Why don't you spend a little time listening to recording of different English
accents? - (ADVISED) He ADVISED me to listen to recording of different English accents.
I can't often afford to spend my holiday abroad. - (SELDOM) I'm SELDOM ABLE to spend my holiday abroad.
Never mind your previous failures - Try to forget them and think of what your next
venture might be! - (BEHIND) PUT your previous failures BEHIND you and think
of what your next venture might be.
The two young men introduced a virus into the computer system. - (ALLEGED)
The two young men were ALLEGED to have introduced a virus into the computer system.
This is an important scheme and we want him to approve. - (APPROVAL) We
want his APPROVAL of / for this important scheme.
I wouldn't object to moving to a larger flat. - (RATHER) I'd RATHER like to move to a larger flat.
You'll need the choke out to start the car. - (WITH) The car will only start WITH the choke.
Some people always live within the limitations of their own experience. -
(OUTSIDE) Some people never GO OUTSIDE their own experience.
There was one policeman on my left, another on my right. - (BETWEEN) I was BETWEEN two policemen.
I don't think she 's good enough to join my class. - (UP) I don't think she is UP TO THE STANDARD of our class.
Ten thirty is too late to arrive. - (BEFORE) You must arrive BEFORE ten thirty.
Her job is making her miserable. - (DOWN) Her job is GETTING HER DOWN.
Get sb down (phrv) Làm chán, thất vọng, = to DISAPPOINT/ DISMAY.
I'm not considering that suggestion. - (OUT) That suggestion is OUT/ I've RULED OUT that suggestion.
My cat has lost its appetite. - (OFF) My cat has GONE OFF/ is OFF its appetite.
Go off (phrv) Chán, không thích như xưa. [To GO OFF DOING STH]
He's so careless that he lost his passport. - (IN) He lost his passport IN CARELESSNESS.
Soft lighting usually makes people look younger. - (BY) People look younger BY soft lighting.
You don't think about me when I'm not here. - (OUT) You don't think about me when I'm OUT OF SIGHT.
I'm sorry, but I don't think there any hope for your brother now. - (BEYOND) I'm
sorry, but I think your brother is BEYOND HOPE now.
You have to be eighteen to vote. You 're not old enough. - (UNDER) You can't vote if you're UNDER eighteen.
Alcohol makes some people act very foolishly. - (LIKE) Alcohol makes some people ACT LIKE FOOLS.
I'm going to give up drinking. Today I'll have my last glass of wine. - (AS FROM)
AS FROM tomorrow, I'll give up smoking.
I'd do anything to be able to travel to China. - THERE'S nothing I wouldn 't do to be able to travel to China.
It was two years ago at the end of this week that I started working here. - AT THE
END of this week I will have been working here for two years.
Fischer will require bottlers to use water that Fischer specifies. - BOTTLERS are
required to use water specified by Fischer.
The dress was so tempting that I bought it. - I COULDN'T RESIST the temptation to buy the dress.
The weather forecast was inaccurate, so we didn't take the right precautions. -
HAD the weather forecast been accurate, we might have taken the right precautions.
The passengers don't realize how lucky they have been. - LITTLE do the
passengers realize how lucky they have been.
You must not leave important documents lying around. - (ACCOUNT) ON NO
ACCOUNT should you leave important documents lying around.
You don't seem very well. - (RUN) You seem a bit RUN DOWN.
To be RUN DOWN = to be OFF-COLOR = to be UNDER THE WEATHER: Bệnh.
It's age since that telephone worked properly. - (ORDER) The telephone has been OUT OF ORDER for ages.
Do you think you could come to the point ? I'm in a hurry. - (BUSH) Please stop
BEATING AROUND THE BUSH. I'm in a hurry.
We should abolish all these antiquated customs. - (DONE) These antiquated
customs should be DONE AWAY WITH.
I'm afraid our problems are only just beginning. - (ICEBERG) I'm afraid our
problems are just THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
His spoken English is very poor indeed. - (SCARECELY) He can SCARCELY speak English.
I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about. - (EARTH) I don't know
WHAT ON EARTH you 're talking about.
I am sure it wasn 't Bob 's fault. - IT CAN'T have been Bob 's fault.
I don't think it is a good idea for you to go out this evening. - I'D RATHER you didn 't go out this evening.
I'm sure it was Tom who cleared everything up. - TOM MUST have cleared everything up.
The Pacific Ocean is on average deeper than the Atlantic. - THE AVERAGE depth
of the pacific ocean is greater than that of the Atlantic.
Alice did not decide to move to a new house until the roof fell in. - ONLY WHEN
the roof fell in did Alice decide to move to a new house.
He suggested that Tom and I should go ahead and get the tickets. - HE SAID:
"What about Tom and you going ahead and getting the ticket?"
Jo may not be very well but he still manages to enjoy life. - JO'S poor health does
not prevent/ stop him (from) enjoying life.
That reminds me of the time I climbed to the top of the Mount Fuji. - (BACK) That
TAKEs me BACK to the time I climbed to the top of the Mount Fuji.
The weather never seems as bad abroad as it does at home, does it? - (BETTER)
The weather always seems better abroad than it does at home, doesn't it ?
When I bought it I thought it was a beautiful colour, but I don't like it any more. -
(GONE) When I bought it I thought it was a beautiful colour but I've GONE OFF it now.
They will have given him the news by now. - (TOLD) He will have been TOLD about the news by now.
To be successful in business you must work very hard. - (ESSENTIAL) It is
ESSENTIAL to work hard if you want to be successful in business.
Some people say that Tsiolkovsky invented the space rocket. - (CREDITED)
Tsiolkovsky is/ has been CREDITED with inventing the space rocket/ having invented the space rocket.
It's no use arguing. - (POINT) There is NO POINT IN arguing.
What exactly am I supposed to have done wrong? - (STAND) What exactly do I STAND ACCUSED OF?
To STAND ACCUSED OF STH: Bị cáo buộc.
Good colour sense is instinctive for some people. - (COME) Good colour sense
COMES NATURALLY to some people.
Don't ask him about the accident, he 's upset already. - (STATE) Don't ask him
about the accident, he's IN A STATE already.
To be IN A STATE = to be UPSET/ NERVOUS: Buồn bã/ lo lắng.
Everyone is saying the government is about to resign. - (RUMORED) It is
RUMORED that the government is about to resign.
The senior students believe that they are old enough to choose which classes to
attend. - (REGARD) The senior students REGARD THEMSELVES AS being old
enough to choose which classes to attend.
Since the company's methods were exposed in a newspaper, people have lost their
good opinion of it. - (DISREPUTE) Since..., it has FALLEN INTO DISREPUTE.
To FALL INTO DISREPUTE: Chịu tai tiếng.
What really depresses me is this continual wet weather. - (GETS) What really
GETS ME DOWN is this continual weather.
We missed the bus because we had overslept. - (CONSEQUENCE) We missed the
bus AS A CONSEQUENCE OF oversleeping.
She passed the world around that she was looking for a flat. - (KNOWN) She LET
IT BE KNOWN that she was looking for a flat.
They continued to suggest that I was lying. - (PERSISTED) They PERSISTED IN suggesting that I was lying.
We couldn't have managed without my father's money. - IF IT hadn't been for my
father's money, we couldn't have managed.
I had only just put the phone down when the boss rang back. - HARDLY had I put
the phone down when the boss rang back.
It was Walter Raleigh who introduced potatoes and tobacco into England. - THE
ENGLISH OWE the introduction of potatoes and tobacco to Walter Raleigh.
"If my members agree to that, I'll be very surprised," said the union delegate. -
THE UNION DELEGATE OBSERVED THAT he would be very surprised if his members agreed.
While I strongly disapprove of your behavior, I will help you this time. - DESPITE
MY strong disapproval of your behavior, I will help you this time.
I'm sorry I missed Professor Baker's lecture. - I'M SORRY NOT to have
heard/attended Pro Baker's lecture.
We may not be able to give the concert. - THE CONCERT may have to be cancelled.
I was not surprised to hear that Harry had failed his driving test. - IT CAME AS
NO SURPRISE TO me that Harry had failed his driving test.
John inflated the tyres of his bicycle. - (BLEW) John BLEW UP the tyres of his bicycle.
Inflate (v) thổi căng, thổi phồng, = to BLOW UP.
We'd better leave them a note, because it's possible they'll arrive later. - (CASE)
We'd better leave them a note IN CASE they arrive later.
Before he came here he worked for Mr/ Smith. - (PREVIOUS) Before he came
here, his PREVIOUS boss/employer was Mr. Smith.
He speaks German extremely well. - (COMMAND) He HAS AN excellent COMMAND OF German.
To HAVE A GOOD COMMAND OF STH = To be GOOD AT STH: Giỏi.
His criticisms are quite unfair. - (JUSTIFICATION) There is NO
JUSTIFICATION for his criticisms.
I can't understand why they are reluctant to sign the contract. - (BAFFLED) I am
BAFFLED BY their reluctance to sign the contract.
I always find chess problems like that quite impossible. - (DEFEAT) Chess
problens like that (always) DEFEAT me!
This must be kept secret. - (KNOW) You mustn't LET anyone (else) KNOW (this).
I can't afford a new dress, that old blue one will have to do. - (MAKE) I can't
afford a new dress. I'll (have) to MAKE DO WITH that old blue one.
To MAKE DO WITH STH: Dùng tạm.
I only recognized him when he came into the light. - NOT UNTIL he came into the light did I recognize him.
That rumor about the politician and the construction contract is absolutely false. -
THERE IS (absolutely) no truth in that rumour about the politician and the construction contract.
They never made us do anything we didn't want to do. - WE were never made to do anything we didn't want to.
My mother was the most warm-hearted person I've ever known. - I'VE never
known a more warm-hearted person than my mother (was).
You can't possibly expect me to have supper ready by 8 o'clock. - (QUESTION)
THERE IS NO QUESTION OF supper being ready by 8 o'clock.
Supper (n) Bữa cơm tối; bữa ăn nhẹ buổi tối.
It is my opinion that there is no advantage in further discussion. - (SEE) AS FAR
AS I CAN SEE, there is no advantage in further discussion.
As far as I can see = As far as I'm concerned = In my opinion = From my perspective.
Please excuse Jane's poor typing. She's only been learning for a month. -
(ALLOWANCES) Please MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR Jane's poor typing. She...
To MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR SB = to EXCUSE SB.
There is no way that young man can achieve success in this test. - (BOUND) That
young man is BOUND to fail in this test.
Although the dog appeared harmless, it was, in fact, quite dangerous. -
(CONTRARY) CONTRARY TO (its) (harmless) appearance, the dog was in fact quite dangerous. Contrary to sth: Trái với.
If Smith hadn't broken his leg, he would have played football for England. -
(REPRESENTED) If Smith hadn't broken his leg, he would have REPRESENTED England.
This hotel is inaccessible in winter. - (POSSIBLE) It's not POSSIBLE to get to/to reach this hotel in winter.
As far as I know, he is still working in Bristol. - (KNOWLEDGE) TO MY BEST
KNOWLEDGE, he is still working in Bristol.
To my best knowledge = As far as I know: Theo như tôi được biết.
The workers only called off the strike after a new pay offer. - ONLY AFTER a
new pay offer did the workers call off the strike.
He was sentenced to six months in prison for his part in the robbery. - HE
RECEIVED A sentence of six months for his part in the robbery.
You can eat as much as you like for 5$ at the new lunch-bar. - THERE IS NO
limit/restriction to how much you eat at the new lunch-bar.
She wore a hearing-aid, even though she could hear the phone ring perfectly well. -
SHE WASN'T SO deaf/hard of hearing that she couln't hear the phone.
You will never meet anyone more generous than Mrs. Jones. - MRS JONES IS the
most generous person you will/could ever meet/ (be likely) to meet.
My parents let me go abroad alone for the first time last year. - I WAS allowed to
go abroad alone for the first time last year.
It was his incompetence which led to their capture. - IF he hadn't been so
imcompetent they wouldn't have been captured.
I'm certainly not going to give you any more money. - I HAVE NO INTENTION OF giving you any more money.
To have no intention of doing sth: Không có dự định.
I don't think there will be any applicants for this post. - (LIKELIHOOD) There is
LITTLE/ NO LIKELIHOOD that there will be applicants for this post.
To HAVE LITTLE/ NO LIKELIHOOD: Có ít khả năng.
It was difficult for Susan to believe the good news - (HARDLY) Susan could HARDLY believe the good news.
You must make allowances for his inexperience. - (ACCOUNT) You must TAKE his INEXPERIENCE INTO ACCOUNT.
To take sth into account = To make allowances = To excuse: Chiếu cố, bỏ quá.
This contract is not binding until we both sign it. - (BOUND) Neither one of us is
BOUND by this contract until we both sign it.
Bound (a) Ràng buộc, = to be BINDING.
He wasn't to blame for the accident. - (FAULT) The accident was not his FAULT.
You shouldn't take his help for granted. - (ASSUME) You should /do not
ASSUME (that) he will help you.
To take sth for granted = to assume: Đinh ninh, cho rằng.
Our hotel booking hasn't been confirmed. - WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED
confirmation of/about our hotel booking (yet).
The sales man told me that my new car would be delivered next Wednesday. -
ACCORDING the salesman my new car would/will be delivered next Wednesday.
The Yeti has very rarely been seen at this altitude. - THERE HAVE very few
sightings of the Yeti at this altitude.
It's not certain that Jones will get the job. - It is OPEN TO QUESTION (as to)
whether Jones will get the job.
To be OPEN TO QUESTION = to be NOT CERTAIN = to be IN DOUBT: Không chắc chắn.
Everyone started complaining the moment the announcement was made. - NO
SOONER had the announcement been made than everyone started complaining.
A house in that district will cost you at least 100,000$. - YOU WON'T BE ABLE
to buy/get a house in that district for less than/under $100.000.
Alan worked too hard at the office, and this led to his illness. - ALAN'S ILLNESS
was caused by/brought about/due to/the result of his working too hard at the office.
Mr. Bill managed to repair the garage roof only because his neighbor helped him. -
(WITHOUT) WITHOUT the help of his neighbor, Mr. Bill would/could not/never
have repairted the garage roof.
Nobody is infallible. - (MISTAKES) Everyone makes MISTAKES.
The last Olympic Games were held in Seoul. - (TOOK) The last Olympic Games TOOK PLACE in Seoul.
He talked about nothing except the weather. - (SOLE) His SOLE topic/subject of conversation was the weather.
In the end, I felt I had been right to leave the club. - (REGRETS) I HAD NO
REGRETS about/on/over leaving the club in the end.
It is stupid of you to refuse Richard's offer of a loan. - (IDIOT) You are an IDIOT
to refuse Richard's offer of a loan.
The company has decided to replace this model. - (INTENTION) It's the
company's INTENTION to replace this model.
In the next few years we'll probably hear a lot more about environmental pollution.
- (LIKELY) We're likely to hear a lot more about environmental pollution in the next few years.
Keeping calm is the secret of passing your driving test. - AS LONG AS you (can)
keep/stay calm, you will/should/ought to pass your driving test.
Immediately after his appointment to the post, the new editor fell ill. - NO
SOONER had he been/was he appointed to the post than the new editor fell ill.
The protest has been so vociferous that the committee has had to reconsider. -
THERE HAS BEEN such a vociferous protest that the committee has had to reconsider.
You think that fat people are always jolly but you are wrong. - CONTRARY TO
your belief/opinion, fat people are not always jolly.
My boss works better when he's pressed for time. - THE LESS time my boss has, the better he works.
The patient recovered more rapidly than expected. - THE PATIENT MADE a
more rapid/a quicker/faster recovery than expected.
There isn't a pair of thermal socks left in the shop, Madam. - WE ARE
COMPLETELY (sold) out of thermal socks, Madam.
Their chances of success are small. - IT'S NOT (very) likely (that) they will succeed.
Their problems are all self-inflicted. - (MAKING) Their problems are all of their own MAKING.
Of your own making = Your own fault: Lỗi của riêng mình.
The travel agent was able to offer a 50% reductionon holidays to the Costa Brava. -
(HALF) The travel agent was able to offer HALF-PRICE holidays to the Costa Brava.
If you take that job, you'll have to get up at 6 a.m every morning - (MEAN) Taking
that job will MEAN (that) you'll have to get up at 6a.m every morning.
The only thing they could do was to look for a new flat. - (ALTERNATIVE) They
had no ALTERNATIVE but to look for a new flat.
If only one could rely on what she says. - (PITY) IT'S A PITY (that) one/we cannot rely on what she says.
An open fire can't be compared to central heating. - (COMPARISON) There is no
COMPARISON between an open fire and central heating. Comparison between 2 things.
I remember very few things about my childhood. - (SCARCELY) I can
SCARCELY remember anything /a thing about my childhood.
Scarcely = Hardly = Rarely = Barely.
Several members of the committee said they were worried abot the chairman's
proposals. - (CONCERN) Several members of the committee EXPRESSed
CONCERN about/at/over the chairman's proposal.
To EXPRESS CONCERN: Bày tỏ quan ngại.
The river Volta overflowed last year. - (BURST) The river Volta BURST its banks last year.
Some people will do anything to lose weight. - (LENGTHS) Some people will DO/
GO TO GREAT LENGTHS to lose weight.
To GO TO GREATH LENGTHS = To TRY YOUR BEST.
The number of people out of work has been going down little by little. -
(GRADUAL) There has been a GRADUAL decrease/decline/fall in the number of people out of work.
House prices have risen dramatically this year. - THERE HAS been a dramatic
increase in (the) house prices this year.
This affair does not concern you. - THIS AFFAIR IS NO concern of yours.
No concern of yours = None of your business.
You must submit articles for the magazine by June 18th. - THE FINAL DATE for
you to submit articles for the magazine is June 18th.
Although Jimmy was the stronger of the two, his attacker soon overpowered him. -
DESPITE HIS (superior) strength, Jimmy was (soon) overpowered by his attacker.
What a surprise to see you here! - FANCY seeing you here! Fancy (v, BrE) = Like.
Gerald never had enough to live on until he married that rich businesswoman. -
(SHORT) Gerald was (always) SHORT OF MONEY until/before he married that rich businesswoman.
William decided that an actor's life was not for him. - (CUT) William (decided that
he) was not CUT OUT to be an actor.
You're under no obligation to accept their offer. - YOU CAN PLEASE yourself/
yourselves about whether you accept their offer or not.
The company presents a gold watch to each of its retiring employees. - EACH of
the company's retiring employee is represented a gold watch.
The only thing that kept us out of prison was the way he spoke the local dialect. -
BUT FOR HIS COMMAND of (the) local dialect we would have been jailed/ put into jail.
My father finds maps hard to follow. - MY FATHER HAS difficulty following maps.
Under no circumstances should you phone the police. - THE LAST thing you
should/must/ought to do is to phone/phoning the police.
People don't want to buy cars with large engines any more - (CALL) There isn't
much CALL FOR cars with large engines.
Call (for) = Demand: Nhu cầu.
Twenty years ago this region produced twice as much coal as it does now. -
(HALVED) Coal production/The coal produced in this region has (been) HALVED in the last 20 years.
Halve (v, from "half") Giảm nửa.
The prime Minister is unlikely to call an early general election. - (LIKELIHOOD)
There is little LIKELIHOOD of the PM calling a(n) (early general) election.
To have LITTLE LIKELIHOOD of sb doing sth: Ít có khả năng, = to be IMPOSSIBLE.
Nobody could possibly believe the story he told us. - (BEYOND) The story he told us is/was BEYOND BELIEF.
To be BEYOND BELIEF = to be UNBELIEVABLE: Không thể tin được.
Scientists say forests are being destroyed by air pollution. - (BLAME) Scientists
BLAME our pollution FOR the destruction of the forests.
= Scientists BLAME the destruction of the forests ON our pollution. Blame (v) - Đổ lỗi.
- BLAME tác nhân FOR hậu quả
- BLAME hậu quả ON tác nhân
His reactions are quite unpredictable. - (KNOWS) One never KNOWS how he is going to/will/may/might react.
The project received the unanimous approval of the committee. - (FAVOR) The
whole committee was/were IN FAVOR OF the project.
To be in favor of sth = to approve of sth = to like sth.
There are several categories of people who do not have to pay the new tax. -
(EXEMPT) There are several categories of people who are EXEMPT FROM (paying) the new tax.
To be exempt from sth: Miễn. Exempt form tax: Miễn thuế.
