Tổng hợp 200+ các idioms thường gặp trong các chủ đề thông dụng & đề thi THPT Quốc Gia

1. Idiom là gì?

Idiom là những câu/cụm từ được người bản xứ sử dụng thường xuyên khi giao tiếp hằng ngày

Ưu điểm của việc sử dụng thành ngữ (idiom) trong giao tiếp đó là ngôn từ của bạn sẽ trở nên tự nhiên hơn, đa dạng hơn, sinh động hơn và “thật” hơn.

2. Mẹo học nhanh thành ngữ hiệu quả

Theo kinh nghiệm chia sẻ từ hầu hết mọi người, cách tốt nhất để học và thuộc các idiom là hãy đọc/xem trực tiếp người bản địa nói chuyện, từ đó nhặt ra những idiom mà họ hay dùng. Cách này các bạn có thể học từ các trang web xem phim có phụ đề.

Ngoài ra, việc tổng hợp các idioms quen thuộc, hay gặp và tổng hợp chúng thành các danh sác phân theo chủ đề, đặt chúng trong hoàn cảnh nhất định nào đó cũng là cách đang được nhiều bạn áp dụng và mang lại hiệu quả cao. Giúp dễ dàng hiểu được cách vận dụng các thành ngữ và ghi nhớ lâu hơn.

3. 100 Idiom thường gặp trong đề thi THPT Quốc Gia

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: khuyên 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 regularly.
Ex:–> John was on probation for a year.

Download 100 mẫu idioms hay gặp trong ĐỀ THI: TẠI ĐÂY

4. Tổng hợp Idiom theo 13 chủ đề thông dụng

1. Chủ đề Money and Finance - Tiền bạc & Tài chính

- A penny saved is a penny earned: một xu để dành là một xu kiếm được, khuyên nên tiết kiệm tiền

E.g: She runs her own business and does all the work herself because she believes that a penny saved is a penny earned.

- Beyond one's means: nằm ngoài khả năng chi trả

E.g: The trip was just beyond our means.

- Someone's bread and butter: ám chỉ nguồn sống, kế sinh nhai, nguồn thu nhập

E.g: His family’s bread and butter comes from his small business.

- Cut one's losses: dừng làm việc gây thua lỗ và tổn thất

E.g: They decided to stop the unprofitable project to cut their losses.

- Down-and-out: không có tiền, công việc, nhà cửa (vừa là tính từ vừa là danh từ)

E.g: She left him when he was down-and-out.

- Bring home the bacon: thành công, kiếm đủ tiền nuôi sống gia đình.

E.g: In my family, my dad is the one who brings home the bacon while my mom stays at home and takes care of us.

- At all costs: bằng mọi giá, quyết tâm làm điều gì

E.g: I’ll be the winner at all costs.

- Earn a living: kiếm sống

E.g: She’s financially independent. She can earn her own living.

- Money doesn't grow on trees: ý nhắc nhở tiêu tiền hợp lý, vì tiền khó kiếm

E.g: I wanted to have a new car but then I changed my mind because my old car was still in good condition. My mom always reminds me that money doesn’t grow on trees.

- Pour money down the drain: tiêu hoang

E.g: This second-hand fridge isn’t working well. Buying it is just pouring money down the drain.

- Born with a silver spoon in your mouth: sướng từ trong trứng sướng ra, sinh ra trong một gia đình sung túc, đủ điền kiện

E.g: He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, so he has never known what hard work is.

2. Chủ đề Love - Tình yêu

- Love at first sight: yêu từ cái nhìn đầu tiên

E.g: Jim and Sue had a very happy ending after three months of dating. It was love at first sight.

- Match made in heaven: cặp trời phú

E.g: Tim and Anna are a match made in heaven. I believe they’ll soon have a happy ending.

- Have a crush on someone: thích ai đó, cảm nắng

E.g: She’s had a huge crush on him since they first met.

- To love with all your heart and soul: yêu ai đó bằng cả trái tim và tâm trí

E.g: I loved him with all my heart and soul but he still left me.

- Wear your heart on your sleeve: hay thể hiện cảm xúc mình

E.g: I can tell that Mary is depressed after her broken relationship. She wears her heart on her sleeve.

- Fall head over heels in love: si mê một ai đó

E.g: He fell head over heels in love with Sarah and they got married three months after their first date.

- Tie the knot: cưới ai đó

E.g: After a few months of dating, they decided to tie the knot in May.

