Greek Allusions-3 神話典故

Allusions of Greek Mythology



希臘神話典故

21. Cross the Rubicon: a decision with no turning back; commit oneself to an irrevocable decision; choose a course of action that can not be changed or reversed



President Botha said, "I believe that we are today crossing the Rubicon. There is no turning back.






22. Cassandra: one who predicts and foretells misfortune and disaster


The Democrats' Cassandra strategy could fall on deaf ears or even backfire.






23. Nemesis: retribution; just punishment for evil deeds or wrongdoing; a formidable rival; an implacable enemy


To the terrorists, Israel and America are the principal nemesis, but West Europe is the usual battleground.






24. Titan: a person or thing of enormous power or size; big and strong force


A reunion of technological titans-GE and RCA-will form a power house in defense, electronics and broadcasting.






25. Halcyon days: peaceful and calm period; happy and serene time


European yearning for the halcyon days of detente is understandable.






26. Mentor: a wise teacher or tutor, a trusted adviser or counselor


According to foreign political analysts, Burma is dangerously close to political chaos. It maybe too late for its new leader Sein Lwin to end the repression and mismanagement of Burma over a generation by his mentor Ne Win.






27. Adonis: a beautiful youth; an exceptionally handsome man


The myth of Robert Redford as the all-American Adonis locked into place with The Way We Were, in retrospect, the most indelible love story of the '70s.






28. Protean: ability to act different roles; extremely changeable; exceedingly variable; capable of displaying great diversity


With his protean talent as a brilliant composer, a first-rate pianist, and an intuitive conductor, the public had high expectation of Bernstein.






29. Olympian: majestic; imposing; exalted


The sad tale was laid out from beginning to end in Olympian and judicious language.






30. Delphic oracle: ambiguous or obscure statement; vague or equivocal answer


Newspapers all over the world hunt up some well-known mystic sooth-sayers, crystal-ball seers, Delphic oracles, and other clairvoyants, printing their most sensational predications.