"That's a lovely new dress, Jean" said her mother. - JANE'S MOTHER
COMPLIMENTED Jean on her lovely new dress.
We couldn't find George anywhere. - GEOGRE WAS nowhere to be found.
Customs officials are stopping more travellers than usual this week. - AN
INCREASED of travellers is/are being stopped by customs officials this week.
She listens more sympathetically than anyone else I know. - SHE IS A more
sympathetic listener than anyone else I know.
The minister's popularity suffered as a result of the scandal. - (EFFECT) The
scandal had a bad/negative EFFECT (on the Minister's popularity).
The teachers agreed to introduce the new methods. - (AGREEMENT) There was
(an) AGREEMENT among the teachers to introduce new methods.
Jenny didn't feel like going to the party. - (MOOD) Jenny wasn't IN THE MOOD
to go to the party/for (going to) the party.
The councilor answered every question frankly. - (FRANK) The councilor gave
frank answers to every question.
It is said that he has been to prison several times. - (REPUTED) He is REPUTED to have been (sent) to prison.
Be REPUTED = Be RUMORED: Được đồn đại...
Most stores will accept a credit card instead of cash. - (ALTERNATIVE) Most
stores will accept a credit card as an ALTERNATIVE to cash.
Our opinions on the subject are identical. - (DIFFERENCE) There is (absolutely)
NO DIFFERENCE in/between our opinions on the subject.
Identical (a) Y đúc, = similar.
Local residents said they were against the new traffic scheme. - (DISAPPROVAL)
Local residents EXPRESSED/ VOICED their DISAPPROVAL of the new traffic scheme.
I am amazed by the mistakes he makes - WHAT amazes me is/are the mistakes he makes.
No one has challenged his authority before. - THIS IS THE FIRST TIME (that)
someone has challenged his authority.
"If Brian doesn't train harder, I won't select him for the team," said the manager. -
THE MANAGER THREATENED not to select Brian (if he didn't train
harder/unless he trained harder).
You'll certainly meet lots of people in your new job. - YOU ARE
bound/sure/certain to meet lots of people.
I left without saying goodbye as I didn't want to disturb the meeting. - RATHER
than disturb the meeting, I left without saying goodbye.
There aren't many other books which explain this problem so well. - IN FEW
OTHER BOOKS would one see this problem well EXPLAINED.
I dislike it when people criticize me unfairly. - I OBJECT to people criticizing me unfairly.
Robert is sorry now that he didn't accept the job. - ROBERT NOW WISHES (that) he had taken/accepted the job.
If interst rates are cut, the economic situation may improve. - (REDUCTION) A
REDUCTION OF/IN interest rates may improve the economic situation.
The architect's new design was heavily criticized. - (CRITICISM) There was a
heavy criticism of the architect's new design.
= The architect's new design suffered from a heavy CRITICISM.
Very little money was raised by the charity appeal - (RESPONSE) There was very
little RESPONSE to the charity appeal.
Ours is the only company allowed to import these chemicals - (MONOPOLY) Our
company has got (the/a) MONOPOLY of/on/over the importation of these chemicals.
To have a/the monopoly on sth: Độc quyền.
The coach's tactics were directly responsible for the team's defeat. -
(CONSEQUENCE) The team's defeat was a/the direct consequence of the coach's tactics.
= As a CONSEQUENCE of...., the team was defeated.
We have no idea where he is. - (WHEREABOUTS) We don't know his
WHEREABOUTS/His WHEREABOUTS is/are unknown to us.
The policeman acted quickly and averted an accident. - (PROMPT) The PROMPT
action of the policeman averted an accident.
Avert (v) Đẩy lui, ngăn ngừa, = to PREVENT.
This new record is certain to sell a lot of copies - (DOUBT) There is NO DOUBT
that this new record will sell a lot of copies.
There is no doubt...: Không còn nghi ngờ gì nữa.
"Nothing will persuade me to sleep in that haunted house," she said. - SHE
FLATLY refused to sleep in that haunted house.
To FLATLY RUFUSE: Từ chối thẳng thừng.
It wasn't necessary for them to call for help after all. - THEY didn't have/need to call for help after all.
You won't find a more dedicated worker anywhere than Mrs. Jones. - NOWHERE
will you find a more dedicated worker than Mrs. Jones.
I want to be left alone. - (DISTURBED) I don't want to be DISTURBED.
He took the company to court on the grounds of unfair dismissal. - (UNFAIRLY)
He took the company to court on the grounds of being UNFAIRLY dismissed.
We're likely to be a little late, I'm afraid. - (EVERY) There's EVERY
LIKELIHOOD/ POSSIBILITY that we'll be a little late.
To have every likelihood/ possibility: Có mọi khả năng.
The Committee said they liked the first proposal best. - (PREFERENCE) The
committee EXPRESSed A PREFERENCE for the first proposal.
To express a preference for sth = to prefer: Thích hơn.
I really must answer all these letters. - (GET DOWN) I really must GET DOWN
TO answerING all these letters.
It's not your fault. - (BLAME) You are NOT TO BLAME.
People seem to be criticizing the police quite a lot nowadays. - (CRITICISM)
There's quite a lot of CRITICISM directed at the police nowadays.
In a nutshell, the man's an idiot. - (BLUNTLY) BLUNTLY, the man's an idiot.
In a nutshell: Nói ngắn gọn là. (=to put it in a nutshell)
Bluntly: Thẳng thừng mà nói.
I'm dying to meet them. - (WAIT) I (just) CAN'T WAIT to meet them.
They lay on the beach the whole week sunbathing. - (SPENT) They SPENT the
whole week LYING on the beach sunbathing.
I SERIOUSLY DOUBT whether this will work. - (DOUBTS) I have serious
doubts as to whether this will work.
I have no intention of giving up now. - (TEND) I DO NOT INTEND to give up now.
Richard only took over the family business because his father decided to retire
early. - HAD it not been for his father's early retirement, Richard wouldn't have
taken over the family business.
We would always take great care when flying at night. - WE ALWAYS USED to
have/keep our wits about us when flying at night. KEEP/HAVE YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU - aware of what is happening
- ready to think and act quickly
There haven't been such a long queues at the cinema since the release of the last
blockbuster. - NOT since the release of the last blockbuster have there been such long queues at the cinema.
I will only be satisfied if the manager apologizes fully. - NOTHING SHORT of a
full apology from the manager will satisfy me.
She was concentrating so hard on her work that she didn't notice when I came in.
(WRAPPED) - She was so WRAPPED UP IN HER WORK that she didn't notice when I came in. BE WRAPPED UP IN WORK - up to ears in work - up to your neck in work - snowed under with work
- to have too much on your plate
The price of the house has been reduced as much as possible because the owner
needs some money. (BONE) - The house has been CUT/PARED TO THE BONE
because the owner needs some money. CUT/PARE STH TO THE BONE
- to reduce sth as much as possible
The permit expires at the end of the month. - THE PERMIT IS NOT valid at the end of the month.
The first sign of the disease is blurred vision. (ONSET) - THE ONSET of the disease is blurred vision. ONSET (n) - the first sign of sth bad
Don't say anything negative about her hair because she's very sensitive and might
be offended by your remarks. (OFFENCE) - Don't say anything negative about her
hair because she's very sensitive and might TAKE OFFENCE AT your remarks. TAKE OFFENCE AT STH - to take exception to sth - to feel upset and annoyed
The new teacher was so nervous that the class react mischievously. (REACTION) -
The new teacher's nervousness drew mischievous REACTION from the class. DRAW STH FROM STH
- to get something from a particular place
George seems to have been putting his website together for a long time. (UNDER
CONSTRUCTION) - George's website seems to have been UNDER CONSTRUCTION for a long time. UNDER CONSTRUCTION - being built
They've been having discussions on the issue for over two weeks. (PROGRESS) -
Discussions on the issue have been IN THE PROGRESS for over two weeks.
The accused never expressed regret for what he had done. (TIME) - AT NO TIME
did the accused expressed regret for what he had done. AT NO TIME - on no occasion - never
These adverts look exactly the same as the articles in this magazine.
(DIFFERENCE) - It's impossible to TELL THE DIFFERENCE between the adverts in this magazine.
Terry and I started arguing about the situation in the Middle East. (INTO) - I GOT
INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH Terry about the situation in the Middle East. GET INTO AN ARGUMENT - to start to argue - to argue over/about sth - up in arms about sth
There's no need for me to tell you that you'll be paid handsomely for this.
(SAYING) - It GOES WITHOUT SAYING that you'll be paid handsomely for this.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING (that...) - obviously - certainly
In the end Pauline phoned the insurance firm. - WHAT Pauline did in the end was phone the insurance firm.
I wouldn't eat too many of those, if I were you. - YOU'D better not eat too many of those.
It's possible that Mary and helen have not heard from the bank yet. - MARY AND
HELEN might/may not have heard from the bank yet.
By law, all rear-seat passengers are obliged to wear seat-belts. - BY LAW, SEAT-
BELTS have to be worn by all rear-seat passengers.
In the end of nuclear weapon being used, we are all doomed. - SHOULD IT
happen that nuclear weapons are used, we are all doomed.
You haven't by any chance got a copy of the report, have you? - THERE isn't any
chance of you having a copy of the report, is there?
She felt so disappointed that she suddenly started to cry. (SUCH) - Her
disappointment was SUCH that she burst into tears.
The boy's work can surely be improved. (OF) - The boy's work must be
CAPABLE OF improvement/being improved.
The Japanese are the best at making pocket-sized technology. (COMES) - The
Japanese are SECOND TO NONE WHEN IT COMES TO making pocket-sized technology. SECOND TO NONE - the best - the peerless WHEN IT COMES TO DOING STH - when mentioning sth
If the applicants are all equal in qualification and ability, we'll choose those who
applied first. (PAR) - If the applicants are all ON A PAR, we'll choose those who applied first. ON A PAR (with sb/sth) - equally good, fine etc.
No one likes his behaviour. (DESIRED) - The way he behaves LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED. LEAVE A LOT TO BE DESIRED - bad - unacceptable
She wasn't very big but she was very strong. (LACKED) - What she LACKED in size she made up in strength.
More than 300 workers were considered useless after the factory had closed down.
(SCRAP) - With the closure of the factory, more than 300 workers were THROWN ON THE SCRAP HEAP. THROW SB ON THE SCRAP HEAP - make sb useless - make sb unemployed
No one could deny that he had won all the international competitions.
(UNDISPUTED) - He was the UNDISPUTED champion of the world. UNDISPUTED - undoubted - indubitable
You can be highly intelligent but not have much common sense. - HAVING
common sense doesn't mean that you are highly intelligent.
The audience didn't enjoy his performance. (DOWN) - The audience didn't GO
DOWN WELL WITH his performance. GO DOWN WELL WITH STH - to like sth
Although she was upset, there was never any question of revenge. (LAST) - Upset
as she was, revenge was THE LAST THING ON HER MIND.
You must not leave the iron switched on for a long time. - ON NO OCCASION
should you leave the iron switched on for a long time. ON NO OCCASION - at no time - never
If you want, you can leave. (LIBERTY) - You are AT LIBERTY to leave as you wish. AT LIBERTY - free - allowed to do sth
That jacket of yours is worn-out - isn't it time you bought a new one? - That jacket
of yours has SEEN ITS BETTER DAYS - isn't it time to buy a new one? HAVE SEEN BETTER DAYS - old - in bad condition - worn-out (of clothes)
Joe waited for her, pretending to tie his shoelaces. (PRETENCE) - Joe waited for
her UNDER THE PRETENCE OF tying his shoelaces.
UNDER THE PRETENCE OF DOING STH - pretending to do sth
She didn't make a noise for fear of walking up her parents. (LEST) - She didn't
make a noise LEST she wake her parents. LEST SB DO STH - for fear of/that...
Because of being injured, he was no longer a candidate for the title.
(CONTENTION) - Injury PUT HIM OUT OF CONTENTION for the contention.
PUT SB IN/OUT OF CONTENTION (for sth)
- to make sb able/unable to contend
As far as I'm concerned, the project is nearly completed.
(NEARING) - TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, the project is NEARING completion. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE - as far as I'm concerned - as far as I know - as far as is known Near (v). Nearing completion (coll).
The two sides never looked likely to reach an agreement. - AT NO TIME did the
two sides look likely to reach an agreement.
For further information, please send a self-addressed envelope to the above
address. - FURTHER INFORMATION CAN be obtained by sending a self-
addressed envelope to the above address.
With six children to look after, she is extremely busy. (HANDS) - With six
children ON HER HANDS, she is extremely busy. HAVE STH ON YOUR HANDS
- to have difficulties to deal with
Only final-year students are allowed to use the main college car park.
(RESTRICTED) - The use of the main college car park is RESTRICTED TO final- year students RESTRICTED TO SB - limited to sb
The new computer system has caused quite a few problems for the manager.
(AGAINST) - The manager has COME UP AGAINST quite a few problems with the new computer system. COME UP AGAINST STH - to deal with difficulties - to face sth difficult
We agreed that each of us would do this washing-up on alternative days. (TURNS)
- We agreed that each of us would TAKE TURNS to do this washing-up.
You should be able to dress yourself by now. - IT'S HIGH time you dressed yourself by now.
Could I stay with you in Chicago for a few days, John? (PUT) - Could you PUT
ME UP in Chicago for a few days, John? PUT SB UP - to let sb stay in your house - to let sb rent your house
I didn't feel like doing something energetic. (MOOD) - I was not IN THE MOOD for doing something energetic.
IN THE MOOD for doing/to do sth - to feel like doing sth - to feel up to do sth - to want/like to do sth
* If I hadn't helped you, you would have been in trouble with your girlfriend. -
WERE I not to have helped you, you would have been in trouble with your girlfriend.
He wasn't present at the party, which made her very happy. However, no one
expected to welcome him. - HAD he been present, she wouldn't have been happy,
nor he would have been welcomed.
People shouldn't think that Miss World must have the great appearance. - IT IS
NOT ALWAYS thought ESSENTIAL that Miss World must have the great appearance.
THINK STH + ADJ -> BE THOUGH + ADJ
I think that these talkative girls are chatting about my problem. - THESE
TALKATIVE GIRLS must be chatting about my problem.
He causes me a lot of trouble. (FLESH) - He is A THORN IN MY FLESH. A THORN IN YOUR FLESH/SIDE
- a person who causes trouble an unwanted shit
I'm sorry, James. But I'm very busy with my work. (UP) - I'm sorry, James. But I'm UP TO MY NECK IN WORK. UP TO YOUR NECK IN WORK - up to ears in work - snowed under - wrapped up in work
- to have too much in your plate
If you continue to be stuck-up, everyone will ignore you. - YOU WILL FALL ON
DEAF EARS if you continue to be stuck-up. FALL ON DEAF EARS - ignored - shunned - ostracized
Our independence on overseas trade sets a special value upon drive and
resourcefulness in export industries. (PUTS) - Our independence on overseas
trades PUTS drive and resourcefulness in export industries AT A PREMIUM. PUT STH AT A PREMIUM - to make sth valuable
* The audience were misled by the idea that economic recovery was close at hand.
(AWAY) - The audience RAN AWAY WITH the idea that economic recovery was close at hand.
I decided to go home and make myself clean and smart - to let everyone know that
life has not got me down. - I decided to go home and SPRUCE MYSELF UP - to
let everyone know that life has not got me down. SPRUCE YOURSELF/SB UP
- make yourself/sb cleaner/tidier to improve the general appearance
I couldn't stop thinking about the exam despite playing backgammon with Paul.
(MIND) - PLAYING BACKGAMMON with Paul failed/didn't TAKE MY MIND OFF the exam. TAKE YOUR MIND OFF STH
- to make you stop thinking about sth
Pete said that Josh doesn't usually lie. (LIKE) - "IT isn't like Josh to tell lies". Pete said.
* I can spend more time with my grandchildren when I retire. (FREE) - Retirement
will FREE ME UP to spend more time with my grandchildren.
* Oscar is qualified to teach Russian because he has a degree in it. (HIM) - Oscar's
Russian degree qualifies HIM to teach the language.
I'm glad you now see sense and agree that your parents are right. (SENSES) - I'm
glad you have COME TO SENSES that your parents are right. COME TO SENSES - to understand sth
* I didn't tell Angie because I didn't want to hurt Eddie's feelings.
(CONSIDERATION) - I didn't tell Angie OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR Eddie. OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR SB - for sb's sake
You have to use logical and lateral thinking in equal measure in this job. (STRIKE)
- You have to STRIKE A BALANCE between logic and lateral thinking in this job.
STRIKE A BALANCE (between A and B) - to make A and B equal
Ralph would hand in his resignation immediately if he could find a better job.
(HAT) - Ralph would hand in his resignation AT THE DROP OF A HAT if he could find a better job. AT THE DROP OF A HAT - at once - on the spot - immediately
The parents of that girl are furious about her expulsion. (ARMS) - The parents of
that girl are UP IN ARMS ABOUT her expulsion.
She furiously threw the book across the room. - SUCH as her fury that she threw the book across the room.
I went down with flu as soon as I had recovered from bronchitis. - NO SOONER
had I recovered from the bronchitis than I went down with flu.
BRONCHITIS (n) Viêm phế quản.
However friendly he seems, he's not to be trusted. - FRIENDLY as he may seem, he's not to be trusted.
I didn't realize how much he was influenced by his brother. - I DIDN'T REALIZE
THE EXTENT to which he was influenced by his brother.
Police are warning people to check for forged notes which are currently in
circulation. (LOOKOUT) - Police are warning people to be ON THE LOOKOUT
for forged notes which are currently in circulation. ON THE LOOKOUT - careful - cautious - circumspect
Jack made absolutely sure nothing would go wrong when he planned the
expedition. (CHANCE) - Jack LEFT NOTHING TO CHANCE when he planned the expedition. LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE
- to make sure nothing bad will happen
I could tell by the tone of his voice how serious the situation was. (HOME) - The
tone of his voice BROUGHT IT HOME to me how serious the situation was.
Vanessa was taken on by a big firm as soon as she graduated. (LANDED) - ON
GRADUATION, Vanessa LANDED A JOB WITH a big law firm.
Taxpayers had to pay the cost of the privatization plan. (FOOT) - Taxpayers had to
FOOT THE BILL for the cost of the privatization plan. FOOT THE BILL (for sth) - to pay for sth
Don't tell the boss anything about this. (BREATHE) - Don't BREATHE A WORD OF THIS TO the boss. BREATHE A WORD (of sth to sb) - to let on a secret - to give away a secret
You cannot say anything that would persuade me to live overseas. - NOTHING
you say would persuade me to live overseas.
* The chairman's leaving just before you're due to arrive. - BY the time you arrive,
the chairman will have just left.
It was difficult to understand her colleagues' open hostility towards her proposal. -
THAT her colleagues were so hostile towards her proposal was difficult to understand.
The club owner became a media celebrity, as well as extremely rich. - NOT ONLY
did the club owner become a media celebrity, he was also extremely rich.
David played the main role when the proposal was drafted. - David was
INSTRUMENTAL IN drafting the proposal. INSTRUMENTAL (in sth)
- playing a main/key/indispensable role - important
* If you hadn't changed our original agreement, everything would have been fine.
(STUCK TO) - If you had STUCK TO what we originally agreed, everything would have been fine.
* Mai felt entirely comfortable when her boss was around. - Mai felt entirely AT
EASE WITH THE PRESENCE of her boss. AT EASE - comfortable
The direct aim of the statement is to make the public aware of the present situation.
- THE STATEMENT BOILS down to making the public aware of the present situation. BOIL DOWN TO STH/DOING STH - chung quy là vì...
My sister is not feeling well these days. - MY SISTER IS FEELING a bit under the weather these days. UNDER THE WEATHER - off-color - unwell
I've never thought of buying a new laptop. - BUYING a new laptop has never CROSSED MY MIND. CROSS YOUR MIND - come to your mind
Only the manager and the secretary know the details. - KNOWLEDGE of the
details is LIMITED/RESTRICTED TO only the manager and the secretary.
These dangerous lizards live only in the tropical regions. (PECULIAR) - These
dangerous lizards are PECULIAR TO the tropical regions. PECULIAR
- belonging to a place, situation, person etc.
We are unlikely to have clear weather for our picnic tomorrow. (PROSPECT) -
THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT that we will have clear weather for our picnic.
THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT (that...)
