Thaân Taëng Hieàn Theâ Phan Thò Theå Taàn, Ngöôøi Ñaõ Ñoùng Goùp Nhieàu Coâng Söùc Trong Vieäc Thaønh Hình Quyeån Saùch Naøy

EEnngglliisshh IIddiioommss Thaønh ngöõ tieáng Anh

Traàn Ngoïc Duïng Linguistics, TESOL Translation, Lexicography

Tuû Saùch Tinh Hoa Vieät Nam 2013

English Idioms – Thaønh ngöõ tieáng Anh by Traàn Ngoïc Duïng ISBN 0-9755502-4-1

Thaân taëng hieàn theâ Phan Thò Theå Taàn, ngöôøi ñaõ ñoùng goùp nhieàu coâng söùc trong vieäc thaønh hình quyeån saùch naøy.

LÔØI GIÔÙI THIEÄU

Thaønh ngöõ laø gì? Khi ñoïc moät caâu maø trong ñoù töøng töø rieâng reõ baïn raát quen thuoäc nhöng baïn vaãn khoâng hieåu yù nghóa cuûa noù laø gì, baïn neân nghó ngay raèng ngöôøi ta ñaõ duøng thaønh ngöõ ñeå dieãn taû noù. Chaúng haïn nhö ñoaïn vaên sau ñaây: Sam is a real cool cat. He never blows his stack and hardly ever flies off the handle. What's more, he knows how to get away with things ... Well, of course, he is getting on, too. His hair is pepper and salt, but he knows how to make up for lost time by taking it easy. He gets up early, works out, and turns in early. He takes care of the hot dog stand like a breeze until he gets time off. Sam's got it made; this is it for him. (A Dictionary of American Idioms, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., (1987:vi) Ñoaïn treân khoâng mang yù nghóa vaên chöông cao sieâu naøo caû, ngöôïc laïi trong thöôøng ñaøm ngöôøi Myõ hay söû duïng loaïi “töø ngöõ laï tai” naøy. Do ñoù neáu hieåu cool (maùt me’û; cat ‘con meøo’; blow ‘thoåi maïnh’; stack laø moät (ñoáng’ (gì ñoù); fly ‘bay’; handle (caùi tay naém’; v chaéc chaén baïn khoâng theå hieåu ñöôïc moät caùch thaáu ñaùo noäi dung nhöõng maãu chuyeän ngöôøi baûn ngöõ noùi vôùi nhau. Vì vaäy—tuyø theo thôøi gian vaø hoaøn caûnh—thaønh ngöõ thöôøng aån döôùi caùc töø ngöõ raát thoâng duïng nhöng yù nghóa cuûa caùc töø naøy muoán dieãn taû khoâng theå tìm thaáy trong caùc töø ñieån loaïi thoâng duïng. Töø ñoaïn vaên treân, chuùng ta coù theå “dòch” laïi nhö sau: Sam is really a calm person. He never loses control of himself; he hardly ever becomes very angry. Furthermore, he knows how to manage his business financially by using a few tricks... Needless to say, he is also getting older. His hair is beginning to turn gray, but he knows how to compensate for wasted time by relaxing. He rises early, exercises, and goes to bed early. He manages his frankfurter stand without visible effort, until it is s.o. else's turn to work there. Sam is successful; he has reached his life's goal. (Sam quaû thaät laø moät ngöôøi traàm tónh. Anh luùc naøo cuõng töø toán vaø khoâng heà bieát giaän ai. Theâm vaøo ñoù, veà phöông dieän taøi chaùnh, anh bieát tieán haønh coâng vieäc baèng nhöõng maùnh lôùi rieâng ... Khoâng caàn phaûi noùi, anh cuõng giaø ñi nhö moïi ngöôøi. Toùc anh moãi ngaøy moät baïc theâm nhöng anh bieát buø ñaép cho thôøi gian ñaõ maát baèng caùch nghæ ngôi. Anh thöùc daäy sôùm, taäp theå duïc, vaø thöôøng ñi nguû sôùm. Anh quaûn trò caùi quaøy baùnh mì xuùc-xích (hot dog) raát coù hieäu quaû nhöng khoâng ai bieát maõi cho ñeán khi sang cho chuû khaùc ngöôøi ta môùi hay. Sam quaû ñaõ thaønh coâng; anh ñaõ ñaït ñöôïc muïc tieâu cuûa ñôøi mình.) Thaønh ngöõ tieáng Anh, ñaëc bieät taïi Hoa kyø, raát phong phuù. Moät phaàn laø do nhu caàu vaø möùc ñoä phaùt trieån taïi Hoa kyø raát nhanh. Trong tieán trình thaønh hình vaø phaùt trieån yù nieäm môùi, thay vì taïo theâm nhöõng töø ngöõ ñeå dieãn ñaït, ngöôøi Myõ du nhaäp hoaëc söû duïng nhöõng töø ngöõ “cuõ” coù saün vôùi nghóa “môùi”. Töông töï, ngöôøi Hoa duøng töø-ngöõ maê shaøng “ñi ngöïa” ñeå noùi yù “nhanh choùng”. Taïi sao coù chuyeän nhö vaäy? Neáu truy nguyeân, chuùng ta thaáy raèng thôøi xöa chöa coù phöông tieän di chuyeån naøo nhanh hôn ñi ngöïa, do ñoù, neáu nghe noùi:“Hurry up! We must go on a horseback. “Nhanh leân! Chuùng ta phaûi ñi baèng ngöïa (môùi nhanh ñöôïc).” Khoâng caùch naøo khaùc hôn, muoán hieåu trieät ñeå, chuùng ta caàn laøm quen vôùi caùch dieãn ñaït ñoù. Töông töï, tieáng Anh coù caâu: Oh, well, the die is cast! [Nghóa ñen: (OÀ thoâi roài, vieân suùc saéc ñaõ ñöôïc ñuùc!’ Nhöng yù cuûa noù khoâng phaûi vaäy. Ñoù laø “Thoâi thì vaùn ñaõ ñoùng thuyeàn!” Hai tieáng Oh, well (cuõng nhö ‘thoâi thì’ cuûa tieáng Vieät) ñeàu mang yù nghóa “ñaønh chaáp nhaän” vaø die is cast töông ñöông vôùi “vaùn ñaõ ñoùng thuyeàn” noùi ñeán moät “söï ñaõ roài”. Xuaát xöù cuûa the die is cast coù töø thôøi Caesar khi oâng vöôït soâng Rubicon, môû maøn cuoäc chieán vôùi Pompey naêm 49 tröôùc coâng nguyeân. Vôùi ngöõ nguyeân cuûa noù töông ñöông vôùi Kinh Kha qua soâng Dòch: “moät ñi khoâng trôû laïi”. Theá nhöng neáu chæ hoïc thuoäc loøng caùc thaønh ngöõ, caùc baïn chöa chaéc ñaõ söû duïng döôïc moät caùch chính xaùc. Toát hôn heát caùc baïn phaûi nghe ngöôøi baûn ngöõ söû duïng moät ñoâi laàn trong ngöõ caûnh naøo ñoù. Chôù neân voäi vaõ duøng lieàn maø phaûi naém vöõng caên baûn ngöõ phaùp vaø meïo luaät vaên phaïm. Sau moät vaøi laàn nghe ngöôøi ta söû duïng vaø naém chaéc ñöôïc caùch duøng, caùc baïn neân duøng thöû. Chaúng haïn nhö khi coù ngöôøi môøi baïn choïn moät moùn gì ñoù. Baïn loay hoay moät hoài laâu vaø choïn ñöôïc moät moùn vöøa yù. Luùc aáy baïn seõ nhuùn vai vaø noùi: Oh, well, the die is cast. Neáu ngöôøi baûn ngöõ nhìn baïn, thoâng caûm vaø hoûi laïi: What do you mean by that? “Baïn noùi vaäy laø coù nghóa gì?” Baïn seõ giaûi thích I have decided to take it. Nhö vaäy baïn ñaõ thaønh coâng trong vieäc aùp duïng “thaønh ngöõ” vaøo sinh hoaït roài! Toùm laïi, duøng thaønh ngöõ khoâng khoù nhöng cuõng khoâng phaûi deã daøng. Vì vaäy caàn phaûi caån thaän naém vöõng yù-nghóa cuûa noù trong ngöõ caûnh söû duïng neáu khoâng baïn seõ laøm cho ngöôøi nghe bò chaïm töï aùi vaø raát deã gaây hieåu nhaàm. Ñeå laøm quen vôùi vieäc söû duïng thaønh ngöõ tieáng Anh, môøi quyù vò duøng quyeån Thaønh ngöõ tieáng Vieät–Vietnamese Idioms ñöôïc trình baøy theo hình thöùc song ngöõ Anh-Vieät, goàm nhöõng thaønh ngöõ thoâng duïng haøng ngaøy do cuøng taùc giaû bieân soaïn. Chuùng toâi hy voïng saùch naøy seõ giuùp laøm giaøu theâm kho taøng töø vöïng vaø naâng cao khaû naêng söû duïng ngoân ngöõ cuûa quyù vò vaø caùc baïn. Chuùng toâi cuõng raát mong nhaän ñöôïc nhöõng goùp yù pheâ bình cuûa quyù vò ñoäc giaû xa gaàn veà nhöõng thieáu soùt hay sai laïc maø chaéc chaén theá naøo cuõng coù ñeå nhöõng laàn taùi baûn veà sau seõ ñöôïc hoaøn haûo hôn.

Trần Ngọc Dụng Thaønh ngöõ tieáng Anh CAÙCH DUØNG THAØNH NGÖÕ ANH-MYÕ

Hieåu theo YÙ, khoâng hieåu theo LÔØI. Ñaây laø “ñieåm then choát”. Quyeån Thaønh ngöõ Anh-Myõ naøy raát boå ích cho nhöõng ai noùi tieáng Anh laø sinh ngöõ thöù hai, cho sinh vieân-hoïc sinh, vaø cho nhöõng ngöôøi môùi nhaäp cö Hoa kyø. Nhöõng töø ñôn, töø-ngöõ, meänh ñeà ñeán töøng caâu ñeàu mang yù nghóa rieâng bieät, khoâng theå “dòch saùt nghóa” nhö thoâng thöôøng. Khi duøng saùch naøy caùc baïn seõ gaëp nhieàu chöõ raát quen thuoäc. Nhôø ñoù caùc baïn seõ hieåu roõ hôn veà caùc thaønh ngöõ khaùc, chaúng haïn nhö: by return mail, by word of mouth, come to age, fly in the ointment, make s.o.’s blood boil, etc., phaàn coøn laïi laø nhöõng thaønh ngöõ khaù xa laï vôùi nhieàu baïn. Trong khi coá gaéng chuyeån töø tieáng Anh sang tieáng Vieät chuùng toâi luoân tìm caùch tìm “thaønh ngöõ töông ñoàng” nhöng vaãn coá yù trình baøy khía caïnh dò bieät giöõa hai ngoân ngöõ. Do ñoù trong moãi töø muïc quyù vò seõ thaáy caâu saùt nghóa nhaát (ñöôïc duøng laïi ngay trong thí duï ñaàu tieân) vaø nghóa töông ñöông (trong caùc thí duï sau.) Moät soá töø muïc naøo coù nhieàu caùch noùi khaùc nhau, chuùng toâi ñeàu lieät keâ ngay sau ñoù vaø ñöôïc bieåu thò baèng moät gaïch cheùo ( / ). Chaúng haïn nhö bone/crown to pick (lyù do gaây ra tranh chaáp) thì neân nhôù ñoù laø bone to pick hoaëc crown to pick. Hay s.o./something töùc laø s.o. or s.t.. Veà caùc thí duï, thöôøng coù hai caâu cho moãi töø muïc maø ña soá mang daùng daáp caùch nghó cuûa ngöôøi Vieät. Thí duï: One man's meat is another man's poison. coù nghóa noâm na laø “Cuøng moät thöù maø keû thích gaät guø, ngöôøi cheâ giaãy naãy.” Moät soá caâu khaùc cuõng coù nghóa dò bieät vôùi nhöõng saùch ñaõ xuaát baûn tröôùc ñaây. Thí duï: Caâu Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. Thay vì thöôøng thaáy döïa theo caâu tuïc ngöõ Vieät nam laø “Chöa ñoå oâng ngheø chôù ñe haøng toång.” Nay xin ñoåi laïi laø “Ñöøng noùi tröôùc böôùc khoâng rôøi.” thì saùt yù hôn.

Töø ngöõ duøng trong saùch Thaønh Ngöõ tieáng Anh TÖØ-NGÖÕ DUØNG TRONG SAÙCH NAØY

Nhö caùc loaïi saùch khaùc, Thaønh ngöõ tieáng Anh cuõng duøng nhöõng töø-ngöõ thoâng thöôøng vaø caáu truùc ñôn giaûn. Tuy nhieân quyù vò vaø caùc baïn seõ gaëp khaù nhieàu synonym “töø ñoàng nghóa”. Thænh thoaûng cuõng coù nhöõng archaic “töø coå”—thöôøng thaáy duøng trong caùc saùch xöa nhö saùch kinh vaø caùc taùc phaåm cuûa Shakespeare. Vaø sau cuøng laø dialect “thoå aâm, thoå ngöõ”– töùc laø tieáng ñòa phöông. Taát caû ñeàu ñöôïc söû duïng raõi raùc trong saùch vôùi muïc ñích duy nhaát: trình baøy trung thöïc yù muoán dieãn ñaït.” Vaán ñeà duøng töø-ngöõ trong tieáng Vieät cuõng neân nhaéc ñeán ôû ñaây. Traûi qua nhieàu bieán coá ñaõ doàn daäp xaûy ra treân ñaát nöôùc chuùng ta, söï lieân laïc giöõa caùc mieàn Baéc - Nam - Trung nhôø vaäy ñaõ moät phaùt trieån maïnh meõ hôn neân chuùng ta khoâng gaëp trôû ngaïi trong vieäc duøng tieáng Nam, tieáng Trung hay tieáng Baéc. Ngöôïc laïi söï söû duïng ñang moãi luùc moät phong phuù vaø chan hoaø. Tuy nhieân veà vaên phong chuùng toâi choïn caùch dieãn yù ngaén goïn nhöng vaãn coá duy trì ôû trình ñoä trung bình; nghóa laø khoâng quaù ñôn giaûn vaø cuõng khoâng caàu kyø. Vaø caàn löu yù veà moät vaøi töø-ngöõ Haùn-Vieät. Tuy döïa treân tinh thaàn laáy loái thuaàn-Vieät laøm caên baûn, chuùng toâi vaãn duøng nhieàu töø ngöõ goác Haùn ñaõ coù töø laâu ñôøi (chöù khoâng tieáng Hoa, laïi khoâng phaûi loaïi töø-ngöõ môùi vay möôïn sau naøy) vì ba lyù do: Thöù nhaát töø- ngöõ goác Haùn mang moät yù nghóa khaùc hôn so vôùi töø tieáng Vieät thuaàn tuyù. Thí duï: “voâ giaù” tieáng Anh: invaluable” trong khi “khoâng coù giaù trò” thì trôû thaønh valueless. Cuõng nhö khoâng theå thay moät nhaân vaät/con ngöôøi vó ñaïi baèng ... con ngöôøi to lôùn trong That is a great figure ñöôïc. Thöù hai töø-ngöõ goác Haùn coù caùch dieãn ñaït moät phaàn cuûa tieáng Vieät. Chaúng haïn nhö chuùng ta gheùp öu tö vaøo vôùi nhau thaønh moät ñeå noùi leân “söï lo laéng vöôït quaù söùc cuûa cuûa ngöôøi ñang suy nghó”. Vì öu laø “coá suy nghó cho ra” trong khi tö “lo toan sao cho xong vieäc” hay “suy nghó veà ñieàu gì” (trong khaû naêng cuûa ngöôøi ñang suy nghó.) Vaø thöù ba, caáu truùc cuûa töø-ngöõ goác Haùn maø toå tieân ngöôøi Vieät, sau gaàn moät ngaøn hai traêm naêm bò ñoâ hoä cuûa ngöôøi Haùn, ñaõ choïn vaø bieán caûi theo yù Vieät Nam töùc laø tieáng ñi sau boå nghóa cho tieáng ñöùng tröôùc. Thí duï: khai trieån “laøm lôùn maïnh nhöõng gì ñaõ ñöôïc baøy ra” do nghóa khai “môû” vaø trieån “laøm roäng ra, laøm lôùn leân”, nhö: phaùt trieån chaúng haïn, chöù khoâng theå noùi ngöôïc trieån khai “baøy ra nhöõng gì ñang phaùt trieån”. Bôûi nhöõng khaùc bieät caàn phaân roõ nhö treân, chuùng toâi maïn pheùp söû duïng vaøo ñuùng choã ñeå tieáng Vieät chuùng ta khoâng bò haï thaáp giaù trò veà maët ngheä thuaät vaø vaên chöông.

Trần Ngọc Dụng Thaønh ngöõ tieáng Anh

thöôøng laø moät caëp trai gaùi khi muoán trao ñoåi nhau nhöõng “laù thö tình”.) "All right,” said Mai, “where did you get that information?” Taâm replied, “A little bird told me." (Mai noùi: “Noùi cho toâi bieát ñi. Anh laáy caùi tin ñoù ôû daâu ra vaäy?” Taâm beøn traû lôøi: “Thì coù Aa ngöôøi noùi cho toâi bieát.") A little bird told me I'd probably find you here. (Coù con chim xanh maùch cho A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Ña hö baát anh ñeán tìm em taïi choán naøy thì seõ gaëp.) nhö thieåu thöïc. Baùnh thaät khoâng ngon vaãn hôn baùnh A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Bieát khoâng ngon baùnh veõ. Caùi gì coù trong tay thì môùi goïi laø chaéc. töôøng taän coøn nguy haïi hôn khoâng bieát. Bieát moät (Caâu naøy khuyeân ngöôøi ta ñöøng neân thaû moài baét boùng.) khoâng bieát möôøi khoâng haïi ngöôøi thì cuõng haïi mình. Bình has offered to buy my car for $3,000. s.o. else The doctor said, “Just because you've had a course might pay more, but Bình made a good offer, and a bird in first aid, you shouldn't have treated your own in the hand is worth two in the bush. (Bình chòu mua illness. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." (Vò chieác xe cuûa toâi vôùi giaù ba ngaøn. (Ngöôøi khaùc coù theå y khoa baùc syõ noùi: “Chæ taïi baïn môùi hoïc moät khoaù chòu mua cao hôn, nhöng Bình traû nhö vaäy toát roài. Ña hö cöùu thöông caên baûn, thì leõ ra baïn khoâng neân töï chöõa baát nhö thieåu thöïc.) I might be able to find a better trò cho mình. Bieát moät khoâng bieát möôøi khoâng haïi offer, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. ngöôøi thì cuõng haïi mình laø vaäy ñoù.” Taâm thought (Khoâng chöøng coù ngöôøi khaùc chòu mua giaù cao hôn, he knew how to take care of the garden, but he killed nhöng thoâi baùnh thaät khoâng ngon vaãn hôn baùnh ngon all the flowers. A little knowledge is a dangerous baùnh veõ.) thing. (Taâm nghó anh ta bieát caùch chaêm soùc khu a chip off the old block cuøng moät khuoân maø ra, hoå phuï vöôøn, nhöng anh ñaõ laøm cheát heát hoa. Thaät laø bieát sinh hoå töû. Taâm looks like his father—a real chip off moät maø khoâng bieát hai coøn nguy haïi hôn laø khoâng the old block. (Taâm troâng y heät nhö cha anh ta—ñuùng laø bieát gì caû.) cuøng moät khuoân maø ra.) Bình is a chip off the old A penny saved is a penny earned. Moät ñoàng tieát block. He's a banker just like his father. (Hoå phuï sinh hoå kieäm baèng moät ñoàng laøm ra. Ñeå daønh ñoàng naøo coù töû. Bình baây giôø cuõng laøm ngaân haøng nhö cha anh ta theâm ñoàng naáy (YÙ noùi chaêm lo laøm vieäc vaø tieát kieäm vaäy.) thì coù dö ñeå chi duøng khi caàn thieát.) "I didn't want A fool and his money are soon aparted. Ngöôøi ngu to pay that much for the book,” said Mai. “After all, khoâng bieát xaøi tieàn. Keû khôø khoâng caàm tieàn noùng tay. (YÙ a penny saved is a penny earned." (Mai noùi: “Toâi noùi ngöôøi khoâng bieát duøng ñoàng tieàn vaøo vieäc coù ích hay khoâng muoán chi moät soá tieàn saùch nhieàu nhö vaäy. Duø ñuùng choã.) When Bình lost $400 bet on a horse race, sao thì moät ñoàng tieát kieäm ñöôïc baèng moät ñoàng laøm Mai said, “A fool and his money are soon parted." (Khi ra."’ Bob put his money in a new bank that pays Bình bò maát 400 ñoàng vì ñaùnh caù ngöïa thì Mai noùi lieàn: more interest than his old bank, saying, “A penny “Keû khôø khoâng caàm tieàn noùng tay maø." When Taâm saved is a penny earned." (Bob boû tieàn vaøo ngaân bought a cheap used car that fell apart the next day, he haøng môùi coù möùc lôøi cao hôn ngaân haøng cuõ, anh noùi: said, “Oh, well, a fool and his money are soon apated." “Ñeå daønh ñoàng naøo coù theâm ñoàng naáy.) (Khi mua nhaàm chieác xe giaø kinh nghieäm ngaøy hoâm a pig in a poke söï baát maõn The dress that my tröôùc, qua ngaøy sau bò hö lieàn, khieán anh ta phaûi thoát daughter bought through mail order turned out to be leân: “Ñuùng laø ngöôøi ngu khoâng bieát xaøi tieàn.) a pig in a poke. Caùi aùo ñaàm cuûa con gaùi toâi mua A friend in need is a friend indeed. Coù qua hoaïn naïn baèng ñöôøng böu ñieän thaät laø baát maõn. môùi bieát baïn hieàn. Baïn beø giuùp nhau qua côn hoaïn naïn A rolling stone gathers no moss. Hoøn ñaù laên khoâng môùi laø baïn toát. When Bình helped me with geometry, I bao giôø coù reâu. Moät ngheà thì soáng, ñoáng ngheà tay really learned the meaning of “A friend in need is a khoâng. (Caâu tuïc ngöõ naøy coù yù noùi ngöôøi naøo thay ñoåi friend indeed." (Khi Bình giuùp toâi hoïc moân hình hoïc, toâi vieäc laøm nhö thay aùo thì suoát ñôøi cuõng traéng tay, môùi thaám thía ñöôïc yù nghóa caâu noùi: “Baïn beø giuùp nhau ngheøo khoå.) "Taâm just can't seem to stay in one qua côn hoaïn naïn môùi laø baïn toát.) "A friend in need is place,” said Thanh Xuaân. “Oh, well, a rolling stone a friend indeed” sounds silly until you need s.o. very gathers no moss." (Thanh Xuaân noùi: “Taâm döôøng badly. ("Coù traûi qua hoaïn naïn môùi bieát baïn hieàn.” Thoaït nhö khoâng bao giôø ôû yeân moät choã. OÂ thoâi, hoøn ñaù laên môùi nghe thì thaáy ngôù ngaån nhöng coù gaëp roài môùi thaám khoâng bao giôø coù reâu."’ Bình has no furniture to yù.) bother with because he keeps on the move. He keeps a little bird told me coù ngöôøi noùi cho toâi bieát, con chim saying that a rolling stone gathers no moss. (Bình xanh noùi cho toâi hay. (Chim xanh, theo caùch noùi tieáng khoâng coù gì dính thaân ñeå maø lo nghó vì anh ta soáng Vieät, laø ngöôøi laøm con thoi ñeå lieân laïc giöõa hai ngöôøi; ngheà voâ ñònh raøy ñaây mai ñoù. Anh thöôøng noùi moät

8 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

ngheà thì soáng, ñoáng ngheà tay khoâng maø.) senator promising to cut federal spending, Ngoïc Anh a stone's throw away moät khoaûng caùch ngaén; töông ñoái wrote a simple note saying, “Actions speak louder gaàn Taâm saw Mai across the street, just a stone's than words." (Sau khi nghe oâng thöôïng nghò syõ höùa throw away. (Taâm nhìn thaáy Mai chæ caùch (anh ta) moät heïn caét giaûm caùc khoaûn chi cuûa lieân bang, Ngoïc Anh khoaûng ngaén.) Los Angeles is just a stone's throw from beøn vieát cho oâng ta moät caâu nhaéc nhôû : “Haønh ñoäng Orange County. (Los Angeles chæ caùch Orange County môùi laø lôøi noùi huøng hoàn nhaát." quaõng ngaén.) act of God Trôøi laøm, yù trôøi. My insurance company A watched pot never boils. thôøi gian taâm lyù; caøng mong wouldn't pay for the damage because it was an act of chöøng naøo caøng laâu chöøng aáy. Taâm was looking out God. (Coâng ty baûo hieåm toâi mua khoâng chòu boài the window, waiting eagerly for the mail to be delivered. thöôøng thieät haïi naøy vì hoï vieän côù raèng ñoù laø taïi trôøi Ngoïc Anh said, “Be patient. A watched pot never boils." laøm.) The thief tried to convince the judge that the (Taâm nhìn ra cöûa soå, noùng loøng chôø ñôïi thö ñeán. Ngoïc diamonds were in his pocket due to an act of God. Anh môùi noùi: “Cöù töø töø. Caøng mong chöøng naøo caøng laâu (Teân cöôùp coá phaân bua vôùi oâng toaø raèng nhöõng hoät chöøng aáy.) Bình weighed himself four times a day xoaøn naèm trong tuùi anh ta laø do yù trôøi maø ra.) while he was trying to lose weight. His mother said, act one's age lôùn roài nghe chöa, khoâng coøn nhoû daïi “Relax. A watched pot never boils." (Bình töï caân mình nöõa ñaâu. Come on, Taâm, act your age. Stop boán laàn moãi ngaøy trong thôøi gian anh muoán giaûm kyù. Meï throwing rocks. (Thoâi nghe Taâm, con lôùn roài nghe anh thaáy theá môùi noùi: “Töø töø. Con caøng mong chöøng naøo chöa. Ñöøng coù neùm gaïch neùm ñaù nöõa.) Mai! Stop caøng thaáy laâu chöøng aáy.) picking on our little brother, Act your age! (Mai! a wet blanket ngöôøi phaù ñaùm, keû phaù bænh As we were Con khoâng coøn nhoû daïi nöõa ñaâu. Ñöøng choïc em having a wondertful time at the party, a wet blanket had nghe khoâng!’ a quarrel with one of the guests. (Trong khi chuùng toâi add fuel to the fire vaø add fuel to the flame theâm daàu ñang döï tieäc vui veû thì moät keû phaù ñaùm gaây goã vôùi moät vaøo löûa, ñaõ baàm roài coøn laøm cho daäp To spank a ngöôøi khaùch cuûa chuùng toâi.) crying child just adds fuel to the fire, (Thaèng beù ñaõ accidents can happen chuyeän gì cuõng coù theå xaûy ra khoùc roài maø coøn ñaùnh theâm nöõa; ñuùng laø ñaõ baàm roài (Coù nhieàu vieäc xaûy ra ngoaøi döï lieäu cuûa moïi ngöôøi.) coøn laøm cho daäp.) Bình was shouting angrily, and Don’t ever be sure of anything because accidents can Bob tried to get him to stop by laughing at him. Of happen. To be cautious is often to show wisdom. (Ñöøng course, that was just adding fuel to the flame. (Bình bao giôø tin chaéc vaøo baát cöù vieäc gì vì chuyeâä gì cuõng coù ñang giaän döõ la loái om soøm, coøn Bình thì coá treâu theå xaûy ra caû. Caâån thaâän luùc naøo cuõng vaãn hôn.) choïc anh ta. Chaúng khaùc naøo chaâm theâm daàu vaøo according to Hoyle theo ñuùng luaät; theo leõ thöôøng; theo löûa.) ñuùng caùch (Döïa theo saùch cuûa Edmond Hoyle noùi veà theå add insult to injury ñaõ bò aên ñoøn maø coøn bò nhuïc maï, leä vaø caùc luaät chôi. ÔÛ ñaây coù theå aùp duïng vaøo nhieàu ñaõ bò teù naëng maø coøn bò ñaïp xuoáng sình, coøn ñang tröôøng hôïp khaùc.) That's wrong. According to Hoyle, maéc xöông laïi theâm bò ngheïn. Ñaõ mang moät kieáp this is the way to do it. (Theo leõ thöôøng, laøm nhö vaäy laø phong traàn, Sao coøn chòu nhuïc laém laàn nöõa ru! sai roài. Phaûi laøm theá naøy neø.) The carpenter said, (Phoûng theo thô ND.) First, the basement flooded, “This is the way to drive a nail, according to Hoyle.” and then, to add insult to injury, a pipe burst in the (Ngöôøi thôï moäc noùi: “Theo ñuùng caùch. Muoán ñoùng ñinh kitchen. (Môùi ñaàu, taàng haàm bò ngaäp ñaày nöôùc, roài phaûi ñoùng nhö vaày." Accroding to Hoyle, what is done laøm nhö ñaõ bò aên ñoøn maø coøn bò nhuï maï, oáng nöôùc once should not be reapeated twice. (Theo luaät thì nhöõng trong nhaø beáp boãng bò beå xì ra tung toeù.) My car gì laøm qua roài, ñöøng neân laëp laïi nöõa.) barely started this morning, and to add insult to act high-and-mighty laøm cao laøm phaùch Why does the injury, I got a flat tire in the driveway. (Saùng nay doctor always have to act so high-and-mighty? (Taïi sao chieác xe toâi khoâng theøm noå maùy, vaø laøm nhö ñang oâng baùc syõ ñoù luùc naøo cuõng laøm cao laøm phaùch vaäy coøn maéc xöông laïi theâm bò ngheïn, baùnh xe xeïp leùp kìa?’ If Thanh Xuaân wouldn't act so high-and-mighty, khoâng coøn chuùt hôi.) she'd have more friends. (Neáu Thanh Xuaân khoâng laøm afraid of one's own shadow nhaùt nhö thoû ñeá, sôï caû cao laøm phaùch, chaéc coâ ta coù theå coù nhieàu baïn hôn.) caùi boùng cuûa mình (Ngöôøi ruït reø, e theïn vaø quaù sôï Actions speak louder than words. Möôøi noùi khoâng baèng seät tröôùc moïi chuyeän.) After Thònh was robbed, he moät laøm. Haønh ñoäng môùi laø lôøi noùi huøng hoàn nhaát. was even afraid of his own shadow. (Sau khi bò cöôùp Mai kept promising to get a job. Taâm finally looked moät laàn, Thònh trôû thaønh anh chaøng nhaùt gan nhö thoû her in the eye and said, “Actions speak louder than ñeá.) Lieân has always been a shy child, She has words!" (Mai cöù höùa raøy heïn mai seõ ñi tìm vieäc laøm. been afraid of her own shadow since she was three. Cuoái cuøng Taâm nhìn thaúng vaøo maët coâ ta vaø noùi: “Möôøi (Lieân laø moät coâ beù hay maéc côõ. Töø hoài môùi leân ba coâ noùi khoâng baèng moät laøm em aï!"’ After listening to the ta ñaõ sôï caû caùi boùng cuûa coâ ta.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 9

after one’s own heart hôïp “rô” nhau I like to work roài cuõng veà La maõ.) with Taâm who is after my own heart. (Toâi thích laøm vieäc All's well that ends well. Quyeát chí taát nhieân thaønh. vôùi Taâm vì anh ta laø ngöôøi hôï rô vôùi toâi.) Coá coâng maøi thì saét cuõng thaønh kim. Ngaøy nay coá söùc against the clock chaïy ñua theo ñoàng hoà, chaïy ñua theo hoïc haønh, Ngaøy mai ñoã ñaïc hieån danh vôùi ñôøi. (Ñaây giôø giaác, coá ruùt ngaén thôøi gian. Bình set a new track laø caâu tuïc ngöõ xuaát xöù töø teân vôû haøi kòch cuûa record, running against the clock. He lost the actual Shakespeare yù muoán noùi vieäc gì coù “haäu” luùc naøo race, however. (Bình coá chaïy ñua theo thôøi gian ñeå taïo cuõng toát, cho duø trong tieán trình xaûy ra coù gaëp nhieàu kyû luïc ñieàn kinh môùi. Tuy nhieân anh ta ñaõ thaát baïi.) In trôû ngaïi.) I'm glad you finally got here, even a race against the clock, they rushed the special though your car had a flat tire on the way. Oh, well. medicine to the hospital. (Ngöôøi ta ñaõ coá ruùt ngaén thôøi All's well that ends well. (Maëc daàu treân ñöôøng ñi anh gian ñeå ñöa loaïi thuoác ñaëc cheá vaøo beänh vieän.) bò beå baùnh xe, nay anh ñeán nôi ñöôïc toâi thaät vui air s.o.'s dirty linen in public noùi chuyeän xaáu trong nhaø möøng. Anh thaáy ñoù. Quyeát chí taát nhieân thaønh.) cho ngöôøi ngoaøi bieát, beâu reâu chuyeän rieâng tö cuûa ai cho The student burned midnight oil for four years, ngöôøi ngoaøi bieát (Vaïch aùo cho ngöôøi xem löng.) Taâm's and everything worked out all right. All's well that mother had asked him repeatedly not to air the family's ends well. (Chaøng thö sinh boán naêm mieät maøi ñeøn dirty linen in public. (Ñaõ bao nhieâu laàn meï cuûa Taâm cöù saùch, nhôø vaäy moïi vieäc ñöôïc toát ñeïp. Coá coâng maøi nhaéc ñi nhaéc laïi vôùi anh ta laø ñöøng coù ñem chuyeän xaáu thì saét cuõng thaønh kim.) trong nhaø ra noùi cho ngöôøi ngoaøi bieát.) Mr. and Mrs. All that glitters is not gold. Vaøng hoe laø vaøng giaû, Taâm are arguing again. Why do they always have to air ngöôøi coù maõ beà ngoaøi thöôøng laø ngöôøi khoâng chung their dirty linen in public? (OÂng vaø baø Taâm laïi caûi vaõ thuûy. (Caâu tuïc ngöõ naøy coù yù nhaéc ngöôøi ñôøi nhôù raèng nhau nöõa. Khoâng hieåu taïi sao hai ngöôøi ñoù cöù phaûi beâu lôùp sôn loeø loeït beân ngoaøi thöôøng laø giaû doái, khoâng reâu chuyeän rieâng tö cho ngöôøi ngoaøi bieát vaäy kìa?’ coù giaù trò ñích thöïc.) The used car looked fine but all in a day's work chuyeän thöôøng ngaøy, vieäc laøm haèng didn't run well at all. “Ah, yes,” thought Bình, “all ngaøy. I don't particularly like to cook, but it's all in a that glitters is not gold." (Chieác xe cuõ troâng boùng day's work. (Toâi thaät khoâng thích laøm beáp, nhöng vì ñoù loaùng nhöng chaïy khoâng ngon chuùt naøo. “A, phaûi laø chuyeän thöôøng ngaøy neân phaûi naáu nöôùng thoâi.) roài,” Bình nghó buïng. “Vaøng hoe laø vaøng giaû.") Putting up with rude cusThònhers isn't pleasant, but When Mai was disappointed about losing Thònh, it's all in a day's work. (Phaûi chìu theo yù khaùch ñaâu coù gì Lieân reminded her, “All that glitters is not gold." thích thuù, nhöng ñoù laø chuyeän thöôøng ngaøy thoâi.) (Khi thaáy Mai buoàn böïc vì bò anh chaøng Thònh boû Cleaning up after other people is all in a day's work rôi, Lieân môùi nhaéc cho coâ nhôù: “Anh chaøng naøo coù for a chamber maid. (Doïn deïp saïch seõ sau khi moïi ngöôøi caùi maõ beà ngoaøi thöôøng laø ngöôøi khoâng chung thuûy ra veà heát laø vieäc laøm haèng ngaøy cuûa moät ngöôøi queùt maø.") doïn.) all thumbs vuïng veà, thoâ keäch (Thöôøng chæ ngöôøi all over but the shouting vaäy laø keát thuùc, keát thuùc toát khoâng kheùo tay.) Poor Bob can't play the piano at ñeïp, ca khuùc khaûi hoaøn (aên möøng thaønh coâng.) The all. He's all thumbs. (Toäi nghieäp anh chaøng Bob last goal was made just as the final whistle sounded, khoâng taøi naøo ñaùnh döông caàm ñöôïc. Anh ta vuïng veà Thònh said, “Well, it's all over but the shouting.” (Baøn laøm sao.) Mai is all thumbs when it comes to thaéng sau cuøng ñöôïc ghi ñuùng vaøo luùc tieáng coøi keát thuùc gardening. (Laøm vöôøn thì Mai vuïng veà heát choã noùi.) traän thi ñaáu vang leân, Thònh lieàn noùi: “Xong, vaäy laø keát all walks of life moïi thaønh phaàn trong xaõ hoäi, moïi thuùc.") Thònh worked hard in college and graduated giôùi. We saw people there from all walks of life. last month. When he got his diploma, he said. “It's all (Chuùng toâi tieáp xuùc vôùi moïi thaønh phaàn trong xaõ over but the shouting." (Thònh chaêm chæ hoïc haønh vaø hoäi.) The people who came to the art exhibit thaùng tröôùc anh ñaõ toát nghieäp. Khi nhaän laõnh vaên baèng, represented all walks of life. (Nhöõng ngöôøi ñeán döï anh ta noùi: “Vaäy laø coù theå ca khuùc khaûi hoaøn ñöôïc roài."’ trieån laõm ngheä thuaät laø ñaïi dieän cuûa moïi giôùi.) All roads lead to Rome Taát caû moïi ngaû ñöôøng ñeàu veà All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Maõi laøm La-maõ. (YÙ noùi phöông phaùp coù nhieàu nhöng keát quaû chæ vieäc maø khoâng giaûi trí, thoâng minh cuõng hoaù luø ñuø. laø moät.) Mai was criticizing the way Lieân was planting Laøm vieäc hoaøi khoâng nghæ ngôi thì muï ngöôøi. Stop the flowers. Taâm said, “Never mind, Mai, all roads lead reading that book and go out and play! All work and to Rome." (Mai ñang coøn pheâ bình caùch troàng hoa cuûa no play make Jack a dull boy. (Thoâi ñöøng ñoïc saùch Lieân. Taâm noùi vaøo: “Ñöøng coù lo, Mai aï, ñöôøng naøo roài nöõa maø ñi ra ngoaøi cho khuaây khoûa ñi! Maõi laøm vieäc cuõng veà La maõ thoâi.) Some people learn by doing. khoâng giaûi trí thoâng minh cuõng hoaù luø ñuø.) The Others have to be taught. In the long run, all roads lead doctor told Mr. Jones to stop working on weekends to Rome. (Moät soá ngöôøi hoïc baèng caùch töï thöïc haønh maø and start playing golf, because all work and no play bieát. Soá khaùc phaûi coù ngöôøi chæ daãn môùi bieát. Ñöôøng naøo makes Jack a dull boy. (Thaày thuoác khuyeân oâng

10 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

Jones neân ngöng laøm vieäc vaøo cuoái tuaàn nöõa vaø neân stage!" (Taïi buoåi xem vuõ ngheä thuaät ba-leâ, Bình gheù ñaùnh goân, vì leõ cöù lo laøm hoaøi khoâng chòu nghæ ngôi thì tai meï cheâ leùn: “Con caàu cho maáy vuõ vieân teù rôùt muï ngöôøi.) xuoáng khoûi saân khaáu quaùch.") An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. AÊn nem traû as bad as all that xaáu xa hay teä haïi nhö ngöôøi ta noùi, nem, aên chaû traû chaû. AÊn mieáng traû mieáng. Gieát ngöôøi thì ñaâu ñeán noãi nhö vaäy Come on! Nothing could be ñeàn maïng. (YÙ noùi söï traû thuø phaûi ñích ñaùng vôùi toäi ñaõ as bad as all that. (Thoâi cho toâi xin vôùi! Khoâng coù gì gaây.) Little Taâm pulled Lieân's hair, so the teacher ñeán noåi xaáu nhö ngöôøi ta noùi vaäy ñaâu.) Stop pulled Taâm's hair as punishment, saying, “An eye for an crying. It can't be as bad as all that. (Thoâi ñöøng khoùc eye, a tooth for a tooth." (Chuù beù Taâm giaät toùc Lieân, neân nöõa. Chuyeän khoâng ñeán noåi teä nhö ngöôøi ta noùi ñaâu.) thaày giaùo vöøa giaät toùc Taâm ñeå tröøng phaït caäu vöøa noùi: as bald as a coot soùi nhö caùi soï döøa (Coot laø loaïi vòt “AÊn nem traû nem, aên chaû traû chaû cöng aï.") He kicked trôøi coù ñaàu gioáng nhö troïc), troïc loùc bình voâi My me in the led, so I kicked him in the leg. After all, an eye hair began to lose when I was in thirties, and now I for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. (Noù ñaù chaân toâi thì toâi ñaù am as bald as a coot. (Toâi baét ñaàu ruïng toùc töø khi chaân noù laïi. Chæ laø aên mieáng traû mieáng thoâi.) vaøo tuoåi ba möôi, vaø ñeán nay thì troïc loùc bình voâi An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. nhö theá naøy.) Phoøng beänh hôn chöõa beänh. Moät lieàu thuoác ngöøa hôn as black as coal ñen nhö than (raát ñen, ñen nhaùnh) traêm lieàu thuoác chöõa. When you ride in a car, buckle Look at Ann, her skin is as black as coal after two your seat belt. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound hours in the sun. (Troâng coâ Ann kìa. Ra naéng coù hai of cure. (Khi laùi xe, baïn neân gaøi nòt an toaøn. Phoøng beänh giôø ñoàng hoà maø da ñen nhö than.) hôn chöõa beänh maø.) Every child should be vaccinated as black as ink ñen nhö möïc At that time, it was against polio. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound as black as ink, but we managed to get home before of cure. (Treû con naøo cuõng neân chuûng ngöøa beänh soát teâ the storm broke. (Luùc aáy trôøi toái ñen nhö möïc, nhöng lieät. Vì moät lieàu thuoác ngöøa hôn traêm lieàu thuoác chöõa.) chuùng toâi cuõng coá veà ñeán nhaø tröôùc khi côn baõo keùo apple of s.o.'s eye maãu ngöôøi hay vaät lyù töôûng cuûa ai. ñeán.) Thònh is the apple of Mai's eye. She thinks he's great. as blind as a bat muø nhö dôi, maét khoâng coøn nhìn (Thònh laø maãu ngöôøi lyù töôûng cuûa Mai. Coâ ta luùc naøo thaáy gì caû, maét môø. At her eighty my grandmother cuõng nghó anh laø con ngöôøi tuyeät vôøi.) Taâm's new is as blind as a bat. (Khi ñeán tuoåi taùm möôi maét baø stereo is the apple of his eye. (Daøn maùy nghe nhaïc môùi noäi toâi khoâng coøn nhìn thaáy gì caû.) I need glasses. mua laø vaät lyù töôûng cuûa Taâm.) I'm getting blind as a bat. I can hardly read anything armed to the teeth trang bò vuõ khí ñaày ñuû, trang bò vuõ without them. (Toâi caàn kieáng ñeo maét. Maét toâi caøng khí haïng naëng. The bank robber was armed to the ngaøy caøng môø neân ñoïc gì cuõng caàn phaûi coù kieáng.) teeth when he was caught. (Teân cöôùp ngaân haøng bò baét as bold as brass bình thaân nhö vaïi (Khoâng heà bò lay vôùi ñaày ñuû vuõ khí.) There are too many guns around. chuyeån bôûi nhöõng ñaû kích, cheá gieãu, ...) He is an The entire country is armed to the teeth. (Trong khu vöïc honest person, and as always he is as bold as brass naøy coù quaù nhieàu suùng oáng. Treân toaøn quoác ñöôïc trang in spite of all criticism against him. (OÂng ta laø ngöôøi bò toaøn vuõ khí gieát ngöôøi haïng naëng.) ngay thaúng, neân luùc naøo cuõng vaäy, oâng ta vaãn bình arm in arm tay trong tay, tay naém tay. The two lovers thaân nhö vaïi, baát chaáp moïi chæ trích choáng laïi oâng.) walked arm in arm down the street. (Ñoâi nhaân tình, tay as broad as it’s long cuõng vaäy thoâi, cuõng nhö nhau trong tay, ñi raõo phoá.) Arm in arm, the line of dancers $50.00 for the meal and a free ticket is as broad as curtseyed at the end of the peroformance, and the it’s long for a $50.00 ticket and a free meal. (Naêm audience roared its approval. (Tay naém tay, ñoaøn vuõ chuïc ñoàng moät böõa aên vaø ñöôïc taëng moät caùi veù thì vieân daøn haøng ngang cuùi chaøo khaùn giaû, vaø tieáng voã tay cuõng nhö mua moät caùi veù naêm chuïc vaø ñöôïc aên moät taùn thöôûng noàng nhieät cuûa khaùn giaû vang leân.) böõa khoâng toán tieàn thoâi.) as a duck takes to water deã daøng nhö vòt loäi nöôùc, (deã as brave as a lion can ñaûm nhö moät anh huøng She nhö trôû baøn tay.) She took a singing, just as a duck usually behaves very timidly, but when in danger she take to water. (Coâ ta caát tieáng haùt, deã daøng nhö vòt loäi is as brave as a lion. (Coâ ta thöôøng toû ra ruït reø nhuùt nöôùc.) The baby adapted to bottle-feeding as a duck nhaùt, nhöng khi gaëp nguy hieåm coâ ta can ñaûm nhö take to water. (Ñöùa beù laøm quen vôùi söõa bình deã daøng moät anh huøng.) nhö vòt loäi nöôùc.) as brown as a berry nöôùc da baàng quaâng, da baùnh as an aside lôøi pheâ bình leùn, lôøi cheâ leùn. At the maät Many people like their skin to be as brown as wedding, Thònh said as an aside, “The bride doesn't look a berry. They usually take sunbathing. (Nhieàu ngöôøi well." (Taïi buoåi leã thaønh hoân, Thònh pheâ bình leùn: “Coâ thích coù nöôùc da baàng quaâng neân thöôøng taém naéng.) daâu gì troâng tieàu tuïy quaù.) At the ballet, Bìnhy said as as busy as a beaver vaø as busy as a bee baän roän nhö an aside to his mother, “I hope the dancers fall off the raùi, baän roän nhö ong. (Tieáng Vieät khoâng so saùnh söï

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 11

baän roän vôùi loaøi khaùc nhöng coù caùch noùi nhö “baän xeû gì heát. Roõ raøng nhö buøn laày.) muõi thôû khoâng kòp”, “baän toái taêm maët maøy”, “laøm khoâng as clever as paint khoân nhö chi (Ngöôøi khoân ñaùo ñeå, kòp thôû”. (As ñaàu coù theå boû.) When s.o. asks me why I xuaát saéc trong nhoùm.) Mai is as clever as paint in am short. I usually tell him/her that because I'm as busy our class; even her professors admire her. (Trong as a beaver, I don’t have time to grow. (Khi coù ai hoûi toâi lôùp Mai khoân nhö chi, ñeán ñoä caùc giaùo sö cuõng phuïc taïi sao toâi luøn, toâi thöôøng traû lôøi raèng vì toâi baän roän nhö coâ aáy.) raùi, (neân) khoâng coù thì giôø ñeå lôùn.) You don't look busy as clever as sin khoân nhö quyû Old Baøng is noted as a beaver to me. (Toâi thaáy baïn ñaâu coù baän roän nhö raùi for being clever as sin. (Laõo Baøng trong laøng naøy noåi ñaâu.) tieáng khoân nhö quyû. Don’t every trust him, he is as as busy as Grand Central Station nhoän nhòp nhö ngaøy hoäi. clever as sin. (Ñöøng daïi maø tin lôøi oâng ta, oâng aáy [Nhoän nhòp nhö Nhaø Ga Trung Taâm.] On weekends khoân nhö quyû.) this house is as busy as Grand Central Station. (Vaøo as close as oyster caâm nhö heán Lan is as close as cuoái tuaàn trong nhaø naøy nhoän nhòp nhö Nhaø Ga Trung oyster; no one can tell what she thinks. (Lan laø ngöôøi Taâm.) When the Lunar New Year is about to be about luùc naøo cuõng caâm nhö heán; khoâng ai bieát coâ ta nghó all streets and markets the cities throughout the country gì trong ñaàu.) as as busy as Grand Central Station. (Khi ngaøy Teát saép as cold as charity/ice laïnh nhö nöôùc ñaù The first ñeán thì taát caû ñöôøng phoá vaø chôï buùa trong caùc thaønh phoá winter we were here, everything was as cold as ice treân toaøn quoác trôû neân nhoän nhòp nhö coù hoäi.) when we went outside. (Muøa ñoâng ñaàu tieân chuùng toâi as cheap as dirt reû nhö beøo Compared with what I ñeán ñaây, moãi laàn chuùng toâi ra ngoaøi trôøi ñeàu thaáy caùi paid for ten years ago, computers now are as cheap as gì cuõng laïnh nhö nuôùc ñaù vaâäy.) as cold as iceberg, dirt. (So vôùi nhöõng gì toâi phaûi traû caùch ñaây muôøi naêm, nhö saét ñaù Lan’s heart is as cold as iceberg – no maùy ñieän toaùn baây giôø reû nhö beøo.) one can melt it. (Con tim cuûa Lan nhö saêét ñaù – chaúng as clean as a new pin saïch töng His wife keeps her ai coù theâå laøm naøng rung ñoâäng, stone-cold laïnh tanh house as clean as a new pin; I dare not walk with my I don’t want to eat food when it is stone-cold. (Toâi shoes on. (Vôï oâng ta giöõ caùi nhaø saïch töng, toâi ñaâu daùm khoâng thích aên thöùc aên laïnh tanh nhö vaâäy.) mang giaøy vaøo.) as comfortable as an old shoe thoaûi maùi nhö mang giaøy as clean as a whistle saïch heát choã cheâ, troâáng roãng cuõ (Tieáng Vieät ví “thoaûi maùi nhö ôû nhaø”. YÙ noùi cuõng (Thaønh ngöõ naøy coù hai caùch duøng: moät chæ söï quaù saïch raát thoaûi maùi.) This old house is fine. It's as cuûa vaät gì, moät chæ söï troáng traûi, saïch trôn vì bò doïn hay comfortable as an old shoe. (Caên nhaø cuõ naøy toát laém. bò hoát ñi heát. Xem thí duï.) I am sure the plates are as ÔÛ nhaø naøy thoaûi maùi nhö mang giaøy cuõ vaäy.) clean as a whistle. Don’t worry about those black marks. That's a great tradition — comfortable as an old (Toâi baûo ñaûm maáy caùi dóa ñoù saïch heát choã cheâ. Caùc veát shoe. (Taäp tuïc coå truyeàn ñoù thaät tuyeät vôøi — thoaûi ñen treân ñoù khoâng sao ñaâu.) As the whole family was maùi nhö mang giaøy cuõ vaäy.) on a vacation, the thief broke into the house and took as common as dirt nhieàu nhö traáu I can tell away everything. Now it is as clean as a whistle. (Caû nhaø mosquitoes in Nam Caên are as common as dirt. (Toâi ñi nghæ maùt xa, boïn troäm leûn vaøo nhaø doïn ñi heát ñoà ñaïc coù theå noùi muoãi ôû Nam Caên thì nhieàu nhö traáu vaäy.) beân trong. Baây giôø coøn caùi nhaø troáng roâãng.) as cool as a cucumber laïnh/bình tónh nhö döa leo (YÙ as clear as a bell thanh nhö tieáng chuoâng I like that noùi raát bình tónh, khoâng hoát hoaûng. Ñöøng nhaàm laãn singer because her voice is as clean as a bell. (Toâi thích vôùi nghóa “maët laïnh nhö tieàn”, “thaùi ñoä laïnh nhaït” ca só ñoù vaø gioïng cuûa coâ ta thanh nhö tieáng chuoâng.) cuûa tieáng Vieät.) The captain remained as cool as a as clear as crystal trong nhö pha leâ Oh, this flower cucumber as the passengers boarded the lifeboats. vase is very beautiful. It is a clear as crystal. –Yes, it is. (Vieân thuyeàn tröôûng nhìn haønh khaùch xuoáng thuyeàn It’s crystal! (OÀ, caùi bình hoa naøy ñeïp quaù, trong nhö pha caáp cöùu maø maët laïnh nhö döa leo. YÙ noùi vieân thuyeàn leâ. Ñuùng roài, pha leâ maø baûo khoâng trong sao ñöôïc!) tröôûng nhìn haønh khaùch xuoáng thuyeàn caáp cöùu vôùi as clear as daylight roõ nhö ban ngaøy I am a slow veû maët raát bình tónh.) During the fire the person; I cannot understand many things which they say homeowner was cool as a cucumber. (Trong côn hoûa are as clear a daylight. (Toâi laø ngöôøi chaâäm hieåu. Nhieàu hoaïn, ngöôøi chuû nhaø vaãn laïnh nhö döa leo. Nhaø chaùy thöù roõ nguôøita noùi nhö ban ngaøy vaäy maø toâi vaãn khoâng maø ngöôøi chuû khoâng bò hoát hoaûng.) hieåu.) as crazy as a loon ñieân khuøng nhö vòt hoang; hoaøn as clear as mud roõ raøng nhö sình, roõ raøng nhö buøn laày toaøn ñieân loaïn. (Loon thuoäc loaøi vòt coù tieáng keâu kyø (Noùi mæa mai hoaëc cheá gieãu. YÙ noùi khoù hieåu, khoâng roõ laï nghe nhö tieáng cöôøi ñieân loaïn. As ñaàu coù theå boû raøng.) Your explan-ation is as clear as mud. (Lôøi giaûi ñöôïc.) If you think you can get away with that, thích cuûa baïn roõ raøng nhö sình laày vaäy.) This doesn't you're as crazy as a loon. (Neáu baïn nghó baïn coù theå made sense. It's clear as mud. (Ñieàu naøy khoâng coù nghóa traùnh neù ñöôïc vieäc ñoù, chaéc laø baïn ñieân nhö vòt

12 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

hoang roài.) Poor old Taâm is crazy as a loon. (Toäi as easy as (apple) pie deã nhö aên baùnh ngoït; deã nhö nghieäp giaø Taâm bò ñieân nhö vòt hoang roài.) laøm baùnh nhaân traùi caây. Mountain climbing is as as cunning as a fox khoân nhö caùo Many people are easy as pie. (Leo nuùi deã nhö aên baùnh.) Making a as cunning as foxes; they know how to keep just on the simple dress out of cotton cloth is easy as pie. (May right side of the law. (Nhhieàu ngöôøi khoân nhö caùo; hoï aùo baèng vaûi cuõng deã daøng nhö laøm baùnh nhaân traùi bieát caùch luoàn laùch sao cho hôïp phaùp.) caây.) as dead as a dodo bò choân vuøi vaøo dó vaõng nhö loaøi vòt as easy as duck soup deã nhö huùp chaùo (vòt.) ñaïi; hoaøn toaøn bò xoaù teân, (Dodo—gioáng vòt coå Mauritius Finding your way to the shopping center is easy as – hieän ñaõ tuyeät chuûng.) Yes, Adolf Hitler is really duck soup. (Ñi ñeán thöông xaù trung taâm deã daøng nhö dead — as dead as a dodo. (Vaâng, Adolf Hitler baây giôø huùp chaùo.) Getting Bob to eat fried chicken is as ñaõ hoaøn toaøn cheát cöùng nhö vòt ñaïi. Nhaân vaät A. Hitlert easy as duck soup. (Duï thaèng Bob aên gaø chieân boät deã ñaõ hoaøn toaøn bò xoaù nhoaø vôùi dó vaõng roài.) That silly nhö huùp chaùo.) old idea is dead as a dodo. (YÙ töôûng ngôù ngaån vaø coå loå só as far as it goes tính ñeán giôø phuùt naøy/ñoù. Your ñoù nay hoaøn toaøn loãi thôøi roài.) plan is fine as far as it goes. It doesn't seem to take as dead as a doornail cheát cöùng ñô, cheát thaúng caúng. care of every thing, though. (Keá hoaïch cuûa baïn tính This fish is as dead as a doornail. (Con caù naøy cheát ñeán giôø phuùt naøy thì vaãn toát, nhöng döôøng nhö keá cöùng ñô roài.) Taâm kept twisting the chicken's neck even hoaïch naøy khoâng bao haøm taát caû caùc vaán ñeà lieân though it was dead as a doornail. (Taâm cöù nhaém maét quan.) As far as it goes, this law is a good one. It vaën coå con gaø maëc daàu con vaät ñaõ cheát thaúng caúng töï should require stiffer penalties, however. (Tính ñeán bao giôø.) giôø phuùt naøy, ñaïo luaät naøy raát coù hieäu quaû. Tuy as deaf as a post nhö caâm nhö ñieác He has stolen the nhieân caàn coù nhieàu bieän phaùp tröøng phaït nghieâm five dollar bill I put on the table, but when I asked him khaéc hôn.) about it he was as deaf as a post. (Noùi aên caép tôø naêm as fit as a fiddle khoeû nhö vaâm; raát khoeû maïnh. ñoàng cuûa toâi ñeå treân baøn vaäy maø toâi hoûi noù thì noù nhö Mai is fit as a fiddle. (Mai khoeû nhö vaâm.) caâm nhö ñieác vaäy.) Thònh used to be fit as a fiddle. Look at him now! as deep as a well khoù hieåu quaù Thaønh is as deep as a (Thònh tröôùc khi khoeû nhö vaâm. Baây giôø thì xem anh well; no one can know him well. (Thaønh laø ngöôøi khoù ta kìa!’ hieåu quaù; chaúng ai bieát roõ anh ta caû.) as flat as a pancake baèng phaúng nhö baùnh boät chieân; as different as chalk and cheese khaùc nhö nöôùc vôùi xeïp leùp nhö baùnh bao chieàu, naùt nhö töông. The löûa They are two brothers but they are quite as punctured tire was as flat as a pancake. (Caùi baùnh xe different as chalk and cheese. (Hai ngöôøi hoï laø anh em bò luûng xeïp leùp nhö baùnh bao chieàu.) Bobby nhöng khaùc taùnh nhau nhö nöôùc vôùi löûa.) squashed the ant flat as a pancake. (Bobby chaø con as different as night and day khaùc nhau nhö ngaøy vôùi kieán naùt nhö töông.) ñeâm; khaùc nhau moät trôøi moät vöïc. (As ñaàu coù theå boû as free as a bird töï do nhö caùnh chim trôøi, töï do bay ñöôïc.) Although Bobby and Bìnhy are twins, they are nhaûy. Lieân is always happy and free as a bird. as different as night and day. (Maëc daàu Bobby vaø Bìnhy (Lieân luùc naøo cuõng sung söôùng vaø töï do nhö caùnh laø anh em sinh ñoâi, hai ngöôøi ñoù khaùc nhau nhö ngaøy vôùi chim trôøi.) In the summer I feel free as a bird. ñeâm.) Birds and bats appears to be similar, but they (Ñeán heø toâi caûm thaáy töï do bay nhaûy.) Thònh says: are different as night and day. (Chim vaø dôi troâng coù veû “Celibacy means free as a bird. Only marriage is gioáng nhau, nhöng kyø thaät hai loaøi hoaøn toaøn khaùc nhau miserable.” But Bobby blames: “If marriage is moät trôøi moät vöïc.) miserable, celibacy is terrible!” (Thònh baûo raèng: as drunk as a lord say nhö ngöôøi cheát After three “Ñoäc thaân coù nghóa laø töï do nhö caùnh chim trôøi. Chæ beers, Taâm was as drunk as a lord. (Sau ba lon bia thì coù hoân nhaân môùi laø ñau khoå.” Nhöng Bobby laïi than Taâm ñaõ say nhö ngöôøi cheát roài.) phieàn raèng: “Neáu hoân nhaân maø ñau khoå thì ñoäc thaân as dry as bone khoâ raùo, khoâ nhö con maém This is a caøng khieáp hôn.") good raincoat; it keep me as dry as a bone in all rainy as fresh as a daisy töôi nhö hoa When Mai is weathers. (Caùi aùo möa naøy toát quaù; nhôø noù maø möa kieåu happy, she looks as fresh as a daisy. (Khi Mai maø gì toâi cuõng khoâng sôï öôùt.) She does not drink enough vui thì coâ ta troâng töôi nhö hoa.) water; she look as dry as a bone. (Coâ ta ít uoáng nöôùc quaù as full/tight as a tick no nhö con vaét choù no maùu. neân ngöôøi troâng khoâ nhö con maém.) Vaét choù huùt maùu no coù theå to gaáp möôøi laàn bình as dry as cotton khoâ nhö ngoùi I don’t want to eat this thöôøng. (Coù theå boû as ñaàu.) Little Bình ate and ate kind of rice; it is as dry as cotton. (Toâi khoâng thích aên until he was as full as a tick. (Bình tí hon aên, roài aên thöù côm naøy; côm gì maø khoâng nhö ngoùi.) cho ñeán khi buïng caêng keø nhö con vaét choù no maùu.) as dry as dust Our cat drank the cream until he became full as a

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 13

tick. (Con meøo chuùng toâi lieám nöôùc kem chaûy cho ñeán xì ke ma tuyù nhö ñang thaû hoàn bay boång leân maây.). khi buïng no caêng nhö con vaét choù no maùu.) as hungry as a bear ñoùi nhö gaáu muøa ñoâng; ñoùi nhö as funny as a crutch voâ duyeân; khoâng coù gì ñaùng cöôøi ai caøo trong ruoät I'm hungry as a bear. I could eat caû. Your trick is about as funny as a crutch. Nobody anything! (Toâi ñang ñoùi nhö gaáu muøa ñoâng ñaây. Caùi thought it was humorous. (Xaûo thuaät cuûa baïn voâ duyeân gì aên cuõng ñöôïc raùo!’ Whenever I jog, I get hungry quaù. Khoâng ai cöôøi noåi ñaâu.) The well-dressed lady as a bear. (Khi toâi chaïy theå duïc laø toâi thaáy ñoùi nhö ai slipped and fell in the gutter, which was funny as a caøo trong ruoät vaäy.) crutchy. (Ngöôøi phuï nöõ aên maëc sang troïng kia bò tröôït as innocent as lamb ngaây thô nhö cöøu non; hieàn nhö chaân teù xuoáng döôùi ñöôøng. Chuyeän aáy coù gì ñaùng cöôøi.) nai vaøng ngô ngaùc. (Coù yù noùi ngaây thô trong traéng— as good as done xong ngay. (Chöõ done coù theå thay theá chæ ngöôøi con gaùi—hoaëc voâ toäi hay bò haøm oan—chæ baèng nhieàu past participle khaùc nhö cooked, dead, caùc tröôøng hôïp lieân quan ñeán luaät phaùp.) "Hey! finished, paited, typed, vv.) This job is as good as You can't throw me in jail,” cried the robber. “I'm done, It's just take another second. (Coâng vieäc naøy thì innocent as a lamb." ("EÂ! OÂng khoâng theå neùm toâi xong ngay. Chæ caàn vaøi phuùt thoâi.) Yes, sir, if you hire vaøo khaùm ñöôïc,” teân aên cöôùp la leân. “Toâi hieàn nhö me to paint your house, it's as good as painted. (Vaâng, con nai vaøng ngô ngaùc kia maø.") Look at the baby, thöa oâng, neáu oâng muoán thueâ toâi sôn caên nhaø cuûa oâng, as innocent as a lamb. (Nhìn em beù kìa, troâng ngaây thì xong ngay.) When I hand my secretary a letter to thô nhö chuù cöøu non.) be typed, I know that it's as good as typed right then and as it were nhö ai cuõng thaáy; khoâng töôûng töôïng noåi; there. (Khi toâi ñöa laù thö cho coâ thö kyù cuûa toâi ñaùnh ai cuõng bieát He carefully constructed, as it were, a maùy, toâi bieát laø seõ xong ngay maø.) huge sandwich. (Nhö ai cuõng thaáy ñoù, noù ñaõ laøm cho as good as gold thöù thieät, chaùnh hieäu con nai vaøng. noù moät caùi saên-uyùch to toå boá vaäy neø.) The Phan Mai's promise is as good as gold. (Lôøi höùa cuûa Mai laø family live in a small, as it were, exquisite house. (Ai thöù thieät ñoù. (YÙ noùi “Mai ñaõ höùa laø chaéc chaén.") Yes, cuõng bieát gia ñình hoï Phan soáng trong caên nhaø nhoû, this diamond is genuine—good as gold. (Vaâng, hoät xoaøn nhöng voâ cuøng xinh xaén.) naøy ñuùng laø chaùnh hieäu con nai vaøng.) as the crow flies theo ñöôøng chim bay It is three as happy as a clam vui nhö heán con; vui nhö saùo hoaëc miles from here to that place as the crow flies, but it chim möøng naéng môùi. (Coù theå boû as ñaàu.) Thònh sat takes us twenty minutes to drive there. (Töø ñaây ñeán there smiling, as happy as a clam. (Thònh ngoài mæm cöôøi ñoù chæ coù ba daëm theo ñöôøng chim bay, vaäy maø moät mình, loøng vui nhö chim hoùt möøng naéng môùi.) chuùng toâi phaûi maát hai möôi phuùt laùi xe môùi ñeán ñoù There they all sat, eating corn on the cob and looking ñöôïc.) happy as clams. (Boïn hoï ngoài ñoù, treân ñoáng gaïch vöøa ask for the moon ñoøi leân cung traêng; ñoøi gan roàng. nhai baép vöøa troâng vui veû nhö chim hoùt möøng naéng (Khoâng ñöôïc ñoøi hoûi quaù ñaùng.) When you're môùi.) trying to get a job, it's unwise to ask for the moon. as happy as lark vui nhö chim sôn ca; vui nhö môû côø (Khi ñi xin vieäc, ñöøng bao giôø ñoøi leân cung traêng.) (trong buïng.) Thanh Xuaân walked along whistling, as Please lend me the money. I'm not asking for the happy as a lark. (Thanh Xuaân vöøa ñi vöøa huyùt saùo, vui moon! (Xin cho toâi muôïn ít tieàn. Toâi ñaâu coù ñoøi gan nhö môû côø trong buïng.) The children danced and sang, roàng ñaâu.) happy as larks. (Ñaùm treû con nhaûy muùa, ca haùt, vui nhö ask for trouble chuoác hoaï vaøo thaân; röôùc hoaï vaø ñaøn chim sôn ca.) Also as happy as a clam. ngöôøi Stop talking to him that way, Taâm. You're as hard as nails cöùng nhö ñaù; laïnh luøng nhö tieàn (chæ just asking for trouble. (Khoâng ñöôïc aên noùi vôùi toâi khuoân maët laïnh luøng.) The old loaf of bread was dried nhö vaäy nöõa, Taâm. Anh ñang chuoác hoaï vaø thaân ñoù.) out and became as hard as nails. (OÅ baùnh mì cuõ ñoù cöùng Anybody who threatens a police officer is asking nhö ñaù roài.) Ngoïc Anh was unpleasant and hard as for trouble. (Ai maø buoâng lôøi ñe doïa caûnh saùt thì nails. (Ngoïc Anh khoâng vui trong loøng neân maët coâ ta ngöôøi ñoù muoán röôùc hoaï vaøo thaân.) laïnh nhö tieàn.) asleep at the switch cheånh maõng; lô laø nhieäm vuï. as high as a kite/sky cao nhö dieàu bay, cao baèng trôøi The guard was asleep at the switch when the xanh, cao ngaát taàng maây. 1. raát cao, cao ngheäu The robber broke in. (Ngöôøi gaùc tröïc cheånh maõng neân tree grew as high as a kite. (Caùi caây ñoù moïc cao ngheäu.) teân cöôùp môùi leûn vaøo ñöôïc.) If I hadn't been asleep Your pet bird got outside and flew up high as the sky. at the switch, I'd have seen the stolen car. (Neáu toâi (Con chim baïn nuoâi vuït ra khoûi loàng vaø caát caùnh bay cao khoâng lô laø nhieäm vuï thì toâi ñaõ thaáy chieác xe bò laáy ngaát taàng maây.) 2. say nhö bay boång leân maây Bình troäm roài.) drank beer until he got as high as a kite. (Bình uoáng bia as light as a feather nheï töng; nheï nhö baác Thanh cho ñeán khi say nhö bay boång leân maây.) The thieves Xuaân dieted until she was as light as a feather. were high as the sky on drugs. (Maáy teân troäm cöôùp pheâ (Thanh Xuaân kieâng aên cho ñeán khi ngöôøi coâ ta nheï

