start with a clean slate 重新开始，改过自新

　　The proposal is to pay everything you owe, so that you can start with a clean slate. 奉劝你还清所有债务，这样你就可以重新开始。

　　I hope that they've never heard of me. It's not often you get the opportunity to start over with a clean slate. 我希望他们没有听过我的名字。你不是总能找到机会改过自新重新开始的。

　　scaredy-cat ( informal disapproving)(儿童用语)胆小鬼

　　Come on, scaredy cat! 胆小鬼，过来呀!

　　cook up 编造

　　She'll cook up a convincing explanation. 她将编造一个有说服力的解释。

　　put your foot down 坚定立场;坚决反对;果断行动;坚决=take a firm stand

　　You've got to put your foot down and make him stop seeing her. 你得坚决制止他再见她。

　　stand on one's own 自食其力

　　My father didn't mind whom I married, so long as I could stand on my own two feet and wasn't dependent on my husband. 我父亲并不介意我跟谁结婚，只要我能够自立、不靠丈夫就行。

　　When his parents died he had to learn to stand on his own two feet. 他的父母去世后他不得不学会自立。