中式英语之鉴:眼中钉

385. 梅森的辞职对老板来说是正中下怀，他不仅可以除去梅森这个眼中钉，而且还省去了一大笔赔偿费。

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[误] Mason's resignation well fit his boss' mind, because he could not only get rid of Mason, a nail in the eye, but also save a large sum of compensation.

[正] Mason's resignation well played into his boss' hands, because he could not only get rid of Mason, a thorn in his flesh, but also save a large sum of compensation.

注：play into one's hands 源于扑克牌游戏，意指打出的牌正是对方想要的，而且多含“中了对方的圈套”之意，因而用在这里十分贴切。“眼中钉”在英语中也有对应的表达，即 a thorn in one's flesh。