IDIOMS

be like chalk and cheese

= completely different from each other

I don’t have anything in common with my brother. We are like chalk and cheese.

here and there

= everywhere

I have been looking here and there for the gift I bought for my girlfriend.

a hot potato

= a problem, situation, etc. that is difficult to deal with and causes a lot of disagreement (vấn đề nan giải)

The issue is a political hot potato in the United States.

at the drop of a hat

= immediately without stopping to think about it (ngay lập tức, không do dự)

The company can’t except me to move my home and family at the drop of a hat.

back to the drawing board

= back to the beginning of a process to start it again, because it is not working (bắt đầu lại từ đầu)

They rejected our proposal, so it’s back to the drawing board.

beat about the bush

= to avoid talking about what is important (nói vòng vo, không tập trung vào vấn đề chính)

Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.

be the best thing since sliced bread

= a good invention or innovation, a good idea or plan (ý tưởng hay, tốt)

Portable phones are marketed as the best thing since sliced bread; people think they are extremely good.

be caught between two stools

= when sb finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives (lưỡng lự, không biết lựa chọn cái nào)

I was caught between two stools when I had to choose which shirt to hang out with my girlfriend.

when pigs fly = pigs might fly

= said when you think that there is no chance at all of something happening (chuyện viển vông)

"I'll have finished it by tomorrow." "And pigs might fly!"

scratch someone’s back

= used to tell someone that if they help you, you will help them (giúp ai với mong muốn sau này họ sẽ giúp lại mình)

“You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours,” the customer said when we talked about the new sales contact.

hit the nail on the head

= to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem (nói trúng phóc, nói đúng tim đen, chính xác, chuẩn không cần chỉnh)

I think Mick hit the nail on the head when he said that what's lacking in this company is a feeling of confidence.