3. “I like that painting you bought. Did it cost much?” “No, the artist sold it to me for A.

A. off the peg B. on the house

________” C. in public D. on the shelf
A. close to nothing B. next to anything 7. My father ______ when he found out that I’d damaged the car.
C. next to nothing D. anything next A. hit the roof B. saw pink elephants
4. “What’s Peter’s cousin’s name?” “It’s on the tip of my ________ but I can’t quite C. made my blood boil D. brought the house down
remember.” 8. If you want a flat in the centre of the city you have to pay through the _________ for it.
A. mouth B. lips C. tongue D. memory A. teeth B. back of your head
5. What a confusing story! I can’t make ________ of it. C. nose D. arm
A. sense B. meaning C. logic D. understanding 9. I caught the last bus by the skin of my _______ .
6. Women have struggled for the same social, economic, and political __________ for A. mouth B. leg C. neck D. teeth
them as for men. 10. It was a joke! I was pulling your ____________ .
A. state B. status C. being D. welfare A. thumb B. hair C. toe D. leg
to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke
7. Women now are more ________ in the public life than years ago. Exercise 2: Mark the letter A, B,C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
A. involved B. ensured C. felt D. influenced following questions.
8. Every citizen can enjoy the same __________ to vote, to gain education and to work. 1. I always get _______ in my stomach before visiting the dentist.
A. authority B. right C. way D. chance A. worms B. butterflies C. crabs D. hedgehogs
9. The local council ________ campaigns against illiteracy. 2. Those smart phones are selling like ______ . If you want one, you’d better buy one
A. requires B. advocates C. admits D. affects now before they’re all gone.
10. Widespread ____ __ about women’s intellectual ability restricted their job A. shooting stars B. fresh bread
opportunities. C. hot cakes D. wild oats
A. suspicion B. challenge C. doubt D. rumour 3. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number of ________ shaves.
A. narrow B. near C. close D. tiny
a situation in which you come very close to a dangerous situation

BÀI TẬP THÀNH NGỮ (Idioms) 4. My father refused to eat meat that had been fried. He had ________ in his bonnet
Exercise 1: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the about it causing cancer.
=harp on sth
following questions. A. a bug B. a bee C. a bull D. an ant
1. I just took it _______ that he’d always be available. 5. I can’t stand Mr. Brian. He’s always blowing his own ________ telling everyone
A. into consideration B. easy how good he is at everything.
C. into account D. for granted A. balloon
to tell everyone proudly B. breath C. mind
about your achievements D. trumpet
2. I accidentally _____ Mike when I was crossing a street downtown yesterday. 6. The escaped prisoner fought ______ before he was finally overpowered.
A. kept an eye on B. lost touch with A. head over heels B. tooth and nail
C. paid attention to D. caught sight of to try very
C. heart and soul hard to get something D.you
foot wan
and mouth
3. I was glad when he said that his car was _________ . 7. I didn’t suspect anything at first, but when I noticed her going through the office
A. for my use B. for me use drawers I began to smell _________ .
C. at my use D. at my disposal A. a rat B. a pig C. a thief D. a culprit
4. I really must go and lie down for a while; I’ve got a ___________ headache. 8. Peter was born and brought up in Hastings and knows it like the ________.
A. cutting B. splitting C. ringing D. cracking A. nose on his face B. tip of his tongue
5. Stop _____ about the bush. John! Just tell me exactly what the problem is. C. back of his hand D. hair on his head
A. rushing B. hiding C. beating D. moving 9. I was already fed up with the job, but when the bosswalked into my office and told
6. I usually buy my clothes ______ . It’s cheaper than going to a dress-maker. me he expected me to work overtime that was the ________ . I quit.