- there is little likelihood that...
- there is little probability that...
* The police are advising vigilance as there have been more robberies lately. - Due
to an INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF robberies, the police are advising vigilance.
You may be dismissed if you fail to observe the company's dress code. - FAILURE
to observe the company's dress code may LEAD TO your dismissal.
Dismissal (n) <- Dismiss (v).
"There is no point in writing it all out in longhand if you can use a typewriter, isn't
there?" - SHE DISSUADED me from writing it all out in longhand.
I tried to remember what has happened all those years before. - I CAST MY MIND
BACK TO what has happened all those years before. CAST YOUR MIND BACK TO STH - remember sth - take sb back to sth
There is an enormous variety of tourist attractions in this part of the countries.
(MANNER) - THERE ARE ALL MANNER OF tourist attractions in this part of the country.
THERE ARE ALL MANNER: Despite the fact that "Manner" is singular and
uncountable, it has to go with "There are". It's like a collocation. - different types of sth - many kinds of sth
Her latest novel isn't as good as good as her previous one. (PAR) - Her latest novel
was not ON A PAR with her previous one.
Students at the school are not allowed to go into the Rainbow Disco. (BOUNDS) -
The Rainbow Disco are OUT OF BOUNDS TO students at the school. OUT OF BOUNDS (to sb) - not allow people to go in
David reckoned that his success was due to incredible luck. (PUT) - David PUT
HIS SUCCESS DOWN TO incredible luck.
Don't forget those who are at work on this lovely, sunny day. (SPARE) - SPARE A
THOUGHT for those who are at work on this lovely, sunny day.
* Alice is the most generous person I have ever met. - I'VE never met anyone who is more generous than Alice
We won't get to the airport in less than 30 minutes. (LEAST) - It will take us AT
LEAST 30 minutes to get to the airport.
Perhaps no one will ever know what happened that fateful night. - WHAT
HAPPENED that fateful night will never be known.
* She is almost certain to turn down your proposal. - I DOUBT whether she will accept your proposal.
No one stands a chance of beating Mansell in this year's championship. - It's a
FOREGONE CONCLUSION that Mansell will win this year's championship. FOREGONE CONCLUSION - a result obvious to everyone
They haven't decided whether to sack him or not. - THEY HAVEN'T COME to
decision ABOUT whether to save him or not.
In the event, the extra insurance they took out wasn't necessary. - IN THE EVENT,
WE needn't have taken out the insurance.
* A great many people will congratulate her if she wins. (SHOWERED) - She will
be SHOWERED WITH CONGRATULATIONS if she wins.
I remained neutral during their disagreement because I liked both of them. (SIDES)
- I didn't TAKE SIDES during their disagreement because I liked both of them.
To put it bluntly, we are making no progress with this rehabilitation scheme.
(STANDSTILL) - This rehabilitation scheme is AT A STANDSTILL AT A STANDSTILL - making no progress
The mistake in the account was not noticed until the figures were re-checked.
(LIGHT) - The mistake in the account didn't COME TO LIGHT until the figures were re-checked.
* Their heavy downpour brought their picnic to an abrupt end. (CUT) - They have
to CUT THEIR PICNIC SHORT because of the heavy downpour. CUT STH SHORT
- to stop doing sth before it is finished
* The reforms will not succeed unless they are carefully planned. (CRUCIAL) -
Careful planning is CRUCIAL for success of the reforms.
* I feel completely exhausted when I've listened to Marion for half an hour.
(LEAVES) - Half an hour listening to Mario LEAVES ME FEELING completely exhausted.
* There were very few people who understood what the professor said in the
meeting. (VIRTUALLY) - There was VIRTUALLY NO ONE who understood
what the professor said in the meeting.
It's impossible to predict how long it will take to finish this kind of job.
(TELLING) - THERE IS NO TELLING HOW long it will take to do this kind of job. THERE IS NO TELLING +Wh
I was about to hand in my notice when I was unexpectedly offered promotion.
(ON) - I was ON THE POINT OF handing my notice when I was unexpectedly offered promotion. ON THE POINT OF DOING STH - about to do sth
Winning that prize has made him very conceited. (HEAD) - Winning that prize has GONE TO HIS HEAD.
* The prisoner was recaptured as he rushed towards the gate. (DASH) - The
prisoner was recaptured as he MADE A DASH FOR the gate. MAKE A DASH FOR STH - to dash for sth - to rush towards sth
Before you leave the office, please look at the new contract. (EYE) - Before you
leave the office, please CAST AN EYE OVER the new contract. CAST AN/YOUR EYE OVER STH - to look quickly at sth
* The conflict between two political parties will carry on for a long time.
(MEANS) - The conflict between two parties is BY NO MEANS over. BY NO MEANS - definitely not - certainly not
It's too complex to understand why you quit your job while you haven't got another
one. (BEYOND) - It's BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION to understand why you
quit your job while you haven't got another one.
Since the company's methods were exposed in a newspaper, people have lost their
good opinion of it. - Since the company's methods were exposed in a newspaper, it has FALLEN INTO DISREPUTE FALL INTO DISREPUTE
- to not be respected or trusted
If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask. - If I can be OF ANY
ASSISTANCE, please don't hesitate to ask. OF (ANY) ASSISTANCE - of (any) help - helpful
The audience suddenly started to applaud loudly. - ALL of a sudden there was a
loud applause from the audience.
Attendances at the exhibition have been down this year. - THE EXHIBITION has
not been well-attended this year.
* We had a long discussion about the problem but we couldn't solve it. - WE
DISCUSSED the problem AT LENGTH but we couldn't solve it.
Few people smoke these days. - THERE IS a decrease in the number of smokers these days.
Why are you against inviting Jack to the party? - WHAT'S the reason of your
objection to inviting Jack to the party?
There isn't enough space in this room for a big cupboard. - A BIG CUPBOARD
will TAKE UP/OCCUPY too much space in this room.
The river overflowed last year. - THE RIVER burst its bank last year.
Bill was much taller than all of his classmates. - Bill TOWERED OVER all of his classmates. TOWER OVER
- very tall in comparison to others
Please make sure you have all the documents available before the meeting.
(FINGERPRINTS) - Please make sure you have all the documents AT YOUR
FINGERTIPS before the meeting. AT YOUR FINGERTIPS - getting and using sth easily
Mimi knew for sure her boyfriend was lying to her. (SHADOW) - Mimi knew
WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT that her boyfriend was lying to her.
BEYOND/WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT
- there is no doubt that something is true
Tim tried to be like his idol when he was a teenger. (MODELLED) - As a
teenager, Tim MODELLED HIMSELF ON his idol. MODEL YOURSELF ON SB - to try to be like sb
- to set sb as an example for you to make progress, or simply to follow, imitate their behavior
Be sure to say goodbye to your grandmother before you leave. (WITHOUT) - Be
sure not to leave WITHOUT saying goodbye to your grandmother.
They'll have to take the dog on holiday with them. (BEHIND) - They can't LEAVE
THE DOG BEHIND when they go on holiday.
* In order to stay open, the charity shop needs at least four helpers. (ENABLE) -
NO fewer than four helpers are need to ENABLE the charity shop to stay open.
The motorcyclist rounded the corner at a quite unbelievable speed. (WHICH) - The
speed AT WHICH the motorcyclist rounded the corner was quite unbelievable.
I'll be thinking of you and hoping that you have good luck on the day of your
interview. (FINGERS) - I'll KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED for you on the day of your interview.
KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED/CROSS YOUR FINGERS
- to hope that things will happen nicely
Don't panic about something so trivial. (MOUNTAIN) - Don't MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL.
That jumper you knitted for my daughter no longer fits her. (GROW) - My
daughter has GROWN OUT OF that jumper you knitted for her. GROW OUT STH # GROW INTO STH
They accused me of causing the accident. (BLAME) - They PUT THE BLAME ON ME FOR the accident. PUT THE BLAME ON SB (for sth) - to blame sb for sth - to blame sth on sb - to accuse sb of sth
She began to suffer from irrational fears. (PREY) - She FELL PREY TO irrational fears. BE/FALL PREY TO STH
- to be hurt or deceived by sth bad
The tourists were unharmed after the train crash. - The tourists were NONE THE WORSE after the train crash.
NONE THE WORSE, BETTER, RICHER etc.
- not worse, better, richer etc.
You should always be grateful for what you are given. - You should NOT LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.
NOT LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH
- to not appreciate or question a gift
* He said he had nothing to do with the accident. - HE REFUSED to take the blame for the accident.
She isn't very good at arranging flowers. (FLAIR) - She doesn't HAVE much of A FLAIR FOR arranging flowers. HAVE A FLAIR FOR STH
- to have a natural ability to do sth well
* Uncle August did not suffer from his experience. (WORSE) - Uncle August was
NONE THE WORSE after his experience.
The impression most people have of him is that he is an honest person. (COMES) -
He COMES ACROSS/OVER AS an honest person. COME ACROSS/OVER AS STH/ADJ
- to be understood in a particular way
* Fred has only himself to blame for losing his driving license for repeated
speeding. (SERVES) - IT SERVES Fred to lose his driving license for repeated speeding. SERVE SB - it's because of sb's mistake
The incident ruined my chance of promotion. (PAID) - The incident PUT PAID TO my chance of promotion. PUT PAID TO STH - to ruin - to finish - to destroy
Jack doesn't know all the answers, though he pretends to. - JACK ACTS as if he knew all the answers
It was an impressive building but it wasn' to my taste. - IMPRESSIVE as the
building was, it wasn't to my taste.
We had not expected we should have so much difficulty in finding the place. -
THE PLACE was much more difficult to find than we had expected.
I hardly think he will agree to give you a pay rise. - THERE IS LITTLE
LIKELIHOOD that he will agree to give you a pay rise.
* How likely is it she will pass the exam? - WHAT ARE HER CHANCES of passing the exam?
WHAT ARE YOUR CHANCES...: always plural.
* They have discovered some interesting information. (LIGHT) - Some interesting information has COME TO LIGHT.
* They suspended Jack for the next two matches. (BANNED) - Jack was
BANNED FROM playing in the next two matches. BAN SB FROM DOING STH - to forbid sb from doing sth
- to refuse to allow sb to do sth
I really want to see her again. (DYING) - I'M DYING to see her again.
That dress has only the slightest mark on it. - I CAN BARELY make out/see a mark on that dress.
The truth only came out on the publication of the general's personal diaries. -
ONLY WHEN the general's personal diaries were published did the truth come out.
When you do decide want you want to do, please let us know. (MIND) - WHEN
you have made up your mind what you want to do, please let us know.
* He liked the new job straight away. (DUCK) - He TOOK TO the new job LIKE A DUCK TO WATER.
TAKE TO STH LIKE A DUCK TO WATER - to like sth so much
- to have a natural ability to do sth well
There is surely a better way of encouraging people to recycle more. (HAS) -
THERE HAS TO BE a way of encouraging people to recycle more.
If there's no reason not to, I'll vote for Carol. - ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, I'll vote for Carol.
ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL: Nếu không có gì thay đổi.
- if everything happens as expected
* The instructions said I should use glue. I did use glue. (AS) - I used glue AS it
said I should in the instructions.
* This system of communication only worked within groups. - BETWEEN groups this system didn't work.
The enquiry was held in private. (DOORS) - The enquiry was held BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
- If something happens behind closed doors, it is hidden or kept secret from public view
* He was unable to control his emotions after his big win. (SPILLED) - His
emotions SPILLED OVER after his big win. SPILL OVER
- to go over the edge (literary)
* She paid tribute to him in her farewell speech. (SHOWED) - She SHOWED her
admiration for him in her farewell speech.
If you want my opinion, he's useless. (WORTH) - FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, he's useless. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH
- even though it/my opinion may not be important or valuable
We need to stamp out the prejudice. (GET) - We need to GET RID OF the prejudice.
STAMP STH OUT = GET RID OF STH = REMOVE STH
No one believed in the accused's explanation about the illegal merchandise during
the trial. (RING) - The accused's explanation didn't RING TRUE during the trial. RING TRUE/FALSE - to seem true/false
- to seem believable/unbelievable
What Daniel told me was more of an order than a piece of advice. - WHAT
DENIEL TOLD ME WAS NOT so much a piece of advice as an order.
NOT SO MUCH STH AS STH: Không giống như... mà là...
e.g: - They're not so much lovers as friends
- I don't feel angry so much as sad.
* Should they strike the consultant off, she will never work again. - IF SHE BE
struck off, the consultant will never work again.
It's bad you spent your past years doing trivial things. (ERRANDS) - YOU
SHOULDN'T have spent your past years RUNNING ERRANDS. RUN ERRANDS - to go out or to buy sth - to do trivial things
* We regret not having been able to come to Uncle Tom's funeral. (RESPECTS) -
We would like to have been able to come to PAY OUR LAST RESPECTS to Uncle Tom when he died. PAY YOUR LAST RESPECTS
- to honor sb after their death - to pay tribute to sb dead
You've eaten so much that it's logical you feel sick. (STAND) - You have eaten so
much that IT STANDS TO REASON you feel sick. IT STANDS TO REASON (that...) - it makes sense - it is obvious
I suspected him when he started being so helpful. (RAT) - I SMELT A RAT when
he started being so helpful. (RAT) SMELL A RATE - to smell sth fishy - to suspect sb
The handling of the matter has been heavily criticized by the press. (SCORN) -
The press has POURED SCORN ON handling of the matter. POUR SCORN ON SB/STH - to say sb/sth is stupid - to criticize sb/sth
Our broken immersion heater must be repaired urgently. (SEEN) - We must have
our broken immersion heater SEEN TO urgently. SEE TO SB/STH
- to deal with a problem, person or task - to fix/repair sth
* The government is always changing its policies on transportation. (LACK) -
There's a LACK OF CONSISTENCY in the government's policies on transportation.
* A party will be thrown for the twins when they return. (THEM) - The twins will
have a party thrown for THEM when they return.
* It's just possible that we may have to introduce pay cuts. (RULED) - We haven't
RULES OUT the possibility of introducing pay cuts. RULE STH OUT - to exclude
Alex grimaced as he swallowed the foul-tasting medicine. (PULLED) - Alex
PULLED A FACE as he swallowed the foul-tasting medicine. PULL A FACE: nhăn mặt - to grimace
* Most people are indifferent to the mistreatment of animals. (SHOW) - Most
people SHOW little/no concern about the mistreatment of animals.
SHOW LITTLE/NO CONCERN ABOUT STH - to not give a damn - to not give a rat's ass
* The majority of their clientele is made of local people. (COMPRISE) - Local
people COMPRISE the majority of their clientele.
* The custom dates back to medieval times. (ROOTS) - The ROOTS of the custom date backs medieval times.
* It's difficult to imagine his work being improved on by anyone. (BETTERING) -
It's difficult to imagine anyone BETTERING his work.
Anthony wasn't at all discouraged by this bad experience. (PUT) - This bad
experience didn't PUT Anthony OFF in the least.
Coming second didn't make her feel any better because she only wanted to win.
(CONSOLATION) - Coming second was OF NO CONSOLATION TO her
because winning was all that mattered to her.
I couldn't understand a word of what he said. (TAIL) - I couldn't MAKE HEAD OR TAIL what he said.
MAKE HEAD OR TAIL: hiểu rõ ngọn ngành - to understand
Bad publicity badly affects sales figures. (DETRIMENTAL) - Bad publicity is DETRIMENTAL TO sales figures. DETRIMENTAL (to) - harmful to sb - deleterious to sb
I'm not to blame for your financial problems. - YOU CAN'T HOLD me
responsible for your financial problems.
HOLD SB RESPONSIBLE FOR STH: đổ quấy trách nhiệm - to blame sth for sth
Customs officials are stopping more travelers than usual this weekend.
(SEARCHED) - An increased number of travelers are being SEARCHED by
customs officials this weekend.
The store will probably accept a credit card instead of cash. (ALTERNATIVE) - It
is likely that the store will accept a credit card AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO cash.
It is said that he has acted in a very determined way. (ACCOUNTS) - He has
showed a great DETERMINATION in his actions, BY ALL ACCOUNTS. BY/FROM ALL ACCOUNTS - as said by many people
You don't have to pay now if you would rather not. (UNDER/PREFER) - You are
UNDER NO OBLIGATION to pay if you'D PREFER not.
It's possible the looming crisis won't ever actually materialize. (BOUNDS) - It's
not BEYOND BOUNDS OF POSSIBILITY that the looming crisis won't ever actually materialize.
NOT BEYOND BOUNDS OF POSSIBILITY - not impossible - possible
* The only explanation for him being so late is that his train was delayed. - HIS
TRAIN must have been delayed for him to be so late.
Could you possibly get here before lunch? - IS THERE any chance you can get here before lunch?
It doesn't matter what happens, we'll still go somewhere nice for your birthday. -
COME WHAT MAY, we'll still go somewhere nice for your birthday. COME WHAT MAY - whatever happens
You just can't compare the quality of her work with his. - THERE'S NO point in
comparing the quality of her work with his.
A rise in temperature in the next century seems likely. - IN ALL PROBABILITY,
there will be a rise in temperature in the next century.
* If we delay too long, we are likely to clinch the deal. - THE LONGER we delay,
the more likely we ARE TO clinch the deal. CLINCH - to get sth - to win sth
* The brochure gives hardly any useful information. - PRECIOUS little useful
information was given in the brochure.
You could be arrested for not giving a breath sample to the police. - REFUSAL to
give a breath sample to the police could lead to your arrest.
My boss doesn't allow us to eat at our desk. (LINE) - My boss DRAWS THE LINE AT us eating at our desk. DRAW THE LINE AT STH - to never do sth - to not allow sb to do sth
* Somehow no one found out he had stolen the technical design from another
company. (AWAY) - Somehow he MANAGED TO GET AWAY WITH the
technical design from another company.
What he told me made me very curious to hear the rest of the history. (APPETITE)
- What he told me WHETTED MY APPETITE for the rest of the story.
* Don't eat so many sweets and won't have to visit the dentist so often. (SAVE) -
Eating few sweets will SAVE YOU HAVING to visit the dentist so often.
Some people tend to do better in a pressurized working environment.
(CONSTANT) - Some people work better when they are UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE at work.
* Let's hope so-called mad cow disease doesn't break out again. (ANOTHER) -
Let's hope there won't be ANOTHER outbreak of the so-called mad cow disease.
There don't seem to be many talented athletes around at the moment.
(SUFFERING) - We seem to be SUFFERING FROM a paucity/lack of talented athletes at the moment.
Educationalists don't agree on the value of learning by computer. (EYE) -
Educationalists don't SEE EYE TO EYE on the value of learning by computer.
There is sometimes a discrepancy between out outgoings and our earnings.
(TALLY) - What we spend doesn't always TALLY with what we earn. TALLY - to match or agree with sth
His analysis of the situation was far too complex for me to grasp. (HEAD) - His
analysis of the situation WENT RIGHT OVER MY HEAD. GO OVER YOUR HEAD - to not understand sth
It was an extremely far-fetching proposal. (EXTREME) - What was being
proposed was far-fetching IN THE EXTREME. IN THE EXTREME - extremely
The actor suddenly couldn't remember what he was supposed to say. (DRIED) - The actor suddenly DRIED UP. DRY UP
- to suddenly stop talking because you know not what to say
A house in that district will cost you at least $100.000. - YOU WON'T BE ABLE
to buy that house for less than $100.000
The Yeti has very rarely been seen at this altitude. - THERE HAVE BEEN few
sightings of the Yeti at this altitude.
It was more of an argument than a discussion. - IT WAS NOT SO much a discussion as an argument.
Their chances of success are small. - IT IS NOT likely they will succeed.
* The committee members said they would remain loyal to the chairman.
(PLEDGED) - The committee members PLEDGED their loyalty TO the chairman.
Saying something is not the same as doing it. (WORLD) - There is A WORLD OF
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN saying something and doing it.
The house was dirty because no one bothered to keep it clean. (TROUBLE) - The
house was dirty because no one TOOK THE TROUBLE to keep it clean. TAKE THE TROUBLE - to bother to do sth
In a nutshell, Joseph's not up to the job. - THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT, Joseph's not up to the job. THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT - in a nutshell - generally - generally/broadly speaking
* I felt relaxed at Gita's house because her parents greeted me so warmly. (EASE) -
Gita's parents MADE ME FEEL AT EASE with the warmth of their greetings.
