每一种语言都有它独特的成语和俗语。而学习外语的人经常在理解这些习惯用语时会感到很困难。这是因为你不可能从组成某个习惯用语的字面上来懂得它的意思。 比如,美国人经常说break a leg,你可别以为那人是在诅咒你断条腿,事实上break a leg的意思是祝某人好运，只不过这是种比较幽默的说法而已。可能你会想断条腿可是很倒霉的事情，怎么会是祝福语呢？原来这还和迷信有关。一种说法是在以前，人们很相信鬼魂之说，并认为鬼魂们喜欢报复和制造麻烦，尤其喜欢和人们的愿望对着干。为了不让鬼魂们得逞，人们就正话反说，久而久之祝人好运便成了祝人断条腿( break a leg )。
下面的对话有很多与四肢五官的惯用语，从字面上理解肯定会南辕北辙，闹出笑话。
(Victor and Sahara are having dinner at a coffee shop.)
Victor: It’s your turn to foot the bill.
Sahara: Will you zip your mouth? I did last time.
Victor: Alright I’ll do it. It’s gonna cost me an arm and a leg. Please give me a hand. I’ve got only 30 bucks. I need 30 more.
Sahara: There you go. I’ll tell you something.
Victor: Come on, I’m all ears.
Sahara: Look at that chick. She is really a fox. She is casting sheep’s eyes to you.
Victor: Are you pulling my leg? I’m not as handsome as you.
Sahara: But you are the quarterback on the football team. Maybe she has a secret crush on you. Go talk to her.
Victor: But I’m getting cold feet. I’m all thumbs every time I talk to a girl. What shall I do if she gives me the cold shoulder.
Sahara: Just play it by ear.
Victor: I’ll have a try.
Sahara: Break a leg！！！
搞笑版理解：
Victor :该你把账单踩在脚下了。
Sahara: 能不能把你嘴巴的拉链拉上？上次就是我做的。
Victor: 好吧。我来。会花去我一只胳膊一条腿。请给我一只手。我只有30块。我还需要30块。
Sahara 给你。我跟你说点儿事。
Victor: 说吧。我都是耳朵。
Sahara: 看那个女孩子，真是个狐狸精。她正向你抛绵羊眼呢。
Victor: 你在拉我的腿吗？我可没有你帅哟。
Sahara: 但你可是橄榄球队的四分卫。她可能暗恋你呢。去和她聊聊!
Victor: 可我的脚冰凉。每次和女孩子说话我都是大拇指。她如果给我冷肩膀我该怎么办呢？
Sahara就用耳朵来玩儿吧。
Victor: 那我试试吧。
Sahara: 断一条腿吧，你！！！
