IDIOMS

A. DEFINITION AND LIST:

1. Idioms là gì?
Idiom là những câu hoặc cụm từ được cấu tạo bằng nhiều từ khác nhau tạo thành một
câu nhưng không mang nghĩa đen của nó. Idiom được người bản ngữ sử dụng rất nhiều
trong văn nói và viết, vì vậy hiểu được ý nghĩa của Idiom sẽ giúp chúng ta sử dụng Tiếng
Anh hiệu quả hơn rất nhiều.
2. Một số thành ngữ (idioms) thường gặp
a. Thành ngữ có chứa màu sắc
STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa
1 The black sheep nghịch tử, phá gia tri tử
2 Blue in the face mãi mãi, lâu đến vô vọng
3 Red-letter day ngày đáng nhớ vì có chuyện tốt lành,
ngày vui
4 White as a ghost/sheet trắng bệch, nhợt nhạt
5 With flying colors xuất sắc, thành công
6 Once in a blue moon năm thì mười họa, hiếm khi
7 Black and white rõ ràng
8 Catch sb red-handed bắt tại trận, bắt quả tang
9 Have a yellow streak có tính nhát gan
10 Get/give the green light bật đèn xanh
11 Out of the blue hoàn toàn bất ngờ
12 Paint the town red ăn mừng
13 Red tape nạn quan liêu
14 In the pink = in good health sức khỏe tốt
15 Lend color to st chứng minh cái gì

b. Thành ngữ có chứa các danh từ bộ phận

STT Thành ngữ
1 Break a leg = good luck!
2 Scratch one's back
=help sb out with the assumption that
they will return the favor in the future
3 Hit the nail on the head
= do or say st exactly right
Nghĩa
thường dùng để chúc may mắn
giúp đỡ người khác với hy vọng họ sẽ
giúp lại mình
nói chính xác, làm chính xác
4 A splitting headache đau đầu như búa bổ
= a severe headache
5 Make one’s blood boil làm ai sôi máu, giận dữ
6 Pay through the nose trả giá quá đắt
= to pay too much for st
7 By the skin of one’s teeth sát sao, rất sát
8 Pull one’s leg chọc ai
9 Fight tooth and claw/nail đánh nhau dữ dội, cấu xé nhau
10 Not bat an eye không tỏ ra ngạc nhiên hay sốc
= not to show any shock or surprise
11 Cost an arm and a leg rất là đắt đỏ
12 Go to one’s head khiến ai kiêu ngạo
13 Get/have cold feet mất hết can đảm, chùn bước
14 Led sb by the nose nắm đầu, dắt mũi ai
= to control sb and make them do
exactly what you want them to do
15 Off one’s head điên, loạn trí
16 Put one’s foot in it gây nhầm lẫn, bối rối, phạm một sai
lầm gây bối rối
17 Stay/keep/be on one's toe cảnh giác, thận trọng
18 Have in mind đang suy tính, cân nhắc
19 At heart =basically/ fundamentally thực chất, cơ bản
20 Face the music chịu trận
21 Like the back of one's hand rõ như lòng bàn tay
22 The twinkling of an eye trong nháy mắt
23 On the tip of tongue dùng khi muốn diễn tả ai đó không thể
nhớ ra được điều gì mặc dù đã chắc
chắn biết về nó
24 Put one’s foot in one's mouth Nói một điều ngu ngốc làm xúc phạm
đến người khác
25 Stick one’s nose into one’s business chúi mũi vào việc của người khác
26 Feel st in one's bones cảm nhận rõ dệt
27 Hit the nail on the head nói đúng trọng tâm
28 A real pain in the neck sốc, nghiêm trọng
 29 Face to face trực tiếp
30 See eye to eye with sb = totally agree đồng tình
31 Keep one's head above the water xoay sở
32 Have egg on one’s face xấu hổ
33 Word of mouth đồn đại, truyền miệng
34 Heart to heart chân thành
35 Body and soul hết lòng, hết dạ
36 Flesh and blood người có máu mủ ruột thịt
37 Skin and bones tiều tụy thảm thương, chỉ còn da bọc
xương
38 Lend an ear to sb/st lắng nghe một cách chân thành
39 Trip over one’s big feet tự vấp ngã
40 In one’s capable hands trong quyền giải quyết
41 Up to one's eyes rất bận
42 Have a head for st giỏi về cái gì
43 A sweet tooth người thích ăn đồ ăn ngọt
44 Have st at one's fingertips nhận được thông tin/ kiến thức cần
thiết một cách dễ dàng và nhanh
chóng
c. Thành ngữ có chứa các con động vật
STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa
1 Take the mickey out of sb chế nhạo, châm chọc ai
= make fun of sb
2 Get butterflies in one’s stomach cảm thấy bồn chồn
3 Have a bee in one's bonnet ám ảnh về điều gì
4 When pigs fly = something will never điều vô tưởng, không thể xảy ra
happen
5 Teacher’s pets học sinh cưng
6 Let the cat out of the bag tiết lộ bí mật
7 Huddle into a pen lại gần nhau, túm tụm lại
8 Kill two birds with one stone một mũi tên trúng hai đích
9 A big fish in a small pond thằng chột làm vua sứ mù
10 Rain cats and dogs mưa to
 11 Like a fish out of water như cá ra khỏi nước (bơ vơ, xa lạ, ngớ
ngẩn)
12 Like water off a duck’s back nước đổ đầu vịt
13 Don't count your chickens before they đừng vội làm gì khi chưa chắc chắc
hatch
14 Catch the worms nắm bắt cơ hội
15 Be in the doghouse nếu bạn đang "in the doghouse”, tức là
ai đó đang khó chịu với bạn vì điều
bạn đã làm
16 Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth đừng đòi hỏi về giá trị khi nhận được
một món quà
17 Cock-and-bull bịa đặt, vẽ vời ra
18 Change horse in midstream thay ngựa giữa dòng (ý nói thay đổi
giữa chừng)
d. Thành ngữ về cuộc sống
STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa
1 To be in deep water rơi vào tình huống khó khăn
2 To be in hot water gặp rắc rối
3 Better safe than sorry cẩn tắc vô áy náy
4 Money is the good servant but a bad khôn lấy của che thân, dại lấy thân
master che của
5 The grass are always green on the đứng núi này trông núi nọ
other side of the fence
6 One bitten, twice shy chim phải đạn sợ cành cong
7 In Rome do as the Romans do nhập gia tùy tục
8 Honesty is the best policy thật thà là thượng sách
9 A woman gives and forgives, a man đàn bà cho và tha thứ, đàn ông nhận
gets and forgets và quên
10 No roses without a thorn hồng nào mà chẳng có gai, việc nào
mà chẳng có vài khó khăn!
