Master Guide to English Idioms and Phrases
Idiomatic Expressions: A to After
be taken aback: (Bị ngạc nhiên, sửng sốt) - To be extremely surprised or shocked by something unexpected.
out and about: (Đi đây đi đó, ra ngoài) - To be active or outdoors, especially after a period of illness or confinement.
Tell me about it!: (Tôi hiểu mà) - An expression used to indicate strong agreement with someone's complaint or bad experience because you have had a similar experience.
That's about the size of it!: (Đúng là như vậy đấy) - Used to confirm that someone's summary or assessment of a situation is accurate.
be head and shoulders above sb: (Vượt trội hơn hẳn ai đó) - To be significantly better or more talented than others in a specific field or category.
be a chapter of accidents: (Một chuỗi những sự việc không may) - A series of unfortunate events that happen one after another.
a fait accompli: (Chuyện đã rồi) - Something that has already happened or been decided and cannot be changed or reversed.
play your ace / trump card: (Tung ra quân bài quyết định) - To use one's most effective or powerful advantage to win a situation.
Achilles heel: (Điểm yếu chí mạng) - A small but fatal weakness in an otherwise strong person or system.
across the board: (Toàn diện, trên mọi phương diện) - Applying to all members, groups, or categories in a particular situation.
get your act together: (Chấn chỉnh lại cách làm việc) - To organize oneself or one's activities more effectively to achieve success.
ad hoc: (Thiết lập riêng cho một mục đích cụ thể) - Created or done for a particular purpose only, rather than planned in advance.
ad infinitum: (Mãi mãi, không bao giờ kết thúc) - Continuing forever or without limit.
spirit of adventure: (Tinh thần phiêu lưu) - The willingness to try new things and take risks.
after your own heart: (Có cùng sở thích, quan điểm) - Describing someone who shares your interests, values, or tastes.
It's easy to be wise after the event: (Sau sự việc rồi thì ai chẳng nói khôn được) - It is easy to say what should have been done once the outcome of a situation is already known.
time after time: (Hết lần này đến lần khác) - Repeatedly; occurring frequently over a period.
Idiomatic Expressions: Ahead to All
the dice are loaded against sb: (Mọi thứ đều chống lại ai đó) - A situation where a person has virtually no chance of succeeding because of unfair circumstances.
hammer out an agreement: (Thương lượng vất vả để đạt thỏa thuận) - To reach a decision or resolution after long and difficult negotiations.
ahead of its time: (Đi trước thời đại) - Being more advanced or innovative than what is currently accepted or common during that period.
ahead of the game: (Có lợi thế dẫn đầu) - Being in a winning or advantageous position compared to competitors.
castles in the air: (Ảo tưởng, mơ mộng hão huyền) - Plans or hopes that are beautiful but have no realistic foundation.
clear the air: (Giải tỏa căng thẳng, hiểu lầm) - To remove tension or bad feelings between people by discussing the issues openly.
rolling in the aisles: (Cười lăn lộn) - Laughing uncontrollably or very loudly at a joke or performance.
an Aladdin's cave: (Một kho tàng đầy những thứ thú vị) - A place filled with many interesting or precious objects.
an albatross around your neck: (Gánh nặng, chướng ngại) - A heavy burden or a continuous problem that prevents success.
all in all: (Tóm lại, nhìn chung) - Considering everything; taking all facts into account.
all in good time: (Chuyện gì đến sẽ đến) - Used to tell someone to be patient because something will happen when the time is right.
all or nothing: (Được ăn cả ngã về không) - A situation where you must either fully succeed or completely fail, with no middle ground.
All's fair in love and war: (Con người có thể hành xử theo những gì họ cho là cần thiết) - A phrase suggesting that in intense situations like romance or conflict, the usual rules of behavior do not apply.
Idiomatic Expressions: All-Singing to Argument
all-singing, all-dancing: (Có đầy đủ tính năng hiện đại nhất) - Describing a product, especially technology, that has all the latest features and capabilities.
all told: (Tổng cộng) - Including everything or everyone in the final count.
an all-time high/ low: (Mức cao nhất / thấp nhất từ trước tới nay) - The highest or lowest point ever reached in a history of recordings.
at all hours: (Bất cứ lúc nào) - Happening throughout the day and night, often referring to very late or inconvenient times.
be all in the mind: (Tất cả chỉ là do tưởng tượng) - Used to say that a problem or physical symptom is not real but caused by one's imagination.
be all over sb like a rash: (Bám lấy ai đó không rời / Quá vồ vập) - To be excessively close to someone or to show them too much attention.
be all smiles: (Rạng rỡ, cười tươi rói) - To appear very happy and friendly.
be all things to all men: (Cố gắng làm hài lòng tất cả mọi người) - To try to please everyone by changing one's behavior or opinions, often losing one's integrity in the process.
for all sb cares: (Chẳng quan tâm đến việc người khác nghĩ gì) - Used to indicate that a person is completely indifferent to a situation or someone else's feelings.
get the all-clear: (Được thông báo mọi thứ đã an toàn) - To receive official permission to proceed or notification that a danger has passed.
hold all the cards: (Nắm mọi lợi thế trong tay) - To be in a strong position where you control the outcome of a situation.