14 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

töng môùi thoâi.) Of course I can lift the box. It's light as nhöng nuï cöôøi cuûa anh troâng deã thöông vaø hieàn haäu a feather. (Dó nhieân toâi dö söùc nhaác caùi hoäp ñoù leân ñöôïc. quaù.) Our house is plain as day, but it's Noù nheï töng aø.) To all boat men, death is as light as a comfortable. (Caên nhaø chuùng toâi troâng ñôn sô nhöng feather. (Ñoái vôùi nhöõng thuyeàn nhaân, caùi cheát nheï töïa ôû raát thoaûi maùi.) 2. roõ nhö ban ngaøy The lecture loâng hoàng.) was as plain as day. No one had to ask questions. as likely as not döôøng nhö; chöøng nhö vaäy. (Coù theå boû as (Baøi dieãn vaên quaù roõ nhö ban ngaøy. Ai cuõng hieåu caû ñaàu.) He will as likely as not arrive without warning. neân khoâng caàn phaûi hoûi.) His statement was plain (Döôøng nhö anh ta seõ ñeán maø khoâng moät lôøi baùo tröôùc.) as day. (Lôøi noùi cuûa oâng ta quaù roõ nhö ban ngaøy.) Likely as not, the game will be canceled. (Chöøng nhö as plain as the nose on one's face ñôn giaûn nhö caùi traän giao ñaáu bò huûy boû roài thì phaûi.) caèm naèm döôùi caùi mieäng; raønh raønh tröôùc maét as luck would have it may may ruûi ruûi vaäy ñoù As luck What do you mean you don't understand? It's as would have it, we had a flat tire. (May may ruûi ruûi vaäy plain as the nose on your face. (Caùi gì maø baïn khoâng ñoù, baây giôø xe chuùng ta bò xeïp baùnh xe roài.) As luck hieåu? Roõ raøng nhö caùi caèm naèm döôùi caùi mieäng vaäy would have it, the check came in the mail today. (May maø.) Your guilt is plain as the nose on your face. may ruûi ruûi röùa vaäy ñoù, hoâm nay caùi ngaân phieáu laïi veà.) (Toäi loãi cuûa baïn raønh raønh tröôùc maét aáy maø.) as mad as a hatter ñieân khuøng nhö ngöôøi baùn noùn 1. as poor as a church mouse ngheøo nhö chuoät nhaø ñieân khuøng. (Chæ nhaân vaät Mad Hatter trong truyeän thôø; ngheøo rôùt moàng tôi, ngheøo xô ngheøo xaùt. (Chöõ Alice's Adventures in Wonderland cuûa Lewis Carroll. Coù as ñaàu coù theå boû.) My aunt is as poor as a church theå boû as ñaàu.) Poor old Taâm is as mad as a hatter. mouse. (Baø dì toâi ngheøo nhö chuoät nhaø thôø.) The (Toäi nghieäp giaø Taâm baây giôø noåi ñieân noåi khuøng.) All Browns are poor as church mouse. (Gia ñình Browns these screaming children are driving me as mad as a ngheøo rôùt moàng tôi.) The teacher is poor as church hatter. (Maáy ñöùa con nít naøy la heùt laøm cho toâi muoán mouse: White chalk, white paper, white palm; phaùt ñieân phaùt khuøng.) 2. giaän döõ muoán ñieân leân You blackboard, black ink, black life! (Ngheà giaùo thì make me so angry! I'm as mad as a hatter. (Anh laøm toâi ngheøo xô ngheøo xaùt: Phaán traéng, giaáy traéng, baøn tay giaän heát söùc! Toâi giaän muoán ñieân leân ñaây naøy.) Taâm traéng; baûng ñen, möïc ñen, cuoäc ñôøi ñen!’ can't control his temper. He's always mad as a hatter. as pretty as a picture ñeïp nhö ngöôøi trong tranh; (Taâm khoâng laøm sao neùn ñöôïc côn giaän. Luùc naøo anh ta xinh nhö moät böùc tranh. Sweet little Mai is as cuõng noåi côn giaän döõ nhö ngöôøi ñieân vaäy.) pretty as a picture. (Coâ beù Mai ñeå thöông ñeïp nhö as mad as a hornet giaän nhö con baép caøy; giaän tím ruoät. ngöôøi trong tranh.) Their new house is pretty as a You make me so angry. I'm as mad as a hornet. (Maøy picture. (Caên nhaø môùi cuûa hoï xinh nhö moät böùc laøm tao giaän quaù. Tao ñang giaän tím ruoät ñaây.) Lieân tranh.) can get mad as a hornet when somebody criticizes her. as proud as a peacock töï haøo nhö chuù coâng; döông (Khi bò ai chæ trích Lieân noåi giaän tím ruoät.) döông töï ñaéc nhö chaøng gaø troáng coù tieáng gaùy hay as mad as March hare noåi ñieân nhö thoû thaùng Ba; ñieân nhaát Taâm is so arrogant. He's as proud as a khuøng. (Xuaát xöù töø chuyeän con thoû trong truyeän Alice peacock. (Taâm quaù loái. Luùc naøo anh cuõng döông Phieâu Löu Vaøo Coõi Thaàn Tieân cuûa Lewis Carroll. Chöõ döông töï ñaéc nhö chaøng gaø troáng coù tieáng gaùy hay as ñaàu coù theå boû.) Thanh Xuaân is getting as mad as a nhaát.) The new father was proud as a peacock. March hare. (Thanh Xuaân ñang noåi ñieân nhö thoû thaùng (OÂng cha gheû môùi ñoù döông döông töï ñaéc nhö chaøng Ba kìa.) My Uncle Bình is mad as a March hare. (OÂng gaø troáng coù tieáng gaùy hay nhaát.) chuù toâi ñang noåi ñieân noåi khuøng.) as quick as a wink nhanh nhö chôùp As quick as a as mad as a wet hen giaän nhö gaø maùi öôùt; giaän böùc toùc wink, the thief took the lady's purse. (Nhanh nhö böùc tai Bob was screaming and shouting —as mad as chôùp, teân cöôùp giaät maát caùi ví cuûa baø kia.) I'll a wet hen. (Bob ñang la heùt om soøm—giaän döõ nhö gaø finish this work quick as a wink. (Toâi seõ laøm xong maùi öôùt.) What you said make Mai mad as a wet hen. vieäc naøy nhanh nhö chôùp.) (Lôøi baïn noùi ra laøm cho Mai giaän böùc toùc böùc tai roài as quiet as a mouse laøm thinh nhö chuoät; laøm thinh kìa.) nhö pho töôïng. (Coù theå boû chöõ as ñaàu.) Don't yell; as one ñeàu ñaën vaø nhòp nhaøng nhö moät. All the dancers whisper. Be as quiet as a mouse. (Ñöøng coù la, noùi moved as one. (Nhöõng vuõ vieân bieåu dieãn raát ñeàu ñaën vaø thaàm thoâi. Laøm thinh nhö chuoät ñi.) Mai hardly nhòp nhaøng nhö moät.) The chorus spoke as one. (Caû ever says anyting. She's quiet as a mouse. (Mai ít khi nhoùm noùi ñeàu ñaën vaø nhòp nhaøng nhö moät.) noùi laém. Coâ ta luùc naøo cuõng laøm thinh nhö pho as plain as day moäc maïc nhö moät ngaøy qua. (Coù theå boû töôïng.) "Why are you three sitting quiet as mice?” as ñaàu.) 1. troâng nhaø queâ, ñôn sô Although his face asked Mrs. Hoi as she just came back from work. was as plain as day, his smile made him look interesting ("Taïi sao ngoài yeân nhö buït theá kia?” Baùc Hoái gaùi and friendly. (Maëc daàu khuoân maët anh ta troâng nhaø queâ, vöøa ñi laøm veà, hoûi.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 15

as regular as clockwork ñeàu ñaën nhö kim ñoàng hoà; ñeàu angry. (Thònh nghieâm trang nhö oâng quan toaø. Toâi ñaën nhö boán muøa thay ñoåi She comes into this store nghó anh ta ñang giaän.) 2. raát tænh taùo, raát coâng minh. every day, as regular as clockwork. (Baø ta ñeán cöûa tieäm Taâm's drunk? No, he's as sober as a judge. (Taâm naøy ñeàu daën nhö kim ñoàng hoà.) Our tulips come up say haû? Khoâng, anh ta raát tænh taùo nhö quan toaø.) every year, regular as clockwork. (Hoa uaát kim höông You should be sober as a judge when you drive a chuùng toâi troàng haøng naêm nôû ñeàu ñaën nhö boán muøa thay car. (Khi laùi xe, baïn neân tænh taùo vaø nghieâm trang ñoåi.) nhö quan toaø môùi ñöôïc.) as scarce as hen's teeth vaø scarcer than hen's teeth as soft as a baby's bottom mòn maøng nhö ñít con nít; hieám hoi nhö raêng gaø; hieám hoi hôn nem coâng, chaû mòn maøng nhö nhung This cloth is as soft as a phuïng I've never seen one of those. They're as scarce baby's bottom. (Loaïi haøng naøy mòn maøn nhö ñít con as hen's teeth. (Toâi chöa bao giôø thaáy maáy thöù ñoù caû. nít.) No, Bob doesn't shave yet. His cheeks are soft Thaät laø hieám hoi nhö raêng gaø.) I was told that the part as as baby's bottom. (Khoâng, Bob chöa coù caïo raâu. needed for my car is scarcer than hen's teeth, and it Hai caùi maù anh ta mòn maøn nhö ñít con nít.) would take a long time to find one. (Toâi nghe noùi raèng as soon as possible caøng sôùm caøng toát I'm leaving moùn phuï tuøng cuûa chieác xe toâi coøn hieám hôn gan roàng, now. I'll have to be there as soon as possible. (Toâi chaû phuïng.) phaûi ñi baây giôø. Toâi seõ tôùi ñoù caøng sôùm caøng toát.) as sick as a dog beänh nhö choù; beänh reà reà nhö bôïm bònh Please pay me as soon as possible. (Vui loøng thanh We've never been so ill. The whole family was sick as toaùn cho toâi caøng sôùm caøng toát.) dogs. (Chuùng toâi chöa bao giôø beänh reà reà nhö vaäy caû. Caû as strong as an ox maïnh nhö traâu. Thònh lifts nhaø beänh reà reà nhö bôïm bònh vaäy.) Thanh Xuaân was as weights and is as strong as an ox. (Thònh taäp taï neân sick as dog and couldn't go to the party. (Thanh Xuaân maïnh nhö traâu.) Now that Ngoïc Anh has recovered beänh reà reà nhö bôm beänh neân khoâng ñi döï tieäc ñöôïc.) from her illness, she's strong as an ox. (Baây giôø nhôø as slippery as an eel trôn nhö môõ; noùi nhö chuoät chaïy Ngoïc Anh ñaõ khoûi beänh, neân coâ ta maïnh nhö traâu trôû oáng tre; chaïy luoân chaân Thònh can't be trusted. He's as laïi.) slippery as an eel. (Thònh noùi khoâng tin ñöôïc. Anh ta noùi as stubborn as a mule ngoan coá nhö löøa; cöùng ñaàu nhö chuoät chaïy oáng tre vaäy.) It's hard to catch Joe in nhö boø My husband is as stubborn as a mule. his office because he's slippery as an eel. (Thaät khoù maø (Choàng toâi ngoan coá nhö löøa.) Our cat is stubborn tìm gaëp ñöôïc Joe taïi vaên phoøng anh ta vì anh ta luùc naøo as a mule. (Con meøo nhaø toâi cöùng ñaàu nhö boø.) cuõng chaïy luoân chaân.) as the crow flies ñöôøng chim bay; theo ñöôøng thaúng as smart as a fox khoân lanh nhö caùo. (Coù theå boû as ñaàu.) It's twenty miles to town on the highway, but only My nephew is as smart as a fox. (Ñöùa chaùu toâi khoân ten miles as the crow flies. (Töø xa loä chính ñeán khu lanh nhö caùo.) You have to be smart as a fox to outwit phoá phaûi ñi hai möôi daëm nhöng theo ñöôøng chim me. (Maøy phaûi khoân lanh nhö caùo môùi ñòch noåi tao.) bay chæ coù muôøi daëm.) Our house is only a few It's necessary that you be as smart as a fox to survive, miles from the lake as the crow flies. (Theo ñöôøng but, being honest is best policy. How could one be both chim bay, nhaø toâi chæ caùch caùi hoà coù vaøi daëm.) smart and honest? (Ñieàu caàn thieát laø baïn phaûi khoân lanh as thick as pea soup ñaëc nhö chaùo ñaäu; daøy ñaëc, ñaëc nhö caùo môùi toàn taïi ñöôïc, nhöng, thaønh thaät laø caùch soáng quaùnh This fog is as thick as pea soup. (Söông muø ñeïp nhaát. Vaäy laøm sao ñeå vöøa khoân lanh vöøa thaønh thaät naøy ñaëc quaùnh nhö chaùo ñaäu.) Wow, this coffee is ñöôïc?’ strong! It's thick as pea soup. (Chaø, caø pheâ naøy ñaäm as snug as a bug in a rug thoaûi maùi nhö gaø maùi naèm quaù! Ñaëc quaùnh nhö chaùo ñaäu.) trong chaùi; caùi nguû maø nguû cho ngoan (Caâu noùi cuûa meï as thick as thieves daøy cui nhö vaûi boá; saùt caùnh beân nöïng con khi ru con nguû. Caâu noùi naøy chæ noùi cho hôïp nhau nhö hình vôùi boùng, thaân thieát nhö tình anh em. vaàn nhö ñeå noùi leân söï voâ cuøng thoaûi maùi. Chöõ as ñaàu coù (Loái noùi cuûa tieáng Anh chæ theo vaàn. Coù theå boû chöõ theå boû.) Let's pull up the covers. There you are, Bobby, as ñaàu.) Mai, Thònh, and Thanh Xuaân are as thick as snug as a bug in a rug. (Naøo haõy keùo meàn leân. Con as thieves. They go everywhere together. (Mai, Thònh ngoan cuûa meï, Bobby, nguû cho no say con nheù.) What vaø Thanh Xuaân luùc naøo cuõng ñi vôùi nhau nhö hình a lovely little house! I know I'll be snug as a bug in a vôùi boùng.) Those two families are thick as thieves. rug. (Thaät laø ngoâi nhaø xinh xaén! Toâi bieát toâi seõ thoaûi maùi (Hai gia ñình ñoù thaân thieát nhö tình anh em.) nhö gaø maùi naèm trong chaùi.) as tight as Dick's hatband thaét nhö voøng kim coâ; as sober as a judge nghieâm trang nhö oâng quan toaø. Coù thaét quaù chaëc, keït cöùng ngaét nhö ñoùng ñinh vaäy theå boû chöõ as ñaàu.) 1. raát uû doät, raát nghieâm nghò You I've got to lose some weight. My belt is as tight as certainly look gloomy, Bình. You're sober as a judge. Dick's hat band. (Toâi phaûi tìm caùch laøm giaûm kyù. (Baïn troâng uû doät quaù vaäy, Bình. Nghieâm trang nhö oâng Caùi nòt toâi baây giôø thaét chaët quaù nhö voøng kim coâ quan toaø.) Thònh's as sober as a judge. I think he's vaäy.) This window is stuck tight as Dick's hatband.

16 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

(Caùi cöûa soå naøy bò keït cöùng ngaét nhö ñoùng ñinh vaäy.) at loose ends hai ñaàu loûng leûo; tình traïng noân noùng, as weak as a kitten yeáu ñuoái nhö meøo con; yeáu nhö con boàn choàn; bò maát vieäc Just before school starts, all chi chi Taâm is as weak as a kitten because he doesn't the children are at loose ends. (Ngay tröôùc giôø khai eat well. (Taâm thì yeáu nhö meøo con vì anh ta khoâng chòu giaûng, taát caû hoïc sinh ñeàu caûm thaáy noân noùng boàn aên cho nhieàu vaøo.) Oh! Suddenly I feel weak as a choàn trong loøng.) When Thònh is home on the kitten. (OÂ! Töï nhieân sao toâi yeáu nhö con chi chi vaäy weekends, he's always at loose ends. (Khi Thònh ôû naøy.) nhaø cuoái tuaàn, anh ta luoân luoân thaáy trong loøng boàn as white as the driven snow traéng nhö tuyeát; traéng choàn, noân noùng.) Lieân has been at loose ends ever ngaàn. I like my bed sheets to be as white as the driven since she lost her job. (Töø khi bò maát vieäc ñeán nay snow. (Toâi thích taám traûi giöôøng toâi phaûi traéng nhö tuyeát Lieân thaáy trong loøng luùc naøo cuõng boàn choàn noân vaäy.) We have a new kitten whose fur is white as the noùng.) driven snow. (Chuùng toâi coù con meøo loâng traéng nhö at/in one fell swoop moät caùi veøo; trong boãng choác tuyeát vaäy.) thaønh maây khoùi The party guests ate up all the as wise as an owl thoâng minh nhö cuù: thoâng minh nhö snacks at one fell swoop. (Khaùch döï tieäc vui aên veøo thaàn ñoàng, raát saùng suoát. (Coù theå boû chöõ as ñaàu.) My moät caùi heát trôn baùnh ngoït.) When the stock grandfather is as wise as an owl. (OÂng noäi toâi thoâng market crashed, many large fortunes were wiped out minh nhö thaàn ñoàng vaäy.) My goal is to be wise as an in one fell swoop. (Khi thò tröôøng chöùng khoaùn bò suïp owl. (Muïc tieâu cuûa toâi raát saùng suoát.) ñoã, nhieàu khoaûn tieàn lôùn trong boãng choác tan thaønh at a premium giaù cao; baùn giaù cao vì ñaëc bieät Thanh maây khoùi.) Xuaân bought the shoes at the premium because they were at one's wit's end vaét oùc khoâng ra; boù tay chòu thua of very high quality. (Thanh Xuaân mua ñoâi giaøy ñoù giaù I'm at my wit's end with this problem. I can’t figure raát cao vì phaåm chaát giaù cao.) This model of car is it out. (Toâi vaét oùc khoâng ra caùch giaûi quyeát vaán ñeà selling at a premium because so many people want to naøy. Toâi khoâng taøi naøo nghó ra ñöôïc.) Thònh could buy it. (Kieåu xe naøy baùn giaù cao laém vì nhieàu ngöôøi do no more. He was at his wit's end. (Thònh heát laøm thích mua.) gì ñöôïc. Anh ta ñaønh boù tay chòu thua.) at a snail's pace chaäm nhö oác seân; chaäm nhö ruøa When at sea (about s.t.) khoâng bieát moâ teâ; hoaøn toaøn muø tòt you watch a clock, time seems to move at a snail's pace. Mai is all at sea about getting married. (Mai (Khi baïn nhìn vaøo kim ñoàng hoà chaïy, baïn coù caûm töôûng khoâng bieát moâ teâ gì veà vieäc ñaùm cöôùi caû.) When it nhö thôøi gian chaäm nhö ruøa vaäy.) You always eat at a comes to higher math, Taâm is totally at sea. (Khi hoïc snail's pace. I'm tired of waiting for you. (Luùc naøo anh lôùp toaùn cao hôn, Taâm hoaøn toaøn muø tòt.) cuõng aên chaäm nhö ruøa. Toâi chaùn caûnh ñôïi anh laém roài.) at sixes and sevens loän xoän; bò saûng, maát bình tónh. at death's door taïi cöûa töû; gaàn cheát. (Loái noùi hoa myõ.) (Laáy hình aûnh con suùc saéc naèm cheânh giöõa hai maët I was so ill that I was at death's door. (Toâi bò beänh ñeå chæ söï khoâng phaân ñònh ñöôïc soá ñieåm trong khi muoán tôùi cöûa töû ñaây.) The family dog was at death's ñoû ñen.) Mrs. Sinh is at sixes and sevens since the door for three days, and then it finally died. (Con choù death of her husband. (Töø ngaøy choàng baø maát ñi, baø nhaø toâi beänh ba ngaøy tôùi beân cöûa töû, vaø roài sau ñoù ñi vaøo Sinh luùc naøo cuõng hay bò saûng.) Bình is alwys at trong ñoù luoân.) sixes and sevens when he's home by himself. (Khi at half-mast nöûa coät buoàm, treo côø ruû. (Nguyeân duøng naøo Bình ôû nhaø moät mình, anh ta thöôøng hay maát cho vieäc treo côø ruû ñeå töôûng nieäm ngöôøi quaù coá, nay bình tónh.) duøng ñeå noùi ñuøa nhö thí duï 3.) The flag was flying at at/on s.o.'s doorstep ñöôïc söï chaêm soùc cuûa ai; ai half-mast because the general had died. (Laù côø treo chòu traùch nhieäm Why do you always have to lay ngang löng chöøng coät vì coù moät vò töôùng môùi qua ñôøi.) your problems at my doorstep? (Taïi sao baïn luùc naøo American flags at half-mast on Memorial Day. (Vaøo cuõng ñaåy nhöõng raéc roái cuûa baïn cho toâi lo caû vaäy?’ ngaøy Chieán Syõ Traän Vong, Hoa kyø treo côø ruû ñeå töôûng I shall put this issue on s.o. else's doorstep. (Toâi seõ nieäm.) The little boy ran out of the house with his ñeå cho ngöôøi khaùc chòu traùch nhieäm veà vieäc naøy.) pants at half-mast. (Thaèng beù chaïy töø trong nhaø ra maø I don't want it on my doorstep. (Toâi khoâng chòu quaàn noù vaãn coøn ngang nöûa coät buoàm.) traùch nhieäm veà chuyeän ñoù ñaâu.) at loggerheads ñoái ñaàu nhau; choáng ñoái nhau Mr. and at the bottom of the ladder ôû haïng choùt; haïng thaáp Mrs. Phan Laân have been at loggerheads for years. (Ñaõ nhaát; chöùc vuï queøn. Most people start work at the bao naêm nay oâng baø Phan Laân cöù ñoái ñaàu nhau hoaøi.) botThònh of the ladder. (Phaàn lôùn ngöôøi ta vaøo laøm The two political parties were at loggerheads during vieäc ñeàu baét ñaàu töø haïng thaáp nhaát (vaø töø töø leo leân.) the entire legislative session. (Trong suoát cuoäc nhoùm cuûa When Ngoïc Anh got fired, she had to start all over ngaønh luaät phaùp hai ñaûng chính trò choáng ñoái nhau lieân again at the botThònh of the ladder. (Khi Ngoïc Anh tuïc.) bò ñuoåi vieäc, coâ ta phaûi baét ñaàu laøm laïi töø daàu baèng

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 17

moät chöùc vuï queøn.) you come back later? (Toâi raát tieác, nhöng Ngoïc Anh at the drop of a hat ngay laäp töùc; nhanh nhaåu Taâm hieän ñang ñi vaéng. Phieàn oâng/baø trôû laïi sau ñöôïc was always ready to go fishing at the drop of a hat. Taâm khoâng?) Thònh is away from his desk, but if you thì luùc naøo cuõng nhanh nhaåu ñi caâu caù.) If you need leave your number, he will call you right back. help, just call me. I can come at the drop of a hat. (Neáu (Thònh hieän khoâng coù maët, nhöng neáu oâng ñeå soá baïn caàn toâi giuùp, chæ caàn goïi. Toâi ñeán ngay laäp töùc.) ñieän thoaïi laïi, anh ta seõ goïi laïi cho oâng/baø ngay.) at the eleventh hour giôø thöù möôøi moät; giaây phuùt cuoái cuøng She always turned her term papers in at the eleventh hour. (Coâ ta luùc naøo ñôïi ñeán giôø thöù möôøi moät môùi chòu noäp baøi luaän vaên.) We don't worry about death until the eleventh hour. (Khi naøo ñeán giôø thöù möôøi moät chuùng toâi môùi lo ñeán caùi cheát.) Unlike those people, we never wait until eleventh hour to worry about death; we are always preparing for it every day. (Khoâng gioáng nhö nhöõng ngöôøi kia, chuùng toâi khoâng bao giôø ñôïi ñeán giôø thöù möôøi moät môùi lo cho caùi cheát; chuùng toâi luùc Bb naøo cuõng lo cho noù haøng ngaøy.) at the end of one's rope/tether cuoái ñaàu daây; heát söùc B.Y.O. abbrev. Bring Your Own ai ñeán döï tieäc thì chòu ñöïng I'm at the end of my rope! I just can't go on mang theo moät moùn goùp vaøo. this way! (Toâi heát chòu ñöïng noåi roài! Toâi khoâng theå naøo B.Y.O.B Bring Your Own Bottle ai uoáng röôïu thì tieáp tuïc caùch naøy nöõa ñaâu!’ These kids are driving me mang röôïu tôùi [Hai caùch naøy BYO vaø BYOB thöôøng out of my mind. I'm at the end of my tether. (Maáy ñöùa beù thaáy ghi trong thieäp môøi ñeå nhaéc khaùch bieát neân naøy laøm cho toâi muoán ñieân leân roài. Toâi chòu ñöïng heát mang theo gì ñeán böõa hoïp maët.] noåi chuùng noù.) babe in the woods ngöôøi ngaây thô; ngöôøi thieáu kinh at the last minute; giôø phuùt choùt; nöôùc tôùi chaân môùi nghieäm, tay mô. Bình is a babe in the woods when nhaûy Please don't make reservations at the last it comes to dealing with plumbers. (Bình khi böôùc minute. (Vui loøng ñöøng ñôïi giôø phuùt choùt môùi laáy heïn.) chaân vaøo ngheà laøm thôï söûa oáng nöôùc chæ laø moät tay Why do you ask all your questions at the last minute? mô.) As a painter, Mary is fine, but she’s a babe in (Taïi sao baïn ñeå ñeán giôø phuùt choùt môùi chòu hoûi?’ Mai the woods as a musician. (Laøm hoaï syõ, Mary thì gioûi, Lan is a careless girl; she does things at the last minute. nhöng qua laõnh vöïc aâm nhaïc, coâ ta hoaøn toaøn khoâng (Mai Lan laø moät coâ gaùi baát caàn ñôøi; caùi gì cuõng ñôïi nöôùc coù kinh nghieäm.) At the time Mai got married, she ñeán chaân môùi nhaûy.) was a babe in the woods. (Khi Mai laäp gia ñình, at the outside beân ngoaøi cuøng; toái ña The car repairs naøng raát ngaây thô.) will cost $300 at the outside. (Chieác xe ñoù söûa laïi toán toái back in circulation ñöôïc duøng laïi; taùi xuaát hieän ña ba traêm thoâi.) I'll be there in three weeks at the The book, which was banned by the dictator, is outside. (Toái ña trong ba tuaàn nöõa toâi seõ coù maët taïi ñoù.) now back in ciculation. (Quyeån saùch maø ñaõ bò nhaø at the tip of one’s tongue ad ñònh môû mieäng noùi It ñoäc taøi caám chæ, nay ñöôïc duøng laïi.) That was at the tip of my tongue, when somebody called my gentleman who disappeared for quite a few years name. (Ñònh môû mieäng noùi thì coù ngöôøi goïi teân toâi.) now is back in circulation. (OÂng ñoù thaáy baüng maáy at the top of one's voice/lungs gaân coå ra maø keâu; gaân coå naêm nay thaáy taùi xuaát hieän.) ra maø roáng Bình called at Mai at the top of his voice. back to the drawing board laøm laïi töø ñaàu; baét ñaàu (Bình gaân coå ra keâu Mai.) How can I work when laøm laïi My boy flunked college three years ago. you're all talking at the top of your lungs? (Laøm sao toâi Now he has to be back to the drawing board. (Con laøm vieäc ñöôïc trong khi baïn thì cöù gaân coå maø roáng leân trai toâi boû hoïc caùch ñaây ba naêm. Nay noù phaûi laøm laïi nhö vaäy?) töø ñaàu.) What they did does not work. We have to at this stage (of the game) vaøo giôø phuùt naøy; hieän nay be back to the drawing board. (Nhöõng gì hoï laøm We'll have to wait and see. There isn't much we can do khoâng aùp duïng ñöôïc. Chuùng toâi baét ñaàu laøm laïi.) at this stage of the game. (Chuùng ta phaûi chôø xem. Vaøo back to the salt mines trôû veà vôùi coâng vieäc; baét tay giôø phuùt naøy chuùng ta khoâng theå laøm gì ñöôïc.) At this vaøo vieäc The break is over! Back to the salt mines. stage, we are better off not calling the doctor. (Luùc naøy, (Giôø nghæ meät heát roài. Trôû veà vôùi coâng vieäc ñi.) I toát hôn chuùng ta ñi chöù khoâng caàn goïi baùc syõ ñeán laøm am back to the salt mines everyday even on Sunday. gì.) (Toâi baét tay vaøo vieäc moãi ngaøy, keå caû chuû nhaät.) away from one's desk ñang ñi vaéng; khoâng coù maët I'm back-to-back ñaáu löng vaøo nhau; lieân tieáp nhau sorry, but Ngoïc Anh is away from her desk just now. Can Fighting against a gang of six, those two brothers

18 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

stood back-to-back so that they could see all directions. ngöôøi ñoù laø keû haâm moä caùi goïi laø “chuû nghóa quaùi (Ñaùnh nhau vôùi moät boïn saùu teân, hai anh em chuùng noù thai cuûa thôøi ñaïi.” ñöùng ñaâu löng vaøo nhau ñeå coù theå nhìn thaáy ñöôïc moïi be a thorn in s.o.’s side moái lo trong loøng; moái lo höôùng.) Poor Old Loäc was heavily in debts. His taâm phuùc Jim knew her skeleton in the cupboard, debtees kept coming to his house back-to-back. (Toäi and so he has been a thorn in her side for years. (Jim nghieäp Giaø Loäc maéc nôï quaù nhieàu. Con nôï cöù lieân tieáp bieát bí maät cuûa baø ta neân maáy naêm nay anh ta laø moái nhau keùo ñeán nhaø oâng ta.) lo trong loøng baø aáy.) If you do s.t. seriously bad, it bag and baggage/part and parcel tay xaùch naùch mang; becomes a thorn in your side almost forever, even ñoà teá nhuyeãn All of a sudden our aunt appeared at the though no one knows about it. (Neáu baïn laøm ñieàu gì door bag and baggage yesterday morning. (Boãng nhieân teä haïi thì ñieàu ñoù chính laø moái lo trong loøng baïn, duø baø dì chuùng toâi tay xaùch naùch mang xuaát hieän tröôùc cöûa cho khoâng ai bieát ñieàu ñoù laø gì.) nhaø saùng hoâm qua.) His belonging – part and parcel – be down on one’s luck gaëp luùc hoaïn naïn, ngaët ngheøo is just a little suitcase he takes along wherever he goes. I try to help people when they are down on their (Taøi saûn cuûa anh ta – toaøn boä ñoà teá nhuyeãn – chæ voûn luck. (Toâi hay tìm caùch giuùp nhöõng ngöôøi gaëp hoaïn veïn moät va-li, ñi ñaâu anh ta cuõng xaùch theo.) naïn.) All my life, I have been down on my luck bag of tricks tuùi maùnh lôùi; coù taøi xoay xôû; coù nhieàu caùch several times. (Trong ñôøi toâi toâi töøng laâm vaøo caûnh giaûi quyeát What have you got in that bag of tricks that hoaïn naïn laém laàn.) could help me with this problem? (Trong caùi tuùi maùnh lôùi be from Missouri ña nghi nhö Taøo Thaùo; phaûi coù ñoù cuûa baïn coù gì giuùp toâi ñöôïc khoâng?) Thaønh has a baèng chöùng I am from Missouri. I have to see it trained eye and a bag of tricks to handle every matter in first. (Toâi laø ngöôøi ña nghi nhö Taøo Thaùo. Toâi phaûi daily life. (Thaønh coù con maét laõo luyeän vaø taøi xoay xôû thaáy caùi ñaõ.) She’s from Missouri, so don’t try to ñeå xöû trí vôùi moïi vaán ñeà trong cuoäc soáng.) fool her. (Baø ta ña nghi nhö Taøo Thaùo cho neân ñöøng band-new cuõng nhö bran-new môùi toanh He had taken hoøng gaït ñöôïc baø ta.) a brand-new car from the dealer’s floor and wrecked it. be half-hearted about s.o. or s.t. thôø ô vôùi ai/vieäc gì (Noù laøm hö chieác xe môùi toanh.) In Uncle Tom’s thieáu soát saéng vôùi ai hay vieäc gì; Since Taâm and trunk, we found a wedding ring, still in its little satin- Lan had a quarrel about the loss of Lan’s bike, Lan lined box, still brand-new (t rong röông cuûa chuù Tom looked half-hearted about him. (Töø ngaøy Taâm vaø chuùng toâi tìm thaáy moät chieác nhaãn cöôùi coøn môí toanh Lan caõi nhau veà chuyeän chieác xe ñaïp cuûa Lan bò trong hoäp.) maát, Lan troâng thôø ô vôùi anh ta.) I asked if he bank on s.t. ñaùng tin caäy veà vieäc gì What I said is true. would fix the garage door, the landlord was half- You can bank on it. (Ñieàu toâi vöøa noùi laø thaät. Baïn cöù tin hearted about it. (Toâi yeâu caàu oâng chuû nhaø söûa cho ñi.) One’s honesty should be honored as the utmost caùi cöûa nhaø xe thì oâng ta coù veû khoâng soát saéng.) virtue for others to bank on. (Söï thaønh thaät cuûa moät be old hat loãi thôøi; trôû thaønh laïc haäu The suit you ngöôøi neân ñöôc xem laø ñöùc tính tieân quyeát ñeå moïi ngöôøi are wearing is just old hat. (Boä ñoà anh ñang maëc doù tin vaøo.) laïc haäu roài.)His idea is old hat. (YÙ kieán cuûa anh bark up the wrong tree nhìn laàm ngöôøi; choïn laàm ñoái loãi thôøi roài.) töôïng Mai barked up the wrong tree when she asked a be poles apart khaéc nhau nhö nöôùc vôùi löûa thief to watch her bags. (Mai ñaõ nhìn laàm ngöôøi khi nhôø Although they are husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. moät teân troäm canh chöøng giuøm maáy tuùi xaùch.) Lan fell Ba are poles apart. (Maëc daàu laø hai vôï choàng, oâng in love with Taâm but her friends told her that she had baø Ba khaéc nhau nhö nöôùc vôùi löûa.) After his barked up the wrong tree. (Lan ñem loøng yeâu Taâm graduation from college he seems to change a lot. He nhöng caùc baïn cuûa coâ ñeàu noùi raèng coâ ta ñaõ choïn laàm and his wife, therefore, are poles apart. (Sau khi toát ñoái töôïng.) nghieäp ñaïi hoïc xong anh ta coù veû thay ñoåi. Vì vaäy be a copy-cat baét chöôùc nhö khæ; ngöôøi hay baét chöôùc anh vaø vôï anh trôû thaønh khaéc nhau nhö nöôùc vôùi If you wear that blue shirt, I will put on this white one. löûa.) I don’t want to be a copy-cat. (Neáu anh maëc caùi aùo xanh be the spit and image of some-one vaø be the spitting ñoù thì toâi maëc aùo maøu traéng naøy. Toâi khoâng thích kieåu image of s.o. gioáng ai nhö taïc; gioáng nhö ñuùc My baét chöôùc nhö khæ.) In Vietnamese we call “a copy- aunts used to tell me that I am the spit and image of cat” “a copy monkey!” (Tieáng Vieät chuùng toâi noùi “ngöôøi my grandfather. (Maáy baø coâ toâi thöôøng noùi vôùi toâi baét chöôùc” laø “baét chöôùc nhö khæ!” raèng toâi gioáng nhö oâng noäi toâi nhö taïc.) His friends be a fan of s.o. ngöôøi haâm moä ai When I was young I teased him by saying that he is the spit and image of used to be a fan of Steve McQueen. (Khi coøn nhoû toâi töøng his father’s neighbor. (Maáy ñöùa baïn noù choïc noù raèng laø ngöôøi haâm moä Steve Mc Queen.) Those people are noù gioáng oâng haøng xoùm cuûa cha noù nhö taïc.) fans of the so-called “the weird ism of the time.” (Nhöõng be the teacher’s pet hoïc troø cöng cuûa ai Vivy is

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 19

her teacher’s pet. (Vivy laø hoïc troø cöng cuûa coâ giaùo noù.) me what you want. (Xin baïn ñöøng noùi loanh noùi I don’t want to be any teacher’s pet. (Toâi khoâng thích quanh nöõa coù ñöôïc khoâng? Cho toâi bieát baïn muoán laøm hoïc troø cöng cuûa thaày coâ naøo heát.) gì?) Beating around the bush is not a good way to bear the brunt of s.t. chòu traän; höùng chòu phaàn naëng explain s.t. you wish to put across. (Noùi loanh noùi nhaát I have had to bear the brunt of her screaming and quanh khoâng phaûi laø caùch hay ñeå giaûi thích moät vieäc yelling. (Töø laâu nay toâi phaûi chòu traän nhöõng lôøi keâu reùo gì ñoù cho ngöôøi khaùc hieåu.) vaø la heùt cuûa baø ta.) Corporal Haân and his men bore beat one’s head against the wall uoång coâng muùc the brunt of the enemy’s attack for three hours during the nöôùc choù uoáng They had been beating their heads night. (Ñeâm qua Haï só Haân vaø binh lính cuûa anh ta phaûi agaisnt the wall when they knew that their daughter höùng chòu muõi taán coâng cuûa ñòch suoát ba ngaøy lieàn.) had flunked school two years earlier. (Thaät uoång bear watching caàn ñöôïc theo doõi caån thaän The baby’s coâng hoï muùc nöôùc choù uoáng khi bieát ñöôïc con gaùi illness bears watching for any developments. (Beänh tình minh ñaõ boû hoïc hai naêm tröôùc ñoù.) That chair is em beù caàn ñöôïc theo doõi caån thaän xem coù dieãn bieán naøo too old to fix. You really beat your head against the khoâng.) That is a minor thing that won’t bear wall trying to fix it. (Caùi gheá ñoù cuõ laém roài ñöøng söûa watching. (Ñoù laø chuyeän nhoû nhaët khoâng caàn phaûi theo nöõa. Baïn söûa noù chaúng khaùc naøo uoång coâng muùc doõi.) nöôùc choù uoáng.) bear/carry one’s cross chòu ñöïng; laõnh phaàn naëng nhaát beat the gun coá chaïy veà tôùi ñích In a relay race, Everyone is supposed to bear his cross, but there are every runner of a team tries his best to beat the gun. some that never bear theirs at all! (Moïi ngöôøi leõ ra phaûi (Trong moät cuoäc chaïy ñua tieáp söùc, moãi thaønh vieân gaùnh chòu söï naêng nhoïc cuûa chính mình, nhöng moät soá trong ñoäi ñeàu raùng söùc chaïy ñeå ñöôïc ñeán ñích.) ngöôøi chaúng heà gaùnh chòu gì caû!) In a Vietnamese Taâm tried to beat the gun in a 200-meter sprint, family, the father always carries his cross to earn the but he was only a runner-up. (Trong cuoäc chaïy nöôùc living for the whole family while the mother takes care of ruùt 200 meùt Taâm coá heát söùc, nhöng chæ ñöôïc veà nhì.) the children. (Trong moät gia ñình Vieät nam, ngöôøi cha Beauty is only skin deep ñeïp ngöôøi khoâng baèng ñeïp luoân luoân laõnh phaàn naëng nhaát ñeå kieám soáng trong khi neát In Vietnamese a maxim that says “one’s ngöôøi meï lo chaêm soùc con caùi.) beautiful wife is not really his.” Beauty is only skin beard the lion in his den daùm vaøo hang huøm vuoát raâu deep. (Tieáng Vieät coù caâu vôï ñeïp khoâng phaûi vôï coïp Bearding the lion in his den is s.t. few people can mình. Ñeïp ngöôøi khoâng baèng ñeïp neát.) Beauty is do. (Daùm vaøo haøng huøm vuoát raâu coïp laø chuyeän ít ngöôøi just a skin deep. Lan is lovely but she is rather laøm ñöôïc.) Tim mustered up his courage and walked in haughty. (Ñeïp ngöôøi khoâng baèng ñeïp neát. Lan thì the director’s office to hand him a complaint. He ñeïp nhö hôi kieâu kyø.) bearded the lion in his den. (Tim laáy heát can ñaûm böôùc been through the mill bò haønh haï theâ thaûm; quaù beä vaøo phoøng giaùm ñoác vaø ñöa cho oâng ta caùi thö khieáu raïc Taâm used to be proud of himself as an naïi. Anh ta quaû ñaõ daùm vaøo hang huøm vuoát raâu coïp.) unexhausted man, but after the field trip he looks as beat a dead horse ñöôïc roài laøm tôùi; laàn ñaân Please! if he has been through the mill. (Taâm thöôøng töï haøo You got what you needed. Why are you keep talking, mình laø ngöôøi khoâng bao giôø bò kieät söùc vaäy maø sau beating a dead horse? (Cho toâi xin vôùi! Baïn ñöôïc caùi chuyeán ñi thöïc taäp veà anh ta troâng nhö bò haønh haï baïn ñoøi roài, côù sao cöù noùi hoaøi vaäy? Ñöôïc roài laøm tôùi theâ thaûm.) His old car rattles and bangs noisily, haû?) That guy was beating a dead horse; he never and can hardly run. It has been though the mill. stopped arguing even though everybody here admitted (Chieác xe cuõ cuûa oâng ta rung, laéc raàm raàm vaø haàu defeat. (Tay kia laàn ñaân deã sôï. Y cöù coá caõi maëc daàu moïi nhö heát chaïy noåi. Chieác xe quaù beä raïc.) ngöôøi ôû ñaây chaáp nhaän thua cuoäc roài.) before you can say Jack Robinson chöa kòp noùi heát beat a path to s.o.’s door uøn uøn keùo ñeán cöûa nhaø ai; lui caâu; khoâng kòp trôû tay Before I could say Jack tôùi nöôøm nöôïp When you are rich, your friends and Robinson, he thrust a fake watch into my hand relatives keep beating a path to your door. (Khi baïn giaøu urging me to buy it. (Toâi chöa kòp noùi heát caâu, anh ta coù thì baïn beø vaø baø con cöù uøn uøn keùo ñeán nhaø baïn.) ñaõ dí chieác ñoàng hoà giaû vaøo tay toâi vaø kyø naøi baét toâi When you are deperately poor, no one, especially your mua.) The fire broke out and spread so quickly fair-weather friends, never bother to know who you are. that no one could say Jack Robinson. (Löûa boác chaùy They never beat a path to your door. (Khi baïn ngheøo vaø lanh nhanh ñeán noåi khoâng ai kòp trôû tay.) maïc reäp thì chaúng ai, nhaát laø ñaùm baïn xoâi thòt thì chaúng Beggars can’t be choosers aên maøy khoâng daùm/ñöôïc heà caàn bieát baïn laø ai, ñöøng noùi gì hoï uøn uøn keùo ñeán nhaø ñoøi xoâi gaác Beggars can’t be choosers, but I think baïn.) the tie you gave me is not what I like. (AÊn maøy beat around the bush noùi loanh noùi quanh khoâng vaøo ñeà khoâng daùm ñoøi xoâi gaác chöù caùi caø-vaït anh cho toâi Would you please stop beating around the bush? Tell khoâng hôïp yù toâi.) Take whatever peole give you,

20 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

okay? Beggars can’t be choosers! (Ai cho gì laáy naáy, Tom’s swearing is beyond the pale; no one invites nghe chöa? AÊn maøy khoâng ñöôïc ñoøi xoâi gaác!) him to dinner any more (t om hay chöûi theà neân ngöôøi begin to see daylight ñeán hoài thaùi lai; trôøi laïi saùng ta khoâng thích môøi anh ta ñeán döï böõa aên toái nöõa.) When I have paid off all of my debts, I will begin to see beyond the shadow of a doubt (thuoäc veà luaät phaùp) daylight. (Khi naøo toâi traû heát nôï naàn thì toâi môùi baét ñaàu tuyeät ñoái roõ raøng, raønh raønh Max burglarized Mrs. thaáy thaùi lai.) A Vietnames saying has it that after the Brow’s apartment, beyond the shadow of a doubt. rain one begins to see daylight. (Moät caâu ngaïn ngöõ Vieät (Chuyeän Max vaøo nhaø cuûa baø Brown aên troäm daõ roõ Nam noùi raèng sau côn möa trôøi laïi saùng.) nhö ban ngaøy.) The investigator found facts of his believe it or not tin hay khoâng tuyø yù Believe it or not, crime, that are beyond the shadow of a doubt. (Nhaân he won the lottery last week. (Tin khoâng thì tuyø chöù tuaàn vieân ñieàu tra tìm ñöôïc nhöõng döõ kieän raønh raønh veà tröôùc anh ta môùi truùng soá ñoäc ñaéc.) She is a rich toäi traïng cuûa anh ta.) woman. Believe it or not. (Baø ta laø moät phuï nöõ giaøu coù. bid fair (vaên chöông) höùa heïn, coù veû nhö He bids Tin hay khoâng tuyø yù.) fair to be a popular author. (OÂng aáy höùa heïn trôû bend s.o.’s ear noùi ñía ai I hate people who bend s.o.’s thaønh moät taùc giaû noåi tieáng.) The day bids fair to ear. (Toâi gheùt ngöôøi hay noùi ñía ngöôøi khaùc.) I just tell be warm. (Coù veû seõ coù moät ngaøy naéng aám.) the truth. I never bend anyone’s ear. (Toâi chæ noùi söï thaät. bide one’s time chôø thôøi, ñôïi dòp, Refused work as Toâi khoâng bao giôø noùi ñía ai caû.) an actor, Tom turned to other work and bided his between the rock and a hard place vaø between the time. (Bò töø choái khoâng ñöôïc laøm taøi töû, Tom xoay devil and the deep blue sea dôû soáng dôû cheát; tieán thoái qua soáng baèng ngheà khaùc ñeå chôø thôøi.) Jack was löôõng nan Let’s find ways to help him out. He is now hurt deeply, and he bided his time for revenge. (Jack between the rock and a hard place. (Chuùng ta haõy tìm bò moät voá ñau ñieáng nhöng vaãn nhòn nhuïc vaø chôø dòp caùch cöùu anh ta ra ñi. Anh ta ñang dôû soáng dôû cheát kìa.) traû thuø.) What do you think? I can’t make up my mind. I am big as life hoaëc large as life 1. hoaëc life-size lôùn baèng between the rock and a hard place. (Baïn nghó sao? Toâi hình ngöôøi thaät The statue of Traàn Höng Ñaïo was khoâng bieát phaûi quyeát ñònh theá naøo ñaây. Thaät laø tieán big as life. (Böùc töôïng cuûa Traàn Höng Ñaïo lôùn baèng thoaùi löôõng nan.) hình ngöôøi thaät.) The characters on the screen were beyond one’s depth gaëp choã nöôùc saâu; vöôït quaù söï hieåu life-size. (Caùc nhaân vaät treân maøn aûnh to baèng ngöôøi bieát cuûa ai It’s dangerous for an a swimmer who gets thaät.) 2. hoaëc big as life and twice as natural nhö xöa, cramped when he is beyond his depth. (Thaät nguy hieåm khoâng thay ñoåi I had not seen him for years, but cho moät ngöôøi bôi ñang ôû choã nöôùc saâu maø bò voïp beû.) there he was, big as life and twice as natural. These math problems are beyond Tim’s depth. (Nhöõng (Khoâng gaëp anh ta maáy naêm roài,nay gaëp laïi troâng baøi toaùn naøy vöôït quaù khaû naêng cuûa Tim.) anh vaãn nhö xöa.) beyond one’s means vöôït quaù khaû naêng (taøi chaùnh) cuûa big cheese hoaëc big gun/shot/wheel/ wig nhaân vaät ai; aên xaøi baïc maïng I never think of buying that car quan troïng, laõnh tuï, vieân chöùc cao caáp Bình had because it is beyond my means. (Toâi khoâng bao giôø nghó been a big shot in high school. (Bình töøng laø nhaân ñeán mua chieác xe ñoù vì nhö vaäy laø vöôït quaù khaû naêng vaät quan troïng trong tröôøng.) Taâm wanted to be the (taøi chaùnh) cuûa toâi. As for me to live beyond one’s big cheese in his club (t aâm muoán trôû thaønh nhaân vaät means is not very wise. (Ñoái vôùi toâi soáng baïc thì khoâng quan troïng trong caâu laïc boä.) So saùnh whole cheese. khoân ngoan.) big daddy nhaân vaät quan troïng nhaát, lôùn nhaát The beyond reasonable doubt roõ raøng hieån nhieân; chöùng côù elephant is the big daddy of in the jungle. (Con voi laø roõ raøng The judge instructed the jurors to come up con vaät lôùn nhaát trong röøng.) Al Capone was the with the a verdict guilty only if they were convinvced big daddy of organized crime in Chicago during beyound a reasonable doubt that AÁn was the perpetrator. Prohibition. (Al Capone laø thuû laõnh cuûa nhoùm toäi (Vieân chaùnh aùn chæ thò cho caùc boài thaåm phaûi naém vöõng phaïm taïi Chicago trong thôøi kyø Prohibition - Caám baèng chöùng vaø lyù leõ tröôùc khi buoäc toäi AÁn.) In the ñoaùn.) United States, a person is found guilty by the jury when big deal chuyeän nhoû, vieäc laët vaët So you became a evidence of his crime is beyond reasonable doubt. (Taïi director of this center. Big deal! (Vaäy laø baïn ñaõ trôû Hoa Kyø moät ngöôøi bò xem laø coù toäi khi naøo chöùng côù thaønh giaùm ñoác trung taâm naøy. Chuyeän nhoû!) phaïm toäi cuûa anh ta ñöôïc chöùng minh roõ raøng.) Doing one’s homework is only a big deal. (Laøm beyond the pale hoaëc bò xa laùnh, boû rôi, After the baøi taäp ôû nhaø thì chæ laø chuyeän laët vaët thoâi.) outlaw killed a man, he was beyond the pale and not big frog in a small pond keû choät laøm vua xöù muø even his old friends would talk to him.) `Sau khi gieát As company director in Vietnam, he had been a big cheát moät ngöôøi ñaøn oâng, tay anh chò bò moïi ngöôøi xa frog in a small pond, but he was not so important as laùnh, keå caû baïn beø cuõng khoâng theøm ñeám xæa tôùi y.) an ordinary worker in the United States. (ÔÛ Vieät

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 21

Nam oâng ta laøm giaùm ñoác moät coâng ty, oâng ta laø keû choät vieân caûnh saùt tröôûng trôû laïi nhaø tuø, ngöôøi tuø ñaõ vöôït laøm vua xöù muø chöù sang Hoa Kyø oâng ta chæ laøm ñöôïc nguïc.) moät coâng nhaân bình thöôøng.) So saùnh little frog in a big bird in the hand is worth two in the bush ñöøng thaû pond. moài baét boùng Taâm has a job as a paperboy, but he big head tính töï phuï When one is assigned a high- wants a job in a gas station. His father says that a ranking position, it gives him a big head. (Khi moät ngöôøi bird in the hand is worth two the bush (Taâm coù chaân ôû chöùc vuï cao, noù laøm cho ngöôøi ñoù coù tính töï phuï.) So ñöa baùo nhöng laïi muoán boû ñeå laøm ôû caây xaêng. Boá saùnh swelled head. cuûa caäu noùi vôùi caäu ta raèng ñöøng coù thaû moài baét big lie, the coá tình laøm cho sai leäch moät vaán ñeà quan boùng con ôi.) troïng, khoaùc laùc We all heard the big lie during the bird watcher ngöôøi thích nghieân cöùu veà chim choùc Watergate months. (Suoát trong thôøi gian coù vuï tai tieáng A bird watcher looks for the first robin to appear Watergate chuùng ta ai cuõng ngao ngaùn vì nhöõng söï thaät in the spring. (Ngöôøi thích chim ñi tìm con chaøo maøo bò boùp meùo.) The pretense of democracy by a xuaát hieän vaøo ñaàu xuaân.) totalitarian regime is part of the big lie about its birds and the bees nhöõng chuyeän lieân quan ñeán tình government. (Neàn daân chuû giaû hieäu cuûa caùc chính quyeàn duïc: chuyeän ong böôùm At various ages, in nhaân daân maø thöïc chaát laø söï ñoäc taøi.) respomce to questions, a child can be told about the big stink gaây ra tai tieáng lôùn Taâm has decided to raise birds and the bees (t uyø theo töøng löùa tuoåi treû con coù a big stink if they fire him. (Taâm ñònh buïng seõ laøm to theå ñöôïc giaûi thích veà vaán ñeà tình duïc moãi khi treû chuyeän neáu anh ta bò sa thaûi, toâi.) ñaët ra.) big time 1. thôøi gian thuù vò I certainly had a big time at birds of a feather flock together ngöu taàm ngöu, maõ the party last night (t oái hoâm qua daï tieäc vui ñaùo ñeå.) 2. taàm maõ Don’t be friends with bad boys. People daãn ñaàu, xuaát saéc After his graduation from college, think that birds of a feather flock together. (Ñöøng he soon made the big time in baseball. (Sau khi toát laøm baïn vôùi nhöõng ñöùa treû hö hoûng. Ngöôøi ta noùi nghieäp ñaïi hoïc ñöôïc ít laâu, anh ta trôû thaønh caàu thuû xuaát ngöu thì taàm ngöu, maõ taàm maõ.) saéc veà boùng roå.) birthday suit traàn truoàng nhö luùc chaøo ñôøi The big top khu trình dieãn chính cuûa moät gaùnh xieác Lillian little boys were swimming in their birthdady suits. Leitzel was one of the great stars of the big top. (Lillian (Maáy thaèng beù con bôi maø chaúng baän quaàn aùo gì caû.) Leitzel laø moät trong nhöõng dieãn vieân xuaát saéc nhaát cuûa bite off more than one can chew coá gaéng laøm vieäc vöôït gaùnh xieác.) The book tells of life under the big top. quaù khaû naêng.) He bit off more than he could chew (Quyeån saùch noùi veà cuoäc soáng cuûa nhöõng ngöôøi soáng when he agreed to load those big boxes of paper onto baèng ngheà laøm xieác.) the truck alone. (OÂng ta ñaõ coá gaéng quaù khaû naêng big wheel nhaân vaät coù theá löïc Uncle Ferdinand is a big khi nhaän lôøi chaác maáy caùi thuøng giaáy to ñoù leân xe wheel in Washington, maybe he can help you with your moät mình.) I started to repair my house myself, but problem. (Chuù Ferdinand laø moät nhaân vaät coù theá löïc; coù realized that I had bitten off more than I could chew theå oâng ta giuùp baïn giaûi quyeát vaán ñeà raéc roái cuûa baïn.) (t oâi baét ñaàu töï mình söûa caùi nhaø nhöng chôït nghó ra big-time thuoäc veà thaønh phaàn xuaát saéc, daãn ñaàu Jean laøm nhö vaäy laø quaù söùc mình.) won a talent contest in her home town, and only a year bite the dust 1. cheát traän Captain Tö discharged later she began dancing on big-time television. (Jean his gun, and another guerilla bit the dust. (Ñaïi uyù Tö thaéng cuoäc trong laàn thi khaû naêng taïi queâ nhaø vaø chæ moät nhaû ñaïn vaø moät teân du kích ngaõ xuoáng.) 2. thaát traän, naêm sau coâ trôû thaønh vuõ vieân xuaát saéc trong nhöõng ñaàu haøng quaân dòch The famous soccer team bit chöông trình cuûa moät ñaøi truyeàn hình lôùn.) Bob the dust today. (Hoâm nay ñoäi tuùc caàu noåi tieáng bò practices boxing in the gum every day; he wants to thua.) become a big-time boxer. (Bob taäp luyeän quyeàn Anh moãi bite the hand that feeds one trôû maët Many ngaøy; anh ta muoán trôû thaønh moät voõ syõ quyeàn Anh noåi disloyal workers bit the hand that fed them when they tieáng.) Just because Bình has a new football uniform complained against their employer. (Nhieàu coâng he thinks he is a big-time operator. (Bình coù ñöôïc boä ñoà nhaân trôû maët khieáu naïi ngöôøi chuû maø laâu nay hoï chôi tuùc caàu anh ta nghó mình laø moät nhaân vaät quan soáng nhôø vaøo khi hoï khieáu naïi oâng ta.) troïng.) So saùnh show off. So saùnh small-time. bitter pill thuoác ñaéng – ñieàu baát bình: (ngaäm) boà hoøn bingo card phieáu traû lôøi hay maãu ñaët haøng Jack thinks Jack was not invited to the party and it was a bitter he is saving time by filling out bingo cards instead of pill for him. (Khoâng ñöôïc môøi döï tieäc, Jack caûm thaáy writing a letter. (Jack nghó raèng anh ta neân göæ caùi phieáu nhö ngaäm phaûi boà hoøn.) ñi tieän hôn laø vieát thö `ñaët mua haøng’. black and white 1. traéng ñen, khoâng phaûi noùi suoâng bird has flown tuø vöôït nguïc When the sheriff returned He insisted on having the agreement down in black to the jail, he discovered that the bird had flown. (Khi and white. (OÂng ta ñoøi vieát baûn hôïp ñoàng cho roõ

22 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

raøng baèng giaáy traéng möïc ñen.) Mrs. Jones would not toaùn vieân ñi theo.) 2. daãn ñaàu Bill Gates blazed a believe the news, so Mr. Jones showed her the article in trail in producing computer software. (Bill Gates laø the newspaper and said, “There it is in black and white.” ngöôøi daãn ñaàu trong ngaønh saûn xuaát nhu lieäu ñieän `Baø Jones khoâng tin vaøo tin aáy neân oâng Jones beøn chìa toaùn.) The building of rockets blazed a trail to tôø baùo vaø noùi: “Ngöôøi ta vieát raønh raønh ñaây neø.) 2. böùc outer space. (Hoûa tieãn daõ môû ñöôøng cho kyû nguyeân hình traéng ñen He showed us snapshots in black and du haønh vaøo khoâng gian.) – trail-blazer ngöôøi tieân white. (Anh ta cho chuùng toâi Xem caùc böùc hình chuïp phong, daãn ñaàu vieäc gì Scientists are trail-blazers traéng ñen.) in finding cures for disease. (Caùc khoa hoïc gia laø black out 1. taét ñeøn cho toái hoaëc laøm cho môø caûnh In nhöõng ngöôøi tieân phong trong laõnh vöïc khaùm phaù some plays the stage is blacked out for a short time and nhuõng phöông caùch chöõa beänh.) the actors speak in darkness (Trong moät vaøi vôû kòch, saân blind alley 1. heûm cuït The blind alley ended in a khaáu coù luùc taét ñeøn vaøi phuùt vaø caùc dieãn vieân trình dieãn brick wall. (Con heûm cuït chaïy ñeán böùc töôøng gaïch trong boùng toái.) In wartime, cities are blacked out to kia laø döùt.) 2. haønh ñoäng voâ boå: khoâng ñi tôùi ñaâu protect against bombing from planes (trong thôøi gian Taâm did not take the job because it was a blind chieán tranh, nhieàu thaønh phoá phaûi taét ñeøn ñeå traùnh phi alley (Taâm khoâng nhaän laøm vieäc aáy vì bieát coù laøm cô ñòch neùm bom.) 2. giöõ kín, khoâng tieát loä söï thaät In cuõng khoâng ñi tôùi ñaâu.) Tom thought of a way to wartime, governments often black out all news or give do the algebra problem, but he found it was a blind out false news (t rong thôøi chieán chính phuû thöôøng giöõ alley (t om nghó ra moät caùch giaûi baøi toaùn ñaïi soá kín nhieàu tin töùc quan troïng hoaëc ñöa ra nhöõng tinh nguî nhöng sau ñoù bieát chaúng ñöôïc gì.) taïo.) Dictators usually black out all criticism of the blip out hoaëc bleep out baám taét kieåm duyeät baèng government. (Caùc nhaø ñoäc taøi luoân luoân eùm nheïm nhöõng ñieän töû What was the new product they talked chæ trích chính phuû vaø böng bít söï thaät.) Some big about?—I don’t know; they’ve bleeped it out. (Hoï games are blacked out on television to people who live noùi ñeán thöù saûn phaåm môùi gì ñoù? – toâi chaúng nghe roõ nearby. (Ngöôøi ôû gaàn ñoâi khi khoâng baét ñöôïc moät soá traän vì hoï baám taét choã aáy maát.) tranh taøi theå thao treân TV cuûa mình.) 3. xæu, khoâng coøn blockhead ngöôøi ngu Joe is such a blockhead that bieát gì nöõa It had been a hard and tiring day, and she he flunked every course as a freshman. (Joe laø ngöôøi suddenly blacked out. (Baø ta quaù meät vaø bò ngaát xæu sau ngu ñeán noåi khoâng bao giôø hoïc xong naêm thöù nhaát.) moät ngaøy laøm vieäc vaát vaû.) rolling black out cuùp ñieän blood and thunder taøn baïo vaø saét maùu Crime luaân phieân (heát khu vöïc sang khu vöïc khaùc.) movies and westerns usually have lots of blood and black-and-white phaân hai ngaõ, hai beân, roõ raøng, phaân thunder. (Caùc loaïi phim cao-boài vaø trinh thaùm minh: cöïc ñoan Everthing is black-and- white to Bình; thöôøng taøn baïo vaø saéc maùu.) Taâm likes to watch if you`re not his friends, you are his enemy. (Ñoái vôùi blood-and-thunder stories on television. (Taâm thích Bình vieäc gì cuõng caàn phaân ñònh; neáu khoâng phaûi baïn Xem phim taøn baïo vaø saét maùu chieáu treân truyeàn töùc laø thuø.) The old man’s religion shows his black- hình.) and-white thinking; every-thing is either completely blood is thicker than water gioït maùu ñaøo hôn ao good or completely bad (t ín ngöôõng cuûa oâng laõo cho nöôùc laõ Mr. Jones hires his relatives to work in his thaáy loái suy nghó cuûa oâng raát cöïc ñoan; baát cöù thöù gì, store. Blood is thicker than water. (Moät gioït maùu neáu khoâng hoaøn toaøn toát thì phaûi hoaøn toaøn xaáu.) ñaøo hôn ao nöôùc laõ, oâng Jones thöôøng tuyeån ngöôøi blank check 1. ngaân phieáu khoáng Taâm’s father sent baø con vaøo laøm vieäc cho tieäm cuûa oâng.) him a blank check to pay his school Bìnhs. (Boá cuûa Taâm blood runs cold cuõng nhö blood freezes hoaëc blood göûi cho caäu ta moät ngaân phieáu khoáng ñeå caäu traû tieàn turns to ice sôï khieáp vía The horror movie made tröôøng.) 2. cho ai töï quyeàn The principal gave the the children’s blood run cold. (Phim kinh dò thöôøng students a blank check to plan the picnics. (Vieân hieäu laøm cho treû con sôï khieáp vía.) Mary’s blood froze tröôûng cuûa tröôøng cho pheùp hoïc sinh ñöùng ra toå chöùc caùc when she had to walk through the cemetery at night. cuoäc du ngoaïn.) (Mary sôï toaùt moà hoâi laïnh khi phaûi baêng qua nghóa blast off 1. phoùng hoûa tieãn The astronaut will blast off ñòa vaøo ban ñeâm.) Oscar’s blood turned to ice into orbit at six o`clock. (Phi haønh gia seõ baét ñaàu moät when he saw the shadow pass by outside the window. cuoäc du haønh vaøo quyõ ñaïo vaøo luùc saùu giôø.) 2. cuõng nhö (Oscar laïnh toaùt ngöôøi khi thaáy coù boùng ngöôøi ñi qua blast away phaûn ñoái kòch lieät, quôû maéng moät caùch giaän ngoaøi cöûa soå.) So saùnh hair stand on end, the creeps. döõ The coach blasted off at the team for poor playing. blow hot and cold thay ñoåi yù ñònh lieân tuïc, ngöôøi (Huaán luyeän vieân quôû traùch caû ñoäi ñaõ thi ñaáu quaù toài.) khoâng coù laäp tröôøng vöõng vaøng Tom blows hot and blaze a trail 1. duøng rìu ñeå ñaùnh daáu cho khoûi laïc The cold about coming out for the baseball team; he team leader blazed a trail for the team members to cannot decide (t om thay ñoåi yù ñònh lieàn lieàn veà vieäc follow. (Ngöôøi tröôûng toaùn duøng rìu ñaùnh daáu ñeå caùc coù tham gia ñoäi boùng hay khoâng.) Mary blew hot

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 23

and cold about going to college; every day she changed choác maây tan vaø aùnh vaøng laïi röïc rôõ.) They were her mind. (Mary khoâng döùt khoaùt coù neân ñi hoïc ñaïi hoïc bitter enemies for a while, but the quarrel blew over. hay khoâng.) The boys will get tired of Ann’s blowing (Hoï môùi caõi nhau nhö choù vôùi meøo ñoù, nay thì laøm hot and cold. (Maáy caäu con trai thaáy ngao ngaùn veà taùnh thaân trôû laïi.) He was much criticized for the khí hay thay ñoåi cuûa Ann.) divorce, but it all over after a few years. (Ngöôøi ta blow in ñeán moät caùch ñöôøng ñoät The house was cheâ traùch chuyeän oâng ta ly-dò nhöng thôøi gian sau hoï already full of guests when Bình blew in. (Bình ñeán ñoät ñaõ quen ñi.) ngoät trong khi nhaø ñaõ ñoâng ngheït caû khaùch.) So saùnh blow the lid off tieát loä moät bí maät töø laâu ñöôïc giöõ kín show up 3. The clever journalists blew the lid off the blow into xuaát hieän ñoät ngoät Bình blows into college at Watergate cover-up. (Caùc phoùng vieân lanh lôïi ñaõ the last minute after every vacation. (Sau moãi kyø heø ñöa ra aùnh saùng vuï che ñaäy Watergate.) Bình ñoät ngoät xuaát hieän taïi tröôøng ñaïi hoïc.) Why Tom, blow the whistle on 1. khai ra, cho ngöôøi khaùc bieát when did you blow into town? `Kìa Tom, trôû veà ñaây bao The police caught one of the bank robbers, and he giôø vaäy?’ blew the whistle on two more. (Caûnh saùt baét ñöôïc blow one’s brains out 1. töï baén vaøo ñaàu Mr. Jones lost moät teân cöôùp ngaân haøng vaø teân naøy khai theâm hai all his wealth, so he blew his brains out. (OÂng Jones maát teân khaùc.) 2. ra tay haønh ñoäng, deïp boû The mayor caû taøi saûn neân ñaõ baén vaøo ñaàu ñeå töï saùt.) 2. laøm vieäc blew the whistle on gambling. (Vieân thò tröôûng baét quaù söùc, laøm vieäc quaù söùc The boys blew their brains ñaàu cho baét caùc tay côø baïc.) The police blew the out to get the stage ready for the play. (Caùc caäu con trai whistle on hot rodding. (Caûnh saùt coù bieän phaùp laøm vieäc ngaøy ñeâm ñeå cho xong saân khaáu.) Mary is nghieâm nhaët hôn ñoái vôùi caùc thanh nieân laùi xe aåu.) not one to blow her brain. (Mary khoâng phaûi loaïi ngöôøi blow up 1a. laøm noå tung baèng chaát noå He blew up laøm vieäc caàn maãn.) So saùnh break one’s neck. the plane by means of a concealed bomb. (Noù laøm noå blow one’s cool maát bình tónh, khoâng coøn töï chuû nöõa tung chieác phi cô baèng moät quaû bom nguïy trang.) Whatever you say to the judge in court, make sure that The firewords factory blew up when s.t. went you don’t blow your cool. (Baïn khai gì vôùi oâng toaø cuõng wrong in an electric switch. (Xöôûng laøm phaùo noå döôïc, nhöng nhôù laø phaûi bình tónh.) tung vì coù truïc traêc trong moät caàu dao ñieän.) 1b. noåi blow one’s mind xuaát xöù töø giôùi ma tuyù 1. vôõ loøng, quaùn giaän, phaùt caùu, maát bình tónh vì giaän When Father trieät `hieåu moät caùch thaáu ñaùo’ Read Lyall Watson’s bent the nail for the third time, he blew up. (Boá ñoùng book Supernature; it will simply blow your mind! (Neân ñinh bò cong laàn neân phaùt caùu.) 1c. khoâng coøn hay ñoïc saùch Supernature cuûa Lyall Watson, noù seõ giuùp baïn nöõa The champion blew up and lost the tennis thaáu trieät ñöôïc vaán ñeà.) 2. maát khaû naêng, bò teâ lieät vì match. (Nhaø voâ ñòch töï nhieân ñaùnh heát hay vaø chòu duøng quaù lieàu (ma tuyù) Joe is entirely incoherent – he thua traän giao ñaáu ñoù.) Our team was behind but seems to have blown his mind. (Joe aên noùi khoâng ñaàu the pitcher on the other team blew up and we got the khoâng ñuoâi – coù leõ anh ta ñaõ bò maát khaû naêng aên noùi.) winning rums. (Ñoäi chuùng toâi veà nhì nhöng vì tay blow one’s own horn hoaëc toot one’s own horn töï ca giao boùng cuûa ñoäi ñoái thuû ñaùnh heát hay neân ñoäi tuïng mình, töï khen mình People get tired of a man chuùng toâi ñöôïc höôûng quaû ñoù.) 2. boãng nhieân bò hoûng who is always blowing his own horn. (Ngöôøi ta ai cuõng The whole scheme for a big party suddenly blew up gheùt ngöôøi naøo töï khen mình.) A person who does (t oaøn boä döï tính cho buoåi tieäc boãng döng bò hoûng things well does not have to toot his own horn; his ability heát.) 3a. bôm cho ñaày hôi He blew his tires up at a will be noticed by others. (Moät ngöôøi gioûi thì khoâng caàn filling station. (Noù ñöa xe ra traïm xaêng bôm baùnh ‘ phaûi töï khen mình; caùi taøi aáy ngöôøi khaùc seõ bieát vaø 3b. laøm cho quan troïng hôn, laøm to chuyeän ra It khen.) was a small thing to happen but the newpapers had blow one’s top/stack noåi traän loâi ñình, giaän tím maët blown it up until it seemed inportant. (Caâu chuyeän When Mr. McCarthy’s son got married against his khoâng maø baùo chí thoåi phoàng leân khieán ai cuõng wishes, he blew a fuse. (Vì caäu con trai cuûa oâng töôûng quan troïng.) 4. laøm cho thôøi tieát xaáu ñi The McCarthy laáy vôï traùi vôùi yù oâng khieán oâng noåi traän loâi wind had blown up a storm. (Gioù ñaõ mang baõo tôùi.) ñình.) When the umpire called Joe out at first, Joe 5. phoùng lôùn ra He blew up the snapshot to a blew his top and was sent to the showers. (Joe duøng larger size. (Anh ta phoùng taám hình chuïp chôi ra khoå ngoân ngöõ thoâ tuïc vôùi troïng taøi hoaø giaûi neân bò ñuoåi ra lôùn.) khoûi saân.) blow up in one’s face hoaøn toaøn thaát baïi vì bò loä blow over chaám döùt, qua ñi maø khoâng ñeå laïi taùc haïi naøo The thief’s plan to rob the bank bew up in his face The sky was black, as if a bad storm were coming, but when a policeman stopped him. (Keá hoaïch ñaùnh it blew over and the sun came out. (Baàu trôøi ñen nghòt cöôùp ngaân cuûa boïn cöôùp ñaõ hoaøn toaøn bò thaát baïi vì nhö baùo hieäu moät côn baõo lôùn saép keùo ñeán, nhöng boãng caûnh saùt ra tay ngaên chaën.)

