Idioms ( thành ngữ

Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 1 | 69

IDIOMS (THÀNH NGỮ)

Thành ngữ: là các từ, cụm từ được sử dụng phổ biến mà ý nghĩa của nó không đơn thuần

là nghĩa đen của các từ ghép lại mà thường hiểu theo nghĩa bóng. Trong Tiếng Việt ta

cũng có rất nhiều thành ngữ như thế này. Ví dụ: mặt hoa da phấn

Tương tự như vậy trong Tiếng Anh các em có thể thấy những cụm từ như: over the

moon (không phải là qua mặt trăng mà thành ngữ này để chỉ tâm trạng đang rất hạnh

phúc, tiếng Việt mình có thể là “đang lâng lâng trên mây”.)

Vì thành ngữ được hiểu theo nghĩa bóng nên khi dịch các thành ngữ phần lớn ta không

thể dịch tương đương từng từ mà phải hiểu được ý nghĩa của thành ngữ đó và tìm những

cách diễn đạt phù hợp.

Một số ví dụ về thành ngữ trong tiếng anh:

Idioms (Thành ngữ) Meaning and example (Ý nghĩa và ví dụ)

1.Water off a duck’s back

Đây là một thành ngữ thường dùng để chê trách, hoặc phê phán, hàm

ý "không có tác dụng gì với ai" tương đương với thành ngữ trong Tiếng

Việt là “nước đổ đầu vịt”.

E.g:

I must have told her a hundred times that she mustn’t do that.But

it’swater off a duck’s back. She just keeps on doing it.

2. On top of the world

Thành ngữ này khá quen thuộc với chúng ta, nhưng ý nghĩa của nó

là gì?

“To be on top of the world” diễn tả tâm trạng đang rất hạnh phúc,

lâng lâng (giống như over the moon. Tiếng Việt của chúng ta cũng có

cụm từ tương tự như thế này: "lâng lâng trên mây".)

E.g:

She’d had such a good birthday party. She felt on top of the world.

3. Bark up the wrong tree

Nghĩa của thành ngữ này nếu mới nhìn qua tranh các em có thể thấy

chú chó đã sủa sai cây. Nhưng thành ngữ là hiểu theo nghĩa bóng nên

nghĩa của nó là "đã hiểu sai, hoặc nhầm một vấn đề gì".

E.g:



They thought that she didn’t want to go to the disco because she didn’t

like dancing. But they were barking up the wrong tree. It was because

she didn’t like the flashing lights.

4. On the tip of my tongue

Khi chúng ta nói “it’s on the tip of my tongue”có nghĩa là mình

không thể nhớ ra được điều gì đó mặc dù chắc chắn mình đã biết về

điều đó.

E.g:

- What’s the name of the guitarist we were talking about yesterday?

- Oh, dear. I can’t remember. It’s on the tip of my tongue. I know it

begins with V- Valent no, Valiant. That’s it, Valiant.

5. Come out of one's shell

Khi ta nói “He’s come out of his shell”có nghĩa là anh ấy đã bớt nhút

nhát và bắt đầu hòa đồng hơn. Tiếng Việt của mình cũng có cách liên

tưởng tương tự. Câu như “ thu mình vào trong vỏ ốc” có nghĩa là thu

mình lại, trầm tính và ít hòa đồng thì thành ngữ “come out of your

shell”là ngược lại “ra khỏi vỏ ốc của mình.”

E.g:

She was very shy when she first went to her new school, but she

soon came out of her shell.

6. Hit the nail on the head

Thành ngữ này có nghĩa là “đã mô tả một vấn đề rất chính xác”,

tương tự như trong tiếng Việt có thành ngữ “đánh đúng trọng tâm”,

“gãi đúng chỗ ngứa”

E.g:

- I think the main problem in this area is the lack of a good bus service.

-You’re right. You’ve hit the nail on the head.

7. Change your mind

Thành ngữ này là “thay đổi ý nghĩ, quan điểm hoặc quyết định" của

bạn về một vấn đề gì.



E.g:

- I didn’t expect to see you here! I thought you were going to the

cinema this afternoon.

- I know, but it’s such a lovely day. I’ve changed my mind. I felt like

being out in the sunshine.

8. Break the ice

Thành ngữ này thường dùng để diễn tả làm một việc gì đó để giúp

mọi người thư giãn và thoải mái, đặc biệt khi mới gặp.

E.g:

- How did you get on at your singles group?

- We were all a bit embarrassed; because it was the first time we had

met. But Tom broke the ice by getting us all to say our names and what

our favourite TV programs were.

9. Lend me a hand

Ta có thành ngữ “lend somebody a hand” nghĩa là “giúp đỡ ai”.

Tiếng Việt cũng có thành ngữ tượng tự “giúp…một tay.”

E.g:

Can someone lend me a hand with these shopping bags please?They

are too heavy for me to carry by myself.

10. A big fish in a small pond

Thành ngữ này nghĩa đen là “một con cá to trong một chiếc ao nhỏ”,

câu nói này khá quen thuộc với người Việt Nam. Câu này ngụ ý là

người nào đó có một vị trí quan trọng nhưng chỉ là trong một tổ chức,

hoặc cơ quan nhỏ, nếu họ đến một nơi lớn hơn vị trí của họ sẽ bớt quan

trọng đi.

E.g:

- How is Janet enjoying secondary school?

- She likes it now. But it’s so different from her primary school.It took

her a while to get used to the change. She used to be a big fish in a

small pond but now she's at a much bigger school.

Nguồn: tienganh123.com



IDIOM NGHĨA VÍ DỤ

Apple of his

eye. Người hoặc vật rất được yêu thích.

The little girl is the apple of her

grandfather's eye.

A little bird told

me

Một bí mật, khi người ta không muốn nói

rằng mình biết điều gì đó.

A little bird told me that there is

one more piece of cake in the

fridge.

A piece of cake Điều gì đó rất dễ thực hiện. Oh, that's a piece of cake - let me

try.

Card up your

sleeve

Có một điều bí mật mà bạn có thể tận

dụng sau này.

She still has one card up her sleeve

– she knows the director.

Finding a needle

in a haystack Khó tìm kiếm, như mò kim đáy bể

Finding that book, is like looking

for a needle in a haystack.

Go the extra

mile

Khi bạn vượt quá mức mong đợi (của

người khác)

I expect you, my son, to go the

extra mile.

Going Green

Trở nên quan tâm đến môi trường, tái chế,

sử dựng năng lượng xanh, thức ăn và các

sản phẩm được chế biến hữu cơ …

Are you going green?

House of cards Kế hoạch không khả thi, có nhiều khả

năng là sẽ thất bại

You built that boat like a house of

cards,

I am not getting in!

It’s raining cats

and dogs Trời mưa rất to

Did you bring an umbrella? It's

raining cats and dogs outside!

New York

minute Diễn ra hoặc trôi qua rất nhanh

My life passed by like a New York

minute.

No man is an Ai cũng cần hỗ trợ và giúp đỡ You cannot fight them all alone,

no man is an island, let us help



A Drop In The Bucket = hạt muối bỏ biển.

"I'd like to do something to change the world but whatever I do seems like a drop in the bucket."

A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned = 1 xu tiết kiệm cũng như 1 xu làm ra

"I'm going to give you $20 but I want you to put it in the bank; a penny saved is a penny earned!"

A Piece Of Cake = dễ như ăn cháo

"Do you think you will win your tennis match today?" Answer: "It will be a piece of cake."

Actions Speak Louder Than Words = hành động có giá trị hơn lời nói

"Don't tell me how to do this; show me! Actions speak louder than words."

Add Fuel To The Fire = thêm dầu vào lửa

"I would like to do something to help, but I don't want to add fuel to the fire."

Cost An Arm And A Leg = trả 1 cái giá cắt cổ, tốn rất nhiều tiền

"Be careful with that watch; it cost me an arm and a leg."

Arm In Arm = tay trong tay

"What a nice afternoon. We walked arm in arm along the beach for hours."

Beating Around The Bush = vòng vo tam quốc

"If you want to ask me, just ask; don't beat around the bush."

Better Late Than Never = thà trễ còn hơn không

island you.

Saved by the

bell

Được cứu nguy đúng lúc khỏi một tình

huống khó khăn hay nguy hiểm

I was saved by the bell, didn't have

to answer the hard question.

There's no point

crying over spilt

milk

Chẳng ích gì khi mãi buồn chán vì một lỗi

lầm không thể sửa chữa, khắc phục được

Well, what's happened is behind

us. There is no point in crying over

spilt milk now.

'Til the cows

come home

Phải đợi chờ trong một khoảng thời gian

rất dài.

I am going to wait here 'til the

cows come home.

Under the

weather Cảm thấy không khỏe lắm.

You don't look so good, are you

feeling under the weather?



"Sorry I was late for the meeting today; I got stuck in traffic." Answer: "That's okay;better late

than never."

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together = ngưu tầm ngưu, mã tầm mã

"Look; the volleyball players are eating at the same table together, as always." Answer: "Birds of

a feather flock together."

Bite Your Tongue = cố gắng im lặng

"Whenever that professor says something I don't like, I have to bite my tongue."

Blood Is Thicker Than Water = 1 giọt máu đào hơn ao nước lã

"When my best friend and my brother got in a fight I had to help my brother; blood is thicker

than water."

Burn Your Bridges = đốt cầu của mình, tức là tự làm mất đi cơ hội của mình

"I wish you hadn't been rude to that man just now; he is very important in this town and you

shouldn't go around burning bridges."

Burning The Candle At Both Ends = vắt kiệt sức ra để làm việc

"Ever since this new project started I have been burning the candle at both ends. I can't take

much more of it."

Call It Off = hủy bỏ

"Tonight's game was called off because of the rain."

Curiosity Killed The Cat = sự tò mò có thể rất nguy hiểm

"Hey, I wonder what's down that street; it looks awfully dark and creepy." Answer: "Let's not try

to find out. Curiosity killed the cat."

Don't Count Your Chickens Until They're Hatched = trứng chưa nở đã đếm gà

"Next Friday I will be able to pay you back that money I owe you." Answer: "I won't becounting

my chickens..."

Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket = đừng bỏ tất cả trứng vào 1 rổ, tức hãy chia đều

những nguy cơ ra nhiều nơi để giảm rủi ro

"The best way to gamble is to only bet small amounts of money and never put all your eggs in

one basket."

From Rags To Riches = từ nghèo khổ trở thành cự phú

"My uncle is a real rags to riches story."

Great Minds Think Alike = tư tưởng lớn gặp nhau

"I have decided that this summer I am going to learn how to scuba dive." Answer: "Me too! I

have already paid for the course. Great minds think alike!"

It Takes Two To Tango = có lửa mới có khói

"Her husband is awful; they fight all the time." Answer: "It takes two to tango."



Let Sleeping Dogs Lie = đừng gợi lại những chuyện không hay

"I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better tolet sleeping

dogs lie."

Neither A Borrower, Nor A Lender Be = đừng cho mượn tiền, cũng đừng mượn tiền

"Could you lend me twenty dollars?" Answer: "Sorry, neither a borrower nor a lender be."

Everybody Is On The Same Page = mọi người đều hiểu vấn đề

"Before we make any decisions today, I'd like to make sure that everyone is on the same page."

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind = xa mặt cách lòng

"I meant to read that book, but as soon as I put it down, I forgot about it." Answer: "Out of sight,

out of mind."

Practice Makes Perfect = càng tập luyện nhiều càng giỏi

"You see how quickly you are getting better at the piano! Practice makes perfect!"

Put Your Foot In Your Mouth = tự há miệng mắc quai, nói lỡ lời

"Let's all be very careful what we say at the meeting tomorrow. I don't want anyoneputting their

foot in their mouth."

