1.

have your wits about you=be able to think quickly and make sensible decisions
2. know what's what=know the important facts about a situation
3. not have a leg to stand on=not have any way of proving that you are right about something
4. not see the wood for the trees=used for saying that someone cannot understand what is important in a
situation because they are thinking too much about small details
5. to take stock of sth=to examine a situation carefully
6. all mod cons=technology at home that makes jobs easier such as a washing machine, dishwasher etc.
7. change your tune=change your opinion or attitude
8. have a change of heart=change your opinion about something or decide not to do something you were
planning to do
9. know sth inside out=be very familiar with
10. the tools of the trade=the skills and equipment that you need in order to do your job
11. a stitch in time saves nine=express that it's better to spend a little time and effort to deal with a problem right
now than to wait until later, when it may get worse and take longer to deal with.
for good=permanently, ans = for good
in/for donkey's years=for a very long time
a stone's throw away/from
(very) close (to) The lodge is within a stone's throw of the ski slopes.
follow your nose
go straight forward, without turning; do what you feel is right in a particular situation, although you are not
certain
make a beeline for
go towards someone or something in the quickest and most direct way
lose your bearings
become confused about where you are and where other things are
stop dead in your tracks
suddenly stop, for example because you are surprised
take a shortcut to
take more direct route than usual
take the scenic route /ˈsiː.nɪk/
follow a longer path than the usual one because it is more attractive
big mouth
used as a criticism of someone when they say things they should not
come clean (about sth)
tell the truth about sth that you have kept secret
get sth off your chest
talk to someone about something that has been worrying you, so that you feel better about it
get the wrong end of the stick
to misunderstand
(hear sth) on/through the grapevine
the way in which information spreads quickly from one person to another through conversation
lay/put your cards on the table
tell people exactly what you are thinking or what you are intending to do : chơi bài ngửa
speak volumes
provide a lot of information, especially in an indirect way She said very little but her face spoke volumes.
tell tales to sb
kể tội, mách lẻo Don't go telling tales to the teacher!
an act of God
an event such as a flood, lightning or an earthquake that is produced by natural forces, and that people have no
control over
come rain or shine
whatever happens
down on your luck
having a long period of difficulty finding work and earning money
draw the short straw
be chosen to do something unpleasant
be no/without rhyme or reason
used for emphasising that there is no reason or explanation for something There is no rhyme or reason to her
behaviour.
the luck of the draw
to be the result of chance and something that you have no control over:
You can't choose who you play against - it's just the luck of the draw.
touch wood
used when you have said that you have had good luck in order to prevent bad luck from happening to you
fall short of
fail to reach the standard that you expected
go halves
share the cost of something with someone so that you each pay 50%
it's as broad as it's long
used for saying that you cannot choose between two things or actions because they are equal
line your pocket(s)
obtain money, especially by acting dishonestly
lock, stock, and barrel
entirely, completely
six of one and half a dozen of the other
No difference, either choice is okay
tidy sum/amount
large sum/amount His business deals make him a tidy sum.
a home from home
a place where you feel as comfortable as you do in your own home:
The hotel was a real home from home.
a blot on the landscape
something that makes a place look less attractive
commuter belt
area surrounding a large city where many people who work in that city live
concrete jungle
unpleasant part of a city where there are a lot of ugly buildings close together
home sweet home(a)
used for saying that you are happy to be back in your own home
in the sticks
nơi xa thành phố
on the street(s)
without a home:
Some of these people have been living on the streets for years.
on the town
dành cả tối ở bars,clubs,...
satellite town ˈsætəlaɪt
town that is close to and depends on a larger city : đô thị vệ tinh
cry over spilt milk
tiếc rẻ con gà quạ tha
fly off the handle
dễ phát cáu
give sb a taste/dose of their own medicine
treat someone in the same bad way they treat other people
give sth a miss
to not do an activity:
I think I'll give aerobics a miss this evening.
grin and bear it
ngậm bồ hòn làm ngọt
keep your hair on
to calm down Keep your hair on! Your car isn't badly damaged!
kick yourself ( for not...)
feel angry with yourself : bứt rứt
let off steam
blow off steam
never/don't look a gift horse in the mouth
if you are given something good, you should not complain about it or try to find things that are wrong with it
gain/get/have/take the upper hand
take control or advantage over a person or situation Government troops are gradually gaining the upper hand
over the rebels.
get/have your way
to do, get etc what one wants
làm theo ý mình You can't always have your own way.
pull (a few) strings
ở đằng sau giật dây: lợi dụng sức ảnh hưởng của mình để làm thứ mình muốn
red tape
complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done
take the law into one's own hands
take revenge without using the legal system One day, after years of violent abuse from her husband, she took
the law into her own hands.
