今天我们给大家介绍的习惯用语是：To have a bone to pick. To have a bone to pick 从字面上来解释就是挑骨头的意思。但是,作为俗语,to have a bone to pick 的意思就不同了,它是指:有理由来抱怨或争论。下面是一个丈夫在对他妻子讲话。

"Honey, I have a bone to pick with you. I don’t mind you getting into the bathroom first in the morning, but do you have to be in there so long? You know, I have to get to work on time, too."

这个丈夫说:「亲爱的,我有一件事得向你抱怨了。我不在乎你每天早上先用洗澡间,但是,你有必要在里面呆那末长时间吗。你知道,我也得按时上班的呀。」

在一般美国人家里,夫妇两的卧室里有一个洗澡间,而孩子们尽管他们也许有自己的房间,但是也得合用一个洗澡间,这倒是经常引起争吵的一个原因。

每个人穿了新衣服都喜欢别人夸奖,这也是人的正常心理。特别是妇女,每当她们添置了一些新的时髦的衣服,总喜欢别人注意、夸奖一番。可是,有的人注意是注意了,但偏偏注意到坏的一面。下面的例子就是一个女教师在说她的朋友。

"Sally always criticizes me no matter what I wear. Last week, I put on the red dress I bought at Macy’s. Everyone said I looked great in that dress. The only person who had a bone to pick with me was Sally. She said the dress was too tight on me. That’s ridiculous!"

这位女教师说:「不管我穿什么,萨莉总是会批评的。上星期,我穿了在梅喜公司买的那件红色连衣裙,每个人都说我穿了那件衣服非常好看。唯一挑毛病的人就是萨莉。她说,那件衣服我穿太小了。这简直是可笑!」

criticize
vt. 批评, 批判; 鉴定; 非难, 挑剔
This policy was severely criticized.
这项政策受到了严厉的批评。