- Be the apple of one’s eye: được yêu thích, được coi trọng bởi một ai đó

E.g: There are 30 students in this class but Lisa is the apple of the teacher’s eye because she’s helpful and friendly.

3. Chủ đề Happiness and Sadness - Vui buồn

- On cloud nine: trên chín tầng mây, ám chỉ đang rất vui và hạnh phúc

E.g: Jack was on cloud nine when his girlfriend said ‘yes’ to his proposal.

- Make one’s day: To make someone feel very happy: làm ai đó cảm thấy vô cùng hạnh phúc 

E.g: This birthday surprise really made my day.

- Not the end of the world: khi khuyên nhủ ai đó và muốn nói rằng đây chưa phải là điều tồi tệ nhất

E.g: Don’t worry about the debt. It’s not the end of the world.

- Feel blue/have the blues: cảm thấy buồn bã

E.g: He’s been feeling blue since the day she left.

- Face like a wet weekend: nhìn mặt thảm thương

E.g: 'Are you alright? You have a face like a wet weekend.'

- Get a (real) kick out of something: thích điều gì đó rất nhiều

E.g: He gets a kick out of football. He’s a big fan of Lionel Messi.

- On top of the world: cảm thấy cực kỳ hạnh phúc

E.g: Harry was on top of the world when Jenny accepted his invitation to dinner.

- In seventh heaven: cảm thấy cực kỳ hạnh phúc

E.g: She was in seventh heaven when she won the lottery.

- Over the moon: cảm thấy cực kỳ hạnh phúc

E.g: Sue is over the moon about her new laptop.

- Have a whale of a time: có một khoảng thời gian vui vẻ

E.g: We had a whale of a time at the party last night.

4. Chủ đề Health - Sức khoẻ

- Ill at ease: cảm thấy lo lắng và không thoải mái

E.g: She looked ill at ease when she had to do public speaking.

- Breathe one's last: trút hơi thở cuối cùng

E.g: My uncle always desired to find his lost son before he breathed his last.

- Catch a cold: bị cảm

E.g: ‘What’s the matter with Harry?’ ‘He caught a cold after the summer camp.’

- Fall ill: bị ốm

E.g: The students all fell ill after trying the new drink at the summer camp.

- At death's door: rất ốm và gần như sắp qua đời

E.g: My grandpa was so ill. The doctor said he was at death’s door.

- Nothing but skin and bones: ám chỉ rất gầy, da bọc xương

E.g: The kids there have nothing to eat. They’re nothing but skin and bones.

- Safe and sound: bình yên vô sự

E.g: Make sure everyone is safe and sound after the earthquake.

- Get/have/give someone a black eye: bị ai đánh thâm tím mặt mày; danh tiếng bị huỷ hoải

E.g: Although he won the fight, he got a black eye.

- Recharge one's batteries: hồi phục năng lượng, thư giãn

E.g: Don’t work too hard. Let’s go to the beach and recharge our batteries.

- Under the weather: không được khoẻ trong người

E.g: John had a day off from work today because he felt under the weather.

- You are what you eat: ám chỉ sức khoẻ có liên quan đến đồ mình ăn hàng ngày, ý khuyên nên ăn uống lành mạnh

E.g: ‘Mom, can I have some more fried chicken, please?’ ‘That’s enough, sweetie. You are what you eat.’

- As pale as a ghost: mặt trắng bệch

E.g: The little girl was as pale as a ghost when she saw the giant monster on the screen.

5. Travel - Du Lịch

- Off the beaten track: ở nơi xa, ít người biết đến

E.g: The explorers have just found a village off the beaten track.

- Make your way back: trở lại điểm ban đầu, trở lại điểm xuất phát

E.g: The little boy got lost but finally made his way back home safe and sound.

- Hustle and bustle: náo nhiệt, đông đúc

E.g: I moved to a rural area because the hustle and bustle of big cities does not suit me.

- Live out of a suitcase: thích đi đây đi đó, không thích ở một chỗ lâu dài

E.g: It’s time you settled down, Eric. Don’t live out of a suitcase any longer.

- Travel broadens the mind: Đi một ngày đàng học một sàng khôn (càng đi càng biết nhiều điều)

E.g: I like traveling because travel broadens the mind.

- Hit the road: Xuất phát

E.g: Let’s hit the road now. It’s 8 a.m. already.

- Break the journey: Tạm nghỉ, tạm dừng chân

E.g: After three days of walking in the forest, we broke the journey at a small village by the river.