throw THE book at sb
punish someone very severely
a sight for sore eyes
someone or something that you are very pleased to see
Achilles' heel
weak point
add fuel to THE fire
to make a bad situation worse
below/under par
below the usual standard
clean as a whistle
completely honest or legal; extremely clean
the last word in sth
the best/most recent version of sth
over the top
more than what is considered normal or suitable : thái quá,cực đoan
steal the show
receive a lot of attention because you give the best performance in a show or other event
(have/take) pride of place
1 vị trí cao quý
(have) the edge over
an advantage that makes sb or sth more successful than other people or things
get on like a house on fire
have a very good, enjoyable relationship
like two peas in a pod
very similar
put sth into perspective
to compare something to other things so that it can be accurately and fairly judged
sb is only human
used for saying sb has been weak in the ways most people are weak and should not be blamed for their behavior
at a loose end
with nothing in particular to do: không có gì để làm
couch potato
a person who watches a lot of television and does not have an active style of life
do sth on a whim
do because of a sudden feeling that you must have or do sth
have time on your hands
have more time available than you need ~~ không có việc làm
the life and soul of the party
someone who is very lively at social events
put your feet up
to relax
variety is the spice of life
used for saying that different experiences and situations make life enjoyable or interesting
take the weight off your feet/legs
sit down
pull a fast one on somebody
to successfully deceive someone:
take the biscuit
to be especially annoying, surprising, etc. or to be the worst or best of its kind:
And you say she's opening your letters now? Oh, that really takes the biscuit!
bark up the wrong tree (idiom)
to have the wrong idea about how to get or achieve sth
round the bend
crazy
split hairs
to argue about small details of something
reinvent the wheel
to waste time trying to create something that someone else has already created
stick to your guns
refuse to change what you are saying or doing despite the opposition or criticism of other people
all in good time
used to tell someone to be patient because the thing they are eager for will happen when the time is right:
Be patient, you'll hear the result all in good time.
before your time
used for saying that something happened or existed before you were born
These styles were a bit before my time.
the other day
recently:
I saw him the other day.
She called the other night.
at the drop of a hat
immediately without stopping to think about it:
People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days.
get/gain the upper hand
to get into a stronger position than someone else so that you are controlling a situation
not have a leg to stand on
not have any way of proving that you are right about something
not see the wood for the trees
used for saying that someone cannot understand what is important in a situation because they are
thinking too much about small details
to take stock of sth
to examine a situation carefully
all mod cons
technology at home that makes jobs easier such as a washing machine, dishwasher etc.
change your tune
change your opinion or attitude
have a change of heart
change your opinion about something or decide not to do something you were planning to do
know sth inside out
be very familiar with
the tools of the trade
the skills and equipment that you need in order to do your job
a stitch in time saves nine
express that it's better to spend a little time and effort to deal with a problem right now than to wait
until later, when it may get worse and take longer to deal with.
for good
permanently, ans = for good
in/for donkey's years
for a very long time
a stone's throw away/from
(very) close (to) The lodge is within a stone's throw of the ski slopes.
follow your nose
go straight forward, without turning; do what you feel is right in a particular situation, although you are
not certain
make a beeline for
go towards someone or something in the quickest and most direct way
lose your bearings
become confused about where you are and where other things are
stop dead in your tracks
suddenly stop, for example because you are surprised
take a shortcut to
take more direct route than usual
take the scenic route /ˈsiː.nɪk/
follow a longer path than the usual one because it is more attractive
big mouth
used as a criticism of someone when they say things they should not
come clean (about sth)
tell the truth about sth that you have kept secret
get sth off your chest
talk to someone about something that has been worrying you, so that you feel better about it
get the wrong end of the stick
to misunderstand
(hear sth) on/through the grapevine
the way in which information spreads quickly from one person to another through conversation
lay/put your cards on the table
tell people exactly what you are thinking or what you are intending to do : chơi bài ngửa
speak volumes
provide a lot of information, especially in an indirect way She said very little but her face spoke
volumes.
tell tales to sb
kể tội, mách lẻo Don't go telling tales to the teacher!
an act of God
an event such as a flood, lightning or an earthquake that is produced by natural forces, and that
people have no control over
come rain or shine
whatever happens
down on your luck
having a long period of difficulty finding work and earning money
draw the short straw
be chosen to do something unpleasant
be no/without rhyme or reason
used for emphasising that there is no reason or explanation for something There is no rhyme or
reason to her behaviour.
the luck of the draw
to be the result of chance and something that you have no control over:
You can't choose who you play against - it's just the luck of the draw.
touch wood
used when you have said that you have had good luck in order to prevent bad luck from happening to
you
fall short of
fail to reach the standard that you expected
go halves
share the cost of something with someone so that you each pay 50%
it's as broad as it's long
used for saying that you cannot choose between two things or actions because they are equal
line your pocket(s)
obtain money, especially by acting dishonestly
lock, stock, and barrel
entirely, completely
six of one and half a dozen of the other
No difference, either choice is okay
tidy sum/amount
large sum/amount His business deals make him a tidy sum.
a home from home
a place where you feel as comfortable as you do in your own home:
The hotel was a real home from home.
