PHẦN 9: THÀNH NGỮ (IDIOMS)

I. Choose A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

1. To take something for granted is to .
A. look it over B. permit it
C. accept it without investigation D. permit it
2. To feel sorry for someone is to .
A. like him B. praise him C. pity him D. call him down
3. For the time being means .
A. up to now B. in the near future
C. up to date D. at present
4. Paul never looks at a book from one day to another. Looks at a book means .
A. looks up to a book B. buys a book
C. borrows a book D. cracks a book
5. They are working against the to have the presentation ready for Monday.
A. wall B. clock C. shadow D. day
6. Before he left home, he had dropped his parent .
A. a note B. a word C. the news D. a line
7. Sport is not my of tea.
A. cup B. bowl C. plate D. spoon
8. That’s exactly what I mean, Tom. You’ve _!
A. put your foot in it B. killed two birds with one stone
C. put two and two together D. hit the nail on the head
9. “I’m going for an interview for a job this afternoon.” “Good luck! I’ll keep my
crossed for you”
A. legs B. arms C. fingers D. hands
10. I just took it that he’d always be available.
A. into consideration B. easy C. for granted D. into account
11. I agree with what you said completely. You really .
A. gave me a hand B. took the words out of my mouth
C. know it inside out D. get a clue
12. Every time my boss has a problem, even when it is really small, she gets far too upset.
She’s such a .
A. loner B. drama queen C. wet blanket D. wet behind
the ears
13. One day I hope to be a and make tons of money.
A. pain in the neck B. cry baby C. high flyers D. flying
colors 14 I’ve been an accountant for 20 years now, so I .
A. am a cry baby B. am wet behind the ears
C. know my job inside out D. am a drama queen
15. Can you please ? I really need some help.
A. be a high flyer B. take the words out of my mouth
C. give me a hand D. know it inside out
16. My neighbor’s dog is , it never stops barking.
A. a drama queen B. a loner C. a high flyer D. a pain in the neck
17. All she ever does is sit alone at home, she’s quite .
A. a loner B. a drama queen C. a high flyer D. a pain in the neck
18. I hate my cousin sometimes, all he ever does is complain and argue about everything.
A. a loner B. a drama queen C. a high flyer D. a cry baby

II. Complete each of the sentences with the words given below.
peas son cucumber chalk sight
cool cheese father touch cheese
contact dogs hand red-handedcake tip
1. I just couldn’t remember her name even though it was on the___________of my tongue.
2. I’ve never enjoyed going to the opera; they’re not really my cup of___________
3. They are twin brothers. They are like two___________in a pod.
4. Suzy: John is a gentle man and so is his son Lily: Like___________, like___________.
5. I thought he would be shocked, but in fact, he was as ___________a___________.
6. We are aware of our differences; we accept that we are___________and___________.
7. After Lan moved to America, I lost___________with her.
8. I caught___________of my teacher while coming back to school.
9. The man was caught___________stealing food in the supermarket.
10. Don't forget to take your umbrella - it's raining cats and___________out there.
11. Can you please give me a___________, I really need some help.
12. The exam is a piece of___________. It’s too easy.

LEVEL B1
I. Choose A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
1. Many rare and precious species are now the verge of extinction.
A. in B. on C. from D. by
2. The overall aim of the book is to help bridge the gap between theory and practice,
particularly in language teaching.
The phrase “bridge the gap” is closest in meaning to .
A. minimize the limitations B. construct a bridge
C. reduce the differences D. increase the understanding
3. I don’t like a few things about my job, but it is quite enjoyable.
A. by and large B. by mistake C. sooner or later D. what is more
4. It is for us to do anything about the chaotic traffic.
A. out of date B. without delay C. out of the question D. out of order
5. I just couldn’t remember her name even though it was on the of my tongue.
A. edge B. tip C. top D. front
6. When you do something, you should_ .
A. get through to it B. turn over a new leaf
C. weigh up the pros and cons C. go down well with
7. I realized that he was a thief.
 A. sooner or later B. all along C. at the beginning D. eventually
8. Even if you are rich, you should save some money for a day.
A. windy B. stormy C. rainy D. cloudy
9. I do wish you’d stop biting your nails, John. It really .
A. lets me down B. tells me off
C. gets me down D. gets on my nerves
10. My father when he found out that I’d damaged the car.
A. hit the roof B. saw pink elephants
C. made my blood boil D. brought the house down
11. I really must go and lie down for a while; I’ve gone a headache.
A. cutting B. cracking C. exploding D. splitting
12. Stop about the bush, John! Just tell me exactly what the problem is.
A. beating B. rushing C. hiding D. coming
13. I always get in stomach before sitting an exam.
A. worms B. butterflies C. crabs D. birds
14. I usually buy my clothes . It’s cheaper than going to dressmaker.
A. off the peg B. on the house C. on the shelf D. in public
15. We spent the entire day looking for a new apartment.
The phrase “the entire day” is closest in meaning to .
A. all day long B. the long day C. all long day D. day after day
16. I was already fed up with the job, but when the boss walked into my office and told
me he expected me to work overtime that was the .
A. final curtain B. last straw C. end of the line D. last waltz
17. I couldn’t believe that they were brothers. They were different as__ .
A. Mars and Jupiter B. chalk from cheese
C. dogs and cats C. milk from honey
18. Li has ; he loves cakes, chocolates, ice-cream-anything which is sweet.
A. a sweet mouth B. sweet lips
C. a sweet tongue D. a sweet tooth
19. It never my mind he will tell lies to me.
A. crosses B. enters C. comes D.
The players’
happens 20. protests no difference to the referee’s decision at all.
A. did B. made C. caused D. created
21. I just took it that he’d always be available.
A. into consideration B. easy
C. into account D. for granted
22. I accidentally _ Mike when I was crossing a street downtown yesterday.
A. kept an eye on B. lost touch with
C. paid attention to D. caught sight of
23. If you want a flat in the center of the city you have to pay through the for it.
A. teeth B. back of your head C. nose D. arm
24. Those smart phones are selling like _. If you want one, you’d better buy one now
before they’re all gone.
A. shooting stars B. fresh bread
 C. hot cakes D. wild oats
25. She was so frightened that she was shaking like .
A. a leaf B. the wind C. a flag D. jelly
26. Peter was born and brought up in Hastings and knows it like the .
A. nose on his face B. tip of the tongue
C. back of his hand D. hair on his head
27. What’s wrong with you today? Did you get out of bed on the wrong ?
A. end B. foot C. side D. edge
28. I’ve never enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they’re not really my .
A. piece of cake B. chip off the old block
C. biscuit D. cup of tea
29. “What’s wrong with Tom today? He’s unusually quiet,” “He’s got something on his
. I expect”.
A. brain B. mind C. thoughts D. brow
30. He was wearing very shabby, dirty clothes and looked very .
A. easy- going B. down to earth C. out of shape D. down at heel
31. Since he started his own business he has been making money hand over .
A. fist B. heel C. head D. palm
32. I can’t see us beating them at tennis this year- we’re so out of _.
A. step B. practice C. fitness D. breath

