以下是一些老外常用的生活上的口語，因為一字之差，有時會令人迷惑。在此舉例說明，供讀者參考。（在正式的文章裡，最好少用口語）
(1) ahead of time 與 ahead of one\'s time：
ahead of time 意思是提早或較快（earlier or sooner）
但是 ahead of one\'s time 是指比過去的思想、風俗或方法更進步
（more advanced than current customs , ideas or methods）或是做事比別人更進步
（to do something in advance of others）（這裡的 time = era = generation）
例如：
The party was scheduled for seven o’clock, but my wife and I arrived ahead of time.
（宴會預定 7 點開始，但內人和我提早到達。）
To make your boss happier, you had better complete your project ahead of time.
（為了使你的老闆高興些，你最好提早完成你的計畫。）
Mrs. Wang is always doing things ahead of her time.
（王太太做事，方法都比別人進步。）
Wearing short pants and having a low-cut blouse make Miss Lee a teen-ager ahead of her time.
（穿短褲和低胸衣，使李小姐成為新時代的少女。）
(2) to catch someone flat-footed 與 to catch someone red-handed：
to catch someone flat-footed意思是使某人驚訝，或趁人沒有準備而感到意外。
（to surprise someone or to catch someone unprepared）
但是 to catch someone red-handed是指某人在做壞事時，當場被捉到。
（to catch someone in the act of wrongdoing）
（也有人說成：to catch someone in the act）
例如：
Her questions have caught the department chairperson flat-footed.
（她的問題，使系主任驚訝。）
When it came to the Taiwan issue, some politicians were caught flat-footed.
（一旦談到台灣問題，一些政客就會感到意外，不知所措。）（被動語態）
Will the Taiwan issue catch some politician’s flat-foot-ed? （主動語態）
The store manager caught the shop-lifter red-handed.
（店鋪的經理當場捉到小偷。）
這裡的 caught，是指捉到時的情形（state of being caught）。
The murderer was caught red-handed by the police. （被動語態）
（兇手被警察捉到。）
There will be no proof of murder unless the police catch the suspect red-handed.
（主動語態）（除非警察當場捉到兇手，否則無法證明是兇殺。）
(3) to burn one\'s bridges 與 to burn one\'s fingers：
to burn one\'s bridges 意思是不惜代價，決心做某事
（go ahead to do something regardless of costs）。
這本來是指軍隊過橋後，毀掉橋樑，不能再後退。也就是決心做某事，絕不改變（determined to do something without change）。
但是 to burn one\'s fingers 照字義說，是燒了自己的手指，當然自己受傷。也就是說，不該做的事而做了，結果傷害了自己。
（get involved something that you should not ; you bring harm to yourself）
例如：
If you criticize your former boss when you resign your position, you will burn your bridges.
（假如你辭職時批評你的老闆，那麼你就沒有「回頭」的餘地。）
To burn your bridges will jeopardize your future career.
（過河拆橋的做人處事，將會影響到你的事業前途。）
I advised Mr. B to stay away from the stock market; he has already burned his fingers before.
（由於B先生過去有不好的經驗，我勸他遠離股票玩藝兒。）
Mr. Chen does not want to handle this touchy issue be-cause he tries not to burn his fingers.
（陳先生不想處理這件敏感問題，以免傷害自己。）
(4) full of beans 與 full of bull：
full of beans意思是有朝氣，有活力，興高采烈。
（energetic, lively or in high spirits）
但是full of bull是指胡說，瞎聊或說些未必真實無價值的事情
（talk nonsense or worthless ; or say some-thing that may not be true）
full of bull也有人說成：full of bull-shit 或 full of shit，但不禮貌。
（以上兩句的動詞，多半用to be或linking verb）
例如：
Whenever I see John, he is always full of beans.
（不論什麼時候見到 John，他總是朝氣蓬勃。）
Mr. Wang seems full of beans preparing his trip to Tai-wan.
（王先生興高采烈地準備做返台之旅。）
Don\'t listen to what Mr. Lee has said; he is full of bull.
（別聽李先生所說的，他是一片胡言亂語。）
Mr. Lee\'s honesty is suspicious as he is known for being full of bull.
（李先生的真誠\令人懷疑，因為他善於一片胡言。）
(5) at all cost與at all times：
at all cost(s）意思是無論如何或不管付出什麼代價（by any means or regardless of the expenses）。這與at any cost 或 at any price 意義相似。但是 at all times 意思是指在每一個場合（on every occasion）或繼續不斷（to continue without interruption）。
例如：Mrs. A asked the doctor to preserve her husband\'s right leg at all cost.