Since we have encountered many problems, we should stop conducting this
research. (HALT) - Since we have encountered many problems, we should CALL A HALT TO this research. CALL A HALT TO STH - to put an end to sth - to put a stop to sth - to stop/end/halt sth
Fancy you and I meeting in the middle of Africa like this. - IT'S REALLY ODD
that you and I should meet in the middle of Africa like this.
Gary is proud of the fact that he is never late. - GARY PRIDES himself on never being late. PRIDE YOURSELF ON STH - proud of sth - to take pride in sth
The goods you want won't come in until next week. - The goods you want are OUT OF STOCKS at the moment.
None of us was expecting to have a test this morning. (BLUE) - The morning's test
CAME OUT OF THE BLUE for every one of us.
You can't just decide to go on a safari. You need to plan things very carefully.
(SPUR) - Going on a safari isn't a decision you can make ON THE SPUR OF THE
MOMENT. You need to plan things very carefully. ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT - on an impulse - on a whim - on a caprice
- impulsively/whimsically/capriciously
Something told me to say exactly what I thought, but I didn't. (SORELY) - I was
SORELY TEMPTED to say exactly what I thought.
The severity of the punishment bore no relation to the seriousness of the crime.
(PROPORTION) - The severity of the punishment was OUT OF PROPORTION
FOR the seriousness of the crime.
In the area, Thailand is much better than all other countries in football.
(SHOULDERS) - In the area, Thailand is HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE all other countries in football.
* Don't you remember anything about your lifetime in London as a child?
(RECOLLECTION) - Haven't you HAD ANY RECOLLECTION OF your lifetime in London as a child?
Social scientists find it hard to accept that the fall in birth rate is responsible for the
old age of our society. (RESISTANCE) - There is RESISTANCE AMONG social
scientists to the idea that the fall in birth rate is responsible for the old age of our society.
That rumor about the politician and the construction contract is absolutely false. -
THERE IS absolutely no truth in the rumor about the politician and the construction contract.
You can eat as much as you like for $5 at the new lunch bar. - THERE IS no limit
on how much you can eat with $5 at the new lunch bar.
You think that fat people are always jolly, but you are wrong. - CONTRARY TO
what you think, fat people are not always jolly.
It won't harm us to see what special offers are on at the moment. - WE might as
well see what special offers are on at the moment.
He could certainly make a decision on whether learning abroad is a good idea. -
THERE IS EVERY likelihood that he will make a decision on whether learning abroad is a good idea.
Tom upset Fiona a bit when he said she behaved like her mother. - Tom
RUFFLED FIONA'S FEATHERS when he said she behaved like her mother. RUFFLE SB'S FEATHERS - to upset or annoy sb
After she married him, he revealed his true character and she saw him as he really
was. (EYES) - After she married him, he revealed his true character and THE SCALES DROPPED FROM HER EYES.
THE SCALES DROP/FALL FROM YOUR EYES: tỉnh ngộ
- you suddenly realize or know the truth
He made an embarrassing mistake when he described his girlfriend as "plump".
(FOOT) - He PUT HIS FOOT IN IT when he described his girlfriend as "plump".
PUT YOUR FOOT IN IT/IN YOUR MOUTH: nhỡ mồm - to say a stupid thing
* After a six-week strike, the workers have started talks to solve the dispute with
the management. (ENTERED) - After a six-week strike, the workers have
ENTERED INTO NEGOTIATION to solve the dispute with the management.
* Although found guilty, Robson continued to insist that he was not. (PROTEST) -
Although found guilty Robson continued to PROTEST HIS INNOCENCE. (=
strongly said he was not guilty)
* I knew that the whole project could never have succeeded right from the start.
(DOOMED) - I knew that the whole project was DOOMED TO FAILURE right from the start. DOOMED TO FAILURE - unable to be successful
We were all surprised that the plan worked perfectly. (PLAIN) - TO OUR
SURPRISED, the plan turned out to be PLAIN SAILING.
PLAIN/SMOOTH SAILING: thuận buồm xuôi gió - fine/Ok/good
It's not a good thing you keep agreeing with people's ideas like that. (TIDE) - You
shouldn't be SWIMMING/GOING AGAINST THE TIDE like that. SWIM/GO AGAINST THE TIDE
- to not follow what everyone else is doing
I hate it when my colleagues try to get involved in everything in my business.
(FINGER) - I object to having my colleagues HAVING A FINGER IN EVERY PIE in my own business.
HAVE A FINGER IN EVERY PIE: chuyện gì cũng xía mũi vào
* Because of his lack of confidence right at the last minute, he backed out of the
plan. (FEET) - If he hadn't had COLD FEET at the last minute, he wouldn't have backed out of the plan.
Looking back, I think he was trying to deceive us. (LEG) - IN RETROSPECT, I
think he was trying to PULL OUR LEG. IN RETROSPECT: hồi tưởng
- looking now about sth in the past PULL YOUR LEG - to deceive - to fool
However intelligent he may seem, I don't think he can come up with a sudden
solution. (RABBIT) - Intelligent as he may seem, I don't think he can PULL A RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT. PULL A RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT
- to do sth unexpected to improve difficult situations
To tell the truth, market competitions sometime become very fierce. (RED) - AS A
MATTER OF FACT, market competitions are sometimes RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW. RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW - fierce
(As predatory animals sometimes cover their teeth and claws in blood of their
preys as they kill or devour them)
* We suppose the new models are about ten thousand dollars. (VICINITY) - The
new models are supposed to be IN THE VICINITY OF ten thousand dollars. IN THE VICINITY OF STH - approximately - about
We are having problems because we didn't take out medical insurance. (COST) -
We are COUNTING THE COST because medical insurance wasn't taken out.
COUNT THE COST: gánh chịu hậu quả
- to have problems because you have done sth wrong
The head master is well-known for his reliability and dedication. (REPUTED) -
The head teacher is REPUTED to be a reliable and dedicated person. REPUTED - famous - well-known
My grandfather had completely forgotten that he phoned me last night.
(RECOLLECTION) - My father HAD NO RECOLLECTION of phoning me last night.
* When you lie, some gestures can show you are lying. - SOME GESTURES can give you away when you lie.
* My decision to get and dance coincided with the band's decision to stop playing.
- THE MOMENT I got up to dance, the band stopped playing.
It's nobody's fault that the match was cancelled. - NOBODY IS TO blame for the cancellation of the match.
Something must be done quickly to solve the problem of unemployment. -
URGENT action must be taken to solve the problem of unemployment.
You shouldn't talk to people who will not listen. (FALL) - You shouldn't FALL ON DEAF EARS.
I couldn't make Julie give a definite answer. (PIN) - I couldn't PIN Julie DOWN TO a definite answer. PIN SB DOWN TO STH - to make sb make a decision
- to make sb provide details of sth
My husband has had to earn the income since I broke my leg. - My husband has
BROUGHT HOME THE BACON since I broke my leg. BRING HOME THE BACON - to earn money
James Hogg Ltd. is the only shop that supplies this product. (EXCLUSIVE) -
James Hogg Ltd. is the EXCLUSIVE supplier of this product.
I think that my parents cope calmly with everything I do. (STRIDE) - I'm under the
impression that my parents TAKE everything I do IN STRIDE. TAKE STH IN STRIDE - to deal with sth calmly
* Simon hadn't expected that he would feel so weak after the operation. - THE
OPERATION left Simon feeling weaker than he had expected.
When they broke the news, she stayed perfectly calm and controlled. (HAIR) -
When they broke the news, she did NOT TURN A HAIR. NOT TURN A HAIR
- to not show emotions when told sth bad has happened
The police didn't mention whether or not the suspects were armed. (OMITTED) -
The police OMITTED to mention whether ot not the suspects were armed. OMIT (to say/mention sth)
- to refuse to talk about/mention sth
It's not certain that Jones will get the job. - IT IS OPEN TO DOUBT whether Jones will get the job. OPEN TO DOUBT/DISPUTE/QUESTION - not certain
The defense contributed enormously to the team's success. (MADE) - The defense
MADE AN enormous CONTRIBUTION TO the team's success.
I was about to leave the house when I heard the phone ring. (VERGE) - I WAS ON
THE VERGE OF leaving when I heard the phone ring. ON THE VERGE OF DOING STH - about to do sth - on the point of doing sth
My friend persuaded me to go to the party in fancy dress. - MY FRIEND
TALKED me into going to the party in fancy dress.
* The thief ran right past you, so I'm sure you saw his face. - YOU must have seen
the thief's face because he ran past you.
* There's no way we can agree to this solution. (CONCERNED) - This solution is
out of the question AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
When I grow up, I'm going to be really important. (CAT) - I'm going to be a FAT CAT when I grow up. FAT CAT
- big fish/gun/noise/shot/wheel
- someone so important and powerful
I'm never going to speak to Annie again. She made me look foolish in front of all
my friends. (MONKEY) - I'm never going to speak to Annie again. She MADE A
MONKEY OUT OF ME in front of all my friends. MAKE A MONKEY OUT OF SB - to make fun of sb - to make a mockery of sb
- to take the mickey/mick out of sb - to mock/tease sb
You'll have to work harder if you want to pass your exams. (SOCKS) - You'll have
to PULL YOUR SOCKS UP if you want to pass the exams. PULL YOUR SOCKS UP
- to try to improve your work or behavior
* It will be necessary to pay the full amount when you book. (PAID) - The full
amount will have to be PAID when you look.
* So many people were really delighted when the government lost the election.
(JUBILATION) - There was much JUBILATION when the government lost the election.
* The staff hated Frank's new policies intensely and so went on strike. (HATRED)
- So intense was the HATRED for Frank's new policies that the staff went on strike.
I feel it's wrong that this site is going to be redeveloped by the council.
(EARMARKED) - I feel it's wrong that this site is EARMARKED FOR redevelopment by the council. EARMARK (for sth)
- to keep or intend sth for a particular purpose
* What put me off the idea was simply how expensive it was going to. - THE
SHEER expense/cost was what put me off the idea.
* The fund-raisers have not officially decided where to send the proceeds of the
concert. - NO official decision has been made ABOUT where to send to send the proceeds of the concert.
Every possible effort was made by the orphanage to find the boy's parents. - THE
ORPHANAGE LEFT NO STONE unturned in an attempt to find the boy's parents.
Experts say that the fall in the birth rate between 1946 and 1977 caused the drop in
the number of school leavers. - THE DROP in the number of school leavers is said
to have been caused by the fall in the birth rate between 1946 and 1977.
The ban on hunting was only imposed because the Minister insisted. - BUT FOR
the Minister's insistence, the ban wouldn't have been imposed.
We would have had a nice party if he hadn't behaved so badly. - IT WAS HIS
behavior that prevented us from having a nice party.
* We would like to have a copy of your new prospectus. - WOULD YOU BE so
kind as to send us a copy of your new prospectus.
Why should anybody be proud of the fact that they got rid of 200 jobs? - WHY
SHOULD ANYBODY TAKE pride in the fact that they got rid of 200 jobs?
* Travellers consider themselves superior to those who lead a more sedentary life.
(DOWN) - Travellers LOOK DOWN ON those who lead a more sedentary life.
I know I don't make clear what I mean sometimes. (EXPRESS) - I know I don't
EXPRESS MYSELF clearly sometimes.
I only called the police when I had tried everything else. (RESORT) - I only called the police AS A LAST RESORT.
* The girl's behavior was incomprehensible to the Head Teacher. (LOSS) - The
Head teacher was AT A LOSS to comprehend the girl's behavior.
He threatened the officers with violence. - HE MADE threats of violence against the officers.
Whatever the methods used to obtain the result, drugs were definitely not involved.
- THERE WAS NO QUESTION of drugs being involved, whatever the methods used to obtain the result.
* It was the ability to incorporate loan words that made English so rich in
vocabulary. - ENGLISH BECAME rich in vocabulary because of its ability to incorporate loan words.
To pass the time, I looked through some pictures. - I WHILED AWAY the time by looking through some pictures.
* The manufacturing process was delayed by problems no one had foreseen.
(HELD) - The manufacturing process WAS HELP UP DUE TO UNFORESEEN problems.
Eliza would never have got the job if her brother hadn't advised her when she
completed the application form. (WITHOUT) - Eliza would never have got the job
WITHOUT HER BROTHER'S HAVING ADVISED HER WHEN completing the application form.
* "My trainer's foreign accent makes it hard to follow what she says", Sue said.
(WHICH) - Sue explained to me that it WAS HER TRAINER'S FOREIGN
ACCENT WHICH MADE it hard to follow what he said.
* The guide point out to us the magnificent carvings above the window. (DREW) -
The guide DREW OUR ATTENTION TO the magnificent carvings above the window.
* We ask passengers not to leave their seats until the aircraft door have been
penned. (REMAIN) - Passengers ARE ASKED TO REMAIN SEATED until the
aircraft doors have been penned.
Keeping calm is the secret of passing your driving test. - AS long as you keep
calm, you will pass your driving test.
I left without saying goodbye as I didn't want to wake him up. - RATHER than
wake him up, I left without saying goodbye.
This liver condition is common among those who drink a lot. - THIS LIVER
CONDITION is common among heavy drinkers.
"I think the whole idea is ridiculous", he said. - HE DISMISSED the whole idea as being ridiculous.
It shouldn't have surprised me that my children didn't like the new, cheaper ice-
cream. - I MIGHT have known that my children wouldn't like the new, cheaper ice-cream.
Her lateness made the boss angry. (BANANAS) - IT WAS BECAUSE SHE was
late that her boss WENT BANANAS GO BANANAS - to go ape - to hit the roof - to blow your top - to see red
She wore headphone in order not to disturb anyone. - SHE WORE HEADPHONE
LEST she should disturb anyone.
She is not very good at arranging flowers. (FLAIR) - She doesn't have much of a FLAIR for arranging flowers.
Bill changed his ways when he came out of prison. (LEAF) - Bill TURNED OVER
A NEW LEAF when he came out of prison.
You must not, I repeat not, open this box until Christmas Day. - UNDER no
circumstances is this box to be opened until Christmas Day.
Sorry, you can't do whatever you want. (PICK) - SORRY, YOU'RE NOT IN the position to pick and choose.
This vase seems too big for this small table. (PROPORTION) - THIS VASE
LOOKS OUT OF PROPORTION for this small table.
A lot of awards on his wall point to his great success. (TESTIMONY) - THE
NUMEROUS awards on his wall BEAR TESTIMONY TO his great success. BEAR TESTIMONY/WITNESS
- to say you know that sth is true
Concerns about job and public safety are more important than other issues. (SEAT)
- OTHER issues have to TAKE A BACK SEAT TO this concerns about job and public safety.
Your license may be suspended if you refuse to take the breathalyzer. - REFUSAL
to take the breathalyzer may lead to your LICENSE SUSPENSION.
Venezuelan mourners queued for hours to attend the funeral of the country's late
leader, Hugo Chavez. (TRIBUTE) - VENEZUELAN MOURNERS LINED up for
hours to PAY TRIBUTE TO their late leader, Hugo Chavez.
A lot of good men have been destroyed by drink. - MANY A good man HAS been destroyed by drink.
* She was embarrassed when she realized that everyone was listening to her
singing. - MUCH to her embarrassment, she realized that everyone was listening to her singing.
Mr. Tipper's wife was very sorry she couldn't celebrate the New Year with her
husband. - MRS. TIPPER GREATLY regretted not being able to celebrate the New Year with her husband.
The journalists only heard about the changes to the wedding plans when they
arrived at the venue. - IT WAS ONLY when they arrived at the avenue THAT the
journalists heard about the changes to the wedding.
* Success in the academic field depends on your ability to amass qualifications. -
THE MORE qualifications you are able to amass, the more success you will have.
Do you have any idea how Jack made enough money to buy that new sports car.
(LIGHT) - Can you SHED LIGHT ON how Jack made enough money to buy that new sports car? SHED/CAST/THROW LIGHT ON STH - to explain
* The stranded climber would never have been rescued if his brother hadn't had an
ingenious plan. (INGENUITY) - But for his brother's INGENUITY, the stranded
climber would never have been rescued.
* When I started to work, I was so inexperienced that I didn't know how to send a
fax. (CLUE) - I didn't HAVE A CLUE how to send a fax when I started to work. NOT HAVE A CLUE
- to not know sth/how to do sth
Nobody knows what caused the collapse of the building. - IT'S unknown what
caused the collapse of the building.
* We aren't willing to support the strike, we don't approve it. - FAR FROM being
willing to support the trike, we don't approve it. FAR FROM DOING/BEING STH
- almost opposite to doing/being sth
* His mood began to improve as soon as he drank a glass of wine. - SCARCELY
had he drunk a glass of wine when his mood began to improve. SCARCELY... WHEN - hardly... when - no sooner... than
Were Mike not so affluent a man, Ann wouldn't be dating him. - BUT for Mike's
affluence, Ann wouldn't be dating him.
* Apart from a few minor mistakes, you did a good job on the whole. - BY AND LARGE, you did a good job. BY AND LARGE - generally - in general - generally speaking - the long and the short of it
* Diane finds that creating things tops her from thinking about her work. (MIND) -
Diane finds that creating things TAKES HER MIND OFF her work.
The manager praised one particular player. (SINGLED) - One particular player
was SINGLED OUT FOR praise by the manager. SINGLE SB OUT FOR STH
- to choose one person from a group, usually for praise or criticism
He is said to be a very good pianist. - HE HAS a reputation for being a very good pianist.
* I have little confidence that he will be able to do the job. - I HAVE SERIOUS
doubts about his ability to do the job.
I agreed to do the work because I understood that I would be paid for it. - MY
UNDERSTANDING WHEN I agreed to do the work was that I'd be paid for it.
* Those of us at the back couldn't hear most of the play. (INAUDIBLE) - Most of
the play was INAUDIBLE TO those of us at the back. INAUDIBLE - unable to be heard
Sean did all the illustration for the book but no one acknowledged his work.
(CREDIT) - Sean wasn't GIVEN ANY CREDIT for doing all the illustration for the book. GIVE SB CREDIT (for doing sth) - to acknowledge
* Having finished your studies, you must decide what to do next. (FUTURE) - You
must decide upon your FUTURE now that you have finished your studies.
We didn't phone you in case we woke you up. (SO) - We didn't phone you SO AS NOT TO wake you up.
Only Martha survived the crash. (SOLE) - Martha was THE SOLE survivor of the crash.
Now that their parents have consented to their marriage, their future happiness is
guaranteed. (STANDS) - Now that they have their parents' CONSENT to marry,
nothing STANDS IN THE WAY of their future happiness. STAND IN THE WAY OF SB/STH - to prevent - to forbid - to not allow
Puzzle-solving is one of her favorite pastimes and always has been. (PASSION) -
She has HAD A PASSION for solving puzzle since she was a child.
HAVE A (consuming) PASSION FOR STH - to like sth very much
They all agreed that the new dress code was a complete success. (HAILED) - The
new dress code was HAILED as a complete success. HAIL SB/STH AS STH - to praise sb/sth
* She know nothing of her husband's impending promotion. (ABOUT) - Little did
she know that her husband was ABOUT to be promoted.
She only ever has one chocolate at a time. (PERMITS) - She never PERMITS
herself more than one chocolate at a time. PERMIT YOURSELF STH - to allow yourself to do sth
The police had to let the suspect go because new evidence was produced. (LIGHT)
- The police had to let the suspect go because new evidence was BROUGHT TO LIGHT. BRING STH TO LIGHT: làm rõ - to make public - to discover sth
Don't let her relaxed manner deceive you; she is an extremely shrewd woman.
(TAKEN) - Don't let yourself be TAKEN IN by her relaxed manner; she is an extremely shrewd woman. TAKE SB IN (often passive) - to deceive - to fool - to have sb on
I feel that I don't fit in with the people in the new office. (FISH) - I feel LIKE A
FISH OUT OF WATER with the people in the new office. LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER - strange and awkward - not familiar
The two children began to argue fiercely about who had damaged the bicycle.
(BROKE) - A fierce argument BROKE OUT between the two children about who had damaged the bicycle.
* It's important to be well-prepared for an interview because if you make a
mistake, you may not get the job. - A MISTAKE IN AN INTERVIEW MAY
COST you a job so it is important to be well-prepared.
"Nothing will persuade me to sleep in that haunted house", she said. - SHE
FLATLY refused to sleep in that haunted house.
The news that the Prime Minister had resigned came as a great shock to everyone.
