1. A breath of fresh air: 带来新气象的人 www.test99.com

Test99“Joelle is so lovely and lively that she is a breath of fresh air for the whole family.” www.test99.com

2. The calm before the storm: 暴风雨来临前的宁静 www.test99.com

Test99  “The serene atmosphere in the factory is just the calm before the storm. Once the new boss comes, things will radically change.” www.test99.com

3. A dose/ taste of ones own medicine: 尝尝自己的药，即用同样方法对待对方 www.test99.com

Test99  “Tony has smeared Johns reputation. It is now time for Tony to have a dose of his own medicine.” www.test99.com

4. A drop in the ocean: 海洋中的一滴水，即沧海一粟 www.test99.com

Test99  “For a banker like Mr Huang, a donation of one million dollars is nothing but a drop in the ocean.” www.test99.com

5. Force of circumstances: 时势所逼 www.test99.com

Test99  “Owing to force of circumstances, the man has to dispose of his house to settle all his debts.” www.test99.com

6. (All) grist to ones mill: 可利用之物 www.test99.com

Test99  “As a writer, social ills and problems are all grist to his mill.” www.test99.com

7. A home from home: 第二个家；宾至如归之地 www.test99.com

Test99  “Many foreigners come to work and stay in Singapore; they regard this country as a home from home.” www.test99.com

8. A jack of all trades: 一个样样都懂的人 www.test99.com

Test99“If you have any repairing work to do, just ask Xiao Li, who is a jack of all trades.” www.test99.com

9. A leap/ shot in the dark: 不顾后果的冒险行为；没事实根据的猜测 www.test99.com

Test99  “To enter the hiding place of the gangsters is a leap in the dark. Dont do it!/ Toms answer, though correct, was only a shot in the dark.” www.test99.com

10. The lesser of two evils: 两害之较轻者 www.test99.com

Test99  “Employing a person who is loyal but not very capable is better than employing one who is very capable but disloyal; the former is the lesser of two evils.” www.test99.com

11. The life and soul of the party: 聚会的灵魂人物 www.test99.com

Test99  “Thanks to Helen, all had a good time at the get-together. Helen was really the life and soul of the party.” www.test99.com

12. The man in the street: 一个普通人 www.test99.com

Test99  “Such sophisticated music cannot appeal to the man in the street.” www.test99.com

13. The man of the hour: 风云人物 www.test99.com

Test99  “Jason achieved one success after another. No doubt, he is the man of the hour.” www.test99.com

14. A pack of lies: 一连串的谎言 www.test99.com

Test99  “Dont listen to him! What he has said is a pack of lies.” www.test99.com

15. Rule of thumb: 凭经验而来的方法 www.test99.com

Test99  “Many people consider English verbs difficult. Is there a rule of thumb for mastering English verbs?/ As a rule of thumb, you have to pay $100 a month for every $1000 you borrow.” www.test99.com

16. The run of the mill: 例常的事 www.test99.com

Test99  “There is nothing special about my work; it is just the run of the mill.” www.test99.com

17. A shot in the arm: 一剂兴奋剂 www.test99.com

Test99  “The favourable opinion poll gave the biggest opposition party a shot in the arm.”www.test99.com