Abstract As fixed phrases refined from the long-term usage of  language, idioms are the carrier of national culture featuring obvious metaphorical meaning and integration. First and foremost, this thesis will introduce the definition and elementary characteristics of idioms to help readers have a detailed learning about metaphorical meaning of idioms. Then, it will analyze three types of metaphor meaning, including ontological metaphors, orientational metaphors and structural metaphors. The third part will put forward several translation methods and skills to help us do better on the basis of these three metaphors. This paper aims to provide a brief analysis of metaphorical meaning of idioms, and persuade readers to notice the necessities and significance of translation, thus making progress in the translation of English idioms. 69704

Keywords: English idioms; metaphors; translation methods

摘要在过去几千年人们使用并不断发展语言的过程中，有许多约定俗成的短语和断句被总结提炼出来成为习语。作为民族文化的载体之一，习语具有鲜明的隐喻意义。一直以来，因为东西方文化习俗及习惯不尽相同甚至大相径庭，所以英语习语的翻译都是翻译的难点之一。本文从英语习语的隐喻意义方面切入，探讨了三种基本的隐喻类型：本体隐喻，方位隐喻，结构隐喻，并介绍了在这些隐喻类型下常用的翻译方法，旨在提高对英语习语隐喻意义的理解，从而进行更恰当的汉语翻译。 

毕业论文关键词：英语习语；隐喻；翻译方法

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 2

3. Definitions and Features of Idioms 2

3.1 Definition of idioms 2

3.2 Metaphorical meaning 3

3.2.1 Ontological metaphors 3

3.2.2 Orientational metaphors 4

3.2.3 Structural metaphors 5

4. Approaches of Translating Idioms 5

4.1 From ontological metaphors 6

4.2 From orientational metaphors 7

4.3 From structural metaphors 9

5. Conclusion 10

Works Cited 12

1. Introduction 

     As a distinctive and vivid form of language, idioms are very common in written forms and daily communications. Idioms are not only the essence and cluster of language but also the carrier of culture, which vigorously enrich language and accurately express meanings. Since they are closely linked with culture and people’s lives, they cannot be defined simply and lopsidedly. As a special component of national or regional culture, language must reflect its customs and idioms must be closely connected with them. Diet, pet-keeping, people’s name and so on are all factors contributing to the formation of idioms. 文献综述

     As the quintessence of language, idioms come from many origins and different cultural contexts. That is to say, the fusion of various cultures has crystallized idioms, so various national characteristics are inherent in them and never change. English idioms have an extensive scope; they were formed on the basis of regular phrases or short verses during a long period use (Fernando 8). Therefore, for the sake of rendering readers understand English idioms better, we should translate the idioms from their contexts and comprehensive meaning rather than simply stay in literal meaning.