24 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

blow/fluff one’s lines queân lôøi cuûa vai mình trong khi chính phuû coù neân chaán chænh vaán ñeà giaù caû hay trình dieãn The noise backstage scared Mary and she khoâng.) blew her lines (Tieáng oàn ôû haäu tröôøng saân khaáu laøm cho boiling point 1. ñieåm soâi The boiling point of Mary lo sôï khieán coâ queân khuaáy lôøi cuûa vai coâ.) water is 212 ñoä Fahrenheit. (Ñieåm soâi cuûa nöôùc laø blue around the face giaän xanh maët Tom argued with 212 ñoä F.) 2. giaây phuùt noåi giaän He has a low Bình until he was blue in the face (t om caõi loän vôùi Bình boiling point. (Anh ta laø ngöôøi noùng taùnh.) After ñeán noåi giaän xanh maët.) Mary scolded Jane until she being teased for a long time, Taâm reached the was blue in the face, but Jane kept on using Mary’s boiling point. (Bò choïc gheïo moät hoài laâu, Taâm ñuøng paints. (Mary maéng Jane ñeán giaän xanh maët nhöng Jane ñuøng noåi giaän.) When Taâm made the same mistake cöù vieäc laáy son moâi cuûa Mary maø xaøi hoaøi.) for the fourth time, his teacher reached the boiling blue Monday ngaøy thöù Hai aûm ñaïm (yù noùi chaùn ngaøy thöù point. (Vì Taâm phaïm cuøng moät loãi ñeán boán laàn khieán Hai vì khoâng muoán trôû laïi laøm vieäc) It as blue Monday thaáy giaùo noù phaûi noåi giaän.) So saùnh blow up, 1b. and Taâm nodded sleepily over his books. (Vaøo ngaøy thöù make one’s blood boil. Hai Taâm ngoài löø ñöø tröôùc quyeån saùch.) Houseswives bolt from the blue ñieàu baát ngôø We had been sure sometimes wish they could sleep through blue Monday. she was in Chicago, so her sudden appearance was a (Maáy baø noäi trôï khoâng maáy thích laøm vieäc vaøo ngaøy thöù bolt from the blue. (Chuùng ta ñinh ninh laø baø ta coøn ôû Hai.) Chicago neân söï xuaá hieän cuûa baø ta laø moät dieàu baát boarding house reach taøi voùi laáy thöùc aên ñeå ôû xa treân ngôø.) His decision to resign was a blot from the baøn. – Loái noùi nhaøm Taâm developed a boarding house blue. (Quyeát ñònh töø chöùc cuûa oâng ta quaû laø ñieàu baát reach while he was away at camp. (ÔÛ kyù tuùc xaù Taâm hoïc ngôø cho ñöôïc ngheà chæa thöùc aên töø ñaàu xa cuûa baøn aên.) bone of contention nguyeân nhaân gaây tranh caõi hoaëc body blow quaù baát maõn, thaát baïi chua cay When he gaây ñaùnh nhau The boundary line between the failed to get on the team it came as a body blow to him. farms was a bone of contention between the two (Anh ta caûm thaáy chua cay khi khoâng ñöôïc nhaän vaøo ñoäi farmers. (Nguyeân nhaân gaây ra ñuïng ñoä giöõa hai theå thao.) noâng gia chæ laø bôø ranh giöõa hai vuøng ñaát.) The use body English vaën mình (mong cho boùng ñi theo höôùng of the car was a bone of contention between Joe and mình muoán sau khi ñaõ tung boùng ñi) He tried to help his wife. (Joe vaø vôï anh ta thöôøng hay caõi vaû nhau vì the putt fall by using body English. (OÂng ta coá vaën mình chieác.) ñeå ñaùnh traùi banh vaøo loã.) bog down, to get bogged down bone up ra coâng söu taäp, hoïc hoûi Carl was boning up 1. ña soá duøng nhöintransitive vaø passive bò ñình treä, töø töø for an examination .`Anh aáy hoïc haønh chaêm chæ ñeå chaäm laïi roài ñöùng haún Work on the new building chuaån bò cho kyø thi saép ñeán.) Jim had to make a bogged down, because the contractor didn’t deliver the class report the next day on juvenile delinquency, needed concrete blocks. (Coâng vieäc xaây döïng toaø nhaø bò and he was in the library boning up on how the chaäm laïi vì nhaø thaàu khoâng giao ñuû soá gaïch beâ-toâng caàn courts handle it. (Jim phaûi laøm moät baøi töôøng thuaät thieát.) 2. bò trôû ngaïi vì coù vaät `hoaëc vieäc’ khaùc caûn ngaên vaøo saùng hoâm sau noùi veà naïm thieáu nhi phaïm phaùp, The novelist wrote little last summer because she got vaø baáy giôø noù ñang ôû thö vieän ñeå tìm hieåu. Xem bogged down in housework. (Muøa heø vöøa roài nöõ tieåu toaø aùn xeùt xöû loaïi toäi phaïm naøy nhö theá naøo.) thuyeát gia aáy vieát ñöôïc raát ít vì bò keït coâng chuyeän nhaø.) bone/crow to pick nguyeân nhaân gaây tranh chaáp, cöï boggle the mind do döï, ngaùn ngaãm It boggles the mind ai - thöôøng duøng ñeå noùi ñuøa “I have a bone to pick that Taâm should have been inside a flying saucer! `Caâu with you,” he said. (Anh ta noùi: “Toâi muoán cöï anh chuyeän Taâm ñaõ töøng ngoài trong dóa bay thaät quaù vieãn chuyeän naøy.) There was always a crow to pick about voâng ñeán noåi khoù tin ñöôïc. Saùt nghóa: Thaät ñaùng ngaùn which one would shave first in the morning. (`Ai caïo ngaãm khi tin raèng Taâm ñaõ töøng ngoài dóa bay.) raâu tröôùc’ maø saùng naøo cuõng caõi nhau.) boil down 1. ñeå soâi cho caïn nöôùc, naáu riu riu, saéc, haàm bonehead moät ngöôøi ngu Taâm is such a bonehead She boiled down the maple sap to a thick syrup. (Baø ta – small wonder he flunks all of his courses (t aâm thaät naáu nhöïa caây thích cho seät laïi thaønh xi-roâ ñaëc.) The laø moät thaèng ngu -heøn chi moân naøo noù cuõng rôùt tuoát fruit juice boiled down until it was almost not good for luoát.) jelly. (Nöôùc traùi caây ñöôïc naáu cho saéc laïi gaàn thaønh bore to tears caûm thaáy chaùn chöôøng, teû nhaït The cao.) 2. ruùt ngaén, caét bôùt The reporter boiled the story party was dull, and Roger showed plainly that he down to half the original length. (Anh phoùng vieân caét was bored to tears. (Ai cuõng thaáy Roger khoâng maûy bôùt baøi vieát coøn moät nöõa.) 3. töï co, trôû laïi töø ñaàu, keát laïi may tha thieát vôùi böõa tieäc.) Mary loved cooking, The whole discusseion boils down to the question of but sewing bores her to tears. (Mary khoaùi naáu whether the government should fix prices (Toaøn boä cuoäc nöôùng nhöng thích may vaù chuùt naøo.) thaûo luaän nay döôïc keát laïi thaønh moät caâu hoûi duy nhaát: born out of wedlock (con) khoâng hoân thuù

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 25

Sometimes when a married couple can’t have children, baùn ñaïi haï giaù.) 2. maát höùng, trôû neân buoàn baõ The they adopt a child who was born out of wedlock. (Ñoâi khi bottom dropped out of the day for Taâm when he saw nhöõng caëp vôï choàng hieám muoän con caùi, hoï nhaän con his report card. (Nhaän ñöôïc phieáu baùo ñieåm, Taâm khoâng coù hoân thuù ñeå laøm con muoâi.) thaáy buoàn baõ vaø chaùn naûn.) The bottom fell out for born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth sanh ra trong us when the game ended with our team on the two- boïc dieàu - yù noùi ngöôøi ñoù ñöôïc sung söôùng suoát moät ñôøi; yard line and six points behind. (Moïi ngöôøi hy voïng töø luùc sinh ra cho ñeán khi cheát The stranger’s conduct quaû boùng cuoái cuøng seõ keùo ñieåm laïi cho ñoäi nhaø was that of a man who had been born with a silver spoon nhöng traän giao ñaáu chaám ñöùt ngay sau ñoù laøm tieâu in his mouth. (Cung caùch cuûa ngöôøi laï laø cung caùch cuûa tan hy voïng cuûa chuùng toâi.) moät ngöôøi sanh ra trong boïc ñieàu.) bottom line (nhaán maïnh line) 1. quyeát ñònh toái haäu Born yesterday ngôø ngheäch, thieáu kinh nghieäm, deã bò tröôùc moät vaán ñeà raát teá nhò “Give me the bottom löøa When Bình started the new job, the other workers line on the proposed merger,” said Taâm (t aâm noùi: teased him a little, but he soon proved to everyone that “Cho toâi quyeát ñònh toái haäu veà döï aùn saùt nhaäp.) 2. söï he wasn’t born yesterday. (Khi môùi vaøo laøm vieäc, maáy thaät phuû phaøng Look, the bottom line is that poor ngöôøi cuõ treâu choïc anh ta, nhöng ít laâu sau hoï bieát ñöôïc Max is an alcoholic. (Xem kìa, thaät phuû phaøng khi anh khoâng phaûi laø anh chaøng ngôø ngheäch.) I won’t bieát ñöôïc anh chaøng Max ñaùng thöông kia laø tay give you the money till I see the bicycle you want to sell nghieän röôïu.) 3. giaù thaáp nhaát sau khi maëc caû, giaù me. Do you think I was born yesterday? (Toâi chöa ñöa choùt “Five-hundred,” said the used car dealer, “is tieàn cho anh cho deán chöøng naøo toâi naém ñöôïc caùi xe ñaïp the bottom line. Take it or leave it.” `"Naêm traêm ñoâ anh muoán baùn cho toâi caùi ñaõ. Boä anh töôûng toâi deã duï laø giaù choùt. Khoâng chòu thì thoâi.” Ngöôøi baùn xe cuõ laém sao?) noùi döùt khoaùt.) borrow trouble lo aâu voâ côù, lo bao ñoàng, aùch giöõa ñaøng bottom line [nhaán maïnh bottom] chaám döùt, ñi ñeán mang vaøo coå Don’t borrow trouble by worrying about keát luaän Okay, you guys, let’s bottom line this next year. It’s too far away. (Ñöøng coù lo bao ñoàng project and break for coffee. (Ñöôïc roài caùc baïn, keát chuyeän naêm tôùi. Coøn xa laém.) You are borrowing thuùc döï aùn naøy ñi xong nghæ xaû hôi uoáng caø-pheâ.) trouble if you try to tell Taâm what to do. (Neáu baïn tìm bound for ñi veà höôùng I’m bound for the country caùch chæ veõ cho thaèng Taâm thì ñuùng laø baïn laøm chuyeän club (Toâi ñang treân ñöôøng ñeán caâu laïc boä.) The ship bao ñoàng.) is bound for Liverpool. (Con taøu ñang tröïc chæ Both. . . and caû... laãn Both Frank and Mary were at the Liverpool.) party. (Caû Frank laãn Mary ñeàu coù maët trong buôûi tieäc.) bow and scrape kheùp neùp vì neå sôï The old servant Millie is both a good swimmer and a good cook. bowed and scraped before them, too obedient and (Millie gioûi caû bôi loäi laãn naáu aên.) In the program eager to please. (Ngöôøi noâ boäc giaø cuùi ñaàu kheùp neùp tonight Mary will both sing and dance (t rong chöông tröôùc maët hoï, toû veû saün saøng phuïc thò.) trình toái nay Mary seõ ca vaø vuõ.) The frog can move bow out chaám döùt tham gia, khoâng tham döï nöõa quickly both on land and in the water. (Loaøi eách coù theå Mr. Black often quarreled with his partners, so di chuyeån moät caùch deã daøng caû treân bôø laãn döôùi nöôùc.) ‘ finally he bowed out of the company. (OÂng Black So saùnh as well as. Löu yù caùch duøng cuûa either ... or thöôøng caõi coï vôùi caùc ñoàng söï neân cuoái cuøng oâng boû bottle blond toùc nhuoäm maøu hung I doubt that khoâng tieáp tuïc coâng vieäc kinh doanh vôùi coâng ty Leonora’s hair coloris natural; she strikes me as a bottle nöõa.) While the movie was being filmed, the star blond (t oùc con Leonora nhuoäm maø luùc daàu tao töôûng got sick and had to bow out (t rong khi ñang coøn thöïc toùc noù maøu hung thaät.) hieän cuoán phim, taøi töû aáy bò beänh vaø phaûi boû ngang.) bottle up 1. giaáu dieám, che ñaäy There was no 2. giaûi ngheä, giaûi nguõ, veà höu He bowed out as understanding person to talk to, so Fred bottled up his train engineer after forty years of railroading. (Sau unhappy feeling. (Fred khoâng coù baïn thaân ñeå giao du boán möôi naêm phuïc vuï ngaønh xaây döïng thieát loä, oâng nhöng anh daáu khoâng cho ai bieát taâm traïng coâ ñôn naøy.) xin töø giaõ chaân kyõ sö hoûa xa.) 2. ñaåy vaøo ñöôøng cuøng Our warships bottled up the bowl over 1. toâng ngaõ nhaøo The taxi hit him a enemy fleet in the harbor. (Caùc chieán thuyeàn cuûa phe ta glancing blow and bowled him over. (Chieác taéc-xi ñaõ vaây chaët ñoaøn taøu ñòch trong haûi caûng.) toâng ngang hoâng anh ta laøm anh ngaõ nhaøo xuoáng.) 2. bottom dollar ñoàng baïc cuoái cuøng He was down to his söûng soát, thaát kinh He was bowled over by his bottom dollar when he suddenly got the job offer. (Luùc wife’s sudden death. (Caùi cheát cuûa vôï oâng khieán oâng tieâu ñeán ñoàng baïc cuoái cuøng thì boãng döng coù ñöôïc vieäc thaát kinh.) The young actress bowled over laøm.) everybody in her first movie. (Qua cuoán phim ñaàu bottom drop out hoaëc bottom fall out 1. ñaïi haï giaù The tay, nöõ taøi töû treû ñaõ laøm cho moïi nguôûi voâ cuøng bottom dropped out of the price of peaches. (Maän ñang khaâm phuïc .)

26 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

box office 1. quaøy baùn veù xem phim hay kòch No thaáy caây buùt chì bò maát naèm treân baøn cuûa coâ beù need to reserve the seats; we can pick them up at the box nhöng coâ choái khoâng laáy maø noùi raèng chaéc coù ngöôøi office. (Khoâng caàn phaûi mua veù tröôùc; chuùng ta coù theå ñaõ ñem ñeán ñeå ñoù.) mua taïi quaøy veù ñöôïc maø.) 2. cuoán phim, vôû kòch, baûn bread and butter 1. nhu caàu haøng ngaøy, caùch kieám nhaïc aên khaùch nhaát cuûa Wayne Wayne’s last movie soáng, keá sinh nhai Ed earned his bread and butter was a regular box office. (Cuoán phim cuoái cuøng cuûa as a book keeper, but added a little jam by working Wayne raát aên khaùch.) 3. coù tieáng taêm Betsie is no with a dance band on weekends. (Ed kieám soáng baèng longer box office with me (t oâi heát thích Betsie roài.) ngheà keá toaùn, nhöng ñeå kieám theâm, cuoái tuaàn anh boy friend 1. baïn trai “Taâm and his boy friends have laøm nhaïc coâng cho ban nhaïc khieâu vuõ.) 2 adj. thö gone to the ball game,” said his mother (t aâm vaø ngöôøi caûm ôn ai veà After spending the weekend as a baïn cuûa noù ñaõ ñi Xem ñaáu boùng roài.) 2. boà Jane’s guest in the Jone’s home, Alice wrote the Joneses the new boy friend is a senior in high school. (Anh boà môùi usual bread-and-butter letter. Sau moät tuaàn leã ôû vôùi cuûa Jane laø moät hoïc sinh lôùp möôøi hai ban trung hoïc.) So gia ñình Jone trôû veà, Alice vieát cho hoï laù thö caûm saùnh girl friend. ôn. 3. cheùm xui We’d say “Bread and Butter!” boys will be boys con trai phaù nhö quyõ Boys will be when we had passed on opposite sides of a tree.) Khi boys and make a lot of noise, so Taâm’s mother told him ñi ngöôïc chieàu nhau qua moät caùi caây, chuùng toâi and his friends to play in the park instead of the back thöôøng noùi vôùi nhau “cheùm xui” ñeå cho khoûi bò xui yard. (Bieát con trai nghòch nhö quyõ vaø laøm oàn aøo naùo xeûo. ñoäng neân meï cuûa Taâm baûo noù ra chôi ngoaøi coâng vieân breadbasket caùi bao töû Taâm is stuffing his chöù khoâng ñöôïc chôi ôû saân sau nhaø.) breadbasket again. (Taâm laïi ñoän caùi tuùi baùnh mì cuûa brain bucket noùn saét ñi moâ-toâ If you want to share a anh ta nöõa kìa.) ride with me, you’ve got to wear a brain bucket. (Neáu break camp giôû traïi The scouts broke camp at baïn muoán ñi chung xe moâ-toâ vôùi toâi thì baïn phaûi ñoäi noùn dawn. Caùc höôùng ñaïo sinh giôû traïi khi trôøi höøng saét leân.) saùng.) brain drain 1. maát chaát xaùm, chaûy chaát xaùm Germany break down 1. phaù cöûa xoâng vaøo The firemen suffered a considerable brain drain to the United States broke down the door to rescue the baby. (Caùc ngöôøi after World War II. (Nöôùc Ñöùc chòu moät thieät thoøi lôùn lính cöùu hoaû phaù cöûa xoâng vaøo ñeå cöùu em beù.) 2. laøm sau deä nhò theá chieán khi khi phaàn lôùn chaát xaùm chaûy suy yeáu, laøm bôùt ñi By helpful instructions and sang Hoa kyø.) 2. lao taâm, hao taâm toån löïc That math kindness the teacher broke down the new boy’s exam I took was a regular brain drain. (Buoåi thi toaùn shyness. (Baèng söï giaûi thích ñuùng möùc vaø loøng töû teá, laøm toâi meät ñôø ngöôøi.) vò giaùo vieân ñaõ giuùp cho caäu hoïc sinh môùi daïn dó branch off teû nhaùnh, traùnh chuyeän lôùn laáy chuyeän nhoû, hôn.) Advertising breaks down a lot of stubbornness lo ra At the bridge a little road branches off from the against change. (Nhöõng lôøi quaûng caùo ñaõ ñaùnh ñoå daàn highway and follows the river (t aïi ñaàu caàu coù con ñöôøng nhöõng ñaàu oùc ngoan coá khoâng chòu thay ñoåi.) 3. (phaù nhoû reõ töø xa loä chaïy doïc theo bôø soâng.) Martin was huyû, laøm tan raõ‘Water is readily broken down into trying to study his lesson, but his mind kept branching off hydrogen and oxygen. (Nöôùc luùc naøo cuõng coù theå onto what girl he should ask to go with him to dance. phaân thaønh hai chaát khinh khí vaø döôõng khí ñöôïc.) (Martin ngoài hoïc baøi maø trong ñaàu cöù lôûn vôûn yù töôûng After many years of severe weather, rocks break khoâng bieát neân ruû coâ naøo ñi nhaûy.) down into dirt. (Sau nhieàu naêm trong thôøi tieát khaéc brass hat 1. syõ quan cao caáp The brass hats in nghieät, ñaù ñaõ trôû thaønh caùt buïi‘ 4. hö hoûng, taøn taï Washington often dicuss important secrets. (Nhöõng syõ The house is breaking down after ten years’ use and quan cao caáp taïi Hoa-thònh-ñoán thöôøng thaûo luaän caùc needs major repairing. (Caên nhaø ñang hö hoûng sau vaán ñeà bí maät quan troïng.) 2. nhaân vaät quan troïng Mr. möôøi naêm söû duïng vaø ñang caàn tu söûa.) His health Woods, the rich oil man, is a political brass hat. (OÂng broke down badly after the bad cold last month. (Söùc Woods, moät nhaø tö baûn daàu hoûa cuõng laø nhaân vaät haøng khoeû oâng ta suùt giaûm traàm troïng töø sau traän bò caûm ñaàu trong chính tröôøng.) naëng thaùng tröôùc‘ So saùnh go back on 2. brave it out baát chaáp khoù khaên, nguy hieån It was a break even hueà voán, hueà nhau The storekeeper dangerous ocean crossing in a small boat, but these made many sales, but his overhead expenses were so people braved it out. (Vöôït bieån baèng moät chieác thuyeàn high that he just broke even. (Ngöôøi chuû tieäm tung ra con laø moät vieäc nguy hieån nhöng nhöõng ngöôøi naøy ñeàu nhieàu ñôït baùn haøng nhöng chi phí cho tieäm quaù baát chaáp.) nhieàu cao neân chæ hueà voán.) If you gamble you are brazen it out choái, chaïy toäi The teacher found a stolen lucky when you break even. (Neáu baïn ñaùnh baïc maø pen that the girl had in her desk, but the girl brazened it hueà voán thì Xem nhö baïn may maén.) out; she said s.o. else must have put it there. (Coâ giaùo break ground 1. nhaùt cuoác ñaàu tieân Government

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 27

officials and communities leaders were there as the break one’s heart laøm ai ñau khoå, buoàn hay thaát construction company broke ground for the Vietnam voïng Her 25-year-old son’s laziness broke her Memorial. (Vieân chöùc chính phuû vaø caùc nhaø laõnh ñaïo heart. (Söï löôøi bieáng cuûa caäu con trai 25 tuoåi cuûa baø caùc coäng ñoàn ñeàu coù maët taïi buoåi cuoác nhaùt cuoác ñaàu ta laøm cho baø ñau khoå.) tieân cho vieäc khôûi coâng xaây döïng Ñaøi Kyû nieäm Vieät break one’s neck coá gaéng ñeán gaõy coå: raùng heát söùc nam.) 2. baét ñaàu vieäc gì The school broke new ground bình sinh Taâm nearly broke his neck trying to push with moral lessons that taught students to behave and to his car out of the mud. (Taâm raùng heát söùc bình sinh respect the elderly. (Nieân hoïc baét ñaàu baèng nhöõng baøi ñeå ñaåy chieác xe ra khoûi sình.) Mother asked Mai hoïc luaân lyù daïy cho hoïc sinh leã pheùp vaø toân kính ngöôøi to do some light work when she was free, but not to giaø.) break her neck over it. (Khi naøo Mai raûnh Meï nhôø coâ break in 1a. phaù cöûa ñi vaøo The fire fighters broke in ta laøm vaøi vieäc nheï, chöù khoâng baét coâ aáy gaéng heát the door of the burning house. (Caùc nhaân vieân cöùu hoaû söùc.) phaù cöûa ñeå vaøo caên nhaø ñang boác chaùy.) 1b. leûn vaøo nhaø break out 1. phaùt taùc He broke out with scarlet [vôùi yù xaáu] Two thieves broke in while the family was fever. (Noù bò beänh tinh hoàng nhieät phaùt taùc.) 2. phaù away. (Hai teân troäm leûn vaøo nhaø trong khi caû nhaø ñi leân (cöôøi), caát cao gioïng No one explained why he vaéng.) 2. töï tieän ñi vaøo, caét ñöùt caâu chuyeän Two broke out laughing. (Khoâng ai giaûi thích ñöôïc taïi sao strangers broke in on the meeting without knocking. (Hai noù phaù leân cöôøi.) She broke out, “That is not so!” ngöôøi laï töï tieän ñi vaøo buoåi hoïp maø chaúng goõ cöûa.) `Baø ta boãng caát cao gioïng, noùi: “Khoâng phaûi nhö The secretary broke in to say that a telegram had vaäy.) 3. boäc phaùt Fire broke out as the wind blew arrived. (Vieân thö kyù vaøo baùo raèng böùc ñieän tín ñaõ ñeán.) stronger. (Löûa boãng phaùt chaùy lôùn khi gío thoåi maïnh 3. xuaát thaân töø He broke in as an actor with a drama hôn.) 4. tung hoâ, phaát côø When word of the victory team in our city. (Anh ta xuaát thaân laøm moät ngöôøi dieãn came, people began breaking out their flags. (Khi hai kòch cho moät ban kòch trong thaønh phoá chuùng toâi.) 4. chöõ chieán thaéng ñöôïc hoâ leân thì moïi ngöôøi phaát cao höôùng daãn ai A manager assistant broke in the new côø leân.) man as a sales person. Vieân phuï taù quaûn ñoác höôùng cho break the ice 1. phaù vôõ beá taéc, gaây khoâng khí haøo ngöôøi môùi vaøo laøm ñeå anh ta baùn haøng.) höùng To break the ice, Tim told a joke, and they break into 1. ñoät nhaäp phi phaùp Thieves broken into soon had interesting conversations going. (Ñeå taïo the store at night. (Boïn cöôùp ñoät nhaäp cöûa tieäm vaøo ban khoâng khí haøo höùng, Tim keå moät chuyeän teáu, vaø sau ñeâm.) 2. môùi vaøo ngheà maø ñaõ thaønh coâng She broke ñoù moïi ngöôøi baét ñaàu chuyeän troø vôùi nhau vui veû.) into finance as an accountant. Coâ ta môí vaøo laøm keá Some people break the ice by telling their personal toaùn trong ngaønh taøi chaùnh maø ñaõ thaønh coâng ngay.) 3. stories. (Vaøi ngöôøi phaù vôõ khoâng khí teû nhaït baèng caét ngang caâu chuyeän cuûa ngöôøi khaùc He broke into caùch keå chuyeän ñôøi tö cuûa hoï.) the discussion with a shout of warning. 4. ñoät nhieân bò break up 1. phaù boû The workmen broke up the He broke into a sweat. (Anh ta ñoät nhieân toaùt moà hoâi.) pavement to dig up the pipes under it. (Coâng nhaân The dog heard his master’s whistle and broke into a phaù boû lôùp beâ-toâng treân maët ñeå ñaøo xuoáng ñöôøng run. (Con choù nghe tieáng huyùt saùo cuûa chuû thì vuït chaïy oáng beân döôùi.) beå, tan, vôõ As the first spring warm ngay.) sunrays appeared, river ice broke up. (Khi nhöõng tia break off 1. ngöng ngang xöông The speaker was naéng xuaân aám aùp ñaàu tieân xuaát hieän, maët nöôùc soâng interrupted so often that he broke off and sat down. ñoùng baêng baét ñaàu tan ra.) 2. xuoáng tinh thaàn (Dieãn giaû bò ngaét lôøi nhieàu laàn quaù oâng ta ngöng ngang [Thöôøng duøng vôùi hình thöùc bò ñoäng.] Mrs. Sang xöông roài ngoài xuoáng.) When Ba came in, Giang broke was all broken up after her husband’s death, and did off her talk with Linh and talked to Ba. (Khi Ba ñi vaøo, not go out of the house for two months. (Baø Sang bò Giang ñang noùi chuyeän vôùi Linh boãng ngöng ngang tinh thaàn sa suùt sau caùi cheát cuûa choàng baø, neân caû xöông roài quay sang noùi vôùi Ba.) 2. döùt nhau (tình baïn, thaùng baø chaúng heà böôùc ra khoûi nhaø.) So saùnh crack tình yeâu) I heard that Taâm and Ai Lieân had broken off up, go to pieces 3. boû giöõa chöøng Some men kept (Toâi nghe noùi Taâm vaø AÙi Lieân döùt nhau roài maø.) She booing the speakers who finally broke up the broke off with her best friend last year. (Coâ ta döùt ngang meeting. (Vaøi ngöôøi cöù tieáp tuïc la où vôùi caùc dieãn giaû, vôùi ngöôøi baïn thaân nhaát cuûa coâ aáy hoài naêm ngoaùi roài.) neân phaûi boû cuoäc tuï hoïp giöõa chöøng.) The two break one’s balls [neân traùnh duøng, hoaëc caån thaän khi boys were wrestling on the grass, and a passing duøng] gaéng tôùi taän daùi (coá gaéng toái ña) I’ve been policeman ordered them to break it up. (Hai thaèng beù breaking my balls to buy you this new color TV set and ñang vaät nhau treân coû, thì moät vieân caûnh saùt ñi you aren’t the least bit appreciative! ‘t oâi ñaõ coá gaéng ngang vaø baûo chuùng phaûi boû ra.) So saùnh cut out 1. ñeán taän daùi ñeå mua cho coâ caùi TV maøu naøy maø coâ chaúng So saùnh break off toû ra bieát chuyeän thì thoâi!‘ So saùnh break one’s neck. break with taùch khoûi, ra khoûi He broke with the

28 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

Liberal party on the question of civil rights. (OÂng ta taùch a fine speech which brought down the house. (Vò öùng khoûi ñaûng Caáp tieán vì vaán ñeà daân quyeàn.) He had cöû vieân toång thoáng noùi chuyeän hay quaù khieán ai broken with some friends who had changed in their way cuõng voã tay vui thích.) of thinking. (OÂng ta nghæ chôi moät soá baïn naøo ñaõ thay bring home thaáy roõ raøng, nhaán maïnh, laøm cho ai ñoåi caùch suy nghó.) nhaän thaáy The accident caused a death in his breathe down one’s neck baùm saùt goùt, baùm saùt beân löng family, and it brought home to him the evil of [canh chöøng, hay ñe doïa] Too many creditors were drinking while driving. (Tai naïn laøm cheát moät ngöôøi breathing down his neck. (Quaù nhieàu chuû nôï baùm saùt goùt trong gia ñình oâng ta khieán cho moïi ngöôøi trong nhaø anh ta.) No one likes to work for a boss, who is always thaáy roõ caùi tai haïi cuûa vieäc uoáng röôïu maø laùi xe.) breathing down his neck. (Khoâng ai thích laøm vieäc cho A parent or teacher should bring home to children moät ngöôøi chuû maø aên roài cöù baùm saùt beân löng.) the value and pleasure of reading. (Cha, meï hay breathe easily hoaëc breathe freely (thaáy deã thôû, thô thôùi thaày giaùo neân giuùp cho con em thaáy roõ caùi ích lôïi Now that all debts were paid off, I breathed more cuûa vieäc ñoïc saùch.) easily. (Nay taát caû moïi nôï naàn ñaõ traû xong, toâi môùi thaáy bring home the bacon 1. kieám tieàn A good father deã thôû.) We are not able to breathe easily until all of should be the principal family living earner, who children graduate from school.. (Chuùng toâi khoâng theå brings home the bacon. (Moät ngöôøi cha toát phaûi laø naøo thaáy thô thôùi ñöôïc cho ñeán khi caùc con ra tröôøng.) ngöôøi kieám tieàn chính ñi laøm nuoâi gia ñình.) 2. Mang breathe one’s last truùt hôi thôû cuoái cuøng Before thaéng lôïi veà cho nhaø In 1998 the French soccer breathing his last, Father wanted to see all of this team brought home the bacon. (Naêm 1998, ñoäi tuùc children beside him. (Tröôùc khi truùt hôi thôû cuoái cuøng, caàu Phaùp mang chieán thaéng veà cho nöôùc mình.) Cha muoán nhìn thaáy caùc con ngoài beân caïnh oâng.) bring off laøm ñöôïc chuyeän khoù khaên By skillful bred in the bone taùnh neát coù töøø trong maùu Lan’s being discussion, Mr. Wang had brought off an agreement meti-culous when doing things is bred in the bone. (Tính that had seemed inpossible to get. (Baèng taøi thaûo tæ mæ cuûa Lan khi laøm baát cöù vieäc gì coù töø trong maùu coâ luaän, oâng Uoâng ñaõ ñaït ñöôïc moät thoaû thuaän maø ta roài.) Giang is a bred-in-the-bone guitarist; he has tröôùc ñaây cöù töôûng khoâng theå naøo laøm ñöôïc.) He been playing since he was seven. (Giang bieát chôi gi-ta tried several times to break the writing proficiency töø trong maùu; anh ta chôi (nhaïc cuï naøy) töø hoài baûy tuoåi.) exam, and finally he brought it off. (Anh ta coá gaéng breeze in gheù vaøo, taït vaøo Beùbeù breezed in the cafeù nhieàu laàn ñeå cho ñaäu kyø thi vieát, vaø cuoái cuøng thaønh and sat down at the table in the corner. (Beùbeù gheù vaøo coâng.) So saùnh put over 2. quaùn caø-pheâ vaø ngoài xuoáng taïi chieác baøn trong goùc.) bring on môû ñaàu, laøm cho The incident in the Gulf bright and early töôi tænh He came down bright and of North Vietnam in 1968 brought on the direct early to answer the door. (Anh ta töôi tænh xuoáng laàu ñeå intervention of the U.S. in Vietnam. (Söï kieän trong xem ai ñang goõ cöûa.) She arrived bright and early for Vònh Baéc Vieät naêm 19968 môû maøn cho söï can thieäp the interview. (Coâ ta töôi tænh ñeán nôi phoûng vaán.) tröïc tieáp cuûa Hoa kyø vaøo Vieät Nam.) Poliomyelitis bring about taïo ra, gaây neân The war had brought brought on the boy’s permanent deformity of his left about great loss and damages to the innocent people in leg when he was six years old. (Beänh soát teâ lieät khi both sides. (Cuoäc chieán ñaõ gaây cheát choùc vaø thieät haïi vaät caäu beù leân saùu tuoåi ñaõ laøm cho chaân traùi cuûa caäu chaát cho thöôøng daân voâ toäi cuûa caû hai beân.) Drink vónh vieãn teo laïi.) Reading in a poor light may brought about his downfall. (Taät uoáng röôïu khieán cho bring on weakened eyesight. (Ñoïc saùch maø thieáu aùnh anh ta bò sa suùt.) saùng laøm cho thò löïc yeáu daàn.) bring around hoaëc bring round 1. phuïc hoài [söùc khoeû] bring s.o. to 1. laøm cho ai tænh laïi, ñaùnh thöùc ai We He was quite ill, but good nursing brought him were trained to bring a fainting person to by having around. (Anh ta bò beänh naëng laém, nhöng nhôø chaêm soùc him/her smell a small amount of ether. (Chuùng toâi kyõ neân anh phuïc hoài ñöôïc.) So saùnh bring to. 2. thuyeát ñöôïc huaán luyeän ñeå laøm cho ngöôøi bò xæu tænh laïi phuïc ñöôïc ai After a good deal of discussion he baèng caùch cho hoï ngöûi moät soá löôïng nhoû chaát eâ-te.) brought her round to his way of thinking. (Sau moät cuoäc bring to bay doàn ai vaøo ngoõ cuït The police brought thaûo luaän daøi anh ta ñaõ thuyeát phuïc coâ ta theo caùch nghó the robber to bay in a not through alley and he gave cuûa anh.) up. (Caûnh saùt röôït teân cöôùp vaøo moät heûm cuït neân y bring down the house laøm cho khaùn giaû cöôøi oà hay voã ñöa tay chòu coøng.) The fox was brought to bay in tay theo moät caùch vui thích His story was funny in a hollow tree and the hounds stood around it barking itself and also touched the listeners’ sense of humor, so noisily. (Con choàn bò röôït phaûi troán vaøo moät boäng it brought down the house. (Caâu chuyeän cuûa anh ta voán caây vaø maáy con choù saên vaây quanh söûa inh oûi.) So ñaõ vui maø laïi ñaùnh truùng oùc khoâi haøi cuûa thính giaû nöõa, saùnh at bay. neân ai cuõng cöôøi oà.) The presidential candidate made bring to light ñöa ra aùnh saùng “I am sure when

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 29

more documents are declassified, we might be able to doùc.) 2. ngöôøi hay ñuïng chaïm Though Taâm is an know about the secret of his assassination,” said the hones person, he is a regular bringdown. (Tuy Taâm researcher. (“Toâi cam ñoan raèng khi coù theâm nhieàu taøi laø ngöôøi thaúng thaén; anh ta hay ñuïng chaïm (tôùi lieäu ñöôïc baïch hoaù, (luùc aáy) chuùng ta hoaï chaêng môùi ngöôøi khaùc).) bring down 1. noùi söï thaät veà ai Taâm bieát ñöôïc veà bí maät cuûa vieäc oâng ta bò aùm saùt.” chuyeân brought Ted down very cleverly with his remarks. vieân nghieân cöùu noùi.) His rivals brought to light some (Taâm kheùo leùo noùi söï veà Ted baèng nhöõng lôøi nhaän tricky things he had done while running for the election. xeùt.) 2. laøm cho ai öu phieàn The death of the (Caùc ñoái thuû cuûa oâng mang ra aùnh saùng nhöõng vieäc ma famous musician brought many fans down maùnh maø oâng ñaõ laøm trong thôøi gian tranh cöû.) So saùnh completely. (Ñaùm tang cuûa ngöôøi nhaïc só noåi tieáng come to light. laøm cho nhieàu ngöôøi haâm moä öu phieàn.) bring to one’s knees laøm toån thöông ai/caùi gì Without Bronx cheer tieáng la où phaûn ñoái When he began to a billion or so dollars sent home by the refugees from show pro-corrupt regime feelings, he was greeted abroad, corrup-tion and poor management might have with Bronx cheers all around. (Khi anh baøy toû laäp brought the government to its knees . (Khoâng coù soá tieàn tröôøng uûng hoä chính quyeàn tham nhuõng, chung hôn moät tæ ñoâ la do ngöôøi tò naïn ôû nöôùc ngoaøi göûi veà, quanh coù tieáng la où noåi leân.) tham nhuõng vaø söï quaûn trò toài coù leõ ñaõ laøm cho chính brown bagger ngöôøi mang ñoà aên tröa ñi laøm Taâm quyeàn kieät queä roài.) became a brown-bagger not because he can’t afford bring to pass gaéng taïo thaønh coâng By much planning, the restaurant, but because he wants to save the the committe brought the vocational cirriculum to pass. money to help the poor. (Taâm mang ñoà aên tröa ñi (Baèng nhieàu keá hoaïch, uyû ban ñaõ coá gaéng laäp thaønh laøm, khoâng phaûi vì anh khoâng coù tieàn ñi aên tieäm maø coâng ñöôïc chöông trình huaán ngheä.) So saùnh bring about, vì anh muoán daønh tieàn giuùp ngöôøi ngheøo.) come to pass. brown paper bag tuùi giaáy naâu [Loaïi xe caûnh saùt bring to terms thuyeát phuïc, daøn xeáp The two brothers chìm khoâng coù ghi chöõ POLICE.] The beaver got a were brought to terms by their mother for sharing the Christmas card because she didn’t notice the brown table. (Baø meï thuyeát phuïc ñöôïc anh em chuùng chòu duøng paper bag at her back door. (Ngöôøi ñaøn baø bò phaït vì chung moät caùi baøn.) The argument did not end until an chaïy quaù toác ñoä qui ñinh vì baø khoâng nhìn thaáy caùi influential intermediator brought the enemy to terms. tuí giaáy naâu chaïy sau löng.) Xem plain white (Cuoäc caõi vaû keùo daøi maõi cho ñeán coù moät ngöôøi trung wrapper gian ñaày uy tín ñöùng ra daøn xeáp (môùi thoâi).) brown study ngoài thöø ngöôøi ra Recently he has bring up 1. nuoâi naáng Most parents give much noticed that his daughter is usually in a brown study. attention and thought to bringing up their children. (Ña Perhaps she is in love. (Gaàn ñaây oâng ta nhaän thaáy soá cha me ñeàu ñeå taâm trí ñeán vieäc nuoâi naéng con caùi.) raèng con gaùi oâng thöôøng ngoài thöø ngöôøi ra. Chaéc coâ Minh was born in Vietnam but brought up in the ta phaûi loøng ai.) United States. (Minh sinh ra ôû Vieät nam nhöng lôùn leân ôû brown-nose nònh bôï, bôï ñôõ [Neân traùnh, hoaëc caån Hoa Kyø.) 2. ngöng, ñöùng laïi [Thöôøng duøng vôùi short.] thaän khi duøng] Kieán brown-nosed his teachers, Everyone should bring the car up short when the light that’s why he got good scores in his courses. (Kieán changes to red. Don’t beat the light! `Moïi ngöôøi neân bôï ñôõ caùc thaày giaùo cuûa y, cho neân y kieám ñöôïc ngöøng xe laïi khi ñeøn ñoåi sang maøu ñoû. Ñöøng coù chaïy nhieàu ñieåm toát trong caùc moân hoïc.) So saùnh polish raùng!‘ 3. ñeà caäp ñeán, neâu leân At a class discussion the apple Mai brought up the idea of buying a little gift for the brush off hoaëc give the brush off 1. khoâng chòu nghe teacher on Valentine’s Day. (Trong moät cuoäc thaûo luaän ôû ai Taâm brushed off Bình’s warning that he might lôùp, Mai coù ñöa yù kieán mua moät moùn quaø nhoû cho thaày have a blowout because all four tires of his car are giaùo vaøo ngaøy Tình Yeâu.) badly worn out. (Taâm khoâng chòu nghe lôøi Bình baùo bring up the rear 1. ñi sau choùt The fire truck with ñoäng raèng anh ta khoâng kheùo bò beå baùnh xe vì boán Santa on it brought up the rear of the Christmas parade. baùnh ñaõ quaù moøn.) 2. thieáu thieän caûm, maát caûm tình (Xe chöûa löûa vôùi oâng giaø Noel ñi sau choùt ñoaøn dieãn Mai brushed off Bình at Lan’s birthday party. (Mai haønh.) 2. laøm beát baùt, laøm dôû eït In any race, Taâm laøm maát caûm tình cuûa Bình trong buoåi tieäc sinh nhaät always brings up the rear. (Trong baát cöù cuoäc ñua naøo, cuûa Lan.) He said hello to Mai, but she gave him Taâm cuõng veà choùt.) In the lantern contest, our team the brushoff. (Anh ta chaøo Mai nhöng coâ ta theøm brought up the rear. (Trong cuoäc thi loàng ñeøn, toaùn cuûa chaøo laïi.) So saùnh cold shoulder. toâi laø beát nhaát.) brush up hoaëc brush up on dôït laïi cho nhuyeãn vöõng bringdown 1. vaïch traàn Taâm always utters the right ngheà She spent the summer brushing up on her bringdown when he encounters a braggard. (Taâm luùc English essay writing as she was to teach that in the naøo cuõng vaïch traàn söï thaät khi anh gaëp phaûi moät tay noùi fall. (Coâ ta duøng nguyeân moät muøa heø ñeå dôït laïi caùch

30 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

vieát luaän tieáng Anh vì vaøo muøa thu coâ seõ daïy moân ñoù.) khuyeán khích ñeå coâ ta hoïc nhö ñöôïc thöôûng 5 ñoâ cho bubble gum music n., nhaïc kích ñoäng Young people moãi con A, 3 ñoâ moãi con B, nhöng coâ ta phaûi traû laïi don’t appreciate Mozart; they prefer bubble gum music chuùng toâi 5 ñoâ neáu bò C.) instead. (Ngöôøi treû khoâng thích maáy nhaïc Mozart; thay build castles in the air hoaëc build castles in Spain vaøo ñoù hoï laïi thích nhaïc kích ñoäng.) xaây nhaø treân caùt, mô töôûng chuyeän vieãn voâng bubble trouble bò xeïp baùnh xe The new red Mustand Many people like to build castles in the air, but ahead of me seems to have bubble trouble. (Chieác never succeed in anything. (Nhieàu ngöôøi thích xaây Mustand ñoû môùi tröôùc maët toâi hình nhö saép bò xeïp baùnh nhaø treân caùt neân khoâng bao giôø thaønh coâng.) xe.) Young people usually devote themselves to buck up trôû neân vui veû After the heavy rain, the coach building castles in Spain, and they may work hard bucked up his team members by promising them to let enough to get part of their wishes. (Nhöõng ngöôøi treû them go home earlier than usual.. (Sau côn möa lôùn, thöôøng chuù taâm vaøo nhöõng chuyeän mô töôûng vieãn huaán luyeän vieân khuyeán khích toaùn vieân trong ñoäi cuûa voâng, nhöng neáu hoï laøm vieäc chaêm chæ thì hoaï may oâng haêng haùi baèng caùch höùa cho hoï veà sôùm hôn thöôøng coù theå ñaït ñöôïc phaàn naøo ñieàu mong öôùc.) leä.) bull in a china shop aên noùi vuïng veà laøm ai giaän We bucket of bolts chieác xe caø ròch caø tang I wish I had were talking politely with the teacher about a class some thousand dollars now, so that I can get rid of this party, but Taâm came in like a bull in a china shop old bucket of bolts. (Toâi ao öôùc coù ñöôïc vaøi ngaøn ñoâ, ñeå and his rough talk made the teacher say no. (Chuùng toâi coù theå vaát chieác xe caø ròch caø tang naøy quaùch.) toâi ñang noùi chuyeän vôùi thaày giaùo moät caùch leã ñoä veà Buckle Xem buckle down hoaëc knuckle down haêng haùi buoåi lieân hoan ôû lôùp thì Taâm xiaù vaøo quaù vuïng veà baét tay vaøo vieäc After lunch they chatted idly for a few khieán thaày giaùo giaän vaø khoâng cho toå chöùc.) moments then each buckled down to work. (Sau böõa aên bull session chuyeän troø thaät laâu After the last tröa, hoï noùi chuyeän qua loa vaøi phuùt, xong ai naáy ñeàu performance of the play we had a bull session until haêng haùi baét tay vaøo vieäc ngay.) the three in the morning. (Sau buoåi trình dieãn cuoái bug in one’s ear gôïi yù, môùm yù My wife saw our cuûa vôû kòch, chuùng toâi ngoài laïi chuyeän troø vôùi nhau daughter at the jeweler’s admiring the diamond pin; cho ñeán ba giôø saùng.) she'll put a bug in my ear. (Vôï toâi thaáy con gaùi chuùng toâi bullet lane laèn qua maët Move over into the bullet cöù ngaém nghiaù caùi kim keïp coù ñính hoät xoaøn hoaì, neân lane, this eighty-wheeler is moving too slow. (Chaïy baø aáy môùm yù cho toâi neân mua cho coâ beù caùi kim keïp qua laèn qua maët cho roài, oâng giaø 80 chuïc ñoù chaïy aáy.) chaäm quaù.) bug s.o. laøm khoù ai, quaáy raày ai He is a black sheep in bump (someone) off thanh toaùn ai [Töø-ngöõ trong the family; everybody always bugs him when s.t. goes giôùi giang hoà: gieát ai] Hoodlums in a speeding car wrong. Noù laø ñöùa con bò haát huûi trong gia ñình; baát cöù bumped two persons off with tommy guns. (Boïn baêng khi naøo coù chuyeän gì xaûy ra trong nhaø ai traùch maéng noù.) ñaûng chaïy xe thaät nhanh vaø xaû suùng maùy baén cheát Leave me alone. Go bug s.o. else! Ñeå cho toâi yeân. Ñi hai ngöôøi.) quaáy phaù ngöôøi khaùc ñi!’ bump into tình côø gaëp laïi Minh was walking in the bug-eyed troá maét nhìn Not believing his ears he stood shopping mall, when she suddenly bumped into Jane. there bug-eyed when the announcer said that he had won (Minh ñang ñi trong thöông xaù thì tình côø gaëp laïi the award. (Khoâng tin vaøo tai mình, anh ta troá maét ñöùng Jane.) nhìn khi xöôùng ngoân vieân noùi raèng anh ta ñaõ thaéng giaûi.) bundle (someone) up Xem wrap up maëc ñoà aám cho bughouse 1. nhaø thöông taâm thaàn The Chinese ai Before Minh went to school, her mother communists are applying a new method of oppression by bundled her up. Tröôùc khi Minh ñi hoïc, meï coâ ta sending all of their political opponents to bughouses. maëc ñoà aám cho coâ.) (Coäng saûn Taøu ñang aùp duïng phöông phaùp ñaøn aùp môùi burn a hole in one’s pocket noân noùng muoán xaøi baèng caùch ñöa taát caû nhöõng nhaø ñoái laäp vaøo nhaø thöông tieàn, tieàn naèm trong tuùi khoâng yeân The money that ñieân.) 2 adj., ñieân, khuøng When having stresses in Ñang won at the horse race was buring a hole in his daily life, many people tend to go bughouse. (Khi bò pocket, and he hurried to a dime store. (Soá tieàn Ñang nhöõng böùc baùch trong cuoäc soáng, nhieàu ngöôøi deã hoaù thaéng caù ngöïa naèm trong tuùi khoâng yeân, neân anh voäi ñieân khuøng.) vaõ chaïy ra ngoaøi tieäm.) build a fire under thuùc hoái, thuùc giuïc We usually build burn one’s bridges cuõng nhö burn one’s boats theà a fire under our daughter and get her to study by giving moät ñi khoâng trôû laïi, quyeát ñònh döùt khoaùt She was her some incentive measures: five dollars for an A, three so angry that she burned her bridges by pledging for a B, but she has to pay five dollars for a C. (Chuùng that she would run away from home forever. (Baø ta toâi hoái thuùc con gaùi chuùng toâi vaø ñeà ra vaøi bieän phaùp quaù giaän ñeán noåi phaûi theà moät ñi khoâng trôû laïi.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 31

She burned her boats by leaving her gambling husband there. (Caên nhaø bò thieâu ruïi tröôùc khi lính chöõa löûa for good. (Baø ta quyeát ñònh döùt khoaùt laø seõ töø boû vónh ñeán‘ 2. laøm böïc mình, gaây phieàn toaùi The boy’s vieãn ngöôøi choàng côø baïc cuûa baø.) laziness burned up his parents. (Söï löôøi bieáng cuûa burn one’s fingers moät laàn tôûn tôùi giaø He had burned thaèng beù laøm böïc mình cha meï noù.) his fingers in the kite flying once, and didn’t want to try burn up the road ñoát chaùy ñöôøng: chaïy nhö teân baén again. (Moät laàn tôûn tôùi giaø, anh ta cöôõi dieàu thöû moät laàn, Being eager to see his girlfriend, Taâm burned up vaø baây giôø khoâng daùm thöû laàn nöõa.) Many young the road on his way to see her. Unfortunately, he was people can’t be told; they have to burn their fingers to stopped by a highway patrol officer. (Noùng loøng learn. (Nhieàu ngöôøi treû khoâng khuyeân raên ñöôïc, phaûi thöû muoán gaëp ngöôøi tình, Taâm laùi xe chaïy nhö teân baén. qua thì môùi tôûn tôùn giaø.) Chaúng may bò nhaân vieân tuaàn tra coâng loä chaän laïi.) burn out 1. bò chaùy ruïi, laøm caèn coãi By having no oil Speed demons burning up the road often cause change or oil check for months, Mr. Khanh burned out accidents. (Ngöôøi laùi xe quaù nhanh thöôøng gaây ra tai the engine on his car. (Baèng caùch khoâng theøm thay nhôùt naïn.) hay xem nhôùt trong maáy thaùng lieàn, OÂng Khaùnh ñaõ laøm burnt child dreads the fire hoaëc once bitten, twice caùi maùy xe chaùy ruïi.) 3a. ñöùt boùng The light bulb of shy Moät laàn ñaõ tôûn tôùn giaø, ñöøng ñi nöôùc maën maø haø the tail lamp of Trung's car burned out, and Father put aên chaân Once Mai had got lost when her mother in a new one. (Caùi ñeøn sau xe cuûa Trung bò ñöùt boùng, Ba took her downtown. But a burnt child dreads the fire, ñaõ thay boùng môùi.) 3b. bò kieät söùc, caïn nguoàn‘Bình's so now Mai stays close to her mother when they are horse ran too fast and burned himself out in the first part downtown. (Coù laàn Mai ñi vôùi meï xuoáng phoá vaø bò of the race and could hardly finish. (Con ngöïa cuûa Bình laïc. Moät laàn ñaõ tôûn tôùi giaø, ñöøng ñi nöôùc maën maø haø ñaõ chaïy quaù nhanh vaø bò kieät söùc ôû ñoaïn ñaàu cuûa cuoäc aên chaân, töø ñoù veà sau moãi khi xuoáng phoá Mai ñeàu ñua vaø suyùt nöõa khoâng theå veà ñeán ñích.) The farmers theo saùt chaân meï.) burned out their fields by planting several times the same burst at the seams no öù höï, ñaày aêm aép Taâm ate so crops every year for many years. (Caùc noâng gia laøm ñaát much he was bursting at the seams. (Taâm aên quaù caèn ñi vì troàng moät loaïi hoa maøu nhieàu laàn trong moät nhieàu neân anh ta thaáy no öù höï.) Mai's backpack naêm vaø suoát maáy naêm lieàn.) was full of books; it was bursting at the seams. (Caùi burn rubber 1. laøm chaùy voû xe, doït ngay The racers tuí ñeo löng cuûa Mai chöùa quaù nhieàu saùch khieán cho abruptly accelerated their motorbikes and burned a lot maáy quyeån phaûi rôùt ra ngoaøi.) of rubber before taking off, leaving many black marks on bury one`s head in the sand nhaém maét nhaém muõi, the road. (Caùc tay ñua ñoät nhieân ruù ga vaø laøm chaùy voû khoâng theøm ñeám xæa gì ñeán Don’t bury your head xe tröôùc khi voït tôùi, ñeå laïi raát nhieàu laèn chaùy ñen treân in the sand any longer. Have your read this article maët ñöôøng.) I think I have got to burn rubber. (Toâi about smoking and cancer? Ñöøng coù nhaém maét nghó laø toâi phaûi doït ngay baây giôø‘ nhaém muõi nöõa. Haõy ñoïc baøi baùo noùi veà huùt thuoác vaø burn the candle at both ends bò tieâu hao quaù nhieàu söùc beänh ung thö khoâng? Yes, you guys should not löïc He teaches six hours every day, works eight hours hide your heads in the sand. Those non-smokers who as an assembler every night, and has a weekend partime had advised George Burns to quit smoking all died job; he is burning the candle at both ends. (Anh ta daïy before he. (Vaâng, caùc ngöôøi cuõng ñöøng neân nhaém saùu giôø moãi ngaøy, toái veà laøm coâng nhaân laép raùp 8 giôø vaø maét nhaém muõi nöõa. Maáy tay khoâng huùt thuoác cuoái tuaàn coøn moät vieäc phuï nöõa; quaû tình anh ta ñaõ tieâu khuyeân George Burns boû huùt thuoác ñeàu cheát tröôùc hao quaù nhieàu söùc löïc.) oâng ta heát kiaø.) Xem hide one’s head in the sand. burn the midngiht oil chong ñeøn thöùc ñeâm I had been bury the hatchet giaûng hoaø, laøm hoaø The families burning the midnight oil for three months before taking had been enemies a long time, but after the flood in the Comprehensive Exam. (Toâi ñaõ phaûi chong ñeøn thöùc 1999 they buried the hatchet. (Caû hai gia ñình xem ñeâm suoát ba thaùng tröôùc khi döï kyø thi toát nghieäp.) nhau nhö keû thuø, vaäy maø sau traän luït naêm 1999 hoï burn to a crisp nöôùng quaù löûa, bò chaùy ñen [Duøng chæ laøm hoaø vôùi nhau.) So saùnh make up 5. caùc loaïi thöùc aên nöôùng.] While preparing dinner, busy work laøm cho heát thôøi giôø When the clerk Mother was called to the telephone, and when she got finished all she had to do, it was still forty-five back, the pork had been burned to a crisp. (Khi ñang naáu minutes before the time was over. So she put the böõa aên toái, Meï coù ai goïi ñieän thoaïi; ñeán khi trôû laïi, thì letters in the file for busy work. (Ngöôøi thö kyù laøm thòt heo ñaõ bò chaùy ñen.) xong moïi vieäc phaûi laøm nhöng vaãn coøn 45 phuùt môùi burn up 1. ñoát ñeå huyû, chaùy ruïi Mr. Hieáu burned up ñeán giôø veà, coâ ta beøn ñem maáy laù thö boû vaøo hoà sô all of the employees' records before leaving the office. löu ñeå qua thôøi gian.) (OÂng Hieáu ñoát heát hoà sô nhaân vieân tröôùc khi rôøi vaên but for ngoaïi tröø Except for Mai, other people in phoøng.) The house burned up before the firemen got the family have jobs. (Ngoaïi tröø Mai ra, caùc ngöôøi

32 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

khaùc trong gia ñình ñeàu ñaõ coù vieäc laøm. chuùng toâi ñeå daønh ñöôïc moät soá tieàn, chuùng toâi ñaõ but for s.o./something neáu khoâng nhôø ai/caùi gì But for mua laïi coå phaàn cuûa nhieàu coå ñoâng nhoû.) 2. mua heát the ditch along the railway, the boy would have been When the rice price was about to go up, Mrs. Baøi smashed by the train. (Neáu khoâng nhôø caùi ñöôøng möông bought out the rice from nearby rice depots. (Khi giaù doïc theo ñöôøng raày, thaèng beù chaéc chaén bò xe löûa caùn gaïo saép leân, baø Baøi mua heát taát caû gaïo taïi caùc ñaïi naùt ngöôøi roài.) baøi gaïo quanh ñoù.) but good troïn veïn, ñaày ñuû Tim played with a sharp by a long shot khaùc nhau xa, moät trôøi moät vöïc [Duøng knife and cut his finger. That taught him but good not to ñeå nhaán maïnh.] Beâ was the best student in our class, fool around with knife. (Tim chôi dao beùn vaø bò ñöùt tay. by a long shot. (Beâ laø sinh vieân xuaát saéc nhaát lôùp Chöøng ñoù ñaõ daïy cho noù ñaày ñuû baøi hoïc ñöøng coù chôi chuùng toâi, (chuyeän naøy ai cuõng bieát: coâ ta hoïc hôn dao.) So saùnh and how. xa maáy baïn khaùc trong lôùp.)‘ So saùnh miss by a mile butt in khoâng ai caàu maø giuùp Kathy was explaining to by all appearances roõ raøng By all appearances, JoAnn how to add page numbers on the document when they are going to open a new shopping mall near our Ñoân butted in. (Kathy ñang chæ cho JoAnn caùch ñaùnh soá neighborhood. Roõ raøng, hoï saép söûa môû moät khu trang treân taøi lieäu thì Ñoân chaûy vaøo ñoøi chæ cho JoAnn.) thöông xaù gaàn khu mình ôû.) So saùnh horn in. by all means cuõng nhö by all manner of means baèng butter s.o. up nònh hoùt ñeå laáy loøng ai He began to moïi caùch, caàm chaéc He felt that should by all butter up the manager in the hope of getting promoted to means win her heart. (Anh ta caûm thaáy raèng anh ta a foreman. (Anh ta baét ñaàu nònh hoùt ñeå laáy loøng vieân phaûi baèng moïi caùch chieám caûm tình cuûa coâ naøng.) quaûn lyù vôùi hy voïng seõ ñöôïc ñöa leân laøm truôûng toaùn.) by all odds khoâng thaéc maéc gì nöõa He was by all So saùnh polish the apple. odds the strongest figure in our city. (Khoâng thaéc butter wouldn’t melt in one’s mouth thaùi ñoä ñaõi boâi maéc gì nöõa, oâng ta laø nhaân vaät coù theá löïc nhaát trong ngoaøi maët No one knows what she is thinking, but thaønh phoá chuùng ta.) So saùnh far and away. when she talked to the people, butter wouldn’t melt in by and by sau moät thôøi gian, luùc naøo ñoù sau naøy, sôùm her mouth. (Khoâng ai bieát baø ta nghó gì, chöù khi noùi muoän gì Though I don't have enough time, I will chuyeän vôùi moïi ngöôøi, thaùi ñoä cuûa baø ta raát ñaõi boâi.) finish all of my work by and by. (Maëc daàu toâi khoâng butterflies in one's stomach laáy laøm noân nao lo laéng coù ñuû thôøi gian, sôùm muoän gì toâi cuõng seõ hoaøn taát When Bình walked into the personnel office to ask for heát moïi thöù.) a job, he had butterflies in his stomach. (Xin Bình böôùc by and large noùùi chung, thoâng thöôøng There were vaøo phoøng nhaân vieân ñeå xin vieäc, anh ta thaáy noân nao lo bad days, but it was a pleasant childhood, by and laéng.) large. (Ñoù laø nhöõng ngaøy ñen toái, nhöng nhìn chuøng, button down ñuùc keát laïi, ruùt goïn laïi First the cuõng laø moät thôøi thô aáu thuù vò.) By and large, committee got the key points buttoned down, then they women can bear pain better that men. (Thöôøng moved on with their plan. (Tröôùc tieân caû ban ñuùc keát laïi thöôøng ñaøn baø chòu ñau gioûi hôn ñaøn oâng.) nhöõng ñieåm chính, sau ñoù môùi baét ñaàu tieáp tuïc keá hoaïch by chance tình côø I met her by chance, and we soon ñaõ ñònh.) 2. chaûi chuoác Of three children we have became close friends. (Coâ tình côø gaëp coâ ta, vaø sau Trung is a regular button-down type. (Trong ba ñöùa con ñoù trôû thaønh ñoâi baïn thaân.) chuùng toâi thì Trung laø thuoäc ñöùa hay chaûi chuoác.) by choice coá tình choïn I helped my wife by choice. button one’s lip cuõng nhö zip one’s lip thoâi noùi, giöõ kín (Toâi coá tình giuùp vôï toâi vì toâi thích nhö vaäy.) Minh chuyeän gì, ngaäm mieäng laïi The man was getting loud drinks milk but not by choice. Her mother told her and insulting and the judge told him to button his lip. she must drink it. (Minh uoáng söõa khoâng phaûi vì coâ (Ngöôøi ñaøn oâng baét ñaàu lôùn tieáng maï lî neân quan toaø beù thích, nhöng vì meï coâ ta baét coâ uoáng.) baûo oâng ta khoâng ñöôïc noùi nöõa.) Taâm was about to tell by dint of vôùi taøi xoay xôû By dint of sheer Kim about their plan, but Dan told him to keep his lip toughness and real courage of a boy scout and a buttoned. (Taâm saép môû mieäng noùi cho Kim bieát veà keá well-trained soldier, I believe that can survive in the hoaïch cuûa hoï, nhöng Daân baûo anh ta phaûi giöõ kín‘. jungle difficulties and dangers. (Baèng taøi xoay xôû vaø buy off mua chuoäc The smugglers have bought off söùc chòu ñöïng cuøng söï gan goùc cuûa moät höôùng ñaïo some high ranking officials in the custom service so that sinh vaø moät quaân nhaân ñöôïc huaán luyeän kyõ, toâi tin they could transport their contraband into the country.. raèng toâi coù theå soáng noåi trong ñieàu kieän thieáu thoán (Caùc tay buoân laäu ñaõ mua chuoäc ñöôïc caùc vieân chöùc cao vaø ñaày nguy hieåm trong röøng ruù ñöôïc.) caáp trong ngaønh quan thueá cho neân chuùng môùi chuyeån by far khaùc nhau moät trôøi moät vöïc, quaù nhieàu His haøng laäu vaøo trong nöôùc ñöôïc.) So saùnh pay off wife's needle work was better by far than that of any buy out 1. mua laïi Since we have some money in the other embroiderers in town. (Ñöôøng kim cuûa vôï anh savings, we bought out several small stockholders. (Vì ta aên ñöùt caùc ngöôøi thôï theâu trong thò traán chuùng toâi.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 33

The new road is prettier, but it is by far the longer the house that stood by itself on a hill. (Baø ta soáng way. (Con ñöôøng môùi thì toát hôn, nhöng laïi quaù xa.) So moät mình trong caên nhaø ñöùng leû loi treân ñoài.) 2. saùnh far and away. khoâng ai phuï giuùp, töï moät mình When I was in the by fits and starts nöûa naïc nöûa môõ, luùc laøm luùc nghæ, luùc new economic zone, I built a house and cleared the coù luùc khoâng, baát chöøng For many years he has been area for cultivation by myself. (Khi toâi ôû vuøng kinh working as a salesperon at this furtuniture store by fits teá môùi toâi töï xaây nhaø vaø khai quang ñaát ñeå troàng troït and starts. (Ñaõ maáy naêm nay anh ta laø nhaân vieân baùn moät mình.) haøng luùc laøm luùc nghæ trong tieäm baùn baøn gheá naøy.) by the dozen hoaëc by the hundred hoaëc by the thousand "You will never get anywhere if you study just by fits theo taù, theo traêm hay theo ngaøn He is a strong and starts," said her mother. (Con cöù hoïc roài chôi, chôi drinker. Each time he drinks beer by the dozen roài hoïc nhö vaäy thì chaúng hoïc ñöôïc gì caû." meï coâ ta noùi.) bottles `Anh ta laø ngöôøi uoáng döõ laém. Moãi laàn anh ta So saùnh from time to time, off and on. uoáng bia haøng taù chai.) The ants arrived our food by heart hoïc thuoäc loøng, nhôù naèm loøng Pupils in at the picnic by the hundreds. (Kieán tìm ñeán thöùc aên elementary schools should learn the multiplication table chuùng toâi ôû choã du ngoaïn caû traên con.) At the by heart. (Hoïc sinh trong caùc tröôøng tieåu hoïc neân hoïc wholesale store they cary these photographic film by thuoäc loøng baûn cöûu chöông.) He knew his wife's and the thousands. (Taïi tieäm baùn sæ hoï baùn loaïi phim children's social security numbers and driver's licenses chuïp hình naøy haøng ngaøn cuoán.) by heart. (OÂng ta nhôù naèm loøng soá an sinh xaõ hoäi vaø soá by the piece töøng caùi moät, töøng chieác moät Hoàng baèng laùi xe cuûa vôï vaø caùc con oâng ta.) bought boxes full of packs of chewing gums and sold by hook or by crook ñaïo ñöùc hay gian traù  tuyø cô öùng them by the piece. (Hoàng mua töøng hoäp keïo cao su bieán, baèng moïi thuû ñoaïn In some countries the veà baùn laïi töøng thoûi moät.) At the garments politicians try to win their power by hook or by crook. manufacturing factory the workers made clothes and (Taïi moät soá quoác gia, caùc chính trò gia tìm caùch naém got paid by the piece. (Taïi xöôûng may, ngöôøi thôï quyeàn baèng moïi thuû ñoaïn.) may quaàn aùo aên coâng töøng caùi moät.) by inches töøng chuùt moät The river was not rising by by the same token cuøng moät caùch, hoå töông nhau inches, but it overflowed its banks with a torrential Peoples in the world should mutually respect one current. (Doøng soâng khoâng phaûi daâng leân töøng chuùt moät, another. By the same token, people in the same nhöng noù ñoå traøn ra hai beân bôø baèng moät gioøng nöôùc country should treat one another well. (Caùc daân toäc chaûy xieát.) treân theá giôùi neân ñoái xöû nhau moät caùch töông kính. by leaps and bounds baèng taêng voït With the Cuøng moät caùch ñoù, moïi ngöôøi trong moät nöôùc cuõng application of new method, production in our factory phaûi ñoái xöû nhau töû teá.) was increasing by leaps and bounds. (Vôùi vieäc aùp duïng by the seat of one’s pants nhôø vaøo söùc mình vaø baûn phöông phaùp môùi, möùc saûn xuaát trong nhaø maùy chuùng naêng saün coù I think I got my degree by the seat of toâi taêng voït.) my pants. (Toâi ñaäu ñöôïc maûnh baèng laø nhôø vaøo söùc by means of baèng caùch, nhôø vaøo The boatman saved toâi vaø baûn naêng saün coù.) Xem fly by the seat of one’s himself by means of a floating log. (Ngöôøi thuyeàn nhaân pants. [Xuaát phaùt töø chuyeän caùc phi coâng laùi maùy soáng soùt nhôø vaøo moät maûnh goã noåi treân nöôùc.) By bay thôøi theá chieán 1, phaûi töï xeùt ñoaùn moïi thöù töø kyõ means of his pension, this old man of few wants could thuaät ñeán khí töôïng, khoâng do maùy moùc höôùng daãn.] help himself as well as his poorer relatives. (Baèng khoaûn by the skin of one’s teeth trong ñöôøng tô keû toùc tieàn höu, oâng laõo bình dò naøy coù theå soáng qua ngaøy vaø coù The drowning boy struggled to keep afloat, and the theå giuùp ñôõ nhöõng baø con khaùc ngheøo hôn oâng.) rescue team got him to land by the skin of my teeth. by mistake nhaàm The man rose and picked up the by the sweat of one’s brow do töï söùc mình laøm ra wrong suitcase by mistake. (Ngöôøi ñaøn oâng ñöùng leân vaø Even though he has a rich father, Tommy makes xaùch nhaàm caùi va-li cuûa ngöôøi khaùc.) his living by the sweat of his brow. (Maëc daàu anh ta by no means hoaëc not by any means cuõng nhö by no coù ngöôøi cha giaøu coù, Tommy töï kieám soáng baèng söùc manner of means hoaëc not by any manner of means löïc cuûa chính anh ta.) khoâng theå naøo He is by no means a cheater and a by the way cuõng nhö by the bye nhaân tieän We shall murderer. (Anh ta khoâng theå naøo laø moät ngöôøi löøa ñaûo expect to see you and your children; by the way, vaø laø keû saùt nhaân ñöôïc.) Dung has worked on this dinner will be at eight. (Chuùng toâi mong ñöôïc gaëp project for many months, he is not finished yet, by any oâng baø vaø caùc con cuûa quí vò; nhaân tieän xin môøi means, next month. (Duõng ñaõ laøm caùi döï aùn naøy suoát duøng côm toái luùc taùm giôø.) maáy thaùng nay vaø khoâng theå naøo hoaøn taát vaøo thaùng tôùi by turns thay phieân nhau I remember in the old ñöoïc.) days in my country when my son was in the hospital, by oneself moät mình, leû loi 1. She lived by herself in my wife and my father-in-law sat by his bed by turns.

