一点学英语
接上篇：什么叫“music to ears”?关于音乐的趣味俚语表达（2）
21. CALL THE TUNE
21.有发言权
This is used to describe the person who makes the important decisions about something.
这是用来描述对某件事做出重要决定的人。
I’m afraid I can’t help you sir. Barbara calls the tune around here, so you’d have to speak to her.
恐怕我帮不了你，先生。芭芭拉在这里调音，所以你得和她谈谈。
22. PLAY SECOND FIDDLE
22.居次要位置
This is used to describe the person who takes a subordinate role behind someone more important.
这用于描述在更重要的人后面扮演从属角色的人。
You’re much more experienced than he is, I don’t understand why you continue to play second fiddle. You deserve a higher position in the company!
你比他经验丰富得多，我不明白你为什么还要继续做副手。你应该在公司里得到更高的职位！
23. WHISTLE FOR IT
23.痴心妄想
If someone says this to you, it means they are determined to ensure that you don’t get what you are after.
如果有人这样对你说，这意味着他们决心确保你得不到你想要的。
You can whistle for it as much as you like, this is an heirloom of our family and will stay with us!
你可以尽情地幻想，可这是我们家族的传家宝，将与我们同在！
24. CLEAR AS A BELL
24.清楚的
If something is as clear as a bell, it is very clear or easy to understand.
如果某物像钟声一样清晰，它是非常清晰或容易理解的。
His instructions were as clear as a bell, everyone knew exactly what they were supposed to do.
25. FIDDLE WHILE ROME BURNS
25.紧急情况时却无关痛痒
This is used when people are procrastinating or wasting their time on unimportant matters while there are more serious problems to be dealt with.
当人们在不重要的事情上拖延或浪费时间，而有更严重的问题需要处理时，就使用这种表达方法。
The management committee seems to be fiddling while Rome burns, they haven’t shown any signs of taking immediate action.
管理委员会似乎在捣乱，而罗马正在燃烧，他们没有表现出任何立即采取行动的迹象。
26. JAZZ SOMETHING UP
26.使得…变得有趣
Used when someone is trying to improve something or add more style to it.
当有人试图改进某些东西或添加更多样式时使用。
This dress looks so dull on its own, maybe I should jazz it up a bit with this scarf.
这件连衣裙本身看起来很单调，也许我应该用这条围巾来装饰一下。
27. CHIME IN
27.插话
Used when someone interrupts or joins in a conversation, especially to repeat or agree with something.
用于某人打断或加入谈话，特别是重复或同意某件事。
I was telling the police officer what had happened, but everyone chimed in and started giving their versions of the story, and he couldn’t hear what I was saying!
我正在告诉警察发生了什么，但每个人都插话了，并开始讲述他们的故事版本，他听不到我说的话！
28. DRUM INTO ONE’S HEAD
28.灌输
When you teach someone how to do something through constant repetition.
当你教某人如何通过不断的重复来做某事时。
Our teacher drummed into our heads how important it is to understand the history of our own country.
我们的老师向我们灌输了解我们国家的历史是多么重要。
29. TICKLE THE IVORY
29.弹奏钢琴
This is a humorous way of talking about playing the piano.
一种幽默的描述。
My mother used to love playing the piano. She’d tickle the ivory whenever she had a chance.
母亲以前喜欢弹钢琴。一有机会，她便会弹琴。
30. JAM SESSION / JAMMING
30.即兴演奏
Playing music with various instruments in an improvised and informal setting.
在非正式场合即兴演奏各种乐器。
A few of my friends came over to my house yesterday, and we had the most amazing jam session.
昨天几个朋友来我家，我们来了一场即兴演奏。
We were jamming last night, and I came up with a brilliant idea for a new song!
昨天我们在即兴演奏的时候，我对新歌有了灵感。
31. FINE TUNING
31.性能调整
Used to describe small adjustments made to improve something or to make it work better.
