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NHÀ XUẤT BẢN

MếịjM$Ị ĐAI HỌC QUÓC GIA HÀ NỘI
 The Windy
PHAN THOA (Chủ biên)

BÀI TẬP THÀNH NGỮ

tiêng anh

Hiệu đỉnh:
MỸ HƯƠNG & THANH HẢI

3003 2 128
NHÀ XƯÁT BẢN Đ Ạ I HỌC QUÓC GIA HÀ NỘI
 LỜI NÓI ĐẦU

Các ban thân mến!

Trong xu thế hội nhập và toàn cầu hóa, tiếng Anh ngày nay
đã thực sự trở thành ngôn ngữ thông dụng khắp hành tinh và là
phương tiện giao tiếp giúp cho mọi người hiểu nhau và xích lại
gần nhau hơn.
Nhằm đáp ứng nhu cầu ngày càng tăng của bạn đọc trong
công việc, học tập và giao tiếp bằng tiếng Anh hàng ngày, chúng
tôi đã biên soạn cuốn sách “Bài tập thành ngữ tiếng A nh”.
Thành ngữ là điểm khó học và khó nhớ trong tiếng Anh.
Tuy nhiên, chúng lại đóng vai trò làm phong phú thêm cho việc
diễn đạt bằng tiếng Anh, dù dưới hình thức nói hay viết.
Cuốn sách được trình bày rõ ràng, súc tích giúp người đọc
dễ dàng hơn trong việc hoc.
Trong quá trình biên soạn không tránh khỏi những sai sót. Rất
mong nhận được sự đóng góp quý báu của quý bạn đọc gần xa.
Chúc cấc bạn thành công!

Nhóm biên soạn

The Windy

5
PHAN MOT:
TESTS

I. Fill in the missing words from the sentences below.

Choose from the following, using plural forms where
necessary.

arm cheek heart

back chest leg
blood finger mouth
bone foot nerve
brain hair stomach
breast hand tooth

1. Being retired, he suddenly found himself with lots of time

on his......................but with little to do to occupy it.
2. You need to have a strong ...................... to work in a
slaughterhouse.
3. He got up very late this morning and then had the
......................to complain about his breakfast being cold!

7
4. She had a sweet..................... and couldn’t resist buying
chocolates and cream cakes.
5. None of the students liked Mr Baker. In fact, everyone was
glad to see th e ..................... of him when he left to teach in
Italy.
6. I think I’ll go and stretch my......................I’ve been sitting
down all morning and I’m feeling a bit stiff.
7. I’ve got an essay to write on the history of computing.
Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about it, so do you
mind if I pick your..................... ?
8. He used to love mountain-climbing, but when a friend of
his was killed in the Himalayas, he lost his.....................
and never went climbing again.
9. The viewers were up i n ..................... when the television
station announced that it was going to change the time of
the evening news broadcast from 9 o’clock to 9.30.
10. There’s something wrong somewhere. I can’t put
my.................... on what it is exactly, but something just
doesn’t feel right.
11. The cruel way some owners treat their pets makes
my.................... boil.
12. “Hurry up, Dorothy! The taxi’s waiting!”
“ All right, keep your..................... on! I’m coming.”
13. Getting a problem off your......................is the first stage to
being able to solve it.
14. She decided to make a clean..................... of everything and
confessed that she was the one who had stolen the money.
15. You’d better be careful with what you say to Samantha.
You know how sensitive she is to criticism - she takes
everything to.......................
8
16. I think there’s going to be trouble at the meeting tonight; I
can feel it in my.......................
17. David and the new boss seem to have got off on the wrong
........................Poor David! There go his chances for
promotion.
18. Stop putting words into my......................! I never said
opera was boring, I just said I preferred musicals, that’s all.

II. Choose the right idiomatic expression to the bold word

and phrases in the sentences.
1. To take something for granted is to

a. permit it b. object to it

c. look it over d. accept it without investigation

2. If I say that something stands to reason, this means that it is

a. difficult to understand b. clear and logical
c. not reasonable d. foolish
3. As to that...........................means
a. because of that b. in addition to that
c. concerning that d. despite that
4. To feel sorry for someone is to
a. like him b. pity him
c. praise him d. call him down
5. Instead of saying that an epidemic had happened suddenly,
we generally say that it has
a. stopped b. burned out
c. burned up d. broken out

9
6. To blow up is to
a. increase in size b. explode
c. decrease in size d. ache
" it v: ■V4-"*’

7. If a place burns down, it

a. burns rapidly b. does not burn at all
c. bums out d. bums to the ground
8. To burn up is to
a. bum slowly b. burn completely
c. explode d. go out
9. Which of the following can burn out
a. a desk b. a ship
c. a fuse d. a curtain
10. If I say that Allan made good in his last position, I mean
that he
a. always arrived on time b. failed
c. liked it d. succeeded

10
I. Choose the word or phrase which best completes each
sentence.
1. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number
of..................... shaves.
a. narrow b. near c. close d. tiny
2. My father refused to eat meat that had been fried. He had
..................... in his bonnet about it causing cancer.

a. a bug b. a bee c. a bull d. an ant

3.You really dropped....................the other day when you told

Brian you’d seen his wife at the cinema. He thought she was
at her mother’s.

a. a brick b. a stone c. a log d. a plank

4. I can’t stand Mr Smith. He’s always blowing his

own..................... - telling everyone how good he is at
everything.

a. balloon b. breath c. mind d. trumpet

5. The escaped prisoner fought......................before he was

finally overpowered.

a. head over heels b. tooth and nail

c. heart and soul d. foot and mouth

11
6 .1 didn’t suspect anything at first, but when I noticed her going
through the office drawers I began to smell.........................

a. a rat b. a pig c. a thief d. a culprit

7. Jane looked..................... at the shop assistant who had been

rude to her.

a. arrows b. needles c. poison d. daggers

8. Peter was born and brought up in Hastings and knows it like

th e .......................

a. nose on his face b. tip of his tongue

c. back of his hand d. hair on his head

9 .1 bought a computer last year, and had nothing but trouble

with it. As far as I’m concerned it was $800 down the

a. loo b. sink c. drain d. plughole

10. John will never buy you a drink - he’s far too..................

a. tight-fisted b. pigheaded

c. highly-strung d. easy-going

11. I’ve heard that argument before and quite frankly it jmst
doesn’t ..................... !

a. face the music b. hit the nail on the head

c. carry weight d. hold water

12. 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 th e .....

a. final curtain b. last straw

c. end of the line d. last waltz

13. He has a quick temper and easily ...................... off the

handle.

a. leaps b. goes c. runs d. flies

14. I don’t like turning down work, but I’ll have to, I’m afraid.
I’ve got far too m uch......................at the moment.

a. up my sleeve b. on my plate

c. on my mind d. in effect

15. And th at....................... Brian, is why I can’t marry you!

a. in a flash b. on the dot

c. off and cuff d. in a nutshell

II. Match up the definitions on the left (1-16) with the

correct idioms on the right (a-p)

1. intelligence, reasoning, a. a blessing in disguise

ability
b. a blue-collar worker
2. something that is
c. a dead-end job
extremely easy (to do)
d. elbow grease
3. stealing goods while
shopping e. a false alarm

13
4. a story that is so f. grey matter
exaggerated or incredible
g. a nest-egg
that it is difficult to believe
h. a pain in the neck
5. something which appears
bad at first but then turns i. a piece of cake
out well j. a practical joke
6. a worker who does an * k. a red-letter day
office job
l. shoplifting
7. a trick played upon
someone m. a shot in the dark
8. a factory worker rather n. a storm in a teacup
than an office worker o. a tall story
9. a lot of excitement and p. a white-collar worker
discussion about
something that is trivial
10. an amount of money saved
for future use
11. a job without prospects
12. a very important day in
someone ‘s life
13. a tiresome, irritating
person
14. physical application to
hard work
15. a wild guess
16. a warning of danger which
turns out to be false

14
I. Each of the idioms on the left (1-18) can be associated with
one of the words or phrases on the right (a-r). Try to
match them up.

1. in a cold sweat a. on strike

2. in a flash b. authority
3. long-winded c. a doctor
4. mind one’s p’s and q’s d. soldiers
5. on call e. a debate
6. on the level f. a prisoner
7. out of tune g. a speech
8. a bottleneck h. a husband
9. a picket line i. a party
10. armed to the teeth j. a job interview
11. behind bars k. It’s a trick!
12. break the ice 1. buying a second-hand car
13. do wonders m. too many cars
14. Dutch courage n. an idea
15. henpecked o. I can’t sing!

15
16. pull the wool over p. going to prison
someone’s eyes
q. alcohol
17. put one’s foot down
r. this medicine
18. take the floor

n . For each of the sentences below write a new sentence with

a similar meaning. Substitute the words in italics with
the word in CAPITAL LETTERS plus one of the verbs
in the box. (You may need to use some of them more
than once)

call come do get give go

have keep lose pull put take

1. If things go wrong, James, whatever you do, don’t panic.

HEAD

2. More than 5,000 runners participated in this year’s

Manchester marathon.
PART

3. The way he took everything she did for granted really

annoyed her.
BACK

16
4. The personnel officer promised him that she wouldn’t tell
anyone that he had been in prison.
WORD

5. We’d get the job finished much quicker if everyone worked

as hard as everyone else.
WEIGHT

6. If you don’t like the idea then just say so. I believe you
should always speak frankly.
SPADE

7. My father’s going to be really angry when he finds out that

I’ve lost the car keys.
WALL
....... ................................ .............................
, , . • • . . . . . . . ' . . • . . . 1 ............. ......................................... .

8. Don’t pay any attention to what he says; he’s only trying to

annoy you.
NOTICE

9. My husband is obsessed with football; it’s the only thing he

ever thinks about.
BRAIN

10. We’re organizing a going-away party for Sue on Saturday.

But don ’ttell her as it’s supposed to be a surprise.
QUIET

17
11. Telephone me if you feel like going out for a meal one day
next week.
RING

12. That wasn’t what I meant at all! You’ve completely

misunderstood me as usual!
STICK

13. There’s no need for us to hurry; the play doesn’t start until
7.30.
TIME

14. The fact that the President had been a drug addict was not
revealed until several years after his death.
LIGHT

15.1 may not come first in the race, but I’ll try as hard as I can
not to come last.
BEST

18
I. Fill in the missing adjectives in the sentences below .
Choose from the following:

bated flat pet square

broad foregone practical tall
confirmed golden rough unwritten
dark hot sharp weak
fair naked sore wishful

1. She had a very ...................... tongue, and could be really

sarcastic when she was angry.
2. The result of the election was a/an......................conclusion.
Everyone knew which party would win.
3. There is a /a n ...................... law in this club that you never
borrow money from a fellow-member.
4. She had a very vivid imagination but her spelling was her
......................point when it came to writing essays.
5. You don’t need a telescope to see the planet Venus - you can
see it with th e ......................eye.
6. Watch out for Paul Blake in the competition; he’s a bit of a/an
......................horse.

19
7. The competitors waited with..................... breath for the
results to be read out.
8. The robbery was committed in ..................... daylight.
9. “How many people were there at the meeting last night?”
“ I’m not sure exactly, but at a/an..................... guess. I’d say
about three hundred.”
10. One of his..................... hates was people pushing in front
of him at bus stops.
11. I was late for work this morning because my car had a
tyre.
12. This is a/an...................... opportunity for you, Tom. You
must take it.
13. It was the first......................meal the tramp had had in days.
14. We decided to play a/an.......... ...........joke on our teacher by
putting a “ For Sale” sign on his car.
15. Don’t mention last year’s Christmas party to Harry; it’s a bit
of a/an ....... ..............point with him.
16. The one thing about Pamela is that you can trust her; you
know she will give you a/an..................... deal.
17. He’ll never get married; he’s a/an..................... bachelor.
18. Don’t believe a word he says; it’s just another of his........
stories.
19. Do you know if there’s a/an..................... line between 10
Downing Street and the Kremlin?
2 0 .1 don’t really want to be twenty again. It was just.................
thinking.

20
II. Choose the expression corresponding to the bold idiom in
the sentences.
1. If someone drops out, he/she

a. is disappointed b. begins

c. is often absent d. leaves permanently

2. If someone drops in on me, he/she

a. visits me b. drops me a line

c. gives me a ring d. makes me fall

3. To draw up a contract is to

a. sign a contract b. prepare a contract

c. look over a contract d. agree to a contract

4. To run across someone is to

a. run over him b. run up to him

c. meet him unexpectedly d. run along with him

5. If I set out early, I

a. walk out early b. arive early

c. wake up early d. leave early

6. If orders are carried out, they are

a. executed b. not understood

c. criticized d. rejected

21
7. If someone has been knocked out, he has been

a. knocked unconscious b. beaten

c. punched d. wounded

8. If something doesn’t make sense, it is not

a. funny b. true c. logical d. sensitive

9. To cheer someone up is to

a. criticize him b. make him feel happier

c. sit with him d. make him feel sad

10. If a watch keeps good time, it

a. runs fast b. needs winding

c. often stops d. runs accurately

22
I. Choose the word or phrase which best completes each
sentence.
1. He may be shy now, but he’ll soon come out of his
......................when he meets the right girl.

a. shoe b. shell c. shed d. hole

2. It’s true, I tell you! I got it from the...................... My sister

works at the Town Hall. She’s the one who made the
decision!

a. nag’s head b. cat’s whiskers

c. horse’s mouth d. lion’s den

3. Just look at the way he goes around giving people orders.

He’s getting a bit too big for h is .....................if you ask me.

a. boots b. braces c. trousers d. brains

4. I’m afraid you’ve caught me on th e ........................ I wasn’t

expecting you until this afternoon.

a. stove b. grapevine c. spot d. hop

23
5. Nagging Susan because she smokes too much has no effect,
on her whatsoever - it’s like water off.....................

a. a windmill b. a duck’s back

c. dripping tap d. an umbrella

6. Why don’t we have potatoes in their............... ......tonight for

a change?

a. sleeves b. shells c. jackets d. coats

7. Have you seen the new boss? She’s th e ..................... image

of Marilyn Monroe.

a. live b. true c. spitting d. same

8. He’s one of the few..................... composers we have in this

country.

a. budding b. blooming c. growing d. promised

9. Writing rhymes for birthday cards is really easy. It’s money

for old......................

a. rags b. bread c. rope d. rubbish

10. Of course you won’t become more intelligent if you eat a lot
of fish - that’s just an o ld ..................... tale.

a. maids’ b. ladies’ c. mothers’ d. wives’

11. The day after the office party, Jack had a terrible...........and
couldn’t bear the slightest noise.

a. hangover b. conscience c. feeling d. anxiety

24
12. I agree that this is a bit of a ................... shot, but we’re
desperate - we have to do something to try to save the
company.

a. hot b. long c. wild d. high

13. We looked in every............. and cranny for the missing ring,

but we couldn’t find it anywhere.

a. nook b. gap c. hole d. niche

14. I like my new job; the only fly in th e ................. is the fact
that I have to work every other weekend.

a. fat b. porridge c. soup d. ointment

15. It’s a ............ shame that so little is done nowadays to help

the homeless in our large cities.

a. sweeping b. crying c. dying d. pitying

16. My aunt is a bit of a w e t................ - she’s always spoiling

everyone’s fun.

a. rag b. sheep c. rat d. blanket

17. There were loud ............... from the audience when the
compere announced that the main group were unable to
perform because of illness.

a. outcry b. wolf whitsles

c. catcalls d. hoots

25
18. He just wanted one ................ before settling down and
getting married.

a. final fling b. last leap

c. happy hop d. joyful jump

19. He had a soft........... for his niece and thoroughly spoilt her.

a. heart b. way c. smile d. spot

20. Everyone bosses me about at work; I’m nothing but a

»

a. lame duck b. tgeneral dogsbody

c. blue - eyed boy d. marked man

II. Choose the right idiomatic expression for the bold word
or words in the sentences.
1. She began to love him when she was only a child,

a. fell into loving b. fell to love

c. fell in his love d. fell in love with
2. She and Ann alternated helping the teacher after school,

a. took turns b. took part

c. took in d. took on
3. Up to the present we have no information about him.
a. as yet b. for present
c. up to now d. now

26
4. The police say that he was not connected with the crime.

a. was not to charge with it b. had nothing to do with it

c. had something to do with it d. was not responsible for it

5. He had a pair of shoes which were completely useless from

wear.

a. worn away b. not to wear

c. worn out d. no use

6. He told us the same thing repeatedly.

a. again b. over and over

c. right away d. over and about

7. Why don’t you discard those old newspapers?

a. throw away b. throw off

c. throw out d. throw along

8 .1 was on the point of calling you when your telegram arrived.

a. not ready to call b. around to call

c. about to call d. starting to call

He continued talking as though nothing had happened.

a. went on b. went out

c. went along d. went away

27
10. Each time he tried to light his cigar, the match ceased
burning.

a. went off b. went on

c. went out d. went away

I. Match up the definitions (1-16) with the correct idioms a-p)
1. incite someone to do something that perhaps they should not do
2. make a serious effort to improve one’s work
3. live from day to day, often without regular money
4. hear a rumour
5. be humiliated or be made to look foolish in front of others
6. make a mistake, have the wrong idea of something
7. annoy or irritate someone
8. speak angrily to someone
9. wait patiently for a suitable opportunity to do something
10. help someone
11. completely ignore a person while passing him or her
12. find faults or mistakes in something (e.g an argument)
13. go from a bad situation to one that is even worse
14. flatter someone (often in order to get something)
15. become angry
16. challenge someone to do when he or she has threatened to
do (usually because one does not believe the person will do
it)

29
 a. bark up the wrong
b . tree
c. bide one’s time
d. butter someone up
e. call someone’s bluff
f. cut someone dead
g. egg someone on
h. hear something on the grapevine
i. jump down someone’s throat
j. jump out of the frying pan into the fire
k. lend someone a hand
l. live from hand to mouth
m. lose face
n. lose one’s temper
o. pick holes in something
p. pull one’s socks up
q. rub someone up the wrong way

II. Choose the expression corresponding to the bold idiom i n

the sentences.
1. To get away with something is to

a. enjoy it b. do it repeatedly

c. do it and escape without d. leave it

punishment

30
2. If someone bursts out laughing, he

a. begins to laugh suddenly b. hurts himself laughing

c. laughs regularly d. laughs constantly

3. If I say that something served you right, I mean that you

/1
a. are waited upon well b. had a good time

c. deserved it d. received good service

4. To meet someone halfway is to

a. argue with him b. run into him

c. run over him d. compromise with him

5. To stand out is to

a. be prominent or outstanding b. wait outside

c. stand in line d. remain outside

6. To let on is to

a. wait b. give permission

Ci reveal d. accept

7. If after a quarrel, two friends make up, this means that they

a. become reconciled b. come to blows

c. hate each other d. never speak to each other

again

31
8. If I say that John made up that story, I mean that he

a. told it well b. invented it

c. repeated it several times d. believed it

9. To use makeup is to

a. go to extremes b. tell lies

c. use cosmetics d. invent stories

10. If something sticks out, it

a. protrudes b. is sticky

c. shines d. aches

32
I. Fill in the missing words in the sentences below.* Choose
from the following:

on account on principle on the on the run

of contrary
on purpose ,on the shelf
on and off on the dot
on on the spur
on average tenterhooks on the house of the
moment
on board on the cards on the other
hand on the whole
on call on the carpet
on the rocks
on one’s
toes

1. The football match had to be postponed......................the bad

weather.
2. Jane and I hadn’t really planned to get married; we just did
it......................one day.
3. “How much do teachers earn in your country?”
“It varies, b u t......................about $1,000 a month”.
4. Sales have really fallen off this year. If this goes on much
longer, the company will soon be......................