MỘT SỐ THÀNH NGỮ PHÂN THEO CHỦ ĐỀ

NUMBER

One

- at one time: thời gian nào đó đã qua

- back to square one: trở lại từ đầu

- be at one with someone: thống nhất với ai

- be/get one up on someone: có ưu thế hơn ai

- for one thing: vì 1 lý do

- a great one for sth: đam mê chuyện gì

- have one over th eight: uống quá chén

- all in one, all rolled up into one: kết hợp lại

- it's all one (to me/him): như nhau thôi

- my one and only copy: người duy nhất

- a new one on me: chuyện lạ

- one and the same: chỉ là một

- one for the road: ly cuối cùng trước khi đi

- one in the eye for somone: làm gai mắt

- one in a thousand/milion: một người tốt trong ngàn người



- a one-night stand: 1 đêm chơi bời

- one of the boy: người cùng hội

- one of these days: chẳng bao lâu

- one of those days: ngày xui xẻo

- one too many: quá nhiều rượu

- a quick one: uống nhanh 1 ly rượu

Two

- be in two minds: chưa quyết định được

- for two pins: xém chút nữa

- in two shakes: 1 loáng là xong

- put two and two together: đoán chắc điều gì

- two bites of/at the cherry: cơ hội đến 2 lần

- two/ten a penny: dễ kiếm được

Other numbers

- at sixs and sevens: tình rạng rối tinh rối mù

- knock somone for six: đánh bại ai

- a nine day wonder: 1 điều kỳ lạ nhất đời

- a nine-to-five job: công việc nhàm chán

- on cloud nine: trên 9 tầng mây

- dresses up to the nines: ăn mặc bảnh bao

- ten to one: rất có thể

- nineteen to the dozen: nói huyên thuyên

COLOUR

Black

- be in the black: có tài khoản

- black anh blue: bị bầm tím

- a black day (for someone/sth): ngày đen tối

- black ice: băng đen

- a black list: sổ đen

- a black look: cái nhìn giận dữ

- a black mark: một vết đen, vết nhơ

- a/the black sheep 9of the family): vết nhơ của gia đình, xã hội

- in someone's black books: không được lòng ai

- in black and white: giấy trằng mực đen

- not as black as one/it is panted: không tồi tệ như người ta vẽ vời



Blue

- blue blood: dòng giống hoàng tộc

- a blue-collar worker/job: lao động chân tay

- a/the blue-eyed boy: đứa con cưng

- a boil from the blue: tin sét đánh

- disapear/vanish/go off into the blue: biến mất tiêu

- once in a blue moon: rất hiếm. hiếm hoi

- out of the blue: bất ngờ

- scream/cry blue muder: cực lực phản đối

- till one is blue in the face: nói hết lời

Green

- be green: còn non nớt

- a green belt: vòng đai xanh

- give someone get the green light: bật đèn xanh

- green with envy: tái đi vì ghen

- have (got) green fingers: có tay làm vườn

Grey

- go/turn grey: bạc đầu

- grey matter: chất xám

Red

- be/go/turn as red as a beetroot: đỏ như gấc vì ngượng

- be in the red: nợ ngân hàng

- (catch soomeone/be caught) red-handed: bắt quả tang

- the red carpet: đón chào nồng hậu

- a red herring: đánh trống lãng

- a red letter day: ngày đáng nhớ

- see red: nổi giận bừng bừng

White

- as white as a street/ghost: trắng bệt

- a white-collar worker/job: nhận viên văn phòng

- a white lie: lời nói dối vô hại

ANIMALS

- badger someone: mè nheo ai

- make a big of oneself: ăn uống thô tục

- an eager beaver: người tham việc



- a busy bee: người làm việc lu bù

- have a bee in one's bonest: ám ảnh chuyện gì

- make a bee-line foe something: nhanh nhảu làm chuyện gì

- the bee's knees: ngon lành nhất

- an early bird: người hay dậy sớm

- a home bird: người thích ở nhà

- a lone bird/worf: người hay ở nhà

- an odd bird/fish: người quái dị

- a rare bird: của hiếm

- a bird's eye view: nhìn bao quát/nói vắn tắt

- bud someone: quấy rầy ai

- take the bull by the horns: không ngại khó khăn

- have butterflies in one's stomach: nôn nóng

- a cat nap: ngủ ngày

- lead a cat and dog life: sống như chó với mèo

- let the cat out of the bag: để lộ bí mật

- not have room to swing a cat: hẹp như lỗi mũi

- not have a cat in hell's change: chẳng có cơ may

- play cat and mouse with someone: chơi mèo vờn chuột

- put the cat among the pigeons: làm hư bột hư đường

- a dog in the manger: cho già ngậm xương (ko muốn ai sử dụng cái mình ko cần)

- dog tired: mệt nhoài

- top dog: kẻ thống trị

- a dog's life: cuộc sống lầm than

- go to the dogs: sa sút

- let sleeping dog's lie: đừng khêu lại chuyện đã qua

- donkey's years: thời gian dài dằng dặc

- do the donkey's work: làm chuyện nhàm chán

- a lame duck: người thất bại

- a sitting duck: dễ bị tấn công

- a cold fish: người lạnh lùng

- a fish out of water: người lạc lõng

- have other fish to fry: có chuyện fải làm

- a fly in the oinment: con sâu làm rầu nồi canh

- not hurt a fly: chẳng làm hại ai

- there are no flies on someone: người ngôn lanh đáo để

- can't say boo to a goose: hiền như cục đất

- **** someone's goose: làm hư kế hoạch (hư bột hư đường)

- a wild goose chase: cuộc tìm kiếm vô vọng

- a guinea pig: người tự làm vật thí nghiệm



OTHER

One good turn deserves another (Ăn miếng trả miếng)

Who breaks, pays (Bắn súng không nên thì phải đền đạn)

Two securities are better than one (Cẩn tắc vô ưu)

Slow and sure (Chậm mà chắc)

Threats do not always lead to blows (Chó sủa là chó không cắn)

If the cab fits then wear it (Có tật giật mình)

Money makes the mare go (Có tiền mua tiên cũng được)

Where's there's life, there's hope (Còn nước còn tát)

A lie has no legs (Giấu đầu lòi đuôi)

We have gone too far to draw back (Đâm lao thì phải theo lao)

In for a penny, in for a pound (Được voi đòi tiên)

Tell me the company you keep, and I will tell you what you see (Gần mực thì đen, gần đèn thì

sáng)

It never rains but it pours (Họa vô đơn chí)

If you eat the fruit, you have to think about the one who grows the tree (Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng

cây)

We reap what we sow (Gieo gió gặt bão)

THere's no smoke without fire (Không có lửa sao có khói)

Who makes excuses, himself excuses (Lạy ông tôi ở bụi này)

One scabby sheep is enough to spoil the whole flock (Con sâu làm rầu nồi canh)

To kill two birds with one stone (Nhất cữ lưỡng tiện)



To let the wolf into the fold (Nuôi ong tay áo)

Constant dropping wears stone (Nước chảy đá mòn)

A miss is as good as a mile (Sai một ly đi một dặm)

A flow will have an ebb (Sông có khúc người có lúc)

Grasp all, lose all (Tham thì thâm)

Time lost is never found (Thời giờ đã mất thì không tìm lại được)

Bitter pills may have blessed effects (Thuốc đắng dã tật)

Beginning is the difficulty (Vạn sự khởi đầu nan)

Traveling forms a young man (Đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn)

No guide, no realization (Không thầy đố mày làm nên)

More

Better late than never (muộn còn hơn ko)

Half a loaf is better than no bread (méo mó có hơn ko)

Health is better than wealth (Sức khỏe quý hơn vàng)

Birds of a feather flock together (Đồng thanh tương ứng, đồng khí tương cầu)

To run with the hare and hold with the hounds (Bắt cá hai tay)

Many a little makes a mickle (Kiến tha lâu cũng đấy tổ)

Where there is a will, there is a way (Có chí thì nên)

Actions speak louder than words = Nói ít làm nhiều;

Beauty is only skin-deep = Tốt gỗ hơn tốt nước sơn;

Caution is the parent of safety = Cẩn tắc vô áy náy;



Do not judge a man by his looks = Không nên trông mặt mà bắt hình dong;

The early bird catches the worm = Trâu chậm uống nước đục;

The empty vessel makes the greatest sound = Thùng rỗng kêu to.

- A year care, a minute ruin : khôn ba năm, dại một giờ

- Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals : rượu vào lời ra, tửu nhập ngôn xuất

- Fool's haste is no speed : nhanh nhoảng đoảng, thật thà hư

- God will not buy everething : giàu sang không mang lại hạnh phúc

- Grasp all, lose all : tham thì thâm

- Handsome is as handsome does : cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp

- Like father like son : cha nào con nấy

- Love me love my dog : yêu ai yêu cả đuờng đi, ghét ai ghét cả tông họ hàng

- No wisdom like silence : không có sự thông minh nào bằng im lặng

- Nothing venture, nothing win : đuợc ăn cả, ngã về không

- Out of sight , out of mind : xa mặt cách lòng

- So many men, so many minds : mỗi nguời một ý

- Where there is a will, there is a way : có chí thì nên

- Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl : gần mực thì đen gần đèn thì sáng

- You never know your luck: dịp may không đến hai lần



THÀNH NGỮ THEO ALPHABET

A

Thành ngữ Giải thích và cách sử dụng Nghĩa tiếng Việt

tương đương

Against the clock If you do something against the clock, you are

rushed and have

very little time to do it.

Ex: They are working against the clock to have

the presentation ready for Monday.

Đua với thời gian

All clear If you are allowed to do something after a check-

up to make sure that everything is all right, you get

the all clear.

Ex: Dad says he's going to play golf as soon as he

gets the all clear from his doctor."

All ears To say that you are all ears means that you are

listening very attentively.

Ex: Of course I want to know - I'm all ears!

All in your head If something is all in your head, it is not real. It is

in your imagination.

Ex: Don't be silly. Nobody is trying to harm

you. It's all in your head!"

Trong tưởng tượng

của bạn thôi!

Answer for If someone has to answer for something, they

have to accept responsibility for their actions.

Ex: He will have to answer for his dishonesty.

Chịu tránh nhiệm

Argue the toss If you argue the toss, you dispute a decision or

choice which has already been made.

Ex: The final choice was made yesterday, so

don'targue the toss now!

Nói đi nói lại

Asking for

trouble

Someone who is asking for trouble is behaving

stupidly and is likely to have problems.

Ex: Driving fast on these roads is really asking

for trouble!

Tự tìm rắc rối

At all costs If you are determined to obtain or achieve

something at all costs, you want it regardless of

the expense, effort or sacrifice involved.

Bằng mọi giá



Ex: The journalist was determined at all costs to

get a report from the war zone."

B

Leave somebody

holding the baby

If someone is left holding the baby, they are

made responsible for a problem that others

don't want to deal with.

Ex: When the angry customer started to

complain,

my colleague disappeared and left me holding

the baby."

Để lại “việc rắc rối”

cho ai đó dọn (trong

công việc)

A bad egg To refer to someone as a bad egg means that

they cannot be trusted.

Ex: I don't want my son to be friends with

Bobby Smith. Boby's a bad egg."

Người không đáng

tin

A bad hair day Originating as a humorous comment about

one's hair being unmanageable, this term has

broadened to mean a day when everything

seems to go wrong'.

Ex: What's wrong with Jenny? Is she having a

bad hair day?

Một ngày tồi tệ

In bad shape A person who is in bad shape is in poor

physical condition.

Ex: I really am in bad shape. I need to get

some exercise.

Trong thể trạng

không tốt

In the bag If you think something is in the bag, you are

almost certain it will be achieved.

Ex: An hour before the polling stations closed,

victory seemed in the bag for the Conservative

candidate.

Nắm chắc trong tay

In the balance If something is in the balance, it means the

situation is uncertain and it is not clear what is

going to happen.

Ex: The future of the company is in the

Đưa lên bàn cân



balance while the takeover bid is being

examined.