11 Save for the rainy day làm khi lành để dành khi đau
12 It’s an ill bird that fouls its own vạch áo cho người xem lưng / tốt
nest đẹp phô ra xấu xa đậy lại.
13 Don't trouble trouble till trouble tránh voi chẳng xấu mặt nào
troubles you
 14 Still water run deep tẩm ngẩm tầm ngầm mà đấm chết voi
15 Men make house, women make home đàn ông xây nhà, đàn bà xây tổ ấm
16 Penny wise pound foolish money tham bát bỏ mâm
17 Make the mare go có tiền mua tiên cũng được
18 Like father, like son con nhà tông không giống lông thì
cũng giống cánh
19 The die is cast bút sa gà chết
20 Two can play that game ăn miếng trả miếng
21 Practice makes perfect có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim
22 Ignorance is bliss không biết thì dựa cột mà nghe
23 No pain, no gain có làm thì mới có ăn
24 A bad beginning makes a bad ending đầu xuôi đuôi lọt
25 A clean fast is better than a dirty giấy rách phải giữ lấy lề
breakfast
26 Beauty is but skin-deep cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp
27 Calamity is man's true touchstone lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức
28 Diamond cut diamond vỏ quýt dày có móng tay nhọn
29 Diligence is the mother of success có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim
30 Don’t put off until tomorrow what you việc hôm nay chớ để ngày mai
can do today
31 A hot potato = something that is vấn đề nan giải
difficult or dangerous to deal with
32 A lost cause hết hy vọng, không thay đổi được gì
33 It never rains but it pours = good họa vô đơn chí
or bad things do not just happen a few
at a time, but in large numbers all at
once

e. Thành ngữ là các cụm danh từ khác

STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa
1 A blind date cuộc hẹn giữa hai người chưa hề
quen biết
2 Golden handshake món tiền hậu hĩnh dành cho người sắp
nghỉ việc
3 One’s cup of tea thứ mà ai đó thích
 4 Odds and ends linh tinh, vụn vặn
5 Leaps and bounds nhảy vọt, vượt trội
6 Between two stools = on the horns of tiến thoái lưỡng nan
a dilemma= when someone finds it
difficult to choose between two
alternatives
7 On the house không phải trả tiền
8 Off the peg hàng may sẵn
9 Off the record không chính thức, không được công
bố
10 Part and parcel thiết yếu, quan trọng
11 A shadow of a doubt sự nghi ngờ
12 Beyond the shadow of a doubt không hề nghi ngờ
13 The last straw = a nail in one's coffin giọt nước tràn ly
14 The apple of one’s eye bảo bối của ai
15 Good egg người có nhân cách, đáng tin cậy
16 Close shave = narrow escape thoát chết trong gang tấc
17 Wet blanket người phá đám
18 A kick in the pants một bài học để ứng xử tốt hơn
19 An open-and-shut case vấn đề dễ giải quyết
20 A shot in the dark một câu đố
21 A big cheese nhân vật tai to mặt lớn, người có vai
vế, quyền lực
22 Ups and downs sự thăng trầm
23 Ins and outs những chi tiết và điểm của việc gì đó
24 The tip of the iceberg phần nhìn thấy
25 Compulsive liar kẻ nói dối chuyên nghiệp.

f. Thành ngữ là các cụm động từ khác

STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa
1 To pour cold water on dội nước lạnh vào
2 To blow st out of the water đánh bại, vượt
3 To sell/go like hot cakes đắt đỏ, đắt như tôm tươi
4 To get in hot water = be in trouble/ gặp khó khăn
have difficulty
5 To hit the books = to study học
6 To hit the roof = to hit the ceiling = to giận dữ
suddenly become angry
7 To hit it off tâm đầu ý hợp
8 To make good time di chuyển nhanh, đi nhanh
9 To chip in góp tiền
10 To run an errand làm việc vặt
11 To fly off the handle dễ nổi giận, phát cáu
12 To cut it fine đến sát giờ
13 To jump the traffic lights vượt đèn đỏ
14 To put on an act giả bộ, làm bộ
15 To come to light được biết đến, được phát hiện, được
đưa ra ánh sáng.