33
5. His work is quite good..................... . but there are still one or
two things I’m not really happy with.
6. Arnold has been learning Russian................... for three years.
7. When I was growing up in Wales, a girl was considered to be
...................... if she wasn’t married by the time she was
twenty-five.
8. “The drinks are..................... !” said the smiling landlord to
his customers on Christmas morning.
9. My mother, being an ardent socialist, disagrees with
everything the Conservative Party does........................
10. We mustn’t be late tomorrow, so I expect you all to be here
at 8 o’clock.....................
11. Selling computers is very competitive. You really have to be
................. to keep youf job.
12. You’ll b e ...............if the boss ever finds out that you forgot
to deliver those parcels on time last week.
13. She didn’t know whether to take the job or not. On the one
hand the salary was much better, but.................it meant a lot
more travelling every day.
14.1 hate travelling by boat. As soon as I g e t............... I start to
feel seasick.
15. After ten days of being................... he finally gave himself
up to the police.
16. One of the disadvantages of being a doctor is that you are
frequently..................... at weekends.
17. The students were all....................... as they awaited the
results of the examination.

34
18. It isn’t true that I hate pop music;........... I like it very much.
19. It’s ............... that the Foreign Secretary will be forced to
resign because of that business in the Middle East.
20. It was no accident! You did i t ..................... !

II. Match up the definitions (1-16) with the correct idioms (a-p)
1. the death penalty
2. a drink (alcoholic) taken before one goes to bed
3. a short sleep in a chair (not in a bed)
4. a success that only lasts a short time
5. someone who is blamed for other people’s mistakes
6. someone who is very conceited
7. someone who attends a party without being invited
8. a difficulty - often hidden or unexpected
9. a heavy shower of rain
10. someone who offers to work when the regular workers
are on strike
11. unnecessary bureaucracy
12. a sudden, clever thought or idea
13. something which is unexpected but which is very much
needed and appreciated
14. a search for something which has no hope of being
successful
15. something very unpleasant to look at (e.g a building)
16. a place in a road where accidents often happen

35
 a. abighead
b. a black spot
c. a blackleg
d. a brainwave
e. capital punishment
f. a catnap
g. a godsend
h. a downpour
i. an eyesore
j. a flash in the pan
k. a gatecrasher
l. a nightcap
m. red tape
n. a scapegoat
o. a snag
p. a wild goose chase

36
I. Fill in the missing words in the sentences below choosing
from the following.

at a loose end at dealth’s door at one’s wits’end

at a loss at fault at random
at a pinch at first sight at short notice
at a standstill at least at sixes and sevens
at all costs at loggerheads at the crack of
dawn
at all hours at most
at will
at best at once

1. When Richard Burton was Elizabeth Taylor it was a classic

case of love.......................
2. Traffic was ..................... this morning because of an
accident on the A21.
3. I’m afraid everything’s..................... this week. Both the
secretaries are ill and no one knows where anything is.
4. The hotel wasn’t that modern, but......................it was cheap
and reasonably clean.
5. I’ve got room in the car for three - four........................

37
6. Mrs Smith’s daughter is ■¿rrible, isn’t she? Out......................
and never a kind word to anyone.
7. You should be able to sell your stereo equipment for $200
....................... $250.
8. If you don’t get out ...................... then I shall have you
thrown out.
9. Pamela and David are always....................... I really can’t
imagine why they got married in the first place. They’ve got
absolutely nothing in common.
10. A chameleon is a remarkable creature - it is able to change
the colour of its skin........................
11. You can’t expect me to work
overtime....................such......................! I need to be told at
least two days in advance.
12.1 was in a hurry for my train, so I choose a book..................

13. We m u st..................... catch the 7.30 train. Otherwise, we

won’t get to the meeting in time.
14. It is difficult to know who’s ...................... in the matter.
Perhaps, we’re all to blame.
15. It’s late. I think you’d better go to bed now, darling.
Remember, you’ve got to get u p ......................tomorrow.
16. Since it’s his first offence he’ll properly get off with a
warning -......................a small fine.
17. If you’re...................... this weekend, Joan, why not come
over for a meal? It’ll give us a chance to catch up on some
gossip.
18.1 may be getting on a bit, but I’m certainly not............... yet.
I hope to live for at least another ten to fifteen years!

38
19. When her daughter didn’t come home on the last bus with
the other girls, Mrs Jenkins was...................... - she was
terrified that something dreadful had happened to her.
20. Like you, I’m ...................... to explain the sudden fall in
share prices. I’ve absolutely no idea what can have caused it.

II Choose the right idiomatic expression to the bold word or

words in the sentences.
1. I used to meet him occasionally on Fifth Avenue.

a. in one occasion b. once in a while

c. one time d. none is correct

2. Helen has promised to watch and care for the baby while
we go to the movies.

a. to take care of b. to take off

c. to be in care of d. to take away

3. It is always difficult for me to select a good present for my

wife.

a. pick up b. pick out

c. take out d. take on

4. John always works leisurely in everything that he does.

a. spends his time b. takes his time

c. works freely d. works slowly

39
5. How is Marie doing in her new French class?

a. getting away b. getting up

c. getting well d. getting along

6. It is of little importance to him whether he passed his

English examination or not.

a. is not different b. is not important

c. . makes no difference d. doesn’t make no

difference

7. I am sure that he didn’t leave that cigarette there

intentionally.

a. on purpose b. with purpose

c. by purpose d. by intention

8. We spent the entire day looking for a new apartment,

a. all day long b. day after day

c. all long day d. the long day

9. Some old friends of my father’s visited us last night.

a. called on b. called down

c. called up d. called out

10. I am extremely tired after all that physical exercise today.

a. tired up b. tired away

c. tired out d. turn away

I. Match up the definitions on the left (1-16) with the correct
idioms on the right (a-p)

1. be in prison a. be an old hand at something

2. enjoy oneself b. be out of pocket

3. be experienced c. break one’s word

4. have one’s revenge d. bring something to mind

5. quarrel in public, have a row e. come to a head

6. look angrily at someone f. come to light

7. lose money over something g. do time

8. remain alert h. get one’s own back

9. reach a crisis i. give someone a black look

10. wait, be patient j. give someone the slip

11. not keep a promise k. have a good time

12. become known l. have one’s hands full

41
 •/;

13. relax m. hold one’s horses

14. recall, remember something n. keep on one’s toes

15. be very busy o. make a scene

16. escape from someone (e.g. p. put one’s feet up

the police)

II. Choose the right idiomatic expression to the bold word or

words in the sentences.
1. Since the treasurer had been ill when the annual meeting took
place, he later asked the secretary to give him the details of
the meeting.

a. fill him out b. fill him on

c. fill him full d. fill him in

2. Although Mary had consistently refused to go out with Jack,

he pleaded with her to reconsider and give him a chance.

a. give him a break b. give him an appointment

c. give him a place d. give him a space

3. Mother had promised to go to the Flower Show with us, but

at the last moment she decided not to go.

a. throw out b. to cop out

c. to stop d. to halt

42
4. I’m sorry, the doctor can’t see you today. He is so busy that
he can only take care of patients who seriously ill. “That
sounds reasonable.”

a. It figures b. It can figure out

c. It seems good d. It can imagine
5. Paul never looks at a book from one day to another,

a. looks up to a book b. buys a book

c. borrows a book d. cracks a book

6. Yes, I can follow the point you are making.

a. I am with you. b. I am on your side,

c. I run after you. d. I catch you.
7. After the teacher had listened to the three girls quarreling
over their marks, she told them to quit.
a. knock it off b. knock it out

c. knock it down d. knock it up

8. Is it girls or money that motivates that man?

a. makes him move b. makes him go

c. make him run d. makes him tick

9. Elsa agreed to assume Irm a’s duties in the office while the
latter went shopping.

a. look for her sister b. cover for her sister

c. take for her sister d. do for her sister

43
10. A short time ago I asked Charles if he liked to save stamps,
and he told me that stamp collecting was not one of his
hobbies.

a. was not his game b. was not his suitcase

c. was not his school-bag d. was not his wallet

44
I. Choose the word or phrase which best completes each
sentences.
1. If you want a flat in the centre of the city, you have to pay
through th e ......................for it.

a. teeth b. back of yourhead

c. nose d. arm

2 . 1 caught the last bus by the skin of my.......................

a. mouth b. leg

c. neck d. teeth

3. Because the owner wanted a quick sale, the house went for
................- only $42,000.

a. loose change b. a song

c. a loaf of bread d. a smile

4. You didn’t think I was being serious, did you, Brian! It was a
joke! I was pulling your....................... that’s all!

a. thumb b. hair

c. toe d. leg

45
5. The accident was caused by a taxi driver..................... the
traffic lights.

a. rushing b. missing

c. jumping d. beating

6. Lend me $24, please, Johnson. I’m ...................... at the

moment.

a. broke b. down the drain

c. stuck up d. a bit thick

7. She would do anything for her youngest son. He was the

......................of her eye.

a. plum b. centre

c. star d. apple

8. I always get .................... . in stomach before visiting the

dentist.

a. worms b. butterflies

c. crabs d. hedgehogs

9. Those second-hand Walkmans are selling lik e................... 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

46
 <'

10. I really must go and lie down for a while; I’ve got a
headache.

a. cutting b. splitting

c. ringing d. cracking

11. Stop...................... about the bush, James! Just tell me

exactly what the problem is.

a. rushing b. hiding

c. beating d. moving

12. I usually buy my clothes., ..................... It’s cheaper than

going to a dressmaker.

a. off the peg b. on the house

c. in public d. on the shelf

13. David’s leaving oif Friday. I suggest we all..........

and get him a going-away present. $1 each should do.

a. dish out b. chip in

c. pass the buck d. pay on the nail

14. The sky got very dark and soon it began to

down.

a. roar b. bath

c. bucket d. pouring
% .

47
15. 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

II. Choose the expression corresponding to the bold idioms

in the sentences.
1. To be at the end of one’s rope signifies that one
a. has reached the limit of his endurance
b. is the farthest off of a group of people
c. is dying
d. is in a dangerous situation
2. You are likely to get a rise out of another person if you

a. flatter him b. compliment him

c. insult him d. work hard for him

3. If a hostess throws two people together, she

a. causes them to quarrel
b. makes it possible for them to get well acquainted
c. gets them out of her way
d. pushes them away
4. To go to town is to
a. leave the country for the city
b. walk into the supermarket

48
 c. do something thoroughly
d. go shopping
5. To have a voice in something means to

a. have a say in b. be able to talk

c. be able to call d. be able to sing

6. To stick around means to

a. affix stamps to package b. work around

c. work unsatisfactorily d. remain in one place

7. To let something slide is to

a. neglect some duty
b. push something over a slippery surface
c. let something fall
d. permit something to be put in motion
8. When one picks up the tab, he
a. makes another person’s acquaintance
b. pays the others’ bills
c. stoops down to get something that has been dropped
d. all are correct
9. If you pin something on someone, you

a. make him responsible b. fix a chair for him

c. decorate him d. label him

49
10. To say that hitherto conservative couple certainly lived it up
whe they moved to a larger apartment and threw all sorts of
parties means that they

a. moved upstairs b. used up all their money

c. lived expensively d. lived happily

50
I. Complete the paired idioms in the sentences below.
Choose from the following:

about front sound tear

blood large span thin
bull nail square thumbs
cons shoulders sweet tired
fast soul take void

1. He’s not feeling well at the moment, but he should be up

an d ..................... again in a few days.
2. The contract was declared null a n d ......................as one of
the partners had forgotten to sign it.
3. You didn’t believe what he said, did you? It was just another
one of his cock an d ..................... stories!
4. Oh, thank heavens you’re both safe and......................! I was
so worried about you.
5. They promised to stand by each other through thick and

6. The carpet in the hall gets a lot of wear and , so

it’s best not to buy anything too expensive.

51
7. You can’t throw him out, surely? Not your brother; not your
own flesh and..................... !
8. A certain amount of give and..................... is essential in
any relationship.
9. His flat was so spick and..................... that it looked more
like a well-kept museum than a home.
10. I’m afraid you’ll have to wear a tie, sir. It’s a hard
and..................... rule of the club.
11. They’re always fighting tooth and......................... I’m
surprised they don’t get divorced.
12.1 couldn’t understand why everyone was laughing until I
realized that I had my jumper on back to........................
13. The managing director outlined the pros and..................... of
the proposed merger.
14.1 don’t know about you, David, but I’m sick
and..................... of hearing about his “fantastic” children.
15. She was an outstanding student whose work was head and
..................... above the others in her class.
16. The lecture was just the way the students liked it - short
and....................
17. Although it has its faults, by and..................... Britain is a
pretty good country to live in.
18. Don’t ask James to do anything practical; he’s all fingers
and.......................
19. Pauline was so funny on Saturday. She really was the life
and..................... of the party. I

20. England was beaten fair and..................... by the West

Indies in the Third Test at Lords.

52
II. Match up the definitions (1-16) with the correct idioms
(a-p)

1. stubborn a. all thumbs

2. too weak to leave one’s b. bedridden
bed
c. bigheaded
3. terrifying
d. black and blue all over
4. conceited, vain, boastful
e. brainy
5. tense, excited
f. cheeky
6. ill, not well
g. hair-raising
7. covered with bruises
h. heartless
8. clever, intelligent
i. keyed up
9. inquisitive, curious
j. long in the tooth
10. rich, wealthy
k. nosy
11. cruel
l. off colour
12. stupid, unintelligent
m. pigheaded
13. young, inexperienced
n. thick
14. old (of a person)
o. well off
15. very clumsy, awkward
p. wet behind the ears
16. impudent

53
I. Complete sentences 1-25 by choosing an ending from a-o.
1. She was feeling down in the mouth because.....................
2. He was hard up this month because h e ......................
3. We decided to get a move on because we.....................
4. After spending the whole day walking around the shops in
London, we.....................
5. She was late for work this morning because she

6. The secretary asked me to hold the line while

she.....................
7. It was a secret, so I.....................
8. Now that he’s out of work h e ......................
9. He can’t read a note of m u s ic -h e ......................
10 .1 was feeling a bit under the weather so I......................
11. As we had over two hours to wait for our train,
we.....................
12 .1 can’t say I recognize her b u t......................
13. The room was so quiet that you.....................
14. Don’t expect Paul to remember anything. He’s......................
15. If you play your cards right you......................

54
a......................... promised to keep it under my hat.
b.........................her name rings a bell.
c.........................got a memory like a sieve.
d.........................decided not to go to work.
e.........................plays everything by ear.
f. ......................she and her boyfriend had just broken up.
g.........................didn’t want to miss the last bus.
h.........................could end up being manager by the time you’re
thirty.
i..........................could hear a pin drop.
j ..........................had a lot of bills to pay.
k.........................finds it hard to make ends meet.
1......................... got caught in a traffic-jam.
m........................decided to kill time by going into to pub for a
drink.
n........................ were head beat.
o........................ put me through to the manager.

II. Choose the right idiomatic expression to the bold word or

words in the sentences.
1. The man finally went insane,

a. out of the way b. out of mind

c. out of sight d. out of order

55
2. He exhausted his supply o f m oney and had to return home.

a. ran out of b. ran down

c. ran along with d. ran away from

3. He had one glove on with the inside turned toward the

outside.

a. in and out b. inside off

c. upside down d. inside out

4. The plates were placed on the table with the upper side
turned toward the bottom.

a. upside down b. upside on

c. up and out d. up and down

5. Both brothers have been without work for months.

a. working out b. without pay

c. working with them d. out of work

6. If I look forward to something, I

a. look it over b. anticipate it

c. look it up d. look for it

7. If I eat in every night, I

a. eat a lot b. eat in a restaurant

c. eat at home d. eat with others

56
8. If a prediction comes true, it

a. turns out to be correct b. is false

c. turns out to be foolish d. is famous

9. If I play jokes on someone, I

a. laugh and joke with him b. call him up

c. make him the victim of my d. play with him

jokes

10. If I tell you something once and for all, I tell it to you

a. several times b. in a final and definite manner

c. with the hope of pleasing d. only once

you

57
I. Complete sentences 1-15 by choosing an ending from a-o.
1. The thief couldn’t really claim he was innocent because
he...............
2. She got the sack because she.....................
3. They wished me “Many happy returns”...............
4. Don’t ask Pauline to do the washing up - she’s ...............
5. Since my parents moved to Wales, my visits to them...........
6. He wore a hat to disguise the fact that he...................
7. He talked so much that no one...................
8. James is in a really bad mood this morning. He..............
9. You’d bettter pull your socks up if you...................
10. Let’s bury the hatchet a n d ....................
11. Before he spoke, he asked for a glass of water because
he...........
12. My boss and I don’t see eye to e y e ............
13. He hadn’t prepared a speech but spoke...............
14. He was a very timid person who.................
15.1 got into hot water the other day....................

58
a............. was a bit thin on top.
b............... for borrowing the school record player without
permission.
c.............. off the top of his head.
d..............want to pass the exam.
e.............. had been caught red-handed.
f . ................... must have got out of bed the wrong side.
g..................... wouldn’t say “boo” to the goose.
h..................... become friends again.
i...................... kept turning up late for work.
j ...................... over the new sales campaign.
k..................... all fingers and thumbs.
1........................could get a word in edgeways.
m....................on my birthday.
n.......................are very few and far between.
o..................... had a frog in his throat.

II. Explain the meaning of the idioms in italics in each of the

following sentences.
1. He tends to exaggerate, so if I were you I’d take everything
he says with a pinch o f salt.
2. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lastest musical has been taken New
York by storm.
3. I found it extremely difficult to hold tongue when he started
praising the South African government and saying what a
marvellous job it was doing.

59
4. The taxi fare was $35. I gave the driver $40 and told him to
keepthe change.
5. I think you’d better phone up your mother to tell her you’ve
arrived safely. It will set her mind at rest.
6. James won’t do anything without asking his wife first. You
can see who wears the trousers in that family.
7. My brother was involved in a car accident on the way to work
yesterday. Fortunately, he was uninjured, but his car is a
complete write-off.
8. “Would you like a nightcap, Joy?”
“No, thank you. Alcohol always gives me a headache.”
9. I’m sorry, madam, but we can’t order that book for you - It’s
out of print.
10.1 didn’t like caviar and smoked salmon at first. For me they
were an acquired taste.
11. It’s getting late. I think we ought to call it a day.
12. He’s going to become Prime Minister one day - you mark
my words!
13. The owner needed to sell his Jaguar in a hurry, so I got it fo r
a song - only $ 1.000!
14. But you promised, John! How could you go back on your
word!
15. We’re off to a conference on Wednesday, so we’re relying
on you to hold the fort until we get back.

60
I. Fill in the missing words in the sentences below. Choose
from the following:

by chance for good off the top of one’s

head
by far for short
out ofbounds
by hand for the high jump
out of breath
by heart for the time being
out of hand
by no means off and on
out of question
by the way off duty
out of tune
for a change off the beaten track

1....................did you remember to post that letter I gave you

yesterday?
2. We can’t use this piano, it’s ......................
3. He wasn’t prepared for the question, so he was forced to
answ er...................
4. Of all the houses we’ve looked at, this one is ............... the
best.
5. The students were not allowed to go to the local fish and chip
shop during their lunch hour. It w a s ................ to them.
6. My sister has been living in Ireland................ for the past
seven years.
61
7. If the government puts up income tax again, I shall leave this
country................. and go and live in Spain or Greece.
8. I’m afraid I can’t let you have next week off, Miss Blake. It’s
quite............... ; we have far too much to do at the moment.
9. Do you like my ring? I saw it q u ite................ in the window
of an antique shop while I was shopping in the Old Town.
10. His name was Benjamin, but he was called Ben...............
11. Mr. Smith’s .................... He’s been caught fiddling the
accounts.
12. Probably the only really effective way of learning
prepositions is to learn them...................
13.1 think I’d better give up smoking. I was completely..........
.this morning after climbing two flights of stairs.
14. It i s ............... unusual in some countries for a family to have
two cars.
15. The demonstration got................... and quickly developed
into a ful-scale battle between the demonstrators and the
police.
16. The government has decided to shelve its plans to raise the
school leaving age to eighteen - at least...............
17. These things are more expensive because they’re all
made............
18. She said she would join us at the restaurant later; when she
was...............
19. I’m fed up with doing the same thing every weekend. Let’s
go away somewhere..................
20. He lived in a small cottage which, because it was...........
was very difficult to find.

