chase有“追赶/逐”的意思 tail是“尾巴”
但老外说“chase your own tail”
可不是叫你追自己尾巴!那是什么意思?
chase your own tail是什么意思
chase your own tail
字面意思是:追你自己的尾巴
我们都知//www.58yuanyou.com道尾巴一般长在后面,
自己追自己的尾巴,永远也追不上。
实际表示: 瞎忙活;徒劳无功
(注意:own也可以省略)
【英文解释】
to spend a lot of time and energy doing something, but achieving nowww.58yuanyou.comthing.
即:花大量的时间和精力做某事,却一无所获。
Don't chase your tail in your work.
在工作上,千万别瞎忙活。
the tail is wagging the dog
the tail (is) wagging the dog
字面意思:尾巴在摇狗
一般说“狗摇尾巴”,这里刚好反过来。
所以,这个习语的真正含义是:
主次颠倒,喧宾夺主
【英文解释】
If you say that the tail is wagging t原由网he dog, you mean that a small or unimportant part of something is becoming too important and is controlling the whole thing.
即:如果你说“the tail is wagging the dog”,你的意思是某件事的一个小的或不重要的部分变得太重要,正在控制整个事情。
Why is this small matter taking so much time ? Now it's the tail wagging the dog !
为什么这件小事要花这么多时间?真是本末倒置!
with your tail between your legs
字面意思:把尾巴夹在两腿之间
口语中常用来形象地形容:
无地自容;垂头丧气;灰溜溜
【英文解释】
If you say that you have your tail between your legs, you are emphasizing that you feel defeated and ashamed.
即:如果你说你的尾巴夹在两腿之间,你在强调你感到挫败和羞愧。
His team retreated last night with tails tucked firmly between their legs.
他的队伍昨晚灰溜溜地撤退了。
nose to tail
nose to tail
字面意思:鼻子到尾巴
实际表示:首尾相连
(尤指塞车时汽车一辆接一辆缓缓行进)
【英文PIxNXeUbK解释】
If vehicles are nose to tail, the front of one vehicle is close behind the back of another.
如果车辆是头尾相接,则表示一辆车的前部紧靠另一辆车的后部。
汽车首尾相接,
英式英语是:nose to tail;
美式英语是:bumper-to-bumper;
About twenty fast-moving trucks drov//www.58yuanyou.come nose to tail on the road.
大约二十辆快速行驶的卡车在路上首尾相连。