34 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

(Toâi coøn nhôù ngaøy xöa khi coøn ôû xöù toâi luùc con trai toâi bò is so mean. He is always calling me on the carpet beänh naèm nhaø thöông, vôï toâi vaø boá vôï toâi thay phieân everytime I make a tiny mistake. (Vieân quaûn lyù naøy nhau ngoài beân giöôøng thaèng beù.) When having a fever, quaù khoù. Moãi laàn toâi phaïm phaûi moät loãi duø raát nhoû the patient feels cold and hot by turns. (Khi bò soát, ngöôøi oâng ta luùc naøo cuõng goïi toâi leân maéng cho moät traän.) beänh heát caûm thaáy noùng xong ñeán laïnh.) I’m sorry I did wrong again. I really hope he won’t by virtue of cuõng nhö in virtue of prep. nhôø vaøo By call me on the carpet again. (Toâi laïi laøm sai nöõa roài. virtue of his military talent, King Quang Trung won the Hy voïng oâng ta seõ khoâng goïi toâi leân maéng cho moät war against the Quing invaders in a short time. (Nhôø traän.) vaøo taøi caàm binh cuûa mình neân Vua Quang Trung ñaõ call the dogs off vaø call off the dogs keâu choù veà; chieán thaéng ñöôïc quaân Thanh trong moät thôøi gian ngaén.) khoâng truy luøng nöõa Tell the officer to call the dogs Plastic bags are useful for holding many kinds of food, off. The suspect is in that house. (Baûo vieân caûnh saùt by virtue of their clearness, toughness, and low cost. goïi choù veà. Tay nghi can trong caên nhaø ñoù kìa.) (Tuùi ni-loâng duøng ñöïng thöùc aên raát tieän duïng nhôø vaøo ba Please call off your dogs! (Xin ñöøng truy luøng toâi ñaëc ñieåm: saïch seõ, beàn chaéc, vaø reû tieàn.) So saùnh by dint nöõa!) of. can’t carry a tune haùt dôû eït I never try to sing. I by way of baèng thí duï cuï theå 1. By way of example, he cannot carry a tune. (Toâi khoâng bao giôø haùt thöû caû. described his own experience as a refugee who escaped Toâi haùt dôû eït aø.) Listen to her. She cannot carry a his country to seek freedom. (Baèng thí duï cuï theå anh ta tune, but she sings loudly. (Nghe coâ ta haùt kìa. Haùt noùi ñeán kinh nghieäm baûn thaân anh laø ngöôøi tò naïn ñi tìm dôû eït maø coá haùt cho to.) töï do.) 2. qua ngaõ We went from Saigon to Los Angeles can’t hold a candle to s.o. khoâng ñòch laïi ai; khoâng by way of Seoul. (Chuùng toâi ñi töø Saøigoøn ñeán Los xöùng vôùi ai Ted could hold a candle to Tim when it Angeles qua ngaõ Seoul.) came to motorcycle racing. (Khi ñua xe moâ-toâ, Ted by word of mouth baèng truyeàn khaåu Vietnamese folk khoâng ñòch laïi Tim ñaâu.) Mai Lan is beautiful and poems have been passed from generation to generation rich. I think Taâm can’t hold a cadle to her. (Mai Lan by word of mouth. (Ca dao Vieät Nam ñöôïc truyeàn töø theá ñeïp laïi giaøu. Toâi nghó Taâm khoâng xöùng vôùi coâ ta heä naøy sang theá heä khaùc baèng phöông caùch truyeàn ñaâu.) khaåu.) can’t make heads or tails (out) of s.o./something khoâng theå naøo hieåu noåi ai/vieäc gò; khoâng hieåu ñaàu ñuoâi gì caû That girl is so strange. I can’t make heads or tails out of her. (Coâ gaùi ñoù laï luøng quaù. Toâi khoâng theå naøo hieåu noåi coâ ta.) Write your report again. I can’t make heads or tails out it. (Vieát baûn baùo caùo cuûa baïn laïi ñi. Toâi chaúng hieåu ñaàu ñuoâi gì Cc caû.) can’t see beyond the end of one’s nose eách ngoài call a spade a spade goïi theo chính danh; chaáp nhaän söï ñaùy gieáng; ngöôøi thieån caän Baûo is a smart person. thaät cho duø coù phuû phaøng; noùi moät caùch thaúng thaén. He is not the type of person who can’t see beyond the Well, I believe it's time to call a spade a spade. We are end of his nose. (Baûo laø ngöôøi thoâng minh. Anh ta just avoiding the issue. (ÖØ thì, toâi tin raèng ñaõ ñeán luùc khoâng phaûi ngöôøi thuoäc loaïi eách ngoài ñaùy gieáng chuùng ta phaûi chaáp nhaän söï thaät duø coù phuû phaøng. Chuùng ñaâu.) AÂn can’t see beyond the end of his nose. He is ta ñang traùnh neù vaán ñeà.) Let's call a spade a spade. very self-centered. (AÂn laø ngöôøi thieån caän. Luùc naøo The man is a liar. (Noùi moät caùch thaúng thaén. Ngöôøi ñoù laø cuõng töï phuï cho mình laø caùi roán cuûa vuõ truï.) moät keû laùo khoeùt.) can’t see one’s hand in front of one’s face khoâng call it a day laøm chöøng ñoù ñuû roài I’m tired. Let’s call it thaáy baøn tay tröôùc maët; (toái) ñen nhö möïc It was a day. (Toâi meät roài. Laøm chöøng ñoù ñuû roài.) The so dark that I couldn’t see my hand in front of my manager was mad when Taâm called it a day at two and face. (Trôøi toái quaù. Toâi ñöa tay leân tröôùc maët maø coøn went home. (Vieân quaûn lyù noåi giaän vì môùi hai giôø Taâm khoâng thaáy.) When we left our home, it was very noùi laøm ñuû roài vaø boû veà.) dark. We couldn’t see our hands in front of our faces. call it quits boû ngang xöông Okay! I’m tired of it. I’m (Khi chuùng toâi rôøi nhaø. Trôøi toái laém. Toái ñen nhö calling it quits. (Ñuû roài! Toâi chaùn quaù. Toâi boû ngang möïc vaäy.) xöông ñaây.) Nam! Let’s call it quits and go home. I carry a torch for s.o. tình yeâu ñôn phöông; moái tình have had enough. (Nam ôi, boû ngang ñaây roài ñi veà ñi. caâm laëng Are you still carrying a torch for Ann? Toâi ngaùn roài.) (Baïn vaãn coøn thaàm yeâu coâ Ann sao?) Yes, I have call s.o. on the carpet goïi ai ñeán xæ maéng The manage been carrying a torch for her for years. (Vaâng. Ñaõ

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 35

maáy naêm roài mình vaãn coøn mang moái tình caâm laëng vôùi You cannot get credit at that drugstore. They only naøng.) sell cash-and-carry. (Baïn mua thuoác taïi tieäm ñoù carry coals to Newcastle chôû cuûi veà röøng Giving some khoâng ñöôïc taëng quaø ñaâu. Hoï baùn theo kieåu tieàn trao potatoes to a potato planter is just like carrying coals to chaùo muùc, giaù sao baùn vaäy.) Old Tran says that he Newcastle. (Mang khoai taây ñeán cho nhaø troàng khoai taây is tired of falling in love with any lady. If necessary, thì ñuùng laø chôû cuûi veà röøng.) Mr. Saùng is very rich. He he prefers to taking cash-and-carry. (Giaø Traàn noùi doesn’t need your money. To give him some money is like oâng ta chaùn caûnh yeâu vôùi ñöông ai caû. Neáu caàn thì carrying coals to Newcastle. (OÂng Saùng giaøu coù. OÂng ta oâng choïn loái aên chaùo traû tieàn.) khoâng caàn tieàn cuûa baïn ñaâu. Ñöa tieàn cho oâng chæ chaúng cash in (on s.t.) hoát baïc; ñöôïc moät soá tieàn lôùn nhôø khaùc naøo chôû cuûi veà röøng.) truùng dòp. This is a good year for farming, and you carry the ball oâm banh chaïy; nhaän laõnh traùch nhieäm It can cash in on it if you're smart. (Naêm nay troàng troït was Tom who carried the ball. (Ñoù laø Tom, ngöôøi oâm raát toát. Neáu baïn bieát thôøi vuï thì theá naøo cuõng hoát banh chaïy.) We can not let Tim carry the ball. He is baïc.) It's too late to cash in on that particular not well-organized. (Chuùng ta khoâng theå ñeå Tim nhaän clothing fad. (Buoân loaïi quaàn aùo thôøi trang heát coøn laõnh traùch nhieäm naøy ñöôïc. Anh ta khoâng taùnh ngaên naép. hoát baïc nöõa roài.) carry the torch laøm ñaàu ñaøn If Mai carries the torch, I cast (one's) pearls before swine neùm ngoïc cho heo think, everything will be perfectly done because she is ñaïp; ñaøn gaõy tai traâu (noùi veà ngöôøi khoâng bieát well-organized, patient, friendly and efficient. (Neáu Mai thöôûng thöùc nhaïc); thöïc baát tri kyø vò (noùi ngöôøi queâ laøm ñaàu ñaøn, toâi nghó, coâng vieäc seõ hoaøn thaønh toát ñeïp vì muøa khoâng bieát duøng moùn cao löông myõ vò.) (Caâu coâ ta coù oùc toå chöùc, kieân nhaãn, thaân thieän vaø laøm vieäc coù naøy laáy töø trong kinh thaùnh, coù yù noùi cuûa quyù maø ñöa hieäu quaû.) cho ngöôøi khoâng bieát duøng thì phí phaïm nhö neùm carry the weight of the world on one’s shoulders naëng ngoïc vaøo chaân heo. Duøng caâu naøy coøn coù yù khinh nôï traàn gian; luùc naøo cuõng raàu ró Old Ñang says he has mieät; ví ngöôøi nhö heo.) To sing for them is to cast to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders because pearls before swine. Haùt cho hoï nghe chaúng khaùc he is destinied to do so. (Giaø Ñaùng noùi raèng hai vai oâng naøo ñaøn gaõy tai traâu.) To serve them French ta phaûi gaùnh vaùc sôn haø vì ñoù laø thieân chöùc cuûa oâng ta.) cuisine is like casting one's pearls before swine. (Doïn carry weight (with s.o.) gaây taùc ñoäng; naëng kyù; bò laëm thöùc aên taây cho ñaùm ngöôøi thöïc baát tri kyø vò ñoù thì caùi gì. (Thöôøng duøng vôùi nghóa phuû ñònh; thí duï 2, 3 vaø uoång quaù.) 4.) Everything Mary says carries weight with me. (Toâi cast the first stone neùm vieân ñaù ñaàu tieân; ngöôøi ñaàu bò taùc ñoäng bôûi nhöõng lôøi Mary noùi.) Don't pay any tieân ñoät phaù, môû traän taán coâng ñaàu tieân. (Thöôøng attention to John. What he says carries no weight around duøng cho caùc lôøi chæ trích.) Well, I don't want to be here. (Ñöøng theøm ñeå yù ñeán John laøm gì. Nhöõng lôøi anh the one to cast the first stone, but she sang horribly. ta noùi, ôû ñaây ngöôøi ta xem khoâng coù kí-loâ naøo heát.) (ÖØ thì, toâi khoâng muoán laøm ngöôøi neùm vieân ñaù ñaàu Although those people had been educated for a long tieân, nhöng coâ ta haùt dôû quaù. Toâi khoâng muoán laøm time before they graduated, what they were taught ngöôøi chæ trích, cheâ bai coâ ta.) John always casts carries no weight with them. (Maëc daàu caùc ngöôøi ñoù the first stone. Does he think he's perfect? (John luùc ñöôïc giaùo duïc moät thôøi gian daøi tröôùc khi ra tröôøng, hoï naøo cuõng laøm ngöôøi ñaàu tieân ñoät phaù caû. Anh ta nghó vaãn khoâng laõnh hoäi ñöôïc nhöõng ñieàu ñaõ hoïc.) Your anh ta laø ngöôøi veïn toaøn khoâng?) proposal is quite good, but since you're not a member of catch cold vaø take cold bò caûm laïnh; nhieãm caûm. the club, it carries no weight. (Muïc tieâu cuûa baïn ñeà ra raát Please close the window, or we'll all catch cold. hay, nhöng vì baïn khoâng phaûi laø thaønh vieân cuûa hoäi neân (Xin vui loøng ñoùng cöûa soå laïi, neáu khoâng seõ bò caûm ñeà nghò ñoù khoâng coù kí-loâ naøo heát.) caû ñaùm.) I take cold every year at this time. (Haèng case in point thí duï cuï theå; ñôn cöû moät tröôøng hôïp. naêm vaøo khoaûng naøy toâi thöôøng bò caûm.) Now, as a case in point, let's look at nineteenth-century catch/take one's death of cold bò caûm naëng. If I England. (Baây giôø, xin laáy thí duï cuï theå, chuùng ta haõy go out in this weather, I'll catch my death of cold. nhìn nöôùc Anh ôû theá kyû möôøi chín chaúng haïn.) (Neáu toâi ñi ra khi trôøi nhö theá naøy, chaéc chaén toâi seõ Fireworks can be dangerous. For a case in point, look bò caûm naëng.) Dress up warm or you'll take your what happened to Bob Smith last week. (Chôi phaùo raát death of cold. (Phaûi maëc cho aám keûo baïn seõ bò caûm nguy hieåm. Ñôn cöû tröôøng hôïp nhö cuûa Bob Smith tuaàn naëng.) qua chaúng haïn.) catch s.o. off-balance xuaát kyø baát yù, coâng kyø voâ bò; cash-and-carry tieàn trao chaùo muùc. I'm sorry. We laøm cho ai giaät mình, baát thaàn taán coâng ai. Sorry I don't deliver. It's strictly cash-and-carry. (Raát tieác, acted so flustered. You caught me off-balance. (Raát chuùng toâi khoâng coù ngöôøi giao haøng ñeán nhaø. Chuùng toâi tieác toâi haønh ñoäng caäp raäp quaù. Anh laøm cho toâi giaät chæ baùn theo loái tieàn trao chaùo muùc thoâi taïi ñaây thoâi.) mình luoân.) The robbers caught Ann off-balance

36 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

and stole her purse. (Caùc teân cöôùp baát thaàn taán coâng Ann midstream. (Toâi ñaõ chuaån bò laøm baùnh anh ñaøo roài. vaø giaät chieác ví cuûa coâ ta.) Toâi khoâng theå laøm baùnh taùo daâu baây giôø ñöôïc. Nöûa catch s.o.'s eye vaø get s.o.'s eye hay nhìn ai; laøm cho ai chöøng ñoåi yù khoù loøng laém.) The house is half-built. chuù yù ñeán mình. (Thöôøng duøng vôùi have.) The shiny It's too late to hire a different architect. You can't red car caught Mary's eye. (Chieác xe maøu ñoû boùng loaùng change horses in midstream. (Caên nhaø ñang xaây lôû laøm cho Mary cöù nhìn hoaøi.) Tom got Mary's eye and dôû. Thueâ kieán truùc sö khaùc thì treã roài. Baïn khoâng theå waved to her. (Tom baét gaëp Mary ñang nhìn mình neân thay ngöïa giöõa chöøng nhö vaäy ñöôïc.) In dealing ñöa tay vaãy chaøo naøng.) When Tom had had her eye, with his opponents, the master usually changes he smiled at her. (Khi Tom baét gaëp coâ ta nhìn mình, anh horses in midstream to cope with the new mæm cöôøi vôùi coâ.) circumstances. (Trong khi ñoái ñaàu vôùi ñòch thuû cuûa caught in the crossfire bò keït giöõa hai laèn ñaïn; naïn mình, oâng lôùn thöôøng thay ngöïa giöõa doøng ñeå ñoái nhaân cuûa hai beân ñang tranh chaáp. In western movies, phoù vôùi nhöõng tình hình môùi.) innocent people are always getting caught in the Charity begins at home. heát trong nhaø môùi ra ngoaøi. crossfire. (Trong caùc phim cao boài mieàn Taây, khaùn giaû (Caâu tuïc ngöõ naøy khuyeân ngöôøi nhaø neân thöông nhau thöôøng thaáy nhöõng ngöôøi voâ toäi bò keït giöõa hai laèn ñaïn.) tröôùc, hoaëc ngöôøi ñoàng chuûng toäc neân thöông nhau In the war, Corporal Smith was killed when he got tröôùc.) "Mother, may I please have some pie?” caught in the crossfire. (Trong chieán tranh, Haï syõ Smith asked Minh. “Remember, charity begins at home." töû thöông khi bò keït giöõa hai laèn ñaïn.) "Meï ôi, cho con ít baùnh nghe meï?” Minh xin meï. caught short ñang thieáu huït; ñang tuùng thieáu. I “Meï nhôù, laø heát trong nhaø môùi ra ngoaøi ñöôøng meï needed eggs for my cake, but I was caught short. (Toâi haù.") At church, the minister reminded us that ñang caàn moät ít tröùng laøm baùnh, nhöng baây giôø chaúng charity begins at home, but we must remember other coøn caùi naøo.) Bob had to borrow money from John to also. (Taïi nhaø thôø, vò coá ñaïo nhaéc nhôû cho chuùng toâi pay fot the meal. Bob is caught short quite often. (Bob nhôù raèng heát trong nhaø môùi ra ngöôøi ngoaøi ñaõ ñaønh, phaûi möôïn tieàn cuûa John ñeå aên. Bob thöôøng bò tuùng thieáu chuùng ta coøn phaûi nghó ñeán ngöôøi khaùc nöõa.) Tuaán hoaøi.) usually lets his friend have his car but never lets his cause (some) eyebrows to raise laøm cho ai phaûi chau sister to touch the wheel. His mother reminds him: maøy; gaây ngaïc nhieân hay baát bình cho ai. John caused “Charity begins at home, Tuaán!" (Tuaán thöôøng cho eyebrows to raise when he married a poor girl from baïn cuûa caäu ta möôïn xe maø khoâng heà cho coâ em caäu Toledo. (John laøm cho moïi ngöôøi chau maøy khi nghe tin ta rôø ñeán. Meï caäu beøn nhaéc nhôû: “Tuaán aï, heát trong anh ta cöôùi coâ gaùi ngheøo ôû Toledo.) If you want to nhaø môùi ra ngöôøi ngoaøi chôù con!") cause some eyebrows to raise, just start singing out loud clear the table doïn deïp treân baøn. Will you please as you walk down the street. (Neáu baïn muoán laøm cho help clear the table? (Nhôø anh doïn deïp treân baøn ngöôøi ta ngaïc nhieân hay böïc mình thì cöù ra ngoaøi ñöôøng giuøm cho.) After you clear the table, we'll play vöøa ñi vöøa haùt roáng leân.) cards. (Sau khi em doïn deïp treân baøn xong, chuùng ta cause (some) tongues to wag laøm cho ngöôøi ta dò nghò; seõ ñaùnh baøi.) thieân haï baøn taùn; gaây xoân xao dö luaän. The way John climb on the bandwagon leo leân xe gooøng; tham was looking at Mary will surely cause some tongues to gia vaøo toå chöùc naøo ñeå uûng hoä ai/vieäc gì. Come wag (Caùch John nhìn Mary seõ laøm cho thieân haï dò nghò join us! Climb on the bandwagon and support roài.) The way Mai was dressed will also cause tongues Senator Smith! (Nhanh leân, tham gia vôùi chuùng toâi! to wag. (Caùch aên maëc cuûa Mai cuõng laøm cho thieân haï Tham döï vaøo ñaây deã uûng hoä cho Thöôïng nghò syõ baøn taùn.) The sudden change in foreign policy of the Smith ñi!) Look at all those people climbing on the president has caused tongues in the community to wag. bandwagon! They don't know what they are getting (Söï thay ñoåi trong chính saùch ngoaïi giao cuûa toång thoáng into! (Troâng maáy ngöôøi kia ñang leo leân xe gooøng ñaõ laøm cho dö luaän trong coäng ñoàng xoân xao baáy laâu kìa! Hoï khoâng bieát laø hoï ñang laøm gì môùi cheát chôù!) nay.) clip s.o.'s wings caét caùnh ai; caám ñoaùn ai. (Ví nhö champ at the bit saün saøng/noân noùng laøm vieäc gì. The caét caùnh khoâng cho chim bay; haïn cheá khoâng cho ai kids were champing at the bit to get into the swimming töï do haønh ñoäng.) You had better learn to get home pool. (Boïn treû noùng loøng muoán nhaûy uøm xuoáng hoà bôi.) on time, or I will clip your wings. (Con phaûi lo maø veà The dogs were champing at the bit to begin the hunt. nhaø cho ñuùng giôø, neáu khoâng thì meï caét caùnh con (Caùc chuù choù noùng loøng muoán nhaøo ra baét ñaàu cuoäc saên baây giôø.) My mother clipped my wings, I can't go baét.) out tonghit. (Meï toâi caét caùnh toâi roài, toái nay toâi change horses in midstream ñoåi yù giöõa chöøng; thay khoâng ñi chôi ñöôïc.) ngöïa giöõa doøng. I'm already baking a cherry pie, I close at hand trong taàm tay vôùi; thuaän tieän. I'm can't bake an apple pie. It's too late to change horses in sorry, but your letter isn't close at hand. Please

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 37

remind me what you said in it. (Toâi raát tieác laù thö cuûa vieäc, keát quaû vaãn laø hai baøn tay traéng.) baïn khoâng coù ñaây. Vui loøng nhaéc laïi cho toâi bieát trong come by s.t. ñi baèng (phöông tieän gì). 1. di chuyeån ñoù coù gì.) When you're cooking, you should keep all the baèng (maùy bay, taøu thuyeàn, xe coä.) We came by ingredients close at hand. (Khi baïn naáu nöôùng, neân ñeå train. It's more relaxing. (Chuùng toâi ñeán ñaây baèng xe taát caû caùc thöù caàn thieát gaàn trong taàm tay vôùi.) löûa. Nhö vaäy thoaûi maùi hôn.) Next time, we'll come close ranks saùt caùnh beân nhau. 1. di chuyeån ñoäi hình by plane. It's faster. (Laàn sau, chuùng toâi seõ ñi baèng gaàn nhau; sieát chaët voøng vaây. The soldiers closed phi cô. Nhö vaäy seõ nhanh hôn.) 2. tìm caùi gì hoaëc ranks and marched on the enemy. (Toaùn quaân sieát chaët ñöôïc caùi gì. How did you come by that haircut? voøng vaây vaø ñaåy lui ñòch quaân.) All right! Stop that (Laøm sao baïn coù ñöôïc caùi ñaàu toùc caét kieåu nhö vaäy?) talking and close ranks! (Thoâi! Khoâng noùi chuyeän nöõa Where did you come by that new shirt? (Baïm kieám vaø chaán chænh ñoäi hình laïi ñi!) 2. ñoaøn keát laïi We can ñöôïc caùi aùo aáy ôû ñaây ra vaäy?) fight this menace only if we close ranks. (Chæ khi naøo come down in the world maát uy theá veà phöông dieän chuùng ta ñoaøn keát laïi vôùi nhau môùi coù theå choáng laïi moái xaõ hoäi hoaëc taøi chaùnh. Mr. Jones has really come ñe doïa naøy.) Let's all close ranks behind Ann and get down in the world since he lost his job. (OÂng Jones her elected. (Chuùng ta haõy ñoaøn keát laïi vaø uûng hoä Ann ñang thaät söï maát daàn uy theá töø khi anh ta bò maát ñeå coâ ta ñöôïc truùng cöû.) vieäc.) If I were unemployed, I'm sure I'd come coast-to-coast töø ñoâng sang taây; toaøn quoác (Noùi veà down in the world, too. (Neáu toâi bò maát vieäc thì chaéc chieàu ngang cuûa Hoa kyø töø bôø Ñaïi taây döông sang bôø chaén toâi cuõng seõ bò maát uy theá nhö vaäy.) Thaùi bình döông; vuøng ñaát giöõa hai bôø ñaïi döông.) My come home (to roost) trôû laïi gaây raéc roái cho ngöôøi voice was once heard on a coast-to-coast radio khaùc. As I feared, all my problems came home to broadcast. (Gioïng cuûa toâi ñaõ moät laàn ñöôïc phaùt treân ñaøi roost. (Nhö toâi ñaõ lo sôï, taát caû chuyeän raéc roái ñaõ trôû phaùt thanh toaøn quoác.) Our car made the coast-to- laïi laøm phieàn chuùng toâi.) Yes, problems all come coast trip in eighty hours. (Chieác xe cuûa chuùng chaïy töø home eventually. (Ñuùng vaäy, luùc naøy hay luùc khaùc ñoâng sang taây maát taùm möôi giôø.) raéc roái thöôøng hay laøm phieàn chuùng ta.) cock-and-bull story caâu chuyeän döïng ñöùng; chuyeän laùo come in out of the rain trôû neân nhaïy beùn vaø tænh taùo khoeùt. Don't give me that cock-and-bull story. (Ñöøng hôn. Pay attention, Sally! Come in out of the rain! noùi cho toâi nghe caâu chuyeän döïng ñöùng ñoù.) I asked (Chuù yù nghe ñaây, Sally! Phaûi tænh taùo vaø nhaïy beùn for an explanation, and all I got was your ridiculous hôn môùi ñöôïc!) Bill will fail if he doesn't come in cock-and-bull story! (Toâi yeâu caàu ñöôïc giaûi thích thì toâi out of the rain and study. (Bill seõ thaát baïi neáu anh ta ñöôïc baïn cho nghe toaøn chuyeän laùo khoeùt.) khoâng nhaïy beùn vaø tænh taùo hôn ñeå hoïc haønh.) come a cropper gaëp chuyeän xui xeûo; thaát baïi. Bob come into one's or its own cho thaáy tính töï laäp cuûa invested all his money in the stock market just before it ai. 1. chöùng toû khaû naêng mình. Sally finally came fell. Boy, did he come a cropper. (Bob ñaàu tö tieàn vaøo thò into her own. (Cuoái cuøng thì Sally ñaõ chöùng minh tröôøng chöùng khoaùn ngay tröôùc luùc thò tröôøng naøy bò suy ñöôïc khaû naêng cuûa coâ.) After years of trying, she suïp. Chaø, anh ta gaëp chuyeän xui xeûo.) Jane was out all finally came into her own. (Sau bao nhieâu naêm coá night before she took her tests. She really came a gaéng, cuoái cuøng baø ta ñaõ chöùng toû ñöôïc khaû naêng cuûa cropper. (Tröôùc ngaøy thi Jane ñi chôi suoát ñeâm. Vaäy laø baø ta.) 2. ñaõ chöùng minh ñöôïc tính naêng cuûa vaät gì. buoåi thi bò thaát baïi.) The ideas of an electric car finally came into its come apart at the seams maát töï chuû vì quaù xuùc ñoäng; own. (Roát cuoäc caùi yù töôûng veà vieäc cheá taïo xe chaïy no maát ngon giaän maát khoân. (Laáy hình aûnh quaàn aùo bò baèng ñieän ñaõ chöùng minh ñöôïc tính naêng cuûa noù.) bung ñöôøng chæ ñeå ví vôùi söï maát töï chuû.) Bill was so Film as an art medium finally came into its own. upset that he almost came apart at the seams. (No maáy (Cuoái cuøng phim ñaõ chöùng minh ñöôïc tính naêng ngheä ngon giaän maát ngon, Bill giaän suyùt ngaát xæu.) I couldn't thuaät cuûa noù.) take anymore. I just came apart at the seams. (Toâi khoâng come of age ñeán tuoåi tröôûng thaønh. (Tuoåi theo luaät theå chòu theâm noåi nöõa. No maát ngon, giaän maát khoân.) phaùp cho pheùp keát hoân, ñöùng teân taøi saûn hoaëc kyù keát come away empty-handed trôû veà tay khoâng; keát quaû caùc giaáy tôø kheá öôùc). When Jane comes of age, she vaãn traéng tay. All right, go gambling. Don't come away will buy her own car. (Khi Jane ñeán tuoåi tröôûng empty-handed, though. (Ñöôïc roài, ñi ñaùnh baïc ñi. Maø thaønh, coâ seõ mua moät chieác xe rieâng.) Sally, who khoâng ñöôïc trôû veà tay khoâng ñoù nghe.) Go to the bank came of age last month, entered into an agreement to and ask for the loan again. This time don't come away purchase a house. (Thaùng qua Sally ñaõ ñuû tuoåi empty-handed. (Ñi ra ngaân haøng xin vay laïi ñi. Laàn naøy tröôûng thaønh neân baây giôø coâ kyù mua moät caên nhaø.) ñöøng coù trôû veà tay khoâng nöõa.) However hard he has come off second-best veà nhì; thua ngöôøi naøo (Noùi tried with his business, he comes away empty-handed. veà caùc cuoäc tranh taøi hay tranh luaän.) John came (Cho duø anh ta coù coá gaéng caùch maáy ñeå lo cho coâng off second-best in the race. (John veà nhì trong cuoäc

38 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

ñua.) Why do I always come off second-best in an factions of the city council came to a head yesterday. argument with you? (Taïi sao luùc naøo tranh luaän vôùi anh (Cuoäc tranh giaønh giöõa hai phe phaùi trong hoäi ñoàng toâi cuõng veà nhì vaäy? YÙ noùi “luùc naøo cuõng thua hoaëc ñuoái thò xaõ xaûy ra quyeát lieät ngaøy hoâm qua.) lyù.") come to an end döùt ñieåm; chaám döùt. The party come out ahead thu ñöôïc keát quaû toát; caûi thieän tình came to an end at midnight. (Buoåi tieäc vui chaám döùt traïng sinh soáng. I hope you come out ahead with your vaøoluùc nöûa ñeâm.) Her life came to an end late last investments. (Toâi hy voïng baïn thu ñöôïc keát quaû toát töø month. (Cuoäc ñôøi baø ta keát thuùc vaøo cuoái thaùng qua.) nhöõng khoaûn ñaàu tö.) It took a lot of money to buy the come to an untimely end cheát yeåu; cheát giöõa tuoåi house, but I think I'll come out ahead. (Phaûi maát moät soá thanh xuaân. Poor Mr. Jones came to an untimely tieàn lôùn môùi mua noåi caên nhaø ñoù, nhöng toâi nghó raèng end in a car accident. (Toäi nghieäp OÂng Jones ñaõ thieät cuoäc soáng cuûa toâi seõ ñöôïc khaù hôn.) maïng trong giöõa tuoåi thanh xuaân trong moät tai naïn come out in the wash kyø coï cho saïch; töø töø gôõ roái; vaán xe coä.) Cancer caused Mrs. Smith to come to an ñeà ñöôïc giaûi quyeát oån thoûa. Don't worry about that untimely end. (Beänh ung thö ñaõ khieán cho baø Smith problem. It'll all come out in the wash. (Ñöøng lo veà vaán qua ñôøi giöõa tuoåi thanh xuaân.) ñeà ñoù. Töø töø giaûi quyeát thì seõ xong ngay.) This trouble come to a standstill khöïng laïi (taïm thôøi hoaëc vónh will go away. It'll come out in the wash. (Raéc roái naøy seõ vieãn) The building project came to a standstill qua. Noù seõ töø töø ñöôïc giaûi quyeát oån thoûa.) because the workers went on strike. (Döï aùn xaây caát come out of the closet töø trong tuû böôùc ra. 1. cho bieát bò khöïng laïi vì caùc coâng nhaân ñình coâng.) The sôû thích thaàm kín cuûa ai. Tony Tran came out of the party came to a standstill until the lights were turned closet and admitted that he likes to make verses. (Tony on again. (Cuoäc vui boãng bò khöïng laïi cho ñeán khi Traàn tieát loä sôû thích thaàm kín cuûa anh ta vaø nhìn nhaän ñeøn ñöôïc môû saùng leân trôû laïi.) raèng anh ta thích laøm thô.) It's time that all of you come to grief bò thaát baïi, gaëp raéc roái hay bò ñau khoå. lovers of chamber music came out of the closet and The artist wept when her canvas came to grief. attended our concerts. (Ñeán luùc caùc baïn yeâu nhaïc thính (Nhaø hoaï syõñaõ khoùc söôùt möôùt khi böùc tranh cuûa phoøng chòu ñeå loä yù thích thaàm kín cuûa caùc baïn neân ñeán naøng bò hö.) The wedding party came to grief when tham döï caùc buoåi hoaø nhaïc cuûa chuùng toâi roài ñaáy.) 2. the bride suddenly passed out. (Hoân leã gaëp raéc roái vì chòu nhìn nhaän mình laø ngöôùi maéc chöùng ñoàng tính luyeán coâ daâu boãng döng bò xæu.) aùi. Tony surprised his parents when he came out of the come to grips with s.t. xöû trí vieäc gì; hieåu roõ vieäc gì. closet. (Tony nhìn nhaän laø ngöôøi maéc chöùng ñoàng tình He found it difficult to come to grips with his luyeán aùi khieán cho cha meï anh raát ñoãi ngaïc nhieân.) It grandmother's death. (Anh ta thaáy khoù xöû trí tröôøng was difficult for him to come out of the closet. (Doái vôùi hôïp caùi cheát cuûa baø noäi anh.) Many students have a anh ta vieäc tieát loä sôû thích thaàm kín cuûa mình laø moät vieäc hard time coming to grips with algebra. (Nhieàu sinh khoù khaên.) vieân gaëp khoù khaên khi hoïc ñeán moân ñaïi soá.) come to a bad end ñeán thôøi; bò haäu quaû xaáu (Ngöôøi come to light ñöa ra aùnh saùng; ñöôïc baïch hoaù; bò ñoå nhaän chòu coù theå ñaõ bieát tröôùc), chòu moät caùi cheát baát beå. Some interesting facts about your past have haïnh. My old car came to a bad end. It's engine burned just come to light. (Moät vaøi döõ kieän thuù vò veà cuoäc up. Chieác xe cuõ kyõ cuûa toâi ñaõ heát thôøi cuûa noù roài. Caùi ñôøi hoaït ñoäng cuûa baïn vöøa ñöôïc ñöa ra aùnh saùng.) maùy chaùy maát tieâu.) The evil merchant came to a bad If too many bad things come to light, you may lose end. (Tay buoân baùn gian aùc kia ñaõ nhaän laõnh moät caùi your job. (Neáu nhieàu chuyeän beâ boái bò ñoå beå, e raèng cheát baát haïnh.) We strongly believe that once one has baïn bò maát sôû quaù.) There are still many details committed wrong-doings he/she will come to a bad end about his death that have not come to light or they eventually. (Chuùng toâi luoân luoân tin raèng moät khi ngöôøi never will. (Nhieàu chi tieát lieân quan ñeán caùi cheát cuûa naøo ñoù laøm nhöõng ñieàu sai traùi thì sôùm muoän gì hoï cuõng oâng cho ñeán nay vaãn chöa ñöôïc tieát loä hay khoâng nhaän chòu haäu quaû xaáu.) bao giôø ñöôïc ñöa ra aùnh saùng caû.) come to a dead end ñeán ñöôøng cuøng; bò beá taéc; vaøo ngoõ come to one's senses tænh taùo trôû laïi; tænh ngöôøi; ñaàu cuït. The building project came to a dead end. (Döï aùn oùc minh maãn. John, come to your senses. You're xaây caát toaø nhaø bò beá taéc.) We were driving along and being quite stupid. (John, tænh laïi ñi. Baïn ñaâu coù phaûi came to a dead end. (Chuùng toâi laùi xe chaïy doïc theo con laø ngöôøi ngu ñaàn.) In the morning I don't come to ñöôøng vaø ñeán moät ngoõ cuït.) my senses until I have had two cups of coffee. (Saùng come to a head ñeán cao ñieåm; ñeán thôøi ñieåm quyeát lieät. naøo toâi cuõng phaûi laøm hai taùch caø pheâ môùi tænh ngöôøi Remember my problem with my neighbors? Well, last ñöôïc.) Once in a while I wake up with a start night the whole thing came to a head. (Coøn nhôù raéc roái during the night and I don't come to my senses until xaûy ra vôùi ngöôøi haøng xoùm toâi khoâng? Toái hoâm qua laø dawn. (Thænh thoaûng toâi giaät mình thöùc giaác vaøo giöõa thôøi ñieåm quyeát lieät.) The battle between the two ñeâm vaø maõi cho ñeán gaàn saùng môùi tænh taùo laïi.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 39

come to pass xaûy ra. When did all of this come to naém haàu bao cuûa coâng ty.) pass? (Taát caû chuyeän naøy xaûy ra bao giôø?) When will cook s.o.'s goose gaây thieät haïi cho ai. I cooked my this event come to pass? (Bieán coá naøy bao giôø seõ xaûy own goose by not showing up on time. (Toâi töï laøm haïi ra?) mình vì khoâng ñeán ñuùng giôø.) Sally cooked Bob's come/get to the point ñeán phaàn chính; ñi vaøo ñeà chính. goose for treating her the way he did. (Sally phaù Bob He has been talking a long time. I wish he would come baèng caùch gaøi cho anh ta phaûi ñoái xöû vôùi coâ nhö yù coâ to the point. (Hoài naõy giôø anh ta noùi daøi roài. Toâi mong muoán.) anh ta ñi vaøo phaàn chính cho roài.) Quit wasting time! cook the accounts gian laän soå saùch keá toaùn. Jane Get to the point! (Ñöøng laøm maát thì giôø nöõa! Ñi vaøo was sent to jail for cooking the accounts of her phaàn chính ñi.) We are talking about money, Bob! mother's store. (Jane bò baét tuø vì ñaõ gian laän soå saùch Come on, get to the point. (Chuùng ta ñang noùi chuyeän keá toaùn trong cöûa tieäm cuûa baø meï coâ ta.) It's hard tieàn baïc ñoù, Bob! Vaøo ñeà chính ñi.) to tell wheter she really cooked the accounts or just come to think of it (Toâi) vöøa môùi nhôù ra...; baây giôø nghó didnt't know how to add. (Khoù maø quaû quyeát raèng coâ laïi... Come to think of it, I know s.o. who can help. (Toâi ta gian laän soå saùch keá toaùn hay coâ coäng caùc con soá vöøa nhôù ra roài. Toâi bieát coù ngöôøi giuùp ñöôïc vieäc naøy.) khoâng ñuùng.) I have a screwdriver in the trunk of my car, come to cool one's heels chôø vôùi ñôïi (ai). I spent all think of it. (Baây giôø nghó laïi toâi môùi nhôù, trong thuøng xe afternoon cooling my heels in the waiting room while toâi coù caùi vaën ñinh oác.) the doctor talked on the telephone. (Suoát caû buoåi come true thaønh söï thaät (Noùi veà ñieàu mô töôûng baáy laâu chieàu toâi chæ ngoài chôø vôùi ñôïi trong khi oâng baùc syõ ñoù nay.) When I got married to The Tan, all my dreams cöù maõi noùi chuyeän treân ñieän thoaïi.) All right. If came true. (Khi thaønh hoân ñöôïc vôùi Theå Taàn, nhöõng ñieàu you can't behave properly, just sit down here and toâi mô öôùc ñaõ trôû thaønh söï thaät.) Getting my degree cool your heelsz until I call you. (Ñöôïc roài. Neáu chuù was like having my wish come true. (Giaät ñöôïc maûnh beù khoâng ngoan ngoaõn thì cöù ngoài ñoù chôø cho ñeán baèng laø nhö theå giaác mô cuûa toâi trôû thaønh söï thaät.) All khi naøo toâi goïi teân.) of these people have dreamed of a properous home- cost a pretty penny toán boän baïc; toán nhieàu tieàn. country but their dreams seems impossible to come true. (Giaù cao, ñaéc giaù.) I'll bet that diamond cost a (Nhöõng ngöôøi naøy töø laâu nay vaãn mô veà moät ñaát nöôùc pretty penny. (Toâi daùm caù hoät xoaøn toán boän baïc.) thònh vöôïng nhöng döôøng nhö nhöõng giaác mô khoâng theå You can be sure that house cost a pretty penny. It naøo thaønh söï thaät.) has seven bathrooms. (Baïn cöù tin caên nhaø ñoù giaù ñaéc come up in the world trôû neân sung tuùc hôn; ñòa vò trong laém vì noù coù tôùi baåy phoøng taém laän.) xaõ hoäi ñöôïc naâng cao hôn. Since Mary got her new job, count noses/heads ñeám muõi; ñeám ñaàu (ñeám ñaàu she has really come up in the world. (Töø khi Mary coù ngöôøi.) I'll tell you how many people are here after ñöôïc vieäc laøm môùi, coâ ta soáng sung tuùc hôn thaáy roõ.) A I count noses. (Toâi seõ cho baïn bieát ôû ñaây coù bao good education helped my brother come up in the world. nhieâu ngöôøi sau khi toâi ñeám muõi cuûa hoï.) Everyone (Nhôø hoïc cao, ñòa vò trong xaõ hoäi cuûa anh toâi ñöôïc naâng is here. Let's count noses so we can order cao hôn.) hanburgers. (Moïi ngöôøi ñeàu coù maët ñaày ñuû. Baây giôø come what may baát keå chuyeän gì xaûy ra. I'll be home ñeám ñaàu ñi ñeå coøn mua ham-bô-gô nöõa.) for the holidays, come what may. (Baát keå chuyeän gì xaûy count one's chickens before they hatch noùi tröôùc ra, toâi vaãn veà nhaø trong kyø nghæ naøy.) Come what may, böôùc khoâng rôøi. (YÙ noùi “phaùt hoaï nhöõng keát quaû the mail will get delivered. (Baát keå chuyeän gì xaûy ra, thö trong trí töôûng töôïng veà nhöõng vieäc chöa hoaøn taát. vaãn phaûi ñöôïc giao nhö thöôøng.) Thöôøng duøng vôùi nghóa phuû ñònh.) You're way conspicuous by one's absence löu yù ñeán söï vaéng maët ahead of yourself. Don't count your chickens before cuûa ngöôøi naøo. We missed you last night. You were they hatch. (Baïn tính sôùm quaù baïn ôi. Ñöøng noùi tröôùc conspicuous by your absence. (Toái hoâm qua chuùng toâi böôùc khoâng rôøi.) You may be disappointed if you nhôù baïn quaù. Khoâng thaáy baïn ñeán ñöï.) How could the count your chickens before they hatch. (Noùi tröôùc bride's father miss the wedding party? He was certainly böôùc khoâng rôøi, baïn seõ thaát voïng cho maø xem.) conspicuous by his absence. (Laøm sao oâng boá cuûa coâ daâu cover a lot of ground bao phuû moät dieän tích ñaát lôùn. laïi vaéng maët trong leã cöôùi vaäy? Söï vaéng maët cuûa oâng ta 1. ñi moät quaõng ñöôøng raát xa; ñieàu tra treân moät phaïm laøm cho nhieàu ngöôøi chuù yù.) vi roäng lôùn. The prospectors covered a lot of control the purse strings naém haàu bao; naém quyeàn thu ground, looking for gold. (Caùc ngöôøi tìm vaøng chieám chi (trong gia ñình hay trong toå chöùc.) My wife controls moät vuøng ñaát roäng lôùn, ñaøo xôùi leân tìm vaøng.) My the purse strings at our house. (Trong nhaø toâi, vôï toâi naém car can cover a lot of ground in one day. (Xe toâi moãi haàu bao.) Mr. Williams is the treasurer. He controls ngaøy coù theå chaïy ñöôïc moät quaõng ñöôøng raát xa.) 2. the purse strings. (OÂng Williams laøm thuû quyõ. OÂng ta duøng ñeán quaù nhieàu soá lieäu vaø döõ kieän; ñuû chuyeän

40 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

treân ñôøi. The history lecture covered a lot of ground khoâng coù lôïi cho ai heát.) today. (Baøi giaûng veà moân söû hoâm nay coù quaù nhieàu soá cross a bridge before one comes to it lo voi cheát lieäu vaø döõ kieän.) Mr. and Mrs. Franklin always cover khoâng hoøm choân. (Noùi nhöõng ngöôøi quaù lo xa moät a lot of ground when they argue. (OÂng vaø baø Franklin caùch phi lyù.) There is not sense in crossing that moãi khi gaây loän ñeàu loâi ra ñuû chuyeän treân ñôøi ñeå noùi xaáu bridge before you come to it. (Thaät laø voâ lyù khi phaûi nhau.) lo voi cheát khoâng hoøm choân.) She's always cover for s.o. bao che cho ai. 1. che chôû cho ngöôøi naøo; crossing bridges before coming to them. She needs to ñôõ cho ai (ñeå khoâng bò raéc roái) If I miss class, please learn to relax. (Baø ta luùc naøo cuõng lo voi cheát khoâng cover for me. (Neáu toâi bò thieáu giôø hoïc, xin che chôû cho coù hoøm choân. Baø aáy phaûi taäp boû bôùt tính voâ öu ñi.— toâi.) If you're late, I'll cover for you. (Neáu baïn ñeán treã, Theo nghóa ñích thöïc cuûa tieáng Haùn “öu” laø söï lo toâi seõ ñôõ cho.) 2. laøm giuùp ai; laøm thay cho ai Dr. laéng quaù söùc caùng ñaùng cuûa mình; khaùc vôùi “tö” laø lo Quang's partner agreed to cover for him during his trong voøng khaû naêng. Tieáng Vieät noùi “öu tö” bao vacation. (Baïn ñoàng nghieäp cuûa baùc syõ Quang seõ laøm goàm caû hai nghóa treân.) thay cho oâng ta trong khi oâng ñi nghæ heø.) I'm on duty cross a bridge when one comes to it gaëp ñaâu xaâu this afternoon. Will you please cover for me? I have a ñaáy. Please wait and cross that bridge when you doctor's appointment. (Chieàu nay toâi phaûi tröïc. Nhôø baïn come to it. (Cöù chôø tôùi luùc aáy haún lo; gaëp ñaâu xaâu giuùp toâi vieäc naøy. Toâi coù heïn vôùi baùc syõ.) ñaáy.) He shouldn't worry about it now. He can crack a joke keå chuyeän teáu; keå chuyeän tieáu laâm She's cross that bridge when he comes to it. (OÂng ta khoâng never serious. She's always cracking jokes. (Coâ ñoù thì coù neân lo laéng veà chuyeän ñoù. Cöù vieäc gaëp ñaâu xaâu ñaáy bao giôø nghieâm trang ñaâu. Luùc naøo cuõng keå khoâng coù gì maø lo.) chuyeän teáu thì chuyeän tieáu laâm.) As long as she's cross-examine s.o. hoûi caën keõ; vaën hoûi raát nhieàu chi cracking jokes, she's okay. (Neáu nhö vaäy coâ ta chôi tieát. The police cross-examined the suspect for ñöôïc.) three hours. (Suoát ba giôø lieàn caûnh saùt vaën hoûi ngöôøi crack a smile nhoeûn mieäng cöôøi; cöôøi mæm. She tình nghi raát nhieàu chi tieát.) The lawyer plans to cracked a smile, so I knew she was kidding. (Coâ ta nhoeûn cross-examine the witness tomorrow morning. (Saùng mieäng cöôøi neân toâi bieát laø coâ ta noùi ñuøa.) The soldier mai, luaät sö seõ hoûi nhaân chöùng moät caùch caën keõ.) cracked a smile at the wrong time and had to march for cross one's heart (and hope to die) xin theà noùi söï an hour as punishment. (Ngöôøi lính ñoù cöôøi mæm khoâng thaät; ñöa tay phaûi leân ngöïc ñeå tuyeân theä noùi söï thaät. ñuùng luùc neân phaûi chòu phaït ñi ñeàu böôùc suoát moät giôø (Coù theå duøng caû nhoùm chöõ naøy (thí duï 1) hay moät lieàn.) phaàn cuõng ñöôïc (thí duï 2) nhöng nghóa khoâng ñoåi.) cramp s.o.'s style boù chaân boù tay ngöôøi naøo (haïn cheá It's true, cross my heart and hope to die. (Ñoù laø söï ngöôøi naøo trong moät soá laõnh vöïc.) I hope this doesn't thaät, toâi xin theà noùi söï thaät.) It's really true —cross cramp you style, but could you please not hum while you my heart. (Ñoù laø söï thaät— toâi xin tuyeân theä noùi söï work? (Toâi hy voïng ñieàu naøy seõ khoâng boù chaân boù tay thaät.) baïn, nhöng baïn coù theå ngöng haùt hö hö trong khi laøm cross swords (with s.o.) so kieám vôùi ai; caõi tay ñoâi vieäc ñöôïc khoâng?) To ask him to keep regular hours vôùi ai. I don't want to cross swords with Tom. (Toâi would really be cramping his style. (Yeâu caàu anh ta phaûi khoâng thích caõi tay ñoâi vôùi Tom ñaâu.) The last time coù moät thôøi bieåu ñeàu ñaën quaû seõ boù chaân boù tay anh ta.) we crossed swords, we had a terrible time. (Laàn sau cream of the crop toát nhaát; tinh hoa; xuaát saéc nhaát. cuøng caõi tay ñoâi vôùi nhau, chuùng toâi thaät laø theâ This particular car is the cream of the crop. (Chieác xe thaûm.) naøy laø loaïi toát nhaát.) The kids are very bright. They are crux of the matter ñieåm then choát cuûa vaán ñeà. the cream of the crop. (Maáy ñöùa treû naøo raát saùng trí. All right, this is the crux of the matter. (Naøy nheù, Chuùng laø tinh hoa cuûa ngaøy mai. Education is cream of ñaây laø ñieåm then choát cuûa vaán ñeà.) It's about time the crop of a country, but I don't see this phrase works in that we looked at the crux of the matter. (Ñeán luùc this place. (Giaùo duïc laø tinh hoa cuûa moät quoác gia nhöng chuùng ta phaûi ñeà caäp ñeán ñieåm then choát cuûa vaán toâi thaáy caùi xöù naøy caùch ví naøy khoâng ñuùng.) ñeà.) Crime doesn't pay. Toäi aùc khoâng coù lôïi cho ai. Ñöøng ñeå cry before one is hurt chöa bò ñaùnh maø ñaõ la. Bill cho toäi aùc caùm doã ta. (YÙ noùi chæ coù nhöõng keû tham lam always cries before he's hurt. (Bill luùc naøo cuõng chöa vaø ngoâng cuoàng môùi lao ñaàu vaøo toäi aùc.) At the end of bò ñaùnh maø ñaõ la.) There is no point in crying the radio program, a voice said, “Remember, crime before one is hurt. (Coù gì ñau ñaâu maø la.) doesn't pay." (Vaøo cuoái chöông trình phaùt thanh, coù cry/scream bloody murder la nhö heo bò choïc tieát. gioïng nguôøi noùi: “Neân nhôù, Ñöøng ñeå cho toäi aùc caùm doã (Reù leân nhö nhìn thaáy ai naèm cheát treân vuõng maùu.) ta.) No matter how tempting it may appear, crime Now that Bill is really hurt, he's screaming bloody doesn't pay. (Baát keå noù caùm doã ñeán möùc naøo, toäi aùc murder. (Vì raèng Bill ñau thaät söï, anh ta la nhö heo

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 41

bò choïc huyeát.) There is no point in crying bloody angry. It is silly to cut your nose off to spite your murder about the bill if you aren't going to pay it. (Neáu face. (Tìm caùch khaùc maø giaän. Chôù giaän caù cheùm baïn khoâng traû tieàn caùi hoái phieáu ñoù thì coù gì maø phaûi la thôùt thì thieáu khoân ngoan.) nhö heo bò choïc huyeát vaäy.) cut one's (own) throat töï caét coå mình (thaát baïi cay cry one's eyes out khoùc roáng leân; khoùc loøi con maét ra. ñaéng, thí duï 1; gaây thieät haïi naëng cho ai, thí duï 2). (Loái noùi phoùng ñaïi yù “khoùc raát thaûm thieát, bi ai"). If I were to run for office, I'd just be cutting my When we heard the news, we cried out eyes out with throat. (Neáu toâi phaûi ra tranh cöû thì chæ toå töï caét coå joy. (Khi nghe ñöôïc tin ñoù, chuùng toâi khoùc roáng leân.) She mình. — Neáu toâi ra tranh cöû thì toâi seõ chuoác laáy thaát cried her eyes out after his death. (OÂng aáy maát maø baø ta baïi cay ñaéng.) Judges who take bribes are cutting khoùc ñeán loøi con maét ra.) their own throats. (Laøm quan toaø maø aên hoái loä töùc laø cry over spilled milk chuyeän ñaõ lôõ roài (ñöøng raàu ró laøm töï caét coå mình.) gì.) I'm sorry that you broke your bicycle, Tom. But cut s.o./something off short ruùt ngaén laïi; ngaét lôøi ai. there is nothing that can can be done now. Don't cry over We cut the picnic short because of the storm. spilled milk. (Toâi buoàn cho baïn, Tom aï, laø baïn ñaõ laøm hö (Chuùng toâi ruùt ngaén chuyeán du ngoaïn vì trôøi baõo.) chieác xe ñaïp. Nhöng baây giôø thì khoâng laøm gì ñöôïc roài. I'm sorry to cut you off short, but I must go now. Chuyeän ñaõ lôõ roài ñöøng raàu ró laøm gì.) Ann is always (Toâi raát tieác phaûi ngaét lôøi baïn, nhöng vì ñaõ ñeán giôø crying over spilt milk. (Ann luùc naøo cuõng raàu ró vì nhöõng toâi phaûi ñi.) chuyeän ñaõ roài.) cut s.o./something to the bone caét ñeán taän xöông. cry wolf la hoaûng; voâ côù maø la. Pay no attention. She's 1. bò ñöùt ñeán thaáu xöông. The knife cut John to the just crying wolf again. (Ñöøng theøm ñeå yù ñeán coâ ta. Coâ bone. He had to be sewed up. (John bò con dao ñoù caét chæ la hoaûng thoâi.) Don't cry wolf too often. No one will ñöùt ñeán taän xöông. Veát thöông phaûi ñi may.) Cut come. (Ñöøng coù hay voâ côù maø la nhö vaäy. Khoâng coù ai each slice of ham to the bone. Then each slice will be ñeán ñaâu.) as big as possible. (Caét caùi ñuøi heo saùt tôùi xöông ñeå Curiosity killed the cat Toø moø laø taùnh xaáu. Toø moø coù cho laùt thòt ñöôïc to.) 2. bò caét xeùn ñeán taän xöông ngaøy söng moû. Don't ask so many questions, Billy. We cut our expenses to the bone and are still losing Curiosity killed the cat. (Ñöøng coù hoûi nhieàu quaù, Billy ôi. money. (Caùc khoaûn chi tieâu cuûa chuùng toâi bò caét xeùn Toø moø laø taùnh xaáu laém.) Coriosity killed the cat. Mind ñeán taän xöông.) Congress had to cut the budget to your own business. (Toø moø coù ngaøy söng moû. Lo laøm the bone in order to balance it. (Quoác hoäi phaûi caét chuyeän cuûa baïn ñi.) xeùn ñeán taän xöông ñeå caân baèng ngaân saùch.) curl s.o.'s hair laøm ai sôï rôûn toùc gaùy hoaëc caûnh caùo ai cut s.o.'s losses laøm giaûm söï maát maùt; loã laõ (Noùi veà gay gaét; laøm cho ai söõng sôø. Don't ever sneak up on me söï hao huït tieàn baïc, haøng hoaù hay vaät duïng coù giaù trò like that again. You really curled my hair. (Döøng bao giôø vì kinh doanh hay vì troäm caép.) I sold the stock as roùn reùn laïi gaàn toâi nhö vaäy nöõa. Anh laøm cho toâi sôï it went down, thus cutting my losses. (Toâi baùn chöùng muoán cheát.) The horror film curled my hair. (Cuoán khoaùn ñi; laøm nhö vaäy ñeå bôùt bò loã laõ.) He cut his phim kinh dò ñoù laøm cho toâi sôï rôûn toùc gaùy.) losses by putting better locks on the doors. There curl up and die tìm choã maø cheát quaùch; töï tìm caùch töï were fewer robberies. (Chuùng toâi taêng cöôøng theâm huûy hoaïi mình. When I heard you say that, I could have caùc oå khoaù treân cöûa. Töø ñoù giaûm bôùt ñöôïc caùc vuï curled up and died. (Khi toâi nghe baïn noùi vaäy, toâi thaáy troäm.) The mayor's reputation suffered because of muoán ruùt lui tìm choã cheát quaùch cho roài.) No, it wasn't the scandal. He finally resigned to cut his losses. (Uy an illness. She just curled up and died. (Khoâng, ñoù khoâng tín cuûa vò thò tröôûng bò toån thöông vì vuï tai tieáng. phaûi vì caên beänh. Chính baø ta tìm caùch töï huûy hoaïi thaân OÂng ta phaûi töø chöùc ñeå vôùt vaùt phaàn naøo.) theå mình.) cut s.o. to the quick cheùm ai thaät nhanh; laøm ai bò cut class cuùp cua; töï yù boû hoïc. If Mary keeps cutting thöông toån nghieâm troïng. Your criticism cut me to classes, she'll fail the course. (Neáu Mary cöù cuùp cua nhö the quick. (Lôøi pheâ bình cuûa baïn laøm cho toâi thaáy bò vaäy, coâ ta seõ bò rôùt moân naøy.) I can't cut that class. I've thöông toån quaù nhieàu.) Tam's sharp words to Mary missed too many already. (Toâi khoâng theå töï yù boû hoïc lôùp cut her to the quick. (Nhöõng lôøi gay gaét cuûa Tom laøm ñoù nöõa vì toâi ñaõ maát quaù nhieàu giôø roài.) cho Mary thaáy bò thöông toån quaù nhieàu.) cut off one's nose to spite one's face giaän caù cheùm cut the ground out from under s.o. vaø cut out the thôùt; giaän doãi chæ laøm haïi mình. (Saùt nghóa: Töï caét muõi ground from under s.o. laøm ñaûo loän caên baûn quy mình vì giaän ai.) Billy loves the zoo, but the refused to chieáu cuûa ai (phaù vôõ neàn taûng lyù luaän); laøm ñaûo loän go with his mother because he was mad at her. He cut off keá hoaïch cuûa ai (laøm hoûng taän goác keá hoaïch haønh his nose to spite his face. (Billy khoaùi ñi chôi sôû thuù ñoäng). The politician cut the ground out from nhöng caäu beù khoâng chòu ñi vôùi meï vì caäu giaän meï. Giaän under his oppenent. (Chính trò gia ñoù ñaõ laøm ñaûo loän doãi laøm chi cho haïi mình.) Find a better way to be caên baûn quy chieáu cuûa ñoái thuû oâng ta.) Congress

42 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

cut out the ground from under the President. (Quoác hoäi That kind of thinking is dead and buried. (Loái suy laøm ñaûo loän hoaøn toaøn keá hoaïch cuûa toång thoáng.) nghó ñoù vónh vieãn ra ñi laâu roài. — Loái suy nghó ñoù quaù xöa roài.) dead to the world meät muoán cheát; nguû say nhö cheát. I've had such a hard day. I'm really dead to the world. (Hoâm nay toâi bò moät ngaøy quaù vaát vaû. Meät muoán cheát luoân.) Look at her sleep. She's dead to the world. (Nhìn coâ ta nguû kìa. Nguû say nhö cheát.) death on s.o./something cheát ngöôøi; laøm hoûng. 1. laøm cho ai ñieân ñaàu; laøm cho vieäc gì ñoù hö haïi naëng Dd neà. This road is terribly bumpy. It's death on tires dance to another tune taùnh neát/thaùi ñoä thay ñoåi thaät and shock absorbers. (Con ñöôøng naøy xaáu kinh nhanh choùng. After being yelled at, Anna Le danced to khuûng. Nhö theá naøy thì cheát maáy caùi voû vaø maáy oáng another tune. (Sau khi bò la xong, taùnh neát cuûa Ann Leâ nhuùn heát.) The sergeant is death on poor thay ñoåi lieàn.) A stern talking-to will make her dance unsuspecting soldiers. (Vieân trung syõ ñieân ñaàn vì to another tune. (Moät laàn bò la maéng thaäm teä ñuû laøm cho maáy anh lính ngaây ngoâ toäi nghieäp ñoù.) Johnny's coâ ta thay ñoåi taùnh neát vaø thaùi ñoä lieàn.) mother said that he was just death on his leather date back (to sometime) trôû laïi thôøi gian; töø thuôû aáy ñeán shoes. (Meï cuûa Johnny noùi raèng caäu ta ñieân ñaàu vì nay. My late grandmother dated back to the Civil War. ñoâi giaøy da cuûa anh ta.) 2. coù taøi chính xaùc baùch (Baø noäi vöøa maát cuûa toâi soáng töø thôøi coù cuoäc noäi chieán phaùt baùch truùng; thaàn saàu. John is death on curve nam baéc.) This record dates back to the sixties. balls. He's our best pitcher. (John coù taøi giao banh (Nhöõng ñóa haùt naøy coù töø thôøi thaäp nieân saùu möôi.) baùch phaùt baùch truùng vôùi banh xoaùy vaø eùp-pheâ. Anh `How far do you date back? (Anh tính töø thôøi naøo ñeán ta laø tay neùm banh soá moät cuûa ñoäi chuùng toâi.) The baây giôø vaäy?) boxing champ is really death on those fast punches. dead and buried ñi maõi khoâng veà; vónh vieãn ra ñi, ñaõ (Voõ syõ voâ ñòch quyeàn Anh coù nhöõng traùi ñaám thaàn quaù loãi thôøi. Now that Uncle Bill is dead and buried, saàu.) Every single player on the opposite team is we can read his will. (Baây giôø Chuù Bill ñaõ vónh vieãn ra death on long shots. (Caùc caàu thuû trong ñoäi boùng ñoái ñi, chuùng ta coù theå ñoïc chuùc thö cuûa oâng ñöôïc roài.) thuû coù taøi phaùt banh töø xa thaàn saàu quyû khoác.) desert a sinking ship vaø leave a sinking ship boû rôi but the audience knew she was poisoned. (Trong (ngöôøi, taøu beø, nhaø cöûa); boû nôi naøo ñoù maø ñi. Laáy töø cuoán phim ñoù, vò nöõ anh huøng troâng coù veû cheát vì caâu noùi: Chuoät laø con vaät boû chieác taøu bò chìm ñi tröôùc ñau khoå, nhöng kyø thaät baø ta bò ñaàu ñoäc.) 2. ñau khoå nhaát.) I hate to be the one to desert a sinking ship, but vì yeâu; thaát tình. Tom and Mary broke off their I can't stand it around here anymore. (Toâi gheùt phaûi boû romance and both died of broken hearts. (Tom vaø ñi, nhöng toâi khoâng theå chòu ñöïng noåi caûnh naøy nöõa roài.) Mary boû nhau khieán cho caû hai phaûi chòu ñau khoå vì There goes Tam. Wouldn't you know he'd leave a thaát tình.) Please don't leave me. I know I'll die of a sinking ship rather stay around and try to help? (Taâm ñi broken heart if you leave me. (Xin ñöøng boû anh. Anh roài kìa. Boä anh khoâng bieát anh ta seõ boû rôi chuùng ta chôù bieát anh seõ ñau khoå neáu em boû anh maø ñi.) There khoâng chòu ôû laïi ñeå tìm caùch phuï giuùp moät tay.) have been millions of people die of broken heart. diamond in the rough ngoïc aån trong ñaù; ngoaøi da coùc Still, people fall in love! (Haøng trieäu ngöôøi ñau khoå trong boïc tröùng gaø. (YÙ noùi beà ngoaøi xaáu xí nhöng beân vì yeâu vaäy maø ngöôøi ta vaãn yeâu!) trong chöùa ñöïng phaåm chaát cao; ví nhö ngoïc aån trong die of boredom cheát vì chaùn ñôøi; chaùn muoán cheát. ñaù, nhaân taøi ôû aån.) Lan looks like a stupid girl, but No one has ever really died of boredom. (Chöa coù she's a fine person — a real diamond in the rough. (Lan ai cheát vì chaùn ñôøi caû.) We sat there and listened troâng beà ngoaøi luø ñuø, nhöng kyø thaät coâ ta laø ngöôøi raát politely, even though we almost died of boredom. xuaát saéc — ñuùng laø ngoïc aån trong ñaù.) The piece of (Chuùng toâi ngoài nghe moät caùch leã pheùp, maëc daàu property is a diamond in the rough. Someday it will be chuùng toâi thaáy chaùn muoán cheát.) valuable. (Moùn ñoà naøy ñuùng laø ngoaøi da coùc trong boïc dig some dirt up on s.o. vaø dig up some dirt on s.o. tröùng gaø. Moät ngaøy naøo ñoù noù seõ raát coù giaù.) boâi sình leân maët ai, treùt ñaát leân maët ai; beâu (reâu die of a broken heart cheát vì tim vôõ. 1. cheát vì ñau khoå. chuyeän) xaáu cuûa ai. If you don't stop trying to dig I was not surprised to hear her death. They say she some dirt up on me, I'll get a lawyer and sue you. died of a broken heart. (Toâi khoâng ngaïc nhieân khi nghe (Neáu anh khoâng chòu boû haønh ñoäng beâu reâu chuyeän tin coâ ta qua ñôøi. Ngöôøi ta noùi coâ cheát vì ñau khoå.) In xaáu cuûa toâi thì toâi seõ nhôø luaät sö kieän anh cho xem.) the movie, the heroine appeared to die of a broken heart, The citizens' group dug up some dirt of the mayor

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 43

and used it against her at election time. (Moät nhoùm coâng ñoái xöû vôùi oâng ta theo loái oâng ñoái xöû vôùi ngöôøi khaùc. daân trong thò xaõ treùt ñaát leân maët baø thò tröôûng vaø sau ñoù OÂng ta nghó oâng laø ai vaäy?) duøng chuyeän naøy ñeå beâu reâu trong suoát thôøi gian tranh do s.o.'s heart good laøm cho ai vui thích trong loøng. cöû cuûa baø.) It does my heart good to hear you talk that way. do a land-office business kinh doanh soá löôïng lôùn trong (Anh noùi nhö vaäy laøm cho toâi caûm thaáy vui thích moät thôøi gian ngaén. (Ví nhö ñaát baùn nhö toâm töôi trong trong loøng.) When she sent me a get-well card, it côn soát ñaát; baùn nhaø trong côn soát nhaø.) The ice-cream really did my heart good. (Khi coâ ta göûi cho toâi taám shop always does a land-office business on a hot day. thieáp chuùc möøng laønh beänh, toâi caûm thaáy vui thích (Chæ trong moät ngaøy naéng maø tieäm baùn kem ñoù baùn ra trong loøng.) ñöôïc moät soá löôïng lôùn.) The tax collector's office did a do s.t. by hand laøm baèng tay (Ñeå phaân bieät vôùi laøm land-office business on the day that taxes were due. (Vaøo baèng maùy.) The computer was broken so I had to do ngaøy choùt haïn ñònh ñoùng thueá, vaên phoøng thu thueá hoát the calculations by hand. (Caùi maùy tính bò hö neân toâi moät voá lôùn tieàn thueá ñoùng vaøo.) ñaønh phaûi laøm caùc con tính baèng tay.) All this tiny dollar for dollar tieàn naøo cuûa naáy. Dollar for dollar, stitching was done by hand. Machines cannot do this you cannot buy a better car. (Tieàn naøo cuûa naáy, chöøng kind of work. (Taát caû caùc coâng vieäc tæ mæ naøy ñeàu ñoù tieàn maø ñoøi mua xe toát hôn.) Dollar for dollar, this phaûi laøm baèng tay heát. Maùy khoâng laøm ñöôïc.) laundry detergent washes cleaner and brighter than any do s.t. hands down laøm deã nhö trôû baøn tay. (YÙ noùi other product on the market. (Tieàn naøo cuûa naáy, loaïi boät khoâng bò moät trôû löïc lôùn naøo. Thöôøng khi bò phaûn ñoái giaët naøy taåy saïch hôn baát cöù thöù naøo khaùc treân thò seõ coù nhieàu ngöôøi giaêng tay leân; nay khoâng ai ñöa tröôøng.) Don't hold your breath. (Ñöøng coù nín thôû. Cöù tay phaûn ñoái neân ñöôïc xem laø deã ñaøng.) The bình tónh vaø kieân nhaãn maø chôø ñi. Chôù coù noùng loøng.) mayor won the election hands down. (OÂng thò tröôøng You think he'll get a job? Ha! Don't hold your breath. thaéng cöû moät caùch deã daøng nhö trôû baøn tay.) She (Baïn nghó laø anh ta seõ ñöôïc nhaän vaøo laøm haû? Haù Cöù was the choice of the people hands down. (Baø ta bình tónh vaø kieân nhaãn maø chôø ñi.) I'll finish building ñöôïc ñeà cöû maø khoâng ai phaûn ñoái caû. Moïi ngöôøi ñeàu the fence as soon as I have time, but don't hold your taùn thaønh söï choïn baø ta.) breath. (Khi naøo raûnh toâi seõ laøm caùi haøng raøo ñoù cho, do the dishes röûa cheùn; doïn deïp cheùn baùt vaø röûa saïch nhöng chôù coù noùng loøng laøm gì.) Bill, you cannot go out and play until you've done Don't let s.o./something get you down. ñöøng (vì ai hay the dishes. (Bill, chöa doïn deïp vaø röûa cheùn baùt xong vieäc gì) laøm baïn naûn chí anh huøng. Don't let their thì khoâng ñöôïc ñi chôi ñoù nghe.) Why am I always constant teasing get you down. (Ñöøng coù ñeå cho nhöõng the one who has to do the dishes? (Taïi sao toâi luùc lôøi choïc gheïo cuûa chuùng noù laøm cho baïn naûn yù anh huøng naøo cuõng phaûi röûa cheùn baùt caû vaäy?) chôù.) Don't let Tom get you down. He's not always do the honors haân haïnh ñöôïc cô hoäi phuïc vuï (Lôøi unpleasant. (Ñöøng ñeå cho Tom laøm cho baïn naûn chí anh noùi cuûa chuû nhaø hay chuû tieäc vôùi khaùch khi roùt röôïu, huøng. Tay ñoù coù khi kyø cuïc vaäy ñoù.) Don't look a gift môøi baùnh hoaëc caét thòt cho khaùch trong caùc buoåi tieäc horse in the mouth. Ñöøng cheâ cuûa boá thí. (Caâu tuïc ngöõ hay tieáp taân.) All the guests were seated, and a naøy coù yù khuyeân ta neân vui veû chaáp nhaän loøng toát cuûa huge juicy turkey sat on the table. Jane turned to her ngöôøi cho.) Don't complain. You shouldn't look a gift husband and said, “Bob, will you do the honors?” hourse in the mouth. (Ñöøng coù caèn nhaèn. Baïn khoâng neân Mr. Jones smiled and begain slicing thick slices of cheâ cuûa boá thí chöù.) John complained that the meat from the turkey. (Taát caû khaùch ñeán döï an toïa television set he got for his birthday was black and white xong thì moät con gaø taây thaät lôùn ñöôïc böng ra ñeå rather than color. He was told, “Don't look a gift horse ngay giöõa baøn. Jane quay sang noùi vôùi choàng: “Anh in the mouth." (John cheâ caùi TV ngöôøi ta taëng hoâm sinh Bob, anh ra tay phuïc vuï khaùch ñi chôù!” OÂng Jones nhaät caäu ta laø ñen traéng chöù khoâng phaûi maøu. Ngöôøi mæm cöôøi vaø baét ñaàu xaét töøng laùt moät ra môøi.) The khaùc lieàn khuyeân: “Ñöøng cheâ cuûa cho.") mayor stood up and addressed the people who were dose of one's own medicine cho ngoït traû ngoït, cho chua still eating their salads. “I'm delighted to do the ngoa traû laïi chua ngoa. (YÙ nghóa ngöôïc vôùi caâu tuïc ngöõ honors this evening and propose a toast to your Haùn-Vieät: Kyû sôû baát duïc vaät thi ö nhaân. Nhöõng gì mình friend and mine, Bill Jones, Bill, good luck and best khoâng muoán thì ñöøng duøng ñeå ñoái xöû vôùi ngöôøi ta. wishes in your new job in Washington.” And Töông töï nhö caâu tieáng Anh: Use others as you would everyone sipped a bit of wine. (Vieân thò tröôûng ñöùng have them use you.) Sally never is very friendly. s.o. leân noùi vaøi lôøi vôùi quan khaùch luùc aáy ñang aên moùn is going to give her a dose of her own medicine someday. goûi xaø-laùch: “Toâi raát haân haïnh ñöôïc phuïc vuï quyù vò (Sally hay chua ngoa. Ngaøy naøo ñoù coù keû chua ngoa laïi trong buoåi toái hoâm nay vaø xin naâng ly chuùc möøng cho maø xem.) He didn't like getting a dose of his own ngöôøi baïn quyù cuûa quyù vò vaø caû cuûa toâi laø Bill Jones. medicine. What he thinks he is? (OÂng ta khoâng muoán ai Naøo Bill, chuùc anh may maén vaø nhöõng ñieàu toát laønh