58
 A. final curtain B. last straw A. put your foot in it B. killed two birds with one stone
C. end of the line D. last waltz C. put two and two together D. hit the nail on the head
10. He has a quick temper and easily _______ off the handle. 2. “I’m going for an interview for a job this afternoon.” “Good luck! I’ll keep
to react in a very angry way to something that someone says or does
A. leaps B. goes C. runs D. flies my________ crossed for you.”
Exercise 3: Mark the letter A, B, C, orD to indicate the correct answer to each of the A. legs B. fingers C. arms D. hands
following questions. 3. “If only I hadn’t lent him all that money!” '‘Well, you did, so it’s no good crying
1. Before she left for Australia she promised her parents that she would drop them over _________ milk.”
________ at least once a month. A. spilt B. wasted C. sour D. goat’s
A. a note B. a word C. the news D. a line 4. The car swerved to avoid a cyclist and just missed hitting a passer-by.by ________ .
2. I was all set to take the job in Tokyo, but at the last minute I _______ and decided A. a slight edge B. a narrow escape
to stay in Britain. C. a close thing D. a hair’s breath
A. pulled my finger out B. got cold feet 5. Well, well, if it isn’t Kathy Lewis! You’re a sight for _______ eyes!
C. held my horses D. called it a day A. old B. blue C. sore D. crocodile
3. “What I’ve got to say to you now is strictly _________ and most certainly not for 6. I know times have been bad lately, Peter, but keep your __________ up; things are
publication,” said the government official to the reporter. bound to get better soon.
A. beside the point B. for the time being A. chin B. head C. socks D. mind
C. by the way D. off the record 7. He may be shy now, but he’ll soon come out of his _____ when he meets the right girl.
4. I’ve never enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they’re not really my________. A. shoe B. shell C. shed D. hole
A. piece of cake B. chip off the old block 8. I’m afraid you’ve caught me on the __________. I wasn’t expecting you until this
C. biscuit D. cup of tea afternoon.
5. “What’s wrong with Tom today? He’s unusually quiet.” “He’s got something on A. stove B. grapevine C. spot D. hop
his _________ . I expect.” 9. Nagging Susan to stop smoking has no effect on her. It’s like water off ________
A. brain B. mind C. thoughts D. brow A. a windmill B. a duck’s back

wearing6.oldHe was wearing very shabby, dirty clothes and looked very _______ .
clothes, or in a bad condition, because of not having much money: C. a dripping tap D. an umbrella
A. easy-going B. down to earth 10. Have you seen the new boss? She’s the ___________ image of Marilyn Monroe.
C. out of shape D. down at heel A. live B. true C. spitting D. same
7. Since he started his own business he has been making money hand over ________. Exercise 5: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
If fist
A. you make or lose money hand over
B. heel fist, you makeD.orpalm
C. head lose a lot of following questions.
money
8. I can’t see us beating them at tennis this year - we’re so out of ________ very. quickly 1. Writing rhymes for birthday cards is really easy. It’s money for old _________ .
A. step B. practice C. fitness D. breath A. rags B. bread C. rope D. rubbish
9. I’m not surprised that Tom is ill. He’s been ________ for a long time. It was bound 2. Of course you won’t become more intelligent if you eat a lot of fish — that’s just an
to work or do other things from early in the morning until late at
to affect his health sooner or later. old _________ tale.
night and so get very little rest
A. having his cake and eating it B. burning the candle at both ends A. maids’ B. ladies’ C. mothers’ D. wives’
C. playing with fire D. going to town 3. I agree that this is a bit of a _________ shot, but we’re desperate - we have to do
10. I just couldn’t remember her name even though it was on the ________ of my tongue. something to try to save the company.
A. edge B. tip C. top D. front A. hot B. long C. wild D. high
Exercise 4: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the 4. I like my new job; the only fly in the ________ is the fact that I have to work every
following questions. other weekend.
