1. Take the Bull by the Horns = take decisive action in a difficult situation在困难的条件下作出决定性的动作，或不计安危，勇敢面对，直接面对，就象擒牛从牛角入手的方法。范例短文:Julie has always felt that she was missing out on a lot of fun because of her clumsiness（笨拙） on the dance floor. She had been putting off taking lessions, but she finally took the bull by the horns and went to a professional dance studio for help. She was tired of feeling left out and acted decisively to correct the situation.        2. For the Birds = uninteresting， meaningless, boring and silly无聊、无趣，愚蠢的，只是为鸟儿们准备的。范例短文:They went to a poetry reading, but they got bored and restless. As far as they were concerned, it was for the birds! They left during an intermission（中间休息） because they found the reading totally uninteresting and meaningless.        3. Straight From the Horse's Mouth = from a reliable source说话者本人的原话，或从可靠、权威人士处得来的信息。美国人在这里把说话的人比作大马了。范例对话:A: How did you find out that Jill was engaged?B: I got the information from a very reliable source.A: You mean Jill told you so herself?B: That's right. I got it straight from the horse's mouth!