這個習慣用語的意思當然不是穿上蒙面的緊身衣去干殺人的勾當;它是指“打扮得漂亮入時、奪人眼球”。
人們說某人dressed to kill時,通常是指這人精心打扮以吸引異性的注意。例:
Pete usually wears jeans and a T-shirt. But last night it was hard to recognize him -- he was dressed to kill because he finally got a date with that blond he's admired for so long.
皮特平時老穿牛仔褲和T恤,但是昨晚我簡直沒認出他來。他打扮得帥極了,因為他傾心已久的那位金發(fā)美女終于同意跟他出去約會了。
我們再看一個用到dressed to kill的例子,這個例子說的是個女孩,說話人的妹妹瑪麗為參加畢業(yè)舞會而精心打扮:
It took Mary two hours to get ready, but it was worth it -- she was dressed to kill and the center of attention. Everyone was saying she was the most beautiful woman at the prom.
瑪麗為參加畢業(yè)舞會花了兩個鐘頭打扮。不過倒也挺值的,她穿戴得美麗動人,成為了舞會的焦點。大家都說她是畢業(yè)舞會上最漂亮的女孩。