1 sponge off someone else 依赖他人生活

　　Why don't you just sponge off your boyfriend? 你为什么不依靠你男友呢？

　　2 take sb. under your wing 收养罩着某人养育

　　---Your mum has been a huge help. 你妈妈帮了我大忙。

　　----I‘m so glad she's taken you under her wing. 很高兴她能帮到你。

　　3 boxed in a corner 陷入很难解决的困境 （来自拳击比赛，boxer拳击手不能被困在角落里，要不然很难自我防卫）

　　It sounded like he boxed himself in a corner. 听起来他似乎把自己给困住了。

　　4 shell out 付 (一大笔钱)

　　You won't have to shell out a fortune for it. 你将不必为它花一大笔钱。

　　Advertisers are willing to shell out a lot of money for this targeting. 广告商愿意为这种更具针对性的形式付更多广告费。

　　5 zone out  （使）变得浑然无觉；（使）变得头昏脑胀；走神

　　I just zoned out for a second there.  我刚不小心走了一会儿神。

　　6 speak volumes 很有意义；含义很深；不言而喻；足以说明

　　Likewise, your network can speak volumes for your ability to fit in. 同样，你的交际网也能够说明你的适应能力。

　　These facts speak volumes for her honesty. 这些事实都有力地证明了她为人诚实。

　　7 pull some strings （为了自己的利益或帮助别人而）托关系、走后门；暗中控制；背后操纵

　　In order to find a suitable job, I have to pull some strings. 为了找一份合适的工作，我得走走后门。

　　8 penny-pincher 吝啬鬼

　　Well, you can't be a penny-pincher all the time. 那你也不能总是一分钱掰成两半花吧。