英語中有一種短語叫做“cliche”，和這個詞的本義“陳詞濫調(diào)”差不多，這種短語是被過度使用的普通短語。通常，這種短語是應(yīng)該被避免的，但實 際上是避免不了的，所以他們才叫做cliche。因為這種短語被使用的很廣泛，比如寫信、電影、文章中都會用到，對于英語學習者來說，這種短語是你應(yīng)該明 白它的含義但是盡量少用的。

首先我們來說說cliche和idiom的區(qū)別。

idiom指英語中的成語或者慣用 語，idiom的含義通常和組成idiom的詞的本義不同，通常會有比喻在里面。比如：to get under someone's skin，這個idiom的意思是to bother someone惹人煩，如： She's getting under my skin these days!

cliche是那種濫用的短語，意思可以是詞的本義的，也可以是比喻的，比如the good old days，這個短語的意思就是“從前的好時候”， 如I remember my years at college. Yes, those were the good old days.

下面是十個流行的cliche，大家可以了解一下這些cliche的含義。

1.The writing on the wall = something that is about to happen, something that is obvious
The writing on the wall意思是即將發(fā)生的、很明顯的事情，明擺著的。

Example: Can't you see the writing on the wall! You need to get out of that business.
明擺著的事情你都看不出來！你需要從那樁生意中脫身。

2.To pull an all-nighter = to study or work all night
To pull an all-nighter意思是熬通宵

Example: We had to pull an all-nighter to get the work finished on time.
為了按時完成工作，我們要熬通宵了。

3.Pearls of wisdom = wise words or advice
Pearls of wisdom意思是智慧的話或者建議。

Example:I'm not really interested in his pearls of wisdom. He lived in a different period.
我對他的人生箴言不感興趣，他生活在不同的時代。

4.Too much of a good thing = generally used when saying that's impossible to be too happy, or lucky
Too much of a good thing通常用來說不可能開心過頭或者太走運。

Example: Enjoy it! You can't have too much of a good thing.
見好就收吧，你不可能太走運了。

5.Fit as a fiddle = to be ready and able
Fit as a fiddle意思是準備好了，有能力了

Example: I'm fit as a fiddle. Let's do this thing!
我準備好了。咱們開始干吧。

6.Curiosity killed the cat = Don't be too inquisitive, it can be dangerous!
Curiosity killed the cat意思是不要太尋根問底了，這可能有危險。

Example: Remember curiosity killed the cat. You should just forget about it.
記住，好奇害死貓，你應(yīng)該忘了它。

7.Don't do as I do, do as I say. = Used when someone points out that you are being hypocritical (doing one thing while insisting that others that thing differently)
Don't do as I do, do as I say通常是有人指出你現(xiàn)在很虛偽的時候說的。

Example: Stop talking back! Don't do as I do, do as I say!
不準在背后議論，照我說的做！

8.Let sleeping dogs lie = don't look into (investigate) something that was troublesome in the past, but in which people are not currently interested
Let sleeping dogs lie 意思是大家現(xiàn)在不感興趣的麻煩事就不要翻出來調(diào)查了。

Example: I'd let sleeping dogs lie and not re-open the investigation into the crime.
我會讓睡著的狗就這么躺下去的，我不會把這個案子重新調(diào)查立案的。

9.A cat has nine lives = someone might be having problems now, but they are many chances to do well or succeed
A cat has nine lives意思是一些人可能現(xiàn)在有麻煩，但是他們?nèi)匀挥泻芏鄼C會東山再起獲得成功。

Example: His career reminds that a cat has nine lives!
他的事業(yè)證明了貓有九條命。

10.Moment of truth = the moment in which something important will be shown or decided
Moment of truth意思是將要公布重要的事情或者做重要的決策的時候

Example: It's the moment of truth. Either we'll get the contract or we won't. 
決定的一刻到了，要么我們拿到合同，要么拿不到。