in all but name: (Trên thực tế là vậy dù không có chức danh chính thức) - Existing in reality but not officially recognized by a title or label.
it will all end in tears: (Kết cục sẽ chẳng ra sao đâu) - A prediction that a current activity or relationship will result in failure or unhappiness.
it's all systems go: (Mọi thứ đã sẵn sàng hoạt động) - Everything is prepared and ready for a process to begin immediately.
laugh all the way to the bank: (Kiếm được rất nhiều tiền dễ dàng) - To earn a large profit from something, especially when others thought it was foolish or when it required little effort.
push all the right buttons: (Làm chính xác những gì cần để có kết quả tốt) - To do exactly what is necessary to get a desired reaction or result from people.
that's all we need: (Thật là phiền phức) - A sarcastic remark used when one more bad thing happens in a series of misfortunes.
that's sb all over: (Đó đúng là bản chất của người đó) - Used to say that a particular behavior is very typical of a certain person.
tick all the boxes: (Đáp ứng mọi tiêu chuẩn/yêu cầu) - To satisfy all the necessary requirements or criteria.
to cap it all: (Thêm vào đó) - Used when mentioning the final, typically worst, thing in a series of events.
when all's said and done: (Sau tất cả, rốt cuộc thì) - After considering everything that has happened or been discussed.
worship at the altar of: (Sùng bái, tôn thờ cái gì đó) - To be excessively devoted to something, such as money, fame, or a specific idea.
amid mounting calls: (Giữa những lời kêu gọi ngày càng tăng) - Occurring during a time when many people are demanding a specific action or change.
in the final analysis: (Suy cho cùng, phân tích đến cùng) - Used when making a final judgment after considering all the facts.
not take no for an answer: (Không chấp nhận bị từ chối) - To be very persistent in demanding something.
do anything for a quiet life: (Làm mọi cách để tránh rắc rối/tranh cãi) - To be willing to concede or avoid conflict just to maintain peace.
be falling apart at the seams: (Đang trở nên tồi tệ, sắp sụp đổ) - Failing completely or being in a very poor condition.
upset the apple cart: (Làm hỏng kế hoạch của ai đó) - To ruin plans or disrupt a stable situation.
no-go area: (Khu vực nguy hiểm hoặc cấm vào) - A place where it is dangerous or forbidden to go.
argue the toss: (Tranh cãi vô ích về một quyết định đã rồi) - To continue disputing a decision that has already been made and cannot be changed.
Idiomatic Expressions: Arm to Back
give your right arm for: (Sẵn sàng đánh đổi mọi thứ để có được) - To be willing to give up something very valuable to achieve or obtain something else.
the long arm of the law: (Cánh tay dài của luật pháp) - The far-reaching power and authority of the legal system to catch and punish criminals.
armchair critic: (Người chỉ biết chỉ trích mà không có kinh nghiệm thực tế) - Someone who offers advice or criticism about a situation they have never actually experienced.
call to arms: (Lời kêu gọi đấu tranh/hành động) - A formal summons or an inspiring message to prepare for a struggle or a war.
You may well ask!: (Hỏi rất đúng đấy!) - Used when someone asks a difficult question that the speaker also wants the answer to, or when the answer involves a complex problem.
no strings attached: (Không có điều kiện ràng buộc kèm theo) - An offer or agreement that has no hidden conditions or requirements.
a last-ditch attempt: (Nỗ lực cuối cùng) - A final, desperate effort to avoid disaster or achieve success.
be au fait with: (Quen thuộc, hiểu rõ về cái gì) - To be well-informed about or experienced with a particular subject.
do sth on autopilot: (Làm việc gì đó như một cỗ máy) - To perform a task without thinking about it because you have done it so many times before.
be blown away by sth: (Cực kỳ ấn tượng với cái gì) - To be very surprised or impressed by something.
be light years away from sth: (Còn cách rất xa cái gì đó) - To be at a very distant stage of development or distance from a goal.
back on track: (Trở lại đúng lộ trình) - Returning to the correct or planned path after a delay or diversion.
be back to square one: (Trở lại vạch xuất phát) - Having to start again from the very beginning because a previous attempt failed.
behind sb's back: (Sau lưng ai đó) - Doing something secretly or without a person's knowledge, often in a dishonest way.
cast your mind back: (Nhớ lại chuyện cũ) - To make an effort to remember something from the past.
get your own back: (Trả đũa, trả thù) - To do something unpleasant to someone because they have done something unpleasant to you.
go back a long way: (Có quen biết nhau từ rất lâu rồi) - Used to say that two people have been friends for a long period of time.
mind/ watch your back: (Cẩn thận, đề phòng bị hãm hại) - To be cautious because people may try to harm or cheat you.