Balancing act When you try to satisfy two or more people or

groups who have different needs, and keep

everyone happy, you perform a balancing act.

Ex: Many people have to perform a

balancing actbetween work and family.

Làm dâu trăm họ

Have a ball If you have a ball, you enjoy yourself.

Ex: The party was great. We had a ball.

That's the way

the ballbounces

Things don't always work out as planned, and

there's nothing we can do about it - that's life!

Ex: He didn't get the prize he expected, but

never mind - that's the way the ball bounces.

Cuộc sống là thế

Bar fly A bar fly refers to someone who spends a lot

of time drinking in bars and pubs.

Ex: You'll find Johnny down at the pub - he's a

real bar fly!

Bear something

in mind

If someone asks you to bear something in

mind, they are telling you to remember it

because it is important.

Ex: You must bear in mind that the cost of

living is higher in New York."

Luôn ghi nhớ rằng

It beats me! This expression is used to express surprise at

something that you find difficult to understand.

Ex: It beats me how he can live in that

horrible apartment!

Behind closed

doors

If something takes place behind closed doors,

it is done privately, with no observers or

intruders.

Ex: The matter was discussed behind closed

doors.

Đằng sau bức màn

Behind the times A person who is behind the times has old-

fashioned ideas and does not keep up with

modern life in general.

Ex: Jane doesn't have a mobile phone. She's

completely behind the times.

Lỗi thời

Behind bars Someone who is behind bars is in prison.



Ex: If you hang around with that gang, you'll

find yourself behind bars in no time.

Tighten

your belt

If you need to tighten your belt, you must

spend your money carefully.

Ex: Another bill? I'll have to tighten my

belt this month!

Thắt chặt hầu bao

Bet your bottom

dollar

If you bet your bottom dollar on something,

you are absolutely certain of it.

Ex: Jack is very punctual. You can bet your

bottom dollar he'll be here at 9 o'clock on the

dot.

Better late than

never

When someone does something late, this

remark means that it's

better to do it late than not do it at all.

"Do you know what time it is? You promised

you'd come early to help me - but better late

than never I suppose!"

Có còn hơn không

Better safe than

sorry

It's better to be too cautious than to be careless

and have regrets later.

"Let's book tickets in advance - better safe

than sorry!"

Think better of

something

If you think better of something, you decide

not to do something that you intended doing.

Ex: I wanted to go shopping, but when I saw

the crowded car park, I thought better of it."

Để coi sao đã

It's beyond me The expression "it's beyond me" means: "it's

impossible for me to understand.”

Ex: It's beyond me why Mary wants to marry

John.

Thật khó hiểu

Big cheese This expression refers to a person who has a

lot of power and influence in an organization.

Ex: Tom's father is a big cheese in the oil

industry.

Người có ảnh hưởng

Big picture To refer to the big picture means the overall

situation, or the project as a whole, rather than

the details.

Ex: While each aspect is important, try not to

forget the big picture.

Chiến lược tổng thể

For the birds If you think something is for the birds, you

consider it to be uninteresting, useless, or not



to be taken seriously.

Ex: As far as I'm concerned, his theory is for

the birds!

Kill

two birds with

one stone.

If you kill two birds with one stone, you

succeed in doing two things at the same time.

Một mũi tên bắn

chết 2 con nhạn

Bite the hand

that feeds you

If you bite the hand that feeds you, you are

unfriendly or do harm to someone who is kind

to you.

Nuôi ong tay áo

Bite your tongue If you bite your tongue, you try not to say

what you really think or feel.

Ex: It was difficult for me not to react; I had

to bite my tongue.

Uốn lưỡi bảy lần

trước khi nói

Make

your blood boil

If something makes your blood boil, it makes

you really angry.

Ex: His condescending attitude made my

blood boil!

Giận sôi máu

Make

your blood run

cold

If something makes your blood run cold, it

shocks or scares you a lot.

Ex: The look in the prisoner's eyes made my

blood run cold.

Sợ (sốc) lạnh xương

sống

Lick

someone's boots

To say that one person licks another person's

bootsmeans that they are trying to please that

person, often in order to obtain something.

Ex: He wants to get the job, so he clicks the

boss’s boots.

Nịnh hót

On the bottle A person who drinks alcoholic drinks often

and regularly is on the bottle.

Ex: Joe went on the bottle when he lost his

job.

Sáng xỉn chiều say

Business is

business

This is a way of saying that in financial and

commercial matters, friendship or personal

feelings should not be allowed to have any

influence.

Ex: I'll hire your brother only if he is the best

candidate. I'm sorry but business is

business!"

Công việc là công

việc!



C

A piece of cake To refer to something as a piece of cake means

that you consider it to be very easy.

Ex: The English test was a piece of cake!

Dễ như ăn

bánh

Slice of the cake When people feel entitled to a share of the

benefits or profits, they want a (larger) slice of

the cake.

Ex: Since profits are higher this year, the workers

feel they deserve a bigger slice of the cake.

Sell like hot cakes Things that sell like hot cakes sell quickly or in

large quantities.

Bán như tôm

tươi

Can of worms To describe a situation as a can of worms means

that it is complicated, unpleasant and difficult to

deal with.

Ex: The discovery of the transfer of funds turned

out to be a real can of worms."

“Một đống

rắc rối”

(việc lộn

xộn khó giải

quyết)

Play your cards right This means that you do all that is necessary in

order to succeed.

Ex: If we play our cards right, we'll get the

contract.

Dùng đúng

chiêu thức

Put/lay one's cards on

the table

If you put your cards on the table, you speak

honestly and openly about your feelings and

intentions.

Ex: Let's clear the air and put our cards on the

table.

Lật ngửa

ván bài

Carrot and stick If you use a carrot-and-stick approach, you use

the promise of reward and the threat of

punishment to make somebody work harder.

Ex: Some parents use a carrot-and-

stick approach to obtain good results from their

children.

Cây gậy và

củ cà rốt

Carry the can (for

someone else)

If you carry the can for another person, you

accept blame or take responsibility for something

that goes wrong, even if it is not your fault or

only partly.

Ex: The author didn't turn up for the interview

and his agent had to carry the can.



A cash cow A product or service which is a regular source of

income for a company is called a cash cow.

Ex: His latest invention turned out to be a real

cash cow.

Cat-and-dog life This term refers to a life in which partners are

constantly or frequently quarrelling.

Ex: They lead a cat-and-dog life. I don't know

why they stay together."

Như chó với

mèo

Catch somebody's eye If someone catches your eye, you find them

attractive.

Ex; The pretty girl near the door caught his eye.

thu hút ai đó

Cause a stir If something causes a stir, it creates an

atmosphere of excitement or great interest.

Ex: The arrival of the actress caused quite a

stir in the village.

tạo sự sôi

động

Change the face of

something

When an innovation, discovery or event changes

the face of something, it alters it completely or

in a major way.

Ex: Social networks have changed the face of

modern communication."

Thay đổi bộ

mặt của...

Change of heart If someone has a change of heart, they change

their attitude or feelings, especially towards

greater friendliness or cooperation.

Ex: He was against charity, but he had a change

of heart when he saw the plight of the homeless.

Thay lòng

đổi dạ

Chase rainbows Someone who is chasing rainbows is trying to

get something they will never obtain.

Ex: She's trying to get into Harvard but I think

she'schasing rainbows.

Chạy theo

ảo tưởng

Too many chiefs, not

enough Indians.

This expression refers to a situation where there

are too many people giving instructions and not

enough people doing the work.

Ex: The business wasn't successful. There

were too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

Thầy nhiều

hơn thợ

Chinese whispers This term refers to a process by which a message

or piece of information (especially gossip,

rumors or scandalous news) is passed on from

one person to another, and changes along the

way, so that the final version is often very

Tam sao thất

bản



different from the original.

Clear the air If you decide to clear the air, you try to remove

the causes of fear, worry or suspicion by talking

about them openly.

Ex: The atmosphere had become so unpleasant

that he decided it was time to clear the air.

Bày tỏ hết

nỗi lòng

Not have a clue If you don't have a clue about something, you

don't know anything about it.

Ex: My wife's grandmother's maiden name?

I don't have a clue!

không biết

Cold calls If you make cold calls, you telephone potential

customers from a list of people you do not know.

Ex: In my first job I had to make cold calls using

the telephone directory.

Off colour If you are off colour, you are looking or feeling

ill.

Ex: You should get some rest. You look a bit off

color.

Xanh như

tàu lá chuối

Corner a market If a company dominates an area of business, and

leaves no room for competition, it is said to

havecornered the market.

Ex: By importing large quantities and selling at

low prices, they have cornered the market."

Chiếm lĩnh

thị trường

Crocodile tears To shed crocodile tears means to shed false tears

or show insincere grief.

Ex: Caroline pretended to be sad but we all knew

her tears were crocodile tears.

Nước mắt cá

sấu

Cross the line If you cross the line you go beyond the

authorized limits and do something which is not

acceptable.

Ex: He has an unpleasant habit of telling jokes

that really cross the line."

Vượt rào

Cross your mind If an idea or thought crosses your mind, you

suddenly think of it.

Ex: It has just crossed my mind that the shops are

closed today.

Ý nghĩ

thoáng qua

Cut one's losses If you end or withdraw from something that is

already failing, in order to reduce the loss of



money, time or effort invested in it, you cut

your losses.

Ex: The project is heading for failure. Let's cut

our losses before it's too late."

Cut it out! If you say cut it out to someone, you are telling

them to stop doing something.

Ex: I've had enough of your insinuations, so

just cut it out!

Cutting edge This expression refers to the newest, most

advanced stage in the development of something.

Ex: The company is at the cutting edge of

aeronautics.

Giai đoạn

cao điểm

D

Dance to someone's

tune

If you dance to someone's tune, you do whatever

that person tells you to do.

He is the company's major shareholder so the

management has to dance to his tune.

Hùa theo (ai

đó)

In the dark If someone is kept or left in the dark about

something, they are not informed about it .

Ex: The personnel were kept in the dark about

the merger until the last minute.

Giữ bí mật

Darken someone's

door

If you darken someone's door, you come as an

unwanted or unwelcome visitor.

Ex: Just get out of here, and never darken my door

again!"

Không mời

mà tới

Dead in the water A plan or project that is dead in the water is at a

standstill or has ceased to function and is unlikely

to be reactivated in the future.

Ex: Because of the crisis, the planned housing

development is now dead in the water.

Dead loss Someone or something described as a dead loss is

absolutely useless or a complete failure.

Ex: When it comes to gardening, my brother is a

dead loss.

sự thất bại

hoàn toàn

Dead wood The term dead wood refers to people or things

which are no longer considered useful or



necessary.

Ex: The new manager wants to reduce costs by

cutting out the dead wood.

Dead to the world A person who is dead to the world is fast asleep.

Ex: Don't worry. You won't disturb him. He's dead

to the world!

Ngủ gà ngủ

gật

Deep pockets A person or organization who has deep

pockets has a lot of money.

Ex: Andy's business is not doing well at the

moment. He says he needs a friend with deep

pockets.

Dày túi

Do

someone's dirtywork

To do someone's dirty work means to do the

unpleasant or difficult work that the other person

does not want to do.

Do more harm than

good

If the effect of an action is more damaging than

helpful, it does more harm than good."

Ex: Giving him money did more harm than good -

he spent it on alcohol.

Làm chuyện

hại nhiều

hơn lợi

Dog's life People use this expression when complaining

about a situation or job which they find unpleasant

or unsatisfactory.

Ex: It's a dog's life working in the after-sales

department.

Every dog has its

day

This expression means that everyone can be

successful at something at some time in their life.

Ex: I didn't win this time, but I'll be lucky one

day.

Every dog has its day!

Ai cũng có

một thời

(thời huy

hoàng)

Go to the dogs To say that a company, organization or country

isgoing to the dogs means that it is becoming less

successful or efficient than before.

