Sentence Transformation Structures for English 10 (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering common sentence transformation structures from the notes.

Throw in the sponge / Throw in the towel

To give up; to quit trying. Simple Example: After failing multiple times, he finally gave up. Usage Example: After repeated failures, he THREW IN THE SPONGE. (Sau nhiều lần thất bại, anh ấy ĐẦU HÀNG/BỎ CUỘC.)

Common Collocations:

→ throw in the sponge after several attempts

→ refuse to throw in the sponge

Synonyms: give up, surrender, admit defeat, throw in the towel.

Concerted effort

Determined, coordinated attempt by multiple people. Simple Example: The whole team worked together to meet the deadline. Usage Example: The project was completed through a CONCERTED EFFORT. (Dự án được hoàn thành nhờ NỖ LỰC PHỐI HỢP CHUNG của cả nhóm.)

Common Collocations:

→ make a concerted effort to V

→ require a concerted effort from everyone

Synonyms: joint effort, collective action, coordinated attempt.

Encounter difficulties

To experience problems or obstacles. Simple Example: We faced several problems during the construction. Usage Example: We ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES during the construction. (Chúng tôi GẶP KHÓ KHĂN trong quá trình xây dựng.)

Common Collocations:

→ encounter unexpected difficulties

→ encounter difficulties in doing sth

Synonyms: face difficulties, run into trouble, come across problems.

Highly efficient

Doing something in a well-organized and productive way. Simple Example: She finishes tasks quickly and accurately. Usage Example: She is HIGHLY EFFICIENT at completing tasks. (Cô ấy RẤT HIỆU QUẢ/HIỆU SUẤT CAO/NĂNG SUẤT trong việc hoàn thành công việc.)

Common Collocations:

→ highly efficient system/staff/process

→ highly efficient use of time/resources

Synonyms: productive, well-organized, effective.

Till the pips squeak

To exert pressure on someone until they are completely exhausted or broken. Simple Example: The tax increase was so severe it pushed small businesses to the limit. Usage Example: The government taxed small businesses TILL THE PIPS SQUEAK. (Chính phủ ÁP THUẾ NẶNG ĐẾN MỨC KHÔNG CHỊU NỔI đối với các doanh nghiệp nhỏ.)

Common Collocations:

→ tax/fine/squeeze sb till the pips squeak

→ work someone till the pips squeak

Synonyms: push to the limit, squeeze every last drop, overburden.

Par for the course

Normal, expected behavior, especially when it's disappointing. Simple Example: Delays are expected in projects like this. Usage Example: Delays are just PAR FOR THE COURSE in projects like this. (Những sự chậm trễ như vậy LÀ CHUYỆN THƯỜNG TÌNH trong các dự án như thế này.)

Common Collocations:

→ mistakes are par for the course in this job

→ frustration is par for the course in learning a new skill

Synonyms: normal, to be expected, nothing out of the ordinary.

Parrot fashion

Learning or repeating something word for word without understanding it. Simple Example: He memorized the speech without understanding it. Usage Example: He learned the speech PARROT FASHION. (Anh ta học bài phát biểu MỘT CÁCH HỌC VẸT, không hiểu gì cả.)

Common Collocations:

→ repeat/recite/learn parrot fashion

→ students are taught parrot fashion

Synonyms: rote learning, mechanical memorization, repeat mindlessly.

Vacuum up

To quickly and aggressively collect or acquire something, often excessively. Simple Example: The company collected vast amounts of user data. Usage Example: The company VACUUMED UP huge amounts of user data. (Công ty THU THẬP HẾT lượng dữ liệu người dùng khổng lồ.)

Common Collocations:

→ vacuum up data/resources/information

→ vacuum up everything in sight

Synonyms: hoover up, sweep up, absorb massively.

Fiddle about / Fiddle around

To waste time or handle things aimlessly without doing anything productive. Simple Example: Stop wasting time and start your homework! Usage Example: Stop FIDDLING AROUND and do your homework! (Đừng LÔNG NHÔNG MẤT THỜI GIAN nữa, bắt đầu làm bài tập đi!)

Common Collocations:

→ fiddle around with your phone

→ stop fiddling about and get to work

Synonyms: mess around, tinker, dawdle.

Geek out

To show excessive excitement or enthusiasm, especially about something technical or niche. Simple Example: He got overly excited talking about his favorite video game. Usage Example: He totally GEEKED OUT over his favorite video game. (Anh ấy PHẤN KHÍCH TỘT ĐỘ / HỒI HỘP khi nói về trò chơi yêu thích của mình.)

Common Collocations:

→ geek out over a movie/game/topic

→ start geeking out about tech stuff

Synonyms: freak out (positively), nerd out, gush over.

Hill of beans

Something of little or no value or importance. Simple Example: All his promises meant nothing in the end. Usage Example: His promises didn't amount to a HILL OF BEANS. (Những lời hứa của anh ta CHẲNG CÓ GIÁ TRỊ GÌ cả.)

Common Collocations:

→ not worth a hill of beans

→ doesn't amount to a hill of beans

Synonyms: worthless, insignificant, trivial.

Hit rock bottom

To reach the lowest possible point emotionally, financially, or situationally. Simple Example: He lost everything and was emotionally broken. Usage Example: He HIT ROCK BOTTOM. (Anh ấy CHẠM ĐÁY CỦA CUỘC ĐỜI.)

Common Collocations:

→ emotionally/financially hit rock bottom

→ after losing his job, he hit rock bottom

Synonyms: reach the lowest point, be at one's worst, fall apart.

