Comprehensive Guide to Idioms and Collocations (Part 1)

General Idioms and Collocations: Knowledge, Truth, and Social Conduct (Items 1–10)

1. keep somebody in the dark - Definition: To exclude someone from full knowledge or disclosure (of something) (giခu ai đ một thng tin no đ). - Example: Keeping taxpayers in the dark about how their money is being spent is not how government should operate.
2. a pack of lies - Definition: A story, explanation, etc. that is completely untrue (một đống lối ni dối). - Example: His alibi turned out to be a complete pack of lies.
3. start the ball rolling - Definition: To begin an activity or process (bắt đầu, khối xướng một việc g đ). - Example: I'll start the ball rolling by introducing our first speaker.
4. a red herring - Definition: Something that misleads or distracts from the main issue (đnh trống lảng). - Example: The detective realized the mysterious phone call was just a red herring.
5. a narrow escape - Definition: A situation where one barely avoids danger or disaster (thot chết trong gang tấc). - Example: We had a narrow escape when a tree fell just $5\,meters$ from our car.
6. toe the line - Definition: To follow the rules or conform to the standard (tun theo quy tắc, lm theo quy định). - Example: The new manager is strict and expects everyone to toe the line.
7. learn the ropes - Definition: To learn how to do a particular job or task (học việc, học những điều cơ bản). - Example: It will take a few months for the new intern to learn the ropes.
8. a hive of activity - Definition: A place that is very busy (nơi nhộn nhịp, hối hả). - Example: The kitchen was a hive of activity as the chefs prepared for the grand wedding.
9. in dire straits - Definition: In a very difficult or serious situation, especially financial (trong hon cảnh kh khăn, nguy cấp). - Example: After the factory closed, the whole town was in dire straits.
10. cut things fine - Definition: To allow very little time for something, almost too little (sắp xếp thối gian st giờ, vừa đủ). - Example: You're cutting it fine – your flight boards in $10\,minutes$ !

General Idioms and Collocations: Decision Making, Time, and Progress (Items 11–21)

11. a course of action - Definition: A way of doing or managing something (một hướng hnh động, cch giải quyết). - Example: The committee agreed that the best course of action was to postpone the event.
12. spring to mind - Definition: To be thought of immediately (lập tức nghĩ tối, hiện ln trong đầu). - Example: When I think of a reliable car, Japanese brands always spring to mind.
13. once and for all - Definition: Completely and finally (một lần dứt điểm, lần cuối). - Example: We need to settle this argument once and for all.
14. follow suit - Definition: To do the same as someone else has done (lm theo, bắt chước). - Example: One bank lowered its interest rates, and the others soon followed suit.
15. in the long run - Definition: At a time that is far away in the future (về lu về di). - Example: Studying might be hard now, but it will benefit you in the long run.
16. in the blink of an eye - Definition: Extremely quickly (trong chớp mắt). - Example: The race car was gone in the blink of an eye.
17. by leaps and bounds - Definition: Very quickly and by large amounts (tiến bộ nhanh chng, nhảy vọt). - Example: Her Spanish has improved by leaps and bounds since she moved to Madrid.
18. carry the can - Definition: To take the blame or responsibility for something, especially for someone else (gnh vc trch nhiệm). - Example: The CEO resigned, but it was his assistants who had to carry the can for the scandal.
19. pale into insignificance - Definition: To seem much less important when compared to something else (trồ nn nhỏ b, khng quan trọng). - Example: My problems paled into insignificance when I heard about her loss.
20. dig your heels in - Definition: To refuse to change your plans or ideas, especially when someone is urging you (cứng đầu, ương bướng). - Example: The children dug their heels in and refused to go to bed.
21. a dark horse - Definition: A person who has secret skills or abilities (ngưối b ẩn, c khả năng được giấu kn). - Example: He's a dark horse in this competition; nobody expected him to be so good.

