CT OLYMPIC 2023

in a holding pattern

temporarily unable to act because you are waiting for something to happen or be decided

e.g: We're … while we wait for City Council approval.

get another bite at the cherry

give another opportunity to do something

e.g: He missed a medal in the 100 metres, but will … in the 400 metres.

rites of passage

official ceremony or informal activity that marks an important stage or occasion in a person's life, especially becoming an adult

• e.g: Graduation is often seen as one of the most important rites of passage in a young person’s life

Overplay one’s hand

quá tự tin vào sức mạnh, lợi thế của mình đến mức phản tác dụng.

e.g: He … in the negotiation and ended up losing the deal.

par for the course

what should be expected because of past experience:
e.g: Criticism is … when you’re in politics.

spick and span

sạch sẽ không tì vết
The kitchen was … after she cleaned it.

toe the line

to do what you are expected to do without causing trouble for anyone:
e.g: Even though she disagreed with the new policy, she decided to … to avoid conflict with management

become second nature

trở thành một thói quen

After months of practice, driving has … to her.

have free rein

the freedom to do, say, or feel what you want:
The new manager was … to reorganize the department.

it’s blindingly obvious that

nó cực kì rõ ràng rằng

heedless of sth

not giving attention to a risk or possible difficulty:

be/get in with (a chance)

phr V

có cơ hội có được

insatiable (appetite)

(a) (khẩu vị) không thể thoả mãn

myopic

synonym: narrow-minded

(a) MEDICAL   specialized

not able to see clearly things that are far away
disapproving

unable to understand a situation or the way actions will affect it in the future:
e.g: Their … refusal to act now will undoubtedly cause problems in the future

be infused with

được thêm thắt với

a welcome respite

a pause or rest from something difficult or unpleasant:
a useful delay before something unpleasant happens:
e.g: We worked for hours without …her teacher was away, so they had a day's … before their essays were due.

run-of-the-mill

ordinary, average, or not special in any way

• The restaurant was okay, but the food was just … (đồ ăn chán)

by all accounts

theo thông tin thu thập được

• e.g: She is, …, the best candidate for the position.

get the hang of

to learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple

I’m trying to … driving a car

shooting pains (backache)

cơn đau dữ dội (thuộc về lưng)
e.g: I sometimes get … down my lower back.

be bought off

bị mua chuộc
The journalist was allegedly … to stop investigating the scandal.

honest to a fault

thành thật đối với việc sai

sealed off

bị phong toả

Beaches were … as police searched for canisters of toxic waste from the damaged ship

be a sore point for sb

là một vết thương lòng của ai
e.g: His failure in the NEC exam is … for him.

come to a head

(phr)

= come to an end
The conflict between the two countries … last year.

devious

• adj

• xảo trá (people or plans and methods are dishonest, often in a complicated way, but often also clever and successful)

• quanh co, lòng vòng (not direct, indirect ways to get what you want, esp. without showing your real purpose)

e.g: On the return trip, we cut straight across the meadows rather than take tho more …. path along the river

worth its sail

có giá trị

e.g: Any library …. has a variety of both print and digital encyclopedias (bách khoa)

a stitch in time saves nine

= Nip it in the bud
solving problems early before they grow
diệt sớm trừ hậu hoạ

on tenterhooks

worried or nervous about something that is going to happen
e.g: We were on … all morning waiting for the phone to ring

pin one’s hope on sth

hope very much that something or someone will help you to achieve what you want

e.g: He had on winning the championship game, but unfortunately, his team lost in the final minutes of the match

define sth to be sth

xác minh cái gì là cái gì

abound in/with sth

(v) exist in large numbers
The city … opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

bug sb

to annoy or worry someone
don’t … me! I’m not in your mood of any of your nonsense