plants, animals, facial features Idioms plants, animals, facial features By 張映芬老師

Plants

As the tree, so the fruit. →是什麼樹，結什麼果(要怎麼收穫先怎麼栽)

If we study hard, we may get good points in the tests. If we fool around all day, we may not achieve our goals. So we say: As the tree, so the fruit.

The grass is greener on the other side. →草是另一邊的綠。(外國的月亮比較圓)

The grass is greener on the other side. My mom gives two apples to younger sister and me. Younger sister has one; I have the other. I always feel that hers is sweeter than mine. So we say: The grass is greener on the other side.

Don't climb a tree to look for fish. →勿緣木求魚。

Don't climb a tree to look for fish. Jack fools around all day, but he hopes to do well in his tests. We all know that it’s impossible. So we say: Don't climb a tree to look for fish.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. →一天一顆蘋果可以遠離醫生。

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Eating vegetable and fruit more makes us healthy. So we say: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Animals

Birds of a feather flock together. →物以類聚。

Birds of a feather flock together. The people who have the same interests (or characteristics) can get along with each other easily . So we say: Birds of a feather flock together.

Care killed a cat. →憂慮致命(好奇心會殺死一隻貓)

Worrying too much hurts our health. So we say: Care killed a cat.

Don't fish in the troubled waters. →勿混水摸魚。

Don't fish in the troubled waters. Tony talks to his girlfriend on the phone very often during the work time. His boss finds that. So his boss says: Don't fish in the troubled waters.

The early bird catches the worm. →捷足先登（早起的鳥兒有蟲吃）。

The early bird catches the worm. The people who get ready earlier gain good chances easily. So we say: The early bird catches the worm.

You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. →老狗學不來新花樣（朽木不可雕也）

You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. The cold-blooded boss wants to fire an old employee. He believes that the employee is too old to learn new things. So the boss believes that You cannot teach an old dog new tricks.

If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. →同時追兩兔，兩頭都落空(魚與熊掌不可兼得)

If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. He wants to study further to get Ph. D and do well in his job. Finally, nothing is done well. So we say: If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. →勿打如意算盤（別過早樂觀得意）。

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. The case isn’t settled down. We should not be happy too early. So we say: Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.

Every dog has his/its day. →十年風水輪流轉（狗也有走運的一天）

Every dog has his/its day. Eric finally pulls through the hardship. He can live a stable life now. So we say: Every dog has his/its day.

Facial Features

Beauty is but skin deep. →美是膚淺的（人不可貌相）。

Most people believe that beauty is being skinny. In fact, the inner beauty is more important. So we say: Beauty is but skin deep.

Seeing is believing. →百聞不如一見（眼見為信）。

Seeing is believing. Wow, I have never seen so many shinning diamonds. I believe that South Africa is indeed a country producing diamonds. So we say: Seeing is believing.

Walls have ears. →壁上有耳(隔牆有耳)

Don’t speak so loudly. Others can hear it. So we say: Walls have ears.

Two heads are better than one. →三個臭皮匠，勝過諸葛亮(團結就是力量)。

Two heads are better than one. Don’t deal with everything by yourself. Discussing with others may help. So we say: Two heads are better than one.

You cannot get blood out of a stone. →石頭擠不出血來（鐵石心腸那有淚）

You cannot get blood out of a stone. Your boyfriend is cold-blooded. You should not expect him to comfort you. So we say: You cannot get blood out of a stone.

THE END 圖片來源：自製圖片