COMMON IDIOMS MỘT SỐ THÀNH NGỮ TIẾNG ANH THÔNG DỤNG DỄ HỌC DỄ GHI NHỚ

COMMON IDIOMS
1. RAINING CATS AND DOGS: rain heavily (Mưa nặng hạt)
Ex:–> It’s raining cats and dogs = It’s raining heavily
2. CHALK AND CHEESE: very different from each other (rất khác nhau)
Ex:–> I don’t have anything in common with my brother. We’re like chalk and cheese.
3. HERE AND THERE: everywhere
Ex:–> I have been searching here and there for the gift I bought for my girlfriend.
4. A HOT POTATO: something that is difficulut or dangerous to deal with ( vấn đề nan giải )
Ex:–> The abortion issue is a hot potato in the US
5. AT THE DROP OF A HAT: immediately, instantly ( Ngay lập tức)
Ex:–> If you need me, just call me. I can come at the drop of a hat.
6. BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: time to start from the beginning; it is time to to plan something
over again (bắt đầu lại)
Ex:–> My plans to create a tiny car made of glasses were unsuccessful, so I guess it’s back to the drawing
board for me.
7. BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH: avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about the issue (nói vòng
vo, lạc đề) Ex:–> Stop beating about the bush and answer my question.
8. BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD: a good invention or innovation, a good idea or plan
Ex:–> Portable phones are marketed as the best thing since sliced bread; people think they are extremely
good.
9. BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL:to stay up working, especially studying late at night (thức khuya làm
việc, học bài) Ex:–> 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)
11. BREAK A LEG : good luck! ( thường dùng để chúc may mắn )
Ex:–> 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)
Ex:–> 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)
14. SCRATCH SOMEONE’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)
Ex:–> “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)
Ex:–> Mike hit the nail on the head when he said most people can use a computer without knowing how it
works.
16. TAKE SOMEONE/SOMETHING FOR GRANTED: coi nhẹ
Ex:–> One of the problems with relationships is that after a while you begin to take each other for
granted!!
17. TAKE SOMETHING INTO ACCOUNT/ CONSIDERATION: to remember to consider something
(tính đến cái gì, xem xét việc gì)
Ex:–> We will take your long year of service into account when we make our final decision.
18. PUT SOMEONE/SOMETHING AT SOMEONE’S DISPOSAL: to make someone or something
available to someone (có sẵn theo ý muốn của ai)
Ex:–> 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”)
Ex:–> I’ve got a splitting headache. I’m going upstairs for a nap.
20. ON THE HOUSE: không phải trả tiền
Ex:–> 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)
Ex:–> I”m afraid he will hit the roof when he finds out our vacation is canceled
22. MAKE SOMEONE’S BLOOD BOIL: làm ai sôi máu, giận dữ
23. BRING DOWN THE HOUSE: làm cho cả khán phòng vỗ tay nhiệt liệt
Ex:–> 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)
Ex:–> 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

Ex:–> I got through calculus math by the skin of my teeth.
Ex:–> I got to the airport a few minutes late and missed the plane by the skin of my teeth.
26. PULL SOMEONE’S LEG: chọc ai
Ex:–> You don’t mean that. You’re just pulling my leg.
27. IT STRIKE SOMEBODY AS/THAT A STRANGE: lấy làm lạ
Ex:–> 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)
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> I have been searching high and low for the gift I bought for my girlfriend.
Thành ngữ tiếng Anh (idioms) hay gặp trong đề thi
30. THE MORE, THE MERRIER: càng đông càng vui
Ex:–> Can I bring some friends with me?Yeah sure, the more, the merrier.
31. SPICK AND SPAN: ngăn nắp gọn gàng
32. EVERY NOW AND THEN: sometimes
Ex:–> Every nowand then, I want to be alone.
33. PART AND PARCEL: integral, crucial ( thiết yếu, quan trọng)
34. GO TO ONE’S HEAD: khiến ai kiêu ngạo
Ex:–> Too much success will go to her head.
35. ONCE IN A BLUE MOON: rất hiếm (rare)
Ex:–> 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)
Ex:–> 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)
Ex:–> I expect you to be on the post when and where trouble arises
(2): in trouble; in a difficult situation (gặp rắc rối)
Ex:–> 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 (cẩn thận với giới từ
“on” và “in” nhé!)

