GSTT VN idioms tiếng anh

Ví dụ: mặt hoa da phấn  Tương tự như vậy trong Tiếng Anh các em có thể thấy những cụm từ như: over the moon không phải là qua mặt trăng mà thành ngữ này để chỉ tâm trạng đang rất hạnh

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IDIOMS (THÀNH NGỮ)

 Thành ngữ: là các từ, cụm từ được sử dụng phổ biến mà ý nghĩa của nó không đơn thuần

là nghĩa đen của các từ ghép lại mà thường hiểu theo nghĩa bóng Trong Tiếng Việt ta

cũng có rất nhiều thành ngữ như thế này Ví dụ: mặt hoa da phấn

 Tương tự như vậy trong Tiếng Anh các em có thể thấy những cụm từ như: over the

moon (không phải là qua mặt trăng mà thành ngữ này để chỉ tâm trạng đang rất hạnh

phúc, tiếng Việt mình có thể là “đang lâng lâng trên mây”.)

 Vì thành ngữ được hiểu theo nghĩa bóng nên khi dịch các thành ngữ phần lớn ta không

thể dịch tương đương từng từ mà phải hiểu được ý nghĩa của thành ngữ đó và tìm những cách diễn đạt phù hợp

Một số ví dụ về thành ngữ trong tiếng anh:

Idioms (Thành ngữ) Meaning and example (Ý nghĩa và ví dụ)

1.Water off a duck’s back

Đây là một thành ngữ thường dùng để chê trách, hoặc phê phán, hàm

ý "không có tác dụng gì với ai" tương đương với thành ngữ trong Tiếng Việt là “nước đổ đầu vịt”

E.g:

I must have told her a hundred times that she mustn’t do that.But it’swater off a duck’s back She just keeps on doing it

2 On top of the world

Thành ngữ này khá quen thuộc với chúng ta, nhưng ý nghĩa của nó

là gì?

“To be on top of the world” diễn tả tâm trạng đang rất hạnh phúc,

lâng lâng (giống như over the moon Tiếng Việt của chúng ta cũng có

cụm từ tương tự như thế này: "lâng lâng trên mây".)

E.g:

She’d had such a good birthday party She felt on top of the world

3 Bark up the wrong tree

Nghĩa của thành ngữ này nếu mới nhìn qua tranh các em có thể thấy chú chó đã sủa sai cây Nhưng thành ngữ là hiểu theo nghĩa bóng nên nghĩa của nó là "đã hiểu sai, hoặc nhầm một vấn đề gì"

E.g:

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They thought that she didn’t want to go to the disco because she didn’t like dancing But they were barking up the wrong tree It was because she didn’t like the flashing lights

E.g:

- What’s the name of the guitarist we were talking about yesterday?

- Oh, dear I can’t remember It’s on the tip of my tongue I know it begins with V- Valent no, Valiant That’s it, Valiant

7 Change your mind

Thành ngữ này là “thay đổi ý nghĩ, quan điểm hoặc quyết định" của bạn về một vấn đề gì

8 Break the ice Thành ngữ này thường dùng để diễn tả làm một việc gì đó để giúp

mọi người thư giãn và thoải mái, đặc biệt khi mới gặp

E.g:

- How did you get on at your singles group?

- We were all a bit embarrassed; because it was the first time we had met But Tom broke the ice by getting us all to say our names and what our favourite TV programs were

10 A big fish in a small pond

Thành ngữ này nghĩa đen là “một con cá to trong một chiếc ao nhỏ”, câu nói này khá quen thuộc với người Việt Nam Câu này ngụ ý là người nào đó có một vị trí quan trọng nhưng chỉ là trong một tổ chức, hoặc cơ quan nhỏ, nếu họ đến một nơi lớn hơn vị trí của họ sẽ bớt quan trọng đi

E.g:

- How is Janet enjoying secondary school?

- She likes it now But it’s so different from her primary school.It took her a while to get used to the change She used to be a big fish in a small pond but now she's at a much bigger school

Nguồn: tienganh123.com

for a needle in a haystack

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?

năng là sẽ thất bại

You built that boat like a house of cards,

I am not getting in!

It’s raining cats

raining cats and dogs outside!

New York

minute

no man is an island, let us help

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A Drop In The Bucket = hạt muối bỏ biển

"I'd like to do something to change the world but whatever I do seems like a drop in the bucket."

A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned = 1 xu tiết kiệm cũng như 1 xu làm ra

"I'm going to give you $20 but I want you to put it in the bank; a penny saved is a penny earned!"

A Piece Of Cake = dễ như ăn cháo

"Do you think you will win your tennis match today?" Answer: "It will be a piece of cake."

Actions Speak Louder Than Words = hành động có giá trị hơn lời nói

"Don't tell me how to do this; show me! Actions speak louder than words."

Add Fuel To The Fire = thêm dầu vào lửa

"I would like to do something to help, but I don't want to add fuel to the fire."

Cost An Arm And A Leg = trả 1 cái giá cắt cổ, tốn rất nhiều tiền

"Be careful with that watch; it cost me an arm and a leg."

