美國人平時所用的許多短語，看似普通，但有的會有特?e意義，究竟是俚語、口語或俗語，沒有絕對的定義。其實名稱不重要，最重要的是懂得意義和用法，不是嗎?
1. to have(many) irons in the fire: to have a lot of activities going on at the same time.
(同時有許多事，想馬上全部做完，但又不知從何開始，似乎忙得不可開交)
Don’t bother him because he has many irons in the fire.
(?e打擾他，他事情太多，忙得很!)
Some people even like to have many irons in the fire.
(有些人喜歡有很多事忙忙碌碌。)
2. to talk over (one’s) head(s): to use large or big words so that audience will not understand exact meaning.
(指所談論的內容過于專業或高深，非一般人可以理解;也指有人為了表?自己才學非凡，故意談些高深理論或用些難字，嚇唬?e人)
Dr. Lee’s lecture was so specialized that he almost talked over our heads.
(李博士的演講太專業了，幾乎使我們無法理解。)
In order to show his profound knowledge he talks over my head.
(為了表?他的學問高深，他故弄玄虛。)
3. to put (something) back into (in) its cage: to put something under control
(可以控制某件事情，多半指政治、健康等)
We are trying to put inflation back into its cage and our economy is on the mend.
(我們正在設法控制通貨膨脹，同時改善我們得經濟。)
Diplomats and politicians need to put aggression and hostility back into its cage.
(外交官和政客應該收斂攻擊和敵對的行為。)
4. to keep (one’s) fingers crossed: to hope something good will happen
(祝福某人好運或一切順利。把食指與中指交叉，祈求好運，是老外的迷信，但在寫信或正式場合，多半是用"I wish you best (good) luck!"或 "Good (best) luck to you!")
He keeps his fingers crossed hoping his father will send him more money.
(他盼望有好運，老爸能多寄點錢給他。)
Many people have been keeping their fingers crossed that we can live in a peaceful world.
(許多人都在祈求好運，盼能在和平的世界里生活。)
5. to stretch (one’s) legs: to relax or to take a short break
(久坐后，把腿舒展一下，或稍微休息一下)
Let’s take ten minutes to stretch our legs. (讓我們先休息十分鐘。)
May I take a break so that I can stretch my legs? (我可以休息一會兒伸伸腿嗎?)
During the a long flight from the US to Taiwan, I normally stretch my legs every two hours.
(在從美國到臺灣的長途飛行中，我通常每兩個小時起身走走。)
6. to read between the lines：to interpret the hidden meaning or a hidden message; to discern the true fact
(從字里行間體會隱含的意義;領會言外之意或能了解其中的真正意義)
As you look at this poem, be sure to read between the lines.
(讀這首詩的時候，要從字里行間去體會它的含義。)
After he re-read the love letter between the lines, he realized that he was dumped by his sweetheart.
(重讀情書之后，他終于明白他已經被情人拋棄了。)
7. to let off steam：to give vent to one’s anger
(發泄、出氣，像放掉蒸汽以減少壓力似的。這與"to fly off the handle"意思相近，但比"to lose temper"委婉客氣些 )
What will you do if your wife lets off steam?(假如你太太大發脾氣的話，你該怎么辦呢?)
(因為談論的對象使對方的太太，所以語氣要委婉客氣些)。
但是談到第三者，就可不必太委婉，可用 lose temper:
What will you do if one of your staff lose temper?
(如果你的同事沖你發脾氣你該怎么辦呢?)
Occasionally we should be given a chance to let off steam.(我們應該不時的發泄一下情緒。)
