2011英语四级考试语法讲义：形容词+名词=名词惯用语_第2页

　　（11） Second nature：第二天性
　　“Wearing a seat belt is second nature to every motorist here.”

　　（12） One's sixth sense：一个人的第六感
　　“When the policeman saw a parcel near a building, his sixth sense told him that it could be a time bomb.”

　　（13） Small talk：不重要的闲谈
　　“As is often the case with staff meeting, it started off with small talk and then got down to business.”

　　（14） A snap decision：急速的决定
　　“The radical change of ruling or public housing came as a snap decision from the public housing authorities.”

　　（15） A soft option：比较容易或有利的选择
　　“Helen considered staying with her mother a soft option because she did not have to worry about house-keeping.”

　　（16） A stepping stone：踏脚石
　　“A good degree from a good university serves as a stepping stone towards a person's career.”

　　（17） A sure-fire method/solution：绝对可靠的方法/解决办法
　　“To link good performance with better remuneration is a sure-fire method to increase productivity.”

　　（18） Teething troubles：暂时的困难
　　“Shortage of experienced staff and inefficient use of office equipment are teething troubles of any new company.”

　　（19） A wet blanket：扫兴者
　　“Don't be a wet blanket by prohibiting people from doing this or that.”

　　（20） Wishful thinking：如意算盘
　　“Buying a big car? No, it is only wishful thinking, since I don't have the means to do so.”