- Have/get/give [someone] itchy feet: ngứa chân, ám chỉ muốn đi du lịch ở nhiều nơi.

E.g: I didn’t like living in Texas. I started getting itchy feet.

- Thirst for adventure: khao khát khám phá

E.g: She has a thirst for adventure. She just can’t stop traveling.

6. Topic Work - Công Việc

- Get your feet under the table: làm quen với công việc

E.g: It’s my first week at the new company. I haven’t gotten my feet under the table.

- Go the extra mile: sẵn sàng cố gắng hết sức để hoàn thành công việc vượt mức trên cả mong đợi

E.g:Julie always goes the extra mile to make her mom happy.

- Put one’s feet up: thư giãn

E.g: After a hard day at work, I like to put my feet up and read some books.

- Be in someone's good (or bad) books: làm việc gì đó khiến ai cảm thấy hạnh phúc (tức giận)

E.g: All students want to be in the teacher’s good book.

- Give someone the sack: sa thải một ai đó

E.g: His work has been getting worse and worse. It’s time to give him the sack.

- Call it a day: nghỉ ngơi, ám chỉ dừng việc mình đang làm lại

E.g: 'We worked so hard today. Let’s call it a day before 6 p.m.'

- Work like a dog: làm việc chăm chỉ

E.g: That’s unfair. Why do I have to work like a dog while he can watch TV?

- All in a day's work: ám chỉ đều là những công việc hàng ngày mình phải làm

E.g: She can cook for 40 people in just 2 hours. For her, cooking is all in a day’s work.

- Work one’s fingers to the bone: làm việc cực kỳ chăm chỉ, đặc biệt là các công việc tay chân

E.g: I’ve worked my fingers to the bone but my boss is still not happy.

7. Topic Friendship

- Lend your money. Lose your friend: ám chỉ không nên cho bạn vay mượn, cho bạn mượn tiền là mất bạn

E.g: You shouldn’t lend your friend money because it may create issues. You’ll have to bother your friend to repay the loan, or your friend may never repay the loan. Both can make your friendship worse.

- A friend in need is a friend indeed: ám chỉ người bạn thực sự là một người sẵn sàng giúp đỡ, đặc biệt là trong những hoàn cảnh khó khăn.

E.g: She stayed by me when I was depressed about my parents’ divorce, which made me believe that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”

- See eye to eye with someone: có cùng quan điểm, đồng tình với ai

E.g: They’re such a perfect couple. They see eye to eye on most things.

I can’t bear being on the same team as him. I’ve never seen eye to eye with him.

- Get on like a house on fire: cảm thấy thích ai đó và trở thành bạn rất nhanh

E.g: She looked very cold at first but when I talked to her, I realized she was very kind-hearted. After that, we got on like a house on fire.

- Know someone inside out: biết tường tận, hiểu rõ ai đó

E.g: I know him inside out. I understand that he left for a reason.

- Speak the same language: có cùng quan điểm và thái độ về điều gì đó

E.g: I have to check with my teammates to make sure we speak the same language.

8. Chủ đề Dreams

- Beyond your wildest dreams: tốt đẹp hơn những gì mình tưởng tượng

E.g: My first prize in the beauty pageant last night was beyond my wildest dreams.

- Daydream about someone or something: mơ mộng về ai hoặc việc gì đó

E.g: I can’t believe that I am now the manager of a multinational corporation. I used to daydream about this when I was little.

- In one's dreams: nói về điều gì đó khó có thể xảy ra

E.g: ‘I think I can make Tom love me.’ ‘In your dreams. He’s been with his pretty and sexy girlfriend for years.’

- A dream come true: đạt được những gì mà mình mong muốn trong một khoảng thời gian dài

E.g: The project succeeded brilliantly. It was a dream come true.

- Keep someone’s feet on the ground: luôn có thái độ sống thực tế

E.g: In spite of her overnight success, she always keeps her feet on the ground.

- Bring someone back down to earth: nhắc nhở ai đó quay trở về cuộc sống hiện tại sau khi có một trải nghiệm tuyệt vời hoặc một kế hoạch không thực tế

E.g: His startup will not be as easy as it seems. Let’s bring him back down to earth.

- Broken dreams: hy vọng hay ước mơ không được thực hiện

E.g: I would like to be an athlete one day but since my leg was seriously injured in a car crash, that desire is full of broken dreams.

