Lecture Four

1、Lecture Four News Headline (II) News-reading Knowledge News Headline (II) Selective Reading (3) The UK America Some countries in Latin America France and some African countries Portugal, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan Israel Norway Sweden Denmark Finland Spain Germany Russia China back Parliament Congress C

2、ongress National Assembly National Assembly Knesset (Hebrew) Parliament/Storting Parliament/Riksdag /Diet/Folketing Eduskunta Cortes Federal Assembly Duma National Peoples Council Types of Headlines Forms of Headlines Language Features of NHs Understanding Headlines with the Help of Background Knowl

3、edge Comparison between C sometimes words are even omitted; The clarity is achieved by using exact words and avoiding involved, confusing or ambiguous ones; The attractiveness is achieved by using vivid, fresh language and avoiding dull and trite words. Language Features of Newspaper Headlines A. Le

4、xical Features B. Grammatical Features C. Rhetorical Features back A. Lexical Features Preference for Short Words Wide Use of Abbreviations and Acronyms Frequent Omission of Certain Words back A.Lexical Features 1. Preference for Short Words English language newspaper headlines often use short words

5、 to replace long ones. You have certainly seen many of the words before, but when they are used in newspaper headlines they carry meanings that are quite unfamiliar to you. The following underlined words are frequently used in newspaper headlines: Accord possible today (agreement) Governor to axe ai

6、de (dismiss) Tenants back council plan (support) Plea to back drug ban (forbiddance) Last-minute slip bars win (prevents) Bid to open border (attempt) Clerk bilks city of 1 m (cheats) 3 die in hotel blast (explosion) Sales boom (increase rapidly) Exports boost (increase) Bug kills babies (disease) 今

7、日可能達(dá)成協(xié)議今日可能達(dá)成協(xié)議 政府官員副職大削減政府官員副職大削減 不動(dòng)產(chǎn)占有者支持不動(dòng)產(chǎn)占有者支持 立法計(jì)劃立法計(jì)劃 請(qǐng)求支持毒品禁令請(qǐng)求支持毒品禁令 最后的失誤導(dǎo)致失敗最后的失誤導(dǎo)致失敗 嘗試開(kāi)放國(guó)界嘗試開(kāi)放國(guó)界 文員詐騙城市百萬(wàn)美元文員詐騙城市百萬(wàn)美元 酒店爆炸，三人死亡酒店爆炸，三人死亡 銷售繁榮銷售繁榮 出口增加出口增加 兒童因病致死兒童因病致死 Bombs claim 40 (kill) Clash over budget (argument) Cop in car chase drama (policeman) Imports curb (control, restrictio

8、n) Bank rate cut (control, restriction) Trade deal (agreement) Peace drive (campaign) American envoy (diplomat) Attendant foils train disaster (prevents) Actress loses gems (jewels, valuable stones) 炸彈致死炸彈致死40 關(guān)于預(yù)算的爭(zhēng)執(zhí)關(guān)于預(yù)算的爭(zhēng)執(zhí) 汽車追逐大戰(zhàn)中的警察汽車追逐大戰(zhàn)中的警察 進(jìn)口限制進(jìn)口限制 銀行比率降低銀行比率降低 貿(mào)易協(xié)定貿(mào)易協(xié)定 和平運(yùn)動(dòng)和平運(yùn)動(dòng) 美國(guó)外交官美國(guó)外交官 服務(wù)員

9、阻止火車災(zāi)難服務(wù)員阻止火車災(zāi)難 女演員丟失珠寶女演員丟失珠寶 Years biggest fire guts 178 homes (destroys) Suspects held (arrested) New hurdle to peace (obstacle, barrier) Thailand, Malaysia ink sea treaty (sign) Lab of open policy (laboratory) World Bank lauds China for reducing poverty (praises) Bush man in China (representativ

10、e) Gang leader nabbed (captured) Police net escapees (capture) Government no to wage rise (refusal) Minister seeks nod for oil saving plan (approval) 年度最大火災(zāi)摧毀年度最大火災(zāi)摧毀178個(gè)家庭個(gè)家庭 嫌犯被捕嫌犯被捕 和平新障礙和平新障礙 泰國(guó)、馬來(lái)西亞簽署海洋協(xié)議泰國(guó)、馬來(lái)西亞簽署海洋協(xié)議 開(kāi)放政策下的實(shí)驗(yàn)室開(kāi)放政策下的實(shí)驗(yàn)室 世界銀行稱贊中國(guó)減少貧困世界銀行稱贊中國(guó)減少貧困 布什代表出訪中國(guó)布什代表出訪中國(guó) 歹徒首領(lǐng)被捕歹徒首領(lǐng)被捕 警察捕

