例如，一个不够成熟的设想被形容为“half-baked”（未完全烘烤熟的/半生不熟的）；而一个特别好的主意被称为“the best thing since sliced bread”（自从有切片面包以来的最大好事/最妙的新主意）。

以下是美国人常用的另外五个跟食物相联的习惯用语：

Pie in the sky（天上的饼）

含义: 不现实的或者无法实现的事。
对话举例: “The salesman promised Amy that the wrinkle cream would make her skin as soft as a baby’s, but she knew not to believe him. It was pie in the sky.”（推销员向艾米保证，去皱霜会让她的皮肤变得婴儿般细嫩，但她不会信他的话。那是不可能兑现的。）

Cry over spilled milk（为打翻的牛奶哭泣）

含义: 为过去无法改变的事而忧伤。
对话举例: “There’s no use worrying about a test you didn’t pass. You can’t make it up, so stop crying over spilled milk.”（为没通过的考试而心烦意乱毫无意义。你不可能改变结果，所以不要再无益地后悔了。

Piece of cake （一块糕饼）

含义: 轻松容易的事情。
对话举例: “When Roger studied Spanish, it was a piece of cake. But he found that learning Japanese was very hard.”（罗杰学西班牙语的时候，轻而易举。但他发现学日语很难。）

Bring home the bacon（给家里带回腊肉）

含义: 挣钱养家/养家糊口。
对话举例: “Leo became ill and couldn’t work anymore, so his wife went back to work. Now she’s the one who brings home the bacon.”（利奥生病了，无法继续工作，所以她太太重新出门做事。现在是她在挣钱养家。）

Have egg on one’s face （脸上挂鸡蛋）

含义: 丢脸，出丑。
对话举例: “Andy sure had egg on his face when he realized he had made a fool of himself at the party.”（安迪意识到他在聚会上现丑了，感到很没面子。）

更多资料

“连线美国”提供学习美国英语资料，包括美国英语日常对话，以及多种习惯用语。

American English 网站也有可供英语学生和教师免费使用的多种英语资源。

To American-English speakers, these phrases might be the best thing since sliced bread
 

An old saying asserts that the way to a person’s heart is through the stomach. That might be why Americans often express themselves in the language of food.

For example, an idea that is not fully thought out is “half-baked,” while a really good idea might be praised as “the best thing since sliced bread.”

Below are five other food-based idioms you’re likely to hear from Americans:

Pie in the sky

What it means: Something that is unrealistic or that cannot be achieved.
In conversation: “The salesman promised Amy that the wrinkle cream would make her skin as soft as a baby’s, but she knew not to believe him. It was pie in the sky.”

Cry over spilled milk

What it means: To be unhappy because of a past event that cannot be changed.
In conversation: “There’s no use worrying about a test you didn’t pass. You can’t make it up, so stop crying over spilled milk.”

Piece of cake

What it means: Something that is easy to do.
In conversation: “When Roger studied Spanish, it was a piece of cake. But he found that learning Japanese was very hard.”

Bring home the bacon

What it means: To bring money into the household to support a family.
In conversation: “Leo became ill and couldn’t work anymore, so his wife went back to work. Now she’s the one who brings home the bacon.”

Have egg on one’s face

What it means: To be or appear to be embarrassed.
In conversation: “Andy sure had egg on his face when he realized he had made a fool of himself at the party.”

Learn more

ShareAmerica features materials on learning American English. Explore everyday conversations or learn idioms related to love and relationships.

The American English website has a variety of free resources for learners and teachers of English. The American English Facebook page posts learning materials for English language learners daily.