- EVERYONE WAS TAKEN aback by the news that the Prime Minister had resigned. TAKEN ABACK - surprised - shocked
* A computer breakdown was blamed for the delayed despatch of the brochures. -
A COMPUTER BREAKDOWN WAS GIVEN as the reason for the delayed despatch of the brochures.
* It would be much better for you to ask someone who really knows about the law.
- YOU'D BE FAR better off asking someone who really knows the law.
* When I made my suggestion, he laughed. - HE GREETED my suggestion with laughter.
Why is it so funny that I want to learn the saxophone? - WHAT'S SO FUNNY
about my wanting to learn the saxophone?
* Considering how young he is, he has achieved a lot. - IF YOU BEAR HIS age in mind, he has achieved a lot.
* Jane enjoys looking after young children very much. - JANE GETS a lot of
enjoyment out of looking after children. GET ENJOYMENT OUT OF DOING STH - to enjoy
By the beginning of the next century, we will have used up all fossil fuels. (OUT) -
FOSSIL FUELS will have RUN OUT by the beginning of the next century.
She gets bored quickly at parties because there is so much trivial conversation.
(SMALL) - Too much SMALL TALK is the reason why she gets bored quickly at parties. SMALL TALK: chuyện phiếm
Your excuse are beginning to sound unconvincing to me. (THIN) - Your excuses
are WEARING THIN as far as I'm concerned. WEAR THIN
- to become weaker or unacceptable
You can rely on Kate to always say exactly what she thinks. (COUNT) - You can
always COUNT ON Kate to always say exactly what she thinks.
* We have no seats left for the concert on December 14th. - ALL THE seats for the
concert on December 14th have been booked.
*** Mary knew what the answer was after reading the book. - BY THE TIME
Mary finished reading the book, she knew what the answer was.
The people who were at the meeting will say nothing to the press. - NOBODY who
was at the meeting will say anything to the press.
Every day, it's the same routine in my job. - DAY IN, DAY OUT, it's the same routine in my job.
I find his clothes the most irritating about him. - WHAT MOST irritates me about him is his clothes.
Will you please stay with me for a while? (COMPANY) - Will you KEEP ME COMPANY for a while? KEEP SB COMPANY
- to stay with sb so that they're not alone
He got angry because we all disagreed with him. (TEMPER) - He LOST HIS
TEMPER because we all disagreed with him. LOSE YOUR TEMPER - to blow your top - to hit the roof - to see red
- to fly into a temper/fury/rage
We hadn't been told about the removal until last Friday. - IT WAS NOT until last
Friday that we WERE told about the removal.
* The inspector showed us four potential hazards. - THE INSPECTOR DREW our
attention to four potential hazards.
He would do anything to win the girl's hand. (LENGTHS) - He would GO TO
GREAT LENGTHS to win the girl's hand. GO TO GREAT LENGTHS - to go to great pains - to take great pains - to be at pains - to try/endeavour
I think those tools will prove useful. (HANDY) - I think those tools will COME IN HANDY. COME IN HANDY - to prove useful
Since their father's death, they have had serious financial problems. (STRAITS) -
Since their father's death, they have been IN DIRE STRAITS. IN DIRE STRAITS: quẫn túng - very poor
I advise you to stop smoking cigarettes. (SHOES) - If I were IN YOUR SHOES, I would stop smoking. IN YOUR SHOES - in your position - if I were you
* John has taken it upon himself to look after the baby tomorrow. (COMMITTED)
- John has COMMITTED HIMSELF TO LOOKING after the baby. COMMIT YOURSELF TO DOING STH
- to promise sincerely to do sth
Further progress was impossible because of the flood. - THE FLOODS made further progress impossible.
* That's the second time this year that Susan refused to marry him. (DOWN) -
Susan has TURNED DOWN his proposal of marriage twice this year.
* Your examination results will determine whether or not you get into university.
(ON) - Your entry to university DEPENDS ON your examination results.
He oftens gets ill at this time of the year. (PRONE) - He's PRONE TO GETTING ill at this time of the year.
I am not normally keen on cycling at the weekend. (IN) - I don't normally GO IN FOR cycling at the weekend. GO IN FOR STH - to do sth regularly - to enjoy sth
* Buying new clothes is something I almost never make the effort to do. - I
HARDLY bother buying new clothes.
* There is nobody in this office that will offer a different opinion to the one I gave
one. - WHOEVER you ask in thi office will say the same thing as I did.
"Without the rapid growth in population there would be fewer food shortages". -
HE BLAMES the food shortages ON the rapid growth in population.
HE BLAMES the rapid growth in population FOR the food shortages.
* Not a word came out of her mouth. (LOST) - She was LOST FOR WORDS.
That hotel is a bit too expensive for us, I'm afraid. - That hotel is a bit BEYOND OUR REACH , I'm afraid. BEYOND YOUR REACH - you can't afford it
I don't think it was reasonable of you to complain so much about the service.
(MAKE) - I don't think it was reasonable of you to MAKE SUCH A FUSS ABOUT the service.
Robert was offended when he was left out of the team. (EXCEPTION) - Robert
TOOK EXCEPTION TO being left out of the team.
* Ours is the only company allowed to import these chemicals. - Our company
HAS A MONOPOLY OVER importing these chemicals.
HAVE A MONOPOLY OVER STH: chiếm độc quyền
* There was nothing we could do to stop him. (POWERLESS) - We were POWERLESS to stop him.
* I'm on the tenth page of the report I am writing. - So far I have written ten pages of the report.
On receipt of your cheque, we shall send the goods to you. - AS SOON AS we
receive your cheque, we shall send the goods to you.
* These new machines have put an end to queuing. - BEFORE these new machines, people had to queue.
I had to clear the spare room before I could start decorating. (CLEARED) - Only
when I had CLEARED the room could I start decorating.
* Buying a plane ticket at the last minute isn't often possible. (TO) - Rarely is it
possible TO buy a plane ticket at the last minute.
He didn't ask her anything about her study. (QUESTION) - Not a single
QUESTION did he ask her about her study.
Einstein proved that energy and mass are basically the same thing. - What
EINSTEIN PROVED WAS THAT energy and mass are basically the same thing.
You can do jogging anytime whatever the weather is like. - You can do jogging at anytime, COME RAIN OR SHINE. COME RAIN OR SHINE - come what may - whatever happens
Mary was born in a village very far away from the city. (NOWHERE) - Marry was
born in a village IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - remote - far away
Jim played truant this morning, so his father has punished him severely. (BOOK) -
Jim played truant this morning, so his father has THROWN THE BOOK AT HIM. THROW THE BOOK AT SB - to punish sb severely
* Coming to class late is inexcusable. (EXCUSE) - There is no EXCUSE FOR coming to class late.
The construction workers recklessly disregarded the safety at work. (SHOWED) -
The construction workers SHOWED a reckless disregard for the safety at work.
They have known each other since they were at infant school. (INFANTS) - They
have known each other since they were IN THE INFANTS. THE INFANTS - infant school
I was surprised to discover that the hotel was a long way from the center.
(TURNED) - To my surprise, the hotel TURNED OUT to be a long way from the center.
He easily loses his temper. (FLIES) - He easily FLIES INTO A TEMPER. FLY INTO A TEMPER/FURY/RAGE - to blow your top - to hit the roof - to see red - to go ballistic
* I find Tom's behavior quite incomprehensible. (LOSS) - I find myself AT A
LOSS to comprehend Tom's behavior.
They've been arguing about the motorway extension for years. (BONE) - The
proposed motorway extension has been A BONE OF CONTENTION for years. BONE OF CONTENTION - sth sb argue about.
I'm afraid our problems are just beginning. (ICEBERG) - The problems are just
THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG, I'm afraid. THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG - the lull before the storm - the calm before the storm
You don't have to buy one if you don't like it. - YOU ARE UNDER no obligation
to buy one if you don't like it.
* There aren't many other books which explained this problem so well. - IN FEW
OTHER BOOKS in this problem well-explained.
* His condition improved so rapidly that he went home four days after the
operation. - THERE was such a rapid improvement IN his condition that he went
home four days after the operation.
* You're a trainee for three months and then you become a junior employee. -
YOU BECOME A JUNIOR EMPLOYEE ONCE you have been a trainee for three months.
* The cause of the explosion is still unknown. - NOBODY knows what caused the explosion.
I think you misunderstood, Kevin. - I think you must have GOT THE WRONG END OF THE STICK, Kevin.
You only have a short time to do this work, so don't waste time. - You are
WORKING AGAINST THE CLOCK, so don't waste time. DO STH AGAINST TIME/THE CLOCK
- to do sth as fast as possible
* They painted the wall very well. (MADE) - They MADE A GOOD JOB OF painting the wall. DO/MAKE A GOOD/BAD JOB OF STH - to do sth well/badly
* Although he is young, there are several ministers even younger than him.
(MEANS) - Although he is young, he is BY NO MEANS the youngest minister.
* Williams remained silent throughout the meeting. - Williams MADE NO
CONTRIBUTION TO the discussion at the meeting.
* They could not warn people by electronic mail because that might spread the
computer virus. (FEAR) - They could not warn people by electronic mail FOR
FEAR OF spreading the computer virus.
* He used to be a teacher, so he really knows what it's like in the classroom.
(FIRST-HAND) - He has FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE of the classroom.
I tried as hard as I could to make sure that this problem would not arise. (POWER)
- I did everything IN MY POWER to prevent this problem for arising. DO STH IN YOUR POWER - to do sth you can
* Jill's success could be put down to hard work. - HARD WORK was what caused Jill's success.
* The sole survivor of the crash was Mary Peters. - MARY PETERS was the only
passenger not killed in the plane crash.
* The number of people who understand his idea exceeds his expectations. -
MORE people understand him than he expects.
* The job is yours provided your references are satisfactory. - THE JOB OFFER is
dependent on your satisfactory references.
* An announcement of engagement appeared in the local paper. - THEIR
ENGAGEMENT was announced in the local paper.
* His efforts to find a solution didn't deserve such savage criticism. - HE
SHOULDN'T have been savagely criticized for his efforts to find a solution.
* You won't reach the station in less than 20 minutes. - IT WILL TAKE you AT
LEAST 20 minutes to reach the station.
Julie always listens to my complaints about work. - Julie always LENDS AN EAR TO my complaints about work.
* We must include buying new furniture in our household budget this year.
(ACCOUNTED) - Buying new furniture must be ACCOUNTED FOR in our household budget this year. ACCOUNT FOR STH - to form the total of sth
We should waste no words talking to that stubborn guy. (BREATH) - We should
SAVE OUR BREATH BY not talking to that stubborn guy.
SAVE YOUR BREATH: đừng có phí hơi - to not talk to sb
- to consider sb not worth talking to
* The writer's writing styles contrasted sharply with his spoken language.
(CONTRAST) - There was a sharp CONTRAST BETWEEN the writer's writing style and his spoken language.
* What has this experience taught you? (DRAWN) - What CONCLUSION has
you DRAWN FROM this experience?
That reminds me of the time I climbed to the top of Mount Fuji. - THAT TAKES
me back to the time I climbed to the top of Mount Fuji.
People are persuaded by adverts to spend more than they can afford. - ADVERTS
TEMPT people INTO spending more than they can afford. TEMPT SB INTO DOING STH - to talk sb into doing sth
* It was pure chance that a policeman was passing as I was attacked. - ONLY by
chance was a policeman passing as I was attacked.
You've got a nerve, implying it was all my fault. - HOW dare you imply that it was all my fault.
* I was greatly relieved to hear that her condition was not serious. - IT WAS with
great relief to hear that her condition was not serious.
* Be considerate to other road users. - YOU ARE NOT enough to other road users.
* I'd really hate to live in a city. - LIVING in a city is NOT TO MY LIKING.
* There is a predominance of boys in this class. - THERE ARE more boys than girls in this class.
Were you to lose your ticket , no duplicate would be issued. - Should YOU LOSE
YOUR TICKET, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE to issue a duplicate.
It was assumed that Roy would marry that rich old lady. - People TOOK IT FOR
GRANTED that Roy would marry that rich old lady.
There were many mistakes in her typing. - Her typing was RIDDLED WITH MISTAKES. RIDDLED WITH MISTAKES - full of mistakes
Things considered, he did try his best to save the company. (FAIRNESS) - IN ALL
FAIRNESS TO HIM, he did try his best to save the company.
IN ALL FAIRNESS TO SB: công bằng mà nói
He failed in everything he did. (BALLOON) - He WENT DOWN LIKE A LEAD BALLOON. GO DOWN LIKE A LEAD BALLOON - unsuccessful - unaccepted
Don't worry about that. These problems are just imaginary. (MIND) - Don't worry
about that. These problems are ALL IN YOUR MIND. ALL IN YOUR MIND
- if a problem is all in the mind, it does not exist and is only imagined
Nobody said anything even though they all wanted to say. (PREGNANT) - There was A PREGNANT SILENCE/PAUSE. PREGNANT SILENCE/PAUSE
- an occasion when nobody speaks, although people are aware that there are
feelings or thoughts to express
I really think she should stop ignoring me in meetings. (SHOULDER) - It's about
time she STOPPED GIVING ME A COLD SHOULDER in meetings. GIVE SB A COLD SHOULDER - to ignore sb - to give sb the brush-off
- to turn a deaf ear/blind eyes to sth
- to bury your head in the sand - to close your eyes to sth - to shut your eyes to sth
* In my opinion, it was an absolute miracle that they survived the accident.
(SHORT) - The fact that they survived the accident was NOTHING SHORT OF an absolute miracle.
* She disapproved of my suggestion. (DIM) - She TOOK A DIM VIEW OF my suggestion. TAKE DIM VIEW OF STH - to frown on sth - to disapprove of sth
Payment will be made when the order is received. (RECEIPT) - Payment will be made ON RECEIPT OF the order. ON RECEIPT OF STH - when sth is received
The villagers prepared themselves to withstand the coming storm. (BRACED) -
The villagers BRACED THEMSELVES to withstand the upcoming storm. BRACE YOURSELF
- to prepare (physically and mentally)
* Organic vegetables are said to be very healthy. (WONDERS) - Organic
vegetables are said to DO WONDERS TO your health.
* The Presidential visit attracted such an enormous crowd that all traffic came to a
standstill. - SO MANY people turned out to see the Presidential visit that all traffic came to a standstill.
* They declared war on the pretext of defending their territorial rights. - THE
EXCUSE for the declaration of war was the defence of their territorial rights.
* Our science correspondent sees this new inventions the answer to many of our
problems. - ACCORDING to our science correspondent, this invention is the
answer to many of our problems.
* Cheques should only be accepted with proof of identity. - NEVER accept
cheques without proof of identity.
* People no longer smoke so many cigarettes as they used to. - THE smoking of
cigarettes is no longer as popular as it used to be.
* The engine failed because a part had been badly fitted. - THE ENGINE
FAILURE was due to a badly fitted part.
* I'm absolutely sure that they weren't playing in this weather. - THEY CAN'T
have been playing in this weather.
It is not a habit of mine to sleep in the afternoon. - I AM not in the habit of sleeping in the afternoon. IN THE HABIT OF DOING STH
- to be used/accustomed/given to doing sth
I would like to express my thanks for everything you've done for me.
(THANKFUL) - I'd like to say HOW THANKFUL I am for everything you've done for me.
* They probably don't live at the same address anymore. (DOUBT) - I DOUBT
WHETHER THEY ARE LIVING at the same address any more.
The authorities have improved the public transport system here recently.
(IMPROVEMENTS) - The authorities HAVE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS
IN the public transport system here recently.
He seemed to be worried about something. (IMPRESSION) - I GOT THE
IMPRESSION THAT something was worrying him.
GET/HAVE THE IMPRESSION (that...) - to think/reckon (that...)
When should we collect the books we ordered last week? - When ARE WE
SUPPOSED TO PICK up the books we ordered last week?
It is certain that he will compensate you for the damage he has done. - HE IS
BOUND to make it up to you for the damage he has done. MAKE IT UP TO SB (for sth) -
I don't mind staying in on Saturday night if I have good company. - I'M NOT
AVERSE to staying in on Saturday night if I have good company. NOT AVERSE TO DOING STH - to not dislike doing sth - to like doing sth
Helen won't be happy until she gets a full refund. - NOTHING short of a full refund will SATISFY Helen.
It wasn't very polite of you not to notify them about the change of plans. - YOU
COULD have notified them about the change of plans.
* We were elated by the birth of our first grand-child. - WE were OVER THE
MOON when our first grand-child was born. OVER THE MOON - elated - delighted - happy
Being her only niece, Ann is very precious to her. (APPLE) - Being her only niece, Ann is THE APPLE OF HER EYES.
A holiday in the UK is very expensive these days. (ARM) - A holiday in the UK
COSTS YOU AN ARM AND A LEG these days. COST SB AN ARM AND A LEG - to charge sb too much - to be too expensive
* How could you come on Saturday? (SUIT) - How does COMING on Saturday SUIT you?
There's a possibility that you may be able to get a grant. (ELIGIBLE) - We are
pleased to say that you may be ELIGIBLE to get a grant.
If you wait for a good opportunity until the market improves, you'll get a better
return on your investment. (BIDE) - If you BIDE YOUR TIME until the market
improves, you'll get a better return on your investment. BIDE YOUR TIME
- to wait calmly for a good opportunity to come
*** Some people are not able to learn English. (UNABLE) - Some people find it UNABLE to learn English.
* Marry got the wrong end of the stick. - MARRY misunderstood something.
*** The man is a bit over the top when you first meet him. (EXAGGERATED) -
The man is EXAGGERATED IN his behavior when you first meet him.
*** He is rather A COLD FISH when you first meet him. (FORMAL) - He is
FORMAL and a bit unfriendly when you first meet him.
Anne was afraid her neighbors would despise her for not having a washing
machine. (LOOK) - Anne was afraid her neighbors would LOOK DOWN ON
HER/LOOK DOWN THEIR NOSES AT HER for not having a washing machine.
LOOK DOWN ON SB = LOOK DOWN YOUR NOSE AT SB - to depreciate sb - to devalue sb - to despise sb
They don't mind which film they go to. (MATTER) - It doesn't MATTER to them which film they go to.
* I was not willing to buy the product because it was too expensive. (OFF) - The
sheer expense/cost of the product PUT me OFF buying it.
We never buy things in small quantities as we would make profits. (BULK) - With
a view to making profits, we always buy things IN BULK. BUY STH IN BULK - to buy sth a lot
*** We really loved to have a chance to visit the Colosseum but we couldn't.
(FOOT) - We would sooner have had a chance to SET FOOT ON the Colosseum.
* The committee had a long discussion but they could not make up their mind. ._.
(REACH) - Lengthy as their discussion might be, they could not REACH A CONCLUSION.
He decided to become the boss of a small company instead of working for a
multinational company. (FISH) - In preference to working for a multinational
company, he decided to become a BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND. IN PREFERENCE TO DOING STH - rather than do sth
It was not surprising when my parents were furious with my getting a tattoo.
(ARMS) - It came as no surprise that my parents were UP IN ARMS ABOUT my getting a tattoo.
* You could be in trouble for not giving a breath sample to the police. (HOT) - On
refusal to give a breath sample to the police, you could be IN HOT WATER.
IN HOT WATER/GET INTO HOT WATER - in trouble - having problems
* We certainly will win if we exchange ideas with each other. (HEADS) - We are
bound to win if we PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER. PUT YOUR HEADS TOGETHER - to exchange ideas - to discuss sth together
If anyone succeeds in solving the problem right away, it will probably be him.
(SPOT) - He stands a chance of solving the problem ON THE SPOT. ON THE SPOT - right away - at once - immediately
He is famous for his vast knowledge of primitive religion. (AUTHORITY) - He is
an AUTHORITY ON primitive religion. AN AUTHORITY ON STH - an expert at sth - an old hand at sth - a master of sth
The disagreement was a lot of a fuss about nothing. (TEACUP) - The disagreement was A STORM IN A TEACUP. A STORM IN A TEACUP - a tempest in a teapot
This is not the first time he has openly disagreed with the party leader. (SWORDS)
- This is not the first time he has CROSSED SWORDS WITH the party leader. CROSS SWORDS WITH SB - to argue with sb
He made too many mistakes to be considered for promotion. (FREQUENT) - His
mistakes are too FREQUENT for him to be considered for promotion.