a blot on the landscape
something that makes a place look less attractive
commuter belt
area surrounding a large city where many people who work in that city live
concrete jungle
unpleasant part of a city where there are a lot of ugly buildings close together
home sweet home(a)
used for saying that you are happy to be back in your own home
in the sticks
nơi xa thành phố
on the street(s)
without a home:
Some of these people have been living on the streets for years.
on the town
dành cả tối ở bars,clubs,...
satellite town ˈsætəlaɪt
town that is close to and depends on a larger city : đô thị vệ tinh
cry over spilt milk
tiếc rẻ con gà quạ tha
fly off the handle
dễ phát cáu
give sb a taste/dose of their own medicine
treat someone in the same bad way they treat other people
give sth a miss
to not do an activity:
I think I'll give aerobics a miss this evening.
grin and bear it
ngậm bồ hòn làm ngọt
keep your hair on
to calm down Keep your hair on! Your car isn't badly damaged!
kick yourself ( for not...)
feel angry with yourself : bứt rứt
let off steam
blow off steam
never/don't look a gift horse in the mouth
if you are given something good, you should not complain about it or try to find things that are wrong
with it
gain/get/have/take the upper hand
take control or advantage over a person or situation Government troops are gradually gaining the
upper hand over the rebels.
get/have your way
to do, get etc what one wants
làm theo ý mình You can't always have your own way.
pull (a few) strings
ở đằng sau giật dây: lợi dụng sức ảnh hưởng của mình để làm thứ mình muốn
red tape
complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done
take the law into one's own hands
take revenge without using the legal system One day, after years of violent abuse from her husband,
she took the law into her own hands.
throw THE book at sb
punish someone very severely
a sight for sore eyes
someone or something that you are very pleased to see
Achilles' heel
weak point
add fuel to THE fire
to make a bad situation worse
below/under par
below the usual standard
clean as a whistle
completely honest or legal; extremely clean
the last word in sth
the best/most recent version of sth
over the top
more than what is considered normal or suitable : thái quá,cực đoan
steal the show
receive a lot of attention because you give the best performance in a show or other event
(have/take) pride of place
1 vị trí cao quý
(have) the edge over
an advantage that makes sb or sth more successful than other people or things
get on like a house on fire
have a very good, enjoyable relationship
like two peas in a pod
very similar
put sth into perspective
to compare something to other things so that it can be accurately and fairly judged
sb is only human
used for saying sb has been weak in the ways most people are weak and should not be blamed for
their behavior
at a loose end
with nothing in particular to do: không có gì để làm
couch potato
a person who watches a lot of television and does not have an active style of life
do sth on a whim
do because of a sudden feeling that you must have or do sth
have time on your hands
have more time available than you need ~~ không có việc làm
the life and soul of the party
someone who is very lively at social events
put your feet up
to relax
variety is the spice of life
used for saying that different experiences and situations make life enjoyable or interesting
take the weight off your feet/legs
sit down
pull a fast one on somebody
to successfully deceive someone:
take the biscuit
to be especially annoying, surprising, etc. or to be the worst or best of its kind:
And you say she's opening your letters now? Oh, that really takes the biscuit!
bark up the wrong tree (idiom)
to have the wrong idea about how to get or achieve sth
round the bend
crazy
split hairs
to argue about small details of something
reinvent the wheel
to waste time trying to create something that someone else has already created
stick to your guns
refuse to change what you are saying or doing despite the opposition or criticism of other people
all in good time
used to tell someone to be patient because the thing they are eager for will happen when the time is
right:
Be patient, you'll hear the result all in good time.
before your time
used for saying that something happened or existed before you were born
These styles were a bit before my time.
the other day
recently:
I saw him the other day.
She called the other night.
at the drop of a hat
immediately without stopping to think about it:
People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days.
get/gain the upper hand
to get into a stronger position than someone else so that you are controlling a situation
keep sb posted about sth
to make sure someone knows what is happening, esp. in a situation that is quickly changing:
The doctors kept me posted about her condition.
keep (something) under one's hat
giữ bí mật điều gì
Keep it under your hat, but I'm getting married next week.
give (someone) your word
to promise to do something
You gave me your word that you would look after them.
let nature take its course SYN: run its course
to allow someone or something to live or die naturally:
He could be kept alive artificially, but I think it would be kinder to let nature take its course.
out of the blue
suddenly, unexpectedly
a drop in the ocean
a very small amount that will not have much effect My letter of protest was just a drop in the ocean.
keep up with the Joneses
đua đòi với bạn bè, hàng xóm
knee-high to a grasshopper
very small, because you were very young
bury your head in the sand
ignore a problem or an unpleasant situation and hope that it will disappear
the powers that be
important people who have authority over others:
It's up to the powers that be to decide what should be done next.
under sb's thumb
under someone's control:
He's got the committee firmly under his thumb - they agree to whatever he asks.
let sleeping dogs lie
said to warn someone that they should not talk about a bad situation that most people have forgotten
about
keep a straight face
to manage to stop yourself from smiling or laughing:
She tried to keep a straight face but, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter.