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Chuyên đề Idioms - Tiếng Anh, HSG THPT ( có đáp án)
Chuyên đề Idioms - Thành ngữ cực hay bồi dưỡng, ôn tập cho học sinh thi chuyên Tiếng Anh, HSG THPT dành cho các bạn học sinh, sinh viên tham khảo, ôn tập, chuẩn bị cho kì thi. Mời bạn đón xem!
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IDIOMS A. DEFINITION AND LIST: 1. Idioms là gì?
Idiom là những câu hoặc cụm từ được cấu tạo bằng nhiều từ khác nhau tạo thành một
câu nhưng không mang nghĩa đen của nó. Idiom được người bản ngữ sử dụng rất nhiều
trong văn nói và viết, vì vậy hiểu được ý nghĩa của Idiom sẽ giúp chúng ta sử dụng Tiếng
Anh hiệu quả hơn rất nhiều. 2.
Một số thành ngữ (idioms) thường gặp
a. Thành ngữ có chứa màu sắc STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa 1 The black sheep
nghịch tử, phá gia tri tử 2 Blue in the face
mãi mãi, lâu đến vô vọng 3 Red-letter day
ngày đáng nhớ vì có chuyện tốt lành, ngày vui 4 White as a ghost/sheet trắng bệch, nhợt nhạt 5 With flying colors xuất sắc, thành công 6 Once in a blue moon
năm thì mười họa, hiếm khi 7 Black and white rõ ràng 8 Catch sb red-handed
bắt tại trận, bắt quả tang 9 Have a yellow streak có tính nhát gan 10 Get/give the green light bật đèn xanh 11 Out of the blue hoàn toàn bất ngờ 12 Paint the town red ăn mừng 13 Red tape nạn quan liêu 14 In the pink = in good health sức khỏe tốt 15 Lend color to st chứng minh cái gì
b. Thành ngữ có chứa các danh từ bộ phận STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa 1 Break a leg = good luck!
thường dùng để chúc may mắn 2 Scratch one's back
giúp đỡ người khác với hy vọng họ sẽ
=help sb out with the assumption that giúp lại mình
they will return the favor in the future 3 Hit the nail on the head
nói chính xác, làm chính xác = do or say st exactly right 4 A splitting headache đau đầu như búa bổ = a severe headache 5 Make one’s blood boil
làm ai sôi máu, giận dữ 6 Pay through the nose trả giá quá đắt = to pay too much for st 7 By the skin of one’s teeth sát sao, rất sát 8 Pull one’s leg chọc ai 9 Fight tooth and claw/nail
đánh nhau dữ dội, cấu xé nhau 10 Not bat an eye
không tỏ ra ngạc nhiên hay sốc
= not to show any shock or surprise 11 Cost an arm and a leg rất là đắt đỏ 12 Go to one’s head khiến ai kiêu ngạo 13 Get/have cold feet
mất hết can đảm, chùn bước 14 Led sb by the nose nắm đầu, dắt mũi ai
= to control sb and make them do
exactly what you want them to do 15 Off one’s head điên, loạn trí 16 Put one’s foot in it
gây nhầm lẫn, bối rối, phạm một sai lầm gây bối rối 17 Stay/keep/be on one's toe cảnh giác, thận trọng 18 Have in mind đang suy tính, cân nhắc 19
At heart =basically/ fundamentally thực chất, cơ bản 20 Face the music chịu trận 21 Like the back of one's hand rõ như lòng bàn tay 22 The twinkling of an eye trong nháy mắt 23 On the tip of tongue
dùng khi muốn diễn tả ai đó không thể
nhớ ra được điều gì mặc dù đã chắc chắn biết về nó 24
Put one’s foot in one's mouth
Nói một điều ngu ngốc làm xúc phạm đến người khác 25
Stick one’s nose into one’s business
chúi mũi vào việc của người khác 26 Feel st in one's bones cảm nhận rõ dệt 27 Hit the nail on the head nói đúng trọng tâm 28 A real pain in the neck sốc, nghiêm trọng 29 Face to face trực tiếp 30
See eye to eye with sb = totally agree đồng tình 31
Keep one's head above the water xoay sở 32 Have egg on one’s face xấu hổ 33 Word of mouth
đồn đại, truyền miệng 34 Heart to heart chân thành 35 Body and soul hết lòng, hết dạ 36 Flesh and blood
người có máu mủ ruột thịt 37 Skin and bones
tiều tụy thảm thương, chỉ còn da bọc xương 38 Lend an ear to sb/st
lắng nghe một cách chân thành 39 Trip over one’s big feet tự vấp ngã 40 In one’s capable hands trong quyền giải quyết 41 Up to one's eyes rất bận 42 Have a head for st giỏi về cái gì 43 A sweet tooth
người thích ăn đồ ăn ngọt 44 Have st at one's fingertips
nhận được thông tin/ kiến thức cần
thiết một cách dễ dàng và nhanh chóng
c. Thành ngữ có chứa các con động vật STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa 1 Take the mickey out of sb chế nhạo, châm chọc ai = make fun of sb 2
Get butterflies in one’s stomach cảm thấy bồn chồn 3 Have a bee in one's bonnet ám ảnh về điều gì 4
When pigs fly = something will never
điều vô tưởng, không thể xảy ra happen 5 Teacher’s pets học sinh cưng 6 Let the cat out of the bag tiết lộ bí mật 7 Huddle into a pen
