美語裡有許多片語，不能照字解釋，因為具有特別意義，往往讓咱們學習者十分「苦惱」。所以我想多寫些這類的玩兒，供讀友參考。以下也是常見的一群。
(1) close shave:
意思是差點出事，僥幸的脫險或死裡逃生。(narrow escape from an accident or danger) (當名詞用，可用複數)
例如：
Yesterday Bob had a close shave by using his hand-held cell phone while driving.
Bob 昨天開車時用手機，差點出車禍。
(driving 前省去 he was, 因為有同樣的主詞，指Bob)
Fortunately, Mr. A had a close shave but avoided an accident.
A先生僥幸地避免事故，死裡逃生。
Mr. B had several close shaves because of his carelessness.
由於B先生粗心大意，他數次僥幸脫險。
也可以說：close shave = narrow escape = near miss = a hair-breadth escape.
( hair-breadth 是極短的距離，就是間不容髮)
(2) flying colors:
這本是軍中的用語 (military expression)，意謂迎風飄揚的旗幟；也就是極成功或全勝。( to complete something with great success)
(前麵多半用介詞 with; color 要用複數。 color = colour )
例如： After many years of hardwork, Mr. A completed his project with flying colors.
經過多年的努力，A先生極成功地完成他的計劃。
Because of the recession, Mr. Obama’s economic plan has not passed with flying colors.
由於不景氣，歐巴馬先生的經濟計劃，未見極大成功。
In Chinese society, getting a high academic degree is considered passing with flying colors.
在中國社會，取得高學位，算是很大的成就。
(3) French leave:
意思是擅自缺席，不告而別 (absent without permission)
據說從前英國人不喜歡法國人，所以製造一些「不友善」的用語。
又如；把舌頭伸入對方口中的接吻，也叫 French kiss。美國人過去指流行性感冒，也叫 Hongkong flu, 等。
例如：
Mr. B got a warning from his supervisor because of his taking French leave.
B 先生因為擅自缺席，受到上司的警告。
(前麵動詞多半用 take; French 前麵不用冠詞；leave 隻用單數)
If an employee has taken French leave, he/she may get a pink slip.
假如一位員工不告而別，他(她)也許會收到解雇通知。
(pink slip 指解雇通知單)
Tell your son not to take French leave during the school term.
告訴你兒子，在學期中，不可擅自缺課。
(4) golden mean:
意思是不走極端的中庸之道。(middle course between two extremes)
= happy medium
例如：
My philosophy of life is to stick close to the golden mean.
我的生活哲理，就是近乎中庸之道。
To reach the golden mean in your life may bring you happiness.
生活如能採取中庸之道，也許能帶給你幸福。
Don’t go to extreme one way or the other; take a golden mean (或 a happy medium)
不要走極端，採取中庸之道吧！
(5) high flier:
= high flyer本來是指飛行員，飛得太高，容易出事。後指野心很大，好高鶩遠或浮誇的人。( a person is extravagant or very ambitious )
例如：
A high flier may have an impossible hope for the future.
好高鴛遠的人，也許將來有個難以實現的願望。
Being a high flier, Mr. B ended up in debt up to his ears.
B先生野心太大，結果債台高築。
( up to one’s ears = up to one’s eyeballs 是誇張式的片語，是指淹沒到了耳朵或眼球，也就是 overwhelmed or oversupplied )
Keeping modesty and frugality in mind, I will never become a high flier.
抱著樸素節儉的心理，我絕不會變成奢侈浮誇的人。
(6) humble pie:
照字義，是吃謙卑的餡餅；也就是必須低頭道歉或被迫低聲下氣地賠不是 ( to humiliate oneself by having to apologize )
(前麵動詞多半用 eat )
例如：
Mr. A had to eat humble pie for his poor behavior.
A 先生必須為他的不良行為而認錯。
If you put your foot in your mouth, you may have to eat humble pie.
如果你說錯話，你也許就要賠不是。
( to put one’s foot in one’s mouth 是說錯話 )
Be careful what you say or do to avoid eating humble pie.
小心你的所說所為以免向人低頭道歉。
/摘自世界周刊
