A guide for success - Gcse preparation – Idioms

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1. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS ENGLISH IDIOMS – THÀNH NGỮ I. MOST COMMON LIFE ENGLISH IDIOMS (THÀNH NGỮ CUỘC SỐNG) 01. Stuck between a rock and a hard place (Tiến thoái lưỡng nan) Eg. Learning business is so boring but I can’t quit it. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. Học kinh doanh thật là chán nhưng tôi không thể bỏ đượC. Tôi đang trong tình thế tiến thoái lưỡng nan. 02. Cost an arm and a leg (Rất đắt đỏ) Eg. A diamond ring costs an arm and a leg. Một chiếc nhẫn kim cương có giá rất đắt đỏ. 03. Easier said than done (Nói thì dễ làm thì khó) Eg. Being the best student in the class is easier said than done. Trở thành học sinh giỏi nhất trong lớp là một việc nói dễ hơn làm. 04. Bite the hand that feeds you (Ăn cháo đá bát) Eg. Never bite the hand that feeds you! Đừng bao giờ ăn cháo đá bát! 05. Driving one crazy (Làm ai đó khó chịu) Eg. Would you please turn down the music? It’s driving me crazy! Bạn làm ơn cho nhỏ nhạc đi được không? Nó làm tôi phát điên lên đấy! 06. In a bad mood (Cảm thấy không vui) Eg. I just got bad grades. I’m in a bad mood. Tôi vừa bị điểm kém. Tôi đang không vui lắm. 07. Judge a book by its cover (Trông mặt mà bắt hình dong) Eg. Don’t judge a book by its cover. He is very rich despite his appearance. Đừng trông mặt mà bắt hình dong. Khác với vẻ bề ngoài, anh ta là một người rất giàu. 08. A friend in need is a friend indeed (Hoạn nạn mới biết bạn hiền) Eg. John helped me so much when I lost my job. A friend in need is a friend indeed. John giúp đỡ tôi rất nhiều khi tôi mất việc. Đúng là hoạn nạn mới biết bạn hiền. 09. Work like a dog (Làm việc chăm chỉ) Eg. I work like a dog for 14 hours a day. Tôi làm việc quần quật trong 14 giờ một ngày. 10. Look on the bright side (Nhìn vào mặt tích cực) Eg. Don’t be so sad after failing the exam. Look on the bright side! At least you tried so hard. Đừng quá buồn khi trượt bài kiểm tra. Hãy nhìn vào mặt tích cực đi! Ít ra là bạn đã rất cố gắng. 11. When pigs fly (Không bao giờ) Eg. When do you think I’ll be rich? – When pigs fly! You are too lazy to work for money. Anh nghĩ bao giờ thì tôi sẽ giàu? – Không bao giờ! Anh quá lười để kiếm tiền. 12. Beat around the bush (Vòng vo) Eg. Stop beating around the bush! What do you want? Đừng vòng vo nữa! Cô muốn gì? 13. A drop in the ocean (Muối bỏ bể) Eg. Your work alone is like a drop in the ocean. You need to gather as many people as you can. Chỉ có mình bạn thì như muối bỏ bể vậy. Bạn cần phải kêu gọi nhiều người nhất có thể. 14. Sit on the fence (Chần chừ không quyết) Eg. He doesn’t know what to choose. He is sitting on the fence. Anh ta không biết phải chọn cái gì. Anh ta đang lưỡng lự. 15. By all means (Bằng mọi giá) Eg. I will pass the test by all means. Tôi sẽ vượt qua bài kiểm tra bằng mọi giá 16. Save for a rainy day (Làm khi lành để dành khi đau) Eg. Don’t spend them all. Save some for a rainy day. Đừng sử dụng hết. Tiết kiệm một ít đề phòng sau này. 17. Like father like son (Cha nào con nấy) Eg. John is going to be an engineer like his dad. – Well, like father like son. John sẽ trở thành một kỹ sư như bố của anh ý – Chà, đúng là cha nào con nấy. 18. Practice makes perfect (Có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim) Eg. Don’t give up. Practice makes perfect. Đừng bỏ cuộC. Có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim. 19. The more the merrier (Càng đông càng vui) Eg. Hey, can I join the party? – Of course, the more the merrier. Tôi có thể tham gia bữa tiệc được chứ? – Tất nhiên rồi, càng đông càng vui mà. 20. Make a mountain out of a molehill (Việc bé xé ra to) © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 1
2. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS Eg. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Just relax and everything will be fine. Đừng có việc bé xé ra to. Cứ thoải mái đi và mọi chuyện sẽ ổn thôi. 21. Take it easy (Thư giãn nào) Eg. Don’t worry about the test. Take it easy. Đừng lo về bài kiểm trA. Hãy cứ thư giãn thôi. 22. No pain no cure (Thuốc đắng giã tật) Eg. Don’t worry about him. No pain no cure. He will learn a lot from this lesson. Đừng lo về anh ta. Thuốc đắng dã tật mà. Sau vụ này anh ta sẽ rút ra nhiều bài học thôi. 23. Every Jack must have his Jill (Nồi nào vung nấy) Eg. Jane is mean just like his brother. – Well every Jack must have his Jill. Jame xấu tính y như anh trai cô ta vậy – Đúng là nồi nào vung nấy. 24. Rain cats and dogs (Mưa như trút nước) Eg. You should bring an umbrellA. It’s raining cats and dogs. Bạn nên mang theo ô. Trời đang mưa như trút nước. 25. Silence is golden (Im lặng là vàng) Eg. Sometimes you shouldn’t express your opinions. Silence is golden. Đôi khi bạn không nên bày tỏ ý kiến của mình ra. Im lặng là vàng. II. MOST COMMON LITERAL ENGLISH IDIOMS (THÀNH NGỮ VĂN CẢNH) IDIOMS MEANING & ILLUSTRATIONS IDIOMS RELATED TO NATURAL FACTORS – THÀNH NGỮ LIÊN QUAN ĐẾN TỰ NHIÊN 01. Under the "Trái gió trở trời" - Theo nghĩa đen, bạn có thể "ở dưới thời tiết"??? Điều này thực weather sự không có ý nghĩa gì cả. Nếu bạn cảm thấy "Under the weather", có nghĩa là cơ thể bạn đang có chút bất ổn, có thể bạn đang cảm thấy mình "bị ốm". Bạn bị ốm nhưng không thực sự nghiêm trọng, có thể do thời tiết thay đổi thất thường hoặc bạn bị mệt và đau đầu do thức đêm làm việc nhiều "What's wrong with Ly, Tony? "She’s feeling a little under the weather so be quiet and let her rest.” 02. A storm is Thành ngữ này có nghĩa "sẽ có rắc rối hoặc khó chịu về cảm xúc sắp diễn ra" brewing “She decided to go ahead with their wedding, even though all they’ve been doing lately is arguing. I can sense a storm is brewing.” 03. Calm Nói đến một khoảng thời gian "yên tĩnh khác thường" trước khi một bất ổn ập đến before the (biến động và hỗn loạn). e.g. The strange quietness in town made her feel storm peaceful. Little did she know, it was just the calm before the storm. 04. Weather a Khi đối mặt với những khó khăn hay thất bại nhưng bạn vẫn luôn kiên cường vượt storm qua chúng. E.g. Last year, they had some financial difficulties when her husband was fired. Together, they weathered the storm and figured out how to keep going. 05. When it Khi những điều tồi tệ xảy ra liên tiếp và khiến những khủng hoảng lớn ấp đến. rains, it pours “First he was laid off, then his wife got into a car accident. When it rains, it pours.“ 06. Chasing Theo đuổi ước mơ, cố gắng làm điều gì đó nhưng không thể đạt được. rainbows “His paintings have neither style nor imagination, but he insists on being a professional painter. He’s always chasing rainbows.” 07. Rain or Đây là một trong những thành ngữ hiếm hoi thường được sử dụng theo nghĩa đen. shine Dùng để chỉ một điều gì đó chắc chắn sẽ xảy ra cho dù mưa hay nắng. “I’ll see you at the airport, rain or shine.” 08. Under the Dùng để đề cập đến mọi thứ trên trái đất: biển cả, ngọn núi, hòn đảo, khu rừng sun Thường sử dụng để so sánh một thứ gì đó với những thứ khác dưới dạng so sánh bậc nhất. e.g. Phu Quoc must be one of the most beautiful islands under the sun. 09. Once in a Chỉ một sự kiện gì đó "rất hiếm", hành động gì đó "rất hiếm" khi xảy ra blue moon “He used to call his grandma once in a blue moon. Now that she has passed away, he regrets not making more of an effort to keep in touch.” 10. Every Trong mọi tình huống xấu hay tồi tệ nhất luôn có những mặt tốt của nó cloud has a “Don’t worry about losing your job. It’ll be okay. Every cloud has a silver lining!“ silver lining © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 2
3. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 11. A rising "Nước nổi thuyền nổi"- Khi một nền kinh tế đang tăng trưởng tốt thì tất cả các cá tide lifts all nhân tổ chức trong nền kinh tế đó đều cùng được hưởng lợi boats “When the economy showed the first signs of recovering, everyone started investing and spending more. A rising tide lifts all boats.“ 12. Get into Gặp rắc rối! Rất giống với thành ngữ ở trên mà chúng ta đã thảo luận ở trên. Nhưng deep water thành ngữ này có nghĩa trái ngược chỉ những điều "rắc rối" “He got into deep water when he borrowed a lot of money from a loan shark.” 13. Pour oil Cố gắng giúp xoa dịu những cuộc cãi vã của mọi người, giúp mọi người cảm thấy on troubled tốt hơn và thân thiện lại, hòa giải với nhau. waters “She hated seeing her two best friends arguing, so she got them together and poured oil on troubled waters.” 14. Make Làm thay đổi mội thứ một cách kịch tính và gây sự chú ý, tạo sự lan truyền. waves “She likes to make waves with her creative marketing campaigns. They get a lot of attention from customers.” 15. Go with "Thuyền đến đầu cầu ắt sẽ thẳng" hoặc "Nơi nào có nước chảy, ở đó sẽ hình thành the flow dòng chảy". Một sự thư giãn, thuận theo tự nhiên cho dù bất cứ điều gì đang xảy ra. “Quite often in life, good things happen when you don’t make plans. Just go with the flow and see what happens!” 16. Lost at Bị nhầm lẫn về một cái gì đó hoặc không chắc chắn về những việc phải làm. sea “I am lost at sea with this new system at work. I just can’t understand it.” 17. Sail close "Không được vượt ra khỏi ranh giới". Chỉ được hành động trong giới hạn, trong to the wind khuôn khổ của những quy tắc, hợp pháp hoặc được xã hội chấp nhận. “They fired their accountant because he sailed too close to the wind.” 18. Make a Để phóng đại mức độ nghiêm trọng của một tình huống. mountain out “She shouted at him angrily for being five minutes late, but it really didn’t matter of a molehill that much. She really made a mountain out of a molehill.” 19. Gain Một sự tiến lên, làm cho phổ biến. ground “As Airbus gains ground in many cities all over the world, many locals complain that they can no longer find a place to live. Landlords would rather rent their places out to tourists and earn more money.” 20. Walking Rất vui mừng và hạnh phúC. Bạn có thể sử dụng những cụm từ khác như “Over on air the moon,” “on cloud nine,” “in seventh heaven” và “in good spirits” để nói về niềm vui sướng và hạnh phúc. “She’s been walking on air since she found out that she’s pregnant.” 21. Many Đây là một trong những thành ngữ tiếng anh có sự trang trọng và có tính lịch sử. moons ago Bạn có thể nghe thấy nó trong những câu chuyện, hoặc ai đó đang cố gắng tạo ra hiệu ứng gây chú ý, kịch tính “Many moons ago, we used to be two very close friends. Now we’ve gone separate ways and lost contact.” 22. Castle in Một giấc mơ hoặc một niềm huy vọng trong cuộc sống, nhưng điều đó khó có thể the sky trở thành sự thật. “World traveling used to be a castle in the sky for most people a few decades ago, but with cheap flight tickets and the global use of English, many youngsters are living that dream.” 23. Down to Nhằm nói đến sự thực tế và hợp lý, không mơ mộng. earth “It’s a stereotype, but Dutch people are known for being down to earth.” 24. Salt of the Thành thật và tốt bụng earth “My father is the salt of the earth. He works hard and always helps people who are in need.” 25. The tip of "Phần nổi của tảng băng chìm" - Những thứ được nhìn thấy chỉ là một phần nhỏ the iceberg của một cái gì đấy lớn hơn nhiều. “Exceptionally long drought periods are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the global impact of climate change.” 26. Break the Cố gắng vượt qua khoảng cách, sự ngại ngùng để kết bạn với ai đó. ice “He made a weather joke to break the ice.” © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 3
4. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 27. Sell ice to Để có thể bán bất cứ thứ gì cho bất cứ ai; thuyết phục mọi người đi ngược lại lợi Eskimos ích tốt nhất của họ hoặc chấp nhận một cái gì đó không cần thiết thậm chí vô lý. Từ Eskimos dùng để chỉ những người bản địa sống ở những vùng rất lạnh, có tuyết quanh năm, xung quanh toàn băng giá do đó họ không cần thêm bất kỳ tảng băng nào nữa. Nếu bạn có thể bán đá được cho họ, bạn có thể bán được bất cứ thứ gì cho bất cứ ai. Nhưng cũng lưu ý là từ Eskimos cũng bị nhiều người coi là xúc phạm, thô lỗ. Bạn cần biết để hiểu những thành ngữ tiếng anh thông dụng nhưng hãy cẩn thận khi sử dụng. “He’s a gifted salesman, he could sell ice to Eskimos.” 28. Bury your Cố gắng tránh mộ tình huống nào đó bằng cách giả vờ như nó không tồn tại. head in the “Stop burying your head in the sand. You haven’t been happy with him for years, sand why are you staying together?” 29. Let the Làm cho một tình huống trở nên bình tĩnh hoặc bình thường trở lại sau khi một dust settle điều gì đó thú vị hoặc bất thường xảy ra. “You just had big news yesterday, let the dust settle and don’t make any decisions yet.” 30. Clear as Không dễ hiểu, không rõ ràng chút nào. mud “He’s a great scientist, but I find his explanation of bacteria and microbes as clear as mud.” 31. As cold as Rất lạnh lùng và vô cảm. stone “In the Victorian times, many women were told to suppress their feelings and, thus, appeared as cold as stone.” 32. Between a Một tình huống rất khó khăn, phải đưa ra một sự lựa chọn giữa hai lựa chọn không rock and a thỏa đáng. hard place “I can understand why she couldn’t make up her mind about what to do. She’s really between a rock and a hard place.” 33. Nip Ngăn chặn những tình huống xấu xảy ra ngay từ giai đoạn đầu của sự phát triển something in của tình huống đó. the bud “When the kid shows the first signs of misbehaving, you should nip that bad behavior in the bud.” 34. Barking Làm điều gì đó vô nghĩa không đem lại kết quả như mong muốn. up the wrong “If you think she’s going to lend you money, you’re barking up the wrong tree. She tree never lends anyone anything.” 35. Out of the Phần khó khăn nhất của một cái gì đó đã quA. Tình hình đang trở nên cải thiện và woods dễ chịu hơn. “The surgery went very well and he just needs to recover now, so he’s officially out of the woods.” 36. Can’t see Không thể nắm bắt được cái tổng thể hoặc nhìn rõ được những tình huống vì bạn the forest for đang đi quá sâu vào những chi tiết nhỏ. the trees As conflicts aroused, they couldn’t see the forest for the trees. 37. Hold out Quyết định giảng hòa (với đổi thủ hoặc kẻ thù) an olive “After years of rivalry with her cousin, she decided to hold out an olive branch and branch go have fun together.” 38. Beat Dành thời gian dài lan man, vòng vo, không đi vào điểm chính những gì bạn đang around the cần nói. bush “I don’t have much time, so stop beating around the bush and tell me what actually happened.” COMMON IDIOM WITH VERBS – ĐỘNG TỪ TRONG THÀNH NGỮ 39. Hit the Theo nghĩa đen, đánh những quyển sách có nghĩa là đánh vật lý hoặc đấm vào books quyển sách của bạn. Đây là câu thường được các sinh viên sử dụng, những người có rất nhiều việc phải học, phải làm. Nó đơn giản là một cách bạn nói với bạn bè rằng "Bạn sẽ học". Bạn phải học cho một bài kiểm tra cuối cùng, một bài kiểm tra giữa kỳ hoặc thậm chí là một bài kiểm tra tiếng anh. “Sorry but I can’t watch the game with you tonight, I have to hit the books. I have a huge exam next week!” © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 4
5. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 40. Hit the Cũng giống như thành ngữ trên, nghĩa đen là đánh vật lý hoặc đập vào bao tải. sack Nhưng thực ra là "đi ngủ". Bạn sẽ dùng cụm này để nói với gia đình hoặc bạn bè rằng bạn thực sự mệt mỏi, vì vậy bạn sẽ đi ngủ. Thay vì nói "Hit the sack" bạn cũng có thể nói "Hit the hay" “It’s time for me to hit the sack, I’m so tired.” 41. Twist Nghĩa đen là nắm lấy cánh tay của một người và xoay nó. Hàm ý bên trong nghĩa someone’s là ai đó đã làm rất tốt việc thuyết phục bạn làm điều gì đó mà bạn không muốn arm làm. Và nếu bạn "Twist someone’s arm", điều đó có nghĩa là bạn rất giỏi thuyết phục mọi người làm theo ý bạn. Jake, you should really come to the party tonight!” “You know I can’t, I have to hit the books (study).” “C’mon, you have to come! It’s going to be so much fun and there are going to be lots of girls there. Please come?” “Pretty girls? Oh all right, you’ve twisted my arm, I’ll come!” 42. Hit the Thành ngữ này sử dụng khi muốn mô tả chính xác điều gì gây ra tình huống hoặc nail on the vấn đề. head “He hit the nail on the head when he said this company needs more HR support.” 43. Stab "Đâm sau lưng" - Nếu hiểu theo nghĩa đen thì bạn sẽ gặp rắc rối với cảnh sát đấy. someone in Tuy nhiên thành ngữ "Stab someone in the back" có nghĩa là làm tổn thương một the back người gần gũi với chúng ta và tin tưởng chúng ta bằng cách phản bội họ trong bí mật. “Did you hear that Sarah stabbed Kate in the back last week?” “No! I thought they were best friends, what did she do?” “She told their boss that Kate wasn’t interested in a promotion at work and Sarah got it instead.” “Wow, that’s the ultimate betrayal! No wonder they’re not friends anymore.” 44. Lose your Nghĩa đen có nghĩa là bạn không còn khả năng chạm và cảm nhận bằng ngón tay touch cũng như bàn tay bạn. Hàm ý bên trong là bạn mất đi khả năng mà bạn trước đây rất giỏi và từng sở hữu. "Lose your touch" sử dụng khi bạn rất giỏi một kỹ năng và có tài năng, nhưng về sau đó mọi thứ dần mai một và không còn tốt nữa, cảm nhận và sự tinh tế bắt đầu giảm. “I don’t understand why none of the girls here want to speak to me.” “It looks like you’ve lost your touch with the ladies.” “Oh no, they used to love me, what happened?” 45. Sit tight Một ví dụ tuyệt vời về lý do tại sao bạn không thể dịch thành ngữ bằng tiếng anh. Điều này có nghĩa là bạn ngồi xuống và xiết chặt cơ thể và điều đó sẽ rất khó chịu, chưa kể bạn trông sẽ rất kỳ lạ. Nhưng nếu một người bảo bạn "sit tight", họ muốn bạn kiên nhẫn chờ đợi và không có bất kỳ hành động nào khác cho đến khi có thông báo mới. “Mrs. Carter, do you have any idea when the exam results are going to come out?” “Who knows Johnny, sometimes they come out quickly but it could take some time. You’re just going to have to sit tight and wait.” 46. Pitch in Cụm từ này thực sự không có ý nghĩa nếu bạn cố gắng hiểu theo nghĩa đen. Tuy nhiên, nghĩa bóng của nó có nghĩa là kêu gọi mọi người hay cái gì đó cùng tham gia. Vì vậy, Nếu mẹ của bạn nói với gia đình rằng, bà ấy muốn tất cả mọi người "Pitch in" vào cuối tuần này để dọn dẹp nhà cửA. Điều đó có nghĩa là bà ấy muốn tất cả thành viên trong gia đình cùng tham gia và nỗ lực dọn dẹp nhà cửa, giúp công việc hoàn thành nhanh chóng. “What are you going to buy Sally for her birthday?” “I don’t know. I don’t have much money.” “Maybe we can all pitch in and buy her something great.” 47. Quit cold Thành ngữ này có nghĩa là đột nhiên từ bỏ hoặc ngừng những hành vi gây nghiện turkey nguy hiểm như hút thuốc hoặc uống rượu. “Shall I get your mom a glass of wine?” “No, she’s stopped drinking.” “Really, why?” “I don’t know. A few months ago, she just announced one day she’s quitting drinking.” “She just quit cold turkey?” “Yes, just like that!” © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 5
6. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 48. Face the Nghĩa đen là đối mặt với âm nhạC. Nhưng nếu mọi người bảo bạn "Face the music" music thì bạn chuẩn bị đối mặt với ý nghĩa khắc nghiệt đấy. Thành ngữ này có nghĩa là phải đối mặt với thực tế, chấp nhận mọi hậu quả dù tốt hay xấu. Có thể bạn sẽ tránh đối mặt với điều đó, vì bạn cảm thấy không chắc chắc và sợ kết quả sẽ không được tốt. Có thể bạn đã nói dối giáo viên của mình và cô ấy phát hiện ra sự thật và bây giờ bạn phải "face the music" và chấp nhận hình phạt. “I can’t understand why I failed math.” “You know you didn’t study hard, so you’re going to have to face the music and take the class again next semester if you really want to graduate when you do.” 49. Ring a Nghĩa đen có nghĩa là tiếng chuông. Thành ngữ này có nghĩa ai đó đề cập đến cái bell gì đó quen thuộc với bạn. Nói cách khác, khi ai đó nói điều gì đó mà bạn tin rằng bạn đã nghe thấy trong quá khứ. "Ring a bell" bắt đầu vang lên và bạn cố gắng nhớ tại sao tên hoặc địa điểm đó nghe có vẻ quen thuộc. “You’ve met my friend Amy Adams, right?” “Hmmm, I’m not sure, but that name rings a bell. Was she the one who went to Paris last year?” 50. Blow off Xả hơi" - Trong thực tế bạn không thể thổi hơi nước. Đây là công việc của những steam thiết bị như chiếc ấm điện. Vậy có nghĩa là gì khi một người "Blow off steam"? Nếu bạn đang cảm thấy tức giận, căng thẳng hoặc đang trải qua một số cảm xúc tiêu cực mạnh mẽ và bạn muốn loại bỏ chúng để bạn cảm thấy tốt hơn, bạn sẽ "Blow off steam" bằng cách làm một việc gì đó như tập thể dục để thoát khỏi căng thẳng. “Why is Nick so angry and where did he go?” “He had a fight with his brother, so he went for a run to blow off steam.” 