1. That’s exactly what I mean, Tom. You've _________ ! A. fat B. porridge C. soup D. ointment

59
 A. final curtain B. last straw A. put your foot in it B. killed two birds with one stone
C. end of the line D. last waltz C. put two and two together D. hit the nail on the head
10. He has a quick temper and easily _______ off the handle. 2. “I’m going for an interview for a job this afternoon.” “Good luck! I’ll keep
A. leaps B. goes C. runs D. flies my________ crossed for you.”
to hope strongly that something will happen
Exercise 3: Mark the letter A, B, C, orD to indicate the correct answer to each of the A. legs B. fingers C. arms D. hands
following questions. 3. “If only I hadn’t lent him all that money!” '‘Well, you did, so it’s no good crying
1. Before she left for Australia she promised her parents that she would drop them over _________ milk.”
________ at least once a month. A. spilt B. wasted C. sour D. goat’s
A. a note B. a word C. the news D. a line 4. The car swerved to avoid a cyclist and just missed hitting a passer-by.by ________ .
2. I was all set to take the job in Tokyo, but at the last minute I _______ and decided A. a slight edge B. a narrow escape
to stay in Britain. C. a close thing D. a hair’s breath
A. pulled my finger out B. got cold feet 5. Well, well, if it isn’t Kathy Lewis! You’re a sight for _______ eyes!
C. held my horses D. called it a day A. old B. blue C. sore D. crocodile
3. “What I’ve got to say to you now is strictly _________ and most certainly not for 6. I know times have been bad lately, Peter, but keep your __________ up; things are
publication,” said the government official to the reporter. bound to get better soon.
A. beside the point B. for the time being A. chin B. head C. socks D. mind
C. by the way D. off the record 7. He may be shy now, but he’ll soon come out of his _____ when he meets the right girl.
4. I’ve never enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they’re not really my________. A. shoe B. shell C. shed D. hole
A. piece of cake B. chip off the old block 8. I’m afraid you’ve caught me on the __________. I wasn’t expecting you until this
C. biscuit D. cup of tea afternoon.
5. “What’s wrong with Tom today? He’s unusually quiet.” “He’s got something on A. stove B. grapevine C. spot D. hop
his _________ . I expect.” 9. Nagging Susan to stop smoking has no effect on her. It’s like water off ________
A. brain B. mind C. thoughts D. brow A. a windmill B. a duck’s back
6. He was wearing very shabby, dirty clothes and looked very _______ . C. a dripping tap D. an umbrella
A. easy-going B. down to earth 10. Have you seen the new boss? She’s the ___________ image of Marilyn Monroe.
C. out of shape D. down at heel A. live B. true C. spitting D. same
7. Since he started his own business he has been making money hand over ________. Exercise 5: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
A. fist B. heel C. head D. palm following questions.
8. I can’t see us beating them at tennis this year - we’re so out of ________ . 1. Writing rhymes for birthday cards is really easy. It’s money for old _________ .
A. step B. practice C. fitness D. breath A. rags B. bread C. rope D. rubbish
9. I’m not surprised that Tom is ill. He’s been ________ for a long time. It was bound 2. Of course you won’t become more intelligent if you eat a lot of fish — that’s just an
to affect his health sooner or later. old _________ tale.
A. having his cake and eating it B. burning the candle at both ends A. maids’ B. ladies’ C. mothers’ D. wives’
C. playing with fire D. going to town 3. I agree that this is a bit of a _________ shot, but we’re desperate - we have to do
10. I just couldn’t remember her name even though it was on the ________ of my tongue. something to try to save the company.
A. edge B. tip C. top D. front A. hot B. long C. wild D. high
Exercise 4: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the 4. I like my new job; the only fly in the ________ is the fact that I have to work every
following questions. other weekend.