Idiomatic Expressions: Backside to Battle
get off your backside: (Đừng lười biếng nữa) - A blunt way to tell someone to stop being lazy and start working.
bring home the bacon: (Kiếm tiền nuôi gia đình) - To earn the money that is needed to support a household.
have a bad hair day: (Một ngày mọi thứ đều không như ý) - A day when everything seems to go wrong, often starting with one's physical appearance.
not be your bag: (Không phải sở thích của bạn) - Used to say that something is not the kind of thing you like or are interested in.
on balance: (Sau khi xem xét kỹ các mặt) - After considering all the facts and arguments.
a whole new ball game: (Một tình huống hoàn toàn mới/khác biệt) - A situation that is completely different from what has happened before.
drop the ball: (Mắc sai lầm do bất cẩn) - To make a mistake or fail to handle a responsibility.
take your eye off the ball: (Mất tập trung vào mục tiêu chính) - To stop paying attention to what is important.
go down like a lead balloon: (Thất bại thảm hại) - If a suggestion, joke, or idea goes down like a lead balloon, it is completely unsuccessful or unpopular.
a ballpark figure: (Một con số ước lượng) - A rough numerical estimate.
not break the bank: (Không quá tốn kém) - Something that does not cost a lot of money.
baptism of fire: (Thử thách đầu tiên cực kỳ khó khăn) - A very difficult first experience in a new job or activity.
bare-faced lies: (Những lời nói dối trắng trợn) - Shameless and obvious lies.
drive a hard bargain: (Mặc cả sát sao) - To be very demanding in negotiations to get the best possible deal.
into the bargain: (Thêm vào đó, ngoài ra) - In addition to other things mentioned.
harder than you'd bargained for: (Khó khăn hơn dự tính) - More difficult than what was expected or prepared for.
be barking up the wrong tree: (Đang hiểu sai vấn đề) - To have a wrong idea about how to get or achieve something, or about who is responsible for something.
touch base: (Liên lạc, trao đổi ngắn gọn) - To talk to someone briefly to find out how they are or what they think about something.
on a weekly basis: (Theo định kỳ hàng tuần) - Happening once every week.
right off the bat: (Ngay lập tức) - Immediately; at the very beginning of a process.
batten down the hatches: (Chuẩn bị sẵn sàng đối phó với khó khăn) - To prepare for a difficult situation or a period of trouble.
be batting a thousand: (Đang cực kỳ thành công) - To be perfect or highly successful in a series of attempts (Reference: in baseball).
battle of wills: (Cuộc đấu trí/đấu tranh tư tưởng) - A situation in which two people or groups refuse to change their minds and try to force each other to surrender.
be half the battle: (Là yếu tố quyết định thành công) - To be the most important part of a difficult task; if you achieve it, the rest will be easier.
Idiomatic Expressions: Bear to Beyond
like a bear with a sore head: (Rất cáu kỉnh, khó chịu) - In a very bad mood and easily annoyed.
beat a retreat: (Rút lui nhanh chóng) - To run away or withdraw from a place or situation quickly, especially when it is dangerous or embarrassing.
beat sb / sth hands down: (Thắng ai đó cực kỳ dễ dàng) - To defeat someone or win a competition very easily.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!: (Nếu không thắng nổi họ thì hãy theo họ) - Said when you give up trying to change someone's behavior because you realize it is easier to do the same as they do.
as red as a beetroot: (Đỏ mặt vì ngượng) - To have a very red face because of embarrassment or shame.
beg the question: (Đặt ra câu hỏi/nghi vấn) - To cause someone to ask a specific question; also used to describe a logical fallacy where the conclusion is assumed in the premise.
I beg to differ: (Tôi xin phép có ý kiến khác) - A polite way of saying that you disagree with someone's opinion.
at/ behind the wheel: (Đang lái xe / Đang nắm quyền điều khiển) - Being the person who is driving a vehicle or the person who is in control of an organization.
the power behind the throne: (Người thực quyền đứng sau hậu trường) - A person who has great influence but does not have the official title or public recognition of a leader.
I'll believe it when I see it: (Mắt thấy tai nghe mới tin) - Used to express skepticism about whether a promised event will actually happen.
go belly up: (Thất bại, phá sản) - To fail completely, specifically in a business context.
below the belt: (Chơi không đẹp, xúc phạm cá nhân) - Cruel and unfair; referring to a comment that attacks someone personally.
fringe benefits: (Các phúc lợi phụ thêm) - Benefits like a company car or health insurance that are given in addition to a salary.
give sb / sth a wide berth: (Tránh xa ai/cái gì) - To avoid someone or something because they are dangerous or unpleasant.
have your best interests at heart: (Thực lòng muốn điều tốt nhất cho bạn) - To care about someone and want them to be successful and happy.
bete noire: (Điều mà bạn cực kỳ ghét) - A person or thing that one particularly dislikes or fears.
better safe than sorry: (Cẩn thận vẫn hơn) - It is wiser to be cautious than to take risks and regret it later.
two heads are better than one: (Hai người bàn bạc vẫn tốt hơn một) - It is easier for people to solve a problem than for one person to do it alone.
between a rock and a hard place: (Tiến thoái lưỡng nan) - In a very difficult position where any choice you make will have bad results.
between you and me: (Chuyện riêng giữa hai chúng ta) - Used to indicate that what you are about to say is a secret.
beyond your wildest dreams: (Vượt ngoài mong đợi/tưởng tượng) - Better than anything you could have imagined.
be beyond the pale: (Quá đáng, không thể chấp nhận được) - Behavior that is considered unacceptable or outside the limits of social norms.
