不过，如果你正在学习美国英语，那可要知道“building up an appetite”（越来越有食欲，胃口越来越大）和“being on the menu”（在菜单上）这两个英文说法的用途不见得总与吃有关。前者还可以指越来越有欲望；后者可以指在所提供的选择之列。

像这样与饮食相关的比喻说法，在美国英语中还有不少。它们既可以给语言交流增添色彩，也能使它更有效传神：

Icing on the cake （蛋糕上的糖霜或点缀）

含义: 可以指在本来的好东西上再添加一样好东西，锦上添花
举例: ”I received a big raise at work. The same day, my boss gave me an extra week of vacation. It was icing on the cake.”（我得到公司的大笔加薪。同一天，老板又给我一周额外的假期，真是锦上添花。）

Big cheese （大奶酪/大亨）

含义: 有权有势的要人；大亨
举例: “She must be a big cheese in the company. Everyone listens to what she says, including the company president!”（她肯定是个要人。所有人全听她怎么说，包括公司总裁！）

Best thing since sliced bread（自从有切片面包以来的最大好事）

含义: 用来热情表示某人或某事是多么了不起
举例: “You got me a new bike for my birthday! You’re the best thing since sliced bread.”（你送给我一辆新自行车作生日礼物！你真是最大的好人！）

Food for thought （思维食品，即启发深思的事）

含义: 引人思考的事情
举例: “The school principal wants to abolish the use of exams in the classroom. Some teachers don’t agree but say the idea is food for thought.”（校长想取消课堂考试。一些教师不赞成，但表示这个设想可以令人深思。）

Couch potato （沙发上的土豆/成天看电视的人）

含义: 长时间坐在沙发上看电视或者吃零食的人
举例: “Let’s go for a walk or a bike ride. I don’t want to be a couch potato.”（咱们去散步或骑车吧。我不想成天呆着看电视。）

更多学习材料

在美国日常会话中还有与夏天、足球、海洋有关的习惯用语。

“连线美国”还提供一系列含声频的美国英语日常对话练习资料。American English网站为英语学习者和英语教师提供多种免费学习材料。American English Facebook提供每天更新的英语学习材料。

Spice up your conversation with the flavors of American English

Built up an appetite? Then you may be interested in what’s happening in Milan. The 2015 World Expo is in full swing, and the future of the global food system is on the menu.

If you’re learning American English, you should know that “building up an appetite” and “being on the menu” don’t have to involve food.

They are examples of the culinary metaphors Americans use to make their conversations more colorful and to convey ideas more effectively. Below are several more:

Icing on the cake

What it means: Something good that is added to something that is already good.
In conversation: “I received a big raise at work. The same day, my boss gave me an extra week of vacation. It was icing on the cake.”

Big cheese

What it means: An important, powerful or influential person.
In conversation: “She must be a big cheese in the company. Everyone listens to what she says, including the company president!”

Best thing since sliced bread

What it means: Used to show enthusiasm for how great a person or thing is.
In conversation: “You got me a new bike for my birthday! You’re the best thing since sliced bread.”

Food for thought

What it means: Something to think about.
In conversation: “The school principal wants to abolish the use of exams in the classroom. Some teachers don’t agree but say the idea is food for thought.”

Couch potato

What it means: A person who sits for long periods of time on the couch, usually eating snack food and watching TV.
In conversation: “Let’s go for a walk or a bike ride. I don’t want to be a couch potato.”

Learn more

Other idioms common in everyday American speech include those related to summer, soccerand the ocean.

ShareAmerica offers a series of everyday conversations that include audio clips to help practice English. The American English website offers a variety of free resources for learners and teachers of English. The American English Facebook page posts learning materials for English-language learners daily.