Arm In Arm = tay trong tay

"What a nice afternoon We walked arm in arm along the beach for hours."

Beating Around The Bush = vòng vo tam quốc

"If you want to ask me, just ask; don't beat around the bush."

Better Late Than Never = thà trễ còn hơn không

I was saved by the bell, didn't have

to answer the hard question

Well, what's happened is behind

us There is no point in crying over spilt milk now

'Til the cows

feeling under the weather?

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"Sorry I was late for the meeting today; I got stuck in traffic." Answer: "That's okay;better late than never."

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together = ngưu tầm ngưu, mã tầm mã

"Look; the volleyball players are eating at the same table together, as always." Answer: "Birds of

a feather flock together."

Bite Your Tongue = cố gắng im lặng

"Whenever that professor says something I don't like, I have to bite my tongue."

Blood Is Thicker Than Water = 1 giọt máu đào hơn ao nước lã

"When my best friend and my brother got in a fight I had to help my brother; blood is thicker than water."

Burn Your Bridges = đốt cầu của mình, tức là tự làm mất đi cơ hội của mình

"I wish you hadn't been rude to that man just now; he is very important in this town and you shouldn't go around burning bridges."

Burning The Candle At Both Ends = vắt kiệt sức ra để làm việc

"Ever since this new project started I have been burning the candle at both ends I can't take much more of it."

Call It Off = hủy bỏ

"Tonight's game was called off because of the rain."

Curiosity Killed The Cat = sự tò mò có thể rất nguy hiểm

"Hey, I wonder what's down that street; it looks awfully dark and creepy." Answer: "Let's not try

to find out Curiosity killed the cat."

Don't Count Your Chickens Until They're Hatched = trứng chưa nở đã đếm gà

"Next Friday I will be able to pay you back that money I owe you." Answer: "I won't becounting

my chickens "

Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket = đừng bỏ tất cả trứng vào 1 rổ, tức hãy chia đều

những nguy cơ ra nhiều nơi để giảm rủi ro

"The best way to gamble is to only bet small amounts of money and never put all your eggs in one basket."

From Rags To Riches = từ nghèo khổ trở thành cự phú

"My uncle is a real rags to riches story."

Great Minds Think Alike = tư tưởng lớn gặp nhau

"I have decided that this summer I am going to learn how to scuba dive." Answer: "Me too! I have already paid for the course Great minds think alike!"

It Takes Two To Tango = có lửa mới có khói

"Her husband is awful; they fight all the time." Answer: "It takes two to tango."

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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie = đừng gợi lại những chuyện không hay

"I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better tolet sleeping dogs lie."

Neither A Borrower, Nor A Lender Be = đừng cho mượn tiền, cũng đừng mượn tiền

"Could you lend me twenty dollars?" Answer: "Sorry, neither a borrower nor a lender be."

Everybody Is On The Same Page = mọi người đều hiểu vấn đề

"Before we make any decisions today, I'd like to make sure that everyone is on the same page."

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind = xa mặt cách lòng

"I meant to read that book, but as soon as I put it down, I forgot about it." Answer: "Out of sight, out of mind."

Practice Makes Perfect = càng tập luyện nhiều càng giỏi

"You see how quickly you are getting better at the piano! Practice makes perfect!"

Put Your Foot In Your Mouth = tự há miệng mắc quai, nói lỡ lời

"Let's all be very careful what we say at the meeting tomorrow I don't want anyoneputting their foot in their mouth."

MỘT SỐ THÀNH NGỮ PHÂN THEO CHỦ ĐỀ

NUMBER

One

- at one time: thời gian nào đó đã qua

- back to square one: trở lại từ đầu

- be at one with someone: thống nhất với ai

- be/get one up on someone: có ưu thế hơn ai

- for one thing: vì 1 lý do

- a great one for sth: đam mê chuyện gì

- have one over th eight: uống quá chén

- all in one, all rolled up into one: kết hợp lại

- it's all one (to me/him): như nhau thôi

- my one and only copy: người duy nhất

- a new one on me: chuyện lạ

- one and the same: chỉ là một

- one for the road: ly cuối cùng trước khi đi

- one in the eye for somone: làm gai mắt

- one in a thousand/milion: một người tốt trong ngàn người

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- a one-night stand: 1 đêm chơi bời