62
II. Choose the expression corresponding to the bold idiom in
the sentences.
1. It a meeting is called off, it is................

a. begun b. crowded

c. interesting d. canceled
2. If someone is in a hurry, he is

a. tired b. rushed
c. ill d. happy
3. To get over something is to

a. like it b. buy it
c. overcome it d. recover from it
4. When I say that someone finally got back, I mean that he
finally

a. left b. returned
c. woke up d. rested

5. To make up one’s mind is

a. to wait b. to decide
c. to get up d. to leave

6. If someone is in the United States for good, he is here

a. to do good b. temporarily

c. to rest well d. permanently

63
7. If someone says, “Look out”, you should

a. put your head out of the b. be careful

window

c. sit down d. go ahead

8. If I say that I don’t think much of this book, this means that
I

a. never read it b. seldom think about it

c. have a poor opinion of it d. don’t like it much

9. For the time being means

a. up to now b. in the near future

c. for the present d. up to date

10. Men shake hands when they

a. tremble with their hands b. are' introduced to each

other

c. argue with each other d. become angry

I. For each of sentences below write a new sentence with a
similar meaning. Substitute the words in bold with the
words in CAPITAL LETTERS plus one of the verbs in
the box. (You may need to use some of them more than
once)

get go keep make put take

1. She was so beautiful that I couldn’t stop looking at her.

EYES.........................................................................................
2. Winning that prize has made him very conceited.
HEAD........................................................................................
3. When he was a child, he loved dismantling things - to see
how they worked.
PIECES.....................................................................................
4 . 1 do wish you’d stop biting your nails, Mary! It really annoys
me.
NERVES...................................................................................
5. English people in general don’t like complaining in public.
FU SS.........................................................................................

65
6. Could you guard my handbag for me while I go to the toilet?
EYE..........................................................................................
7. She’s not really upset; she’s only pretending.
A CT.........................................................................................
8. We’re moving to Bristol next week but we promise to stay in
contact with you.
TOUCH....................................................................................
9. You made an embarrassing mistake when you asked him
where his wife was. Didn’t you realize that she was dead?
FOOT.......................................................................................
10.1 hate the winter - it really depresses me.
DOWN.....................................................................................
11. It was hard not to start laughing when she started to sing.
FACE.......................................................................................
12. Many husbands often don’t appreciate their wives; and
vice-versa.
GRANTED..............................................................................
13. I happen to know the manager of the firm you’ve aplied to
for a job. I can recommend you if you like.
WORD.....................................................................................
14. “All this happened long, long time ago,” said the history
teacher to the class.
PLACE.v..................................................................................
15. Many people nowadays find it increasingly difficult to exist
on the money they earn.

66
II. Choose the expression corresponding to the bold idiom in
the sentences.
1. Not on your life means

a. not while you are living b. never

c. rarely d. seldom

2. In covering a lot of ground, a lecturer

a. walks up and down the platform
b. discusses many issues or wide topics
c. talks for a long time
d. hides his real feelings
3. When a musician is able to make his instrument talk, he

a. gives it powers of speech b. plays it while talking

c. makes it sound like talking d. plays it very well

4. To tell someone he has another guess coming means that he

a. has one more chance b. is wrong

c. is going to guess again d. none is correct

5. The expression Big deal! conveys the idea of

a. disappointment b. pleasure or delight

c. scorn or disdain. d an important business

67
6. If the judge threw the book at a prisoner, he
a. hit the prisoner with a book
b. got angry with the prisoner
c. read to the prisoner from a book
d. gave the prisoner a harsh sentence
7. If something is up for grabs, it is
a. available to any bidder
b. higher in price
c. available to thieves only
d. lower in price
8. When one pulls his weight, he
a. pulls an object as heavy as he is
b. does his fair share of the work
c. falls down easily
d. acts in an aggressive manner
9. When someone makes waves, he
a. draws pictures of waves
b. makes and transmits radio signals
c. upsets an orderly discussion
d. goes swimming with his friends
10. If someone asks another to clue him in, he is requesting
a. information
b. an invitation to come inside the other’s house
c. the solution of a crime
d. a report

68
PHÀN HAI:
KEYS

69
TEST 1

I. •

1. hand 2. stomach 3. cheek 4. tooth

5. back 6. legs 7. brains 8. nerve

9. arms 10. finger 11. blood 12. hair

13. chest 14. breast 15. heart 16. bones

17. foot 18. mouth

n.
l .d 2. b 3. c 4. b
5. d 6. b 7. d 8. b
9. c lO.d

TEST 2

I.
l .c 2. b 3. a 4. d
5. b 6. a 7. d 8. c
9. c 10. a 1l.d 12.b
13. d 14. b 15. d

70
uII..

l.f 2. i 3.1 4. o

5. a 6. p 7-j 8. b

9. n 10. g 11.c 12. k

13. h 14. d 15. m 16. e

TEST 3

I.

l .p 2-g 3. o 4. c

5. k 6. e 7. h 8. f

9. i 10.1 11.n 12. b

13. r 14. q 15. a 16. d

17. j 18. m

II.
1. If things go wrong, James, whatever you do, don’t lose your
head.
2. More than 5,000 runners took part in this year’s Manchester
marathon.
3. The way he took everything she did for granted really put
her back up.

71
4. The personnel officer gave (him) her word that she wouldn’t
tell anyone that he had been in prison.
5. We’d get the job finished much quicker if everyone pulled
his/her weight.
6. If you don’t like the idea then just say so. I believe you
should call a spade a spade.
7. My father’s going to go up the wall when he finds out that
I’ve lost the car keys.
8. Don’t take any notice of what he says; he’s only trying to
annoy you.
9. My husband has football on the brain; it’s the only thing he
thinks about.
10. We’re organizing a going-away party for Sue on Saturday.
But keep it quiet as it’s supposed to be a surprise.
11. Give me a ring if you feel like going out for a meal one day
next week.
12. That wasn’t what I meant at all! You’ve got hold of the
wrong end of the stick as usual!
13. We can take our time; the play doesn’t start until 7.30
14. The fact that the President had been a drug addict didn’t
come to light until several years after his death.
15.1 may not come first in the race, but I’ll do my best not to
come last.

72
TEST 4

I.
1. sharp 2. foregone 3. unwritten 4. weak
5. naked 6. dark 7. bated 8. broad
9. rough 10. pet 11. flat 12. golden
13. square 14. practical 15. sore 16. fair
17. confirmed 18. tall 19. hot 20. wishful

II.
1. d 2. a 3. b 4. c
5. d 6. a 7. a 8. c
9. b 10. d

TEST 5

I.
l .b 2. c 3. a 4. d
5. b 6. c 7.c 8. a
9. c 10. d 11. a 12. b
13. a 14. d 15. b 16. d
17. c 18. a 19. d 20. b

73
u.
l.d 2. a 3. a 4. b
5. c 6. b 7. a 8. c
9. a 10. c

TEST 6

I.

1. f 2. o 3. k 4- g
5. 1 6. a 7. P 8. h
9. b 10. j 11. e 12. n
13. i 14. c 15. m 16. d

II.
1. c 2. a 3. d 4. d
5. a 6. c 7. a 8. b
9. c 10. a

TEST 7
L

1. on account of 2. on the spur of the moment

3. on average 4. on the rocks
5. on the whole 6. on and off
7. on the shelf 8. on the house

74
9. on principle 10. on the dot
11. on your toes 12. on the carpet
13. on the other hand 14. on board
15. on the run 16. on call
17. on tenterhooks 18. on the contrary
19. on the cards 20. on purpose

II.
l .e 2.1 3. f 4 .j
5. n 6. a 7. k 8. o
9. h 10. c 11. m 12. d
13. g 14. p 15.i 16. b

TEST 8

I.
1. at first sight 2. at a standstill
3. at sixes and sevens 4. at least
5. at a pinch 6. at all hours
7. at best 8. at once
9. at loggerheads 10. at will
11. at (such) short notice 12. at random
13. at all costs 14. at fault
15. at the crack of dawn 16. at most
17. at a loose end 18. at death’s door
19. at her wit’s end 20. at a loss

75
II.
l.b 2. a 3. b 4. b
5. d 6. c 7. a 8. a
9. a 10. c

TEST 9

I.
1-g 5. o 9. e 13. p
2. k 6. i 10. m 14. d
3. a 7. b 11.c 15.1
4. h 8. n 12. f 16. j

II.
l.d 2.a 3.b 4.a
5.d 6. a 7. a 8. d
9. b 10. c I'.: 4'V: r*,f^¿.vv* £,*5!

TEST 10

1. c 2. d 3. b 4. d
5. c 6. a 7. d 8. b
9. c 10. b 11. c 12. a
13. b 14. c 15. a

76
II.
1. a 2. c 3. b 4. c
5. a 6. d 7. a 8. b
9. a 10. c 11. 12.

TEST 11

I.
1. about 2. void 3. bull 4. sound
5 .thin 6. tear 7. blood 8. take
9. span 10. fast 11. nail 12. front
13. cons 14. tired 15. shoulders 16. sweet
17. large 18. thumbs 1 9 .soul 20. square

II.
1. m ' 2. b 3-g 4. c
5. i 6.1 7. d 8. e
9. k 10. o 11.h 12. n
13. p 14. j 15. a 16. f

TEST 12

I.
1. f 2J 3- g 4. n
5.1 6. o 7. a 8. k
9. e 10. d 11. m 12. b
13. i 14. c 15. h

77
II.
l.b 2. a 3. d 4. a*
5. d 6. b 7 .c 8. a
9. c 10. b

TEST 13

I.
l.e 2. i 3. m 4. k
5. n 6. a 7.1 8. f
9. d 10. h 11.0 12. j
13. c 14. g 15. b

n.
1. I wouldn’t believe everything completely; I’d assume only
part of what he says is true. I

2. It has been a tremendous success in New York.

3. I found it difficult not to say something; to remain silent.
4. I told him I didn’t want any money back. He could keep the
rest money as a tip.
5. It will stop her from worrying or being anxious.
6. You can see who makes the decisions; you can see which
person in the relationship is the dominant one.
7. His car is so damaged that it can’t not be prepared or used
again.
8. An alcoholic drink taken before going to bed.
9. The book is not available as all copies of its has been sold
and it is not being reprinted by the original pubbsher.
10 .1 only started liking them after trying them for some time.
11 .1 think we ought to stop working.
12. Listen very carefuly to what I am saying.
13.1 got it very cheaply.
14. How could you break your promise?
15. We’re relying on you to be in charge of things/ to look after
things until we get back.

TEST 14

I.

1. by the way 2. out of tune

3. off the top of his head 4. by far

5. out of bounds 6. off and on

7. for good 8. out of the question

9. by chance 10. for short

11. for the high jump 12. by heart

13. out of breath 14. by no means

15. out of hand 16. for the time being

17. by hand 18. off duty

19. for a change 20. off the beaten track

79
II.

1. d 2. b 3. d 4. b
5. b 6. d 7. b 8. c
9. c 10. b

TEST 15

I.
1. She is so beautiful that I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.
2. Winning that prize has gone to his head.
3. When he was a child, he loved taking things to pieces - to see
how they worked.
4 . 1 do wish you’d stop biting your nails, Mary! It really gets on
my nerves.
5. English people in gerneral don’t like making a fuss in public.
6. Could you keep an eye on my handbag while I go to the
toilet?
7. She’s not really upset; she’s only putting on an act.
8. We’re moving to Bristol next week but we promise to keep in
touch.
9. You put your foot in it when you asked him where his wife
was. Didn’t you realize she was dead?
10. I hate winter - it really gets me down.
11. It was hard to keep a straight face when she started to sing.
12. Many husbands often take their wives for granted; and vice-
versa.
80
13. 1 happen to know the manager of the firm you’ve applied to
for a job. I can put a word for you, if you like.
14. “All this took place long, long time ago,” said the history
teacher to the class.
15. Many people nowadays find it increasingly difficult to make
ends meets.

II.
1. b. never
2. b. discuss many issues or wide topic
3. d. play it very well
4. b. is wrong
5. c. scorn or disdain
6. d. gave the prisoner a harsh sentence
7. a. available to my bidder
8. b. does his fair share of the work
9. c. upset an orderly discussion
10. a. information

81
PHẢN BA:

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

TEST 1
I.
arm cánh tay foot bàn chân
back lưng haữ tóc
blood máu hand bàn tay
bone xương heart trái tim
brain bộ óc, não leg chân
breast ngực mouth miệng
cheek má nerve thần kinh
chest' lằng ngực stomach bao tử
finger ngón tay tooth răng
H.
to make’good thành công
to stand to reason hiến nhiên, rõ ràng
to break out bùng nổ, xảy ra bất thình
as to ve phía, vé phần
to feel soưý for: thương hại, động lòng trắc ấn

82
to take sth for công nhận, chứng nhận điểu gì là
granted: đúng mà không cần tìm hiếu
up to date: thuộc kiểu mới nhất, hợp thời, toi
tân
out of date: lỗi thời, không còn hợp thời nữa
to blow up nổ tung, bùng nổ
to do over làm đi làm lại, lặp
to burn down thiêu rụi,cháy thành bình địa
to burn up đốt sạch, đốt cháy hoàn toàn
to burn out cháy, nổ không hoạt động được nữa
(nói về thiết bị điện)

TEST 2
I.
close shaves : nhũng lân thoát hiêm trong gang
tấc
have a bee in one's : hãy chú trọng, đặt nặng vấn để gì
bonnet about sth
drop a brick : nói lỡ lời
blow one's trumpet : bốc phét, khoác lác
fight tooth and nail : cấu xé dữ dội, đánh nhau, chiến
đấu điên cuồng
fly off the handle : dễ nổi giận
look daggers at sb : nhìn ai giận dữ
know like the back : biết rõ, biết tường tận
of one's hand
down the drain : đổ sông, đổ biển, tiêu tan theo mây
khói
smell a rat : linh cảm chuyện không hay
the last straw : giọt nước tràn ly

n.
a blessing in sự việc tiền hung hậu kiết
disguise
a blue-collar worker công nhân
a dead-end job một công việc không có tương
elbow grease sự lao động cật lực
a false alarm báo động giả
grey matter trí thông minh, chất xám
a nest-egg món tiền dự phòng
a pain in the neck một người quay roi, khó chịu
a piece of cake công việc dễ dàng
a practical joke trò chơi khăm
a red-letter day một ngày quan trọng trong đời
shoplifting trộm vặt trong khỉ mua sắm
a shot in the dark đoán mò
a storm in a teacup sự ầm ĩ vì chuyên không đâu
a tall story chuyện hoang đường, chuyện khó
tin
a white-collar viên chức, nhân viên văn phòng
worker

84 •
m.
a blessing in : sự việc tiền hung hậu kiết
disguise
a blue-collar worker công nhân
a dead-end job một công việc không có tương lai
elbow grease sự lao động cật lực
a false alarm * báo động giả
grey matter trí thông minh, chất xám
a nest-egg món tiền dự phòng
a pain in the neck một người quấy rối, khó chịu
a piece of cake công việcdễ dàng
a practical joke trò chơi khăm
a red-letter day một ngày quan trọng trong đời
shoplifting trộm vặt trong khi mua sắm
a shot in the dark đoán mò
a storm in a teacup sự ầm ĩ vìchuyện không đâu
a tall story chuyện hoang đường, chuyện khó
tin
a white-collar viên chức, nhân viên văn phòng
worker

TEST 3
I.
in a flash trong chớp mắt
long-winded nói dài,dai và dở
mind one’s p ’s and quan tâm đen lời ăn tiếng nói
q ’s

85
 on call : cd mat de true
on the level : trung thuc, luong thien
out of tune : khdng dung dm dieu
pull the wool over : tim each danhlira ai
someone’s eyes
put one's foot down : khdng khdng
take the floor : phat bieu
a bottleneck : cho hay ket xe, nut cd chai
a picket line : hang rao bai cdng
armed to the teeth : trang bi den tan rang
behind bars : a tu
break the ice : xoa di khdng khi ngot ngat hay
nguong ngap ban dau
do wonders : rat hieu qua
Dutch courage : can dam cd duqc khi cd hoi ruqu
henpecked : so vo
in a cold swear : hoang so

n.
come to light : ra trude anh sang, cong luan
get hold of the wrong : hieu lam ai
end of the stick
give sb one’s word : hira

86
call a spade a spade : nói thẳng
go up the wall : noi giận
give sb a ring : gọi điện cho ai
keep sth quiet : giũ kín chuyện gì
on the brain : trong tâm trí
put one's back up : làm ai khó chịu
pull one's weight : làm tròn trách nhiệm

TEST 4

I.
bated nín thở chờ đợi
broad giữa (ban ngày)
confirmed: chắc chan, nhất quyết
dark (một kẻ) đấng gờm
fair thẳng thắn, sòng phẳng
flat xẹp (bánh xe)
foregone biết trước
golden (cơ hội) ngàn vàng
hot đường dây trực tuyến
naked (mất) thường
pet (thích/ghét) nhất
practical chơi khăm
rough vao khoang
sharp doc dia (mieng,luai)
sore (dieu) dau Idng
square dang hoang (bita an)
tall kho tin (chuyen)
unwritten bat thanh van (luat)
weak kern
wishful ao uac (ma thoi

II.
to knock out danh bai,ha do van
to carry out thi hanh, hoan thanh, thuc hien
to run into - to run ngau nhien gap, tinh ca
across
to set out bat dau, kh&i hanh
to draw up thao, soan (mot vein kien)
to drop in or drop in tat vao tham, ghe vao tham
on
to drop out bo cuoc, rut lui
to believe in tin cd
to cheer up lam cho vui hon, gdy cam hung
to make sense hap ly, co ly, cd the tin dirac

88
TEST 5

I.
crying shame : sựxãu ho
come out of one’s : trở nên dạn dĩ, cởi mở
shell
catch sb on the hop : đến một cách bất ngờ
budding : có triển vọng
get it from the : lẩy tin từ nguồn chính xác trực tiếp
horse’ mouth
hangover : sự váng vất do nhức đầu uống
rượu
in every nook and : trong mọi ngóc ngách
cranny
fly on the ointment : mắcmíu nhỏ
general dogsbody : người gánh công việc (nhàm chán,
khó chịu) cho người khác
long shot : biệnpháp xa vời,ít có cơ may thà
công
money for old rope : cách làm ra tiền một cách dễ dàng
spitting image : có mặt giong như khuôn đúc
old wives’ tale : chuyện mê tín huyễn hoặc
final fling : sự vui chơi lần cuối
II.
to turn around quay lại
to take turns thay phiên
to pay attention chú ý đến

89
 t

to go on : tiep tuc
over and over : lap di lap
to wear out : mdn, rach nat
to throw away : nem di, vutbo
to fall in love : phai Idng ai, yeu ai
to go out : di ra ngoai, di chai
as yet, : cho den bay gia
to have to do with : co lien quan den
f
to be on the point of : sap sua
ready

0
TEST 6
I.
incite someone to do sth that khieu khich ai lam dieu gi co
perhaps they should not do le khong nen lam
make a serious effort to co gang cai tien cong viec
improve one’s work cua minh
live from day to day, often song lay lat (qua ngay)
without regular money
hear a rumour nghe don dai
find faults or mistakes in sth b&i long dm vet
(e.g an argument)
go from a bad situation to tranh vd dica, gap vo dua
one that is even worse

90
flatter someone (often in : nịnh bợ
order to get sth)
become angry : giận dữ
challenge someone to do : thách ai làm điểu gì
what he or she has threatened
to do(usually because one
does not believe the person
will do it)
be humiliated or be made to : làm mát mặt ai đó trước
look foolish in front of others người khác
make a mistake, have the : sai lầm, nghĩ sai điều gì
wrong idea of sth
annoy or irritate someone : chọc giận ai
speak angrily to someone : to tiếng với ai (nói một cách
giận dữ)
wait patiently for a suitable : nhẫn nại chờ cơ hội
opportunity to do st
help someone : giúp đỡ ai
completely ignore a person phớt lờ như không biết ai
while passing him or her

II.

to burst out crying : òa lên khóc

to burst out laughing : òa lên cười
to get away : trốn thoát, trốn khỏi
to get away with : tránh khỏi sự trừng phạt
to keep up : giữ vững, duy trì

91
 to make up : boi thubng, dan
hda, lam lanhbia
trang diem
: noi bat len
• I
to stand out
A A . 1 A

to serve one right : dang dai, dang kiep

to meet someone halfway : thoa hiepvai ai, hda giai
vai ai
to stick up - to stick out : keo ra, loi ra, lam tho ra,
lam Idi ra
to let on : tiet Id bimat, cho biet
gi, bao tin

*
TEST 7
on account of vi ly .od..... theo....
on and off khong deu dan
on average tinh trung binh
on board a tren tau
on call true, san sang
on one’s toes canh giac, san sang hanh dong
A. A

on purpose coy
on principle theo nguyen tac nay no
on tenterhooks ’ cang thang
on the cards cd the
on the dot •
dung (gib)
on the carpet bi qudt mang

92
on the contrary trái lại
on the house do chù tiệm đãi
on the other hand mặt khác
on the rocks có nguycơ phá sản
on the run trên đường đào tẩu
on the shelf ở giá
on the spur of the do sự thôi thúc cùa tình thế
moment
on the whole nói chung, đại khái

H.
a bighead : kẻ rất tự phụ
a black spot : chỗ (trên đường) thường xảy ra
tai nạn
a blackleg : người vẫn làm việc trong lúc
người khác đình công
a brainwave : ý nghĩ hay tư tưỏng thông minh
bất chợt
capital punishment : án, phạt tử hình
a catnap : chợp mắt trên ghế (không phải
trên giường)
a godsend : của trời cho
a downpour : mưa rào nặng hạt
an eyesore : vật, cái khó coi, chướng mẳt
a flash in the pan : thành công thoáng qua, không
kéo dài lâu

93
a gatecrasher : kẻ ăn chực
a nightcap : rượu uổng trước khi đì ngủ
red tape : quan liêu
a scapegoat : người bị đem ra làm vật hy sinh
a snag : khó khăn không dự
a wild goose chase : cuộc săn tìm tuyệt vọng

TEST 8
I.
at a loose end nếu bạn không có gì làm
at a loss không thể giải thích
a a pinch nếu cần thiết (nhung có khó
khăn)
at a standstill không di chuyển được, lưu
thông được
at all costs bằng mọi giá
at all hours lúc nào cũng
at best tốt nhất là
at death’s door cửa tử, sắp chết
at fault có lối, đáng trách
at first sight tiếng sét (ái tình); ngay lần đầu
tiên
at least ít ra, ít nhát
at loggerheads cãi lộn

94
at most nhiều nhất
at once ngay tức thì
at one’s wits’ end sốt ruột, lo âu
at random ngẫu nhiên
at short notice không hể báo trước
at sixes and sevens lộn xộn, hỗn loạn, hổn độn
at the crack of dawn rất sớm, sớm tinh mơ
at will theo ý, tùy ý,tùy thích

II.
once in a while thỉnh thoảng
to take care of chăm sóc, trông nom
all day long suốt cả ngày
on purpose có chủ tâm, có chú ý
to get along tiến bộ, thành công
take one’s từ từ, không vội vàng
pick out chọn lựa
to make no difference cũng như nhau, giống nhau
tired out mệt đừ, mệt nhừ, mệt lả
to call on viếng thăm

95
TEST 9
I.

be in prison ở tù
be experienced có kinhnghiệm
have one's revenge trả thù
quarrel in public, have a cãi nhau
row
look angrily at someone nhìn ai một cách giận
lose money over sth mất tiền vìđiểu gì
remain alert cảnh giác
reach a crisis khủng hoảng
wait, be patient kiên nhẫn
not keep a promise thất hứa
become known được biết đến
relax thư giãn
recall, remember sth nhớ lại
be very busy rất bận
escape from someone trốn thoát khỏi tay ai

n.
to be with someone : hiểu, theo dõi tư tưởng người
khác
to knock it off : thôi, ngừng (làm công việc gi)
it figures : có lý, hình như có thể
to fi11 sb in : báo tin, cho biết tin

96
to make sb tick kick thich ai,thuc ai
to cover for lanh trach nhiemthay the ai
to give sb a break cho ai mot co hoi, tha thu cho
mot lari
to be one's bag so trudng
to cop out rut lui
to crack a book doc sach

TEST 10
I.
off the peg may san
go for a song ban gia re
hit the roof gian dir
jump the traffic lights vuqtden do
pay through the nose chi tieu vung tay qua tran
pull one's legs treu troc ai
splitting headache dau nhirc nhu bua bo
sell like hot cakes bdn dat nhu tom tuoi
the apple of one's eye nguoi hay vat quy cua ai
by the skin of one's sat sao, suyt
teeth
beat about the bush noi vdng vo tarn quoc
bucket down mua nhu trut nuoc
chip in gop tien
get butterflies in one's cam thay bon chon
stomach
II.

to go to town : làm việc gì trôi chảy, thành công

to let sth slide : sao lãng, bỏ bê, thờ ơ bồn phận
search me : nào tôi có biết, làm sao tôi biết
được, tôi không biết
to be at the end of one's : bị đẩy đến đường cùng
rope
to live it up : sổng xa hoa, tiêu xài phung phí
to get a rise out of sb : trêu trọc ai, khiêu khích người
khác
to stick around : ở lại nguyên chỗ
to pick up the tab : bao đãi, chịu phí ton cho ai
to throw people : xếp đặt hai người với nhau
together
to pin sth on one : đổ tội cho người khác

TEST 11
I.
all fingers and thumbs lóng ngóng, vụng về
by and large nói chung, nhìn chung
fair and square một cách quang minh
cock and bull stories chuyện hoang đường
get a lot of wear and tear đã qua sử dụng nhiều
hard and fast rule quy định chột chẽ
head and shoulders over vượt trội hơn người khác
the others

98
 s

short and sweet : ngắngọn

spick and span : sạchsẽ, ngăn nắp
up and about : bình phục
through thick and thin : qua những phen ba chìm, bảy
noi
one's own flesh and blood : ruột thịt của ai

II.

all thumbs rất cập rập

bedridden ốm liệt giường
bigheaded tự phụ, ba hoa
black and blue all over mình mẩy đầy vết bầm
brainy thông minh
cheeky trơ trẽn, trâng tráo
hair-raising gây kỉnh hãi, hoảng sợ
heartless tàn ác, vô tâm
keyed up căng thẳng, kích động, kích thích
long in the tooth già (nói về người)
nosy tò mò, hiểu kỳ
off colour bệnh, không khỏe
pigheaded bướng binh, ương ngạnh
thick ngu, đần độn, kém thông minh
well off giàu có
wet behind the ears non trẻ, không kinh nghiệm

99
TEST 12

I.

She and her boyfriend : Co äy vä ban trai vüa mai chia

had just broken up tay
didn’t want to miss the : khöng muön l& xe buyt
last bus cuöicüng.
could end up being : co the thänh giäm doc trieac 30
manager by the time tuöi
you’re thirty
could hear a pin drop : co the nghe cä cay kep roi

had a lot of bills to pay : co qua nhieu khoän can phäi

thanh toan
finds it hard to make ends : khö mä söng göi ghem
meet
got caught in a traffic jam : bi ket xe

decided to kill time by : quyet dinh giet thai gia bang

going into a pub for a each di nhau
drink
were dead beat : met nhoäi

put me through to the
manager
She was feeling down in
the mouth because...:
He was hard up this
month because he...
We decided to get a move
on because we...:
: nöi may cho toi nöi chuyen voi
nguai quan ly
: Co ta cam thäy buön, khö s&
vi...
: Thang näy anh ta tüng quan vi
anh ta...
: Chung toi quyet dinh voi vä vi
chüng toi...

100
After spending the whole : Sau khi bo cddi vdng
day walking around the quanh cacciea a London,
shops in London, w e...: chung toi...:
She was late for work this : Co ay di lam tsang nay
morning because she...: cd...

The secretary asked me to : Co thu ky bao toi giit may trong

hold line while she...: luc cd...
It was a secret, so I... : Do la mot bi mat, vi the toi...

Now that he’s out of : Vi bay gid that nghiep, anh

work he...:
He can’t read a note of
music - he...:
I was feeling a bit under
the weather so I...:
As we had over two hours
to wait for our train,
we...:
I can’t say I recognize her
but...:
The room was so quiet
that you...:
Don’t expect Paul to
remember anything.
He’s...:
If you play your cards
right you
promised to keep it under
my hat:
her name rings a bell:
a'y....
: Anh ta khongthe doc duac mot
not nhac - anh ta...
: Toi cam thay khong khoe nen
toi...
: Vi chung toi cd tren 2 tieng
doi tau, chung toi...
: Toi khong the noi minh nhan ra
cd ta nhimg...
: Can phong yen lang qua den
noi ban ban...
: Dung mong dai Paul nhd cai gi
cd. anh ta...
: ...: Neu anh di dung hicomg,
anh...
: hica khong noi cho ai nghe, biet
: ten cd ta nghe quen quen

101
got a memory like a sieve : rất hay quên

decided not to go out to : quyết định không đi làm

work
plays everything by ear : chơi bằng tai (bản năng gợi
nhớ lại điệu hát, nhạc)

II.
look forward to trông chờ, mong đợi
eat in - eat out ăn ở nhà —ăn ở nhà hàng
come true trở thành sự thật, chứng tỏ là
đúng
play tricks on trêu ghẹo ai, phá quẩy
once and for all lần cuối cùng, lần sau chót
run out of dùng hết, cạn kiệt
out of vượt khỏi
inside out - upside down phía trong lộn ra ngoài, phía
trên lộn xuống

TEST 13

I.
got the sack : sa thải, bị đuôi việc
wished me “many happy : chúc “sinh nhật vui vẻ ”
return
better pull your socks up : phải nỗ lực nhiều hơn nữa
let’s bury the hatchet : thôi không cãi vã, bất hoà nữa

102
don’t see eye to eye
go into hot water
was a bit thin on the top
off the top of his head
had been caught red -
handed
must have got out of bed
the wrong side
wouldn’t say “boo” to a
goose
all fingers and thumbs
could get a word in
edgeways
very few and far between
had a frog in his throat
n.
I’d take everything he
says with a pinch of salt
has taken the New York
by storm
hold my tongue
keep the change in
set her mind at rest
wears the trousers
write-off
a nightcap
out of print
: không đồng ý vớinhau
: gặp chuyên phiền toái
: bị hói đầu
: nói không chuẩn bị trước
: bị ai bắt quả tang
: chắc là đang có tâm gì buồn
: nhát gan, nhát như cáy
: rất vụng về
: không xen vào được một
: rất ít, hiểm khi
: bị nghẹt đờm trong cổ
: tôi sẽ không tin hoàn toàn mọi
thứ anh ta nói
: là một thành công rỡ ở New
York
: giữ im lặng, không nói gì cả
: khỏi thoi, khỏi phải trả lại nữa
: để cho đầu óc thư giãn
: đưa ra quyết định tối cao
: hư hại tan tành
: rượu uổng trước khi đi ngủ
: không còn in được nữa
103
an acquired taste dieuthick thu,
call it a day ngimg, thoi lam
mark my words! nghe toi noi cho ky day!
got it for a song mua gia re kho
go back on your word nuot loihiea
hold the fort dam dicang, trong coi, quart
xuyen

TEST 14
I.
by chance tinh cd
by far so sarth voi tat cd cai khac
by hand bang tay
by no means chang cd...cai gi cd
by the way nhan tien
for a change de thay doi
for good mai mai
for short goi tat
for the high jump bi phat
for the time being tarn thoi
off and on bat thuong
off duty het viec, xong xudi
off the beaten track d mot noi xaxoi it ai biet den
t)ff the top of one’s head tuy hung
out ofbounds khong dupe phep
out of breath hut hoi

104
out of hand không tư chủ được, không kiềm
soát được
out of the question không thể được
out of tune lạc điệu, lạc giọng

II.
out of tune lạc điệu, lạc giọng
call off huỷ bỏ
to be in a hurry vội vàng
to get over vượt qua, khỏi
to get back trở về
to make up one’s mind quyết định
for good = forever mãi mãi
look out coi chừng, cấn thận
don’t think much of this nghĩ đến, có ý kiến
book
for the time being hiện tại,tạmthời
shake hands bắt tay

TEST 15

I.
take eyes off of someone thôi không nhìn
go to one’s head làm cho ai rất tự kiêu
take things to pieces tháo ra tùm lum, từng mảnh
get on one’s nerves làm cho ai bực mình

105
make a fuss làm rùm beng
keep an eye on sth trông coi, để mắt
put on an act giả vờ,làm bộ làm tịch
keep in touch giữ liênlạc
put one’s foot in it phạm một lỗi lầm gây ra bối rối
get one down làm cho ai buồn chán
keep a straight face nín cười, không thể không cười
take sth for granted Coi là hiển nhiên, ẳt phải có
put in a word for : tiến cử, giới thiệu
someone
take place xảy ra, diễn ra
make both ends meet song gói ghém, vừa đủ

n.
not on your life tuyệt đổi không, không bao giờ
to cover a lot of ground bao quát được nhiều vấn đề
to make sth talk chơi điêu luyện một thứ gì
to have another guess sai lầm, lầm lẫn
coming
Big deal! to lớn, vĩ đại
to throw the book at xử phạt nghiêm khắc
to be up for grabs cố đủ cho mọi người
to pull one’s weight làm tròn trách nhiệm
to make waves làm náo động, gây rắc rối
to clue sb in cung cấp cho ai tin tức có ích

106
PHÀN BÖN:
IDIOMS FROM SPECIAL
SUBJECTS

* Banking
Complete the story with the correct idioms in the correct form.

draw money out an open cheque

pay money in a current account
make out a cheque bounce
open an account a deposit account
a crossed cheque a joint account

I must tell you about a customer who came into the bank
this morning - a strange old fellow, wearing a cap and a shabby
raincoat. He said he wanted to (1) with our bank. From his
questions, it sounded as if he had never had a bank account
before, so I explained to him that with (2) you can (3) whenever
you want, but with (4) you have to give a week’s notice.
He seemed confused, so I showed him a cheque and
explained how to (5) - he had obviously never signed a cheque
before. Then I explained the difference between (6) and (7). I
also asked him if he wanted one signature on the cheque or
whether it would be (8) together with his wife. He said that he
didn’t want his wife to know anything about it! When I asked
whether there would be regular payments into the account, he
answered with a grin, “Don’t worry, my cheque won’t (9), if
that’s what you’re afraid of.
107
 Then he said he’d like.to open a deposit account and
brought out a parcel wrapped in newspaper. It tried not to look
surprised when he opened it - it contained more than £10.000
tied up with string and rubber bands! That’s just for a start,” he
said. “What I (10) tomorrow depends on how much I win on the
horses today!”

* Business
Choose the correct idiom in the sentences.
1. If a business “break even” it
a. ceases to exist
b. joins together with another company
c. makes neither profit nor loss
2. If a firm “goes into liquidation” it
a. cannot pay its bebt
b. offers shares to the general public
c. joins together with another firm
3. A “broadmeeting” is
a. a meeting of a company’s shareholders
b. a meeting of a company’s staff
c. a meeting of a company’s directors
4. A “sleeping partner” is a person who
a. owns less than 50% of a company’s capital
b. owns a dormant company
c. provides a percentages of a company’s capital but takes no
active part in its management

108
5. “Sharppractices" are
a. fast business dealings
b. dishonest business dealings
c. fast and successful sales techniques
6. If you “pull a fast deal" you
a. close a deal quickly
b. close a deal unfairly
c. refuse to close a deal quickly

* Buying and selling

Complete the conversation with the correct idioms in the correct
form.

on HP knock money in
out of stock sell like hot cakes
shop with someone put prices up
bring prices down do a roaring trade
shop around take goods on approval

“Hello. Are you shopping here nowadays? Haven’t I seen you in

Sharp’s a couple of times?”
“I’m just comparing prices.”
“Oh, I always do. It pays to (1). I used to (2) Sharp’s, but I
don’t pay much there now. This shop’s much cheaper. They
even let you (3) so that you can decide at home whether or not
to buy them. You can’t do that at Sharp’s. And here you can buy

109
(4), on monthly basis. You can't do that at Sharp’s either. Mr
Sharp does what he wants with his prices. He (5) regularly, but
he never (6). I bought a coffee-maker here last week. It had a
small scratch on it, so they even (7). Sharp’s wouldn’t have
done that. Mr Sharp is quite friendly but they say his wife’s very
peculiar. Oh, look! Here are those new cheese graters. The shop
assistant said they’re (8) and will soon be (9) again, so I’ll buy
one now. Oh, just look at the queue at the check-out! This shop
obviously (10). By the way, my name’s Peter Smith. What’s
yours?”
“Sharp!”

* Health, illness and dealth

Complete the conversation with the correct idioms in the correct
form.

run a temperature worn out

on top of the world laid up
come down with (an illness) on the mend
up to the mark throw off (an illness)
pass away catch a cold

“Do you know that Mr Sykes has (1)? The funeral’s on

Friday. He was one fifty-five.”
“Yes, I heard. It was a sudden heart attack. Very sad. I saw
him only last week and he said that apart from having a lot of
work he was feeling (2). But I thought he looked tired, (3), in
fact. But tell me, how’s your husband?”

110
 “Well, he (4) a week ago and he doesn’t seem able to (5) it.
Several of his office colleagues have (6) flu. He’s (7) as well,
just over a hundred, so I called the doctor this morning. After
all, I don’t want him to be (8) for Christmas.”
“No, of course not. My husband hasn’t been feeling (9)
recently, either. Stomache trouble. But he must be (10) now
because he was shouting at the neighbour’s cat again this
morning as usual!”

* Motoring
Complete the converstaion with the correct idioms in the correct
form.

jam on the brakes be stuck in a traffic jam

the rush-hour pull in
have a smash run into something
back out a write-off

“Hello, darling. Have you had a good day in town? I’ve

been lying in the garden all day enjoying the sunshine.”
“No, I haven’t had a good day. I’ve (1) with the car.
“Oh,,dear! Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m all right. But the car isn’t. It’s not (2) but the
repairs will come to at least five hundreds pounds.”
“But what happened?”
“Well, you see, it was around five o’clock. (3) was in full
swing, cars and buses everywhere. I had already (4) for over
half an hour. I remembered that I’d forgotten to go to the
baker’s, so I looked for somewhere to park. I saw a small space

111
in front of an entrance to a yard. There was a “No parking” sign,
but I didn’t think it would matter for just a few minutes. So, I
(5) . I bought the bread, hopped back into the car and was just
(6) when suddenly a huge delivery van appeared behind he (8)
me, of course. He was annoyed and started shouting the usual
rubbish about the women drivers.”
“So your poor little Mini’s had quite a day!”
“Well, the thing is -er- when I went into the garage this
morning I couldn’t start my car - so I’m afraid that it was your
car I am driving.”

* The stock exchange

Choose the correct idiom in the sentences.

