編者按
學習英語成語是提升我們英語語言知識的一個好方法。今天我們為大家挑選了7條英語成語，請大家讀一讀，聽一聽，說一說，用一用。如有興趣，還可以進一步研習一些其他的英語成語。通過不枯燥的學習，我們也會在不知不覺之中對英語國家的文化增加進一步的了解。
此外，告訴大家一個好消息，在各位朋友的大力支持下，「鄭新民談英語教學與研究」微信號於近日獲得「上海外國語大學校園新媒體學術傳播獎」這一榮譽。希望各位朋友一如既往地關心和支持我們。請多多轉發，多多點讚！
Meaning: Playing something by ear means that rather than sticking to a defined plan, you will see how things go and decide on a course of action as you go along.
Example: 「What time shall we go shopping?」 「Let’s see how the weather looks and play it by ear.」
Origins: This saying has its origins in music, as 「playing something by ear」 means to play music without reference to the notes on a page. This sense of the phrase dates back to the 16th century, but the present use only came into being in mid-20th century America, primarily referring to sports. These days, the expression has lost this focus on sports and can be used in any context.
can't do something to save my life
Meaning: 「Can’t do something to save your life」 is a hyperbolic way of saying that you’re completely inept at something. It’s typically used in a self-deprecating manner or to indicate reluctance to carry out a task requested of one.
Example: 「Don’t pick me – I can’t draw to save my life.」
Origins: Anthony Trollope first used this expression, in 1848 in Kellys and O』Kellys, writing, 「If it was to save my life and theirs, I can’t get up small talk for the rector and his curate.」
Meaning: To 「turn a blind eye」 to something means to pretend not to have noticed it.
Example: 「She took one of the cookies, but I turned a blind eye.」
Origins: Interestingly, this expression is said to have arisen as a result of the famous English naval hero Admiral Horatio Nelson, who, during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, is alleged to have deliberately raised his telescope to his blind eye, thus ensuring that he would not see any signal from his superior giving him discretion to withdraw from the battle.
Meaning: We use the expression 「fat chance」 to refer to something that is incredibly unlikely. Bizarrely, and contrary to what one might expect, the related expression 「slim chance」 means the same thing.
Example: 「We might win the Lottery.」 「Fat chance.」
Origins: The origins of this expression are unclear, but the use of the word 「fat」 is likely to be a sarcastic version of saying 「slim chance」. A similar expression is 「Chance would be a fine thing」, which refers to something that one would like to happen, but that is very unlikely.
pot calling the kettle black
Meaning: We use this expression to refer to someone who criticises someone else, for something they they themselves are guilty of.
Example: 「You’re greedy.」 「Pot calling the kettle black?」
Origins: First used in the literature of the 1600s – notably Don Quixote by Cervantes – this expression has its origins in the Medieval kitchen, when both pots and kettles were made from sturdy cast iron and both would get black with soot from the open fire.
Meaning: This expression is used when something (or someone) is causing extreme exasperation and annoyance. A similar expression meaning the same thing is 「driving me round the bend」.
Example: 「That constant drilling noise is driving me up the wall.」
Origins: The saying evokes someone trying desperately to escape something by climbing up the walls. However, it’s unknown when it was first used.
Meaning: Someone who 「knows the ropes」 is experienced at what they are doing. 「Showing someone the ropes」 means to explain to them how something is done.
Example: 「Ask John, he knows the ropes around here.」
Origins: This phrase has its origins in the golden age of sailing, when understanding how to handle the ropes necessary to operate a ship and its sails was an essential maritime skill. By the mid-19th century it was a common slang expression, and it survives to this day.
為了更好地使用SNS傳媒手段來開展英語教學與研究的傳播與交流，2017年5月鄭新民教授創建了「鄭新民談英語教學與研究」的個人學術微信公眾號，堅持講中國故事，堅持公益，堅持原創，堅持以小見大，堅持教研結合;現已推出「上外名人堂」、「學習之道」、「英詩朗讀」、「國別與區域」、「域外教育」、「師生對話」、「同行交流」、「中國英語教師聲音圖書館」、「超短篇小說」、「學術微講堂」、「海外遊學」等欄目，後續還將奉上「科研方法」、「教師發展」、「課堂觀察」、「訪談技巧」、「數據分析」、「學術寫作」、「學術會議」、「特級教師論壇」等更多欄目內容，歡迎關注(見下方二維碼)並投稿交流。
電子郵箱：sxmzheng@shisu.edu.cn
鄭新民，1957年生，福建省福州市人，香港大學哲學博士（PhD），上海外國語大學教授、博士生導師、博士後合作導師。擔任上海市學位委員會第五屆學科評議組成員，兼任中國英漢語比較研究會外語教師教育與發展專業委員會常務理事，美國紐約大學和英國利茲大學高級訪問學者。主要研究方向為應用語言學、外語教育、外語教師認知和外語課堂教學等。英文專著：Changing Pedagogy:Analyzing ELT Teachers in China ( London/New York: Continuum,2008）, 全球著名應用語言學專家David Nunan為該書作序，稱讚該書拓展、延伸和更新了外語教學理論，尤其對外語課程論理論是一個重要的貢獻。中文專著：《語言教育新概念》（北京師範大學出版集團/安徽大學出版社，2011），《信念與追求—走近上外》（北京師範大學出版集團/安徽大學出版社，2016），《英語學術論文寫作之探—來自鄭新民研究團隊的報告》（北京師範大學出版集團/安徽大學出版社，2017），《英語博士成長札記》（北京師範大學出版集團/安徽大學出版社，2017）。已在SSCI和CSSCI發表學術論文50餘篇。