1 5
- on the point of doing = going to do
- put forward = propose
- at one’s disposal = able to be used by sb
- take aback = surprise
- cut out to be sth = born to be a …
- for fear of = so as not to
2 - go through with = to do sth unpleasant or difficult
- account for = explain
- whet my appetite for
- averse to doing = opposed to doing: phản đối việc
gì đó
- acquaint sb with sth = familirise sb with sth
- have access to
- make allowances for = consider
- nothing other than A: không thứ gì khác ngoài A
- take it for granted that = to accept without
question or objection
- be presented with = face
3 > There is no limit to sth = không có giới hạn của
- gone off sth = no longer be interested in
- there’s every likelihood that = it’s very likely that
- what are the chances of S doing?
4 saying = be likely to happen
- blow one’s top = become very angry
- be baffled by
- on the spur of the moment = spontaneously
- a blessing in disguise for
- drive a hard bargain IN = to expect a lot in
exchange for what you do: bù lại
- have a bee in his bonnet = have an obsession about
- have butterflies in his stomach = be very nervous
- on the verge of
- have no recollection of doing = don’t remember
doing
- Nothing seems to matter to sb as much as/more
than sth
- on suspicion of = due to being suspected of
(crime)
- have no regrets about doing
- too A to do sth = not A enough to do sth
- prospect of sth = possibility
- in the habit of doing = be used to doing
- eligible for sth
- slip one’s mind = forget about
- keep on with sth = continue sth
that has already been agreed
- for fear of (S) doing
- take offence = to be offended
- appreciate (S) doing sth
- envisage S/ what sth would be like
- run the risk of doing
> You run the risk of losing all your savings…
6
- cross your mind = you think it for a short time: lóe
lên trong trí óc
- limit to = giới hạn của cái gì đó
cgđ
- devoid of = lacking of
- on the cards = in all likelihood = it goes without
- over the moon = elated
- get the sack = be unemployed = be given the sack
Give sb the sack = fire
- on the spot = immediately
- find fault with = criticize or complain
- make no difference to sb = not matter to sb
- twice/ thrice as much/ many A as B: A=2B; A=3B
- there’s a good chance = it is quite likely
- take an instant dislike to sb: ngay lập tức không
thích ai đó
- cast an eye over = to look at sth quickly, often to
give opinion about it
- draw an angry response from = to obtain an angry
response from
- undergo changes
- little prospect of doing = unlikely
- in complete contrast TO: hoàn toàn đối nghịch với
 7 - be overcome with (emotion) ON = be strongly
- high/poor turnout: the number of people presented
at an event
- escape one’s notice
- have no option but to do: không còn lựa chọn nào
khác ngoài
- rob sb of sth = take money or property illegally
from…
- in favour of = in support of
- it is compulsory for sb to do sth…
- fall out = stop being friends
- there’s not much/ little can be done for so
8 - (every) now and then = occasionally
- fit for
- generate enthusiasm in sb for sth
- virtually = almost
- (meet) behind closed doors = hidden or kept secret
- impose on sb = expect sb to do sth for you or to
spend time with you against their will
- look into = investigate
- have a tendency to do sth = tend to do
- my face lit up = I smiled with delight
- out of/in keeping with = not consistent with/
consistent with
- spend most of one’s time doing
- strike a deal = make arrangement with sb = to
come to agreement
9  be to no avail IN doing = to fail to do
- allegedly = in fact (without giving any proof)
- count for = have value
> count for little = of little value
- direct sb to sth = tell sb where sth is
- have a reputation for doing = famour for doing
- flavor of the month = the most popular thing/
person at a particular time
- hand down sth to sb = give sth to a younger
member of the family
- a good few = many, a lot of
- be conferred upon sb = be given as an official title,
honour to sb
- provoke sb into (doing) sth
affected by an emotion or feeling because of sth
10
- fast/sound asleep = in a deep sleep
- in two minds about sth = hesitant
- be injurious to sth = damage sth
- neglect of sth = a situation in which you do not
give enough care or attention to sth
- negligent = not giving enough care: cẩu thả
- double = a person who look exactly the same as sb
else
> the exact double of = the spitting image of
- take exception to = resent: bực bội
- at [tg] intervals = every [tg]
- have implications ON/ for = affect
- to be given insufficient time
- catch a glimpse of sb = happen to see sb
- have a go at doing = make an attempt to do
11
- have a wide knowledge of sth
- beyond comprehension = in an incomprehensible
way
- consider sb = look upon/on sb
- it is a forgone conclusion = it is on the cards
- come to the conclusion that
- avail = use, advantage, purpose
Eg. The company’s attempt were to no avail IN
securing a bank loan.