11、捉逃犯警察捕捉逃犯 政府拒絕加薪政府拒絕加薪 部長(zhǎng)尋求支持石油節(jié)約計(jì)劃部長(zhǎng)尋求支持石油節(jié)約計(jì)劃 Irish top ranks vie for office (compete) China vows to step up reform and open policy (promises) Actress to wed for 8th time (marry) Bush weighs safety measures (considers) 愛(ài)爾蘭高層爭(zhēng)奪政府職位愛(ài)爾蘭高層爭(zhēng)奪政府職位 中國(guó)承諾加快改革開(kāi)放中國(guó)承諾加快改革開(kāi)放 女演員將第八次結(jié)婚女演員將第八次結(jié)婚 布什考慮安全措施布什考慮安全措施

12、 end (finish), alter (change), map (work out), nix (deny, disapprove), swap (exchange), ace (champion), aid (assistance), Dem (democrat), loot (money stolen), talk (conference), co-op (co- operation), kick (abandon), opt (choose), spark (encourage), woo (seek to win), snub (neglect), cool (uninteres

13、ted), key (essential), ties (relations), eye (watch, observe), moot (discuss), rock (shake), voice (express), mar (damage), body (committee), flop (failure), set (ready), tiff (argument), dip (decline), name (appoint), top (exceed), nuke (nuclear weapon), arms (weapons), down (decrease), pit (coal m

14、ine), Tory (the Conservative Party) back A.Lexical Features 2. Wide Use of Abbreviations and Acronyms Abbreviations and acronyms are frequently used in newspaper headlines. Abbreviations: Afr. Africa, African app. appendix ave. avenue capt. captain chem. chemistry colloq. colloquial dz. dozen encl.

15、enclosure fem. feminine 女性的女性的 govt. government hist. history hon. - honorary amt. - amount approx. approximately biol. - biology cent. - centigrade co. - company dept. - department econ. - economics Fahr. -Fahrenheit華氏溫度的華氏溫度的 geog. - geography grad. - graduate hi-tech high technology hr. hour (s)

16、Abbreviations: incl. including lat. latitude 緯度緯度 Ltd. limited Medit. Mediterranean sec. second (s) sq. square vocab. vocabulary yd. yard (s) lang. language Lit. literature mag. magazine prof. professor soc. society univ. university wt. - weight Acronyms: ABC American Broadcasting Company美國(guó)廣播公司美國(guó)廣播公

17、司 ADB Asian Development Bank 亞洲發(fā)展銀行亞洲發(fā)展銀行 AFTA Atlantic Free Trade Area/Asian Free Trade Area 大西洋大西洋/亞洲自由貿(mào)易區(qū)亞洲自由貿(mào)易區(qū) APCC Air Pollution Control Commission空氣污染控制委員會(huì)空氣污染控制委員會(huì) APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 亞太經(jīng)合組織亞太經(jīng)合組織 APF American Pacific Fleet 美國(guó)（洲）太平洋艦隊(duì)美國(guó)（洲）太平洋艦隊(duì) ASAN Association of Southeas

18、t Asian Nations 東南亞國(guó)家聯(lián)盟東南亞國(guó)家聯(lián)盟 BBC British Broadcasting Corporation英國(guó)廣播公司英國(guó)廣播公司 BIRPI United International Bureau for the Protection of Intellectual Property保護(hù)知識(shí)產(chǎn)權(quán)聯(lián)合國(guó)國(guó)際局保護(hù)知識(shí)產(chǎn)權(quán)聯(lián)合國(guó)國(guó)際局 BOAC British Overseas Airways Corporation英國(guó)海外航空公司英國(guó)海外航空公司 CIA Central Intelligence Agency（美國(guó)）中央情報(bào)局（美國(guó)）中央情報(bào)局 CPLA Chine

