USE OF ENGLISH ADVANCED UNIT 9

a tall order

a particularly difficult task to complete or accomplish

by a whisker

by a very short distance

larger than life ->

If someone is larger than life, that person attracts a lot of attention because they are more exciting or interesting than most people

on the dot

exactly at the stated or expected time

a notch above

superior to; of a higher quality than field of study or business, social development, etc

ahead of the curve

at the forefront of or leading in something, such as a developing situation,

Before the wind"

trước cơn gió -> nghĩa là rất vội vàng, hấp tấp, chạy đua với gió để đi nhanh hơn.

Beyond (one's) depth"

(nước) quá sâu để bơi. Nghĩa bóng là vượt quá khả năng, hiểu biết của một người.

above (one's) bend

Exceeding one's knowledge or ability.

move the needle

to cause a noticeable change in something.

Beat the drum' (đánh trống liên hồi) for someone/something

là thu hút sự chú ý.

Tip the balance" hoặc "turn the balance/scales"

làm lệch cán cân -> nghĩa là quyết định cách giải quyết vấn đề (theo hướng có lợi cho một bên nhất định).

change (your) tack

to try a different method to deal with the same problem

ring the changes

to continually alter or change something

kicking the bucket

die

draw straws

To decide something by picking at random from straws of different lengths. The person who pulls the shortest straw is usually the one chosen for something, often an unpleasant task.

get/set/start the ball rolling

to begin an activity or process

tell sb a thing or two

to correct or confront someone about his, her, or their mistaken belief or incorrect point of view

tick (something) off on (one's) fingers

To enumerate or count down a list of things by touching one's fingers in succession as one states the items aloud

get your brain in gear ->

If you get your brain into gear, you make yourself start to think clearly so that you can deal with something.

pick (one's) moment

To thoughtfully and prudently decide the best moment to act. Sometimes used ironically to suggest the opposite.

get one's ducks in a row

to get everything well organized and under control

haul sb over the coals

to speak angrily to sb

pick up steam

to become gradually more powerful, active, etc

home truth

a true but unpleasant fact about yourself that another person tells you

Mind your Ps and Qs'

lịch sự, cư xử đúng mực hoặc cẩn trọng với việc sử dụng ngôn ngữ.

nuts and bolts

phần thiết yếu, quan trọng

a pie in the sky

something good that is unlikely to happen

green around the gills

to look ill, as if going to vomit

around the bend

mentally confused or unable to act in a reasonable way

off your trolley

behaving in an extremely unusual way or doing something very silly

To be in a fog

Không hiểu gì, hoàn toàn mù tịt

come down the pike

to happen; to become easy to notice

carrying the day

giành được thắng lợi, chiến thắng

Arrive/ come on the scene (of something)"

đến, xuất hiện (tại hiện trường hoặc địa điểm nào đó).

drift with the tide

to agree with other people and not make your own decisions

stem the tide

stop something from increasing or continuing

"Beat the air"

Đập không khí -> Làm điều vô ích, phí công.

hang/hold fire

to delay making a decision

Step off the curb"

bước ra khỏi lề đường -> nghĩa là chết (ngụ ý từ lề đường lao vào đầu xe

pitched battle (n)

a fight that involves a large number of people