Ex: Some think the company will go to the dogs if

it is nationalized.

Let sleeping dogs lie If you tell somebody to let sleeping dogs lie, you

are asking them not to interfere with a situation

because they could cause problems.

Ex: Look - they've settled their differences. It's

time tolet sleeping dogs lie.

A done deal This expression is used to refer to an agreement or



decision which has been reached on a certain

matter.

Ex; We're still considering several proposals, so

it's nota done deal yet.

Down to earth Someone who is down to earth is not a dreamer

but a realistic and practical person who has

sensible reactions and expectations.

Ex: Don't ask Suzy for help. She's fun, but not

very down to earth.

Thực tế

Dressed to kill When someone, especially a woman, is dressed to

kill, they are wearing very fashionable or

glamorous clothes intended to attract attention.

Ex: She arrived at the reception dressed to kill.

Drink like a fish A person who drinks like a fish is a heavy drinker

or one who drinks a lot.

Ex: I'm nervous if Joe drives when we go out

because he drinks like a fish!

Uống như hũ

chìm

Drop like flies If people drop like flies, they fall ill or die in large

numbers.

Ex: There's an epidemic of flu at the

moment. Senior citizens are dropping like flies.

Chết như rạ

To be dying for

something

If you are dying for something, you have a strong

desire for it.

Ex: I'm dying for a cup of tea!

khao khát

điều gì

A sitting duck A sitting duck is an easy target, a person who is

easy to deceive.

Ex: The young girl was a sitting duck for the

photographer.

Người dễ dãi

E

Eagle eyes Someone who has eagle eyes sees or notices things

more easily than others.

Ex: Tony will help us find it - he's got eagle eyes!

In one ear and out

the other

To say that information goes in one ear and out

the other means that it is immediately forgotten or

ignored.

Ex: I keep telling him about the risks but it goes in

one ear and out the other. He never listens to

Nghe tai này

lọt tai kia



anyone!

Make

one's ears burn

If something makes your ears burn, you are

embarrassed by what you hear, especially if the

conversation is about you.

Ex: The comments I overheard made my ears

burn.

Nghe muốn nổ

tai luôn

Music to your ears To say that something is music to your ears,

means that the information you receive makes you

feel very happy.

Mật ngọt chết

ruồi

Earn while you

learn

This expression refers to the possibility of earning

a salary while in training.

Ex: Become an apprentice and get paid while in

training. Earn while you learn!"

Học mà được

trả tiền

Easier said than

done

To say that something is easier said than

done means that what is suggested sounds easy but

it is more difficult to actually do it.

Ex: Put the TV aerial on the roof? Easier said

than done!

Nói dễ hơn

làm

Easy as pie To say that something is easy as pie means that it

is very easy to do.

Ex: How did the English test go? - No problem - it

was easy as pie!

Dễ như ăn

bánh

Eat /dip into one's

savings

If you eat or dip into your savings, you spend

part of the money you have put aside for future

use.

Ex: I had to dip into my savings to have the car

repaired.

A bad egg To refer to someone as a bad egg means that they

cannot be trusted.

Ex: I don't want my son to be friends with Bobby

Smith.

Bobby's a bad egg.

At

the eleventh hour

If something happens at the eleventh hour, it

happens when it is almost too late, or at the last

possible moment.

Ex: Our team won after they scored a goal at the

eleventh hour.

Phút thứ 90

Even the score When a person decides to even the score, they try

to get their revenge on someone who has cheated

Trả đũa



or done them harm.

Ex: When Jack discovered that Bob had cheated,

he was determined to even the score.

Look someone in

theeyes

If you look someone in the eye, or eyes, you look

at them directly so as to convince them that you are

telling the truth, even though you may be lying.

Nhìn thẳng vào

mắt

F

Keep a

straight face

If you keep a straight face, you look serious

although

you really want to laugh.

Làm mặt

nghiêm

Fair and square If something is obtained or won fair and square, it

is done in an honest and open manner, the rules are

respected and there is no cheating or lying.

Ex: Peter won the competition fair and square -

there was no doubt about the result.

Fast

track something

If you decide to fast track something, such as a

task or project, you give it high priority so that the

objective is reached as quickly as possible.

In view of the number of homeless, it was decided

to fast track the construction of low-cost housing.

On the fence When faced with a choice, a person who is on the

fence has not yet reached a decision.

Ex: The candidates have such similar ideas that

many electors are still on the fence.

Lưỡng lự

Fight a losing

battle

If someone is fighting a losing battle, they are

trying to do something even when there is little

chance of succeeding.

The headmaster is fighting a losing battle trying to

ban mobile phones at school.

Còn nước còn

tát

Fight/argue like

cat and dog

Two people who fight or argue like cat and

dogfrequently have violent arguments, even though

they are fond of each other.

Ex: They fight like cat and dog but they're still

together after 30 years.

Chửi (đánh)

nhau như chó

với mèo.

Have other fish to

fry

If you have other fish to fry, you have more

important things to do.

Ex: I don't think he'll attend the office party; he's

got other fish to fry.



Fit the bill If someone or something fits the bill, they are

exactly right for a particular situation.

Ex: They wanted a quiet place for the week-end

and the country inn just fitted the bill.

On the fly If you do something on the fly, you do it quickly,

without thinking much about it, while doing

something else.

Ex: I'm so busy I usually have lunch on the fly.

Flying start If something gets off to the flying start, it is

immediately successful.

Ex: Sales of the book got off to a flying start and

exceeded our expectations."

Follow in

someone's

footsteps

If you follow in someone's footsteps (for example

a parent), you lead a similar life or do the same job.

Ex: Lily followed in her mother's footsteps and

became a teacher.

Theo chân ai

Follow suit If you follow suit, you do the same as somebody

else has just done.

Ex: The first robber held up his hands. The other

twofollowed suit.

A foot in the door If you say that someone has a foot in the door, you

mean that they have a small but successful start in

something and will possibly do well in the future.

Ex: With today's unemployment, it's difficult to get

a foot in the door in any profession."

Get a foothold If you get a foothold somewhere, you secure a

position for yourself in a business, profession or

organisation.

Ex: The contract got the firm a foothold in the local

administration.

Có chân trong

(có người hỗ

trợ bên trong)

Force of habit When something is done out of force of habit, it

has become automatic through frequent repetition.

Ex: Why do I always park here? It's force of

habit I suppose.

Free as a bird If someone is free as a bird, they are completely

free to do as they please.

Ex: My dad's very happy - he's free as a bird since

Tự do như

chim sổ lồng



he retired.

A free hand If you have a free hand, you have permission to

make your own decisions, especially in a job.

Ex: My boss has given me a free hand in the choice

of agent.

Friends in high

places

If you know important or influential people in

business or government, you have friends in high

places.

Ex: He wouldn't have succeeded without help from

friends in high places.

Bạn bè có chức

quyền

Front runner In a contest, race or election, the front runner is

the person who seems most likely to succeed or

win.

Ex: Who are the front runners in the coming

elections?

Full of beans A person who is full of beans is lively, active and

healthy.

Ex: He may be getting old but he's still full of

beans!

Full of hot air A person who full of hot air is full of nonsense and

talks a lot without saying anything worthwhile.

Ex: Don't listen to Tony. He's full of hot air!

Tào lao

Funny business An activity which is conducted in a deceitful,

dishonest or unethical manner is called funny

business.

Ex: I've got suspicions about that association. I

think they're up to some funny business.

Công việc kinh

doanh bất

chính

G

All his geese are swans This expression refers to someone who constantly

exaggerates the importance of somebody or

something.

Ex: Don't let him impress you. He always

exaggerates; all his geese are swans!"

Nổ (nói

khoát)

Gentleman'sagreement When an agreement is neither written nor signed,

because the two parties trust each other completely,

it is called a gentleman's agreement.

Ex: It was a gentleman's agreement. I can't change

my mind now!



Get your ducks in a

row

This expression means that you are trying to get

things well organized.

Ex: We need to get our ducks in a row if we want

our project to succeed.

Get into gear

When a person or activity gets into gear, they start

to work or become effective.

Ex: Immediately after the announcement, a group of

protesters got into gear.

Get your hands dirty If you get your hands dirty in your job, you

become involved in all aspects of it, including work

that is physical, unpleasant or less interesting.

Ex: His willingness to get his hands dirty won the

respect and approval of the whole team.

Get on in years Someone who is getting on in years is growing old.

Ex: My grandmother is getting on in years. She's

no longer able to prepare Christmas dinner without

help.

Già rồi

Get the message If you get the message, you understand what

someone is trying to tell you, even if it is expressed

in actions or gestures rather than words.

Ex: When Tony pointed at his watch, I got the

message - it was time to leave for the airport."

Hiểu ý

đồ

Get the sack If someone gets the sack, they lose their job,

usually because they have done something wrong.

Ex: Charlie got the sack when his boss caught him

stealing.

Get off the hook If you do something wrong and manage to get off

the hook, you avoid punishment or blame.

Ex: Barry was questioned by the police but his

lawyer managed to get him off the hook.

Tránh bị

mắc câu

Get on your high horse If you get on your high horse, you start behaving

in a haughty manner, as though you should be

treated with more respect.

Ex: He got on his high horse when he was asked to

show his membership card.

Get the better of

someone

If someone or something gets the better of you,

they defeat you.

Ex: She went on a diet but it didn't last long - her

Thắng

thế



love of chocolate got the better of her!

Get to the bottom of

something

If you get to the bottom of a problem or mystery,

you solve it by finding out the true cause of it.

Ex: We have a problem of goods disappearing

during transport. Hopefully the investigation

will get to the bottom of it.

Tìm ra

gốc của

vấn đề

Get a move on If someone tells you to get a move on, they are

asking you to hurry up.

Ex: You'd better get a move on or you'll miss the

bus!

Get out of hand If a person or a situation gets out of hand, they

cannot be controlled any longer.

Ex: During the student demonstration, things got

out of hand and several shop windows were

broken.

Ngoài

tầm kiểm

soát

Get the show on the

road

If you manage to put a plan or idea into action,

you get the show on the road.

Ex: OK! We've got all we need, so let's get the

show on the road!

Give it a rest! If someone tells you to give it a rest, they are

asking you to stop doing something such as

complaining or talking continuously.

Ex: All you talk about is politics - give it a

rest...please!

Give someone a hard

time

If you give someone a hard time, you annoy them

or make things difficult for them.

Ex: Susan says the pupils in her new school

are giving her a hard time.

Làm khó

ai đó

Give someone the run-

around

If someone gives you the run-around, they

deliberately give you confusing information or

evasive answers.

Ex: I'm trying to contact the manager, but every

time I call the firm I'm given the run-around.

Vòng vo

tam quốc

Go against the tide If you go against the tide, you refuse to conform to

current trends, or the opinions or behavior of other

people.

Ex: Bill can be difficult to work with; he constantly

goes against the tide.

Đi ngược

xu hướng

Go bananas If someone becomes very emotional and starts



behaving in a crazy way, they go bananas.

Ex: If you announce that you're going to drop out of

school, your parents will go bananas!

Go to extremes People who go to extremes behave in a way which

lacks moderation.

Ex: My parents tend to go to extremes. They live on

a tight budget and then they go on expensive

holidays.

Cực đoan

Go hand in hand If two or more things go hand in hand, they are

associated or often happen at the same time.

Ex: In big cities poverty and violence often go hand

in hand.

Song

song

Go off the rails, If someone goes off the rails, they go out of control

and begin to behave in a manner that is

unacceptable to society.

Ex: Given the unstable environment, it's a miracle

that none of their children ever went off the rails.

Trật

đường

rày (đi

sai

hướng)

Go out of business If a shop, firm or enterprise goes out of business, it

closes down or goes bankrupt.

Ex: If the new road bypasses the town, a lot of

shops will go out of business.

Go the whole hog When you go the whole hog, you do something

thoroughly or completely.