* We found her manner rather off-putting. (BY) - We were put off BY her manner.
* The police said that the circumstances of her death are suspicious. (TREATING)
- The police are TREATING the circumstances of her death as suspicious.
I suggest he doesn't know the right answer. - I DOUBT whether he knows the right answer.
"You liar!", she said to him. - SHE CALLED him a liar.
His daughter has startling intelligence, though she wastes most evenings playing
games. - INTELLIGENT as his daughter is, she wastes most evenings playing games.
In a nutshell, Joseph's not up to the job. - THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT, Joseph's not up to the job.
* What alienated the workforce was that management never consulted them. - IT
WAS the fact that management never consulted them that alienated the workforce.
When are the council going to do something about the city's traffic problem? - IT'S
HIGH TIME SOMETHING was done by the council about the city's traffic problem.
He is so keen on basketball that he spends almost all of his time playing it. - HIS
KEENNESS on basketball is such that he spends almost all of his time playing it.
If the government urged you to join the army, would you accept it? - WERE you to
be urged to join the army BY the government, would you accept it?
* The harvest workers think they were maltreated. (CLAIM) - The harvest workers CLAIM to have been maltreated.
After years of arguing about who would be the first heir, all the members of the
family agreed to forget their differences. - Who WOULD BE THE FIRST HEIR
has been settled among ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY by BURYING THEIR HATCHET. BURY THE HATCHET
- to stop arguing and become friends again
He seems to be more active because he has won a scholarship to study overseas.
(LEASE) - That he has won a scholarship to study overseas GIVES HIM A NEW LEASE OF LIFE. GIVE SB A NEW LEASE OF LIFE
- to make sb more energetic and active than before
Sometimes I have got a bad memory, so most importantly I need regular practice. -
First and foremost I need regular practice because I have got a MEMORY/MIND LIKE A SIEVE MEMORY/MIND LIKE A SIEVE - to be very absent-minded
* Maldivies attract hordes of tourists to its beach resorts and 24-hour bustling
nightlife. (CLOCK) - It is Maldivies' beach resorts and ROUND-THE-CLOCK
nightlife that tourists are attracted to.
* The company tried unsuccessfully to secure a bank loan. (AVAIL) - The
company's efforts were TO NO AVAIL IN securing a bank loan. TO NO AVAIL (in sth) - in vain - without success
* If Mary were feeling well, she would have come to Tom's party. (SINCE) - Mary
must be ill SINCE she didn't come to Tom's party.
* In my opinion, computers are more trouble than they're worth. (HINDRANCE) -
In my opinion, computers are more of a HINDRANCE than a help. HINDRANCE
- something that causes trouble and difficulty
There was hardly any movement in the traffic in front of us. (INCHED) - The
traffic INCHED ALONG in front of us. INCH - to move very slowly
* The letter arrived completely unexpectedly this morning. (BLUE) - The letter
arrived completely OUT OF THE BLUE this morning.
Sam was really anxious, waiting to see if he had got a place in the cricket team.
(TENTERHOOKS) - Sam was ON TENTERHOOKS, waiting to see if he had got a place in the cricket team. ON TENTERHOOKS - worried/anxious/nervous - sitting on pins and needles - at wits' end
Harry was disappointed to hear the news that the match had been cancelled. - News
of the cancellation of the match CAME AS A DISAPPOINTMENT to Harry.
At this time of year, the area often affected by violence storm. - At this time of
year, the area often FEELS THE EFFECTS OF the violence storm
*** The tree blown down in the storm were not cleared away for weeks. - It WAS
WEEKS BEFORE the tree blown down in the storm were cleared away.
* There were very little paper left in the printer. - The printer had almost RUN OF OUT paper.
* Without access to the statistics, I will not be able to complete the report. (HOLD)
- Unless I GET HOLD OF the statistics, the report will not be completed. GET HOLD OF STH - to find sb/sth - to obtain sth
* The suspect could not explain why he had sand in his boots. (ACCOUNT) - The
suspect could not ACCOUNT FOR why he sand in his boots.
* He is too irresponsible to run the department. (CHARGE) - He is not responsible
to be IN CHARGE OF the department.
* Sheila is worried about the proposed changes at work. (PROSPECT) - The
PROSPECT of changes at work makes Sheila worry.
I can recommend you to the manager; I'm a friend of his. (WORD) - I can PUT IN
A GOOD WORD FOR you to the manager; I'm a friend of his.
Martine cannot go any higher in his career. (PINNACLE) - Martine has
REACHED THE PINNACLE OF his career. REACH THE PINNACLE OF STH
- to reach the most successful part of sth
* The board had a secret meeting in order to discuss changes in the company.
(DOORS) - The board met BEHIND CLOSED DOORS in order to discuss changes in the company.
He got up very early this morning. (CRACK) - He got up AT THE CRACK OF DAWN this morning. AT THE CRACK OF DAWN - very early in the morning ~ the small hours
* Even though Simon rarely has a lot of money, he always buys his mom a
birthday present. - HOWEVER short of money Simon is, he always buys his mom a birthday present.
* It would have taken a miracle to save the paintings from the fire. - NOTHING
short of a miracle would have saved the paintings from the fire.
* If the pay were not good, I wouldn't stay in this job. - BUT for the good pay, I wouldn't stay in this job.
I'm going to write and complain to the council. - I intend to make A WRITTEN COMPLAINT TO THE COUNCIL.
We don't think you should have done that. - We'd rather YOU HADN'T DONE THAT.
Mary's performance in last week's test was nowhere near as good as it was in
today's. - Mary performed MUCH BETTER IN TODAY'S TEST THAN IN LAST WEEK'S.
* You mustn't open the lid of the machine until it has stopped making that noise. -
Only when IT HAS STOPPED MAKING THAT NOISE ARE YOU ALLOWED
TO OPEN THE LID OF THE MACHINE.
I have searched everywhere for my purse. - I have SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW for my purse. SEARCH HIGH AND LOW (for sth)
- to search here and there and everywhere
* After her cry, she felt calmer and more in control. - After her tears had RUN ITS
COURSE, she felt calmer and more in control. RUN ITS COURSE
- to develop and finish naturally
** After a long hard journey, I cheered up when I saw my home. (SPIRITS) - After
a long hard journey, my SPIRITS LIFTED when I saw my home.
Don't tell them what to do any more since they have grown up. (DEVICES) -
LEAVE THEM TO THEIR OWN DEVICES since they have grown up
LEAVE SB TO THEIR OWN DEVICES: để tự quyết định
- to allow sb to make their own decisions
* It seems that no one predicted the final outcome of the negotiation. - NO ONE
seems to have predicted the outcome of the negotiation.
They often went to the zoo with their parents as children. - THEIR PARENTS
WOULD take them to the zoo as children.
We would have preferred them not to have stayed so long, that's true. - WE
WOULD SOONER they hadn't stayed so long, that's true.
Her remarks simply made his rage more uncontrollable. - The remarks simply
ADDED FUEL TO THE FIRE OF his rage.
ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE (of sth): thêm dầu vào lửa
We found it easy to do the test. (NO) - We had NO difficulty doing the test.
The new plans for the road have been approved by the local authority. (MET) -
The new plans for the road have MET WITH THE APPROVAL OF the authority.
* We all discussed the issue at length, but came to no decision. (HAD) - We HAD
a long discussion, but came to no decision.
I haven't seen John for a long time. (EYES) - I haven't CLAPPED/LAID/SET EYES ON John for a long time. CLAP/LAY/SET EYES ON STH - to see sb
Whenever we go out for meals, we share the cost. (HALF) - Whenever we go out
for meals, we GO HALF AND HALF. GO HALF AND HALF: 50/50
* It was inevitable that they should feel personally degraded. - THEIR personal
feeling of degradation was INEVITABLE.
* Summerhill seldom has a case of homesickness. - AT SUMMERHILL SELDOM
is there a case of homesickness.
* They'll arrive soon. - IT won't be long before they arrive.
It's not useful feeling sorry about something which has already happened. - IT'S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT MILK.
She ran down the steps with a group of journalists following her very closely.
(HOT) - She ran down the steps with a group of journalists HOT ON HER HEELS. HARD/HOT/CLOSE ON YOUR HEELS - following sb very closely
He's asking for trouble by lying to the police. (ICE) - He's SKATING ON THIN ICE by lying to the police. SKATING ON THIN ICE - on the line
- putting/laying sth on the line - playing with fire
- sailing close/against the wind
Hal found something unexpected when he cleared out the attic. (DISCOVERY) -
Hal MADE AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY when he cleared out the attic.
Kira didn't say anything about her illness last night. (MADE) - Kira MADE NO
MENTION OF her illness last night. MADE NO MENTION OF STH - to make no reference to sth
Paul and Pete share so many similar interests. (COMMON) - Paul HAS SO MUCH IN COMMON WITH Pete.
It would be in your interests to take an early train on Sunday. (OFF) - You would
be BETTER OFF TAKING an early train on Sunday.
* Nobody approved of the new law when it was introduced. (APPROVAL) - The
new law didn't MEET WITH ANYONE'S APPROVAL.
I promised my mum I would work hard this year. - I made A PROMISE TO MY
MUM that I would work hard this year.
*** The witness thought I was a thief, but realized she was wrong. - The witness
MISTOOK me for the thief, but realized she was wrong.
* The fourth time he asked her to marry him, she accepted. - ONLY ON the fourth
proposal did she accept to marry him.
* The Mayor hoped to have a good day for the parade. - THE MAYOR WAS IN
the hope of having a good day for the parade. IN THE HOPE OF DOING STH - with a view to doing sth
* We missed the bus because we had overslept. (CONSEQUENCE) - We missed
the bus AS A CONSEQUENCE OF over-sleeping. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF STH - as a result of sth - due to - because of - owing to - on account of
If ever student dared to ask a question, the professor would sigh heavily. - IN THE
EVENT OF a student daring to ask a question, the professor would sigh heavily IN THE EVENT OF STH - if
* The soldier entered the castle while it was dark. - UNDER THE COVER OF
DARKNESS, the soldier entered the castle.
They suddenly decided to go away for the weekend. - They decided ON THE
SPUR OF THE MOMENT to go away for the weekend. ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT - on a whim - on an impulse - on a caprice - on the spot
* There was loud applause as he left the stage. (ACCOMPANIMENT) - He left the
stage TO THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF loud applause. TO THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF STH - with sth
Harry was close to winning the big race. - Harry was WITHIN AN ACE OF winning the big race. WITHIN AN ACE OF DOING STH - close to doing/being sth
They only reimbursed us because we took legal advice. - WE WOULDN'T have
been reimbursed if we hadn't taken legal advice.
*** The inhabitants were far worse-off twenty years ago than they are now. - THE
INHABITANTS ARE NOWHERE near as badly-off as they were twenty years ago.
BADLY OFF - WORSE OFF - WORST OFF
* When I noticed it was a formal dress, it was too late. - NOT until I noticed it was
a formal dress was it too late.
I need someone to take my place at the ceremony. (IN) - I need someone to
STAND IN FOR my place at the ceremony.
STAND IN FOR SB'S PLACE: thế chỗ
* Mass tourism has been one of the cause of the problem. (BLAME) - Mass
tourism was PARTLY TO BLAME for the problem.
The regiment's reputation was really damaged by his outrageous conduct. (HARM)
- His outrageous behavior DID GREAT HARM TO the regiment's reputation. DO HARM TO SB - to inflict harm to sb
*** Going to and fro with all the cases is what I can't stand about holidays.
(TOING) - It's all the TOING AND FROING with all the cases that I can't stand about holidays.
TOING AND FROING: đi đi lại lại
- the act of repeatedly going from one place to another
Her primus stove ceased to function on the last day. (GASP) - Her primus stove
GAVE ITS LAST GASP on the last day. GIVE ITS LAST GASP - stand on its last legs - in very bad condition - dead
* The tourists were unharmed after the train cash. - The tourists were NONE THE
WORSE FOR their experience in the train crash. # none the worse FOR sth
* Besides mapping the mountain ranges, there were many other reasons for the
expedition. (MORE) - There was MORE TO THE EXPEDITION THAN simply mapping the mountain ranges. # MORE TO A THAN B
In the end they left me to settle up with the restaurant. (FOOT) - In the end I was
left to FOOT THE RESTAURANT BILL.
The effects of the gale were felt mainly along the South coast. (BRUNT) - The
South coast BORE THE BRUNT OF THE gale.
BEAR/TAKE THE BRUNT OF STH: chịu ảnh hưởng
- to take/bear the main force of sth unpleasant
*** As a result of bad weather, there may be delay to some international flights.
(SUBJECT) - Due to bad weather, some international flights are SUBJECT TO possible delay. SUBJECT TO STH
- likely to be affected by sth bad
* The film was so controversial that it was banned in several parts of the world.
(CAUSED) - Such was controversy CAUSED by the film that it was banned in several parts of the world.
It's HIGHLY likely that the house will be pulled down. (LIKELIHOOD) - There is
A STRONG LIKELIHOOD that the house will be pulled down.
In summer the volume of traffic creates problems for local traders. (DIFFICULT) -
The volume of traffic MAKES IT DIFFICULT for traders to go about their work.
* I felt relaxed at Gita's house because her parents greeted me so warmly. - Gita's
parents MADE ME FEEL AT EASE WITH THE WARMTH OF THEIR GREETINGS.
*** His whole life was one of deceit and treachery. (HE) - THROUGHOUT HIS
LIFE HE WAS DECEITFUL AND DANGEROUS.
"It's none of your business what I do with my money!", Daisy informed her father.
(CONCERN) - Daisy informed her father that what she did with her money was NO CONCERN OF HIS.
* No matter what happens, we will never do business with that firm again. (EVER)
- Under no circumstances will we EVER do business with that firm again.
* Philip's inability to make decisions dates from his accident. - EVER since his
accident, Philip's been unable to make decisions.
A government official leaked the story to the world press. (WIND) - The world
press GOT WIND OF the story FROM a government official.
GET WIND OF STH (from sb): nghe phong thanh
Julia soon calmed down and explained her problem. (PULLED) - Julia soon
PULLED HERSELF TOGETHER and explained her problem. PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER
- to calm down (and act normally)
* Hardly any of the people in Britain speaks my language. - NOT MANY of the
people in Britain speaks a word of my language.
* There is no doubt that Davis will win the gold medal. - IT SEEMS TO be a
FOREGONE CONCLUSION that Davis will win the gold medal.
* I'm sure that he missed the eleven o'clock train. - HE CAN'T have caught the eleven o'clock train.
You couldn't do anything more stupid than to give up your job now. (HEIGHT) - It
would be THE HEIGHT OF YOUR STUPIDITY to give up your job now.
THE HEIGHT OF YOUR STUPIDITY: đỉnh cao của sự ngu dốt
* Trade has deteriorated and staff are being laid off. (BAD) - Trade has GONE
FROM BAD TO WORSE and staff are being laid off.
Since the advertisement, we have had more applications than we can deal with.
(SWAMPED) - Since the advertisement, we have been SWAMPED with applications. SWAMPED WITH STH - flooded with sth - full of sth
* Mary is far superior to me in terms of technical knowledge. (MATCH) - When it
comes to technical knowledge, I'm NO MATCH FOR Mary.
Mike is never reluctant to make tough decisions as a manager. (SHRINKS) - Mike
never SHRINKS FROM making tough decisions as a manager. SHRINK FROM DOING STH - to hesitate to do sth - to be afraid to do sth - to be reluctant to do sth
* The Mountain Rescue Team is pessimistic about the missing climbers. - THE
MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM DOESN'T HOLD out much hope for the missing climbers.
HOLD OUT HOPE FOR SB/STH: nuôi hy vọng
* The President's bodyguard stood behind him watching. - WATCHFULLY
standing behind the President was his body guards.
The sales director told his staff nothing about the new marketing post. (DARK) -
The sales director KEPT HIS STAFF IN THE DARK about the new marketing post.
* He stood no chance of passing his exams. - IT WAS INEVITABLE that he would fail his exams.
** It wasn't Melaine's fault that she ended up breaking the law. - THROUGH NO
fault of hers, Melaine ended up breaking the law. THROUGH NO FAULT OF YOURS - although you don't do it
This house is very different from the little flat we used to live in. (CRY) - This
house is a FAR CRY from the little flat we used to live in. A FAR CRY (from sth) - different from sth
* Hard work was what caused Jill's success. - JILL'S SUCCESS CAN BE PUT DOWN TO hard work.
When she sold the jewellery at such a low price, she was cheated. - When she sold
the jewellery at such a low price, she was TAKEN INTO A RIDE. TAKE SB FOR A RIDE - to take sb in - to have sb on - to pull sb's leg - to cheat/deceive/fool
* Any personal involvement on the part of the PM in this scandal would be
disastrous. (CAUGHT) - If the PM GOT CAUGHT UP in this scandal, it would be a disaster. GET CAUGHT UP IN STH
- get involved in sth unpleasant
Even if they don't like it, I'm not going away with my parents this year. -
WHETHER they like it or not, I'm not going away with my parents this year.
* Jane shut the door with her keys inside. - WHAT HAPPENED was that Jane shut the door with her keys inside.
** It's highly unlikely that the meeting will end before 7:00. - THE CHANCES are
that the meeting will end before 7:00 is LOW/NOT HIGH.
He modestly understated his part in the rescue. (DOWN) - He modestly PLAYED DOWN his part in the rescue. PLAY STH DOWN
- to make sth less important or less bad than it is
We have made neither a profit nor a loss this year. (EVEN) - We have BROKEN EVEN this year. BREAK EVEN: huề vốn
* We must always bear in mind that many scientific breakthroughs are due to luck.
(SIGHT) - We must not LOSE SIGHT OF the fact that lucks plays a large part in many scientific breakthroughs. LOSE SIGHT OF STH - to forget sth
** When it comes to friendship, I prefer having a few close friends to many
acquaintances. (RATHER) - As far as friendship is concerned, I'd RATHER have a
few close friends than many acquaintances.
* The authorities failed to provided adequate warnings, which as caused
considerable concern. - CONSIDERABLE CONCERN has been caused by THE
FAILURE OF THE AUTHORITIES to provide adequate warnings.
The restoration of communications and essential services if of prime importance to
the council. - THE FIRST priority for the council is that restoration of
communications and essential services.
* His memory gradually failed as he grew old. - THE OLDER he got, the more his memory failed him.
Trudging through malaria-infested swamps demanded tremendous strength of
character. - IT TOOK tremendous strength of character to trudge through the malaria-infested swamps.
You wouldn't find a more affectionate animal anywhere in the world. -
NOWHERE in the world would you find a more affection animal.
Liz said unforgivable things to her father at the dinner party. - WHAT Liz said to
her father at the dinner party was unforgivable.
* The realization that I had been swindled came much later. - ONLY much later
did I realize I had been swindled.
* The rain brought about the cancellation of the tennis match. - THE TENNIS MATCH was rained off. RAIN STH OFF
- if an event is rained off, it cannot start or continue because it is raining
* The fog is heavier than usual tonight. - THERE is more fog tonight than there usually is.
The fête will take place on Sunday, come rain or shine. - WHETHER it rains or
shines, the fête will take place on Sunday.
* Failing prompt payment, the goods must be returned by you. - YOU MUST
EITHER pay the bill at once or return the goods.
* Thanks to her uncle's legacy of 15,000 dollars, she was able to buy the house she
wanted. - HAD HER uncle not died and given her a legacy of 15,000 dollars, she
wouldn't have been able to buy the house she wanted.
* Batigol is the footballer I admire most of all. - THERE IS no footballer I admire more than Batigol.
* The man's life was one of great poverty. - THROUGHOUT his life, the man was poor.
* Tiền Giang is a far less hilly province than Lâm Đồng. - LÂM ĐỒNG HAS more hills than Tiền Giang.
* There isn't a pair of jeans left in the shop, Miss. - WE ARE COMPLETELY out of jeans in the shop, Miss.
* She doesn't know why they are attracted to spending all day on the beach. - SHE
CAN'T SEE the attraction of spending all day on the beach.
* The collision didn't damage my car car. - NOT A GREAT deal of damage was done to my car.
I thought about what had happened all those years before. - I CAST MY MIND
BACK TO what had happened all those years before. CAST YOUR MIND BACK TO STH
- to think about sth in the past
* I almost gave up at one point. - I CAME VERY close to giving up at one point.