 avail (oneself) of sth = make use of sth
- marriage proposal
- take sb by surprise
12
- exam pass rate
- fatherly (adj) ~ friendly
in a fatherly way = nói chuyện như cha với con
- it’s not like sb to be Adj
13
- blame sb for doing sth; blame sth on sb
 We are not to blame for sth = It is not our fault
that…
- express concern about sth
- the life and soul of the party = someone who is
energetic and funny and at the centre of activity
during social occasions
Eg. Tom is always the life and soul of the party =
Tom’s presence at parties adds to everyone’s
enjoyment
- share one’s opinion about sth = agree with sb
about sth
- meet with sth (ph.v) = to experience sth, especially
unpleasant
 meet with failure/ no success = be usuccessful
- come up for sth (ph.v) = to reach the time at which
something should happen
 not to come up for renewal = be valid
- tell the difference between
- in the/a majority/minority
- the early/small hours = before dawn = from 12pm
to 6pm
- come under (ph.v) = to start to experience
something unpleasant ~ meet with
 come under scrutinity from the media
- suffer (a) defeat = be beaten
- be subject to: to have or experience a particular
thing, especially something unpleasant
Eg. Some services may be subject to delay due to
bad weather.
14
- It never occurred to me to do = it never crossed
my mind to do
- care for
- on the strength of sth = thanks to
Eg. Ray got promotion on the strength of his good
work record.
- There is/are no restriction/s ON ~ There is no limit
TO
- play sth down (phr.v) = to make something seem
less important or less bad than it really is
Eg. The government has played down the
seriousness of the incident.
- make sense of = understand
 made absolutely no sense of = couldn’t
understand at all.
- feeling well < > feeling unwell = ill
15
- put forward = suggest; propose
 put his name forward as … = nominate him as…
- make one’s getaway = escape
- moon around (phr.v) = to spend time without any
clear purpose, esp. because you are slightly sad or
in love
 You’ve done nothing but moon around all day
= You’ve been looking miserable all day: Bạn chả
làm gì ngoài việc luẩn quẩn cả ngày.
- what’s the point of
- be prone to: likely to suffer from an illness or
show a particular negative characteristic
 He is prone to headaches and insomnia.
- in excess of = more than
 There are in excess of (=more than) six hospitals
in this city.
- Someone has greater depths to them = someone
has a more complex personality
 Mike has greater depths to him than you may
think.
- (judge) by the look of sb/sth
- give sb one’s assurance that… = promise that
- give an explanation for
- double (v)  sales has doubled since last month.
- not have the faintest/remotest idea = to not know
at all
 We haven’t the remotest idea how we are going
to afford a new car.
- make no mention of = not to mention at all
- be indebted to sb for doing sth = be grateful to sb
for doing sth
 He is indebted to that surgeon for saving his life.
16
- sell out: to see all the products that you sell
- sell-out: a product that is no longer available,
because all those that were available have been sold
 The concert was a complete sell-out = there
wasn’t a ticket left for the concert
- set/put your mind to sth = put a lot of effort in
doing sth
- there’s nothing to match tea as a refreshing drink
= a cup of tea is the most refreshing drink of all:
không có gì sánh bằng trà như là một thức đồ uống
giải khát
 there’s nothing to match A = A is the best
- there is no way for sb to do sth = it is impossible
for sb to do sth
 There is no way for Roy to keep the appointment
- please, why don’t you  I wish
- commit oneself to sth/doing sth
 If only I had not committed myself to so many
private lessons in the evenings.
- prefer doing A to doing B
- prefer to do A rather than do B
- would prefer to do A rather than do B
- would rather do A than do B
- would sooner do A than do B
17
- vent (v): to express a negative emotion in a
forceful and often unfair way
 Please don't shout - there's no need to vent your
frustration/anger/rage/spleen on me: tuôn sự … lên
tôi
- outlet (n): a way in which emotion or energy can
be expressed or made use of  give one an outlet
for
 doing something gives me an outlet for my
frustration = doing something allows me to vent my
frustrations
- extensive coverage of sth = phủ sóng
- hurl: quăn  to hurl a lot of snowballs
- pelt (v): to throw a number of things quickly at
someone or something = phóng, liệng
 hurl sth at sb = pelt sb with sth
- attribute sth to sth
 She attributed her success purely to luck.
