英语成语、短语、惯用语很多。有时，它们的构造看起来不合逻辑，甚至不合常理，但又不能随意更改。例如，我们用双脚步行，应该是“on feet”，但偏偏是“on foot”才对。一般来说，成语、短语或惯用语中的字词不可用别的字词取代，词序也不可调换，因为一字之差，词序一换，原意可能走样，甚至毫无意思。

　　笔者整理出了如下一些不符合惯用法的成语(在下列各组句子中，a错、b对)：

　　①a. What is the reason of all this shunning away from blue-collar work?

　　b. What is the reason of all this shying away from blue-collar work?

　　为什么有那么多的人从“蓝领”的岗位上离开？

　　②a. I am working on the behalf of my company.

　　b. I am working on behalf of my company.

　　我代表我的公司。

　　③a. We need a capable person to help us in time of difficulties.

　　b. We need a capable person to help us in times of difficulties.

　　我们需要一个有能力的人在困难的时候帮助我们。

　　④a. In term of economic development, our country has done a good job.

　　b. In terms of economic development, our country has done a good job.

　　我国在经济发展方面取得了成功。

　　⑤a. Few would like to make friend with hypocrites.

　　b. Few would like to make friends with hypocrites.

　　没有人愿意和伪君子交朋友。

　　⑥a. Let's discuss this matter in details.

　　b. Let's discuss this matter in detail.

　　让我们详细地讨论一下这个问题。

　　⑦a. That rich woman is covered with jewellery from top to toes.

　　b. That rich woman is covered with jewellery from top to toe.

　　那个富婆从头到脚铺满珠宝。

　　⑧a. For the better or worse, we must try to get along with our colleagues.

　　b. For better or worse, we must try to get along with our colleagues.

　　无论好坏，我们必须尽力和同事相处。

　　⑨a. The Public Relations Officer did not speak much. What is worst, she hated to mingle with people.

　　b. The Public Relations Officer did not speak much. What is worse, she hated to mingle with people.

　　那位公共关系署的官员没有太多表态，更糟的是，她厌恶和别人混在一起。

　　⑩a. All must come to the meeting without failure.

　　b. All must come to the meeting without fail.

　　所有人务必来参加会议。

　　{11}a. Most of the students learn historical facts by hard / by head / by mind.

　　b. Most of the students learn historical facts by heart.

　　大多数学生牢牢记住了那些历史事件。

　　{12}a. A holiday abroad will take your mind of the work tension for a while.

　　b. A holiday abroad will take your mind off the work tension for a while.

　　出国旅游可以使你暂时摆脱工作的压力。

　　{13}a. It is out of question for you to go tonight; you haven't finished your assignment yet.

　　b. It is out of the question for you to go tonight; you haven't finished your assignment yet.

　　你今晚不可能去，你的作业还没有完成。(out of question毫无疑问；out of the question不可能)

　　{14}a. Students should spend their time studying instead of involving in destructive activities.

　　b. Students should spend their time studying instead of involving themselves in / getting involved in destructive activities.

　　学生应该把时间用在学习上而不是把自己卷入破坏性行为中。

　　英语学习者只有较好地掌握这些惯用语的用法，才能将其运用自如。

　　(文/李逸飞；英语辅导报 大学二年级版 04～05学年第18期； 版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)