- one of the boy: người cùng hội

- one of these days: chẳng bao lâu

- one of those days: ngày xui xẻo

- one too many: quá nhiều rượu

- a quick one: uống nhanh 1 ly rượu

Two

- be in two minds: chưa quyết định được

- for two pins: xém chút nữa

- in two shakes: 1 loáng là xong

- put two and two together: đoán chắc điều gì

- two bites of/at the cherry: cơ hội đến 2 lần

- two/ten a penny: dễ kiếm được

Other numbers

- at sixs and sevens: tình rạng rối tinh rối mù

- knock somone for six: đánh bại ai

- a nine day wonder: 1 điều kỳ lạ nhất đời

- a nine-to-five job: công việc nhàm chán

- on cloud nine: trên 9 tầng mây

- dresses up to the nines: ăn mặc bảnh bao

- ten to one: rất có thể

- nineteen to the dozen: nói huyên thuyên

COLOUR

Black

- be in the black: có tài khoản

- black anh blue: bị bầm tím

- a black day (for someone/sth): ngày đen tối

- black ice: băng đen

- a black list: sổ đen

- a black look: cái nhìn giận dữ

- a black mark: một vết đen, vết nhơ

- a/the black sheep 9of the family): vết nhơ của gia đình, xã hội

- in someone's black books: không được lòng ai

- in black and white: giấy trằng mực đen

- not as black as one/it is panted: không tồi tệ như người ta vẽ vời

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Blue

- blue blood: dòng giống hoàng tộc

- a blue-collar worker/job: lao động chân tay

- a/the blue-eyed boy: đứa con cưng

- a boil from the blue: tin sét đánh

- disapear/vanish/go off into the blue: biến mất tiêu

- once in a blue moon: rất hiếm hiếm hoi

- out of the blue: bất ngờ

- scream/cry blue muder: cực lực phản đối

- till one is blue in the face: nói hết lời

Green

- be green: còn non nớt

- a green belt: vòng đai xanh

- give someone get the green light: bật đèn xanh

- green with envy: tái đi vì ghen

- have (got) green fingers: có tay làm vườn

Grey

- go/turn grey: bạc đầu

- grey matter: chất xám

Red

- be/go/turn as red as a beetroot: đỏ như gấc vì ngượng

- be in the red: nợ ngân hàng

- (catch soomeone/be caught) red-handed: bắt quả tang

- the red carpet: đón chào nồng hậu

- a red herring: đánh trống lãng

- a red letter day: ngày đáng nhớ

- see red: nổi giận bừng bừng

White

- as white as a street/ghost: trắng bệt

- a white-collar worker/job: nhận viên văn phòng

- a white lie: lời nói dối vô hại

ANIMALS

- badger someone: mè nheo ai

- make a big of oneself: ăn uống thô tục

- an eager beaver: người tham việc

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- a busy bee: người làm việc lu bù

- have a bee in one's bonest: ám ảnh chuyện gì

- make a bee-line foe something: nhanh nhảu làm chuyện gì

- the bee's knees: ngon lành nhất

- an early bird: người hay dậy sớm

- a home bird: người thích ở nhà

- a lone bird/worf: người hay ở nhà

- an odd bird/fish: người quái dị

- a rare bird: của hiếm

- a bird's eye view: nhìn bao quát/nói vắn tắt

- bud someone: quấy rầy ai

- take the bull by the horns: không ngại khó khăn

- have butterflies in one's stomach: nôn nóng

- a cat nap: ngủ ngày

- lead a cat and dog life: sống như chó với mèo

- let the cat out of the bag: để lộ bí mật

- not have room to swing a cat: hẹp như lỗi mũi

- not have a cat in hell's change: chẳng có cơ may

- play cat and mouse with someone: chơi mèo vờn chuột

- put the cat among the pigeons: làm hư bột hư đường

- a dog in the manger: cho già ngậm xương (ko muốn ai sử dụng cái mình ko cần)

- dog tired: mệt nhoài

- top dog: kẻ thống trị

- a dog's life: cuộc sống lầm than

- go to the dogs: sa sút

- let sleeping dog's lie: đừng khêu lại chuyện đã qua

- donkey's years: thời gian dài dằng dặc

- do the donkey's work: làm chuyện nhàm chán

- a lame duck: người thất bại

- a sitting duck: dễ bị tấn công

- a cold fish: người lạnh lùng

- a fish out of water: người lạc lõng

- have other fish to fry: có chuyện fải làm

- a fly in the oinment: con sâu làm rầu nồi canh

- not hurt a fly: chẳng làm hại ai

- there are no flies on someone: người ngôn lanh đáo để

- can't say boo to a goose: hiền như cục đất

- **** someone's goose: làm hư kế hoạch (hư bột hư đường)

- a wild goose chase: cuộc tìm kiếm vô vọng

- a guinea pig: người tự làm vật thí nghiệm

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OTHER

One good turn deserves another (Ăn miếng trả miếng)

Who breaks, pays (Bắn súng không nên thì phải đền đạn)

Two securities are better than one (Cẩn tắc vô ưu)

Slow and sure (Chậm mà chắc)

Threats do not always lead to blows (Chó sủa là chó không cắn)

If the cab fits then wear it (Có tật giật mình)

Money makes the mare go (Có tiền mua tiên cũng được)

Where's there's life, there's hope (Còn nước còn tát)

A lie has no legs (Giấu đầu lòi đuôi)

We have gone too far to draw back (Đâm lao thì phải theo lao)

In for a penny, in for a pound (Được voi đòi tiên)

Tell me the company you keep, and I will tell you what you see (Gần mực thì đen, gần đèn thì sáng)

It never rains but it pours (Họa vô đơn chí)

If you eat the fruit, you have to think about the one who grows the tree (Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây)