Similar pattern

A recurring or matching trend or structure. Simple Example: This year’s sales follow the same trend as last year. Usage Example: This year’s sales show a SIMILAR PATTERN to last year’s. (Doanh số năm nay THEO MỘT MÔ HÌNH TƯƠNG TỰ năm trước.)

Common Collocations:

→ similar pattern of behavior/growth

→ follow a similar pattern

Synonyms: parallel trend, matching structure, same tendency.

Pose (a) challenge

To create a difficult or problematic situation. Simple Example: This task is very difficult for beginners. Usage Example: This task POSES A CHALLENGE for beginners. (Nhiệm vụ này LÀ MỘT THỬ THÁCH đối với người mới bắt đầu.)

Common Collocations:

→ pose a serious/significant challenge

→ pose challenges to/for learners

Synonyms: present a difficulty, create an obstacle, be a challenge.

Preferential treatment

Being treated better than others, usually unfairly. Simple Example: He was treated better than the others. Usage Example: He received PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. (Anh ta được ĐỐI XỬ ƯU TIÊN HƠN những người khác.)

Common Collocations:

→ give/receive preferential treatment

→ accused of showing preferential treatment

Synonyms: special favor, favoritism, biased treatment.

Off the cuff

Without preparation or planning. Simple Example: He made an unprepared remark during the meeting. Usage Example: He made an OFF-THE-CUFF remark. (Anh ấy NÓI TÙY HỨNG / BỘC PHÁT trong cuộc họp.)

Common Collocations:

→ off-the-cuff comment/remark/speech

→ say sth off the cuff

Synonyms: improvised, spontaneous, unprepared.

Off the grid

Not connected to basic services (like electricity/internet) or outside the system. Simple Example: He lives in a remote area without electricity or internet. Usage Example: He lives OFF THE GRID. (Anh ta sống HOÀN TOÀN TÁCH BIỆT VỚI CÔNG NGHỆ/HỆ THỐNG.)

Common Collocations:

→ live/go off the grid

→ stay off the grid temporarily

Synonyms: disconnected, unplugged, self-sufficient.

Veg out

To relax completely and do nothing productive. Simple Example: He spent the whole weekend doing absolutely nothing. Usage Example: He just VEGGED OUT all weekend. (Anh ta NẰM ƠN / THẢ LỎNG HOÀN TOÀN suốt cuối tuần.)

Common Collocations:

→ veg out in front of the TV

→ just veg out after a long day

Synonyms: chill out, relax, unwind, do nothing.

Palm off

To trick someone into accepting something inferior or fake. Simple Example: He tricked me into buying a fake watch. Usage Example: He PALMED OFF a fake watch on me. (Anh ta LỪA TÔI MUA PHẢI HÀNG GIẢ.)

Common Collocations:

→ palm off fake goods/a lie/a second-hand item

→ try to palm off something useless as new

Synonyms: pass off, con, deceive, fob off.

Cock and bull story

An obviously untrue and ridiculous excuse or explanation. Simple Example: He gave a ridiculous excuse for being late. Usage Example: He made up a COCK AND BULL STORY about why he was late. (Anh ta BỊA MỘT CÂU CHUYỆN HOANG ĐƯỜNG để giải thích vì sao đến muộn.)

Common Collocations:

→ come up with/invent/tell a cock and bull story

→ it sounds like a cock and bull story

Synonyms: made-up excuse, tall tale, lie, fabrication.

Life of the party

Someone who is lively, fun, and makes a social event enjoyable. Simple Example: He always brings energy and fun to every gathering. Usage Example: He’s the LIFE OF THE PARTY. (Anh ấy luôn là TÂM ĐIỂM CỦA MỌI BUỔI TIỆC.)

Common Collocations:

→ become the life of the party

→ she’s always the life of the party

Synonyms: center of attention, crowd pleaser, entertainer.

Have a change of heart

To change one’s opinion or decision, especially to a more positive or forgiving one. Simple Example: Initially, she didn’t want to go, but she changed her mind later. Usage Example: She HAD A CHANGE OF HEART and decided to go. (Ban đầu cô ấy không muốn đi, nhưng rồi ĐỔI Ý và quyết định tham gia.)

Common Collocations:

→ have a sudden/last-minute change of heart

→ after thinking it over, he had a change of heart

Synonyms: reconsider, change one’s mind, think differently.

Double down on something

To strengthen or increase commitment to an idea or course of action, especially despite challenges. Simple Example: Despite criticism, the company increased its investment. Usage Example: The company DOUBLED DOWN ON its investment plan. (Bất chấp chỉ trích, công ty vẫn TĂNG CƯỜNG CAM KẾT với kế hoạch đầu tư.)

Common Collocations:

→ double down on strategy/effort/spending/policy

→ he doubled down on his controversial views

Synonyms: intensify, reinforce, commit further.

Take it amiss

To be offended or upset by something that wasn’t meant to be. Simple Example: Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. Usage Example: Please don’t TAKE IT AMISS. (Làm ơn đừng HIỂU LẦM / PHẬT Ý vì lời tôi nói nhé.)

Common Collocations:

→ don’t take it amiss if I say…

→ he took her silence amiss

Synonyms: take offense, misinterpret, take the wrong way.

Part with

To give away or let go of something reluctantly. Simple Example: He was very reluctant to sell his car. Usage Example: He didn’t want to PART WITH his car. (Anh ta không muốn CHIA TAY / BÁN / NHƯỢNG LẠI chiếc xe của mình.)

Common Collocations:

→ part with money/possessions/sentimental items

→ unwilling to part with sth

Synonyms: give up, let go of, hand over, dispose of.