44 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

nhaát trong nhieäm vuï môùi taïi Hoa-thònh-doán.” Moïi ngöôøi draw blood ruùt maùu. 1. ñaùnh hay caén ai cho chaûy naâng ly hôùp röôïu.) maùu; bò thöông ñoå maùu. The dog chased me and doubting Thomas taùnh ña nghi I udnerstand you are a bit me hard, but it didn't draw blood. (Con choù röôït doubting Thomas, but this is s.t. you must believe me. theo toâi vaø caén moät phaùt thaät maïnh, nhöng sao (Toâi bieát anh coù taùnh ña nghi nhö ñaây laø ñieàu anh phaûi khoâng thaáy chaûy maùu.) The box landed just one tin toâi môùi ñöôïc.) punch and drew blood immediately. (Caùi thuøng rôùt down in the dumps troâng uû doät vaø heùo haét. I've been xuoáng truùng moät caùi laøm ñoå maùu lieàn.) 2. giaän ai down in the dumps for the past few days. (Trong suoát ñuøng ñuøng hay lôùn tieáng nhuïc maï ai. Sally möôøi ngaøy nay ngöôøi toâi troâng uû doät vaø heùo haét quaù.) screamed out a terrible insult at Tom. Judging by the Try to cheer Jane up. She's down in the dumps for look on his face, she rally drew blood. (Sally la some reason. (Tìm caùch laøm cho Jane vui leân. Khoâng toaùng leân nhuïc maï Tom. Môùi nhìn thaáy maët anh ta, hieåu sao coâ ta troâng uû doät vaø heùo haét quaù.) coâ ñaõ noåi giaän ñuøng ñuøng.) Tom started yelling down in the mouth maët meùo xeïo; maët maøy thieåu naõo. and cursing, trying to insult Sally. He wouldn't be Since her dog dies, Barbara has been down in the satisfied until he had drawn blood, too. (Tom baét mouth. (Töø ngaøy con choù cheát, Barbara maët maøy luùc naøo ñaàu la loái vaø chöûi ruûa, coát ñeå nhuïc maï Sally. Anh ta cuõng meùo xeïo.) Bob has been down in the mouth since cuõng khoâng phaûi tay vöøa; chöa lôùn tieáng sæ vaû laïi thì the car wreck. (Töø luùc bò ñuïng xe tôùi giôø Bob cuõng mang khoâng chòu thua.) boä maët thieåu naõo.) dream come true öôùc mô thaønh söï thaät. Going to down the drain troâi xuoáng coáng; bò maát luoân; cuûa ñoå Hawaii is like having a dream come true. (Ñi ñöôïc soâng ñoå bieån (moät caùch phí phaïm.) I just hate to see Haï-uy-di chaúng khaùc naøo öôùc mô thaønh söï thaät.) all that money to down the drain. (Toâi raát gheùt thaáy tieàn Having you for a friend is a dream come true. (Ñöôïc baïc bò troâi heát xuoáng coáng nhö vaäy.) Well, there goes laøm baïn vôùi em chaúng khaùc naøo ñang naèm mô.) the whole project, right down the drain. (Vaäy ñoù, toaøn drink to excess uoáng röôïu nhö huõ chìm. Mr. boä döï aùn ñi ñong heát, nhö cuûa ñoå soâng ñoå bieån.) Franklin drinks to excess. (OÂng Franklin uoáng röôïu down the wire ñeán phuùt choùt; ñeán möùc cuoái cuøng I nhö huõ chìm.) Some people drink to excess only at have to turn this in tomorrow, and I'll be working down parties. (Coù vaøi ngöôøi chæ gaëp tieäc môùi uoáng nhö huõ to the wire. (Toâi phaûi naïp caùi naøy ngaøy mai, vaø toâi phaûi chìm thoâi.) laøm vieäc ñeán giôø phuùt cuoái.) When we get down to the drive a hard bargain coá naøi nó cho baèng ñöôïc; kyø wire, we'll know better what to do. (Ñeán khi toâi ñeán möùc neøo cho ñöôïc. I saved $200 by driving a hard cuoái cuøng, toâi môùi bieát roõ vieäc mình phaûi laøm gì.) bargain when I bought my new car. (Khi mua chieác draw a blank 1. khoâng nhaän ñöôïc traû lôøi; khoâng tìm xe môùi naøy toâi coá naøi nó bôùt cho baèng ñöôïc hai traêm thaáy gì. I asked him about Tom's financial problems, ñoàng.) All right, sir, you drive a hard bargain. I'll and I just drew a blank. (Toâi hoûi thaêm veà vaán ñeà taøi sell you this car for $12,450. (Ñöôïc roài, thöa oâng, chaùnh cuûa Tom nhöng toâi khoâng nhaän ñöôïc thö traû lôøi oâng laïi kyø neøo nöõa. Toâi chòu baùn cho oâng vôùi giaù naøo heát.) We looked in the files for an hour, but we 12.450 ñoàng.) You drive a hard bargain, Jane, but drew a blank. (Chuùng toâi xem trong caùc hoà sô chöøng moät I'll sign the contrast. (Em hay naøi nó quaù, Jane aï, giôø ñoàng hoà, nhöng khoâng tìm thaáy gì caû.) 2. chòu khoâng thoâi toâi seõ kyù kheá öôùc aáy cho coâ vui loøng.) nhôù ra noåi; chòu thua khoâng nhôù chuyeän gì xaûy ra. I drive one over the edge laøm cho ai chaùn ngaùn, ngaùn tried to remember her telephone number, but I could ngaãm.  He talks very well but talking with him for only draw a blank. (Toâi coá nhôù soá ñieän thoaïi cuûa coâ ta, ten or twenty minutes would drive you over the edge. nhöng tuyeät nhieân khoâng taøi naøo nhôù ra.) It was a very (Anh ta noùi raát hay, nhöng noùi chuyeän vôùi anh ta hard test with just one question to answer, and I drew a chöøng möôøi hay hai möôi phuùt laø thaáy chaùn ngaùn blank. (Baøi thi chæ coù moät caâu hoûi thoâi nhöng quaù khoù lieàn.) neân toâi chòu thua khoâng nhôù maø traû lôøi.) drop in one's tracks cheát sôùm; ngaõ nhaøo xuoáng vì draw a line between s.t. and s.t. else veõ moät ñöôøng kieät söùc; cheát baát ñaéc kyø töû. If I keep working this giöõa hai vieäc gì ñoù; laøm saùng toû vaán ñeà; phaân bieät cho roõ way, I'll drop in my tracks. (Neáu toâi tieáp tuïc laøm giôùi haïn cuûa moãi vaán ñeà, moãi vieäc. It's necessary to vieäc nhö theá naøy, toâi seõ cheát sôùm.) Uncle Bob was draw a line between bumping into people and striking working in the garden and dropped in his tracks. We them. (Caàn phaân ñònh roõ moät beân laø toâng nhaàm ngöôøi ta are all sorry that he's dead. Chuù Bob ñang coøn laøm vaø moät beân laø ñaùnh ñaäp ngöôøi ta.) It's very hard to ngoaøi vöôøn thì boãng ngaõ nhaøo xuoáng vì kieät söùc.) draw the line between slamming a door and just closing Poor John Smith. He dropped in his tracks when it loudly. (Khoù maø phaân bieät moät beân laø haønh ñoäng ñoùng he was just thirty two! (Toäi nghieäp John Smith. Anh saàm cöûa xe nhö giaän döõ vaø moät beân laø lôõ tay ñoùng maïnh môùi coù ba möôi hai tuoåi maø bò baát ñaéc kyø töû.) quaù.) drop s.o. a line vaø drop s.o. a few lines. vieát cho ai

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 45

moät laù thö ngaén hay vaøi chöõ vaén taét. I dropped Aunt bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and Jane a line last Thanksgiving. (Vaøo dòp Leã Taï Ôn vöøa wise." (Tom rôøi baøn tieäc luùc möôøi giôø, vaø noùi raèng: roài toâi coù vieát cho Dì Jane moät laù thö.) She usually “Nguû sôùm daäy sôùm khoeû ngöôøi saùng daï.) I always drops me a few lines around the first of the year. (Baø ta get up at six o'clock. After all, early to bed, early to thöôøng hay vieát thö cho toâi vaøo khoaûng ñaàu naêm.) rise. (Ngaøy naøo toâi cuõng thöùc daäy luùc saùu giôø. Duø drop the ball phaïm khuyeát ñieåm laõng xeït; sai laàm vôù sao thì nguû sôùm daäy sôùm khoeû ngöôøi saùng daï.) vaån. Everything was going fine in the election until my earn one's keep laøm vieäc vaët laáy tieàn ñoä nhaät; laøm campaign manager dropped the ball. (Moïi vieäc lieân vieäc aên coâng. I earn my keep at college by quan ñeán coâng taùc baàu cöû ñang dieãn tieán toát ñeïp thì vieân shoveling snow in the winter. (Toâi xuùc tuyeát phuï cho tröôûng ban ñieàu haønh laïi phaïm sai laàm laõng xeït.) You tröôøng ñeå laáy tieàn traû tieàn hoïc.) Tom hardly earns can't trust John to do the job right. He's always dropping his keep around here. He should be fired. (Tom laøm the ball. (Baïn khoâng theå tin caäy John laøm vieäc ñaøng vieäc aên coâng maø khoâng xong. Neân cho anh ta nghæ hoaøng ñöôïc. Anh ta thöôøng hay phaïm nhieàu sai laàm raát ñi.) vôù vaån.) easy come, easy go deã ñöôïc deã maát; tieàn deã kieám drop the other shoe ñöôïc theå laøm tôùi; nhaân ñoù maø laøm xaøi phung phí; tình lieàn tình deã chia tay. Ann found tôùi (Laáy hình aûnh boû chieác giaøy thöù hai laø xong vieäc côûi twenty giaøy ñeå khôûi ñaàu vieäc khaùc.) Mr. Franklin has left his dollars in the morning and spent it foolishly at noon. wife. Soon he'll drop the other shoe and divorce her. “Easy come, easy go,” she said. (Ann kieám hai chuïc (OÂng Franklin lô laø vôùi vôï. Xong ñaøng chaân laân leân ñaøng ñoàng buoåi saùng, ñeán chieàu ñaõ xaøi maát tieâu. “Tieàn deã ñaàu, sau ñoù oâng ly dò baø ta luoân.) Tommy has just kieám xaøi mau.") John spends his money as fast as failed three classes in school. We expect him to drop the he can earn it. With John it's easy come, easy go. other shoe and quit altogether any day now. (Tommy bò (John laøm tieàn cuõng deã maø tieâu tieàn cuõng tôïn. Anh ta hoûng luoân ba moân. Chuùng toâi nghó raèng coù ngaøy anh ta quan nieäm raèng tieàn kieám deã thì xaøi cho söôùng tay.) seõ nhaân ñoù maø boû hoïc luoân.) You you know what? Sally broke with Tom after drown one's troubles vaø drown one's sorrows möôïn two months! It's easy come, easy go. (Bieát gì khoâng? röôïu giaû saàu. (Uoáng röôïu cho say li bì ñeå queân caùc raéc Môùi ñöôïc hai thaùng maø Sally ñaõ boû Tom roài. Ñuùng roái treân ñôøi.) Bill is in the bar, drowning his troubles laø tình lieàn tình deã chia tay.) (Bill ñang ôû trong quaùn röôïu möôïn röôïu giaûi saàu.) Easy does it. Phaûi caån thaän. Haønh ñoäng phaûi deø daët. Jane is at home, drowing her sorrows. (Jane ñang ôû Be careful with that glass vase. Easy does it! (Phaûi nhaø, möôïn röôïu giaûi saàu.) caån thaän vôùi caùi bình thuûy tinh ñoù. Phaûi thaät caån drug on the market baøy baùn eâ heà ngoaøi chôï; traøn ngaäp thaän.) Now, now, Tom. Don't get angry. Easy does thò tröôøng. Right now, small computers are drugs on it. (Naøo, naøo, Tom. Ñöøng coù giaän döõ. Haønh ñoäng the market. (Hieän taïi loaïi maùy ñieän toaùn ñöôïc baøy baùn eâ phaûi deø daët.) heà ngoaøi thò tröôøng.) Ten years ago, small transistor eat humble pie chòu aên côm haåm chaùo sieâu. 1. kheùp radios were a drug on the market. (Caùch ñaây möôøi naêm, neùp; khieâm toán chòu nhaän (nhaát laø khi bò sai phaïm.) loaïi radio nhoû chaïy baùn daãn ñaõ traøn ngaäp ngoaøi thò I think I'm right, but if I'm wrong, I'll eat humble tröôøng roài.) pie. (Toâi nghó laø toâi ñuùng, nhöng neáu toâi sai, toâi xin drum some business up vaø drum up some business quaûng aên côm haåm chaùo sieâu lieàn.) You think you're so caùo om soøm ñeå baùn ñöôïc haøng. I need to do s.t. to drum smart. I hope you have to eat humble pie. (Baïn nghó some business up. (Toâi caàn phaûi laøm caùi gì ñoù cho oàn aøo laø baïn raát thoâng minh. Toâi hy voïng baïn seõ coù ngaøy ñeå baùn haøng cho ñöôïc.) A little bit of advertising phaûi aên côm haåm chaùo sieâu.) 2. nhòn nhuïc; chòu would drum up some business. (Caàn quaûng caùo theâm ngöôøi ta sæ nhuïc. John, stand up for your right. You chuùt nöõa thì haøng baùn ñöôïc chöù gì.) don't have to eat humble pie all the time. (John, haõy ñöùng thaúng ngöôøi cho xöùng con ngöôøi. Baïn khoâng

caàn phaûi nhòn nhuïc maõi nhö vaäy ñöôïc.) Beth seems

quite happy to eat humble pie. She should stand up for her rights. (Beth döôøng nhö caûm thaáy vui veû maø chòu cho ngöôøi ta sæ nhuïc mình. Coâ ta neân tranh ñaáu cho quyeàn lôïi cuûa mình chôù.) Ee eat like a bird aên nhö meøo (Vieät nam); (Nam thöïc nhö hoå), nöõ thöïc nhö mieâu. Jane is very slim Early to bed and early to rise, (makes a man healthy, because she eats like bird. (Jim oám nhaùch vì coâ ta aên wealthy, and wise.) Nguû sôùm daäy sôùm khoeû ngöôøi saùng coù chuùt xíu nhö meøo aên.) Bill is trying to lose daï. Tom left the party at ten o'clock, saying “Early to weight by eating like a bird. (Bill tìm caùch laøm cho

46 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

oám bôùt baèng caùch aên thaät ít nhö meøo.) No wonder he's so fat. He eats like a horse eat like a horse aên maïnh nhö coïp; (nam) thöïc nhö hoå. . (Taïi sao anh maäp uù nhö vaäy thì deã hieåu quaù. Anh ta aên sinh.) Learning is an end in itself. Knowledge does nhö coïp vaäy maø.) John works like a horse and eats like not have to have a practical application. (Hoïc haønh a horse, so he never gets fat. (John laøm vieäc nhö traâu vaø töï noù coù giaù trò. Kieán thöùc do ñoù khoâng nhaát thieát aên maïnh nhö coïp neân anh ta khoâng bao giôø bò phì caû.) phaûi coù thöïc teá öùng duïng ñi keøm. eat one's hat ... thì toâi cuõng cuøi luoân. (Duøng khi söï vieäc end of the road/line chaám döùt; cuoái ñöôøng; cheát. haàu nhö khoâng thöïc hieän ñöôïc. Thöôøng duøng vôùi if.) If (Nghóa ñen laãn nghóa boùng.) Our house is at the we get there on time, I'll eat my hat. (Neáu chuùng ta ñeán end of the road. (Nhaø cuûa chuùng toâi ôû cuoái ñöôøng.) ñoù maø kòp, thì cho toâi cuøi luoân.) I'll eat my hat if you We rode the train to the end of the line. Chuùng toâi get a raise. (Neáu anh maø ñöôïc taêng löông thì toâi cuõng ñaùp taøu hoûa ñi cho ñeán saân ga cuoái cuøng môùi chòu cuøi luoân.) He said he'd eat his hat if she got elected. thoâi.) When we reach the end of the road on this (OÂng ta noùi neáu baø ta maø truùng cöû thì cho oâng ta cuøi project, we'll get paid. (Khi naøo chuùng ta chaám döùt luoân.) döï aùn naøy chuùng ta môùi laõnh löông ñöôïc.) You've eat one's heart out tim ai bò voït ra ngoaøi. 1. raàu ró yû oâi; come to the end of the line. I'll not lend you another buoàn thaûm (chæ taâm traïng.) ill spent a lot of time eating penny. (Maøy saép heát thôøi ñeán nôi roài, tao khoâng cho his heart out after his divorce. (Töø ngaøy ly ñò vôï, Bill maøy möôïn theâm ñoàng naøo nöõa caû.) When I reach suoát ngaøy raàu ró yû oâi.) Sally ate her heart out when she the end of the road, I wish to be buried in a quiet had to sell her house. (Sally phaûi baùn caên nhaø neân coâ ta place, near some trees. (Khi naøo toâi qua ñôøi, toâi buoàn raàu saàu thaûm.) 2. ghen töùc vôùi ai/ñieàu gì; ñoá kî. muoán ñöôïc choân ôû moät nôi thaät yeân tónh.) Do you like my new watch? Well, eat your heart out. It Enough is enough Quaù ñuû roài. Stop asking for was the last one in the store. (Baïn thích caùi ñoàng hoà môùi money! Enough is enough! (Quaù ñuû roài! Ñöøng coù hoûi cuûa toâi khoâng? Toát, cöù ghen vôùi toâi ñi. Caùi naøy laø caùi tieàn toâi nöõa!) I've heard all the complaining from cuoái cuøng trong tieäm ñoù ñaáy.) Don't eat your heart out you that I can take. Stop! Enough is enough! (Toâi about my new car. Go get one of your own. (Ñöøng ghen nghe baïn phaøn naøn nhieàu quaù söùc chòu ñöïng cuûa toâi. töùc vì toâi coù chieác xe môùi laøm gì. Lo ñi taäu moät chieác Nhö vaäy laø quaù ñuû roài!) nhö toâi ñi.) enter one's mind chôït nghó ra; chôït nhôù ra. Leave eat one's words ruùt lôøi laïi; thuù nhaän ñaõ noùi sai. You you behind? The thought never even entered my shouldn't say that to me. I'll make you eat your words. mind. (Boû anh haû? Khoâng bao giôø em coù yù töôûng ñoù (Baïn khoâng neân noùi vôùi toâi nhö vaäy. Toâi baûo baïn ruùt lôøi caû.) A very interesting idea just entered my mind. laïi ñi.) John was wrong about the election and had to What if I ran for Congress? (Moät yù nghó ngoä nghónh eat his words. (John noùi sai veà cuoäc baàu cöû vaø phaûi thuù chôït thoaùng qua ñaàu toâi. Toâi ra öùng cöû vaøo quoác hoäi nhaän ñieàu ñoù.) thì coù ñöôïc khoâng?) eat out of s.o.'s hands laøm döôùi tay ngöôøi naøo; ngoan Every cloud has a silver lining. Trong caùi ruûi coù caùi ngoaõn laøm theo leänh cuûa ai. Just wait! I'll have may. Jane was upset when she saw that all her everyone eating out of my hands. They'll do whatever I flowers had died from the frost. But when she saw ask. (Khoan ñaõ! Toâi muoán baét moïi ngöôøi phaûi laøm döôùi that the weeds had died, too, she said, “Every cloud tay toâi. Hoï phaûi ngoan ngoaõn laøm theo leänh toâi.) The has a silver lining." (Jane nhìn thaáy taát caû hoa trong president has Congress eating out of his hands. (Toång vöôøn bò reùt laøm cheát heát coâ ta buoàn laém nhöng sau thoáng laøm cho Quoác hoäi phaûi raêm raùp thi haønh theo leänh ñoù laïi thaáy coû cuõng cheát theo luoân, coâ ta beøn noùi: cuûa oâng ta.) A lot of people are eating out of his hands. “Trong caùi ruûi cuõng coù caùi may.) Sally had a ba (Raát nhieàu ngöôøi ngoan ngoaõn laøm theo leänh cuûa oâng cold and had to stay home from work. When she ta.) learned she missed an inspection, she said, “Every eat s.o. out of house and home aên cho suïp nhaø; aên cho cloud has a silver lining." (Sally bò caûm naëng neân ai ñoù ngheøo luoân. Billy has a huge appetite. He almost phaûi ôû nhaø. Sau ñoù coâ ta ñöôïc bieát hoâm aáy taïi sôû laøm eats us out of house and home. (Billy aên khoeû laém. Anh coù thanh tra neân noùi: “Ñuùng laø trong caùi ruûi coù caùi ta aên muoán suïp nhaø luoân.) When the kids come home may.") from college, they always eat us out of house and home. Every dog has his/its day. Ngöôøi naøo cuõng coù luùc (Khi luõ treû ôû tröôøng veà chuùng aên thoâi thì muoán ngheøo vinh luùc nhuïc. Soâng coù khi ñuïc khi trong. (YÙ noùi luoân.) cuoäc ñôøi cho duø baàn cuøng nhaát trong xaõ hoäi cuõng coù end in itself töï noù coù giaù trò rieâng; vò baûn thaân. For thôøi gian sung söôùng.) Don't worry, you'll get Bob, art is an end in itself. He doesn't hope to make any chosen for the team. Every dog has its day. (Ñöøng coù money from it. (Ñoái vôùi Bob, ngheä thuaät vò ngheä thuaät. lo, baïn seõ ñöôïc choïn vaøo ñoäi tuyeån. Ngöôøi ta coù luùc Do ñoù anh khoâng duøng ngheä thuaät ñeå phuïc vuï nhaân vinh luùc nhuïc chôù.) You may become famous

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 47

someday. Every dog has his day. (Moät ngaøy naøo ñoù baïn (Mary laøm beå kính cöûa soå phoøng aên neân ñang lo bò seõ noåi tieáng cho xem. Ngöôøi ñôøi coù luùc vinh luùc nhuïc boá veà raày.) After failing a math test, Tom had to go chöù.) I believe that every dog has its day, so I try my home and face the music. (Sau khi rôùt moân toaùn, best to get out of this rathole. (Toâi tin raèng ngöôøi naøo Tom phaûi nhaän chòu thaát baïi vaø luûi thuûi ra veà.) cuõng coù luùc vinh luùc nhuïc, soâng coù khi ñuïc khi trong neân Once you have put all the egg in one basket, you toâi coá gaéng ñeå thoaùt ra khoûi caùi oå chuoät naøy.) should face the music. (Moät khi baïn ñaõ moät lieàu ba every living soul moãi ngöôøi; moïi ngöôøi. I expect every baûy cuõng lieàu thì phaûi chaáp nhaän thöông ñau chôù.) living soul to be there and be there on time. (Toâi mong fair-weather friend baïn lôïi duïng; baïn aên coù. (Chæ raèng moïi ngöôøi seõ ñeán ñoù ñoâng ñuû vaø ñuùng giôø.) This loaïi baïn khoâng thaønh tín maø chæ bieát lôïi duïng; khi sa is the kind of problem that affects every living soul. (Ñaây cô lôõ vaän thì loaïi “baïn” naøy cuõng boû baïn ñi luoân.) laø vaán ñeà coù aûnh höôûng ñeán taát caû moïi ngöôøi.) Bill wouldn't help me with my difficulty. He's just every minute/moment counts thôøi gian raát quyù; tính fair-weather friend. (Bill khoâng ñôøi naøo giuùp toâi khi töøng giôø töøng phuùt. Doctor, please try to get here toâi gaëp khoù khaên ñaâu. Y chæ laø loaïi baïn lôïi duïng quickly. Every minute counts. (Baùc syõ ôi, vui loøng ñeán thoâi.) A fair-weather friend isn't much help in an ñaây ngay. Mong oâng töøng phuùt töøng giaây ñoù nghe.) emergency. (Loaïi baïn aên coù thì khi nguy nan laøm gì When you take a test, you must work rapidly because thaáy maët.) every minute counts. (Khi baïn laøm baøi thi, baïn caàn laøm fall down on the job khoâng hoaøn thaønh nhieäm vuï; thaät nhanh vì phaûi tính töøng giaây töøng phuùt.) When I laøm khoâng xong vieäc. The team kept losing was young I never knew that time is more precious than. because the coach was falling down on the job. (Ñoäi Now that I am old enough, I understan what it means by ñoù thua lieân tuïc laø do loãi huaán luyeän vieân cuûa ñoäi ñoù “every minute counts. (Khi toâi coøn treû toâi khoâng heà nghó khoâng hoaøn thaønh nhieäm vuï.) Tom was fired ñeán thôøi gian laø quyù hôn vaøng. Nay toâi ñuû trí khoân neân because he fell down on the job. (Tom bò sa thaûi vì ñaõ hieåu yù nghóa theá naøo laø “thì giôø raát quyù.) loãi khoâng laøm xong vieäc.) everyting but the kitchen sink suy nghó ñeán moïi thöù fall flat (on one's face) vaø fall flat (on its face) treân ñôøi. When Sally went off to college, she took hoaøn toaøn thaát baïi. I fell flat on my face when I everything but the kitchen sink. (Khi Sally rôøi gheá nhaø tried to give my speech. (Toâi bò thaát baïi hoaøn toaøn vì tröôøng, coâ ta ñaõ suy nghó ñeán moïi thöù treân ñôøi.) John baøi noùi chuyeän cuûa toâi khoâng thaønh.) The play fell orders everything but the kitchen sink when he goes out flat on its face. (Vôû kòch bò thaát baïi hoaøn toaøn.) My to dinner, especially if s.o. else is paying for it. (John ñi jokes fall flat most of the time. (Ña soá nhöõng caâu aên ngoaøi anh ta thöôøng goïi ñuû caùc moùn treân ñôøi; nhaát laø chuyeän teáu cuûa toâi ñeàu thaát baïi.) khi coù ngöôøi bao anh aên.) fall in(to) place vöøa khôùp; trôû neân thöù lôùp, neà neáp. everything from soup to nuts vaø everything from A to Z After we heard the whole story, things began to töø ñaàu chí cuoái. For dinner we had everything from fall in place. (Sau khi chuùng toâi nghe heát caâu soup to nuts. (Veå böõa aên toái chuùng toâi aên ñuû caùc moùn.) chuyeän, maáy vieäc khaùc cuõng xaûy ra vöøa khôùp.) In college I studied everything from soup to nuts. When you get older, the different parts of your life (Treân ñaïi hoïc chuùng toâi hoïc ñuû caùc thöù treân ñôøi.) She begin to fall into place. (Khi baïn lôùn tuoåi, caùc sinh mentioned everything from A to Z. (Baø ta ñeà caäp ñeán ñuû hoaït cuûa cuoäc soáng seõ neà neáp hôn.) Jane is just chuyeän treân ñôøi.) seventeen years old, but all of her things already fall expecting (a child) coù baàu; saép sinh con. Tommy's into place. (Jane chæ môùi möôøi baûy tuoåi maø nhöõng mother is expecting a child. (Meï cuûa Tom saép sanh em vieäc gì cuûa coâ ta cuõng ñaõ raát thöù lôùp vaø neà neáp.) beù.) Oh, I didn't know she was expecting. (OÀ, toâi ñaâu fall short (of s.t.) bò thieáu caùi gì. 1. bò thieáu huït thöù bieát laø coâ ta coù baàu.) gì. We fell short of money at the end of the month. (Ñeán cuoái thaùng thì chuùng toâi bò huït tieàn.) When baking a cake, the cook fell short of eggs and had to go to the store for more. (Khi laøm baùnh, anh ñaàu beáp bò thieáu tröùng neân phaûi ra tieäm mua theâm.) 2. khoâng thöïc hieän ñöôïc muïc tieâu cuûa mình. We fell short of our goal of collecting a thousand dollars. (Chuùng toâi muoán ñeå daønh moät ngaøn ñoàng nhöng ñaønh chòu thua, Ff khoâng thöïc hieän ñöôïc.) Ann ran a fast race, but fell short of the record. (Ann chaïy thì nhanh, nhöng face the music chòu hình phaït; nhaän chòu thaát baïi; chaáp khoâng phaù kyû luïc ñöôïc.) nhaän thöông ñau. Mary broke a dining-room window Familiarity breeds contempt. Giôõn choù choù lieám and had to face the music when her father got home. maët. Thaân quaù hoaù lôøn (nhôøn.) Thöông nhau laém caén

48 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

nhau ñau. Bill and his brother are always fighting. As feed the kitty ñoùng goùp tieàn baïc. Please feed the they say: “Familiairity breeds contempt." (Bill vaø anh noù kitty. Make a contribution to help sick children. (Xin cöù ñaùnh nhau hoaøi. Heøn gì hoï noùi: “Thaân quaù hoaù lôøn.” vui loøng ñoùng goùp. Chuùng ta caàn tieàn naøy ñeå giuùp treû cuõng phaûi.) I consider Bobby my little friend, but he is em beänh taät.) Come on, Bill. Feed the kitty. You getting impolite to me. Familiarity breeds contempt. (Toâi can afford a dollar for a good cause. (Naøo nhanh leân xem Bobby laø ngöôøi baïn treû tuoåi nhöng noù caøng ngaøy ñi Bill. Ñoùng goùp tieàn baïc vaøo ñi. Moät ñoàng laøm caøng voâ leã vôùi toâi. Giôõn choù choù lôøn maët.) Mai and vieäc thieän thì baïn laøm ñöôïc maø.) Loäc were good friends for many years. Finally they got feel like a million (dollars) caûm thaáy sinh löïc doài into a big argument and became enemies. That just daøo vaø taâm hoàn phaán khôûi. A quick swim in the shows that familiarity breeds contempt. (Mai vaø Loäc laø morning makes me feel like a million dollars. (Vaøi ñoâi baïn thaân trong nhieàu naêm qua. Sau cuøng hai ñöùa noù phuùt bôi loäi moãi buoåi saùng giuùp cho toâi caûm thaáy caõi nhau moät traän döõ doäi vaø khoâng theøm nhìn maët nhau sinh löïc doài daøo vaø taâm hoàn phaán khôûi.) What a nöõa. Roõ raøng thöông nhau cho laém caén nhau ñau.) beautiful day! It makes you feel like a million. (Trôøi farm out vaø farm out s.o./s.t. troàng ngöôøi hoaëc troàng ñeïp quaù! Thôøi tieát naøy seõ laøm cho baïn caûm thaáy sinh caây. 1. göûi ai cho ngöôøi khaùc nuoâi. When my mother löïc doài daøo vaø taâm hoàn phaán khôûi.) died, they farmed me out to my aunt and uncle. (Khi meï feel like a new person caûm thaáy thoaûi maùi vaø chænh toâi maát, toâi ñöôïc coâ chuù toâi ñöa veà nuoâi naáng.) The teà nhö con ngöôøi môùi; caûm thaáy nhö vöøa thoaùt xaùc. team manager farmed out the baseball player to the I bought a new suit, and now I feel like a new minor leagues until he improved. (Huaán luyeän vieân cuûa person. (Toâi mua boä ñoà môùi, nay baän vaøo thaáy thoaûi ñoäi ñoù ñaõ göûi caàu thuû ñi hoïc hoûi ôû nhöõng hoäi tuyeån nhoû maùi vaø chænh teà nhö moät ngöôøi môùi.) Bob felt like hôn cho ñeán khi thaønh taøi môùi thoâi.) 2. uûy thaùc coâng vieäc a new person when he got out of the hospital. (Bob ra cho ngöôøi khaùc; cñöøa vieäc cho ngöôøi khaùc. I farmed khoûi nhaø thöông vaø caûm thaáy nhö vöøa ñöôïc thoaùt out various parts of the work to different people. (Toâi uûy xaùc.) thaùc cho moãi ngöôøi laøm moät vieäc khaùc nhau.) Bill feel out of place nhö khaùch qua ñöôøng; laïc loõng. I farmed his chores out to his brothers and sisters and feel out of place at formal dances. (Trong caùc buoåi went to a movie. (Bill ñöøa coâng vieäc doïn deïp nhaø cöûa daï vuõ toâi caûm thaáy leû loi nhö khaùch qua ñöôøng.) cho meï vaø chò roài boû ñi xem chieáu phim.) Bob and Ann felt out of place at the picnic, so they feast one's eyes (on s.o./s.t.) nhìn ai trìu meán, nhìn thoûa went home. (Bob vaø Ann theo cuoäc du ngoaïn maø laïc thích; saùng con maét leân (vì thích thuù.) Just feast your loõng quaù, neân hai ñöùa ruû nhau veà tröôùc.) eyes on that beautiful juicy steak! (Baïn haõy troâng mieáng feel/know s.t. in one's bones linh caûm vieäc gì; coù bít-teát naøy maø saùng con maét leân ñi!) Yes, feast your tröïc giaùc veà vaán ñeà gì. The man went off with all of eyes. You won't see one like that again for a long time. his wife's jewels, I felt it in my bones. (Toâi coù linh (Ñuùng roài, nhìn cho thoûa thích ñi. Baïn seõ khoâng coù cô caûm laø ngöôøi ñaøn oâng ñoù mang theo taát caû soá nöõ hoäi thaáy laïi laàn thöù hai ñaâu.) trang cuûa vôï oâng vaø boû ñi maát roài.) I failed the feather in one's cap moät vinh döï; moät phaàn thöôûng test. I know it in my bones. (Toâi coù linh caûm raèng toâi daønh cho ai. Getting a new client was really a feather ñaõ bò hoûng baøi thi ñoù.) in my cap. (Coù theâm moät beänh nhaân môùi laø moät vinh döï fight s.o./something hammer and tongs quyeát soáng cho toâi.) John earned a feather in his cap by getting an maùi vôùi ai; quyeát taâm choáng laïi ai/vieäc gì cho baèng A in physics. (Ñöôïc con A moân vaät lyù laø moät phaàn ñöôïc. They fought against the robber tooth and thöôûng daønh cho John.) nail. (Hoï quyeát soáng maùi vôùi teân troäm.) The dogs feather one's (own) nest trang hoaøng caùi toå uyeân öông. were fighting each other hammer and tongs. (Hai 1. trang trí nhaø cöûa theo ñuùng thôøi trang. Mr. and Mrs. con choù quyeát soáng maùi vôùi nhau.) The mayor Simpson have feathered their nest quite comfortably. fought the new law hammer and tongs. (Vò thò tröôûng (OÂng vaø baø Simpson vöøa trang hoaøng caùi toå uyeân öông quyeát taâm choáng laïi ñaïo luaät môùi cho baèng ñöôïc.) cuûa hai ngöôøi cho thaät xinh maét vaø ñeïp yù.) It costs a We'll fight this zoning ordinance tooth and nail. great deal of money to feather one's nest these days. (Chuùng toâi quyeát taâm choáng laïi cho baèng ñöôïc saéc (Thôøi buoåi naøy maø trang trí nhaø cöûa theo ñuùng thôøi trang leänh veà quy hoaïch vuøng naøy.) thì toán keùm laém.) 2. duøng quyeàn haønh ñeå möu tö lôïi. fill s.o.'s shoes thay ai laøm vieäc moät caùch hieäu quaû. The mayor seemed to be helping people, but she was I don't know how we'll be able to do without you. really feathering her own nest. (Baø thò tröôûng troâng coù No one can fill your shoes. (Toâi khoâng bieát neáu veû giuùp ñôõ moïi ngöôøi, kyø thaät baø ta ñang duøng quyeàn khoâng coù baïn thì phaûi laøm sao. Khoâng ai coù theå thay cuûa baø ñeå möu tö lôïi.) The building contractor used a theá baïn laøm vieäc coù hieäu quaû caû.) It'll be difficult lot of public money to feather his nest. (Tay thaàu xaây caát to fill Jane's shoes. She did her job very well. (Thaät ñoù duøng coâng quyõ ñeå laøm lôïi cho caù nhaân oâng ta.) khoù coù ngöôøi thay theá vaøo choã cuûa Jane. Coâ ta laøm

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 49

vieäc gioûi laém.) toâi ñaâu coù bieát ai tôùi tröôùc vaøo tröôùc.) Please line fill the bill ñuùng y nhö yù ai muoán; truùng sôû. Ah, this up and take your turn. It's first come, first served. steak is great. It really fills the bill. (A, moùn bít-teát naøy (Vui loøng saép haøng vaø chôø tôùi phieân mình. Ai tôùi ngon quaù. Ñuùng y nhö yù toâi muoán.) This new pair of tröôùc vaøo tröôùc.) shoes fills the bill nicely. (Ñoâi giaøy môùi naøy truùng sôû first of all tröôùc tieân. First of all, put your name on roài.) this piece of paper. (Tröôùc tieân, vieát teân cuûa baïn treân Finders keepers, ( losers weepers) Ñöôïc cuûa thì cöôøi, maûnh giaáy naøy caùi ñaõ.) First of all, we'll try to find maát cuûa thì khoùc. Cuûa rôi ai ñöôïc naáy höôûng.) John a place to live. (Tröôùc tieân chuùng tìm moät choã ñeå ôû.) lost a quarter in the dining room yesterday. Ann found first thing (in the morning) vieäc môùi môû ra laøm the quarter there today. Annm claimed that since she lieàn; thöùc daäy laø laøm lieàn (chæ coâng vieäc.) Please found it, it was hers. She said, “Finders keepers, losers call me first thing in the morning. I can't help you weepers." (John ñaùnh rôi ñoàng 25 xu trong phoøng aên now. (Vui loøng thöùc daäy laø goïi cho toâi ngay. Toâi hoâm qua. Hoâm nay Ann löôïm ñöôïc vaø noùi laø tieàn cuûa coâ khoâng theå giuùp gì baïn baây giôø ñöôïc.) I'll do that ta. Coâ noùi: “Cuûa rôi ai ñöôïc naáy höôûng coù gì maø la.) first thing. (Toâi seõ laøm vieäc ñoù ñaàu tieân khi thöùc daäy John said, “I'll say finders keepers when I find s.t. of (vaøo saùng mai.) yours!" (John traû ñuõa: “Laàn sau toâi löôïm ñöôïc cuûa chò first thing first vieäc quan troïng laøm tröôùc; vieäc quan toâi cuõng noùi: “Cuûa rôi ai ñöôïc naáy höôûng.” ñoù nghe.) troïng tröôùc ñaõ. It's more important to get a job find it in one's heart (to do s.t.) coù can ñaûm hoaëc loøng than to buy new clothes. First thing first. (Tìm vieäc traéc aån. She couldn't find it in her heart to refuse to laøm quan troïng hôn mua quaàn aùo. Vieäc quan troïng come home to him. (Coâ ta khoâng coù can ñaûm töø choái lôøi laøm tröôùc.) Do your homework now. Go out and anh ta naên næ coâ trôû veà.) I can't do it! I can't find it in play later, First thing first. (Laøm baøi taäp tröôùc ñaõ. Ñi my heart. (Toâi khoâng laøm vaäy ñöôïc! Toâi khoâng ñuû can chôi sau. Vieäc quan troïng laøm tröôùc ñaõ.) ñaûm laøm nhö vaäy!) I am sure that everyone will find it fish for a compliment muoán ñöôïc (ai) khen. in his/her heart to see those miserable things. (Toâi ñoan When she showed me her new dress, I could tell chaéc ai cuõng thaáy ñoäng loøng traéc aån khi nhìn thaáy nhöõng that she was fishing for a compliment. (Khi coâ ta söï ñau khoå ñoù.) khoe toâi chieác aùo môùi, toâi bieát ngay coâ ta muoán ñöôïc find one's or s.t.'s way somewhere tìm tôùi nôi naøo. 1. khen maø.) Tom was certainly fishing for a töï tìm/bieát ñöôøng ñi. Mr. Smith found his way to the compliment when he modeled his fancy haircut for museum. (OÂng Smith töï tìm ñöôøng tôùi vieän baûo taøng.) his friends. (Quaû thaät Tom muoán ñöôïc khen khi anh Can you find your way home? (Baïn coù bieát ñöôøng veà khoe vôùi maáy ngöôøi baïn kieåu toùc môùi cuûa anh.) khoâng?) 2. loït vaøo tay ai (chæ vaät). The money found its fish in troubled waters möôïn gioù beû maêng, thöøa way into the mayor's pocket. (Soá tieàn ñoù ñaõ loït vaøo tay nöôùc ñuïc thaû caâu Taâm is a cunning person who is oâng thò tröôøng.) The secret plans found their way into ready to fish in troubled waters whenever he can. the enemy's hands. (Caùc keá hoaïch maät ñaõ bò loït vaøo tay (Taâm laø ngöôøi gian traù, saün saøng möôïn gioù beû maêng keû thuø.) baát cöù luùc naøo coù cô hoäi.) fine kettle of fish bình söù ñöïng caù; caûnh baùt nhaùo, tình fish or cut bait caâu thì caâu, khoâng caâu thì ñi choã traïng khoâng chòu noåi. The dog has eaten the steak we khaùc; khoâng laøm thì ñi choã khaùc (ñeå ngöôøi khaùc were going to have for dinner. This is a fine kettle of laøm). Mary is doing much better on the job since fish! (Con choù aên heát moùn bít-teát chuùng toâi döï ñònh ñeå her manager told her to fish or cut bait. (Töø khi ñöôïc laïi aên toái. Thaät laø baùt nhaùo.) This is fine kettle of fish. oâng quaûn ñoác baûo Mary khoâng laøm vieäc thì ñi choã It's below freezing outside, and the furnace won't work. khaùc ñeå ngöôøi khaùc laøm, coâ ta laøm vieäc ñaøng hoaøng (Ñaây laø tình traïng khoâng chòu noåi. Beân ngoaøi thì trôøi hôn.) The boss told Tom, “Quit wasting time! Fish laïnh nhö caét, trong nhaø loø söôûi khoâng duøng ñöôïc.) or cut bait!" (OÂng chuû noùi vôùi Tom, “Ñöøng laøm maát first and foremost tröôùc tieân vaø quan troïng nhaát. thì giôø nöõa! Khoâng laøm thì ñi!") First and foremost, I think you should work harder on fit for a king y nhö cho vua xaøi; nhö vua vaäy. your biology. (Ñieàu tröôùc tieân vaø quan troïng nhaát, toâi What a delicious meal. It was fit for a king. (Ñoà aên nghó laø baïn neân hoïc moân sinh vaät hoïc kyõ hôn nöõa.) ngon quaù. Y nhö cho vua aên vaäy.) Our room at the Have this in mind first and foremost: Keep smiling! hotel was fit for a king. (Phoøng trong khaùch saïn sang (Neân nhôù ñieàu naøy tröôùc tieân vaø quan troïng nhaát laø: Luùc nhö cuûa vua vaäy.) naøo cuõng töôi cöôøi.) fit like a glove vöøa vaën; vöøa khít khao. My new First come, first served. Ñeán tröôùc ñöôïcï tröôùc. Ai tôùi shoes fit like a glove. (Ñoâi giaøy môùi cuûa toâi thaät vöøa tröôùc, vaøo tröôùc. They ran out of tickets before we got vaën.) My new coat is a little tight. It fits like a there. It was first come, first served, but we didn't know glove. (Caùi aùo môùi cuûa toâi hôi chaät moät tí. Noù boù that. (Hoï baùn heát veù tröôùc khi chuùng toâi ñeán nôi. Chuùng quaù.) These parts are fully standardized, they fit

50 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

like gloves. Nhöõng ñoà phuï tuøng thay theá naøy ñaõ ñöôïc fly in the face of tradition. (John laø ngöôøi hay xem tieâu chuaån hoaù neân chuùng vöø vaën khít khao laém. thöôøng nhöõng neàn neáp ñaõ coù töø laâu ñôøi.) Ann made fix s.o.'s wagon ñaùnh traû, tröøng trò ai, traû thuø. If you it a practice to fly in the face of standard procedures. ever go that again, I'll fix your wagon! (Neáu baïn laøm laïi (Ann maéc phaûi moät thoùi quen laø xem thöôøng caùc thuû laàn nöõa, toâi seõ laïi cho xem.) Tommy! You clean up tuïc thoâng thöôøng.) John who finds great pleasure your room, this instant, or I'll fix your wagon! (Tommy! in flying in the teeth of his father should be Doïn deïp trong phoøng maøy cho saïch ñi ñoù, ngay töùc condemned. (John luùc naøo cuõng coù thaùi ñoä thieáu söï khaéc, khoâng tao ñaùnh cho baây giôø!) He reported me to kính troïng cha mình; anh ta ñaùng bò khieån traùch.) the boss, but I fixed his wagon. I knocked his lunch on fly in the ointment bò quaáy raày bôûi (nhöõng) chuyeän the floor. (Anh ta baùo caùo vieäc laøm cuûa toâi cho oâng seáp ruoài bu. We enjoyed the play, but the fly in the bieát, nhöng toâi ñaõ tröøng trò noù. Toâi ñaùnh noù ngaõ nhaøo ointment was not being able to find our car xuoáng ñaát luoân.) afterward. (Chuùng toâi raát thích vôû kòch ñoù, nhöng bò flash in the pan aùnh saùng loùe leân roài taét lòm. (Söï kieän moät chuyeän ruoài bu laøm maát vui laø khi ra veà tìm caùi ñöôïc chuù yù trong choác laùt roài bò queân laõng ngay sau ñoù). xe quaù trôøi.) It sounds like a good idea, but there I'm afraid that my success as a painter was just a flash must be a fly in the ointment somewhere. (YÙ kieán ñoù in the pan. (Toâi sôï raèng söï thaønh coâng cuûa moät hoaï syõ nghe hay laém, nhöng coøn laán caán moät chuyeän ruoài nhö toâi chæ nhö moät tia saùng vöøa loùe leân roài taét lòm.) bu gì ñoù chöa bieát laø gì.) Tom had hoped to be a singer, but his career was only fly off the handle giaän run ngöôøi; maát heát bình tónh a flash in the pan. (Tom hy voïng trôû thaønh ca syõ, nhöng vì giaän. Every time anyone mentions taxes, Mrs. söï nghieäp cuûa anh ta chæ laø tia saùng loùe leân roài lòm taét.) Brown flies off the handle. (Moãi laàn nghe noùi ñeán flat broke hoaøn toaøn saïch tuùi; hoaøn toaøn phaù saûn I chuyeän thueá maù, oâng Brown giaän phaùt run.) If she spent my last dollar, and I'm flat broke. (Toâi xaøi heát keeps flying off the handle like that, she'll have a ñoàng ñoâ la cuoái cuøng, neân baây giôø ñaõ hoaøn toaøn saïch heart attack. (Neáu luùc naøo baø ta cuõng maát heát bình tuùi.) The bank closed its doors to the public. It was flat tónh vì giaän nhö vaäy hoaøi, baø ta bò beänh tim maát.) broke! (Ngaân haøng ñoù ñoùng cöûa roài. Noù bò phaù saûn hoaøn foam at the mouth giaän suøi boït meùp. Bob was toaøn.) raving–foaming at the mouth. I've never seen anyone flesh and blood da vaø maùu. 1. ngöôøi baèng da baèng thòt. so angry. (Bob ñang giaän–ñeán suøi boït meùp. Toâi chöa This cold weather is more than flesh and blood can thaáy ai giaän döõ doäi nhö oâng ta vaäy.) Bill foamed at stand. (Thôøi tieát laïnh leõo nhö theá naøy thì da thòt con the mouth in anger. (Bill giaän thì suøi boït meùp.) ngöôøi khoâng theå naøo chòu ñöïng noåi.) Carrying 300 follow one's heart theo tuyø höùng; laøm theo caûm pounds is beyond mere flesh and blood. (Xaùc 300 caân thì tính. I couldn't decide what to do, so I just followed quaù khaû naêng cuûa con ngöôøi baèng da baèng thòt.) 2. neùt my heart. (Toâi khoâng theå quyeát ñònh phaûi laøm sao, linh hoaït, nhaân baûn, sinh löïc The paintings of this neân toâi ñaønh laøm theo caûm tính.) I trust that you artist are lifeless. They lack flesh and blood. (Nhöõng böùc will follow your heart in this matter. (Toâi tin laø veà tranh cuûa oâng hoaï syõ naøy troâng khoâng coù hoàn. Ñöôøng vaán ñeà anh seõ laøm theo caûm tính cuûa anh.) neùt thieáu linh hoaït.) These ideas have not flesh and food for thought ñieàu baét ai phaûi suy nghó. I don't blood. (Nhöõng tö töôûng naøy phi nhaân baûn.) Tom is just like your idea very much, but it's food for thought. thirty years old, but he looks so feeble as if he had not (Toâi khoâng thích yù kieán cuûa baïn chuùt naøo heát, nhöng flesh and blood. (Tom chæ môùi ba möôi maø anh troâng noù cuõng baét mình suy nghó.) You lecture was very yeáu ñuoái nhö maát heát caû sinh löïc.) 3. baø con ruoät thòt; baø good. It contained much food of thought. (Baøi dieãn con gaàn. That's no way to treat one's own flesh and thuyeát cuûa anh hay laém. Noù coù nhieàu ñieàu baét ngöôøi blood. (Ñoái xöû vôùi baø con ruoät thòt nhö vaäy laø khoâng ta phaûi suy nghó.) phaûi caùch.) I want to leave my money to my own flesh foot the bill thanh toaùn; traû tieàn veà khoaûn gì. Let's and blood. (Toâi muoán ñeå soá tieàn cuûa toâi coù cho moät go out and eat. I'll foot the bill. (Chuùng ta ñi ra aên ngöôøi baø con gaàn.) Grandmother was happier living tieäm quaùch. Toâi seõ traû tieàn cho.) If the bank goes with her flesh and blood. (Baø ngoaïi thaáy haïnh phuùc hôn broke, don't worry. The government will foot the bill. khi ñöôïc soáng gaàn vôùi baø con ruoät thòt.) (Neáu ngaân haøng bò thua loã cuõng ñöøng lo. Chính phuû float a loan (tìm caùch) vay möôïn, ñi vay. I couldn't seõ traû tieàn cho mình.) afford to pay cash for the car, so I floated a loan. (Toâi for one’s money theo yù kieán ai, theo yù kieán rieâng khoâng coù tieàn maët ñeå traû tieàn mua xe, neân toâi môùi tìm cuûa ai For my money, it’s not a good idea to help caùch vay.) They needed money badly, so they had to those who don’t help themselves. (Theo yù kieán toâi, float a loan. (Hoï raát caàn tieàn, do ñoù hoï phaûi ñi vay.) giuùp nhöõng ngöôøi coù cuoäc soáng caåu thaû khoâng phaûi fly in the face/teeth of s.t./s.t. (xem thöôøng ai/vieäc gì; laø ñieàu neân laøm.) coù thaùi ñoä thieáu nhaõ nhaën/söï kính troïng. John loves to force s.o.'s hand baét ai khai söï thaät, buoäc phaûi tieát

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 51

loä (keá hoaïch, chieán thuaät, chieán löôïc, bí maät, vv.) We chuùng ta laïi ñoå laù vaøo ñaày nhaø xe ngöôøi ta.) Tom didn't know what she was doing until Tom forced her tripped Bill for the heck of it. (Meï kieáp voâ duyeân côù hand. (Tröôùc luùc Tom buoäc baø ta noùi söï thaät chuùng toâi Tom laïi ngheùo chaân cho Bill teù.) John picked a hoaøn toaøn muø tòt veà nhöõng chuyeän baø ta laøm.) We fight with Tom just for the hell of it. (Meï kieáp, voâ couldn't plan our game until we forced the other team's duyeân côù John gaây roài ñaùnh loän vôùi Tom.) hand in the last play. (Maõi ñeán khi chuùng toâi keàm cho for the odds to be against one nhöõng vieäc baát lôïi ñoäi ñoái phöông ñeå hôû chieán thuaät cuûa hoï chuùng toâi môùi cho ai. You can give it a try, but the odds are coù ñöôïc keá hoaïch ñoái phoù.) against you. (Baïn coù theå thöû, nhöng baïn seõ gaëp force/drive s.o. to the wall doàn ai vaøo chaân töôøng; ñöa nhieàu baát lôïi cho xem.) I know the odds are ai vaøo theá bí. He wouldn't tell the truth until we forced against me, but i wish to run in the race anyway. him to the wall. (Ñôïi cho chuùng toâi doàn anh ta vaøo chaân (Toâi bieát nhöõng vieäc aáy baát lôïi, nhöng toâi vaãn ra töôøng, anh ta môùi chòu noùi söï thaät.) They don't pay tranh cöû nhö thöôøng.) their bills until you drive them to the wall. (Hoï ñôïi chuùng for the record ñieàu ñaùng neâu leân; ñieàu ñaùng noùi. toâi doàn vaøo theá bí hoï môùi chòu thanh toaùn tieàn cho chuùng I'd like to say – for the record – that at no time toâi.) have I ever accepted a bribe from anyone. (Toâi muoán for fear of s.t. lo sôï vì chuyeän gì. He doesn't drive for noùi—ñieàu ñaùng neâu leân —raèng toâi khoâng bao giôø fear of an accident. (OÂng ta khoâng chòu laùi xe vì sôï gaây chaáp nhaän hoái loä cuûa baát cöù ai caû.) For the record, ra tai naïn.) They lock their doors for fear of being I've never been able to get anything done around city robbed. (Hoï khoaù chaët cöûa vì sôï bò cöôùp.) hall without bribing s.o.. (Ñieàu ñaùng noùi, toâi chöa forgive and forget haõy tha thöù vaø queân ñi. I'm sorry, bao giôø laøm ñöôïc moät vieäc gì ra hoàn maø khoâng phaûi John. Let's forgive and forget. What do you say? (Toâi raát hoái loä cho vieân chöùc coù thaåm quyeàn caû.) tieác, John aï. Xin tha thöù vaø queân ñi. Anh thaáy sao?) It foul play hoaït ñoäng baát hôïp phaùp; söï gian laän; haønh was nothing. We'll just have to forgive and forget. ngheà phi phaùp. The police investigating the death (Chuyeän khoâng coù gì caû. Chuùng ta phaûi tha thöù vaø queân suspect foul play. (Caûnh saùt ñang ñieàu tra caùi cheát coù ñi cho roài.) Forgive and forget. It is said that women lieân quan ñeán hoaït ñoäng baát hôïp phaùp.) Each are hard to forgive, easy to forget and that men are easy student got an A on the test, and the teacher to forgive, but hard to forget. (Tha thöù vaø queân ñi. Ngöôøi imagined it was the result of foul play. (Hoïc vieân ta thöôøng noùi raèng ñaøn baø thì khoù tha thöù nhöng deã queân, naøo cuõng ñöôïc ñieåm A caû, neân thaày giaùo nghi laø coù trong khi ñaøn oâng thì deã tha thöù nhöng khoù queân.) gian laän.) fork money out (for s.t.) vaø fork out money (for some- free and easy ung dung (vaø deã chòu. Noùi veà taùnh thing) baám buïng chi tieàn. I like that stereo, but I don't tình). John is so free and easy. How can anyone be want to fork out a lot of money. (Toâi thích daøn maùy nghe so relaxed? (John luùc naøo cuõng ung dung. Sao laïi coù nhaïc ñoù, nhöng toâi khoâng thích baám buïng chi soá tieàn lôùn ngöôøi thoaûi maùi ñeán vaäy kìa?) Now, take it easy. nhö vaäy.) Do you think I'm going to fork twenty dollars Just act free and easy. No one will know you are out for that book? (Baïn nghó laø toâi phaûi baám buïng maø nervous. (Naøy, thong thaû coi. Cöù ung dung ñi maø. Coù chi hai chuïc ñoàng cho quyeån saùch ñoù aø?) I hate having ai bieát baïn hay run hay khôùp ñaâu.) to fork out money day after day. (Toâi gheùt ngaøy naøo cuõng free-for-all caûnh (baùt nhaùo) hoãn loaïn. The picnic phaûi baám buïng maø chi tieàn ra.) Forking money out to turned into a free-for-all after midnight. (Ñeán khuya everyone is part of life in a busy economy. (Trong tình thì cuoäc du ngoaïn trôû thaønh moät caûnh hoãn loaïn.) traïng kinh teá nhieàu thaêng traàm nhö theá naøy vieäc baám The race started out in an organized manner, but buïng traû tieàn cho ngöôøi khaùc cuõng ñaõ quen roài.) ended up being a free-for-all. (Cuoäc ñua môùi ñaàu form an opinion coù quan nieäm veà vaán ñeà gì. I don't dieãn ra raát traät töï, nhöng veà sau trôû thaønh caûnh baùt know enough about the issue to form an opinion. (Toâi nhaùo hoãn loaïn.) khoâng naém vöõng vaán ñeà ñeå coù moät quan nieäm roõ raøng from hand to hand chuyeàn töø tay ngöôøi naøy sang veà noù.) Don't tell me how to think! I can form my own tay ngöôøi khaùc. The book traveled from hand to opinion. (Ñöøng daïy toâi caùch suy nghó chôù! Toâi coù quan hand until it got back to its owner. (Quyeån saùch ñöôïc nieäm rieâng cuûa toâi.) I don't form opinions without chuyeàn töø tay ngöôøi naøy sang tay ngöôøi khaùc.) By careful consideration. (Toâi khoâng ñöa ra baát cöù quan the time the baby had been passed from hand to nieäm naøo veà moät vaán ñeà gì maø khoâng xem xeùt kyõ löôõng hand, it was crying. (Ñeán khi ñöùa beù ñöôïc chuyeàn töø caû.) tay ngöôøi naøy sang tay ngöôøi khaùc thì noù baét ñaàu for the devil/heck/hell of it meï kieáp thaät voâ duyeân (côù.) khoùc reù leân.) (Heck laø moät bieán caùch cuûa hell töông töï nhö chöõ “kít” from pillar to post töø choã naøy sang choã khaùc. My thay cho “cöùt” vaäy.) We filled their garage with leaves father was in the army, and we moved from pillar to just for the devil of it. (Meï kieáp, thaät laø voâ duyeân côù post year after year. (Cha toâi laø moät quaân nhaân, neân

52 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

oâng ta di chuyeån heát choã naøy sang choã khaùc.) After I loång ñaõ qua. Baây giôø phaûi lo laøm aên chôù.) This told one person my secret, it went quicly from pillar to isn't a serious course. It' nothing but fun and games. post. (Sau khi toâi baät mí cho moïi ngöôøi bieát bí maät cuûa (Vieäc naøy khoâng coù gì quan troïng caû. Chæ laø chuyeän toâi thì heát choã naøy sang choã khaùc ñeàu bieát.) ruoài bu thoâi.) from rags to riches ngheøo thaønh giaøu; khoå tröôùc söôùng sau. That woman used to be quite poor. She certainly moved from rags to riches. (Baø ñoù tröôùc ñaây ngheøo xô. Baây giôø thì baû thaønh giaøu coù roài.) After inherited the money, I went from rags to riches. (Toâi nhôø ñöôïc thöøa höôûng gia taøi, neân toâi töø ngheøo xô trôû thaønh giaøu coù.) I prefer going from rags to riches to from riches to rags. (Toâi thích ngheøo tröôùc giaøu sau hôn laø giaøu tröôùc ngheøo Gg sau.) from start to finish töø ñaàu ñeán cuoái; töø tröôùc tôùi giôø. I disliked the whole business from start to finish. (Toâi gheùt get a black eye bò ñen con maét. (Coù theå thay theá get coâng vieäc ñoù töø ñaàu ñeán cuoái.) Mary caused problems cho have ñeå chæ nghóa “bò".) 1. maét bò baàm tím (vì bò from start to finish. (Töø tröôùc tôùi giôø moïi raéc roái chæ toaøn ñaùnh hay va chaïm.) I got a black eye from moät mình Mary gaây ra.) walkinbg into the door. (Toâi va nhaèm phaûi caùi cöûa from stem to stern töø tröôùc muõi ñeán sau laùi (Thöôøng laøm con maét baàm tím.) I have a black eye where chæ veà thuyeàn beø. Cuõng duøng laøm nghóa boùng “töø trong John hit me. (Maét toâi baàm tím laø vì bò John ñaùnh.) 2. ra ngoaøi"). Now, I have to clean the house from stem to töï laøm cho thanh danh/uy tín bò thöông toån. Mary stern. (Baây giôø toâi phaûi lau chuøi nhaø cöûa töø trong ra got a black eye because of her complaining. (Mary vì ngoaøi.) I polished my car carefully from stem to stern. kieän tuïng maø maát caû thanh danh mình.) The whole (Toâi ñaùng boùng chieác xe toâi moät caùch caån thaän töø tröôùc group now has a black eye. (Caû nhoùm baây giôø heát uy lui sau.) tín roài.) Vaø give s.o. a black eye laøm cho ai bò ñen from the bottom of one's heart töø (töï) ñaùy loøng; raát maét. 1. ñaùnh truùng maét ai baàm tím. John became chaân thaønh. When I returned the lost kitten Mrs. angry and gave me a black eye. (John giaän döõ vaø Brown, she thanked me from the bottom of her heart. ñaùnh truùng maét toâi laøm baàm tím.) 2. gaây thöông toån (Khi toâi mang con meøo baø Brown bò maát, baø ta caûm ôn thanh danh ai The constant complaining gave the toâi moät caùch raát chaân thaønh.) Oh, thank you! I'm whole group a black eye. (Söï kieän caùo lieân tuïc laøm grateful from bottom of my heart. (OÀ, caûm ôn laém! Toâi cho caû boïn maát caû thanh danh.) xin chaân thaønh caûm taï.) What I tell her is from bottom get a clean bill of health ñöôïc coâng nhaän laø ñaày ñuû of my heart. (Nhöõng gì toâi noùi laø xuaát phaùt töï ñaùy loøng söùc khoeû. Sally got a clean bill of health from the toâi.) doctor. (Sally ñöôïc thaày thuoác chöùng nhaän laø ñaày ñuû from the ground up töø khôûi ñieåm, töø ñaàu. We must söùc khoeû.) Now that Sally has a clean bill health, plan our sales campaign carefully from the ground up. she can go back to work. (Nay Sally coù giaáy chöùng (Chuùng ta phaûi coù keá hoaïch toå chöùc chieán dòch baùn haøng nhaän ñaày ñuû söùc khoeû roài, coâ ta coù theå ñi laøm trôû laïi moät caùch caån thaän ngay töø khôûi ñieåm.) Sorry, but ñöôïc.) Vaø give s.o. a clean bill of health thaày thuoác you'll have to start all over again from the ground up. chöùng nhaän ai ñaày ñuû söùc khoeû. The doctor gave (Raát tieác, baïn phaûi laøm taát caû laïi töø ñaàu.) Sally a clean bill of health. (Thaày thuoác cho Sally from the word go töø khôûi ñieåm; töø goác gaùc. I knew moät giaáy chöùng nhaän ñaày ñuû söùc khoeû.) about the problem from the word go. (Toâi bieát goác gaùc get (all) dolled up (chöng) dieän thaät sang. (Thöôøng cuûa caùi raéc roái naøy do ñaâu maø ra.) She was failling the duøng cho phaùi nöõ.) I have to get all dooled up for class from the word go. (Coâ ta hoïc moân naøy bò thaát baïi the dance tonight. (Toái nay ñi döï daï vuõ toâi phaûi dieän ngay töø khôûi ñieåm.) thaät sang môùi ñöôïc.) I just love to get dolled up in from top to bottom töø treân xuoáng döôùi. I have to my best clothes. (Toâi khoaùi chöng dieän cho thaät clean the house from top to bottom. (Toâi phaûi lau chuøi sang.) nhaø cöûa töø treân xuoáng döôùi; khaép caû. We need to get/take a load off one's feet tìm choã ngoài cho khoeû replace our elected officials from top to bottom. (Chuùng chaân. Come in, John. Sit down and take a load off ta caàn phaûi thay theá töø treân xuoáng döôùi taát caû nhöõng vò your feet. (Naøo John ôi. Ngoài xuoáng ñeå nghæ cho daân cöû kia.) khoeû chaân ñi.) Yes, I need to get a load off my feet. fun and games chôi bôøi leâu loång; laøm chuyeän ruoài bu. I'm really tired. (Vaâng, toâi caàn choã ngoài nghæ chaân. All right, Bill, the fun and games are over, It's time to Meät quaù roài.) get down to work. (Ñöôïc roài, Bill, thôøi gian chôi bôøi leâu get a load off one's mind truùt heát taâm tö; nghó sao

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 53

noùi vaäy; aên noùi boäc tröïc. He sure talked a long time. I get down to brass tacks baét ñaàu ñi vaøo ñeà taøi chính. guess he had to get a load off his mind. (Toâi chaéc laø oâng Let's get down to brass tacks. We've wasted too ta noùi daøi laém. Coù leõ oâng muoán truùt heát taâm tö cho nheï much time chatting. (Thoâi chuùng ta baét daàu ñeà caäp theå.) You aren't going to like what I'm going to say, ñeán ñeà taøi chính ñi. Noùi chuyeän maát thì giôø quaù.) but I have to get a load off my mind. (Baïn coù theå khoâng Don't you think that it's about time to get down to thích nhöõng ñieàu toâi noùi, nhöng toâi thì nghó sao noùi vaäy. brass tacks? (Baïn coù nghó laø ñaõ ñeán luùc ñi vaøo ñeà taøi Hoaëc ”... aên noùi boäc tröc nhö vaäy ñoù.") Unlike chính roài khoâng?) extroverts, introverts scarcely get a load off their minds. get down to business/work lo coâng vieäc; baét ñaàu (Khoâng nhö nhöõng ngöôøi höôùng ngoaïi, ngöôøi höôùng noäi baøn thaûo coâng vieäc laøm aên hoaëc trôû laïi vôùi coâng vieäc hieám khi toû baøy taâm tö cho ngöôøi khaùc.) ñang boû dôû dang. All right, everyone. Let's get get along (on a shoestring) kheùo aên tieâu tieän taën. For down to business. There has been enough playing the last two years, we have had to get along on a around. (Ñöôïc roài, moïi ngöôøi nghe ñaây. Lo coâng shoestring. (Suoát hai naêm qua, gia ñình chuùng toâi phaûi vieäc ñi. Hoài naõy giôø vui chôi ñuû roài.) When the kheùo aên tieâu tieän taën heát söùc (khoâng thì vaây ra laém nôï president and vice president arrive, we can get down roài ñoù.) With so litle money, it's hard to get along. to business. (Khi oâng giaùm ñoác vaø oâng phoù ñeán, (Tieàn baïc ít oûi quaù laøm sao aên tieâu tieän taën noåi.) chuùng ta coù theå baét ñaàu vaøo thaûo luaän coâng vieäc.) get a lump in one's throat ngheïn ngaøo khoâng noùi leân They're here. Let's get down to work. (Hoï ñeán roài. lôøi. (Coù theå thay theá get baèng have nhö tröôøng hôïp get a Baét tay vaøo vieäc ñi.) black eye.) Whenever they play the national anthem, I get fresh (with s.o.) soã saøng; thaùi ñoä thieáu lòch duyeät. ghet a lump in my throat. (Khi nghe baøi quoác thieàu troåi When I tried to kiss Mary, she slapped me and leân, toâi caûm thaáy ngheïn ngaøo khoâng noùi leân lôøi.) shouted, “Don't get fresh with me!" (Khi toâi tìm caùch Those who have had a terrible experience would hoân Mary, coâ ta taùt cho moät caùi vaø cöï: “Ñöøng coù soã usually have a lump in their throat when they witness a saøng vôùi toâi!” I can't stand people who get fresh. case similar to theirs. (Nhöõng ai ñaõ coù kinh nghieäm ñau (Toâi khoâng öa nhöõng ngöôøi coù thaùi ñoä thieáu lòch thöông thöôøng caûm thaáy ngheïn ngaøo khi chöùng kieán duyeät.) caûnh töôïng töông töï nhö hoï töøng traûi qua.) get goose bumps/pimples noãi da ngoãng; noåi da gaø. get away with s.t. bieát luoàn laùch; coù maùnh lôùi rieâng. In When he sings, I get goose bumps. (Khi noù haùt, toâi this busy business, a person who knows how to get away laïi noåi da ngoãng.) I never get goose pimples. (Toâi with things will have more chances to get on. (Trong tình khoâng bao giôø noåi da gaø caû.) That really scared traïng kinh doanh gay gaét hieän nay, ngöôøi naøo bieát luoàn her. Now she's got goose pimples. (Ñieàu ñoù laøm cho laùch coù nhieàu cô may thaønh coâng mau choùng.) Tom is coâ ta raát sôï. Baây giôø coâ ta vaãn coøn noåi da gaø.) just an innocent. He never knows how to get away with get in s.o.'s hair laøm phieàn hay gaây cho ai böïc mình. anything. (Tom laø ngöôøi ngaây thô. Anh ta khoâng maùnh Billy is always getting in his mother's hair. (Billy lôùi rieâng laø gì.) thöôøng laøm cho meï noù phieàn loøng.) I wish you'd get a word in edgewise/edge-ways coá gaân coå leân noùi stop getting in my hair. (Toâi troâng baïn ñöøng laøm cho (trong khi ngöôøi khaùc coøn noùi hoaëc khoâng theøm laéng toâi böïc mình nöõa.) nghe); nghe tieáng ñöôïc tieáng maát. It was such an get into the swing of things theo cho kòp. Come exciting conversation that I could hardly get a word in on, Bill. Try to get into the swing of things. (Nhanh edgewise. (Buoåi noùi chuyeän sao maø quaù haêng say vaø leân, Bill. Phaûi coá tìm caùch theo kòp ngöôøi ta chôù.) maïnh ai naáy noùi ñeán noåi toâi coá gaân leân noùi maø cuõng John just couldn't seem to get into the swing of khoâng laïi.) Mary always talks so fast that nobody can things. (John döôøng nhö khoâng ñuû söùc theo kòp get a word in edgeways. (Mary luùc naøo cuõng noùi thaät quaù nhöõng ngöôøi khaùc.) nhanh neân ai cuõng nghe tieáng ñöôïc tieáng maát.) get one's ducks in a row saép xeáp theo thöù töï; thu get cold feet laïnh caúng; quaù sôï haõi hoaëc quaù lo. (Coù theå xeáp saün saøng. You should get your ducks in a row thay theá get baèng have nhö trong get a black eye vaø get a before you leave your desk. (Baïn neân saép xeáp caùc lump in one's throat.) I usually get cold feet when I thöù cho thöù töï tröôùc khi rôøi khoûi baøn giaáy ra veà.) have to speak in public. (Toâi thöôøng thaáy laïnh caúng khi As soon as you people get your ducks in a row, phaûi noùi tröôùc ñaùm ñoâng.) John got cold feet when he we'll leave. (Chöøng naøo caùc ngöôøi thu xeáp saün saøng, had to serach in an abandoned house. (John thaáy laïnh chuùng ta leân ñöôøng ngay.) caúng khi phaûi vaøo luïc soaùt caên nhaø boû hoang.) During get one's feet on the ground cuûng coá hoaëc ñaët neàn the war, whenever we had to reinforce armoured units, taûng vöõng vaøng; bieát soáng vöõng. He's new at the we got cold feet. (Trong thôøi kyø chieán tranh, moãi laàn job, but soon he'll get his feet on the ground. (Anh ta taêng phaùi cho caùc ñôn vò thieát giaùp, chuùng toâi ñeàu thaáy môùi vaøo ngheà, nhöng chaúng bao laâu anh ta coù ñöôïc laïnh caúng.) neàn taûng khaù vöõng vaøng.) Her productivity will

