220 Common Idioms Flashcards

Idioms

achieve a record: lập kỉ lục
- Example: She achieved the world record for the 100 metres.
above board: hợp pháp
- Example: The bidding process was completely fair and above board.
across the board: tất cả mọi thứ
- Example: The proposed across the board cuts for all state agencies will total $84$ million.
air one's dirty laundry in public: bàn luận thẳng thắn
- Example: The captain refuses to air the team's dirty laundry in public.
all along: mọi lúc
- Example: Do you think he's been cheating us all along?
all at once: bất thình lình
- Example: All at once there was a loud crashing sound.
all ears: lắng nghe chăm chú
- Example: I'm all ears - tell us what they had to say.
all thumbs: vụng về
- Example: Can you untangle this thread for me? I'm all thumbs today.
an arm and a leg: một khoản tiền lón
- Example: These shoes cost me an arm and a leg.
apple of sb's eyes: người quan trọng người đặc biệt
- Example: His youngest daughter was the apple of his eye.
at all costs: bằng mọi giá
- Example: Security during the president's visit must be maintained at all costs.
at fault: chịu trách nhiệm
- Example: He could never accept that he had been at fault.
at heart: thực chất
- Example: He was a very gentle boy at heart.
at odds: không đồng thuận
- Example: They're at odds over the funding of the project.
at square one: ban đầu
- Example: The deal collapses and you're back to square one.
as black as coal: đen như mực
- Example: The pirate's evil eyes are as black as coal.
at the end of my rope: sụp đổ
- Example: I'm at the end of my rope with these kids!
as easy as pie: dễ như ăn bánh
- Example: For Judy, getting a pilot's license was easy as pie - she seemed to have a natural talent for it.
as hungry as a bear: cực kì đói
- Example: I'm as hungry as a bear. I could eat anything!
as busy as a bee: cực kì bận rộn
- Example: She was as busy as a bee the whole day.
as old as the hills: xưa như trái đất
- Example: Why don't we ever sing new songs? Those hymns are as old as the hills.
backbone: dũng cảm
- Example: Will he have the backbone to tell them what he thinks?
banker's hours: giờ làm việc ngắn
- Example: His business is doing so well he can just keep banker's hours.
beat the clock: hoàn thành trước thời hạn
- Example: The company managed to beat the clock on delivering its new system.
be beside sb's self: buồn
- Example: He was beside himself with grief when she died.
be bound to: chắc chắn
- Example: When you are dealing with so many patients, mistakes are bound to happen.
be fresh out of: tốt nghiệp
- Example: We're fresh out of oranges, would you like an apple?
be kidding: đùa
- Example: You want me to drive into the city? You've got to be kidding
before long: sớm
- Example: With a little exercise, you'll be back in shape before long
behind the ball: gặp khó khăn
- Example: My department is late on its deadline. We are behind the ball.
be on a tight budget: không có nhiều tiền
- Example: Being a student I'm on a tight budget so I have to be careful with money
be on cloud nine: sung sướng
- Example: Ever since Mary got her promotion at work, she'sbeen on cloud nine.
be on duty: trong ca trực
- Example: I'll be on duty in about an hour.
big shot: nhân vật quan trọng
- Example: All the corporate big shots are meeting this afternoon
bite sb's tongue: cố gắng không nói ra
- Example: I wanted to tell him exactly what I thought of him, but I had to bite my tongue.
bite at the cherry: thử lại lần nữa
- Example: He missed a medal in the 100 metres, but will get a second bite of the cherry in the 400 metres.
blind date: hẹn hò mà không biết mặt nhau
- Example: Elaine arranged for me to go on a blind date with a guy from her office.
blockbuster: phim bom tấn
- Example: Do you prefer blockbusters or smaller films?
blue blood: dòng giống hoàng tộc
- Example: The poorest boy at Groton, his private school, he is both a blue blood and an underdog
bookworm: người đọc nhiều sách
- Example: For those bookworms, there is a library with a vast collection.
bomb: thất bại
- Example: the whole cast was very sad that the show bomed on broadway.
brain: người thông minh
- Example: She is such a brain, she could figure out how to solve a problem fast.
brainstorm: động não/ ý tưởng hay
- Example: Just brainstorm, getting all your ideas on the table
bread and butter: thiết yếu trong cuộc sống
- Example: the voters are worried about the bread and butter issues like jobs and taxes.