16 To pull one’s weight nỗ lực, làm tròn trách nhiệm
17 To make ends meet xoay sở để kiếm sống
18 To get the hold of the wrong end of the hiểu nhầm ai đó
stick
19 To cut and dried cuối cùng, không thể thay đổi, rõ
ràng, dễ hiểu
20 To know by sight nhận ra
21 To take pains làm việc cẩn thận và tận tâm
22 To drop sb a line/note viết thư cho ai
23 To turn over a new leaf bắt đâu thay đổi hành vi của mình
24 To weigh up the pros and cons cân nhắc điều hay lẽ thiệt
25 To burn the midnight oil = to stay up thức khuya làm việc, học bài
working, especially studying late at
night
26 To put sb/st at one’s disposal cho ai tùy ý sử dụng
27 To bring down the house làm cho cả khán phòng vỗ tay nhiệt
liệt
28 To beat about the bush vòng vo tam quốc
29 To find fault with chỉ trích, kiếm chuyện, bắt lỗi
 30 To take it amiss = to understand as hiểu lầm
wrong or insulting, or misunderstand
31 To break the news thông báo
32 To drop a brick lỡ lời, lỡ miệng
33 To take st for granted coi là hiển nhiên
34 To break the ice thành ngữ này thường dùng để diễn
tả làm một việc gì đó để giúp mọi
người thư giãn và thoải mái, đặc biệt
khi mới gặp
35 To blow one’s own trumpet khoe khoang, khoác lác
36 To miss the boat lỡ mất cơ hội
37 To put one's card on the table thẳng thắn
38 To call it a day = stop working nghỉ, giải lao
39 To hear a pin drop im lặng, tĩnh lặng
40 To blow hot and cold hay thay đổi ý kiến, dao động
41 To call the shots chỉ huy, quyết định về những việc
cần làm
42 To draw the line đặt giới hạn cho việc gì; phân biệt
giữa hai thứ tương tự nhau
43 To foot the bill thanh toán tiền
44 To carry the can chịu trách nhiệm, chịu sự chỉ trích
45 To throw the baby out with the vứt bỏ những thứ đáng giá cùng
bathwater lúc với rũ bỏ với thứ gì không còn
cần
46 To go with the flow làm theo mọi người
47 To keep his shirt on bình tĩnh
48 To let off steam xả hơi

g. Thành ngữ là cụm tính từ/ trạng từ

STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa
1 At the drop of a hat = immediately, ngay lập tức
instantly
2 Off and on/ on and off không đều đặn, thỉnh thoảng
3 High and low = here and there = đó đây, khắp mọi nơi
everywhere = far and wide
4 Spick and span ngăn nắp gọn gàng
5 On the spot = immediately ngay lập tức
6 At the eleventh hour vào phút chót
7 On the top of the world = walking on vui sướng, hạnh phúc
the air = over the moon= like a dog
with two tails =happy
8 In vain vô ích
9 A piece of cake dễ như ăn cháo
10 Down the drain công cốc, đổ ra sông ra biển
11 Under the weather = off color không được khỏe
12 The end of the world đáng để bận tâm
13 As fit as a fiddle khỏe như vâm
14 On probation trong thời gian quản chế, tập sự (công
việc]
15 Home and dry = with flying colors thành công
16 Apples and oranges = chalk and rất khác nhau, khác một trời một vực
cheese
17 As long as your arm rất dài
18 As high as a kite quá phấn khích, thường là do bị ảnh
hưởng bởi đồ uống có cồn
hoặc ma túy
19 In the same boat ở trong cùng một hoàn cảnh
20 Hot under the collar điên tiết, cáu tiết
21 As red as a beetroot đỏ như củ cải đường/ngượng
22 For good = permanently = forever mãi mãi
23 Now and then = once in a while = thỉnh thoảng
sometimes = every so often =
occasionally
24 Full of beans hăng hái, sôi nổi, đầy năng lượng
25 At a loose end = free rảnh rỗi
26 A tall story = unbelievable khó tin
27 As cool as cucumber bình tĩnh, không nao núng
28 Peace and quiet bình yên và tĩnh lặng
29 Behind closed doors kín, không công khai
 30 High and dry = in a difficult situation, trong tình huống khó khăn
without help or money
31 Prim and proper = always behaving kỹ lưỡng (quá mức), có chút bảo thủ
in a careful and formal way, and
easily shocked by anything that is
rude
32 Rough and ready = simple and đơn giản nhanh chóng nhưng vẫn
prepared quickly but good enough for đảm bảo chất lượng
a particular situation
33 Sick and tired vô cùng mệt mỏi
34 Safe and sound bình an vô sự
35 White-collar công chức, lao động bằng trí óc
36 Blue -collar lao động tay chân
37 Nowhere near còn lâu, chắc là không
38 Out of sorts ốm, yếu, buồn chán
39 On the mend hồi phục
40 Over the worst vượt qua điều tồi tệ nhất
41 On pins and needles = nervous lo lắng

B. COMPARISONS (SIMILES):
1. He walked up to confront the rude man; he is as __________ as brass.
A. bold B. shiny C. wary D. brave
2. The soldier was as brave as a __________.
A. tiger B. peguin C. rhino D. lion
3. The old man is as deaf as a __________; he cannot hear what we are saying.
A. bat B. dog C. post D. lamb
4. Stanley tidied his room until it was as clean as a __________.
A. new pin B. new needle C. bright pin D. bright needle
5. Mr. Shariff goes exercising every evening, as __________ as clockwork.
A. constant B. proper C. conventional D. regular
6. Although they are siblings, their characters are as different as chalk and __________.
A. ham B. paper C. peas D. cheese
7. Ban looks as __________ as a judge. I wonder what has happened.
A. stiff B. sober C. calm D. transparent
8. Ling’s lustrous locks are glossy and as black as __________.
A. ivory B. granite C. ebony D. concrete
9. The man is as mad as a __________; nobody understands the reasons behind his actions.
A. doctor B. hatter C. surgeon D. scientist
10. The baby’s head was as __________ as an egg.
A. bald B. shiny C. empty D. brittle
11. Annabelle’s biggest shortcoming is that she tends to be as __________ as a mule.
A. tough B. unyielding C. obstinate D. determined
12. Using the camera was as easy as __________.
A. pie B. cake C. snack D. candy
13. Her bones were as __________ as glass after she had fallen over the upstairs.
A. brittle B. clear C. sharp D. lengthy
14. She’d lost her pale, city complexion and become as brown as a __________.
A. berry B. cherry C. tomato D. mud
15. I’ve been as busy as a __________ building a new dam this year. I’ve had almost no free time.
A. dog B. meerkat C. monkey D. beaver
16. She was as __________ as a millpond to confront the killer.
A. stiff B. strong C. calm D. rough
17. Change is the very nature of existence – our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, ideas, even our relationships
are as __________ as the moon.
A. volatile B. changeable C. variable D. unorthodox
18. Our father was always as strong as a(n) __________, so it took us all by surprise when he was
hospitalized by a heart attack at the age of 48.