General Idioms and Collocations: Relativity, Opportunity, and Control (Items 22–33)

22. be a far cry from - Definition: To be very different from something (rất khc xa, một trối một vực). - Example: This luxurious hotel is a far cry from the hostels we used to stay in.
23. strike a chord - Definition: To cause someone to feel sympathy, emotion, or enthusiasm (chạm đến cảm xc, gy đồng cảm). - Example: The singer's song about home struck a chord with many immigrants in the audience.
24. keep a low profile - Definition: To avoid attracting attention to yourself (giữ một hnh ảnh trầm lặng, t thu ht sự ch ). - Example: After the controversy, the actor kept a low profile for $1\,year$ .
25. strike while the iron is hot - Definition: To take advantage of an opportunity immediately (thừ thắng xng ln, nắm lấy cơ hội). - Example: They liked our proposal – we need to strike while the iron is hot and sign the contract now.
26. keep a lid on - Definition: To keep something under control and prevent it from increasing (kiểm sot, hạn chế). - Example: The government is trying to keep a lid on inflation.
27. add fuel to the fire - Definition: To make a bad situation worse (thm dầu vo lửa). - Example: Bringing up his past mistakes just added fuel to the fire.
28. an acid test - Definition: A situation that proves how effective or genuine something or someone is (bi kiểm tra kh khăn nhất). - Example: The World Cup will be an acid test for the young team.
29. call it a day - Definition: To decide to stop working on something (tạm dừng, kết thc một ngy lm việc). - Example: We've been working on this for hours; let's call it a day.
30. career ladder - Definition: The series of stages that lead to better and better jobs (nấc thang sự nghiệp). - Example: He's climbing the career ladder quickly at his new firm.
31. be all at sea - Definition: To be confused and unable to understand something (bối rối, lng tng khng biết phải lm g). - Example: I'm all at sea with this new software; can you help me?
32. cross your fingers - Definition: To hope that something will happen in the way you want (cầu mong, hi vọng). - Example: I'm crossing my fingers that I get the job.
33. a blessing in disguise - Definition: Something that seems bad at first but results in something good (trong ci rủi c ci may). - Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because it pushed me to start my own business.

General Idioms and Collocations: Personality, Luck, and Strategies (Items 34–46)

34. ruffle somebody's feathers - Definition: To annoy or upset someone (lm ai đ phật lng, kh chịv). - Example: He has a tendency to ruffle feathers with his blunt comments.
35. the salt of the earth - Definition: A very good and honest person (ngưối tốt bụng v đng qu). - Example: My grandmother was the salt of the earth; she would help anyone in need.
36. keep somebody on their toes - Definition: To make someone stay alert and ready for anything (lm ai đ lun cảnh gic). - Example: My new boss keeps me on my toes with her constant questions.
37. take pot luck - Definition: To accept whatever is available, without knowing what it will be (chấp nhẬn bất cứ thứ g c sẵn). - Example: We didn't book a restaurant, so we'll have to take pot luck.
38. keep your head down - Definition: To avoid trouble or attention (trnh gy sự ch , giữ đầu xuống). - Example: Just keep your head down and do your work until the boss's mood improves.
39. once in a blue moon - Definition: Very rarely (hiếm khi, cả năm mồi c một lần). - Example: He only visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
40. be at your wits' end - Definition: To be so worried and tired because of problems that you cannot think of any more solutions (b tay). - Example: I've tried everything to fix the computer, and I'm at my wits' end.
41. the luck of the draw - Definition: The result of chance rather than something you can control (sự may rủi). - Example: Who you get as a teacher is just the luck of the draw.
42. bend the rules - Definition: To change the rules to make them suit a particular situation (lm lơ, khng p dụng luật lệ h khắc). - Example: Sometimes you have to bend the rules a little to help a friend.
43. be larger than life - Definition: To be more exciting or interesting than most people (c tnh cch mạnh mẽ, nồi bật). - Example: The actor was a larger-than-life character, both on and off the screen.
44. have had it up to here with - Definition: To be extremely annoyed by something and unable to accept it any longer (qu chều đựng, qu ngn). - Example: I've had it up to here with their constant complaints!
45. leave somebody in the lurch - Definition: To abandon someone who is in a difficult situation (bỏ rơi ai trong lc kh khăn). - Example: He promised to help, but he left me in the lurch at the last minute.
46. your best bet - Definition: The best choice or most useful course of action (lựa chọn tốt nhất). - Example: Your best bet is to take the train to avoid traffic.