Ex:–> Unless we take measures to protect tigers, they will be on the verge of extinction. (lưu ý: take
measures: đưa ra biện pháp)
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)
Ex:–> First of allit was the car breaking down, then the fire in the kitchen and now Mike’saccident
40. BE ON THE WAGON: kiêng rượu
Ex:–> Bob’s old drinking buddies complained that he was no fun when he went on the wagon
41. LED SOMEBODY BY THE NOSE: to control someone and make them do exactly what you want
them to do (nắm đầu, dắt mũi ai)
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> She always turned her term paper in at the eleventh hour.
42. SELL/GO LIKE HOT CAKES: bán đắt như tôn tươi
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> It is very easy to find fault with the work others.
44. OFF AND ON/ ON AND OFF: không đều đặn, thỉnh thoảng
Ex:–> We don’t often go there- just off and on.
45. MAKE BELIEVE: giả bộ, giả vờ
Ex:–> 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.
Ex:–> We made good time and were at the hotel by lunch time.
47. LOOK DAGGERS AT SOMEONE: giận giữ nhìn ai đó
Ex:–> Their relationship is not free and easy but at least he is no longer looking daggers at her.
48. BE OUT OF THE QUESTION: không thể được
Ex:–> You cannot get married until you are 18, it’s out of the question.

49. ALL AT ONCE = suddenly: bất thình lình
Ex:–> All at once, there was a loud banging on the door.
50. BLOW ONE’S TRUMPET: bốc phét, khoác lác
Ex:–> 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.
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> We fought tooth and claw to retain our share of business.
53. PLAY TRICKS/JOKES ON: chọc phá, trêu ghẹo, chơi khăm
Ex:–> The kids are always play jokes on their teachers.
54. DOWN THE DRAIN: đổ sông đổ biển (công sức, tiền bạc)
Ex:–> It’s just money down the drain.
55. SMELL A RAT: hoài nghi, linh cảm chuyện không ổn
Ex:–> The minute I came in, I smelled a rat.
56. THE LAST STRAW: giọt nước tràn ly
Ex:–> When she showed up late a third time, that was the last straw. We had to fire her.
57. GET THE HAND OF SOMETHING: nắm bắt được, sử dụng được
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> Please keep an eye on my baby while I’m out for a while.
60. HAVE A BEE IN ONE’S BONNET (ABOUT SOMETHING): đặt nặng chuyện gì, chấp nhất chuyện
gì Ex:–> She has a bee in her bonnet about going to America.
61. GET/HAVE COLD FEET: mất hết can đảm, chùn bước
Ex:–> 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. ^O^ *tặng các Fans dethithu.net*
62. ON SECOND THOUGHTS: suy nghĩ kĩ
Ex:–> On second thoughts, it was a dumb movie.