1. A “bull market” means

a. share prices are rising
b. share prices are falling
c. share prices are not moving
2. A “bear market” means that
a. share prices are rising
b. share prices are falling
c. share prices are not moving
3. “Blue chips” are
a. securities issued by the government
b. industrial shares considered to be safe investment
c. industrial shares considered to be a risky investment

112
4. “Gilt-edged securities” are
a. shares which pay high dividends
b. new share issues
c. shares issued by the government
5. If shares are “at par”, they sell at
a. their nominal value, i.e their original price
b. the market value
c. their lowest price ever

* Telephoning
Complete the conversation with the correct idioms in the correct
form

a crossed line hold the line

go dead out of order
put someone through get through
be cut off ' ring off
take the call the line is engaged

“I’ve been trying to ring my brother Nick at work, but I

couldn’t (1) to him. First of all, it took me an hour to find a
phone-box chat that worked-the first three I went into were all
(2). I dialled Nick’s number and heard it ringing, then there was
a silence, nothing! The line had simply (3). I dialled again and
got the wrong number. The third time, Nick must have been
phoning someone himself because (4). At the fourth try, I had
(5) - I could hear to people having a rather personel

113
conversation. The fifth time, I managed to speak to Nick’s
secretary. I asked her to (6) to Nick. She told me to (7) and I
heard her ask Nick if he wanted to (8) .Of course he said “Yes”
and we exchanged a few words, then for some reasons we (9)
and we lost the connection. By this time I was very angry. I
dialled a sixth time, but it was a bad line, so I had to (10). When
I tried again later, the secretary told me Nick had left the office
for the afternoon!”
“How annoying! But tell me, what was it that you wanted to
tell your brother so urgently?”
“That’s my home telephone is out of order! Nick is the head
of fault section at Bristish Telecom.”

* Travel
Complete the dialogue with the correct words from the list,
changing the form where necessary. Use some words twice.

off by
up do
on take
in make

1. “Last Sunday we w ent...........a trip to Hoan Kiem

Windermere.”
“How did you g o ? ............ coach o r ........... car.?”
2. “Are you goijg................ holiday this year?”
“Yes, my wife would like t o ...........a cruise, so it won’t be a
cheap holiday, I’m afraid.”
3. “What time did you se t.........when you went to Edinburgh?”

114
 \

“Not until lunch-time, so we had to sto p ...........in the Lake

District on the way.”
4. “Did you p u t............. at a hotel?”
“Yes, but since we hadn’t ................. a reservation, we had
difficulty getting a room.”
5. “The flight leaves at nine forty-five, so what time should we
check......... ?”
“Not later than nine. Remember, we’ve got a lot of luggage
to weigh............ ”
6. “What are you doing next weekend?”
“We’re going on a short break holiday to Paris. I haven’t
been there before, so I’m looking forward t o ............ the
sights.”

ANSWER

* Banking

1. open an account 2. a current account

3. draw money out 4. a deposit card

5. make out a cheque 6. a crossed cheque/ an open

cheque

7. an open cheque/a 8. a joint account

crossed cheque

9 . bounce 10. pay in

115
* Business

1. c. makes neither profit 2. a. cannot pay its debts

nor loss

3. c. a meeting of a 4. c. provides a percentage of a

company’s director company’s capital but takes no part
in its management

5. b. dishonest business 6. b. close a deal unfairly

dealings

* Buying and selling

1. shop around 2. shop with

3. take goods on approval 4. on HP

5. puts prices up 6. bring prices/them down

7. knocked money off 8. selling like hot cakes

9. out of stock 10. does a roaring trade

* Health, illness and dealth

1. passed away 2. on top of the world

3. worn out 4. caught a cold

5. throw it out 6. come down with

7. running a temparature 8. laid up
9. up to the mark 10. on the mend
♦Motoring
1. had a smash 2. a write-off
3. the rush-hour 4. been stuck in a traffic jam
5. pulled in 6. backing out
7. jammed on the brakes 8. ran into

* The stock exchange

1. a. share prices are rising
2. b. share prices are falling
3. b. industrial shares considered to be a safe investment
4. c. shares issued by the government
5. a. their nominal value,i.e their original price

* Telephoning
1. get through 2. out of order
3. gone dead 4. the line was engaged
5. a crossed line 6. put me through
7. hold the line 8. take the call
9. were cut off 10. ring off

*Travel
1. on/ by /by 2. on/take
3. off/over 4. up/made
5. in/in 6. doing

117
 PHÄN NÄM:
V

ENGLISH IDIOMS FOR

REFERENCE

if you want to get browned : neu ban muon chan ngay

off
house-trained : di dai, tieu tien ben ngoäi
puckish : thich, khoäi an
light-fingered : hay än cäp, tät mät
stuck-up : tu kieu, tu phu
laid up : khong di lam dugc
fell my ears burning : linh cäm cö ai dang nöi
chuyen ve minh
bear fruit : dua den, tao nen thänh qua
kicked the bucket : chet, quy tien
dropped off : ngu guc
an ivory tower : söng co lap, each ly
with his tongue in his : khong nghiem tüc
cheek
- stick their necks out : lieu llnh,*tao bao
•

118
thumb a lift di qua giang, di nhcr xe
took you for a ride lira gat, lira phinh
drop sb a line viet thu cho ai
one's cup of tea cai ma ta thich
clock in dua the vao may
cut in fine den sat gio
death warmed up nhir chet roi
get cold feet mat can dam, thay chun
buoc, son long
golden handshake mon tien hau hinh de tien
mot ngiroi sap nghi viec
hand in glove (lam viec) sau sat vori (ai)
get the hang ofsth nam dugc, hieu hay sur dung
dugc
get sth on one’s mind dang ban tam dieu gi do
off one’s head loan tri.dien
o ff the record khong chinh thuc, khong
dugc cong bo
ratty kho chiu, gat gong
sleep on it suy nghi them ve dieu do
cook one's goose lam tieu tan hy vong
let the cat out o f the bag de 16• bi mat
•
flog a dead horse phi thori gian, phi cong
donkey’s years mot thoi gian dai
go to the dogs xuong doc, tan ta

119
get one's goat lam ai buc
• doc
•
kill two birds with one mot mui ten trung hai dich
stone
take the bull by the horns doi dau true
• dien
• mot
• van de
until the cows come home suot mot thdi gian dai
There are plenty more fish khong thieu gl, con lam moi
in the sea khac (cau noi dung de an ui
ke that tinh)
make a pig o f oneself an nhu ham
crocodile’s tears nude mat ca sau
lion’s share phan ldn nhat
rat race cuoc ganh dua trong cuoc
song
have kittens phat hoang
stag party tiec huoru due (buoi tiec do
mot ngudi dan ong sap lap
gia dinh td chuc cho dam ban
trai cua anh ta)
make a song and dance lam am i
find fault with phe binh, chi trich
make up one's mind quyet dinh
tight-fisted keo kiet
be all in kiet sue
in a tick ngay lap tuc
racket Ion xon, on ao
down in the dumps that vong

120
put one's feet up
few and far between
off the point
put the wind up sb
on the house
green
above board
brainy
get the move on
down the drain
foot the bill
o ff one's head
to be game
to be a bad fit
to be abashed
to be as bright as a button
to be at a loss fo r money
to be athirst for st
to be badly off
to be called away
to be dainty
: thư giãn
: không thường xuyên
: lạc đề
: làm ai hoảng sợ
: do chủ tiệm đãi, không phải
trả tiền
: thiếu kinh nghiệm, còn non
nớt
: minh bạch
: thông minh, sáng dạ
: nhanh, khẩn trương
: trôi theo dòng nước, đổ sông,
đổ biển
: trả tiền
4* A X
: điên rô
: có nghị lực, gan dạ
: không vừa
: bối rối, hoảng hốt
: rất thông minh, nhanh trí
khôn
: hụt tiền, túng tiền
: khát khao cái gì
: nghèo xơ xác
: bị gọi ra ngoài
: khó tính (trong ăn uống, ăn
mặc)

121
to be eager in the pursuit
o f science
to be faced with a difficulty
to be hard pressed
to be in (secret)
communication with the
enemy
to be incapacitated from
voting
to be jealous o f one's
rights
to be kept in quarantine
for six months
to be lacking in
personality
to be mad (at) missing the
train
to be near o f kin
to be o f a cheerful
disposition
to be off (with) one's
bargain
to be on a bed of thorns
to be one's own enemy
to be paid a good screw
to be qualified for a post
to be raised to the bench
122
tha thiét theo duôi con dircmg
khoa hoc
dirong dâu vôi khô khan
bi duôi gâp
tu thông vôi quân dich
không cô tu each bâu cù
ghen t| vâi quyên lai cua ai
dô
bj each ly trong vông sâu
thâng
thiêu câ tinh, thiêu bàn lïnh
bue
• bôi
• vi tre xe lùa
bà con gàn
cô tinh vui vé
that irôc trong viêc mua ban
à trong tinh thé khô khàn
tu« hai
• mlnh
duqc trà luang hâu hï
cô dû tu each dé nhân mot
dure vu
duçc cât lên chûrc thâm phân
to besb's dependence : là chỗ nương tựa của ai
to be taken aback : ngạc nhiên
to be unable to make head : không thể hiểu
or tail o f
to be vain o f : tự đắc về
to be wary o f st : coi chừng, đề phòng việc gì
to have a crush on sb (v) to : hấp dẫn, thu hút ai
be attracted to sb
to drive sb up the wall (v) : làm ai phát điên lên
to drive sb mad
to take a fancy to sb (v) to : lôi kéo, thu hút ai
be attracted to sb
to be head over heels in : yêu ai rất nhiều
love with sb (adj) loving sb
very much
to get on one's nerves (v) : làm ai khó chịu
to annoy sb
to be sick to death o f sb/st : chán ngấy ai, cái gì
(adj) to be fed up with
sb/st
to fly off the handle (v) = : tức giận, giận dữ
to go off the deep end (v) =
to lose one's temper (v) to
get angry
to play it safe (v) to act : hành động cách thận trọng
cautiously
to take the plunge (v) to : quyết định gan dạ
make a brave to decision

123
to skate on thin ice (v) to làm gì mạo hiểm
take risks
to gi\>e sb a pat on the ca ngợi ai
back* -rA. (v) topraise sb
to give sb a piece on your chi trích, phê bình ai
mind (v) to criticize sb
to put your foot in it (v) to làm việc gì sai
do st wrong
to go like clockwto trôi chảy, thuận buồm, xuôi
go smoothly gió
come across tình cờ bắt gặp
come into thừa hưởng gia sản
come round đến chơi
come forward tình nguyện
come out phát hành (báo, tạp chí)
come off thành công, xảy ra
come about xảy ra
come to đi đến một tình huống xấu
come up with nghĩ ra
come down with bị bệnh
come along with tháp tùng ai
take into lừa đảo
take off xin nghỉ, cất cánh (máy bay),
cởi đồ (áo, mũ)
take on đảm nhiệm, phụ trách, trình
diễn

124
take up thảo luận, đạt được , thấm
(mực thấm giấy), chiếm chỗ,
bị bắt
take a fte r : giống
take to : thích, dùng đến, nhờ cậy đến,
cần đến
take a lo n g : mang theo, đem theo
take a sid e : kéo ra một chỗ, đưa ra một
chỗ để nói riêng
take a w a y : xóa, mang đi, lấy đi, đem đi,
cất đi
take b a c k : lấy lại, mang về, đem về
take d o w n : tháo xuống, bỏ xuống, hạ
xuống, tháo ra, dỡ ra, ghi
chép llàm nhục, si nhục, nuốt
khó khăn
Take fr o m : giảm bớt, làm yếu
take in : mời vào, đưa vào, dẫn vào,
đem vào, tiếp đón; nhận cho
ở trọ Ithu nhận, nhận nuôi,
thu nhỏ, làm hẹp lại
take o u t : "“'đưa ra, dẫn ra ngoài, lấy ra,
xoá sạch, làm mất đi
take o v e r : chuyển, chờ, đưa, dẫn qua
(đường, sông...), tiếp quản,
kế tục, nổi nghiệp, tiếp tục
take up w ith : kết giao với, giao thiệp với,
đi lại với, thân thiết với, chơi
bời với

125
come across the mind chat nay ra y nghi
come a cropper nga dau; that bai nang ;
Come along ! (thong tuc) di nao; mau len,
nhanh len
come clean thu nhan, noi hit
come easy to somebody = khong co gi kho khan doi vdi
come natural to somebody ai
come home tror ve nha, tro lai nha
come near den gan, suyt nua
come near failing suyt nua hong, suyt nua that
bai
come of age den tuoi trudng thanh
Come off your high horse Dung co lam bo lam tich
(your perch)! (USA), nua! Dung co len rau nua!
(Colloq)
Come out with it! muon noi gi thi noi di!
come right thu xep on thoa, thu xep
xong xuoi
come short khong dat duoc, that bai
come short o f thieu, khong du dap ung yeu
cau
first come first served den truoc thi duoc giai quyet
truoc, den truoc thi duoc
phuc vu truoc
how come? (USA, Colloq) thi nao? sao?
break away tron thodt, thodt khoi, be gay,
rbira

126
break down dap va
itcomes hard on S that
• la mot
• v6 dau cho ai

break for va ra, no ra; vot ra, ban ra,

tuon ra
break in xong vao
break into dot nhap
break off rai ra, 11a ra, long ra, bi gay
rai ra, ngirng sung lai, dot
nhien ngirng lai, thoi
break out be ra
make after (tu c6,nghla c6) theo duoi,
deo duoi
make against b§t lai, co hai cho
make away voi vang ra di
make away with huy hoai, gilt, thu tieu, khur,
lang phi, phung phi, xoay, an
dp
make back off tro lai mot noi nao...
make off di mat, chuon, cuon goi
make off with xoay, an cip
make over chuyen, nhucmg, giao, de lai,
sura lai (cai gi)
make with (tir long) su dung
make amends for den (boi thuong; den bu, bu
something lai) cai gi
make as if - make as lam nhu the, hanh dong nhu
though the

127
 makebelieve lam ra ve , gia va
make (as)bold (as) to danh lieu, danh bao (lam viec
g'O
make both ends meet thu ven tin tien de cuoi thang
khoi thieu tien
make free with tiep dai tu nhien khong
khach sao
make friends with Sb lam ban (quen) vai ai
make fun o f = make game dua cat, che nhao, gieu
of
make good thuc hien, givr (lai hua)
make haste! gap len! mau len!
make a hash o f job lam hong viec, lam cho viec
tra nen te• hai
•
make hay while the sun tan dung thdi ca thuan lqi
shines
make hay of lam dao Ion, lam roi len
make head tien len, ti6n tori
make head against khang cur thang lgi
t f 1
A • A • A

make headway tien bo, tien trien

a

make oneself at home tu nhien nhu a nha, khong

make love to someone
make little light (nothing)
of
make much of
khach sao
tan tinh ai, to tinh vdi ai; om
ap hon hit ai, an nam vai ai
coi thurang, coi re, khong chu
y din, khong quan tam den
lgi dung nhieu

128
make the most o f tận dụng
make mountains o f việc bé xé ra to
molehills
make one's mark nổi danh, nổi tiếng; đạt được
tham vọng
make merry vui đùa, chơi đùa; liên hoan
make one's mouth water làm thèm chảy nước miếng
(bọt)
make o f mar một là làm cho thành công,
hai là làm cho thất bại
make ready chuẩn bị sẵn sàng
make room (place) for nhường chỗ cho
make sail giương buồm, căng buồm
make oneself scarce lẩn đi, trốn đi
make (a) shift to tìm phương, tính kế, xoay xở
make too much ado about chẳng có chuyện gì cũng làm
nothing roi len
make a tool o f someone lợi dụng ai, sử dụng ai làm
tay sai
make up one's mind quyết định
make up for lost time lấy lại thời gian đã mất
make (wage) war on tiến hành chiến tranh với
(upon)
make water tiểu tiện
make way fo r tránh đường cho, để cho qua
(nhường đường)
make way tiến, tiến bộ

129
take aim nhim muc tieu
take one's chance ph6 mac so phan, danh lieu
xem sao
take earth chui xuong lo (den & bong)
take one's life in one's lieu mang
hand
take eyes off someone thoi khong nhin, ngim nghia
go to one's head lam cho ai rat tu kieu, tu phu
take things to pieces thao ra turn lum, tung manh
make a fuss lam rum beng
keep an eye on sth trong coi, trong giCr, de y cai
gi
put on an act gia vcr, lam bo, lam tich
keep in touch gift lien lac, tiep xuc
put one's foot in it pham mot loi lam gay b6i roi
get one down lam cho ai buon chan
keep a straight face mn cuoi, khong the khong
cuai
take sth for granted coi la hien nhien, it phai c6
put in a good word for tiin cu, gioi thieu
someone
take place xay ra
cooking the books gian lan chung tir
You’re a brick ban la mot ngucri hao phong
to call the banns tuyen bo h6n le, tuyen hon

130
a hen party buổi tiệc gà mái (tổ chức bởi
người phụ nữ sắp thành hôn
để chiêu đãi những người
bạn gái của mình)
a grease someone’s palm hối lộ, đút lót ai
live out o f a suitcase có cuộc sống phải di chuyển
luôn luôn
play by ear chơi nhạc qua trí nhớ
to lead someone up the lừa phỉnh ai
garden path
slip one's mind quên bẫng đi, quên khuấy đi
mất
go like a bomb thành công vang dội
a windfall món quà hay món tiền bất
ngờ
thick-skinned da dày, mặt dày mày dạn
turn a blind eye to st làm ngơ, không ngó ngàng,
để ỷ
in a rut có công việc hay lối sống
chán ngắt không có cơ may
thay đôi được
in cash bằng tiền mặt
in charge o f đảm trách
in common tương hợp, tương đồng, có
nhiều điểm chung
in due course ở một thời điểm tương lai
nào đó
in favour ủng hộ

131
 s

in one ear and out o f the không lọt lỗ tai

other
in season đúng mùa
in short nói tóm lại
in stock tồn khó, có sẵn để bán
in succession liên tiếp, không gián đoạn
in the dark không biết, không hề hay
biết
in the limelight tiêu điểm chú ý, điểm tập
trung
in the long run về lâu về dài, cuối cùng, sau
cùng
in the nick of time ngay phút chót
in the red còn nợ ngân hàng
in theory về mặt lý thuyết
in tune hòa nhịp, hòa đồng
in turns thay phiên nhau
in vain không thành công, tuyệt
vọng
to so without không cần đến, bỏ qua được
to watch out for đề phòng, coi chừng
to be bound to chắc chắn
to be bound for someone đi hoặc sắp đi về đâu, một
nơi nào đó
to take someone for lầm tưởng, trông nhầm
to try out thử, kiểm ưa, ưong giai đoạn
thử nghiệm

132
to tear down : đánh đổ
to tear up : xé vụn, hủy bỏ
to cut up : cắt vụn
to burn up : đốt trui, đốt sach
a flash in the pan : thành công không kéo dài
lâu, thoáng qua
all the rage : rất (hợp) thời trang
blackout : cúp điện
caught in the act : bắt tại trận, quả tang
come into force : trờ thành luật
for the high jump : mất việc
frosty : không thân thiện
get the chop : bi• đuổi viêc
•
get cold feet : sợ (hãi)
get out o f hand : ngoài sự, vòng kiểm soát
high and low : khắp nơi
make a comeback : cố gắng nổi tiếng trờ lại
make a flying visit : viếng thăm ngắn, chuyến đi
ngắn
neck and neck : bên cạnh, sát cánh, sát nút
on the dole : thất nghiệp
work to rule : làm việc thật ít giờ, không
làm thêm giờ
an old maid : một cô gái lỗi thời
all Greek to me : hoàn toàn bí ẩn với tôi

