When we read some set phrases in English and Chinese，we can find a surprising coincidence between them that some of them are extremely similar，and even identical in meaning and form．This shows us the fact that human beings are living on the same earth，have experienced similar developmental procedures in history，and have shared the material and resource so that they have some similarities in their languages as well．Now let us compare the following．

to strike while the iron is hot趁热打铁

　to be on the thin ice如履薄冰

　to pour oil on the flame火上浇油

　to fish in the troubled waters浑水摸鱼

　as light as a feather轻如鸿毛

　to sit on pins and needles如坐针毡

　an eye for an eye，a tooth for a tooth以眼还眼，以牙还牙

　great oaks grow from little acorns合抱之木，生于毫末

　knit one＇s brow紧锁眉头

However，the differences between the two cultures account for the majority of set phrases．This is because many of these idioms are closely related to their culture．English set phrases are too numerous to be discussed one by one here．The following are only some of them cited as illustrations and loosely classified into several categories．

Set phrases in English are related to mannerisms．Let us discuss a couple of examples．“To ride one＇s high horse”means“to be haughty，arrogant，and proud” ．This set phrase corresponds to趾高气扬in Chinese，though it may be associated with春风得意马蹄疾if it is interpreted somewhat literally．Both the set phrases in English and Chinese are pejorative，relying on images．But the images concerned are different．Another contrast is that the English phrase is colloquial，while the Chinese is literary．“To pull somebody＇s leg”is saying something in a joking way ，“to tease，or deceive somebody temporarily” ．From the interpretation we can see that the phrase does not correspond to扯某人后腿in Chinese．When we translate it like that，we try to prevent him from advancing or making progress．In fact，the English set phrase corresponds to愚弄某人or开某人的玩笑．Again the meaning is expressed figuratively in English，but in a straight forward way in Chinese．

Set phrases in English are related to philosophy．For example ，“A big fish in a small pond”refers to a person whose importance and influence are great only in a restricted situation or small community．It may correspond to鹤立鸡群in Chinese．This set phrase is very figurative．The difference lies only in the fact that in the two languages a person is compared to different animals．In other words，in English，a person is compared to a fish，whereas he is compared to鹤and鸡in Chinese．We can see more examples like“to play the flute to a cow” (对牛弹琴)，“love me，love my dog” (爱屋及乌)，“as strong as a horse” (健壮如牛)，“to have a head like a sieve” (心猿意马)and so on．

Set phrases in English are also related to love and marriages．A couple of examples are here cited to show this point．“To love at first sight”means “to fall in love with somebody on the first occasion of seeing or meeting” ．It is a true equivalent to一见钟情in Chinese．“The marriage of true minds”refers to any alliance or relationship based on mutual respect，identity of interests，beliefs held in common．This idiom is not limited to marriage in the literal sense of the word．It may correspond to真诚的联合or珠联璧合in Chinese．

Set phrases in English sometimes lie in other cases．Look at some examples．“A nine days wonder”refers to a person or event that attracts a lot of notice and is the subject of much talk for a short time but is soon forgotten．It corresponds to昙花一现in Chinese．The English idiom is somewhat descriptive，while the Chinese one is mainly figurative，alluding to“broadleaved epiphyll” ，a plant whose beautiful flowers last briefly．“Between Scylla and Charybdis”denotes the situation between two equally hazardous alternatives．It is derived from Scylla and Charybdis，two monsters in Greco-Roman mythology，which corresponds to腹背受敌，进退两难in Chinese．And“to know something like the palm of one＇s hand”means to be thoroughly familiar with the nature and details of something．This idiom is a true equivalent to the Chinese four-character expression了如指掌，except that the English one is colloquial，while the Chinese one is literary．

2)Methods of translating set phrases

A．Metaphrase(直译): Because of some similarities between the two cultures，we may find their equivalents in the target language，and we can employ the technique of literal translation so as to completely retain their meanings and forms in both cultures，that is，retain the original images．

a castle in the air空中楼阁　　　go through fire and water赴汤蹈火

　turn a blind eye to熟视无睹

　kill two birds with one stone一石二鸟;一箭双雕

　heart and soul全心全意　　　　 turn a deaf ear to充耳不闻

　wash one＇s hands of金盆洗手　 as easy as turning over one＇s hand易如反掌

　go all out全力以赴　　　　　　 smooth tongue油嘴滑舌

　blow one＇s own horn自吹自擂　 burn the boat破釜沉舟

　a bolt from the blue晴天霹雳　six of one and half a dozen of the other半斤八两

　hang by a hair千钧一发　　　　 show the cloven hoof露出原形

　after one＇s own heart正中下怀 have pity on somebody同情某人

　laugh in sb＇s face当面嘲笑　　last but not least最后但不是最不重要的一点

Misfortunes never come singly．

B．Substitution(套译): When the equivalents of some set phrases can not be located in the target language，a substitute may be applied in the translation．This translation should be understood by the readers and retain the image anyway．In other words，the form between the two cultures is different though，the meaning between them is the same．

have an axe to grind别有用心　　　　　　　talk through one＇s hat胡言乱语

　neither fish nor fowl不伦不类　　　　　a fly in the ointment美中不足

　by the skin of one＇s teeth九死一生　　call a spade a spade直言不讳

　hole and corner鬼鬼祟祟　　　　　　　　 leave no stone unturned想方设法;千方百计

　kill the goose that lays the golden eggs杀鸡取卵

　diamond cut diamond，crook cut crook棋逢对手，将遇良才

C．Paraphrase(意译): In the case that the reader can not literally understand some of set phrases in the source language when translated into Chinese，the method of paraphrase can be used to deal with them．

in a pig＇s whisper低声地　　　　　　　draw blood伤人感情;惹人生气

　hang on sb＇s sleeve依赖某人;任某人做主

　hang on sb＇s lips言听计从　　　　　　make a monkey of愚弄

　to be full of beans精神旺盛;精力充沛

　bend an ear to倾听;聚精会神地听

　get cold feet开始感到怀疑、胆怯或害怕

　a skeleton at the feast扫兴的人或物　 a skeleton in the cupboard/closet家丑

　bury one＇s head in the sand采取鸵鸟政策

　child＇s play简单的东西;容易的事情　　eat one＇s words承认自己说错了话

　move heaven and earth想方设法;千方百计

D．Multiple translations(译文的多样性): In practical translation，we may come across such a phenomenon that one set phrase in English has multiple translations in Chinese and vice versa．We can choose the one we prefer，or pick up the one appropriately fitting in the context．Examine the following carefully and we find that each of the set phrases in English on the left can match any of the set phrases on the right in Chinese，and each on the right can match any on the left．

4．5. 1 Set Phrases and Their Translation成语的翻译

4．5. 1　Set Phrases and Their Translation成语的翻译