1. That’s exactly what I mean, Tom. You've _________ ! A. fat B. porridge C. soup D. ointment

a single thing or person that is spoiling a situation that60

could have been very positive or enjoyable
5. It’s a ______ shame that so little is done nowadays to help the homeless in our A. Mars from Jupiter B. milk from honey
large cities. C. chalk from cheese D. margarine from butter
A. sweeping B. crying C. dying D. pitying 8. Ever since I’ve given up smoking I feel as fit as _______ !
6. My aunt is a bit of a wet ________ . She’s always spoiling everyone’s fun. A. a fighter B. a fiddle C. a frog D. an athlete
A. rag B. sheep C. rat D. blanket 9. Our dog looks very ferocious, but don’t worry, Liz. It’s gentle like _______ .
7. We looked in every ______and cranny for the missing ring, but we couldn’t find A. a pony B. snowflakes
it anywhere. C. a lamb D. washing-up liquid
A. nook B. gap C. hole D. niche 10. “I hope the children didn’t play you up, Doris?” “No, not at all, Mrs. Garderner.
8. Everyone bosses me about at work. I’m nothing but a________. They’ve been as good as _________
A. lame duck . B. general dogsbody A. religion B. gold C. God D. brass
C. blue-eye boy D. marked man Exercise 7: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
9. He had a soft ______ for his granddaughter and thoroughly spoilt her. following questions.
A. heart B. way C. smile D. spot 1. “The suitcase isn’t too heavy, is it?” “No, it’s as light as ______
10. He just wanted one ________ before setting down and getting married. A. dust B. lightning C. a feather D. a fish
A. final fling B. last leap 2. “By the way, have you heard the one about the Welshman, the Irishman and the
C. happy hop D. joyful jump pig?” “Yes, we have. That joke’s as old as _________
Exercise 6: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the A. Solomon B. the hills C. a dinosaur D. Jupiter
following questions. 3. Of course he loves you! It’s as plain as _______ .
1. ASK DAVID TO GIVE YOU A HAND MOVING THE FURNITURE. HE’S A. a pancake B. the knob on your door
AS STRONG AS________ . C. the nose on your face D. a bell
A. AN ELEPHANT B. A MOUNTAIN 4. Kate was as pleased as ________ when she heard she had passed the exam.
C. A GORILLA D. A HORSE A. Punch B. a poppy C. a sunflower D. pound notes
2. YOU'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT, JANE! LOOK AT YOU! 5. I hope the computer course starts this term. We're all as keen as ______________ to
YOU’RE AS THIN AS A ________. get going.
A. STICK INSECT B. RAKE C. FINGER A. coffee B. mustard C. a gigolo D. cornflakes
D. WIRE 6. He was a natural singer with a voice that was as clear as __________ .
3. WE CAN’T EAT THIS MEAT - IT’S AS TOUGH AS _________! A. a waterfall B. a lake C. a bell D. a mirror
A. CANVAS B. OLD BOOTS C. RUBBER 7. After a good night’s sleep he woke up feeling as fresh as ________ and eager to start
D. STALE BREAD work again.
4. YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE FRIGHTENED HER LIKE THAT. POOR A. fruit B. a daisy C. a kitten D. a maiden
THING! SHE WENT AS WHITE AS________! 8. He might look kind and sympathetic, but deep down he’s as hard as ___________.
A. a sheet B. snow C. milk D. whitewash A. nails B. a mountain C. a gangster D. an iceberg
5. Nothing ever seems to bother Colin. No matter what happens, he always seems to 9. Pauline can’t have emigrated to New Zealand because I saw her last night at Peter’s
remain as cool as ________ . party, as ________as life.
A. cool feet B. ice-cream C. a cucumber D. Eskimo A. true B. real C. good D. large
6. You’ll have to shout, I’m afraid.My father’s as deaf as ________. 10. It’s no use arguing with him, he won’t listen. He’s as stubborn as ________ .
A. a leaf B. a post C. a politician D. a stone A. a mule B. a spoilt child C. a strawberry D. a trade union
7. It’s hard to believe Brian and Stephen are brothers, isn’t it? They’re as different Exercise 8: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
as________. following questions.