lại gần nhau, túm tụm lại 8 Kill two birds with one stone
một mũi tên trúng hai đích 9 A big fish in a small pond
thằng chột làm vua sứ mù 10 Rain cats and dogs mưa to 11 Like a fish out of water
như cá ra khỏi nước (bơ vơ, xa lạ, ngớ ngẩn) 12
Like water off a duck’s back nước đổ đầu vịt 13
Don't count your chickens before they đừng vội làm gì khi chưa chắc chắc hatch 14 Catch the worms nắm bắt cơ hội 15 Be in the doghouse
nếu bạn đang "in the doghouse”, tức là
ai đó đang khó chịu với bạn vì điều bạn đã làm 16
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
đừng đòi hỏi về giá trị khi nhận được một món quà 17 Cock-and-bull bịa đặt, vẽ vời ra 18 Change horse in midstream
thay ngựa giữa dòng (ý nói thay đổi giữa chừng)
d. Thành ngữ về cuộc sống STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa 1 To be in deep water
rơi vào tình huống khó khăn 2 To be in hot water gặp rắc rối 3 Better safe than sorry cẩn tắc vô áy náy 4
Money is the good servant but a bad
khôn lấy của che thân, dại lấy thân master che của 5
The grass are always green on the
đứng núi này trông núi nọ other side of the fence 6 One bitten, twice shy
chim phải đạn sợ cành cong 7 In Rome do as the Romans do nhập gia tùy tục 8 Honesty is the best policy
thật thà là thượng sách 9
A woman gives and forgives, a man
đàn bà cho và tha thứ, đàn ông nhận gets and forgets và quên 10 No roses without a thorn
hồng nào mà chẳng có gai, việc nào
mà chẳng có vài khó khăn! 11 Save for the rainy day
làm khi lành để dành khi đau 12
It’s an ill bird that fouls its own
vạch áo cho người xem lưng / tốt nest
đẹp phô ra xấu xa đậy lại. 13
Don't trouble trouble till trouble
tránh voi chẳng xấu mặt nào troubles you 14 Still water run deep
tẩm ngẩm tầm ngầm mà đấm chết voi 15
Men make house, women make home đàn ông xây nhà, đàn bà xây tổ ấm 16
Penny wise pound foolish money tham bát bỏ mâm 17 Make the mare go
có tiền mua tiên cũng được 18 Like father, like son
con nhà tông không giống lông thì cũng giống cánh 19 The die is cast bút sa gà chết 20 Two can play that game ăn miếng trả miếng 21 Practice makes perfect
có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim 22 Ignorance is bliss
không biết thì dựa cột mà nghe 23 No pain, no gain có làm thì mới có ăn 24
A bad beginning makes a bad ending đầu xuôi đuôi lọt 25
A clean fast is better than a dirty
giấy rách phải giữ lấy lề breakfast 26 Beauty is but skin-deep
cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp 27
Calamity is man's true touchstone
lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức 28 Diamond cut diamond
vỏ quýt dày có móng tay nhọn 29
Diligence is the mother of success
có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim 30
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you
việc hôm nay chớ để ngày mai can do today 31
A hot potato = something that is vấn đề nan giải
difficult or dangerous to deal with 32 A lost cause
hết hy vọng, không thay đổi được gì 33
It never rains but it pours = good họa vô đơn chí
or bad things do not just happen a few
at a time, but in large numbers all at once
e. Thành ngữ là các cụm danh từ khác STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa 1 A blind date
cuộc hẹn giữa hai người chưa hề quen biết 2 Golden handshake
món tiền hậu hĩnh dành cho người sắp nghỉ việc 3 One’s cup of tea thứ mà ai đó thích 4 Odds and ends linh tinh, vụn vặn 5 Leaps and bounds nhảy vọt, vượt trội 6
Between two stools = on the horns of tiến thoái lưỡng nan
a dilemma= when someone finds it
difficult to choose between two alternatives 7 On the house không phải trả tiền 8 Off the peg hàng may sẵn 9 Off the record
không chính thức, không được công bố 10 Part and parcel thiết yếu, quan trọng 11 A shadow of a doubt sự nghi ngờ 12 Beyond the shadow of a doubt không hề nghi ngờ 13
The last straw = a nail in one's coffin giọt nước tràn ly 14 The apple of one’s eye bảo bối của ai 15 Good egg
người có nhân cách, đáng tin cậy 16 Close shave = narrow escape
thoát chết trong gang tấc 17 Wet blanket người phá đám 18 A kick in the pants
một bài học để ứng xử tốt hơn 19 An open-and-shut case
vấn đề dễ giải quyết 20 A shot in the dark một câu đố 21 A big cheese
nhân vật tai to mặt lớn, người có vai vế, quyền lực 22 Ups and downs sự thăng trầm 23 Ins and outs
những chi tiết và điểm của việc gì đó 24 The tip of the iceberg phần nhìn thấy 25 Compulsive liar
kẻ nói dối chuyên nghiệp.
