【正文】 Dianyang put it bluntlytranslate 1iterally if possib1e or appeal to free translation. On contrary，idioms are translated free1y the imp1ied and figurative rneanings wi11 not be conveyed loyally and accurately. Literal translation examples of set phases： （1） “對牛彈琴” The sayingto play the harp to a cowimplies a gibe at the audience. There is an idiom in The Bible which has the similar meaning with “對牛彈琴”∶to cast ρearls before swine．But“對牛彈琴”has the vivid and different images∶牛，琴， so it is better to use the literal translation. （2） 劉姥姥道：“這倒不然。s needed is an east wind all is ready except what is crucial. 完璧歸趙Return the jade intact to the State of Zhaoreturn something to it39。s work. However，many people in the West believe in Christianity .Their images ofGodanddevilare often found in some English examp1e， as poor as the church mouse像教堂里的老鼠一樣窮 God helps those who he1ρ themselves天助自助者 From the abovementioned idioms both in English and Chinese，we can infer that God is powerful in Christianity and that Buddha is mighty in Buddhism。In English，there are idioms about dogs，such asa lucky dog（幸運兒），every dog has his day（凡人皆有得意時）andlove me，Iove my dog.（愛屋及烏）The above mentioned idioms about dogs have good meanings. But in China，dog is an image to be condemned．In Chinese，we say“狗仗人勢”（like a dog threatening ρeople on the strength of its master39。 hence, by colloquial extension, a bad experience in general. Similarities and differences in English and Chinese Idioms Since a contrastive study is going to be made between Enghsh and Chinese idioms，both of the similarities and differences between them should be analyzed. Similarities in Engish and Chinese Idioms First of all,we are going to discuss the similarities betwteen English and Chinese we read some idioms in Eng1ish and Chinese，we can find a surprising coincidence between them that some of them are extremely similar and ev identica1 in mcaning and form. This shows the fact that human beings are 1iving on the same earth，have experienced similar developmenta1 procedures in history so that they have similarties in their languages as we1l as their from different cultures are not isolated from each munication activities have never stopped. With the constant development of modem media， there are more frequent interculural munication activities between different cultures that provide people with a 1ot of opportunities to get in touch with each other39。 (Oxford Advanced Learner EnglishChinese Dictionarg extended 4 edition, 2002).Slangs are natural products of verbal munication and very mon in a 1anguage. Slang expression is se1dom used in the forma1 contexts. People ofen use them in informal speech and writing. The paper here gives out some instances: Behind the eight ball (sports): in a difficult position。 They are monly used in speech, especially between people $om the same social group or who work togethe1 not considered suitable for formal contexts and ofen not used for long. 39。 which reveals the truth of unnecessary to do something by paring with a plain action of carrying coals to Newcastle, where coal is abundant. Slangs S1angs can be defined as ,39。Carry coals to Newcastle.39。 adage, saw, Proverbs are usual1y brief and easy to remember and operate with mouths and ears. We wi1l get better idea of English proverbs fom the old saying 39。39。39。39。Usually only the frst ρart will be spoken，the actual meaning 1ies in the second part. But now it is quite mon to state both the former and 1atter it contains an analogy,the a11egorical saying is then vivid and full of imagery．Allegorical sayings display the most salient feature of colloquialism among Chinese following are several examp1es of allegorical sayings: 和尚打傘一無發(fā)（法）無天 When a monk opens an umbrella，there is neither hair（law）nor skyto deny all laws，human and divine；to bee pletely lawless. 泥菩薩過江——自身難保Like a clay idol fording a riverowho is hardly able to save oneself, let alone anyone e1se. Vulgar expressions They are only used in co11oquial are used so frequent that most of them do not have their origina1 rneaning any ＇s attention has been paid to their rough are some examples of this kind of set phases∶ 狗雜種Son of bitch 王八蛋Son of a gun of English idioms A Concise English—Chinese Dictionary of English Idioms include idiomatic phrases， proverbs and slangs． Γhe classifcation of English idioms is to be elaborated in the following∶ Idiomatic expressions An idiomatic phrase belongs to the cornmon core of the idiom，which makes upa large part of English the rneaning of the whole unit is not the sum of the meanings of its individual ponents. Such examples are great in number as follows: as cool as cucumbe1 to do harm, sooner or later, one after another, to fall in love, to run into debt, in full swing, go all out, to jump to conc1usion, to kick the bucket, to go Dutch, etc. Proverbs In Webster39。s chest，implying to have had ready plans or design in one39。 Such as the idiom“傾盆大雨”，referring to raining cats and dogs or raining heavily which is used to describe the image of raining in figurative idiom“臥薪嘗膽” means to sleep on brushwood and taste gall to undergo selfimposed hardships so as to strengthen one39。39。