Till/Until the cows come home 意為「長時間地;很久」(for a very long time)。這個慣用語從 1500 年代末期開始使用至今,可能源自蘇格蘭高地;當地的母牛群每年都會被放牧好幾個月,優哉游哉地在牧場上吃草,到了入秋之際才慢條斯理地閒逛返回牠們的農場。
例句:
- They could sit here and argue till the cows come home, but it wouldn’t solve anything. (他們可以坐在這裡無休止地爭論下去,但那樣解決不了任何問題)
- My husband was talking on the phone with his brother till the cows came home last night. (我先生昨晚跟他弟弟講了好久好久的電話)
- You can talk till the cows come home, but you’ll never persuade me to lend you the money! (你可以不停地一直說下去,但你絕不可能說服我借你錢!)
- You can wait until the cows come home, but you’ll never see these measures taken in this company! (你可以等到天荒地老,但你絕不會看到這家公司採取這些措施!)