f. Thành ngữ là các cụm động từ khác STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa 1 To pour cold water on dội nước lạnh vào 2 To blow st out of the water đánh bại, vượt 3 To sell/go like hot cakes
đắt đỏ, đắt như tôm tươi 4
To get in hot water = be in trouble/ gặp khó khăn have difficulty 5 To hit the books = to study học 6
To hit the roof = to hit the ceiling = to giận dữ suddenly become angry 7 To hit it off tâm đầu ý hợp 8 To make good time di chuyển nhanh, đi nhanh 9 To chip in góp tiền 10 To run an errand làm việc vặt 11 To fly off the handle dễ nổi giận, phát cáu 12 To cut it fine đến sát giờ 13 To jump the traffic lights vượt đèn đỏ 14 To put on an act giả bộ, làm bộ 15 To come to light
được biết đến, được phát hiện, được đưa ra ánh sáng. 16 To pull one’s weight
nỗ lực, làm tròn trách nhiệm 17 To make ends meet xoay sở để kiếm sống 18
To get the hold of the wrong end of the hiểu nhầm ai đó stick 19 To cut and dried
cuối cùng, không thể thay đổi, rõ ràng, dễ hiểu 20 To know by sight nhận ra 21 To take pains
làm việc cẩn thận và tận tâm 22 To drop sb a line/note viết thư cho ai 23 To turn over a new leaf
bắt đâu thay đổi hành vi của mình 24 To weigh up the pros and cons
cân nhắc điều hay lẽ thiệt 25
To burn the midnight oil = to stay up
thức khuya làm việc, học bài
working, especially studying late at night 26
To put sb/st at one’s disposal cho ai tùy ý sử dụng 27 To bring down the house
làm cho cả khán phòng vỗ tay nhiệt liệt 28 To beat about the bush vòng vo tam quốc 29 To find fault with
chỉ trích, kiếm chuyện, bắt lỗi 30
To take it amiss = to understand as hiểu lầm
wrong or insulting, or misunderstand 31 To break the news thông báo 32 To drop a brick lỡ lời, lỡ miệng 33 To take st for granted coi là hiển nhiên 34 To 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 35 To blow one’s own trumpet khoe khoang, khoác lác 36 To miss the boat lỡ mất cơ hội 37
To put one's card on the table thẳng thắn 38
To call it a day = stop working nghỉ, giải lao 39 To hear a pin drop im lặng, tĩnh lặng 40 To blow hot and cold
hay thay đổi ý kiến, dao động 41 To call the shots
chỉ huy, quyết định về những việc cần làm 42 To draw the line
đặt giới hạn cho việc gì; phân biệt
giữa hai thứ tương tự nhau 43 To foot the bill thanh toán tiền 44 To carry the can
chịu trách nhiệm, chịu sự chỉ trích 45
To throw the baby out with the
vứt bỏ những thứ đáng giá cùng bathwater
lúc với rũ bỏ với thứ gì không còn cần 46 To go with the flow làm theo mọi người 47 To keep his shirt on bình tĩnh 48 To let off steam xả hơi
g. Thành ngữ là cụm tính từ/ trạng từ STT Thành ngữ Nghĩa 1
At the drop of a hat = immediately, ngay lập tức instantly 2 Off and on/ on and off
không đều đặn, thỉnh thoảng 3
High and low = here and there = đó đây, khắp mọi nơi everywhere = far and wide 4 Spick and span ngăn nắp gọn gàng 5 On the spot = immediately ngay lập tức 6 At the eleventh hour vào phút chót 7
On the top of the world = walking on vui sướng, hạnh phúc
the air = over the moon= like a dog with two tails =happy 8 In vain vô ích 9 A piece of cake dễ như ăn cháo 10 Down the drain
công cốc, đổ ra sông ra biển 11 Under the weather = off color không được khỏe 12 The end of the world đáng để bận tâm 13 As fit as a fiddle khỏe như vâm 14 On probation
trong thời gian quản chế, tập sự (công việc] 15
Home and dry = with flying colors thành công 16
Apples and oranges = chalk and
rất khác nhau, khác một trời một vực cheese 17 As long as your arm rất dài 18 As high as a kite
quá phấn khích, thường là do bị ảnh
hưởng bởi đồ uống có cồn hoặc ma túy 19 In the same boat
ở trong cùng một hoàn cảnh 20 Hot under the collar điên tiết, cáu tiết 21 As red as a beetroot
đỏ như củ cải đường/ngượng 22
For good = permanently = forever mãi mãi 23
Now and then = once in a while = thỉnh thoảng sometimes = every so often = occasionally 24 Full of beans
hăng hái, sôi nổi, đầy năng lượng 25 At a loose end = free rảnh rỗi 26 A tall story = unbelievable khó tin 27 As cool as cucumber bình tĩnh, không nao núng 28 Peace and quiet bình yên và tĩnh lặng 29 Behind closed doors kín, không công khai 30
High and dry = in a difficult situation,
trong tình huống khó khăn without help or money 31
Prim and proper = always behaving
kỹ lưỡng (quá mức), có chút bảo thủ
in a careful and formal way, and
easily shocked by anything that is rude 32 Rough and ready = simple and
đơn giản nhanh chóng nhưng vẫn
prepared quickly but good enough for đảm bảo chất lượng a particular situation 33 Sick and tired vô cùng mệt mỏi 34 Safe and sound bình an vô sự 35 White-collar
công chức, lao động bằng trí óc 36 Blue -collar lao động tay chân 37 Nowhere near còn lâu, chắc là không 38 Out of sorts ốm, yếu, buồn chán 39 On the mend hồi phục 40 Over the worst
vượt qua điều tồi tệ nhất 41 On pins and needles = nervous lo lắng B. COMPARISONS (SIMILES):
1. He walked up to confront the rude man; he is as __________ as brass. A. bold B. shiny C. wary D. brave
2. The soldier was as brave as a __________. A. tiger B. peguin C. rhino D. lion
3. The old man is as deaf as a __________; he cannot hear what we are saying. A. bat B. dog C. post D. lamb
4. Stanley tidied his room until it was as clean as a __________. A. new pin B. new needle C. bright pin D. bright needle
5. Mr. Shariff goes exercising every evening, as __________ as clockwork. A. constant B. proper C. conventional D. regular
6. Although they are siblings, their characters are as different as chalk and __________. A. ham B. paper C. peas D. cheese
7. Ban looks as __________ as a judge. I wonder what has happened. A. stiff B. sober C. calm D. transparent
8. Ling’s lustrous locks are glossy and as black as __________. A. ivory B. granite C. ebony D. concrete
9. The man is as mad as a __________; nobody understands the reasons behind his actions. A. doctor B. hatter C. surgeon D. scientist
10. The baby’s head was as __________ as an egg. A. bald B. shiny C. empty D. brittle
11. Annabelle’s biggest shortcoming is that she tends to be as __________ as a mule. A. tough B. unyielding C. obstinate D. determined
12. Using the camera was as easy as __________. A. pie B. cake C. snack D. candy
13. Her bones were as __________ as glass after she had fallen over the upstairs. A. brittle B. clear C. sharp D. lengthy
14. She’d lost her pale, city complexion and become as brown as a __________. A. berry B. cherry C. tomato D. mud
