Some clichs and idioms

1. look who's talking = ngi ni ng rng ngi m ch trch hay phn nn, hay c ngh sai lm v ngi ni (speaker) nn nhn li bn thn ngi trc khi ln ting. 2. I can't help it = I can't make it. I can't do that right now.EX: A: Now take a seat and relax. can't help it. 3. (a) piece of cake = very easy (slang).ex: No, it won't be any trouble. It's (a) piece of cake. 4. at the drop of a hat = ngay lp tc v khng cn s ni n no ex: If you need help, just call me. I can come at the drop of a hat. 5. bump into someone ( also run into ) = to chance on someone- tnh c gp mt ai ex: I bumped into her at the station yesterday. 6. call it a day = kt thc cng vic v v nh; hoc c ni rng ngy lm vic kt thc ( hon thnh) ex: The boss was mad because Tom called it a day at noon and went home. ( chng ta cng c th dng call it a night ). 7. chip in = ng gp mt khon tin nh vo mt qu c th dng tin mua ci g trong tng lai. ex: Would you care to chip in on a gift for the teacher? 8. clear up = tr nn thong ng v c nh nng ( thng c ni v thi tit).ex: If it clears up, I will go for a picnic. 9. come around = bt u thay i quan im c nhn ; bt u ng ex: I thought he'd never agreed, but in the end he came around. 10. cost a fortune = cost a lot of moneyex: I'll bet the diamond cost a fortune. 11. for hours on end or for days on end = for many hours ( or days )ex: We kept on travelling for days on end. 12. in one's ( or the ) blood = c hnh thnh t trong tnh cch ca ai .ex: John's a great runner. It's in his blood. 13. get in(to) hot water = gp kh khn / rc ri ex: When you start trying to build your own computer, you are getting into hot water. 14. get (something) off the ground = lm ci g bt u, hay bt u thnh cng.ex: I can relax after I get this project off the ground. 15. go over someone's head =to be difficult for someone to understand. ex: All that talk about computers went over my head. I hope my lecture didn't go over your heads. 16. It goes without saying = is so obvious that it need not be said.ex: It goes without saying that you are to wear formal clothing to dinner each evening. Of course. That goes without saying. 17. hit it off ( with someone ) = nhanh chng tr thnh bn tt ca ai .ex: after their accidental meeting on the train, they really hit it off. 18. just what the doctor ordered = chun nh nhng g yu cu. ( thng dng trong vn sc khe) ex: That meal was delicious, Bob. Just what the doctor ordered. 19. like a breeze = ci g n gin v d lm ex: Riding a horse is like a breeze. 20. music to one's ears = ci g nghe c v d chu.ex: Well, listen to the sound of the creek and the wind in the trees. It's like music to my ears. 21. on edge = lo lngex: I have really been on edge lately. 22. on end = lin tip, khng ngh ngi ex: He has been up late nights on end. 23. turn in = i ng 24. take someone or something into account = to remember to consider someone or something. - B: I'm sorry. I

ex: I hope you will take Bill and Bob into account when you plan the party. ex: I'll try to take into account all the things that are important in a situation like this. 25. slowly but surely = chm m chc 26. run-of-the-mill = thng thng , trung bnh, tiu biu run-of-the-mill. ex: The restaurant we went to was nothing special - just

