1. A sinking ship

正在下沉的船.

That was a sinking ship. = That was something getting close to failing.

那件事已经无可挽救了.

例子: I quit my last job even though I was happy there. I realized that the company was a sinking ship and that I would be looking for a job soon anyway when it went bankrupt.

我虽然挺喜欢我得上一个工作,但还是辞职了.那个公司像是一手正在下沉的船.到它破产的时候,我就是不辞职,也得另找工作了.

2. A slam dunk

灌篮(轻而易举的事)

That was a slam dunk. = That was very easy.

那是轻而易举的事.

例子: After writing twenty page paper for a class last week, writing a three page paper for this class was a slam dunk.

上星期那门课才写过一篇二十页的报告,现在这门课的报告只要三页,这是轻而易举的事.

*A slam dunk is the easiest shot to make in basketball.

3. A slap on the face

脸上挨了一耳光(公然受辱)

That was a slap on the face. = That was an obvious betrayal.

那是公开的侮辱.

例子: It was a real slap on the face not to be invited to her wedding after we had worked together for six years.

跟她同事了六年,居然不请我去参加他的婚礼,这简直是公开的侮辱.