133
dog-eared (n6i ve sach) cu, scm
eat one's heart out buon ba, lo buon
have the gift of the gab co tai an noi
have a soft spot for sb dem long yeu men ai
in the doghouse bi doi xu ghe lanh
give sb the sack du6i viec ai
figurehead ke bu nhin, ke khong nam
thuc quyen
once in a blue moon rat hiem khi, hoa ho^n
weedy om yeu
at loggerheads bat dong hay tranh cai vai ai
bigheaded lam ra ve quan trong, hao
huyen
browned off chan nan
down-hearted xuong tinh than
down in the dumps nan chi
dutch courage gan da nha ruoru
feather one's nest lam dung cong viec de lam
giau bat chinh
feel under the weather cam tMy hoi yeu (benh)
fly off the handle gian du, mat tu chu
getting on in years gia di theo nam thang
go off the deep end gian du, mat tu chu
hair-raising rom toe gay, gay hoang so

134
have a bone to pick with phan nan vai ai dieu gi, co cd
someone de cai nhau
have one's heart in one's rat sa hai
mouth
have words cai nhau vdi ai
keep one's head above tranh ng nan, phien phuc ve
water tien bac
keyed up cang thang
long in the tooth gia nua
off colour xuong sac
on a shoestring eo hep (tien bac)
on tenterhooks cang thang
out o f sorts hai yeu (benh)
past one's prime qua thdi ky sung sue, bat dau
gia yeu
put the wind up someone lam cho ai sa
see pink elephants say rugu
see red gian dCr, mat tu chu
stuck-up kieu hanh, tu man
tipsy hai say
too big fo r one's boots qua tu cao
to be a steal mon hdi, mon bd, re mat
to play up to ninh, bg, tang boc
to pull one's punches gia bo danh, phe binh de dat
to louse up (S) l^m Ion xon, boi roi, lmn
hong

135
to be rained out
to go off the deep end
to lose one's touch
to have sth going fo r
oneself
on the double
to blow one's top
to have two strikes against
oneself
to step down
a vicious circle
bring the house down
down in the mouth
fall head over heels in love
get a word in edgeways
give(someone) a good
hiding
give(someone) a ring
have a leg to stand on
infsomeone’s) shoe
136
hoãn lại hoặc hủy bỏ vì mưa
làm vội vàng quấy quá cho
xong, liều lĩnh, hấp tấp, bừa
bãi
hết thời, hết lôi cuốn người
khác
thành công trong việc gì
nhanh lên, gấp rút lên
nổi khùng, điên tiết, nổi nóng
ở vào một cái thế bất lợi,
nguy hiểm, khó xử, tiến thoái
lưỡng nan
về hưu, rời bỏ một chức vụ
cao cấp
vòng luẩn quẩn
làm khán giả cười
buồn phiền
yêu say đắm, mê mệt
không xen vào nói được một
lời
đánh đòn, nên cho môt trân
gọi điện thoại cho ai
có chứng cớ biện minh
trong hoàn cảnh, trường hợp
của ai
laugh (one's) head off
pull(oneself) together
pull a few strings
put (an animal) to sleep
sleep like a log
stand in (someone’s) way
strike while the iron is hot
tell (someone) off
the short list
to throw someone a curve
to have another guess
coming
to make sth talk
not on your life
to cover a lot o f ground
to mind the store
to make waves
to throw the book at
to clue sb in
to pull one's weight
cười to, lớn tiêng
kiểm soát, kiếm chế (tình
cảm)
sử dụng bạn bè có ảnh hưởng
để đạt mục đích nào đó
giết chết (vì bệnh...)
ngủ cho đã
cản đường ai, chặn đường ai
xen vào, can thiệp vào
chuyện của ai
khiển ưách, trách mắng
danh sách tuyển chọn
chơi xỏ, gây khó khăn, làm
í 1.
răc roi
sai lầm, lầm lẫn
chơi điệu luyện một thứ gì
tuyệt đối không, không bao
giờ có
bao quát được nhiều vẩn đề
trực ban, ưông nom
làm náo động, gây rắc rối
xử phạt nghiêm khúc
cung cấp cho ai tin tức có ích
làm ưòn ưách nhiệm
137
big deal to Ion
can’t make head or/nor khong hieu dau duoi ra sao
tail o f st ca
get a bone to pick with than phien vai ai v'e chuyen
someone gi
in cold blood mot each lanh lung, co tinh
toan
like a bear with a sore de n6i nong, dl cau
head
pass with flying colours vugt qua mot each de dang
on second thought khi nghi lai
to think o f (S) nghl den, co y kien ve
to get back (S) tra ve
to catch cold bi• cam lanh
•

to change one’s mind thay d6i y dinh

on account o f vi 1^ do...., theo...
on and off khong deu dan
on average tinh trung binh
on board a tren tau
on call true, sin s&ng
on one’s toes canh giac, sin sang hanh
dong
on principle c6f
on purpose theo, vi nguyen tic nay, no
on tenterhooks cang thing
on the cards co thl

138
on the carpet bị quở mằng
on the contrary trái lại
on the dot đúng (giờ)
on the house do chủ tiệm đãi
on the other hand mặt khác
on the rocks có nguy cơ phá sản
on the run trên đường đào tẩu
on the spur o f the moment do sự thôi thúc của tình thế
on the whole tính chung, nói chung
a bighead kẻ rất tự phụ
a black spot chỗ (trên đường) thường xảy
ra tai nạn
a blackleg người vẫn làm việc trong lúc
những người khác đình công
a brainwave ý nghĩa hay ý tường thông
minh bất chợt
capital punishment án, phạt tử hình
a catnap chợp mắt trên ghế (không
phải ưên giường)
a godsend của trời cho
a downpour mưa rào nặng hạt
an eyesore vật, cái khó coi, chướng mắt
a flash in the pan thành công thoáng qua,
không kéo dài lâu
a gatecrasher kẻ ăn chực
a scapegoat người bị đem ra làm vật hy
sinh

139
snag khó khăn không dự liệu
a wildgoose chase cuộc săn tìm tuyệt vọng
at large tự do (không bị bắt)
broken-hearted buồn, sầu khổ
eat one’s words thừa nhân
• cái mình đã nói là
sai
from scratch ngay từ đầu
hush money hối lộ, tiền
in deep water gặp rắc rối
in one’s birthday suit trần truồng
in the bag chắc chắn
in the balance không chắc chắn, không dứt
khoát
layoff nghỉ việc
on the cards có thể
pop the question cầu hôn
shelve hoãn lai
•
spill the beans tiết lô•
toe the line tuân lênh
•
turn over a new leaf cải biến, hoàn lưomg
under way đang tiến triển
up to scratch thỏa đáng
white paper báo cáo của chính phủ
whole- hearted hết lòng

140
by chance tinh cd
by far so sanh vdi tat ca cai khac
by hand bang tay
by heart thuoc long
by no means chang co...gi ca
by the way nhan tien
for a change de thay doi
for short goitat
for the high jump bj phat
off duty het viec, xong viec
off the beaten track a mot nai xa xoi it ai biet den
off the top o f one’s head tuy hung (khong soan truoc)
out o f bounds khong duorc phep
out o f breath hut hai
out o f hand khong tu chu, khong kiem
soat duac
•
out o f the question khong the duac
out o f tune lac dieu, lac giong
as the crow flies theo dudng chim bay
a slip o f the tongue sir la ldi
bite one's head off nat no, la loi ai
born with a silver spoon in sinh ra cho mot gia dinh giau
one’s mouth co
get on like a house on fire : ket nhau

141
give a big hand
get a bit hot under the
collar
have a good head for
figures
get hold of the wrong end
o f the stick
out of the blue
soaked to the skin
There’s no room to swing
a cat in
A bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush
a drop in the bucket
A fool and his money are
easily parted
A penny saved is a penny
earned
a piece o f cake
Absence makes the heart
grow fonder
Actions speak louder than
words
Add fuel to the fire
It is all Greek to me
142 *
cho mot trang phao tay
cam thay buc boi, lung tung
co tai lam viec vai nhftng
con so
hieu nham
hoan toan bat ngor
uot sung
qua chat hep
mot con chim trong tay co
gia tri hem hai con chim tren
trai
hat muoi bo bien
mot ke ngoc khong giu: dugc
tien lau
mot xu tiet kiem cung nhu
mot xu lam ra
de nhu an chao
su vftng mat lam tinh yeu
ngot ngao han
hanh dong co gia tri han ldi
noi
them dau vao lua
Toi chang hieu gi ca. (am
chi chft viet hoftc tiSng noi)
cost an arm and a leg
arm in arm
beating around the bush
Better late than never
between a rock and a hard
place
bite off more than you can
chew
bite your tongue
burn your bridges
burning the candle at both
ends
call it o ff
cross your fingers
curiosity killed the cat
Don 'tcount your chickens : Trung chua ncr da dem ga
until they're hatched
Don't put all your eggs in
one basket
from rags to riches
get over it
: tra mot cai gia c&t co, ton rat
nhieu tien
: tay trong tay
: vong vo tam quoc
: tha tre con hon khong
: dung giua 2 lira chon kho
khan
: khong lugng sue
: co gang im lang
: dot cau cua minh, tuc la tu
lam mat di co hoi cua minh
: vat kiet
• sue ra de lam viec
•
: huy bo
: dong tac dugc tin la se dem
lai sir may man
: sir to mo co the rat nguy
hiem
: dirng bo tat ca trung vao mot
ro, tuc hay chia deu nhung
nguy ca ra nhieu nai de giam
rui ro
: tir ngheo kho trd thanh cu
phu
: vugt qua, qua khoi
143
 great minds think alike tư tưởng lớn gặp nhau
have no idea không hề biết, không có khái
niệm nào
It takes two to tango có lửa mới có khói
keep an eye on xem chừng, trông chừng, để
mắt đến
let sleeping dogs lie đừng gợi lại những chuyện
không hay
Neither a borrower, nor a đừng mượn tiền, cũng đừng
lender be cho mươn tiền
Never bite the hand that đừng bao giờ cắn vào bàn tay
feeds you đã đút cho ta ăn
off the hook đỡ mệt, đỡ phiền, càng khỏe
Everybody is on the same mọi người đều hiểu vấn đề
page
People who live in glass bản thân mình không đúng
houses should not throw thì đừng chê người khác sai
stones
Practice makes perfect càng tập luyện nhiều càng
giỏi
Put your foot in your tự há miệng mắc quai, nói lỡ
mouth lơi
Rome was not built in one Thành La Mã không phải
day được xây trong một ngày
rub salt in an old wound xát muối vào vết thương
chưa lành
- second nature việc dễ dàng
start from scratch bắt đầu từ đầu, bắt đầu từ con
số không

144
the pros and cons nhung mat lqi va nhung mat
hai
the straw that broke the giot nude lam tran ly
camel's back
the writing on the wall tin hieu ro rang bao hieu sir
thay doi
third wheel ke dir thira, ky da can mui
tie the knot ket hon
turn over a new leaf quyet tam thay doi cuoc dcri
Two wrongs don't make a hai cai sai khong lam nen
right mot cai dung
under the weather khong khoe trong ngudi, bi
benh
• nhe• do thdi tiet
up against diromg dau voi
water under the bridge chuyen da qua roi
when pigs fly con khuya, khong bao gicr co
chuyen do dau
without a doubt chac chan, khong con nghi
t
ngd gi nua
word of mouth sir truyen mieng
You can't judge a book by ao ca sa khong lam nen thay
its cover tu, dung danh gia dura tren ve
be ngoai
badger someone me nheo ai
make a big of oneself an uong tho tuc
an eager beaver ngudi tham viec
a busy bee ngudi lam viec lu bu

145
 have a bee in one's bonnet : ám ảnh chuyện gì
make a bee-line for : nhanh nhảu làm chuyện gì
something
the bee's knees : ngon lành nhất
an early bird : người hay dậy sớm
a home bird : người thích ờ nhà
a lone b ird /w o rf : người hay ở nhà
an odd bird/fish : người quái dị
a rare bird : của hiếm
a bird's eye view : nhìn bao quáưnói vắn tắt
bud someone : quấy rầy ai
take the bull by the horns : không ngại khó khăn
have butterflies in one's : nôn nóng
stomach
a cat nap : ngủ ngày
lead a cat and dog life : sống như chó với mèo
not have room to swing a : hẹp như lỗi mũi
cat
not have a cat in hell's : chẳng có cơ may
change
play cat and mouse with : chơi mèo vờn chuôt
someone
put the cat among the : làm hư bột hư đường
pigeonsl
a dog in the manger : cho già ngậm xương (ko
muốn ai sử dụng cái mình
không cần)

' 146 V
dog tired : mệt nhoài
top dog : kẻ thống trị
a dog's life : cuộc sống lầm than
go to the dogs : sa sút
a lame duck : người thất bại
a sitting duck : dễ bị tấn công
a cold fish : người lạnh lùng
a fish out o f water : người lạc lõng
have other fish to fry : có chuyện phải làm
a fly in the ointment : con sâu làm rầu nồi canh
not hurt a fly : chẳng làm hại ai
there are no flies on : người ngôn lanh đáo để
someone
can't say boo to a goose : hiền như cục đất
someone's goose : làm hư kế hoạch (hư bột hư
đường)
a guinea pig người tự làm vật thí nghiệm
a slap on the wrist trừng phạt nhẹ nhàng
eat crow rút lại lời tuyên bố
short circuit ngăn chặn
to pull strings giật dây
to string someone along đồng ý và làm theo một
người nào
purse strings : nắm sợi dây giữ hầu bao
second string : kém cỏi, dờ

147
eyes bigger than your
stomach
butterflies in your stomach
bellyache
belly up
bone o f contention
make no bones about it
have a bone to pick
to feel in your bones
to bone up
to throw someone a bone
all that
: con mat to hom cai bung
: mot cam tuong h6i hop, lo
au, hay non nong
: Than phien
: sap tiem
: mot van de gay tranh chap
: noi thang va noi that
: mot van de kho chiu can phai
ban cai
: cam thay mot dieu gi trong
xuorng tuy cua minh
: hoc gao
: Trao cho ho phan thucrng it
han nguai do mong dai
co tat ca moi thur

fly ta mot co gai dep

to perpetrate hanh dong mot each gian ddi
to be ghost bien nhanh di
buy a pig in a poke mua lam mot mon gi vi bi
danh lira
buy it tin vao mot dieu gi
buy the farm chet mot each bat ngcr
hard sell dung ap luc de ban hang
sell a bill o f goods lira doi mot ngudi nao

148
sell down the river phan boi mot ngufri nao
sell someone short nghi xau ve mot nguoi nao
fib mot ldi noi doi nhe nhang
white lie ldi noi doi khong co ac y
lie in your teeth noi doi trang trgn de chay toi
whopper ldi noi doi kho tin va co ve bong
dua
hunker down chu tarn lam viec
hold the high ground chiem mot dia vj iru the
trench warfare mot cuoc dau tranh gay go
slapdash lam mot each cau tha
across the board du moi tang lap hay cap bac
back of the envelope tinh toan mot each phong chirng
out to lunch mo mong van va
backed into a corner bi• don vao mot
• the ket
•
spell out giai thich can ke mot dieu gl
in cahoots with thong dong vdi mot ngudi nao
lip service ung ho suong ma khong lam gi
hit
hare-brained lieu lTnh hay dien ro
go bananas noi gian hay noi dien
compare apples and so sanh khong dung each
oranges
hear through the mot mon hang xlu
grapevine

149
swing voters : nhung cur tri thay ddi y kien
down to the wire : vao giay phut quyet d|nh ngay
trudc cuoc b4u cur
in over one's head : gap kho khan vi lam cong viec
qua kha nang cua minh
mission creep : mot sur mang keo dai lan rong
hotbed : moi truang lam nay sinh dieu gi
well-heeled : giau c6
football widow : nguai va bi chong lcr la trong
mua co bong da
nail-biter : mot chuyen lam cho ngudi ta lo
ling
back on track : tra lai trang thai tot dep luc ban
dau
running scared : so hai lo lang
spin your wheels : dam chan tai cho
• •

bumper crop : trung mua hay ket qua tran d§y

? uS * V i hon thudng le
go south : thay doi huong di de tranh tMt
bai
get cold feet : b6 y dinh lam mot viec gi vi so
hai
cool your heels : doi din moi goi chon chan
hog wash : nhung lbi noi vo gia tri
taking the point : nSm vai tro chu dong
walking a tightrope : giu quan binh giixa hai trach
nhiem khac nhau
Dear John letter : mot burc thu gia biet
pay back time : dung luc tra dua hay tra thu mot
ngudi nao

150
jump thegun lam mot dieu gi qua hap tap va
khong dung luc
stick one's neck out dua diu ra chju bang
grit one's teeth gom het sue de lam mot dieu gi
kh<5 khan
go bananas noi gian hay tra nen roi loan
start off on the wrong khdi dau gap xui xeo
foot
sleeping point thdi diem ban thao cac co phan
de duoc an ngon ngu yen
across the board du moi thanh phan
raise a red flag bao dong ve mot noi nguy sip
xay ra
at the drop o f a hat ngay tuc khac, khong chan cho
gi het
peanut gallery mot noi khong dang ke
give no quarter khong dung thur
draw the line an djnh mot giai han khong cho
nguoi khac vuot qua
gimmick manh ldi de loi cuon khach hang
scope out do xet gia ca cac mon hang
elbow room cho di lai thoai mai
jump start tiep sue cho mot ngucri hay mot
cong ty, thucmg la bang tien bac
cracker Jack mot ngucri tai ba loi lac
up and coming tren duong den cho thiinh cong
Ghost Rider nhirng ngudi khai gian la hanh
khach

151
koosh : tir choi khong cho viec lam
snake check : xem xet mot each rat can than de
de phong dieu gi khong hay
cloud nine : a trong tinh trang rat sung suong
the whole nine yards : lam het mot cong viec gi
nine day wonder : mot tai nang scan nor toi tan
Name dropping : muon ten nguoi khac de lira
thien ha
Name calling : neu ten nguoi ta ra de noi xau
the name o f the game : muc tieu chinh yeu cua cong
viec minh lam
nail down : hoan tat dugc mot dieu gi
another nail in your : them mot di6u xau nua lam cho
coffin ban lam nguy hay chet som
hard as nails : con nguoi cung coi, kho tanh
hit the nail on the noi hay lam dung mot dieu gi
head
Geek : nhung nguoi say me lam viec
voi may dien toan
snail mail : thu tir di cham
• nhu rha
Talking heads shows : nhung chuong trinh binh luan ve
mot van d6 thoi sir
sound bites : nhung doan video ngan chieu
hinh mot nhan vat quan trong
kem voi loi tuyen bo cua ong ta)
stake out : chAu chuc
• 6 mot
• dia
• dilm dA san
tin

152
 no dice : không muốn hay không được
phép làm một điều gì
no great shakes : không có gì hay ho đặc biệt cả
no picnic không vui sướng gì cả
no laughing matter : không phải chuyện đùa
no spring chicken : không còn trẻ trung ngây thơ
nữa
no win situation : tình trạng bất phân thắng bại
hand in glove : làm việc tâm đầu ý hợp với nhau
hand down : đạt được thắng lợi một cách dễ
dàng
hand to mouth : sổng vất vả chi đủ đút vào
miệng
back number : một con người không theo kịp
thời đại
His number is up : anh ta đã hết thời rồi
hot number một người đẹp hay một vật rực
rỡ nóng bỏng được nhiều người
ưa chuộng
go to pot : trờ thành bệ rạc, hư hỏng
sweeten the pot : tặng thêm một món quà hay tiền
bạc để cho đề nghị của mình có
vẻ hấp dẫn hơn
take pot shot chi trích một người yếu thế
^ chew the fat : nói chuyện tầm phào cho vui
fat chance : không có cơ hội nào hay là
không đời nào

