1. Expression:kick somebody upstairs
Explanation:To promote one to a position that is higher but undesirable or that has little actual responsibility or authority.(明升暗降)
Example:They kicked John upstairs to an assistant manager position so he would stop griping about his pay.
他们把约翰明升暗降到经理助理职位,这样他就不会再为薪水而满腹牢骚了。
The board of trustees decided to kick the president of the company upstairs.
理事会决定将该公司的总经理明升暗降。
They decided to kick him upstairs and appoint a younger man to take his place.
他们决定对他明升暗降,让一位比他年轻的人来接替他目前的职位。
A:I hear from John that you hand been promoted. Congratulations!
我从约翰那里听说你升职了,祝贺你。
B:But actually I was kicked upstairs.
但是,我实际上是明升暗降。
2. Expression:a pain in the ass
Explanation:Something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness. (给人带来麻烦和不愉快的人或者事物)
Example:For everyone, the novel coronavirus is a real pain in the ass.
对于我们每个人来说,这个新型冠状病毒真是令人讨厌。
Stop calling me! You're a real pain in the ass.
别再给我打电话了, 你真的好烦人啊。
Mowing the lawn in the morning is a pain in the ass. It's killing me!
一大早来修理草坪真的是太烦人了, 感觉要疯了。
Getting all this spam email is such a pain in the ass. I wish they wouldn't send the damn stuff.
来处理这些垃圾邮件真的很烦,我希望他们不要再给我发这个烂东西了。
3. Expression:Jackass
Explanation:A foolish or stupid person; a blockhead. (傻瓜,笨蛋)
Example: He could never speak quite patiently to the old Jackass.
他实在无法很耐心地对这个老笨蛋说话。
Though I have been always a Jackass, I have not been always a rascal.
尽管我从来都是个傻瓜,但我并非一直是个恶棍。
Jill is such a Jackass that he flunked every course as a freshman.
Jill的脑子真笨,读大学一年级时门门课都不及格。
You are such a Jackass, I shall have to keep on at you for another hour.
你真是个大傻瓜,我非要再数落你1小时不可。