Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 1 | 69

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:
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 2 | 69



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.

4. On the tip of my tongue



Khi chúng ta nói “it’s on the tip of my tongue”có nghĩa là mình

không thể nhớ ra được điều gì đó mặc dù chắc chắn mình đã biết về
điều đó.
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.

5. Come out of one's shell



Khi ta nói “He’s come out of his shell”có nghĩa là anh ấy đã bớt nhút
nhát và bắt đầu hòa đồng hơn. Tiếng Việt của mình cũng có cách liên
tưởng tương tự. Câu như “ thu mình vào trong vỏ ốc” có nghĩa là thu
mình lại, trầm tính và ít hòa đồng thì thành ngữ “come out of your
shell”là ngược lại “ra khỏi vỏ ốc của mình.”
E.g:
She was very shy when she first went to her new school, but she
soon came out of her shell.

6. Hit the nail on the head



Thành ngữ này có nghĩa là “đã mô tả một vấn đề rất chính xác”,
tương tự như trong tiếng Việt có thành ngữ “đánh đúng trọng tâm”,
“gãi đúng chỗ ngứa”
E.g:
- I think the main problem in this area is the lack of a good bus service.
-You’re right. You’ve hit the nail on the head.


7. Change your mind

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

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E.g:
- I didn’t expect to see you here! I thought you were going to the
cinema this afternoon.
- I know, but it’s such a lovely day. I’ve changed my mind. I felt like
being out in the sunshine.

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.

9. Lend me a hand



Ta có thành ngữ “lend somebody a hand” nghĩa là “giúp đỡ ai”.
Tiếng Việt cũng có thành ngữ tượng tự “giúp…một tay.”
E.g:
Can someone lend me a hand with these shopping bags please?They
are too heavy for me to carry by myself.

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

Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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IDIOM
NGHĨA
VÍ DỤ
Apple of his

eye.
Người hoặc vật rất được yêu thích.
The little girl is the apple of her
grandfather's eye.
A little bird told
me
Một bí mật, khi người ta không muốn nói
rằng mình biết điều gì đó.
A little bird told me that there is
one more piece of cake in the
fridge.
A piece of cake
Điều gì đó rất dễ thực hiện.
Oh, that's a piece of cake - let me
try.
Card up your
sleeve
Có một điều bí mật mà bạn có thể tận
dụng sau này.
She still has one card up her sleeve
– she knows the director.
Finding a needle
in a haystack
Khó tìm kiếm, như mò kim đáy bể
Finding that book, is like looking
for a needle in a haystack.
Go the extra
mile
Khi bạn vượt quá mức mong đợi (của
người khác)

I expect you, my son, to go the
extra mile.
Going Green
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?
House of cards
Kế hoạch không khả thi, có nhiều khả
năng là sẽ thất bại
You built that boat like a house of
cards,
I am not getting in!
It’s raining cats
and dogs
Trời mưa rất to
Did you bring an umbrella? It's
raining cats and dogs outside!
New York
minute
Diễn ra hoặc trôi qua rất nhanh
My life passed by like a New York
minute.
No man is an
Ai cũng cần hỗ trợ và giúp đỡ
You cannot fight them all alone,
no man is an island, let us help
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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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
island

you.
Saved by the
bell
Được cứu nguy đúng lúc khỏi một tình
huống khó khăn hay nguy hiểm
I was saved by the bell, didn't have
to answer the hard question.
There's no point
crying over spilt
milk
Chẳng ích gì khi mãi buồn chán vì một lỗi
lầm không thể sửa chữa, khắc phục được
Well, what's happened is behind
us. There is no point in crying over
spilt milk now.
'Til the cows
come home
Phải đợi chờ trong một khoảng thời gian
rất dài.
I am going to wait here 'til the
cows come home.
Under the
weather
Cảm thấy không khỏe lắm.
You don't look so good, are you
feeling under the weather?
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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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."
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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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
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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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
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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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
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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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

Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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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)
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 12 | 69


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;
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 13 | 69


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





Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 14 | 69



THÀNH NGỮ THEO ALPHABET

A
Thành ngữ
Giải thích và cách sử dụng
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
tương đương

Against the clock
If you do something against the clock, you are
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.

Ex: Of course I want to know - I'm all ears!

All in your head
If something is all in your head, it is not real. It is
in your imagination.

Ex: Don't be silly. Nobody is trying to harm
you. It's all in your head!"

Trong tưởng tượng
của bạn thôi!
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
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 15 | 69

Ex: The journalist was determined at all costs to
get a report from the war zone."