Ex: They put up a few decorations for Christmas,

then they decided to go the whole hog and buy a

tree and all the trimmings.

Golden opportunity A golden opportunity is a favorable time or

excellent occasion which should not be missed.

Cơ hội

vàng

Golden rule The most important rule or principle to be

remembered when doing something is called

the golden rule.

Ex: When travelling abroad, the golden rule is to

respect the local customs.

Gone with the wind If something has gone with the wind, it has

disappeared forever.

Ex: I lost everything during the crisis. My

savings are gone with the wind!

Cuốn

theo

chiều gió

Green light If you give or get the green light, you give or get a

signal or permission to do something.

Bật đèn



Ex: We're ready to launch the campaign as soon as

weget the green light.

xanh

Prepare the ground To prepare the ground means that you try to make

it easier for a future event or action to happen.

Xây

dựng nền

tảng

H

had better Should

Ex: You had better go now or you will be late for class.

hair stand on

end

She became frightened

Ex: Her hair would stand on end every time she watched

a horror movie.

Sợ dựng

tóc gáy

hale and hearty Well and strong

Ex: My uncle is a hale and hearty fellow who never gets

sick.

half the battle Difficult

Ex: Getting them to come to the meeting will be half the

battle.

hand down Arrange to give after death

Ex: She plans to hand down her jewelry to her daughter.

Chuẩn

bị hậu sự

hang loose Relax

Ex: Just hang loose for another few days.

heads will roll People will be punished

Ex: Some heads will roll when the boss looks at the costs

this month.

“Rơi

đầu” (bị

phạt, bị

trách

mắng)

home free A definite success

Ex: The new promotion plan is home free.

I

if worst comes to

worst

If the worst scenario occurs

Ex: If worst comes to worst we must cancel our vacation.

Trong

trường

hợp xấu



nhất

in a fog Confused

Ex: He is always in a fog and never seems to know what

is going on.

Mù mờ

in a hole In trouble

Ex: He really is in a hole now that he has problems at

work.

in a spot In a difficult situation

Ex: He will be in a spot if he cannot pass the entrance

exams.

in a word Briefly

Ex: In a word, I think that you need to study more.

Nói tóm

lại

in advance Ahead of time

Ex: They bought the tickets in advance so that they could

get good seats.

in and out coming in and going out

Ex: The boss has been in and out of his office the entire

day.

Đi ra đi

vô

in deep Deeply involved

Ex: They are really in deep with each other.

in short supply Less than the amount needed

Ex: These days the amount of oil is in short supply.

in stock Available

Ex: The new paints are in stock.

in the bag Settled

Ex: Everything is in the bag. There is nothing to worry

about.

Trong

tầm tay

in the long run Over time

Ex: The company lost money but should be okay in the

long run.

Theo thời

gian

in the red Losing money

Ex: The company has been in the red since last year.

in the works being planned

Ex: The new line of products is in the works.



J

jack-of-all-

trades

Someone who can do many things

Ex: That guy is a jack-of-all-trades.

jazz up Brighten up

Ex: We need to jazz up this boring room.

jerking someone

around

Causing someone trouble

Ex: Recently it seems like everyone is jerking me

around.

Quay (ai đó)

như dế

jump all over

someone

Scold me

Ex: For no reason, he began to jump all over me

jump at Quickly accept

Ex: She knew that he would jump at the chance to

go to Japan.

jump on

someone

Scold

Ex: The boss would jump on him for even a small

mistake.

just about Nearly

Ex: I waited just about one hour for her to come.

just so Close to perfect

Ex: She always makes sure that her hair is just

sobefore she goes out.

K

keep a secret Not tell others

Ex: You should keep a secret about your new job.

Giữ bí mật

keep after Keep reminding

Ex: You should keep after her to do her homework.

keep an eye on Watch

Ex: Keep an eye on my bicycle while I order some

coffee.

keep at Continue

Ex: He has decided to keep at his studies at the

university.



keep books Keep records of money gained and spent

Ex: She used to keep books for a small company.

keep down Control

Ex: The students were told to keep down the noise.

keep house Look after household

Ex: She likes to keep house more than working for a

company.

keep in touch Stay in contact

Ex: I have always tried to keep in touch with my

friends.

keep one's head Stay calm when there is trouble or danger Giữ bình tĩnh

keep one's

mouth shut

Be quiet

Ex: She was very angry and told him to keep his

mouth shut.

keep one's nose

clean

Stay out of trouble

Ex: He has been managing to keep his nose

cleansince he moved to the new town.

keep one's word fulfill her promise

Ex: She never can keep her word.

Giữ lời hứa

keep pace with Go as fast as

Ex: It was difficult to keep pace with the other

students.

Theo kịp

L

lady killer Man who some women find very

charming and attractive

Ex: The man in the movie was a lady

killer.

Đào hoa

lady's man Man who is popular with women

Ex: He is a lady's man and always seems

to have a lot of women interested in him.

laid back Calm and relaxed

Ex: You need to be more laid back.

laid up Confined to bed



Ex: He has been laid up for a few days

because of a cold.

land on one's

feet

come out of a bad situation successfully

He always manages to land on his feet.

last minute There is no more time

Ex: I usually put off writing my papers

until the last minute.

Nước tới chân mới nhảy

luck out Fortunate

Ex: If you luck out in Las Vegas, you can

make a lot of money.

lash out verbally abuse

Ex: He began to lash out at the man who

was sitting next to him.

M

made a hit was popular

Ex: Her cake made a hit at the party.

make a bundle make a lot of money

Ex: He could make a bundle on the

stock market this year.

make a day of it stay the entire day

Ex: We decided to make a day of it at

the park.

make a

difference

change anything

Ex: It does not seem to make a

difference if we talk or not.

make a go of achieve success in

Ex: He is trying to make a go of the

business even though he is losing money.

make a killing make a lot of money

Ex: You can make a killing in Las

Vegas.

make a living make enough money

Ex: You cannot make a living at your

present job.



make a mountain

out of a molehill

make a big problem out of a small one

Ex: Try not to make a mountain out of a

molehill.

Chuyện nhỏ xé to

make a name for

oneself

become famous

Ex: She is trying to make a name for

herself in the field of literature.

Tạo tên tuổi

make a run for it leave quickly

Ex: I think that she will make a run for

it as soon as the class finished.

make waves cause trouble

Ex: Try not to make waves around the

office.

Tạo sóng gió

N

neck and neck nearly equal

Ex: The two teams were neck and

neck in the game.

Ngang nhau

nest egg amount of money saved

Ex: He has a good nest egg in the bank.

new blood fresh energy

Ex: The new employee sure has

added new blood to this company.

Thay máu (đổi nhân sự

mới)

nice out nice weather

Ex: It sure is nice out today.

no bed of roses not easy

Ex: Trying to work at two jobs is no bed

of roses.

Không phải thảm hồng

no deal not agreed to

Ex: He almost bought the car but in the

end the sale was no deal.

no doubt no uncertainty

Ex: There is no doubt which team will

win this year.

Không còn nghi ngờ gì

nữa

no end to no finish point

Không lối ra



Ex: There appears to be no end to this

project.

no show Absent

Ex: I think that she will be a no show.

no way No way to fit all those things in that

purse.

no wonder not surprising

Ex: Since he stayed up all night, it is no

wonder that he is tired.

O

odds and ends Various items

Ex: We made games for the students using odds

and ends from around the house.

off again, on

again

Uncertain

Ex: The plans for the party were off again, on

again.

off and on Intermittently

Ex: It has been raining off and on since this

morning.

off base Inaccurate

Ex: He was really off base on his estimate of the

budget.

off color Inappropriate and offensive

Ex: He likes to tell off color jokes at work.

off duty The police officer was off duty when the incident

occurred.

off one's back Away and not bother me

Ex: I wish he would stay off my back.

off the hook Out of trouble

Ex: He is off the hook now that they realized it was

not his mistake.

old hat Boring and unchanging

Ex: Her job has become old hat.

Già cả lỗi thời

on a diet trying to lose weight

Ăn kiêng



Ex: Are you on a diet or something?

on credit Using a credit card

Ex: She decided to buy the table on credit.

on easy street Financially comfortable

Ex: He has been on easy street since he sold his

business.

on one's back bothering someone

Ex: She has been on his back all week to get a new

job.

Lẻo đẻo đằng

sau

on one's

shoulders

One’s responsibility

Ex: The mistakes made in the department were on

his shoulders.

Gánh nặng trên

vai

on purpose Intentionally

Ex: I think that she spilled the drink on purpose.

on the ball Intelligent

Ex: He is really on the ball.

on the block For sale

Ex: The office building is on the block.

on the dot Exactly on time

She usually arrives at work on the dot.

on the go Busily moving around

Ex: He has been on the go since early this morning.

on the other

hand

in contrast

Ex: She is intelligent but on the other hand she is

very lazy.

on the whole In general

once in a while Occasionally

Ex: We go to that restaurant once in a while to eat

Japanese food.

out of control Chaotic

Ex: Yeah, but it was out of control.

Loạn, ngoài

tầm kiểm soát

P



pan out become reality

Ex: I hope that your plans to go back to school pan

out.

pass away Die

Ex: The old leader is expected to pass away soon.

pass on give away

Ex: She tries to pass on her old clothes to her younger

sister.

pass out faint

Ex: She is going to pass out if she drinks any more

sake.

pay attention focus on and listen

Ex: You should pay attention to what the teacher is

saying.

pay off reduce the balance owed to zero on

Ex: The homeowner was able to pay off the loan early.

Trả hết nợ

pay off be successful

Ex: The business plan began to pay off and the profits

of the company increased.

pay off bribe

Ex: The company tried to pay off the politician.

Đưa hối lộ

pick someone up come and get someone

Ex: What time do you want me to pick you up?

pop for

something

buy

Ex: It is my turn to pop for the doughnuts.

put off delay

Ex: Yeah, I usually put off doing homework until the

last minute.

put the moves on seduce

Ex: You should give up trying to put the moves

on her.

Quyến rũ ai



R

raise eyebrows cause surprise

Ex: These crazy clothes should raise eyebrows at the

office tomorrow.

Chau mày

(ngạc nhiên)

rip off overpriced item

Ex: This car was really a rip off.

run short not have enough

Ex: If we don’t order supplies now, we will

probablyrun short.

rough time hard time

Ex: We have had a rough time this winter.

run the show make the decisions

It seems as if the boss really likes to run the show.

red ink debt

Ex: The company has been in red ink from the

beginning.

ream someone

out

yell at him

Ex: The boss decided to ream him out for his bad

report.

ran out of gas lost momentum

Ex: The politician ran out of gas during the campaign.

Chạy hết ga

S

saddled with

debt

burdened with debt

Ex: The company has been saddled with debt.

save face protect his reputation

Ex: The manager was able to save face when he

showed that the loss of money was outside of his

control.

save one's

breath

remain silent

Ex: You should save your breath because I do not

believe you anyway.

save one's skin avoid trouble

Ex: He quit the company during the scandal in order

tosave his skin.



screw around waste time

Ex: Do not screw around at work.

screw up make a mistake

Ex: If you screw up one more time, I will fire you.

sell out sell completely

Our best products seem to sell out very quickly.

short on funds low on money

Ex: I am kind of short on funds now.

shot down disagreed with

Ex: Everyone shot down my idea.

steamed up Angry

Ex: Don't get so steamed up over the issue.

Nóng lên

T

take a back seat accept a lower position

Ex: I had to take a back seat for the benefit of the

company.

take a stand on be decisive on

Ex: The President decided to take a stand on the tax

issue.

take a trip Go

Ex: We plan to take a trip to Japan in July.

take advantage

of

benefit from

Ex: Take advantage of the beautiful weather and go to

the beach.

take back Revoke

Ex: He had to take back what he said about his boss.