63. IN VAIN: uổng công, vô ích
Ex:–> Government agents tried in vain kidnap him.
64. CHIP IN: quyên góp, góp tiền


Ex:–> If everyone chips in, we will be able to buy her a nice present.
65. OFF ONE’S HEAD: điên, loạn trí
Ex:–> The old man has been off his head for at least a year.
66. RUN AN ERRAND: làm việc vặt
Ex:–> I’ve got to run an errand. I’ll be back in a minute.
67. JUMP THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS: vượt đèn đỏ
Ex:–> They ignore people who jumps the traffic lights.
68. FLY OFF THE HANDLE: dễ nổi giận, phát cáu
Ex:–> No one will fly off the handle for no reason.
69. THE APPLE OF ONE’S EYES: đồ quý giá của ai
Ex:–> You are the apple of my eyes ^O^
70. BUCKET DOWN: mưa xối xả, mưa to
Ex:–> It’s been bucketing down all day.
71. CLOSE SHAVE = NARROW ESCAPE: thoát chết trong gang tấc
Ex:–> Phew, that was a close shave. I was so lucky.
72. DROP A BRICK : lỡ lời, lỡ miệng
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> I always get butterflies in my stomach when it comes to taking test
74. OFF THE RECORD: không chính thức, không được công bố
Ex:–> What the president said is not to be printed. It’s off the record
75. ONE’S CUP OF TEA: thứ mà ta thích
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> The manager got early retirement and a 600,000$ golden handshake when the company was
restructed.
78. PUT ON AN ACT: giả bộ, làm bộ
Ex:–> 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.
Ex:–> Four soldiers have faced charges since the scandal came to light last fall
80. TAKE THINGS TO PIECES: tháo ra từng mảnh
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> The rest of the team complained that Sarah wasn’t pulling her weight.
83. MAKE ENDS MEET: xoay sở để kiếm sống
Ex:–> I have to work at two jobs to make ends meet.
84. GET THE HOLD OF THE WRONG END OF THE STICK: hiểu nhầm ai đó
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> Although a deal has been agreed, it is not yet cut-and-dried.
Ex:–> The human rights issue is by no means cut-and-dried.
86. STAY/KEEP ON ONE’S TOE: cảnh giác, thận trọng
Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> 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


Ex:–> 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
Ex:–> It seems that Charles will give it up. I suppose he is a lost cause.

90. TO BE BOUND TO: chắc chắn
Ex:–> You’re bound to be late if you don’t hurry.
91. AT HEART: thực chất, cơ bản (basically, fundamentally)
Ex:–> James sometimes seems quite unfriendly but at heart he’s a good person.
92. TO KNOW BY SIGHT: nhận ra (recognize)
Ex:–> 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)
94. TO TAKE PAINS: làm việc cẩn thận và tận tâm
Ex:–> She takes pains to do everything well.
95. TO MAKE DO: xoay sở, đương đầu (to manage, to cope)
Ex:–> 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!
97. SELL SOMEONE SHORT: đánh giá thấp
98. FACE THE MUSIC: chịu trận
Ex:–> 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)
Ex:–> It’s asecret. Try not to let the cat out of the bag.
100. ON PROBATION: trong thời gian quản chế
Ex:–> While Anne was on probation, she reported to the police regularl Ex:–> John was on probation for
a year.
on the dot – W – happens at a particular time, precise time, exactly time.
(ở một thời điểm thời gian chính xác)
=>The class will start at 8:00 a.m. on the dot, so don’t be late!
and then some – and even more; and more than has been mentioned.
(thậm chí hơn, hơn những gì đã được đề cập tới.)
=> It looked like 20,000 people and then some were crowded into thestadium. Investors in the business g
ot their money back and then some.
Find my feet – to become comfortable doing something.

(cảm thấy thoải mái để làm việc gì)
=>Moving to a new city was difficult as first, but I soon found my feet.
read my/your/his mind – W – refers to the idea that thoughts are known by another.
(chỉ một ý tưởng hoặc suy nghĩ đã được người khác biết)
=>I was surprised he knew what I was planning, like he could read my mind.
before long - W – a rather short amount of time.
(một khoảng thời gian khá ngắn)
=>I will be gone before long, but I hope you learn a lot
Cost an arm and a leg – really expensive.
(thực sự ấn tượng)
=>This dress is really nice, but it cost me an arm and a leg.


Set in their ways – not wanting to change
(không muốn thay đổi)
==>My parents are quite traditional and set in their ways
(the) bottom line W – most important number or information.
(con số hoặc thông tin quan trọng nhất)
=>My bottom line to do this job is freedom from meddling!
Don’t give me the details of what the client said about the bid, just tell me his bottom line.
burn the midnight oil – stay up late, esp work late
(thức khuya, ví dụ: làm việc khuya)
=>We’re gonna have to burn the midnight oil to get this job done by tomorrow.
call it a day – end the job (or task) for the day, (or night)
(kết thúc một công việc trong ngày, hoặc trong buổi tối)
=> Well, it was nice chatting with you, but it’s time for me to call it a day.
change one’s mind - W – to change a decision or opinion.
(thay đổi quyết định hoặc quan điểm)
==>Nothing you have told me motivates me to change my mind.
Over the moon – to be extremely pleased or happy.

