Comprehensive Study Guide for English Idioms, Phrases, and Vocabulary

Idiomatic Expressions and Common Phrases (Part 1)

• By no means: ko chút nào

  • Example: She is by no means ready for the exam.
  • Example: This task is by no means easy.

• Space is filled: chen chúc, nhồi nhét

  • Example: The bus was filled with passengers.
  • Example: The room was filled with old furniture.

• Without a hitch: ko có gì khó khăn

  • Example: The wedding went off without a hitch.
  • Example: Everything worked without a hitch.

• Be on edge: be nervous and excited

  • Example: She was on edge before the interview.
  • Example: Everyone felt on edge during the match.

• To be in floods of tears: rất buồn

  • Example: She was in floods of tears after hearing the news.
  • Example: The little boy burst into floods of tears.

• Fit the bill: thích hợp phù hợp

  • Example: This hotel fits the bill perfectly.
  • Example: John would fit the bill for the job.

• Dead-end: tình trạng bế tắc, tẻ nhạt

  • Example: He felt stuck in a dead-end job.
  • Example: We reached a dead-end in the discussion.

• Let one’s hair down: thư giãn, xả hơi

  • Example: We went dancing to let our hair down.
  • Example: She likes to let her hair down at weekends.

• Bits and bobs: những vật linh tinh, thứ lặt vặt

  • Example: I bought a few bits and bobs at the market.
  • Example: Her bag was full of bits and bobs.

• Part and parcel: phần cơ bản, quan trọng, thứ yếu

  • Example: Stress is part and parcel of the job.
  • Example: Mistakes are part and parcel of learning.

• Drop-dead gorgeous: thể chất, cơ thể tuyệt đẹp

  • Example: She looked drop-dead gorgeous in that dress.
  • Example: The actor is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous.

• The length and breadth of st: ngang dọc khắp cái gì

  • Example: They travelled the length and breadth of the country.
  • Example: News spread across the length and breadth of the city.

• Pave the way for: chuẩn bị cho, mở đường cho

  • Example: His research paved the way for future discoveries.
  • Example: The agreement paved the way for peace.

• Knock it off: được dùng để nói ai đó dừng làm ồn hoặc làm phiền bạn

  • Example: Knock it off! I’m trying to study.
  • Example: The teacher told the boys to knock it off.

• Call the shots: chỉ huy, quyết định về những việc cần làm

  • Example: Her boss is the one who calls the shots.
  • Example: Parents usually call the shots at home.

Idiomatic Expressions and Common Phrases (Part 2)

• Draw the line: đặt giới hạn cho việc gì, phân biệt giữa hai thứ tương tự nhau

  • Example: We have to draw the line somewhere.
  • Example: She draws the line at cheating.

• To be in the same boat: ở trong cùng 1 hoàn cảnh

  • Example: We’re all in the same boat here.
  • Example: Students are in the same boat before exams.

• Pick one’s brain: hỏi, xin ý kiến ai về điều gì

  • Example: Can I pick your brain about this project?
  • Example: She picked her teacher’s brain for advice.

• Probe into: dò xét, thăm dò, điều tra

  • Example: Police are probing into the accident.
  • Example: The committee will probe into the problem.

• Lay claim to st: tuyên bố là có quyền sở hữu thứ gì (thường là tiền, tài sản)

  • Example: Both countries lay claim to the island.
  • Example: He laid claim to the money.

• Be hot under the collar: điên tiết, cáu tiết

  • Example: Dad got hot under the collar about the mess.
  • Example: She was hot under the collar after the argument.

• On the spot: immediately; ngay lập tức

  • Example: He answered the question on the spot.
  • Example: She was fired on the spot.

• Carry the can: chịu trách nhiệm, chịu sự chỉ trích

  • Example: He had to carry the can for the mistake.
  • Example: Managers often carry the can when things go wrong.

• Catch the worms: nắm bắt cơ hội

  • Example: Successful people catch the worms early.
  • Example: We should act quickly and catch the worms.

• Take to flight: chạy đi

  • Example: The birds took to flight suddenly.
  • Example: The thieves took to flight when police arrived.

• Have a good head for st: có khả năng làm điều gì đó thật tốt

  • Example: She has a good head for numbers.
  • Example: Tom has a good head for business.

• Reduce sb to tears: làm ai khóc

  • Example: His rude comments reduced her to tears.
  • Example: The pressure almost reduced him to tears.