- the onset of the disease is signaled/ marked by:
dấu hiệu ban đầu của bệnh được đánh dấu bởi
- get (hold of) the wrong end of the stick =
misunderstand
- be exposed as sth/sb
- grow out of sth = become too big to wear sth
- allow for sb/sth = consider when planning
- be in debt to sb
- further information # forthcoming
- the cause of sth
- back up sb/sth = provide support for
 backing of sb
- someone is full of A/ someone has nothing but A:
không có gì ngoài A
 He is full of praise for/ has nothing but praise for
Tim.
- in force = in large number
 Photographers were out in force at the White
House today.
- to be in force = to be implemented, used, or
introduced
- come into/enter into force = start to be
implemented, used, or introduced
 A new dress code will be in force/ will come into
force …
- make little/much progress
- give an explanation for
- no one can explain why … = there is no
explanation for …
18
- stand in for sb = deputize for sb
- it is common knowledge that = most people know
that
- hindrance = trouble: cản trởi
 computers are more of a hindrance than a help.
- there is no market for this product = customers
will not want to buy this product
- express one’s disapproval of/ opposition to sth
19
- be put into force = apply
 The new rules will be put into force next year.
- jubilant: feeling of great happiness
 jubilation
- be on the throne = rule the country
- bear a close/ striking resemblance to
- be nothing other than adj.
 Tom is nothing other than generous (= You
certainly could never accuse Tom of being mean)
~ It is not like Tom to be mean.
- You have no one but yourself to blame for doing =
it’s your own fault that …
- two A in a row = A one after the other
- improvement in one’s condition
- It was with N that S + V = S + V with N
It was with reluctance that the work force agreed to
a cut in pay
= The work force agreed to a cut in pay with
reluctance
= The work force reluctantly agreed to a cut in pay
with
- have a row = quarrel with
- much to one’s surprise, S + V
- It remains to be seen = No one is quite sure …
- government subsidy/funding/support
- be on the short list = be a strong contender (ửng cử
viên sáng giá)
 We've drawn up (= decided) a shortlist for the
job.
 She's on the shortlist for a first novel prize.
- blush (đỏ mặt) with embarrassment at doing = be
shamefaced (mặt xấu hổ) at doing
- to have a great admiration for
20
- disclaim sth = deny doing sth
***AT ALL; IN NO WAY; NO – ANY: chú ý các
từ nhỏ nhặt kia nếu không muốn bị chết người
- there is no sign of someone = someone has not
appeared yet
- soluble in water = can be dissolved in water
- can’t bear A any longer = have had enough of A
 I have had enough of your complaints
- have sympathy for someone
- sympathize with someone
- be sympathetic to someone
- put the blame on sb for doing
- cater (v) = to provide what is wanted or needed by
someone or something: phục vụ; đáp ứng
 cater for one’s need
- It is with regret that we left our old home
= We were reluctant to leave our old home
- by means of = using: bằng cách
- at least = no fewer than
- at most = no more than
- talk sb out of doing = persuade sb not to do
- repeatedly call = make call after call to
- less than usual = below average
- more than usual = above average
- intense hatred for sth
- go on strike
21
- rejuvenate sth = breathe new life into sth
to make somebody/something look or feel younger,
more lively or more modern
We want to rejuvenate this project
- reinvigorate something/somebody: to give new
energy or strength to something/somebody
We need to reinvigorate the economy of the area.
- die = pass away
- in the early hours = during the night
- unbeatable: bất bại
- it is Adj for sb to do
 It is best to be careful when walking alone at
night.
 It is rare for them to stay up late.
- make an attempt
- keep an appointment
- incredible = beyond belief
Incomprehensible = beyond comprehension
- it is beyond belief how he managed to survive
= how he managed to survive was beyond belief
- command (of something): your knowledge of
something; your ability to do or use something,
especially a language
Applicants will be expected to have (a) good
command of English.
- owe somebody something
She still owes her father £3 000.
- owe something to somebody
She still owes £3 000 to her father.
- owe something to somebody for something
Most hospitals owe money to pharmaceutical
companies for medicines and equipment.
- owe somebody something for something
How much do I owe you for the groceries?
- be indebted to sb for sth
- to hear him speak you would think he is a very
hard-working student
 to do sth you would …
- scarcely/hardly/barely a day goes by without sb
doing = sb does it every day.
- prolong something: make something last longer
 prolonged absent = away for a long time.