A. horse B. elephant C. human D. tiger
19. In the absence of legal constraints and excavation costs, dinosaurs are as __________ as dirt; they
can be plucked from the ground like rocks.
A. mucky B. hygenic C. cheap D. stinky
20. His face was as white as a __________ when he saw a phantom.
A. paper B. collar C. sheet D. lounge
21. Though he acts as merry as a __________, he is dreadfully unhappy when he is all alone.
A. cricket B. clown C. joker D. Santa Claus
22. My grandmother is at the age of 89 but she’s as __________ as a fiddle.
A. thin B. stiff C. lean D. fit
23. After a good night’s sleep, I’ll be as __________ as a daisy.
A. pretty B. fresh C. energetic D. dull
24. In spite of all this food, I remained as __________ as a rake.
A. starving B. full C. thin D. straight
25. She walked in as __________ as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened.
A. cool B. cold C. bold D. bald
26. She’s been as good as __________ all morning.
A. silver B. guy C. gold D. pole
27. I can pick you up easily – you are as light as a __________.
A. cotton B. baby C. sun D. feather
28. The joke Jack tells are as old as __________.
A. the hills B. the mountains C. the oceans D. the earth
29. Brian was as gentle as a __________ and wouldn’t hurt anyone.
A. man B. bear C. lamb D. mop
30. The land in that area is as __________ as a pancake.
A. high B. delicious C. tough D. flat
31. He was __________ as Punch at the thought of the visit.
A. pleased B. hard C. stiff D. satisfactory
32. Her words came as clear as a __________.
A. mirror B. bell C. glass D. grave
33. I gave him the job because he was willing to learn and seemed as __________ as mustard.
A. eager B. keen C. tawny D. shabby
34. I was as high as a __________ when I heard I’d got the job.
A. tower B. plane C. tree D. kite
35. Her face was as __________ as beetroot after expressing her affections to her crush.
A. red B. shy C. timid D. pink
36. I have a list of vices that is as long as __________.
A. your arms B. your arm C. your leg D. your legs
37. You just need a good night’s sleep, and then you’ll be __________ as rain.
A. humid B. wet C. right D. fine
38. I'm sure she tells Ruth everything we say - they're as __________ as thieves, those two.
A. close B. touching C. eyeful D. thick
39. In these new snaps, Vicky looked __________ as a picture in a flowy red dress, decorated with
sunflowers as she got out of a car.
A. still B. pretty C. gorgeous D. beauteous
40. I get terrible motion sickness, so I was surely as __________ as death when I stumbled off the plane.
A. luminous B. moving C. pale D. scary
C. OTHER TYPES:
41. The political candidate knew the issue was a hot __________, so he deferred to his chief of staff, who
directed questions to the committee chairperson.
A. tomato B. potato C. pot D. dog
42. Don't let my mother watch any of those sappy movies — she cries at the drop of a __________.
A. hat B. bag C. cat D. rag
43. When your programme first started I thought it was the best thing since sliced __________.
A. cake B. break C. bread D. bead
44. You’d better leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg!
A. Good luck B. Good night C. Good bye D. Good job
45. I think he’ll pay you back your money when __________ fly.
A. birds B. cats C. cocks D. pigs
46. My parents are going to hit the roof if they find out we had a party here.
A. become angry B. become sad C. become worried D. become nervous
47. She is a rising star as a standup comedian, always able to bring down the __________ during each
performance.
A. house B. rain C. roof D. kennel
48. I always get __________ in my stomach before visiting the dentist.
A. worms B. butterflies C. crabs D. hedgehogs
49. Those smart phones are selling like __________. If you want one, you’d better buy one
now before they’re all gone.
A. shooting stars B. fresh bread C. hot cakes D. wild oats
50. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number of __________ shaves.
A. narrow B. near C. close D. tiny
51. What the president said is not to be printed. It's __________ the record.
A. on B. of C. off D. without
52. Where were you? I have been looking for you high and low.
A. here and there B. everywhere C. nowhere D. both A and B
53. I could see the finish line and thought I was home and dry.
A. hopeless B. hopeful C. unsuccessful D. successful
54. I'm worried she may be getting cold __________ about our trip to Patagonia.
A. blood B. head C. heart D. feet
55. I’ve got to run an errand. I’ll be back in a minute.
A. manage the company B. do the household chores
C. work on a night shift D. do the homework
56. We’ve known you are a good swimmer – stop putting on an act.
A. making believe B. pretending C. lying D. both A and B
57. Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the __________ when her father got home.
A. wall B. music C. stick D. water
58. It was a ....-letter day when she finally received her graduation diploma.
A. black B. grey C. red D. white
59. I'll be back in the twinkling of __________.
A. an eye B. a lighting bolt C. a smile D. a laugh
60. I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of __________.
A. tea B. java C. coffee D. wine
61. Working irregular hours is all part and parcel of being a journalist.
A. integral B. crucial C. essential D. all are correct
62. He didn’t bat an eye when he realized he failed the exam again.
A. didn’t want to see B. didn’t show surprise
C. wasn’t happy D. didn’t care
63. In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a _________ moon.
A. green B. purple C. blue D. middle
64. She is the black __________ of her family.
A. goat B. deer C. sheep D. sleep
65. She is walking on the __________; she doesn’t know how to say.
A. air B. road C. street D. garden
66. The sixth time he called me at night was the __________.
A. last cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air
67. It is raining __________.
A. cats and mice B. goats and sheep C. horses and goats D. cats and dogs
68. You shouldn’t worry about the exam because you have prepared well and you will probably find it
a piece of cake.