153
fa t farm trung tam tap the due cho xuong
can
pan out k£t qua ra sao
panhandle chia tay xin tien
dress down an mac gian dj
dress up an mac te chinh lich sir
dress to kill dien that banh
• •

horse laugh cudi ho ho nhu ngua hi

laugh out o f court cudi che nhao ngudi khac vi cho
la y kien cua ho 16 bich
have the last laugh cudi vi thay ring cuoi cimg
minh da dung
just for laughs lam mot dieu gi chi de giai tri
hay vui dua
laugh up your sleeve cudi tham vi khong muon ngudi
khac biet
laugh out of the other luc dau thi cudi edn bay gid thi
side o f your mouth khoc
call the tune co quyen quyet dinh ve mot dieu
gi
tune in thong cam hay thich thd mot
aieu gi
4* A V

tune out khong thich hay khong muon

nghe mot ngudi nao
change your tune thay doi thdi do
out o f tune 16i thdi

154
dance to another tune thay đổi nép sống cho hợp với
hoàn cảnh mới
lay all your cards on thành thật trình bày hoàn cảnh
the table cùa mình
under the table hối lộ
turn the tables đảo ngược tình thế để chiếm ưu
thế
top dog nhân vật hàng đầu
rule the roost chỉ huy một tổ chức
wear the pants nắm quyền của đàn ông
to be your high horse tỏ một thái độ trịch thượng
to beat a dead horse phí công sức vào một chuyện vô
ích
dark horse một người không được ai biết
đến thành tích của mình
horse o f a different một hoàn cảnh khác với những
color gì mình tưởng
horse and buggy days thời kỳ cổ lỗ xa xưa
hold your horses hãy từ từ đừng vội làm hay đừng
vội nổi nóng
to be walking on air cảm thấy vui vẻ phơi phới trong
lòng
in seventh heaven cảm thấy hạnh phúc tuyệt trần
a fo o l’s paradise hạnh phúc giả tạo và có thể thay
đồi khiến ta bị \ ởmộng
to shoot from the hip hành động vội vã thiếu suy xét
to stick to your guns giữ vững lập trường, mặc những
lời chỉ trích

155
a shotin the dark : dodn mo
sitting pretty : ngoi huang thu v! duac may
min
rolling in clover, : strong ran
happy as a clam
top gun : mot nguai xuat sic trong bat cur
mot
• lTnh vuc
• nao
off the top o f my head : noi mot dieu gi ma khong suy
nghT chin chan
blow your top : turc gian hay noi nong
let your hair down : nghi ngoi thoai mai tir nhien
get in your hair : quiy ray hay lam cho nguoi ta
kho chiu
•
hairy : nguy hiem dang so
shipshape : co trat tu, ngan nap
to run a tight ship : dieu hanh cong viec vdi ky luat
chat
• che
to jump ship : bo ngang mot to churc de gia
nhap mot to churc khac
to rock the boat : lam dao Ion mot tinh trang can
bing
to hold water : mot cai gi to ra dung sau khi
dugc curu xet ky cang
to be left high and dry : bj ket trong mot hoan canh tung
thieu
to be all at sea : khong hieu hay mu t|t ve mot
vin de nao do

156
loose cannon : mot nguai an noi khong suy
nghi
to square away : sap xep moi thu-cho thu tu, ngan
nap
peaches and cream : tinh trang dam dm hanh phuc
sour grapes : che mot dieu gi vi khong dirac
dieu do
to drive someone : lam cho mot nguai nao do noi
bananas gian
from top to bottom : tir dau den duoi
rock bottom : xuong tai do thap nhat
the bottom line : ket qua chung cuoc
to smell a rat : nghi nga co mot dieu gi sai trai
the rat race : cuoc dua chen quyet liet
to rat on someone : phan boi va to cao mot nguai
nao i
to pull no punches, To : noi thang noi that ma khong sa
lay it on the line, To . . mat long
„ % J
let it all hang out
a fish out o f water : ca a tren can
a fine kettle offish : mot tinh trang Ion xon be boi
neither fish nor fowl : khong the sap vao loai nao
to have other fish to : co nhieu chuyen quan trong han
fry phai lam
to paper over : che day nhung bat dong
taper tiger : con cop giay

157
paper pusher nguai cao giay
walking papers giiy bao bi sa thai hay ly di
eleventh hour gicr phut chot
Zero hour (gior G)
happy hour gia nhau c6 rugu ban voi gia re
banker's hours cong viec lam nhe nhang nhu
viec cua ong chu ngan hang
to keep someone at giu cho ngucri khac dirng than
arm’s length mat
• vai minh
to twist someone’s dung ap lire de thuyet phuc ai
arm lam mot cai gi
to have a full head o f tien het toe do•
steam
to hit the ground nhanh nhen b it tay lk n mot viec
running quan trong
advance man nguai tien dao
sacred cow mot dieu khong ai dam chi trich
fa t cat ngucri co nhieu tien dong gop de
gayanhhudng
bandwagon ung ho mot ung cu vien ducrc ua
chuong d! huorng lgi
coattails theo duoi mot ung cu vien nim
chic phan thang trong tay di hy
vpng die cu
running scared tranh cu rao riet nhu sa bi thua
vay
to win by a nose thing sat nut

158 *

y
 f

walkover : thàng de dàng

landslide : thäng long trài là dât
lame duck : nguài bi thua và chà ngày rài
chûc vu
golden parachute : mot viêc tot haymôt vu dàn xêp
tien bac dê bào dám tucmg lai
cùa nguài bi thât cù)
to land on your feet : hôi phuc sau khi that cù
stock and barrel, : toàn bô tir dâu dên cuôi
hook, line and sinker
showdown : mot vu tranh tài cuoi cùng dê
xem ai thäng, ai bai
ante up : trà nçr mà minh thiêu nguài khâc
to sweeten the pot : cho thêm mot mon gi dé làm cho
dê nghi cùa minh hâp dan horn
poker face : mot
• bô
• mât
• lanh
• nhu tien
passing the buck : trôn trách nhiêm >.
the buck stops.here • •

blue chip : có già tri cao

close to the vest : giü kin y dinh cùa minh
like clockwork : chay dêu nhu cái mày
to turn back the clock : quay nguçc thài gian trà vê quà
khúr
around the clock : 24 tiéng dong hô mot ngày hay
là suôt ngày dêm
to kill the clock : kéo dài mot chuyên gî cho hêt
già

159
stake out a claim giành quyền sở hữu một món gì
strike it rich làm giàu một cách bất ngờ
to pan out mang lại kết quả
to hit pay dirt kiếm được nhiều tiền hay tìm
được một cái gì quý giá
to make a killing làm giàu nhanh chóng hay hốt
bạc
killer diller một cái gì sôi động hay khó
khăn
nitty-gritty thực chất của một vấn đề
Nuts and bolts những chi tiêt nhỏ nhưng quan
trọng của một vấn đề
brass tacks bàn đến vấn đề chính
bottom line kết quả quan trọng nhất của một
vân đe
dead ringer, splitting chi hai người hay hai đồ vật
image giống nhau như đúc
to see red nổi giận bừng bừng
to paint the town red ăn chai thả giàn
green with envy ghen tức đến xanh mặt
to get the green light * được phép làm điều gì
jump start tiếp điện vào xe ộtô hay đổ tiền
vào một dự án để khởi sự dự án
này
one jump ahead đi ừưóc đối thủ của mình một
bước
to jump the gun làm một điều gì trước thòi hạn
đúng

160
to jump the tracks : bj tiil durorng ray
jump through a hoop : lam bat cu dieu gi cho mot
nguai vi so hai hay yeu quy
ngiroi do
jump out o f your skin : ngac nhien sung sot hay so hai
tot do
to put your house : sap xep cong viec cho co thu tu
inorder
to clean house : quet sach nhung gi xau xa
to lock horns with : tranh chap hay doi choi vai ai
to pull in your horns : nhuqng bo hay dau diu
to take the bull by the : true dien doi pho vai mot van de
horns g‘
to blow your own horn : huenh hoang tu die
in the chips : co nhieu tien, hay kha gia
bargaining chip : mot lgi diem de thuang luang,
mac ca
When the chips are : a trong tinh trang khung khoang
down khon don
to cash in your chips : qua dai
a chip off the old block : giong cha hay me nhu due
a chip on your : co thai do gay han vi mot thanh
shoulder kien nao do
to shoot your wad : tieu hit tien
to shoot yourself in the : tu hai minh
foot

161
wild card : một điệu gì có thể bất ngờ làm
thay đổi tình hình
drawing card : người hay vật có sức thu hút
quần chúng
in the cards : một điều gì sắp xảy ra
to play your cards : choi đúng nước bài của mình để
right được lợi
to have a tiger by thè leo lên lưng cọp
tail
loaded for bear : sẵn sàng giải quyết vấn đề
600-pound go: một con người đầy uy quyền, thể
lực
to lose your cool, to go : diễn tả sự tức giận của con
ballistic, to go người ở những mức độ khác
zonkers, to blow a fuse nhau.
pink slip,get the boot, : cùng nói về vấn đề mất việc hay
to downsize sa thải công nhân
to kiss off : từ chối hay bác bỏ một điều gì
to kiss goodbye to : mất một cái gì mà lòng đầy
luyến tiếc
kissing cousin : những thứ tương tự như nhau
The kiss o f Death : nguyên nhân làm hỏng công
việc của người khác
fair shake : một vụ mua bán đúng đắn hay
một vụ đối xử công bằng
shake down /a : hăm dọa, tống tiền một người
leg nào

162
nothing to sneeze at một điều gì tuy không tốt đẹp
nhất nhưng cũng không phải là
điều nên xem thường hay chê
bai)
nothing to write home : một chuyện tầm thường không
about đáng chú ý
sweet nothings : những lời nói ngọt rỗng tuếch
here goes nothing : chắc không được tích sự gì hết
nothing doing : không được đâu
and nothing flat : ngay tức khắc
dig up dirt on : bới lông tìm vết
dish the dirt : thóc mách chuyện xấu về một
người nào
sweep dirt under the : dấu chuyện xấu xa đi
rug
dirt cheap : rẻ như bèo
inside track : một lợi thế riêng
fast track : nhanh chóng thăng tiến trong
nghê nghiệp của mình
track record : hồ sơ làm việc hay quá trình
hoạt động cùa một người
side track dùng kế
r
hoãn
\
binh để tránh né
_ A . ___Ã 4 À

một vân đê
one track mind : người có đầu óc một chiều, hẹp
hoi)
The wrong side of the : thuộc giai cấp bần cùng
o f the tracks

163
/
 steal someone's : hỗng tay ưên công lao một
thunder người nào
steal the spotlight : cướp lấy sự chú ý dành cho một
người nào
steal the show : bất ngờ được sự hoan hô của
mọi người vì trình diễn xuất sắc
powder puff : một điều gì yếu đuối như phụ nữ
hay không quan trọng
powder keg : thùng thuốc súng, tức là một
tình trạng căng thẳng có thể
bùng nổ vào bất cứ lúc nào
to play both ends : haí phe kình chống nhau để
against the middle mình hưởng lợi
to hold up your end : làm tròn phần trách nhiệm của
mình
to get the short end o f : bi• thua thiêt
•
the stick
high off the hog : sống một cách sung túc
go whole hog : bỏ hết sức lực hay tiền bạc ra để
làm điều gì mình thích
to go hog wild : rối lên vì tức giận hay vui sướng
hog heaven : trong trạng thái cực kỳ sung
sướng

164
* IDIOMS WITH NUMBERS

s one

- at one time: thời gian nào đó đã qua

- back to square one: trở lại từ đầu
- be at one with someone: thống nhất với ai
- be/get one up on someone: có ưu thế hơn ai
- for one thing: vì một lý do
- a great one for sth: dam mê chuyện gì
- have one over the eight: uống quá chén
- all in one, all rolled up into one: kết hợp lại
- it's all one (to me/him): như nhau thôi
- my one and only copy: người duy nhất
- a new one on me: chuyện lạ
- one and the same: chỉ là một
- one for the road: ly cuối cùng trước khi đi
- one in the eye for somone: làm gai mắt
- one in a thousand/million: một người tốt trong ngàn người
- a one-night stand: một đêm chơi bời
- one of the boy: người cùng hội
- one of these days: chẳng bao lâu
- one of those days: ngày xui xẻo
- one too many: quá nhiều rượu
- a quick one: uống nhanh một ly rượu

165
s Two

- be in two minds: chưa quyết định được

- for two pins: xém chút nữa
- in two shakes: một loáng là xong
- put two and two together: đoán chắc điều gì
- two bites of/at the cherry: cơ hội đến hai lần
- two/ten a penny: dễ kiếm được

s T h ree

- as phony as a three-dollar bill: giả, không thật

- give three cheers for someone: ca ngợi, tán thành ai đó
- three sheets to the wind: say xỉn

■/ F ive

- Give me five!: đập vào tay ai thể hiện sự vui mừng

- nine-to-five attitude: thái độ làm việc không tốt với mức yêu
cầu tối thiểu
- take five: nghỉ ngơi khoảng năm phút .

Ệ Six

- at sixes and seven: tình trạng bối rối, lúng túng

- deep-six (someone or something): từ bỏ hay thu dọn
- six feet under: chôn cất, chết
- six of one and half a dozen of the other: it SIX \)IC

166
s N in e

- dressed to the nines: ăn mặc diện, bảnh bao

- nine-day wonder: ai, cái gì thu hút sự chú ý trong thời gian
ngắn
- nine times out of ten: luôn luôn, thường xuyên
- nine-to-five job: công việc có giờ giấc hành chính
- on cloud nine: hạnh phúc trên chín tầng mây
- a stitch in time saves nine: sai lầm, thiệt hại can phải được
sửa chữa ngay tức khắc

✓ M illio n

- feel like a million (bucks/dollars): cảm thấy khoẻ khoắn,

mạnh mẽ
- look like a million dollars: ưông rất khoẻ mạnh
- million and one: nhiều thứ
- million dollar question: câu hỏi khó và quan trọng
- million miles away: mơ mộng, không chú ý gì về vấn đề đang
nói
- one in a million: duy nhất, một trong sổ rất nhiều cái

s N u m b ers

- do a number on (someone or something): làm hại ai, cái gì

- get (someone's) number: tìm, xin số điện thoại

167
- have (someone's) number: có được thông tin quan trọng để
hiểu ai đố
- in round figures/numbers: con số ước tính, đã làm tròn
- look after number one: chỉ chăm lo và nghĩ cho bản thân mình
- a number of (things or people): một vài thứ, vài người
- number one: chi nghĩ đến mình
- one's days are numbered: ai đó phải đối mặt với cái chết
hoặc bị sa thải
- one's lucky number comes up: ai đó may mắn hoặc có vận may
- one's number is up: điều gì không hay sẽ xảy ra với ai
- one's opposite number: ai đó làm cùng vị trí ở cùng công ty,
tổ chức khác
- round off a number: làm tròn số tới mức nhỏ hơn
- take care of number one: ích kỷ, chỉ nghĩ cho mình

* Id io m s w ith c o lo u rs

s B lack

- be in the black: có tài khoản

- black and blue: bị bầm tím
- a black day (for someone/sth): ngày đen tối
- black ice: băng đen
- a black list: sổ đen
- a black look: cái nhìn giận dữ
- a black mark: một vết đen, vết nhơ

168
- a/the black sheep of the famisy: vết nhơ của gia đình, xã hội
- black gold: vàng đen, ý nói giá trị của than, dầu
- black mood: cáu gắt, giận dữ
- black market: chợ đen, buôn bán bất hợp pháp
- black spot: điểm nguy hiểm
- black tie event: sự kiện quan trọng trong đó đàn ông phải đeo
cà vạt
- blacklisted: bị cấm
- in someone's black books: không được lòng ai
- in black and white: giấy trằng mực đen
- not as black as one/it is panted: không tồi tệ như người ta vẽ
vời

✓ B lue

- a blue-collar worker/job: lao động chân tay

- a/the blue-eyed boy: đứa con cưng
- a boil from the blue: tin sét đánh
- blue blood: dòng giống hoàng tộc
- blue around the gills: ốm, không khoẻ
- blue chip company: công ty ăn nên làm ra, có tiếng tăm
- blue in the face: cổ gắng làm gì nhưng không thành công
trong khoản thời gian dài
- blue eyed - boy: sở thích của ai đó
- disapear/vanish/go off into the blue: biến mất tiêu

’ 69
- to feel blue: cảm thấy không vui, buồn phiền
- once in a blue moon: rất hiếm, hiếm hoi
- out of the blue: bất ngờ
- scream/cry blue murder: cực lực phản đối
- till one is blue in the face: nói hết lời

s Brow n

- brown as a berry: sạm, dám nắng

- browned off: buồn chán

s G reen

- green politics: làm chính trị liên quan về môi trường

- be green: còn non nớt
- a green belt: vòng đai xanh
- get the green light: nhận được tín hiệu đèn xanh
- green with envy: tái đi vì ghen
- have (got) green fingers: có tay làm vườn

G rey
- go/turn grey: bạc đàu
- grey matter: chất xám
- a grey area: cái gì đó không xác định
- Grey existence: cuộc sống buồn chán, tẻ nhạt

170
✓ R ed

- a red letter day: ngày đáng nhớ, ngày rất quan trọng
- to see red: nổi giận bừng bùng
- paint the town red: tổ chức
- to be in the red: trong tình trạng nợ nần
- like a red rag to a bull: làm ai đó thực sự tức giận, bực mình
- to roll out the red tape: ưải thảm đỏ mời gọi
- red herring: đánh trống lảng
- catch someone red-handed: bắt quả tang
- red tape: thói quan liêu

s W h ite

- as white as a sheeưghost: trắng bệch, tái mét, xanh như tàu lá

- a white-collar worker/joi): nhận viên văn phòng
- a white lie: lời nói dối vô hại
- a white night: một đêm thức trắng, không ngủ được
- to turn (go) white: tái đi, nhợt nhạt
- to bleed white: lấy máu làm cho (người bệnh) tái đi; (nghĩa
bóng) bòn rút hết của, làm cho khánh kiệt
- to have white hands: có tay sạch; (nghĩa bóng) vô tội; lương
thiện
- white war: chiến tranh không đổ máu, chiến tranh kinh tế
- while witch: thầy phù thuỷ chỉ làm điều thiện

171
PHAN SAU:

VIETNAMESE - ENGLISH
IDIOMS

Ac gia, Curses (like chickens) come

home to roost.
As the call, so the echo.

Ai giäu ba ho, ai kho ba : Every dog has its/ his day.

dai.

Ai lam nay chiu. : The culprit must pay for the

damage.

Ai co than nguayEvery
lo, man for himself.
ai co bo ngieai äy

An cäp quen tay, ngü Once a thief, always a thief.

ngäy quen mat.

An cay nao, rao cay ay. : One fences the tree one eats.

An chäo da/däi bat. : Bite the hand that feeds.

An chäc, mac ben. : Comfort is better than pride.

An chuc, näm cha. : To cool one’s heels for ages.

172
An co ditricac, The early bird catches the
di sau. worm. / He that comes first to
the hill may sit where he will.

An desong, chic Live not to eat, but eat to live.

song de an.

An den nai, lam den Never do things by halves.

chon.

An khong ngoi roi. To sit twiddling one’s thumbs.

An may ddi x d g a c .Beggars cannot be choosers.

An miengtra Measure for measure./ Tit for

tat.

An nhat maithuang Know

den the suferings of the poor
meo. after being in poverty.

An nhu mo khoet. Eat like a horse.

An 6c noi mo. Speak by guess and by God.

An co nhai, noi co nghi. First think and then speak.

An xdia thi. Live by makeshifts.

B
Ba chim bay noi chin : Live a life marked by ups and
lenh denh. downs.

Ba hoa chich choe : To talk hot air.

