english idioms in use inter (47-55)
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128 Terms
have something on the brain
(informal) to think about something all the time, especially in a way that is annoying
She's _ football _.
pick someone's brains
to ask someone who knows a lot about a subject for information or their opinion:
I was _ Simon's _ about which computer to buy.
brain drain
the situation in which large numbers of educated and very skilled people leave their own country to live and work in another one where pay and conditions are better:
Britain has suffered a huge _ in recent years.
a load/weight off your mind
an occasion when a problem that has been worrying you stops or is dealt with:
I'm so relieved that I don't have to make a speech - it's such a _!
have/keep an open mind (about/on something)
to be willing to listen to or accept new ideas or suggestions
Try to _ until you've heard all the facts.
have a mind of its own
A machine or other object can be said to ~ if it seems to be controlling the way it behaves or moves, independently of the person using it:
This shopping trolley _.
make up your mind
to decide something
They're both beautiful—I can't _.
Have you _s where to go for your honeymoon?
put/set somebody’s mind at ease/rest
to stop someone from worrying about something:
Chris phoned to say they'd arrived safely, so that really _.
at/in the back of your mind
If something is ~, you intend to do it, but are not actively thinking about it:
It's been _ to call José for several days now, but I haven't got round to it yet.
_ was a small, warning voice, telling me it was wrong.
The problem was always _.
~ trong thâm tâm, trong đáy lòng
your mind’s eye
your imagination
He pictured the scene in _.
blood and guts
extreme violence:
There was too much _ in the movie for my liking.
in cold blood
acting in a way that is deliberately cruel
to kill somebody _
cold-blooded
(of people and their actions) showing no feelings or sympathy for other people
a _ killer
_ murder
like getting blood out of/from a stone
almost impossible to obtain
Getting an apology from him was _.
~ không thể đạt được
gut feeling/reaction
a strong belief about someone or something that cannot completely be explained and does not have to be decided by reasoning:
I have a _ that the relationship won't last.
My _ is that the event will go badly.
slog/sweat/work your guts out
(informal) to work very hard to achieve something
I _ for the exam.
pour out/open your heart to somebody
to tell somebody all your problems, feelings, etc.
Finally, he broke down in tears and _ to her.
bare your heart/soul
to tell someone your secret thoughts and feelings:
We don't know each other that well. I certainly wouldn't _ to her.
somebody’s heart misses/skips a beat
used to say that somebody has a sudden feeling of fear, excitement, etc.
My heart _ when I saw who it was.
her/his heart is in the right place
used to say that someone has good intentions:
He's an odd man but _.
a change of heart
if you have ~, your attitude towards something changes, usually making you feel more friendly, helpful, etc.
Dan did not want to get married but recently he’s had _.
She said she's not coming, but she might have _.
break somebody’s heart
to make somebody feel very unhappy
She _ when she called off the engagement.
It _ to see you like this.
somebody’s heart sinks
used to say that somebody suddenly feels sad or depressed about something
_ when I saw how much work there was left.
She watched him go with a _.
a man/woman after your own heart
having the same opinions or interests as you:
She's _.
heart-to-heart
[usually singular]
a conversation in which two people talk honestly about their feelings and personal problems
to have a _ with somebody
take something to heart
to be very upset by something that somebody says or does
You shouldn’t _ everything he says _.
to your heart’s content
as much as you want
a supervised play area where children can run around _
You've got a whole week to yourself and you can read _.
lose heart
to stop believing that you can succeed:
Don't _, there'll be plenty more chances for promotion.
put your heart and soul into something
to make a lot of effort to do something:
She _ into her work.
set your heart on something | have your heart set on something
to want something very much
They’ve _ a house in the country.
(off) by heart
using only your memory
I've seen the show so often I know all the songs _.
She's learnt the whole speech off _.
play it by ear
(informal) to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops rather than by having a plan to follow
I’m not sure how many people are expected—we’ll just have to _.
play (something) by ear
to play music by remembering how it sounds rather than by reading it
She usually _s the guitar _, rather than reading the music.
not believe your ears
(informal) to be very surprised at something you hear
I couldn't _ when I heard the news.
She actually apologized. I couldn't _!
go in one ear and out the other
(informal) (of information, etc.) to be forgotten quickly
Everything I tell them just _.
