我们日常讲的"苗头"有好苗头","坏苗头"之分,但在英语中两种不同的"苗头"均可用a straw in the wind的说法来表示,其"好","坏"取决于此语出现的语言环境.例如:
1.他有被晋升的苗头
There's a straw in the wind:he'll be promoted.
2.虽然他没有说要娶我,但从他对待我的态度明显地有这个苗头
He didn't say he would marry me,but the way he treats me is certainly a straw in the wind.