19、se Peoples Liberation Army 中國(guó)人民解放軍中國(guó)人民解放軍 EAC East African Community 東非共同體東非共同體 EEC European Economic Community歐洲經(jīng)濟(jì)共同體歐洲經(jīng)濟(jì)共同體(歐共體歐共體 ) EFTA European Free Trade Association歐洲自由貿(mào)易聯(lián)盟歐洲自由貿(mào)易聯(lián)盟 EIB European Investment Bank 歐洲投資銀行歐洲投資銀行 EMA European Monetary Agreement 歐洲貨幣協(xié)定歐洲貨幣協(xié)定 EMF - European Monetary F

20、und歐洲貨幣基金歐洲貨幣基金 ESCAP United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific聯(lián)合國(guó)亞洲及太平洋經(jīng)濟(jì)社會(huì)委員會(huì)聯(lián)合國(guó)亞洲及太平洋經(jīng)濟(jì)社會(huì)委員會(huì) EU European Union歐盟歐盟 FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 聯(lián)合國(guó)糧農(nóng)組織聯(lián)合國(guó)糧農(nóng)組織 FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation 美聯(lián)邦調(diào)查局美聯(lián)邦調(diào)查局 FIFA International Football F

21、ederation 國(guó)際足球聯(lián)盟國(guó)際足球聯(lián)盟 Acronyms: FRS Fellow of the Royal Society/Federal Reserve System (英國(guó)英國(guó))皇家學(xué)會(huì)會(huì)員皇家學(xué)會(huì)會(huì)員 / (美國(guó)美國(guó))聯(lián)邦儲(chǔ)備系統(tǒng)聯(lián)邦儲(chǔ)備系統(tǒng) GB Great Britain大不列顛大不列顛 G8 Group of Eight八國(guó)集團(tuán)八國(guó)集團(tuán) (美國(guó)、日本、德國(guó)、法國(guó)、英國(guó)、意美國(guó)、日本、德國(guó)、法國(guó)、英國(guó)、意 大利、加拿大和俄羅斯大利、加拿大和俄羅斯) G77 Group of 77 七十七國(guó)集團(tuán)七十七國(guó)集團(tuán) (世界上發(fā)展中國(guó)家駐聯(lián)合國(guó)外交世界上發(fā)展中國(guó)家駐聯(lián)合國(guó)外交 官所組成的一

22、個(gè)非正式集團(tuán)官所組成的一個(gè)非正式集團(tuán), 成立于成立于 1964 年年, 前身為前身為“七十五國(guó)決七十五國(guó)決 策委員會(huì)策委員會(huì)”) IADB Inter-American Development Bank / Inter-American Defense Board 泛美開(kāi)發(fā)銀行泛美開(kāi)發(fā)銀行 / 美洲防務(wù)委員會(huì)美洲防務(wù)委員會(huì) IEA International Energy Agency 國(guó)際能源機(jī)構(gòu)國(guó)際能源機(jī)構(gòu) IBA International Bar Association 國(guó)際律師協(xié)會(huì)國(guó)際律師協(xié)會(huì) ICAO International Civil Aviation Organizatio

23、n國(guó)際民航組織國(guó)際民航組織 ICJ International Court of Justice 國(guó)際法庭國(guó)際法庭 IDA International Development Association 國(guó)際開(kāi)發(fā)協(xié)會(huì)國(guó)際開(kāi)發(fā)協(xié)會(huì) Acronyms: IFC International Finance Corporation 國(guó)際金融公司國(guó)際金融公司 IFG - International Federation of Gymnastics 國(guó)際體操聯(lián)合會(huì)國(guó)際體操聯(lián)合會(huì) IFHR International Federation of Human Rights 國(guó)際人權(quán)聯(lián)合會(huì)國(guó)際人權(quán)聯(lián)合會(huì) IFT-

24、International Federation of Translators國(guó)際翻譯工作者聯(lián)合會(huì)國(guó)際翻譯工作者聯(lián)合會(huì) IGF International Genetics Federation 國(guó)際遺傳學(xué)聯(lián)合會(huì)國(guó)際遺傳學(xué)聯(lián)合會(huì) IIB International Investment Bank 國(guó)際投資銀行國(guó)際投資銀行 ILO International Labor Organization 國(guó)際勞工組織國(guó)際勞工組織 IMF International Monetary Fund 國(guó)際貨幣基金國(guó)際貨幣基金 IMO International Maritime Organization 國(guó)際海

