Tài liệu Idioms and Proverbs docx

Idioms and Proverbs
If you say, “The cat's out of the bag” instead of “The secret is given away,” you're using an
idiom. The meaning of an idiom is different from the actual meaning of the words used. “An
apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a proverb. Proverbs are old but familiar sayings that
usually give advice. Both idioms and proverbs are part of our daily speech. Many are very old
and have interesting histories. See how many of these sayings you know.
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”
This proverb comes from the ancient Romans, who believed the apple had magical powers to
cure illness. In fact, apples are filled with vitamin C, protein, pectin, natural sugars, copper,
and iron. They do promote health.
To “climb on the bandwagon.”
Long ago, bands on the platforms of traveling wagons played music to announce a parade or
political speech. To show their support, people would often jump onto the platform and join
the band. Today, this idiom usually refers to someone who hopes to benefit from supporting
another person's idea.
“Saved by the bell.”
In 17th-century England, a guard at Windsor Castle was accused of falling asleep at his post.
He claimed he was wrongly accused and could prove it; he had heard the church bell chime 13
times at midnight. Townspeople supported his claim and he was not executed. Today we think
of the bell that ends a round in boxing, often saving the boxer from injury, or the bell at the
end of a class period, saving you from more work. Regardless, this idiom means rescue from a
situation at the last possible moment.
“Bury the hatchet.”
Native Americans used to bury weapons to show that fighting had ended and enemies were
now at peace. Today, the idiom means to make up with a friend after an argument or fight.
To “have a chip on one's shoulder.”
In nineteenth-century America, a boy who thought he was pretty tough would put a wood chip
on his shoulder and dare anyone to knock it off. Today the idiom refers to anyone who is
“touchy” or takes offense easily.
Bakers once gave an extra roll for every dozen sold, so a baker's dozen is 13.
“A close shave.”

In the past, student barbers learned to shave on customers. If they shaved too close, their
clients might be cut or even barely escape serious injury. Today, we use this idiom if a person
narrowly escapes disaster.
“Dot the i's and cross the t's.”
When only handwritten documents were used, it was very important for the clerk to write
everything properly, especially letters like i and t, which could easily be confused. The idiom
has since come to mean paying attention to every little detail.
“He who pays the piper calls the tune.”
In medieval times, people were entertained by strolling musicians. Whoever paid the price
could choose the music. This proverb means that whoever pays is in charge.
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
In seventeenth-century England, a free press was banned by the government. This meant that
people who disagreed with the government and printed their views were punished. In spite of
this, people published their ideas and opinions in illegal pamphlets that were distributed to the
public. The proverb means that the written expression of ideas cannot be stopped by physical
force.
“The pot calling the kettle black.”
In the seventeenth century, both pots and kettles turned black because they were used over
open fires. Today, this idiom means criticizing someone else for a fault of one's own.
“Raining cats and dogs.”
In Norse mythology, the dog is associated with wind and the cat with storms. This expression
means it's raining very heavily.
To “shed crocodile tears.”
Crocodiles have a reflex that causes their eyes to tear when they open their mouths. This
makes it look as though they are crying while devouring their prey. In fact, neither crocodiles
nor people who shed “crocodile” tears feel sorry for their actions
have a big mouth : person who tells secrets
Mary has a big mouth. She told Bob what I was getting him for his birthday
hand-me-down : (John handed his old shirts down to his younger brother). Why do I always
have to wear my brother's hand-me-downs? I want some new clothes'

Blood bath'
This common expression is used to discuss any large scale destruction of people or animals. It
is especially used in situations of war.
Example: "The defense of Stalingrad cost a huge amount in human life. It was one of the
worst blood baths of World War II."
'Blood brothers'
Can refer to the actual birth brother, but is also an expression to indicate two friends who are
extremely close. In myth and legend, close friends often swear an oath of ‘blood brotherhood’.
Example: "Ever since Tom and Rufus went hunting together, they’ve done everything as a
team. They’re like blood brothers!"
RED
In Western culture, the color RED often symbolizes PASSION, HEAT, FIRE,
ENERGY,EXCITEMENT
1- Red (adj)
left-wing in politics: communist. During the RED Scare in the 1950's mane promient
Americans were accused of communist activities
2-Red alert
Emergency status: often used in the military, such as on a ship when about to engage in
battle."We are now at red alert. All hands to battle stations," the captain announced over the
ship's intercom
3-Red-blooded(adj)
In great physical health and strong emotional health: vigorous: high-spirited
A: Do you find Christine attrative?
B:Of course I do, as would any red-blooded man
4-Red- eye(n)
A flight that arrives early in the morning,
Hank caught the red-eye back to the Pittsburgh so he could get to work on time
5-Red flag(n)
A signal of warning or danger (usually figurative; there may be no actual flag) .
When James Bond saw the same woman following him again , a red-flag went out for him