Idiomatic Expressions: Big to Blood
Big Brother: (Sự kiểm soát chặt chẽ của chính quyền/tổ chức) - Referring to a government or authority that tries to control every part of people's lives.
big fish in a small pond: (Một nhân vật tầm cỡ trong một phạm vi nhỏ) - An important or powerful person in a small group or unimportant organization.
big time: (Rất nhiều, ở mức độ cao) - To a very great degree or very successfully.
give sb a big hand: (Nhiệt liệt hoan hô ai đó) - To applaud someone loudly.
if and it's a big if: (Nếu như - nhấn mạnh khả năng thấp) - Used to emphasize that the condition you just mentioned is very unlikely to happen.
Mr Big: (Kẻ đứng đầu, trùm cuối) - The most important person in a group or organization, especially a criminal one.
the bigger they are, the harder they fall: (Càng cao danh vọng, càng dài nỗi đau) - The more successful or powerful a person is, the more they suffer when they eventually fail.
eat like a bird: (Ăn rất ít) - To eat very small amounts of food.
take the biscuit / cake: (Là điều quá quắt nhất/kỳ quặc nhất) - Used to say that something is very surprising, annoying, or extreme.
bite off more than one can chew: (Làm việc quá sức mình) - To try to do something that is too difficult or takes too much time.
bite the bullet: (Cắn răng chịu đựng khó khăn) - To force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult, or to be brave in a difficult situation.
bite the hand that feeds you: (Ăn cháo đá bát) - To harm or treat someone badly who has helped you or given you money.
hold / bite your tongue: (Giữ mồm giữ miệng) - To stop yourself from saying something that might upset others or cause trouble.
black and blue: (Bị thâm tím mặt mày) - Covered in bruises.
black and white: (Rõ ràng) - A situation where it is easy to distinguish between right and wrong, or a simple division with no middle ground.
a black mark: (Một vết nhơ, một điểm trừ) - A note or record of failure or bad behavior that might affect someone's future.
a wet blanket: (Người làm mất vui kẻ khác) - A person who spoils other people's fun by being negative and complaining.
my heart bleeds: (Mỉa mai sự cảm thông) - Used sarcastically to say that you do not feel sorry for someone at all.
be on the blink: (Máy móc đang bị hỏng hóc) - (Of a piece of electrical equipment) not working correctly.
Ignorance is bliss: (Không biết thì lại hay) - Used to say that it is better not to know about unpleasant facts.
a chip off the old block: (Con nhà tông không giống lông cũng giống cánh) - Someone who is very similar in character or appearance to one of their parents.
new kid on the block: (Người mới đến) - Someone who is new to a place, organization, or group.
blood, sweat and tears: (Mồ hôi, công sức và nước mắt) - A very great effort or hard work.
burst a blood vessel: (Cực kỳ tức giận) - To become extremely angry.
have blood on your hands: (Nhúng chàm) - To be responsible for someone's death or for a bad situation.
make your blood boil: (Làm ai đó sôi máu) - To make someone extremely angry.
your own flesh and blood: (Người thân máu mủ ruột rà) - A person who is related to you.
bloody confrontations: (Những cuộc đối đầu đẫm máu) - Violent fights or arguments involving physical injury.
Idiomatic Expressions: Blow to Book
blow your mind: (Làm bạn cực kỳ kinh ngạc) - To surprise someone very much or make them feel very excited.
blow your own trumpet: (Khoe khoang về bản thân) - To talk a lot about your own achievements or abilities.
a death blow: (Đòn chí mạng) - An event or action that causes something to fail completely and suddenly.
blue-sky thinking: (Suy nghĩ bay bổng, không giới hạn) - Creative ideas that are not limited by current beliefs or practical constraints.
be a bolt from the blue: (Tin sét đánh ngang tai) - Something that happens unexpectedly and suddenly.
the boys in blue: (Cảnh sát) - A colloquial term for police officers.
bluff your way: (Vượt qua bằng cách lừa phỉnh) - To manage to get through a situation by pretending to have more knowledge or skill than you really have.
go by the board: (Bị lãng quên, không được thực hiện) - If a plan or idea goes by the board, it is forgotten or discarded.
tread the boards: (Diễn kịch trên sân khấu) - To work as an actor in a theatre.
it doesn't float my boat: (Cái đó không làm tôi hứng thú) - Used to say that something is not specifically interesting or appealing to you.
Whatever floats your boat!: (Sao cũng được, tùy sở thích bạn thôi!) - Used to say that you agree with a choice someone has made, even if it is not a choice you would make.
not be short of a bob or two: (Khá giàu có) - Used to say that someone has a lot of money (Note: "bob" is a former unit of British currency).
over my dead body: (Bước qua xác tao đã) - Used to say that you will do everything you can to prevent someone from doing something.
drop a bombshell: (Tung ra một tin gây sốc) - To provide news that is very surprising and usually unpleasant.
bone dry: (Khô khốc) - Completely dry.
bone of contention: (Nguyên nhân gây tranh cãi) - A subject or issue that people argue about for a long time.
bone to pick: (Có chuyện cần tính sổ) - To have a complaint that you want to discuss with someone.
as dry as a bone: (Khô như ngói) - Very dry indeed.
bring to book: (Trừng phạt ai đó) - To punish someone for something they have done wrong and make them explain their behavior.
throw the book at: (Phạt ai đó thật nặng) - To punish someone as severely as possible.
that's a turn-up for the books: (Thật là một bất ngờ lớn) - An unusual or unexpected event.
your heart is in your boots: (Đang rất buồn/thất vọng) - To feel very depressed or unhappy.
