100 idioms thường gặp trong đề thi THPTQG

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. 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