中式英语之鉴:面如土色

348. 正在做坏事时却被父亲逮到了，他吓得面如土色。

[误] He was caught by his father while doing something bad, and his face turned to the color of earth.

[正] Caught red-handed by his father, he was as white as a sheet.

注：西方人以白种人居多，他们无论受到怎样的惊吓都不会面如土色的，除非生了什么病。所以直译会令他们
费解，不如按他们的习惯来说。