A. easy to digest B. easy to read C. easy to start D. very easy
69. I suppose she was the apple of your eye at the time.
A. your favourite fruit B. your favourite meal
C. your favourite person D. your favourite book
70. Whenever that professor says something I don't like, I have to bite my __________.
A. tougue B. mouth C. lips D. eyes
71. I think the time has now come when we'll simply have to call it a day.
A. stop trying B. stop thinking C. stop working D. stop going
72. I prefer to talk to people face-to-face rather than to talk on the phone.
A. in person B. facing them C. looking at them D. seeing them
73. He does not really go around with many people because-he's a bit of a lone wolf .
A. happy person B. lonely person C. unhappy person D. simple person
74. Since she won the lottery last week, she has been feeling on the top of the world.
A. very proud B. very happy C. very excited D. very wealthy
75. He travels __________ for 20 years and then he decided to return home.
A. farther away B. far and wide C. far from it D. farthest of all
76. Now that they have read it in __________, they believe me.
A. red and blue B. blue and red C. white and black D. black and white
77. I would advise you to do that as well and in that way you will kill two birds with one stone.
A. get things done twice B. get something done two times
C. get two things done at the same time D. get two things done twice
78. "Where did you hear about that?" - "Just word of __________."
A. eyes B. nose C. mouth D. ears
79. I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better to let sleeping
__________ lie.
A. cats B. dogs C. fish D. cows
80. When my girlfriend and my brother got in a fight I had to help my brother because blood is __________
than water.
A. thinner B. thicker C. better D. more
81. It finally __________ home to me that it was time to buy a place of my own.
A. arrived B. came C. hit D. reached
82. Well, it’s 7 p.m. I’d better hit the_______if I want to get home before it’s dark
A. roof B. headlines C. newspaper D. road
83. She’s the type who can’t sit on holiday and is always ________the move.
A. in B. on C. at D. by
84. She had never been to Prague before, and she ________ in love with it straight away.
A. dropped B. fell C. tripped D. crashed
85. He didn’t speak a word of French when he first moved to France. He had to pick up the language from
_________.
A. scratch B. start C. nought D. nil
86. Tamara has set her__________on becoming a ballet-dancer.
A. head B. feet C. brain D. heart
87. Why not buy the dress on _________then you can take it back if it doesn’t fit your mother?
A. agreement B. approval C. affirmation D. affection
88. We’re free most of the weekend, but we’ve got a few bits and ____________to do on Sunday morning.
A. things B. stuff C. pieces D. ends
89. It was so exciting! I was on the____________of my seat!
A. side B. edge C. end D. front
90. Insects and bugs ________.
A. make my skin run B. make my skin walk
C. make my skin crawl D. make my skin march
91. There are about twenty ________ so people waiting in the outer office.
A. but B. and C. or D. so
92. Whether or not you like some kinds of modern furniture is a matter of ___________.
A. comparison B. taste C. favor D. vogue
93. Clare was __________ her homework when her boyfriend called.
A. at the centre B. in between
C. halfway through D. in the middle of
94. I’m starving! I could eat like a _________.
A. cow B. horse C. house D. pig
95. You must have your head in the_________ if you think you’re going to succeed without hard work.
A. ground B. clouds C. sky D. air
96. How much longer do we have to wait? This is starting to get on my ___________.
A. mind B. back C. nerves D. nose
97. “I’m ____________ to listen to your pathetic excuses,” she said.
A. sick and tired B. having enough
C. in no mood D. sick to death
98. The fact of the __________ that we have a government that will do what it wants to do for the next two
years.
A. matter B. problem C. point D. situation
99. _______! You deserved to win.
A. Unfair luck B. Nasty luck C. Hard luck D. Bad fortune
100. Mary wanted to give Nigel a present that was a little bit out of the ____________.
A. normal B. ordinary C. average D. everyday
101. The nearest town was 80 km away, I mean really in the middle of __________.
A. everywhere B. somewhere C. anywhere D. nowhere
102. I couldn’t finish the exam because I was just too __________ time.
A. run out of B. wasted C. spent D. short of
103. “Did you sleep well?” “Yeah, like a __________”.
A. drunk B. log C. horse D. fish
104. There were a few small villages______________, but no major city for miles around.
A. on and off B. here and there
C. back and forth D. up and down
105. I need an assistant – I’m up to _________ with work.
A. my eyes B. my ears C. here D. All are correct
106. After a six-year-relationship, Martha and Billy have decided to __________.
A. break the bank B turn the page
C. make the grade D. tie the knot
 ANSWER KEY OF IDIOMS:
B. COMPARISON (SIMILES):
1. He walked up to confront the rude man; he is as __________ as brass.
A. bold B. shiny C. wary D. brave
as bold as brass: very cheeky (rất trơ tráo)
2. The soldier was as brave as a __________.
A. tiger B. peguin C. rhino D. lion
as brave/bold as a lion: very courageous (rất quả cảm)
3. The old man is as deaf as a __________; he cannot hear what we are saying.
A. bat B. dog C. post D. lamb
as deaf as a post/stone: completely deaf (Hội người “điếc” Việt Nam)
4. Stanley tidied his room until it was as clean as a __________.
A. new pin B. new needle C. bright pin D. bright needle
as clean as a (new) pin: extremely clean and neat (rất sạch sẽ và gọn gàng)
5. Mr. Shariff goes exercising every evening, as __________ as clockwork.
A. constant B. proper C. conventional D. regular
as regular as clockwork: very regularly (rất đều đặn)
6. Although they are siblings, their characters are as different as chalk and __________.
A. ham B. paper C. peas D. cheese
(like) chalk and cheese: fundamentally different or incompatible (khác biệt)
7. Ban looks as __________ as a judge. I wonder what has happened.
A. stiff B. sober C. calm D. transparent
as sober as a judge: very solemn, formal or serious (rất nghiêm nghị)
8. Ling’s lustrous locks are glossy and as black as __________.
A. ivory B. granite C. ebony D. concrete
as black as ebony: completely dark (đen như gỗ mun)
9. The man is as mad as a __________; nobody understands the reasons behind his actions.
A. doctor B. hatter C. surgeon D. scientist
as mad as a hatter: absolutely crazy (rất điên rồ)
10. The baby’s head was as __________ as an egg.
A. bald B. shiny C. empty D. brittle
as bald as an egg: absolutely bald (hoàn toàn trọc lốc)