（Ａ太太請求醫生不惜代價保全她老公的右腿。）
（也有人用：at all costs）
It seems that Taiwan will separate from China at all costs.
（台灣似乎非要與中國分裂不可。）
At airport terminal I will watch out for his suitcase at all times during his absence.
（在機場，當他不在時我會時刻看著他的公事包。）
Please keep your eyes on this bag at all times because there are some important documents inside.
（請你時刻看管這個袋子，因為裡面有重要文件。）
至於 at any rate，意思是不管何種情況或在任何變化的情形下。（regardless of the circumstance or under any changing situation) ，這與 at all cost 意思相近。
例如：At any rate , the train will arrive at the station in time.
（不管怎樣，火車總會及時到達車站。）（也就是說，不管火車開得快慢，總會到達。）
At any rate, many Chinese believe that Taiwan wills eventually re-unit with China.
（許多中國人相信，遲早台灣終會與中國結合統一。）
(6) around the bend 與 around the corner：
around the bend 意思是在路邊（near the road side）
有時也指神經兮兮或發瘋似的。（being nuts or crazy）但是 around the corner 照字義本來是在另一角落（literally means located the next corner），後來引申為很快來臨或將要到達（coming soon or nearby）。
例如：Mr. Wang can see his daughter often because her house is around the bend from his house.
（王先生可以常常見到他的女兒，因為她的家就在他家附近。）
It seems that Mr. A is around the bend sometimes.
（A先生有時好像神經兮兮的。）=He is nut （nuts）. = He is crazy.
Time goes fast; Christmas is just around the corner.
（時間過得很快，聖誕節又將來臨了。）
Our college is around the corner; it will take five minutes to walk there.
（我們大學就在附近，五分鐘可以走到。）
(7) to cut to the bone 與 to cut to the chase：
cut to the bone 意思是大大的減少（heavily reduced）而 cut to the chase 是指直截了當，說出重點，不必浪費時間。（get to the point ; don\'t waste time）
例如：During the financial hardship, some companies try to cut the budget to the bone.
（有些公司在經濟困難時，大幅減少預算。）
We will not be able to carry out the project because the grant has been cut to the bone.
（我們無法實行計畫，因為撥款大幅削減。）
Instead of going into the details, Mr. A just cut to the chase.
（A先生直截了當說出要點，沒有涉及細節。）
The president of the company was trying to cut to the chase about the problem.
（公司董事長對這問題採取直截了當的方法。）
(8) to feel one\'s way 與 to feel one\'s oats：
to feel one\'s way是指待人處事，十分小心謹慎（to treat someone or to do something cautiously）但是 to feel one\'s oats 意思是感到精神百倍或精力充沛。（feel GREat , energetic & youthful ; full of high spirits）（這本來是指馬吃了oats後，精力充沛。）
例如：In doing business with Mr. Lee, she should feel her way until she knows him better.
（她與李先生做生意，在沒有充分瞭解他之前，還是小心為妙。）
It is always safer to feel one\'s way while one is proceeding in one\'s career.
（一個人發展事業時，最好還是謹慎小心。）
Many young and healthy people feel their oats wherever they go.
（許多年輕健康的小伙子，無論到那裡，都是精力充沛。）
After ten-hour work in the factory, even young John would not feel his oats.
（在工廠工作十小時後，連年輕的 John，都不會感到精神百倍。）
Two months after he left hospital, Mr. A became to feel his oats again.
（A先生出院兩個月後，又再感到精力充沛了。）
(9) as a rule 與 as a whole：
as a rule意思是一般而言；通常來說（generally or usually）也有人說成 ： as a general rule ，但是as a whole意思是全部來說，整體看來（for the most part or altogether）
例如： As a rule , most elderly persons like to be respected.
（一般而言，老年人喜歡受人尊敬。）
Chinese people, as a rule, are very hospitable.
（通常來說，中國人是滿殷勤好客的。）
（這句片語，放在句中較好，也可放在句尾）
Learning English is my routine as a whole.
（放在句尾較好，因為靠近修飾routine）＝for the most part
（學習英語是我大部分的日常生活。）
As a whole, my wife enjoys walking though sometimes she feels bored.
（總體而言，內人喜歡走路，雖然有時她感到厭倦。）
（放在句首，可加強語氣）
As a whole, Mr. Wang is a good person.
