IDIOMS IN ENGLISH

SESSION 1:
- take someone/ something for granted: cho là điều dĩ nhiên
- take something into account/ consideration: tính đến cái gì
- take it easy: không làm việc quá căng thẳng
- keep an eye on someone/ something: để mắt đến
- lose touch with someone: mất liên lạc
- pay attention to someone/ something: chú ý đến
- catch sight of someone/ something: nhìn thấy (trong chốc lát)
- at someone’s disposal: có sẵn cho ai sử dụng theo ý muốn
- splitting headache: nhức đầu như búa bổ
- beat about the bush: nói vòng vo tam quốc
- off the beg: (quần áo) may sẵn
- on the house: không phải trả tiền
- on the shelf: (đồ vật) xếp xó, bỏ đi, không còn có ích nữa
- hit the roof: giận dữ
- make someone’s blood boil: làm cho ai giận điên lên
- bring down the house: làm cho cả rạp hát vỗ tay nhiệt liệt
- pay through the nose: trả giá mắc
- by the skin of one’s teeth: sát sao
- pull someone’s leg: trêu chọc ai
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
1. I just took it _____ that he’d always be available.
A. for granted B. easy C. into account D. into consideration
2. I accidentally _____ Mike when I was crossing a street downtown yesterday.
A. kept an eye on B. lost touch with C. paid attention to D. caught sight of
3. I was glad when he said that his car was _____.
A. for my use B. for me use C. at my use D. at my disposal
4. I really must go and lie down for a while; I’ve got a _____ headache.
A. cutting B. splitting C. ringing D. cracking
5. Stop _____ about the bush, John! Just tell me exactly what the problem is.
A. rushing B. hiding C. beating D. moving
6. I usually buy my clothes _____. It’s cheaper than going to a dress- maker.
A. off the beg B. on the house C. in public D. on the shelf
7. My father _____ when he found out that I’d damaged the car.
A. hit the roof B. saw pink elephants
C. made my blood boil D. brought the house down
8. If you want a flat in the centre of the city you have to pay through the _____ for it.
A. teeth B. back of your head C. nose D. arm
9. I caught the last bus by the skin of my _____.
A. mouth B. leg C. neck D. teeth
10. It was a joke! I was pulling your _____.
A. thumb B. leg C. toe D. hair

SESSION 2:
- get butterflies in one’s stomach: cảm thấy bồn chồn
- sell like hot cakes: bán đắt như tôm tươi
- shooting star: sao băng
- sow one’s wild oats: chơi bời trác táng
- close shaves: những lần thoát hiểm trong gang tấc
- have a bee in one’s bonnet about something: hay chú trọng, đặt nặng vấn đề gì
- blow one’s own trumpet: huênh hoang
- fight tooth and nail: chiến đấu ác liệt, đánh nhau ác liệt
- head over heels: lăn lông lốc, hoàn toàn
- know something like the back of one’s hand: biết rõ điều gì
1
- play with fire: chơi với lửa
- go to town (on something): làm cái gì rất hăng hái (nhất là bằng cách chi tiền)
- burn the candle at both ends: làm việc hết sức, không biết giữ sức
- the last straw: giọt nước tràn ly
- fly off the handle: mất bình tĩnh, thình lình nổi nóng
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
1. I always get _____ in my stomach before visiting the dentist.
A. worms B. butterflies C. crabs D. hedgehogs
2. Those smart phones are selling like _____. If you want one, you’d better buy one now before
they’re all gone.
A. shooting stars B. fresh bread C. hot cakes D. wild oats
3. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number of _____ shaves.
A. close B. near C. narrow D. tiny
4. My dad refused to eat meat that had been fired. He had _____ in his bonnet about it causing cancer.
A. a bug B. a bee C. a bull D. an ant
5. I can’t stand Mr. Brian. He’s always blowing his own _____ - telling everyone how good he is at
everything.
A. balloon B. breath C. mind D. trumpet
6. The escaped prisoner fought _____ before he was finally overpowered.
A. tooth and nail B. head over heels C. heart and soul D. foot and mouth.
7. Peter was born and brought up in Hastings and knows it like the _____.
A. nose on his face B. tip of the tongue C. back of his hand D. hair on his head
8. I’m not surprised that Tom is ill. He’s been _____ for a long time. It was bound to affect his health
sooner or later.
A. having his cake and eating it B. burning the candle at both ends
C. playing with fire D. going to town
9. I was already fed up with the job, but when the boss walked into my office and told me he expected
me to work overtime that was the _____. I quit.
A. final curtain B. last straw C. end of the line D. last waltz
10. He has a quick temper and easily _____ off the handle.
A. leaps B. goes C. runs D. flies

