Thành ngữ là những cách nói được rất nhiều người dùng để diễn đạt một ý nghĩa nào đó, vì vậy nếu lạm dụng sẽ gây ra sự nhàm chán. Thành ngữ được người bản xứ dùng nhiều trong văn nói. Bạn cần biết ít nhất là tất cả những thành ngữ sau để có thể hiểu được người bản xứ nói gì vì thành ngữ có đôi khi không thể đoán nghĩa được dựa trên nghĩa đen của các từ trong đó.
A drop in the bucket= hạt muối bỏ biển Id like to do something to change the world but whatever I do seems likea drop in the bucket.
A fool and his money are easily parted= 1 kẻ ngốc không giữ được tiền lâu Example: Her husband cant seem to hold onto any amount of money; he either spends it or loses it.A fool and his money are easily parted.
A penny saved is a penny earned= 1 xu tiết kiệm cũng như 1 xu làm ra Im going to give you $20 but I want you to put it in the bank;a penny saved is a penny earned!
A piece of cake= dễ như ăn cháo Do you think you will win your tennis match today? Answer: It will bea piece of cake.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder= sự vắng mặt làm tình yêu ngọt ngào hơn The time we spend apart has been good for us;absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Actions speak louder than words= hành động có giá trị hơn lời nói Dont tell me how to do this; show me!Actions speak louder than words.
Add fuel to the fire= thêm dầu vào lửa I would like to do something to help, but I dont want toadd fuel to the fire.
It is all greek to me.= Tôi chẳng hiểu gì cả. (ám chỉ chữ viết hoặc tiếng nói) Did you understand what he just said? Reply: Nope. It wasall Greekto me.
All thumbs= vụng về, hậu đậu Hey! You are pouring my coffee on the table! Reply: Oh, Im so sorry! I have beenall thumbstoday.
Cost an arm and a leg= trả 1 cái giá cắt cổ, tốn rất nhiều tiền Be careful with that watch; it cost mean arm and a leg.
Arm in arm= tay trong tay What a nice afternoon. We walkedarm in armalong the beach for hours.
Beating around the bush= vòng vo tam quốc If you want to ask me, just ask; dontbeat around the bush.
Better late than never= thà trễ còn hơn không Sorry I was late for the meeting today; I got stuck in traffic. Answer: Thats okay;better late than never.
Between a rock and a hard place= đứng giữa 2 lựa chọn khó khăn Id like to help you but I am stuckbetween a rock and a hard place.
Birds of a feather flock together= ngưu tầm ngưu, mã tầm mã Look; the volleyball players are eating at the same table together, as always. Answer: Birds of a feather flock together.
Bite off more than you can chew= không lượng sức I thought I could finish this report within one month, but it looks like I havebitten off more than I can chew.
Bite your tongue= cố gắng im lặng Whenever that professor says something I dont like, I have tobite my tongue.
Blood is thicker than water = 1 giọt máu đào hơn ao nước lã When my best friend and my brother got in a fight I had to help my brother;blood is thicker than water.
Burn your bridges= đốt cầu của mình, tức là tự làm mất đi cơ hội của mình I wish you hadnt been rude to that man just now; he is very important in this town and you shouldnt go aroundburning bridges.
Burning the candle at both ends= vắt kiệt sức ra để làm việc Ever since this new project started I have beenburning the candle at both ends. I cant take much more of it.
Call it off= hủy bỏ Tonights game wascalled offbecause of the rain.
Cross your fingers= động tác được tin là sẽ đem lại sự may mắn Letscross our fingersand hope for the best!
Curiosity killed the cat= sự tò mò có thể rất nguy hiểm Hey, I wonder whats down that street; it looks awfully dark and creepy. Answer: Lets not try to find out.Curiosity killed the cat.
Dont count your chickens until theyre hatched= trứng chưa nở đã đếm gà Next Friday I will be able to pay you back that money I owe you. Answer: I wont becounting my chickens
Dont put all your eggs in one basket= đừng bỏ tất cả trứng vào 1 rổ, tức hãy chia đều những nguy cơ ra nhiều nơi để giảm rủi ro The best way to gamble is to only bet small amounts of money and neverput all your eggs in one basket.
From rags to riches= từ nghèo khổ trở thành cự phú My uncle is a realrags to richesstory.
Get over it= vượt qua, qua khỏi I was very sick yesterday, but Igot over itquickly.
Great minds think alike= tư tưởng lớn gặp nhau I have decided that this summer I am going to learn how to scuba dive. Answer: Me too! I have already paid for the course.Great minds think alike!