We reap what we sow (Gieo gió gặt bão)

THere's no smoke without fire (Không có lửa sao có khói)

Who makes excuses, himself excuses (Lạy ông tôi ở bụi này)

One scabby sheep is enough to spoil the whole flock (Con sâu làm rầu nồi canh)

To kill two birds with one stone (Nhất cữ lưỡng tiện)

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To let the wolf into the fold (Nuôi ong tay áo)

Constant dropping wears stone (Nước chảy đá mòn)

A miss is as good as a mile (Sai một ly đi một dặm)

A flow will have an ebb (Sông có khúc người có lúc)

Grasp all, lose all (Tham thì thâm)

Time lost is never found (Thời giờ đã mất thì không tìm lại được)

Bitter pills may have blessed effects (Thuốc đắng dã tật)

Beginning is the difficulty (Vạn sự khởi đầu nan)

Traveling forms a young man (Đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn)

No guide, no realization (Không thầy đố mày làm nên)

More

Better late than never (muộn còn hơn ko)

Half a loaf is better than no bread (méo mó có hơn ko)

Health is better than wealth (Sức khỏe quý hơn vàng)

Birds of a feather flock together (Đồng thanh tương ứng, đồng khí tương cầu)

To run with the hare and hold with the hounds (Bắt cá hai tay)

Many a little makes a mickle (Kiến tha lâu cũng đấy tổ)

Where there is a will, there is a way (Có chí thì nên)

Actions speak louder than words = Nói ít làm nhiều;

Beauty is only skin-deep = Tốt gỗ hơn tốt nước sơn;

Caution is the parent of safety = Cẩn tắc vô áy náy;

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Do not judge a man by his looks = Không nên trông mặt mà bắt hình dong;

The early bird catches the worm = Trâu chậm uống nước đục;

The empty vessel makes the greatest sound = Thùng rỗng kêu to

- A year care, a minute ruin : khôn ba năm, dại một giờ

- Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals : rượu vào lời ra, tửu nhập ngôn xuất

- Fool's haste is no speed : nhanh nhoảng đoảng, thật thà hư

- God will not buy everething : giàu sang không mang lại hạnh phúc

- Grasp all, lose all : tham thì thâm

- Handsome is as handsome does : cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp

- Like father like son : cha nào con nấy

- Love me love my dog : yêu ai yêu cả đuờng đi, ghét ai ghét cả tông họ hàng

- No wisdom like silence : không có sự thông minh nào bằng im lặng

- Nothing venture, nothing win : đuợc ăn cả, ngã về không

- Out of sight , out of mind : xa mặt cách lòng

- So many men, so many minds : mỗi nguời một ý

- Where there is a will, there is a way : có chí thì nên

- Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl : gần mực thì đen gần đèn thì sáng

- You never know your luck: dịp may không đến hai lần

rushed and have very little time to do it

Ex: They are working against the clock to have

the presentation ready for Monday

Đua với thời gian

All clear If you are allowed to do something after a

check-up to make sure that everything is all right, you get

the all clear

Ex: Dad says he's going to play golf as soon as he gets the all clear from his doctor."

All ears To say that you are all ears means that you are

listening very attentively

Answer for If someone has to answer for something, they

have to accept responsibility for their actions

Ex: He will have to answer for his dishonesty

Chịu tránh nhiệm

Argue the toss If you argue the toss, you dispute a decision or

choice which has already been made

Ex: The final choice was made yesterday, so don'targue the toss now!

Nói đi nói lại

Asking for

trouble

Someone who is asking for trouble is behaving

stupidly and is likely to have problems

Ex: Driving fast on these roads is really asking for trouble!

Tự tìm rắc rối

At all costs If you are determined to obtain or achieve

something at all costs, you want it regardless of

the expense, effort or sacrifice involved

Bằng mọi giá

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Ex: The journalist was determined at all costs to

get a report from the war zone."

holding the baby

If someone is left holding the baby, they are

made responsible for a problem that others don't want to deal with

A bad egg To refer to someone as a bad egg means that

they cannot be trusted

Ex: I don't want my son to be friends with

Bobby Smith Boby's a bad egg."

Người không đáng tin

A bad hair day Originating as a humorous comment about

one's hair being unmanageable, this term has broadened to mean a day when everything

In bad shape A person who is in bad shape is in poor

In the bag If you think something is in the bag, you are

almost certain it will be achieved

Ex: An hour before the polling stations closed, victory seemed in the bag for the Conservative

candidate

Nắm chắc trong tay

In the balance If something is in the balance, it means the

situation is uncertain and it is not clear what is going to happen

Ex: The future of the company is in the

Đưa lên bàn cân

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 16 | 69

balance while the takeover bid is being

examined

Balancing act When you try to satisfy two or more people or

groups who have different needs, and keep

everyone happy, you perform a balancing act

Ex: Many people have to perform a balancing actbetween work and family

Làm dâu trăm họ

Have a ball If you have a ball, you enjoy yourself

Ex: The party was great We had a ball

Bar fly A bar fly refers to someone who spends a lot

of time drinking in bars and pubs

Ex: You must bear in mind that the cost of

living is higher in New York."