SESSION 3:
- drop someone a line: viết thư cho ai
- have/ get cold feet: sợ hãi
- call it a day: ngừng làm việc
- beside the point: không thích hợp
- for the time being: trong lúc này
- off the record: không được ghi, không chính thức
- piece of cake: việc dễ làm
- chip off the old block: người có tính cách giống bố
- one’s cup of tea: người hoặc vật mình ưa thích
- get something on one’s mind: đang bận tâm về điều gì
- down at heel: tàn tạ, xơ xác
- out of shape: méo mó; không khỏe
- down to earth: thực tế
- make money hand over fist: vớ được lợi lộc béo bở
- in/ out of practice: có/ không có thời gian luyện tập
- out of breath: thở dốc
- (have something) on the tip of one’s tongue: sắp nhớ ra, sắp nói ra
- smell a rat: nghi ngờ có âm mưu, nghi ngờ có sự dối trá
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
1. Before she left for Australia she promised her parents that she would drop them _____ at least once
a month.
A. a note B. a word C. the news D. a line
2
2. I was all set to take the job in Tokyo, but at the last minute I _____ and decided to stay in Britain.
A. pulled my finger out B. got cold feet
C. held my horses D. called it a day
3. “What I’ve got to say to you now is strictly _____ and most certainly not for publication. “ said the
government official to the reporter.
A. beside the point B. for the time being C. by the way D. off the record
4. I’ve never enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they’re not really my _____.
A. piece of cake B. chip off the old block
C. biscuit D. cup of tea
5. “What’s wrong with Tom today? He’s unusually quiet.” “He’s got something on his _____. I
expect.”
A. brain B. mind C. thoughts D. brow
6. He was wearing very shabby, dirty clothes and looked very _____.
A. easy-going B. down to earth C. out of shape D. down at heel
7. Since he started his own business he has been making money hand over _____.
A. fist B. heel C. head D. palm
8. I can’t see us beating them at tennis this year- we’re so out of _____.
A. step B. practice C. fitness D. breath
9. I just couldn’t remember her name even though it was on the _____ of my tongue.
A. edge B. tip C. top D. front
10. I didn’t suspect anything at first, but when I noticed her going through the office drawers I began
to smell _____.
A. a rat B. a pig C. a thief D. a culprit

SESSION 4:
- put one’s feet in it: làm phiền ai
- kill two birds with one stone: một công đôi việc, nhất cử lưỡng tiện
- hit the nail on the head: nói chính xác
- put two and two together: cứ thế mà suy ra
- keep one’s fingers crossed for someone: cầu mong điều tốt đẹp cho ai
- it’s no use/ good crying over split milk: kêu ca cũng bằng thừa
- by a hair’s breath: trong đường tơ kẽ tóc
- have a narrow/ hairbreadth escape: suýt nữa thì bị tóm, may mà thoát được hình phạt
- a sight for sore eyes: cảnh tượng dễ chịu
- keep one’s chin up: giữ vững can đảm
- come out of one’s shell: trở nên dạn dĩ, cởi mở
- catch someone on the top: đến một cách bất ngờ
- on the spot: lập tức, tại chỗ
- (like) water off a duck’s back: nước đổ đầu vịt (không có tác dụng đối với ai)
- fight windmills: đánh nhau với kẻ địch tưởng tượng
- spitting image: có mặt giống như khuôn đúc
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
1. That’s exactly what I mean, Tom. You’ve _____!
A. put your foot in it B. killed two birds with one stone
C. put two and two together D. hit the nail on the head
2. “I’m going for an interview for a job this afternoon.” “Good luck! I’ll keep my _____ crossed
for you.”
A. legs B. fingers C. arms D. hands
3. “If only I hadn’t lent him that money!” “Well, you did, so it’s no good crying over _____ milk.
A. split B. wasted C. sour D. goat’s
4. The car swerved to avoid a cyclist and just missed hitting a passer-by by _____.
A. a slight edge B. a narrow escape C. a close thing D. a hair’s breath
5. Well, well, if it isn’t Kathy Lewis! You’re a sight for _____ eyes!
A. old B. blue C. sore D. crocodile
6. You know times have been bad lately, Pete, but keep your _____ up; things are bound to get better soon.
3
 A. chin B. head C. socks D. mind
7. He may be shy now, but he’ll soon come out of his _____ when he meets the right girl.
A. shoe B. shell C. shed D. hole
8. I am afraid you’ve caught me on the _____. I wasn’t expecting you until this afternoon.
A. stove B. grapevine C. top D. spot
9. Nagging Susan to stop smoking has no effect on her. It’s like water off _____.
A. a windmill B. a duck’s back C. a dripping tap D. an umbrella
10. Have you seen the new boss? She’s the _____ image of Marilyn Monroe.
A. live B. true C. same D. spitting

