英語中有些名詞在慣用短語中只能用複數形式不能用單數形式,例如 friend在下列慣用短語中只能用 friends而不能用 a friend。
be friends with sb.與某人友好
make friends with sb.與某人交朋友
part friends不傷感情地分手
make friends again言歸於好
I have been friends with him ever since our school days.從學生時代起,我一直跟他很要好。
You'll find us all wanting to make friends with you.你會感到我們都想同你交朋友。
Let us part friends.咱們好合好散吧。
I have made friends again with him.我與他言歸於好了。
常用名詞複數的慣用短語還有:
take measures採取措施 take steps採取措施
take notes記筆記 take turns依次
take sides支持某一方,袒護 taketo pieces/bits拆卸
make inquiries調查 make rounds巡視
make preparations作準備 make great strides大有進步
measure swords較量,競爭 mend one' s ways改過
join hands合夥 change hands轉手
lay hands on抓住 shake hands with sb與某人握手
call sb names罵某人 name names點名
put words in sb's mouth教某人講
throw up one's hands投降
count heads清點人數 make words提起,談論
give words to用語言表達 take orders fro聽令於
hold one's horses別忙;等一等 cut corners走近路
burn one's fingers碰釘子 burst into tears突然哭起來
eat one's words認錯 box sb's ears打某人耳光
come to one,s feet站起來
cross swords with sb與某人交鋒
compare notes交換意見
fill sb's shoes接替某人職務
lick sb's shoes巴結某人,拍某人馬屁
step into sb's shoes接替某人職位
lick sb's boots拍某人馬屁,奉承某人
tickle sb's ears奉承某人
lead sb by the ears任意支配某人
have long ears耳朵尖,聽覺敏銳
hold sb by the ears緊緊控制某人,左右某人
fall on one's knees跪下
know one's onions內行
wash one's hands off洗手不幹
lay/put heads together集思廣益
change places with sb與某人互換位置
open one' s eyes睜眼 out of doors在戶外
behind the scenes在幕後 behind closed doors秘密地
at one' s finger's tips如指掌 on pins and needles坐立不安
with open arms 熱烈歡迎 in sb.s boots處於某人的地位
而有些可數名詞只用單數形式如 living生計, close結束,終止。
The winter vacation came to a close when he returned.他回來時,寒假就結束了。
She made a living by baby-sitting.她靠給別人看孩子為生。
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