I knew that my words were _.
fall on deaf ears
to be ignored or not noticed by other people
Her advice _.
be all ears
(informal) to be waiting with interest to hear what somebody has to say
‘Do you know what he said?’ ‘Go on—I'm _.’
pay lip service to
to show respect to, or approval of, in word only, without sincerely feeling it
lời nói đãi bôi
Politicians tend to _ environmental issues without actually doing anything about them.
my lips are sealed
said when you are promising to keep a secret:
"Oh and please don't tell him you saw me here." "Don't worry. _."
by word of mouth
because people tell each other and not because they read about it
The news spread _.
The restaurant does not advertise, but relies on _ for custom.
mouth-watering
food looks or smells so good that you want to eat it immediately
synonym tempting
a _ display of cakes
(figurative) _ travel brochures
make someone's mouth water
If the smell or sight of food ~, it makes you want to eat it:
The smell of that bacon cooking is _.
poke/stick your nose into something
(informal) to try to become involved in something that should not involve you
He’s always _ other people’s business.
turn your nose up at something
(informal) to refuse something, especially because you do not think that it is good enough for you
The children _ almost everything I cook.
get up someone's nose
to annoy someone:
People who drive like that really _.
in the teeth of something
despite problems, opposition, etc.
The new policy was adopted _ fierce criticism.
in the direction that a strong wind is coming from
They crossed the bay _ a howling gale.
by the skin of your teeth
(informal) if you do something ~, you only just manage to do it
He escaped defeat _.
grit your teeth
to bite your teeth tightly together
She _ against the pain.
‘Stop it!’ he said through _.
to be determined to continue to do something in a difficult or unpleasant situation
It started to rain harder, but we _ and carried on.
lie through your teeth
(informal) to say something that is not true at all
The witness was clearly _.
bite your tongue
to stop yourself from saying something that might upset somebody or cause an argument, although you want to speak
I didn't believe her explanation but I _.
on the tip of your tongue
about to be said if you can remember it:
I know her - her name is _, but it won't come to me.
someone's heart is in their mouth
somebody feels nervous or frightened about something
_ as I opened the envelope.
Slowly, he began to edge away from the battle, _.
_ but he walked on bravely.
have a word in somebody’s ear
(British English) to speak to somebody privately about something
Can I _ about tomorrow's presentation?
live (from) hand to mouth
to have just enough money to live on and nothing extra:
My father earned very little and there were four kids, so we _.
foam at the mouth
(especially of an animal) to have a mass of small bubbles in and around its mouth, especially because it is sick or angry
The dog started _.
(informal) (of a person) to be very angry
pull/make faces/a face (at somebody)
to produce an expression on your face to show that you do not like somebody/something or in order to make somebody laugh
What are you _ at now?
Do you think it’s funny to _ behind my back?
keep a straight face
to manage to stop yourself from smiling or laughing:
She tried to _ but, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter.
put on a brave face
to behave as if a problem is not important or does not worry you:
She seems all right but I think she's just _.
take something at face value
to accept something as it appears to be rather than studying it more closely:
I _ the offer _. I didn't think they might be trying to trick me.
_, the figures look very encouraging.
You shouldn't _ anything she says _.
on the face of it
used to say that something seems to be good, true, etc. but that this opinion may need to be changed when you know more about it
_, it seems like a great deal.
What may, _, seem obvious often turns out to be far more complicated.
keep your hair on
said to tell someone to stop being so angry or upset:
_! Your car isn't badly damaged!
SYN Keep your shirt on, keep a lid on something
tear your hair (out)
(informal) to show that you are very angry or anxious about something
She's keeping very calm—anyone else would be _.
I felt like _ in frustration.
~ vò đầu bứt tóc
not turn a hair
to show no surprise, shock, etc. when something unusual or unexpected happens
She listened to his confession without _.
be at each other’s throats
(informal) (of two or more people, groups, etc.) to be fighting or arguing with each other
Those two are always _.
make a clean breast of something
to tell the truth about something so that you no longer feel guilty
He _ everything and admitted taking the money.
breathe down somebody’s neck
(informal) to watch closely what somebody is doing in a way that makes them feel anxious and/or annoyed
I can’t get any work done with you _.