Rút lại (lời

đã nói)

take care of give attention to

Ex: You should take care of your health.

take care of deal with

Ex: She had to take care of the paperwork.

take down Write

Ex: Please take down many notes during the lecture.



take on Hire

Ex: The company is expected to take on more

employees next year.

take over take control of

Ex: The larger bank is expected to take over the

smaller bank.

take roll check attendance

Ex: I'm going to take roll now.

take stock count the items of merchandise or supplies in stock

The store usually has to take stock every three months.

take the

company public

sell shares of the company to the general public

Ex: The owner needed more money and decided totake

the company public.

team player someone who works well with others

Ex: He is really a team player.

the inside track the advantage over others

Ex: He knows the manager so he has the inside

trackfor getting the new job.

throw more

money at

try to solve the problem by spending more money on

Ex: The product may do better in the market if

wethrow more money at it.

Quăng tiền

vô việc gì

tight spot difficult situation

Ex: The new product is not selling as well as expected

and has put the company in a tight spot.

turn over rate of sale

Ex: The new product turnover has been incredible.

to move on to seduce

Ex: I am going to try to move on Joan next Saturday.

U

ugly duckling Unattractive

Ex: She was an ugly duckling when she was a child.

Vịt con xấu

xí

under a cloud under suspicion

Ex: The politician has been under a cloud over the



possibility of taking bribes.

under a cloud depressed

Ex: He has been under a cloud since he lost his job.

under cover in disguise

Ex: The detective went under cover to look for the

drug dealers.

under one's nose in an obvious place

Ex: He found his wallet under his nose.

Ngay trước

mắt

under one's

thumb

under his control

Ex: He is only a salesman but he has his boss under his

thumb.

under one's

wing

under one’s care

Ex: He took the new employee under his wing.

Trong sự

bảo bọc của

ai đó

under the table in secret and illegally

Ex: He paid some money under the table in order to

get his product exported into the country.

Hối lộ

up front Honest

Ex: He was up front about the condition of the car.

upper hand advantage

Ex: The union members have the upper hand in the

negotiations.

Thắng thế

ups and downs moments of good and bad fortune

Ex: He is having a few ups and downs but generally he

is doing well.

Ba chìm bảy

nổi

up to someone her decision

It is up to her when it is time to leave.

Tùy ai đó

use up completely use

Ex: They had to use up the paper before ordering more.

V

vicious circle unbroken sequence of cause and effect

Ex: Drinking alcohol, becoming

depressed and then drinking even more is

Vòng nhân quả



an example of a vicious circle.

voted down defeated

Ex: The election results showed the

governor wasvoted down.

W

walk all over control and take advantage of

Ex: She is always trying to walk all over him.

walk away with Steal

Ex: Someone tried to walk away with the office

computer.

walk on air be happy

Ex: She is going to walk on air when he gives her the

diamond ring.

Lên mây

(vui/ đã/

hạnh phúc

quá)

warm up to become friendly with

Ex: She could easily warm up to the new student.

waste one's

breath

speak pointlessly

Ex: Do not waste your breath trying to change her

mind.

watch it be careful

Ex: I think you should watch it if you travel to that city.

watch one's P's

and Q's

be well-behaved

Ex: The teacher told him to watch his P's and Q's.

way the wind

blows

situation occurs

Ex: The vacation plans will depend on which way the

wind blows.

wear down exhaust

Ex: Try not to wear down the employees with a long

speech.

weigh on concern and worry

Ex: The upcoming college entrance exam began

toweigh on her.

Cân nhắc

weigh one's

words

think about what you will say

Uốn lưỡi 7



Ex: You should weigh your words before you tell her. lần trước

khi nói

well-off Wealthy

Ex: The owner of the restaurant is certainly well-off.

what's up is happening

Ex: She really wants to know what's up.

what's with what is happening with

Ex: Hey, what's with the manager today.

work out Exercise

Ex: She likes to work out at the gym.

work out Develop

Ex: They needed to work out the plans of the new

product.

write off remove the expense of

Ex: They were able to write off the money spent on

entertainment.

what's what one thing from another

Ex: It is hard to tell what's what at an auction.

Chuyện xảy

ra kế tiếp

Y

year-round the entire year without

closing

The supermarket is now

open year-round.

yellow-bellied Cowardly

He is a yellow-

bellied person.

you bet Of course

You bet I am angry with

you.

you bet your boots Of course

You bet your boots I am

angry with you.

Z

zero balance no money was owed

My credit card statement showed azero

balance.

zero hour the scheduled time



The computer was installed at zero hour.

zeroed in on focused on

Our boss quickly zeroed in on the

problem.

MỘT SỐ THÀNH NGỮ TIẾNG ANH TƯƠNG TỰ TIẾNG VIỆT

- Xa mặt cách lòng: Out of sight, out of mind

- Tai vách mạch rừng: Walls have ears

- Yêu cho roi cho vọt, ghét cho ngọt cho bùi: Spare the rod, spoil the child

- Của rẻ là của ôi: The cheapest is the dearest

1. Ai giàu ba họ, ai khó ba đời

- Every dog has its/ his day

- The longest day must have an end

- The morning sun never lasts a day

2. Ba hoa chích chòe

- Talk hot air

- Have a loose tongue

3. Biết mình biết ta, trăm trận trăm thắng

- He who sees through life and death will meet most success

4. Cả thèm chóng chán

- Soon hot, soon cold

5. Cầm đèn chạy trước ô tô

- Run before one’s hourse to market

- Rush into hell before one’s father

6. Có tật giật mình



- There’s no peace for the wicked

7. Dã tràng xe cát biển đông

- Build something on sand

- Fish in the air

- Beat the air

8. Đã nói là làm

- So said so done

9. Ép dầu ép mỡ, ai nỡ ép duyên

- Love cannot be forced/ compelled

10. Gậy ông đập lưng ông

- Make a rod for one’s own back

11. Ăn cháo đá bát

- Bite the hands that feed

- Eaten bread is soon forgotten

12. Học vẹt

- Learn something by rote

13. Ích kỉ hại nhân

- It is an ill turn that does no good to anyone

14. Kén cá chọn canh

- Pick and choose

15. Khẩu phật tâm xà

- A honey tongue, a heart of gall

16. Không biết thì dựa cột mà nghe



- If you cannot bite, never show your teeth

- The less said the better

17. Làm dâu trăm họ

- Have to please everyone

18. Mưu sự tại nhân, thành sự tại thiên

- Man proposes, God disposes

19. Năm thì mười họa

- Once in a blue moon

20. Phép vua thua lệ làng

- Custom rules the law

21. Qua cầu rút ván

- Burn one’s boats/ bridges

22. Rượu vào lời ra

- Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals

23. Suy bụng ta ra bụng người

- A wool-seller knows a wool buyer

24. Sự thật mất lòng

- Nothing stings like truth

25. Ta về ta tắm ao ta

Dù trong dù đục ao nhà vẫn hơn

- There’s no place like home

26. Tẩm ngẩm chết voi

- Dumb dogs are dangerous



- Still water runs deep

- Be ware of silent dog and still water

27. Uốn lưỡi bảy lần trước khi nói

- First think, then speak

- Second thoughts are best

- Think today, speak tomorrow

28. Vạch áo cho người xem lưng

- Tell tales out of school

29. Xanh vỏ đỏ lòng

- A fair face my hide a foul heart

- Appearances are deceptive

30. Yêu nhau yêu cả đường đi

Ghét ai ghét cả tông chi họ hàng

- Love me love my dog

- He that loves the tree loves the branch

• Chí lớn thường gặp nhau,

Great minds think alike • đồng thanh tương ứng, đồng khí tương cầu. “Ngưu tầm ngưu, mã tầm mã”

Birds of the same feather stick together • Suy bụng ta ra bụng người.

A thief knows a thief as a wolf knows a wolf • Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây.

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls • Máu chảy, ruột mềm.

When the blood sheds, the heart aches • Một giọt máu đào hơn ao nước lã.

Blood is much thicker than water. • Một nụ cười bằng mười thang thuốc bổ.

Laugh and grow fat.



Laughter is the best medicine. • Đừng chế nhạo người

Laugh and the world will laugh with you • Cười người hôm trước, hôm sau người cười

He, who has last laugh, laughs best

He who laughs last, last best • Lòi nói là bạc, im lặng là vàng

Speech is silver, but silence is golden • Cân lời nói trước khi nói – Uốn lưỡi 7 lần trước khi nói

Words must be weighed, not counted. • Đoàn kết thì sống, chia rẽ thì chết.

United we stand, divided we fall • Đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn.

Travelling forms a young man • Tai nghe không bằng mắt thấy

A picture worths a thousand words

An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance. • Vạn sự khởi đầu nan.

It is the first step that counts • Có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim

Practice makes perfect • Có chí, thì nên

There’s will, there’s way Vouloir c’est pouvoir

• Chớ để ngày may những gì mình có thể làm hôm nay.

Makes hay while sunshines. • Trèo cao té nặng (đau)

The greater you climb, the greater you fall. • Tham thì thâm

grasp all, lose all. • Tham thực, cực thân.

Don ‘t bite off more than you can chew • Dĩ hoà vi quý.

Judge not, that ye be not judged • Ở hiền gặp lành.

One good turn deserves another • Ăn theo thuở, ở theo thời.

Other times, other manner • Đi với bụt mặc áo cà sa, đi với ma mặc áo giấy.

Pay a man back in the same coin • Tay làm hàm nhai

no pains, no gains • Phi thương,bất phú

nothing ventures, nothing gains • Mỗi thời, mỗi cách

Other times, other ways • Túng thế phải tùng quyền



Neccessity knows no laws. • Cùng tắc biến, biến tắc thông.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. • Mưu sự tại nhân, thành sự tại thiên

Man propose, god dispose • Mạnh vì gạo, bạo vì tiền

The ends justify the means.

Stronger by rice, daring by money. • Trong khốn khó, mới biết bạn hiền

Hard times show whether a friend is a true friend • Yêu nên tốt, ghét nên xấu.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder • Dục tốc bất đạt

Haste makes waste. • có mới, nới cũ

New one in, old one out. • Cuả thiên, trả địa.

Ill-gotten, ill-spent • Dễ được, dễ mất.

Easy come, easy goes. • Nói dễ , Khó làm .

Easier said than done. • Còn nước, còn tát.

While there’s life, there’s hope. • Xa mặt, cách lòng.

Out of sight, out of mind

Long absent, soon forgotten • Đừng xét đoán người qua bề ngoài

Do not judge the book by its cover

Do not judge poeple by their appearance • Thắng là vua, thua là giặc.

Losers are always in the wrong • Đen tình, đỏ bạc.

Lucky at cards, unlucky in love • Gieo nhân nào, Gặt quả đó

What goes round goes round • Không gì tuyệt đối

What goes up must goes down • Thùng rổng thì kêu to.

The empty vessel makes greatest sound. • Hoạ vô đon chí.

Misfortunes never comes in singly. • Có tật thì hay giật mình.

He who excuses himself, accuses himself • Tình yêu là mù quáng.

Affections blind reasons. Love is Blind. • Cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp.



Beauty dies and fades away but ugly holds its own • Chết vinh còn hơn sống nhục.

Better die a beggar than live a beggar

Better die on your feet than live on your knees • Có còn hơn không.

Something Better than nothing

If you cannot have the best, make the best of what you have • Lời nói không đi đôi với việc làm.

Do as I say, not as I do • Sinh sự, sự sinh.

Don ‘t trouble trouble till trouble trouuubles you • Rượu vào, lời ra.

Drunkness reveals what soberness conceallls • Tránh voi chẳng xấu mặt nào.

For mad words, deaf ears. • Thánh nhân đãi kẻ khù khờ.

Fortune smiles upon fools • Trời sinh voi, sinh cỏ.

God never sends mouths but he sends meat • Phòng bịnh, hơn chửa bịnh

Good watch prevents misfortune • Hữu xạ tự nhiên hương.

