nuts and bolts 與 趾高氣揚(yáng)

nut?是?螺母,bolt?是 螺栓,?nuts and bolts 是怎么意思呢??在你看機(jī)器說明書的安裝維修部分時(shí)候可能會(huì)看到,?是在告訴你那些固定件的相關(guān)信息,就是在說螺栓和螺母。但作為習(xí)語,日常中遇到就有些引申的意思在里面。英文的解釋是?The most basic, fundamental, or essential aspect of something, or most important and practical details of something.?如果詳細(xì)到了里面螺栓螺母的信息都要講明白的地步,當(dāng)然就是在講某事物中最基礎(chǔ)的組成部分,是最詳盡的描繪和解析。也就是基本原理,基礎(chǔ)知識(shí)。
這個(gè)詞還算挺新的,20世紀(jì)中葉才出現(xiàn),而且是怎么引申出這一層意思的,連詞典里都在講"mildly puzzling"。為什么不是 nuts and screws,?或者 wheels and gears??但習(xí)語就是如此,在文化和日常使用中形成的,并沒有什么嚴(yán)格的邏輯可言。
作為名詞性短語使用時(shí),常見的用法有 the nuts and bolts of something, 以及 get down to the nuts and bolts.??也可以把get down換成其它動(dòng)詞。
We put together the nuts and bolts of the deal and made it work.
Stop messing around, just get down to the nuts and bolts.
This is a lesson about?the nuts and bolts of the writing.
When it comes to the nuts and bolts of getting things done, he 's just no good at all.
也可作為形容詞短語用,His nuts-and-bolts discussion of this topic is great for a novice.
這個(gè)詞在美國俚語里還有大學(xué)里的學(xué)科心理學(xué),the subject of psychology in college?的意思

趾高氣揚(yáng)、趾高氣昂,是我們形容驕傲自滿,得意忘形的成語,走路時(shí)候腳抬得那叫一個(gè)高,帶有貶義的令人生厭的那種驕傲樣子。在英文里有個(gè)很好的意譯選擇,是 on one's high horse.?英文的解釋是,having a condescending attitude, in a haughty manner or mood.?自認(rèn)高大上,別人都是矮窮挫。
看見這個(gè)詞就會(huì)有種畫面感,大概是西方文化里諷刺過去那貴族老爺們騎在高頭大馬上俯瞰平民的嘴臉吧。到了現(xiàn)代也會(huì)用于形容那些由于某些因素,地位、財(cái)富、名望等等而擺出高人一等姿態(tài)的人的樣子。
He's on his high horse?all day long, bossing people around all the way.
在這個(gè)習(xí)語前面使用與上馬、下馬有關(guān)的動(dòng)詞,可以描述進(jìn)入或解除這種驕傲的狀態(tài)。
Since that day he's been up on his high horse.
She got up on her high horse?after I told her my financial state.
Get off your high horse and face the reality. You lose, man.?所以說要放下架子,放下身段,別硬撐面子的時(shí)候也就可以這樣說。
有時(shí)候這個(gè)習(xí)語也會(huì)用于因?yàn)樯鷼舛挥押玫臉幼?。比如說忘了某些該給老婆買禮物的日子,她就會(huì)成天一副臭臉。就可以用這個(gè)詞。
Mary was on her?high horse 'cause I forgot her birthday. Damn.