Idiomatic Expressions: Bored to Broken
bored out of your mind: (Chán ngắt) - Extremely bored.
live on borrowed time: (Sống những ngày cuối cùng) - To continue living or existing longer than expected, usually after a time when one was expected to die or fail.
cut both / two ways: (Có hai mặt) - To have both advantages and disadvantages, or to have two different effects.
all hot and bothered: (Đang lo lắng, bối rối) - Worried, anxious, or angry.
rock bottom: (Mức thấp nhất có thể) - The lowest possible level or the worst point.
in leaps and bounds: (Tiến bộ vượt bậc) - Making progress very quickly.
have plenty of strings to your bow: (Có nhiều tài lẻ) - To have several different skills or options for achieving something.
Pandora's box: (Hộp Pandora) - A situation that contains many unexpected problems (from Greek mythology).
think outside the box: (Suy nghĩ sáng tạo) - To think of new and unconventional ideas.
the brainchild of sb: (Sản phẩm trí tuệ của ai đó) - An original idea, plan, or invention conceived by a specific person.
put the brakes on: (Kìm hãm, chặn lại) - To slow down or stop an activity.
hold out an olive branch: (Đưa ra lời cầu hòa) - To offer to end a disagreement or a fight.
be the breadwinner: (Người trụ cột kiếm tiền) - The member of a family who earns the money to support the others.
Give me a break!: (Thôi đi!) - Used to tell someone to stop annoying you or to show that you don't believe what they are saying.
eat sb for breakfast: (Dễ dàng đánh bại ai đó) - To defeat someone easily, especially in a competition or argument.
cross that bridge when you come to it: (Đến đâu hay đến đó) - To deal with a problem only when it actually happens, rather than worrying about it beforehand.
water under the bridge: (Chuyện cũ đã qua rồi) - Problems or events that happened in the past and are no longer important.
as bright as a button: (Thông minh, nhanh nhẹn) - Very intelligent and full of energy.
Look on the bright side: (Nhìn vào mặt tích cực) - To try to see the positive aspects of a bad situation.
bring sb down a peg or two: (Làm ai đó bớt kiêu ngạo) - To make someone realize that they are not as important or talented as they think.
bring the house down: (Khiến cả khán phòng vỗ tay nhiệt liệt) - To give a performance that makes the audience applaud very loudly.
bring to the table: (Đóng góp giá trị gì đó) - To provide something useful or beneficial to a group or negotiation.
in broad daylight: (Ngay giữa thanh thiên bạch nhật) - During the day when it is light and everyone can see.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!: (Đang yên đang lành thì đừng sửa) - Used to say that you should not try to change something that is already working well.
Idiomatic Expressions: Buckets to Cat
cry/ weep buckets: (Khóc như mưa) - To cry a lot.
be built on sand: (Xây trên nền cát) - An idea or system that is likely to fail because it is not based on facts or strong foundations.
Rome wasn't built in a day: (Việc lớn không phải một sớm một chiều mà xong) - Used to say that it takes a long time to achieve something important.
bumper to bumper: (Xe cộ nối đuôi nhau) - When traffic is so heavy that cars are almost touching each other and moving very slowly.
dead and buried: (Đã kết thúc hoàn toàn) - Finished or gone forever.
burn the midnight oil: (Thức khuya làm việc/học bài) - To work or study until very late at night.
money to burn: (Có rất nhiều tiền để tiêu) - To have more money than you need, so you can spend it on unnecessary things.
burning the candle at both ends: (Làm việc kiệt sức) - To try to do too many things and get very little rest, usually by going to bed late and getting up early.
have sth burning a hole in your pocket: (Có tiền là muốn tiêu ngay) - To be very eager to spend money you have just received.
fiddle while Rome burns: (Thờ ơ trước tai họa) - To act in a frivolous way or do nothing while a serious problem is happening.
bury your head in the sand: (Trốn tránh thực tại) - To refuse to admit that a problem exists or to avoid dealing with it.
mind your own business: (Lo việc của mình đi) - A rude way to tell someone not to ask about or interfere in your private affairs.
go bust: (Phá sản) - When a business must close because it has no money.
hustle and bustle: (Sự hối hả, nhộn nhịp) - Busy activity and noise.
no ifs and buts: (Không nhưng nhị gì cả) - Used to tell someone to do something immediately and without complaining or making excuses.
push the right buttons: (Đánh trúng tâm lý/điểm yếu) - To know exactly how to influence someone or get a reaction.
let bygones be bygones: (Việc quá khứ hãy để nó qua đi) - To decide to forget about past disagreements and be friendly.
rattle sb's cage: (Làm ai đó khó chịu/nổi giận) - To do something intentionally to make someone angry or upset.