61
5. It’s a ______ shame that so little is done nowadays to help the homeless in our A. Mars from Jupiter B. milk from honey
large cities. C. chalk from cheese D. margarine from butter
A. sweeping B. crying C. dying D. pitying 8. Ever since I’ve given up smoking I feel as fit as _______ !
6. My aunt is a bit of a wet ________ . She’s always spoiling everyone’s fun. A. a fighter B. a fiddle C. a frog D. an athlete
A. rag B. sheep C. rat D. blanket 9. Our dog looks very ferocious, but don’t worry, Liz. It’s gentle like _______ .
7. We looked in every ______and cranny for the missing ring, but we couldn’t find A. a pony B. snowflakes
it anywhere. C. a lamb D. washing-up liquid
A. nook B. gap C. hole D. niche 10. “I hope the children didn’t play you up, Doris?” “No, not at all, Mrs. Garderner.
8. Everyone bosses me about at work. I’m nothing but a________. They’ve been as good as _________
A. lame duck . B. general dogsbody A. religion B. gold C. God D. brass
C. blue-eye boy D. marked man Exercise 7: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
9. He had a soft ______ for his granddaughter and thoroughly spoilt her. following questions.
A. heart B. way C. smile D. spot 1. “The suitcase isn’t too heavy, is it?” “No, it’s as light as ______
10. He just wanted one ________ before setting down and getting married. A. dust B. lightning C. a feather D. a fish
A. final fling B. last leap 2. “By the way, have you heard the one about the Welshman, the Irishman and the
C. happy hop D. joyful jump pig?” “Yes, we have. That joke’s as old as _________
Exercise 6: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the A. Solomon B. the hills C. a dinosaur D. Jupiter
following questions. 3. Of course he loves you! It’s as plain as _______ .
1. ASK DAVID TO GIVE YOU A HAND MOVING THE FURNITURE. HE’S A. a pancake B. the knob on your door
to be obvious
AS STRONG AS________ . C. the nose on your face D. a bell
A. AN ELEPHANT B. A MOUNTAIN 4. Kate was as pleased as ________ when she heard she had passed the exam.
C. A GORILLA D. A HORSE A. Punch B. a poppy C. a sunflower D. pound notes
2. YOU'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT, JANE! LOOK AT YOU! 5. I hope the computer course starts this term. We're all as keen as ______________ to
YOU’RE AS THIN AS A ________. get going.
A. STICK INSECT B. RAKE C. FINGER A. coffee B. mustard C. a gigolo D. cornflakes
D. WIRE 6. He was a natural singer with a voice that was as clear as __________ .
3. WE CAN’T EAT THIS MEAT - IT’S AS TOUGH AS _________! A. a waterfall B. a lake C. a bell D. a mirror
A. CANVAS B. OLD BOOTS C. RUBBER 7. After a good night’s sleep he woke up feeling as fresh as ________ and eager to start
D. STALE BREAD work again.
4. YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE FRIGHTENED HER LIKE THAT. POOR A. fruit B. a daisy C. a kitten D. a maiden
THING! SHE WENT AS WHITE AS________! 8. He might look kind and sympathetic, but deep down he’s as hard as ___________.
A. a sheet B. snow C. milk D. whitewash A. nails B. a mountain C. a gangster D. an iceberg
5. Nothing ever seems to bother Colin. No matter what happens, he always seems to 9. Pauline can’t have emigrated to New Zealand because I saw her last night at Peter’s
remain as cool as ________ . used as a way of describing a person you
party, as ________as life.
A. cool feet B. ice-cream C. a cucumber D. Eskimo
see, and are surprised to see, in a particular
A. true B. real C. good
placeD. large
6. You’ll have to shout, I’m afraid.My father’s as deaf as ________. 10. It’s no use arguing with him, he won’t listen. He’s as stubborn as ________ .
A. a leaf B. a post C. a politician D. a stone A. a mule B. a spoilt child C. a strawberry D. a trade union
7. It’s hard to believe Brian and Stephen are brothers, isn’t it? They’re as different Exercise 8: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
as________. following questions.