（整體來說，王先生是位好人。）（＝most of the time 或 in most cases）
(10) at one 與 at once：
at one意思是彼此同意（to agree with each other）
但是at once意思是即刻、馬上或同時（immediately or at the same time）
例如：The boss told her to submit the annual report at once.
（老闆要她即刻提出年度報告。）
We did not understand why everything happened at once.
（我們不了解為什麼所有的事都一起發生。）
They are at one on every issue except the abortion.
（除墮胎外，他們贊成每一個議題。）
但不能說：He is at one on this issue. 因為要兩個人以上才能彼此同意。但可以說：He is at one with me on this issue.
If you vote for Mr. Bush, you have to be at one with (him on) his war policy.
（假如你投布希先生的票，你就是贊同他的戰爭政策。）
（11）behind the scenes 與 behind the times：
這裡的scenes，本來是指theater，所以behind the scenes 意思是在幕後，或私下；不在大眾面前（away from public or in private）。
但是 behind the times 意思是落後、守舊、不能趕上時代潮流（old fashion ; can not keep up with current ideas）與 out of date意義相似。
例如：Mr. Hsu would like to get a better job behind the scenes.
（徐先生喜歡在幕後有個較好的工作。）
For some reason(s), many Chinese PhDs in the U.S. prefer working behind the scenes as researchers.
（為了某些原因，許多在美的華人博士喜歡在幕後擔任研究員。）
What I learned thirty years ago seems behind the times.
（30年前我所學的，似乎已經落伍了。）
Your way of repairing this machine is behind the times.
( = out of date ) （你修理這部機器的方法是落伍的。）
至於 behind closed doors 意思也是關起門行事，但未必是違法，只是令人疑心（something fishy）而已。也就是人們有權知道某件事，而無法知道。例如：
The promotion was generally decided behind closed doors.
（升級通常是在祕密中決定）（也就是說本來應該公開才好）
（12）to bite one\'s nails 與 to bite one\'s tongue：
to bite one\'s nails 照字面意思，就是咬指頭，也就是感到焦慮、不耐煩或緊張
（to be anxious , impatient or nervous）（nail-biting也就變成名詞，意思是緊張不安）但是 to bite one\'s tongue 意思是盡量不要多說話，以免得罪人。（try to control oneself not to speak）
（動詞時態：bite , bit , bit 或 bitten , biting）
例如：Mary has not come home after 11 pm ; her parents are biting their nails.
（Mary 晚上11點還未回家，她父母在擔心。）
Waiting in a long line for a movie will make him bite his nails.
（看電影排長龍使他不耐煩。）
You need to bite your tongue when you visit your children\'s home（s）.
（ 你去兒女家 ， 應該盡量少說話 。 ）
It is wise to bite one\'s tongue on a controversial issue.
（對有爭議性的話題，還是少說話為妙。）
（13）to put one\'s foot in one\'s mouth 與 to get one\'s foot in the door：
to put one\'s foot in one\'s mouth 意思是說錯了話，或說出傻話，或不技巧的話。
（say something foolish or tactless）但是 to get one\'s foot in the door 原來是指推銷員進門時，先跨進一個腳，人家不便關門，後人引申為開始做某事，或有做事的機會。（to start at something or to have an opportunity to do something）
例如：When Mr. Lee makes comments; he generally puts his foot in his mouth.
（李先生表達意見時，他通常都會說錯話。）
If you call your boss by his / her first name without per-mission, you put your foot in your mouth.
（假如你沒有徵求老闆同意，而叫他／她的名字，那你就冒失了。）
註：一般老外稱呼上司或長者，都是某某先生或女士，不輕易用first name，以表尊重。
Mr. Chen has foot-in-mouth disease because he always says something tactless.
（陳先生有說錯話的毛病，因為他常常說話沒有技巧。）
Once Mr. A gets his foot in the door, he can do a good job.
（A先生只要有工作的機會，他就能幹得很出色。）
How can a person have experience without an opportunity of getting a foot in the door?
（一個人沒有機會工作，怎麼能得到經驗呢？）
（14）to bite the bullet 與 to bite the dust：
to bite the bullet 意思是勇敢地面對艱難或痛苦（to face bravely in the time of difficulty），據說從前戰場上，傷兵開刀沒有麻醉藥，醫生要傷兵在口裡咬一顆鉛彈（lead bullet）忍受痛苦。但是 to bite the dust是指失敗或死亡（to be defeated or to die）。據說過去美國西部影片裡，被打敗或受重傷的 cowboy 或印第安人，從馬上掉在土砂地上，嘴裡都有 dust。
例如：In case of financial hardship, you have to bite the bullet and find an extra income.
