Nose and Ears: He Has His Nose In the Air
Nose and Ears: He Has His Nose In the Air
Written by Jill Moss 23 July 2006
Written by Jill Moss 23 July 2006
Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.
Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.
A person’s nose is important for breathing and smelling. The nose is also used in many popular expressions.
A person’s nose is important for breathing and smelling. The nose is also used in many popular expressions.
Some people are able to “lead other people by the nose.” For example, if a wife “leads her husband by the nose,” she makes him do whatever she wants him to do.
Some people are able to “lead other people by the nose.” For example, if a wife “leads her husband by the nose,” she makes him do whatever she wants him to do.
Some people are said to be “hard-nosed.” They will not change their opinions or positions on anything. If someone is hard-nosed, chances are he will never “pay through the nose”, or pay too much money, for an object or service.
Some people are said to be “hard-nosed.” They will not change their opinions or positions on anything. If someone is hard-nosed, chances are he will never “pay through the nose”, or pay too much money, for an object or service.
It is always helpful when people “keep their nose out of other people’s business.” They do not interfere. The opposite of this is someone who “noses around” all the time. This kind of person is interested in other people’s private matters. He is considered “nosey.”
It is always helpful when people “keep their nose out of other people’s business.” They do not interfere. The opposite of this is someone who “noses around” all the time. This kind of person is interested in other people’s private matters. He is considered “nosey.”
Someone who keeps his “nose to the grindstone” works very hard. This can help a worker “keep his nose clean” or stay out of trouble.
Someone who keeps his “nose to the grindstone” works very hard. This can help a worker “keep his nose clean” or stay out of trouble.
One unusual expression is “that is no skin off my nose.” This means that a situation does not affect or concern me. We also say that sometimes a person “cuts off his nose to spite his face.” That is, he makes a situation worse for himself by doing something foolish because he is angry.
One unusual expression is “that is no skin off my nose.” This means that a situation does not affect or concern me. We also say that sometimes a person “cuts off his nose to spite his face.” That is, he makes a situation worse for himself by doing something foolish because he is angry.
More problems can develop if a person “looks down his nose” at someone or something. The person acts like something is unimportant or worthless. This person might also “turn up his nose” at something that he considers not good enough. This person thinks he is better than everyone else. He has his “nose in the air.”
More problems can develop if a person “looks down his nose” at someone or something. The person acts like something is unimportant or worthless. This person might also “turn up his nose” at something that he considers not good enough. This person thinks he is better than everyone else. He has his “nose in the air.”
In school, some students “thumb their nose” at their teacher. They refuse to obey orders or do any work. Maybe these students do not know the correct answers. My mother always told me, if you study hard, the answers should be “right under your nose” or easily seen.
In school, some students “thumb their nose” at their teacher. They refuse to obey orders or do any work. Maybe these students do not know the correct answers. My mother always told me, if you study hard, the answers should be “right under your nose” or easily seen.
I think we have explained the “nose” expressions. What about ears? Well, I hope you are “all ears”, or very interested in hearing more expressions. We might even “put a bug in your ear,” or give you an idea about something. We also advise you to “keep your ear to the ground.” This means to be interested in what is happening around you and what people are thinking.
I think we have explained the “nose” expressions. What about ears? Well, I hope you are “all ears”, or very interested in hearing more expressions. We might even “put a bug in your ear,” or give you an idea about something. We also advise you to “keep your ear to the ground.” This means to be interested in what is happening around you and what people are thinking.
If you are a good person, you will “lend an ear” to your friends. You will listen to them when they have a problem they need to talk about. Our last expression is to “play it by ear.” This has two meanings. One is to play a song on a musical instrument by remembering the tune and not by reading the music. “Play it by ear” also means to decide what to do at the last minute instead of making detailed plans.
If you are a good person, you will “lend an ear” to your friends. You will listen to them when they have a problem they need to talk about. Our last expression is to “play it by ear.” This has two meanings. One is to play a song on a musical instrument by remembering the tune and not by reading the music. “Play it by ear” also means to decide what to do at the last minute instead of making detailed plans.
(MUSIC)
(MUSIC)
This VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, was written by Jill Moss. I’m Faith Lapidus.
This VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, was written by Jill Moss. I’m Faith Lapidus.
單字和片語
單字和片語
lead other people by the nose 牽著某人的鼻子走
lead other people by the nose 牽著某人的鼻子走
hard-nosed 很固執
hard-nosed 很固執
pay through the nose 付出比真正的價值高得多的錢
pay through the nose 付出比真正的價值高得多的錢
keep one’s nose out of other people’s business 不要多管閒事
keep one’s nose out of other people’s business 不要多管閒事
noses around 打聽或探索某事
noses around 打聽或探索某事
nosey 好管閒事的
nosey 好管閒事的
keep one’s nose to the grindstone 埋頭苦幹
keep one’s nose to the grindstone 埋頭苦幹
keep one’s nose clean 避開麻煩
keep one’s nose clean 避開麻煩
that is no skin off one’s nose 與某人毫不相干
that is no skin off one’s nose 與某人毫不相干
cuts off one’s nose to spite one’s face 向人發脾氣，反而害了自己；因賭氣以致為自己招來不利
cuts off one’s nose to spite one’s face 向人發脾氣，反而害了自己；因賭氣以致為自己招來不利
look down one’s nose at 嗤之以鼻，瞧不起
look down one’s nose at 嗤之以鼻，瞧不起
turn up one’s nose 嗤之以鼻;對....不屑一顧;瞧不起
turn up one’s nose 嗤之以鼻;對....不屑一顧;瞧不起
have one’s nose in the air 非常高傲. 傲慢地； 以目空一切的態度
have one’s nose in the air 非常高傲. 傲慢地； 以目空一切的態度
thumb one’s nose 對(某人或某事) 表示 輕蔑、不屑
thumb one’s nose 對(某人或某事) 表示 輕蔑、不屑
right under one’s nose 就在眼前
right under one’s nose 就在眼前
all ears 洗耳恭聽
all ears 洗耳恭聽
put a bug in one’s ear 給某人一項構想
put a bug in one’s ear 給某人一項構想
keep an ear to the ground 注意周遭的事或他人的想法
keep an ear to the ground 注意周遭的事或他人的想法
lend an ear 傾聽; 專注
lend an ear 傾聽; 專注
play it by ear (1)演奏或唱歌時靠記憶而不用看譜行事。(2)見機行事，未經規劃。
play it by ear (1)演奏或唱歌時靠記憶而不用看譜行事。(2)見機行事，未經規劃。