Thành ngữ trong tiếng anh (còn update)

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ENGLISH IDIOMS
1. as easy as pie means "very easy" (same as "a piece of cake")
Example: He said it is a difficult problem, but I don't agree. It seems as easy as pie to me!
2. be sick and tired of means "I hate" (also "can't stand")
Example: I'm sick and tired of doing nothing but work. Let's go out tonight and have fun.
3. bend over backwards means "try very hard" (maybe too much!)
Example: He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never seemed satisfied.
4. bite off more than one can chew means "take responsibility for more than one can manage"
Example: John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and works at a
part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew.
5. broke means "to have no money"
Example: I have to borrow some money from my Dad. Right now, I'm broke.
6. change one's mind means "decide to do something different from what had been decided
earlier"
Example: I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. I'll do extra work on the
weekend instead.
7. Cut it out! means "stop doing something bad"
Example: That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!
8. drop someone a line means "send a letter or email to someone"
Example: It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other again. Drop me a
line when you have time.
9. figure something out means "come to understand a problem"
Example: I don't understand how to do this problem. Take a look at it. Maybe you can figure it
out.
10. fill in for someone means "do their work while they are away"
Example: While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for me.

11. in ages means "for a very long time"
Example: Have you seen Joe recently? I haven't seen him in ages.
12. give someone a hand means "help"
Example: I want to move this desk to the next room. Can you give me a hand?
13. hit the hay means "go to bed" (also "hit the sack")
Example: It's after 12 o'clock. I think it's time to hit the hay.


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14. in the black means "the business is making money, it is profitable"
Example: Our business is really improving. We've been in the black all year.
15. in the red means "the business is losing money, it is unprofitable"
Example: Business is really going poorly these days. We've been in the red for the past three
months.
16. in the nick of time means "not too late, but very close!"
Example: I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It's a good thing, because I really need
this medicine!
17. keep one's chin up means "remain brave and keep on trying"
Example: I know things have been difficult for you recently, but keep your chin up. It will get
better soon.
18. know something like the back of your hand means "know something very, very well"
Example: If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I know this part of town like the back of
my hand
19. once in a while means "sometimes, not very often"
Example: Have you been to the new movie theater? No, only see movies once in a while. I
usually stay home and watch TV.

20. sharp means "exactly at a that time"
Example: I'll meet you at 9 o'clock sharp. If you're late, we'll be in trouble!
21. sleep on it means "think about something before making a decision"
Example: That sounds like a good deal, but I'd like to sleep on it before I give you my final
decision.
22. take it easy means "relax"
Example: I don't have any special plans for the summer. I think I'll just take it easy.
23. to get the ball rolling means "start something, especially something big"
Example: We need to get this project started as soon as possible. I'm hoping you will help
me get the ball rolling.
24. up to the minute means "the most recent information"
Example: I wish I knew more about what is happening in the capital city. We need more up to
the minute news.
25. twenty-four/seven means "every minute of every day, all the time"
Example: You can access our web site 24/7. It's very convenient!


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26. all of a sudden means "unexpectedly", used to describe something that happens very
quickly
Example: He had just gone to bed when all of a sudden the phone rang.
27. be all ears means "eager and ready to listen"
Example: Go ahead and speak. I'm all ears!
28. be fed up with means "to hate something now, even though I may have liked it before"
Example: I'm fed up with my job! I think I should start looking for a new one.
29. to bug means "to bother someone". (American English)

Example: Hey, stop tapping your fingers. It's really bugging me!
30. a cinch means something that is very easy to do
Example: I didn't think I could run five kilometers, but with the right preparation, it was a
cinch.
31. cost an arm and a leg means "very expensive"
Example: I'd really like a new car, but they all cost an arm and a leg.
32. to cram means "to study hard a few days before a test"
Example: If you had studied hard for the past four months, you wouldn't have to cram so much
this weekend.
33. fresh out of something means "to have no more of something"
Example: I have to go buy some more milk. It seems we're fresh out now.
34. to get it (often negative) means "to understand"
Example: What did the teacher say? I didn't get it. Did you?
35. got a minute? means "Do you have time right now?"
Example: Hey, Joe, got a minute? I have something to show you.
36. give someone a hand means "help someone"
Example: Could you give me a hand moving this table? It's quite heavy.
37. grab a bite to eat means "quickly go get something to eat"
Example: I'm going to go grab a bite. I'll be back in a few minutes.
38. drive someone up a wall (or "drive someone crazy") means "to make someone very angry"
Example: My neighbor practices the piano every night, but he's terrible. It's driving me up the
wall!
39. to hang on means "to wait"
Example: Hang on a few minutes. I have to make a phone call and then I'll be able to join you
for lunch.