15. I’ve been as busy as a __________ building a new dam this year. I’ve had almost no free time. A. dog B. meerkat C. monkey D. beaver
16. She was as __________ as a millpond to confront the killer. A. stiff B. strong C. calm D. rough
17. Change is the very nature of existence – our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, ideas, even our relationships
are as __________ as the moon. A. volatile B. changeable C. variable D. unorthodox
18. Our father was always as strong as a(n) __________, so it took us all by surprise when he was
hospitalized by a heart attack at the age of 48. A. horse B. elephant C. human D. tiger
19. In the absence of legal constraints and excavation costs, dinosaurs are as __________ as dirt; they
can be plucked from the ground like rocks. A. mucky B. hygenic C. cheap D. stinky
20. His face was as white as a __________ when he saw a phantom. A. paper B. collar C. sheet D. lounge
21. Though he acts as merry as a __________, he is dreadfully unhappy when he is all alone. A. cricket B. clown C. joker D. Santa Claus
22. My grandmother is at the age of 89 but she’s as __________ as a fiddle. A. thin B. stiff C. lean D. fit
23. After a good night’s sleep, I’l be as __________ as a daisy. A. pretty B. fresh C. energetic D. dull
24. In spite of all this food, I remained as __________ as a rake. A. starving B. full C. thin D. straight
25. She walked in as __________ as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened. A. cool B. cold C. bold D. bald
26. She’s been as good as __________ all morning. A. silver B. guy C. gold D. pole
27. I can pick you up easily – you are as light as a __________. A. cotton B. baby C. sun D. feather
28. The joke Jack tells are as old as __________. A. the hills B. the mountains C. the oceans D. the earth
29. Brian was as gentle as a __________ and wouldn’t hurt anyone. A. man B. bear C. lamb D. mop
30. The land in that area is as __________ as a pancake. A. high B. delicious C. tough D. flat
31. He was __________ as Punch at the thought of the visit. A. pleased B. hard C. stiff D. satisfactory
32. Her words came as clear as a __________. A. mirror B. bell C. glass D. grave
33. I gave him the job because he was willing to learn and seemed as __________ as mustard. A. eager B. keen C. tawny D. shabby
34. I was as high as a __________ when I heard I’d got the job. A. tower B. plane C. tree D. kite
35. Her face was as __________ as beetroot after expressing her affections to her crush. A. red B. shy C. timid D. pink
36. I have a list of vices that is as long as __________. A. your arms B. your arm C. your leg D. your legs
37. You just need a good night’s sleep, and then you’l be __________ as rain. A. humid B. wet C. right D. fine
38. I'm sure she tells Ruth everything we say - they're as __________ as thieves, those two. A. close B. touching C. eyeful D. thick
39. In these new snaps, Vicky looked __________ as a picture in a flowy red dress, decorated with
sunflowers as she got out of a car. A. still B. pretty C. gorgeous D. beauteous
40. I get terrible motion sickness, so I was surely as __________ as death when I stumbled off the plane. A. luminous B. moving C. pale D. scary C. OTHER TYPES:
41. The political candidate knew the issue was a hot __________, so he deferred to his chief of staff, who
directed questions to the committee chairperson. A. tomato B. potato C. pot D. dog
42. Don't let my mother watch any of those sappy movies — she cries at the drop of a __________. A. hat B. bag C. cat D. rag
43. When your programme first started I thought it was the best thing since sliced __________. A. cake B. break C. bread D. bead
44. You’d better leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg! A. Good luck B. Good night C. Good bye D. Good job
45. I think he’ll pay you back your money when __________ fly. A. birds B. cats C. cocks D. pigs
46. My parents are going to hit the roof if they find out we had a party here. A. become angry B. become sad C. become worried D. become nervous
47. She is a rising star as a standup comedian, always able to bring down the __________ during each performance. A. house B. rain C. roof D. kennel
48. I always get __________ in my stomach before visiting the dentist. A. worms B. butterflies C. crabs D. hedgehogs
49. 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
50. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number of __________ shaves. A. narrow B. near C. close D. tiny
51. What the president said is not to be printed. It's __________ the record. A. on B. of C. off D. without
52. Where were you? I have been looking for you high and low. A. here and there B. everywhere C. nowhere D. both A and B
53. I could see the finish line and thought I was home and dry. A. hopeless B. hopeful C. unsuccessful D. successful
54. I'm worried she may be getting cold __________ about our trip to Patagonia. A. blood B. head C. heart D. feet
55. I’ve got to run an errand. I’l be back in a minute. A. manage the company B. do the household chores C. work on a night shift D. do the homework
56. We’ve known you are a good swimmer – stop putting on an act. A. making believe B. pretending C. lying D. both A and B
57. Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the __________ when her father got home. A. wall B. music C. stick D. water
58. It was a ....-letter day when she finally received her graduation diploma. A. black B. grey C. red D. white
59. I'll be back in the twinkling of __________. A. an eye B. a lighting bolt C. a smile D. a laugh
60. I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of __________. A. tea B. java C. coffee D. wine
61. Working irregular hours is all part and parcel of being a journalist. A. integral B. crucial C. essential D. all are correct
62. He didn’t bat an eye when he realized he failed the exam again. A. didn’t want to see B. didn’t show surprise C. wasn’t happy D. didn’t care
63. In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a _________ moon. A. green B. purple C. blue D. middle
64. She is the black __________ of her family. A. goat B. deer C. sheep D. sleep
65. She is walking on the __________; she doesn’t know how to say. A. air B. road C. street D. garden
66. The sixth time he called me at night was the __________. A. last cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air
