与人名有关的习惯用语

The Real McCoy

Our boss Virgil is a very original person. He started a business from nothing, and now he’s a millionaire. Although he is such a man of means, he remains a sincere, helpful person. If any of his friends needs help, he’s the first to give it. He’s a true friend, the real McCoy.

He does all sorts of jobs in his company, from typing out his own letters to repairing big machines. He’s a jack of all trades. And he doesn’t bother about keeping up with the Joneses. He doesn’t care what people think of his life-style; he doesn’t have to have a lot of expensive things. He still drives the old car he bought ten years ago, and he sometimes wears jeans to work.

The real McCoy ----------
--------Meaning: a true example of something
--------Example: The large diamond in her ring isn’t an imitation. It’s the real McCoy.

To keep up with the Joneses -----
--------Meaning: to want the same nice things that other people have
--------Example: Kate and Ken just bought the same car as Mavis and Mick, the same drapes as Dinah and Dick, the same Chihuahua as Antonio and Antonia. They’re really keeping up with the Joneses.

A jack of all trades -------
--------Meaning: a person who can do many things
--------Example: Louise can fix TVs, paint houses, and build shelves. She’s a jack of all trades.

A man/woman of means ----
--------Meaning: a rich person
--------Example: My cousin has a business that makes a large profit every year. He’s a man of means.

To go Dutch -----------------
--------Meaning: to share the cost, to pay one’s own bill
--------Example: When I go out to eat with my friends, we usually go Dutch. This way everyone knows what he or she is spending.

A wise guy/A smart aleck -----
--------Meaning: someone who acts as if he or she knows everything and is often rude about it.
--------Example: Alexandra is such a smart aleck. She always thinks she’s right about everything and always makes you think that you’re wrong.
Example: Don’t be such a wise guy and act as if you know it all. Other people won’t like you.

Tom, Dick or Harry ------
--------Meaning: nobody special, just any person
--------Example: The boss was very careful about whom he hired for the job, and he interviewed several people. He didn’t just hire any Tom, Dick or Harry.

A man/girl Friday -----
--------Meaning: someone who does a large variety of tasks on the job
--------Example: Griselda wants to get some work experience, and she likes to do a lot of different things. So she’s gotten a job as a girl Friday at the local TV studio.

To run in the family-----
--------Meaning: to be characterized by something common to many members of a family
--------Example: Omar and his sister are both very thin. Being skinny must run in the family.