Luôn ghi nhớ rằng

It beats me! This expression is used to express surprise at

something that you find difficult to understand

Ex: It beats me how he can live in that

horrible apartment!

Behind closed

doors

If something takes place behind closed doors,

it is done privately, with no observers or intruders

Ex: The matter was discussed behind closed doors

Đằng sau bức màn

Behind the times A person who is behind the times has

old-fashioned ideas and does not keep up with modern life in general

Ex: Jane doesn't have a mobile phone She's completely behind the times

Lỗi thời

Behind bars Someone who is behind bars is in prison

If you need to tighten your belt, you must

spend your money carefully

Ex: Another bill? I'll have to tighten my belt this month!

Thắt chặt hầu bao

Bet your bottom

dollar

If you bet your bottom dollar on something, you are absolutely certain of it

Ex: Jack is very punctual You can bet your bottom dollar he'll be here at 9 o'clock on the

better to do it late than not do it at all

"Do you know what time it is? You promised

you'd come early to help me - but better late than never I suppose!"

If you think better of something, you decide

not to do something that you intended doing

Ex: I wanted to go shopping, but when I saw

the crowded car park, I thought better of it."

Để coi sao đã

It's beyond me The expression "it's beyond me" means: "it's

impossible for me to understand.”

Ex: It's beyond me why Mary wants to marry

John

Thật khó hiểu

Big cheese This expression refers to a person who has a

lot of power and influence in an organization

Ex: Tom's father is a big cheese in the oil

industry

Người có ảnh hưởng

Big picture To refer to the big picture means the overall

situation, or the project as a whole, rather than

the details

Ex: While each aspect is important, try not to

forget the big picture

Chiến lược tổng thể

For the birds If you think something is for the birds, you

consider it to be uninteresting, useless, or not

If you kill two birds with one stone, you

succeed in doing two things at the same time

Một mũi tên bắn chết 2 con nhạn

Bite the hand

that feeds you

If you bite the hand that feeds you, you are

unfriendly or do harm to someone who is kind

to you

Nuôi ong tay áo

Bite your tongue If you bite your tongue, you try not to say

what you really think or feel

Ex: It was difficult for me not to react; I had

to bite my tongue

Uốn lưỡi bảy lần trước khi nói

Make

your blood boil

If something makes your blood boil, it makes

you really angry

Ex: His condescending attitude made my blood boil!

Giận sôi máu

Make

your blood run

cold

If something makes your blood run cold, it

shocks or scares you a lot

Ex: The look in the prisoner's eyes made my blood run cold

Sợ (sốc) lạnh xương sống

On the bottle A person who drinks alcoholic drinks often

and regularly is on the bottle

Ex: Joe went on the bottle when he lost his

job

Sáng xỉn chiều say

Business is

business

This is a way of saying that in financial and commercial matters, friendship or personal feelings should not be allowed to have any influence

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 19 | 69

C

A piece of cake To refer to something as a piece of cake means

that you consider it to be very easy

Ex: The English test was a piece of cake!

Dễ như ăn bánh

Slice of the cake When people feel entitled to a share of the

benefits or profits, they want a (larger) slice of the cake

Can of worms To describe a situation as a can of worms means

that it is complicated, unpleasant and difficult to deal with

Ex: The discovery of the transfer of funds turned

out to be a real can of worms."

“Một đống rắc rối”

(việc lộn xộn khó giải quyết)

Play your cards right This means that you do all that is necessary in

Put/lay one's cards on

the table

If you put your cards on the table, you speak

honestly and openly about your feelings and intentions

Ex: Let's clear the air and put our cards on the table

Lật ngửa ván bài

Carrot and stick If you use a carrot-and-stick approach, you use

the promise of reward and the threat of punishment to make somebody work harder

củ cà rốt

Carry the can (for

someone else)

If you carry the can for another person, you

accept blame or take responsibility for something that goes wrong, even if it is not your fault or only partly

Ex: The author didn't turn up for the interview and his agent had to carry the can

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 20 | 69

A cash cow A product or service which is a regular source of

income for a company is called a cash cow

Ex: His latest invention turned out to be a real cash cow

Cat-and-dog life This term refers to a life in which partners are

constantly or frequently quarrelling

Ex: They lead a cat-and-dog life I don't know

why they stay together."