- be nothing short of: used to emphasize a situation,
quality, or type of behaviour:
The party was nothing short of a disaster.
His achievements as a political reformer have been
nothing short of miraculous.
 It would have taken a miracle to do
= Nothing short of miracle would have dome
~ nothing other than A
~ be nothing other than adj.
- the butt of sb’s joke = the subject of sb’s joke
- take something in your stride
to accept and deal with something difficult without
letting it worry you too much
It’s going to be tough—but I’m sure you’ll take it
all in your stride.
- out of line (with somebody/something)
different from something
London prices are way out of line with the rest of
the country.
- in/out of step (with somebody/something)
having ideas that are the same as or different from
other people’s
She was out of step with her colleagues.
- have so much on your plate = busy
22
- be prone to getting headaches /relate unit 15/
- so many N = such an abundance of N
There are so many oranges on the market
= There is such an abundance of oranges on the
market.
- Note: comparative – superlative  use relative
pronoun: that
There’s no one in our family that cooks better than
my brother.
- dawn on somebody
[no passive] if something dawns on you, you begin
to realize it for the first time
Suddenly it dawned on me that they couldn't
possibly have met before.
- to have plenty of N = not to lack N
The new presenter certainly does not lack
confidence.
- to be seen as Adj
- not hear of something
to refuse to let somebody do something, especially
because you want to help them = not consider the
idea of
My husband won’t hear of our going to London for
our holiday.
- due to do something: arranged or planned
Rose is due to start school in January.
The building was originally due to be completed by
August
- get in | get into something
1. to arrive at a place
The train got in late.
2. to win an election
The Republican candidate stands a good chance of
getting in.
3. to be admitted to a school, university, etc.
She's got into Durham to study law.
- in due course
at the right time and not before
Your request will be dealt with in due course.
- swamp somebody/something with something: to
make somebody have more of something than they
can deal with
SYNONYM inundate
The department was swamped with job
applications.
- earmark: to decide that something will be used
for a particular purpose, or to state that something
will happen to somebody/something in the future
be earmarked (for somebody/something)
I feel it’s wrong that this site has been earmarked
for redevelopment by the council.
The factory has been earmarked for closure.
be earmarked as somebody/something
She was earmarked early as a possible champion.
- dwarf something: to make something seem small
or unimportant compared with something else
The old houses were dwarfed by the huge new
tower blocks.
Dwarf (n, v, adj)
Compact (n, v, adj)
23
- get somebody to do sth
- get something done by somebody
24
- poke fun at somebody/something = tease
- take the liberty of doing = do something without
permission
He took the liberty of reading my files while I was
away.
- be penalized for sth = have poins deducted for sth
He was penalized for time-wasting.
- to be addressed as “Sir”
- rule somebody/something out (as something) to
state that something is not possible or that
somebody/something is not suitable
SYNONYM exclude
Police have not ruled out the possibility that the
man was murdered.
We have not ruled out the possibility of introducing
pay cuts
- bear in mind that
- might/may as well: suggest doing something, often
when there is nothing better to do = let’s…
We might as well stay in and watch TV.
- doubt if…
- to expect that much of sb
= to ask too much of sb
- grimace = pull a face = nhăn nhó
25
- to achieve/ gain little renown for
= not to get the recognition it deserves.
- be doomed to failure/ to fail
- pride and joy: somebody’s pride and joy
a person or thing that causes somebody to feel very
pleased or satisfied
The car is her pride and joy.
- show no/little concern about
- may well: be likely to happen
They may well consider our offer.
- someone can’t hear something = something is
inaudible to someone
- give someone credit for doing = acknowledge and
praise
At least give him credit for trying (= praise him
because he tried, even if he did not succeed)
Sean wasn’t given any credit for doing all the
illustrations in the book.
- the minute S + V = as soon as
The minute dinner is ready
- be at odds with sb over sth
- make an impression on = influence
26
- such + noun phrase
It was such a beautiful day that we went for a walk.
- so + adj (+ noun)
It was so beautiful a day that we went for a walk.
Inversions with so and such:
- so + adj + be + S
- such + be + S (such = so great)
So exhausted was she that she went straight to bed.
So badly did he play the tune that nobody
recognised it.
Such was the extent of the dammage that the car
was a total write-off.
Structure:
Adj/adv + as/though + S + V, clause
= However adj/adv + S + V, clause
= V + (adj/adv) as + S might
Hard as he tried, he failed the test.
