31. by the skin of your teeth 侥幸成功，勉强做成

I hadn't studied much, but passed the test by the skin of my teeth.

我没怎么学，但侥幸过了，离挂科只差一点点。

32. comfort food （难过或焦虑时食用的）安慰食品，开心食品

Fat and sugar – the twin pillars of the best comfort food.

脂肪和糖类是安慰食品的两大支柱。

33. skeleton staff （企业或机构运转需要的）最基本的工作人员

The hospital has a skeleton staff at weekends.

该医院周末只有必需岗位上的工作人员会上班。

34. baker's dozen 十三

We had a baker's dozen of eggs for fourteen of us at the time. How could we even them out？

当时我们十四个人有十三个鸡蛋。怎么分得均呢？

35. let the chips fall where they may 随它去，不去管结果了

Kathy decided to risk her money on the investment, and let the chips fall where they may.

凯西决定冒险投资，不去管结果了。

36. no-brainer 不费脑筋之事；容易处理的问题

That last test question was a complete no-brainer.

最后那道测试题丝毫不费脑筋。

37. a stone's throw 很短的距离，掷石之遥

The cottage is just a stone's throw from the sea.

小屋离海只有一箭之遥。

38. hear (sth) on/through the grapevine 从传闻中听说；通过道听途说获悉；听小道消息知道

I heard on the grapevine that he was leaving - is it true?

我听到传闻说他要离开了——是真的吗？

39. sit on the fence 骑墙观望，犹豫不决

You can't sit on the fence any longer - you have decide whose side you're on.

你不能再骑墙观望了——你必须决定支持谁。

40. take sth with a pinch of salt 对……半信半疑，对……有所怀疑

You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt, she does tend to exaggerate.

你不能完全相信她的话，她总是喜欢夸大其词。