(vô cùng hài lòng và hạnh phúc)
=>I was over the moon when I passed my speaking test.
(Right) off the top of my head – saying something (nói điều gì
đó)without giving it toomuch thought or without precise knowledge.
=>You are familiar enough with the data. Give us the information off the top of your head.
catch your/my/his eye W – something or someone that has a visual attraction for you, can be a written
description as well. Really is often used to introduce this idiom.
(một thứ gì hoặc một ai đó khiến bạn bị thu hút khi nhìn vào, từ Really thường được dùng kèm với thành
ngữ này.)
=>That pretty girl really caught my eye. Do any of these watches catch your eye? The price on that
advertised special really caught my eye.
down in the dumps – unhappy, sad (bất hạnh, buồn)
=> She’s a bit down in the dumps because she failed one of her exams.
(on the) cutting edge - W – the most modern, up to date process or product/equipment
(thiết bị/quy trình/ sản phẩm hiện đại và tiên tiến nhất)
=>His teaching process is on the cutting edge. This new computer is cutting edge technology.
Put all your eggs in one basket – put all your money or effort into one thing.
(dồn hết tiền bạc và công sức vào việc gì)
=>Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You should apply to lots of different universities
chill out – relax, calm down (thư giãn, bình tĩnh lại)
=> Despite terrorism, Obama still kept calm, and told his staff to chill out, and got back to work.


Miss the boat – miss an opportunity. (lỡ một cơ hội)
=>I sent my application in late and I think I missed the boat.
(to be) fed up with – tired of, disgusted with (chán ngán với)
=>Be careful, I think the boss is fed up with us today
Once in a blue moon – happens very rarely.(rất hiếm khi xảy ra)
=>A student will get a 9 in the IELTS writing test once in a blue moon.
white elephant - W – an unprofitable investment, something that is large and unwieldy and is a nuisance

and/or expensive to maintain.
(một sự đầu tư không mang lại lời nhuận, một thứ to cồng kềnh và đắt tiền nhưng lại vô ích)
=>That new motorbike I bought is really a white elephant, it is expensive and too big for these streets.
1. [Apple of his eye]: Người hoặc vật rất được yêu thích.
- The little girl is the apple of her grandfather's eye.
2. [A little bird told me]: Một bí mật, khi người ta không muốn nói rằng mình biết điều gì đó.
- A little bird told me that there is one more piece of cake in the fridge.
3. [A piece of cake]: Điều gì đó rất dễ thực hiện.
- Oh, that's a piece of cake - let me try.
4. [Card up your sleeve]: Có một điều bí mật mà bạn có thể tận dụng sau này.
- She still has one card up her sleeve – she knows the director.
5. [Finding a needle in a haystack]: Khó tìm kiếm, như mò kim đáy bể
- Finding that book, is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
6. [Go the extra mile]: Khi bạn vượt quá mức mong đợi (của người khác)
- I expect you, my son, to go the extra mile.
7. [Going Green]: Trở nên quan tâm đến môi trường, tái chế, sử dựng năng lượng xanh, thức ăn và các sản
phẩm được chế biến hữu cơ …
- Are you going green?
8. [It’s raining cats and dogs]: Trời mưa rất to
- Did you bring an umbrella? It's raining cats and dogs outside!
9. [No man is an island]: Ai cũng cần hỗ trợ và giúp đỡ
- You cannot fight them all alone, no man is an island, let us help you.


10. [There's no point crying over spilt milk]: Chẳng ích gì khi mãi buồn chán vì một lỗi lầm không thể sửa
chữa, khắc phục được
- Well, what's happened is behind us. There is no point in crying over spilt milk now.
11. ['Til the cows come home]: Phải đợi chờ trong một khoảng thời gian rất dài.
- I am going to wait here 'til the cows come home.
12. [Under the weather]: Cảm thấy không khỏe lắm.