However hard he tried, he failed the test.
Try (hard) as he might, he failed the test.
- clone something: to produce an exact copy of an
animal or a plant from its cells
Dolly, the cloned sheep
- too lazy to do = cannot be bothered to do
He was too lazy to open the door = He couldn’t be
bothered to open the door.
- for fear of V-ing
- for fear that S + might …
27
- despise somebody/yourself for (doing) something:
He despised himself for being so cowardly.
 despise = look down on
- survive  survivor
- give in to sb = stand up to sb = resist, not receive
bad treatment from somebody
- flair for something: a natural ability to do
something well
He has a flair for languages.
~ have a (good) command of
- - it is Adj for sb to do - -
- drum something <> up
to try hard to get support or business
He had flown to the north of the country to drum up
support for the campaign.
- bearing on something: the way in which
something is related to something or influences it
Recent events had no bearing on our decision.
Regular exercise has a direct bearing on fitness and
health.
- date back to
- better someone at something
= improve on something
- no one has equaled = are unsurpassed
- streets ahead (of somebody/something): much
better or more advanced than somebody/something
else
Beth is streets ahead of all the other students in her
year.
- give a reason/ an explanation for doing
- do not have enough money for sth = not be able to
afford sth
- take somebody’s advice
28
- marginally = slightly | virtually = almost
- comparatively = relatively
- in floods of tears = can’t stop crying
- place emphasis on
- be driving at = trying to say
I couldn’t work out what he was driving at, could
you?
- see through something: to realize the truth about
somebody/something
We saw through him from the start.
- a wide array of = a considerable number of
- cannot go any higher = reach the pinnacle of
Martin has reached the pinnacle of his career.
- (be) on tenterhooks: (to be) very anxious or
excited while you are waiting to find out something
or see what will happen
I've been on tenterhooks all week waiting for the
results.
- dismiss sth as Adj
- treat sth as Adj
- describe sb/sth as Adj
- classify = categorise
29
- authority to do something: The government has
the authority to regulate the economy.
- authority (on something) a person with special
knowledge = specialist
She's an authority on criminal law.
- despair: to stop having any hope that a situation
will change or improve
I despair of ever being able to buy my own house.
 despairing: showing or feeling the loss of all
hope
a despairing cry/look/sigh
- reach an agreement
- take a liking to sb
 take an instant dislike to sb
- fall short of expectations
- act on impulse = act without thinking what to do
first
Zoe always acts on impulse when she makes plans.
- poise to do something: completely ready for
something or to do something
The British team is poised to win the title.
Kate is poised to become the highest-paid
supermodel in the fashion world.
- fly in the face of something
= be in complete opposition to
Such a proposal is flying in the face of common
sense.
- in the face of something
despite problems, difficulties, etc.
She showed great courage in the face of danger.
- over somebody’s head
too difficult or complicated for somebody to
understand
A lot of the jokes went (= were) right over my head.
- lend an ear (to somebody/something)
to listen in a patient and kind way to somebody
- emerge unhurt from the accident
- take pride in; be proud of; pride oneself on
- bring myself to do = face doing
I couldn’t bring myself to tell her what I’d heard.
- contain: to keep your feelings under control
contain something
She was unable to contain her excitement.
contain yourself
I was so furious I just couldn't contain myself (= I
had to express my feelings).
- evacuate (something): to move out of a place
because of danger, and leave the place empty
Employees were urged to evacuate their offices
immediately.
- punish sb for doing
30
- sing somebody's praises: to praise somebody very
highly
She's always singing his praises.
- account for something
1. to be the explanation or cause of something
2. to give an explanation of something
3. to be a particular amount or part of something
account for something (to somebody)
to give a record of how the money in your care has
been spent
We have to account for every penny we spend on
business trips.
- leave somebody to their own devices
to leave somebody alone
If Mary is left to her own deviced, I’m sure she’ll
finish the project on time.
- voice something: to tell opinions or feelings
to voice complaints/criticisms/doubts/objections,
etc.
A number of parents have voiced concern about
their children's safety.
- take steps = do soething
- I should NOT have done = I should have known
better than to do
I should have known better than to trust a stranger
with my savings
- write down = keep a record of
- supplement (v) something He supplements his
income by giving private lessons.
- supplement to something Industrial sponsorship is
a supplement to government funding.
- give no indication that…
- crop up = to appear or happen, especially when it
is not expected
The subject of productivity bonuses has cropped up
at every meeting between management and
workers.