one’s bark is worse than one’s bite = the (apparent) threat is worse than the (real) action说话严厉，但并无恶意［并不伤人］
Don’t worry about his grumpy expression, his bark is worse than his bite.
不要担心他的语言粗暴，他说话严厉，但并无恶意。
barrel
over a barrel = in a indefensible position, helpless<口>受制于，处于不利地位
I had to comply; she knew about my indiscretion and she had me over a barrel.
我不得不照做，她知道我的不检点之处，因此我被她控制了。
●one’s bark is worse than one’s bite
闻香识女人 Scent Of A Woman
- I don't get an easy feeling.
-His bark is worse than his bite. He was a great soldier, a real hero.
scrape the (bottom of the) barrel = be forced to use the (poor) remnants of something启用剩下的次等人才；使用最后一招
Everyone else was off sick so we had to give the job to Ted-that’s really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
其他人都病假了，因此我们只得将此工作交给特德去做－那只是使用了最后的一着了。
base
get to first base = successfully complete the first stage<美俚>获初步成功，取得良好的开端
She was lucky even to get to first base with that crazy scheme of hers.
甚至能够将她那个不切实际的计划开了个良好的头，她都很幸运了。
scrape the (bottom of the) barrel
Our boss is cheap, so we had to scrape the bottom of the barrel and hired secretaries who can't type.
我们老板很小气，所以我们只好而求其次，雇了几个不会打字的秘书。
get to first base
Tom didn't prepare for it, but he got to first base.
Tom没有做准备，但他却获得了初步的成功。
bash
have a bash at something = make an attempt at（就•••）作一尝试
Come on. Let’s have bash at climbing to the top of the hill.
快，让我们来试一下爬到山顶去。
basinful
have a basinful (of) = endure (more than enough of)something unpleasant忍受，容忍，（忍无可忍）的不愉快的事情
I’ve had a basinful of his insults, and next time I’ll tell him so.
我已忍受了他极大的侮辱，下次我会让他知道的。
basket
put all one’s eggs in one basket = commit all one’s expectations/resources to a single plan孤注一掷
Although she’s a freelance, she has put all her eggs in one basket and works five days a week for just a single client.
尽管她是个自由职业者，但她孤注一掷，一周五天仅为一个顾客工作。
basting
give somebody a (thorough) basting = thoroughly beat狠揍某人一顿
Martin had beaten me at chess two weeks running but last night I gave him a thorough basting.
马丁连续两周下棋赢了我，但是昨晚我彻底击败了他。
carry one’s bat = be present for the whole of an activity, right to the end<板>（击球手）坚持到底
David helped to survey the site, organized the workforce, and carried his bat to be present at the opening ceremony.
大卫帮助测量场地，组织劳动力并且坚持到参加开幕式。
like a bat out of hell = at high speed<俚>如飞地
The motorbike came round the corner like a bat out of hell.
摩托车在拐弯处开得飞快。
发表于 2009-3-14 18:57:06
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