Have no idea= không hề biết, không có khái niệm nào I cant find my keys. Ihave no ideawhere I put them.
It takes two to tango= có lửa mới có khói Her husband is awful; they fight all the time. Answer: It takes two to tango.
Keep an eye on= xem chừng, trông chừng, để mắt đến I have to run to the bathroom. Can youkeep an eye onmy suitcase while I am gone?
Let sleeping dogs lie= đừng gợi lại những chuyện không hay I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better tolet sleeping dogs lie.
Neither a borrower, nor a lender be = đừng cho mượn tiền, cũng đừng mượn tiền Could you lend me twenty dollars? Answer: Sorry,neither a borrower nor a lender be.
Never bite the hand that feeds you= đừng bao giờ cắn vào bàn tay đã đút cho ta ăn We have been your best customers for years. How could you suddenly treat us so rudely? You shouldnever bite the hand that feeds you.
Off the hook= đỡ mệt, đỡ phiền, càng khỏe Youre lucky; it turns out that Dad never heard you come in late last night. Answer: Great, that means Imoff the hook!
Everybody is on the same page= mọi người đều hiểu vấn đề Before we make any decisions today, Id like to make sure that everyone ison the same page.
Out of sight, out of mind= xa mặt cách lòng I meant to read that book, but as soon as I put it down, I forgot about it. Answer: Out of sight, out of mind.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones= bản thân mình không đúng thì đừng chê người khác sai Look at what time it is you are late again! Answer: Hey, how often are you not on time?People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Practice makes perfect= càng tập luyện nhiều càng giỏi You see how quickly you are getting better at the piano!Practice makes perfect!
Put your foot in your mouth= tự há miệng mắc quai, nói lỡ lời Lets all be very careful what we say at the meeting tomorrow. I dont want anyoneputting their foot in their mouth.
Rome was not built in one day= Thành La Mã không phải được xây trong 1 ngày It is taking me a long time to write this computer program. Answer: Rome was not built in one day.
Rub salt in an old wound= Xát muối vào vết thương chưa lành Oh please, lets notrub salt in old wounds!
Second nature= việc dễ dàng It has always beensecond naturefor me to draw with both hands.
Start from scratch= bắt đầu từ đầu, bắt đầu từ con số không How are you going to build your business? Answer: Just like everyone else does:starting from scratch.
The pros and cons= những mặt lợi và những mặt hại Ive consideredthe pros and consand Ive decided: it is going to be expensive, but I still want to go to college.
The straw that broke the camels back= giọt nước làm tràn ly Youve been rude to me all day, and Ive had it. Thatsthe last straw!
The writing on the wall= tín hiệu rõ ràng báo hiệu sự thay đổi Cant you seethe writing on the wall?
Third wheel = kẻ dư thừa, kỳ đà cản mũi You two go on ahead without me. I dont want to bethe third wheel.
Tie the knot= kết hôn Did you hear about Dan and Jenny? They finally decided totie the knot!
Turn over a new leaf= quyết tâm thay đổi cuộc đời Imturning over a new leaf; Ive decided to quit smoking.
Two wrongs dont make a right = hai cái sai không làm nên 1 cái đúng That boy pushed me yesterday and I am going to get him back today! Answer: No you are not!Two wrongs do not make a right.
Under the weather= không khỏe trong người, bị bệnh nhẹ do thời tiết Whats wrong? Answer: Im a bitunder the weather.
Up against= đương đầu với We have beenup againststronger opponents in the past.
Water under the bridge= chuyện đã qua rồi Arent you still angry about what he said? Answer: No, that was a long time ago. Its allwater under the bridge.
When in rome, do as the romans do= nhập gia tùy tục Are you sure we should eat this with our hands? Answer: Why not? All of these people are eating it that way.When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
When Pigs Fly= còn khuya, không bao giờ có chuyện đó đâu Would you ever take her on a date? Answer: Sure-when pigs fly!
Without a doubt= chắc chắn, không còn nghi ngờ gì nữa Are you going to watch the game tomorrow? Answer: Without a doubt!
Word of mouth= sự truyền miệng Where did you hear about that? Answer: Justword of mouth.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush= một con chim trong tay có giá trị hơn hai con chim trên trời Dan has asked me to go to a party with him. What if my boyfriend finds out? Reply: Dont go.A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Như vậy các bạn đã học qua 60 thành ngữ tiếng Anh thông dụng nhất. Hãy thử áp dụng vài thành ngữ này trong lần nói tiếng Anh sắp tới nhé! Hãy comment thành ngữ nào bạn chưa hiểu hoặc thích nhất nhé!