It's awful having a boss who _ all the time.
~ theo dõi sát một người khiến người đó khó chịu
a pain (in the neck)
someone or something that is very annoying:
That child is a real _.
get something off your chest
to talk about something that has been worrying you for a long time so that you feel less anxious
Why not tell her how you feel? It might do you good to _.
ram something down someone's throat
to force someone who disagrees with you to listen to your opinions:
For years I've had his political views _.
The new policy was _ the employees’ _, and many were unhappy about it.
give somebody the cold shoulder
If you give someone or something ~, you intentionally ignore them or show no interest in them:
She was so upset that she _ for the whole weekend.
Investors have been _ the company _ for some time.
have a bone to pick with somebody
to want to talk to someone about something annoying they have done:
I _ you - you've been using my shaver again.
feel it in your bones
to believe something strongly although you cannot explain why:
It's going to be a good summer - I can _.
a bone of contention
a subject that causes people to disagree
Where to go on holiday is always _ in our family.
the bare bones (of something)
the most important facts about something, to which more detail might be added later:
_ of the story
I don't need all the details - just give me _.
have a chip on your shoulder (about something)
(informal) to be sensitive about something that happened in the past and become easily offended if it is mentioned because you think that you were treated unfairly
He _ about not being chosen for the team.
a shoulder to cry on
used to describe a person who listens to your problems and gives you sympathy
He was a fatherly _ when things went wrong.
shoulder to shoulder (with somebody)
physically close to somebody
The large crowd _in the stands.
The route of the procession was lined with police officers _.
as one group that has the same aims, opinions, etc.
give somebody the cold shoulder
If you ~, you intentionally ignore them or show no interest in them:
She was so upset that she _ for the whole weekend.
Investors have been _ the company _ for some time.
twist someone's arm
to persuade someone to do something they do not want to do:
I didn't want to go but Linda _.
keep somebody at arm’s length
to avoid having a close relationship with somebody
He _ all his clients _.
She _ him _ for months.
pull someone's leg
to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke:
Is it really your car or are you _?
not have a leg to stand on
(informal) to be in a position where you are unable to prove something or explain why something is reasonable
Without written evidence, we _.
keep your head | keep a clear/cool head
to remain calm in a difficult situation
She needed to _ if she was to remain in control.
lose your head
to become unable to act in a calm or sensible way
When it comes to Maths, I suddenly _!
laugh your head off
(informal) to laugh very loudly and for a long time
be banging your head against a brick wall
to do, say, or ask for something repeatedly but to be unable to change a situation:
I keep asking her not to park there, but it's like _.
Trying to reason with them was like _.
~ húc đầu vào tường, biết là vô ích mà cứ cố gắng
bring something to a head | come to a head
if you ~ a situation ~ or if a situation ~, you are forced to deal with it quickly because it suddenly becomes very bad
The chairman's resignation finally _ matters _.
The dispute finally _ in March that year.
~ đến lúc gay go, đến lúc quyết định
give somebody ideas | put ideas into somebody’s head
to give somebody hopes about something that may not be possible or likely; to make somebody act or think in an unreasonable way
Who's been _?
Don't go _. We can't afford a new car.
can't get your head around sth
If you say that you ~, you mean that you cannot understand it:
I just _ these tax forms.
off the top of your head
(informal) just guessing or using your memory, without taking time to think carefully or check the facts
I can't remember the name _, but I can look it up for you.
turn somebody’s head
(of success, praise, etc.) to make a person feel too proud in a way that other people find annoying
Success has never _ - she's still the same simple unaffected girl she always was.
knock something on the head
(British English, informal) to stop something from happening; to stop doing something
The recession _ any idea of expanding the company.
By eleven o’clock we were all tired so we _ it _.
keep your head above water
to deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which you have financial problems, and just manage to survive
I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to _.
The business is in trouble, but we are just about _.
bite someone's head off
to speak to someone in a quick, angry way, for no good reason:
I only asked if I could help - there's no need to _!
keep your head down
to avoid trouble:
He's in a bad mood today - I'm just _.
be/stand head and shoulders above somebody/something
to be much better than other people or things
His performance _ the rest.
off-colour
slightly ill:
I'm feeling a bit o___-c____ today.