break sb's neck: cố gắng rất nhiều
- Example: I broke my neck to get here on time.
break the ice: làm quen
- Example: Someone suggested that we play a party game to break the ice.
break a leg: chúc may mắn
- Example: Hey, hope you break a leg tonight.
break up: chia tay
- Example: Jenny and George have broken up.
break a record: phá kỉ lục
- Example: The painting has broken all records, selling for over £20 million.
break the news: nói tin mới
- Example: The doctor broke the news to the family that my grandmother had cancer.
buddy-buddy: vô cùng thân thiện
- Example: If one person is buddy buddy withanother, they are very close friends.
by hook or by crook: bằng cách này hay cách khác
- Example: I decided I was going to get that job by hook or by crook.
by the book: đúng đắn
- Example: If you're looking for someone to approve anexception, don't go to Ted- he does everything by the book.
call on the carpet: chỉ trích
- Example: When my team lost that big client, the boss called me on the carpet.
can: đuổi việc
- Example: Managementpromptly canned the new accountant
chalk and cheese: rất khác nhau
- Example: My brother and I are like chalk and cheese
chalk up: ghi điểm
- Example: She chalked up enough points to be seeded first in the tournament.
change sb's mind: thay đổi quyết định
- Example: At first I thought she was unfriendly, but I've changed my mind
can't take your eyes off: không thể rời mắt
- Example: Your little girl is so adorable—I just can't take my eyes off ofher!
chickenfeed: khoản tiền nhỏ
- Example: They're losing $200,000$ on this deal, but that's chickenfeed to/for a company with yearly profits of $25$ million.
come in very handy: có ích
- Example: This money will come in handy when we go on vacation.
come to light: được đưa ra ánh sáng
- Example: Fresh evidence has recently come to light that suggests that he didn't in fact committhe murder.
comeback: thành công lần nữa
- Example: The film star made an unexpected comeback.
come through with flying colors: thành công rực rỡ
- Example: Your brother has come through his apprenticeship with flying colors.
count on: tin tưởng
- Example: You can always count on Michael in a crisis.
close shave: suýt chết
- Example: I had a close shave this morning - some idiot almost knocked me off my bike.
creeps: sự sợ hãi
- Example: You give me the creeps.
crocodile tears: nước mắt cá sấu
- Example: He cried crocodile tears only because he wanted his dad to buy him something
cross sb's mind: ý nghĩ thoáng qua (chợt nghĩ đến)
- Example: The thought had crossed my mind that I might need some help with the project.
cup of tea: sở thích (người lớn tuổi hay sử dụng idiom này)
- Example: Thanks for inviting me, but ballet isn't really my cup of tea.
dead-end job: công việc không có tương lai
- Example: Jerrydecided he couldn't spend another minute working at that dead end job
dirt cheap: rất rẻ
- Example: These shoes were dirt cheap
double check: kiểm tra kĩ
- Example: Before committing to one, though, I would double-check that the book hasn't been transcribed online, and isn't In Progress.
do without: sống mà không có
- Example: when my TV broke, I knew that I could do without it for a week.
draw the line: vạch ra giới hạn
- Example: It's hard to keep young peopleunder control, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
drive sb crazy/mad: làm ai đó phát điên
- Example: This itching is driving me mad.
drive sb up a wall: làm ai đó tức giận
- Example: Be quiet! You're driving me up the wall!
drown sb's sorrow: mượn rượu giải sâu
- Example: Let's get you out to a bar to drown your sorrows.
easy money: số tiền dễ kiếm được
- Example: He wanted easy money.
every now and then: thỉnh thoảng
- Example: We still get together for lunch every now and then.
face the music: hứng chịu chỉ trích
- Example: Be a man and face the music.
fall behind: bị tụt lại phía sau
- Example: He was ill for six weeks and fell behind with his schoolwork.
false alarm: báo động giả
- Example: Three fire engines rushed to the school only to discover it was a false alarm.
fed up with: không chịu nổi cái gì
- Example: Consumers are fed up with rising gas prices.
feel blue: cảm thấy buồn
- Example: I was really feeling blue after she told me she was leaving.
feel sorry for: thương tiếc cho
- Example: I feelso sorry for Johnny
find fault: phàn nàn
- Example: Sally's father was always finding fault with her.
figure something out: hiểu vấn đề
- Example: We need to figure out what went wrong.
