安老師英文寫作教室

九牛一毛；滄海一粟；杯水車薪

a drop in the ocean/bucket

The money we collected for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster is really just a drop in the ocean.

入不敷出

live beyond one's means

My father always told me not to live beyond my means.

入境隨俗

when in Rome, do as the Romans do

A lot of people often say "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

十之八九

nine times out of ten

When my wife comes home from work, nine times out of ten she buys me an evening newspaper.

十拿九穩；穩操勝券

be in the bag

We're sure to win. The match is in the bag.

力不從心；心餘力絀；心有餘而力不足

the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (這兩句的上半句 "the spirit is willing" 和下半句 "the flesh is weak" 常被分開單獨使用)

When I asked him for help yesterday, he said "my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak."

人面獸心；口蜜腹劍；笑裡藏刀 (披著羊皮的狼)

a wolf in sheep's clothing

Mary trusted Jack until one day she was cheated by him, and realized that

he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

人不可貌相

appearances are often deceptive

"Appearances are often deceptive" is a commonly used idiom, meaning things are not always what they seem to be.