SESSION 5:
- money for old rope: cách làm ra tiền một cách dễ dàng
- old wives’ tale: chuyện mê tín huyễn hoặc
- long shot: biện pháp xa vời, ít có cơ may thành công
- fly in the ointment: mắc míu nhỏ
- crying shame: sự xấu hổ
- wet blanket: người làm cho tập thể cụt hứng (vì bản thân ũ rũ buồn rầu)
- in every nook and cranny: trong mọi ngóc ngách
- general dogsbody: người gánh công việc cho người khác
- a soft spot for someone/ something: thích ai/ cái gì
- a last/ final fling: trò đùa, ăn chơi cuối cùng
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
1. Writing rhymes for birthday cards is really easy. It’s money for old _____.
A. rags B. bread C. rope D. rubbish
2. Of course you won’t become more intelligent if you eat a lit of fish – that’s just an old _____ tale.
A. maids’ B. ladies’ C. mothers’ D. wives’
3. I agree that this is a bit of a _____ shot, but we’re desperate- we have to do something to try to save
the company.
A. hot B. long C. wild D. high
4. I like my new job, the only fly in the _____ is the fact that I have to work every other weekend.
A. fat B. porridge C. soup D. ointment
5. It’s a _____ shame that so little is done nowadays to help the homeless in our large cities.
A. sweeping B. crying C. dying D. pitying
6. My aunt is a bit of a wet _____. She’s always spoiling everyone’s fun.
A. rag B. sheep C. blanket D. rat
7. We looked in every _____ and cranny for the missing ring, but we couldn’t find it anywhere.
A. nook B. gap C. hole D. niche
8. Everyone bosses me about at work, I’m nothing but a _____.
A. lame duck B. general dogsbody C. blue-eye boy D. marked man
9. He had a soft _____ for his granddaughter and thoroughly spoilt her.
A. heart B. way C. smile D. spot
10. He just wanted one _____ before setting down and getting married.
A. final fling B. last leap C. happy hop D. joyful jump

SESSION 6:
- as strong as a horse/ an ox: khỏe như voi
- as thin as a rake: gầy đét
- as tough as old boots (nhất là về thịt): rất dai, khó nhai
- as white as a sheet: trắng bệch, xanh như tàu lá (do sợ hãi, choáng váng)
- as cool as a cucumber: bình tĩnh, không hề nao núng
- as deaf as a post: điếc đặc
- as different as chalk and/ from cheese: hoàn toàn khác nhau
- fit as a fiddle: khỏe như vâm, rất sung sức
- like a lamp: hiền lành
- as good as gold: có đạo đức rất tốt, rất có giáo dục
4
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
1. Ask David to give you a hand moving the furniture. He’s as strong as _____.
A. an elephant B. a mountain C. a gorilla D. a horse
2. You’re not getting enough to eat, Jane! Look at you! You’re as thin as a _____.
A. stick B. rake C. finger D. wire
3. We can’t eat this meat – it’s as tough as _____!
A. canvas B. stale bread C. rubber D. old boots
4. You shouldn’t have frightened her like that, Poor thing! She went as white as _____!
A. a sheet B. snow C. milk D. whitewash
5. Nothing ever seems to bother Colin. No matter what happens, he always seems to remain as cool as
_____.
A. cool feet B. ice- cream C. a cucumber D. as Eskimo
6. You’ll have to shout, I’m afraid. My father’s as deaf as _____.
A. a leaf B. a post C. a politician D. a stone
7. It’s hard to believe Brian and Stephen are brothers, isn’t it? They’re as different as _____.
A. Mars from Jupiter B. milk from honey C. chalk from cheese D. margarine from butter
8. Ever since I’ve given up smoking I feel as fit as _____!
A. a fighter B. a fiddle C. a frog D. an athlete
9. Our dog looks very ferocious, but don’t worry, Liz. It’s gentle like _____.
A. a pony B. snowflakes C. a lamp D. washing-up liquid.
10. “I hope the children didn’t play you up, Doris?” “No, not at all, Mrs. Gardener. They’ve been as
good as _____”.
A. gold B. religion C. God D. brass