B




Leave somebody
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.

Ex: When the angry customer started to
complain,
my colleague disappeared and left me holding
the baby."

Để lại “việc rắc rối”
cho ai đó dọn (trong
công việc)
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

seems to go wrong'.

Ex: What's wrong with Jenny? Is she having a
bad hair day?

Một ngày tồi tệ
In bad shape
A person who is in bad shape is in poor
physical condition.

Ex: I really am in bad shape. I need to get
some exercise.

Trong thể trạng
không tốt
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
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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.

That's the way
the ballbounces
Things don't always work out as planned, and
there's nothing we can do about it - that's life!

Ex: He didn't get the prize he expected, but
never mind - that's the way the ball bounces.

Cuộc sống là thế

Bar fly
A bar fly refers to someone who spends a lot
of time drinking in bars and pubs.

Ex: You'll find Johnny down at the pub - he's a
real bar fly!

Bear something
in mind
If someone asks you to bear something in
mind, they are telling you to remember it
because it is important.
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.


Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 17 | 69

Ex: If you hang around with that gang, you'll
find yourself behind bars in no time.
Tighten
your belt
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
dot.

Better late than
never
When someone does something late, this
remark means that it's
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!"

Có còn hơn không
Better safe than
sorry
It's better to be too cautious than to be careless
and have regrets later.
"Let's book tickets in advance - better safe
than sorry!"

Think better of
something
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

Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 18 | 69

to be taken seriously.

Ex: As far as I'm concerned, his theory is for
the birds!
Kill
two birds with
one stone.
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
Lick
someone's boots
To say that one person licks another person's
bootsmeans that they are trying to please that
person, often in order to obtain something.

Ex: He wants to get the job, so he clicks the

boss’s boots.


Nịnh hót
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.

Ex: I'll hire your brother only if he is the best
candidate. I'm sorry but business is
business!"

Công việc là công
việc!
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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.

Ex: Since profits are higher this year, the workers
feel they deserve a bigger slice of the cake.

Sell like hot cakes
Things that sell like hot cakes sell quickly or in
large quantities.


Bán như tôm
tươi
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
order to succeed.

Ex: If we play our cards right, we'll get the
contract.

Dùng đúng
chiêu thức
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.

Ex: Some parents use a carrot-and-

stick approach to obtain good results from their
children.

Cây gậy và
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.

Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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
something
When an innovation, discovery or event changes
the face of something, it alters it completely or
in a major way.
Ex: Social networks have changed the face of
modern communication."

Thay đổi bộ
mặt của
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
ảo tưởng
Too many chiefs, not
enough Indians.
This expression refers to a situation where there
are too many people giving instructions and not
enough people doing the work.

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
Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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.

Off colour
If you are off colour, you are looking or feeling
ill.
Ex: You should get some rest. You look a bit off
color.

Xanh như
tàu lá chuối
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


Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 22 | 69

money, time or effort invested in it, you cut
your losses.
Ex: The project is heading for failure. Let's cut
our losses before it's too late."
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
Darken someone's
door
If you darken someone's door, you come as an
unwanted or unwelcome visitor.

Ex: Just get out of here, and never darken my door
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


Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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
or unsatisfactory.
Ex: It's a dog's life working in the after-sales
department.

Every dog has its
day
This expression means that everyone can be
successful at something at some time in their life.

Ex: I didn't win this time, but I'll be lucky one
day.
Every dog has its day!

Ai cũng có
một thời
(thời huy
hoàng)

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.

Ex: Look - they've settled their differences. It's
time tolet sleeping dogs lie.

A done deal
This expression is used to refer to an agreement or

Idioms ( thành ngữ )

S ư u t ầ m , t ổ n g h ợ p P a g e 24 | 69

decision which has been reached on a certain
matter.
Ex; We're still considering several proposals, so
it's nota done deal yet.
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
easy to deceive.

Ex: The young girl was a sitting duck for the
photographer.

Người dễ dãi

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!

In one ear and out
the other
To say that information goes in one ear and out
the other means that it is immediately forgotten or
ignored.
Ex: I keep telling him about the risks but it goes in
one ear and out the other. He never listens to

Nghe tai này
lọt tai kia

Idioms ( thành ngữ )

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
done
To say that something is easier said than
done means that what is suggested sounds easy but
it is more difficult to actually do it.

Ex: Put the TV aerial on the roof? Easier said
than done!

Nói dễ hơn
làm
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
repaired.

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.
Bobby's a bad egg.


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