11. Annabelle’s biggest shortcoming is that she tends to be as __________ as a mule.
A. tough B. unyielding C. obstinate D. determined
as obstinate/stubborn as a mule: very stubborn (rất ngang bướng, cứng đầu)
12. Using the camera was as easy as __________.
A. pie B. cake C. snack D. candy
as easy as pie: very easy (dễ như ăn bánh)
13. Her bones were as __________ as glass after she had fallen over the upstairs.
A. brittle B. clear C. sharp D. lengthy
as brittle as glass: fragile (mong manh dễ vỡ)
14. She’d lost her pale, city complexion and become as brown as a __________.
A. berry B. cherry C. tomato D. mud
as brown as a berry: completely brown (“rất” nâu)
15. I’ve been as busy as a __________ building a new dam this year. I’ve had almost no free time.
A. dog B. meerkat C. monkey D. bee
as busy as a bee/beaver: extremely busy and/or active (con ong chăm chỉ)
16. She was as __________ as a millpond to confront the killer.
A. stiff B. strong C. calm D. rough
as calm as a millpond: absolutely calm (rất bình tĩnh)
17. Change is the very nature of existence – our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, ideas, even our relationships
are as __________ as the moon.
A. volatile B. changeable C. variable D. unorthodox
as changeable as the moon/ the weather: very volatile (rất thất thường)
18. Our father was always as strong as a(n) __________, so it took us all by surprise when he was
hospitalized by a heart attack at the age of 48.
A. horse B. elephant C. human D. tiger
as strong as a horse: very strong (khỏe như “trâu”/”voi”)
19. In the absence of legal constraints and excavation costs, dinosaurs are as __________ as dirt; they
can be plucked from the ground like rocks.
A. mucky B. hygenic C. cheap D. stinky
as cheap as dirt: extremely cheap (rẻ như bèo)
20. His face was as white as a __________ when he saw a phantom.
A. paper B. collar C. sheet D. lounge
as white as a sheet: very pale, usually because of an illness, shock or fear (tái mét)
21. Though he acts as merry as a __________, he is dreadfully unhappy when he is all alone.
A. cricket B. clown C. joker D. Santa Claus
as merry as a cricket: lively, joyful, cheerful (tràn đầy hạnh phúc)
22. My grandmother is at the age of 89 but she’s as __________ as a fiddle.
A. thin B. stiff C. lean D. fit
as fit as a fiddle: very healthy and strong (khỏe như vâm)
23. After a good night’s sleep, I’ll be as __________ as a daisy.
A. pretty B. fresh C. energetic D. dull
as fresh as a daisy: healthy and full of energy (tràn đầy năng lượng và nhiệt huyết)
24. In spite of all this food, I remained as __________ as a rake.
A. starving B. full C. thin D. straight
as thin as a rake/ a lath / a rail / thread paper: very thin or lean (gầy như “que củi”)
25. She walked in as __________ as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened.
A. cool B. cold C. bold D. bald
as cool as a cucumber: calm and relaxed (rất điềm tĩnh)
26. She’s been as good as __________ since the very childhood.
A. silver B. guy C. gold D. pole
as good as gold: very well-behaved (ngoan ngoãn, đạo đức tốt)
27. I can pick you up easily – you are as light as a __________.
A. cotton B. baby C. sun D. feather
as light as a feather (or air): extremely light (nhẹ tựa lông chim)
28. The joke Jack tells are as old as __________.
A. the hills B. the mountains C. the oceans D. the earth
as old as the hills: extremely old (“xưa như Trái Đất”)
29. Brian was as gentle as a __________ and wouldn’t hurt anyone.
A. man B. bear C. lamb D. mop
as gentle as a lamb: very kind and never become angry or aggressive (rất nhẹ nhàng)
30. The land in that area is as __________ as a pancake.
A. high B. delicious C. tough D. flat
as flat as a pancake: very flat (phẳng như bánh kếp)
31. He was __________ as Punch at the thought of the visit.
A. pleased B. hard C. stiff D. satisfactory
(as) pleased as Punch: very happy and satistied (vô cùng vui sướng và hài lòng)
32. Her words came as clear as a __________.
A. mirror B. bell C. glass D. grave
as clear as a bell: (of sounds) perfectly clear (vô cùng trong trẻo)
33. I gave him the job because he was willing to learn and seemed as __________ as mustard.
A. eager B. keen C. tawny D. shabby
as keen as mustard: very excited and interested (rất háo hức)
34. I was as high as a __________ when I heard I’d got the job.
A. tower B. plane C. tree D. kite
as high as a kite: very drunk or intoxicated (say mèm)
35. Her face was as __________ as beetroot after expressing her affections to her crush.
A. red B. shy C. timid D. pink
as red as beetroot: (of face) go/turn red because you’re angry or embarrassed (đỏ như gấc)
36. I have a list of vices that is as long as __________.
A. your arms B. your arm C. your leg D. your legs
as long as your arm: very long (rất dàiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii)
37. You just need a good night’s sleep, and then you’ll be __________ as rain.
A. humid B. wet C. right D. fine
as right as rain: feel completely healthy or well again (cảm thấy hoàn toàn khỏe mạnh)
38. I'm sure she tells Ruth everything we say - they're as __________ as thieves, those two.
A. close B. touching C. eyeful D. thick
as thick as thieves: very close or friendly (thân thiết dữ à)
39. In these new snaps, Vicky looked __________ as a picture in a flowy red dress, decorated with
sunflowers as she got out of a car.
A. still B. pretty C. gorgeous D. beauteous
(as) pretty as a picture: very pretty (đẹp như tranh)
40. I get terrible motion sickness, so I was surely as __________ as death when I stumbled off the plane.
A. luminous B. moving C. pale D. scary
as pale as a ghost/ death / ashes: very pale (xanh xám, tái nhạt như bóng ma)
C. OTHER TYPES:
41. The political candidate knew the issue was a hot __________, so he deferred to his chief of staff, who
directed questions to the committee chairperson.
