From: WWWest

Understanding the American People through Their Common Sayings---3000原版书俱乐部

1--------You can't argue with success.

           Though you may tell someone they are doing something in a wrong way,

           you have to stop criticizing them if their method works.

 

 

2--------Nothing succeeds like success

           Like money in a savings account, success seems to compound itself. A person who

           has a small success expects it to be followed by a bigger one.

[此贴子已经被作者于2006-3-31 11:05:14编辑过]

3--------The end justifies the means

It does not matter how you succeed. Any method is all right if it works for you. This proverb is not always

accepted. Often one hears the opposite, " the end doesn't justifies the means."

4--------If you can't beat them, join them

If you cannot compete successfully with a person or a group,

stop competing and go join them. Then you can share in their success.

6--------One thing at a time

Concentration leads to success. The person who tires to do too many things at once may fail at all of them.

7--------We'll cross that bridge when we come to it

We will not discuss or worry about a future problem. If and when the problem becomes urgent,

we will deal with it.

Don't put the cart before the hourse

Do things in a sensible order. For example, do something to impress your boss before you ask for

a raise in pay. Don't ask for the raise first.

本末倒置。。。it has another expression...::::::::::::::

don't carry coal to Newcastle.

Newcastle is famous for coal producing... so this phase means do something in vain.

爱情和战争是 不择手段的。

8--------All's fair in love and war

Do not trust a rival or an enemy at all. His or her desire to succeed will overrule everything else.

Such a people may lie, cheat, attack or do many other things far more terrible than he or she would

normally do.

10--------When in Rome do as the romans do

Flexibility leads to success in unfamiliar circumstances. People may changes their normal way of doing

things in order to fit in better with those they are visiting.

入乡随俗

11-------Easy does it

Some things require gentleness for success. One should not push too hard. Force may cause damage.

慢慢来

12--------The bigger they are, the harder they fall

Do not be discouraged by the size of your problem or the fame of your competitor.

(the saying is traced to a boxer preparing to fight an opponent much larger than he was.)

爬得越高，跌得越重

结局好就一切都好

13--------All is well that ends well

If we can come to a successful conclusion, let us forget about the pain and mistakes along

the way.

14--------Go for it

Go ahead and try to achieve your goal. Don't worry about failing. Similar to this proverb--God

provides food to every bird, but he won't cast to its nest, you got to earn it.

Always a day late and a dollar short 是对那些常犯些小错, 把事情弄糟的人的指责. 特别是在关键方面(美国人尤其在意的时间和钱)缺这点,少那个的而不能成事, 实在是令人讨厌和失望--在打别人的小报告时用很好.

15--------Every little bit helps

If someone apologizes for giving only a small gift, the recipient may encourage the giver by

quoting this proverb. This is especially true if there is a huge job to do or a huge amount of

money to be raised from many people.

16--------Look before you leap

Don't jump into a situation carelessly. You may land in difficulty.

17--------All that glitters is not gold

Do not be fooled by worthless things that seem valuable or look attractive.

"Fool's gold " is the popular name for a kind of stone that glitters like gold but contains no gold at all.

会发光的并非都是金子

18-------Curiosity killed the cat

Do not ask too many questions or become too curious about things. You may get yourself into

trouble like a cat that does not see the danger in a new situation

19--------Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Do not risk everything in one place or on one project. Divide your sources that one failure

will not ruin you. Similar to this proverb---Do not use both feet to test the depth of the river.

20--------Don't bite off more than you can chew

Do not attempt something too large for you to handle.

21--------Too good to be ture

This is often used to warn about advertising. An offer looks good but turns out to be misleading.