54 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

improve after she gets her feet on the ground again. She really insulted me. (Toâi caûm thaáy khoeû ngöôøi ra (Khaû naêng saûn xuaát cuûa ta seõ caûi thieän sau khi coâ ñaët khi thaáy Jane nhaän laõnh haäu quaû vieäc laøm coâ ñaõ gaây ñöôïc neàn taûng vöõng vaøng.) Don't worry about Sally. ra. Ñaùng ñôøi, cöù nhuïc maï toâi.) Bill got back She has her feet on the ground. (Ñöøng lo cho Sally. Coâ ta exactly the treatment that he gave out. He got his just bieát soáng vöõng maø.) vaø keep one's feet on the ground. desserts. (Bill ñang bò y nhö nhöõng gì anh ta gaây ra ñöùng vöõng; coù cuoäc soáng vöõng chaõi. Sally will have no cho ngöôøi ta vaäy. Anh ta nhaän laõnh haäu quaû cuûa anh trouble keeping her feet on the ground. (Sally seõ coù cuoäc gaây ra thoâi.) Those idiots never know that they will soáng vöõng chaõi chöù khoâng sao ñaâu.) get their just desserts for what they have done to get one's feet wet coøn chaân öôùt chaân raùo; thieáu kinh people. (Maáy thaèng ñaàn ñoù khoâng bieát laø chuùng seõ nghieäm, coøn quôø quaïng. Of course he can't do the job nhaän laõnh haäu quaû do chính chuùng gaây ra cho ngöôøi right. He's hardly got his feet wet yet. (Dó nhieân anh ta khaùc.) khoâng theå laøm vieäc gioûi lieàn ñöôïc. Môùi chaân öôùt chaân get one's second wind (Coù theå thay have cho get.) 1. raùo maø.) I'm looking forward to learning to drive. I laáy laïi söùc; nghæ cho laïi söùc. John was having a can't wait to get behind the steering wheel and get my hard time running until her got his second wind. feet wet. (Toâi ñang troâng hoïc laùi xe ñaây. Toâi khoâng thích (John phaûi nghæ cho laïi söùc môùi chaïy laïi noåi.) Bill ñôïi laâu nöõa; luùc ñoù giaø roài maø vaãn coøn quôø quaïng.) had to quit the race because he never got his second get/have one's fill of s.o./s.t. caûm thaáy chaùn ai/vieäc gì. wind. (Bill buoäc loøng phaûi boû cuoäc chaïy ñua vì (Xem giaûi thích ôû töø muïc get a black eye.) You'll soon khoâng bao giôø laáy laïi söùc ñöôïc.) 2. ra nöôùc ruùt; laøm get your fill of Tom. He can be quite a pest. (Baïn seõ thaáy thaät nhanh ñeå keát thuùc. I usually get my second chaùn Tom lieàn aø. Y laø tay aên haïi ñaùi naùt.) I can never wind early in the afternoon. (Toâi thöôøng laøm ruùt get my fill of shrimp. I love it. (Toâi khoâng bao giôø chaùn coâng vieäc vaøo buoåi saùng sôùm.) Mai is a better moùn toâm caû. Toâi khoaùi moùn ñoù laém.) Three weeks of worker now that she has her second wind. (Mai baây visiting grandchildren is enough. I've had my fill of them. giôø laø nhaân vieân gioûi giang vì luùc naøo coâ cuõng laøm (Thaêm ñaùm chaùu ba tuaàn leã laø quaù ñuû. Toâi thaáy chaùn ruùt neân coâng vieäc raát chaïy.) laém roài.) get one's teeth into s.t. nghieâm chænh baét tay vaøo get one's fingers burned moät laàn tôûn tôùi giaø. I tried vieäc. Come one, Bill. You have to get your teeth that once before and got my fingers burned. I won't try it into your biology. (Thoâi maø, Bill. Baïn phaûi trònh again. (Toâi thöû roài vaø moät laàn bò khoán neân tôûn tôùi giaø. troïng baét tay vaøo hoïc moân sinh vaät ñi.) I can't wait to Toâi seõ khoâng daùm thöû nöõa ñaâu.) If you go swimming get my teeth into this problem. (Toâi noùng loøng muoán and get your fingers burned, you won't want to swim baét tay vaøo vaán ñeà moät caùch nghieâm chænh.) again. (Neáu baïn ñi bôi maø bò khoán maø tôûn tôùi giaø thì baïn get on s.o.'s nerves laøm cho ai nhoùi caû ñaàu. Please seõ khoâng daùm ñi bôi nöõa ñaâu.) stop whistling. It's getting on my nerves. (Vui loøng get one's hands dirty vaø dirty one's hands; soil one's ñöøng huyùt saùo nöõa. Noù laøm toâi ñau nhoùi caû ñaàu.) hands tay nhuùng chaøm; laøm chuyeän phi phaùp. A wise All this arguing is getting on their nerves. (Caõi coï person would never get his hands dirty. (Ngöôøi saùng suoát oûm toûi laøm cho hoï nhoùi caû ñaàu.) ñöøng neân bao giôø laøm chuyeän phi phaùp.) I will not get/jump on the bandwagon theo veà vôùi ñaùm ñoâng; dirty my hands by breaking the law. (Toâi seõ khoâng bao phuïc tuøng ña soá. You really should get on the giôø vi phaïm luaät phaùp maø laøm chuyeän phi phaùp caû.) bandwagon. Everyone else is. (Baïn neân theo veà vôùi While in the jail Sally felt regretful to have soiled her soá ñoâng ñi. Ai cuõng laøm vaäy maø.) Jane has always hands. (Trong khi ngoài trong tuø, Sally caûm thaáy aân haän had her own ideas about things. She's not the kind of vì ñaõ laøm chuyeän phi phaùp.) person to up on the bandwagon. (Laøm vieäc gì Jane get one's head above water laøm troøn boån phaän; naêng noå luùc naøo cuõng coù yù kieán rieâng. Coâ ta khoâng thuoäc loaïi vôùi coâng vieäc I can't seem to get my head above water. ngöôøi hay phuïc tuøng ña soá.) Work just keeps piling up. (Hình nhö toâi khoâng theå naøo get second thougts about some-one/something coù laøm troøn boån phaän cuûa mình noåi. Vieäc cöù ñuøn ñoáng leân.) yù nghi ngôø ai/vieäc gì; thay ñoåi yù ñònh. (Coù theå thay I'll be glad when I have my head above water. (Toâi theá have cho get.) I'm beginning to get second cuõng thaáy thoaûi maùi khi mình laøm troøn boån phaän.) Cuõng thoughts about Tom. (Toâi baét ñaàu coù yù nghi ngôø duøng: keep one's head above water hoaøn taát coâng vieäc deã Tom.) Tom is getting second thoughts about it, too. daøng. Now that I have s.o. to help me with the work, I (Tom cuõng baét ñaàu coù nhöõng nghi ngôø veà ñieàu ñoù can easily keep my head above water. (Nay toâi coù ngöôøi nöõa.) We now have second thoughts about going to phuï giuùp, toâi coù theå hoaøn taát coâng vieäc moät caùch quaù deã Canada. (Baây giôø chuùng toâi muoán ñoåi yù ñònh khoâng daøng.) ñi Gia-naõ-ñaïi nöõa.) get one's just desserts nhaän laõnh haäu quaû vieäc laøm ñaõ get (someone) off the hook cöùu boà; giuùp ai gôõ roái. gaây ra. I feel better now that Jane got her just desserts. Thanks for getting me off the hook, I didn't want to

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 55

attend that meeting. (Caûm ôn baïn ñaõ cöùu boà, toâi thaät söï car loan. I'll have it sewed up in time to make the khoâng thích tham döï buoåi hoïp ñoù chuùt naøo caû.) I purchase. (Ñöøng lo veà vieäc vay tieàn mua xe. Toâi seõ couldn't get off the hook by myself. (Moät mình toâi thì daøn xeáp ñeå lo vuï mua baùn naøy cho.) I'll get the khoâng theå naøo töï gôõ roái ñöôïc roài.) loan wrapped up, and you'll have the car this week. get s.o. over a barrel vaø get s.o. under one's thumb. chòu (Toâi seõ keát thuùc vuï vay tieàn naøy ñeå tuaàn tôùi baïn coù phuïc tuøng ai; ñieàu khieån ngöôøi naøo. (Coù theå thay have theå laáy xe veà chaïy ñöôïc roài.) cho get.) He got me over a barrel, and I had to do what get s.t. straight giaûi thích cho ai hieåu töôøng taän vieäc he said. (Toâi chòu phuïc tuøng oâng ta, neân nay oâng baûo gì gì. (Coù theå thay have cho get.) Now get this toâi phaûi laøm naáy.) Ann will do exactly what I say. I've straight. You're going to fail history. (Baây giôø ñeå toâi got her over a barrel. (Anh seõ laøm ñuùng theo nhöõng gì noùi roõ raøng cho baïn hieåu. Baïn seõ hoûng moân söû.) toâi baûo. Toâi ñaõ ñieàu khieån coâ ta ñöôïc roài.) All right, Let me get this straight. I'm supposed to go there John. You've got me under your thumb. What do you in the morning? (Ñeå toâi hoûi laïi ñieàu naøy xem coù want me to do? (Ñöôïc roài, John. Baïn laøm cho toâi phaûi ñuùng khoâng. Ngaøy mai toâi phaûi ñeán ñaây haû?) Let phuïc tuøng baïn. Baây giôø muoán toâi laøm gì ñaây?) me make sure I have this straight. (Cho toâi xem laïi get s.o.'s dander up vaø get s.o.'s back up; get s.o.'s coi toâi hieåu nhö vaäy ñaõ ñuùng chöa.) hackles up; get s.o.'s Irish up choïc cho noåi suøng. (Coù theå get s.t. through some-one's thick skull vaø get some- thay have cho get.) Now, don't get your dander up. thing into s.o.'s thick head giaûi thích cho ai hieåu; coá Calm down. (Naøy, ñöøng coù noåi suøng nöõa. Bình tónh laïi nheùt ñieàu gì vaøo ñaàu ai. He can't seem to get it ñi.) Bob had his Irish up all day yesterday. I don't through his thick skull. (Döôøng nhö khoâng coøn nheùt know what was wrong. (Suoát ngaøy hoâm qua Bob noåi gì vaøo trong caùi soï daøy cui cuûa tay ñoù ñöôïc nöõa roài.) suøng. Toâi khoâng hieåu noåi taïi sao.) She really got her If I could get this into my thick head once, I'd back up when I asked her for money. (Khi toâi hoûi muôïn remember it. (Neáu toâi maø ñöôïc giaûi thích roõ raøng ñeå coâ ta ít tieàn, coâ ta noåi suøng leân quaù trôøi.) Now, now, hieåu töôøng taän thì toâi coù theå nhôù raát dai.) don't get your hackles up. I didn't mean any harm. (Naøy, get s.t. under one's belt boû caùi gì vaøo buïng. (Coù theå naøy, ñöøng coù noåi suøng. Toâi coù laøm gì sai traùi ñaâu.) thay have cho get) 1. kieám gì aên hoaëc uoáng. I'd get s.o.'s ear baét ai nghe mình noùi; baét ai phaûi chuù yù. feel a lot better if I had a cool drink under my belt. He got my ear and talked for an hour. (Anh ta baét toâi (Toâi phaûi kieám gì laïnh maø uoáng thì môùi caûm thaáy nghe anh ta noùi suoát moät giôø lieàn.) While I have your khoeû ngöôøi.) Come in out of the cold and get a ear, I'd like to tell you about s.t. I'm dealing with. (Trong nice warm meal under your belt. (Vaøo ñaây cho ñôõ khi anh chuù yù nghe toâi noùi, toâi muoán noùi cho anh bieát veà laïnh roài kieám gì noùng aên cho aám buïng ñaõ.) 2. hoïc; nhöõng thöù toâi ñang thöïc hieän.) nhoài nheùt vaøo trong ñaàu. Now that I have my get s.t. off one's chest noùi heát söï thaät vieäc ñaõ laøm môùi lessons under my belt, I can rest easy. (Vì toâi ñaõ hoïc thaáy loøng thô thôùi; noùi ra söï thaät môùi thaáy khoeû ngöôøi. xong taát caû baøi vôû neân baây giôø coù theå nghæ ngôi thoaûi I have to get this off my chest. I broke your window maùi ñöôïc.) She has to study tonight. She has to get with a stone. (Toâi phaûi noùi heát söï thaät môùi thaáy loøng thô a lot of algebra under her belt. (Toái nay coâ ta phaûi thôùi. Toâi lôõ neùm ñaù laøm beå cöûa soå nhaø baïn ñoù.) I knew hoïc baøi. Coâ coøn moät ñoáng baøi ñaïi soá phaûi nhoài nheùt I'd feel better when I had that off my chest. (Toâi thaáy nheï vaøo trong ñaàu.) haún ngöôøi sau khi ñaõ noùi ra heát söï thaät.) get s.t. under way khôûi ñaàu coâng vieäc; baét tay vaøo get s.t. off (the ground) baét ñaàu coâng vieäc. I can relax vieäc. after I get this project off the ground. (Toâi phaûi cho döï The time has come to get this meeting under way. (Ñaõ aùn naøy baét ñaàu roài môùi nghæ ngôi chuùt ñænh ñöôïc.) ñeán giôø baét ñaàu cuoäc hoïp roài.) Now that the You'll have a lot of free time when you get the project president has the meeting under way, I can relax. off. (Sau khi döï aùn baét ñaàu roài thì baïn seõ coù raát nhieåu (Bôûi vì oâng giaùm ñoác ñi döï hoïp roài neân toâi coù theå thôøi gian raõnh roãi.) ngoài chôi thoaùi maùi.) get s.t. sewed up may laïi vôùi nhau. (Coù theå thay theá get stars in one's eyes mô ñöôïc trôû thaønh ngoâi sao have cho get.) 1. vaù laïi, laáp laïi. I want to get this tear saùng. Many young people get stars in their eyes at sewed up now. (Toâi muoán vaù choã raùch naøy laïi.) I'll this age. (Vaøo löùa tuoåi naøy nhieàu baïn treû mô öôùc trôû have this hole sewed up tomorrow. (Ngaøy mai toâi phaûi thaønh ngoâi sao saùng.) Ann has stars in her eyes. laáp caùi loã naøy laïi.) 2. vaø get s.t. wrapped up daøn xeáp She wants to go to Hollywood. (Ann mô trôû thaønh hay keát thuùc coâng vieäc ñang dôû dang. I'll take the ngoâi sao saùng. Coâ muoán chen chaân vaøo Hoà-ly-voïng.) contract to the mayor's office tomorrow morning. I'll get get the benefit of the doubt nhaém maét choïn ñaïi; boû the whole deal sewed up by noon. (Saùng mai toâi ñöa caùi qua vì chöa coù ñaày ñuû döõ kieän (Coù theå thay theá have hôïp ñoàng naøy leân vaên phoøng thò tröôûng. Ñeán chöøng gaàn cho get.) I was right between a B and an A. I got tröa thì coâng vieäc seõ keát thuùc.) Don't worry about the the benefit of the doubt—an A. (Toâi löôõng löï phaûi

56 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

choïn giöõa hai ñieàu A vaø B. Toâi beøn choïn ñaïi ñieàu A.) get the nod ñöôïc choïn. (Coù theå thay have cho get.) I thought I should have had the benefit of the doubt, The boss is going to pick the new sales manager. I but the judge made me pay a fine. (Toâi nghó laø toâi neân think Ann will get the nod. (OÂng seáp ñònh tìm moät ñöôïc boû qua vì chöa ñuû döõ kieän, nhöng oâng toaø laïi baét quaûn ñoác maõi dòch. Toâi nghó Ann seõ ñöôïc choïn.) I toâi noäp phaït.) Cuõng duøng: give s.o. the benefit of the had the nod for captain of the team, but I decided not doubt tha cho ai vì coøn nghi hoaëc. I'm glad the teacher to do it. (Toâi ñöôïc choïn laøm tröôûng toaùn, nhöng toâi gave me the benefit of the doubt. (Vì coøn nghi hoaëc neân quyeát ñònh khoâng nhaän.) toâi ñöôïc thaày giaùo tha. Toâi möøng laém.) Please, judge. get the red-carpet treatment ñöôïc ñoái xöû lòch söï Give me the benefit of the doubt. (Thöa quan toaø. Coøn vaø nhaõ nhaën. (Duøng hình aûnh traûi thaûm ñoû ñoùn tieáp nghi hoaëc thì xin tha cho toâi.) caùc thöôïng khaùch ñeå so saùnh. Duøng caû nghóa ñen laãn get the blues trôû neân buoàn baõ; buoàn röôøi röôïi. You'll nghóa boùng.) I love to go to fancy stores where I have to excuse Bill. He has the blues tonight. (Baïn neân get the red-carpet treatment. (Toâi thích ñi mua saém tha thöù cho Bill. Toái nay anh ta troâng buoàn baõ quaù.) I taïi nhöõng nôi naøo ñoùn tieáp vaø ñoái xöû vôùi khaùch lòch get the blues every time I hear that song. (Moãi laàn nghe söï vaø nhaõ nhaën.) The queen expects to get the red- baøi haùt ñoù loøng toâi boãng thaáy buoàn röôøi röôïi.) carpet treatment wherever she goes. (Nöõ hoaøng thì ñi get the hang of s.t. coá hoïc cho ñöôïc caùi gì. (Coù theå thay tôùi ñaâu cuõng ñöôïc traûi thaûm ñoû ñoùn röôùc.) Cuõng have cho get) As soon as I get the hang of this duøng: give s.o. the red-carpet treatment ñöôïc ñoùn computer, I'll be able to work faster. (Chöøng naøo toâi coá tieáp ñaëc bieät. We always give the distinguished hoïc cho ñöôïc caùch duøng maùy ñieän toaùn thì coâng vieäc cuûa guest the red-carpet treatment when she comes to toâi laøm môùi nhanh hôn ñöôïc.) Now that I have the visit. (Chuùng toâi daønh cho vò khaùch quyù moät söï ñoùn hang of starting the car in cold weather, I won't have to tieáp ñaëc bieät moãi khi baø ñeán thaêm chuùng toâi.) Cuõng get up so early. (Nay nhôø toâi ñaõ söûa cho caùi xe noå maùy duøng: roll out the red carpet for s.o. daønh öu tieân cho ñöôïc duø trôøi laïnh caùch maáy, neân toâi khoûi phaûi daäy sôùm ai; traûi thaõm ñoû ra ñoùn tieáp. There's no need to roll nöõa.) out the red carpet for me. (Toâi khoâng caàn nhaän söï öu get the inside track bieát ñöôøng chaïy thuoác; nhaäp vaøo tieân naøo heát.) We rolled out the red carpet for the phe caùnh. (Coù theå thay have cho get.) If I could get the king and queen. (Chuùng toâi traûi thaõm ñoû ra ñoùn tieáp inside track, I could win the contract. (Neáu toâi bieát quoác vöông vaø hoaøng haäu.) ñöôøng chaïy thuoác, toâi ñöôïc caùi hôïp ñoàng ñoù nhö khoâng.) get the runaround qua nhieàu thuû tuïc, yù kieán röôøm The boss likes me. Since I have the inside track, I'll raø; qua nhieàu ngoõ ngaùch loâi thoâi. You'll get the probably be the new office manager. (OÂng seáp thích toâi. runaround if you ask to see the manager. (Neáu baïn Nhôø toâi nhaäp vaøo phe caùnh, ngaøy naøo ñoù toâi seõ leân laøm muoán gaëp quaûn ñoác, baïn phaûi qua nhieàu thuû tuïc, yù quaûn ñoác.) kieán röôøm raø laém.) I hate it when I get the get the jump on s.o. nhanh chaân hôn ngöôøi khaùc; ñi runaround. (Toâi gheùt phaûi qua nhieàu thuû tuïc röôøm raø tröôùc moät böôùc. I got the jump on Tom and got a place laém.) Cuõng duøng: give s.o. the runaround vieän in line ahead of him. (Toâi phaûi nhaûy leân ñöùng saép haøng nhieàu lyù do ñeå gaây khoù khaên cho ai. If you ask to tröôùc Tom.) We'll have to work hard to get the see the manager, they'll give you the runaround. contract, because they have the jump on us. (Chuùng ta (Neáu baïn ñoøi gaëp quaûn ñoác, hoï seõ vieän ra nhieàu lyù phaûi laøm vieäc caät löïc ñeå ñoaït caùi hôïp ñoàng ñoù vì hoï ñaõ do ñeå gaây khoù khaên khoâng cho baïn gaëp cho xem.) ñi tröôùc chuùng ta moät böôùc roài.) get the shock of one's life caûm thaáy ñieáng hoàn; get the last laugh cöôøi nhaïo laïi keû ñaõ cheá nhaïo mình. khoaùi ñieáng ngöôøi (kinh nghieäm moät söï kích ñoäng John laughed when I got a D on the final exam. I got raát maïnh veà taâm lyù.) I opened the telegram and got the last laugh, though. He failed the course. (John cöôøi the shock of my life. (Toâi môû böùc ñieän tín ra ñoïc cheá nhaïo toâi vì toâi bò con D trong baøi thi cuoái khoaù. Nay xong thaáy ñieáng hoàn.) I had the shock of my life moân ñoù y bò con F, Toâi laïi cöôøi cho.) Mr. Smith said I when I won $5,000. (Khi truùng soá naêm ngaøn ñoàng toâi was foolish when I bought an old building. I had the last söôùng ñieáng ngöôøi.) laugh when I sold it a month later for twice what I paid get the short end of the stick vaø end up with the for it. (OÂng Smith cuôøi toâi ngu khi toâi mua caùi toaø nhaø cuõ short end of the stick chòu phaàn thieät; bò thieät thoøi. ñoù. Thaùng tröôùc toâi baùn laïi caên nhaø ñoù vôùi giaù gaáp ñoâi. Why do I always get the short end of the stick? I Vaäy laø toâi coùn quyeàn cöôøi laïi roài.) want my fair share! (Taïi sao toâi luùc naøo cuõng bò get the last/final word lôøi keát luaän (trong cuoäc tranh phaàn thieät vaäy? Chia cho toâi cho ñeàu chôù!) She's luaän hay caõi nhau); quyeát ñònh sau cuøng. Why do you unhappy because she has the short end of the stick always have to have the final word in an argument? (Taïi again. (Coâ ta khoâng vui laø vì coâ ta thaáy mình laïi bò sao trong baát cöù cuoäc tranh luaän naøo baïn cuõng phaûi noùi thieät thoøi.) I hate to end up with the short end of lôøi keát luaän vaäy?) the stick. (Toâi khoâng thích bò thieät thoøi nhö vaäy.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 57

get the upper hand (on s.o.) chieám theá thöôïng phong; ñeâm qua ñi chôi khoâng veà.) I can't win. I've got cao tay hôn ai. John is always trying to get the upper two strikes against me before I start. (Toâi khoâng theå hand on s.o.. (John luùc naøo cuõng coá tìm caùch chieám theá thaéng noåi. Chöa baét ñaàu maø ñaõ bò taán coâng tôùi taáp thöôïng phong.) He never ends up having the upper nhö vaày.) hand, though. (Vaäy maø anh ta coù bao giôø hôn ñöôïc ai get under s.o.'s skin laøm phieàn ai; laøm cho ai böïc ñaâu.) He never gets the upper hand on me. (Anh ta mình. John is so annoying. He really gets under khoâng theå naøo cao tay hôn toâi ñöôïc.) my skin. (John thaät laø böïc mình. Noù laøm phieàn toâi get the word vaø get the message hieåu yù ngöôøi noùi; hieåu heát söùc.) I know he's bothersome, but don't let him töï söï. (Coù theå thay theá have cho get.) I'm sorry, I get under your skin. (Toâi bieát tay ñoù raéc roái laém, didn't get the word. I didn't know the matter had been nhöng ñöøng bao giôø ñeå cho y laøm cho baïn böïc settled. (Toâi raát tieác, toâi khoâng hieåu chuyeän gì xaûy ra. mình.) This kind of problem gets under my skin. Toâi khoâng bieát vaán ñeà ñaõ ñöôïc giaûi quyeát.) Now that I (Chuyeän naøy cöù gaây böïc mình cho toâi hoaøi.) have the message, I can be more effective in answering get up enough nerve (to do s.t.) goàng mình laøm vieäc the customers' questions. (Baây giôø toâi ñaõ hieåu töï söï, toâi gì. I could never get up enough nerve to sing in coù theå traû lôøi song suoát nhöõng thaéc maéc cuûa khaùch public. (Toâi khoâng heà daùm goàng mình haùt nôi choã haøng.) ñoâng ngöôøi.) I'd do it if I could get up enough get time to catch one's breath coù thì giôø nghæ ngôi; coù nerve, but I'm shy. (Goàng mình thì cuõng laøm ñöôïc, thôøi giôø ñeå thôû. When things slow down around here, nhöng tính toâi hay e theïn.) I'll get time to catch my breath. (Khi moïi vieäc taïi ñaây thö get up/out on the wrong side of the bed thöùc daäy giaõn, toâi môùi coù thôøi giôø nghæ ngôi ñöôïc.) Sally was so loän ñaàu giöôøng; saùng thöùc daäy maø vaãn coøn meät moûi. busy she didn't even have time to catch her breath. (Sally What's wrong with you? Did you get up on the baän roän ñeán noåi khoâng coù thôøi giôø ñeå thôû.) wrong side of the bed today? (Anh sao vaäy? Coù phaûi get to first base (with s.o./s.t.) vaø reach first base (with anh thöùc daäy loän ñaàu giöôøng khoâng?) Excuse me s.o./s.t.) coù tieán boä vöôït böïc; theo kòp ai. I wish I could for being grouchy. I got out of the wrong side of the get to first base with this business deal. (Toâi mong ñaït bed. (Xin tha loãi cho boä maët khaùu où cuûa toâi. Toâi nguû ñöôïc nhieàu tieán boä trong laõnh vöïc kinh doanh naày.) daäy loän ñaàu giöôøng.) John adores Sally, but he can't even reach first base get wind of s.t. nghe phong phanh ñieàu gì; ñöôïc tin with her. (John raát thaùn phuïc Sally, nhöng anh khoâng theå veà chuyeän gì. I just got wind of your marriage. naøo theo kòp coâ ta.) Assiduous study is one of the main Congratulations. (Toâi nghe phong phanh veà ñaùm keys to get to the first base with other people. (Hoïc haønh cöôùi cuûa baïn. Xin chuùc möøng.) Wait until the boss chaêm chæ laø moät trong nhöõng phöông caùch theo kòp gets wind of this. Somebody is going to get in ngöôøi khaùc. trouble. (Ñôïi cho ñeán khi oâng seáp ñöôïc tin naøy. Seõ get to one's feet ñöùng leân. On a signal from the coù ngöôøi laõnh naïn.) director, the singers got to their feet. (Thaáy nhaïc tröôûng get worked up (over/about s.t.) caûm thaáy phaán khôûi ñöa tay ra daáu, taát caû caùc ca só ñöùng leân.) I was so hoaëc buoàn chaùn vì chuyeän gì. Please don't get weak, I could hardly get to my feet. (Toâi yeáu quaù, ñöùng worked up over this matter. (Xin ñöøng quaù phaån khôûi leân khoù khaên quaù söùc.) vì chuyeän naøy.) They get worked up about these get to the bottom of s.t. hieåu moät caùch trieät ñeå ñieàu gì things very easily. (Hoï caûm thaáy buoàn naûn moät caùch hay vaán ñeà gì; thaáu trieät vaán ñeà. We must get to the deã daøng vì nhöõng chuyeän nhö theá naøy.) I try not to bottom of this problem immediately. (Anh ta phaûi thaáu get worked up. (Toâi coá neùn ñeå khoûi caûm thaáy buoàn trieät vaán ñeà ngay chôù.) There is clearly s.t. wrong chaùn.) here, and I want to get to the bottom of it. (Toâi muoán gild the lily toâ maàu leân saéc hoa; sôn leân ngoïc ngaø. hieåu moät caùch trieät ñeå vaán ñeà, nhöng coù ñieàu gì baát oån (Hoa hueä voán ñaõ xinh maø coøn muoán theâm maøu saéc choã naøy.) cho noù. YÙ noùi laøm vieäc gì ñoù quaù ñaùng vaø voâ ích.) get to the heart of the matter ñi vaøo troïng taâm cuûa vaán That table has lovely woodwork. Don't paint it. ñeà. We have to stop wasting time and get to the heart That would be gilding the lily. (Caùi baøn goã ñoù ñeïp of the matter. (Chuùng ta phaûi ngöng caùi chuyeän maát thì nhö vaäy. Ñöøng coù sôn leân. Neáu sôn thì chaúng khaùc giôø naøy ñeå ñi vaøo troïng taâm cuûa vaán ñeà.) naøo toâ maøu leân saéc hoa.) Oh, Sally. You're get two strikes against one moät choïi hai; bò taán coâng beautiful the way you are. You don't need makeup. nhieàu maët; saép bò thaát baïi. (Laáy hình aûnh caàu thuû giao ba You would be gilding the lily. (OÀ, Sally. Chò ñaõ ñeïp traùi boùng nhöng bò hö ba traùi. Coù theå thay have baèng saün roài. Ñöøng coù trang ñieåm laøm gì. Ngoïc ngaø maø get.) Poor Bob got two strikes against him when he coøn sôn leân laøm gì.) tried to explain where he was last night. (Toäi nghieäp Bob gird (up) one's loins saün saøng; chuaån bò saün saøng. phaûi choáng choïi vôùi nhieàu phía taán coâng anh ta veà toäi Well, I guess I had better gird up my loins and go

58 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

to work. (ÖØ thì, toâi nghó laø toâi neân chuaån bò saün saøng ñeå ngaïo. Coù theå baïn nghó coâ ta coù huyeát thoáng quyù toäc ñi laøm.) Somebody has to do s.t. about the problem. chaêng.) Come on, John. Don't act so haughty. Stop Why don't you gird your loins and do s.t.? (Coù ngöôøi saün giving yourself airs. (Cho toâi xin ñi, John. Ñöøng coù saøng laøm gì ñoù ñoái vôùi vaán ñeà naøy. Taïi sao baïn khoâng giöông giöông töï ñaéc nhö vaäy chôù.) saün saøng laøm moät caùi gì ñoù?) give one's right arm (for s.o./s.t.) saün loøng cho caùnh give a good account of oneself gaây tieáng toát cho mình; tay phaûi cuûa mình; saün loøng doác coâng hay cuûa cho laøm cho ngöôøi tin töôûng vaøo mình. John gave a good ngöôøi hay vieäc gì. I'd give my right arm to be account of himself when he gave his speech last night. there. (Toâi saün loøng ñi ñeán ñoù ngay.) Tom really (John chöùng toû laø ngöôøi coù khaû naêng laøm vieäc gioûi vaø admires John. He would give his right arm for John. thaáu trieät vaán ñeà qua baøi noùi chuyeän toái hoâm qua.) (Tom raát ngöôõng moä John. Anh ta saün loøng cho John Mary was not a good woman, and she didn't give a nhöõng gì John caàn.) good account of herself. (Mary khoâng phaûi laø moät phuï give s.o. a piece of one's mind giuùp yù kieán ngöôøi nöõ toát, coâ ta laøm cho ngöôøi ta khoâng tin töôûng nôi coâ.\ naøo; noùi toaït moùng heo I've had enough from give as good as one gets aên mieáng traû mieáng. John John. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. (Toâi can take care of himself in a fight. He can give as good chaùn John quaù roài. Toâi seõ noùi toaït moùng heo cho anh as he gets. (John ñuû söùc choáng choûi vôùi ñoái thuû trong khi bieát ñieàu ñoù.) Sally, stop it, or I'll give you a piece ñaùnh nhau. Anh ta bieãt aên mieáng traû mieáng.) Sally of my mind. (Sally, thoâi ngay, khoâng thì toâi noùi toaït usually wins a formal debate. She gives as good as she moùng heo ra cho chò bieát toâi muoán gì.) gets. (Sally thöôøng thaéng theà trong caùc cuoäc tranh luaän. give s.o. a ring goïi ñieän thoaïi cho ai. Nice talking Coâ ta aên mieáng traû mieáng raát ñích ñaùng.) to you. Give me a ring sometime. (Noùi chuyeän vôùi give credit where credit is due gaùi coù coâng choàng baïn thích laém. Hoâm naøo goïi laïi cho toâi nghe.) Give khoâng phuï; ngöôøi coù hoà sô tín duïng toát thì xöùng ñaùng me a buzz when you're in town. (Khi naøo xuoáng choã ñöôïc thöôûng. We must give credit where credit is due. toâi nhôù goïi ñieän thoaïi cho toâi hay vôùi nghe.) Thank you very much, Sally. (Chuùng toâi chæ coù theå cung give s.o./s.t. a wide berth ñöùng xa xa; giöõ khoaûng caáp tín duïng cho nhöõng ai coù hoà sô tín duïng toát. Caûm ôn caùch thích hôïp. (Xuaát xöù töø vieäc duy trì khoaûng caùch raát nhieàu, coâ Sally.) Let's give credit where credit is thích hôïp trong cuoäc ñua thuyeàn buoàm.) The dog due. Mai is the one who has been waiting for seven years we are approaching is very mean. Better give it a for her husband who is in detention camp now. (Gaùi coù wide berth. (Con choù muoán laøm quen giöõ laém. Neân coâng choàng khoâng phuï. Mai vaãn luoân luoân chôø ñôïi ngöôøi ñöùng xa xa.) Give Mary a wide berth. She's in a very choàng ñang coøn trong voøng cöông toûa.) bad mood. (Ñöùng caùch xa Mary ra. Coâ ta khoâng Give one an inch, and one will take a mile. vaø If you ñöôïc khoeû.) It's wise to give strangers a wide berth give one an inch, one will take a mile. Ñöôïc ñaøng löng laân when you happen to talk to them. (Ngöôøi bieát yù neân leân ñaøng ñaàu; deã vôùi ngöôøi moät chuùt, ngöôøi laøm tôùi. I giöõ moät khoaûng caùch thích hôïp khi baïn caàn phaûi noùi told John he could turn in his paper one day late, but he chuyeän vôùi ngöôøi laï.) turned it in three days late. Give him an inch, and he'll give s.o. the eye nhìn ai trìu meán; nhìn ai vôùi aùnh take a mile. (Toâi ñoàng yù cho John noäp baøi treã moät ngaøy maét ñöa tình. Ann gave John the eye. It really thoâi nhöng anh ñeå treã ñeán ba ngaøy. Ñuùng laø ñöôïc ñaøng surprised him. (Ann nhìn John trìu meán. Khieán cho löng laân leân ñaøng ñaàu.) First we let John borrow our anh chaøng ngaïc nhieân.) Tom kept giving Sally the car for a day. Now he wants to go on a two-week eye. She finally left. (Tom cöù nhìn Sally vôùi aùnh maét vacation. If you give him an inch, he'll take a mile. ñöa tình. Sau cuøng Sally boû ñi.) (Nguyeân tröôùc ñaây chuùng toâi cho John möôïn xe chaïy give s.o. the shirt off one's back côûi aùo cho ngöôøi; moät ngaøy. Baây giôø anh ta ñoøi möôïn hai tuaàn ñeå ñi chôi haøo phoùng vôùi ai. Tom really like Bill. He'd give xa. Neáu baïn deã vôùi ngöôøi moät chuùt, thì ngöôøi laøm tôùi.) Bill the shirt off his back. (Tom raát thích Bill. Anh ta give one butterflies in one’s stomach saün loøng côûi aùo ñang maëc cho John.) John is so give one one's freedom ñeå ai ñöôïc töï do; ly dò vôùi ai. friendly that he'd give anyone the shirt off his back. Mrs. Brown wanted to give her husband his freedom. (John laø ngöôøi toát buïng ñeán ñoä anh luùc naøo cuõng saün (Baø Brown muoán cho choàng baø ta ñöôïc töï do.) Well, loøng côûi aùo cho ngöôøi.) Tom, I hate to break it to you this way, but I have give s.o. tit for tat aên mieáng traû mieáng. They gave decided to give you your freedom. (Naøy, Tom. Toâi gheùt me the same kind of difficulty that I gave them. They phaûi caét ñöùt lieân heä vôùi anh nhö vaày, nhöng toâi ñaõ quyeát gave me tit for tat. (Hoï gaây cho toâi chuyeän khoù y nhö ñònh ly dò ñeå anh ñöôïc töï do.) toâi ñaõ gaây ra cho hoï. Ñuùng laø aên mieáng traû mieáng.) give oneself airs coù haønh vi cao ngaïo; giöông giöông töï He punched me, so I punched him. Every time he ñaéc. Sally is always giving herself airs. You'd think she hit me, I hit him. I just gave him tit for tat. (Noù ñaám had royal blood. (Sally luùc naøo cuõng coù haønh vi cao toâi, neân toâi ñaám laïi. Heã khi naøo noù ñaùnh toâi thì toâi

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 59

ñaùnh laïi. AÊn mieáng traû mieáng maø.) Today younsters the grocery store, but I'll go along for the ride. (Toâi are taught to give people tit for tat; they do not have any khoâng nhaát thieát phaûi ñi mua thöùc aên, nhöng toâi cuõng sense of benevolence or forgiveness. What are they ñi theo chôi cho coù baïn.) We're having a little becoming? No one could tell. (Ngaøy nay nhieàu thanh party next weekend. Nothing fancy. Why don't you nieân ñöôïc daïy phaûi aên mieáng traû mieáng; hoï khoâng coøn come along for the ride? (Chuùng toâi coù toå chöùc hoïp bieát nhaân töø vôùi ñoä löôïng laø gì. Khoâng ai bieát hoï seõ trôû maët vui chôi vaøo cuoái tuaàn tôùi. Khoâng coù gì ñaëc bieät thaønh gioáng gì nöõa.) heát. Baïn tôùi chôi cho vui nghe.) give s.t. a lick and a promise hoân caây höùa cuoäi; laøm go and never darken my door again ñi choã khaùc vieäc loâi thoâi, aåu taû. John! You didn't clean your room! ñöøng aùm tröôùc cöûa nöõa; thoâi khoâng beänh hoaïn nöõa You just give it a lick and a promise. (John! Maøy doïn nghe (Noùi veà beänh hoaïn; mong cho laønh vaø khoâng bò deïp phoøng maøy khoâng saïch gì caû! Laøm gì maø loâi thoâi, aåu laïi.) The heroine of the drama told the villain taû nhö hoân caây höùa cuoäi vaäy.) This time, Tom, comb never to darken her door again. (Nöõ nhaân vaät trong your hair. It looks as if you just gave it a lick and a vôû kòch baûo teân voâ laïi ñi choã khaùc vaø ñöøng aùm tröôùc promise. (Tom, laàn naày phaûi chaûi toùc ñaøng hoaøng. Troâng cöûa nhaø baø ta.) She touched the back of her hand gì maø nhö hoân caây höùa cuoäi vaäy.) to her forehead and said, “Go and never darken my give the bride away theo phuø coâ daâu vaøo nôi laøm leã door again!" (Coâ ta ñöa mu baøn tay leân sôø ñaàu mình thaønh hoân. (Theo phong tuïc Taây phöông, cha cuûa coâ daâu vaø noùi: “Caàu sao cho mau laønh beänh vaø khoâng bò trôû laø ngöôøi thaùp tuøng ñöa coâ vaøo nôi laøm leã cöôùi.) Mr. laïi cho roài.) Brown is ill. Who'll give the bride away? (OÂng Brown go (a)round the bend ñi qua khuùc quanh. 1. ñeán choã beänh roài. Ai phuø coâ daâu vaøo laøm leã thaønh hoân daây?) In queïo. You'll see the house you're looking for as the traditional wedding ceremony, the bride's father you go around the bend. (Khi vöøa qua khuùc queïo thì gives the bride away. (Theo tuïc leä coå truyeàn, cha cuûa coâ baïn seõ thaáy ngay caên nhaø baïn ñang tìm.) John daâu laø ngöôøi ñöa coâ ta vaøo nôi laøm leã cöôùi.) waved to his father until the car went round the give the devils his/her due ñeå daønh ñoù chöa keå toäi; chöa bend. (John vaãy tay chaøo cha cho ñeán khi xe chaïy theøm noùi tôùi. Sue's generally impossible, but I have to khuaát sau khuùc quanh.) 2. noåi ñieân noåi khuøng; thaønh give the devil her due. She is a terrific housewife. (Sue ra maát trí. If I don't get some rest, I'll go round the thöôøng ngaøy quaù quaéc khoâng ai chòu noåi, nhöng toâi vaãn bend. (Neáu toâi khoâng nghæ ngôi, chaéc chaén toâi seõ noåi ñeå daønh ñoù chöa keå toäi ñaâu. Vì coâ ta moät noäi trôï ñaûm ñieân noåi khuøng quaù.) Poor Bob. He has been ñang laém.) John may cheat on his taxes and yell at his having trouble for a long time. He finally went wife, but he keeps his car polished. I'll give the devil his around the bend. (Toäi nghieäp Bob. Laâu nay anh bò due. (John coù theå khai gian thueá vaø la raày vôï, nhöng caëm loâi thoâi hoaøi. Khoâng kheùo laøm cho anh thaønh ra maát cuïi lau xe boùng löôõng. Toâi chöa theøm noùi ñaâu.) trí luoân.) give up the ghost veà chaàu trôøi; truùt hôi thôû cuoái cuøng. go away empty-handed ra ñi vôùi hai baøn tay traéng; The old man sighed, rolled over, and gave up the khoâng tìm ñöôïc gì. I hate for you to go away ghost. (OÂng laõo thôû daøi, xoay ngöôøi qua moät beân, vaø roài empty-handed, but I cannot afford to contribute any truùt hôi thôû cuoái cuøng.) I'm too young to give up the money. (Toâi gheùt thaáy caûnh anh phaûi ra ñi vôùi hai ghost. (Toâi coøn quaù treû ñeå maø veå chaàu trôøi.) baøn tay traéng, nhöng toâi khoâng coù chuùt tieàn naøo ñeå go about one's business lo coâng vieäc; chuyeân chuù vaøo giuùp anh caû.) They came hoping for some food, but coâng vieäc. Leave me alone! Just go about your they had to go away empty-handed. (Hoï ñeán vôùi hy business! (Ñeå cho toâi yeân! Lo coâng vieäc cuûa baïn ñi!) I voïng coù caùi ñeå aên, nhöng roài phaûi boû ñi vì khoâng tìm have no more to say. I would be pleased if you would go ñöôïc gì. about your business. (Toâi khoâng coøn gì ñeå noùi nöõa caû. go back on one's word thaát höùa; höùa cuoäi. I have Xin baïn vui loøng chuyeân chuù vaøo coâng vieäc cuûa baïn cho to go back on my word, but I won't pay you $100 toâi nhôø.) after all. (Toâi phaûi thaát höùa, toâi khoâng traû laïi cho baïn go against the grain ngöôïc sôù (goã); laøm chuyeän khoâng 100 ñoàng ñaâu.) Going back on your word makes gioáng ai. Don't expect me to help you cheat. That goes you a liar. (Höùa cuoäi thì hoaù ra baïn laø ngöôøi noùi against the grain. (Ñöøng mong toâi giuùp baïn laøm chuyeän laùo.) gian doái. Nhö vaäy khoâng gioáng ai heát.) Would it go go down in history ñi vaøo lòch söû; nhôù ai suoát ñôøi. against the grain for you to call in sick for me? (Baïn Bill is so great. I'm sure that he'll go down in khai beänh giuøm toâi thì coù goïi laø laøm chuyeän khoâng gioáng history. (Bill laø ngöôøi tuyeät vôøi. Toâi nghó laø toâi seõ ai khoâng?) nhôù anh ta suoát ñôøi.) This is the greatest event of go along for the ride ñi theo cho coù baïn. Join us. You the century. I bet it'll go down in history. (Ñaây laø can go along for the ride. (Ñi vôùi chuùng toâi ñi. Baïn ñi bieán coá lôùn nhaát theá kyû. Toâi daùm ñoan chaéc noù seõ ñi theo cho coù baïn ñöôïc maø.) I don't really need to go to vaøo lòch söû.)

60 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

go Dutch xaøi theo loái Myõ; ai aên naáy treû tieàn. Jane: into the same old song and dance every time he Let's go out and eat. (Ñi aên tieäm heø.) Mary: Okay, but makes a mistake, saying that to err is human. (Cöù let's go Dutch. (Ñöôïc, nhöng chôi xaøi loái Myõ nghe.) moãi laàn anh ta laøm sai anh laïi ca baøi ruoät, raèng ñaõ laø It's getting expensive to have Sally for a friend. She ngöôøi ai khoâng khoûi laàm loãi.) never wants to go Dutch. (Laøm baïn vôùi Sally toán keùm go like clockwork ñi nhö ñoàng hoà; dieãn ra ñeàu ñaën quaù. Coâ ta khoâng bao giôø chòu xaøi theo loái Myõ caû.) vaø nhòp nhaøng. (Ví nhö nhòp ñoä cuûa boä maùy ñoàng go in one ear and out the other vaøo tai naøy ra tai kia. hoà.) The building project is progressing nicely. Everything I say to you seems to go in one and out the Everything is going like clockwork. (Döï aùn xaây caát other. Why don't you pay attention? (Moïi thöù toâi noùi vôùi ñang tieán trieån raát toát ñeïp. Moïi coâng taùc dieãn ra ñeàu baïn gioáng nhö theå vaøo tai naøy ra tai kia. Sao baïn khoâng ñaën vaøo nhòp nhaøng.) The elaborate pageant was a chòu chuù yù gì caû vaäy?) I can't concentrate. Things great success. It went like clockwork from start to people say to me just go in one ear and out the other. finish. (Buoåi leã röôùc caàu kyø hoa myõ thaät thaønh coâng. (Toâi chuù yù khoâng ñöôïc. Toâi nghe xong tai naøy thì ra tai Moïi söï dieãn ra ñeàu ñaën vaø nhòp nhaøng töø ñaàu chí kia maát tieâu.) cuoái.) go into a nosedive (Coù theå thay go baèng take chuùi muõi go/jump off the deep end dính líu saâu ñaäm; naëng xuoáng ñaát. 1. caém ñaàu xuoáng ñaát (Noùi veà phi cô.) It tình vôùi ai hay quaù ham thích caùi gì. (Ñaëc bieät noùi veà was a bad day for flying, and I was afraid we'd go into a tình yeâu ñoâi löùa.) Look at the way Bill is looking at nosedive. (Hoâm nay trôøi xaáu ñi bay baát lôïi laém, neân toâi Sally. I think he's about to go off the deep end. sôï caém ñaàu xuoáng ñaát quaù.) The small plane took a (Troâng caùch Bill nhìn Sally kìa. Toâi nghó raèng anh ta nosedive. The pilot was able to bring it out at the last ñaõ naëng tình vôùi coâ naøy roài.) Now, John, I know minute, so the plane didn't crash. (Chieác phi cô nhoû chuùi you really want to go to Australia, but don't go muõi xuoáng ñaát, may nhôø phuùt choùt phi coâng laáy laïi söùc jumping off the deep end. It isn't perfect there. (Naøy, naâng vaø bình phi ñöôïc neân thoaùt khoûi bò rôùt.) 2. bò suùt John. Toâi bieát baïn raát thích ñi UÙc-ñaïi-lôïi, nhöng giaûm theâ thaûm (veà taøi chaùnh, tinh thaàn hoaëc söùc khoeû.) ñöøng neân quaù ham thích laøm gì. Nôi ñoù khoâng phaûi Our profits took a nosedive last year. (Caùc khoaûn thu laø moät xöù thaàn tieân.) nhaäp cuûa chuùng toâi naêm ngoaùi bò suùt giaûm theâ thaûm.) go on a fishing expedition ñi rình baét caù; tìm caùch After he broke his hip, Mr. Brown's health went into a khaùm phaù hoaëc doø la tin töùc. We are going to have nosedive, and he never recovered. (Sau khi bò beå xöông to go on a fishing expedition to try to find the facts. hoâng, söùc khoeû cuûa oâng Brown suùt giaûm theâ thaûm vaø (Chuùng toâi ñònh seõ phaûi tìm caùch doø la tin töùc ñeå tìm khoâng bao giôø laáy laïi söùc ñöôïc.) cho ra söï thaät.) One lawyer went on a fishing go into a tailspin bò xoay ñuoâi. 1. heát kieåm soaùt ñöôïc; expedition in court, and the other lawyer objected. khoâng coøn ñieàu khieån ñöôïc (Noùi veà phi cô.) The plane (Moät luaät sö ñaõ tìm caùch doø la tin töùc taïi toaø nhöng shook and then suddenly went into a tailspin. (Chieác phi bò luaät sö khaùc phaûn ñoái.) cô rung maïnh vaø sau ñoù khoâng coøn ñieàu khieån ñöôïc go (out) on strike ñình coâng. If we don't have a nöõa.) The pilot was not able to bring the plane out the contract by noon tomorrow, we'll go out on strike. the tailspin, and it crashed into the sea. (Vieân phi coâng (Neáu tröa ngaøy mai maø chuùng toâi khoâng kyù ñöôïc khoâng theå naøo ñieàu khieån chieác phi cô ñöôïc neân noù bò hôïp ñoàng, chuùng toâi seõ ñình coâng.) The entire rôi ngoaøi bieån.) 2. sa suùt veà vaät chaát hoaëc tinh thaàn. (Noùi work force went on strike at noon today. (Toaøn boä veà ngöôøi maát söï saùng suoát vaø bình tónh.) Although löïc löôïng lao ñoäng seõ ñình coâng vaøo tröa hoâm nay.) John was a great success, his life went into a tailspin. It go overboard qua khoûi boong taøu. 1. rôi khoûi boong took him a year to straightened out. (Maëc ñaàu John ñaït taøu. My fishing pole just went overboard. I'm thaønh coâng lôùn, cuoäc soáng cuûa anh ta vaãn sa suùt. Anh ta afraid it's lost. (Caùi caàn caâu toâi bò tuoät ra khoûi boong phaûi maát moät naêm môùi phuïc hoài laïi ñöôïc.) After her taøu. Toâi sôï noù rôùt maát quaù.) That man just went father died, Mary's world fell apart, and she went into a overboard. I think he jumped. (Tay ñoù rôi ra khoûi tailspin. (Sau khi thaân phuï maát, leõ soáng cuûa Mary maát boong taøu. Toâi nghó laø anh töï yù nhaûy ra.) 2. laøm quaù heát yù nghóa vaø tinh thaàn coâ ta sa suùt.) nhieàu; phoùng tay quaù möùc (quaù phung phí.) Look, go into one's song and dance about s.t. boån cuõ soaïn laïi, Sally, let's have a nice party, but don't go overboard. ca baøi ruoät cuûa ai. Please don't go into your song and It doesn't need to be fancy. (Naøy, Sally, chuùng ta toå dance about how you always tried to do what was right. chöùc party cho vui veû, nhöng ñöøng laøm quaù lôùn. (Xin vui loøng ñöøng soaïn laïi caùi boån cuõ cuûa baïn khi noùi Khoâng caàn phaûi caàu kyø.) Okay, you can buy a big raèng luùc naøo baïn cuõng coá gaéng laøm cho ñuùng ñaáy nheù.) comfortable car, but don't go overboard. (Ñöôïc roài, John went into his song and dance about how he won em coù quyeàn mua moät chieác xe to vaø tieän nghi, the war all by himself. (John laïi ca baøi ruoät cuûa anh ta veà nhöng ñöøng phoùng tay quaù möùc.) söï chieán thaéng maø anh ta ñaït ñöôïc.) He always goes go over s.o.'s head quaù ñaàu ai; quaù taàm hieåu bieát cuûa

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 61

ai. All that talk about computers went over my head. chöùc. If you want an answer to your questions, (Nhöõng chuyeän noùi veà maùy ñieän toaùn ñoù ñeàu quaù ñaàu you'll have to go through channels. (Neáu baïn muoán toâi heát.) I hope my lecture didn't go over the students' coù caâu traû lôøi ñoù, baïn neân hoûi theo heä thoáng toå heads. (Toâi hy voïng baøi giaûng cuûa toâi khoâng quaù taàm chöùc.) If you know the answers, why do I have to hieåu bieát cuûa sinh vieân.) go through channels? (Neáu baïn ñaõ bieát caâu traû lôøi, go/search over s.t. with a fine-tooth comb chaûi chí taïi sao baïn coøn thoâng qua heä thoáng toå chöùc laøm gì?) baèng löôït daøy; tìm kieám caùi gì moät caùch kyõ löôõng. I go through the motions laøm göôïng gaïo; laøm vieäc can't find my calculus book. I went over the whole place moät caùch ueå oaûi. Jane isn't doing her best. She's with a fine-tooth comb. (Toâi khoâng tìm thaáy quyeån saùch just going through the motions. (Jane chöa laøm vieäc toaùn vi phaân cuûa toâi ñaâu caû. YÙ laø chaûi chí baèng löôït daøy heát kaû naêng coâ ta ñaâu. Coâ chæ laøm göôïng gaïo thoâi.) roài ñoù.) I searched this place with a fine-tooth comb Bill was supposed to be raking the yard, but he and didn't find my ring. (Toâi tìm khaép nhaø naøy moät caùch was just going through the motions. (Bill coù boån kyõ löôõng maø khoâng tìm ra chieác nhaãn ñaâu caû.) phaän doïn deïp raùc reán ngoaøi saân, nhöng anh ta laøm go over with a bang dieãn ra vui nhoän vaø thuù vò. (Noùi veà ueå oaûi quaù.) caùc hình thöùc giaûi trí nhö noùi chuyeän teáu hoaëc dieãn haøi go through the roof leân raát cao (leân ñuïng pla-phoâng, kòch.) The play was a success. It really went over with leân toái ña); ñeán toät ñoä. It's so hot! The a bang. (Vôû kòch raát thaønh coâng. Raát vui nhoän vaø thuù vò.) termperature is going through the roof. (Trôøi noùng Tha's a great joke. It went over with a bang. (Caâu quaù! Nhieät ñoä leân raát cao.) Mr. Brown got so angry chuyeän haøi höôùc ñoù hay quaù. Raát vui vaø thuù vò.) he almost went through the roof. (OÂng Brown noåi go scot-free (Coù theå thay go baèng get off coøn phaây phaây; giaän ñeán toät ñoä.) coøn nhôûn nhô. Noùi veà toäi phaïm coøn taïi ñaøo hoaëc veà go to bat for s.o. phuï giuùp ai; laøm giuøm cho ai. (Bat nhöõng ngöôøi troán thueá maø khoâng bò hình phaït naøo. Scot laø tieáng ruùt goïn cuûa batter “ñaùnh banh” trong laø tieáng coå chæ tax hoaëc tax burden “thueá”, “gaùnh naëng baseball. Nghóa ñen “ñaùnh banh theá cho ai” hoaëc “hoå phaûi traû thueá.) The thief went scott-free. (Teân troäm giôø trôï tinh thaàn cho ai".) I tried to go to bat for Bill, naøy vaãn coøn soáng phaây phaây (chöù bò baét bôù gì ñaâu.) but he said he didn't want any help. (Toâi coù yù muoán Jane cheated on the test and got caught, but she got off giuùp Bill, nhöng anh ta noùi anh khoâng caàn ai giuùp scott-free. (Jane gian laän khi laøm baøi thi vaø bò baét quaû heát.) I heard them gossiping about Sally, so I went tang, nhöng coâ vaãn nhôûn nhô (chöù coù sao ñaâu.) to bat for her. (Toâi nghe hoï to nhoû vôùi nhau veà Sally, go stag ñi döï cuoäc vui moät mình, khoâng coù “boà”. Is neân toâi ñeán hoå trôï tinh thaàn cho coâ ta.) Tom going to take you, or are you going stag? (Tom ñònh go to Davy Jones's locker rôùt xuoáng loøng ñaïi döông. ñöa em ñi hay laø em ñi moät mình?) Bob didn't want to (Davy Jones laø tieáng nhaân caùch hoaù chæ “ñaùy bieån; go stag, so he took his sister to the party. (Bob khoâng Davy Jones's locker coù nghóa laø “boû thaây giöõa bieån".) thích ñi moät mình, neân anh ta ruû em gaùi cuûa anh theo.) My camera fell overboard and went to Davy go the distance töø ñaàu ñeán cuoái; toaøn boä traän giao höõu; Jones's locker. (Caùi maùy aûnh cuûa toâi rôùt khoûi boong thi suoát cuoäc ñua. (Duøng nhieàu trong cuoäc tranh taøi theå taøu vaø rôi toøm xuoáng ñaùy bieån.) My uncle was a thao.) That horse runs fast. I hope it can go the sailor. He went to Davy Jones locker during a distance. (Chuù ngöïa ñoù chaïy leï laém. Toâi hy voïng noù coù terrible storm. (Chuù toâi laø moät thuûy thuû. Trong moät theå chaïy töø ñaàu ñeán cuoái.) This is going to be a long, traän cuoàng phong oâng ñaõ boû thaây giöõa bieån.) hard project. I hope I can go the distance. (Ñaây seõ laø go to pot vaø go to the dogs sa ñoïa; hö hoûng; suy suïp moät döï aùn laâu daøi vaø gian nan. Toâi hy voïng toâi coù theå (Nghóa ñen “boû vaøo loï; vaát cho choù nghòch”—khoâng tham döï töø ñaàu ñeán cuoái.) Tod said that he has fast coøn toát ñeå söû duïng.) My whole life seems to be feet, but he could not go the distance in the race last going to pot. (Cuoäc ñôøi toâi döôøng nhö caøng ngaøy week. (Tod khoe noù coù ñoâi chaân chaïy leï, nhöng tuaàn roài caøng sa ñoïa.) My lawn is going to pot. I had better noù khoâng theo noåi suoát cuoäc ñua.) weed it. (Caùi boàn coû nhaø toâi saép phaûi ñeå choù nghòch. go the limit ña ña ích thieän; caøng nhieàu caøng toát; bao Phaûi giaãy tæa môùi ñöôïc.) The government is going nhieâu cuõng ñöôïc. What do I want on my hamburger? to the dogs. (Chính phuû caøng ngaøy caøng suy suïp.) Go the limit! (Toâi muoán boû gì vaøo haêm-bô-gô cuûa toâi? go the rack and ruin vaø go to wrack and ruin xieâu Ña ña ích thieän!) Don't hold anything back. Go the veïo, muïc naùt. (Rack hoaëc Wrack ñeàu laø bieán caùch limit. (Ñöøng gaït caùi gì ra heát nghe. Boû vaøo caøng nhieàu cuûa töø wreckage “ñoå naùt, hö hoûng.) That lovely old caøng toát.) When asked how many troops he can handle, house on the corner is going to go to rack and ruin. the commander answered: “Go the limit!" (Khi ñöôïc hoûi (Caên nhaø coå taïi goùc ñöôøng saép söûa xieâu veïo vì muïc coù theå chæ huy bao nhieâu quaân, vieân chæ huy traû lôøi raèng: naùt.) The house where my grandfather, then my “Ña ña ích thieän.” father were born does not go to rack and ruin until go through channels theo hoaëc thoâng qua heä thoáng toå some more scores. (Caên nhaø maø oâng toâi roài ñeán cha

62 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

toâi sinh ra vaãn coù theå ñöùng vöõng theâm vaøi möôi naêm nöõa grin and bear it caén raêng maø cöôøi; laøm boä töôi cöôøi tröôùc khi noù trôû neân muïc naùt. Score hai thaäp nieân.) maø trong loøng khoâng öa. (Ngoaøi thì noùi noùi cöôøi, maø go to s.o.'s head laøm cho ai hænh muõi; khieán cho ai trong gan ruoät roái bôøi ai ôi.) There is nothing you giöông giöông töï ñaéc. You did a fine job, but don't let can do but grin and bear it. (Baïn thì ñöôïc caùi taøi caén it go to your head. (Baïn laøm vieäc gioûi laém, nhöng ñöøng raêng (chòu ñau) maø cöôøi.) I hate having to work for vì vaäy maø hónh muõi leân.) He let his success go to his rude people. I guess I have to grin and bear it. (Toâi head, and soon he became a complete failure. (Anh ta gheùt laøm vieäc vôùi nhöõng ngöôøi thoâ loã. Coù leõ toâi phaûi giöông giöông töï ñaéc vôùi thaønh coâng ñaõ ñaït ñöôïc, nhöng laøm boä noùi noùi cöôøi cuôøi vôùi hoï.) You never see chaúng bao laâu sau anh bò thaát baïi hoaøn toaøn.) Chau in bad mood, but I know she grins and bear it. go to the wall tính giaø quaù hoaù non; bò thaát baïi vì lyù do (Baïn khoâng bao giôø thaáy Chaâu buoàn bao giôø, nhöng naøo ñoù. We really went to the wall on that deal. (Ñuùng toâi bieát taâm traïng coâ ta; trong heùo ngoaøi töôi.) laø chuùng toâi tính giaø quaù hoaù non trong vuï ñoù.) The grind to a halt chaäm laïi roài ngöøng haún; kieät söùc. company went to the wall because of that contract. Now By the end of the day, the factory had ground to a it's broke. (Vì caùi hôïp ñoàng ñoù maø coâng ty bò thaát baïi. halt. Ñeán cuoái ngaøy, nhaø maùy chaïy chaäm laïi roài Baây giôø noù bò phaù saûn.) ñöùng haún. The car ground to a halt, and we got out go to town laøm vieäc chu ñaùo vaø nhanh goïn. Look at all to stretch our legs. (Chieác xe chaïy chaäm laïi vaø döøng those ants working. They are really going to town. haún, vaø chuùng toâi ra khoûi xe cho giaõn tay giaõn chaân.) (Troâng maáy con kieán kìa. Chuùng noù laøm vieäc chu ñaùo vaø Old Dung worked day and night for two years, nhanh goïn thaät.) Come on, you guys! Let's go to town. then ground to a halt. (Giaø Dung laøm vieäc ngaøy ñeâm We have to finish this job before noon. (Naøo caùc baïn! ñöôïc hai naêm vaø sau ñoù thì kieät söùc luoân.) Chuùng ta phaûi laøm cho chu ñaùo vaø nhanh goïn. Phaûi cho grit one's teeth nghieán raêng vì giaän döõ; caén raêng laïi xong vieäc naøy tröôùc tröa ñoù.) maø theà quyeát laøm vieäc gì. I was so mad, all I could go up in flames/smoke bò thieâu ruïi; bò chaùy thaønh tro do was stand there and grit my teeth. (Toâi giaän quaù, buïi. The whole museum went up in flames. (Caû caùi chæ coøn bieát nghieán raêng treøo treïo.) All through the vieän baûo taøng ñaõ bò ngoïn löûa thieâu ruïi.) My race, Sally was gritting her teeth. She was really paintings—my whole life's work—went up in flames. determined. (Suoát caû chaëng ñua, Sally caén raêng laïi (Nhöõng böùc hoaï ñoù—coâng trình caû ñôøi toâi—bò chaùy maø quyeát theà ñoaït giaûi. Coâ ta quyeát taâm raát cao.) thaønh tro buïi.) What a shame for all that to go up in gun for s.o. truy luøng ngöôøi naøo (Xaùch suùng ñi tìm smoke. (Thaät uoång cho nhöõng thöù bò thieâu ruïi thaønh tro ngöôøi naøo.) The coach is gunning for you. I think buïi.) he's going to bawl you out. (Huaán luyeän vieân ñang green with envy ghen töùc, ñem loøng ñoá kî. When truy luøng baïn ñoù. Toâi nghó oâng ta seõ chöûi cho baïn Sally saw me with Tom, she turned green with envy. She moät traän.) I've heard that the sheriff is gunning for likes him a lot. (Khi Sally thaáy toâi ñi vôùi Tom, coâ ta noåi me, so I'm getting out of town. (Toâi nghe noùi oâng côn ghen töùc. Coâ aáy cuõng thích Tom laém.) I feel green caûnh saùt tröôûng ñang truy luøng toâi, neân toâi troán ñi nôi with envy whenever I see you in your new car. (Khi thaáy khaùc. baïn ngoài trong chieác xe môùi toâi boãng ñem loøng ñoá kî.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 63

Toâi chaáp nhaän taát caû.) hand over fist tay giao haøng tay nhaän tieàn; thanh toaùn baèng tieàn maët; baùn lieàn tay (Noùi veà vieäc buoân baùn vöøa nhaän haøng vöøa trao tieàn.) What a busy Hh day. We took in money hand over fist. (Thaät laø moät hail-fellow-well-met thaân maät vôùi moïi ngöôøi moät caùch ngaøy baän roän. Chuùng toâi baùn luoân tay.) They were voàn vaõ, laøm maøy laøm maët. (Duøng cho nam giôùi. Caån buying things hand over fist. (Hoï mua haøng baèng thaän khi duøng vì yù nghóa coù theå traùi ngöôïc nhau. Nghóa caùch traû ngay baèng tieàn maët.) thöù hai thöôøng duøng vôùi not.) Yes, he's friendly, sort of hand over hand laàn tay; heát tay naøy ñeán tay kia. hail-fellow-well-met. (Ñuùng, anh ta thaân maät laém, thaân Sally pulled in the rope hand over hand. (Sally laàn maät caùi kieåu voàn vaõ ñoù maø.) He's not a very sincere tay keùo sôïi daây thöøng.) The man climbed the rope person. Hail-fellow-well-met — you know the type. (Anh hand over hand. (Ngöôøi ñaøn oâng heát tay naøy ñeán tay ta khoâng phaûi laø ngöôøi chaân thaät. Baïn bieát khoâng — anh kia níu sôïi thöøng leo leân.) ta thuoäc loaïi laøm maøy laøm maët.) What a pain he is! handwriting on the wall daáu hieäu baùo tröôùc That good old Mr. Hail-fellow-well-met. What a phony! (nhöõng trieäu chöùng cho thaáy coù chuyeâän xaûy ra – toát (OÂng ta thaät laø raéc roái! OÂng giaø laøm-maøy-laøm-maët toát hoaëc xaáu) The state goverment ignored the buïng. Loái toát buïng doûm!) handwriting on the wall, and so, many people were hair of the dog that bit one laáy töûu giaûi röôïu; laáy ñoäc not well informed of the destructive storm. (Chính giaûi ñoäc (Chöa tænh côn say tröôùc ñaõ uoáng theâm röôïu quyeàn tieåu bang laøm ngô tröôùc nhöõng daáu hieäu baùo khaùc vaøo. Loái noùi naøy khoâng coù lieân quan gì ñeán loâng tröôùc vì theá daân chuùng khoâng ñöôïc bieát roõ veà traâän choù hay choù.) Oh, I'm miserable. I need some of the baõo tai haïi ñoù.) hair of the dog that bit me. (OÂ, toâi khoå sôû theá naøy. Toâi hang by hair vaø hang by a thread treo ñoà baèng sôïi caàn chuùt töûu ñeå uoáng giaûi röôïu.) That's some hangover toùc/sôïi tô. (Khoâng hieåu roõ chính mình, coøn mô hoà; you've got there, Bob. Here, drink this. It's some of the Tuyø thuoäc vaøo nhöõng gì khoâng cuï theå. Thöôøng duøng hair of the dog that bit you. (Bob, vaäy laø baïn coøn hôi vôùi giôùi töø on.) Your whole argument is hanging by men chöa tænh haún. Naøy, laøm ly naøy ñi. Ñoù goïi laø laáy töûu a thread. (Loái laäp luaän cuûa baïn chæ nhö treo ñoà baèng maø giaûi röôïu.) sôïi toùc; khoâng coù caên cöù gì heát.) John isn't failing hale and hearty khoeû maïnh; doài daøo söùc khoeû. geometry, but he's hanging on by a hair. (John khoâng Doesn't Ann look hale and hearty? (Coâ Ann troâng rôùt moân hình hoïc, nhöng anh vaãn coøn nhö theå ñang khoeû maïnh ñoù chôù?) I don't feel hale and hearty. I'm trong tình traïng bò treo baèng sôïi tô; chöa coù keát quaû really tired. (Toâi khoâng caûm thaáy söùc khoeû mình doài daøo chung cuï theå) chuùt naøo. Toâi meät moûi quaù.) hang in the balance chöa ngaõ nguõ; ñang nhuøng Half a loaf is better than none. Thaø ít coøn hôn khoâng nhaèng chöa giaûi quyeát xong. The prisoner stood coù. When my raise was smaller than I wanted, Sally before the judge with his life hanging in the balance. said, “Half a loaf is better than none." (Khi thaáy löông (Soá phaän ngöôøi tuø ñöùng tröôùc oâng quan toaø thì vaãn toâi taêng ít hôn möùc toâi muoán, Sally an uûi, “Thaø ít coøn chöa ngaõ nguõ.) This whole issue will have to hang hôn khoâng coù gì caû.) People who keep saying “Half a in the balance until Jane gets back from her loaf is better than none” usually have as much as they vacation. (Toaøn boä vaán ñeà seõ vaãn coøn ñang coøn need. (Ngöôøi naøo hay noùi: “Thaø ít coøn hôn khoâng” thì nhuøng nhaèng chöa giaûi quyeát xong.) thöôøng coù nhieàu laém.) Hang on! Chuaån bò ra tay! (Saün saøng tö theá ñeå haønh hand glove (with s.o.) raát thaân thieát nhö ngöôøi trong nhaø; ñoäng chôùp nhoaùng vaø maïnh baïo.) Hang on! Here saùt caùnh beân nhau nhö tình thuû tuùc. John is really hand we go! (Chuaån bò ra tay! Baét ñaàu!) The airplane in glove with Sally. (John vaø Sally ñoái vôùi nhau thaân passengers suddenly seemed weightless. s.o. shouted, thieát nhö ngöôøi moät nhaø.) The teacher and the “Hang on!" (Caùc haønh khaùch treân phi cô boãng caûm principal work hand in glove. (Vò hieäu tröôûng vaø giaùo thaáy nheï haãng leân. Coù tieáng ngöôøi la leân: “Chuaån bò vieân laøm vieäc saùt caùnh beân nhau nhö tình thuû tuùc.) ra tay!) handle s.o. with kid gloves thaän troïng khi giao thieäp vôùi hang on s.o.'s every word chaêm chuù theo doõi töøng ngöôøi khoù taùnh; caàn thaän troïng khi tieáp xuùc vôùi ngöôøi ñeã chi tieát cuûa lôøi ai noùi. He gave a great lecture. We nhaïy beùn. Bill has become so sensitive. You really hung on his every word. (OÂng ta dieãn thuyeát hay have to handle him with kid gloves. (Bill trôû neân quaù quaù. Chuùng toâi chaêm chuù theo ñoõi töøng chi tieát moät nhaïy beùn. Baïn caàn thaän troïng khi giao thieäp vôùi anh ta.) cuûa oâng noùi ra.) Look at the way John hangs on You don't have to handle me with kid gloves. I can take Mary's every word. He must be in love with her. (Coi it. (Baïn khoâng caàn phaûi thaän troïng khi tieáp xuùc vôùi toâi. caùch John chaêm chuù nghe töøng chi tieát Mary noùi kìa. Chaéc laø anh chaøng si tình coâ naøng roài.)