He said he had won as a result of good luck. - HE ATTRIBUTED his victory to good luck. ATTRIBUTE STH TO STH - to put sth down to sth
* Scientists have tried very hard to find a cure for this disease. - ENORMOUS
efforts have been made to find a cure for this disease.
The new science building should soon be finished. (WAY) - The new science
building is WELL UNDER WAY/UNDERWAY. UNDER WAY/UNDERWAY - having started - in progress
The new musical has delighted theater audiences throughout the country.
(STORM) - The new musical has TAKEN theater audiences BY STORM. TAKE STH BY STORM
- to be successful very quickly
* If you wish to complain, you must write a letter. (WRITING) - If you wish to
complain, you must do so IN WRITING. IN WRITING - in written form
* His handwriting is illegible, as far as I'm concerned. (OUT) - I cannot MAKE OUT his handwriting at all.
** It will take a while for your visa to come through. (COURSE) - Your visa will come through IN DUE COURSE. IN DUE COURSE
- at a suitable time in the future
* Some efforts will have to be made and try to sort out the mess. (BEST) - We will
DO OUR BEST and try to sort out the mess. DO YOUR BEST - to try your best - to exert yourself - to go to great lengths - to take/go to great pains - to be at pains
To put it bluntly, we are making no progress with this rehabilitation scheme.
(STANDSTILL) - The rehabilitation scheme is AT A STANDSTILL.
This car is far superior to the other models. (CUT) - This car is A CUT ABOVE other models. A CUT ABOVE - sb/sth of high a level/class
* They will not announce the decision formally. - NO FORMAL announcement of the decision will be made.
** Its lack of irregular verbs makes Esperanto a unique language. - UNLIKE other
languages, Esperanto has no irregular verbs.
* They have been living in Germany for five years now. - IT has been five years
since they went/moved to live in Germany.
I am determined to refuse his offer. - I HAVE NO intention of accepting his offer.
"Why don't you buy a new coat?" Marry said to her husband. - MARRY
SUGGESTED her husband that he BUY a new coat.
* Leave us your address so that any post can be sent on to you. (FORWARD) -
Leave us your address so that we can FORWARD any post TO you. FORWARD STH TO SB - to send sth to sb
Could you help me with these cases as they are very heavy? (LEND) - Could you
LEND ME A HAND with these cases as they are very heavy?
* This interpretation is as valid as that one. (EQUALLY) - Both interpretations are EQUALLY valid.
* The authorities in Kenya claim to have eliminated poaching. (ACCORDING) -
ACCORDING TO the authorities in Kenya, poaching has been eliminated.
* I would like to receive a copy of your latest annual report. (GRATEFUL) - I
would be GRATEFUL if you could send me a copy of your annual report.
I feel I am not being treated fairly. (RAW) - I feel I'm being GIVEN A RAW DEAL.
GIVE SB A RAW DEAL: chơi rắn mặt với ai đó - to treat sb unfairly
In his recent article, Bob Lee pointed out that all the faults in the government's new
transport policy. - In his recent article, Bob Lee was CRITICAL OF the
government of the government's new transport policy. CRITICAL OF STH - criticizing sb considerably
The company have been reviewing their recruitment policy for the last three
month. - THE COMPANY'S recruitment policy has been UNDER REVIEW for the last three months. UNDER REVIEW - being reviewed
* I'm absolutely sure he took the money on purpose. - HE COULDN'T POSSIBLY
have taken the money BY MISTAKE. BY MISTAKE - by chance - by accident - unintentionally # On purpose, deliberately
** He delayed writing the book until he had done a lot of research. - ONLY
AFTER he had done a lot of research did he BEGIN to write his book.
Skyscrapers in the USA are on average taller than anywhere else in the world. -
THE AVERAGE height of skyscrapers in the USA is taller than anywhere else in the world.
** It's more than a fortnight since anyone saw Julian. - JULIAN was last seen a fortnight ago.
The deadline for the receipt of the completed application forms is 3.00 p.m. on
Friday, 18th December. - COMPLETED APPLICATION forms must be
HANDED IN NO LATER than 3.00 p.m. on Friday, 18th December.
She felt uncomfortable in the huge hotel. (PLACE) - She felt OUT OF PLACE in the huge hotel. OUT OF PLACE - not comfortable
* The "environmental friendly" label on this product is misleading. (CONTRARY)
- CONTRARY TO what it says on the label, this product is not environmentally friendly.
** Changes in the water table have adversely affected the monuments. (GOOD) -
Changes in the water table have DONE the monuments NO GOOD. DO SB/STH NO GOOD - not useful
* Make yourself at home. (CEREMONY) - Don't STAND ON CEREMONY. STAND ON CEREMONY: khách sáo
** Let me give you a clue to help you remember. (JOG) - Let me help you JOG YOUR MEMORY.
He feels better and interior because he didn't go to university. - He GOT A CHIP
ON HIS SHOULDER because he didn't go to university.
HAVE/GET A CHIP ON YOUR SHOULDER: mặc cảm
I don't want to point out a trivial little difference, but your facts aren't quite right.
(SPLIT) - I don't want to SPLIT HAIRS, but your facts aren't quite right.
SPLIT HAIRS: bới lông tìm vết
When she left home, she had to do everything on her own. (FEND) - When she left
home, she had to FEND FOR HERSELF. FEND FOR YOURSELF - to do everything on your own
Fortunately, the boat hadn't left. (STROKE) - BY A STROKE OF FORTUNE, the boat hadn't left. BY A STROKE OF FORTUNE/LUCK - fortunately/luckily
* Whoever did that must have been a very brave person. - ONLY a very brave person could have done that.
* Doris tiptoed up the stairs because she didn't want to wake anyone up. - TO avoid
waking up anyone, Doris tiptoed up the stairs.
** Nancy is proud of being a good cook. - NANCY PRIDES herself on her cooking.
* My protests were ignored by everybody. - NOBODY TOOK ANY NOTICE OF my protests. TAKE NOTICE OF STH - to pay attention to sth
* Kate is the only real friend that Dolly has. - EXCEPT for Kate, Dolly has no real friends.
* Rita doesn't realize how serious her husband's operation is going to be. - LITTLE
does Rita realize how serious her husband's operation is going to be.
* Offering her more money wouldn't make any difference. - EVEN IF you offered
her more money, it wouldn't make any difference.
*Driving at that speed is dangerous, whether you are an experienced driver or not.
- HOWEVER experienced a driver you are, driving at that speed is dangerous.
It's such a wonderful opportunity that we mustn't miss it. - IT'S TOO wonderful an opportunity for us to miss.
Go ask Willy. I'm sure he'll know the answer. (BOUND) - Go ask Willy. He's BOUND to know the answer. BOUND TO DO/BE STH - sure to do/be sth - certain to do/be sth
* You shouldn't pay so much attention to their complaints. (NOTICE) - You
shouldn't TAKE MUCH NOTICE OF their complaints.
* We insist on knowing the truth about all this. (DEMAND) - We DEMAND to know the truth about all this.
Everybody enjoyed the play except Raymond. (ONLY) - Raymond was the ONLY
person who didn't enjoy the play.
It's such a large house that she doesn't like being alone it it. (OWN) - It's such a
large house that she doesn't like BEING ON HER OWN in it.
** Who gave you my name and my address? (TOUCH) - Who PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH me?
* All of a sudden, Alice thought of a solution to the problem. (OCCURED) - All of
a sudden, a solution OCCURRED TO Alice.
It's very interesting to talk to him. (HE) - HE is very interesting to talk to.
Your hair is much too long, dear. (NEEDS) - Your hair NEEDS cutting, dear.
** This is the last time I ask you to help me. (NEVER) - I SHALL NEVER ask you to help me AGAIN.
Mass tourism has been one of the causes of the problem. - - Mass tourism is to BLAME for the problem.
- Mass tourism has CONTRIBUTED to the problem.
You must accept the fact that she has left you. - You must RESIGN YOURSELF
TO THE FACT that she has left you. RESIGN YOURSELF TO STH - to accept sth unpleasant
* The report says that the pyramids will deteriorate. - The reports says that there'll
be further DETERIORATION in the condition of the pyramids.
* It's roughly estimated that some turtles lay 28,000 eggs a year. - - AT A GUESS,
some turtles lay 28,000 eggs a year.
- ON AVERAGE, some turtles lay 28,000 eggs a year.
* He's tried as hard as he can. (BEST) - He's DONE HIS BEST.
** They have narrowed many applicants down to three. (SHORT) - They have SHORT-LISTED three applicants.
I'm not keen on gold, I much prefer silver. (RATHER) - I'd RATHER have silver than gold.
He made an unsuccessful attempt to buy the company. (WITHOUT) - He
attempted to buy the company WITHOUT SUCCESS. WITHOUT SUCCESS - in vain
The long-term economic forecast implies that prospects of recovery look bleak.
(ACCORDING) - ACCORDING TO the long-term economic forecast, prospects of recovery look bleak.
They disapprove of smoking in this restaurant. (FROWNED) - Smoking is
FROWNED UPON in this restaurant. FROWN UPON STH - to disapprove of sth
* I'd been thinking about helping them for some time. - I'd been thinking about
giving them our BACKING/BACKING THEM UP for some time. GIVE SB YOUR BACKING - to back sb up - to support sb BACKING = SUPPORT.
Under no circumstances would I have missed the concert. (WORLD) - I wouldn't
have missed the concert FOR ALL THE WORLD.
FOR ALL THE WORLD (in negative sentence) - for anything in the world - for all the tea in China
You'll just have to take a chance. (POT) - You'll just have to TAKE POT LUCK. TAKE POT LUCK - to go for sth - to give sth a try - to do sth by chance
I can't often afford to spend my holidays abroad. - I'M SELDOM able to spend my holidays abroad.
The Prime Minister gave no precise figures about the casualties. - THE PRIME
MINISTER DIDN'T GO INTO DETAIL about the casualties. GO INTO DETAIL
- to tell or include all the facts about something
* The company will make a profit next year. - I WOULDN'T be surprised if the
company made a profit next year.
Imagine my surprise when a policeman appeared at the door. - When a policeman
appeared at the door, I was TAKEN ABACK. TAKEN ABACK - surprised
She slept well last night. - SHE HAD a good sleep.
Only Maria's mother is French. (SIDE) - Maria is French only ON HER MOTHER'S SIDE.
ON YOUR MOTHER/FATHER'S SIDE: bên ngoại/bên nội
* Their flat has been broken into twice this year. (HAD) - They has HAD their flat broken in twice this year.
Linda's plan for a picnic has been spoilt by the weather. - Linda's plan for a picnic
has FALLEN THROUGH because of the weather. FALL THROUGH - to be spoilt/ruined
*** I didn't see her again for five years. (BEFORE) - Five years had gone by BEFORE I saw her.
* I found this film quite disappointing. (LET) - I felt quite LET DOWN by this film.
She looks great with her new hair style. (WONDERS) - Her new hair style DOES WONDERS FOR her.
Doctors say that smoking is not good for your health. (HARM) - Doctors say that smoking DOES YOU HARM.
Why do I always get the boring jobs? (DONKEY) - I'm fed up with always DOING THE DONKEY WORK. DO THE DONKEY WORK - to do the boring work
I didn't agree with the idea. (FAVOR) - I'm not IN FAVOR OF the idea.
* You didn't think carefully enough before you decided. - You ought to have
THOUGHT more carefully before she decided.
I'd rather you didn't phone me at work. (PREFER) - I'd PREFER you not to phone me at work.
* Mathew didn't listen to what the doctor told him. (NOTICE) - Mathew TOOK
NO NOTICE OF what the doctor told him.
Teams of experts are examining the damage to the building. (EXAMINED) - The
damage to the building is being EXAMINED by teams of experts.
I don't mind whether we will have the meeting today or tomorrow. (MAKES) - IT
MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO ME whether we will have the meeting today or tomorrow.
Don't you regret not learning to swim? (WISH) - Don't you WISH you had learnt to swim?
* I'd like to express my thanks for everything you have done for me.
(THANKFUL) - I'd like to SAY HOW THANKFUL I am for everything you have done for me.
There aren't many people who have read this novel to the end, but John is one of
them. (FEW) - John is one of THE FEW people who have read this novel to the end.
Did you enjoy the party? (GOOD) - Did you HAVE A GOOD TIME AT the party?
There's no point in asking George for help. - IT ISN'T worth asking George for help.
Their chances of success are small. - IT ISN'T likely they will succeed.
The only reason the party was a success was that a famous film star attended. -
HAD IT not been for THE ATTENDANCE of a famous film star, the party wouldn't have been a success.
My parents find fault with everything I do. - NO MATTER what I do, my parents always find fault with it.
I didn't realize who he was until later. - ONLY LATER did I realize who he was.
The fate of the two climbers are unknown. - IT'S A MYSTERY what happened to the two climbers.
If the work is finished by lunch time, you can go home. - GET the work finished
by lunch time and you can go home.
Mrs. Wilson says she's sorry she didn't attend the meeting yesterday morning. -
MRS. WILSON SENDS her APOLOGIES for not attending the meeting yesterday morning.
SEND YOUR APOLOGIES (for doing sth) <- apology must be in plural form: apologies.
We've been trying to sell our house for well over six months. - Our house has been
ON THE MARKET/UP TO SALE for well over six month. ON THE MARKET/UP FOR SALE - available for sale
By being absent so often, Jim failed the exam. (COST) - Being absent so often
COST Jim the chance of passing the exam.
My impression of her is that she is a very active teacher. (STRIKES) - She
STRIKES ME AS a very active teacher.
We run the business together. (JOINT) - We run the business as A JOINT VENTURE. JOINT VENTURE: liên doanh
- a business or business activity that two or more people or companies work on together
Digging the garden always makes me feel hungry. (GIVES) - Digging the garden always GIVES ME AN APPETITE. GIVE SB AN APPETITE - to make sb hungry
I owe three week's rent. (BEHIND) - I am three weeks BEHIND WITH my rent.
What you have been saying is quite irrelevant. (BESIDE) - What you have been saying is BESIDE THE POINT. BESIDE THE POINT - irrelevant
These two makes of computer are practically the same. (HARDLY) - There is
HARDLY any difference between these two makes of computer.
Harry couldn't get his parents' permission to buy a computer. (LET) - HARRY'S
PARENTS couldn't LET him buy a computer.
We can start at either 1 pm or 2 pm. - IT MAKES no difference to me whether we will start at 1 pm or 2 pm.
* Although her leg hurt, Van finished her marathon race. - IN SPITE of a pain in
her leg, Van finished her marathon race.
* It was such a pity that I couldn't go to the party. - I'D LIKE to have gone to the party.
* The thief must have come in through the window. - THE THIEF ALMOST
certainly came in through the window.
* All of you are likely to be able to enter college. - THE chances are that all of you will be able to enter college.
Alice lost all her hope; she decided to stop her business. - SUCH was her
HOPELESSNESS that Alice decided to stop her business.
* It was disappointing their son failed the entrance exam to university. - THEIR
SON DISAPPOINTINGLY failed the entrance exam.
* We have to settle this matter in a definitive manner. (ALL) - We have to settle this matter ONCE AND FOR ALL.
He gambled, lost everything and began to owe money. (INTO) - He gambled, lost everything and RAN INTO DEBT. RUN INTO DEBT: mắc nợ
They claim to provide the best service in business, but I think that can be
questioned. (DISPUTE) - They claim to provide the best service in business, but I think that can be IN DISPUTE. IN DISPUTE - in doubt - questionable
You should punish him severely so that others will be afraid to behave as he did.
(EXAMPLE) - You should MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF HIM so that others will be afraid to behave as he did. MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF SB
- to punish sb so as to warn others
* When I came back, my car was gone. (SEEN) - When I came back, my car was NOWHERE TO BE SEEN.
Did you see Alice at the party last night. (CATCH) - Did you CATCH SIGHT OF Alice at the party last night. CATCH SIGHT OF SB - to see sb
He is a generous person. (MIDDLE) - GENEROSITY is his MIDDLE NAME. BE SB'S MIDDLE NAME
- to be a quality that is an important part of someone's character
* I think a week's holidays would do you good. (FROM) - I think you can
BENEFIT FROM a week's holidays.
* Graham spends all his time to working. (DEVOTED) - Graham has DEVOTED all his time TO working.
Was she offended by what I said? (TAKE) - Did she TAKE what I said AMISS? TAKE STH AMISS - to get the wrong end of sth - to misunderstand
I didn't expect to see Tom here. (LAST) - Tom was the LAST person I expected to see here.
** If children do not get affection, it is harmful. (LACK) - LACK of affection is harmful to children.
*** Young ladies are supposed not to use vulgar language. (BECOMES) - Vulgar
language doesn't BECOME young ladies.
She was born into a scholarly family. (LEARNED) - She was BORN OF LEARNED parents. BORN OF SB = BORN INTO STH
The older I get, the less I want to travel. - AS I GET older, I want to travel less.
She listens more sympathetically than anyone else I know. - SHE'S THE most
sympathetic LISTENER I've ever known.
* You have been ignoring me. (NO) - You have been PAYING NO ATTENTION TO/TAKING NO NOTICE OF me.
Our teacher is so strict that he won't tolerate any nonsense in the class. (STAND) -
Our teacher is so strict that he won't STAND FOR any nonsense in the class. STAND FOR STH - to tolerate sth - to put up with sth
She's determined to be successful in her new career. (GO) - She's determined to MAKE A GO OF her new career. MAKE A GO OF STH - to try to succeed
Since Alberto doesn't like the ballet, we rarely go. - Since Alberto doesn't like the
ballet, we go ONCE IN A BLUE MOON. ONCE IN A BLUE MOON - rarely - hardly - almost never
I hope you are not going to discourage my plans my saying you can't go. - I hope
you are not going to THROW COLD WATER ON my plans by saying you can't go.
THROW COLD WATER ON STH: dội gáo nước lạnh - to discourage sth - to be negative about sth
* She and her date got along well. - They HIT IT OFF right away.
HIT IT OFF: tâm đầu ý hợp
- to get on like a house on fire - to get along well
We want you to inform all the details. - We want you to inform all the INS AND OUTS. INS AND OUTS - everything about sth - EVERYTHING
* Only if you work hard now, have you any chance of success. (DEPENDS) - -
Your chance of success DEPENDS ON your hard work.
- Whether or not you succeed DEPENDS ON your working hard.
Now, we start something. (BALL) - Now, we GET THE BALL ROLLING. GET/SET THE BALL ROLLING - to start sth big
* My school is not far from my house. (STONE) - My school is WITHIN A STONE'S THROW OF my house. WITHIN A STONE'S THROW OF STH - a stone's throw from sth - within walking distance
We assembled at school punctually and ms. Tan took the class attendance before
we boarded the bus. - We assembled at school punctually and ms. Tan DID A
HEAD COUNT before we boarded the bus.
DO/CONDUCT/TAKE A HEAD COUNT (headcount): điểm danh
My father always imposes his opinions on me. - My father always THROWS HIS WEIGHT AROUND/ABOUT me.
THROW YOUR WEIGHT AROUND/ABOUT SB - to impose on sb
- to act as if you have a lot of authorities and power
Fat Stephen is the joker of the class. He cracks all kind of jokes, even practical
jokes. He usually makes us cackle. (SPLIT) - ... He usually makes us SPLIT OUR SIDES WITH LAUGHTER.
SPLIT YOUR SIDES WITH LAUGHTER/LAUGHING
- to cackle: cười như điên (dis)
When he does anything, he is always without planning. (PLAYS) - When he does anything, he PLAYS IT BY EAR. PLAY IT BY EAR
- to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops rather than by having a plan to follow
When I knew the truth, I was very angry. - When I knew the truth, I FLEW INTO A RAGE. FLY INTO A RAGE - to fly into a fury/temper - to fly off the handle - to lose your temper - to blow your top/lid/stack - to hit the roof - to see red - to go ballistic - to go postal - to go bananas - to go ape (apeshit: slang) - to go nuts
* Oil was slowly coating the edge of the shore. - THE EDGE OF THE SHORE was becoming coated by oil.
We may not be able to give the concert. - THE CONCERT may have to be cancelled.
This hotel is inaccessible in winters. (POSSIBLE) - It's not POSSIBLE to reach this hotel in winters
* The orchestra is looking for alternative accommodation. (ELSE) - The orchestra
is looking for SOMEWHERE ELSE to perform.
** The coach's tactics were directly responsible for the team's defeat.
(CONSEQUENCE) - The team lost AS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE of the coach's tactics.