27. I'll second that = ngi ni hon ton ng vi nhng g ngi kia n i. A: I think someone of us could do with coffee.- B: I'll second that. 28. Is it ever! = ngi ni mun nhn mnh s ng ca anh ta vi nhng g ngi kia ni. A; It is cold tonight.- B: Is it ever! 29. Nothing like someone though! = ngi ni khng ng vi li bnh lun ca ngi khc. A: John is intelligent.- B: Nothing like his brother Tom though! 30. not on my account = ngi ni t chi li ngh. A: Shall I take you home? - B: Not on my account. 31. that's not necessarily so. =ngi ni ko ng vi quan im ca ngi khc v g . A: The project will never work at all.- B: That's not necessarily so. 32. Wasn't it, though! = ngi ni ng vi nhng g ngi kia ni. A: It was a windy night. - B: wasn't it, though! 33. Who wouldn't? = ngi ni pht biu kin ging ngi kia v g .A: I really like this blue car. - B: Who wouldn't? 34. You're not even warm = bn on sai ri. Ex: You're not even warm. Let me give you a hint. 35. a stone's throw (away from something) (also within a stone's throw of something) = khng xa, rt gn vi g . ex: We live in Carbondale, and that's just a stone's throw from the Mississippi River. 36. as usual = nh thng l. ex: he stood quietly as usual, waiting for the bus to come. 37. be bound to do something = to be certain to do something = chc chn lm g ex: They are bound to come home soon. They always come home early. 38. be cut for ( also cut out to be) = ph hp vi g ex: Tom was not cut out for blanking or Tom was not c ut out to be a blanker. 39. break the news to someone = ni vi ai tin quan trng, thng l tin xu ex: The doctor had to break the news to Jane about her husband's cancer. 40. by and large = usually, generally.ex: I find that, by and large, people tend to do what they are told to do. 41. come out of something = vt qua tnh hung kh khnex: They came out of a sea of sorrow. 42. fight about something = c gng lm vic thng hoc vt qua ci g A: Did they reach the agreement on that issue?- B: Finally they did - after they found about it all day. 43. follow in someone's footsteps or someone's tracks = noi gng ai , tha nhn vic lm ca ai . ex: she followed in her father's footsteps and went into medicine. 44. go with something = to go well with something ; to choose something ex: Mild doesn't go with grapefruit. ex: I think I'll go with the yellow one. 45. in the same boat ( as someone ) = cng mt tnh hung A: I'm broke. Can you lend me 20 dollars?- B: sorry, I'm in the same boat. 46. not think much of something = khng ginng g ; khng c quan im tt v g A: How do you like American food?- B: Oh, no. I don't think much of it.

47. pull one's leg = chi khm ai ex: You don't mean that. You're just pulling my leg. Don't believe him. He's just pulling your leg. 48. run across someone or something or come across = tnh c gp 49. save someone's breath = kim ch ni chuyn, ci v, gii thch ex: there is no sense in trying to convince her. Save your breath. 50. serve someone right ( for an act or event ) = x pht cng bng ex: John copied off my test paper. It would serve him right if he fails the test. 51. sing another tune or a different tune = thay i tnh cch ai , thng l t xu thnh tt ex: When she learned that I was a bank director, she began to sing another tune. You will sing a different tune as soon as you find out how right I am. 52. smelling like a rose or roses = c ci nhn tt hay tn trng sau khi vng phi nhng tnh hung kh khn ( ging nh thi xin tin b m, gi t lm ra tin s qu ng tin hn ) ex: It was a nasty political campaign, but Al Gore and John W.Bush came up smelling like roses. 53. stand out = d thy ex: Exotic computer stands out as one of the best available. 54. take after someone = trng gingex: don't you think that Sally takes after her mother? 55. Under the weather = bnh ex: I'm a bit under the weather today, so I can't go to the office. 56. work out = tp th dc ex: working out a lot gives me a big appetite. 57. work on something = sa, xy dng hay hiu chnh g ex: The carpenter worked on the fence for three hours 58.How'd it go? = how was it? ex: A: How did your interview do? B: It couldn't have gone better. 59. That's not too bad = it is acceptable ex: A: I took my car to that garage and they charged me 5$ for a new minor repairs. B:That's not too bad. 60. That's the way it is = that's the policy or regulations of an organization. ex: You don't have the receipt. I can't get you back the refund, that's the way it is. 61. That's what I thought = I think so. A: let's go watching firework tonight.- B: Sure, that's what I thought. 62. You're a big help = You're very kind ( sometimes used to satirize someone's refusal ) A: You don't have the receipt. I can't get you back the refund, that's the way it is.- B: Thanks, you're a big help. 63. You can say that again = to agree completely A: there's a lot of food on the table - B:You can say that again. 64. ahead of time = beforehand; before the announced time ex: be there ahead of time if you want to get a good seat. 65. as a rule = usually, generally ex: As a rule I have a sandwich for lunch and a proper meal in the evening. 66. be on the safe side = to be safe ; to be cautious in case it is necessary ; to be very well -prepared ex: To be on the safe side, carry some extra money in your shoes. 67. be used to something = to be accustomed to something ex: I'm used to the weather here. 68. break down = to stop operating. 69. call someone or something up =to call a person, business, or office on the phone. ex: Mary called the company up and order a new supply of medicine. 70. can afford something = to have enough money to buy or purchase something. ex: I can't afford a new car. 71. make it = to succeed, to do something as expected ex: Donna wants to graduate this year. I hope she makes it. 72. can't stand someone or something = unable to tolerate someone or something ex: None of us can't stand this place. 73. come down with something = to become ill with some disease ex: I'm afraid I'm coming down with a cold.