25、事組織國(guó)際海事組織 INTELSAT International Telecommunications Satellite Organization 國(guó)際通信衛(wèi)星機(jī)構(gòu)國(guó)際通信衛(wèi)星機(jī)構(gòu) IOC International Olympic Committee 國(guó)際奧委會(huì)國(guó)際奧委會(huì) Acronyms: IOM International Organization for Migration 國(guó)際移民組織國(guó)際移民組織 IPPF International Planned Parenthood Federation 國(guó)際計(jì)國(guó)際計(jì) 劃生育聯(lián)合會(huì)劃生育聯(lián)合會(huì) IPU Inter-Parliamentary

26、Union各國(guó)議會(huì)聯(lián)盟各國(guó)議會(huì)聯(lián)盟(簡(jiǎn)稱簡(jiǎn)稱“議聯(lián)議聯(lián)”） ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross國(guó)際紅十字國(guó)際紅十字 委員會(huì)委員會(huì) IRO International Refugee Organization 國(guó)際難民組織國(guó)際難民組織 IRU International Relief Union 國(guó)際救濟(jì)聯(lián)合會(huì)國(guó)際救濟(jì)聯(lián)合會(huì) ITU International Telecommunication Union國(guó)際電信聯(lián)盟國(guó)際電信聯(lián)盟 IUAPPA International Union of Air Pollution Prevention

27、Associations國(guó)際防止空氣污染協(xié)會(huì)聯(lián)合會(huì)國(guó)際防止空氣污染協(xié)會(huì)聯(lián)合會(huì) IUS International Union of Students國(guó)際學(xué)生會(huì)聯(lián)盟國(guó)際學(xué)生會(huì)聯(lián)盟 Acronyms: LACM Latin American Common Market 拉丁美洲共同市場(chǎng)拉丁美洲共同市場(chǎng) LAFTA Latin American Free Trade Area拉丁美洲自由貿(mào)易區(qū)拉丁美洲自由貿(mào)易區(qū) MP Member of Parliament(英國(guó)或英聯(lián)邦的英國(guó)或英聯(lián)邦的)下院議員下院議員 NAFTA North American Free Trade Area / Agreemen

28、t 北美自由貿(mào)易區(qū)北美自由貿(mào)易區(qū)/北美自由貿(mào)易協(xié)定北美自由貿(mào)易協(xié)定 NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization 北約北約 OAU Organization of African Unity非洲統(tǒng)一組織非洲統(tǒng)一組織 OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 經(jīng)濟(jì)合作與發(fā)展組織經(jīng)濟(jì)合作與發(fā)展組織 OPEC Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries石石 油輸出國(guó)組織油輸出國(guó)組織 WB World Bank 世界銀行世界銀行 WHO W

29、orld Health Organization (聯(lián)合國(guó)聯(lián)合國(guó))世界衛(wèi)生組世界衛(wèi)生組 WIDF Womens International Democratic Federation國(guó)際國(guó)際 民主婦女聯(lián)合會(huì)民主婦女聯(lián)合會(huì) WTO World Trade Organization / World Tourism Organization 世界貿(mào)易組織世界貿(mào)易組織 /世界旅游組織世界旅游組織 back A.Lexical Features 3. Frequent Omission of Certain Words Headlines generally leave out certain word

30、s, especially articles, personal pronouns, this, that, and verb to be. The word “and” is often replaced by a comma, e.g.: Fan kills wife (A sports fan killed his wife.) Charles, 32, seeks bride (Prince Charles, who is 32 years old, is seeking a bride.) Shanghai to do business on net, including B2B,

31、B2C (Shanghai is to do business on the net, including “business to business” and “business to consumer”.) 1、冠詞(articles)基本省略。 Three Gorges Flooded By Farewell Tourists (The Three Gorges Flooded By Farewell Tourists.) 惜別之情難以擋,游客蜂擁至三峽。 2、連系動(dòng)詞（link-v.）通常省略。 Three Dead after Inhaling Oven Gas （Three are

