驕傲的人，會使他的朋友離開。
to be on the rocks﹕
本指船隻觸礁，這裡是指困難重重，多指婚姻或經濟方面。
(to be in trouble, referring to marriage or finance, etc.)
例如﹕
Be cautious about choosing your lifetime mate, or your marriage will be on the rocks in the future.
小心選擇你的終生伴侶，否則你的婚姻將會破裂。
As a big spender over the past, Mr. B has been financially on the rocks several times.
B先生過去浪費花錢，所以財政面臨多次困難。
With only her intent of getting a U.S. permanent residency, Miss Chen's loveless marriage to an American is on the rocks.
陳小姐只為了取得綠卡，永久居留美國，嫁給一位老美，沒有愛情的婚姻瀕於破裂。
to be on the ball﹕
指機警、留心、工作勤奮出色(to be alert; to work intelligently)
例如﹕
Mr. B is really on the ball at this new project.
B先生對這計劃真正下功夫。
I appreciate it very much that her typing for my articles has always been on the ball.
她為我的文章打字都很高明出色，我很感激。
Mr. J hopes that what he has been writing will be on the ball.
J先生希望他所寫的文章都很出色。
Mary is being on the ball for the upcoming party.
May對即將來臨的宴會十分注意。
(用is being多半指constantly，而且不是長久性)
to be on the dot﹕
dot本是小圓點，也就是在指定時間內十分準時
(to be very punctual)
例如﹕
One of my pet peeves is for someone not to be on the dot for an appointment.
一件讓我不悅的事，就是某些人不守約會時間。
(peeve惱怒；pet peeve指經常引人生氣)
Many Chinese people will not always be on the dot for a dinner party.
許多老中對晚宴常常不守時間。
As far as I remember Professor Chen has never been on the dot for any gathering.
就我所能記憶中，陳教授對任何聚會從不守時。
Being on the dot for social functions is desirable.
對社交活動能夠守時，是件令人喜歡的事。
to be on he level﹕
意思是誠實的，誠懇的或直率的(to be honest and sincere)
例如﹕
The main purpose of education is to train everyone to be on the level.
教育的主要目的，是訓練每個人誠實可靠。
Having known Professor Thrash for many years, I know he has always been on the level.
我認識Thrash教授多年，知道他一向誠懇。
A business is unlikely to succeed should the owner not be on the level.
假如老闆不誠實，生意很難成功。
Being on the level to others will win friendships easier.
對人誠懇較易贏得友誼。
to be up to the mark﹕
達到規定水平或符合標準
(reach to the required standard)
例如﹕
Mr. Wang is very good at math, but he has not been up to the mark in English.
王先生數學很好，但在英語方面還未達到水平。
His boss told Ed to be up to the mark in order to receive a pay raise.
Ed的老闆告訴他要達到規定水平，才能獲得加薪。
To compete in the world market, products from any country should be up to the mark.
為了能在世界市場競爭，任何國家的產品都要合乎水平。
Our public schools here are not quite up to the mark in the national math test.
我們這裡公立學校在全國數學測試中，不太合符標準要求。
(public school多指中、小學)
to be up to the neck﹕(in something)
意思是深深陷入某種事情，多指經濟方面的困難
(to be fully involved, generally referring to financial difficultly)
例如﹕
The couple are up to the neck in their credit card debt.
這對夫婦深深陷入信用卡的債務。
Having purchased a big new house, Mr. A is up to the neck in paying the mortgage.
A先生買了一棟新的大房子後，深深陷入房貸。
In order to be not up to the neck in debt, I like to live a simple and frugal life.
為了不要捲入經濟困難，我喜歡過著簡樸的生活。
註﹕(這句片語，也有人用ears, eyes或eyeballs替代neck)
