December means Christmas is right around the corner for many people. This involves going to church for some. For others, it is about shopping for presents for friends and family. And for still others, it is a time for winter activities like skiing and sledding. Whichever way you celebrate the holiday, you are sure to hear lots of Christmas idioms.
“A white Christmas”
The idea of a white Christmas is in reference to a Christmas Day when there is snow on the ground or it is actually snowing. Of course, this is only possible in climates that get cold enough for there to be snow. Yet, the idea of a snowy Christmas with a snowman in the yard is one of the more ubiquitous images of the holiday, no matter where you live.
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Even if you’ve never experienced snow in December, you’ve probably heard the song “White Christmas.” Penned by Irving Berlin and sung by Bing Crosby in the 1940s, the song alludes to “dreaming of a white Christmas” with horse-drawn carriages and sleigh bells in the snow. This classic tune has been covered by dozens of artists over the years and is found on the soundtrack of numerous Christmas movies spreading the idea that the ideal Christmas is one that involves snow.
“Christmas came early this year”
Christmas Day always falls on Dec. 25, so the idea that “Christmas came early” isn’t an indication that the holiday moved up on the calendar. Instead, the phrase is used to talk about something good that unexpectedly happened. Christmas morning is often a time when people wake up to find gifts under the Christmas tree, which is always a happy time. So, when a happy surprise, like an awesome gift or a magical experience, happens before Christmas, it is like an unexpected Christmas morning.
對許多人來說，十二月意味著聖誕節又將到來。對有些人來說，這包括去教會。對有些人來說，這是為朋友和家人購買禮物的時刻。而對另一些人來說，這是冬季活動的時刻，像是滑雪和滑雪橇。不論你用什麼方式慶祝聖誕節，你一定會聽到很多聖誕節慣用語。
「白色聖誕節」
白色聖誕節是指地上有積雪或正在飄雪的聖誕節。當然，這只有在氣候冷到能下雪的地方才有可能。然而，飄雪的聖誕節、後院裡有個雪人是比較普遍的聖誕節畫面之一，不論你住在哪裡。
即使你不曾在十二月經歷過下雪，你大概也聽過《白色聖誕節》這首歌。這首歌在1940年代由艾文柏林所寫、賓克羅斯比演唱，歌詞暗示「夢想著一個白色聖誕」，有馬拉的馬車和雪中的雪橇鈴聲。這經典的曲子多年來已被數十位藝人翻唱，在許多傳遞理想聖誕節會有雪這一概念的聖誕電影之原聲帶中也能找到這首歌。
「今年聖誕節提早來了」
聖誕節一直都是落在十二月二十五日，所以「聖誕節提早來了」的概念，不是表示聖誕節的日期往前推了。這個用語是在說有意料之外的好事發生。聖誕節的早晨常常是人們醒來、發現聖誕樹下的禮物的時刻，也總是快樂的時刻。所以當一個開心的驚喜──像是一個很棒的禮物或魔法般奇妙的體驗──在聖誕節前發生，那就像是一個意料之外的聖誕節早晨。
What Did You Learn?
1. Which of the following can be referred to as “Christmas came early this year?”
(A) You gave your friend a scarf as Christmas gift, which you spent a lot of time weaving.
(B) You decked your home with boughs of holly and colorful lighting on Christmas Eve.
(C) You woke up on the day before Christmas and found the street is covered with snow.
(D) You got a present out of the blue from an old friend studying abroad.
參考答案
1. (D)
Word in Use
1. ubiquitous a. 普遍存在的，似乎無所不在的
Rumors and fake news are ubiquitous on social media.
社群媒體上，謠言與假新聞無所不在。
2. allude vi. 暗指，影射
allude to. . . 暗示∕指…
Victor didn’t ask to come to the party at first, but now he has been alluding to wanting an invitation.
維克多原先沒開口說要來參加派對，但他現在卻暗示自己想受邀參加。
3. classic a. 經典的 & n. 經典（文學∕劇作／電影）
The Shawshank Redemption is undeniably a classic movie.
《刺激1995》無疑是一部經典電影。
4. numerous a. 眾多的
The actress has won numerous awards, including an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
那位女演員贏得許多獎項，包含奧斯卡獎與金球獎。
5. indication n. 顯示
There are clear indications that James has a crush on his friend, Casey.
有清楚的跡象顯示詹姆士暗戀他的朋友凱西。
Practical Phrases
1. be (right) around the corner 即將到來
= be coming soon
After watching the movie, Mike naively believed that the end of the world was right around the corner.
看完電影後，麥克天真地相信世界末日就要來了。
2. in reference to. . . 關於／針對…
In reference to the client’s request, Paul has to consult the manager about the specific details.
關於那名客戶的要求，保羅必須與經理討論確切的細節。
3. fall on + 日子 （特殊事件、慶典等）落在某個日子
Claire’s birthday party falls on July 31, so she’s reserving a hotel room for it.
克萊兒衵的生日派對在七月三十一號，所以她正在預約一間飯店房間來辦派對。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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