* Who will inherit the estate? (HEIR) - Who is the HEIR TO the estate?
HEIR (to sth): người thừa kế
The bottle must not be laid on its side. (UPRIGHT) - The bottle must be KEPT/PLACED UPRIGHT. UPRIGHT: thẳng đứng
* He likes people to call him "Professor". (ADDRESSED) - He likes to be ADDRESSED AS "Professor".
There's no point in phoning Caroline - she's away. (TIME) - Don't WASTE YOUR
TIME phoning Caroline - she's away. * I'd rather we started at seven. - MY
PREFERENCE is for a 7 O'CLOCK START.
They are soon accustomed to swimming. - IT IS not long before they are accustomed to swimming.
Her success went beyond her expectation. - NEVER had she expected that she was so successful.
I would do anything to prevent him from going there. - THERE'S nothing I
wouldn't do to prevent him from going there.
* Tommy has given up his habit of playing truant. (GROWN) - Tommy has
GROWN OUT OF his habit of playing truant.
You must be aware that this kind of hard word will be harmful to your health.
(TELL) - You must be aware that this kind of hard work will TELL ON YOU. TELL ON SB
- if sth tells on you, it affects your health
We should use gasoline sparingly. (ECONOMIZE) - We should ECONOMIZE ON gasoline. ECONOMIZE ON STH - to use sth sparingly
After a long time lying there motionless, the poor old man has become conscious.
(COME) - After a long time lying there motionless, the poor old man has COME TO/AROUND. COME TO/AROUND - to become conscious again
Where did you happen to obtain this precious vase? (COME) - Where did you COME BY this precious vase? COME BY STH - to get sth by chance
She was so annoyed that Peter'd gone away. (RESENTED) - She RESENTED Peter's having gone away.
Very little money was raised by the charity appeal. (RESPONSE) - Very little
money was raised IN RESPONSE TO the charity appeal.
I wish he wouldn't keep asking about my personal life. (PRYING) - I wish he
wouldn't keep PRYING INTO my personal life. PRY INTO STH: tọc mạch - to probe into sth - to stick your nose into sth - to have a finger in the pie
She preferred not to get too involved with him. (DISTANCE) - She preferred to KEEP HER DISTANCE FROM him.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM SB: giữ khoảng cách
He very much surprised her when he said he loved her. (BREATH) - He TOOK
HER BREATH AWAY when he said he loved her. TAKE SB'S BREATH AWAY - to surprise sb very much
The bread was too stale to eat. (FRESH) - The bread was not FRESH enough to eat.
There is no way that young man can achieve success in this test. (BOUND) - That
young man is BOUND to fail in this test.
** It's unusual for Carol to get angry with her staff. (HARDLY) - Carol HARDLY
LOSES HER TEMPER WITH her staff.
They have been telling him that he should apply for this job. (ENCOURAGING) -
They have been ENCOURAGING him to apply for this job.
* It might be better if that paragraph was omitted. (LEAVE) - It might be better to LEAVE that paragraph OUT.
* To Alan's amazament the passport office was closed when he arrived. (FIND) -
Alan was amazed to FIND that the passport office was closed when he arrived.
** I've got to get a new computer. (NEED) - What I really NEED to get is a new computer.
The fact that the president had been a drug addict was not revealed until several
years later after his death. (LIGHT) - The fact that the president had been a drug
addict didn't COME TO LIGHT until several years later after his death.
* He started investigating this case a week ago. - HE HAS been investigating this case for a week.
* If there is an emergency, ring this number. - IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, ring this number.
Paul may not be very well but he still manages to enjoy life. - PAUL'S POOR
HEALTH doesn't prevent him from enjoying life.
He never thought of telling her. - IT NEVER OCCURRED TO HIM to tell her.
* Your silly questions distracted me. - YOU DROVE me to distraction WITH your silly questions.
She was just as good as they had thought. - She quite definitely CAME UP TO THEIR EXPECTATIONS.
COME UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS: đúng với kì vọng
* I offered to help her but she said "No, thanks". (TURNED) - She TURNED DOWN my offer of help. TURN STH DOWN - to refuse - to rebuff - to reject - to decline
*** He seemed to be worried about something. (IMPRESSION) - I GOT/HAD
THE IMPRESSION that something was worrying him.
My income doesn't enable me to meet all my financial commitments. - I can't meet
all my financial commitments with my income.
She had completely forgotten him. (MIND) - He had GONE OUT OF HER MIND. GO OUT OF YOUR MIND
- if sb/sth goes out of your mind, you forget that person/thing
Nobody does her any harm. (FINGER) - Nobody has LAID A FINGER ON HER.
LAY A FINGER ON SB: "đụng chạm" - to harm sb slightly
He was very surprised and shocked when seeing the sight of the plane crashing
into the World Trade Center. (ARMS) - He FLUNG UP HIS ARMS IN HORROR
when seeing the sight of the plane crashing into the World Trade Center.
FLING UP YOUR ARMS/HANDS IN HORROR
- to be extremely shocked and surprised
Confess everything to her and don't let it suppress you. (CHEST) - Confess
everything to her and GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST. GET STH OFF YOUR CHEST
- to talk about sth that's been worrying you - to confide in sb - to bare you heart/soul to sb
The children annoyed her a lot during the school holiday. (HAIR) - The children
GOT IN HER HAIR during the school holiday. GET IN SB'S HAIR - to annoy sb - to get on sb's nerves
- to get on sb's tits (offensive) - to get on sb's wick - to get up sb's nose - to get under sb's skin - to drive sb around the bend - to drive sb up the wall - to ruffle sb's feather - to raise sb's hackles - to cheese sb off
Everything she is wearing today is black. (TOE) - She's in black FROM TOP TO TOE.
IN BACK: wearing all black clothes
FROM TOP TO TOE: từ đầu đến chân
At least she got the director's attention and voiced her opinion. (EAR) - At least
she GAINED THE EAR OF the director and voiced her opinion. GAIN THE EAR OF SB - to get sb's attention
He tried to avoid getting into trouble because he had known the result. (NOSE) -
He tried to KEEP HIS NOSE CLEAN because he had known the result. KEEP YOUR NOSE CLEAN - to stay out of trouble
- to avoid getting into trouble
He suddenly decided foolishly to buy that big new car. (HEAD) - He suddenly
TOOK IT INTO HIS HEAD to buy that big new car.
TAKE IT INTO YOUR HEAD TO DO STH
- to suddenly decide to do something, often something silly or surprising
The minister's involvement in that corruption scandal has tarnished his reputation. -
The minister is UNDER A CLOUD FOR his INVOLVEMENT in that corruption scandal.
UNDER A CLOUD: mất tín nhiệm
- to not be trusted or popular because people think you have done something
badHis excuse for such behavior has little effect on her. (CUTS) - His excuse for
such behavior CUTS NO ICE WITH her. CUT NO ICE WITH SB
- to not effect sb in the least
I wonder what's ever happened to the people living next door. They keep
quarreling. (BECOME) - I wonder what's ever BECOME OF the people living
next door. They keep quarreling. BECOME OF SB/STH
- if you ask what became of someone or something, you want to know where they are and what happened to them
You look as though you needed a good rest. (DO WITH) - You look as though you COULD DO WITH a good rest.
* It looks as if Owen's injuries aren't very serious. - Owen's injuries don't SEEM very serious.
The thriller wasn't so interesting as we had expected. (MATCH) - The thriller
didn't MATCH UP TO OUR EXPECTATIONS. MATCH UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS
- to live up to your expectations
We intended to buy that house but we changed out mind when we met the
neighbors. (THOUGHTS) - We HAD SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT buying
that house when we met the neighbors.
HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS (about sth) - to change your mind
She was seen having lunch with him and everyone misunderstood her. (JUMPED)
- She was seen having lunch with him and everyone JUMPED TO THE WRONG CONCLUSION. JUMP TO THE WRONG CONCLUSION - to misunderstand sb/sth - to make wrong decisions - to conclude wrongly
Don't run away with the idea that this job is easy. (CONCLUSION) - Don't JUMP
TO CONCLUSIONS that this job is easy.
I really regret to have lost the opportunity to get the promotion. (BOAT) - I really
regret to have MISSED THE BOAT to get the promotion. MISS THE BOAT - to lose an opportunity
My father's going to be really angry when he finds out that I've failed again. - My
father's going to GO UP THE WALL when he finds out that I've failed again. GO UP THE WALL - to blow your top/lid/stack - to hit the roof/ceiling - to see red - to go postal - to go spare - to go bananas - to go ape - to go ballistic
* The challenger just wasn't talented enough to provide a good contest with the
reigning champion. (MATCH) - The challenger was just NO MATCH FOR the reigning champion.
His second attempt on the world record was successful. - HE BROKE the world record AT his second attempt. - AT THE FIRST/SECOND ATTEMPT - IN AN ATTEMPT TO DO STH
* The people who get there first get all the job. (SERVED) - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
The manager told his staff that he was pleased, but they could do better. (ROOM) -
The manager told his staff that he was pleased, but there was ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
- a possibility or hope that someone or something will improve
The news of his death was such a shock that it hasn't been fully understood yet. -
The news of his death was such a shock that it hasn't SUNK IN yet.
There seem to be fewer people now and slightly more jobs. (NUMBER) - The
NUMBER of people seems fewer and of jobs seems to have slightly RISEN.
My impression of him was that he was a very capable person. (STRUCK) - He
STRUCK me AS a very capable person.
It is her father who is Italian. (HALF) - He is HALF-Italian on his father's side.
Playing an instrument is fun, and so is reading a comic. - IT'S JUST the same fun
for both playing an instrument and reading a comic.
* Councillor Williamson proposed that the cost of boat rides be increased from 10p
to 15p. - A RISE of 5P in the cost of boat rides was proposed by Councillor Williamson.
He sounds as if he's spent all his life abroad. - HE GIVES the impression of having spent all his life abroad.
* "I'm in a bit of a hurry, but I will ring you tomorrow", he said. - HE SAID HE
WAS A bit PRESSED FOR TIME, but that he would ring me the other day.
*** My car has never broken down on a motorway before. - I'VE NEVER had my
car BREAK down on a motorway before.
The children are in disgrace for being so badly behaved. - The children are
UNDER A CLOUD BECAUSE OF their bad behavior.
If interest rates are cut, the economic situation may improve. (REDUCTION) - A
REDUCTION in the interest rates may improve the economic situation.
The full amount will have to be paid when you book. (NECESSARY) - It is
NECESSARY to pay the full amount when you book.
He was too proud to admit that he was wrong. (PRIDE) - He had too much PRIDE to admit that he was wrong.
Out hotel booking hasn't been confirmed. (CONFIRMATION) - We haven't
received the CONFIRMATION of our hotel booking yet.
It is better to be content with something one has. (BIRD) - A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH.
It really puts an end to her plans. (GOOSE) - It really COOKS HER GOOSE. COOK SB'S GOOSE - to spoil sth
- to prevent sb/sth from being successful
The man is facing danger boldly. (BULL) - The man is TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS. TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS
- to do sth difficult bravely and determinedly
* The old castle has been ruined. (DOGS) - The old castle has GONE TO THE DOGS. GO TO THE DOGS - to go to ruin - to be less successful
* That young man used to be a drug addict. (MONKEY) - That young man used to HAVE A MONKEY ON HIS BACK. HAVE A MONKEY ON YOUR BACK - to be drug-addicted
* That guy was a secret enemy. (SNAKE) - The guy was a SNAKE IN THE GRASS. SNAKE IN THE GRASS
- a person that cannot be trusted
* He's got hoarse voice (FROG) - He's got FROG IN HIS THROAT. HAVE/GET A FROG IN YOUR THROAT - to have a hoarse voice
Nowadays goods are often acquired but not paid immediately. (CREDIT) -
Nowadays goods are BOUGHT ON CREDIT. BUY STH ON CREDIT: mua thiếu
* We never purchase small quantities as we would make less profit. (BULK) - We
always buy in BULK as we would make more profit.
Books on animal disease in outer Mongolia are not exactly best-sellers. (CALL) -
There is not much CALL FOR books on animal disease in outer Mongolia. CALL FOR STH - demand for sth
* What you have done is inexcusable. (AMENDS) - It is impossible to MAKE AMENDS FOR what you have done.
The new equipment means that the work can be done more safely. (THANKS) -
THANKS TO the new equipment, the work can be done more safely.
* In what way was his evidence important? (SIGNIFICANCE) - What was the SIGNIFICANCE of his evidence?
They sent him to prison for 3 years. (SENTENCED) - He was SENTENCED to 3 years in prison/imprisonment.
He was so overcome with emotion that he didn't know what to say. (WORDS) - He
was so overcome with emotion that he was AT A LOSS FOR WORDS.
I always try to be optimistic about things. (BRIGHT) - I always try to LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE (of things). LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
- to find good things in a bad situation
After my divorce, she helped me recover. (PIECES) - After my divorce, she helped me PICK UP THE PIECES. PICK UP THE PIECES (of sth)
- to try to repair emotional, financial, or other damage done to one's life
* Harriet was upset because she saw Peter with another woman. - IT was because
she saw Peter with another woman that upset her.
* When a policeman appeared at the door I was pretty taken aback. - IMAGINE
my surprise when a policeman appeared at the door.
* The prosecution have a very weak case since they cannot produce sufficient
evidence. - UNLESS the prosecution can produce sufficient evidence, they have a weak case.
* I saw a television programme last month which was very similar to this one. -
This television programme BEARS A STRONG RESEMBLANCE to the one I saw last month.
* Because of the delay we missed our connecting flight. (MEANT) - The delay
MEANT we missed our connecting flight.
** The 1970s saw the rise to fame of rock musician Rich Wakeman. - Rock
musician Rick Wakeman MADE A NAME FOR HIMSELF in the 1970s.
A good example of an out-of-this-world experience is the Cirque Surreal.
(EXEMPLIFIES) - The Cirque Surreal EXEMPLIFIES an out-of-this-world experience.
He drove at full speed to catch the robber. - HE DROVE AS fast as HE COULD to catch the robber.
English interests me, while other languages don't. - To me, English is THE MOST
INTERESTING OF all other languages.
Attendance at the exhibition has been down this year. - THE EXHIBITION has not been WELL-ATTENDED this year.
We weren't surprised by his success. - IT CAME AS NO SURPRISE TO US that he HAD succeeded.
** I can't understand how this new computer works. - This new computer works IN A WAY I can't understand.
* There were no volunteers for the school concert. (TAKE) - Nobody OFFERED
to TAKE PART IN the school concert.
* The global interest in physical exercise has been a great boon to the leisure
industry. (FROM) - The leisure industry has GREATLY BENEFITED FROM the
global interest in physical exercise.
When I saw Jim it suddenly dawned on me how much he must have suffered.
(HOME) - Seeing Jim suddenly BROUGHT IT HOME TO ME how much he must have suffered. BRING STH HOME TO SB - to make sb understand sth - to make sb realize sth
* An automatic gear box is a feature of two different models of this car. (WHICH)
- There are two models of this car, BOTH OF WHICH have an automatic gear box.
You aren't allowed to smoke on the tube. (BAN) - There is a BAN ON smoking on the tube.
Don't eat so many sweets and don't have to visit the dentist so often. (SAVE) -
Eating fewer sweets will SAVE you HAVING to visit the dentist so often. SAVE SB DOING STH - to save sb from doing sth
From the educational point of view, his childhood years had been well spent.
(TERMS) - IN TERMS OF EDUCATION, his childhood years had been well spent.
The ships were hardly visible through the thick fog. (MAKE) - You could hardly
MAKE OUT the ships through the thick fog.
The calculator I've got doesn't need a battery. (OWN) - My OWN calculator doesn't need a battery.
What on earth are you doing here at this time? (WHATEVER) - WHATEVER are you doing here at this time?
WHATEVER: used to add emphasis to a phrase, expressing surprise
It's very important for me to know the answer. (SIMPLY) - I SIMPLY MUST know the answer.
You can borrow my bike if you are in a hurry. (MIND) - I WOULDN'T MIND
lending you my bike if you are in a hurry.
We lost the game because of my mistake. (FAULT) - It was my FAULT that we lost the game.
You must submit articles for the magazine by June 18th. - THE DEADLINE for
you to submit articles for the magazine is by June 18th.
"Much obliged", he said as I opened the door for him. - He THANKED me as I opened the door for him. MUCH OBLIGED (to sb) - to thank sb
He wants to marry her, but his family is an insuperable obstacle. - His family is an
obstacle to his marriage that he can't OVERCOME. INSUPERABLE - too great to overcome
It was a RED-LETTER day. - That day was a MEMORABLE one for me.
RED-LETTER DAY: a day of happiness; a memorable day
It is one hundred years since the birth of D.H Lawrence, the famous novelist. -
D.H. LAWRENCE, the famous novelist, was born one hundred years ago.
* He pretended to be enjoying himself, but he wasn't really. (AS) - He ACTED AS
IF he was enjoying himself, but he wasn't really.
He was wrong in presuming that I could pay for it. (PRESUMPTION) - His
PRESUMPTION was WRONG that I could pay for it.
* She has never flown before. (FIRST) - This is the FIRST time she has travelled by air.
Gunman kills 3 people in Bank Drama. - A man with a gun HAS killed 3 people in Bank Drama.
** Riddle of missing heiress solved. - The police have solved the PROBLEM of the heiress who disappeared.
His appearance was completely unexpected. - His appearance was BEYOND EXPECTATION.
His story is far from true. - His story is FALSE.
He didn't think much of the musical show yesterday. (OPINION) - He HAVE A
LOW/POOR/BAD OPINION OF the musical show yesterday.
HAVE A LOW/POOR/BAD OPINION OF SB/STH
- to not think highly of sb/sth - to take a dim view of sb/sth
- to not appreciate/depreciate sb/sth
The concert was not as good as he had hoped. (EXPECTATIONS) - The concert
FAILED TO/DIDN'T LIVE UP TO HIS EXPECTATIONS.
He is said to be a very good violinist. (REPUTATION) - He HAS THE
REPUTATION OF being a very good violinist.
*** Both children and adults will enjoy the concert. (ALIKE) - Children and adults ALIKE will enjoy the concert.
He told me that it was wrong of me to leave early. - He CRITICIZED me FOR having left early.
Couldn't you have got a bus to the station? - WASN'T it POSSIBLE for you to get a bus to the station?
I don't normally go into town by car. - I am not USED TO going into town by car.
Before he had the car, he went to work by bike. - BEFORE HE HAD THE CAR, he USED TO go to work by bike.
It is increasingly difficult for me to read without my glasses. - I AM finding it
increasingly difficult to read without my glasses.
It seems to me that her playing has developed amazingly in the past year. (SEEMS)
- Her playing SEEMS to have developed amazingly in the past year.
This is the worst production of this play I have ever seen. (BAD) - I have never
seen such a BAD production of this play before.
The person who encouraged me the most at school was my French teacher.
(ENCOURAGEMENT) - The person who GAVE ME THE MOST
ENCOURAGEMENT at school was my French teacher.
*** The motorbike just only missed the dog. (SPARE) - The motorbike passed the dog WITH INCHES TO SPARE. WITH INCHES TO SPARE - very close
We are making no progress with convincing fishermen not to kill dolphins.
(NOWHERE) - We are GETTING NOWHERE with convincing fishermen not to kill dolphins. GETTING NOWHERE - making no progress
A child saw a lizard in trouble and ran to help it. (RESCUE) - A child saw a lizard
in trouble and CAME TO ITS RESCUE. COME TO MY RESCUE - to rescue me
** He thought Marry disliked safaris so he was surprised when she said she was
coming. (SURPRISE) - He thought Marry disliked safaris but TO HIS SURPRISE, she said she was coming.
If you don't book early, you risk not finding accomodation. (CHANCE) - If you
don't book early, THERE'S A CHANCE you will not find accomodation.
* He almost killed himself when he fell off the roof. (LUCKY) - He had a LUCKY
ESCAPE when he fell off the roof.
Fares will be very likely to go up again. - IT LOOKS as if fares would go up again.
Someone has suggested abolishing income tax. - IT has been suggested that income tax BE abolished.
* "Don't you dare to touch that vase?" - the curator warned the children. - THE
CHILDREN were REMINDED not to touch that vase by the curator.
** "Must you go soon? It's only 9 o'clock". - CAN'T YOU go a bit later?