Như chó với mèo

Catch somebody's eye If someone catches your eye, you find them

attractive

Ex; The pretty girl near the door caught his eye

thu hút ai đó

Cause a stir If something causes a stir, it creates an

atmosphere of excitement or great interest

Ex: The arrival of the actress caused quite a stir in the village

tạo sự sôi động

Change the face of

Change of heart If someone has a change of heart, they change

their attitude or feelings, especially towards greater friendliness or cooperation

Ex: He was against charity, but he had a change

of heart when he saw the plight of the homeless

Thay lòng đổi dạ

Chase rainbows Someone who is chasing rainbows is trying to

get something they will never obtain

Ex: She's trying to get into Harvard but I think she'schasing rainbows

Chạy theo

Ex: The business wasn't successful There were too many chiefs and not enough Indians

Thầy nhiều hơn thợ

Chinese whispers This term refers to a process by which a message

or piece of information (especially gossip, rumors or scandalous news) is passed on from one person to another, and changes along the way, so that the final version is often very

Tam sao thất bản

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 21 | 69

different from the original

Clear the air If you decide to clear the air, you try to remove

the causes of fear, worry or suspicion by talking about them openly

Ex: The atmosphere had become so unpleasant

that he decided it was time to clear the air

Bày tỏ hết nỗi lòng

Not have a clue If you don't have a clue about something, you

don't know anything about it

Ex: My wife's grandmother's maiden name?

I don't have a clue!

không biết

Cold calls If you make cold calls, you telephone potential

customers from a list of people you do not know

Ex: In my first job I had to make cold calls using

the telephone directory

Corner a market If a company dominates an area of business, and

leaves no room for competition, it is said to

havecornered the market

Ex: By importing large quantities and selling at

low prices, they have cornered the market."

Chiếm lĩnh thị trường

Crocodile tears To shed crocodile tears means to shed false tears

or show insincere grief

Ex: Caroline pretended to be sad but we all knew her tears were crocodile tears

Nước mắt cá sấu

Cross the line If you cross the line you go beyond the

authorized limits and do something which is not acceptable

Ex: He has an unpleasant habit of telling jokes that really cross the line."

Vượt rào

Cross your mind If an idea or thought crosses your mind, you

suddenly think of it

Ex: It has just crossed my mind that the shops are

closed today

Ý nghĩ thoáng qua

Cut one's losses If you end or withdraw from something that is

already failing, in order to reduce the loss of

Cut it out! If you say cut it out to someone, you are telling

them to stop doing something

Ex: I've had enough of your insinuations, so just cut it out!

Cutting edge This expression refers to the newest, most

advanced stage in the development of something

Ex: The company is at the cutting edge of

aeronautics

Giai đoạn cao điểm

D Dance to someone's

tune

If you dance to someone's tune, you do whatever

that person tells you to do

He is the company's major shareholder so the

management has to dance to his tune

Hùa theo (ai đó)

In the dark If someone is kept or left in the dark about

something, they are not informed about it

Ex: The personnel were kept in the dark about

the merger until the last minute

Giữ bí mật

again!"

Không mời

mà tới

Dead in the water A plan or project that is dead in the water is at a

standstill or has ceased to function and is unlikely

to be reactivated in the future

Ex: Because of the crisis, the planned housing development is now dead in the water

Dead loss Someone or something described as a dead loss is

absolutely useless or a complete failure

Ex: When it comes to gardening, my brother is a dead loss

sự thất bại hoàn toàn

Dead wood The term dead wood refers to people or things

which are no longer considered useful or

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 23 | 69

necessary

Ex: The new manager wants to reduce costs by cutting out the dead wood

Dead to the world A person who is dead to the world is fast asleep

Ex: Don't worry You won't disturb him He's dead

to the world!

Ngủ gà ngủ gật

Deep pockets A person or organization who has deep

pockets has a lot of money

Ex: Andy's business is not doing well at the moment He says he needs a friend with deep pockets

Dày túi

Do

someone's dirtywork

To do someone's dirty work means to do the

unpleasant or difficult work that the other person does not want to do

Do more harm than

good

If the effect of an action is more damaging than

helpful, it does more harm than good."

Ex: Giving him money did more harm than good -

he spent it on alcohol

Làm chuyện hại nhiều hơn lợi

Dog's life People use this expression when complaining

about a situation or job which they find unpleasant

Go to the dogs To say that a company, organization or country

isgoing to the dogs means that it is becoming less

successful or efficient than before

Ex: Some think the company will go to the dogs if

it is nationalized

Let sleeping dogs lie If you tell somebody to let sleeping dogs lie, you

are asking them not to interfere with a situation because they could cause problems

Down to earth Someone who is down to earth is not a dreamer

but a realistic and practical person who has sensible reactions and expectations

Ex: Don't ask Suzy for help She's fun, but not

very down to earth

Thực tế

Dressed to kill When someone, especially a woman, is dressed to

kill, they are wearing very fashionable or

glamorous clothes intended to attract attention

Ex: She arrived at the reception dressed to kill

Drink like a fish A person who drinks like a fish is a heavy drinker

or one who drinks a lot

Ex: I'm nervous if Joe drives when we go out

because he drinks like a fish!

Uống như hũ chìm

Drop like flies If people drop like flies, they fall ill or die in large

numbers

Ex: There's an epidemic of flu at the moment Senior citizens are dropping like flies

Chết như rạ

To be dying for

something

If you are dying for something, you have a strong

desire for it

Ex: I'm dying for a cup of tea!

khao khát điều gì

A sitting duck A sitting duck is an easy target, a person who is

E Eagle eyes Someone who has eagle eyes sees or notices things

more easily than others

Ex: Tony will help us find it - he's got eagle eyes!