32、 Dead after Inhaling Oven Gas.） 吸入爐灶煤氣三人窒息身亡。 Clinton Inauguration Most Expensive Ever (Clinton Inauguration is Most Expensive Ever.) 克氏就職典禮花費(fèi)空前巨大。 3、助動(dòng)詞(auxiliary)通常省略。 Financier Killed By Burglars (A Financier is Killed by Burglars. )夜毛賊入室金融家遇害。 Pope To Visit Japan In February. (Pope is to Visit J

33、apan in February.) 教皇擬于二月訪日。 India Mending Fences (India is Mending Fences.) 印度正在改善與鄰國(guó)的關(guān)系。 4、連詞通常省略，并用逗號(hào)代替。 Us, Vietnam Resume Talks （Us and Vietnam Resume Talks.） 美越恢復(fù)會(huì)談。 back B. Grammatical Features Use of Heavily Modified Nominal Groups Use of the Simple Present Tense Use of the Present Progressi

34、ve Tense Use of the Infinitive Use of the Passive Constructions back B. Grammatical Features 1. Use of Heavily Modified Nominal Groups The nominal groups in headlines are sometimes quite complex with heavy pre-modifiers, e.g.: 200-metre-long flood prevention dyke built (A dyke, which is 200 meters l

35、ong, has been built for the prevention of flood.) Sino-German trade review talks start (The talks to review the trade between China and Germany have started.) West-to-East Gas Transmitting Project beneficial to west, east (The West-to-East GasTransmitting Project is beneficial to both the west and t

36、he east regions of China.) back B. Grammatical Features 2. Use of the Simple Present Tense 英語(yǔ)報(bào)刊的新聞標(biāo)題中一般不用過(guò)去時(shí)態(tài)，當(dāng)然更不用過(guò)去完英語(yǔ)報(bào)刊的新聞標(biāo)題中一般不用過(guò)去時(shí)態(tài)，當(dāng)然更不用過(guò)去完 成時(shí)等時(shí)態(tài)，而采用現(xiàn)在時(shí)態(tài)，使讀者閱報(bào)時(shí)一如置身于這條成時(shí)等時(shí)態(tài)，而采用現(xiàn)在時(shí)態(tài)，使讀者閱報(bào)時(shí)一如置身于這條 新聞事件中，這叫做新聞事件中，這叫做“新聞現(xiàn)在時(shí)新聞現(xiàn)在時(shí)” （Journalistic Present Tense），與文學(xué)寫作中的），與文學(xué)寫作中的 “歷史現(xiàn)在時(shí)歷史現(xiàn)在時(shí)”，（，（Histor

37、ical Present Tense）實(shí)際上完全一樣。所以，英語(yǔ)新聞標(biāo)題中常用）實(shí)際上完全一樣。所以，英語(yǔ)新聞標(biāo)題中常用 的動(dòng)詞時(shí)態(tài)主要有三種：一般現(xiàn)在時(shí)、將來(lái)時(shí)和現(xiàn)在進(jìn)行時(shí)。的動(dòng)詞時(shí)態(tài)主要有三種：一般現(xiàn)在時(shí)、將來(lái)時(shí)和現(xiàn)在進(jìn)行時(shí)。 The simple present tense is widely used to describe something happening in the present or in the past, e.g.: Comeback Gives China a Sensational Thomas Cup Win (The Comeback Gave China

38、a Sensational Thomas Cup Win.)中國(guó)隊(duì)反敗為勝榮獲湯姆斯杯。中國(guó)隊(duì)反敗為勝榮獲湯姆斯杯。 Street Battle in Heavy Shelling As Peace Talks Proceed (Street Battle was in Heavy Shelling As Peace Talks Proceeded.)和平會(huì)談進(jìn)行之際巷戰(zhàn)依然炮聲和平會(huì)談進(jìn)行之際巷戰(zhàn)依然炮聲 隆隆。隆隆。 Bumper Harvest Chinese gymnasts win eight golds at world championships back B. Grammati

39、cal Features 3. Use of the Present Progressive Tense The present progressive tense is sometimes used, mostly to describe something that is developing, and the auxiliary is often omitted, e.g.: Signs of Rifts Appearing in Argentinas Junta (The Signs of Rifts are Appearing in Argentinas Junta.)阿根阿根 廷軍

