经典成语sick as a cat用法解析

摘要：“sick as a cat” 是英语中极具画面感的口语短语，核心语义为 “（人）身体非常不舒服，病得很厉害，尤其指恶心、呕吐、精神萎靡或伴有强烈不适感”，病猫常用“a sick cat”。“sick as a cat”本质是通过猫“易呕吐、肠胃敏感”的生物习

“sick as a cat” 是英语中极具画面感的口语短语，核心语义为 “（人）身体非常不舒服，病得很厉害，尤其指恶心、呕吐、精神萎靡或伴有强烈不适感”，病猫常用“a sick cat”。“sick as a cat”本质是通过猫“易呕吐、肠胃敏感”的生物习性，隐喻人因疾病产生的严重不适，是描述身体状态的中性口语表达，无褒贬色彩。例：

The prime minister canceled the meeting—he’s been sick as a cat since last night.

首相取消了会议——他从昨晚开始就一直非常不舒服。

The CEO couldn’t attend the negotiation; his assistant said he’s sick as a cat with the flu.

CEO 无法参加谈判，其助理称他因流感非常不舒服。

The ambassador’s visit to the small town was postponed—she’s sick as a cat and needs rest.

大使对小镇的访问被推迟——她身体非常不舒服，需要休息。

The singer announced on social media that she’s sick as a cat, so tonight’s concert is canceled.

这位歌手在社交媒体上宣布自己身体非常不舒服，因此今晚的演唱会取消。

I stayed home to take care of my girlfriend—she’s sick as a cat and keeps throwing up.

我留在家里照顾女朋友——她非常不舒服，还一直呕吐。

My husband said he’s sick as a cat, so I made him some light soup for dinner.

我丈夫说他身体非常不舒服，所以我给他做了些清淡的汤当晚饭。

My friend called and said she’s sick as a cat—I’m going to bring her some medicine later.

朋友打电话说她身体非常不舒服——我等会儿要给她送些药过去。

The student sent a message to the teacher, saying she’s sick as a cat and can’t come to class.

这名学生给老师发消息，说自己身体非常不舒服，无法来上课。

The soldier was sent back to the barracks—he’s sick as a cat and can’t stand guard.

这名士兵被送回营房——他身体非常不舒服，无法站岗。

《生活大爆炸》（The Big Bang Theory）S6E5

Sheldon: I won’t go to the lab today. I’m sick as a cat, and my throat feels like it’s on fire.

Leonard: Then stay home—we’ll handle the experiment.

（谢尔顿：我今天不去实验室了。我身体非常不舒服，喉咙疼得像着火一样。

伦纳德：那就在家休息——实验我们来处理。）

解析：结合“throat feels like it’s on fire”（喉咙疼得像着火），“sick as a cat” 泛指“严重身体不适”，既符合谢尔顿直白的表达风格，又让“请假理由”更具说服力，翻译准确传递症状的严重性。

“sick as a cat” 因“口语化强、语义明确”，在中高考、四六级等正式考试中多以“阅读理解（日常对话类/生活场景类）”形式考查，核心是“避免字面义误解（非‘猫生病’）”与“把握‘人严重不适’的语义”：

I couldn’t go to the picnic yesterday because I was ______ as a cat. I had a high fever and felt terrible. （2024年大学英语四级考试·完形填空）

A. sick

B. old

C. cool

D. happy

答案：A

解析：后文“had a high fever and felt terrible”（发高烧、感觉很糟）提示此处需填“生病、不适”相关表述，“sick as a cat” 是固定短语，表“非常不舒服”。B（“old as a cat” 非固定短语，无意义）、C（“cool as a cat” 表“从容有魅力”，与语境矛盾）、D（“happy as a cat” 非固定短语，与“发高烧”矛盾），故选A。