Good wine needs no bush • Đánh chết cái nết hong chừa.(?)

Habit is the second nature • Đèn nhà ai nấy sáng.

Half the world know not how the other haaalf lives • Cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp.

Handsome is as handsome does

Beauty in the eye of the beholder. • Giận quá, mất khôn

Hatred is as blind as love • Điếc không sợ súng.

He that knows nothing doubts nothing • No bụng đói con mắt.

His eyes are bigger than his belly • Liệu cơm gắp mắm, liệu con gả chồng.

Honesty is the best policy

If we can’t as we would, we must do as we can • Miệng hùm, gan sứa.

If you cannot bite, never show your teeth (don’t bark) • Lắm mối tối nằm không.

If you run after two hares, you’ll catch none • Đã trót thì phải trét.

If you sell the cow, you will sell her milk too • Xem việc biết người.

Judge a man by his work



• Cha nào, con nấy.

Like father, like son • Ăn miếng trả miếng.

Measure for measure; Tit For Tat; An Eye For An Eye, a Tooth For A Tooth. • Việc người thì sáng, việc mình thi quang

Men are blind in their own cause • Không vào hang cọp sao bắt được cọp con.

Neck or nothing • Trăm nghe không bằng mắt thấy.

Observations is the best teacher • Con sâu làm sầu nồi canh.

One drop of poison infects the whole of wine • Sai một ly đi một dặm.

One false step leads to another • Thời gian qua, cơ hội khó tìm lại.

Opportunities are hard to seize • Im lặng tức là đồng ý.

Silence gives consent • Chín người, mười ý.

So many men, so many minds • Lực bất tòng tâm.

So much to do, so little get done.

• Người thâm trầm kín đáo thường là người có bản lĩnh hơn người.

Still waters running deep • Càng đông càng vui.

The more, the merrier • Không có lửa sao có khói.

There is no smoke without fire

Where ther is smoke, there is fire • Tai vách, mạch rừng.

Two wrongs do not make a right

Walls have ears • Gieo gió, gặt bão

We reap as we sow • Có Tật, giật mình

He who excuses himself, accuses himself • Vắng chủ nhà, gà mọc đuôi tôm.

When the cat is away, the mice will play • Dậu đổ, bìm leo.

When the tree is fallen, everyone run to it with his axe • Bén mùi uống nữa. Chứng nào tật nấy.

Who drinks, will drink again • Hy Vọng Hão Huyền

Don’t count your chicken before they hatch. (Đừng đếm gà trước khi nó nở) Don’t look at the gift in the horse mouth. (Đừng nhìn quà tặng từ trong miệng ngựa)



1. Easy come, easy go: Của thiên trả địa.

2. Seeing is believing: Tai nghe không bằng mắt thấy.

3. Easier said than done: Nói thì dễ, làm thì khó.

4. One swallow does not make a summer: Một con én không làm nên mùa xuân.

5. Time and tide wait for no man: Thời giờ thấm thoát thoi đưa

6 . Grasp all, lose all: Tham thì thâm

7. Let bygones be bygones:

Hãy để cho quá khứ lùi vào dĩ vãng

8. Hand some is as handsome does: Cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp.

9. When in Rome, do as the Romes does:

Nhập gia tuỳ tục

10. Clothes does not make a man: Manh áo không làm nên thầy tu.

11. Don’t count your chickens, before they are hatch: Chưa đỗ ông Nghè đã đe Hàng tổng

12. A good name is better than riches: Tốt danh hơn lành áo

13. Call a spade a spade: Nói gần nói xa chẳng qua nói thật

14. Beggar’s bags are bottomless:Lòng tham không đáy

15. Cut your coat according your clothes: Liệu cơm gắp mắm

16. Bad news has wings:



Tiếng dữ đồn xa

17. Doing nothing is doing ill: Nhàn cư vi bất thiện

18. A miss is as good as a mile: Sai một li đi một dặm

19. Empty vessels make a greatest sound: Thùng rỗng kêu to

20. A good name is sooner lost than won: Mua danh ba vạn, bán danh ba đồng

21. A friend in need is a friend indeed: Gian nam mới hiểu bạn bè

22. Each bird loves to hear himself sing: Mèo khen mèo dài đuôi

23. Habit cures habit: Lấy độc trị độc

24. Honesty is best policy: Thật thà là cha quỷ quái

25. Great minds think alike: Tư tưởng lớn gặp nhau

26. Go while the going is good: Hãy chớp lấy thời cơ

BÀI TẬP

1. I adore my little niece. She really __________.

a) is the apple of my eye

b) is a bad egg

c) is a hard nut to crack

d) isn’t my cup of tea

(Tôi thực sự rất ngưỡng mộ cháu gái nhỏ của tôi. Tôi rất yêu quý và tự hào về nó.)

2. That boy Jack is a bad influence on my son, Timmy. Jack really is __________.

a) the apple of my eye

b) a hard nut to crack

c) a bad egg

d) a piece of cake



(Cậu bé Jack đó đã làm hư con tôi. Thằng bé thực sự là không ngoan)

3. This test is so easy. __________.

a) It’s a hard nut to crack

b) It’s a piece of cake

c) It’s the big cheese

d) It isn’t my cup of tea

(Bài kiểm tra này thực sự rất dễ)

4. Football isn’t __________. I find it too aggressive so I don’t enjoy it.

a) a piece of cake

b) the big cheese

c) my cup of tea

d) a bad egg

(Bóng đá không phải là sở thích của tôi. Tôi thấy môn thể thao này khá bạo lực nên tôi không

thích.)

5. Marco has all the power in the office, he makes all the decisions around here and everyone

is very polite towards him. He’s __________.

a) the big cheese

b) a piece of cake

c) a hard nut to crack

d) the apple of my eye

(Marco nắm giữ quyền hành lớn ở công ty, ông ta nắm quyền quyết định tất cả và mọi người đều

phải lễ phép với ông ta.)

6. I’d like to get to know Kerry better but she’s __________. She doesn’t really like people

getting close to her.

a) a bad egg

b) a hard nut to crack

c) a piece of cake

d) the big cheese

(Tôi đã cố gắng để hiểu rõ về Kerry hơn nhưng cô ấy thực sự là rất khó gần, cô ấy không thích ai

đến gần mình hết.)

Answers 1. I adore my little niece. She really __________.

a) is the apple of my eye – This idiom is used to say you really like someone or are very proud

of them. Thành ngữ này dùng để nói về một ai đó bạn rất yêu quý và tự hào.

2. That boy Jack is a bad influence on my son, Timmy. Jack really is __________.

c) a bad egg – A ‘bad egg’ is used to describe someone who isn’t a good person. Thành ngữ

này miêu tả về tính cách không tốt của một ai đó. 3. This test is so easy. __________.

b) It’s a piece of cake – This means ‘very easy’. Ý nói một điều gì đó khá dễ dàng. 4. Football isn’t __________. I find it too aggressive so I don’t enjoy it.

c) my cup of tea – If you say football ‘isn’t my cup of tea’, it means that you don’t like

it. Khi nói rằng ‘football isn’t my cup of tea’ có nghĩa là bạn không hề thích bóng đá. 5. Marco has all the power in the office, he makes all the decisions around here and everyone

is very polite towards him. He’s __________.

a)the big cheese – This means Marco is a very important person in the office.‘Marco là

người có vị trí quan trọng trong công ty’.



6. I’d like to get to know Kerry better but she’s __________. She doesn’t really like people

getting close to her.

b) a hard nut to crack – This refers to something difficult or someone that is

difficult to get to know. Thành ngữ này miêu tả về một điều gì đó khó nhận biết, một người

nào đó khó gần, khó tìm hiểu.

1. If you feel sad because your boyfriend or girlfriend leaves you, you may be

suffering from _____________. a) a sore heart

b) a painful heart

c) heartache

d) a pain in your heart

(Nếu bạn cảm thấy buồn vì bị bạn trai/bạn gái rời bỏ, điều đó có nghĩa là bạn đang phải chịu

đựng một nỗi đau rất lớn)

2. My grandma is the kindest woman I know, she’d do anything for anybody. She

really has a heart of ___________. a) gold

b) silver

c) steel

d) stone

(Bà tôi là một người phụ nữ tốt bụng nhất mà tôi từng gặp. bà làm bất kỳ việc gì để giúp mọi

người. Bà thật sự là người có trái tim nhân hậu)

3. I never get on with Fiona. When I heard she was going to be my new boss my

heart _________. a) sink

b) sunk

c) sinked

d) sank

(Tôi chưa bao giờ có quan hệ tốt với Fiona. Khi nghe tin cô ta sắp trở thành sếp của tôi, tôi thực

sự rất buồn)

4. What does the following mean? ‘When he gave up running he said it was

because his heart just wasn’t in it anymore’. a) He felt ill

b) He felt bored and not interested

c) He wanted to move away

d) He wanted to do something else

(Khi anh ta bỏ việc chạy bộ, anh ta có nói rằng anh ta không còn hứng thú gì với việc đó nữa)

5. When Tony moved into his apartment in the heart of town, which part of town

did he move to? a) The suburbs

b) On the outskirts of town

c) In the commuter belt

d) The centre of town



6. We talked to each other all night and resolved some of our problems. It’s good

to have a proper ____________ sometimes. a) heart-to-heart

b) heart-to-head

c) head-to-heart

d) head-to-head

(Chúng tôi nói chuyện suốt đêm và đã giải quyết được hết mọi khúc mắc giữa chúng tôi. Thật tốt

khi đôi lúc có một cuộc nói chuyện chân thành như thế.)

Answer 1, c) – heartache – if you feel a sense of sadness, sorrow or regret, you can say your heart aches.

Khi cảm thấy phiền muộn, đau khổ hoặc tiêc nuối, bạn có thể dùng “heart aches”.

(Bạn chỉ có thể nói rằng mình bị đau họng (sore throat) nhưng không thể nói “sore heart”, có thể

nói bạn có một chiếc răng đau (a painful tooth) nhưng không thể nói “a painful heart”.

2, a) – to have a heart of gold – if you are very kind, we say you have a ‘heart of gold’. Nếu bạn

là một người rất tốt bụng, chúng ta nói bạn có “a heart of gold”.

(Nếu nói “a heart of stone” có nghĩa là nói đến một ai đó vô cùng lạnh lùng, vô cảm.

3, d)- sank – if you hear some bad news, khi nhận được một tin buồn nào đó – your heart sinks.

Trong câu này, sử dụng thể quá khứ của sink – sank.

4, b) – He felt bored and not interested – if your heart is not in something, you feel bored and not

interested. Khi nói “to be not in something” có nghĩa là bạn đã không còn hứng thú và chán nản

với việc gì đó.

5, d) – The centre of town – If you want to describe the very centre of town, you can say ‘the

heart of town’. Nếu bạn muốn miêu tả một nơi nào đó ở trung tâm của thành phố, chúng ta có thể

dùng “the heart of town.

6, a) – heart-to-heart – a serious conversation where close friends talk honestly about their

feelings is called a heart-to-heart. Một cuộc nói chuyện mà những người bạn than thiết có thể

thoải mái chia sẻ về cảm xúc thật của mình.

Exercise 1:

Read the definitions(1-7) below of some idioms. For each definition. Two of the expressions (a-

c) have been invented, but one is the correct idiom. Can you identify it?