67. It is raining __________. A. cats and mice B. goats and sheep
C. horses and goats D. cats and dogs
68. You shouldn’t worry about the exam because you have prepared well and you wil probably find it a piece of cake. A. easy to digest B. easy to read C. easy to start D. very easy
69. I suppose she was the apple of your eye at the time. A. your favourite fruit B. your favourite meal C. your favourite person D. your favourite book
70. Whenever that professor says something I don't like, I have to bite my __________. A. tougue B. mouth C. lips D. eyes
71. I think the time has now come when we'll simply have to call it a day. A. stop trying B. stop thinking C. stop working D. stop going
72. I prefer to talk to people face-to-face rather than to talk on the phone. A. in person B. facing them C. looking at them D. seeing them
73. He does not really go around with many people because-he's a bit of a lone wolf . A. happy person B. lonely person C. unhappy person D. simple person
74. Since she won the lottery last week, she has been feeling on the top of the world. A. very proud B. very happy C. very excited D. very wealthy
75. He travels __________ for 20 years and then he decided to return home. A. farther away B. far and wide C. far from it D. farthest of all
76. Now that they have read it in __________, they believe me. A. red and blue B. blue and red C. white and black D. black and white
77. I would advise you to do that as well and in that way you will kill two birds with one stone. A. get things done twice
B. get something done two times
C. get two things done at the same time D. get two things done twice
78. "Where did you hear about that?" - "Just word of __________." A. eyes B. nose C. mouth D. ears
79. I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better to let sleeping __________ lie. A. cats B. dogs C. fish D. cows
80. When my girlfriend and my brother got in a fight I had to help my brother because blood is __________ than water. A. thinner B. thicker C. better D. more
81. It finally __________ home to me that it was time to buy a place of my own. A. arrived B. came C. hit D. reached
82. Well, it’s 7 p.m. I’d better hit the_______if I want to get home before it’s dark A. roof B. headlines C. newspaper D. road
83. She’s the type who can’t sit on holiday and is always ________the move. A. in B. on C. at D. by
84. She had never been to Prague before, and she ________ in love with it straight away. A. dropped B. fell C. tripped D. crashed
85. He didn’t speak a word of French when he first moved to France. He had to pick up the language from _________. A. scratch B. start C. nought D. nil
86. Tamara has set her__________on becoming a ballet-dancer. A. head B. feet C. brain D. heart
87. Why not buy the dress on _________then you can take it back if it doesn’t fit your mother? A. agreement B. approval C. affirmation D. affection
88. We’re free most of the weekend, but we’ve got a few bits and ____________to do on Sunday morning. A. things B. stuff C. pieces D. ends
89. It was so exciting! I was on the____________of my seat! A. side B. edge C. end D. front
90. Insects and bugs ________. A. make my skin run B. make my skin walk C. make my skin crawl D. make my skin march
91. There are about twenty ________ so people waiting in the outer office. A. but B. and C. or D. so
92. Whether or not you like some kinds of modern furniture is a matter of ___________. A. comparison B. taste C. favor D. vogue
93. Clare was __________ her homework when her boyfriend called. A. at the centre B. in between C. halfway through D. in the middle of
94. I’m starving! I could eat like a _________. A. cow B. horse C. house D. pig
95. You must have your head in the_________ if you think you’re going to succeed without hard work. A. ground B. clouds C. sky D. air
96. How much longer do we have to wait? This is starting to get on my ___________. A. mind B. back C. nerves D. nose
97. “I’m ____________ to listen to your pathetic excuses,” she said. A. sick and tired B. having enough C. in no mood D. sick to death
98. The fact of the __________ that we have a government that will do what it wants to do for the next two years. A. matter B. problem C. point D. situation
99. _______! You deserved to win. A. Unfair luck B. Nasty luck C. Hard luck D. Bad fortune
100. Mary wanted to give Nigel a present that was a little bit out of the ____________. A. normal B. ordinary C. average D. everyday
101. The nearest town was 80 km away, I mean really in the middle of __________. A. everywhere B. somewhere C. anywhere D. nowhere
102. I couldn’t finish the exam because I was just too __________ time. A. run out of B. wasted C. spent D. short of
103. “Did you sleep well?” “Yeah, like a __________”. A. drunk B. log C. horse D. fish
104. There were a few small villages______________, but no major city for miles around. A. on and off B. here and there C. back and forth D. up and down
105. I need an assistant – I’m up to _________ with work. A. my eyes B. my ears C. here D. All are correct
106. After a six-year-relationship, Martha and Billy have decided to __________. A. break the bank B turn the page C. make the grade D. tie the knot ANSWER KEY OF IDIOMS: B. COMPARISON (SIMILES):
1. He walked up to confront the rude man; he is as __________ as brass. A. bold B. shiny C. wary D. brave
as bold as brass: very cheeky (rất trơ tráo)
2. The soldier was as brave as a __________. A. tiger B. peguin C. rhino D. lion
as brave/bold as a lion: very courageous (rất quả cảm)
3. The old man is as deaf as a __________; he cannot hear what we are saying. A. bat B. dog C. post D. lamb
as deaf as a post/stone: completely deaf (Hội người “điếc” Việt Nam)
4. Stanley tidied his room until it was as clean as a __________. A. new pin B. new needle C. bright pin D. bright needle
as clean as a (new) pin: extremely clean and neat (rất sạch sẽ và gọn gàng)
5. Mr. Shariff goes exercising every evening, as __________ as clockwork. A. constant B. proper C. conventional D. regular
as regular as clockwork: very regularly (rất đều đặn)
6. Although they are siblings, their characters are as different as chalk and __________. A. ham B. paper C. peas D. cheese
(like) chalk and cheese: fundamentally different or incompatible (khác biệt)
7. Ban looks as __________ as a judge. I wonder what has happened. A. stiff B. sober C. calm D. transparent
