美国人平时所用的许多短语，看似普通，但有的会有特別意义，究竟是俚语、口语或俗语，没有绝对的定义。其实名称不重要，最重要的是懂得意义和用法，不是吗?

　　21. to write(someone or something)off：to throw away or to discard(抛弃或者丢弃);to deduct a business loss(在经商失败时，也用于报销、注销或扣除损失的数额中)

　　After a hot argument， she wrote off her boyfriend.

　　她和男朋友大吵了一架之后，就把他甩了。

　　He will write off the charitable contributions from his income taxes.

　　他从所得税中扣除了慈善募捐的金额。

　　22. to take up with (someone)：to date someone or to fall in love with someone(对某人产生兴趣，或与某人开始亲密交往)

　　After he met her at the bar， he took up with her.

　　自从在酒吧见过一面之后，他对她产生了兴趣。

　　As she is such a pretty woman， many men would like to take up with her.

　　像她这么漂亮的女人，许多男人都对她有兴趣。

　　24. to pave the way to (or for)：to make the path or to lay a groundwork of something(为……铺平道路或为……做好准备)

　　A good education will pave the way to finding a decent job.

　　好的教育是好的工作的基础。

　　Early space exploration has paved the way for the current space station.

　　早期的太空探索为如今的太空站建设奠定了基础。

　　25. to paint the town red：to enjoy oneself; to have a good time(尽情享受)

　　He is going out tonight to paint the town red.

　　他今天晚上要玩个痛快。

　　Miss Chen really painted the town red last week with her friends.

　　陈小姐上周和朋友玩得很尽兴。