rag本是破布；就是從貧窮到巨富(from being poor to rich)
例如：
Mr. B's interest in China is fueled by the rags-to-riches stories of young entrepreneurs.
有關年輕企業家從赤貧到巨富的故事激起了B先生對中國的興趣。
(當形容詞，修飾stories; fuel是加油或激起)
Through her jackpot winnings, Mary become a rags-to-riches woman.
Mary中了彩券大獎後，從貧苦成為富有的女子。
After his rags-to-riches rise, Mr. Wang bought a two-million-dollar mansion.
王先生由貧窮到富有後，買了兩百萬的豪宅。
(rise這裡是名詞，指地位的升高或興起)
less-than-stellar:
照字義是比傑出差些，也就是不很傑出；普通的(not so outstanding; ordinary)(stellar是傑出的)
例如：
Mr. A's less-than-stellar ability to sell these products was expected.
A先生銷售這些產品不很傑出的能力，是可預料的。
(當形容詞，修飾名詞ability)
Mr. B, even though less-than-stellar, has done a super job for his company.
B先生雖然不很傑出，但在公司工作超棒。
Many who are less-than-stellar play important roles in our society.
許多普通常人在社會上扮演重要的角色。
hit-or-miss:
意思是無計劃的，隨便的或碰運氣的(unplanned or careless)(當形容詞用)
例如：
Mr. Lee is known for being a chancy and hit-or-miss person.
李先生以冒險、碰運氣而聞名。(修飾person)
Drought and heat have made the crabbing season hit-or-miss in the bay.
乾旱和炎熱使海灣的螃蟹季節不能確定。(修飾season)
His business is unlikely to succeed because of his hit-or-miss attitude.
由於他蠻不在乎的態度，他的生意恐難成功。(修飾attitude)
standing-room-only:
指座位都滿了，只有站立空間(people can only stand because there are no more seats)
例如：
This discussion on the prevention of cancer has drawn standing-room-only crowds.
這場預防癌症討論會，引來一群只有站立空間的聽眾。
(當形容詞，修飾名詞crowds)
Almost 500 people turned out, with standing-room-only, for Mr. A's business celebration.
A先生的商務慶祝出席約有500人，座無虛席，只有站立空間。
(係動名詞片語，當名詞)
Dr. B's speech on parenting created a standing-room-only audience.
B醫師的教養子女的演講，引來只有站立空間的聽眾。
(修飾audience)
out-of-pocket:
意思是自掏腰包或現金支付(to pay with your own money)
例如：
Cutting the pills and taking half doses may reduce patients' out-of-pocket prescription costs.
把藥片切成一半服用，也許能減少病人處方藥的開支。
(當形容詞，修飾名詞prescription和costs)
Generally speaking, food expenses are out-of-pocket.
一般而言，食品開支是現金支付的。
The boy's out-of-pocket expenses are considerable.
這男孩的現金開銷是蠻大的。
fly-off-the-shelf:
指貨物賣得很快 (to sell something very fast)
例如：
Flying-off-the-shelf books will certainly please the authors.
書賣得很快當會使作者開心。
These best-selling items are flying-off-the-shelf.
暢銷東西都賣得很快。
Top quality merchandise is fly-off-the-shelf merchandise.
品質最好的貨物，也是出售最快的貨物。
(句尾重覆merchandise係加強語氣)
earlier-than-usual:
這句話是由普通正常英語「自創」出來的結合字，意思是比平常早些發生(happen sooner than expected)
例如：
The earlier-than-usual arrival of daylight saving time may create potential hiccuping.
夏令時間比往常早到，可能造成暫時性的干擾。
(hiccup 打嗝或暫時停頓；過去式及過去分詞都是hiccuped或hiccupped)
(hiccuping或hiccupping = glitch 暫時干擾)
(daylight saving = daylight saving time 指在夏季把時間提早一小時)
This year's earlier-than-usual snow caused problems for many farmers.
今年下雪比想像來得早，造成許多農民的問題。
(當形容詞，修飾snow)
Some teens appear to become more mature earlier than usual.
(一些青少年比預料成熟得早)
(不加連字句，就是一般的英語)
(未完待續)
