english idioms advanced in use unit 18: PARTS OF THE BODY

bury/hide your head in the sand

to refuse to think about unpleasant facts, although they will have an influence on your situation:

You've got to face facts here - you can't just _.

be more to this than meets the eye

If there is ~, it is more difficult to understand or involves more things than you thought at the beginning.

→ Tức là nhìn vậy mà không hẳn là vậy

Don’t blindly trust everything you heard. There’s always _.

go to your head

If something that you have achieved ~, it makes you too proud:

Fame and fortune had _.

lose face

to be less respected or look stupid because of something you have done

• Many leaders don't want to _ by admitting failures.

be/stand head and shoulders above somebody/something

​to be much better than other people or things

• His performance stood _ the rest.

one in the eye (for somebody/something)

1. ​(informal) a result, action, etc. that is disappointing or a defeat for somebody/something

   • The appointment of a woman was _ male domination.

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 _.

get your tongue around/round something

1. ​to pronounce a difficult word correctly

   • He was having trouble _ my name.

teething problems

[plural]

1. ​small problems that a company, product, system, etc. has at the beginning

   • Despite a few _, the car has been a great success.

get your teeth into something

1. ​(informal) to put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into something that is difficult enough to keep you interested

   • Choose an essay topic that you can really _.

→ giải quyết cái gì, tập trung vào cái gì

face-saving

[only before noun]

1. ​intended to protect somebody’s reputation and to avoid making them feel embarrassed

   • a _ compromise

someone's face doesn't fit

​(British English) used to say that somebody will/will not get a particular job or position because they have/do not have the appearance, personality, etc. that the employer wants, even when this should not be important

• If your _, you'll get the job.

• It doesn't matter how well qualified you are; if your _, you don't stand a chance.

give your right arm for something/to do something

1. ​(informal) used to say that somebody is willing to give up a lot in order to have or do something that they really want

   • I'd have _ to have been there with them.

tread on somebody’s toes

(informal) to offend or annoy somebody, especially by getting involved in something that is their responsibility

• I don’t want to _ so I’ll keep quiet.

point a/the finger (at somebody)

​to accuse somebody of doing something

• The article _ accusing _ the authorities.

make one's toes curl

informal

to cause one to have a very strong and usually unpleasant feeling (such as a feeling of being embarrassed, annoyed, etc.)

Just thinking about my old boyfriend _.

have/keep your finger on the pulse (of something)

to be/stay familiar with the most recent changes or improvements:

The situation changes daily, so you need to _.