long是“长”,tooth是“牙”,longinthetooth是什么意思?

每日学英语 2024-07-09 09:26:41

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?

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