74. few and far between now = very few ex: Get some gasoline now. Service stations on this highway are few and far between now. 75. like a fish out of the water = completely out of place ex: Everybody was speaking French, but I don't speak French; I felt like a fish out of water. 76. For the time being = for now, for present; temporarily 77. From now on = from this moment forward ex: You haven't been studying, but from now on you will have to study very hard if you want to end up with 80% or more this semester. 78. get caught up = to bring something up to date ex: he has stayed up all night studying, but he doesn't seem to get caught up/ 79. get mixed up = to get confused ex: I get mixed up easily whenever I take a test. 80. have a heart of gold = to be generous, sincere and friendly ex: Mary is such a lovely person. She has a heart of gold. 81. have it made = to have achieved a successful state; fortunate, lucky. ex: Mary really has it made, she inherited one million dollars. 82. have someone over = to invite someone as a guest to one's house .ex: I would like to have you over some time. 83. If only = would that; I wish that. 84. ill at ease = uneasy; anxious ex: I feel ill at ease about the interview. 85. in the long run = looking ahead to the distant future. ex: Learning another language now may be useful in the long run. 86. might as well = to have no strong reason not to; it's a good idea for someone to do something. ex: If you are driving down town, I might as well come with you. That'll save me taking the bus. 87. measure up to someone or something = to be equal to s.o or s.th . ex: Ann is good, but she doesn't measure up to Mary. 88. out of the question = impossible .ex: The teacher said it was out of the question to put off the test because five students didn't come. 89. not know up from down = to get confused ex: Mary didn't seem to know up from down on stage. 90. put s.th off = to postpone s.th; to schedule s.th for a later time ex: I have to put off our meeting until next Friday. 91. put up with s.o or s.th = to endure s.o or s.th ex: I can't put up with you any more. I'm leaving. 92. take care of s.o or s.th = to provide care for s.o or s.th; to deal with s.th 93. think nothing of it = that's all right, not at all. A: It's very kind of you to take me home.- B: Think nothing of it. 94. trade s.th in = to give ( a used automobile ) as part of the purchase price of a new one. 95. turn s.th in = to hand s.th in ex: Don't wait until the last minute to turn in the research paper. ex: I applied for a job with the city, but they turned me ex: His manner really turns me 96. turn s.o or s.th down = to refuse or deny s.th or s.o down.

97. turn s.o off = to discourage or disgust someone ( informal. Often ambiguous ) off. 99. I couldn't agree more = I totally agree with you. Ti hon ton ng vi bn 100. I couldn't feel better about it = I am really pleased = Ti thc s hi lng 101. I don't mind = never mind = khng sao =ng c lo

98. don't be so sure = the person doesn't agree about what the other person says. ng c chc vy!

