从字面上看,nail down意思是“钉下去或者“钉牢。如果把什么东西往下钉在地板上的话,那它的位置就固定不变,成了定局,可以引申为“敲定,例如: Inailed downa contract to sell a thousand cars. The customer signed all the papers and I've already faxed them back to you. 我敲定了一个出售一千辆汽车的合约。那位顾客签了所有的文件,我已经把文件用传真发回给你了。 2. as hard as nails As hard as nails字面意思是“像钉子一样硬。如果一个人像钉子一样硬的话,那人想必既顽固强硬又无情无义,是个相当难相处的人。例如: They offered me a good job at that company but I hear that the boss isas hard as nails: one little mistake and you're out on the street the next day looking for a new job。 他们向我提供那家公司的一个很好的职位,但是我听说他们的老板是个很难相处的人:只要你犯一个小错,他马上把你一脚踢出公司大门,让你另谋生路。 3. another nail in your coffin 棺材在死者入殓后才用钉子钉上,所以棺材钉子是送人去地下长眠的。例如: You really ought to stop smoking. Every cigarette you light up isanother nail in your coffin. 你一定得戒烟,你每点上一枝香烟,就等于往坟墓跨近了一步。 |