fish out of water: không phù hợp
- Example: I felt like a fish out of water at my new school.
flop: thất bại
- Example: Her first book flopped, but her second became a bestseller.
for a song: giá rẻ
- Example: She bought the bed for a song at an auction.
from the bottom of sb's heart: từ tận đáy lòng
- Example: When I said I loved you, I meant it from the bottom of my heart.
from scratch: lại từ đầu
- Example: Ben built the shed from scratch.
get ahead: thành công
- Example: It's tough for a woman to get ahead in politics.
get out of: rút ra, bỏ
- Example: I said I'd meet him, but now I want to get out of it.
get out of hand: mất kiểm soát
- Example: If your party gets out of hand, the neighbors will call the police.
get up and go: đam mê cháy bỏng
- Example: This job needs someone with a lot of get-up-and-go
get the lion's share of st: được phần lớn của cái gì
- Example: Military and nuclear research receive the lion's share of public funding.
give sb a break: cho ai đó cơ hội
- Example: The actor struggled fr many years. Finally, sb gave him a break and put him in a movie.
give sb a hand: giúp đỡ
- Example: Could you give me a hand with these suitcases?
go from bad to worse: trở nên tệ hơn
- Example: Sales have been very slow this season, but this was worst week of all. It seems like it's going from bad to worse.
- Example: Things went from bad to worse in the second game when we lost 38-0.
go hiking = go on a hike: đi bộ ngắm cảnh
go steady: đi hẹn hò
- Example: She's been going steady with Randolph for almost a year now.
goldmine: mỏ vàng
- Example: More than 500 workers have become trapped in a gold mine after a minor earthquake
hang in there: kiên nhẫn chờ đợi
- Example: Work can get tough in the middle of a term but hang in there and it'll be OK.
hard of hearing: lãng tai
- Example: My father is quite old now and he's increasingly hard of hearing.
have a crush on sb: yêu đơn phương/ phải lòng ai đó
- Example: I've had a crush on Tommy for years.
have access to st: tiếp cận
- Example: He thought all workers should own property and have access to capital.
have a change of heart: thay đổi quyết định ban đầu
- Example: She was going to sell her house but had a change of heart at the last minute
have a heart of stone: có một trái tim sắt đá
- Example: Sally has a heart of stone. She never even smiles
have in mind: cân nhắc
- Example: Did you have anything in mind for Helen's present?
have spare time: có thời gian rỗi
- Example: What do you like to do in your spare time?
hard headed: cứng đầu khó bảo
- Example: Our son is so hardheaded.
heart-to-heart: chân thành
- Example: if you really sat down and had a heart-to-heart talk, I think you'd realize you are both working toward the same goal.
here and there: mọi nơi
- Example: I try to keep some cash here and there around the house in case of emergences.
high and low: khắp nơi
- Example: I've searched high and low for that old photo album
high time: đúng thời điểm
- Example: It is high time that someone gives him the punishment he deserves!
hit the book: học
- Example: I can't go out tonight. I need to hit the books.
hit the hay: lên giường đi ngủ
- Example: have to get up early for work tomorrow, so I think I'd better hit the hay.
home and dry: êm xuôi
- Example: I just need one more source for this essay and then I'll be home and dry.
hot air: chuyện khó tin
- Example: you can't believe a word that guy says—he's full of hot air.
hustle and bustle (busy and noisy): bận rộn và ồn ào
- Example: I love living among the hustle and bustle of the city
in a nutshell: ngắn gọn
- Example: In a nutshell, the app helps you to plan parties.
in ages: gian dài
- Example: France dominated Vietnam in ages.
in a pinch: một lựa chọn không tồi
- Example: I need £ $2,000$ to set up the business, but I suppose £ $1,500$ would do at a pinch.
in deep water: trong tình huống khó khăn
- Example: The Democrats are in deep water over their plans for tax increases.
in hot water: gặp rắc rối
- Example: Emails that criticize others can land you in hot water, so be careful what you write.
in person: trực tiếp
- Example: You must apply for the license in person.
in shape: khỏe mạnh
- Example: If I were in shape, I could run faster and farther
in seventh heaven: rất vui
- Example: I'd be in seventh heaven if I had a million dollars.
in the midle of nowhere: ở một khu vực rất xa
- Example: He lives in a tiny house in the middle of nowhere.