- You don't look so good, are you feeling under the weather?
1. Có qua có lại mới toại lòng nhau
You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours
2. Có mới nới cũ
New one in, old one out
3. Mất bò mới lo làm chuồng
It’ too late to lock the stable when the horse is stolen
4. Gừng càng già càng cay
With age comes wisdom
5. Không có gì quý hơn độc lập tự do
Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom
6. Tốt gỗ hơn tốt nước sơn
Handsome is as handsome does
7. Múa rìu qua mắt thợ
Never offer to teach fish to swim
8. Chưa học bò chớ lo học chạy
To try to run before the one can walk
9. Chưa thấy quan tài chưa đổ lệ
Nobody has ever shed tears without seeing a coffin
10. Tiền nào của nấy
You get what you pay for
11. Khỏe như trâu
As strong as a horse
12. Đường nào cũng về La Mã
All roads lead to Rome
13. Hữu xạ tự nhiên hương


Good wine needs no bush
14. Vỏ quýt dày có móng tay nhọn

Diamond cuts diamond
15. Thương cho roi cho vọt
Spare the rod and spoil the child
16. Nói một đường làm một nẻo
Speak one way and act another
17. Đừng đánh giá con người qua bề ngoài
Don’t judge a book by its cover
18. Nói gần nói xa chẳng qua nói thật
It’s no use beating around the bush
19. Mưu sự tại nhân thành sự tại thiên
Man proposes God deposes
20. Xa mặt cách lòng
Out of sight out of mind
21. Dù trong dù đục ao nhà vẫn hơn
East or West home is best
22. Chín người 10 ý
So many men, so many minds
23. Không ai hoàn hảo cả
Every man has his mistakes
24. Yêu ai yêu cả đường đi, ghét ai ghét cả tông chi họ hàng
Love me love my dog
25. Cái gì đến cũng đến
What will be will be
26. Sông có khúc người có lúc
Every day is not Sunday
27. Nhập gia tùy tục
When in Rome do as the Romans do
28. Cười người hôm trước hôm sau người cười
He laughs best who laughs last
29. Chậm mà chắc

Slow but sure


30. Cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp
Beauty is only skin deep
31. Nghề nào cũng biết nhưng chẳng tinh nghề nào
Jack of all trades and master of none
32. Nồi nào úp vung nấy
Every Jack has his Jill
33. Hoạn nạn mới biết bạn hiền
A friend in need is a friend indeed
34. Ác giả ác báo
Curses come home to roost
35. Tay làm hàm nhai
No pains no gains
36. Tham thì thâm
Grasp all lose all
37. Nói thì dễ làm thì khó
Easier said than done
38. Dễ được thì cũng dễ mất
Easy come easy go
39. Phi thương bất phú
Nothing venture nothing gains
40. Mỗi thời mỗi cách
Other times other ways
41. Còn nước còn tát
While there’s life, there’s hope
42. Thùng rỗng kêu to
The empty vessel makes greatest sound
43. Có tật giật mình

He who excuses himself, accuses himself
44. Yêu nên tốt, ghét nên xấu
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
45. Một giọt máu đào hơn ao nước lã
Blood is thicker than water
46. Cẩn tắc vô ưu
Good watch prevents misfortune


47. Ý tưởng lớn gặp nhau
Great minds think alike
48. Điếc không sợ súng
He that knows nothing doubts nothing
49. No bụng đói con mắt
His eyes are bigger than his belly
50. Vạn sự khởi đầu nan
It’s the first step that counts
51. Cha nào con nấy
Like father like son
52. Ăn miếng trả miếng
Tit for tat
53. Càng đông càng vui
The more the merrier
54. Vắng chủ nhà gà mọc đuôi tôm
When the cat is away, the mice will play
55. Chứng nào tật nấy
Who drinks will drink again
56. Nói trước bước không qua
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
57. Chở củi về rừng

To carry coals to Newcastle
58. Dục tốc bất đạt
Haste makes waste
59. Cùi không sợ lở
If you sell your cow, you will sell her milk too
60. Không vào hang cọp sao bắt được cọp con
Neck or nothing
61. Ở hiền gặp lànhA good turn
deserves another
62. Sai một ly đi một dặm
A miss is as good as a mile
63. Thắng làm vua thua làm giặc