the frosting/ icing on the cake: (Một điều tốt lành thêm vào cái đã tốt sẵn) - Something that makes a good situation even better.
launch a campaign: (Bắt đầu một chiến dịch) - To start an organized series of actions to achieve a goal.
like the cat that ate the canary: (Trông rất đắc ý) - To look very proud and satisfied with oneself.
a loose cannon: (Một người khó kiểm soát) - An unpredictable person whose actions might cause damage or trouble.
get the red card: (Bị đuổi ra ngoài) - To be dismissed from a game (football) or a job for bad behavior.
keep/ play your cards close to your chest: (Giữ kín bí mật/kế hoạch) - To hide your intentions or plans from others.
sweep sth under the carpet: (Che giấu chuyện gì đó xấu hổ) - To try to ignore a problem or a shocking fact instead of dealing with it.
a case in point: (Một ví dụ điển hình) - A specific instance that illustrates a general principle or situation.
cold / hard cash: (Tiền mặt) - Money in the form of bills and coins, rather than checks or credit.
be strapped for cash: (Đang kẹt tiền) - Having very little money.
be a casualty of: (Là nạn nhân của cái gì) - Someone or something that is destroyed or suffers as a result of a specific event or situation.
fight like cat and dog: (Đánh nhau như chó với mèo) - To argue or fight constantly and intensely.
like the cat that got the cream: (Trông rất mãn nguyện/đắc ý) - Very pleased with yourself.
not have a cat in hell's chance: (Không có một chút cơ hội nào) - To have no possibility of success at all.
Idiomatic Expressions: Cat and Mouse to Clean
put the cat amongst the pigeons: (Gây xôn xao, náo loạn) - To say or do something that causes trouble or makes a lot of people angry and worried.
play cat and mouse: (Chơi trò mèo vờn chuột) - To engage in a series of planned maneuvers to try to outwit or catch someone.
the cat's whiskers: (Điều tuyệt vời nhất) - To be better than anyone or anything else.
catch some z's: (Đi ngủ một giấc) - A slang term for getting some sleep.
like a deer caught in the headlights: (Ngơ ngác, sợ hãi) - So frightened or surprised that you cannot move or think clearly.
a glass ceiling: (Rào cản thăng tiến vô hình) - A social or professional barrier that prevents women or minorities from reaching the top positions in a company.
nearly fall off your chair: (Rất ngạc nhiên) - To be extremely surprised or shocked by what you hear.
chalk and cheese: (Khác nhau một trời một vực) - To be completely different from each other.
a fighting chance: (Cơ hội mong manh) - A small but real possibility of success if you make a great effort.
fat chance: (Không bao giờ có chuyện đó đâu) - Used to say that you think something is very unlikely to happen.
given half a chance: (Nếu có bất cứ cơ hội nào) - If you were provided with even a small opportunity.
a leopard can't change its spots: (Giang sơn dễ đổi bản tính khó dời) - Used to say that a person's character, especially if it is bad, cannot be changed.
plus ça change: (Mọi thứ chẳng có gì thay đổi cả) - A French phrase used to point out that even when things seem to change, they often stay the same.
ring the changes: (Thay đổi để tạo sự mới mẻ) - To do something in a different way in order to make it more interesting.
plunge into chaos: (Rơi vào cảnh hỗn loạn) - To suddenly fall into a state of total disorder.
live a charmed life: (Sống một cuộc đời may mắn) - To be very lucky in avoiding danger or trouble throughout one's life.
Prince Charming: (Bạch mã hoàng tử) - A man who seems perfect as a romantic partner.
a wild-goose chase: (Cuộc tìm kiếm vô vọng) - A search that is completely unsuccessful and a waste of time.
the chattering classes: (Giới trí thức hay bàn chuyện chính trị) - An often negative term for educated people who talk a lot about social and political issues but don't do much about them.
cheap and cheerful: (Rẻ mà tốt) - Not expensive, but pleasant and good quality.
take a rain check: (Hẹn dịp khác) - Used to tell someone that you cannot accept an invitation now but would like to do it another time.
turn the other cheek: (Nhẫn nhịn) - To refuse to retaliate when someone has wronged or attacked you.
be no spring chicken: (Không còn trẻ trung gì nữa) - To be no longer young.
as poor as a church mouse: (Nghèo rớt mồng tơi) - Extremely poor.
a second-class citizen: (Công dân hạng hai) - Someone who is treated as if they are less important than others in society.
drop a clanger: (Mắc sai lầm ngớ ngẩn) - To say something very embarrassing or inappropriate by mistake.
come clean: (Thú thật, tự thú) - To tell the truth about something that you have kept secret.
squeaky-clean: (Cực kỳ trong sạch/sạch sẽ) - Completely clean; having no record of bad behavior or dishonesty.
take sb to the cleaner's: (Lấy hết sạch tiền của ai đó) - To take all of someone's money, either by winning it in a game or by cheating them.