• Take a fancy to: bắt đầu thích cái gì

  • Example: She took a fancy to the little puppy.
  • Example: I’ve taken a fancy to jazz music lately.

• Kick up a fuss about: giận dữ, phàn nàn về cái gì

  • Example: She kicked up a fuss about the delay.
  • Example: Customers kicked up a fuss over the prices.

• Come what may: dù khó khăn đến mấy, dù có rễ rắc rối gì đi nữa

  • Example: I’ll support you, come what may.
  • Example: Come what may, we must stay calm.

Advanced Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs (Part 1)

• What is more: thêm nữa là

  • Example: He is smart. What is more, he is hardworking.
  • Example: The food was cheap and, what is more, delicious.

• Impurity: sự ko trong sạch

  • Example: The water contained harmful impurities.
  • Example: Gold loses value because of impurities.

• Possession (n): chiếm hữu, sở hữu

  • Example: The house is now in her possession.
  • Example: He lost all his possessions in the fire.

• Refreshments: đồ uống, đồ giải khát

  • Example: Light refreshments were served after the meeting.
  • Example: Guests can buy refreshments at the café.

• Head out: rời đi, khởi hành

  • Example: We’re heading out early tomorrow morning.
  • Example: She headed out without saying goodbye.

• Run up: tăng nhanh (giá cả…); làm cho (giá cả) tăng lên nhanh; chất đống (nợ nần…)

  • Example: Food prices have run up recently.
  • Example: He ran up huge debts while studying abroad.

• Make up to: Tỏ ra thân thiện với ai đó hoặc nói những lời tốt đẹp để có lợi cho bản thân

  • Example: He tried to make up to the boss before the meeting.
  • Example: She’s always making up to people in authority.

• Get sb down: Làm ai đó buồn, thất vọng, kiệt sức

  • Example: The bad weather is really getting me down.
  • Example: Don’t let these problems get you down.

• Go through: trải qua

  • Example: She went through a difficult time last year.
  • Example: We all go through challenges in life.

• Comply with: Tuân thủ theo một luật lệ, một yêu cầu nào đó

  • Example: All drivers must comply with the law.
  • Example: The company refused to comply with safety regulations.

• Scurvy: bệnh còi xương [Note: Specifically caused by vitamin C deficiency]

  • Example: Sailors in the past often suffered from scurvy.
  • Example: Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C.

• Round the clock: happening or done all day and all night

  • Example: Doctors worked round the clock to save the patients.
  • Example: The store is open round the clock.

• Habitually: theo thói quen

  • Example: He habitually arrives late for class.
  • Example: She habitually drinks coffee in the morning.

• Give a detailed description: đưa ra miêu tả cụ thể

  • Example: The witness gave a detailed description of the thief.
  • Example: Can you give a detailed description of the event?

Advanced Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs (Part 2)

• Deprivation (n): sự tước đoạt

  • Example: Sleep deprivation can affect your health.
  • Example: Many children suffer from food deprivation.

• Chronically: kinh niên, bệnh mãn tính

  • Example: He is chronically ill.
  • Example: The school is chronically short of money.

• Catastrophic (adj): thảm khốc

  • Example: The earthquake had catastrophic effects.
  • Example: A catastrophic mistake ruined the project.

• Antiseptic (n): thuốc sát trùng

  • Example: The nurse cleaned the wound with antiseptic.
  • Example: We need some antiseptic for the cut.

• Stand by: đứng yên, sẵn sàng, bên cạnh ai đó, tin vào điều gì đó

  • Example: I’ll stand by you whatever happens.
  • Example: Rescue teams are standing by.

• Personify (v): nhân cách hóa

  • Example: In the story, death is personified as a woman.
  • Example: She personifies kindness and patience.

• Under any circumstances: trong bất kì hoàn cảnh nào

  • Example: You must not open the door under any circumstances.
  • Example: Under no circumstances should you lie.

• Quarrelsome (adj): hay gây gổ

  • Example: He became quarrelsome after drinking.
  • Example: The child is naturally quarrelsome.

• Defensible (adj): có thể phòng thủ được, có thể bào chữa được

  • Example: The lawyer said the decision was defensible.
  • Example: Their position is morally defensible.

• Discontent (n): sự bất mãn

  • Example: There is growing discontent among workers.
  • Example: Public discontent led to protests.