as sober as a judge: very solemn, formal or serious (rất nghiêm nghị)
8. Ling’s lustrous locks are glossy and as black as __________. A. ivory B. granite C. ebony D. concrete
as black as ebony: completely dark (đen như gỗ mun)
9. The man is as mad as a __________; nobody understands the reasons behind his actions. A. doctor B. hatter C. surgeon D. scientist
as mad as a hatter: absolutely crazy (rất điên rồ)
10. The baby’s head was as __________ as an egg. A. bald B. shiny C. empty D. brittle
as bald as an egg: absolutely bald (hoàn toàn trọc lốc)
11. Annabelle’s biggest shortcoming is that she tends to be as __________ as a mule. A. tough B. unyielding C. obstinate D. determined
as obstinate/stubborn as a mule: very stubborn (rất ngang bướng, cứng đầu)
12. Using the camera was as easy as __________. A. pie B. cake C. snack D. candy
as easy as pie: very easy (dễ như ăn bánh)
13. Her bones were as __________ as glass after she had fallen over the upstairs. A. brittle B. clear C. sharp D. lengthy
as brittle as glass: fragile (mong manh dễ vỡ)
14. She’d lost her pale, city complexion and become as brown as a __________. A. berry B. cherry C. tomato D. mud
as brown as a berry: completely brown (“rất” nâu)
15. I’ve been as busy as a __________ building a new dam this year. I’ve had almost no free time. A. dog B. meerkat C. monkey D. bee
as busy as a bee/beaver: extremely busy and/or active (con ong chăm chỉ)
16. She was as __________ as a millpond to confront the killer. A. stiff B. strong C. calm D. rough
as calm as a millpond: absolutely calm (rất bình tĩnh)
17. Change is the very nature of existence – our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, ideas, even our relationships
are as __________ as the moon. A. volatile B. changeable C. variable D. unorthodox
as changeable as the moon/ the weather: very volatile (rất thất thường)
18. Our father was always as strong as a(n) __________, so it took us all by surprise when he was
hospitalized by a heart attack at the age of 48. A. horse B. elephant C. human D. tiger
as strong as a horse: very strong (khỏe như “trâu”/”voi”)
19. In the absence of legal constraints and excavation costs, dinosaurs are as __________ as dirt; they
can be plucked from the ground like rocks. A. mucky B. hygenic C. cheap D. stinky
as cheap as dirt: extremely cheap (rẻ như bèo)
20. His face was as white as a __________ when he saw a phantom. A. paper B. collar C. sheet D. lounge
as white as a sheet: very pale, usually because of an illness, shock or fear (tái mét)
21. Though he acts as merry as a __________, he is dreadfully unhappy when he is all alone. A. cricket B. clown C. joker D. Santa Claus
as merry as a cricket: lively, joyful, cheerful (tràn đầy hạnh phúc)
22. My grandmother is at the age of 89 but she’s as __________ as a fiddle. A. thin B. stiff C. lean D. fit
as fit as a fiddle: very healthy and strong (khỏe như vâm)
23. After a good night’s sleep, I’l be as __________ as a daisy. A. pretty B. fresh C. energetic D. dull
as fresh as a daisy: healthy and full of energy (tràn đầy năng lượng và nhiệt huyết)
24. In spite of all this food, I remained as __________ as a rake. A. starving B. full C. thin D. straight
as thin as a rake/ a lath / a rail / thread paper: very thin or lean (gầy như “que củi”)
25. She walked in as __________ as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened. A. cool B. cold C. bold D. bald
as cool as a cucumber: calm and relaxed (rất điềm tĩnh)
26. She’s been as good as __________ since the very childhood. A. silver B. guy C. gold D. pole
as good as gold: very well-behaved (ngoan ngoãn, đạo đức tốt)
27. I can pick you up easily – you are as light as a __________. A. cotton B. baby C. sun D. feather
as light as a feather (or air): extremely light (nhẹ tựa lông chim)
28. The joke Jack tells are as old as __________. A. the hills B. the mountains C. the oceans D. the earth
as old as the hills: extremely old (“xưa như Trái Đất”)
29. Brian was as gentle as a __________ and wouldn’t hurt anyone. A. man B. bear C. lamb D. mop
as gentle as a lamb: very kind and never become angry or aggressive (rất nhẹ nhàng)
30. The land in that area is as __________ as a pancake. A. high B. delicious C. tough D. flat
as flat as a pancake: very flat (phẳng như bánh kếp)
31. He was __________ as Punch at the thought of the visit. A. pleased B. hard C. stiff D. satisfactory
(as) pleased as Punch: very happy and satistied (vô cùng vui sướng và hài lòng)
32. Her words came as clear as a __________. A. mirror B. bell C. glass D. grave
as clear as a bell: (of sounds) perfectly clear (vô cùng trong trẻo)
33. I gave him the job because he was willing to learn and seemed as __________ as mustard. A. eager B. keen C. tawny D. shabby
as keen as mustard: very excited and interested (rất háo hức)
34. I was as high as a __________ when I heard I’d got the job. A. tower B. plane C. tree D. kite
as high as a kite: very drunk or intoxicated (say mèm)
35. Her face was as __________ as beetroot after expressing her affections to her crush. A. red B. shy C. timid D. pink
as red as beetroot: (of face) go/turn red because you’re angry or embarrassed (đỏ như gấc)
36. I have a list of vices that is as long as __________. A. your arms B. your arm C. your leg D. your legs
as long as your arm: very long (rất dàiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii)
37. You just need a good night’s sleep, and then you’l be __________ as rain. A. humid B. wet C. right D. fine
as right as rain: feel completely healthy or well again (cảm thấy hoàn toàn khỏe mạnh)
38. I'm sure she tells Ruth everything we say - they're as __________ as thieves, those two. A. close B. touching C. eyeful D. thick
as thick as thieves: very close or friendly (thân thiết dữ à)
39. In these new snaps, Vicky looked __________ as a picture in a flowy red dress, decorated with
sunflowers as she got out of a car. A. still B. pretty C. gorgeous D. beauteous
(as) pretty as a picture: very pretty (đẹp như tranh)
40. I get terrible motion sickness, so I was surely as __________ as death when I stumbled off the plane. A. luminous B. moving C. pale D. scary
as pale as a ghost/ death / ashes: very pale (xanh xám, tái nhạt như bóng ma) C. OTHER TYPES:
41. The political candidate knew the issue was a hot __________, so he deferred to his chief of staff, who
directed questions to the committee chairperson. A. tomato B. potato C. pot D. dog
