成对词即把两个相关的词或同一个词用and或or连接起来的词组。它们常出现在口语或非正式书面语中,是人们在长期的语言交际中约定俗成的。看下面的实例:
1. We should serve the people heart and soul.
我们应该全心全意地为人民服务。
2. The missing child came back safe and sound.
那个失踪地孩子安然无恙地回来了。
3. They quarreled last night and this morning she left, bag and baggage.
昨夜他们吵架了,今天早晨她收拾起自己的东西就走了。
4. After the fight, he was black and blue all over.
搏斗结束后,他遍体鳞伤。
5. It is no wonder that counselors1 of battered2 women are inclined to advise a black-and- blue wife for divorce.
怪不得被打妇女的律师们一般都劝告被打得鼻青脸肿的妻子离婚。
6. The man threatened to beat the boy black and blue for stealing.
那人恐吓要把偷东西得孩子打得遍体鳞伤。
7. She black-and-blued my legs so badly, I told her I'd go to tell the police.
她把我得腿打得青一块紫一块,我对她说我要去报警。
其他一些成对词:
twist and turn 迂回曲折
might and main 尽全力
part and parcel 重要部分
safe and sound 安然无恙
spick and span 崭新的,极干净的
time and tide 岁月,时光
go to rack and ruin 陷于毁灭
slow and sure 慢而稳,稳妥
hale and hearty 老当益壮
chop and change 变幻莫测(尤指观点,计划等)
fair and foul 在任何情况下
weal and woe 福祸
sum and subs tance 主要情况,要点(尤指讲话的主要部分)
forgive and forget 不念旧恶
wax and wane (月的)盈亏圆缺;盛