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40. hard headed means "stubborn" or "unwilling to change an opinion or idea
Example: I can't work with Joe any more. He's so hard headed!
41. have a change of heart means "change a previous decision"
Example: I thought I would change jobs, but now that my boss is treating me with more
respect, I've had a change of heart.
42. have mixed feelings about something means "to be uncertain"
Example: I have mixed feelings about Joe. He's a very good teacher, but he has a very strange
sense of humor!
43. head out for means "to start on a long trip" (but it could be within a big city)
Example: We're heading out for the countryside to pick some apples. Would you like to join
us?
44. How come? means "Why?"
Example: How come we don't go to the movies any more? I guess we're too busy to enjoy
ourselves these days.
45. keep in touch (or "stay in touch") means "do not stop communicating - send letters or call
sometimes"
Example: Don't forget to keep in touch. I want to know how you're doing while you're away.
46. be kidding means "to joke or tease someone in a playful way"
Example: No, I don't really have three wives - I was just kidding!
47. look down on means "think somone or something is not good enough"
Example: We shouldn't look down on people just because they don't have as much money as
we do.
48. make ends meet (often used negatively) means "to have enough money to buy everything
we need"
Example: Even though I make more money than last year, we just can't seem to make ends
meet.
49. miss the boat means "to miss an opportunity"
Example: The sale ends today at noon. If we don't hurry, we're going to miss the boat!

50. next to nothing means "to cost very little"
Example: I went to the new discount store and bought these new shoes for only five dollars.
That's next to nothing!


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1.A slap on wrist: sự trừng phạt nhẹ
These four students got caught sneaking a cow into the dean's office. Three got expelled but the
fourth only got a slap on the wrist, a week's suspension. People say his dad is a wealthy man
who has given the school the money to build a new gymnasium.
2.Eat crow: rút lại lời tuyên bố
These four students got caught sneaking a cow into the dean's office. Three got expelled but
the fourth only got a slap on the wrist, a week's suspension. People say his dad is a wealthy
man who has given the school the money to build a new gymnasium.
3.To short circuit: hành động ngăn chặn
My mother stayed up all night cooking for all our relatives and friends. But when the day
came, a terrible thunderstorm short circuited all our plans and we had to eat inside the house.
4.To pull strings: giật dây, dùng quyền uy của mình
At first, they said that I wasn't qualified enough to get the job. However, after my rich uncle
who owns stocks in the company called there and pulled strings, I was hired right away.
5.To string sb along: -đồng ý và làm theo sb
-(bị) người khác đánh lừa

The salesman assured me that the used car I was buying was in perfect condition.
But on the way home, the car broke down. That guy was stringing me all along
the whole time.

6.To hold the purse strings: nắm quyền sử dụng tiền bạc

I can't buy anything without my father's approval. He is the one who holds the
purse strings in the family and he is very stingy with his money. I think it's time
for me to get a job.
7. Second string: dở, tệ

The Lakers have been forced to use second string players ever since their stars
were hurt early in the season. The team has hardly won a game since. They are
really lousy.
8. Eyes bigger than your stomach: tham lam, thấy nhiều thức ăn nhưng không ăn hết

Every time we have pizza I take way too much. Last time I couldn’t finish it, but
I still ate so much I had to throw up. I guess you could say my eyes are bigger
than my stomach.