• Personification (n): nhân cách hóa

  • Example: The poem uses personification effectively.
  • Example: Death is a common example of personification.

• Leukemia: bệnh ung thư máu

  • Example: The child was diagnosed with leukemia.
  • Example: Researchers are studying new treatments for leukemia.

• Indefensible: ko thể bào chữa được

  • Example: His actions were completely indefensible.
  • Example: The violence is morally indefensible.

• Burn out: đốt cháy, kiệt sức

  • Example: She burned out after working too hard.
  • Example: If you never rest, you’ll burn out.

• Approval (n): đồng tình

  • Example: The plan has won public approval.
  • Example: She nodded in approval.

Advanced Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs (Part 3)

• Disapproval (adj): ko đồng tình

  • Example: His parents showed disapproval of his behaviour.
  • Example: She looked at me with disapproval.

• Let up: giảm bớt, ngớt

  • Example: The rain finally let up in the evening.
  • Example: The pressure never let up.

• Inaccessible (adj): ko thể truy cập

  • Example: The village is inaccessible during winter.
  • Example: Some websites are inaccessible here.

• Let sb down: làm cho ai đó thất vọng

  • Example: I promised not to let you down.
  • Example: The team let their fans down.

• Go down with: bị nhiễm bệnh

  • Example: She went down with the flu last week.
  • Example: Many students went down with food poisoning.

• Go off: nổ; đổ chuông; hỏng (thiu)

  • Example: The bomb could go off at any moment.
  • Example: The milk has gone off.

• Apart from: ngoại trừ

  • Example: Apart from John, everyone agreed.
  • Example: I like all sports apart from boxing.

• Dream up: phát minh, sáng chế, có ý tưởng

  • Example: Who dreamed up this strange idea?
  • Example: She dreamed up a new business plan.

• Eminent (adj): lỗi lạc, xuất chúng

  • Example: She is an eminent scientist.
  • Example: The hospital employs eminent doctors.

• Notify (v) – notification (n): thông báo

  • Example: Please notify us if your address changes.
  • Example: I received a notification on my phone.

• Peg (n): cái móc; gài chốt

  • Example: He hung his coat on a peg.
  • Example: Use a peg to keep the papers together.

• Explicit: rõ ràng

  • Example: The instructions were explicit.
  • Example: She gave an explicit warning.

• Implicit: ngấm ngầm, ẩn ý

  • Example: There was implicit criticism in his words.
  • Example: I took his silence as implicit agreement.

• Obscure (adj): mơ hồ, vô danh, khó hiểu

  • Example: The meaning of the poem is obscure.
  • Example: He wrote about obscure historical events.

• Put forth: cố gắng, dùng hết sức

  • Example: She put forth a lot of effort to succeed.
  • Example: The team put forth a strong performance.

Advanced Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs (Part 4)

• Put out: dập lửa

  • Example: Firefighters managed to put out the fire quickly.
  • Example: Please put out your cigarette before you come in.

• Drive sb to the edge: irritate sb; làm cáu gắt

  • Example: The constant noise is driving me to the edge.
  • Example: His rude behaviour nearly drove her to the edge.

• Filthy (adj): bẩn thỉu, tục tĩu

  • Example: The kitchen was absolutely filthy.
  • Example: He told a filthy joke.

• Exhaust – inexhaustible: vô tận

  • Example: We exhausted all possible ways of solving the problem.
  • Example: She seems to have an inexhaustible supply of energy.

• Enlightenment (n): sự khai sáng

  • Example: He spent years seeking enlightenment.
  • Example: The book gave me some enlightenment on the subject.

• Eligible for: đủ điều kiện cho

  • Example: You may be eligible for a refund.
  • Example: Only full-time students are eligible for the discount.

• Catch a brief glimpse: nhìn thoáng qua

  • Example: I caught a brief glimpse of her in the crowd.
  • Example: We only caught a brief glimpse of the deer before it ran away.

• Adversely: bất lợi

  • Example: The new tax could adversely affect small businesses.
  • Example: His health was adversely affected by stress.

• Look into: điều tra

  • Example: Police are looking into the cause of the fire.
  • Example: We need to look into this matter carefully.

• Aim at: nhắm đến

  • Example: The campaign is aimed at young people.
  • Example: This book is aimed at beginners.