1) To fail to take an opportunity because you didn't act quickly enough

a.Wake up at the end of the film

b.Buy yesterday's newspaper

c.Miss the boat

2)What people actually do is more important (or a better indication of their true feelings) than

what the say

a.Doing is above talking

b.Actions speak louder than words



c.A foot on the stairs beats a word in the air

3)If something bad is being said about someone, or if something seems bad, there is probably a

good reason for it

a.There's no smoke without fire

b.No mouth without teeth

c.No car without wheels

4) To avoid taking responsibility by saying that someone else is responsible

a.Pass the chocolate

b.Pass the buck

c.Pass the wine

5)Something is not going to continue for much longer(ex :a person is going to lose their job soon

)

a.Their days are numbered

b.Their bottle is almost empty

c.Their milkshake is finished

6) An activity or situation(especially a job or career )in which there is a lot of competition and

people are too busy to relax themselves

a.Rat hole

b,Rat food

c.Rat race

7)Don't expect or wait for something(usually something good) to happen ,because it probably

won't happen

a.Don't stand with your mouth open

b.Don't hold your breath

c.Don't hold your hands out

Exercise 2:

now choose the correct answer for each of the questions below

1) What is "wet blanket"?

a.Someone who spoils other people's fun by being negative and complaining

b.Something that looks impressive but is really just an illusion

c.Something that makes your face or head look very different

2)What does it mean if you "keep someone posted"?

a.You make sure they can't come near you (or at least not often)



b.you give them up-to-date information about what is happening

c.You make sure they have enough to eat and drink

3)What does it mean if someone has "guts" (or has "the guts" to do something)

a.They are courageous

b.They are angry

c.They are ỉntelligent

4)What does "sell your soul" mean?

a.to sell something that is important to you but not to anyone

b.To mix your personal life with your working life

c.to do something that against your beliefs (ex .for money)

5)what does it mean if something is"like watching paint dry'?

a.It is very difficult

b.It is very easy

c.It is very boring

6)What does it mean if something is"set in stone"

a.It is extremely old

b.it cannot be changed or altered

c.It is dirty

7)When might someone say"in a nutshell"?

a.If they are about to give you a short summary of some information

b.If they are about to tell you about something someone did that they think was very bad

c.If they are about to tell you a joke

Exercise 3: Complete the sentences below with the appropriate idioms from Exercise 1 and 2

.You may need to change the verbs forms

1."I don't know how much longer I can keep working here.Sure,the money is good,but the

company does so many unethical things.I feel like I've_____________.What I'd really like to do

is leave the_rat race__________and just go and live on a beach somewhere,but then how would I

pay the bills?"

"Yeah,right,you've been saying that for at least 5 years.May be you like the job more than you

think.After all,_ Actions speak louder than words________"

2."I heard that my boss's________,and that he might be fired by the end of the month.Do you

think I'll be asked to replace him?"

"Well,I wouldn't _ ________I think they'll probably recruit someone from outside to instead"



3."You were on the phone talking to her for almost a hour,so what did she say?"

"____________that her vacation was good but very expensive"

4."What was the basketball game like?"

"It was awful,I was almost falling asleep-it was like _______.And then Jimmy made it even

worse by starting to tell me all about his problems.What a______________!"

5."I really wanted to take that Spanish class,but I ______.I didn't call the college untill

yesterday,and by then it was full.What about your Spanish class?I guess it's full too?"

"Well,yeah,there are only supposed to be fifteen students,but that's not_______.There's a chance

they might decide to let a couple more in.I'll________,ok?"

6."I've been hearing some funny things about Peter.Two different people told me he's in some

kind of trouble with the police.I'm not sure whether to believe it."

"Well,I wouldn't be suprised. _________"

7."Sarah, can't you see that none of these problems are my fault?"

"But you're in charge!"

"Yes,but Jo and Mike are running the project. That should be obvious"

"Oh, come on, stop_________! Why don't you have_____to admit that you have made

mistakes?"

Key:

Exercise 1:

Read the definitions(1-7) below of some idioms.For each definition.Two of the expressions(a-c)

have been invented ,but one is the correct idiom,Can you identify it?

1) To fail to take an opportunity because you didn't act quickly enough

a.Wake up at the end of the film

b.Buy yesterday's newspaper

c.Miss the boat

2)What people actually do is more important(or a better indication of their true feelings ) than

what the say

a.Doing is above talking

b.Actions speak louder than words

c.A foot on the stairs beats a word in the air

3)If something bad is being said about someone, or if something seems bad,there is probably a



good reason for it

a.There's no smoke without fire

b.No mouth without teeth

c.No car without wheels

4) To avoid taking responsibility by saying that someone else is responsible

a.Pass the chocolate

b.Pass the buck

c.Pass the wine

5)Something is not going to continue for much longer(ex :a person is going to lose their job soon

)

a.Their days are numbered

b.Their bottle is almost empty

c.Their milkshake is finished

6) An activity or situation(especially a job or career )in which there is a lot of competition and

people are too busy to relax themselves

a.Rat hole

b,Rat food

c.Rat race

7)Don't expect or wait for something(usually something good) to happen ,because it probably

won't happen

a.Don't stand with your mouth open

b.Don't hold your breath

c.Don't hold your hands out

Exercise 2:

now choose the correct answer for each of the questions below

1) What is "wet blanket"?

a.Someone who spoils other people's fun by being negative and complaining

b.Something that looks impressive but is really just an illusion

c.Something that makes your face or head look very different

2)What does it mean if you "keep someone posted"?

a.You make sure they can't come near you (or at least not often)

b.you give them up-to-date information about what is happening

c.You make sure they have enough to eat and drink



3)What does it mean if someone has "guts" (or has "the guts" to do something)

a.They are courageous

b.They are angry

c.They are ỉntelligent

4)What does "sell your soul" mean?

a.to sell something that is important to you but not to anyone

b.To mix your personal life with your working life

c.to do something that against your beliefs (ex .for money)

5)what does it mean if something is"like watching paint dry'?

a.It is very difficult

b.It is very easy

c.It is very boring

6)What does it mean if something is"set in stone"

a.It is extremely old

b.it cannot be changed or altered

c.It is dirty

7)When might someone say"in a nutshell"?

a.If they are about to give you a short summary of some information

b.If they are about to tell you about something someone did that they think was very bad

c.If they are about to tell you a joke

Exercise 3:

Complete the sentences below with the appropriate idioms from Exercise 1 and 2 .You may need

to change the verbs forms

1."I don't know how much longer I can keep working here.Sure,the money is good,but the

company does so many unethical things.I feel like I've_ sold my soul____________.What I'd

really like to do is leave the_rat race__________and just go and live on a beach somewhere,but

then how would I pay the bills?"

"Yeah,right,you've been saying that for at least 5 years.May be you like the job more than you

think.After all,_ Actions speak louder than words________"

2."I heard that my boss's_ days are counted_______,and that he might be fired by the end of the

month.Do you think I'll be asked to replace him?"

"Well,I wouldn't _hold my breath________I think they'll probably recruit someone from outside

to instead"



3."You were on the phone talking to her for almost a hour,so what did she say?"

"__ In a nutshell __________that her vacation was good but very expensive"

4."What was the basketball game like?"

"It was awful,I was almost falling asleep-it was like_ watching paint dry_______.And then

Jimmy made it even worse by starting to tell me all about his problems.What a__wet

blanket____________!"

5."I really wanted to take that Spanish class,but I_ Miss the boat______.I didn't call the college

untill yesterday,and by then it was full.What about your Spanish class?I guess it's full too?"

"Well,yeah,there are only supposed to be fifteen students,but that's not_ set in stone_.There's a

chance they might decide to let a couple more in.I'll_keep you posted_______,ok?"

6."I've been hearing some funny things about Peter.Two different people told me he's in some

kind of trouble with the police.I'm not sure whether to believe it."

"Well,I wouldn't be suprised. There's no smoke without fire________"

7."Sarah,can't you see that none of these problems are my fault?"

"but you're in charge!"

"Yes,but Jo and Mike are running the project.That should be obvious"

"Oh,come on,stop_ Pass the buck________!Why don't you have_ guts____to admit that you

have made mistakes?"

Câu hỏi 1: Either you accept this offer or you don't. It's all or ______ .

A. sweetness

B. own

C. nothing

D. hands

E. all

Câu hỏi 2: We'll have to assess the candidates but, all ______ being equal, I'd prefer to have a

young dynamic person.

A. sweetness

B. own

C. nothing

D. things

E. alls

Câu hỏi 3: We had some problems at first but now all is ______ and light between us.



A. sweetness

B. eyes

C. guns

D. hands

E. all

Câu hỏi 4: He really wants that promotion. He's going all ______ to get it.

A. sweetness

B. own

C. nothing

D. things

E. all

Câu hỏi 5: The job sounds wonderful but you have to remember that all that glitters is not

______ .

A. place

B. singing

C. systems

D. gold

E. out

Câu hỏi 6: John is completely lost in that job. He's all at ______ with that type of work.

A. work

B. rounder

C. jazz

D. hours

E. sea

Câu hỏi 7: The workers were very unhappy about the news. The union rep came to see me all

______ blazing.

A. right

B. eyes

C. guns

D. hours

E. sea

Câu hỏi 8: The neighbours have complained that we make too much noise at all ______ of the

day and night.

A. work

B. rounder

C. jazz

D. hours

E. told

Câu hỏi 9: Let's get started. All ______ go!

A. place

B. singing



C. systems

D. things

E. out

Câu hỏi 10: There were 123 people at the seminar, all ______ .

A. place

B. singing

C. systems

D. gold

E. Told

1. This lovely new dress fits like a......

A. glove B. gauntlet C. gown D. treat

2. Investors have taken........from the improving economic situation

A. consolation B. courage C. heart D. meaning

3. We at Buyrite throw down the......to competitors to match us for price, quality and service

A. gauntlet B. mitten C. sword D. hat

4. The designer refuses to gild the ....., prefering clean, simple lines for his creation

A. Lily B. flower C. rose D. daisy

5. For busy people in today's society, lifestyle management is gaining ..................

A. points B. speed C. terrain D. ground

6. The art teacher gave the children a free.....in their creative compositions

A.offer B. gift C. kick D. hand

Key:

1. Fit (sb) like a glove (of a coat, dress, etc.): be the perfect size or shape for sb

2. take heart from sth: feel more positive about sth, especially when you thought you had no

chance of achieving sth

3. Trow down the gauntlet: invite sb to compete with you, challenge sb

4. gild the lily: try to improve sth which is already perfect, and so spoil it.

5. gain ground: (of an idea, development, etc.): become more popular or successful



6. give sb a free hand:give sb permission or oppurtunity to do what they want in work, plans...

1.Debbie is the black .... of the family, having left home at 17 to live with her boyfriend

A. Pig B. Bird C. Sheep D. Dog

2. I didn't tell her to apologise. She did it of her own...

A. Accord B. Mind C. soul D. Heart

3. When you are famous, you and your family become .... property

A. Earth B. Public C. Danger D.Community

4. Many predictors think that the end of the world is at.....

A. Hand B. Leg C.Head D. Face

5. His behaviour was very rude. I was really at the end of my....

A. Rope B. Heart C.Knife D. Soul

6. The money my parents left me will .... in handy when i have a finâncil problem

A. Go B. Appear C. Come D. Bring

7. I've been on.... nine since i heard i had passed the exam

A. Happiness B. Sky C. Universe D. Cloud

8. We expect your son to pass the final exam with flying.....

A. Flag B. Color C. Symbol D. Medal

9. The escaped prisoner fought ...... before he was finally overpowered

A. Black and white B. Body and soul C. Dog and cat D. Tooth and nail

10. Thanks for sending me those flowers. They really made my ....

A. Day B. Light C. Happiness D. Hope

Key:

black sheep of the family: the worst member of the family

of one's own accord: by one's own choice, without coercion

public property: what everybody knows, public information



at hand: happening or present at this time = rất gần

at the end of one's rope: to have no patience or energy to tolerate something anymore

come in handy: (for St) to be useful.

be on cloud nine: to be very happy

with flying colors ( or colour ): if you pass something with flying colours (colors), you pass

easily, with a very high mark or grade.

tooth and nail: if someone will fight tooth and nail for something, they will not stop at anything

to get what they want =>chiến đấu ác liệt

make one's day = làm cho ai hạnh phúc to make SO happy or to be a source of satisfaction

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