64 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

Hang/Hold on to your hat! Coi chöøng noùn bay! Phaûi caån (Caùi tö töôûng muoán trôû thaønh moät taùc giaû noåi tieáng thaän ñeà phoøng baát traéc! Nghe noùi ñöøng coù giaät mình! cöù laûng vaõng trong taâm trí toâi maõi. Do vaäy toâi khoâng What a wind day. Hang on to your hat! (Hoâm nay gioù theå ngaên ñöôïc söï ham thích taäp vieát vaên cuûa mình.) lôùn. Coi chöøng noùn bay ñoù!) Here we go! Hold on to Cuõng duøng: put a bee in s.o.'s bonnet môùm cho ai yù your hat! (Tôùi luùc roài ñoù! Phaûi caån thaän ñeà phoøng baát gì. Somebody put a bee in my bonnet that we traéc!) Are you ready to hear the final score? Hang on should go to New Mexico where it is easy to find to your hat! We won ten to nothing! (Baïn bieát soá ñieåm jobs. (Coù ngöôøi môùm yù raèng chuùng toâi neân dôøi qua sau cuøng laø sao chöa? Ñöøng coù giaät mình ñoù nghe! New Mexico vì nôi ñoù deã kieám vieäc laøm.) Who Chuùng ta thaéng vôùi tyû soá möôøi-khoâng!) put a bee in your bonnet? (Ai môùm yù cho baïn vaäy?) hang s.o. in effigy treo hình noäm cuûa ai ñeå beâu xaáu hay have a big mouth ngöôøi beùp xeùp; ngöôøi hay leûo ñaû kích. They hanged the dictator in effigy. (Hoï treo meùp. (Coøn coù yù noùi ngöôøi loaïi naøy hay noùi lôùn tieáng, hình noäm cuûa nhaø ñoäc taøi ñeå ñaû kích.) The angry mob ai cuõng nghe.) Mary has a big mouth. She told Bob hanged the president in effigy. (Ñaùm ngöôøi phaãn noä treo what I was getting him for his birthday. (Mary laø hình noäm cuûa toång thoáng leân maø beâu reâu.) ngöôøi hay beùp xeùp. Coâ ta maùch cho Bob bieát moùn hard-and-fast rule theo nghieâm luaät; kyû luaät saét. It's quaø toâi ñònh mua taëng cho anh ta vaøo dòp sinh nhaät.) hard-and-fast rule that you must be home by midnight. You shouldn't say thinkgs like that about people all (Theo nghieâm luaät cuûa gia quy thì baïn phaûi veà nhaø tröôùc the time. Everyone will say you have a big mouth. nöõa ñeâm.) You should have your project completed by (Baïn khoâng neân luùc naøo cuõng noùi nhöõng chuyeän nhö the end of the month, but it's not a hard-and-fast rule. vaäy vôùi ngöôøi ta. Hoï seõ baûo baïn laø nguôøi hay leûo (Ñaây khoâng phaûi laø nghieâm luaät nhöng baïn neân coá hoaøn meùp.) taát döï aùn tröôùc cuoái thaùng.) In many developing have a bone to pick (with some-one) coù chuyeän countries hard-and-fast rule is necessarily applied to phaûi noùi vôùi ai; coù chuyeän muoán gaây vôùi ai. Hey, maintain some kind of order and social stabability. (Taïi Bill. I've got a bone to pick with you. Where is the nhieàu quoác gia ñang phaùt trieån vieäc aùp duïng kyû luaät saét money you owe me? (EÂ, Bill. Toâi coù chuyeän naøy cuõng raát caàn thieát ñeå duy trì traät töï vaø oån ñònh xaõ hoäi.) muoán noùi vôùi baïn. Tieàn baïn möôïn toâi thì baïn tính hardly have time to breath baän toái taêm maët maøy; baän sao ñoù?) I had a bone to pick with her, but she was xeû muõi thôû khoâng kòp. This was such a busy day. I so sweet that I forget about it. (Toâi coù chuyeän muoán hardly had time to breath. (Hoâm nay thaät laø moät ngaøy gaây vôùi coâ ta, nhöng thaáy coâ hieàn quaù neân toâi laïi boû baän roän. Toâi muoán toái taêm maët maøy luoân.) They made qua.) You always have a bone to pick. (Baïn thì luùc him work so hard that he hardly had time to breathe. (Hoï naøo cuõng coù chuyeän,) baét noù laøm vieäc ñeán noåi noù xeû muõi thôû khoâng kòp.) have a (close) brush with some-thing ít am töôøng hard on s.o.'s heels baùm theo ai beùn goùt; baùm theo saùt vaán ñeà; bò nheï. (Thöôøng chæ veà luaät phaùp.) Ann nuùt. I ran as fast as I could, but the dog was still hard had a close brush with the law. She was nearly on my heels. (Toâi coá chaïy thaät nhanh, nhöng con choù cöù arrested for speeding. (Ann ít am töôøng luaät phaùp. vaãn baùm theo toâi beùn goùt.) Here comes Sally, and Coâ ta suyùt bò baét veà toäi vöôït quaù toác ñoä quy ñònh.) John is hard on her heels. (Sally tôùi roài, coù caû anh chaøng When I was younger, I had a brush with scarlet John baùm theo saùt nuùt.) fever, but I got over it. (Khi toâi coøn treû, toâi bò beänh Haste makes waste Duïc toác baát ñaït. (Laøm voäi quaù coù soát tinh hoàng nhieät, nhöng chæ nheï thoâi, vaø sau ñoù thì theå gaây hoûng vieäc.) Now, take your time. Haste makes khoûi.) waste. (Naøy, cöù töø töø. Duïc toác baát ñaït ñoù.) Haste have a chip on one's shoulder gaây söï ñaùnh nhau vôùi makes waste, so be careful as you work. (Duïc toác baát ai; ngöôøi khaùu où Who are you mad at? You always ñaït, cho neân baïn neân laøm cho caån thaän.) seem to have a chip on your shoulder. (Baïn giaän ai hate s.o.'s guts gheùt cay gheùt ñaéng ngöôøi naøo. (Loái noùi vaäy? Luùc naøo baïn cuõng coù veû muoán gaây söï ñeå ñaùnh thieáu lòch söï.) Oh, Bob is terrible, I hate his guts! (OÀ, nhau vôùi ngöôøi ta.) John's had a chip on his Bob thì khieáp laém. Toâi gheùt cay gheùt ñaéng thaèng chaõ.) shoulder ever since he got his speeding ticket. (Töø You may hate my guts for saying so, but I think you're khi bò phaït vì toäi vuôït toác John baét ñaàu coù taùnh hay getting gray hair. (Coù theå toâi noùi ra laøm cho anh gheùt gaây söï ñaùnh nhau vôùi ngöôøi ta.) cay gheùt ñaùng toâi chôù toâi nghó anh ñaõ giaø roài.) have a close shave/call suyùt bò nguy hieåm ñeán sinh have a bee in one's bonnet caùi tö töôûng cöù laõng vaõng maïng; thoaùt ñöôïc nguy hieåm trong ñöôøng tô keû toùc. trong ñaàu. I have a bee in my bonnet that she'd agree What a close shave I had! I nearly fell off the roof to marry me. (Töø laâu caùi tö töôûng nghó raèng coâ ta seõ when I was working there. (Toâi suyùt boû maïng! Trong baèng loøng thaønh hoân vôùi toâi cöù laûng vaõng trong ñaàu toâi luùc ñang laøm treân maùi nhaø, coøn chuùt nöõa laø toâi rôùt töø hoaøi.) I had a bee in my bonnet about becoming a treân ñoù xuoáng roài.) I almost got struck by a great writer. I couldn't stop wanting to practic writing. speeding car. It was a close shave. (Toâi suyùt bò chieác

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 65

xe vöôït toác toâng nhaèm. Thaät chæ trong ñöôøng tô keû toùc. (Phaûi ñoái xöû töû teá vôùi John. Anh ta deã böïc mình vaø have a familiar ring (lôøi giaûi thích hay caâu chuyeän keå) deã noùng tính laém.) Mr. Jones sure has a low nghe quen laém. Your excuse has a familiar ring. Have boiling point. I hardly said anything, and he got you done this before? (Loái baøo chöõa cuûa baïn nghe quen angry. (OÂng Jones quaû thaät noùng tính. Toâi chöa noùi laém. Tröôùc ñaây baïn noùi nhö vaäy laàn naøo chöa.) This gì maø oâng ta ñaõ noãi noùng leân roài.) term paper has a familiar ring. I think it has been have an ax to grind coù caùi buùa phaûi maøi; coù ñieàu caàn copied. (Baøi tieåu luaän naøy troâng quen laém. Toâi nghó laø keâu naøi; coù ñieàu phaûi traùch cöù. Tom, I need to talk coùp laïi cuûa ai ñaây roài.) to you. I have an ax to grind. (Tom, toâi muoán noùi have a good head on one's shoulders coù ñaàu oùc cuûa chuyeän vôùi baïn. Toâi coù ñieàu naøy caàn keâu naøi.) Bill moät ngöôøi coù kieán thöùc ; nhaïy beùn vaø thoâng minh. and Bob went into the other room to argue. They had Mary doesn't do well in school, but she's got a good an ax to grind. (Bill vaø Bob ruû nhau qua phoøng khaùc head on her shoulders. (Mary hoïc thì khoâng gioûi, nhöng ñeå caõi nhau. Hoï coù ñieàu traùch cöù nhau.) coâ ta coù ñaàu oùc cuûa moät ngöôøi coù kieán thöùc.) John has have/keep an eye out (for s.o./s.t.) troâng chöøng ai a good head on his shoulders and can be depended on to hay vaät gì; canh chöøng. (Coù theå thay an baèng one's.) give good advice. (John quaû laø tay coù ñaàu oùc nhaïy beùn Please try to have an eye out for the bus. (Xin vui vaø thoâng minh ñeå coù theå tham khaûo yù kieán ñöôïc.) loøng troâng chöøng xe buyùt tôùi.) Keep an eye out for have a green thumb coù taøi troàng troït. Just look at Mr. rain. Take the washing on the line in. (Troâng chöøng Simpson's garden. He has a green thumb. (Chæ caàn nhìn xem trôøi möa. Ñem maáy aùo quaàn phôi treân daây vaøo.) vaøo khu vöôøn cuûa oâng Simpson thì bieát oâng ta laø ngöôøi Have your eye out for a raincoat on sale. (Canh coù taøi troàng troït.) My mother has a green thumb chöøng bao giôø hoï baùn haï giaù aùo möa thì mua.) when it comes to house plants. (Phaûi noùi meï toâi laø ngöôøi Okay. I'll keep my eye out. (Ñöôïc roài, toâi seõ canh coù taøi troàng caây caûnh.) chöøng cho.) have a gut of feeling coù caûm töôûng (duø khoâng coù caên cöù) have an in (with s.o.) coù ty-doâ ñeå ñöôïc höôûng ñaëc aân I have a gut of feeling that she will be selected by the cuûa ai; coù aûnh höôûng vôùi ai. Do you have an in judges. (Toâi coù caûm töôûng baø ta seõ ñöôïc ban giaûm khaûo with the mayor? I have to ask him a favor. (Baïn coù choïn.) ty-doâ vôùi oâng thò tröôûng khoâng? Toâi caàn xin oâng ta have a heart môû roäng töø taâm, coù loøng toát. Oh, have a moät ñaëc aân.) Sorry, I don't have an in, but I know heart! Give me some help! (OÀ, xin môû roäng töø taâm! Giuùp s.o. who does. (Raát tieác, toâi khoâng coù ty-doâ ñoù, toâi vôùi!) If Ann had a heart, she'd have made us feel nhöng toâi bieát coù ngöôøi coù.) more welcome. (Neáu Ann maø coù loøng toát, coâ ta ñaõ laøm have an itchy palm vaø have an itching pain bò ngöùa cho chuùng toâi caûm thaáy bôùt xa laï nhieàu laém.) loøng baøn tay; muoán ñöôïc thöôûng tieàn phuïc vuï. (Noùi have a heart of gold coù taám loøng vaøng. Mary is such a veà caùc ngöôøi boài baøn trong nhaø haøng khoâng ñöôïc lovely person. She has a heart of gold. (Mary thaät laø thöïc khaùch thöôûng tieàn thaáy loøng baøn tay ngöùa ngaùy; ngöôøi ñaùng meán. Ñích thaät coâ ta coù taám loøng vaøng.) ñöôïc thöôûng thì heát ngöùa.) All the waiters at that You think Tom stole your watch? Impossible! He has a restaurant have itchy palms. (Taát caû caùc ngöôøi chaïy heart of gold. (Baïn nghó Tom aên caép caùi ñoàng hoà cuûa baøn trong nhaø haøng ñoù ñeàu bò ngöùa loøng baøn tay baïn haû? Khoâng ñôøi naøo! Anh ta laø ngöôøi coù taám loøng heát.) The cab driver was troubled by an itching vaøng maø.) palm. But he refused to carry my bags, and I gave have a heart of stone coù quaû tim baèng ñaù; baûn taùnh laïnh him nothing. (Anh taøi xeá xe taéc xi ñoù cuõng thaáy ngöùa luøng. Sally has a heart of stone. She never even smiles. loøng baøn tay nhöng vì anh ta khoâng chòu xaùch giuøm (Sally coù quaû tim baèng ñaù. Coâ ta khoâng bao giôø cöôøi caû.) toâi maáy caùi haønh lyù neân toâi cho anh ngöùa luoân.) The slave driver in the play had a heart of stone. He have a price on one's head treo giaù caùi ñaàu ai; treo was an ideal villain. (Nhaân vaät buoân noâ leä trong vôû kòch giaûi thöôûng cho ai baét ñöôïc ngöôøi naøo. (Thöôøng thaáy ñoù coù traùi tim baèng ñaù. Ñuùng laø maãu ngöôøi nham hieåm duøng trong caùc phim cao-boài mieàn taây.) We lyù töôûng.) captured a thief who had a price on his head, and the have a lot going (for one) coù laém caùch (cho ai haùi ra sheriff gave us the reward. (Chuùng toâi baét ñöôïc teân tieàn); ñöôïc thuaän lôïi trong cuoäc soáng. Jane is so lucky. cöôùp bò treo giaù caùi ñaàu neân daãn veà naïp, vaø oâng She has a lot going for her. (Jane laø ngöôøi may maén. Coâ caûnh saùt tröôûng trao soá tieàn thöôøng cho chuùng toâi.) ta coù laém caùch haùi ra tieàn.) She has a good job and a The crook was so mean; he turned in his own nice family. She has a lot going. (Coâ ta coù vieäc laøm toát brother, who had a price on his head. (Teân troäm ñoù vaø moät gia ñình haïnh phuùc. Coâ ta ñöôïc nhieàu thuaän lôïi gheâ laém; y toá chính ngöôøi em mình cuõng laø ngöôøi coù trong cuoäc soáng.) caùi ñaàu bò treo giaù ñeå laõnh thöôûng.) have a low boiling point deã noåi noùng ; noùng taùnh. Be have a scrape (with s.o./s.t.) phaûi ñuïng ñaàu ngöôøi nice to John. He's upset and has a low boiling point. naøo; phaûi ñoái phoù vôùi ai. I had a scrape with the

66 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

country sheriff. (Toâi phaûi daàu vôùi oâng caûnh saùt tröôûng a lie and he found out the truth. (Toâi caûm thaáy cuûa haït.) John and Bill had a scrape, but they are ngöôïng heát söùc vì toâi noùi laùo vôùi anh ta nhöng anh friends again now. (John vaø Bill coù chuyeän phaûi ñoái phoù ñaõ bieát heát söï thaät.) nhau, nhöng sau ñoù laøm baïn laïi vôùi nhau cho ñeán baây have eyes in the back of one's head coù con maét sau giôø.) oùc; khoâng caàn nhìn nhöng bieát ñöôïc nhöõng vieäc have a soft spot in one's heart for s.o./something say chung quanh. (Neân hieåu theo nghóa boùng.) My meâ ngöôøi naøo hay vieäc gì nhö ñieáu ñoå. John has a soft teacher seems to have eyes in the back of her head. spot in his heart for Mary. (John meâ Mary nhö ñieáu ñoå.) She knows everything. (Coâ giaùo toâi döôøng nhö coù con When I was younger I had a soft spot in my heart for maét ñaøng sau oùc; caùi gì baø ta cuõng bieát heát.) My playing the guitar. (Khi coøn treû toâi meâ ñaùnh ñaøn ghi-ta teacher doesn't need to have eyes in the back of his nhö ñieáu ñoå.) head. He watches us very carefully. (Thaày giaùo toâi have a sweet tooth coù caùi raêng ngoït; thích aên ngoït; haûo khoâng caàn coù con maét sau oùc. OÂng ta thöôøng theo ngoït. (Hieåu theo nghóa ñen; ngöôøi thích aên ngoït coù caùi doõi hoïc sinh raát saùt.) raêng ñaëc bieät theøm ngoït.) I have a swet tooth, and if I have feet of clay coù chaân ñaát seùt; khoâng moät thì hai don't watch it, I'll really get fat. (Toâi coù caùi raêng haûo khuyeát ñieåm. All human beings have feet of clay. ngoït, vaø neáu toâi khoâng kieâng cöû, toâi seõ maäp uù ra.) No one is perfect. (Ngöôøi ta ai cuõng coù moät hay hai John eats candy all the time. He must have a sweet khuyeát ñieåm. Khoâng ai laø hoaøn haûo caû.) Sally was tooth. (John luùc naøo cuõng aên keïo. Chaéc chaén noù laø ñöùa popular and successful. She was nearly fifty before haûo ngoït.) she learned that she, too, had feet of clay. (Sally raát have a weakness for s.o./s.t. hoaøn toaøn yeáu ñuoái khoâng thaønh coâng vaø noåi tieáng. Nhöng cho ñeán khi gaàn ñuû söùc cöôõng laïi ngöôøi naøo hay vaät/vieäc gì vì quaù öa naêm möôi tuoåi baø ta môùi hieãu ra raèng, baø cuõng nhö thích hay ñam meâ; thaáy laø a vaøo. I have a weakness moïi ngöôøi khaùc, ñeàu coù moät hay hai khuyeát ñieåm.) for chocolate. (Toâi thaáy soâ-coâ-la laø a vaøo lieàn.) John have foot-in-mouth disease bò beänh söng moàm troùc has weakness for Mary. I think he's in love. (John hoaøn moùng; laøm cho ai thaáy hoå theïn vì haønh ñoäng/lôøi noùi toaøn yeáu ñuoái tröôùc Mary. Toâi nghó laø anh ta ñaõ si tình voâ yù voâ töù cuûa mình. (Nhaïi theo chöùng beänh söng coâ naøy.) moàm troùc moùng cuûa suùc vaät ñeå chæ caùi tai haïi cuûa have bats in one's belfry hôi maùt maùt; toác toác, ngoâng haønh ñoäng hay lôøi noùi voâ yù töù ñoù.) I'm sorry I keep cuoàng. Poor old Tom has bats in his belfry. (Toäi nghieäp saying stupid things. I guess have foot-in-mouth Tom hôi maùt maùt.) Don't act so silly, John. People will disease. (Toâi xin loãi veà nhöõng lôøi noùi ngôù ngaån ñoù. think you have bats in your belfry. (Ñöøng coù haønh ñoäng Toâi nghó toâi maéc phaûi chöùng beänh söng moàm troùc ngôù ngaån chôù, John. Ngöôøi ta seõ nghó laø anh toác toác baây moùng roài.) Yes, you really have foot-in-mouth giôø.) desease tonight. (Ñuùng vaäy, toái nay baïn maéc chöùng have clean hands voâ toäi. (So vôùi ngöôøi coù toäi laø have beänh söng moàm troùc moùng roài.) blood hands “baøn tay vaáy maùu".) Don't look at me. I have mixed feelings (about s.o./something) mang have clean hands. (Ñöøng nhìn toâi nhö vaäy chôù. Toâi voâ toäi taâm traïng hoang mang, chöa ñònh roõ; coøn phaân maø.) The police took him in, but let him go again vaân/löôõng löï chöa döùt khoaùt. I have mixed feelings because he had clean hands. (Caûnh saùt baét anh ta vaøo, about Bob. Sometimes I think he likes me; other roài thaû anh ra vì anh ta voâ toäi.) times I don't. (Toâi mang taâm traïng hoang mang veà have/put dibs on s.t. ñeå daønh caùi gì laïi cho ai; daønh caùi chaøng Bob. Ba hoài toâi thaáy anh thích toâi, ba hoài toâi gì cho ai. I have dibs on the last piece of cake. (Toâi ñeå thaáy sao anh ta laïnh nhaït vôùi toâi.) I have mixed daønh laïi moät mieáng baùnh cho toâi.) John put his dibs on feelings about my trip to England. I love the people, the last piece again. It isn't fair. (John daønh mieáng baùnh but the climate upsets me. (Toâi ñang coøn phaân vaân cuoái cuøng ñoù cho noù. Nhö vaäy laø khoâng coâng bình.) veà chuyeán ñi Luaân ñoân saép ñeán. Toâi thích ngöôøi ôû have egg on one's face dính tröùng nôi maët; ngöôïng ñoù nhöng thôøi tieát thì chaùn môù ñôøi.) Yes, I also nguøng vì ngöôøi khaùc thaáy roõ caùi sai cuûa mình. (Raát ít have mixed feelings. (Ñuùng, toâi cuõng coøn ñang löôõng duøng ñeán nghóa ñen.) Bob has egg on his face because löï.) he wore jeans to the party and everyone else wore formal have money to burn dö tieàn ñoát ai khoâng heát; thöøa clothing. (Bob thaáy ngöôïng nguøng vì anh ta maëc quaàn tieàn laém cuûa. Look at the way Tom buys things. jean ñeán döï tieäc trong khi moïi ngöôøi khaùc ñeàu ñoùng ñoà You'd think he had money to burn. (Xem caùch Tom lôùn caû.) John was completely wrong about the weather mua saém. Baïn seõ nghó raèng y coù dö tieàn ñoát baïn for the picnic. It snowed! Now he had egg on his face. cuõng chöa heát.) If I had money to burn, I'd just put (John ñoaùn sai hoaøn toaøn veà thôøi tieát ñeå ñi du ngoaïn. it in the bank and give some to the charity. (Neáu coù Trôøi ñoå tuyeát! Baây giôø anh ta thaáy ngöôïng nguøng vì söï thöøa tieàn laém cuûa thì toâi boû vaøo ngaân haøng vaø cho ñoaùn sai ñoù.) I have egg on my face because I told him hoäi töø thieän moät ít.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 67

have one's back to the wall ñaâu löng vaøo töôøng; trong oùc luùc naøo cuõng mô maøng. "Bob, do you have your theá thuû. He'll have to give in. He has his back to the head in the clouds?” said the teacher. ("Bob, baïn coù wall. (Noù hieän laâm vaøo theá thuû. Tröôùc sau gì noù cuõng chui ñaàu vaøo ñaùm maây khoâng ñoù?” thaày giaùo hoûi.) ñaàu haøng.) How can I bargain when I've got my back She walks around all day with her head in the to the wall? (Laøm sao toâi thöông thaûo trong khi toâi laâm clouds. She must be in love. (Coâ ta suoát ngaøy thô vaøo theá thuû?) thaån vaø ñaàu oùc cöù mô maøng. Chaéc coâ ta ñamg yeâu have one's cake and eat it too vaø eat one's cake and ai.) have it too vöøa thích coù tröùng aên vöøa thích gieát gaø aên have one's heart in one's mouth boài hoài rung caûm thòt. (Thöôøng duøng trong theå phuû ñònh.) Tom wants to vì ai/vieäc gì. "Gosh, Mary.” said John, “I have my have his cake and eat it too. It can't be done. (Tom vöøa heart in my mouth whenever I see you." (Laïy chuùa muoán coù tröùng aên vöøa muoán gieát gaø aên thòt. Thaät laø toâi, Mary ôi.” John noùi, “khi naøo anh nhìn thaáy em chuyeän khoâng theå naøo coù ñöôïc.) Don't buy a car if you thì loøng anh boài hoài rung caûm.) My heart is in my wnt to walk and stay healthy. You can't eat your cake mouth whenever I hear the national anthem. (Loøng have it too. (Neáu muoán ñi boä cho coù söùc khoeû thì ñöøng toâi boãng thaáy boài hoài rung caûm moãi khi nghe quoác mua xe. Baïn khoâng theå vöøa muoán coù tröùng aên vöøa muoán thieàu troåi leân.) Cuõng duøng: one's heart is in one's gieát gaø aên thòt nhö vaäy ñöôïc.) mouth boài hoài caûm ñoäng. It was a touching scene. have/keep one's ear to the ground ñaët tai xuoáng ñaát ñeå My heart was in my mouth the whole time. (Ñoù laø nghe; nghe ngoùng ñeû ñoaùn bieát vieäc saép xaây ra. John moät caûnh raát thöông taâm. Loøng toâi thaät boài hoài caûm had his ear to the ground, hoping to find out about new ñoäng.) ideas in computers. (John luùc naøo cuõng nghe ngoùng ñeå have one's heart set on s.t. noùng loøng muoán coù bieát ñöôïc nhöõng phaùt kieán môùi trong ngaønh ñieän toaùn.) ñöôïc. Jane has her heart set on going to college His boss told him to keep his ear to the ground so that this year. (Jane noùng loøng muoán vaøo ñaïi hoïc naêm he'd be the first to know of a new idea. (Seáp cuûa anh ta nay.) His heart is set on seeing her. (Loøng anh noân baûo anh luùc naøo cuõng phaûi nghe ngoùng ñeå ñoùn baét nhöõng nao muoán gaëp ñöôïc naøng.) Cuõng duøng: set one's saùng kieán môùi nhaát.) heart on s.t. quyeát moät loøng laøm vieäc gì. Jane set have one's finger in the pie dính líu vaøo vieäc gì. I like her heart on going to London. (Jane quyeát moät loøng to have my finger in the pie so I can make sure things go ñi Luaân ñoân.) my way. (Toâi muoán dính líu vaøo coâng vieäc ñeå naém vöõng have one's nose in a book caém ñaàu vaøo quyeån saùch; dieãn tieán cuûa noù ñuùng theo yù toâi.) As long as John has ham ñoïc saùch. Bob has his nose in a book every his finger in the pie, things will happen slowly. (Heå khi time I see him. (Moãi laàn toâi thaáy Bob ñeàu thaáy anh ta naøo coù baøn tay John nhuùng vaøo thì moïi chuyeän trôû thaønh caém ñaàu vaøo quyeån saùch.) His nose is always in a chaäm chaïp.) book. He never gets any exercise. (Luùc naøo noù cuõng have one's hand in the till boû tay vaøo tuû saét; haønh ñoäng caém ñaàu vaøo quyeån saùch. Noù khoâng bao giôø taäp theå aên caép tieàn cuûa coâng ty hay toå chöùc naøo. Mr. Jones duïc caû.) had his hand in the till for years before he was caught. have one's tail between one's legs cuïp ñuoâi; quaù (OÂng Jones boû tay vaøo tuû saét nhieàu naêm lieàn tröôùc khi bò khieáp sôï hoaëc quaù heøn nhaùt. (Noùi ñeán hình aûnh sôï phaùt giaùc.) I think that the new clerk has her hand in haõi cuûa con choù khi ngöûi thaáy muøi coïp.) John the till. There is cash missing every moïrning. (Toâi nghó seems to lack courage. Whenever there is an raèng coâ thö kyù môùi tuyeån vaøo ñoù coù boû tay vaøo tuû saét. argument, he has his tail between his legs. (John Saùng naøo cuõng thaáy coù maát tieàn.) hình nhö khoâng coù can ñaûm. Moãi khi coù tranh luaän, have one's hands full (with s.o./something) baän roän toái anh ta sôï seät nhö choù cuïp ñuoâi.) You can tell that ngaøy vì ai hay vieäc gì. I have my hands full with my the dog is frightened because it has its tail between three children. (Toâi baän roän toái ngaøy vì ba ñöùa con.) its legs. (Khi naøo thaáy con choù cuïp ñuoâi xuoáng thì You have your hands full with the store. (Baïn thì baän baïn bieát laø noù ñang khieáp sôï.) Cuõng duøng: one's tail roän toái ngaøy vôùi caùi cöûa tieäm.) We both have our is between one's legs haønh ñoäng sôï seät hay heøn nhaùt. hands full. (Caû hai chuùng ta ñeàu baän roän toái ngaøy.) He should have stood up and argued, but — as have one's hands tied troùi hai tay ai laïi; khoâng ñöôïc töï usual — his tail was between his legs. (Leõ ra anh ta do haønh ñoäng. I can't help you. I was told not to, so I phaûi ñöùng leân maø tranh luaän laïi, ñaøng naøy — chöùng have my hands tied. (Toâi ñöôïc leänh khoâng giuùp baïn naøo taät naáy — anh sôï ñeán cuùp ñuoâi.) ñöôïc. Nhö vaäy xem nhö hai tay toâi bò troùi roài.) John have one's words stick in one's throat caûm ñoäng can help. He doesn't have his hands tied. (John giuùp quaù ñeán ngheïn lôøi. I sometines have my words ñöôïc kìa. Anh ta hoaøn toaøn töï do haønh ñoäng.) stick in my throat. (Ñoâi khi toâi quaù caûm ñoäng ñeán have one's head in the clouds chui ñaàu vaøo ñaùm maây; ngheïn lôøi.) Cuõng duøng: one's words stick in one's khoâng theøm bieát nhöõng gì xaûy ra chung quanh mình; ñaàu throat laøm nhö muoáng ngheïn nôi coå khoâng noùi ñöôïc.

68 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

My words stick in my throat whenever I try to say s.t. have s.t. in stock coøn haøng ñang baùn ra; coøn haøng ñeå kind or tender. (Khi naøo toâi muoán noùi lôøi dòu ngoït caùi coå baùn. Do you have extra large sizes in stock? (Anh toâi laøm nhö muoán ngheïn laïi neân khoâng noùi ñöôïc.) coøn trong kho loaïi naøy nhöng coù côõ roäng nhaát have other fish to fry coù vieäc laøm roài; coù chuyeän quan khoâng?) Of course, we have all sizes and colors in troïng ñeå lo. I can't take time for your problem. I have stock. (Dó nhieân chuùng toâi coøn trong kho loaïi haøng other fish to fry. (Toâi khoâng coù thôøi gian lo cho vieäc cuûa naøy vôùi ñuû côõ vaø ñuû maøu.) baïn. Toâi coù vieäc cuûa toâi.) I won't waste time on your have s.t. to spare coøn (nhieàu) thöù gì; cuûa aên cuûa ñeå. question. I have bigger fish to fry. (Toâi khoâng theå maát Ask John for some firewood. He has firewood to thôøi gian vì caâu hoûi cuûa baïn ñöôïc. Toâi coù vieäc quan spare. (Hoûi xin John moät ít cuûi ñoát loø söôûi. Anh ta troïng hôn phaûi laøm.) coøn nhieàu laém.) Do you have any candy to spare? have s.o. dead to rights coù baèng chöùng khoâng choái caõi (Baïn coøn caây keïo naøo?) It's good idea to have ñöôïc. The police burst in on the robbers while they some money to spare. Don't ever spend it all. (Toát were at work. They had the robbers dead to rights. hôn neân ñeå daønh moät ít tieàn. Ñöøng bao giôø xaøi caïn (Caûnh saùt aäp vaøo trong luùc caùc teân cöôùp ñang aên haøng. laùng.) Hoï baét taïi traän khieán cho chuùng heát ñöôøng choái caõi.) have the right-of-way coù quyeàn öu tieân (vì ñöôïc ñeán All right, Tom! I've got you dead to rights! Get your tröôùc—choã ngoài hoaëc ñang ôû treân ñöôøng lôùn —xe hands out of the cookie jar. (Ñöôïc roài, Tom! Toâi coù baèng coä.) I had a traffic accident yesterday, but it wasn't chöùng cho anh heát caõi! Boû caùi tay anh ra khoûi loï ñöïng my fault. I had the right-of-way. (Hoâm qua toâi bò tai baùnh ñi.) naïn löu thoâng, nhöng khoâng phaûi loãi taïi toâi. Xe toâi have s.o. in one's pocket boû ai trong tuùi (naém trong tay); ñöôïc quyeàn öu tieân maø.) Don't pull out onto a ñieåu khieån ñöôïc ai; naém ñaàu ngöôøi naøo. Don't worry highway if you don't have the right-of-way. (Ñöøng coù about the mayor. She'll cooperate. I've got her in my chen vaøo xa loä neáu baïn chöa ñöôïc nhöôøng quyeàn öu pocket. (Ñöøng lo baø thò tröôûng. Baø ta seõ hôïp taùc maø. Toâi tieân.) boû vaøo trong tuùi roài neø. YÙ noùi “ñaõ mua naém baø trong have the shoe on the other foot mang giaøy loän tay” hoaëc “ñieàu khieån ñöôïc baø”.) John will do just chaân; coù kinh nghieäm ngöôïc laïi vôùi tröôùc. (Coù theå what I tell him. I've got him and his brother in my pocket. thay be cho have.) I used to be a student, and now (John thì toâi baûo chi laøm naáy. Toâi ñieàu khieån ñöôïc caû y I'm the teacher. Now I have the shoe on the other laãn ngöôøi em cuûa y maø.) I am a hen-pecked husband; foot. (Ngaøy xöa toâi laø hoïc sinh, nay toâi laøm thaày my wife has me in her pocket. (Toâi laø ngöôøi choàng sôï vôï; giaùo. Toâi hoïc ñöôïc moät kinh nghieäm ngöôïc laïi vôùi bò vôï naém ñaàu.) tröôùc.) You were mean to me when you thought I have s.o./something in one's hands ñang naém trong tay; was cheating. Now that I have caught you cheating, ñaët döôùi quyeàn hay trong phaïm vi traùch nhieäm cuûa ai. the shoe is on the other foot. (Baïn toû ra nghieâm khaéc (Coù theå thay have baèng leave hoaëc put.) You have the vôùi toâi vì nghó raèng toâi gian laän. Nay toâi baét ñöôïc whole project in your hands. (Baïn naém toaøn boä döï aùn baïn gian laän, vaäy baïn bieát theá naøo laø mang giaøy loän trong tay.) The boss put the whole project in your chaân roài.) hands. (OÂng seáp ñaõ giao toaøn boä döï aùn cho baïn chòu have the time of one's life höôûng ñöôïc troïn nieàm traùch nhieäm.) I have to leave the baby in your hands vui trong ñôøi; höôûng ñöôïc moät dòp (moät quaõng thôøi while I go to the doctor. (Toâi phaûi giao ñöùa beù cho baïn gian) sung söôùng trong ñôøi. What a great party! I troâng nom ñeå toâi ñi khaùm beänh.) had the time of my life. (Thaät laø moät böõa tieäc vui ñaùo have s.t. at one's fingertips vaø have s.t. at hand trong taàm ñeå! Toâi höôûng ñöôïc moät caùch troïn veïn.) We went tay (vôùi/voùi.) (Coù theå thay have baèng keep.) I have a to Florida last winter and had the time of our lives. dictionary at my fingertips. (Toâi ñaët quyeån töï ñieån trong (Chuùng toâi ñi Floria muøa ñoâng naêm tröôùc vaø höôûng taàm tay.) I try to have everything I need at hand. (Toâi ñöôïc moät dòp sung söôùng.) To me, adolescence is tìm caùch saép ñaët moïi thöù caàn thieát naèm trong taàm tay vôùi the best to have the time of one's life. (Theo toâi, tuoåi cuûa toâi.) Please do not keep your medicine at your thanh xuaân laø thôøi gian ñeïp nhaát ñeå ñöôïc höôûng troïn children's fingertips. (Xin ñöøng ñeå caùc loaïi döôïc phaåm veïn nieàm vui cuûa cuoäc ñôøi.) trong taàm tay voùi cuûa treû con.) have too many irons in the fire oâm ñoàm nhieàu vieäc. have s.t. hanging over one's head mang moät moái lo; coù (Ví hình aûnh moät ngöôøi thôï reøn boû quaù nhieàu moùn moái baän taâm. I keep worrying about getting drafted. I trong loø nung cuûa oâng ta; keát quaû thöôøng khoâng hoaøn hate to have s.t. like that hanging over my head. (Toâi cöù haûo). Tom had too many irons in the fire and lo veà chuyeän bò keâu lính quaù. Mang moät moái lo nhö vaäy missed some important deadlines. (Tom oâm ñoàm quaù toâi chaúng thích chuùt naøo.) I have a history paper that is nhieàu vieäc neân anh ta ñeå cho treã haïn moät soá vieäc hanging over my head. (Toâi coøn moät moái baän taâm nöõa laø quan troïng.) It's better if you don't have too many baøi laøm moân söû.) irons in the fire. (Toát hôn heát baïn khoâng neân oâm

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 69

ñoàm quaù nhieàu vieäc.) Then—as he was talking—the exact nature of the head and shoulders above s.o./something vöôït troäi hôn evil plan hit me between the eyes. (Roài—qua caùch aên ngöôøi khaùc/vaät khaùc thaáy roõ. (Veà hình thöùc hoaëc noäi noùi cuûa anh ta—toâi thaáy roõ thöïc chaát cuûa keá hoaïch dung; soá löông hay phaåm chaát.) This wine is head and gian manh ñoù.) What we saw in the museum hit us shoulders above that one. (Loaïi röôïu naøy ngon vöôït troäi between the eyes. (Nhöõng gì ñöôïc xem trong baûo hôn loaïi kia thaáy roõ.) John stands head and shoulders taøng vieän ñaõ gaây cho chuùng toâi moät aán töôïng khaù above Bob. (John cao vöôït Bob moät caùi ñaàu.) ñaäm neùt.) He who laughs last, laughs longest. Cöôøi ngöôøi hoâm hit (someone) like a ton of bricks laøm cho ai choaùng tröôùc hoâm sau ngöôøi cöôøi. Keû ñöôïc cuoäc sau cuøng môùi vaùng maët maøy. (Nhö bò caû taán gaïch ñoå leân ñaàu.) daùm cöôøi dai. Bill had pulled many the silly tricks on Suddenly, the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. Tom. Finally Tom pulled a very funny trick on Bill and (Boãng nhieân, söï thaät ñoù laøm cho toâi choaùng vaùng said, “He who laughs last, laughs longest." (Bill ñaõ maët maøy.) The sudden tax increase hit like a ton of nhieàu laàn chôi khaâm Tom moät caùch daïi doät. Sau cuøng bricks. Everyone became angry. (Vieäc taêng thueá ñoät Tom traû ñuõa vaø noùi vôùi Tom: “Cöôøi ngöôøi hoâm tröôùc, nhieân taêng nhö vaäy laøm cho moïi ngöôøi thaáy choaùng hoâm sau ngöôøi cöôøi.") Bill pulled another, even bigger vaùng. Ai cuõng giaän caû.) trick on Tom, and said, laughing, “He laughs best who hit the bull's eyes truùng maét boø. 1. truùng ngay hoàng laughs last." (Bill tìm caùch chôi xoû ñeå traû ñuõa laïi Tom, taâm; truùng ñích. The archer hit the bull's eyes three laàn naøy coøn hoùc hieåm hôn, roài noùi: “Keû ñöôïc cuoäc sau times in a row. (Ngöôûi cung thuû baén ba phaùt ñeàu cuøng môùi daùm cöôøi dai chöù.) truùng hoàng taâm.) I didn't hit the bull's eye even hide one's light under a bushel bieát maø khoâng chòu noùi once. (Toâi bò cheäch hoàng taâm moät phaùt.) 2. giaûi ra; daáu taøi; daáu ngheà. Jane has some good idea, but quyeát vaán ñeà moät caùch ngoaïn muïc. Your idea she doesn't speak very often. She hides her light under a really hit the bull's eye. Thank you! (YÙ cuûa baïn ñaùnh bushel. (Jane coù nhieàu yù kieán hay laém, nhöng ít khi coâ ta truùng ngay ñích! Caûm ôn laém! YÙ noùi “YÙ kieán cuûa noùi ra laém. Coâ ta bieát maø khoâng chòu noùi ra.) Don't baïn giaûi quyeát ñöôïc vaán ñeà moät caùch ngoaïn muïc.) hide you light under a bushel. Share your gilts with other Jill has a lot of insight. She knows how to hit the people. (Ñöøng coù daáu taøi. Bieát gì thì chia sôùt cuøng ngöôøi bull's eye. (Jill laø ngöôøi raát thaâm traàm. Coâ ta bieát khaùc vôùi chôù.) Hiding our light under a bushel is the caùch ñaùnh truùng ñích. — Coâ ta bieát giaûi quyeát vaán nature of us people. (Daáu ngheà laø baûn tính cuûa daân ñeà moät caùch ngoaïn muïc.) chuùng toâi.) hit the nail (right) on the head ñoùng ñinh khoâng high man on the totem pole oâng lôùn; nhaân vaät chuû choát. bao giôø cheäch; laøm vieäc raát coù hieäu quaû. You've I don't want to talk to a secretary. I demand to talk to spotted the flaws, Sally. You hit the nail on the head. the high man on the totem pole. (Toâi khoâng theøm noùi ((Coâ ñaõ tìm thaáy ñöôïc choã sai phaïm. Coâ maø ñoùng chuyeän vôùi thö kyù. Toâi yeâu caàu ñöôïc gaëp oâng lôùn ôû ñinh thì khoâng bao giôø cheäch.) Bob doesn't say ñaây.) Who's in charge around here? Who's high man much, but every now and then he hits the nail right on the totem pole? (Ai laø ngöôøi chòu traùch nhieäm taïi on the head. (Bob ít noùi, nhöng anh laøm vieäc thöôøng ñaây? Ai laø nhaân vaät chuû choát ôû ñaây?) raát coù hieäu quaû.) hit a snag gaëp raéc roái; gaëp trôû ngaïi. We've hit a snag hit the spot ñuùng yù/hôïp yù (cuûa ngöôøi noùi.) This with the building project. (Baáy laâu nay chuùng toâi cöù gaëp cool drink really hits the spot. (Thöùc uoáng laïnh naøy raéc roái veà caùi döï aùn xaây caát ñoù.) I stopped working on ñuùng y bon yù boïn naøy.) That was a delicious meal, the roof when I hit a snag. (Toâi gaëp trôû ngaïi neân khoâng dear. It hit the spot. (Böõa aên naøy ngon quaù cöng aï. laøm tieáp caùi maùi nhaø ñoù nöõa.) Hôïp yù quaù.) hit bottom xuoáng taän cuøng vöïc thaúm; ñeán choã taän maït. hold one's end (of the bargain) up vaø hold up one's Our profits have hit bottom. This is our worst year end (of the bargain) laøm ñuùng nhö ñaõ thoûa thuaän; ever. (Lôi töùc cuûa chuùng toâi ñang ôû taän cuøng ôû taän cuøng thöïc hieän theo ñuùng cam keát. Tom has to learn to vöïc thaúm. Naêm naøy laø naêm beát baùt nhaát.) When my cooperate. He must hold up his end of the bargain. life hit bottom, I began to feel much better. I knew that if (Tom caàn phaûi hoïc caùch hôïp taùc laøm vieäc. Anh ta there was going to be any change, it would be for the phaûi laøm ñuùng nhö ñaõ thoûa thuaän.) If you don't better. (Khi ñôøi toâi maø ñeán choã taän maït thì toâi thaáy khoeû hold your end up, the whole project will fail. (Neáu ngöôøi ra. Vì toâi bieát “theá cuøng taát bieán”; nhö vaäy seõ khaù baïn khoâng thöïc hieän ñuùng nhö ñaõ cam keát thì toaøn ra.) boä döï aùn naøy seõ thaát baïi.) hit s.o. between the eyes thaáy roõ (raøng tröôùc maét); gaây aán hold one's head up vaø hold up one's head coù loøng töï töôïng maïnh. Suddenly, it hit me right between the troïng; bieát giöõ nhaân caùch chænh teà. I've done eyes. John and Mary were in love. (Boãng toâi thaáy roõ raøng nothing wrong. I can hold my head up in public. (Toâi tröôùc maét toâi. John vaø Mary thöông nhau thaät tình.) khoâng laøm gì sai traùi caû. Toâi bieát töï troïng ôû nôi coâng

70 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

coäng maø.) I'm so embarrassed and ashamed. I'll never moät loït ngay vaøo loã (goân.) I've never gotten a hole be able to hold up my head again. (Toâi caûm thaáy quaù in one. (Toâi khoâng bao giôø chôi goân maø ñaùnh ñöôïc kheùp neùp vaø hoå theïn. Khoâng bao giôø toâi giöõ ñöôïc nhaân moät laàn voâ loã nhö vaäy caû.) 2. (ñöôïc lieàn) moät caùi caùch chænh teà.) Holding one's head up can be a learned moät. (Chæ söï vieäc xaûy ra lieàn, khoâng keùo daøi hoaëc character; it should be initiated from early age. (Giöõ phaûi coá gaéng laàn thöù hai.) It worked the first time I nhaân caùch laø moät ñöùc tính coù theå taäp ñöôïc; ñöùc tính naøy tried it—a hole in one. (Laàn ñaàu tieân toâi thöû vaø ñöôïc phaûi ñöôïc reøn luyeän ngay töø thuôû coøn beù thô.) lieàn—moät caùi moät.) Bob got a hole in one on that hold one's own chaúng thua gì ai; cuõng gioûi dang nhö ai. sale. A lady walked in the door, and he sold her a I can hold my own in a footrace any day. (Toâi dö söùc car in five minutes. (Bob baùn chieác xe anh ta moät caùi chaïy ñua khoâng thua gì ai.) She was unable to hold her moät. Baø kia böôùc vaøo vaø chæ trong voøng naêm phuùt own, and she had to quit. (Coâ ta khoâng coøn gioûi dang anh ñöôïc chieác xe lieàn.) nhö nhieàu ngöôøi khaùc, neân coâ ta boû cuoäc.) honor s.o.'s check nhaän chi phieáu caù nhaân. The hold one's peace vaãn giöõ thaùi ñoä im laëng. Bill was clerk at the store wouldn't honor my check. I had to unable to hold his peace any longer. “Don't do it!” he pay cash. (Nhaân vieân baùn haøng trong tieäm ñoù khoâng cried. (Bill khoâng theå naøo giöõ thaùi ñoä im laëng nöõa, anh nhaän chi phieáu cuûa toâi. Toâi ñaønh phaûi traû baèng tieàn beøn la leân: “Ñöøng laøm nhö vaäy!") Quiet, John. Hold maët.) The bank didn't honor your check when I your peace for a little while longer. (Im ñi John. Cöù giöõ tried to deposit it. Please give me cash. (Toâi boû tieàn thaùi ñoä im laëng theâm moät luùc nöõa.) vaø ngaân haøng nhöng hoï khoâng chaáp nhaän chi phieáu hold one's tongue boû qua khoâng noùi; noùi phaûi giöõ lôøi; giöõ cuûa anh. Cho toâi tieàn maët ñi.) moàm giöõ mieäng (noùi naêng voâ leã.) I felt like scolding hope against all hope coøn nöôùc coøn taùt; trong côn her, but i held my tongue. (Toâi muoán maéng coâ ta moät thaäp töû vaãn hy voïng coøn ñöôøng soáng. We hope maùch, nhöng toâi ñaõ boû qua.) Hold your tongue, John. against all hope that she'll see the right thing to do You can't talk to me that way. (Phaûi giöõ lôøi chôù, John. and do it. (Coøn nöôùc coøn taùt, chuùng toâi hy voïng coâ ta Baïn khoâng ñöôïc noùi vôùi toâi nhö vaäy.) Children seõ nhaän thöùc ñöôïc phaûi traùi vaø luùc aáy coâ ta seõ laøm nowadays do not hold their tongues when they talk to ñaøng hoaøng. There is little point in hoping against elderly people. (Treû con thôøi nay noùi vôùi ngöôøi lôùn all hope, except that it makes you feel better. (Khoâng khoâng giöõ moàn giöõ mieäng gì caû.) coù lyù gì maø noùi laø coøn nöôùc coøn taùt caû, tröø phi nhôø hy hold out the olive branch ñoàng yù giaûi hoaø; chòu dung voïng ñoù giuùp baïn thaáy ñôõ khoå hôn thoâi.) When one hoaø (Thöôøng chæ thaùi ñoä hoaø nhaõ cuûa moät hay hai beân is in his desperate mood, it is better for him/her to ñang tranh tuïng ñeå baét tay laøm hoaø.Caønh oâ-liu laø bieåu have a hope against all hope. (Khi laâm vaøo tình töôïng cuûa ñoaøn keát vaø hoaø bình.) Jill was the first to traïng tuyeät voïng, ngöôøi ta neân nghó raèng trong côn hold out the olive branch after our argument. (Jill laø thaäp töû vaãn hy voïng coøn ñöôøng soáng.) ngöôøi ñaàu tieân chòu giaûi hoaø sau cuoäc tranh luaän cuûa horn in (on s.o.) coù yù tranh ñoaït (gì) cuûa ai. I'm chuùng toâi.) I always try to hold out the olive branch to going to ask Sally to the party. Don't you dare try to s.o. I have hurt. Life is too short for a person to bear horn in on me! (Toâi ñònh ruû Sally ñi döï party. Anh grudges for very long. (Toâi luùc naøo cuõng ñaáu dòu vôùi ñöøng coù hoøng maø coù yù tranh ñoaït coâ ta vôùi toâi.) I ngöôøi naøo toâi lôõ laøm hoï mích loøng. Ñôøi ngöôøi coù gì ñaùng wouldn't think of horning in. (Toâi khoâng theøm tranh ñeå cho mình phaûi gim vaøo trong taâm nhöõng chuyeän ñoaït vôùi anh ñaâu.) That discarded car has lain in khoâng vui.) the rain for two years. Now I want to put it into hold the fort giöõ ñoàn; thuû töø. (Fort laø ñoàn lính. YÙ noùi ôû operation, then you horn in on me, huh? (Caùi xe ñoù laïi coi chöøng nhaø hay cöûa tieäm.) I'm going next door naèm ngoaøi möa ñaõ hai naêm nay roài. Baây giôø toâi to visit Mrs. Jones. You stay here and hold the fort. (Em muoán söûa laïi chaïy, thì anh muoán tranh ñoaït cuûa toâi seõ ñi qua thaêm baø Jones. Anh ôû nhaø giöõ ñoàn nghe. — aø?) Anh ôû nhaø coi nhaø nghe.) You should open the store at horse of another color vaø horse of a different color eight o'clock and hold the fort until I get there at twelve moùc chuyeän noï sang chuyeän kia; laãn loän vieäc noï o'clock. (Anh ra môû cöûa tieäm vaø ôû ñoù coi soùc coâng veäc sang vieäc kia. I was talking about the tree, not the ñeán möôøi hai giôø thì em veà.) bush. That's a horse of another color. (Toâi ñang coøn hold true vaãn coøn hieäu löïc; vaãn coøn giaù trò. Does this noùi chuyeän caäy coái, ai noùi buïi bôø. Nhö vaäy laø moùc rule hold true all the time? (Ñieàu leä naøy vaãn coøn hieäu chuyeän noï sang chuyeän kia roài.) Gambling is not löïc haû?) Yes, it holds true no matter what. (Vaâng, khoâng the same as investing in the stock market. It's a horse coù gì thay ñoåi ñöôïc ñieàu leä ñoù caû.) of a different color. (Ñaùnh baïc ñaâu gioáng nhö ñaàu tö hole in one. moät caùi moät. (Duøng trong troø chôi ñaùnh goân vaøo thò tröôøng chöùng khoaùn. Noùi vaäy laø laãn loän vieäc (golf.) 1. moät phaùt moät loït ngay vaøo loã. John made a naøy sang vieäc kia.) hole in one yesterday. (Hoâm qua John ñaùnh moät phaùt

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 71

hot under the collar noåi tam baønh; giaän caøng hoâng. all the time never have an easy life. (Ngöôøi ta noùi The boss was really hot under the collar when you told raèng ai maø luùc naøo cuõng chaïy ñoân chaïy ñaùo thì suoát him you lost the contract. (OÂng seáp noåi tam baønh khi ñôøi khoâng bao giôø nhaøn haï ñöôïc.) nghe anh noùi anh bò huït caùi hôïp ñoàng ñoù.) I get hot in a (tight) spot bò keït cöùng heát ñöôøng cöïa quaäy; laâm vaøo theá bí (chöa caùch gôõ — hoaëc tình theá beá taéc.) under the collar every time I think about it. (Cöù moãi laàn Look, John. I'm in a tight spot. Can you lend me nghó ñeán chuyeän ñoù toâi laïi noåi giaän caøng hoâng.) twenty dollars? (Naøy, John. Toâi bò keït cöùng heát

ñöôïc cöïa quaäy roài. Cho möôïn hai chuïc ñi.) I'm in a spot too. I need $300. (Toâi cuõng ñang laâm vaøo theá bí chöa caùch gôõ ñaây. Toâi caàn tôùi 300 doàng laän.) When one is well prepared, he could avoid being in a tight spot. (Khi coù söï saép saün thì ngöôøi ta coù theå Ii traùnh ñöôïc nhöõng tình theá beá taéc.) in a vicious circle caùi voøng laån quaån; tính laåm caåm If the shoe fits, wear it. Thaáy hôïp yù thì cöù laøm theo. Life is so strange. I seem to be in a vicious circle Thaáy ñöôïc thì cöù töï nhieân. (Tuïc ngöõ Anh: “Giaøy vöøa most of the time. (Cuoäc ñôøi thaät laï luøng. Luùc naøo toâi chaân thì cöù mang.” Some people here need to be quiet. thaáy cuõng lui tôùi trong caùi voøng laån quaån.) I put If the shoe fits, wear it. (Nhieàu ngöôøi ôû ñaây caàn yeân tónh. lemon in my tea to make it sour, then sugar to make Neáu ñöôïc xin baïn giöõ yeân laëng giuøm cho.) This it sweet. I'm in a vicious circle. (Toâi theâm chanh vaøo doesn't apply to everyone. If the shoe fits, wear it. traø, chua quaù, toâi laïi theâm ñöôøng cho ngoït. Toâi thaät (Chuyeän naøy khoâng aùp duïng cho taát caû moïi ngöôøi. Thaáy laø laåm caåm.) There are lot of things that are in ñöôïc thì cöù töï nhieân.) "If the shoe fits, wear it.” is not such a vicious circle. They do not devote themselves always the best policy for a person to hold his/her head to educating children to behave but they invest a lot up. (Caâu tuïc ngöõ: “Neáu giaøy vöøa chaân thì cöù mang.” of money in building more prisons and increase khoâng phaûi luoân luoân laø moät phöông caùch toát nhaát ñeå police force. (Coù nhieàu chuyeän thaät laø laåm caåm. Hoï laøm con nguôøi töï troïng.) khoâng chòu chuyeân taâm ñaïy doã treû con cho ngoan if worst comes to worst ñoái ñeá laém;baát ñaéc dó laém. If ngoaõn maø chæ bieát boû tieàn ra xaây theâm nhaø tuø vaø worst comes to worst, we'll hire s.o. to help you. (Ñoái ñeá taêng löïc löôïng caûnh saùt.) laém, chuùng toâi seõ tìm ngöôøi giuùp baïn.) If worst comes in a world of one's own thu mình trong voû oác; moät to worst, I'll have to borrow some money. (Baét ñaéc dó mình thui thuûi; moãi ngöôøi laø moät theá giôùi rieâng bieät. laém toâi môùi möôïn tieàn ngöôøi khaùc.) John lives in a world of his own. He has very few in a dead heat veà ñeán ñích cuøng moät luùc. (Duøng trong friends. (John soáng thu mình trong voû oác. Baïn beø anh caùc cuoäc ñua ngöïa.) The two horses finished the race chæ coù vaøi ngöôøi.) Mary walks around in a world of in a dead heat. (Hai con ngöïa chaïy veà ñeán ñích bon her own, but she's very intelligent. (Mary thô thaån cuøng moät luùc.) They ended the contest in a dead heat. moät mình thui thuûi, nhöng coâ ta saùng trí laém.) (Hoï keát thuùc cuoäc thi cuøng bon moät luùc.) When traveling on highway, I always have feeling in a flash Ttrong nhaùy maét; nhanh nhö chôùp. I'll be that despite there are hundreds of cars around, there in a flash. (Toâi seõ ñeán ñoù trong nhaùy maét.) It everyone is in a world of his own. (Khi laùi xe treân xa happened in a flash. Suddenly my wallet was gone. loä, toâi luùc naøo cuõng caûm thaáy maëc daàu coù haøng traêm (Nhanh nhö chôùp. Caùi ví cuûa toâi bieán maát tieâu.) chieác xe chaïy chung quanh, nhöng moïi ngöôøi laø moät theá giôùi rieâng bieät.) in a huff thaùi ñoä hung haêng giaän döõ. He heard what we in bad faith loïc löøa; thaát tín; baát tín. It appears had to say, then left in a huff. (Anh ta nghe chuùng toâi noùi that you acted in bad faith and didn't live up to the neân hung haêng giaän döõ boû ñi.) She came in a huff and terms of our agreement. (Roõ raøng anh laø ngöôøi loïc ordered us to bring her s.t. to eat. (Baø ta maët maøy hung löøa vaø khoâng giöõ ñuùng lôøi cam keát vôùi chuùng toâi.) haêng giaän döõ ñeán sai chuùng toâi kieám gì cho baø ta aên.) If you do things in bad faith, you'll get a bad She gets into a huff very easily. (Baø ta deã coù thaùi ñoä reputation. (Neáu baïn laøm nhöõng vieäc thaát tín, uy hung haêng giaän döõ laém.) danh cuûa anh seõ khoâng coøn.) A person who acts in in a mad rush chaïy ñoân chaïy ñaùo. I ran around all bad faith will never be well-established. (Nhaân baát day today in mad rush, looking for a present for Bill. tín baát laäp. Ngöôøi soáng maø baát tín thì khoâng thaønh (Suoát ngaøy hoâm nay toâi chaïy ñoân chaïy ñaùo ñeå tìm mua coâng vöõng vaøng.) cho Bill moät moùn quaø.) Why are you always in a mad in bad sorts (maët naøy) uû doät; Bill is in bad sorts rush? (Taïi sao luùc naøo cuõng thaáy baïn chaïy ñoân chaïy today. He's very grouchy. (Hoâm nay Bill troâng uû doät. ñaùo vaäy?) It is said that those who are in a mad rush Coøn gaét goûng nöõa chôù.) I try to be extra nice to

72 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

people when I'm in bad sorts. (Khi toâi mang caùi maâ uû doät gets into full swing. (Haõy ñôïi cho ñeán khi döï aùn cuûa toâi coá laøm ra veû thaät töû teá vôùi moïi ngöôøi.) My wife is baïn tieán trieån khaû quan haún hay.) the only person who can help me out of being bad sorts. I in good shape/condition tình traïng toát (chæ vaät); theå love her. (Chæ coù vôï toâi laø ngöôøi duy nhaát giuùp toâi tìm laïi chaát cöôøng traùng taâm hoàn minh maãn (chæ ngöôøi.) nguoàn vui. Toâi raát yeâu naøng.) This car isn't in good shape. (Tình traïng chieác xe in bad/poor taste voâ duyeân; nhaït nheõo Mrs. Franklin naøy khoâng toát laém.) I'd like to have a better one felt that your joke was in bad taste. (Baø Franklin cho that's in better condition. (Toâi thích coù moät chieác raèng caâu chuyeän ñuøa cuûa baïn quaù voâ duyeân.) We tình traïn toát hôn.) Mary is in good condition. She found the play to be in poor taste, so we walked out in works hard to keep healthy. (Mary ñöôïc moät theå chaát the middle of the second act. (Chuùng toâi thaáy vôû kòch cöôøng traùng vaø taâm hoàn minh maãn. Coâ ta laøm vieäc thaät voâ duyeân, neân ñeán giöõa maøn hai beøn boû veà quaùch.) raát nhieàu ñeå giöõ cho thaân theå khoeû maïnh.) in black and white giaáy traéng möïc ñen; raønh raønh I in heat muøa chòu ñöïc; muøa thuù vaät raäp nhau. Our have it in black and white that I'm entitled to three weeks dog is in heat. (Con choù cuûa chuùng ta tôùi muøa chòu of vacation each year. (Roõ raøng treân giaáy traéng möïc ñen ñöïc roài.) She goes into heat every year at this time. laø toâi coù quyeàn ñöôïc höôûng moãi naêm ba tuaàn leã nghæ (Haøng naêm cöù vaøo muøa naøy thì noù chòu ñöïc.) pheùp.) It says right here in black and white that oak When my dog is in heat, I have to keep her locked trees make acorns. (Ñoaïn naøy noùi raønh raønh laø caây soài in the house. (Moãi laàn tôùi con choù toâi chòu ñöïc thì toâi coù traùi maø.) Please put the agreement into black and phaûi khoaù con choù cuûa toâi laïi.) white. (Vui loøng vieát baûn hôïp ñoàng xuoáng giaáy traéng in less than no time ngay töùc thì. I'll be there in möïc ñen cho roõ raøng.) less than no time. (Toâi tôùi ñoù ngay töùc thì.) Don't in broad daylight giöõa thanh thieân baïch nhaät; giöõa ban worry. This won't take long. It'll be over with in less ngaøy ban maët. The thief stole the car in broad than no time. (Ñöøng coù lo. Vieäc naøy khoâng laâu ñaâu. daylight. (Giöõa thanh thieân baïch nhaät maø teân troäm laáy Xong ngay töùc thì.) maát chieác xe.) There they were, selling drugs in broad in mint condition coøn môùi laém; trong tình traïng hoaøn daylight. (Chuùng noù kìa, giöõa ban ngaøy ban maët maø daùm haûo. (Ví nhö ñoàng tieàn môùi ñuùc trong loø ra, coøn môùi baùn ma tuyù.) toanh.) This is a fine car. It runs well and is in inch by inch nhích töøng tí; rò moï töøng chuùt moät. Traffic mint condition. (Chieác xe naøy toát thaät. Noù chaïy ngon moved along inch by inch. (Bò keït xe neân chæ nhích ñöôïc vaø tình traïng coøm môùi laém.) We went through a töøng tí moät.) Inch by inch, the snail moved across the house in mint condition and decided to buy it. stone. (Rò moï töøng chuùt moät vaäy maø con oác seân boø qua (Chuùng toâi xem khaép caên nhaø thaáy tình traïng coøn khoûi taûng ñaù.) hoaøn haûo neân quyeát ñònh mua ngay.) We put our in deep water ñang bò khoán khoå. John is having house into mint condition before we sold it. (Tröôùc trouble with his taxes. He's in deep water. (John ñang coù khi baùn nhaø chuùng toâi cho tu boå laïi troâng nhö môùi.) raéc roái veà chuyeän thueá maù. Anh ta ñang bò khoán khoå.) in name only chæ coù danh vò; hö danh khoâng coù thöïc Bill is in deep water in algebra class. He's almost quyeàn. The president is head of the country in failing. (Bill ñang bò khoán khoå vì moân ñaïi soá. Anh ta name only. Congress makes the laws. (Toång thoáng suyùt rôùt moân naøy.) He really got himself into deep water. cuûa moät nöôùc chæ laø moät danh vò thoâi. Thöïc quyeàn (Anh ta bò khoán khoå roài ñoù chöù.) laøm ra luaät naèm trong tay quoác hoäi.) Mr. Smith is in fine feather toát töôùng, töôùng phoáp phaùp. (Laáy hình the boss of the Smith Company in name only. Mrs. aûnh con chim coù boä loâng ñeïp ca haùt vui töôi yeâu ñôøi ñeå Smith handles all the business affairs. (OÂng Smith laø ví vôùi ngöôøi khoeû maïnh, da thòt hoàng haøo.) Hello, chuû Coâng Ty Smith treân hö danh maø thoâi. Baø Smith John. Your appear to be in fine feather. (Chaøo baïn John. môùi laø ngöôøi coù thöïc quyeàn.) Troâng anh toát töôùng quaù haù.) Of course I'm in fine in no mood to do s.t. trong buïng baàn thaàn khoâng feather. I get lots of sleep. (Dó nhieân toâi toát töôùng roài. muoán laøm gì; ueå oaûi khoâng muoán laøm gì. I'm in no Nguû quaù trôøi maø.) Good food and lots of sleep put me modd to cook dinner tonight. (Toái nay trong buïng into fine feather. (AÊn ngon nguû nhieàu laøm cho toâi coù baàn thaàn khoâng muoán naáu aên.) Mother is in no töôùng phoáp phaùp.) mood to put up with our arguing. (Meï toâi ueå oaûi ñeán in full swing coøn giöõa chöøng; ñang tieán trieån khaû quan. noåi chuùng toâi caõi nhau maø baø ta khoâng chòu ñöôïc.) We can't leave now! The party is in full swing. (Chuùng There is celebration nearby, and I am in no mood ta chöa veà ñöôïc! Tieäc coøn ñang vui veû vaäy maø.) Our to cook dinner. (Hoâm nay coù ñaùm röôùc gaàn, trong program to help the starving people is in full swing. You buïng baàn thaàn khoâng muoán naáu aên. Ca dao: “Hoâm should see results soon. (Chöông trình cuûa chuùng ta giuùp nay coù ñaùm gioã gaàn, trong buïng baàn thaàn khoâng nhöõng ngöôøi ngheøo ñoùi ñang tieán trieån khaû quan.Ít laâu muoán naáu aên.” Ngöôøi Myõ khoâng coù tuïc gioã ngöôøi nöõa baïn seõ thaáy keát quaû.) Just wait until our project cheát neân ôû ñaây xin maïn pheùp söûa laïi thaønh ñaùm

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 73

röôùc.) giaø quaù neân coù nhöõng tính nhö hoài coøn treû thô. in nothing flat trong khoaûnh khaéc; lieàn töùc thì. Of Thöôøng coù caâu: Treû khoân ra, giaø luù laïi.) My father course I can get there in a hurry. I'll be there in nothing bought himself a toy train, and my mother aid he was flat. (Dó nhieân toâi ñi nhanh ñeán ñoù ñöôïc. Chæ trong in his second childhood. (Cha toâi mua veà moät chieác khoaûnh khaéc laø tôùi lieàn.) We covered the distance xe löûa ñoà chôi cho oâng ta. Meï toâi thaáy theá môùi noùi between New York and Philadelphia in nothing flat. (Chæ raèng cha toâi trôû laïi thôøi con nít.) Whenever I go to trong khoaûnh khaéc chuùng toâi töø Nöõu-öôùc ñeán ngay the river and throw stones, I feel as though I'm in my Philadelphia.) I am a money-minder. Anything that second childhood. (Khi naøo toâi ra bôø soâng laáy ñaù brings in money, I can do it in nothing flat. (Toâi laø ngöôøi neùm xuoáng nöôùc, toâi coù caûm töôûng nhö mình trôû laïi lyù taøi. Caùi gì maø coù tieàn voâ thì toâi laøm lieàn töùc thì.) thôøi con nít.) in/into one ear and out the other vaøo tai traùi ra tai in one's spare time vaøo thôøi gian raõnh roãi. I write phaûi; vaøo tai naøy ra tai kia Everything I say to you novels in my spare time. (Vaøo luùc raõnh roãi, toâi goes into one ear and out the other! (Caùi gì toâi noùi vôùi thöôøng vieát truyeän.) I'll try to paint the house in baïn ñeàu vaøo tai naøy ra tai kia heát.) Bill just doesn't my spare time. (Vaøo thôøi gian raõnh roãi, toâi sôn laïi pay attention. Everything is in one ear and out the other. nhaø.) (Bill khoâng bao giôø chuù yù ñeán gì caû. Thöù gì cuõng vaøo tai in over one's head khoù (khaên) ngaäp ñaàu; coâng vieäc traùi ra tai phaûi.) choàng chaát. Calculus is very hard for me. I'm in in one's birthday suit côûi truoàng; traàn truoàng. We over my head. (Moân toaùn vi phaân quaù khoù ñoái vôùi used to go down to the river and swim in our birthday toâi. Toâi thaáy khoù ñeán ngaäp ñaàu.) Ann is too busy. suits. (Hoài aáy chuùng toâi thöôøng côûi truoàng loäi xuoáng She's really in over her head. (Ann baän roän voâ cuøng. soâng taém.) You have to get into your birthday suit to Coâng vieäc luoân luoân choàng chaát.) bathe! (Baïn muoán taém thì cuõng phaûi côõi heát aùo quaàn in print ñang phaùt haønh. (Noùi veà saùch ñaõ xuaát baûn chôù boä!) What a pity! The victim was lying dead in his vaø ñang baøy baùn.) I think I can get that book for birthday suit. (Toäi nghieäp quaù! Naïn nhaân naèm cheát maø you. It's still in print. (Toâi nghó toâi coù theå kieám cho treân ngöôøi khoâng taám vaûi che thaân.) coâ quyeån saùch ñoù. Hieän ñang phaùt haønh.) This is in one's mind's eye döôùi maét ai; theo trí töôûng cuûa ai. the only book in print on this subject. (Hieän taïi chæ In my mind's eye, I can see trouble ahead. (Döôùi maét coù moät cuoán saùch naøy noùi veà ñeà taøi naøy.) toâi, toâi coù theå nhìn thaáy ñöôïc seõ coù raéc roái trôû ngaïi.) In in rags quaàn aùo raùch röôùi. Oh, look at my clothing. her mind's eye, she could see a beautiful building beside I can't go to the party in rags! (Troâng quaàn aùo cuûa the river. She decided to design such a building. (Theo em neø. Em khoâng chòu aên maëc raùch röôùi ñi döï tieäc trí töôûng cuûa coâ ta, seõ coù moät toaø nhaø naèm caïnh bôø soâng. ñaâu!) I think the new casual fashions make you Do ñoù coâ quyeát ñònh phaùt hoaï ra hình aûnh ñoù.) Those look as if you're in rags. (Anh nghó aùo quaàn moát môùi policy makers thought they could easily realize what are em maëc vaøo caøng laøm cho em thaáy raùch röôùi hôn.) in their minds' eyes. Unfortunately, they could never do. What a dramatic irony! People in poor countries (Nhöõng nhaø hoaïch ñònh chính saùch nghó raèng hoï thöïc try not to go out in rags. On the contrary, many of hieän noåi nhöõng gì naèm trong trí töôûng cuûa hoï. Baát haïnh those in developed countries prefer to be in rags in thay, hoï khoâng bao giôø laøm noåi.) public, calling it “casual fashion!" (Thaät laø trôù treâu! in one's or its prime vaøo thôøi gian coøn trai traùng (chæ Ngöôøi ôû xöù ñang phaùt trieån khi naøo ra ñöôøng cuõng ngöôøi) thôøi kyø sung söùc nhaát (chæ suùc vaät); vaøo thôøi kyø troâng chænh teà. Ngöôïc laïi nhieàu ngöôøi trong caùc nöôùc phaùt trieån maïnh nhaát (chæ söï vieäc.) Our dog—which is phaùt trieån thì thích aên maëc raùch röôùi ra ñöôøng maø in its prime—is very active. (Con choù chuùng toâi—vaøo coøn goïi laø “thôøi trang.") thôøi gian noù sung söùc nhaát—thì lanh lôïi laém.) The in round numbers vaø in round figures tính troøn soá; program ended in its prime when we ran out of money. con soá öôùc löôïng Please tell me in round numbers (Vaøo thôøi ñieåm chöông trình phaùt trieån thuaän lôïi nhaát thì what it'll cost. (Xin noùi cho toâi bieát con soá öôùc löôïng chuùng toâi laïi heát tieàn.) I could work long hours when I phí toån caû thaûy laø bao nhieâu.) I don't need the was in my prime. (Khi toâi coøn trai traùng toâi laøm vieäc lieân exact amount. Just give it to me in round figures. tuïc.) (Toâi khoâng caàn con soá chính xaùc. Chæ caàn cho con soá in one's right mind taâm trí saùng suoát vaø nhaïy beùn öôùc löôïng laø ñuû.) That was a stupid thing to do. You're not in your right Bob: Tom! Give me in round figures if one daniel mind. (Ñoù laø vieäc laøm ngu xuaån. Taâm trí baïn khoâng coøn consumes 14 pounds of beef a day, how many pounds saùng suoát vaø nhaïy beùn nöõa roài.) You can't be in your do three daniels consume in all? (Tom! cho toâi con right mind! That sounds crazy! (Baïn heát saùng suoát vaø soá öôùc löôïng neáu moät con choù gioáng Daniel xöïc moät nhaïy beùn roài! Baïn noùi toaøn ñieân vôùi khuøng khoâng aø.) ngaøy 14 caân thòt boø, hoûi ba con xöïc heát bao nhieâu?) in one's second childhood trôû laïi thôøi con nít. (Ngöôøi Tom (said to himself): Fourteen times three equals

