15個習語告訴你什麼叫藝術家
下面是關於怎樣成爲一名藝術家的討論。討論的焦點是個性特徵，文末有故事中使用過的15個習語的定義。試着閱讀下面的故事，第一次時，在不看後面定義的前提下去理解故事梗概。第二次閱讀時，可以利用後面的定義解釋，來幫助你在學習新的習語的同時理解全文。最後，完成閱讀後面的來測試，鞏固你所學的習語和表達。
The Artist
藝術家
What makes an artist an artist? Well, there probably isn't any easy answer to that question. However, there are some personality characteristics that many artists seem to have in common. First of all, artists come from all walks of life. They may have been born rich or poor, but they are all dedicated to realizing what only they can see in their minds' eyes. Another common trait of artists is that they do things according to their own own lights. In fact for many of them, creating art is do or die. Of course, that also means that they are often perfectionists. They'll lose themselves in a new creation and you might not see them for the next few weeks. Often, you might drop by to check up on how they are doing and you'll discover that their apartment is anything but spick-and-span. It's no wonder because they've sunk their teeth into their latest work and completely lost all track of time.
怎樣才能成爲一名藝術家呢？嗯，這個問題不是三言兩語就能夠回答的。但是，許多藝術家似乎都擁有一些共同的個性特徵。首先，藝術家們都是來自社會各界的人士。他們的家庭環境有好有壞，但是他們都會投身於表達出自己心中的景象。另一個共同點就是，他們都會根據自己的想法來行動。事實上，許多藝術家都認爲，藝術創作是非做不可的事。當然，這也意味着他們經常是完美主義者。他們會沉浸在自己新的創作中無法自拔，你可能一連幾個星期都看不到他們的身影。在你拜訪他們，想看看他們在做什麼時，你可能會發現他們住的公寓是亂糟糟的。這也不足爲奇，因爲長時間沉浸於自己的創作，都不知道今夕是何夕了。
Housework is certainly the last thing on their mind!
當然，他們也不會想起來要做家務！
Of course, this lifestyle often means that they can barely make ends meet. Jobs are few and far between and money comes in dribs and dabs. This is true even for up-and-coming superstars whose reputation is growing by leaps and bounds. Finally, artists see art as an end in itself.
當然，這種生活方式意味着他們入不敷出。沒什麼工作，錢也很少。甚至那些一夜成名，大有前途的名人也是這樣的。最後，他們搞藝術都是出於自己的興趣。
It's not about the money to them. They're different from normal people who mind their p's and q's. Artists challenge us with their vision. They'd never slap something together that just looks pretty.
對於他們來說，藝術與錢無關。他們與那些謹言慎行的普通人是不一樣的。藝術家們以他們的想象力感染着我們。他們不會爲了表面的好看而粗製濫造。
Idiom and Expression Definitions
習語和表達定義
something according to your own lights = do something your own way, follow your own inspiration rather than that of others
按自己方式做事，遵從自己的靈感，而不是追隨他人。
walks of life = from many different backgrounds, classes, etc.
來自不同的背景，階層等等。
end in itself = something done only for the pleasure of doing it
只是爲了樂趣而做某事
k new ground = create something new, innovate
創造新的東西，革新
or die = (used as an adjective) absolutely necessary
（常用作形容詞）絕對必要的
s and dabs = little by little, not happening continuously
一點一點地，並非連續不斷地發生
your mind's eye = in your imagination
在你的想象中
leaps and bounds = grow or improve very quickly
成長或改善得很快
yourself in something = become so involved that you don't notice anything else
太過投入到某事中，以至於沒有注意到其他事。
ends meet = earn enough money to live on
收支相抵
your p's and q's = be normal, not interfere with other people
正常的，不干涉別人
your teeth into something = concentrate on doing a project seriously for a long time
長時間集中精力完成某項任務
something together = create something without much care to detail
粗製濫造
k-and-span = extremely clean
非常乾淨
-and-coming = soon to be famous, young talent becoming successful
很快成名，成功的年輕有爲的人。
習語和表達測試
1. I'm afraid I can't follow your suggestion. I prefer to paint __________.
2. Can you see that picture __________?
3. Our son is very good at the piano. In fact, he's improving __________.
4. Unfortunately, money is very tight at the moment. I don't have a steady job so the money is coming in __________.
5. I'd love to _________ my __________ a new project.
6. It's important that you house is _________ if you want to sell it.
7. Peter is an _________ musician. He'll soon be famous.
8. I think this work of art ________. It's completely different from anything before.
9. Please be quiet and __________. I don't want to be bothered.
10. Students attending the academy come from __________. You'll find people from all over the world with different backgrounds.
答案
1. according to my own lights
2. in your mind's eye
3. by leaps and bounds
4. dribs and dabs
5. sink my teeth into
6. spick-and-span
7. up-and-coming
8. breaks new ground
9. mind your p's and q's
10. all walks of life
聲明：本雙語文章的中文翻譯系原創內容，轉載請註明出處。中文翻譯僅代表譯者個人觀點，僅供參考。如有不妥之處，歡迎指正。