Losers are always in the wrong
64. Một nụ cười bằng mười than thuốc bổ
Laughing is the best medicine
65. Miệng hùm gan sứa
If you can’t bite, never show your teeth
66. Tình yêu là mù quáng
Love is blind
67. Không có lửa sao có khói
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire
68. Việc gì qua rồi hãy cho qua
Let bygones be bygones
69. Gieo gió ắt gặp bảo
We reap what we sow
70. Nhất cửa lưỡng tiện
To kill two birds with one stone
71. Thuốc đắng dã tật

Bitter pills may have blessed effects
72. Chết vinh còn hơn sống nhục
Better die on your feet than live on your knees
73. Đoàn kết là sống, chia rẽ là chết
United we stand, divided we fall
74. Đồng thanh tương ứng, đồng khí tương cầu
Birds have the same feather stick together
75. Có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim
Practice makes perfect
76. Đừng bao giờ bỏ cuộc
Never say die up man try
77. Uống nước nhớ nguồn
When you eat a fruit, think of the man who planted the tree
78. Chớ thấy sáng loáng mà tưởng là vàng
All that glitters is not gold
79. Việc gì làm được hôm nay chớ để ngày mai
Never put off tomorrow what you can do today


80. Thả con tép bắt con tôm
To set a sprat to catch a mackerel
81. Thà trễ còn hơn không
Better late than never
82. Đi một ngày đàng học một sàng khôn
Travel broadens the mind
83. Không hơn không kém
No more no less
84. Được ăn cả ngã về không
Sink or swim
85. Được đồng nào hay đồng đó

To live from hand to mouth
86. Được voi đòi tiên
To give him an inch, he will take a yard
87. Được cái này thì mất cái kia
You can’t have it both ways
88. Trai khôn vì vợ, gái ngoan vì chồng
A good wife makes a good husband
89. Nhìn việc biết người
A man is known by the company he keeps
90. Mua danh ba vạn bánh danh ba đồng
A good name is sooner lost than won
91. Tốt danh hơn tốt áo
A good name is better than riches
92. Nhân hiền tại mạo
A good face is a letter of recommendation
93. Đầu xuôi đuôi lọt
A good beginning makes a good ending
94. Vàng thật không sợ lửa
A clean hand needs no washing
95. Thất bại là mẹ thành công
The failure is the mother of success
96. Chạy trời không khỏi nắng
The die is cast


97. Chết là hết
Death pays all debts
98. Xanh vỏ đỏ lòng
A black hen lays a white egg
99. Thời gian sẽ làm lành mọi vết thương

Time cure all pains
100. Có tiền mua tiên cũng được
Money talks
101. Họa vô đơn chí
Misfortunes never come alone.
102. Cây ngay không sợ chết đứng
A clean hand wants no washing.
103. Tiền là một người đầy tớ đặc lực nhưng là một ông chủ tồi
Money is a good servant but a bad master
104. Trẻ mãi không già
As ageless as the sun
105. Giống nhau như 2 giọt nước
As alike as two peas
106. Xưa như quả đất
As accient as the sun
107. Khi nào có dịp
As and when
108. Đen như mực
As black as coal
109. Không tệ như mọi người nghĩ
To be not as black as it is painted
110. Rõ như ban ngày
As clear as daylight
111. Ép dầu ép mỡ ai nỡ ép duyên
Love can’t be forced
112. Sau cơn mưa trời lại sáng
After rain comes fair weather
113. Thua keo này ta bày keo khác

Better luck next time

a) A drop in the ocean, muối bỏ biển / thứ gì đó quá nhỏ để tạo nên ảnh hưởng.
b) A piece of cake ( điều gì đó rất dễ thực hiện )
c) Over the moon ( vô cùng hài lòng, hạnh phúc )
d) Sit on the fence ( trung lập, không theo phe nào, chưa đưa ra quyết định cuối cùng )
e) Once in the blue moon ( rất hiếm khi xảy ra )
1. I was ………. on hearing the news that I just became a college student because I put all my heart and
soul into the preparation for the entrance exam, which is the most important one in my student life.
2. Q: How do you remember all the functions of your keys?
A: Actually, it’s……… I attach a small sheet of paper to each of my keys to remind me of their functions
3. It was the time when my brother consulted me about his university selection because he didn’t know
which one he should apply for. I told him that he should be firm and never…………… .
4. Well, I used to go to restaurants all the time when I was studying at university, but now just
………………….. because I’m quite occupied with my work
5. Definitely! I think the current governmental financial support for the people who are living in poverty
is just…………………...
Odds and ends: những điều vụn vặt, nhỏ

