Unit 8 - Leisure Time

A leisure pursuit

Gardening has become a popular leisure pursuit for many people who want to relax and connect with nature.

một sở thích

To consider myself

I consider myself a creative person who enjoys writing stories and painting in my free time.

tự thấy bản thân là một người…

to have a great interest in

She has a great interest in photography and spends hours capturing beautiful moments around her city.

có đam mê mãnh liệt với…

to have a soft spot for sb/sth

I’ve always had a soft spot for animals, especially stray cats—I just can’t walk past them without stopping.

rất yêu thích, say đắm ai/thứ gì

stray = đi lạc

to have a crack at sth

Although I’ve never tried baking before, I’d love to have a crack at making my own birthday cake.

rất muốn thử làm (gì đó)

Grammar: Although X, (nhưng) Y

to recharge my batteries (idiom)

After a stressful week at work, I went hiking in the mountains to recharge my batteries.

nghỉ ngơi và nạp lại năng lượng

to blow off some steam (idiom)

He went to the gym after work to blow off some steam and clear his mind.

giải tỏa căng thẳng

up to my ears in (idiom)

This week I’m up to my ears in deadlines and meetings—I barely have time to eat lunch.

rất bận rộn / ngậm trong / vùi đầu vào

barely = hầu như không

a perennial favorite

Ice cream is a perennial favorite, especially during the summer months.

một thứ được yêu thích từ lâu

an avid reader

My sister is an avid reader who finishes at least three novels every week.

người thích / ham đọc sách

a page-turner

The Harry Potter book was such a page-turner that I stayed up all night to finish it.

một quyển sách hồi hộp, lôi cuốn

a true box office hit (collocation)

The new superhero movie turned out to be a true box office hit, earning millions in just a few days.

một bộ phim thành công về doanh thu

turned out = hóa ra

to depict an unimaginable aspect

The documentary depicts an unimaginable aspect of life in war zones that most people never see.

khắc họa một khía cạnh khó tưởng tượng

to trigger the love for

Watching that animated film as a child triggered my love for drawing and storytelling.

khơi dậy niềm yêu thích (một thứ gì đó)

engrossed in sth (C2)

He was completely engrossed in scrolling through TikTok videos and forgot to finish his homework.

bị mải mê, cuốn vào something (paraphase cho addict = nghiệm)

from cover to cover (idiom, việc đọc)

I found the book so fascinating that I read it from cover to cover in just one sitting.

(chỉ áp dụng cho “việc đọc“) từ đầu đến cuối