General Idioms and Collocations: Independence, Efficiency, and Emotion (Items 47–57)

47. stand on your own two feet - Definition: To be independent and take care of yourself without help from others (tự lập). - Example: By the age of $20$ , he was standing on his own two feet and paying his own rent.
48. get your lines/wires crossed - Definition: To have a misunderstanding because of a failure in communication (hiểu lầm nhau). - Example: We must have got our wires crossed; I thought you were bringing the drinks.
49. in the nick of time - Definition: At the last possible moment (vừa kềp lc). - Example: The ambulance arrived in the nick of time.
50. kill two birds with one stone - Definition: To achieve $2$ things with a single action (một mũi tn trng hai đch). - Example: By cycling to work, I kill $2$ birds with $1$ stone: I save money and get exercise.
51. have the edge over - Definition: To have a slight advantage over somebody/something (c lợi thế hơn). - Example: Our team has the edge over theirs because of our experienced goalkeeper.
52. a breath of fresh air - Definition: Someone or something that is new and different in a positive way (luồng gi mồi). - Example: The new manager is a breath of fresh air for this department.
53. take something to heart - Definition: To be deeply affected or upset by something (ghi lng tạc dạ, cảm thấy buồn/bị ảnh hưồng su sắc). - Example: He took the criticism to heart and worked hard to improve.
54. get on somebody's nerves - Definition: To annoy someone (lm phiền, chọc tứ ai). - Example: His constant humming is really getting on my nerves.
55. at a push - Definition: Used to say that something is possible but difficult (nếu cố gắng, nếu bắt buộc). - Example: We can fit $5\,people$ in the car, $6$ at a push.
56. sign on the dotted line - Definition: To formally agree to something by signing a document (k vo giấy tồ, đồng ). - Example: All we need is for you to sign on the dotted line.
57. in cold blood - Definition: In a cruel and deliberate way, without emotion (một cch lạnh lng, c chủ đch). - Example: The victim was shot in cold blood.

General Idioms and Collocations: Consequences, Secrets, and Reputation (Items 58–65)

58. at the end of the day - Definition: Used to introduce the most important fact after everything has been considered (suy cho cng). - Example: At the end of the day, the decision is yours.
59. put on a brave face - Definition: To pretend that you are happy when you are not (tồ ra mạnh mẽ d đang buồn). - Example: Even though she was nervous, she put on a brave face and went on stage.
60. as bold as brass - Definition: Very confident in a way that is shocking or rude (mặt dy, trơ trẽn). - Example: He walked into the meeting late, as bold as brass, and didn't even apologize.
61. make a killing - Definition: To make a lot of money quickly (kiếm được bộn tiền). - Example: They made a killing by selling their shares just before the market crashed.
62. fall into place - Definition: To start to happen or become organized in the correct way (mọt thứ trồ nn r rng, đu vo đấy). - Example: Once I found the main clue, the rest of the mystery fell into place.
63. let the cat out of the bag - Definition: To reveal a secret accidentally (lỡ miệng tiết lộ b mật). - Example: I'm getting a bike for my son's birthday, but don't let the cat out of the bag!
64. keep somebody/something at bay - Definition: To prevent someone or something unpleasant from coming near you (trnh xa, ngăn chặn). - Example: I gargle with salt water to keep a sore throat at bay.
65. a laughing stock - Definition: A person or thing that is considered ridiculous and is laughed at (tr cưồi cho thin hạ). - Example: If I wear that hat, I'll be the laughing stock of the whole office.