102. I'll bet = certainly, sure, that's right = chc chn 103. it couldn't hurt to do something =It's not harmful for s.o to do s.th ex: It couldn't hurt to ask him for help. 104. not again = means that the speaker isn't pleased with repeated behavior or activities A: John wanted to borrow another 2000$ from you.- B: Not again. 105. Who cares? = means it isn't important that s.o might be offended for your decision. =Th sao no, ai quan tm n vn ch? A: I'd like to come over you, but I'm afraid your parents won't be pleased.- B: Who cares? 106. you don't mean it = means that the speaker is surprised or doesn't want to believe in what has been said or what has happened. = ngi ni ngc nhin hoc ko mun tin nhng g c ni hay xy ra A: Very few students have showed up.- B: You don't mean it. 107. as a matter of fact = actually =Thc ra ex: I'm not a poor worker. As a matter of fact I'm very efficient. 108. be cramming for s.th = to be very busy with s.th. ex: I've been cramming for my study for final exams next week. 109. be paid up until = s.o has one's rent paid until = c tin tr nh thu n khi ex: She is paid up until next summer. 110. be supposed to do s.th = expected or intended to do s.th; obliged or allowed to do s.th = c mong i / bt buc lm g ex: Mom says you are supposed to come inside for dinner now. 111. be swamped with s.th = to be very busy with ex: He has been swamped with work lately. 112. break in = to enter forcibly or unexpectedly = t nhp ex: S.o broke in the shop window last nigh t. 113. catch cold = to become sick, cold = b cm ( lnh) ex: I caught cold, so I didn't show up the meeting. 114. drop by = to come and visit at some future time. = gh nh thm ex: I would like you to drop by. 115. drop s.o off = to let s.o get off the bus or out of the car = ai ra khi xe but hay xe hi ex: Could you drop me off at the post office on the way? 116. go on = to continue as a command = tip tc ex: Oh go on! You're just trying to flatter me. 117. go to the trouble of doing s.th ( also to do s.th ) = to endure the bother of doing s.th = gii quyt hay vng phi rc ri v vic g . ex: I really don't want to go to the trouble of cooking. 118. feel up to s.th = to feel well enough or prepare enough to do s.th. . ex: I don't feel up to jogging today. 119. fill s.o's shoes = to take the place of some other person and do that person's work satisfactorily. = m nhn v tr ca ai v lm cng vic ca ngi mt cch hon m.. ex: I don't know how we'll be able to do without you. No one can fill your shoes. 120. have a hunch = to have a guess or feeling not base on known facts. = on . ex: I have a hunch that he won't come. 121. It (doesn't ) make ( any ) sense for S.o to do = it (doesn't ) seem reasonable or practical for s.o to do s.th. N (khng ) c ngha i vi ai lm vic g . ex: It doesn't make any sense for us to spend a spring vacation in our home town this year. 122. make the most of s.th = to make s.th appear as good as possible ; to exploit s.th; to get as much out of s.th as is possible. = lm g tt nht c th. ex: Mary knows how to make the most of her talents. 123. make s.th out ( a form, a check, receipt...) = to write on all the necessary information. . ex: She made a check out for 2000$. 124. money burns a hole in s.o's pocket = s.o spends as much money as possible. = ai tiu xi (tin ) v ex: Sally can't seem to save anything. Money burns a hole in her pocket. ex: if money burns a hole in your pocket, you never have any for emergencies. 125. not by a long shot = not by a great amount; Not ( informal ) = Cha c, cn phi c gng nhiu

ex: A: Did I win the race?- B: Not by a long shot. 126. not sit still = a person is worried and nervous about s.th or s.o = mt ngi lo lng, bun phin v g ex: A: You don't seem to be able to sit still today ( hm nay bn trng c v lo lng ). What's up? - B: Today. I'm taking the final exams. 127. out of order = not operating; broken. = h, hng , khng lm vic c 128. out of stock = not immediately available in a store; ( for goods ) to be temporarily unavailable. = Hin thi khng c ex: Those items are out of stock, but a new supply will be delivered on Thursday. Ex: I'm sorry, but the red ones are out of stock. Would the blue ones do? 129. Put in a good word ( for s.o ) = to say s.th ( to s.o ) in support of s.o ni tt cho ai (vi mt ngi no nu c ) ex: I hope you get the job. I'll put in a good word for you. 130. show up = to arrive = to come = to make an appearance = n , hin din 131. Don't tempt me! = dont try to persuade me! ex: A: let's go watch fireworks in Central London.- B: Please don't tempt me, I'm taking the final exam next week. 132. Don't ask me = I don't know 133. I hear you = I see ; the listener understands the speaker's point of view.= hiu ri 134. I'll say = of course; I completely agree with it. 135. no wonder = no doubt; means the information is logical. ex: A: She is considerate to you.- B: No wonder you like her. 136. Please say you didn't! = No, I won't do it. 137. They usually do the job = you should do it in the way they usually do. 138. Were you even wrong! = you are wrong. 139. what's the point? = means that the speaker does not believe that the suggestion will be helpful or useful or good. ex: A: You'd better go to the bank manager.- B: what's the point? 140. a change of pace = an addition of some variety of one's life. ex: Going to the beach on the weekend will be a change of pace. . The doctor says I need a change of pace. 141. be about to = to ready or going to.= ci ny s dng nh th tng lai RT GN ex: I was about to leave. 142. call on s.o = to visit s.o ex: Bill called on his brother in the hospital. 143. come by = to get or to pay a visit. ex: you should see the apartment in my building - You know, one of my neighbors is moving out. Come by and I'll bring you to his place. 144. Come along = to proceed, to arrive. along. ex: How did the interview come along? Something better will come