A. tomato B. potato C. pot D. dog
a hot potato = a controversial issue (political): vấn đề nan giải (chính trị)
42. Don't let my mother watch any of those sappy movies — she cries at the drop of a __________.
A. hat B. bag C. cat D. rag
at the drop of a hat = on the spot = on the double = immediately: ngay lập tức
43. When your programme first started I thought it was the best thing since sliced __________.
A. cake B. break C. bread D. bead
the best thing since sliced bread = the best invention: phát minh vĩ đại
44. You’d better leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg!
A. Good luck B. Good night C. Good bye D. Good job
break a leg = good luck: chúc may mắn
45. I think he’ll pay you back your money when __________ fly.
A. birds B. cats C. cocks D. pigs
when pigs fly = when something will never happen: chuyện hoang đường
46. My parents are going to hit the roof if they find out we had a party here.
A. become angry B. become sad C. become worried D. become nervous
hit the roof/ceiling = fly off the handle = go up the wall = become angry: nổi trận linh đình
47. She is a rising star as a standup comedian, always able to bring down the __________ during each
performance.
A. house B. rain C. roof D. kennel
bring down the house = make audience applaud: khiến cả khán phòng vỗ tay
48. I always get __________ in my stomach before visiting the dentist.
A. worms B. butterflies C. crabs D. hedgehogs
get butterflies in one’s stomach = become nervous: bồi hồi, lo lắng
49. Those smart phones are selling like __________. If you want one, you’d better buy one
now before they’re all gone.
A. shooting stars B. fresh bread C. hot cakes D. wild oats
sell like hot cakes = sell with a large amount: bán đắt như tôm tươi
50. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number of __________ shaves.
A. narrow B. near C. close D. tiny
close shaves = narrow escape: thoát chết trong gang tấc
51. What the president said is not to be printed. It's __________ the record.
A. on B. of C. off D. without
off the record = unofficial: chưa chính thức
52. Where were you? I have been looking for you high and low.
A. here and there B. everywhere C. nowhere D. both A and B
high and low = here and there = everywhere = omnipresent = ubiquitous: khắp mọi nơi
53. I could see the finish line and thought I was home and dry.
A. hopeless B. hopeful C. unsuccessful D. successful
home and dry = successful: thành công
54. I'm worried she may be getting cold __________ about our trip to Patagonia.
A. blood B. head C. heart D. feet
get cold feet = lose one’s nerve = frightened to try: chùn bước
55. I’ve got to run an errand. I’ll be back in a minute.
A. manage the company B. do the household chores
C. work on a night shift D. do the homework
run an errand = make a short trip to complete a task: làm việc vặt
56. We’ve known you are a good swimmer – stop putting on an act.
A. making believe B. pretending C. lying D. both A and B
put on an act = make-believe = pretend: giả vờ
57. Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the __________ when her father got home.
A. wall B. music C. stick D. water
face the music = accept responsibility for something you’ve done: chịu trận
58. It was a ....-letter day when she finally received her graduation diploma.
A. black B. grey C. red D. white
a red-letter day = an important day: ngày trọng đại
59. I'll be back in the twinkling of __________.
A. an eye B. a lighting bolt C. a smile D. a laugh
in the twinkling of an eye = very quickly: nhanh chóng (chỉ trong 1 cái chớp mắt)
60. I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of __________.
A. tea B. java C. coffee D. wine
one’s cup of tea = one’s favourite/hobby: sở thích
61. Working irregular hours is all part and parcel of being a journalist.
A. integral B. crucial C. essential D. all are correct
part and parcel = an essential/integral/crucial element: nhân tố quan trọng
62. He didn’t bat an eye when he realized he failed the exam again.
A. didn’t want to see B. didn’t show surprise
C. wasn’t happy D. didn’t care
not bat an eye/eyelid = show no emotional response (surprise): vô cảm
63. In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a _________ moon.
A. green B. purple C. blue D. middle
once in a blue moon = rarely: hiếm khi
64. She is the black __________ of her family.
A. goat B. deer C. sheep D. sleep
the black sheep = an embarrassing and troubled person: kẻ nổi loạn
65. She is walking on the __________; she doesn’t know how to say.
A. air B. road C. street D. garden
walk on the air = on cloud nine = become extremely happy: vui sướng tột
66. The sixth time he called me at night was the __________.
A. last cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air
the last straw = the moment that goes beyond one’s tolerance: giọt nước tràn ly
67. It is raining __________.
A. cats and mice B. goats and sheep C. horses and goats D. cats and dogs
raining cats and dogs = pouring with rain: mưa tầm tã (không có dogs and cats nha trời để ý kĩ nha)
68. You shouldn’t worry about the exam because you have prepared well and you will probably find it
a piece of cake.
A. easy to digest B. easy to read C. easy to start D. very easy
a piece of cake = very easy = very simple: dễ như ăn bánh
69. I suppose she was the apple of your eye at the time.
A. your favourite fruit B. your favourite meal
C. your favourite person D. your favourite book
the apple of one’s eyes = a beloved person: “cục cưng”
70. Whenever that professor says something I don't like, I have to bite my __________.
A. tougue B. mouth C. lips D. eyes
bite one’s tongue = try to avoid saying something embarrassing: cắn răng chịu đựng
71. I think the time has now come when we'll simply have to call it a day.
A. stop trying B. stop thinking C. stop working D. stop going
call it a day = relax: thư giãn, nghỉ ngơi
72. I prefer to talk to people face-to-face rather than to talk on the phone.
A. in person B. facing them C. looking at them D. seeing them
face-to-face = in person = in a direct way: trực tiếp
73. He does not really go around with many people because-he's a bit of a lone wolf .
A. happy person B. lonely person C. unhappy person D. simple person
a lone wolf = a lonely person: kẻ cô độc (như con sói đầu đàn)
74. Since she won the lottery last week, she has been feeling on the top of the world.
A. very proud B. very happy C. very excited D. very wealthy
on the top of the world = very happy: cực kì vui sướng
75. He travels __________ for 20 years and then he decided to return home.
A. farther away B. far and wide C. far from it D. farthest of all
far and wide = everywhere: khắp nơi
76. Now that they have read it in __________, they believe me.
A. red and blue B. blue and red C. white and black D. black and white
in black and white = clearly = obviously: rõ ràng
77. I would advise you to do that as well and in that way you will kill two birds with one stone.
A. get things done twice B. get something done two times
C. get two things done at the same time D. get two things done twice
kill two birds with one stone = get two things done at the same time: một mũi tên trúng hai đích
78. "Where did you hear about that?" - "Just word of __________."
