解答:
long in the tooth年纪大
“long in the tooth”的起源和马有关。马儿过了壮年,咀嚼能力就会衰退。咀嚼能力退化的标志是牙龈萎缩,牙根显露出来,从而使得马牙显得特别长,因此人们通过检查马牙长短来判断马的实际年龄和相应的价值。所以“long in the tooth”就是指“上了年纪,年纪大”~
🌰 举个栗子:
She's a bit long in the tooth for such a romantic role. 演这样一个具有浪漫色彩的角色,她年纪有点太大了”
拓展知识:
有个成语叫“马齿徒增”,意思是“空有年岁增长而学业或事业没有长进”,可以翻译成“to be long in the tooth with nothing accomplished”
虽然tooth是“牙齿”意思,但在一些表达中却诠释着不一样的意境~
fight tooth and nail
释义:
to try very hard to get something you want
竭尽全力
例句:
We fought tooth and nail to get the route of the new road changed.
我们奋力抗争,争取改变新修道路的路线。
get your teeth into sth
释义:
to deal with something or become involved in something with great energy and enthusiasm
专注于
例句:
I'm so bored at work, I wish they'd give me something I could really get my teeth into.
我很厌倦工作,我希望他们能给我一件我能真正潜心去做的事。
in the teeth of sth
释义:
If something happens or is done in the teeth of difficulties, the difficulties cause problems but do not stop it.
违抗;不顾
例句:
The road was built in the teeth of fierce opposition from the public.
这条道路是在公众的强烈反对下修起来的。
set sb's teeth on edge
释义:
If something, especially a noise, sets your teeth on edge, it annoys you very much.
(尤指噪声)使(某人)非常恼火
例句:
That DJ's voice really sets my teeth on edge.
那位电台音乐节目主持人的嗓音的确使我很不舒服。
好啦,今天的小知识点,你学会了嘛?