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 25 | 69

anyone!

Make

one's ears burn

If something makes your ears burn, you are

embarrassed by what you hear, especially if the conversation is about you

Ex: The comments I overheard made my ears burn

Nghe muốn nổ tai luôn

Music to your ears To say that something is music to your ears,

means that the information you receive makes you feel very happy

Mật ngọt chết ruồi

Earn while you

learn

This expression refers to the possibility of earning

a salary while in training

Ex: Become an apprentice and get paid while in training Earn while you learn!"

Học mà được trả tiền

Easier said than

Easy as pie To say that something is easy as pie means that it

is very easy to do

Ex: How did the English test go? - No problem - it was easy as pie!

Dễ như ăn bánh

Eat /dip into one's

savings

If you eat or dip into your savings, you spend

part of the money you have put aside for future use

Ex: I had to dip into my savings to have the car

At

the eleventh hour

If something happens at the eleventh hour, it

happens when it is almost too late, or at the last possible moment

Ex: Our team won after they scored a goal at the eleventh hour

Phút thứ 90

Even the score When a person decides to even the score, they try

to get their revenge on someone who has cheated

Trả đũa

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 26 | 69

or done them harm

Ex: When Jack discovered that Bob had cheated,

he was determined to even the score

Look someone in

theeyes

If you look someone in the eye, or eyes, you look

at them directly so as to convince them that you are telling the truth, even though you may be lying

Nhìn thẳng vào mắt

F Keep a

straight face

If you keep a straight face, you look serious

although you really want to laugh

Làm mặt nghiêm

Fair and square If something is obtained or won fair and square, it

is done in an honest and open manner, the rules are respected and there is no cheating or lying

Ex: Peter won the competition fair and square -

there was no doubt about the result

Fast

track something

If you decide to fast track something, such as a

task or project, you give it high priority so that the objective is reached as quickly as possible

In view of the number of homeless, it was decided

to fast track the construction of low-cost housing

On the fence When faced with a choice, a person who is on the

fence has not yet reached a decision

Ex: The candidates have such similar ideas that many electors are still on the fence

Lưỡng lự

Fight a losing

battle

If someone is fighting a losing battle, they are

trying to do something even when there is little chance of succeeding

The headmaster is fighting a losing battle trying to

ban mobile phones at school

Còn nước còn tát

Fight/argue like

cat and dog

Two people who fight or argue like cat and dogfrequently have violent arguments, even though

they are fond of each other

Ex: They fight like cat and dog but they're still

together after 30 years

Chửi (đánh) nhau như chó với mèo

Have other fish to

fry

If you have other fish to fry, you have more

important things to do

Ex: I don't think he'll attend the office party; he's got other fish to fry

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Fit the bill If someone or something fits the bill, they are

exactly right for a particular situation

Ex: They wanted a quiet place for the week-end and the country inn just fitted the bill

On the fly If you do something on the fly, you do it quickly,

without thinking much about it, while doing something else

Ex: Sales of the book got off to a flying start and

exceeded our expectations."

Follow in

someone's

footsteps

If you follow in someone's footsteps (for example

a parent), you lead a similar life or do the same job

Ex: Lily followed in her mother's footsteps and

became a teacher

Theo chân ai

Follow suit If you follow suit, you do the same as somebody

else has just done

Ex: The first robber held up his hands The other twofollowed suit

A foot in the door If you say that someone has a foot in the door, you

mean that they have a small but successful start in something and will possibly do well in the future

Ex: With today's unemployment, it's difficult to get

a foot in the door in any profession."

Get a foothold If you get a foothold somewhere, you secure a

position for yourself in a business, profession or organisation

Ex: The contract got the firm a foothold in the local

administration

Có chân trong (có người hỗ trợ bên trong)

Force of habit When something is done out of force of habit, it

has become automatic through frequent repetition

Ex: Why do I always park here? It's force of habit I suppose

Free as a bird If someone is free as a bird, they are completely

free to do as they please

Ex: My dad's very happy - he's free as a bird since

Tự do như chim sổ lồng

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 28 | 69

he retired

A free hand If you have a free hand, you have permission to

make your own decisions, especially in a job

Ex: My boss has given me a free hand in the choice

of agent

Friends in high

places

If you know important or influential people in

business or government, you have friends in high places

Ex: He wouldn't have succeeded without help from

friends in high places

Bạn bè có chức quyền

Front runner In a contest, race or election, the front runner is

the person who seems most likely to succeed or win

Ex: Who are the front runners in the coming

Full of hot air A person who full of hot air is full of nonsense and

talks a lot without saying anything worthwhile

Ex: Don't listen to Tony He's full of hot air!

Tào lao

Funny business An activity which is conducted in a deceitful,

dishonest or unethical manner is called funny business

Ex: I've got suspicions about that association I

think they're up to some funny business

Công việc kinh doanh bất chính

G All his geese are swans This expression refers to someone who constantly

exaggerates the importance of somebody or something

Ex: Don't let him impress you He always exaggerates; all his geese are swans!"

