2.When-and-how-are-idioms-used-?

sink like a stone

idiom (to quickly fail or be unsuccessful) = thất bại nhanh chóng, chìm nghỉm → His business idea ___ after just a few weeks.

prick one’s ears up

idiom (to suddenly listen carefully because you have heard something interesting) = vểnh tai lên, lắng nghe chăm chú → She ___ when she heard her name mentioned.

go up in the world

idiom (to become more successful, especially in your job) = lên hương, thành công hơn trước → Ever since he got that promotion, he really ___.

knock sth/sb into shape

idiom (to improve the condition or appearance of something, or someone's behaviour) = rèn giũa, đưa vào khuôn khổ → The new coach soon ___ the team ___.

domino effect

idiom (a situation in which one event causes a series of other events to happen) = hiệu ứng dây chuyền → The power cut had a ___ on the whole system.

run its course

idiom (to develop and finish naturally) = theo tiến trình tự nhiên → The flu will usually ___ in about a week.

lick your wounds

idiom (to spend time getting back your strength or happiness after a defeat or disappointment) = liếm vết thương, hồi phục sau thất bại → After the loss, the team went home to ___.

open the door to sth

idiom (to make something possible) = mở đường cho điều gì đó → This decision could ___ a whole new range of opportunities.

debt of honour

noun (a debt that you feel morally obliged to pay, even though it may not be legally enforceable) = món nợ danh dự → He promised to repay the money as it was a ___.

= món nợ danh dự (món nợ do lòng tự trọng hoặc lời hứa, không bắt buộc pháp lý)

knock it on the head

idiom (to stop doing something, or to prevent something from happening) = chấm dứt việc gì đó → We’d better ___ before it gets out of control.

(as) stiff/straight as a ramrod

idiom (standing or sitting with your back very straight and stiff) = thẳng đơ, cứng ngắc (về tư thế hoặc thái độ) → She sat ___ throughout the interview and barely moved.