SESSION 7:
- as light as air/ a feather: rất nhẹ
- as old as the hills: rất cũ, cổ xưa
- as plain as the nose on one’s face: rõ như ban ngày
- as flat as a pancake: đét như cá mắm
- with knobs on (dùng để đáp lại một câu lăng mạ hoặc sự đồng ý dứt khoát): chẳng kém gì, được đấy
- as pleased as punch: rất hài lòng
- as keen as mustard: hết sức hăng hái hoặc nhiệt tình
- as clear as a bell: rành rọt, dễ nghe
- as fresh as a daisy: tươi như hoa
- as hard as nails: cứng rắn, tàn nhẫn
- as large as life: được thấy xuất hiện bằng xương bằng thịt (không thể nhầm lẫn)
- as stubborn as a mule: cứng đầu cứng cổ, ương bướng
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
1. “The suitcase isn’t too heavy, is it?” “No, it’s as light as _____.”
A. dust B. lighting C. a feather D. a fish
2. “By the way, have you heard the one about the Welshman, the Irishman and the pig?” Yes, we have.
That joke’s as old as _____.”
A. Solomon B. the hills C. a dinosaur D. Jupiter
3. Of course he loves you! It’s as plain as _____.
A. a pancake B. the knob on your door
C. a bell D. the nose on your face
4. Kate was as pleased as _____ when she heard had passed the exam.
A. punch B. a poppy C. a sunflower D. pound notes
5. I hope the computer course starts this term. We’re all as keen as _____ to get going.
A. coffee B. mustard C. a gigolo D. cornflakes
6. He was natural singer with a voice that was as clear as _____.
A. a waterfall B. a lake C. a bell D. a mirror
7. After a good night’s sleep he woke up feeling as fresh as _____ and eager to start work again.
A. fruit B. a daisy C. a kitten D. a maiden
8. He might look kind and sympathetic, but deep down he’s as hard as _____.
5
 A. nails B. a mountain C. a gangster D. an iceberg
9. Pauline can’t have immigrated to New Zealand because I saw her last night at Peter’s party, as
_____ as life.
A. true B. real C. good D. large
10. It’s no use arguing with him, he won’t listen. He’s as stubborn as _____.
A. a mule B. a spoilt child C. a strawberry D. a trade union

SESSION 8:
- as sober as a judge: tỉnh táo, không hề say rượu
- (as) steady as a rock: vững như bàn thạch
- as thick as thieves: rất ăn ý với nhau, rất thân
- as red as a beetroot: đỏ như gấc
- sleep like a log: ngủ say như chết
- eat/ work like a horse: ăn/ làm khỏe
- smoke like a chimney: hút thuốc lá cả ngày
- fit like a glove: vừa khít
- spread like wildfire: (tin đồn) lan rất nhanh
- like a house on fire: rất nhanh, mạnh mẽ
- as peas in a pod: giống nhau như hai giọt nước
- like a clockwork: đều đặn như một cái máy
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
1. “You’re drunk!” “No, I’m not. I’m as sober as _____.”
A. a priest B. Sunday C. a judge D. a Muslin
2. Am I nervous? Of course not. Look at my hand- it’s as steady as _____.
A. a bridge B. a rock C. steel bars D. a stepladder.
3. As students, David, Kevin and William were as thick as _____.
A. thieves B. boy scouts C. a team D. thistles
4. Whenever I feel embarrassed I always go as red as _____.
A. a rose B. lipstick C. a raspberry D. a beetroot
5. She was so tired last night that she slept like _____ until 10 o’clock this morning.
A. a squirrel B. death C. a log D. a zombie
6. We’d better get some extra food in if your brother is coming to stay with us. He eats like _____!
A. a lion B. a starving man C. an eagle D. a horse
7. Normally she smoked 15-20 cigarettes a day, but whenever she was worried or nervous she smoked
like _____.
A. a chimney B. a forest fire C. a steam engine D. a salmon
8. - “Is the dress too big?” - “No, not at all. It fits like _____.”
A. a mold B. a glove C. glue D. a pillowcase
9. News of the new pay agreement spread like _____ throughout the factory.
A. wildfire B. butter C. the plaque D. a flood
10. From the moment they first met they got on like _____.
A. two peas in a pod B. fish and chips C. a house on fire D. clockwork