A. eyes B. nose C. mouth D. ears
word of mouth = on the grapevine = rumour: nghe đồn
79. I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better to let sleeping
__________ lie.
A. cats B. dogs C. fish D. cows
let sleeping dogs lie = let the bad situation be forgotten: để mọi chuyên êm đềm
80. When my girlfriend and my brother got in a fight I had to help my brother because blood is __________
than water.
A. thinner B. thicker C. better D. more
blood is thicker than water = relationships with the family are the strongest ones: một giọt máu đào
hơn ao nước lã
81. It finally __________ home to me that it was time to buy a place of my own.
A. arrived B. came C. hit D. reached
come home to (something) = someone understands it clearly: ai đó hiểu rõ điều gì
82. Well, it’s 7 p.m. I’d better hit the_______if I want to get home before it’s dark
A. roof B. headlines C. newspaper D. road
hit the road = set out on a journey: lên đường, khởi hành
83. She’s the type who can’t sit on holiday and is always ________the move.
A. in B. on C. at D. by
on the move = in the process of moving from one place or job to another: di chuyển, vận động
84. She had never been to Prague before, and she ________ in love with it straight away.
A. dropped B. fell C. tripped D. crashed
fall in love (with someone) = develop a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone: yêu ai đó
85. He didn’t speak a word of French when he first moved to France. He had to pick up the language from
_________.
A. scratch B. start C. nought D. nil
from scratch = from the very beginning: ngay từ đầu
86. Tamara has set her__________on becoming a ballet-dancer.
A. head B. feet C. brain D. heart
set one’s heart on = have a strong desire for or to do: quyết tâm đạt được điều gì
87. Why not buy the dress on _________then you can take it back if it doesn’t fit your mother?
A. agreement B. approval C. affirmation D. affection
on approval = supplied on condition that they may be returned if not satisfactory: được bán với
điều kiện được trả lại nếu không vừa ý
88. We’re free most of the weekend, but we’ve got a few bits and ____________to do on Sunday morning.
A. things B. stuff C. pieces D. ends
bits and pieces: an assortment of small items: những thứ lặt vặt, linh tinh
89. It was so exciting! I was on the____________of my seat!
A. side B. edge C. end D. front
on the edge of one’s seat = very excited and giving one's full attention to something: phấn khích
90. Insects and bugs ________.
A. make my skin run B. make my skin walk
C. make my skin crawl D. make my skin march
make one’s skin crawl = cause someone to feel fear, horror or digust: làm ai đó thấy sợ hãi
91. There are about twenty ________ so people waiting in the outer office.
A. but B. and C. or D. hitherto
or so = approximately: xấp xỉ
92. Whether or not you like some kinds of modern furniture is a matter of ___________.
A. comparison B. taste C. favor D. vogue
a matter of taste = used to say that something is based on taste: vấn đề thị hiếu
93. Clare was __________ her homework when her boyfriend called.
A. at the centre B. in between
C. halfway through D. in the middle of
in the middle of something = in the process of doing (something): trong lúc đang làm gì
94. I’m starving! I could eat like a _________.
A. cow B. horse C. house D. pig
eat like a horse = eat a great deal: ăn luôn miệng
95. You must have your head in the_________ if you think you’re going to succeed without hard work.
A. ground B. clouds C. sky D. air
have one’s head in the clouds = to not know the facts of a situation: mơ tưởng viển vông
96. How much longer do we have to wait? This is starting to get on my ___________.
A. mind B. back C. nerves D. nose
get on one’s nerves = irritate or annoy someone: làm ai đó tức điên
97. “I’m ____________ to listen to your pathetic excuses,” she said.
A. sick and tired B. having enough
C. in no mood D. sick to death
in no mood for doing/to do sth = to not want to do sth: không có tâm trạng để làm gì
98. The fact of the __________ that we have a government that will do what it wants to do for the next two
years.
A. matter B. problem C. point D. situation
the fact of the matter = the truth: sự thật (chỉ có một)
99. _______! You deserved to win.
A. Unfair luck B. Nasty luck C. Hard luck D. Bad fortune
Hard luck! = Poor you! used to express sympathy to someone because something slightly bad has
happened: Tội bạn T^T
100. Mary wanted to give Nigel a present that was a little bit out of the ____________.
A. normal B. ordinary C. average D. everyday
out of the ordinary = unusual: bất bình thường
101. The nearest town was 80 km away, I mean really in the middle of __________.
A. everywhere B. somewhere C. anywhere D. nowhere
the middle of nowhere = a place that is remote and isolated: nơi xa xôi hẻo lánh
102. I couldn’t finish the exam because I was just too __________ time.
A. run out of B. wasted C. spent D. short of
short of (sth) = lack (sth): thiếu cái gì
103. “Did you sleep well?” “Yeah, like a __________”.
A. drunk B. log C. horse D. fish
sleep like a log = sleep very soundly (ngủ say như chết)
104. There were a few small villages______________, but no major city for miles around.
A. on and off B. here and there
C. back and forth D. up and down
here and there = everywhere: khắp mọi nơi
105. I need an assistant – I’m up to _________ with work.
A. my eyes B. my ears C. here D. All are correct
up to one’s ears/eyes/here (with sth) = very busy (with sth): vô cùng bận rộn (vì deadline dí)
106. After a six-year-relationship, Martha and Billy have decided to __________.
A. break the bank B turn the page
C. make the grade D. tie the knot
tie the knot = get married: kết hôn