【商業英語】與金錢有關的職場成語（一）（Frankie Chan）

對於母語非英語的香港人來說，學習英語的過程中最困難的地方，莫過於理解英語成語（idiom）的含意。英語成語通常由幾個單詞組成，但其深層意義與底蘊卻有別於各單字的字面解釋。職場往往與金錢掛帥，因此這篇筆者挑選了一系列字面上與金錢有關的英語成語。可是，很多時候這些成語的真正意思卻與金錢毫無瓜葛，大家運用時應要份外留意。

A. 字面意外的含意
1. “A penny for your thoughts” 這用於詢問別人的想法。
例句：They sat silently in the conference room for several minutes and then the boss finally looked at her and said, “A penny for your thoughts, May.”
2. “A day late and a dollar short.” 這成語的意思指解決問題的行動為時已晚。
例句：The team members tried to mend their relationship with the manager, but he viewed their efforts as a day late and a dollar short.
3. 若某東西“cost a pretty penny”，即是指物品的價格十分昂貴。
例句：That new iphone must have cost you a pretty penny!

B. 信心十足的說法
1. 假如你願意在某事情上“bet your bottom dollar”，即是你對該事情必定有充足的把握。
例句： You can bet your bottom dollar that Kelvin will be late for the staff meeting this afternoon – he’s never on time!
2. 假若某東西是“a dime a dozen”，意思即是這物件平平無奇，隨處可見。
例句：“Remember teaching assistants are a dime a dozen, so if he causes trouble, just fire him.”
3. “A blank cheque”（或美式check）意思指你可以不須考慮做某件事情或購買某東西的代價，因為你已經獲得批准了。
例句：The company was experiencing a rough time retaining capable employees, so the manager was given a blank cheque to increase salaries and restructure her department.

C. 巧妙的表達意見
1. “To pay through the nose”的意思是付出的代價遠遠高過原本真正的價值。
例句：If you want a decent wine in a restaurant, you’ll have to pay through the nose for it.
2. “To pass the buck”指的是把責任推卸到別人身上。
例句：“Don’t try to pass the buck! It’s your fault and the world knows it.”
3. 當你“put in one’s two cents”，即是指你就某件事情表達自己的意見。
例句：If I can just put in my two cents, I think the staff would really appreciate an extra day off in a month.
4. “Take a rain cheque”的意思是當你要推掉是次邀請的同時，也向對方提議將此約會延遲。
例句：I’m sorry, but I have to take a rain cheque for dinner this Sunday. Would next Monday work for you?

Frankie Chan

MA in English Language Teaching (Distinction), BSc (First-class honours), TEFL Dip.
現代教育IELTS/TOEFL/Workplace English資深英語名師，著名TOEFL參考書作者及星島日報IELTS攻略專欄作者。曾任劍橋商業英語考試BULATS寫作及口試考官，並於國際英 語學院Wall Street English任教多年並擔任其多間分校之校長，具15年教學經驗，並擁有豐富管理與發展商業英語及國際英語考試課程之經驗。

Facebook: Frankiechan.English
Email: frankieps.chan@gmail.com
Instagram: frankiepschan