Idiomatic Expressions: Clear to Crowd
as clear as crystal: (Rõ như ban ngày) - Very easy to see or understand.
as clear as mud: (Khó hiểu, mịt mờ) - Very difficult to understand.
crystal clear: (Rõ ràng hoàn toàn) - Extremely transparent or easy to comprehend.
too clever by half: (Quá tự mãn về trí thông minh) - Annoyingly confident about your own intelligence.
clip sb's wings: (Hạn chế sự tự do) - To limit someone's freedom or power.
round the clock: (Suốt ngày đêm) - Happening hours a day.
a wolf in sheep's clothing: (Sói gửi chân cừu) - A person who seems friendly but is actually dangerous or treacherous.
a cloud on the horizon: (Một dấu hiệu rắc rối sắp tới) - A small sign that there might be problems in the future.
Every cloud has a silver lining: (Trong cái rủi có cái may) - Every bad situation has some good aspect to it.
a cog in the machine: (Một mắt xích nhỏ) - A small or unimportant person in a large organization.
two sides of the same coin: (Hai mặt của một vấn đề) - Two different aspects of the same situation.
stone cold: (Lạnh ngắt) - Completely cold.
be on a collision course: (Sắp xảy ra xung đột lớn) - Behaving in a way that is likely to cause a major disagreement or conflict.
come into your own: (Khẳng định được vị thế) - To show how good or effective you are in a particular situation.
come out fighting: (Phản kháng mạnh mẽ) - To react to a difficult situation with great energy and determination.
come to a standstill: (Ngưng trệ hoàn toàn) - To stop suddenly or completely.
come up trumps: (Thành công ngoài mong đợi) - To complete a task more successfully than expected.
a dream come true: (Giấc mơ trở thành sự thật) - Something that happens which you have wanted for a long time.
first come, first served: (Đến trước được phục vụ trước) - Used to say that the people who arrive first will be dealt with first.
until the cows come home: (Còn rất lâu) - For a very long time.
Pride comes before a fall: (Kiêu ngạo là tiền đề của thất bại) - If you are too proud, something will happen to show you that you are not as good as you think.
take each day as it comes: (Sống cho hiện tại) - To deal with things as they happen rather than worrying about the future.
creature comforts: (Những tiện nghi vật chất) - Things that make life more comfortable, such as good food and heat.
not know whether you're coming or going: (Đang bối rối) - To be so busy or confused that you do not know what to do next.
What is the world coming to?: (Thế giới này đang trở nên tồi tệ gì thế này?) - Used to express total shock or disappointment at the state of society.
common ground: (Điểm chung) - Shared interests or beliefs between people who disagree about other things.
Two's company, three's a crowd: (Hai người là đủ) - Used to suggest that two people would prefer to be alone together rather than have a third person join them.
compos mentis: (Tỉnh táo, minh mẫn) - Having full control of one's mind (Latin).
a contradiction in terms: (Sự mâu thuẫn ngay trong câu chữ) - A statement that is impossible because it contains two ideas that oppose each other.
the conventional wisdom: (Quan điểm thông thường) - Opinions that are held by most people and are generally accepted as true.
be cool with: (Đồng ý, thấy ổn) - To be okay with someone or something.
play it cool: (Giữ thái thái độ bình thản) - To stay calm and not show your real feelings.
corner the market: (Độc chiếm thị trường) - To get control of the trade in a particular product.
in a tight corner: (Lâm vào tình cảnh khó khăn) - In a difficult situation that is hard to escape.
can count sth on the fingers of one hand: (Hiếm hoi) - Used to emphasize how few there are of a certain thing.
under the counter: (Bán chui) - Sold or done secretly and often illegally.
war-torn country: (Đất nước bị tàn phá bởi chiến tranh) - A country that is badly damaged or affected by war.
as a matter of course: (Như một lẽ đương nhiên) - Something that happens as a natural part of a process.
run its course: (Diễn ra tự nhiên cho đến khi kết thúc) - To develop or continue until it comes to a natural end.
the course of true love never did run smooth: (Tình yêu đích thực không bao giờ bằng phẳng) - A line from Shakespeare suggesting that romantic relationships always have difficulties.
under cover of darkness: (Dưới màn đêm che phủ) - Done during the night so that it is not seen.
a hard nut to crack: (Một bài toán khó) - A difficult problem to solve or a person who is hard to understand or defeat.
from the cradle to the grave: (Từ lúc sinh ra đến khi xuống mồ) - Lasting for a whole life.
nook and cranny: (Mọi ngõ ngách) - Every part or every corner of a place.
it's not cricket: (Không công bằng) - Used to say that something is not fair or not honorable behavior.
shed crocodile tears: (Nước mắt cá sấu) - To pretend to be sad or sorry about something.
be at a crossroads: (Đang ở bước ngoặt cuộc đời) - At a stage in life where you have to make a very important decision.
a crowd-puller: (Thứ thu hút đám đông) - An event or person that attracts a lot of people.
stand out from the crowd: (Nổi bật giữa đám đông) - To be much better or more obvious than other similar people or things.
