[11CA3] Phrases to remember - Cô Trinh

A bone of contention

Vấn đề gây tranh cãi (thứ mà mọi người cãi nhau hoài không thôi) - a subject of disagreement. Ex: The decision to build a new road became a bone of contention among residents.

A cut above somebody/something

Ở một đẳng cấp khác (tốt hơn hẳn những người/vật khác) - better than others. Ex: Her performance was clearly a cut above the rest.

A dark horse

Nhân tố bí ẩn (người có năng lực tiềm ẩn, gây bất ngờ khi thành công) - a person whose ability is hidden or unexpected. Ex: He turned out to be a dark horse and won the race easily.

A grain of truth

Một chút sự thật (thường dùng khi nói về một câu chuyện phóng đại) - a small amount of truth. Ex: Even though the story sounded exaggerated, there was a grain of truth in what he said.

A stroke of luck

Sự may mắn bất ngờ (tự nhiên ập đến đúng lúc) - something lucky that happens suddenly. Ex: It was a stroke of luck that she found her lost wallet just before leaving the airport.

A surge of excitement

Một sự phấn khích trào dâng (cảm giác vui sướng đột ngột) - a sudden increase in excitement. Ex: A surge of excitement spread through the crowd as the team scored.

Apply oneself to something

Chuyên tâm, dốc sức vào việc gì đó (làm việc cực kỳ chăm chỉ) - to work hard on something. Ex: If you apply yourself to your studies this term, you will see a big improvement.

Armed to the teeth

Trang bị tận răng (mang theo rất nhiều vũ khí hoặc đồ dùng cần thiết) - carrying many weapons. Ex: The soldiers entered the area armed to the teeth.

As easy as falling off a log

Dễ như trở bàn tay (cực kỳ đơn giản) - very easy. Ex: Solving these questions is as easy as falling off a log.

As steady as a rock

Vững như bàn thạch (rất ổn định, đáng tin cậy) - very stable and reliable. Ex: Even in difficult times, she remained as steady as a rock.

Ask a favor of somebody

Nhờ vả ai đó (yêu cầu sự giúp đỡ) - to request help. Ex: I'd like to ask a favor of you - could you help me finish this report?

Be a tall order

Một yêu cầu khó nhằn (nhiệm vụ rất khó để thực hiện) - something very difficult to do. Ex: Completing such a complex project in only two days is a tall order.

Be absorbed in something

Mải mê, đắm chìm vào việc gì đó (tập trung cao độ) - very focused on something. Ex: He was so absorbed in his work that he didn't notice how late it had become.

Be all ears

Lắng nghe chăm chú (đang rất sẵn sàng để nghe) - ready to listen carefully. Ex: Tell me everything - I'm all ears and ready to help if I can.

Be all the rage

Đang làm mưa làm gió (rất thịnh hành, phổ biến) - very popular. Ex: That new café is all the rage, and people are lining up outside every day.

Be at the end of your rope/tether

Kiệt sức, hết kiên nhẫn (không còn sức chịu đựng nữa) - to have no patience left. Ex: After weeks of stress, she felt she was at the end of her rope.

Be deluged with something

Bị quá tải, ngập trong thứ gì đó (nhận được quá nhiều thứ cùng lúc) - to receive too much of something. Ex: The company was deluged with phone calls from customers.

Be engrossed in something

Say mê, mải miết (cực kỳ hứng thú với cái gì đó) - deeply interested. Ex: She was completely engrossed in the movie and didn't hear her phone ring.

Be going great guns

Tiến triển cực tốt (đang làm ăn phát đạt hoặc rất thành công) - doing very well. Ex: His new business is going great guns and attracting many customers.

Be obsessed with something

Ám ảnh bởi thứ gì đó (nghĩ về nó quá nhiều) - think about something too much. Ex: He is obsessed with winning, and he spends all his free time practicing.

Be resigned to something

Cam chịu, chấp nhận điều gì đó không mong muốn - accept something unpleasant. Ex: She resigned herself to the fact that she would have to wait longer for the results.

Be skating/walking on thin ice

Làm việc mạo hiểm (đang gặp rủi ro lớn) - taking a risk. Ex: You're walking on thin ice by ignoring your manager's instructions repeatedly.

Be subjected to something

Phải chịu đựng cái gì đó (thường là hoàn cảnh khó khăn) - to experience something unpleasant. Ex: The prisoners were subjected to harsh conditions.

Be/work to one's advantage

Có lợi cho ai đó (tạo ra lợi thế) - to be beneficial. Ex: Speaking several languages will work to your advantage when applying for jobs.

Bring down the curtain on something

Kết thúc, hạ màn (chấm dứt một sự kiện hoặc giai đoạn) - to end something. Ex: The final match brought down the curtain on a very exciting tournament.

Bring somebody to heel

Bắt ai đó phải phục tùng (ép họ phải vâng lời) - to make someone obey. Ex: The teacher quickly brought the noisy class to heel and restored order.

Bring something to a head

Đẩy sự việc đến cao trào (khiến tình hình đạt đến mức căng thẳng) - to make a situation reach a critical point. Ex: The disagreement was brought to a head during the meeting.

Call somebody/something to order

Yêu cầu giữ trật tự (đòi hỏi mọi người phải cư xử đúng mực) - to demand proper behavior. Ex: The chairman called the meeting to order when people started arguing loudly.