51. Cut to the Khi ai đó bảo bạn "cut to the chase", có nghĩa là bạn đang nói quá lâu, lan man và chase không thể hiểu đượC. Khi một người sử dụng thành ngữ này, họ muốn bảo bạn nhanh lên và đi đến phần quan trọng. Nhưng hãy cẩn thận khi bạn sử dụng thành ngữ này, vì khi bạn nói chuyện với sếp hoặc giảng viên chẳng hạn, điều đó có thể là thô lỗ và thiếu tôn trọng. “Hi guys, as we don’t have much time here, so I’m going to cut to the chase. We’ve been having some major problems in the office lately.” 52. Break a Không phải là muốn bẻ gãy chân ai đó đấu nhé. Thành ngữ này là một lời "chúc leg may mắn" (thường được nói với những người chuẩn bị bước lên sân khấu biểu diễn) e.g. Break a leg Sam, I’m sure your performance will be great. 53. When pigs Một điều gì đó sẽ không bao giờ xảy ra. fly “When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.” IDIOMS RELATED TO MONEY – THÀNH NGỮ VỚI TIỀN BẠC 54. Look like Chẳng phải thật tuyệt sao nếu như bạn "trông như một triệu đô la". Nhưng hàm ý a million là một lời khen. Nếu ai đó nói với bạn rằng "Look like a million dollars/bucks", đó dollars/bucks sẽ là một lời khen rất lớn rằng bạn trông hoàn toàn tuyệt vời và thực sự hấp dẫn. Đây là thành ngữ thường được sử dụng để khen ngợi phụ nữ, nhưng đôi khi ta cũng sử dụng nó cho các chàng trai. “Wow, Mary, you look like a million dollars/bucks this evening. I love your dress!” 55. Born with Một người xuất thân từ một gia đình giàu có và thành đạt. a silver spoon “John was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. His parents bought him in one’s everything he wanted and sent him to the best private schools.” mouth 56. Go from Phấn đấu từ nghèo khó đến khi giàu sang. rags to riches “Actor Jim Carrey went from rags to riches. At one time, he was living in a van, but he continued to work hard and eventually became one of the highest-paid comedians in the world.” 57. Pay/ cost Một cái gì đó "đắt cắt cổ", bạn phải trả nhiều tiền cho thứ đó bạn có thể nói rằng "it an arm and a costs an arm and a leg" leg for “The price of chocolate has doubled. I nearly paid an arm and a leg for a small something candy bar.” “Chocolate costs an arm and a leg now.” © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 6
7. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 58. Have Trở thành một tên trộm. e.g The manager fired the cashier because he had sticky sticky fingers fingers. He stole more than $200 in a month. 59. Give a run Thực sự làm việc thật chăm chỉ cho chiến thắng for one’s “Joe really gave me a run for my money in the chess tournament. He almost beat money me!” 60. Pony up Trả tiền cho một cái gì đó hoặc giải quyết khoản nợ. “Pony up and give me the $5 you owe me.” “I told my roommate Jane to pony up her portion of the rent money.” 61. Ante up Để trả tiền cho một ai đó, như thành ngữ tiếng anh ở trên. “You’d better ante up and give me that $10 I loaned you last week.” 62. Break Hòa vốn, không bị mất tiền. “The trip to the beach cost me $100, but I almost broke even even after winning $90 in a contest.” 63. Break the Một thứ rất đắt đắt tiền. “Taking a week-long vacation would break the bank. bank There’s no way I could afford to do it.” 64. Be Một người không muốn tiêu tiền. Giống như keo kiệt vậy. closefisted Although he was wealthy, he was closedfisted. 65. Go Dutch Đi ăn "tiền ai người nấy trả" - "cam - pu -chia" “We had a date last night and we went Dutch. I paid for my coffee and she paid for her salad.” 66. Shell out Bỏ rất nhiều tiền để trả cho một cái gì đó (thường đắt tiền) money/to “I wish I didn’t buy that new car now that I’m shelling out $1,000 a month in fork over payments.” money “She had to fork over a lot of money for traffic fines last month.” 67. Midas Khả năng kiếm tiền dễ dàng. Thành ngữ này xuất phát từ câu chuyện về vua Midas, touch người đã biến mọi thứ ông chạm vào thành vàng. “Jane really has the Midas touch. Every business she starts becomes very successful.” 68. In the In the red có nghĩa là bạn đang chi nhiều hơn những gì bạn kiếm được red/In the “I’m in the red this month after paying that speeding ticket. I’ll need to find some black work over the weekend for extra money.” In the black có nghĩa là bạn đã kiếm được nhiều hơn số tiền bạn đã chi ra. “After working a couple of small jobs over the weekend, I earned an extra $500 and am back in the black.” 69. Receive a Nhận tiền bất hợp pháp/ nhận hối lộ kickback “The police chief was arrested after the news reported he wasreceiving kickbacks from criminals to ignore certain crimes.” “The traffic cop receives kickbacks for not writing tickets to politicians.” 70. Living Sống mà không có nhiều tiền, cuộc sống khó khăn, thiếu thốn. hand to “Billy paid his Harvard Law School tuition with cash. His family is loaded.” mouth 71. Be loaded Căng thẳng làm thế nào để có nhiều tiền. Có nhiều tiền rồi có khi nào bạn lại thắc mắc "nhiều tiền để làm gì" như bác Đặng Lê Nguyên Vũ. “Billy paid his Harvard Law School tuition with cash. His family is loaded.” 72. Make Kiếm những khoản tiền cần thiết để trả tiền cho thực phẩm và hóa đơn. ends meet “I don’t make much from my job as a cashier, but I’m able to make ends meet. I always have enough money for rent and groceries.” 73. As Một thành ngữ Mỹ được sử dụng một cách mỉa mai cái gì đó là hàng giả. genuine as a Khi một cái gì đó chính hãng, điều đó là nó rõ nguồn gốc xuất xứ và đã có bản three-dollar quyền. Nhưng Hoa Kỳ không bao giờ thực hiện những hóa đơn 3 đô la cho hàng bill hóa chính hãng. Ví dụ, bức tranh của nàng Mona Lisa được treo ở bảo tàng Louvre ở Pháp. Nếu trường đại học của bạn cũng có một bức tranh nàng Mona Lisa trong thư viện, thì đây chính là bản sao. Bản sao ở trường bạn chính là As genuine as a three-dollar bill. “That man tried to sell me a Lamborghini from 1953. He said it was the first Lamborghini model ever made but the company didn’t exist until 10 years later. His car was as genuine as a three-dollar bill.” © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 7
8. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS BODY PART - BỘ PHẬN CƠ THỂ 74. Rule of Nghĩa đen có nghĩa là quy tắc ngón tay cái. Khi ai đó nói "Rule of thumb" điều đó thumb có nghĩa đây là quy tắc chung, quy tắc bất thành văn cho bất cứ điều gì họ đang nói. Những quy tắc này không dựa trên khoa học hay nghiên cứu. Đơn giản đó là một quy tắc chung mà tất cả mọi người phải tuân theo. “As a rule of thumb you should always pay for your date’s dinner.” “Why? There’s no rule stating that!” “Yes, but it’s what all gentlemen do.” 75. Keep your "Ngẩng cao đầu" - Bạn vừa trải qua một sự thất bại? Bạn cảm thấy buồn và có chin up chút chán nản phải không? - Trong tình huống này, một người bạn có thể nói với bạn rằng "Keep your chin up". Họ muốn thể hiện sự ủng hộ của họ dành cho bạn. Và đó là cách nói "hãy mạnh mẽ lên, bạn sẽ vượt qua điều này". Đừng để chúng ảnh hưởng đến bạn quá nhiều “Hey, Keiren, have you had any luck finding work yet?” “No, nothing, it’s really depressing, there’s nothing out there!” “Don’t worry, you’ll find something soon, keep your chin up buddy and don’t stress.” 76. Find your Bạn đang tìm cái chân của bạn? Không thể nào, chúng gắn liền với cơ thể bạn! feet Vậy điều này có nghĩa là gì? Nếu bạn đang trong một môi trường, cuộc sống mới, ví dụ sống ở một đất nước xa lạ và phải làm quen với trường đại học và những người bạn mới. Bạn có thể nói rằng "find my feet". Có nghĩa là "Bạn vẫn đang tự điều chỉnh để hòa nhập với môi trường mới". “Lee, how’s your son doing in America?” “He’s doing okay. He’s learned where the college is but is still finding his feet with everything else. I guess it’ll take time for him to get used to it all.” GROCERIES - THỰC PHẨM 77. Spice Điều này có nghĩa là làm cho cái gì đó thú vị hơn. things up “Instead of just buying Sam a birthday gift, let’s spice things up by taking him out for dinner.” 78. A piece of "Chuyện nhỏ như con thỏ" - "dễ như ăn bánh" - Thành ngữ này đến đến một công cake việc hay nhiệm vụ dễ dàng hoàn thành “I expected the English test to be difficult but it was a piece of cake.” 79. Cool as a Dưa chuột có một hương vị tươi mát, cho bạn một cảm giác tươi mát, bình tĩnh cucumber khi ăn. Vì vậy, nếu bạn "cool as a cucumber" có nghĩa bạn là người rất bình tĩnh và thoải mái đấy. “My friend is nervous about taking his driving test but I’m cool as a cucumber.” 80. A couch Thành ngữ này nói đến một người dành nhiều thời gian để ngồi ghế xem tivi. potato “After my uncle retired from his job, he became a couch potato.” 81. Bring Thành ngữ này nói đến một người phải làm việc kiếm sống để nuôi gia đình. home the “Ever since her father was injured, she’s been working two jobs to bring home the bacon bacon.” 82. In hot "Nước sôi lửa bỏng" - Khi ai đó "in hot water", họ đang ở trong tình huống xấu water hoặc gặp rắc rối nghiêm trọng. “My brother is in hot water for failing all his college classes.” 83. Compare Táo khác cam cả về ngoại hình lẫn mùi vị. - Thật khó để so sánh hai thứ không apples and giống nhau. Vì vậy, thành ngữ này nói đến việc so sánh hai thứ thực tế đã rất khác oranges nhau, không nên so sánh. “I’m not sure which I enjoy more—pottery or dancing. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.” 84. Not one’s Nếu thứ gì đó không phải là "tách trà" của bạn, thì đó là hoạt động bạn không hứng cup of tea thú, không đam mê hoặc không làm tốt. eg. Camping is really not my cup of tea so I’m going to visit my friend in New York instead. 85. Eat like a Một con chim thì ăn được bao nhiêu? Không nhiều phải không? Vì vậy nói "eat like bird a bird" có nghĩa là ăn rất ít. Eg. He looks fat, but he eats like a bird. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 8
9. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 86. Eat like a "Ăn khỏe như trâu bò" - "ăn như heo" - Bây giờ, một con ngựa lớn hơn nhiều so với horse một con chim. Vậy bạn nghĩ một con ngựa ăn bao nhiêu? Đúng vậy, "eat like a horse" có nghĩa là ăn một lượng lớn thức ăn. “My mother cooks a lot of food when my brother comes to visit. He eats like a horse.” 87. Butter "Nịnh hót - bợ đỡ" - Thành ngữ tiếng anh này có nghĩa là làm hài lòng hoặc tâng [someone] up bốc ai đó để nhận được sự ủng hộ từ người đó. “Everyone seems to be trying to butter up the new boss hoping to become her favorite.” 88. Food for Điều này đề cập đến một cái gì đó cần phải suy nghĩ cẩn thận, kỹ lưỡng. thought “Moving to another state is food for thought for many of those affected by the recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida.” 89. A smart Điều này muốn nói đến một người thông minh sáng dạ. cookie “It shouldn’t be hard too hard for a smart cookie like you to learn Spanish.” 90. Packed "Chật cứng, đông đúc" - Bạn thấy gì khi mở một hộp cá mòi? Vâng, cá nhồi nhét like sardines bên trong lon. Vì vậy thành ngữ này mô tả một địa điểm hoặc một tình huống nào đó rất đông đúc người (hoặc vật, động vật). “Were you at the football game last night? The stadium was packed like sardines.” 91. Spill the Bạn vô tình làm đổ một bát đậu và tất cả đều văng ra ngoài. Hãy nghĩ về hình ảnh beans này và nhớ rằng "spill the beans" có nghĩa là vô tình hoặc sớm đưa ra thông tin được cho cần phải giữ bí mật. “We were planning a surprise birthday party for Joyce this weekend. But this morning, Owen spilled the beans and now it’s no longer a surprise.” 92. A bad Hãy tưởng tượng một giỏ táo và có một quả bị thối bên trong. Thành ngữ tiếng apple anh này muốn nói đến người tạo ra nhiều vấn đề tiêu cực có thể ảnh hưởng xấu đến những người khác trong nhóm. “Instead of focusing on college, he spends his time hanging out with bad apples.” 93. Bread and Bánh mì và bơ là một loại thực phẩm cơ bản mà nhiều người Châu Âu và Mỹ ăn. butter Vì vậy thành ngữ này đề cập đến một công việc giúp bạn có thể trang trải được cho cuộc sống cơ bản như thực phẩm, nhà ở, “Fishing is the bread and butter of the friendly people I met on the island.” 94. Buy a Thành ngữ tiếng anh này có nghĩa là bạn bỏ nhiều tiền để mua một cái gì đó nhưng lemon không có nhiều giá trị. “The car looked so new and shiny I had no way of knowing I was buying a lemon.” 95. A hard Đề cập đến những người khó tiếp xúc, làm quen hoặc đối đầu, đối phó. nut to crack “I tried to be friendly with her but I was told she’s a hard nut to crack.” 96. Have a Bạn có thích ăn bánh kẹo và những đồ ăn có vị ngọt khác không? Nếu bạn thích ăn sweet tooth chúng thì có thể nói bạn có "have a sweet tooth" “Yes, I definitely have a sweet tooth. I can never walk past a bakery and not stop to buy myself a slice of chocolate cake.” IDIOMS WITH PREPOSITIONS – THÀNH NGỮ VỚI GIỚI TỪ 97. Up in the Khi chúng ta thực sự nghĩ về một cái gì đó "bay lên không trung", điều này có nghĩa air những điều chúng ta định làm là không chắc chắn. Một kế hoạch nhất định chưa chắc đã được thực hiện. “Jen, have you set a date for the wedding yet?” “Not exactly, things are up in the air and we’re not sure if our families can make it on the day we wanted. Hopefully we’ll know soon and we’ll let you know as soon as possible.” 98. On the Nếu bạn nhìn vào cụm từ này theo nghĩa đen, nó có nghĩa là đứng hoặc ngồi trên ball một quả bóng. Hàm ý trong thành ngữ tiếng anh này là bạn rất nhanh hiểu được những điều nhất định hoặc phản ứng nhanh với một tình huống. “Wow, you’ve already finished your assignments? They aren’t due until next week, you’re really on the ball. I wish I could be more organized.” 99. Get over Nếu bạn nghĩ về nó, bạn hoàn toàn có thể "vượt qua một cái gì đó", ví dụ như cưỡi something ngựa vượt qua hàng rào. Nhưng hàm ý bên trong không chỉ đơn giản như vậy. Hãy tưởng tượng bạn có một khoảng thời gian thực sự khó khăn hoặc khủng hoảng. Nhưng khi thời gian trôi qua bạn đã thực sự vượt qua được điều đó, không còn lo lắng và để nó ảnh hưởng theo cách tiêu cực. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 9
10. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS “How’s Paula? Has she gotten over the death of her dog yet?” “I think so. She’s already talking about getting a new one.” 100. The best Thành ngữ này có nghĩa bạn có thể tận hưởng hai cơ hội khác nhau cùng một lúc. of both “By working part-time and looking after her kids two days a week she managed to worlds get the best of both worlds.” III. MOST COMMON ACADEMIC ENGLISH IDIOMS (THÀNH NGỮ HỌC THUẬT) Tổng hợp các idioms thường gặp trong đề thi THPT Quốc Gia 01. Rain dogs and cats: rain heavily (Mưa nặng hạt) E.g. It’s raining cats and dogs. = It’s raining heavily. 02. Chalk and cheese: very different from each other (rất khác nhau) E.g. I don’t have anything in common with my brother. We’re like chalk and cheese. 03. Here and there: everywhere E.g. I have been searching here and there for the gift I bought for my girlfriend. 04. A hot potato: something that is difficulut or dangerous to deal with (vấn đề nan giải) E.g. The abortion issue is a hot potato in the US. 05. At the drop of a hat: immediately, instantly (Ngay lập tức) E.g. If you need me, just call me. I can come at the drop of a hat. 06. Back to the drawing board: time to start from the beginning; it is time to to plan something over again (bắt đầu lại) E.g. My plans to create a tiny car made of glasses were unsuccessful, so I guess it’s back to the drawing board for me. 07. Beat about the bush: avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about the issue (nói vòng vo, lạc đề) E.g. Stop beating about the bush and answer my question. 08. Best thing since sliced bread: a good invention or innovation, a good idea or plan (ý kiến hay) E.g. Portable phones are marketed as the best thing since sliced bread; people think they are extremely good. 09. Burn the midnight oil: to stay up working, especially studying late at night (thức khuya làm việc, học bài) E.g. I will have a big exam tomorrow so I’ll be burning the midnight oil tonight. 10. Caught between two stools: when someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives (tiến thoái lưỡng nan) E.g. He couldn’t decide his mind which course to take. It seemed he was caught between two stools. 11. Break a leg: good luck! (chúc may mắn ) E.g. I have heard that you’r gonna take a test tomorrow, break a leg, dude!!! (sounds funny hah???) 12. Hit the books: to study (học) E.g. I can’t go out tonight. I’ve got to hit the books. I’m having an exam tomorrow. 13. When pigs fly: something will never happen (điều vô tưởng, không thể xảy ra, nhớ là “pigs” đừng nhầm với con vật khác nhé) E.g. “When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.” 14. Scratch one’s back: help someone out with the assumption that they will return the favor in the future (giúp đỡ người khác với hy vọng họ sẽ giúp lại mình) E.g. “You scratch my back and I will scratch yours later,” the customer said when we talked about the new sales contact. 15. Hit the nail on the head: do or say something exactly right (nói chính xác, làm chính xác) E.g. Mike hit the nail on the head when he said most people can use a computer without knowing how it works. 16. Take s.b/s.t for granted: coi nhẹ E.g. One of the problems with relationships is that after a while you begin to take each other for granted!! 17. Take into account/consideration: to remember to consider something (tính đến cái gì, xem xét việc gì) E.g. We will take your long year of service into account when we make our final decision. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 10
11. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 18. Put s.b/s.t at one’s disposal: to make someone or something available to someone (có sẵn theo ý muốn của ai) E.g. I’d be glad to help you if you need me. I put myself at your disposal. 19. Splitting headache: a severe headache (đau đầu như búa bổ) (khi ra thi sẽ hỏi từ “Splitting”) E.g. I’ve got a splitting headache. I’m going upstairs for a nap. 20. On the house: không phải trả tiền E.g. I went to a restaurant last night. I was the ten thousandth customer, so my dinner was on the house. 21. Hit the roof = Go through the roof = Hit the ceiling: to suddenly become angry (giận dữ) E.g. I’m afraid he will hit the roof when he finds out our vacation is canceled. 22. Make one’s blood boil: làm ai sôi máu, giận dữ E.g. The boys kept chatting noisily that made the lady’s blood boil. 23. Bring down the house: làm cho cả khán phòng vỗ tay nhiệt liệt E.g. G-Dragon brought the house down. He really brought down the house with his fantastic song. 24. Pay through the nose: to pay too much for something (trả giá quá đắt) E.g. If you want a decent wine in a restaurant, you to have to pay through the nose for it. 25. By the skin of one’s teeth: sát sao, rất sát E.g. I got through calculus math by the skin of my teeth. E.g. I got to the airport a few minutes late and missed the plane by the skin of my teeth. 26. Pull one’s leg: chọc ai E.g. You don’t mean that. You’re just pulling my leg. 27. It strike s.b as/ that a strange: lấy làm lạ E.g. It strikes as a strange to me that he failed the exam because he is so smart and diligent a student. 28. Take it amiss: to understand as wrong or insulting, or misunderstand (hiểu lầm) E.g. Would you take it amiss if I told you I thought you look lovely? I was afraid you’d take it the wrong way. 29. High and low = Here and there: everywhere E.g. I have been searching high and low for the gift I bought for my girlfriend. 30. The more, the merrier: càng đông càng vui E.g. Can I bring some friends with me? Yeah sure, the more, the merrier. 31. Spick and span: ngăn nắp gọn gàng E.g. She lived in a small flat which looked spick and span. 32. Every now and then: sometimes E.g. Every now and then, I want to be alone. 33. Part and parcel: integral, crucial (thiết yếu, quan trọng) E.g. Honesty and patience are part and parcel in this job. 34. Go to one’s head: khiến ai kiêu ngạo E.g. Too much success will go to her head. 35. Once in a blue moon: rất hiếm (rare) E.g. Once in a blue moon, I stop thinking about her. If only she knew how much I loved her. 36. Few and far between: rare (hiếm gặp) E.g. Go and tell her that you love her! That kind of girl is really few and far between. 37. On the spot: (1) immediately (ngay lập tức) E.g. I expect you to be on the spot when and where trouble arises. (2): in trouble; in a difficult situation (gặp rắc rối) E.g. I hate to be on the spot when it’s not my fault. 38. On the verge of= On the brink of = In the edge of: trên bờ vực E.g. Unless we take measures to protect tigers, they will be on the verge of extinction. 39. It never rains but it pours: good or bad things do not just happen a few at a time, but in large numbers all at once (họa vô đơn chí) E.g. First of all it was the car breaking down, then the fire in the kitchen and now Mike’s accident. It never rains but it pours. 40. Be/Go on the wagon: kiêng rượu E.g. Bob’s old drinking buddies complained that he was no fun when he went on the wagon. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 11
12. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 41. Lead by the nose: to control someone and make them do exactly what you want them to do (nắm đầu, dắt mũi ai) E.g. They simply didn’t know what they were doing and they were led by the nose by a manipulative government. 42. At the eleventh hour: vào phút chót E.g. She always turned her term paper in at the eleventh hour. 42. Sell/Go like hot cakes: bán đắt như tôn tươi E.g. The book has only just been published andcopies are already selling like hot cakes in both Britain and America. 43. Find fault with: chỉ trích, kiếm chuyện, bắt lỗi E.g. It is very easy to find fault with the work others. 44. Off and on/ on and off: không đều đặn, thỉnh thoảng E.g. We don’t often go there- just off and on. 45. Make believe: giả bộ, giả vờ E.g. I tried to make believe she was happy, but knew deep down it was not true. 46. Make good time: di chuyển nhanh, đi nhanh E.g. We made good time and were at the hotel by lunch time. 47. Look daggers at: giận giữ nhìn ai đó E.g. Their relationship is not free and easy but at least he is no longer looking daggers at her. 48. Out of the question: không thể được E.g. You cannot get married until you are 18, it’s out of the question. 49. All at once = suddenly: bất thình lình E.g. All at once, there was a loud banging on the door. 50. Blow one’s trumpet: bốc phét, khoác lác E.g. Anyone will tell you she’s one of the best journalist we’ve got, although she’d never blow her trumpet. 51. Sleep on it: suy nghĩ thêm về điều gì đó E.g. You don’t have to give me your decision now. Sleep on it, and let me know tomorrow. 52. Fight tooth and claw/ nail: đánh nhau dữ dội, cấu xé nhau E.g. We fought tooth and claw to retain our share of business. 53. Play jokes on: chọc phá, trêu ghẹo, chơi khăm E.g. The kids are always play jokes on their teachers. 54. Down the drain: đổ sông đổ biển (công sức, tiền bạc) E.g. It’s just money down the drain. 55. Smell a rat: hoài nghi, linh cảm chuyện không ổn E.g. The minute I came in, I smelled a rat. 56. The last straw: giọt nước tràn ly E.g. When she showed up late a third time, that was the last straw. We had to fire her. 57. Get the hand of s.t: nắm bắt được, sử dụng được E.g. After three weeks of using this computer, I think I’ve finally got the hand of it. 58. Hard of hearing: lãng tai, nặng tai E.g. Tom is hard of hearing. Therefore, we have to speak loudly so that he can hear us. 59. Keep an eye on: coi chừng, ngó chừng E.g. Please keep an eye on my baby while I’m out for a while. 60. Have a bee in one’s bonnet about: đặt nặng chuyện gì, chấp nhất chuyện gì E.g. She has a bee in her bonnet about going to America. 61. Get/Have cold feet: mất hết can đảm, chùn bước E.g. I’m worried my members in this page may be getting cold feet about the university entrance exam. Therefore, I will try my best to help them overcome this severe exam. 62. On second thoughts: suy nghĩ kĩ E.g. On second thoughts, it was a dumb movie. 63. In vain: uổng công, vô ích E.g. Government agents tried in vain kidnap him. 64. Chip in: khuyên góp, góp tiền E.g. If everyone chips in, we will be able to buy her a nice present. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 12
13. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 65. Off one’s head: điên, loạn trí E.g. The old man has been off his head for at least a year. 66. Run an errand: làm việc vặt E.g. I’ve got to run an errand. I’ll be back in a minute. 67. Jump the traffic lights: vượt đèn đỏ E.g. They ignore people who jumps the traffic lights. 68. Fly off the handle: dễ nổi giận, phát cáu E.g. No one will fly off the handle for no reason. 69. The apple of one’s eyes: đồ quý giá của ai E.g. You are the apple of my eyes. 70. Bucket down: mưa xối xả, mưa to E.g. It’s been bucketing down all day. 71. A close shave = A narrow escape: thoát chết trong gang tấc E.g. Phew, that was a close shave. I was so lucky. 72. Drop a brick: lỡ lời, lỡ miệng E.g. I dropped a brick when talking with my best friend, and now she doesn’t want to talk to me. 73. Get butterflies in one’s stomach: cảm thấy bồn chồn E.g. I always get butterflies in my stomach when it comes to taking test. 74. Off the record: không chính thức, không được công bố E.g. What the president said is not to be printed. It’s off the record. 75. One’s cup of tea: thứ mà ta thích E.g. SNSD is my cup of tea. They are so beautiful and talenteD. Especially Seohyun, she looks so cute. 76. Cut it fine: đến sát giờ E.g. Only allowing half an hour to get from the station to the airport is cutting it fine, isn’t it? 77. Golden handshake: món tiền hậu hĩnh dành cho người sắp nghỉ việc E.g. The manager got early retirement and a $600,000 golden handshake when the company was restricted. 78. Put on an act: giả bộ, làm bộ E.g. We’ve known you are a good swimmer – stop putting on an act. 79. Come to light: được biết đến, được phát hiện, được đưa ra ánh sáng E.g. Four soldiers have faced charges since the scandal came to light last fall. 80. Take things to pieces: tháo ra từng mảnh E.g. Men like to take things to pieces and put them together. 81. Put one’s foot in it: gây nhầm lẫn, bối rối, phạm một sai lầm gây bối rối E.g. I really put my foot in it when I asked her about her job. I didn’t know she’d just been fired. 82. Pull one’s weight: nỗ lực, làm tròn trách nhiệm E.g. The rest of the team complained that Sarah wasn’t pulling her weight. 83. Make ends meet: xoay sở để kiếm sống E.g. I have to work at two jobs to make ends meet. 84. Get hold of the wrong end of the stick: hiểu nhầm ai đó E.g. I think I must explain to her that she got hold of the wrong end of the stick again. 85. Cut-and-dried: cuối cùng, không thể thay đổi, rõ ràng, dễ hiểu E.g. Although a deal has been agreed, it is not yet cut-and-dried. 86. Keep/Stay on one’s toes: cảnh giác, thận trọng E.g. We had better keep on our toes while we’re walking along the dark portions of this street. 87. See eye to eye: đồng tình E.g. I’m glad that they see eye to eye on the matter of the conference location. 88. Have in mind: đang suy tính, cân nhắc E.g. I don’t want to see a movie now, I have in mind going to the park. 89. A lost cause: hết hy vọng, không thay đổi được gì E.g. It seems that Charles will give it up. I suppose he is a lost cause. 90. Be bound to: chắc chắn E.g. You’re bound to be late if you don’t hurry. 91. At heart: thực chất, cơ bản (basically, fundamentally) E.g. James sometimes seems quite unfriendly but at heart he’s a good person. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 13
14. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 92. Know by sight: nhận ra (recognize) E.g. The woman said that she would know the thief by sight if she ever saw him again. 93. Now and then = Now and again = At times = From time to time = Off and on = Once in a while = Every so often: sometimes (thỉnh thoảng, không thường xuyên) E.g. At times, he’d like to go to the pub. 94. Take pains: làm việc cẩn thận và tận tâm E.g. She takes pains to do everything well. 95. Make do with: xoay sở, đương đầu (to manage, to cope) E.g. During difficult economic times, many people have to make do with less. 96. Close call = Close shave = Narrow escape: thoát được nguy hiểm trong gang tấc, mém chết! E.g. James had a fatal accident, but he had a close shave thanks to the air bags n his car. 97. Sell s.o short: đánh giá thấp E.g. If he keeps selling his opponent short, he’ll be defeated soon. 98. Face the music: chịu trận E.g. Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the music when her father got home. 99. Let the cat out of the bag: to reveal a secret or a surprise by accident (để lộ bí mật) E.g. It’s asecret. Try not to let the cat out of the bag. 100. On probation: trong thời gian quản chế/ thực tập E.g. While Anne was on probation, she reported to the police regularly. ___HẾT___ IV. PRACTICE EXERCISE Exercise 1. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. To say that someone has told a secret, we use the idiom, ‘You’ve let the___ out of the bag!’ A. cat B. mouse C. goose D. dog 02. Someone who is inexperienced is___. A. red B. blue C. black D. green 03. The sheep were huddled into a___ to protect them from overnight frosts. A. cage B. pen C. kennel D. hutch 04. My English is progressing___. A. odds and ends B. leaps and bounds C. bounds and leaps D. ends and odds 05. When you do something, you should___. A. get through to B. turn over a new leaf C. weigh up the prosand cons D. go down well with 06. The weather is going to change soon; I feel it in my___. A. body B. legs C. skin D. bones 07. As it was very hot in summer, sales of bottles of water went___ the roof. A. through B. to C. above D. over 08. She is the black___ of her family. A. goat B. deer C. sheep D. sleep 09. She comes to see me once in a___ moon. A. red B. glouse C. blue D. green 10. She is walking on the___ she doesn’t know how to say. A. air B. road C. street D. garden 11. Her husband is a rich and successful businessman, so she eats___ and dresses___ without hard work. A. delicious/nice B. well/beautifully C. good/beautiful D. well/beautiful 12. He takes after his father very much. It is like father like___. A. son B. children C. father D. girl 13. He travels___ for 20 years and then he decided to return home. A. father away B. far and wide C. far from it D. farthest of all 14. Enjoy your meal! Home grow, home___. A. make B. made C. makes D. making 15. After running up the stairs, I was___ breath. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 14
15. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS A. without B. out of C. no D. away from 16. I know his name, but I can’t recall it at the moment. It’s on the tip of___. A. tongue B. brain C. mind D. memory 17. The sixth time he called me at night was the___. A. last cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air 18. 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 19. Just keep___ on the baby while I cook the supper, will you? A. a look B. a glance C. an eye D. a care 20. Remember to appreciate what your friends do for you. You shouldn’t take them___. A. as a rule B. as usual C. out of habit D. for granted Exercise 2. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. I couldn't believe that they were brothers. They were as different as___. A. Mars from Jupiter B. chalk from cheese C. salt and sugar D. milk from honey 02. It is raining___. A. cats and mice B. goats and sheep C. horses and goats D. cats and dogs 03. The children went___ with excitement. A. wild B. wildly C. wilderness D. wildlife 04. In order to avoid boredom, the most important thing is to keep oneself___. A. occupation B. occupant C. occupied D. occupational 05. I’ve never really enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they’re not really my___. A. piece of cake B. sweets and candy C. biscuit D. cup of tea 06. "Where did you hear about that?" - "Just word of___." A. eyes B. nose C. mouth D. ears 07. "What's wrong?"- "I'm a bit___ the weather." A. in B. under C. at D. off 08. "You've been rude to me all day, and I've had it. That's the last___!" A. moment B. second C. minute D. straw 09. "Let's all be very careful what we say at the meeting tomorrow. I don't want anyone putting their___ in their mouth." A. arm B. hand C. finger D. foot 10. I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better to let sleeping___ lie." A. cat B. dog C. fish D. cow 11. "I have to run to the bathroom. Can you keep an eye___ my suitcase while I am gone?" A. on B. at C. off D. in 12. "Her husband is awful; they fight all the time but I think it takes___ to tango." A. one B. two C. three D. four 13. "I have decided that this summer I am going to learn how to scuba dive." - "Me too! I have already paid for the course. Great minds___ alike!" A. think B. hear C. listen D. tell 14."When my girl friend 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 15. "Whenever that professor says something I don't like, I have to bite my___." A. tougue B. mouth C. lips D. eyes 16. "Sorry I was late for the meeting today; I got stuck in traffic." - "That's okay; better late than___." A. never B. no C. not D. none 17. "If you want to ask me, just ask; don't beat___ the bush." A. for B. around C. round D. towards 18. "Don't tell me how to do this; show me because actions speak louder than___." A. words B. speech C. work D. jobs 19. The time we spend apart has been good for us because absence makes the heart grow___." A. fonder B. founder C. louder D. sounder © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 15
16. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 20. "Do you think you will win your tennis match today?" - "It will be a piece of___." A. cake B. sweet C. candy D. bitcuit © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 16
17. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS Exercise 3. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. I'd like to do something to change the world but whatever I do seems like a drop in the___." A. bucket B. garbage C. rubbish D. river 02. Jack has egg___ because he couldn't remember how to spell "Batman"! A. on his teeth B. on his face C. on his shirt D. on his fingers 03. He seems like a good___. I'll take a chance on him. A. yolk B. leave C. egg D. ink 04. I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of___. A. tea B. java C. coffee D. wine 05. Just a moment I've got the answer on the___ of my tongue. A. top B. tap C. tip D. back 06. Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I guess I really put my___ in my mouth. A. foot B. hand C. elbow D. knee 07. Sharon always sticks her___ into everyone else’s business. A. head B. lips C. nose D. mouth 08. In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a___ moon. A. green B. purple C. blue D. middle 09. Brady’s surprise party is going to be great if you don’t let the___ out of the bag. A. dog B. mouse C. bat D. cat 10. Liam had___ in his stomach before he went on stage to play the violin. A. butterflies B. geese C. mice D. insects 11. I'll be back in the twinkling of___. A. an eye B. a lighting bolt C. a smile D. a laugh 12. We don't go there often - just___ and on. A. of B. off C. on D. over 13. During the days when the temperature dropped under 10oC, electric heaters sold like hot___ in the Northern cities of Vietnam. A. dogs B. cakes C. sandwiches D. foods 14. It is very easy to find___ with the work of others. A. error B. fault C. mistake D. foul 15. Ranieri returned, saw the mess, and hit the___. A. roof B. ceiling C. wall D. A and B 16. I tried to make___ I was happy, but knew deep down it wasn't true. A. fun B. bed C. believe D. mess 17. Drop me a___ when you get there. A. line B. note C. letter D. both A and B 18. This is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my___. A. arms B. hand C. legs D. foot 19. He never seems to be serious when talking with me. He is always trying to pull my___. A. foot B. leg C. legs D. hands 20. Tommy is the___ sheep in his family: he is the only member who has not made a success of his life. A. black B. grey C. yellow D. white Exercise 4. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. He argued with her until he was___ in the face. A. black B. grey C. yellow D. blue 02. It was a___ -letter day when she finally received her graduation diploma. A. black B. grey C. red D. white 03. My sister became___ as a ghost when she saw the man at the window. A. black B. grey C. yellow D. white 04. She passed her exam with flying___ and now wants to go out and celebrate. A. colors B. colours C. bays D. objects 05. My sister was always the teacher's___ when she was in the first grade at school. A. pets B. cats C. dogs D. doves 06. As the maestro lifted his baton the theater was so still you could hear___. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 17
18. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS A. his heartbeat B. a pin drop C. bird wings D. the drum beating 07. I think I understand the nuts and___ of the operation. A. screws B. hammer C. nails D. bolts 08. I think he’ll pay you back your money – when___ fly. A. birds B. cats C. cocks D. pigs 09. I don't mind driving this time-she's scratched my___ plenty of times. A. head B. back C. stomach D. heart 10. Duncan Smith hit the nail on the___ when he said that the Prime Minister promised so much and yet changed so little. A. head B. back C. leg D. foot 11. At school, people always used to take the___ out of him for having red hair. A. cat B. dog C. mickey D. rat 12. They___ their car at our disposal for our entire stay. A. had B. took C. put D. got 13. I'm sorry, I can't. I have a___ headache. A. splitting B. biting C. sleeping D. chipping 14. This food is___ the house, you don’t have to pay for it. A. at B. on C. in D. at 16. When I hear stories of cruelty to animals, it makes my___ boil. A. stomach B. oil C. blood D. head 17. 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 18. We paid through the___ to get the car fixed. A. head B. nose C. lips D. mouth 19. Stop___ about the bush, John! Just tell me exactly what the problem is. A. rushing B. hiding C. beating D. moving 20. I usually buy my clothes___. It’s cheaper than going to a dress- maker. A. off the peg B. on the house C. in public D. on the shelf Exercise 5. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. I caught the last bus by the skin of my___. A. mouth B. leg C. neck D. teeth 02. It was a joke! I was pulling your . A. thumb B. hair C. toe D. leg 03. I always get___ in my stomach before visiting the dentist. A. worms B. butterflies C. crabs D. hedgehogs 04. 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 05. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number of___ shaves. A. narrow B. near C. close D. tiny 06. My father refused to eat meat that had been fired. He had___ in his bonnet about causing cancer. A. bug B. a bee C. a bull D. an ant 07. I dropped a___ when talking with my best friend, and now he doesn't want to talk to me. A. rock B. stone C. brick D. sand 08. What the president said is not to be printed. It's___ the record. A. on B. of C. off D. without 09. I can’t stand Mr. Brian. He’s always blowing his own___ - telling everyone how good he is at everything. A. balloon B. breath C. mind D. trumpet 10. He could always find___ with something, either in my writing or in my personality. A. error B. fault C. mistakes D. wrong 11. The two groups of bullies fought tooth and___ before the police came last night. A. claw B. nail C. feet D. both A and B © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 18
19. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 12. The complaints he received were like water off a duck’s___. A. back B. wings C. feather D. body 13. I couldn't think of a way to present my view so that no one would take it___. A. miss B. amiss C. easy D. relax 14. They are getting married. They have just___ the news to their friends. A. told B. informed C. broken D. had 15. Don't let all this praise go to your___. A. mind B. brain C. head D. mouth 16. He was arrested on the___ on the way to the airport. A. spot B. sport C. slot D. top 17. It never rains but it___. A. clouds B. pours C. storms D. dries 18. She always turned her term paper in at the eleventh___. A. minute B. second C. hour D. time 19. We don't go there often - just off___ on. A. or B. and C. but D. then 20. We___ good time and were at the hotel by lunchtime. A. have B. made C. spent D. took Exercise 6. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. If everyone chips___, we'll be able to buy her a really nice present. A. on B. at C. in D. out 02. It’s a___ date. I have never gone out with him before. A. hot B. blind C. secret D. first 03. I don’t have anything in common with my brother. We’re like chalk and___. A. cheese B. butter C. milk D. bread 04. If you need me, just call me. I can come at the drop of a___. A. hat B. bag C. cat D. rag 05. They simply didn’t know what they were doing and they were led by the___ by a manipulative government. A. head B. hand C. leg D. nose 06. The old man has been___ his head for at least a year. A. on B. off C. in D. at 07. They ignore people who___ the traffic lights. A. pass B. jump C. get D. play 08. The political candidate knew the issue was a hot___, so he deferred to his chief of staff, who directed questions to the committee chairman. A. tomato B. potato C. pot D. dog 09. No one will___ off the handle for no reason. A. fly B. turn C. put D. cut 10. Only allowing half an hour to get from the station to the airport is cutting it___, isn’t it? A. good B. nice C. fine D. well 11. The manager got early retirement and a 600,000$ golden___ when the company was restricted. A. handshake B. ring C. crown D. money 12. 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 13. When yourprogramme first started I thought it was the best thing since sliced___. A. cake B. break C. bread D. bead 14. I really put my___ in it when I asked her about her job. I didn’t know she’d just been fired. A. head B. foot C. feet D. minds 15. The rest of the team complained that Sarah wasn’t___ her weight. A. pushing B. pulling C. losing D. gaining 16. I have to work at two jobs to make___ meet. A. end B. ends C. ending D. ended 17. I think I must explain to her that she got hold of the wrong___ of the stick again. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 19
20. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS A. end B. ends C. ending D. ended 18. Although a deal has been agreed, it is not yet___ -and-dried. A. fried B. tried C. cut D. run 19. We had better keep on our___ while we’re walking along the dark portions of this street. A. eyes B. ears C. toes D. faces 20. I don’t want to see a movie now, I have___ mind going to the park. A. on B. in C. at D. of Exercise 7. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. It seems that Charles will give it up. I suppose he is a lost___. A. cause B. reason C. aim D. purpose 02. You’d better___ the books if you want to pass your exam on Friday. A. hit B. beat C. stab D. bite 03. James sometimes seems quite unfriendly but___ heart he’s a good person. A. at B. by C. in D. on 04. She takes___ to do everything well. A. paints B. pains C. rains D. chances 05. Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the___ when her father got home. A. wall B. music C. stick D. water 06. Tommy is the___ sheep in his family: he is the only member who has not made a success of his life. A. black B. grey C. yellow D. white 07. He argued with her until he was___ in the face. A. black B. grey C. yellow D. blue 08. It was a___ -letter day when she finally received her graduation diploma. A. black B. grey C. red D. white 09. My sister became___ as a ghost when she saw the man at the window. A. black B. grey C. yellow D. white 10. She passed her exam with flying___ and now wants to go out and celebrate. A. colors B. clouds C. bays D. objects 11. My sister was always the teacher's___ when she was in the first grade at school. A. pets B. cats C. dogs D. doves 12. Drop me a___ when you get there. A. line B. note C. letter D. both A and B 13. This is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my___. A. arms B. hand C. legs D. foot 14. I'll be back in the twinkling of___. A. an eye B. a lighting bolt C. a smile D. a laugh 15. I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of___. A. tea B. java C. coffee D. wine 16. Just a moment I've got the answer on the___ of my tongue. A. top B. tap C. tip D. back 17. Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I guess I really put my___ in my mouth. A. foot B. hand C. elbow D. knee 18. Sharon always sticks her___ into everyone else’s business. A. head B. lips C. nose D. mouth 19. In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a___ moon. A. green B. purple C. blue D. middle 20. Brady’s surprise party is going to be great if you don’t let the___ out of the bag. A. dog B. mouse C. bat D. cat Exercise 8. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. In the future, the robot will not cost a(n)___ and a leg. A. arm B. hand C. foot D. nail 02. The sheep were huddled into a___ to protect them from overnight frosts. A. cage B. pen C. kennel D. hutch 03. My English is progressing___. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 20
21. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS A. odds and ends B. leaps and bounds C. bounds and leaps D. ends and odds 04. When you do something, you should___. A. get through to B. turn over a new leaf C. weigh up the pros and cons D. go down well with 05. The weather is going to change soon; I feel it in my___. A. body B. legs C. skin D. bones 06. As it was very hot in summer, sales of bottles of water went___ the roof. A. through B. to C. above D. over 07. She’d had such a good birthday party. She felt on top of the___. A. hill B. world C. tree D. earth 08. She is walking on the___ she doesn’t know how to say. A. air B. road C. street D. garden 09. They thought that she didn’t want to go to the disco because she didn’t like dancing. But they were barking up the___ tree. It was because she didn’t like the flashing lights. A. mistake B. wrong C. untrue D. false 10. She was very shy when she first went to her new school, but she soon came out of her___. A. snail B. house C. nest D. shell 11. He takes after his father very much. It is like father like___. A. son B. children C. father D. girl 12. Enjoy your meal! Home grow, home___. A. make B. made C. makes D. making 13. I’ve never really enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they’re not really my___. A. piece of cake B. sweets and candy C. biscuit D. cup of tea 14. He travels___ for 20 years and then he decided to return home. A. father away B. far and wide C. far from it D. farthest of all 15. Remember to appreciate what your friends do for you. You shouldn’t take them___. A. as a rule B. as usual C. out of habit D. for granted 16. - I think the main problem in this area is the lack of a good bus service. - You’re right. You’ve hit the___ on the head. A. nail B. wall C. lips D. hand 17. The sixth time he called me at night was the___. A. last cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air 18: 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 19. How did you get on at your single group? - We were all a bit embarrassed; because it was the first time we had met. But Tom broke the___ by getting us all to say our names and what our favourite TV programs were. A. record B. window C. land D. ice 20. You're playing with___ if you get involved with that gang. A. water B. ghost C. fire D. land Exercise 9. Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D to complete each of the followings: 01. He seems like a good___ I'll take a chance on him. A. yolk B. leave C. egg D. ink 02. As the maestro lifted his baton the theater was so still you could hear___. A. his heartbeat B. a pin drop C. bird wings D. the drum beating 03. I think I understand the nuts and___ of the operation. A. screws B. hammer C. nails D. bolts 04. He likes being a big___ in a small pond. A. cat B. snail C. shark D. fish 05. Honesty and patience are part and___ in this job. A. smart B. card C. parcel D. hard 06. While Anne was___ probation, she reported to the police regularly. A. on B. in C. at D. off 07. Tom was stealing the car when the police drove by and caught him___. © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 21
22. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS A. alive B. right C. red-handed D. wrong 08. I think Jim has a___ streak about watching horror movies, but he doesn't want to admit it. A. white B. yellow C. grey D. blue 09. They've just been given the___ light to build two new supermarkets in the region. A. blue B. red C. white D. green 10. I sent off my application to the company, but heard nothing. Then completely out of the___ they sent me a letter. A. blue B. red C. white D. green 11. They went out last night and really painted the town___ - they didn't come home until 5 a.m. A. blue B. red C. white D. green 12. You have to cut through a lot of___ tape to get proposals accepted in this company. A. blue B. red C. white D. green 13. Jack has egg___ because he couldn't remember how to spell "Batman"! A. on his teeth B. on his face C. on his shirt D. on his fingers 14. The woman said that she would know the thief by___ if she ever saw him again. A. chance B. mistake C. sight D. accident 15. I had meant to enter that competition. But the date for entries has passed now. I___ the boat. A. missed B. took C. lost D. gave 16. "Where did you hear about that?" - "Just word of___." A. eyes B. nose C. mouth D. ears 17. "What's wrong?"- "I'm a bit___ the weather." A. in B. under C. at D. off 18. I'm worried she may be getting cold___ about our trip to Patagonia. A. blood B. head C. heart D. feet 19. Denise has been burning the midnight___ trying to finish this report, so she must be exhausted. A. lamp B. candle C. oil D. gas 20. I was excited to start taking night classes after work, but now, without enough time to devote either to school or to my job, I feel like I am falling between___ stools. A. one B. two C. three D. four Exercise 10. Choose among A, B, C, or D to indicate the SYNONYM to the underlined part: 01. No wonder she is jumping for joy, she has just been given promotion. A. very jumpy B. very silly C. very happy D. very noisy 02. I know it didn’t look like that, but the truth is they only did it for fun. A. as a joke B. as humour C. as funny D. as joking 03. They decided to move away from the city to the countryside for the sake of the children. A. speaking about B. talking about C. dreaming about D. thinking about 04. They tried in vain to save enough money to buy a house and so finally they rented one. A. without money B. without trial C. without success D. without work 05. Although Romeo and Juliet were deeply in love, they still managed to kill themselves. A. loved each other often B. loved each other very much C. loved each other most of the time D. loved each other mostly 06. By the way, did you manage to see that film last night? A. Conveniently B. Actually C. clearly D. Incidentally 07. Between you and me, so don’t tell anyone, I am sure he will lose the election. A. In truth B. In confidence C. In fact D. In conclusion 08. You want to know why I have got a bee in my bonnet? A. a headache B. a fly in my head C. a problem on my mind D. a difficulty with my hair 09. I wish I could trust you again, but all you ever did to me was to let me down. A. make me cry B. make me angry C. despite me D. disappoint me 10. I love you from the bottom of my heart. A. deeply B. truly C. madly D. abundantly 11. As she is new to the job I would ask you to keep an eye on her for the time being. A. look at B. consider C. check D. observe © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 22
23. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 12. 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 13. My son would love to have a Buzz Lightmonth toy for his birthday. Do you have any at your store?-Sorry, madam. They are out of stock. A. bankrupt B. broken C. not available D. stacked 14. You certainly couldn’t call him modest because he is always blowing his own trumpet. A. saying how fit he is B. saying how healthy he is C. saying how clever he is D. saying how tall he is 15. We have lost a lot of money and have little income and so we are finding it difficult to make ends meet. A. examine B. contribute C. convene D. survive 16. Have you seen that long queue outside the supermarket? Whatever they are selling is going like hot cakes. A. selling very slowlyB. selling very often C. selling very strangely D. selling very well 17. I invested all my money in that failed company and now I find my whole investment has gone down the drain. A. has been overtaken B. has been confirmed C. has been wasted D. has been confused 18. As far as Alex was concerned this was the last straw and he vowed he would never risk money on a horse ever again. A. the final decision B. the final moment C. the final disaster D. the final occasion 19. 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 20. I shouldn’t go outside without a raincoat because it is raining cats and dogs. A. it’s just started to rain B. it’s going to rain C. it’s raining heavily D. it’s raining a little Exercise 11. Choose among A, B, C, or D to indicate the SYNONYM to the underlined part: 01. Mom, can you tell Todd to stop making fun of me? A. mocking B. lying to C. flattering D. flirting 02. So, George Have you made up your mind where you want to go for your internship? A. decided B. conjured up C. told your mom D. postponed 03. Everyone thought Jane and Elly were a happy couple, but it was all just make believe. A. modesty B. pretending C. reality D. denial 04. You have to raise your voice a little when talking to him. He is a little hard of hearing. A. stubborn B. quite when he speaks C. deaf D. distracted 05. We need to do something about it! This situation is getting out of hand! A.too big B. too organized C. out of control D. out of order 06. New evidence came to light at the end of the trial. A. was hidden B. was sheathed C. was concealed D. was revealed 07. 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 08. As they only had a few minutes to get to the station, they ran all the way and finally caught the train by the skin of their teeth. A. just in time B. just for time C. just on time D. just by time 09. Don’t forget to drop me a line when you are away. A. telephone me B. call me C. write to me D. send me a telegram 10. She never shouts at her children. A. makes conversation with B. calls out to C. talks in a loud voice to D. speaks quickly to 11. She had never been to Paris before. A. heard of B. read about C. tried D. visited 12. We are fed up with the bad weather. A. very tired of B. full of C. interested in D. unhappy with © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 23
24. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 13. You will never see your money again because I am afraid he has gone home for good. A. clearly B. permanently C. quickly D. slowly 14. They are very generous in that museum- not only is the entrance fee reasonable but they give you a brochure for free. A. at no cost B. at little cost C. at some cost D. at low cost 15. Yes, we went away on holiday last week but it rained day in, day out. A. every single day B. every other day C. every second day D. every two days 16. 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 17. All right then if you like I'll put my cards on the table. A. tell you a story B. tell you what to do C. tell you something D. tell you my honest opinion 18. Well in the first place all the windows are broken, which is a real pain in the neck. A. a bad ache B. a serious ache C. a serious problem D. a bad shock 19. Yes, I agree but at the same time it's not the end of the world. A. worth worrying about B. worth talking about C. worth looking at D. worth speaking about 20. 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 Exercise 12. Choose among A, B, C, or D to indicate the SYNONYM to the underlined part: 01. He does not really go around with many people because he's a bit of a lone wolf. A. single person B. lonely person C. unhappy person D. simple person 02. He is like a fish out of water whenever he goes to the party. A. feels uncomfortable B. feels dry C. feels thirty D. feels silly 03. He will be all right soon because any criticism is usually like water off a duck’s back to him. A. of no importance B. of some importance C. of great importance D. of such importance 04. No one mentions him because he is regarded as the black sheep of the family. A. the one with the sense of humor B. the one with a bad reputation C. the one who is always late D. the one who never washes 05. I wouldn’t say I never see eye to eye with my employers but sometimes they can make extraordinary demands. A. totally side B. totally work C. totally agree D. totally disagree 06. It was a serious operation but he made a complete recovery and was soon as fit as a fiddle. A. in careful health B. in easy health C. in quiet health D. in good health 07. 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 08. Chales is having a lot of problems with his business but at least he is keeping his head above the water. A. not downing B. keeping dry C. managing to survive D. trying to swim 09. In the end she lost her temper and told her daughter to hold her tongue. A. stand still B. speak up C. start speaking D. be quiet 10. 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 11. My little house is spick and span. A. neat B. clean C. well looked after D. all are correct 12. You’d better leave now if you want to arrive early for theexam. Break a leg! A. good luck B. Good night C. Good bye D. Good job 13. Working irregular hours is all part and parcel of being a journalist. A. integral B. crucial C. essential D. all are correct 14. The opposition will be elected into government at the next election, without a___ of a doubt A. shade B. shadow C. benefit D. hue 15. He didn’t hat 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 © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 24
25. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 16. 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 17. I could see the finish line and thought I was home and dry. A. hopeless B. hopeful C. unsuccessful D. successful 18. Boss: So, Rita, you left work early yesterday? Worker: Yeah, and did I ever get in hot water for that! A. be in trouble. B. take a warm bath. C. get so tired D. be sorry 19. A: What did you think of Chuck? B: Oh, we hit it off right away. A. argued as soon as they met. B. quickly became friends. C. didn’t like each other. D. stopped talking soon. 20. 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 Exercise 13. Choose among A, B, C, or D to indicate the SYNONYM to the underlined part: 01. 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 02. Four soldiers have faced charges since the scandal came to light last fall. A. hidden B. revealed C. believed D. relieved 03. They tried in vain to save enough money to buy a house and so finally they rented one. A. without money B. without trial C. without success D. without work 04. You certainly couldn’t call him modest because he is always blowing his own trumpet. A. saying how fit he is B. saying how healthy he is C. saying how clever he is D. saying how tall he is 05. I invested all my money in that failed company and now I find my whole investment has gone down the drain. A. has been overtaken B. has been confirmed C. has been wasted D. has been confused 06. 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 07. 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 08. 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 09. My son would love to have a Buzz Lightmonth toy for his birthday. Do you have any at your store?-Sorry, madam. They are out of stock. A. bankrupt B. broken C. not available D. stacked 10. Charles is having a lot of problems with his business but at least he is keeping his head above the water. A. not downing B. keeping dry C. managing to survive D. trying to swim 11. 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 12. All right then if you like I'll put my cards on the table. A. tell you a story B. tell you what to do C. tell you something D. tell you my honest opinion 13. Well in the first place all the windows are broken, which is a real pain in the neck. A. a bad ache B. a serious ache C. a serious problem D. a bad shock 14. Yes, I agree but at the same time it's not the end of the world. A. worth worrying about B. worth talking about C. worth looking at D. worth speaking about 15. 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 © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 25
26. A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS - GCSE PREPARATION – IDIOMS 16. I wouldn’t say I never see eye to eye with my employers but sometimes they can make extraordinary demands. A. totally side B. totally work C. totally agree D. totally disagree 17. It was a serious operation but he made a complete recovery and was soon as fit as a fiddle. A. in careful health B. in easy health C. in quiet health D. in good health 18. 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 ___HẾT___ © Đỗ Bình – THPT Liễn Sơn, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Phúc – Trang 26