145. cost an arm and a leg = to cost too much. ex: The car cost an arm and a leg, so I didn't buy it. 146. fall through = not to happen; to come to no end.= khng xy ra hay khng c hi kt ex: our plans fell through, and we won't be going to Texas after all. 147. back s.o up = to help or support s.o ex: I would like to back up John in the discussion. 148. get down to business or work = to begin to get serious; to begin to negotiate, to conduct business.= nghim tc vo cng vic ex: They're all here. Let's get down to business.

149. get rid of s.o or s.th = to get free of s.o or s.th; to dispose of or destroy s.o or s.th = gii thot khi , tiu dit g ex: I'm trying to get rid of Mr.Smith. He's bothering me. ex: I'll be happy when I get rid of my old car. 150. get the ball rolling ( also set, start or have instead of get ) = to start s.th; to get some process going. = bt u g ex: I got the ball rolling, but no one helped me with the project. ( trong trng hp ny l d n) 151. go into effect or take effect (for a law or a rule ) = to become effective; to start to function. = c hiu lc ec: The new tax laws won't go into effect until next year. 152. go over s.th = to review or explain s.th. ex: The teacher went over the lesson; ex: Will you go over this form? I don't understand it. 153. Hold off on s.th = to delay action on a matter, as in awaiting additional information. ex: Please hold off on this report until I consult my lawyer. 154. in the mood of s.th or in the mood to do s.th = having the proper state of mind for a particular situation or doing s.th. = trong tm trng tt lm g . ex: I'm not in the mood to s ee a movie tonight. 155. keep up with s.o or s.th = to advance at the same rate as s.o or s.th ex: I don't make enough money to keep up with your spending. 156. kind of = quite, rather ex: kind of beautiful, kind of slowly 157. make fun of s.th or s.o = to ridicule s.th or s.o= lm ai ng ngn ex: Please stop making fun of me. It hurts my feelings. 158. make up one's mind = to decide ex: She's mature enough to make up her own mind. 159. not worth mentioning = not worth apologizing for. ex: This isn't a problem at all. It's not worth mentioning. 160. Over-the-counter medications = medicines that are not prescribed. ex: Whenever I have headache, I try some over-the-counter medications first. 161. pack a change of clothes = to take extra clothes for change ex: Please pack a change of clothes, Mum. I go straight to the party from the office. 162. Put s.o out = to distress or inconvenience s.o ex: I'd like to have a ride home, but not if it put you out. 163. put s.o or s.th down = to belittle or degrade s.o or s.th ex: It's an old car, but that's no reason to put it down. 164.( something as ) a put down an insult. ex: I didn't mean your stammer as a put down. 165. sell something out ( usually in passive form) = to sell all of s.th ex: they have been sold out. 166. send out = to distribute, to issue. ex: please send out these letters as soon as possible 167. once and for all = finally and irreversibly. ex: I want to get this problem settled once and for all. 168. speak up about s.th = to say s.th frankly an directly ex: this law is wrong, and I intend to speak up about it until t is repealed. 169. take s.th over = to take charge of s.th or s.o; to assume control of s.o or s.th.; to take s.th again ex: The new manager will take the office over next week. ex: I'll take this course over 170. turn out (that) = happen (that) ; end up (that) ex: have you heard how the game turned out? .