'Chicken Little'
A character in a children's story. Chicken Little is an example of a scared chicken. He is
famous for yelling 'The sky is falling! The sky is falling!' and scaring all of the animals. Today
the term 'Chicken Little' is someone who gives a lot of warnings for no good reason.
'Cover all your bases'
This idiom comes from the fact that in baseball you need to station a player at each of the
three bases. The player has to stay close to the base to tag the runner before he reaches the
plate. The idiom means that you have to be sure to take care of all aspects of a situation.
'Cold shoulder'
This idiom is used when someone is being ignored on purpose. If you're angry at someone,
you might give them the "cold shoulder" and not talk to them or pay attention to them.
'Dawned on me'
This idiom compares a sudden realization in someone’s mind with the rising of the sun.
Example: "I had made all the other plans for my trip to France, then it dawned on me that I
still hadn’t reserved the hotel".
‘Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched’
This popular proverb warns you to be careful about the future. Don’t assume everything will
turn out as you expect. This proverb is often used in connection with money. If you expect to
make a lot of money from a contest, you may be counting your chickens before they’re
hatched.
'Don't pick on me'
To ‘pick on’ someone is to make fun of them, call them names or otherwise make them the
subject of jokes. Young children, especially, like to ‘pick on’ other kids in their classes. A kid
who is tired of being the subject of jokes might say ‘Don’t pick on me!’.
'Don't cry over spilt milk'
Don't regret something that's already happened and that you can't change. It comes from the
idea that a child might cry when he/she spills a drink.
Gửi: Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:58 pm Tiêu đề:
'End run'
The term 'end run' comes originates from American football. In football, it refers to a play

when the team player carrying the ball tries to run around the offensive end. In everyday
English, it refers to any attempt to evade a barrier.
Example: "The reporters asked the Senator tons of questions about his private life, but he did
an end run around them and just talked about the tax cut."
'End up'
To result in or lead to something. Usually refers to the final condition of something. It may
refer to what will happen if a certain action continues.
'Fed up'
Have you ever been so tired of something that you wish it would just stop or go away? That is
when you can use the idiom ‘fed up’. For example, if you see the same TV commercial every
morning, you might say, "I’m fed up with that McDonald’s commercial. It’s on TV all the time!"
Usually, ‘fed up’ is used with the preposition ‘with’, as in the last example. But you can also
use it on its own: "I’ve had enough of Roger’s bad behavior. I’m completely fed up!"
'Fender-bender'
A ‘fender-bender’ is a minor accident. They can often happen during ‘bumper-to-bumper’
traffic. The ‘fender’ refers to the part of the car’s body that covers the tire. In a ‘fender-
bender’ there is some damage to a car, but not enough to make it impossible to drive.
Example: "I had a fender bender on the Central Highway, but I was able to keep driving to the
repair shop."
'Filthy rich'
"Filth" means dirt, so it may be surprising to hear about someone who is "filthy rich".
However, this idiom simply means that someone is extremely wealthy. Perhaps the idiom
comes from the idea that to display too much wealth is sometimes inappropriate. You may
also hear the less common phrase "filthy lucre", or "dirty money".
Example: "Dr. Carlton is so filthy rich that he has three yachts and two summer houses."
'Flunk'
To flunk (rhymes with 'sunk') is a common expression meaning that one has failed a course or
a year in school and must repeat it before moving on. Usually students 'flunk' a course when
they receive a grade of 'F' in the American grading system. The system usually works on a
scale of A, B, C, D and F, with A being the highest score. If a student receives a 'D' they pass,

but an 'F' indicates failure and a need to take the course again. (At FLS we don't use this letter
system, but give students a grade on a scale of 1-100). Sometimes the phrase 'flunk out' is
used with the same meaning.
Example: "It was kind of sad. After Jason flunked out of high school, it was really hard for him
to find a job."
Front runner
"Front runner" is a term often used in politics. During an election cycle, the "front runner" is
the person who is ahead in the public opinion polls.
Example: "After his surprise victory in New York state, Senator Preston became the new front
runner in the race for the Democratic nomination."
'Layover'
'Layover' refers to a lapse of time between two flights which are part of a single itinerary. For
example, if you are planning a flight from New York City to Bangkok, Thailand you may have
several layovers: in Los Angeles and Tokyo, perhaps. A layover begins when you arrive at the
first 'leg' of your itinerary, and concludes when you board the plane to move on to the next
leg. A layover may be short (half an hour) or long (eight hours or more).
Example: 'My ticket was expensive, but I was willing to pay more so I wouldn't have any
extended layovers.'
'Look out!'
This is a very useful phrase to know! You can use this phrase when you want to warn
someone. If there is immediate danger, yelling ‘Look out!’ will alert everyone to the danger.
For example, if someone is crossing a street and a car is coming down the street at a high
speed, you might yell, ‘Look out!’
'Make ends meet'
This phrase means to be able to keep a budget or meet expenses. This idiom is usually used in
talking about a family with a tight budget. If there are a lot of bills and other expenses it may
be hard to make ends meet.
Example: "When Lucy lost her job it was hard on the Sanchez family. They had to struggle for
months to make ends meet."
'No news is good news'

If you haven't heard about any problems, that means things are usually going OK.
Example: "George must be having fun on his trip to Russia. I haven't heard anything and no
news is good news."
'Spill the beans'
To give away a secret or information, sometimes by mistake.
Example: "We were planning a surprise party for our teacher, but Lisa spilt the beans." We
also say "She let the cat out of the bag."
'Watch your language' (Watch your mouth)
This is a phrase often used by teachers or parents. It usually refers to profanity or language
that is offensive. If a student uses a swear word in the classroom a teacher might scold him or
her: "Watch your language in this classroom! The next time I hear something out of you,
you’ll have detention."
Once bitten twice shy - If a person has been tricked once he will more be careful and alert
the next time.