Choose the appropriate idiomatic expressions:
1. The teacher asked us to talk about................the of industrial development.
( a piece of cake / odds and ends / pros and cons / up and down )
2. The police found nothing special in the house of the criminal as he had taken all the
important documents with him, leaving just................
( a piece of cake / odds and ends / pros and cons / up and down )
3. Don’t worry about the problems you have in your business. You know there are
always.............. in business. ( a piece of cake / odds and ends / pros and cons / up
and down )
4. If you think that doing this maths problem is ............ just try it .
( a piece of cake / odds and ends / pros and cons / up and down )

5. All these promises these politicians make are just .............in the sky.
( use / ocean / music / pie /rags / shoulder )


6. The small amount of money donated is just a drop in the........... compared to the
large sum of money needed. ( use / ocean / music / pie /rags / shoulder )
7. I had to face the............ all by myself although I was not the only one responsible for
the problem. ( use / ocean / music / pie /rags / shoulder )
8. They had had a dispute yesterday. That's why she gave him the cold...............
( use / ocean / music / pie /rags / shoulder )
9. He has been successful in his life. He went from............... to riches.
( use / ocean / music / pie /rags / shoulder )
10. He spends his time drinking and watching TV. He's no.............. to man or beast.
( use / ocean / music / pie /rags / shoulder )
Use the idioms given to fill in the sentences

a) A drop in the ocean,
b) A piece of cake
c) Over the moon
d) Sit on the fence
e) Once in the blue moon
1. I was ………. on hearing the news that I just became a college student because I put all my heart and
soul into the preparation for the entrance exam, which is the most important one in my student life.
2. Q: How do you remember all the functions of your keys?
A: Actually, it’s……… I attach a small sheet of paper to each of my keys to remind me of their functions
3. It was the time when my brother consulted me about his university selection because he didn’t know
which one he should apply for. I told him that he should be firm and never…………… .
4. Well, I used to go to restaurants all the time when I was studying at university, but now just
………………….. because I’m quite occupied with my work
5. Definitely! I think the current governmental financial support for the people who are living in poverty

is just…………………...


1. The teacher asked us to talk about the pros and cons

of industrial development.

2. The police found nothing special in the house of the criminal as he had taken all the
important documents with him, leaving just odds and ends

.

3. Don’t worry about the problems you have in your business. You know there are
always ups and downs

in business.

4. If you think that doing this maths problem is a piece of cake

just try it.

Choose the appropriate word to complete the meaning of the idiom:
1. All these promises these politicians make are just pie

in the sky.

2. The small amount of money donated is just a drop in the ocean
large sum of money needed.
3. I had to face the music
for the problem.

compared to the

all by myself although I was not the only one responsible

4. They had had a dispute yesterday. That's why she gave him the cold shoulder
5. He has been successful in his life. He went from rags

to riches.

6. He spends his time drinking and watching TV. He's no use

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

practice makes perfect
pulling your leg
rule of thumb
smell a rat
take a rain check
the ball's in your court
the spitting image

till the cows come home
tongue-in-cheek
under the weather

to man or beast.


1. Wow – the painting is

of you. Who drew it?

2. I'm a bit busy so I'll

, but thanks for inviting me.

3. I've been a bit

since last night. I think it may have been something I

ate.
4. Are you

? I don't believe you really did that.

5. The police

when he said he wasn't involved in the crime. Someone

fitting his description had been seen in the area.
6. Don't worry if you can't do it yet. Keep trying.

7. The

.

in our house is not to talk about politics – it always ends in

arguments!
8. The TV programme was a

look at American culture. It wasn't that

serious.
9. I've told him how angry I am, so

10. We'll be waiting

now. We'll see what he does.

for England to win the football World Cup again.