in the same boat: cùng cảnh ngộ
- Example: None of us has any money, so we're all in the same boat.
in vain: vô ích
- Example: I tried in vain to start a conversation.
jump the (traffic) lights: vượt đèn đỏ
- Example: Security camera footage shows that the car jumped the lights
keep an eye on: để mắt, coi
- Example: I can keep an eye on the baby while you go to the store.
keep in touch: giữ liên lạc
- Example: My old high school friends and I tried keeping in touch once we graduated
kill two birds with one stone: một mũi tên trúng 2 đích
- Example: Bike-to-work schemes are a great way of killing two birds with one stone: getting more exercise while cutting down on the cost of your daily commute.
lack of st: thiếu cái gì
- Example: His answer demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of the question.
last straw: giọt nước tràn li
- Example: The last straw was when the company fired most of the managers.
lay out: chỉ tiêu
- Example: Robert laid out next year's plans for his staff.
let the cat out of the bag: tiết lộ bí mật
- Example: Who let the cat out of the bag?
mean business: nghiêm túc
- Example: Mom sounded like she means business, so you better clean your room.
make a hit: thành công
- Example: We went into our second album with the sole intention of making a hit
make do: xoay sở, đương đầu
- Example: You'll have to make do with less money next year.
make ends meet: xoay sở để sống
- Example: To make ends meet, Phil picked up asecond job delivering pizzas.
make sense: có nghĩa
- Example: This last paragraph doesn't make any sense.
make terms with somebody: thoả thuận với ai
- Example: I just can't come to terms with Amy, she's totally out of control!
make the most of st: tận dụng
- Example: Mary knows how to make the most of her talents
make up sb's mind: quyết định
- Example: I haven't made up my mind where to go yet.
make up to sb for st: bồi thường
- Example: I'm sorry we can't take you with us, but I promise I'll make it up to you somehow.
maternity leave/maternal leave: nghỉ đẻ
- Example: The changes will affect any women on maternity leave or taking a career break while they raise children.
must-have item: mặt hàng phổ biến mà ai cũng muốn có
- Example: The iPod quickly established itself as a must-have item.
name sb after: đặt tên ai theo ai
- Example: We named all our children after football players.
narrow escape: suýt chết
- Example: We had a narrow escape on the way here. The wind blew a tree down just in front of us.
off and on: thỉnh thoảng
- Example: We had been dating off and on for about a year
off the peg: sẵn
- Example: You can find really stylish clothes off the peg, if you look hard enough
off the record: không chính thức
- Example: Although her comments were off the record, the newspaper published them anyway
office block: tòa nhà lớn chứa những văn phòng
- Example: I work in a big office block.
old flame: người yêu cũ
- Example: I saw my old flame the other day and she looked great.
on the blink: không hoạt động
- Example: The whole observatory went on the blink.
on the spot: ngay lập tức
- Example: You can be sacked on the spot for stealing.
on the verge of: trên bờ vực
- Example: Her husband's violent and abusive behaviour drove her to the verge of despair.
on second thoughts: suy nghĩ kĩ
- Example: Can I have a cup of coffee, please? - actually, on second thoughts, I'll have a beer.
once in a blue moon: hiếm khi
- Example: My sister lives in Alaska, so I only see her once in a blue moon.
once in a while: thỉnh thoảng
- Example: We meet for lunch once in a while.
out of date: lỗi thời
- Example: That radio looks so out of date.
out of fashion: lỗi mốt
- Example: Fur coats have gone out of fashion.
out of line: không chính xác
- Example: You can disagree with her, but calling her dishonest was out of line.
out of mind: không bình thường
- Example: He's out of his mind if he thinks this plan is going to work!
out of order: hỏng (máy móc)
- Example: the vending machine is out of order
out of reach: ngoài tầm với
- Example: Be sureto keep the medication behind a locked door that is out of reach of any children.
out of sorts: tâm trạng không tốt
- Example: I've been out of sorts for a day or two.
out of stock: hết hàng
- Example: Those items are out of stock, but a new supply will be delivered on Thursday.
out of the blue: bất ngờ
- Example: One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving.
out of the woods: thoát khỏi khó khăn
- Example: It's too soon to say if either airline is out of the woods yet.
out of the question: không thể thực hiện được
- Example: Driving is out of the question as long asthe engine is busted.
out of shape: không khỏe mạnh
- Example: I'm so out of shape that I get out of breath climbing the stairs.