a hot potato = a controversial issue (political): vấn đề nan giải (chính trị)
42. Don't let my mother watch any of those sappy movies — she cries at the drop of a __________. A. hat B. bag C. cat D. rag
at the drop of a hat = on the spot = on the double = immediately: ngay lập tức
43. When your programme first started I thought it was the best thing since sliced __________. A. cake B. break C. bread D. bead
the best thing since sliced bread = the best invention: phát minh vĩ đại
44. You’d better leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg! A. Good luck B. Good night C. Good bye D. Good job
break a leg = good luck: chúc may mắn
45. I think he’ll pay you back your money when __________ fly. A. birds B. cats C. cocks D. pigs
when pigs fly = when something will never happen: chuyện hoang đường
46. My parents are going to hit the roof if they find out we had a party here. A. become angry B. become sad C. become worried D. become nervous
hit the roof/ceiling = fly off the handle = go up the wall = become angry: nổi trận linh đình
47. She is a rising star as a standup comedian, always able to bring down the __________ during each performance. A. house B. rain C. roof D. kennel
bring down the house = make audience applaud: khiến cả khán phòng vỗ tay
48. I always get __________ in my stomach before visiting the dentist. A. worms B. butterflies C. crabs D. hedgehogs
get butterflies in one’s stomach = become nervous: bồi hồi, lo lắng
49. 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
sell like hot cakes = sell with a large amount: bán đắt như tôm tươi
50. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number of __________ shaves. A. narrow B. near C. close D. tiny
close shaves = narrow escape: thoát chết trong gang tấc
51. What the president said is not to be printed. It's __________ the record. A. on B. of C. off D. without
off the record = unofficial: chưa chính thức
52. Where were you? I have been looking for you high and low. A. here and there B. everywhere C. nowhere D. both A and B
high and low = here and there = everywhere = omnipresent = ubiquitous: khắp mọi nơi
53. I could see the finish line and thought I was home and dry. A. hopeless B. hopeful C. unsuccessful D. successful
home and dry = successful: thành công
54. I'm worried she may be getting cold __________ about our trip to Patagonia. A. blood B. head C. heart D. feet
get cold feet = lose one’s nerve = frightened to try: chùn bước
55. I’ve got to run an errand. I’l be back in a minute. A. manage the company
B. do the household chores C. work on a night shift D. do the homework
run an errand = make a short trip to complete a task: làm việc vặt
56. We’ve known you are a good swimmer – stop putting on an act. A. making believe B. pretending C. lying D. both A and B
put on an act = make-believe = pretend: giả vờ
57. Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the __________ when her father got home. A. wall B. music C. stick D. water
face the music = accept responsibility for something you’ve done: chịu trận
58. It was a ....-letter day when she finally received her graduation diploma. A. black B. grey C. red D. white
a red-letter day = an important day: ngày trọng đại
59. I'll be back in the twinkling of __________. A. an eye B. a lighting bolt C. a smile D. a laugh
in the twinkling of an eye = very quickly: nhanh chóng (chỉ trong 1 cái chớp mắt)
60. I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of __________. A. tea B. java C. coffee D. wine
one’s cup of tea = one’s favourite/hobby: sở thích
61. Working irregular hours is all part and parcel of being a journalist. A. integral B. crucial C. essential D. all are correct
part and parcel = an essential/integral/crucial element: nhân tố quan trọng
62. He didn’t bat an eye when he realized he failed the exam again. A. didn’t want to see
B. didn’t show surprise C. wasn’t happy D. didn’t care
not bat an eye/eyelid = show no emotional response (surprise): vô cảm
63. In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a _________ moon. A. green B. purple C. blue D. middle
once in a blue moon = rarely: hiếm khi
64. She is the black __________ of her family. A. goat B. deer C. sheep D. sleep
the black sheep = an embarrassing and troubled person: kẻ nổi loạn
65. She is walking on the __________; she doesn’t know how to say. A. air B. road C. street D. garden
walk on the air = on cloud nine = become extremely happy: vui sướng tột
66. The sixth time he called me at night was the __________. A. last cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air
the last straw = the moment that goes beyond one’s tolerance: giọt nước tràn ly
67. It is raining __________. A. cats and mice B. goats and sheep
C. horses and goats D. cats and dogs
raining cats and dogs = pouring with rain: mưa tầm tã (không có dogs and cats nha trời để ý kĩ nha)
68. You shouldn’t worry about the exam because you have prepared well and you wil probably find it a piece of cake. A. easy to digest B. easy to read C. easy to start D. very easy
a piece of cake = very easy = very simple: dễ như ăn bánh
69. I suppose she was the apple of your eye at the time. A. your favourite fruit B. your favourite meal
C. your favourite person D. your favourite book
the apple of one’s eyes = a beloved person: “cục cưng”
70. Whenever that professor says something I don't like, I have to bite my __________. A. tougue B. mouth C. lips D. eyes
bite one’s tongue = try to avoid saying something embarrassing: cắn răng chịu đựng
71. I think the time has now come when we'll simply have to call it a day. A. stop trying B. stop thinking C. stop working D. stop going
call it a day = relax: thư giãn, nghỉ ngơi
72. I prefer to talk to people face-to-face rather than to talk on the phone. A. in person B. facing them C. looking at them D. seeing them
face-to-face = in person = in a direct way: trực tiếp
73. He does not really go around with many people because-he's a bit of a lone wolf . A. happy person B. lonely person C. unhappy person D. simple person
a lone wolf = a lonely person: kẻ cô độc (như con sói đầu đàn)
74. Since she won the lottery last week, she has been feeling on the top of the world. A. very proud B. very happy C. very excited D. very wealthy
on the top of the world = very happy: cực kì vui sướng