62
1. “You’re drunk!” “No, I’m not. I’m as sober as ________ 4. For technical questions _______ the website, please email this address or call our
A. a priest B. Sunday C. a judge D. a Muslim help desk.
2. AM I NERVOUS? OF COURSE NOT. LOOK AT MY HAND - IT’S AS A. after B. toward C. regarding D.throughout
STEADY AS___________. 5. Airline passengers may board theplane with only one carry-on bag _______ a purse
A. A BRIDGE B. A ROCK C.STEEL BARS D. A or laptop.
STEPLADDER A. as far as B. on behalf of C. in addition to D.with regard to
3. AS STUDENTS, DAVID, KEVIN AND WILLIAM WERE AS THICK AS 6. Motorists were cautioned to ________ using the highway during rush hour.
_______. A. avoid B. decide C. quickly D. purchase
A. THIEVES B. BOY SCOUTS C. A TEAM D. THISTLES 7. A bachelor’s degree and at ________ five years of experience is required for this
4. WHENEVER I FEELEMBARRASSED I ALWAYS GO AS RED position.
AS____________. A. last B. times C. least D. stake
A. a rose B. lipstick C. a raspberry D. a beetroot 8. Mark’s Warehouse Clearance Store is having a sale with savings up to 40 percent
5. She was so tired last night that she slept like ________until 10 o’clock this morning. of on a clothing this weekend __________ celebration of its 25th anniversary.
A. a squirrel B. death C. a log D. a zombie A. in B. at C. on D. of
6. We'd better get some extra food in if your brother is coming to stay with us. He 9. Everybody was busy with the spring cleaning, except Stanley, who always refused
eats like _________ ! to pull his __________ .
A. a lion B. a starving man A. weight B. socks C. finger D. share
C. an eagle D. a horse 10. ________ the flood has receded, people can move back into their homes.
7. Normally she smoked 15-20 cigarettes a day, but whenever she was worried or A. Now that B. For C. So D. As much as
nervous she smoked like ________ . Exercise 10: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the
A. a chimney B. a forest fire following questions.
C. a steam engine D. a salmon 1. The players’ protests ______ no difference to the referee’s decision at all.
8. “Is the dress too big?” “No, not at all. It fits like ________ A. caused B. created C. made D. did
A. a mould B. a glove C. glue D. a pillowcase 2. Poor management brought the company to ________of collapse.
9. News of the new pay agreement spread like ________throughout the factory. A. the edge B. the foot C. the ring D. the brink
A. wildfire B. butter C. the plaque D. a flood 3. Computers are said to be ________ for the development of mankind.
10. From the moment they first met they got on like _______ . A. here today, gone tomorrow B. here and there
A. two peas in a pod B. fish and chips C. here to stay D. neither here nor there
C. a house on fire D. clockwork 4. ________, dolphins have no sense of smell.
Exercise 9: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the A. As known as far B. As far as is known
following questions. C. It is known as far D. Known as far it is
1. ________the weather forecast, Ha Long City should get more than fifteen inches of 5. Recently, the company has received a _______ of complaints from the customers
snow this rainy season. about poor products.
A. At will of B. According to C. Depending on D. Agreeing with A. pack B. barrage C. pool D. bank
2. ______ the simplified characters used on the Chinese mainland, traditional 6. When I got my case back, it had been damaged ________repair.
Chinese characters are used for writing in Taiwan and Hong Kong. A. over B. further C. above D. beyond
A. As far as B. On behalf of C. In regards to D. In contrast to 7. Unsalted butter is best for this recipe, but ______ that, margarine will do.
3. Storeowners removed outdoor signs and decorations in _______ of the windstorm. A. except B. failing C. for all of D. given
A. damages B. relation C. recovering D.anticipation 8. We were _____ looking for a manager when the impeccable candidate showed up.
63