native speakers often use idioms more than someone who is new to the language, simply because they are more familiar with them and know the context in which they should be used. Therefore, when you use an idiom, you sound more like a native speaker.
It also helps if you think of English as if it were a soup – the basics may be good, but you need a little extra flavor to take it to the next level. Idioms, in that sense, are the spice that you can add to your English skills as you progress through your ESL lessons. Understanding the basics of English is a good start, but idioms can help you explore the language in a deeper, more meaningful way.