1, Put a strain on sth 施加压力，使...紧张，使...经受考验，使...劳累
The appreciation in the RMB has put a big strain on Chinese exporters .
人民币升值给中国外贸出口企业带来了很大的压力。
2, Thick as thieves 亲密无间
When we were kids , we were thick as thieves .
我们都还小的时候，我们俩真是亲密无间。
3, Ring off the hook 电话铃响个不停
My family tries hard to keep it down while I am studying . But the phone pretty much rings off the hook .
我家里人在我学习的时候尽量保持安静。但是电话却想个不停。
4, Get one's hands on sth 得到，找到，占有
Basically , I read everything I can get my hands on , but I prefer rommance .
一般来说，我能找到什么我就阅读什么，但是我更喜欢读言情小说。
5, Put sb up to sth 鼓励或怂恿某人做某事（一般为坏事儿）
My older brother put me up to making a prank telephone call .
那个恶作剧电话是我哥让我打的。
6, Connect the dots 理清楚头绪，琢磨出答案
It's just human nature to take time to connect the dots , I know that .
凡是人都得花时间才能把事情想通，这一点我明白。
7, Run of the mill 普通的，一般的，不出众的
The cyber attack that made Google pull out of China was run of the mill .
使谷歌退出大中华的这次网络袭击是很平常的。
8, Rule out 排除...的可能性，宣布....不可能
She didn't rule out a return to the company in the future .
她并没有排除将来重回这家公司的可能。
9, Do sb wrong 对待某人不公平，冤枉某人，委屈某人
Not until many years later did he realise he had done her wrong .
直到多年以后，他才意识到原来自己冤枉她了。
10, Fall flat（on one's face) 失败，未达到预期
If they don't play ball , we may fall flat .
如果他们不愿意合作，我们就可能要失败了。
课后小作业：
