Dialogues /monologues:
1、 Karen has just had her house redecorated.

凯瑞刚让人把房子重新装修。

注意这里的用法， had sth done — 强调的是让别人做了什么

例： I had my clothes washed. (我让人把衣服洗了)
2、 The architect and Tom put there heads together to discuss what we wanted and what was possible.

put heads together ：共同商量、集思广益。

建筑师和提姆共同商讨以可行的方式来满足我们的需求。

3、 After a few meetings, they came up with some super idea that everybody agreed with.

come up with ：提出、拿出。

经过一会儿的交谈，他们拿出了一些大家都同意的好点子。

4、 But the rest of it was surprisingly expensive.

the rest ：其余者。 It ：代指装修所用的材料。

但是其余的材料简直便宜得让人吃惊。

5、 We were able to make do with the materials we already have.

make do with ：设法应付。

我们设法将我们已经拥有的材料都用上了。

6、 I made up some of the curtains and pillows on the couch form mere sheets.

make up ：在这里指做缝制．编织．

我缝制了一些窗帘和睡椅靠垫，仅仅是用一些床单做的．

7、 It's funny how people can find solution after they kick something around for a while.

kick something around ：直译——将什么东西踢来踢去。引申意——讨论。

人们怎样通过暂时的讨论之后，就能找到解决方法是件有趣的事情。

8、 You're on yo ur own .

on one's own ：独立地、独自地。

本句的意思为：你自己玩吧！

9、 I'd like to concentrate on getting the best score ever on this game.

concentrate on ：精中（精力）、全神贯注于

我将集中精力在这个游戏上取得最好的分数。

注意 even 在这里的用法——

10 、 No matter how busy you are, always take time out to check that your child hasn't gotten hold of
something that could hurt him.

take time out to ： 暂停下来。 Get hold of ：抓住、得到。

11 、 But quit my job and took up housekeeping the year after my marriage. Daily household chores keep
me on my toes ; I'm delighted all day long.

take up ： 开始从事。 on one's toe ：准备行动。 all day long ：一整天。

keep me on my toes ：让我保持活力的状态，结合句意就：一刻也闲不着，乐此不疲。

我的翻译是：但是自从我结婚以后，便放弃了工作，开始打理家务。每天的家务琐事让
我乐此不疲。我一整天都眉天眼笑的。

12 、“ in a moment ”与 “ or so ”

一个表示“立刻”，一个表示“大约”。都是形容时间的。

13 、T hat's the “tremendous business” for me out of the three meals a day, for, except for the weekends,
we have only this meal together. Besides, he always has his lunch in a neglected way at his workplace.

这句话我的翻译是：那对于我来说，是除了三顿饭以外，最为重大的事情。因为，除了周末，我们只能在一起吃一顿正餐。此外，他总是在他的工作场所，很轻率的打发他的午餐。