out of work: thất nghiệp
- Example: The plant closed in November 2010, leaving 400 people out of work.
out in the sticks: sống ở quê
- Example: You ain't gonna get to his house with the bus; its way out in the sticks.
pay a call on sb: thăm ai
- Example: We need to pay a call on Grandma and find out how her trip to Florida was.
pick up a bargain: mua giá rẻ
- Example: I like to go shopping in shopping malls, it's so easy to pick up a bargain.
piece of cake: một việc dễ dàng
- Example: The exam was a piece of cake.
play tricks: phá đám
- Example: Stop playing tricks on people!
play with fire: liều lĩnh
- Example: I had played with fire too long.
pull sb's leg: trêu chọc ai đó
- Example: Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?
put on an act: giả bộ
- Example: He's just putting on an act for the boss's benefit.
put yourself in sb's shoes: đặt mình vào vị trí người khác
- Example: Before being quick to judge someone for their actions, you should always try to put yourself in their shoes.
press ahead with st: tiếp tục
- Example: The company pressed ahead with plans to build the skyscraper.
raining cats and dogs: mưa to như trút nước
- Example: We were so disappointed that it rained cats and dogs for our whole vacation in Hawaii.
run out of st: hết cái gì
- Example: We're about to run out of coffee and sugar
see eye to eye: đồng quan điểm
- Example: My sisters don't see eye to eye with me about the arrangements.
see red: tức giận
- Example: People who don't finish a job really make me see red.
see st on the big screen: xem ở rạp chiếu phim
- Example: I want to see "Beauty and The Beast" on the big screen.
skyscrapers: những tòa nhà chọc trời
- Example: The company pressed ahead with plans to build the skyscraper.
set a record: lập kỉ lục
- Example: She set a record for the most sales in the history of the company.
set up shop: mở cửa hiệu
- Example: Now that you've got your degree, where do you plan to set up shop?
sick and tired: chán ngấy
- Example: I'm sick of him whining about money.
sick leave: số ngày nghỉ được cho phép vì bệnh
- Example: He broke his leg yesterday, so he's on/he's taken sickleave.
shoplifter: kẻ trộm cửa hàng
- Example: He spent thousands on security cameras and alarms to deter shoplifters.
sleep on it: cân nhắc
- Example: Don't give me an answer now - sleep on it and tell me whenever you're ready.
spill the beans: tiết lộ bí mật
- Example: So who spilled the beans about her affair with David?
take it easy: nghỉ ngơi, thư giãn
- Example: Take it easy - don't get mad.
tie the knot: kết hôn
- Example: All of my friends have tied the knot and started having kids.
tighten sb's belt: tiết kiệm
- Example: I've had to tighten my belt since I stopped working full-time.
the more, the merrier: càng đông càng vui
- Example: "Do you mind if I bring a couple of friends to your party?" "Not at all - the more the merrier!"
tourist trap: địa điểm thu hút khách du lịch
- Example: It looked like a tourist trap, so we didn't even stop the car.
turn a deaf ear: bỏ ngoài tai
- Example: In the past they've tended to turn a deaf ear to such requests.
turn the tables: lật ngược tình thế
- Example: The plaintiff′s lawyer turned the tables this morning by producing some strong new evidence.
under the table: giao dịch bất hợp pháp
- Example: They offered him money under the table to change his mind.
under the weather: mệt mỏi
- Example: I'm feeling a bit under the weather - I think I'm getting a cold.
up sb's alley: sở thích
- Example: I've got a question here which should be right up your alley.
up the river: trong tù
- Example: The judge who sent him up the river was indicted for accepting bribery
up to sb: lựa chọn của ai đó
- Example: You can pay weekly or monthly - it's up to you.
up to sb's ears: đắm chìm
- Example: I'm up to my ears in work.
well-off: giàu có
- Example: Her family was very well off.
white lie: lời nói dối vô hại
- Example: I try to be honest most of the time, but I do tell white lies when I'm worried about upsetting people
will power: sức mạnh ý chí
- Example: It took a lot of willpower to stay calm.
with flying colors: điểm số cao
- Example: She passed the exam with flying colors.
within walking distance: gần nhà
- Example: My office is within walking distance from here.
work against the clock: chạy đua với thời gian
- Example: We'll have to work against the clock to finish our presentation in time for the convention