173
Bach rtien giai lao : Live to be hundred together.

Bam dai nhu dia : Click/ Stick sb like a leech.

Ban anh em xa, mua : Better a neighbour that is near

lang gieng gan than a brother that is far.

Ban mat cho ban : To toil and moil.

lung cho trai.

Bao gia chachngon : When pigs fly.

da.

Bang bat cu gia nao. : At any cost/ At all costs.

Bang mat chtr khong : He that fears you present will

bang Idng. hate you absent.

Bang vai phai lira. : Of the same rank and age.

Bat ca hai tay. : Be on the both sides of the

fence.

Bat tan tay, ray tan : Catch Sb in red- handed.

tran.
i

Be hat deu. : Little bodies often have great

souls.

Be xe ra to. : A storm in a tea-cup.

Be ngoai thorn that noi : An iron fist/ hand in a velvet

cuai, be trong nham glove.
hiem giet nguai khdng
dao.

174
 BT cue,thái lai. : After a storm, com es a calm sea.

Biét dáu ma án có. : You can never know the secrets

of others.

Biét minh bnguái, :

To know oneself is true
trám trán trám tháng. progress.

Biét rói, khó lám nói : Stop harping on/ upon the same
mai. string.

Binh an vó su : Safe and sound.

Cá them chóng chán. : Soon hot soon cold.

Cá chuói dámduói vi: con.

A child may have too much of
his mother’s blessings.

Cá lán nuót cá bé. : The great fish eats the small.

Cá nam tren thát : Be left in the basket.

Cái tá qui chính : To mend one’s way.

Cái khó ló cái khón : No difficulties, no discovery.

Cái kim trong boc láu ngáy : You can’t hide an eel in the
cüng lói ra. sack.

Cái nét dánh chét cái dep. : Beauty is only skin deep.

175
Cái nếtđánh chết không Habit is the second nature.
chừa

Càng đông, càng vui. The more the merrier.

Càng gần thẳng lợi càng It is always darkest before the

nhiều gian nan. dawn.

Cắn răng mà chịu. Grin and bear it.

Câm như hển. Keep mum as a fish.

Cầm đèn chạy trước ôtô. Rush into hell before one’s
father.

Cẩn tắc vô áy náy. Better safe than sorry.

Cầu được ước thấy. Talk of the devil and he is sure

to appear.

Cha chung không ai khóc. A public hall is never swept.

Cha mẹ sinh con, trời sinh Many a good father but has bad
tính son.

Cha nào con nấy Like father, like son.

Cháy nhà ra mặt chuột Rats desert a sinking ship.

176
D
Da trang xecat Beat the
: air.
dong

Day khi leo cay : Teach the dofg to bark.

Dam chan tai did : Mark no headway.

Day ca ra day muong : A long story.

De nhu tra ban tay : Life a knife through a butter.

As easy as ABC.

Di hod vi quy : A bad compromise is better than

a good lawsuit.

Dot dac can mai : Not to know chalk from cheese.

Dot hay noi chir : The less people think, the more
they talk.

Dot tir noc dot xuong : A fish rots from the head.

D a da teang uong : Neither fish, flesh nor fowl.

Due toe bat dat : Haste is of the devil.

177
D
Da noi la lam : No sooner said than done.

Da trot phaitret : A lie begets a lie.

Dan gay tai trau : Be caviare to the general.

Dang dong tien bat gao : Get one’s money’s worth.

Danh chetnet kchirn :

The leopard cannot change
his spots.

Danh One:should not hit a man

ke chaydi, khong ai
danh ke chay lai. when he is down.

Danh trong lang : Ride off on the side issue.

Danh trong bo dui : Do st by halves.

Dao mo. : Marry money/ a fortune.

Dang cay mai biet ngot : Misfortunes tell us what

bui. fortune is.

Dat nhu tom tuai. : Sell like hot cakes.

Dat xat ra mieng. : Best is cheapest.

Dat cd le, que co thoi. : Every country has its custom.

Dau tat mat tdi. : To toil and moil all day and
night.

Dau voi dudi chuot. : The mountain has brought

forth a mouse.

178
Dau xudi dudi l A good beginning makes a
good ending.

Den bacdo tinh. : Lucky at cards, unlucky at

love.

Den nhu cot nha As black as a sweep.

Den nha ai nha nay rang. : Every man must carry his
own cross.

Dep nhu tranh. : As smart/ pretty as paint.

Di dem lam co ngay gap : You can’t always be lucky.

ma.

Di guoc trong bung. : Read Sb like a book.

Di mot ngay dang hoc mot : Travelling forms a young

sang khon. man.

Diec khong so sung. : A fool always rushes to the

fore.

Doan ket la song, chia re : Unites we stand, divided we

la chet. fall.

Doi cho sach rach cho : A clean fast is better than a

thorn. dirty breakfast.

Due nude beo co. : Fish in troubled water.

Duoc voi ddi tien. : Give him a ring and he wants

your whole arm.

Duong nao cung ve La : All roads lead to Rome.

Ma.

179
E
Ep dauep moai Love
no epcannot
: be forced.
duyen.
Ech chet tai mi: Let not your tongue cut your
throat.

G
Gay nhu que cui. : As thin as a bone.
Gan dat xa troi: Have one foot in the grave.
Gan mucthi den, gan A: man is known by the
den thi sang. company he keeps.
Gay ong dap lung : Make a rod for one’s own back.
Ghet cay ghet dang. : Hate Sb like poison.
Giaken ken horn. : Never too much of a good
thing.
Gia neo dut day. : The last drop makes the cup
run over. '
Gia cam gia diec. : Act dumb.
Giau nirt do do vach. : Have money to bum.
Giau ve ban, sang ve vo. : A good wife is a good prize.
Gian ca chem that. : Cut off one’s nose to spite
i* K, l ! ' ■’ ; j - • ■v'-'.jt
one’s face.
Gian tim mat. : Go purple (in the face) with
rage.
/^ 1 * / f | ♦ /v 1 / f *

Giay rach giic lay le. -

: A ragged coat may cover an
honest man.
Gieo gio gap bao. : We reap as we sow.

180
 Gio nha ai qu As the tree, so the fruit.
Gia cao danh Long mint little dint.
Giu mom giit Hold one’s tongue.
Gop gio thanh bao. Many a little makes a mickle.
Gin trimg cho Give the sheep in care of the
wolf.

H
Ha mieng cho sung.
Ha mieng mac quai.
Hai ra tien.
Hay lam hon hay noi.
Het khon, don ra dai.
Hien nhu cue bot/ but
Hoa vd dam chi.
Hoc thay khong tay hoc
ban
Hoc vet
Ho dit khong an thit con.
Hitu xa tu nhien huong.'
Wait until pigs may fly.
People who live in glass houses
should not throw stone.
Coin money.
Actions speak louder than
words.
Every man a little beyond
himself is a fool.
Not harm/ hurt a fly.
Misfortunes never come alone.
We learn not at school but in
life.
Learn St by rote.
Dog does not eat dog.
Good wine needs no bush.

181
 I

Ich ky hai It is an ill wind that blows

nobody good.
Im langdong y. Silence gives / implies consent.
Imlang la Silence is golden.
Imlang to. Not a breath is heard.
Im thin thit nhu nau Keep as silent as the grave.
dong.

K
Ke an oc, nguoi do vo. Shouldering other people’s sins.
Kecap ba gia gap nhau.
Diamond cuts diamond.
Ke tarn lang, nguoi nua Same thing only different.
can.
Ken ca chon canh. To pick and choose.
Ke vai sat canh. Shoulder to shoulder.
Khau phat tarn xa. A honey tongue, a heart of gall.
Khoe nhu voi. As strong as a horse.
Kho nhu ngoi. As dry as a bone.
Khon nhu ranh. As wise as an owl.
Khong co gi quy hon doc Nightingales will not sing in a
lap tudo. cage.
Khong co lua lam sao co There is no smoke without fire.
khoi.
Khong duoc an thi dap A dog in the manger.
k\ J d
x ao.

182
Khong thay do may lam : Nothing can succeed without
nen. the help of the one’s teacher.
Kiennhan la me thanh : Rome was not built in a day.
cong. Diligence is the mother of
success.
Kien tha lau cung co : Every little helps.
ngay day to.

L
Lam dau tram ho. : Have to please everyone.
Lam do mo hoi, xdi nuac : Sweat blood.
mat.
Lay ong toia bui nay.He,
: who makes excuses,
himself accuses.
Ldm moi toi nam khong. : He that serves everybody is
paid by nobody.
Ldm thay thoi ma. : Many commanders sink the
‘ship.
Lay an bao oan. : To return good for evil.
Lay doc tri doc. : To fight fire with fire.
Len voi xuong cho. : To experience ups and downs
in life.
Lieu cam gap mam. : Cut your coat according to your
cloth.
Long tham khong day. : The more you have, the more
you want.
Lai noi chdng mat tien : To speak kindly does not hurt
mu a/ Liya lai ma noi cho the tongue.
vua long nhau.

183
Lợn lành chữa thành lợn . A remedy is worse than disease.
què.
Lửa cháy đo thêm dầu. : Add fuel to the fire.
Lửa gần rơm lâu ngày : First make friends, then make
cũng bén. love.
Lươn ngắn chê chạch : The pot calls the kettle black.
dài.

M
i Í ; V' V V v ’ iJ \i’"> o ; ‘. : 1; ■ ■

Mạnh vì gạo, bạo vì tiền. • Money makes the mare go.

Máu chảy ruột mềm. • When the blood sheds, the

heart aches.

Mất cả chì lẫn chài. • If you sell the cow, you will
sell her milk too.

Mật ngọt chết ruồi. • Flies are easier caught with

honey than with vinegar.

Mèo già hoá cáo. ■An old fox is not

,D ■
■ f , '! . ■ : 1 ; '; ■» '-' ■
■ f 'i Ị - '.iy ■, \

Mèo mù vớ cá rán. • The devil looks after his own.

Méo mó có hơn không. • A little is better than none.

Miếng ngon nhớ lâu, đòn •A hour of pain is

đau nhớ mãi. day of pleasure.

Miệng ăn núi lở. •Small expenses e

purse.
\%
T\.i%\ • ị \ Ịx%*\Ỉ

184
Mieng nam mo, bung bo The devil lurks behind the
dao gam. cross.

Mb kim day be. Look for a needle in a haystack.

Mot con ngua dau, When a horse is sick, the whole

tau khongan co. stable refuse grass.

Mot giot Blood is thicker than water.

maudao, ham
ao nude la.

Mot su nhin, chin su lanh. Every fault needs pardon.

Muon biet phaihoi, Better to ask the way than go

muon gioi phaihoc. astray.

Muon cbn han khong. Better late than never.

' 4: '. ' * - »
Mua nhu trut nude. It rains dogs and cats.

Muam gid be mang. Fish in troubled water.

Muu su tai nhan, thanh Man proposes, but God

su tai thien. disposes.

N
Nam thi mudi hoa. Once in a blue moon.

Nang nhat chat Light gains make heavy purse.

Nem da giau tay. • Pass the buck.

185
Ngan cdn treo sai toe. Hang by a single hair/ thread.

Ngam bo hdn lam ngot. A bitter pill to swallow.

Ngheo rat mung tai. As poor as a church mouse.

Ngoi le doi mach Wag one’s tongue.

Ngua non hau da. Young fighting - cock quickly

ruffled up its feathers.

Nguai dep vitot : Clothes make a man.

vi phan.

Nguu tam nguu, ma tam • Birds of a feather flock

ma. together.

Nha sach thl mat, bat • Cleanliness is next to godliness.

sack ngon cam.

Nhan cu vi bat thien. Idleness is the root of all evils.

Nhanh nhie chap. As quick as lightning.

Nhan vo thap toan. Every bean has its black.

Nhap gia tuy tuc. When in Rome, do as Romans

do.

Nhu cho vdi meo. To agree like dogs and cats.

Noi xau sau lung. The absent party is still faulty.

Nuac chay da mon. Constant dropping wears

always a stone.

186
Nước đô đáu vịt. * Like water off a duck’s back.

Nước mắt cá sấu. * To shed crocodile tear.

o
Ôm rơm nặnbụng. Large authority means only
large responsibility.

Ôn tập là mẹ của học Repitition is the mother of

tập. learning.

Ông nói gà, bà nói One pulls one way, the other
pulls the other way.

Ở chọn nơi, chơi chọn Better to be alone than in bad

bạn. company.

Ở hiển gặp lành. One good turn deserves

another.

p
Phân biệt được vàng Phân biệt được vàng thau.
thau.

Phép vua thua lệ làng. Phép vua thua lệ làng.

Phòng bệnh hơn chữa Phòng bệnh hơn chữa bệnh,

bệnh,

187
 Phổng tay trên của ai. • Phỗng tay trên của ai.

Phú quý sinh lễ nghĩa. • Phú quý sinh lễ nghĩa.

Q
Qua cầu rút ván. • Bum one’s boats.

Qua cơn bỉ cực. • When the chips are down.

Quả cấm, quả ngọt. •Forbidden fruit is sweetest.

« * :

Quả đất tròn. : It’s a small world.

Quỷ tha ma bắt mày đi! • Go to the devil!

Quyển cao chức trọng. : Be the top of the devil.

i >Ti i\ -

R
Rán sành ra mỡ. : To skin a flint.
Rào trước đón sau. :Be guarded in w
Rau nào sâu nấy. : A tree is known by its fruit.
Râu ông nọ cam cam bà :A square peg in
kia.
Rẻ như bèo. :As cheap as dirt
Rợn tóc gáy. : Make one’s haữ to stand on
end.

188
Run nhu cay say.
Ruot de ngoai da.
Ruau vaol&i ra.
Sack nhu linhu lau. As clean
Sai mot lidi mot dam. A
Set danh ngang tai.
Soi doi lot cim non.
Song cd khuc co
luc.
Song sau cdn cd ke dd.
Song dd chet dd.
Suy bung ta rabung
ngudi.
Su that mat Idng.
Sue khoe la vang.
Sudng lam kho nhieu.
Sudng qua hod t o.
: To shake/ quake like an aspen
leaf.
: Wear one’s heart on one’s
sleeve.
: Wine is in, truth is out.
: as a new pin.
: miss is as good as a mile.
: Like a bolt from the blue.
: A wolf in a sheep’s clothing.
: A flow will have an ebb.
: The soul of another is a dark
place.
: More dead than alive.
: A wool-seller knows a wool-
buyer.
: Nothing stings like truth.
: Health is a jewel.
: Laugh today and cry tomorrow.
: Set the beggar on the horse and
he will ride to the devil.
189
T
Ta vê ta tâm ao ta/Dù : There is no place like home.
trong dùduc ao nhà vân
hcrn.
Tai vâch mach rung. : Walls have ears.
Tay không bât giâc : Catch sb/ sth with chaff.
Tay làm hàm nhai, tay : Everyday is not Sunday.
quai miêng trê.
Tât dèn nhà ngôi cüng : All cats are grey in the dark.
nhu nhà tranh.
Tâm ââu y hçrp : Two minds with only single
thought.
Tâm ngâm chêt voi. : Dumb dogs are dangerous.
Thà con sân sât, bât con : Throw a sprat to catch a
câ rô. mackerel.
Thà moi bât bong. : Loose the substance for the
shadow.
Tham thi thâm. : All covet, all lose.
That lung buôc bung. : Tighten one’s belt.
Thân lùa ua nâng. : To comply only when shouted
at.
Than nhau lâm, cân : Fish and company stink in three
nhau âau. days.
Thât bai là me thành : Failure is the mother of the
công. success.
Thây nào, tro nây. : Like teacher, like pupil.
Thây nguài sang bât : Next of kin to the rich, no kin

190
quàng làm họ. to the poor.
Thọc / chọc gậy bánh xe. : Put grit in the machine.
Thời giờ là vàng bạc. Time is gold / money.
Thua keo này bày keo : Better luck next time.
khác.
Thuận vợ thuận chồng : A house divided againts itself
tát biển đông cũng cạn. cannot stand.
Thùng rỗng kêu to : Empty vessels makes the
greatest sounds.
Thuốc đắng giã tật. : Better pills may have blessed
effects.
Thương người như thể Do as you would be done by.
thương thân.
Tích tiểu thành đại. Many a little makes a mickle.
Tính toán phân minh làm : Short rockenings make long
vững bển tìnhbạn. friends.
Tiến thoái lưỡng nan. Between two fires.
Tốt gỗ hơn tốt nước sơn. : Clothes do not make a man.
Tránh vỏ dưa, gặp vỏ : From bad to the worse.
dừa.
Trăm hay không bằng : Practice is the best teacher.
tay quen.
Trâu chậm uống nước Better early than late.
đục.
Tre già măng mọc. : When the bamboo is old, its
shoots sprout.
Trời sinh voi, sinh : Everyday brings its own bread.
cỏ.

191
Trứng khôn hom vịt. Don’t teach your grandmother
to suck eggs.
Tire nude ha. The last drop makes the cup
run over.

u
Uốn lưỡi bảy lần trước First think, then speak.
khi nói.
Second thoughts are best.
Ỹ■; >'
1 . •’ 1■*’*. Jì V . •
■ ■ • •*; ■ . ; • ■ . ••
-.1 ; :
Uốn tre từ thuở còn non/ • Make hay while the sun shines.
Dạy con từ lúc con còn
lên ba.

Uống nước nhớ nguồn. Never cast dirt into that

fountain of which you have
sometimes drunk.
.s!.U;V,iUuvv ;

Uf&t nhu chuot lot. Like a drowned rat.

Vach do cho ngirai xem • Tell tales out of school.

lung.

Vải thưa che mắt thánh. Shape a coat for the moon.

Vạn sự khởi đầu nan. • All things are difficult before

they are easy.
Vao tai nayra tai kia. Go in through one ear and out
of the other.

Vang chit nha ga moc '• When the cat’s away, the mice
nieu tom. will play.

Vang mo thi cho van No man is indispensable.

dong.

Vat chan len co ma chay. '■ Run for dear life.

Ve duongcho huou • Play into sb’s hand.

chay.

Viecai nay lo. • Every tub must stand on its

own bottom.

Viec hom nay cho de Never put off till tomorrow

ngay mai. what you can do today.

Vo quyt day co mong toy : Diamond cuts diamond.

nhon.

Vo dua ca nam. • Put everything in the same

basket.

Vung tay qua trdn. Live beyond one’s means.

Vuot mat phai ne mui. Spite the face, spare the nose.

Vica an cuctp, vira la He carries fire in one hand and

long. water in the other.

193
X
Xa mât each long. '• Far from eye, far from heart.
Out of sight, out of mind.

Xanh vô do Idng. : Appearances are deceptive.

Xây lâu dài trên cât. : Build castles in the air.

Xâi lâi trài cho, lo xo : Better to give than to take.

trài cùm lai.

Xûm ù thâng chôt làm • Among the blind, the one-eyed

vua. is king.

Y
Yeu cho roi cho vot, ghét : Spare the rod and spoil the
cho ngot cho bùi. child.

Yêu nên tôt, ghét nên xâu. • Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder.

Yêu nhau mây nui cîtng trèo. : Love conquers all.

May sông cîtng loi.
Mây dèo cîtng qua.

Yêu nhau yêu câ âuàng di • Love me, love my dog

Ghét nhau ghét câ tông tri
ho hàng.

194
 4

M ỤC LỤC
\

Phần một: T e sts.............................................................. 7

Phàn hai: K eys..............................................................69

Phần ba: Idioms from special subjects..................... 82

Phần bốn: Words and expressions........................... 107

Phan năm: English idioms for reference................ 118

Phần sáu: Vietnamese - English idiom s................. 172

 BÀI TẠP THẢNH NGŨ TIÉNG ANH

NHÀ XUẤT BẢN ĐẠI HỌC QUỐC GIA IIÀ NỘI

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