9. Chủ đề Time

- Nine-to-five job: công việc giờ hành chính

E.g: Nine-to-five jobs are boring. I’d rather run my own business.

- At the eleventh hour: sự việc gì đó xảy ra muộn, giây phút cuối cùng

E.g: It’s impossible for me to handle this issue. Please don’t change at the eleventh hour.

- Like clockwork: nói về cái gì đó xảy ra đúng theo lịch trình

E.g: Every day at 5 a.m., like clockwork, he goes to the gym. He’s such a healthy man.

- Time flies: thời gian trôi nhanh

E.g: I can’t believe that your youngest kid is about 20 now. Time flies.

- Better late than never: thà muộn còn hơn là không bao giờ

E.g: I know it’s too late to say sorry but I guess better late than never.

- In the long (short) run: trong thời gian dài (ngắn) hạn

E.g: He may feel happy about his new relationship in the short run but I’m sure later on he’ll regret what he’s done to me.

- Beat the clock: hoàn thành việc gì đó trước deadline hay trước khi hết giờ, đến hạn

E.g: If you want to win the race, you have to beat the clock.

- Make up for lost time: bù lại cho khoảng thời gian đã mất

E.g: My grandpa didn’t travel a lot when he was young, so he’s determined to make up for lost time.

10. Chủ đề Decisions

- Take it or leave it: chấn nhận hay từ chối điều gì

E.g: ‘Do you have any other bikes for rent?’ ‘Sorry, that’s the last one in the shop. Take it or leave it.’

- Sit on the fence: chần chừ hoặc tránh phải đưa ra quyết định

E.g: It’s time you said yes or no to his proposal. Don’t sit on the fence.

- Take a back seat: nhường quyền cho ai đó hoặc ở một vị trí ít quan trọng hơn

E.g: It’s time for me to take the back seat. I’m too old for that position.

- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: ám chỉ nên bằng lòng với những gì mình đang có

E.g: It’s too risky. I’d rather settle down here than move to Canada alone. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

- My way or the highway: yêu cầu người khác phải làm những gì mình muốn không thì họ sẽ phải rời đi

E.g:In my family, Dad is always the one who makes decisions. ‘My way or the highway’ is what he usually says to us.

- Weigh the pros and cons: suy nghĩ cẩn thận trước khi ra quyết định

E.g: The government weighed all the pros and cons of the new project.

11. Common Idioms on Various Topics

- To Sleep On It: suy nghĩ kĩ trước khi quyết định điều gì

E.g:You don’t have to accept my proposal now, just sleep on it and tell me later.

- Know Someone Like The Back Of Your Hand: quá quen thuộc với điều gì

E.g: You should know the periodic table like the back of your hand because it will be on the test tomorrow.

She knows the lyrics to this song like the back of her hand.

- As Easy As Pie/ A Piece Of Cake: ám chỉ điều gì đó dễ dàng

E.g: This task might seem hard but it is actually a piece of cake.

Learning how to drive is a piece of cake.

- Take It Easy: bình tĩnh lại

E.g: Don’t overwhelm yourself; just take it easy.

Just take it easy at work; we are not in a rush.

- To Get The Ball Rolling: bắt đầu làm việc gì, bắt tay làm việc gì

E.g: The weekend is over; let’s get the ball rolling at work.

- Twenty-Four/Seven (24/7): lúc nào cũng có sẵn, có mặt

E.g: I’m available 24/7, so you can call me anytime.

- Once And For All: làm một lần rồi không bao giờ phải làm nữa

E.g: Get vaccinated once and for all to cure this disease.

- To Make The Best Of: tận dụng điều gì đó, thấy mặt tích cực trong tình huống nào đó

E.g: She is the most positive person I’ve ever known, she can make the best of even in the worst situations.

- Day in and day out (also: day after day; for longer periods of time, year in and year out, year after year): làm một việc giống nhau ngày này qua ngày khác

E.g: They’ve worked hard day after day for five years and were able to buy a house.

- To Keep One's Word: giữ lời hứa

E.g: I respect people who keep their words.

- To Give (Someone) A Hand: giúp đỡ ai đó

E.g: Can I give you a hand with anything?

I gave her a hand when she asked for help.

- To Be In (Someone's) Shoes: thông cảm và hiểu cho ai đó

E.g: Try to be in my shoes before you criticize me.

If she were in his shoes, she would understand his decision.

- None Of Your Business: không phải việc của mình

E.g: ow much I make a year is none of your business.

My marital status is none of your business.

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