（遇到經濟困難時，你要面對逆境，另找額外收入。）
Life is up and down; we all have to bite the bullet some-times.
（人生起伏無常，我們有時要勇敢地面對困難。）
The November presidential election will tell which party will bite the dust.
（11月的總統選舉就會知道那一個政黨失敗。）
During the war in Iraq, over one thousand American youngsters have bit the dust.
（伊拉克的戰爭，導致一千多名美國年輕人死亡。）
If there is a military conflict between China and Taiwan, millions of innocent Chinese will bite the dust.
（假如大陸與台灣軍事衝突，成千上萬的無辜同胞將會犧牲。）
（15）to drop names 與to drop the ball：
to drop names 意思是喜歡提起認識某某名人顯要，以提高自己的身價或往自己臉上貼金（like to refer to VIP in order to impress others）。VIP = very important person 。但是 to drop the ball 是指失去機會或犯了錯誤（miss an opportunity or make a mistake）。
例如：Many Chinese people have a habit of dropping names in order to up-grade their social status.
（許多老中喜歡抬出名人顯要，表示與其相識，以提高自己社會地位。）
Name-dropping becomes a sensitive topic to many people.
（抬出名人顯要以提高自己身價的作風，對許多人是敏感的話題。）
（用name-dropping當名詞時，通常在name後面不加 s）
No one likes to be called a name-dropper.
（沒有人喜歡被視為是抬出名人，表示相識，以提高自己身價的人。）
If you refuse his job offer, you will drop the ball.
（假如你拒絕他的工作聘請，你就失去了機會。）
When you do or say something, try to avoid dropping the ball.
（當你做事或說話時，應該避免犯錯。）
（16）to earn one\'s keep 與 to earn one\'s stripes：
to earn one\'s keep意思是賺足夠的錢，以維持生活。
（to make enough money for one\'s living expenses）
但是 to earn one\'s stripes 意思是藉著工作的努力而得到升級。（ to earn a promotion by hardworking ）（ stripe 本來是指軍裝或警服上表示等級的條紋標誌）
例如：Through many years\' hard work, Mr. Wang has earned his stripes.
（由於多年的努力工作，王先生升官了。）
Without dedication, hard work and perseverance, one may not be able to earn one\'s stripes.
（沒有獻身孜孜不倦和恆心，一個人很難步步高升。）
American young people tend to be more independent and earn their keep after age of 18.
（美國年輕人似乎比較獨立，18歲後，就能自己賺錢，維持生活。）
Many Chinese youngsters are old enough to earn their keep without asking their parents for financial assistance.
（許多年齡較大的中國年輕人，可以自力更生，不必父母經濟支援。）
（17）for one\'s money 與 for one\'s pains：
for one\'s money意思是按照某人的意見、喜愛或選擇。（based on one\'s point of view, preference or choice）但是for one\'s pains意思是花了許多的氣力或心血，結果並不好，有划不來的味道（a poor return for the efforts one has made）。
例如：For my money, a trip from the U. S. to Taiwan every month is too tiresome.
（依我看法，每月由美返台，是很辛苦的。）
（for my money＝in my opinion，與money沒有關係，通常只用單數，所以很少說：for our 或their money , ……）
For his money, the election poll may not seem accurate.
（依他意見，選舉的民意調查，未必正確。）
Mr. Wang worked very hard, but all he got for his pains was a demotion for some reason(s).
（王先生工作很努力，結果為了某些原因反而被降級。）
What they will win for their pains might be unhappiness.
（他們花了許多心血，結果卻可能得到不愉快。）
（18）all ears 與 all eyes：
all ears意思是注意聽（listen attentively）但是all eyes是注意地看（to watch closely）
（這兩個片語的動詞，多半用to be）
例如：Please tell me what happened last night ; I am all ears.
（請告訴我昨晚發生了什麼；我在注意聽。）
Whenever he gives a speech, his wife will be all ears.
（不論他什麼時候演講，他太座都會注意聽。）
Mr. A is always all eyes when a beautiful woman passes by.
（當漂亮女人走過，A先生總是注意地看她。）
At the woman swimsuit fashion show, every man was all eyes.
（女人泳裝表演時，每位男士都張大眼睛注意看。）
（全文完）