• Pile up: chất đống, tụ lại

  • Example: Dirty clothes were piling up in the corner.
  • Example: Work has piled up while I’ve been away.

• Dwarf (n, v): còi cọc [Note: often used to describe one thing being made to seem small by another]

  • Example: The cathedral is dwarfed by the modern buildings around it.
  • Example: His achievements dwarf those of his rivals.

• Noxious (adj): độc hại

  • Example: Noxious fumes were coming from the factory.
  • Example: The fire gave off noxious gases.

• Bring in (v): đưa vào, giới thiệu 1 luật mới

  • Example: The government plans to bring in a new law next year.
  • Example: We need to bring in someone with more experience.

• Dip into (v): đọc lướt qua, xem qua

  • Example: I dipped into the magazine while I was waiting.
  • Example: She likes to dip into poetry before bed.

• Confide in (v): trust, believe in

  • Example: She confided in her best friend after the argument.
  • Example: He has no one to confide in.

• Agree on (v): have the same opinion about

  • Example: We couldn’t agree on a date for the meeting.
  • Example: They finally agreed on a new plan.

Advanced Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs (Part 5)

• Come up (v): become a subject for discussions or decision

  • Example: The issue came up at the meeting.
  • Example: Your name came up in conversation yesterday.

• Look over: xem xét, kiểm tra, đọc, nghiên cứu

  • Example: Could you look over my essay before I hand it in?
  • Example: I spent the evening looking over the report.

• Owing to (prep): do vì, bởi vì

  • Example: The match was cancelled owing to heavy rain.
  • Example: Owing to a lack of time, we left early.

• In terms of (prep): in the matter of, on the subject of, especially about

  • Example: The two cars are similar in terms of price.
  • Example: In terms of safety, this model is much better.

• With reference to (prep): concerning

  • Example: I am writing with reference to your recent email.
  • Example: With reference to your question, the answer is no.

• Ill-advised: thiếu khôn ngoan

  • Example: It was an ill-advised decision.
  • Example: He made an ill-advised comment at dinner.

• Outnumber (v): đông hơn

  • Example: Women outnumber men in this class.
  • Example: Our supporters greatly outnumbered theirs.

• Electrification (n): điện khí hóa

  • Example: Rural electrification changed life in the village.
  • Example: The project supports the electrification of public transport.

• Intentional (a): có ý định trước, được định trước, cố ý, chủ tâm

  • Example: The damage was clearly intentional.
  • Example: It wasn’t an intentional insult.

• Altitude (n): độ cao

  • Example: The plane was flying at a high altitude.
  • Example: Some people feel sick at high altitude.

• Preparedness: sự sẵn sàng

  • Example: Emergency preparedness is essential in schools.
  • Example: Her preparedness impressed everyone on the team.

• Multiracial (adj): đa chủng tộc

  • Example: They live in a multiracial neighbourhood.
  • Example: The cast of the film is multiracial.

• Integral (adj): necessary and important as a part of a whole; (n): tích phân

  • Example: Music is an integral part of the film.
  • Example (Scientific/Mathematical Context): We learned how to solve an $\text{integral}$ in maths class.

• Grumble (v): càu nhàu

  • Example: He is always grumbling about the weather.
  • Example: She grumbled that the food was cold.

• Inventive (adj.): sáng tạo, độc đáo

  • Example: She is an inventive cook.
  • Example: The children came up with an inventive solution.

• Name after sb: đặt tên theo ai đó

  • Example: They named the baby after her grandmother.
  • Example: The school was named after a local hero.

• Think sth over: suy nghĩ về cái gì (trước khi đi đến quyết định)

  • Example: I’ll think it over and tell you tomorrow.
  • Example: We need a few days to think the offer over.

• Talk up: Tuyên truyền cho; hết lời ca ngợi

  • Example: Sales staff were talking up the new model.
  • Example: He kept talking up the advantages of the plan.

• Drop in: ghé vào đâu đó

  • Example: Why don’t you drop in for coffee tomorrow?
  • Example: I dropped in to see my aunt on the way home.

• Come around: đi thăm

  • Example: Why don’t you come around this evening?
  • Example: Some friends came around after work.

• Rug: thảm nhỏ

  • Example: There was a small rug by the bed.
  • Example: She bought a new rug for the living room.

• Mishap: accident; rủi ro nhỏ

  • Example: We had a slight mishap on the way to the station.
  • Example: The picnic ended with a minor mishap.