我們今天要講的兩個習慣用語都來自美國的一種賭博遊戲，craps，擲骰子賭輸贏。玩兒craps就用兩顆是正方體的普通骰子。骰子的每一面上分別刻有一到六的不同點子。擲骰子的人如果第一把擲出的點數是七或者十一，就贏得全部賭注，但要是第一把擲出的點數是二、三或者十二，那就輸。
要是你第一把擲出的點數是從四到十，你就得再擲骰子，但是你得擲出同樣的點數才能贏。你可以一而再、再而三地擲骰子，但是如果擲出的點數是七，那你就輸了；不能繼續擲骰子了。
從這樣的規則可見玩兒craps輸贏多半靠運氣而不像某些撲克遊戲那樣得運用頭腦跟對手鬥智。這就產生了我們要學的第一個習慣用法：crapshoot。擲骰子叫做shoot craps，所以crapshoot原來的意思就是擲骰子賭博。剛才說過玩兒這個不必多費心思，主要是碰運氣，也必然得承擔結果難以逆料的風險。
人們習慣用crapshoot比喻某種生意。我們來聽個例子。說話的人正在逛街，他走過的地段到處都是東方餐館，有中國的、越南的、韓國的，也有泰國餐館。好，我們來聽聽他怎麼說：
例句-1：Look, there's a new Thai cafe open. I'm afraid it's a real crapshoot -- it's got three others close by. But if the food is good enough, the owner might get lucky and win his gamble.
他看到那兒又新開了家泰國餐館，而附近已經有了三家，可想而知競爭必然相當激烈。新餐館的前景難以預料，只有在他們的食品相當出色的情況下，店主的生意才會幸運地贏得成功。
在已經有好多競爭對手的地段再開一家同類餐館，這種你爭我奪的生意可不好做。這家店的經營前程未卜、風險實在很大，可見這兒的crapshoot意思就是風險大、前途難以預料的生意。
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有人說做股票買賣除非是精於此道，否則正象危險的賭博，所以股票生意也可以稱為 crapshoot。在下面的例子裡這人正在猶豫不決，不知該不該買股票。我們來聽聽他是不是太膽怯了：
例句-2：Should I buy more stocks? With the market so high I'm sure tempted. But I'm afraid it would be a crapshoot. It's so high now, I'm scared it might take a big drop almost any time.
他說：我該不該再買些股票呢？看到股票價格這樣上升我確實心動，但是又怕股票生意風險太大，目前價格這樣高，我怕隨時都有暴跌的可能。
這裡的crapshoot就用來指風險很大的股票生意。
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大家一定記得我們剛才說過要是你玩兒craps，擲骰子的點數是二、三或者十二，那你就輸了；要是你的點數是除七以外的從四到十，你可以再擲。必須擲出同樣的點數才能贏，但如果擲出七就輸。
玩兒craps的人把這叫做：crap out。習慣用語crap out可以有幾種不同意思。首先當然可以解釋為「失敗。」 這個意思直接來自craps賭博。
我們下面聽個例子，裡面的crap out有不同的解釋。這段話說的是三個朋友合股買一家鞋店的事兒：
例句-3：It looked like a great deal. But one friend, Joe, got scared and crapped out on us at the last moment. And my friend Bob and I didn't have enough money to buy the store without him.
他說：這看來是個好買賣，但是其中一個朋友Joe由於害怕而在最後關頭打退堂鼓不跟我們合夥了。我朋友Bob和我兩人少了他又沒有足夠的錢買下這家店。
看來他們的這筆交易告吹是由於Joe反悔當初的協議退出不幹，所以這裡的crap out意思是「退出交易」或者「沒遵守諾言。」
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近來crap out又有了一種新的意思，跟剛才兩種解釋相比要令人愉快得多。我們聽個例子來揣摩它的意思吧。說話的人是個剛考完一場大考的學生。他覺得自己考得比預期的要好得多。我們來聽聽他打算做什麼：
例句-4：Hey, I did great on that math exam. So I'm going to crap out tonight and take it easy instead of studying English -- I think I've earned a little time off for myself.
他說：嗨，我數學考得真棒，所以我今晚不打算學英文了，得輕鬆一下。我覺得我已經為自己換來了鬆口氣的機會。
他數學考得很好，想必是考試前的發憤用功有了成果，於是他決定勞逸結合，今晚不學英語休息一下，可見這裡的crap out意思就是閒散一下、鬆口氣。
Understanding the Importance of Idioms in English Language Learning
An 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.