II. Complete the sentences with one of the words given below (Some may not be used).
mood new high out way moon
killed boat big fresh earth clue
1. Don’t talk to her. She is in a bad___________today.
2. We have very little contact with each other. We see each other once in a blue___________.
3. One day I hope to be a___________flyer and make tons of money.
4. I have been an accountant for 20 years now, so I know my job inside___________.
5. In high school, I knew a lot about Math, but I didn’t have a___________about geography.
6. After a good night's sleep I'll be as___________as a daisy.
7. Peter brought the kids to the supermarket and went shopping. He ___________two
birds with one stone.
8. None of us have any money, so we are in the same___________.

LEVEL B2
I. Choose A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
1. My new colleague is quite a rough _ but I think we can cooperate well on our
assigned projects.
A. stone B. rock C. diamond D. ruby
2. You would understand my feelings of betrayal if you were in my .
A. shoes B. shirt C. socks D. pants
3. He is not the type who can stay one place for long. He always gets feet and starts
a new journey again.
 A. chilly B. itchy C. painful D. shaky
4. It is pointless to persuade him - a can't change its spots.
A. tiger B. lion C. leopard D. wolf
5. I haven’t seen my old primary teachers in years – I wonder how she has been.
A. donkey’s B. monkey’s C. rooster’s D. pigeon’s
6. Just grab a green tea biscuit. It is .
A. on the house B. on the shelf C. off the record D. in public
7. I caught the last train to my hometown by the skin of my .
A. arm B. neck C. nose D. teeth
8. All of these assignments have tired me out; let's and grab some cold drinks.
A. make up our mind B. call it a day
C. get back to the drawing board D. burn the midnight oil
9. The situations have been bad lately, Peter, but keep your up; things will soon
clear up.
A. chin B. head C. nose D. mind
10. Those lipsticks are selling like since many fans want to the products that their
idols endorse.
A. burning pancakes B. fresh shrimps
C. hot cakes D. morning coffee
11. She hasn’t been in traffic accident yet but she’s had a number of _ shaves.
A. narrow B. small C. close D. low
12. My brother can’t keep his hands off the broom. He always thinks his room is unclean
– he really has in his bonnet about it.
A. a butterfly B. a bee C. a fly D. an ant
13. My father has a quick temper and easily off the handle.
A. walks B. rockets C. runs D. flies
14. I was about to go to the concerts in Seoul all by myself, but at the last minute I
decided to stay home.
A. pulled my finger out B. got cold feet
C. hit the roof D. paid through the nose
15. Since he started his own business he has been making money hand over .
A. fist B. heel C. arm D. leg
16. My English is progressing by .
A. odds and ends B. ends and odds
C. leaps and bounds D. bounds and leaps
17. Please don’t_ it amiss if I make a few suggestions for improvement.
A. assume B. judge C. think D. take
18. For the first time the young scientist was given the award her work with animals.
A. on recognition for B. in recognition with
C. in recognition for D. in recognition of
19. His flat looks so _ that it is difficult to believe he just had a party last night.
A. safe and sound B. sick and tired
C. spick and span D. by and large
 20. I’m not surprised that Tom is ill. He’s been for a long time. It was bound to
affect his health sooner or later.
A. having his cake and eating it B. burning the candle at both ends
C. playing with fire D. going to town
21. Just , Bill! Let’s think about this for a moment before making your mind.
A. pulled your finger out B. got cold feet
C. held your horses D. called it a day
22. I didn’t suspect anything at first, but when I noticed her going through the office
drawers I began to smell a .
A. rat B. pig C. thief D. culprit
23. When Sarah walked into the room and greeted everyone with a cheery ‘’hello’’, it
seemed as if all the gloom in that place was .
A. vanished B. ejected C. driven out D. expelled
24. Before she left for Australia she promised her parents that she would drop them
at least once a month.
A. a note B. a word C. the news D. a line
25. “What I’ve got to say to you now is strictly and most certainly not for
publication,” said the government official to the reporter.
A. beside the point B. for the time being
C. by the way D. off the record

II. Complete the sentences with one of the words given below (Some may not be used).
bag blanket table brow
sun mind moon green
1. Don’t be a wet___________and dance with other people.
2. When coming to an orphanage, you have to bear in___________that don’t mention hometown,
parents.
3. She is born with___________fingers. She is great with plants.
4. My brother is over the___________with his new bike.
5. I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Linda let the cat out of the___________.