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9. Bellyache: luôn than vãn

When I asked Joe to type the report, he complained to me about sore fingers.
Then when I asked him to run an errand downtown he said his feet hurt. When I
invited him to the office party he said parties always depress him. That guy’s
always bellyaching about something.
10. Belly up: phá sản, sập tiệm

I used to work for a company that always made money so I thought my job was
safe. But the company ran into hard times and finally went belly up. So now I
have to find another job
11.Bone of contention: vấn đề tranh chấp giữa 2 người, 2 nhóm

Who got to use the family car was a bone of contention between Joe and Betty
from the day they got back from their honeymoon. In fact it was one of the
reasons for their divorce.
12.Make no bones about it: bày tỏ ý kiến thẳng thắn, không giấu giếm

When Mary asked me what I thought of her poetry I made no bones about it. I
told her that it’s too gloomy and pessimistic and needs more polish. Now of
course she is mad at me.
13. Have a bone to pick: có một vấn đề chưa được hài lòng, cần bàn luận

Joe, I’m afraid that I have a bone to pick with you. Frankly I don’t like this last
ad you designed for us. What’s a good time for you to come over to my office to
talk about it?
14. To feel in one’s bones: một linh cảm

I feel in my bones that Tim will imprint his name in history some day. Not only
is he brilliant in his own field, but he also has this rare sense of responsibility to
all humanity.
15. To bone up: học gạo, chuẩn bị cho kỳ thi

I hear how hard those Asian students have to bone up for their college entrance
exams. They study a lot more than us with very little time for fun. But I guess the
results are probably worth it.
16. To throw sb a bone: trao phần thưởng ít hơn

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The company gave another man the promotion Brian expected. But they threw
him a bone. They sent him out to head up a branch office way off in Iowa. And
that's a dead-end job nobody wanted.\
17. All that: có được mọi thứ

Hey, I tell you I am all that. I've got the best looking girlfriend, the nicest car, the
biggest house and the most friends. Did I also mention that I am incredibly
modest?\
18. To perpetrate: hành động một cách gian dối, giả tạo
19. Buy a pig in a poke: mua đồ giả, bị lừa

My brother bought a pig in a poke. He bought some ocean front property in
Florida from a phony salesman. It was on the ocean all right. In fact, at high tide
it was six feet under water.
20. Buy for a song: mua được thứ gì tốt nhưng rất rẻ

You have to be careful when you buy a used car. But I bought this Ford 91 for a
song, about half of what I expected to pay. And I’ve had good luck with it. It runs
like a new car.
21. Buy the farm: chết một cách thảm khốc

Bill was the best pilot I knew when I was in the Air Force. But he bought the
farm when his plane was hit by anti aircraft fire two days before the end of the
war

22. Hard sell: dùng áp lực mạnh bắt người khác mua hàng

I want a cheap car without a lot of extras. But the salesman gave me a hard sell
so I ended up with stuff I didn't need like leather seats, a sun roof, and a lot of
other things.
23. Sell a bill of goods: đánh lừa ai (trong chính trị)

My friends, my opponent is selling a bill of goods when he promises to spend
more on schools and cut taxes too. You ask him how he can spend more money
without raising taxes!
24. Sell down the river: phản bội, bán đứng một người nào


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Our boss promised he'd never sell our company to another firm. But when he got
a good offer, he sold us down the river, and the new owners brought in their own
people and fired us.
25. Sell sb short: có quan điểm sai lầm về người nào đó (chỉ thấy những khuyết điểm của người
đó)

Don't sell that man short. He may not look like it, but he's one of the smartest
lawyers in town. You'd be wise to hire him if you're in trouble. He seldom loses a
case.
26. Tell a fib: nói dối (chẳng có hại cho ai cả)

Johnny tells everybody he got straight A’s last September. I’m afraid he’s telling a

fib. I happen to know he got at least one B, but he is too embarrassed to admit it.
27. Tell a white lie: lời nói dối chính đáng

I told Sally a white lie when she asked me how I liked her new party dress. I
didn’t like the color or the design but when I saw how happy she was with it, I
told her it looked great.
28. Lie in your teeth: nói dối trắng trợn (để chạy tội hay hại người khác)

When the defendant says he didn’t shoot the woman, he’s lying in his teeth. His
fingerprints were on the gun and he was standing over the body when the police
arrived.\
29. Tell a whopper: nói dối, không ngượng mồm

Joe went fishing on Moon lake. He came back all wet without his rod and reel
and told us a real whopper. He said he caught a fish so big it pulled him out of the
boat and swam off with his rod and reel.
30. Hunker down: chú tâm làm việc gì = apply oneself to sth/ V-ing

