from scratch 从头开始
out of the question  不可能
at cross purposes 你说东来我说西
below par 低于标准 （golf)
off the record 非正式地
in a nutshell 概括地
in the balance 安危未定
at odds 争论，不一致地
in a rut 墨守成规
on thin ice 如覆薄冰
Generally=In general
roe 鱼卵
forum 论坛


We are not satisfied with his work.  His recent performance has been below par, I'm afraid.  表现
This report is useless.  We'll have to do it all again from scratch.
I think we're talking at cross purposes here.  I'm talking about one thing and you're talking about a completely different matter.  
This week will be crucial.  The whole future of this company is in the balance. 
respectively 分别地，逐个地
stereotypical 以偏概全的
elite 精英 commoner 平民百姓 perceive vt. 认识 majority minority demographer 人口统计学学者