75. He travels __________ for 20 years and then he decided to return home. A. farther away B. far and wide C. far from it D. farthest of all
far and wide = everywhere: khắp nơi
76. Now that they have read it in __________, they believe me. A. red and blue B. blue and red C. white and black D. black and white
in black and white = clearly = obviously: rõ ràng
77. I would advise you to do that as well and in that way you will kill two birds with one stone. A. get things done twice
B. get something done two times
C. get two things done at the same time D. get two things done twice
kill two birds with one stone = get two things done at the same time: một mũi tên trúng hai đích
78. "Where did you hear about that?" - "Just word of __________." A. eyes B. nose C. mouth D. ears
word of mouth = on the grapevine = rumour: nghe đồn
79. I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better to let sleeping __________ lie. A. cats B. dogs C. fish D. cows
let sleeping dogs lie = let the bad situation be forgotten: để mọi chuyên êm đềm
80. When my girlfriend and my brother got in a fight I had to help my brother because blood is __________ than water. A. thinner B. thicker C. better D. more
blood is thicker than water = relationships with the family are the strongest ones: một giọt máu đào hơn ao nước lã
81. It finally __________ home to me that it was time to buy a place of my own. A. arrived B. came C. hit D. reached
come home to (something) = someone understands it clearly: ai đó hiểu rõ điều gì
82. Well, it’s 7 p.m. I’d better hit the_______if I want to get home before it’s dark A. roof B. headlines C. newspaper D. road
hit the road = set out on a journey: lên đường, khởi hành
83. She’s the type who can’t sit on holiday and is always ________the move. A. in B. on C. at D. by
on the move = in the process of moving from one place or job to another: di chuyển, vận động
84. She had never been to Prague before, and she ________ in love with it straight away. A. dropped B. fell C. tripped D. crashed
fall in love (with someone) = develop a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone: yêu ai đó
85. He didn’t speak a word of French when he first moved to France. He had to pick up the language from _________. A. scratch B. start C. nought D. nil
from scratch = from the very beginning: ngay từ đầu
86. Tamara has set her__________on becoming a ballet-dancer. A. head B. feet C. brain D. heart
set one’s heart on = have a strong desire for or to do: quyết tâm đạt được điều gì
87. Why not buy the dress on _________then you can take it back if it doesn’t fit your mother? A. agreement B. approval C. affirmation D. affection
on approval = supplied on condition that they may be returned if not satisfactory: được bán với
điều kiện được trả lại nếu không vừa ý
88. We’re free most of the weekend, but we’ve got a few bits and ____________to do on Sunday morning. A. things B. stuff C. pieces D. ends
bits and pieces: an assortment of small items: những thứ lặt vặt, linh tinh
89. It was so exciting! I was on the____________of my seat! A. side B. edge C. end D. front
on the edge of one’s seat = very excited and giving one's full attention to something: phấn khích
90. Insects and bugs ________. A. make my skin run B. make my skin walk C. make my skin crawl D. make my skin march
make one’s skin crawl = cause someone to feel fear, horror or digust: làm ai đó thấy sợ hãi
91. There are about twenty ________ so people waiting in the outer office. A. but B. and C. or D. hitherto
or so = approximately: xấp xỉ
92. Whether or not you like some kinds of modern furniture is a matter of ___________. A. comparison B. taste C. favor D. vogue
a matter of taste = used to say that something is based on taste: vấn đề thị hiếu
93. Clare was __________ her homework when her boyfriend called. A. at the centre B. in between C. halfway through D. in the middle of
in the middle of something = in the process of doing (something): trong lúc đang làm gì
94. I’m starving! I could eat like a _________. A. cow B. horse C. house D. pig
eat like a horse = eat a great deal: ăn luôn miệng
95. You must have your head in the_________ if you think you’re going to succeed without hard work. A. ground B. clouds C. sky D. air
have one’s head in the clouds = to not know the facts of a situation: mơ tưởng viển vông
96. How much longer do we have to wait? This is starting to get on my ___________. A. mind B. back C. nerves D. nose
get on one’s nerves = irritate or annoy someone: làm ai đó tức điên
97. “I’m ____________ to listen to your pathetic excuses,” she said. A. sick and tired B. having enough C. in no mood D. sick to death
in no mood for doing/to do sth = to not want to do sth: không có tâm trạng để làm gì
98. The fact of the __________ that we have a government that will do what it wants to do for the next two years. A. matter B. problem C. point D. situation
the fact of the matter = the truth: sự thật (chỉ có một)
99. _______! You deserved to win. A. Unfair luck B. Nasty luck C. Hard luck D. Bad fortune
Hard luck! = Poor you! used to express sympathy to someone because something slightly bad has
happened: Tội bạn T^T
100. Mary wanted to give Nigel a present that was a little bit out of the ____________. A. normal B. ordinary C. average D. everyday
out of the ordinary = unusual: bất bình thường
101. The nearest town was 80 km away, I mean really in the middle of __________. A. everywhere B. somewhere C. anywhere D. nowhere
the middle of nowhere = a place that is remote and isolated: nơi xa xôi hẻo lánh
102. I couldn’t finish the exam because I was just too __________ time. A. run out of B. wasted C. spent D. short of
short of (sth) = lack (sth): thiếu cái gì
103. “Did you sleep well?” “Yeah, like a __________”. A. drunk B. log C. horse D. fish
sleep like a log = sleep very soundly (ngủ say như chết)
104. There were a few small villages______________, but no major city for miles around. A. on and off B. here and there C. back and forth D. up and down
here and there = everywhere: khắp mọi nơi
105. I need an assistant – I’m up to _________ with work. A. my eyes B. my ears C. here D. All are correct
up to one’s ears/eyes/here (with sth) = very busy (with sth): vô cùng bận rộn (vì deadline dí)
106. After a six-year-relationship, Martha and Billy have decided to __________. A. break the bank B turn the page C. make the grade D. tie the knot
tie the knot = get married: kết hôn