I still remember my college days. Most of us had a lot of fun during our first two
years. But after that we really had to hunker down and study hard to graduate.
31. Hold the high ground: chiếm ưu thế = dominate

I know we can win this election fight. We hold the high ground because we have
more campaign money and a more popular candidate than the other party.
32. Trench Warface (adj): cuộc đấu tranh gay go, cuộc sống khó khăn


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Tony lost both his parents very young and was brought up by his uncle in a poor
neighborhood where crime and drugs are common. Life was trench warfare for
him, always a struggle.
33. First out of gate: người đầu tiên làm việc gì đó
34. Fling yourself into: làm việc gì đó cần đầu tư nhiều năng lượng
35. Hang on by fingernails: kiên trì làm việc gì đó (mặc dù rất khó khăn)
36. Pull out all the stops: làm mọi thứ để thành công
37. Buckle down: dồn hết sức lực do sth
38. Slapdash (adj): cẩu thả

John, I'm afraid I have to give you a failing grade for your term paper. I'm sorry
but it's too slapdash. It looks like you wrote it at the last minute without any
serious research.
39. Across the board: tất cả các trường hợp

Across the board wage increases là tăng lương cho tất cả mọi công nhân; hay
Across the board airfare increases là tăng giá vé máy bay đủ mọi hạng.
40. Back of the envelope: phỏng đoán, phỏng chừng

Mrs. Wood, if you ask me what it will cost you to put in these cabinets, my back
of the envelope figure will be about $1,500. It could be more, of course
depending on the design you want.
41. Out to lunch: xa vời thực tế, mơ mộng

John, you really have to pay more attention. I just went over that topic. You must
have been out to lunch with your mind a thousand miles away. Okay I’ll go over
it one more time.
42. Backed into the corner: tiến thoái lưỡng nan, bị kẹt không lối thoát

With the government cutting jobs these days, I’m backed into a corner. My job as
manager is most likely to be abolished. Either I retire early or get pushed down to
a lower grade.
43. Spell out: nói rõ từng chữ một, giải thích cặn kẽ


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Mr. Brown, you say our compay’s policy might change in the near future to
adjust to the needs of the market. As staffers, we‘re concerned. Could you spell
out what plans you have in mind?
44. In cahoots with: thỏa thuận ngấm ngầm làm việc xấu

The warehouse security guard was in cahoots with the gang that stole hundreds
of cases of cigarettes and whiskey. He gave them the key to the building and in
return they paid him well.
45. Lip service: lời hứa trống rỗng, hứa mà không làm

I'm sure the mayor of our city will lose in his reelection bid this fall. He's simply
failed to carry out his election promises. All he gives to those solemn promises
now is lip service.
46. Hare - brained: tính nông nổi

A lot of people thought it was a hare-brained scheme to try to send people to the
moon. But on July 20,1969 the whole world watched two astronauts set foot on
earth's neighbor planet.

47. Go bananas: trở nên giận dữ, điên rồ (như khỉ)

I was on the freeway the other day in this terrible traffic jam. Suddenly, the guy
in the car next to me just went bananas. He was screaming and yelling and then
he crashed his Mercedes into my new BMW! Totally out of control!
48. Compare apples and Oranges: so sánh không đúng cách

Dave says Madonna is the world's greatest performing artist but Sarah thinks that
Yo Yo Ma is the best. I say they are comparing apples and oranges. Madonna is a
pop singer and Yo Yo Ma is a classical cellist.\
49. Hear through the Grapevine: nghe tin đồn không chính thống

I heard through the grapevine that Mark and Julie just broke up. I can't believe it.
I thought they were going to get married. Julie's sister called this morning to give
me the bad news.
50. Down to the Wire: giây phút cuối cùng, quyết định ai sẽ là người thắng cuộc


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The race is going down to the wire tonight with all the candidates on radio and
television making their last appeal to people to vote for them when the polls open
tomorrow.
51. In over one’s head: tình trạng gặp khó khăn vì không đủ tài cáng

John was very good as vice president of our company. But when he was
promoted to president he found himself in over his head. He simply couldn't

handle all the extra responsibilities.