Nổ (nói khoát)

Gentleman'sagreement When an agreement is neither written nor signed,

because the two parties trust each other completely,

it is called a gentleman's agreement

Ex: It was a gentleman's agreement I can't change

my mind now!

Ex: We need to get our ducks in a row if we want

our project to succeed

Get into gear

When a person or activity gets into gear, they start

to work or become effective

Ex: Immediately after the announcement, a group of protesters got into gear

Get your hands dirty If you get your hands dirty in your job, you

become involved in all aspects of it, including work that is physical, unpleasant or less interesting

Ex: His willingness to get his hands dirty won the

respect and approval of the whole team

Get on in years Someone who is getting on in years is growing old

Ex: My grandmother is getting on in years She's

no longer able to prepare Christmas dinner without help

Già rồi

Get the message If you get the message, you understand what

someone is trying to tell you, even if it is expressed

in actions or gestures rather than words

Ex: When Tony pointed at his watch, I got the message - it was time to leave for the airport."

Hiểu ý

đồ

Get the sack If someone gets the sack, they lose their job,

usually because they have done something wrong

Ex: Charlie got the sack when his boss caught him

stealing

Get off the hook If you do something wrong and manage to get off

the hook, you avoid punishment or blame

Ex: Barry was questioned by the police but his lawyer managed to get him off the hook

Tránh bị mắc câu

Get on your high horse If you get on your high horse, you start behaving

in a haughty manner, as though you should be treated with more respect

Ex: He got on his high horse when he was asked to

show his membership card

Get the better of

someone

If someone or something gets the better of you,

they defeat you

Ex: She went on a diet but it didn't last long - her

Thắng thế

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 30 | 69

love of chocolate got the better of her!

Get to the bottom of

something

If you get to the bottom of a problem or mystery,

you solve it by finding out the true cause of it

Ex: We have a problem of goods disappearing

during transport Hopefully the investigation

will get to the bottom of it

Tìm ra gốc của vấn đề

Get a move on If someone tells you to get a move on, they are

asking you to hurry up

Ex: You'd better get a move on or you'll miss the

bus!

Get out of hand If a person or a situation gets out of hand, they

cannot be controlled any longer

Ex: During the student demonstration, things got out of hand and several shop windows were

broken

Ngoài tầm kiểm soát

Get the show on the

road

If you manage to put a plan or idea into action,

you get the show on the road

Ex: OK! We've got all we need, so let's get the show on the road!

Give it a rest! If someone tells you to give it a rest, they are

asking you to stop doing something such as complaining or talking continuously

Ex: All you talk about is politics - give it a

rest please!

Give someone a hard

time

If you give someone a hard time, you annoy them

or make things difficult for them

Ex: Susan says the pupils in her new school are giving her a hard time

Làm khó

ai đó

Give someone the

run-around

If someone gives you the run-around, they

deliberately give you confusing information or evasive answers

Ex: I'm trying to contact the manager, but every time I call the firm I'm given the run-around

Vòng vo tam quốc

Go against the tide If you go against the tide, you refuse to conform to

current trends, or the opinions or behavior of other people

Ex: Bill can be difficult to work with; he constantly goes against the tide

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behaving in a crazy way, they go bananas

Ex: If you announce that you're going to drop out of school, your parents will go bananas!

Go to extremes People who go to extremes behave in a way which

lacks moderation

Ex: My parents tend to go to extremes They live on

a tight budget and then they go on expensive holidays

Cực đoan

Go hand in hand If two or more things go hand in hand, they are

associated or often happen at the same time

Ex: In big cities poverty and violence often go hand

in hand

Song song

Go off the rails, If someone goes off the rails, they go out of control

and begin to behave in a manner that is unacceptable to society

Ex: Given the unstable environment, it's a miracle that none of their children ever went off the rails

Trật đường rày (đi sai hướng)

Go out of business If a shop, firm or enterprise goes out of business, it

closes down or goes bankrupt

Ex: If the new road bypasses the town, a lot of shops will go out of business

Golden opportunity A golden opportunity is a favorable time or

excellent occasion which should not be missed

Cơ hội vàng

Golden rule The most important rule or principle to be

remembered when doing something is called

the golden rule

Ex: When travelling abroad, the golden rule is to

respect the local customs

Green light If you give or get the green light, you give or get a

signal or permission to do something

Bật đèn

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 32 | 69

Ex: We're ready to launch the campaign as soon as weget the green light

xanh

Prepare the ground To prepare the ground means that you try to make

it easier for a future event or action to happen

Xây dựng nền tảng

H had better Should

hale and hearty Well and strong

home free A definite success

Trong trường hợp xấu

Nói tóm lại

in advance Ahead of time

Ex: They bought the tickets in advance so that they could

get good seats

in the long run Over time

Ex: The company lost money but should be okay in the long run

Theo thời gian

in the red Losing money

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 34 | 69

J jack-of-all-

jump all over

someone

Scold me

Ex: For no reason, he began to jump all over me

Ex: The boss would jump on him for even a small

Ex: You should keep a secret about your new job

Giữ bí mật

keep after Keep reminding