40、人政府出現(xiàn)內(nèi)訌跡象。廷軍人政府出現(xiàn)內(nèi)訌跡象。 Deposits, Loans Rising in Shanghai (Deposits and Loans are Rising in Shanghai.)上海儲(chǔ)蓄與貸款上海儲(chǔ)蓄與貸款 額見(jiàn)升。額見(jiàn)升。 Information industry developing rapidly (The information industry is developing rapidly.) 信息行業(yè)信息行業(yè) 發(fā)展迅速。發(fā)展迅速。 Cloning technology being used in medical treatment (Cloning tech

41、nology is being used in medical treatment.) 克克 隆技術(shù)應(yīng)用于醫(yī)療。隆技術(shù)應(yīng)用于醫(yī)療。 back B. Grammatical Features 4. Use of the Infinitive The infinitive is used to refer to the future, e.g.: Last Two Beiruit Hostages To Go Free (The Last Two Hostages in Beiruit are To Go Free.)貝貝 魯特最后兩名人質(zhì)魯特最后兩名人質(zhì)“獲釋在望獲釋在望”。 Florida F

42、reeze to Increase Area Produce Prices (The Freeze in Florida is to Increase the Areas Produce Prices.)佛羅里達(dá)嚴(yán)寒將使該地區(qū)農(nóng)產(chǎn)品漲價(jià)。佛羅里達(dá)嚴(yán)寒將使該地區(qū)農(nóng)產(chǎn)品漲價(jià)。 World Expo to Make Shanghai more Open (The World Expo is to Make Shanghai more Open) 世博會(huì)將使上海更加開(kāi)放。世博會(huì)將使上海更加開(kāi)放。 China to Step up Development of Knowledge-intensive I

43、ndustry (China is to Step up Development of Knowledge- intensive Industry.) 中國(guó)將進(jìn)一步發(fā)展知識(shí)密集型產(chǎn)業(yè)。中國(guó)將進(jìn)一步發(fā)展知識(shí)密集型產(chǎn)業(yè)。 back B. Grammatical Features 5. Use of the Passive Constructions Headlines are generally in the active voice, but sometimes passive constructions are also used. In the passive constructions t

44、he auxiliary is omitted and only the past participle is left, e.g.: Van Goghs Recovered after Theft (Van Goghs are Recovered after the Theft.)梵高名畫竊而復(fù)梵高名畫竊而復(fù) 得。得。 Father Jailed For Murder Of Daughter (Father is Jailed For the Murder of His Daughter.)謀殺親生謀殺親生 女兒父親鋃鐺入獄。女兒父親鋃鐺入獄。 Efforts made to minimiz

45、e loss (The efforts have been made to minimize the loss.) 力求使力求使 損失最小化。損失最小化。 back C. Rhetorical Features Alliteration頭韻 Rhyme押韻 Metaphor比喻 Pun雙關(guān) Euphemism委婉語(yǔ) Antithesis對(duì)語(yǔ) Parody模仿，借用典故 back C. Rhetorical Features 1. Alliteration頭韻頭韻 Alliteration is the effect produced by using a series of words tha

46、t begin with the same letter or sound, e.g.: Bye, bye balanced budget The repeated “b” sound at the beginning of the words “bye”, “bye”, “balanced” and “budget” makes the headline sound witty and lively. Round rocks runs river The “r” sound at the beginning of the words “round”, “rocks”, “runs” and

47、“river” makes the headline interesting. back C. Rhetorical Features 2. Rhyme押韻押韻 Rhyme is the sameness of sound between words or syllables, e.g.: Whos near to Clintons ear? In this headline, “near” and “ear” are rhymes. Bye, Bye American Pie In 1996, the Clinton Administration put an end to the Amer

48、ican social welfare system, saying that this program supported a group of idlers. Immediately after that, an American reporter wrote an article entitled Bye, Bye American Pie. The word “pie” in the headline suggests the social welfare system. back C. Rhetorical Features 3. Metaphor比喻比喻 Metaphor is t

49、he use of a word or phrase to indicate something different from the literal meaning, e.g.: “Down in the mouth” news for dentists “Down in the mouth” here means “sad”. Carlo Ponti in hot water again “In hot water ” here means “in trouble”. Refugees in dire straits “In dire straits” means “in danger”. Union call to strike falls on deaf ears “To falls on deaf ears” means “to fail to win acceptance”. Let bygones be bygones, say ex-foes “Let bygones be bygones” means “to forget the past misun