为改进或提高性能做出的小调整。
My motorbike is almost ready. My dad is quite happy with it, but I think it needs a little more fine tuning.
我们打算周末北上探亲，但这只是一段走马观花式的旅程，毕竟我们有那么多的亲戚要拜访。
32. WHISTLE-STOP TOUR
32.走马观花式的旅行
When someone visits a number of places quickly, only stopping at each for a short period of time.
游玩多地，每地停留时间不长。
We’re going to visit my family up North for the weekend, but it’s only going to be a whistle-stop tour, as we have so many relatives to visit there!
我们打算周末北上探亲，但这只是一段走马观花式的旅程，毕竟我们有那么多的亲戚要拜访。
33. WHISTLING IN THE DARK
33.说大话壮胆子
When someone believes in a positive result, even though everybody else is sure it will not happen.
某人坚信事情会有好结果，尽管他人不这么认为。
He seems pretty determined that he’s going to win the race, but judging from who he is up against, I think he’s only whistling in the dark.
他似乎很有决心要赢得这场比赛，但从他的对手来看，我认为他只是在说大话壮胆子。
34. WHISTLING DIXIE
34.自我吹嘘
If someone is whistling Dixie, they talk about things in a more positive way than the reality. Mainly used in the US.
在美国较为常用，描述某人用一种比事实情况更乐观的方式谈论某事。
He heard what the doctor had to say, but he still seems to be whistling Dixie.
尽管听到了大夫的诊断，但他仍旧自我吹嘘。
35. MAKE A SONG AND DANCE ABOUT SOMETHING
35.大惊小怪
When someone makes a big deal out of, or a fuss over, something that isn’t that important.
描述某人小题大做、大惊小怪。
I wish she’d stop making such a song and dance about me moving out, it’s not a big deal.
我搬出去并不是什么大事，真希望她别再小题大做了。
36. ELEVATOR MUSIC
36.电梯音乐
Pleasant but boring pre-recorded music that is usually played in public places.
怡人但乏味的音乐，通常在公共场所播放。
I usually like his songs, but his new album just sounds like elevator music!
我确实喜欢他的歌，但他的新专辑听起来就像电梯音乐！
37. DRUM UP SUPPORT / BUSINESS / INTEREST
37. 获取支持
Try to get extra support/business/interest by various means.
通过各种方式，获取更多支持或利益。
I’ve been trying to drum up support for the local Women’s Rights campaign by speaking to people in the neighborhood.
We need to try and drum up some interest from the local residents, otherwise we’ll never be able to go ahead with our building plans!
我一直试图通过和附近的人交谈来争取当地妇女权利运动的支持。我们需要设法引起当地居民的一些兴趣，否则我们将永远无法继续我们的建设计划！
38. WET YOUR WHISTLE
38.准备庆祝
To drink something alcoholic
喝酒
Why don’t you join us tonight and wet your whistle? It’s been a long time since we went out together!
你今晚怎么不和我们一起喝酒庆祝呢？一直以来，我们都一起玩耍呀！
39. TRUMPET SOMETHING
39.吹嘘
To deliberately broadcast some news so everyone can hear, with the intent to boast about something.
有意夸大事实散布信息。
He hasn’t stopped trumpeting his promotion ever since he got it last month! It’s very annoying.
从上月晋升以来，他就一直在自我吹嘘！真让人讨厌。
40. MARCH TO THE SAME TUNE / SING FROM THE SAME SONGSHEET
40.步伐一致
When everyone follows the same plan, or says the same thing (can be used in the negative form too)
每个人都遵循同样的计划，或说同样的话。
I would say the reason why our business is failing is because everyone is not marching to the same tune!
我认为生意失败的原因在于大家并未步伐一致。
He is always singing from the same songsheet as others. I’ve never heard him come up with his own original idea!
他总是和其他人步调一致。我从来没听过他想出自己的主意！