Idiomatic Expressions: Cry to Dead
cry your heart out: (Khóc hết nước mắt) - To cry very hard for a long period of time.
crème de la crème: (Tinh hoa của tinh hoa) - The very best people or things of a particular group.
make sb's toes curl: (Làm ai đó thấy xấu hổ) - To make someone feel very embarrassed or disgusted.
throw sb a curveball: (Gây bất ngờ) - To surprise someone with a difficult or unexpected problem.
a cushy number: (Một công việc nhàn hạ) - A job or situation that is very easy and provides a lot of money or benefit.
cut and run: (Bỏ trốn nhanh chóng) - To escape from a difficult situation as quickly as possible.
can't cut the mustard: (Không đủ khả năng đáp ứng) - To be not good enough to do something.
at the cutting edge: (Ở trình độ tiên tiến nhất) - At the most advanced stage of development.
C'est la vie: (Đời là thế mà) - A French expression meaning "that's life," used when something disappointing happens.
as fresh as a daisy: (Tươi như hoa) - Very fresh and full of energy.
the sword of Damocles: (Nguy cơ lơ lửng trên đầu) - A situation where something very bad could happen to you at any time.
de facto: (Trên thực tế) - Existing in fact, whether it is legal or not.
dead in the water: (Đã thất bại) - If a project or plan is dead in the water, it has failed and there is no hope that it will succeed in the future.
dead to the world: (Ngủ say như chết) - Sleeping very deeply.
dead wood: (Những người/thứ vô dụng) - People or things that are no longer useful to an organization.
a dead duck: (Một kế hoạch cầm chắc thất bại) - Someone or something that is doomed to failure.
as dead as a dodo: (Tuyệt chủng) - Not existing or not popular anymore.
flog a dead horse: (Phí công vô ích) - To waste time trying to do something that is impossible or already finished.
in the dead of night: (Giữa đêm khuya thanh vắng) - In the middle of the night when it is very quiet and dark.
fall on deaf ears: (Bị bỏ ngoài tai) - If a suggestion or request falls on deaf ears, people ignore it or refuse to listen.
Idiomatic Expressions: Death to Disaster
be dealt a lousy hand: (Gặp phải hoàn cảnh không may mắn) - To be given a difficult situation to deal with in life.
nearest and dearest: (Những người thân thiết nhất) - Your family and close friends.
a death trap: (Một nơi cực kỳ nguy hiểm) - A building, vehicle, or place that is very dangerous.
a fate worse than death: (Một kết cục tồi tệ hơn cả cái chết) - A humorous way to describe a very unpleasant experience.
a living death: (Sống khổ sở như đã chết) - An extremely miserable life.
be at death's door: (Sắp chết, hấp hối) - Very close to dying.
dice with death: (Đùa giỡn với tử thần) - To do something very dangerous.
sick to death of sth: (Chán ngấy cái gì đó) - Very annoyed or bored by something that has been happening for a long time.
the kiss of death: (Sự kiện dẫn đến thất bại) - Something that seems good but actually causes a plan or activity to fail.
debt of honour: (Khoản nợ danh dự) - A debt that is not legally binding but which someone feels morally obliged to pay.
all hands on deck: (Tất cả cùng chung tay) - Everyone available must help.
be sb's heart's desire: (Là khao khát lớn nhất) - The thing or person that someone wants most of all.
every Tom, Dick and Harry: (Bất cứ ai) - Used to refer to ordinary people in general.
a world of difference: (Khác biệt một trời một vực) - A very large difference.
same difference: (Cũng thế thôi) - Used to say that two things are essentially the same, although they appear different.
dig your own grave: (Tự đào hố chôn mình) - To do something that will cause your own failure or ruin.
not be worth a dime: (Không đáng một xu) - To be worth nothing.
play dirty: (Chơi bẩn) - To use unfair or dishonest methods to win.
a recipe for disaster: (Cách dẫn đến thảm họa) - A combination of factors that is likely to cause a very bad situation.
Idiomatic Expressions: Discord to Down
note of discord: (Sự bất hòa) - A sign of disagreement or lack of harmony.
dog eat dog: (Cạnh tranh khốc liệt) - A very competitive situation in which people will do anything to succeed.
dog in the manger: (Chó già giữ xương) - Someone who prevents other people from using something they do not want for themselves.
a dog's life: (Cuộc đời khổ cực) - A very unhappy and difficult life.
be like a dog with two tails: (Vui mừng khôn xiết) - To be very happy.
work like a dog: (Làm việc cực khổ) - To work very hard.
You can't teach an old dog new tricks: (Tre già khó uốn) - Used to say that it is difficult to make someone change their habits after they have been doing them for a long time.
let sleeping dogs lie: (Đừng gợi lại những chuyện không hay) - To leave a situation as it is to avoid causing more trouble.
domino effect: (Hiệu ứng domino) - A situation in which one event causes a series of similar events to happen.
donkey / grunt work: (Công việc nặng nhọc) - Boring, hard work.
get a foot in the door: (Bước chân vào được một tổ chức) - To get your first opportunity to work for an organization.
open the door to: (Mở ra cơ hội) - To make it possible for something to happen.
double whammy: (Họa vô đơn chí) - A situation where two unpleasant things happen at the same time.
down in the dumps: (Đang buồn bã) - Feeling unhappy or depressed.
down the line: (Sau này) - Later in a process or period of time.
go down a storm: (Được đón nhận nồng nhiệt) - To be very popular or successful with an audience.
go down a treat: (Rất thành công) - To be very enjoyable or successful.