74 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

forty two. (saying aloud): Forty! (Tom—tính nhaåm: Ba khoán khoå.) laàn möôøi boán laø 42—noùi to: Boán möôi!) Bob: Wrong! in stock ñang chôø baùn; ñang coù saün. I'm sorry, I My teacher said thirty! (Bob: Sai beùt! Coâ giaùo tao noùi don't have that in stock. I'll have to order it for you if ba chuïc!) you want. (Raát tieác toâi khoâng coù saün loaïi haøng ñoù. ins and outs of s.t. (bieát) ñöôøng ñi nöôùc böôùc; hieåu roõ leà Toâi coù theå ñaët mua cho baïn neáu baïn muoán.) We loái cuûa vaán ñeà gì. I don't understand the ins and outs have all our Christmas merchandise in stock now. of politics. (Toâi hoaøn toaøn khoâng hieåu ñöôøng ñi nöôùc (Chuùng toâi hieän ñang coù taát caû caùc loaïi haøng Giaùng böôùc trong hoaït ñoäng chính trò.) Jane knows the ins sinh.) and outs of working with computers. (Jane raønh heát in the air ngaäp traøn; buûa vaây. There is such a ñöôøng ñi nöôùc böôùc cuûa heä thoáng maùy ñieän toaùn.) feeling of joy in the air. (Ngaäp traøn nieàm vui.) We in season trong muøa 1. hieän ñang trong muøa (traùi caây, felt a sense of tension in the air. (Chuùng toâi caûm ñaëc saûn, thoå saûn) Oysters are a vailable in season. nhaän ñöôïc moät söï caêng thaúng buûa vaây khaép moïi Let's go to a seafood restaurant. (Baây giôø ñang laø muøa nôi.) soø. Kieám nhaø haøng coù haûi saûn thöôûng thöùc moät böõa ñi.) in the bargain moùc theâm vaøo nhöõng ñieàu vöøa thoûa Strawberries aren't in season in January. Where did thuaän; kyø keøo ñoøi theâm. I bought a car, and they you get those? (Thaùng gieâng ñaâu phaûi laø muøa daâu rôm. threw an air conditioner into the bargain. (Toâi mua Baïn kieám ôû ñaâu ra vaäy? Ngöôøi Vieät mình thöôøng goïi chieác xe, thoûa thuaän giaù caû roài hoï coøn kyø keøo ñoøi daâu naøy laø “daâu Ñaø-laït".) When do strawverries come theâm tieàn maùy laïnh.) When I bought a house, I into season? (Bao giôø thì tôùi muøa daâu rôm?) 2. ñöôïc asked the seller to include the furniture in the pheùp saên baét. (Theo luaät baûo toàn sinh vaät cuûa Hoa kyø, bargain. (Khi mua nhaø, toâi coøn kyø keøo ngöôøi baùn chæ ñöôïc saên baét theo muøa vaø phaûi coù giaáy pheùp.) theâm cho toâi khoaûn ñoà ñaïc beân trong.) When are salmon in season? (Bao giôø thì ñöôïc pheùp in the black khoâng nôï naàn; thanh toaùn soøng phaúng. baét caù moøi?) Catfish are in season all year round. (Caù (Laáy hình aûnh soá tieàn trong trang keá toaùn; soá naøo ngaïnh thì ñöôïc pheùp baét quanh naêm.) 3. muøa ñoäng ñöïc vieát möïc ñen laø ñaõ ñöôïc thanh toaùn soøng phaúng, soá (cuûa thuù vaät.) My dog is in season every year at this naøo ghi möïc ñoû laø coøn nôï. Xem in the red. I wish time. (Haøng naêm vaøo khoaûn naøy thì con choù toâi ñoäng my accounts were in the black. (Toâi hy voïng tröông ñöïc.) When my dog is in season, I have to keep her muïc toâi ñöôïc ghi baèng möïc ñen.) Sally moved the locked in the house. (Cöù tôùi muøa choù ñoäng ñöïc thì toâi company into the black. (Sally ñaõ laøm cho coâng ty phaûi khoaù con choù toâi laïi trong nhaø.) mang nôï choàng chaát.) in seventh heaven ôû thieân ñaøng thöù baûy (nôi Chuùa ngöï); in the/one’s blood coù töø trong maùu maø ra. (Ñuùng ra trong caûnh haïnh phuùc tuyeät vôøi. Ann was really in khoâng phaûi naèm trong maùu nhöng naèm trong chuûng seventh heaven when she got a car of her own. (Khi Ann töû.) John's a great runner. It's in his blood. (John mua ñöôïc chieác xe môùi coâ ta caûm thaáy haïnh phuùc tuyeät laø moät tay chaïy cöø laém. Taøi chaïy cuûa anh ta coù töø vôøi.) I'd be in seventh heaven if I had a million dollars. maùu maø ra.) The whole family is very athletic. It's (Neáu toâi maø ñöôïc moät trieäu ñoâ la thì toâi caûm thaáy haïnh in the blood. (Caû nhaø ñoù ñeàu thích theå thao. Nhö vaäy phuùc tuyeät vôøi.) Having a million dollars one can laø hoï coù tính aáy töø trong maùu maø ra.) fullfil his physical needs. It does not mean that he can be in the bullpen trong chuoàng boø; trong khu chuaån bò. in seventh heaven! (Coù moät trieäu ñoâ ngöôøi ta coù theå thoûa (Moät khu nhoû naèm saùt beân saân daõ caàu ñeå caàu thuû maõn nhöõng nhu caàu vaät chaát. Ñieàu ñoù khoâng coù nghóa laø vaän ñoäng chuaån bò tröôùc khi ra saân.) You can tell hoï ñöôïc haïnh phuùc tuyeät vôøi!) who is pitching next by seeing who is in the bullpen. in short order veøo moät caùi xong ngay. I can (Baïn coù theå bieát ai saép söûa ra neùm banh thì cöù vieäc straighten out this mess in short order. (Toâi coù theå thu nhìn vaøo chuoàng boø thì thaáy ngay.) Our best xeáp veøo moät caùi xong ngay môù loän xoän naøy.) The people pitcher just went into the bullpen. He's be pitching came in and cleaned the place up in short order. (Ñaùm soon. (Tay neùm banh soá moät cuûa ñoäi chuùng toâi vöøa ngöôøi kia ñi vaøo vaø doïn deïp veøo moät caùi laø choã aáy saïch môùi vaøo khu chuoàng boø roài.) ngay.) in the cards trong töông lai; (thôøi gian) saép ñeán. in short supply hieám hoi; khan hieám. (Coù theå thay into Well, what do you think is in the cards for cho in.) Fresh vegetables are in short supply in the tomorrow? (Sao, baïn nghó ngaøy mai seõ coù chuyeän gì winter. (Vaøo muøa ñoâng rau töôi raát hieám hoi.) Yellow xaûy ra?) I asked the boss if there was a raise in the cars are in short supply because everyone likes them and cards for me. (Toâi hoûi oâng seáp xem saép tôùi ñaây toâi buys them. (Xe maøu vaøng hieän nay raát khan hieám vì coù ñöôïc taêng löông khoâng.) nhieàu ngöôøi thích maøu ñoù neân ñaõ mau heát.) It is in the doghouse bò raéc roái; bò ñì. (Coù theå thay theá terrible to live in a place where everything is in short into baèng in.) I'm really in the doghouse. I was late supply. (ÔÛ moät nôi maø caùi gì cuõng khan hieám thì thaät for an appointment. (Toâi ñang bò raéc roái naëng. Toâi bò

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 75

treã cuoäc heïn.) I hate being in the doghouse all the hieän tröôùc coâng chuùng. John will do almost time. I don't know why I can't stay out of trouble. (Toâi anything to get himself into the limelight. (John seõ gheùt caûnh luùc naøo cuõng bò raéc roái. Khoâng bieát laøm sao tìm moïi caùch ñeå trôû thaønh trung taâm chuù yù cuûa moïi maø thoaùt ra cho khoûi.) ngöôøi.) I love being in the spotlight. (Toâi khoaùi in the doldrums luø ñuø; chaùn naûn. (Coù theå thay into cho laøm trung taâm chuù yù cuûa moïi ngöôøi.) All elected in) He's usually in the doldrums in the winter. (Ñeán officials spend a lot of time in the limelight. I wonder muøa ñoâng thì anh ta trôû thaønh luø ñuø.) I had some bad how they could work effectively. (Taát caû caùc vieân news yesterday. which put me into the doldrums. (Hoâm chöùc daân cöû daønh raát nhieàu thôøi gian ñeå xuaát hieän qua toâi nhaän ñöôïc moät tin xaáu, khieán cho toâi quaù chaùn tröôùc coâng chuùng. Toâi thaéc maéc laøm sao hoï coù theå naûn.) Tom! You should not put yourself into the laøm vieäc coù hieäu quaû ñöôïc.) doldrums. Being a man, you have to struggle for your in the line of duty laøm troøn boån phaän (cuûa ngöôøi ideal! (Tom! Baïn khoâng neân chaùn naûn. Laø nam nhi, baïn lính, caûnh saùt.) When soldiers fight people in a phaûi tranh ñaáu cho lyù töôûng cuûa mình chôù!) war, it's in the line of duty. (Khi ngöôøi lính ra chieán in/into the flesh baèng xöông baèng thòt; coù maët; ñích tröôøng ñeå chieán ñaáu, töùc laø hoï laøm troøn boån phaän maø thaân. I've heard that the queen is coming here in the thoâi.) Police officers have to do things they may flesh. (Toâi nghe noùi hoa haäu saép söûa ñeán ñaây.) Is she not like in the line of duty. (Laém luùc caùc nhaân vieân really here? In the flesh? (Coâ ta ñeán ñaây thaät haû? Ñích caûnh saùt phaûi laøm troøn nhöõng boån phaän maø hoï khoâng thaân coâ ta ñeán haû?) I've wanted a color television for thích.) years, and now I've got one right here in the flesh. (Toâi in the long run veà laâu veà daøi. We'd be better off in haèng mong coù moät caùi TV maøu, vaø maõi tôùi baây giôø môùi the long run buying one instead of renting one. (Veà coù ñöôïc.) laâu veà daøi toâi neân mua ñöùt moät caùi hôn laø phaûi cöù ñi in/into the gutter trong maùng xoái; ñaàu ñöôøng xoù chôï thueâ hoaøi.) In the long run, we'd be happier in the (haïng ngöôøi thaáp heøn) You had better straighten out South. (Veà laâu veà daøi, chuùng toâi thaáy ôû mieàn Nam your life, or you'll end up in the gutter. (Baïn neân söûa ñoåi vaãn thích hôn.) caùch soáng cuûa mình laïi, neáu khoâng thì baïn seõ phaûi laây in the money (ngoài) trong ñoáng tieàn; treân ñoáng tieàn. laát nôi ñaàu ñöôøng xoù chôï.) His bad habits put him into 1. giaøu coù. John is really in the money. He's worth the gutter. (Thoùi hö taät xaáu cuûa noù ñaåy noù vaøo cuoäc soáng millions. (John laø ngöôøi giaøu coù. Ngöôøi anh ta ñaùng ñaàu ñöôøng xoù chôï.) That gentleman used to be in the giaù baïc trieäu.) If I am ever in the money, I'll be gutter, but he fought his way to an honest life. (Ngöôøi generous. (Neáu toâi maø ñöôïc giaøu coù thì toâi seõ roäng ñaøn oâng ñaùng kính ñoù tröôùc ñaây cuõng ñaõ soáng ôû ñaàu löôïng laém.) When s.o. is poor, he thinks that if he ñöôøng xoù chôï, nhöng oâng ta bieát phaán ñaáu ñeå trôû thaønh were in the money, he would be generous. But if he ngöôøi ñaøng hoaøng.) be rich, he would be miserly. (Khi ngöôøi ta coøn in/into the hole maéc nôï; thieáu huït I'm $200 in the ngheøo thì ngöôøi ta nghó luùc giaøu coù seõ trôû neân roäng hole. (Toâi bò maéc nôï hai traêm ñoàng.) Our finances end löôïng, Nhöng khi giaøu thaät roài thì coøn keo kieät tôïn.) up in the hole every month. (Thaùng naøo cuõng nhö thaùng 2. ñang daãn ñaàu (trong cuoäc ñua); tieàn khoâng (laém naøo chuùng toâi cuõng bò huït tieàn ñeå thanh toaùn caùc khoaûn tieàn.) I knew when Jane came around the final turn tín duïng.) that she was in the money. (Toâi bieát khi Jane chaïy in the know theo söï hieåu bieát cuûa ai; coù kieán thöùc veà ñeán khuùc quanh sau cuøng coâ ta seõ daãn ñaàu maø.) vieäc gì. Let's ask Bob. He's in the know. (Chuùng ta hoûi The horses coming in first, second, and third are Bob xem. Anh ta bieát chuyeän ñoù.) I have no said to be in the money. (Nhöõng con ngöïa veà nhaát, knowledge of how to work this machine. I think I can get nhì, ba thì ñöôïc goïi laø nhöõng con ngöïa tieàn khoâng.) into the know very quickly though. (Toâi khoâng bieát caùch in the nick of time vöøa kòp luùc; vöøa khít giôø The söû duïng caùi maùy naøy. Tuy nhieân toâi nghó toâi hoïc caùch doctor arrived in the nick of time. The patient's life duøng noù cuõng deã daøng thoâi.) It is easy to get into the was saved. (Baùc syõ ñeán nôi vöøa kòp luùc. Nhôø vaäy maø know of s.t., but it is really difficult to learn to behave. cöùu soáng ñöôïc beänh nhaân.) I reached the airport in (Hoïc ñeå bieát caùi gì ñoù thì deã, nhöng hoïc caùch cö xöû vôùi the nick of the time. (Toâi ñeán phi tröôøng thì vöøa khít ñôøi raát khoù.) giôø (phi cô caát caùnh.) in the lap of luxury soáng treân nhung luïa; soáng sung in the pink (of condition) toaøn moät maøu hoàng; xinh söôùng. John lives in the lap of luxury because his ñeïp toát töôi; khoeû maïnh vaø minh maãn. The garden family is very wealthy. (John soáng trong nhung luïa nhôø is lovely. All the flowers are in the pink of condition. gia ñình anh ta raát giaøu coù.) When I retire, I'd like to (Khu vöôøn troâng thaät ñaùng yeâu. Bao nhieâu ñoaù hoa live in the lap of luxury. (Khi toâi veà höu, toâi thích ñöôïc xinh ñeïp toát töôi.) Jane has to exercise hard to get soáng cuoäc ñôøi sung söôùng.) into the pink of condition. (Jane phaûi taäp theå duïc thaät in the limelight/spotlight trung taâm cuûa söï chuù yù; xuaát sieâng naêng ñeå ñöôïc khoeû maïnh vaø minh maãn.)

76 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

Many people'd like to be in the pink, but they don't he said I was doing a good job. I really do not know want to exercise. (Nhieàu ngöôøi thích ñöôïc khoeû maïnh, what he means. (Anh ta baûo toâi löôøi bieáng, nhöng roài nhöng hoï khoâng chòu taäp theå duïc.) lieàn ñoù anh ta laïi noùi toâi laøm vieäc gioûi. Toâi thaät söï in the prime of life thôøi kyø sung söùc nhaát cuûa moät ñôøi khoâng bieát yù anh ta theá naøo.) The teacher said that ngöôøi; tuoåi thanh xuaân. The good health of one's youth the students were working hard and, in the same can carry over into the prime of life. (Söùc khoeû cuûa moät breath, that they were not working hard enough. ngöôøi ñöôïc xem laø sung nhaát vaøo thôøi kyø thanh nieân.) (Thaày giaùo noùi raèng hoïc sinh hoïc haønh sieâng naêng, He was struck down by a heart attack in the prime of xong lieàn ñoù oâng laïi noùi hoï chöa coá gaéng heát mình.) life. (Ñang trong coøn tuoåi thanh xuaân maø ñaõ bò leân côn in the twinkling of an eye trong nhaùy maét. In the ñau tim.) twinkling of an eye, the deer had disppeared into the in the public eye ngoaøi coâng chuùng. Elected officials forest. (Trong nhaùy maét, con nai bieán vaøo trong find themselves constantly in the public eye. (Caùc vieân röøng.) I gave Bill ten dollars and, in the twinkling chöùc daân cöû thöôøng xuyeân tìm cô hoäi ñeå xuaát hieän ngoaøi of an eye, he spent it. (Toâi ñöa cho Bill möôøi ñoàng, coâng chuùng.) vaø chæ trong nhaùy maét, anh ta xaøi maát tieâu.) The mayor made it a practice to get into the public eye in the wind saép xaûy ra. There are some major as much as possible. (Vieân thò tröôûng muoán taïo ra thoâng changes in the wind. Expect these changes to happen leä xuaát hieän ngoaøi coâng chuùng caøng nhieàu caøng toát.) soon. (Seõ coù nhöõng thay ñoåi saép dieãn ra. Caàu cho Those officicals pretend to appear in rags in the thay ñoåi sôùm.) There is s.t. in the wind. We'll find public. In fact, they all are in the money. (Nhöõng vieân out what it is soon. (Chöøng nhö coù chuyeän gì saép xaûy chöùc ñoù giaû boä aên maëc xueà xoaø ngoaøi coâng chuùng. Kyø ra. Khoâng laâu nöõa chuùng ta seõ bieát ñoù laø chuyeän gì.) thaät hoï toaøn laø nhöõng ngöôøi ngoài treân ñoáng tieàn.) During the war, people used to say that peace was in the red ghi baèng möïc ñoû; coøn maéc nôï; chöa thanh in the wind. But the war spread terrors througout the toaùn. (Trong soå keá toaùn caùc muïc naøo chöa thanh toaùn country for over twenty years before it stopped. hoaëc coøn nôï thì ñöôïc baèng möïc ñoû. Do ñoù duøng thaønh (Suoát trong thôøi gian chieán tranh ngöôøi ta cöù noùi ngöõ naøy ñeå chæ nghóa treân.) My accounts are in the red raèng saép coù hoaø bình. Nhöng chieán tranh gieo raéc at the end of every month. (Cöù vaøo moãi cuoái thaùng thì kinh hoaøng suoát treân hai möôi naêm môùi chaám döùt.) tröông muïc toâi goàm toaøn möïc ñoû.) It's easy to get into in the wrong bò sai; phi phaùp. I felt she was in the the red if you don't pay close attention to the amount of wrong, but the judge ruled in her favor. (Toâi nghó coâ money you spend. (Neáu baïn tieâu tieàn maø khoâng theo doõi ta sai, nhöng oâng toaø laïi tuyeân boá raèng coâ ta voâ toäi.) caån thaän thì deã bò ghi muïc ñoû nhö khoâng.) It's hard to argue with Jane. She always believes in the right hôïp phaùp; hôïp vôùi ñaïo lyù. I felt I was in that everyone else is in the wrong. (Thaät khoù maø the right, but the judge ruled against me. (Toâi nghó raèng tranh luaän vôùi Jane. Coâ ta luùc naøo cuõng cho raèng moïi vieäc toâi laøm laø hôïp phaùp, nhöng oâng toaø ñaõ ra leänh phaït ngöôøi laø sai caû.) In a non-democratic country, if a toâi.) It's hard to argue with Jane. She always believes citizen criticizes any high-ranking official in the that she's in the right. (Thaät khoù maø tranh luaän vôùi Jane. government, he is considered to be in the wrong. Coâ ta luùc naøo cuõng cho laø coâ ta ñuùng.) Everyone said (Trong moät quoác gia khoâng coù daân chuû, neáu moät that he/she was in the right. But I did not understand what coâng daân pheâ bình baát cöù vieân chöùc chính quyeàn they based on when they said so. (Moïi ngöôøi noùi raèng ai naøo, ngöôøi aáy lieàn bò xem coù haønh vi phi phaùp.) cuõng soáng hôïp vôùi ñaïo ñöùc. Nhöng toâi khoâng hieåu hoï döïa in two shakes of a lamb's tail caùi ngoaéc ñuoâi cuûa treân caùi gì maø noùi vaäy.) con cöøu; trong nhaùy maét; thaät nhanh. I'll be there in the same boat ñoàng hoäi ñoàng thuyeàn; ñoàng caûnh ngoä. in two shakes of a lamb's tail. (Toâi seõ ñeán ñoù trong Tom: I'm broke. Can you lend me twenty dollars? nhaùy maét.) In two shakes of a lamb's tail, the bird (Tom: Toâi keït tieàn quaù. Cho muôïn hai chuïc ñöôïc flew away. (Con chim vuït bay ñi thaät nhanh khoâng?) It never rains but it pours. Hoaï voâ ñôn chí. The Bill: Sorry. I'm in the same boat. (Raát tieác. Toâi cuõng car won't start, the stairs broke, and the dog died, ñoàng caûnh ngoä vôùi baïn thoâi.) the son ran away from home. It never rains but it Jane and Mary are in the same boat. They both have pours. (Xe khoâng chòu noå naùy, caàu thang gaõy, con been called for jury duty. (Jane vaø Mary ñang ñoàng hoäi choù laên ra cheát, thaèng con trai boû nhaø ñi. Ñuùng laø ñoàng thuyeàn. Caû hai ñeàu bi goïi tham gia vaøo boài thaåm hoaï voâ ñôn chí.) Everything seems to be going ñoaøn.) When people are in the same boat, they can wrong at the same time. It never rains but it pours. have better understanding with each other. (Khi ngöôøi ta (Taát caû moïi thöù laøm nhö ñaûo ñieân leân. Thaät laø hoaï ñoàng hoäi ñoàng thuyeàn thì deã hieåu nhau hôn.) voâ ñôn chí.) My father taught me that “It never in the same breath gaàn nhö ñoàng thôøi; gaàn nhö cuøng rains but it pours” because you do not control luùc. He told me I was lazy, but then in the same breath yourself properly. If you do, everything never goes

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 77

wrong. (Cha toâi daïy raèng “Hoaï voâ ñôn chí” chaúng qua laø my skin. (OÂi, baïn laøm sôï muoán hoàn xieâu phaùch laïc. ) do ôû con khoâng bieát töï chuû. Neáu bieát töï chuû thì moïi thöù jump the gun baét ñaàu tröôùc khi coù hieäu leänh; baét ñaàu seõ khoâng ñaûo ñieân.) sôùm quaù We all had to start the race again because Taâm jumped the gun. (Chuùng ta phaûi baét ñaàu cuoäc chua ñua laïi vì Taâm ñaõ baét ñaàu sôùm quaù.) jump the jack traät ñöôøng raày 1. xe löûa The train jumped the trach, causing many injuries to the passengers. (Xe löûa bò traät ñöôøng raày laøm nhieàu haønh khaùch bò thöông.) Three passenger cars Jj jumped the track because the train hit a van crossing the trach. (Ba toa haønh khaùch bò traät ñöôøng raày vì chuyeán xe löûa ñuïng phaûi moät chieác xe van chaïy Johnny-come-lately Theo sau chaïy doïi. Don't pay any baêng qua ñöôøng raày.) 2. sai laïc, hoûng vieäc ñaõ saép attention to Sally. She's just a Johnny-come-lately and xeáp It rained very hard yesterday so we had to doesn't know what she's talking about. (Ñöøng coù ñeå yù stay at home. The entire plan for the picnic jumped ñeán Sally laøm gì. Coâ ta chæ theo sau chaïy doïi, coâ bieát gì the track. (Hoâm qua trôøi möa raát lôùn vì vaäy chuùng toâi maø noùi.) We've been here for thirty years. Why should phaûi ôû nhaø. Toaøn boä chöông trình du ngoaïn traät some Johnny-come-lately tell us what to do? (Chuùng toâi ñuôøng raày heát.) Everything prepared for the ôû ñaây ñaõ ba möôi naêm nay roài. Côù sao maáy keû theo sau dedication ceremony jumped the track when the chaïy doïi daùm ñeán maø chæ vôùi choû chuùng toâi chuyeän naøy earthquake hit the area last night. (Moïi thöù chuaån bò chuyeän noï laø sao?) cho leã khaùnh thaønh traät ñöôøng raày heá vì traän ñoäng Johnny-on-the-spot (ngöôøi) luoân luoân ñuùng giôø Here I ñaát ñeâm qua.) am, Johny-on-the-spot. I told you I would be here at just what the doctor ordered 1. ñuùng theo lôøi thaày 12:20. (Toâi ñaây roài, luoân luoân ñuùng giôø. Toâi ñaõ noùi vôùi thuoác daën Baûo: Would you like something to eat, baïn laø toâi seõ coù maët taïi ñaây luùc 12g20 kia maø.) Bình is Mai? (Mai. Coù thích aên gì khoâng?) Mai: Yes. late again. You can hardly expect him to be Johny-on- Please give me some salad. Just what the doctor the-spot. (Bình laïi treã nöõa roài. Baïn khoâng theå troâng ordered. (Vaâng. Cho toâi moät ít xaø-laùch. Ñuùng theo mong tay naøy ñuùng giôø ñaâu.) lôøi thaày thuoác daën.) 2. ñuùng baøi baûn The dish was jump out of one’s skin hoàn xieâu phaùch laïc, kinh hoàn taùn excellent, Ba. Just what the doctor ordered! (Moùn ñôûm Oh! You really scared me. I nearly jump out of naøy ngon laém, Ba aø. Naáu ñuùng baøi baûn quaù!)

78 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

sôùm treû ngöôøi saùng daï”.) keep one's eye on the ball chaêm chuù nhìn traùi banh. 1. theo doõi kyõ ñöôøng banh. (Chæ caàu thuû ñang tham döï traän tranh taøi.) John, if you can't keep your eye Kk on the ball, I'll have to take you out of the game. keep a civil tongue (in one's head) noùi naêng lòch söï leã (John, neáu baïn khoâng chòu theo doõi ñöôøng banh cho pheùp. Please, John. Don't talk like that. Keep a civil kyõ, toâi buoäc loøng phaûi ñöa baïn ra khoûi saân.) "Keep tongue in your head. (Cho toâi xin vôùi, anh John. Ñöøng coù your eye on the ball,” the coach roared at the player. aên noùi nhö vaäy. Phaûi noùi cho lòch söï leã pheùp chôù.) (Huaán luyeän vieân la to: “Theo doõi kyõ ñöôøng John seems unable to keep a civil tongue. (John döôøng banh!")2. luoân luoân ñeà cao caûnh giaùc; chòu khoù theo nhö khoâng bieát noùi naêng lòch söï leã pheùp chuùt naøo heát.) doõi coâng vieäc. If you want to get along in this Children should be taught to keep a civil tongue in office, you're going to have to keep your eye on the their heads from the time they learn to talk. (Treû con neân ball. (Neáu baïn muoán theo vaên phoøng naøy, baïn seõ ñöôïc daïy caùch noùi naêng lòch söï vaø leã pheùp töø luùc chuùng phaûi luoân luoân ñeà cao caûnh giaùc.) Bill would do môùi taäp noùi.) better in his classes if he would just keep his eye on keep a stiff upper lip coù thaùi ñoä tænh bô; khoâng heà bò xuùc the ball. (Neáu ôû trong lôùp Bill chòu khoù nghe giaûng ñoäng. John always keeps a stiff upper lip. (John luùc baøi thì noù hoïc khaù hôn.) naøo cuõng coù boä maët tænh bô.) Now, Billy, don't cry. keep/hold one's temper chòu nhaãn; coá neùn giaän. Keep a stiff upper lip. (Naøy, Bill, ñöøng coù khoùc. Phaûi She should have learned to keep her temper when tænh bô ñi chôù.) Bill can take it. He has a stiff upper lip. she was a child. (Leõ ra coâ ta neân hoïc taùnh chòu nhaãn (Bill caùng ñaùng vieäc ñoù ñöôïc. Anh ta khoâng heà bò xuùc töø hoài coøn taám beù kia.) Sally got thrown off the ñoäng.) team because she couldn't hold her temper. (Sally bò keep/have a straight face laøm maët tænh. (Löu yù: duøng loaïi ra khoûi toaùn vì khoâng giaèng noåi côn giaän ñöôïc.) keep chæ söï laøm boä tænh; have chæ ngöôøi coù voán coù saün One of the basic methods to practice Buddhism is thaùi ñoä tænh bô.) It's hard to keep a straight face when to keep one's temper. (Moät trong nhöõng phöông phaùp s.o. tells a funny joke. (Khi coù ngöôøi keå chuyeän teáu maø caên baûn ñeå tu Phaät laø chòu nhaãn.) laøm maët tænh thì quaû khoù thaät.) I knew it was John who keep one's weather eye open canh chöøng (vieäc gì played the trick. He couldn't keep a straight face. (Toâi coù theå xaûy ra); caûnh giaùc. Some trouble is brewing. bieát ñoù laø John tìm caùch chôi xoû thoâi. Coøn anh ta thì cöù Keep you weather eye open. (Saép coù raéc roái gì ñaây. laøm maët tænh.) A person who can keep a straight face Canh chöøng xem thöû chuyeän gì nghe.) Try to be usually plays a lot of tricks on people around him. (Moät more alert. Learn to keep you weather eye open. ngöôøi coù theå laøm maët tænh ñöôïc thöôøng coù nhieàu troø chôi (Phaûi ñeà cao caûnh giaùc hôn nöõa. Taäp caûnh giaùc ñi laø khaêm nhöõng ngöôøi chung quanh.) vöøa.) keep body and soul together giöõ hoàn vôùi xaùc; soáng coøn. keep one's word giöõ lôøi höùa; giöõ chöõ tín. I told her (YÙ noùi khoù soáng noåi; khoâng qua khoûi con traêng naøy.) I I'd be there to pick her up, and I intend to keep my hardly have enough money to keep body and soul word. (Khi toâi ñaõ höùa vôùi coâ ta toâi seõ ñeán ñoùn, töùc together. (Toâi thaáy khoù maø giöõ hoàn vôùi xaùc toâi nöõa roài.) thì toâi phaûi giöõ lôøi chôù.) Keeping one's word is How the old man was able to keep body and soul necessary in the legal profession. (Trong sinh hoaït together is beyond me. (Toâi cuõng khoâng hieåu laøm sao ngheà nghieäp vieäc giöõ chöõ tín raát quan troïng.) My oâng laõo ñoù giöõ ñöôïc hoàn vôùi xaùc oâng ta nöõa.) Leading father taught me: “Once you have promised, keep a hard life, Tam finds it too difficult to keep body and your words. For those who do not keep their words soul together during the severe winter. (Soáng moät ñôøi cô are bad people. (Cha toâi ñaõ daïy toâi raèng: “Moät khi cöïc, Taâm thaáy khoù maø qua khoûi muøa ñoâng naøy.) ñaõ höùa, con phaûi giöõ lôøi. Vì ngöôøi maø thaát höùa laø keep late hours laøm vieäc khuya khoaéc; laøm vieäc cho ngöôøi xaáu.") ñeán khuya. I'm always tired because I keep late hours. keep s.o. in stitches choïc cho ai cöôøi boø laên boø caøng. (Toâi luùc naøo cuõng meät moûi vì ñeâm naøo cuõng laøm vieäc The comedian kept us in stitches for nearly an quaù khuya khoaéc.) If I didn't keep late hours, I hour. (Kòch syõ haøi höôùc ñoù choïc cho chuùng toâi cuôøi wouldn't sleep so late in the morning. (Neáu toâi khoâng boø laên boø caøng suoát caû tieáng ñoàng hoà.) The teacher laøm vieäc khuya khoaéc, laøm sao saùng hoâm sau toâi nguû kept the class in stitches, but the students didn't learn daäy tröa ñöôïc?) In my view, if you have s.t. to do, you anything. (Thaày giaùo cho hoïc sinh cöôøi boø laên boø should keep late hours. If you don't, remember “early to caøng, nhöng chuùng khoâng hoïc theâm ñöôïc caùi gì caû.) bed early to rise”. (Theo toâi, neáu baïn coù vieäc thì neân keep s.o. on tenderhooks laøm cho ai noân noùng hay laøm cho ñeán khuya. Neáu khoâng, neân nhôù “nguû sôùm daäy ngong ngoùng ñôïi chôø. Please tell me now. Don't keep me on tenderhooks any longer! (Xin vui loøng

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 79

noùi cho bieát lieàn ñi. Ñöøng coù laøm cho toâi noùng loøng chôø ñang coâng vieäc nhaø moät caùch gioûi dang.) ñôïi nöõa.) Now that we have her on tenderhooks, shall keep the wolf from the door tieän taën cho qua ngaøy we let her worry, or shall we tell her? (Chuùng ta lôõ laøm ñoaïn thaùng. I don't make a lot of money, just cho coâ ta ngong ngoùng chôø ñôïi roài, neân ñeå vaäy hay noùi enough to keep the wolf from the door. (Toâi laøm cho coâ ta bieát?) ñöôïc khoâng bao nhieâu tieàn neân phaûi tieän taën soáng keep/bear s.o./something in mind coøn nhôù ai hay vieäc cho qua ngaøy ñoaïn thaùng.) We have a small gì. When you're driving a car, you must bear this in amount money saved, hardly enough to keep the wolf mind at all times: Keep your eyes on the road. (Khi laùi from the door. (Chuùng toâi chæ ñeå daønh ñöôïc soá tieàn ít xe, baïn neân luoân luoân nhôù trong ñaàu moät ñieàu: Quan saùt oûi, neân khoù maø tieän taën cho qua ngaøy ñoaïn thaùng caån thaän chöù khoâng ñöôïc lô ñeãnh.) Children should noåi.) keep their parents' pains in mind. (Laøm con neân nhôù keep up (with the Joneses) ñua ñoøi theo chuùng baïn. coâng ôn cha meï.) Mr. and Mrs. Brown bought a new car simply to keep s.o. posted thoâng baùo kòp thôøi; theo doõi moïi dieãn keep up with the Joneses. (OÂng vaø baø Brown mua xe bieán. If the price of corn goes up, I need to know. môùi cuõng chæ vì muoán ñua ñoøi theo vôùi beø baïn maø Please keep me posted. (Neáu giaù baép taêng, toâi cuõng caàn thoâi.) Keepping up with the Joneses can take all bieát. Xin vui loøng kíp thoâng baùo cho toâi bieát.) Keep your money. (Ñua ñoøi vôùi beø baïn chæ toå hao tieàn toán her posted about the patient's status. (Xin cho coâ bieát cuûa cuûa baïn maø thoâi.) dieãn bieán beänh traïng cuûa beänh nhaân.) keep up (with the times) theo thôøi trang; theo moát. keep s.t. to oneself giöõ kín (bí maät); ñöøng noùi cho ai I try to keep up with the times. I want to know bieát. I'm quitting my job, but please keep that to what's going on. (Toâi tìm caùch theo thôøi trang. Toâi yourself. (Toâi boû vieäc ñang laøm, nhöng giöõ kín ñöøng noùi muoán bieát nhöõng gì xaûy ra chung quanh toâi.) I cho ai bieát nghe.) John is always gossiping. He can't bought a whole new wardrobe because I want to keep anything to himself. (John luùc naøo cuõng beùp xeùp. keep up with the times. (Toâi mua caùi tuû aùo môùi ñoù laø Anh ta khoâng theå naøo giöõ kín ñöôïc chuyeän gì caû.) A vì toâi muoán theo moát.) Sally learns all the new good manager should know what kind of person to dances. She likes to keep up. Sally hoïc taát caû caùc assign work. What is labeled “secrect” should not be ñieäu vuõ môùi. Coâ ta raát thích theo moát.) given to a wind bag who can never keep anything to kick up a fuss vaø kick up a row; kick up a storm (hay) himself. (Moät quaûn ñoác gioûi neân bieát ngöôøi maø giao gaây goã vôùi ngöôøi khaùc. The customer kicked up vieäc. Nhöõng gì thuoäc loaïi “bí maät” thì khoâng neân giao such a fuss about the food that the manager came to cho keû noùi nhieàu vì hoï khoâng theå naøo giöõ kín ñöôïc.) apologize. (Ngöôøi khaùch gaây goã vì moùn aên sao ñoù keep s.t. under one's hat giöõ bí maät chuyeän gì; ñöøng noùi khieán cho vò quaûn lyù phaûi ñeán xin loãi.) I kicked up ai nghe. Keep this under your hat, but I'm getting such a row that they kicked me out. (Toâi gaây goã vôùi married. (Toâi saép cöôùi vôï, nhöng ñöøng noùi cho ai nghe nguôøi ta neân hoï ñuoåi toâi ra ngoaøi.) nheù.) I tell you what. There will be some changes kick up one's heels vui nhoän I like to go to an old- around here, but keep it to yourself, okay? (Toâi noùi caùi fashioned square dance and really kick up my heels. naøy cho baïn bieát. Seõ coù nhieàu thay ñoåi taïi ñaây, nhöng (Toâi thích döï nhöõng buoãi vuõ taäp theå coå truyeàn vì toâi ñöøng noùi gì cho ai bieát nghe.) thaáy raát vui nhoän.) For an old man, you uncles is keep s.t. under wraps cöù giöõ kín vaø chôø. We kept the really kicking up his heels. (Laø moät ngöôøi giaø maø plan under wraps until after the election. (Chuùng toâi giöõ chuù anh vui nhoän quaù.) kín keá hoaïch vaø chôø cho ñeán khi baàu cöû xong.) The kill the fatted calf chuaån bò cao löông myõ vò vaø toå automobile company kept the new model under wraps chöùc ñaïi tieäc ñeå ñoùn ai. When Bob got back from until most of the olf models had been sold. (Coâng ty saûn college, his parents killed the fatted calf and threw a xuaát xe hôi vaãn giöõ kín kieåu xe môùi cho ñeán khi baùn heát great party. (Khi Bob töø tröôøng ñaïi hoïc trôû veà, cha caùc xe kieãu cuõ môùi tung ra.) meï caäu chuaån bò cao löông myõ vò vaø toå chöùc moät keep the home fires burning uû than laïi giöõ löûa; laøm tieáp buoåi ñaïi tieäc ñeå ñoùn möøng caäu.) Sorry this meal coâng vieäc; ñaûm ñang coâng vieäc. My uncle kept the isn't much, John. We didn't have time to kill the home fires burning when my sister and I went to school. fatted calf. (Raát tieác böõa aên naøy khoâng ñöôïc chu ñaùo (Chuù toâi laøm tieáp nhöõng coâng vieäc trong nhaø khi hai chò laém, John aï. Chuùng toâi khoâng coù thôøi gian ñeå chuaån em toâi ñi hoïc.) The manager stays at the office and bò cao löông myõ vò môøi khaùch.) I have seen many keeps the home fires burning while I'm out selling our high ranking officials kill the fatted calf every three products. (Vieân quaûn ñoác ôû laïi vaên phoøng laøm tieáp coâng days and have a banquet every single day! (Toâi ñaõ vieäc trong khi toâi ñi baùn haøng.) In our family, my wife töøng chöùng kieán nhieàu vieân chöùc cao caáp toå chöùc is the execellent person that keeps the home fires nhaát nhaät tieåu yeán, tam nhaät ñaïi yeán! Moãi ngaøy ñeàu burning. (Trong gia ñình chuùng toâi, vôï toâi laø ngöôøi ñaûm coù tieäc nhoû, ba ngaøy coù tieäc lôùn.)

80 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

kill the goose that laid the golden egg gieát con gaø ñeû your wallet good-bye when you left it in the store. tröùng vaøng. (Caâu tuïc ngöõ khuyeân khoâng neân tuyeät haäu (Baïn boû queân caùi ví trong tieäm töùc laø baïn töø giaõ noù moái sinh lôïi. Döïa vaøo moät caâu chuyeän nguï ngoân.) If luoân roài.) you fire your best office worker, you'll be killing the knit one's brow nhíu maøy; chau maøy. The woman goose that laid the golden egg. (Neáu baïn sa thaûi nguôøi knit her brow and asked us what we wanted from laøm vieäc gioûi nhaát, töùc laø baïn ñaõ gieát maát con gaø ñeû her. (Ngöôøi ñaøn baø ñoù nhíu maøy laïi vaø hoûi chuùng toâi tröùng vaøng roài.) He sold his computer, which was like muoán gì.) While he read his book, John knit his killing the goose that laid the golden egg. (Anh ta baùn boä brow occasionally. He must not have agreed with maùy ñieän toaùn. Nhö vaäy laø anh ñaõ gieát con gaø ñeû tröùng what he was reading. (Trong khi ñoïc saùch, John vaøng cuûa anh roài.) thænh thoaûng chau maøy. Chaéc anh ta khoâng ñoàng yù kill time laøm maát thôøi giôø; laøm gì cho heát thôøi giôø. Stop vôùi taùc giaû ñieåm naøo ñoù.) I hate my wife to knit her killing time. Get to work! (Ñöøng coù laøm maát thì giôø. Lo brow. She looks older when doing so. (Toâi gheùt vôï laøm vieäc ñi!) We went over to the record shop just to toâi chau maøy laém. Laøm vaäy coâ ta troâng giaø haún ra.) kill time. (Chuùng toâi ñi ra tieäm baùn dóa haùt ñeå xem cho knock on wood khoâng neân noùi gôõ; caàu cho ñöôïc may heát thôøi giôø.) Someone says boozing is the best time to maén. (Ngöôøi Anh duøng touch wood.) My stereo has kill time. (Coù ngöôøi noùi raèng nhaäu laø caùch gieát thôøi gian never given me any trouble—knock on wood. (Khoâng toát nhaát.) noùi gôõ chöù—daøn maùy nghe nhaïc cuûa toâi khoâng bao kill two birds with one stone neùm moät cuïc ñaù gieát hai giôø truïc traëc caû.) We plan to be in Florida by con chim; nhaát cöû löôõng tieän. John learned the words tomorrow evening—knock on wood. (Caàu cho ñöôïc to his part in the play while peeling potatoes. He was may—toái mai chuùng toâi döï ñònh ñi Florida ñoù.) killing two birds with one stone. (John vöøa hoïc thuoäc caùc know all the tricks of the trade raønh vieäc; bieát heát lôøi cuûa vai mình vöøa goït khoai taây. Thaät laø nhaát cöû maùnh lôùi; naém vöõng caùch laøm aên. Tom can repair löôõng tieän.) I have to cash a check and make a car engines. He knows the tricks fo the trade. (Baây payment on my bank loan. I'll kill two birds with one giôø Tom coù theå söûa ñöôïc maùy xe roài. Anh ta raønh stone by doing them both in one trip to the bank. (Toâi vieäc laém roài.) If I knew all the tricks of the trade, I phaûi ruùt tieàn moät ngaân phieáu vaø roài thanh toaùn tieàn vay could be a better salesman. (Neáu toâi bieát heát maùnh ngaân haøng. Nhö vaäy seõ nhaát cöû löôûng tieän.) John lôùi, toâi co theå trôû thaønh moät maäu dòch vieân gioûi.) One needs s.o. to drive his car home in Seatle, and Bob wants should know all the tricks of the trade but he should to go there, but he does not have a car. Bob will kill two not play all the tricks to trade. (Ngöôøi ta neân bieát taát birds with one stone by driving John's car to Seatle. caû maùnh lôùi laøm aên chöù khoâng neân duøng maùnh lôùi (John caàn ngöôøi laùi chieác xe veà nhaø taïi Seatle coøn Bob löøa ñaûo ñeå laøm aên.) thì muoán ñeán ñoù nhöng khoâng coù xe. Thaät laø nhaát cöû know one's ABCs naém vöõng phaàn caên baûn. Bill löôõng tieän; Bob seõ laùi chieác xe ñoù laø xong.) can't do it. He doesn't even know his ABCs. (Bill kiss and make up boû qua vaø laøm hoaø vôùi nhau. They khoâng laøm ñöôïc vieäc ñoù ñaâu. Anh ta khoâng naém were very angry, but in the end they kissed and made up. vöõng phaàn caên baûn nöõa maø.) You can't expect to (Hoï giaän nhau kinh khuûng, nhöng cuoái cuøng hoï boû qua write novels when you don't even know your ABCs. vaø laøm hoaø vôùi nhau.) I'm sorry. Let's kiss and make (Baïn vieát moät caâu khoâng xong maø ñoøi vieát tieåu up. (Toâi xin loãi. Thoâi chuùng ta boû qua vaø laøm hoaø vôùi thuyeát.) Some experts are so highly specialized nhau ñi.) We have been married for over twenty years that he forgets to know their ABCs. (Moät vaøi chuyeân now, and we haven't had any severe argument. But if vieân coù trình ñoä chuyeân moân quaù cao ñeán noåi hoï any, we would kiss and make up right away. (Chuùng toâi queân maát phaàn caên baûn.) laáy nhau hôn hai möôi moát naêm nay, vaø khoâng heà coù know s.o. by sight thaáy maët bieát ngöôøi. I've never traän gaây nhau döõ doäi caû. Nhöng neáu coù coù, thì chuùng toâi met the man, but I know him by sight. (Toâi chöa heà boû qua vaø laøm hoaø vôùi nhau ngay.) gaëp anh ta bao giôø, nhöng neáu gaëp toâi nhaän ra ngay.) kiss of death boùp cheát vieäc gì hay vaán ñeà gì. The mayor's veto was the kiss of death for the new Bob: Have you ever met Mary? (Baïn gaëp Mary regulation. (Söï phuû quyeát cuûa oâng thò tröôûng ñaõ boùp cheát bao giôø chöa?) chæ thò môùi ñeà ra.) Fainting on stage was the kiss of Jane: No, but I know her by sight. (Chöa, nhöng death for my acting career. (Söï vieäc toâi ngaát xæu treân saân neáu gaëp thì toâi nhaän ra coâ ta ngay.) khaáu ñaõ boùp cheát söï nghieäp kòch ngheä cuûa toâi.) know s.o./something like the palm of one's hand kiss s.t. good-bye töø giaõ luoân; khoâng gaëp laïi nöõa. If bieát ai/vieäc gì raát raønh. Of course I know John. I you leave your camera on a parkbench, you can kiss it know him like the back of my hand. (Dó nhieân toâi bieát good-bye. (Neáu baïn ñeå caùi maùy chuïp hình treân caùi gheá ôû John. Toâi bieát anh ta raønh nhö trong baøn tay toâi.) ngoaøi coâng vieân, keå nhö baïn töø giaõ noù luoân.) You kissed He has been living in this town for over thirty

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 81

years, so he knows everything in is lie a book. (OÂng ta ôû trong thaønh phoá naøy treân ba möôi naêm nay, neân caùi gì oâng ta cuõng bieát raát raønh.) know s.t. from memory bieát ai/ñieàu gì trong taâm töôûng; thuoäc naèm loøng. Mary didn't need the script because Ll she knew the play from memory. (Mary khoâng caàn xem last but not least cuoái cuøng nhöng khoâng keùm phaàn kòch baûn bôûi vì coâ ta ñaõ thuoäc naèm loøng vôû kòch ñoù.) quan troïng The speaker said,”And now, last but The conductor went through the entire concert without not least, I’d like to present Mr. Traàn, who will give music. He knew it from memory. (Vieân nhaïc tröôûng löôït us some final words. (Thuyeát trình vieân noùi: “Vaø baây qua toaøn boä baûn hoaø aâm cho ban nhaïc hoaø taáu maø khoâng giôø, cuooái cuøng nhöng khoâng keùm phaàn quan troïng, caàn coù nhaïc daïo theo. OÂng ta ñaõ thuoäc baûn hoaø aâm ñoù toâi xin giôùi thieäu oâng Traàn seõ noùi vôùi chuùng ta nhöõng naèm loøng roài.) lôøi keát thuùc.) And last but not least, here is the know s.t. inside out bieát ñieàu gì/vaät gì töø trong ra ngoaøi; loser of the race. (Vaø cuoái cuøng nhöng khoâng keùm bieát nhaõo nhö chaùo. I know my geometry inside out. phaàn quan troïng, Xin giôùi thieäu ñaây laø ngöôøi thua (Toâi hoïc moân hình hoïc cuûa toâi thuoäc nhö chaùo.) I cuoäc trong cuoäc ñua naøy.) studied and studied for my driver's test until I knew the laugh out of the other side of the one’s mouth ñoåi rules inside out. (Toâi hoïc ñi hoïc laïi baøi thi laáy baèng laùi buoàn laøm vui, ñang cöôøi boãng meáu (YÙ noí thöôøng xe cho thuoäc nhö chaùo môùi thoâi.) thay ñoåi traïng thaùi taâm lyù töø thaùi cöïc naøy sang thaùi know the ropes bieát moät caùch raønh roït. I can't do the cöïc khaùc moät caùch nhanh choùng vaø maõnh lieät) Laid job because I don't know the ropes. (Toâi khoâng laøm vieäc down the law means that I'll remember her rules. (Caùi ñoù ñöôïc vì toâi bieát khoâng raønh roït.) Ask Sally to do it. caùch baø ta neâu ra caùc ñieàu leä coù yù muoán cho toâi ghi She knows the ropes. (Hoûi Sally ñeå coâ ta giuùp cho. Coâ aáy nhôù caùc noäi quy.) 2. traùch maéng ai (vì coù haønh vi bieát moät caùch raønh roït.) Cuõng duøng: show s.o. the ropes khoâng thích hôïp.) When the teacher caught us, he chó cho ai bieát caùi gì cho raønh roït. Since this was my really laid down the law. (Khi thaày giaùo baét gaëp first day on the job, the manager spent a lot of time chuùng toâi, oâng ta maéng cho moät traän.) Poor Bob. showing me the ropes. (Vì hoâm aáy laø ngaøy ñaàu tieân toâi He really got it when his mother laid down the law. nhaän vieäc neân ngöôøi quaûn ñoác ñaõ maát nhieàu thôøi gian ñeå (Toäi nghieäp Bob. Noù bieát thaân khi bò meï traùch chæ cho toâi bieát coâng vieäc moät caùch raønh roït.) maéng.) know the score vaø know what's what bieát sao laø sao roài. laugh up one’s sleeve cöôøi thaàm trong buïng Taâm Bob is so naive. He sure doesn't know the score. (Bob lookc very serious, but I knew she was laughing on quaù thô ngaây. Chaéc chaén anh ta khoâng sao laø sao heát her sleeve about my new hat. Taâm troâng ñaïo maïo, ñaâu.) I know what you're trying to do. Oh, yes, I know nhöng toâi bieát coâ ta ñang cöôøi thaàm trong buïng veà what's what. (Toâi bieát baïn muoán coá laøm gì roài. OÀ, ñuùng, chieác muõ môùi cuûa toâi.) It is not honest when you toâi bieát sao laø sao maø.) laugh up your sleeve about s.o.. Why don’t you tell know which side one's bread is buttered on ñaàu oùc exactly what you think about him or her? (Nhö vaäy khoân kheùo. He'll do it if his boss tells him to. He laø khoâng thaät thaø. Taïi sao baïn khoâng noùi thaúng knows which side his bread is buttered on. (Anh ta seõ nhöõng gì baïn nghó veà ngöôøi ñoù?) laøm vieäc aáy neáu oâng seáp cuûa anh ta baûo laøm. Anh ta coù law unto onself soáng theo leà loái rieâng; coù caùch soáng ñaàu oùc khoân kheùo laém.) Since John knows which side rieâng You can’t get Bình to follow the rules. He’s a his bread is buttered on, he'll be there on time. (Vì John law unto himself. (Baïn khoâng theå baét Bình theo leà coù ñaàu oùc khoân kheùo neân anh ta seõ ñeán ñoù thaät ñuùng luaät ñöôïc. Anh ta coù loái soáng rieâng.) Children in a giôø.) An employee who knows which side his bread is family should follow the rules until they are grown- buttered is hard to manage, but once he/she is complied up. Letting them have laws unto themselves means with the manager, he/she will be the most reliable. (Moät spoiling them. (Con caùi trong gia ñình phaûi soáng theo nhaân vieân maø coù ñaàu oùc khoân kheùo thì khoù maø ñieàu leà luaät. Cho pheùp chuùng soáng theo loái rieâng töùc laø khieån, nhöng moät khi ngöôøi ñoù ñaõ phuïc tuøng roài thì hoï laø laøm hoûng chuùng.) ngöôøi ñaùng tin caäy nhaát.) lay a finger on s.o./s.t. ñuïng tay vaøo; rôø tôùi (Thöôøng duøng vôùi nghóa phuû ñònh: khoâng daùm ñuïng tay vaøo; khoâng daùm rôù tôùi) Don’t you dare lay a finger on my new bike. Ride your own old one! (Maøy daùm ñuïng tay vao chieác xe ñaïp môùi cuûa tao. Côõi chieác xe ñaïp cuõ cuûa maøy ñi!) If you lay a finger on my things, I will tell mom. (Neáu maøy ñuïng tay vaøo ñoà

82 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

cuûa tao, tao meùt meï.) ñeøn coå.) lay an egg dieãn xuaát toài; beå diaõ The cast of the play lead the life of Riley soáng nhö oâng Hoaøng. (Riley laø really laid an egg last night when they forgot the lines. nhaân vaät khoâng roõ nguoàn goác. Teân moät nhaø thô cuûa (Toái qua caùc dieãn vieân trong ban kòch dieãn xuaát toài quaù Hoa kyø. ÔÛ ñaây cuõng duøng oâng Hoaøng —moät nhaân vaät vì hoï khoâng thuoäc lôøi caùc nhaân vaät.) I hope I don’t lay khoâng roõ xuaát xöù. OÂng hoaøng coøn coù nghóa laø vua.) an egg when it’s my turn to answer questions in the If I had a million dollars, I could live the life of interview. (Toâi hy voïng khoâng ñeán noãi toài khoâng traû lôøi Riley. (Neáu toâi coù ñöôïc moät trieäu ñoâ la, toâi coù theå ñöôïc nhöõng caâu hoûi trong buoåi phoûng vaán.) soáng nhö oâng Hoaøng.) The treasurer took our lay down the law ñaët luaät xuoáng 1. neâu ñieàu heïn tröôùc money to Mexico, where he lived the life of Riley until khi laøm gì Before the meeting, the boss laid down the the police caught him. (Ngöôøi thuû quyõ coåm tieàn cuûa law. (Tröôùc khi baét ñaàu hoïp, oâng seáp giao heïn moät soá chuùng toâi sang Meã-taây-cô vaø soáng nhö oâng Hoaøng ñieàu. Do vaäy chuùng toâi bieát phaûi laøm gì.) 2. traùch maéng cho ñeán khi bò caûnh saùt baét.) ai (vì coù haønh vi khoâng thích hôïp) When the teacher learn s.t. from the bottom up hoïc töø ñaàu chí cuoái; caught us writing bad words on the board, he really laid suoát thoâng moïi ñieàu. I learned my business from the down the law. (Khi thaày giaùo baét gaëp chuùng toâi vieát baäy bottom up. (Toâi suoát thoâng ngheà toâi laøm töø ñaàu chí leân baûng, thaày giaùo maéng cho moät traän.) cuoái.) I started out sweeping the floors and learned lay/pour/spread it on thick khen quaù lôøi; noùi quaù ñaùng. everything from the bottom up. (Toâi baét ñaàu baèng Sally was laying it on thick when she said that Tom ngheà queùt doïn vaø hoïc thoâng suoát moïi ñieàu.) was the best singer she had ever heard. (Sally ñaõ khen leave a bad taste in s.o.'s mouth gaây cho ai aán töôïng Tom quaù lôøi khi noùi raèng anh ta haùt hay nhaát töø tröôùc tôùi xaáu. The whole business about the missing money left nay.) After Bob finished making his excuses, Sally said a bad taste in my mouth. (Caû caâu chuyeän veà vuï maát that he was pouring it on thick. (Sau khi nghe Bob noùi lyù tieàn gaây cho toâi moät aán töôïng xaáu xa.) I'm sorry do xin kieáu, Sally baûo anh chaøng noùi vaäy laø quaù ñaùng.) that Bill was there. He always leaves a bad taste in Bob always spreads it on thick. (Bob thì luùc naøo chaû my mouth. (Toâi raát laáy laøm aân haän laø coù maët Bill ôû aên noùi quaù ñaùng.) ñoù. Anh ta luùc naøo cuõng gaây cho toâi aán töôïng xaáu veà lay s.t. to waste vaø lay waste to s.t. phaù tan hoang. (Duøng anh ta.) caû nghóa ñen laãn nghóa boùng.) The invaders laid the leave no stone unturned. khoâng ñeå cuïc ñaù naøo naèm village to waste. (Nhöõng keû xaâm laêng phaù tan hoang ngoâi yeân; tìm kieám khaép hang cuøng ngoõ heûm. Don't laøng.) The kids came in and laid waste to clean house. worry. We'll find your stolen car. We'll leave no stone (Ñaùm treû con ñeán phaù tan hoang moïi thöù trong nhaø.) unturned. (Ñöøng lo. Chuùng toâi seõ tìm ra chieác xe cuûa Those ridiculous rulers are laying their homeland to baïn maø. Chuùng toâi seõ tìm khaép hang cuøng ngoõ heûm.) waste. (Nhöõng keû thoáng trò ngu doát aáy ñang phaù tan In searching for a nice place to live, we left no hoang ñaát nöôùc cuûa chính hoï.) stone unturned. (Ñeå tìm moät choã ôû toát, chuùng toâi ñaõ lead/live a dog's life soáng cuoäc ñôøi laây laát. Poor Jane luïc laïo khaép hang cuøng ngoõ heûm.) really leads a dog's life. (Toäi nghieäp ñang soáng moät cuoäc leave one to one's fate phoù thaùc cho soá maïng; maëc ñôøi laây laát.) I've been working so hard. I'm tired of living tình cho soá maïng ra sao thì tuyø. They couldn't a dog's life. (Töø bao laâu nay toâi laøm vieäc quaàn quaät. Soáng rescue the miners, and they were forced to leave them cuoäc ñôøi laây laát nhö toâi thaät quaù chaùn.) The majority of to their fate. (Hoï khoâng cöùu noåi maáy ngöôøi thôï moû, grassroots are leading a dog's life. They seem not to see do vaäy hoï ñaønh phaûi phoù thaùc nhöõng ngöôøi ñoù cho soá any light at the end of the tunnel. (Ña soá daân ngheøo ñeàu maïng.) Please don't try to help. Just go away and soáng cuoäc ñôøi laây laát. Hoï döôøng nhö khoâng nhìn thaáy aùnh leave me to my fate. (Xin ñöøng tìm caùch giuùp toâi. Keä saùng cuoái ñöôøng haàm.) ñeå maëc tình cho soá maïng toâi ra sao thì tuyø.) lead s.o. down the garden path duï ai vaøo troøng; tìm caùch leave s.o. for dead boû maëc cho cheát luoân. He löôøng gaït ai. Now, be honest with me. Don't lead me looked so bad that they almost left him for dead. down the garden path. (Naøy, phaûi thaønh thaät vôùi toâi. (Troâng noù quaù thaûm ñeán ñoä hoï muoán boû maëc cho noù Ñöøng coù duï toâi vaøo troøng.) That cheater really led her cheát luoân.) As the soldiers turned—leaving the down the garden path. (Teân löøa ñaûo ñoù quaû ñaõ tìm caùch enemy captain for dead—the captain fired at them. löôøng gaït baø ta.) (Khi caùc ngöôøi lính quay ñi—boû maëc vieân ñaïi uyù ñòch lead s.o. on a merry chase daãn ai ñi loøng voøng khoâng coù cho cheát luoân—neân ñaõ bò ngöôøi naøy baén cho.) chuû ñích. What a waste of time. You really led me on a leave s.o. high and dry boû ai cao vaø khoâ. 1. boû ñi heát merry chase. (Thaät laø maát thôøi giôø. Anh cöù daãn toâi ñi loøng ñeå ai laïi moät mình. All my workers quit and left me voøng khoâng coù chuû ñích gì heát.) Jane led Bill on a high and dry. (Nhöõng ngöôøi laøm coâng cho toâi boû ñi merry chase trying to find an antique lamp. (Jane daãn Bill heát roài chæ coøn laïi mình toâi.) All the children ran ñi loøng voøng khoâng coù chuû ñích maø noùi laø ñi tìm chieác away and left Billy high and dry to take the blame for

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 83

the broken window. (Ñaùm treû boû ñi heát chæ coøn mình Billy leave me hanging in midair. (Keå cho toâi nghe phaàn ôû laïi mang tieáng ñaõlaøm beå kính cöûa soå.) 2. boû maëc ai vôùi cuoái caâu chuyeän ñi. Ñöøng baét toâi giöõa chöøng phaûi chôø hai baøn tay traéng. Mrs. Franklin took all the money out vaäy chôù.) Don't leave the story hanging in midair. of the bank and left Mr. Franklin high and dry. (Baø (Ñöøng boû dôû giöõa chöøng nhö vaäy.) Cuõng duøng: keep Franklin ruùt heát tieàn trong ngaân haøng ra vaø boû ñi maát, ñeå s.o./s.t. hanging in midair boû dôû giöõa chöøng baét ai chôø. laïi oâng Franklin moät mình vôùi hai baøn tay traéng.) Paying Please don't keep us hanging in midair. (Xin ñöøng the bills always leaves me high and dry. (Thanh toaùn baét chuùng toâi ñöøng chôø ñôïi nöõa.) xong caùc hoái phieáu thì toâi chæ coøn laïi traéng tay.) I lend an ear (to s.o.) laéng tai nghe ai noùi. Lend an remember we were once left high and dry in remote place ear to John. Hear what he has to say. (Laéng nghe where nothing could be found but rocks and thorny John noùi. Nghe thöû anh ta noùi gì.) I'd be delighted bushes. (Toâi coøn nhôù coù moät laàn chuùng toâi bò boû vaøo moät to lend an ear. I find great wisdom in everything John nôi xa xoâi hoang vu chæ coù ñaù soûi vaø gai goùc. has to say. (Toâi raát vui söôùng ñöôïc nghe John noùi. Toâi leave s.o. holding the bag doàn cho ai laõnh naïn; quy heát hoïc ñöôïc nhieàu ñieàu hay laï.) traùch nhieäm cho ai; traêm daâu ñoå ñaàu taèm. They all ran lend oneself or itself to s.t. coù theå hoaø hôïp vôùi; laøm off and left me holding the bag. It wasn't even my fault. taêng theâm. This room doesn't lend itself to bright (Boïn hoï chaïy ra ngoaøi heát, ñeå moät mình toâi ôû laïi laõnh colors. (Caùi phoøng naøy khoâng hôïp vôùi nhöõng maøu saëc naïn. Maø cuõng khoâng phaûi loãi taïi toâi.) It was the mayor's sôõ.) John doesn't lend himself to casual fault, but he wasn't left holding the bag. (Ñoù laø loãi cuûa vò conversations. (John khoâng hôïp vôùi nhöõng cuoäc noùi thò tröôûng, nhöng baø ta khoâng bò quy heát traùch nhieäm veà chuyeän baát thöôøng.) The moonlight lends sai laàm ñoù.) Traân is a black sheep in his family. enchantment to the night. (AÙnh traêng laøm cho ñeâm Everyone leaves him holding the bag; not only does he theâm huyeàn dieäu.) have to work hard, never gets a praise, but his sisters and Let bygones by bygones. Vieäc gì qua cho qua luoân. brothers in the family always kick up the row as well. (Tuïc ngöõ: Khuyeân ngöôøi ta neân queân ñi nhöõng gì xaûy (Traân laø ñöùa con bò gia ñình baïc ñaõi. Noù chòu caûnh traêm ra trong quaù khöù.) Okay, Sally, let bygones be daâu ñoå ñaàu taèm; khoâng nhöõng luùc naøo noù cuõng laøm vieäc bygones. Let's forgive and forget. (Ñöôïc roài, Sally, vaát vaû, khoâng ñöôïc moät tieáng khen maø laïi coøn bò caùc anh caùi gì qua roài cho qua luoân ñi. Chuùng ta caàn tha thöù chò em trong nhaø ñoái xöû taøn teä nöõa.) vaø queân ñi.) Jane was unwilling to let bygones be leave s.o. in peace ñeå cho ai yeân; traùnh xa khoâng quaáy bygones. She still won't speak to me. (Jane saün saøng raày ai. Please go—leave me in peace. (Xin ñi choã boû qua taát caû. Vaäy maø coâ ta khoâng theøm noùi chuyeän khaùc—ñeå cho toâi yeân vôùi.) Can't you see that you're vôùi toâi nöõa.) upsetting her? Leave her in peace. (Boä anh khoâng thaáy let grass grow under one's feet ñeå coû moïc döôùi anh laøm phieàn coâ ta sao? Ñi choã khaùc ñöøng quaáy raày coâ chaân; aên khoâng ngoài roài. Mary doesn't let the grass ta nöõa.) We have had enough distrubance. Those people grow under her feet. She's always busy. (Mary khoâng never leave us in peace. (Chuùng ta ñaõ chaùn caûnh bò laøm phaûi aên khoâng ngoài roài ñaâu. Coâ aáy luùc naøo cuõng baän phieàn roài. Nhöõng ngöôøi ñoù khoâng bao giôø ñeå cho chuùng roän.) Bob is too lazy. He's letting the grass grow ta yeân.) under his feet. (Bob löôøi chaûy thaây. Noù suoát ngaøy aên leave s.o. in the lurch baét ai phaûi ñôïi chôø. Where were khoâng ngoài roài.) Letting the grass grow under his you, John? You really left us in the lurch. (Anh ñaâu, feet, Mr. Jung Tran feeds on his wife who calls him a John? Anh baét chuùng toâi chôø laâu roài ñoù nghe.) I didn't putz. (AÊn khoâng ngoài roài, OÂng Jung Traàn soáng baùm mean to leave you in the lurch. I thought we had canceled vaøo baø vôï vaø bò baø ta goïi laø thaèng ngu.) our meeting. (Toâi khoâng coù yù baét quyù vò phaûi chôø. Toâi let off steam vaø blow off steam truùt bôùt giaän; dö thöøa töôûng laø chuùng ta ñaõ huûy buoåi hoïp naøy roài chôù.) Their söùc löïc muoán xaû bôùt. Whenever John gets a little husbands were thought to be going away for a while, but, angy, he blow of steam by kicking at the sofa. (Khi in fact, they have gone for years now, leaving those pitiful John thaáy hôi giaän, anh ta tìm caùch truùt bôùt giaän baèng wives in the lurch. (Maáy baø ñoù töôûng choàng mình chæ ñi caùch ñaù vaøo caùi tröôøng kyû.) Don't worry about John trong moät thôøi gian ngaén thoâi, nhöng kyø thaät, hoï ñi ñaõ bao jumping wildly. He's just letting off steam. (Ñöøng coù naêm roài chöa thaáy trôû veà, toäi nghieäp baét caùc baø phaûi ñôïi lo cho John sao nhaûy lung tung. Anh ta chæ dö thöøa chôø.) söùc neân muoán xaû bôùt thoâi maø.) leave s.o./something hanging in midair boû löûng giöõa chöøng let one's hair down vaø let down one's hair noùi chuyeän (lôøi noùi, coâng vieäc) baét ngöôøi khaùc phaûi chôø. She left thaúng thaén vaø vui veû. Come on, Jane, let your hair her sentence hanging in midair. (Baø ta noùi nöûa caâu roài boû down and tell me all about it. (Naøo nhanh leân, Jane, löûng giöõa chöøng.) She left us hanging in midair when phaûi thaúng thaén vaø vui veû keå heát cho toâi nghe vieäc aáy she paused. (Baø ta baét chuùng toâi phaûi chôø vì baø nghæ ñi.) I have a problem. Do you mind if I let down my ngang giöõa chöøng.) Tell me the rest of the story. Don't hair? (Toâi coù vaán ñeà. Anh coù phieàn neáu toâi noùi thaúng

84 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

thaén noùi ra heát khoâng?) Let sleeping dogs lie. AÙch giöõa moät baùc só y khoa, nhöng toâi ñaõ boû qua dòp may ñoù.) ñaøng ñöøng mang vaøo coå. Ñöøng röôùc raéc roái vaøo thaân. Don't let the chance slip by. Do it now! (Ñöøng bao Don't mention that problem with Tom again. It's almost giôø ñeå lôõ moät dòp may naøo caû. Phaûi choäp laáy!) forgotten. Let sleeping dogs lie! (Ñöøng nhaéc chuyeän raéc Today many young do not seem to care for high roái ñoù vôùi Tom nöõa. Xem nhö ñaõ queân roài. AÙch giöõa ñaøng education. They are ready to let the chances slip by. ñöøng mang vaøo coå!) You'll never be able to reform Bill. (Ngaøy nay nhieàu thanh nieân coù veû khoâng caàn hoïc Leave him alone. Let sleeping dogs lie. (Baïn khoâng bao cao. Hoï saün saøng boû qua nhöõng dòp may ñeán vôùi hoï.) giôø khuyeân Bill söûa ñoåi ñöôïc ñaâu. Keä noù. Ñöøng röôùc raéc lie through one's teeth noùi doái traéng trôïn; noùi doái roái vaøo thaân laøm gì.) It has been said that it's wise to let khoâng ngöôïng moàm. I knew she was lying through sleeping dogs lie, but some particular case you should get her teeth, but I didn't want to say so just then. (Toâi into trouble for other's goodness sake. (Ngöôøi ta thöôøng bieát coâ ta noùi laùo traéng trôïn, nhöng toâi cuõng khoâng baûo raèng khoân ngoan thì ñöøng neân röôùc raéc roái vaøo thaân, theøm noùi laøm gì.) I'm not lying through my teeth! I nhöng tröôøng hôïp naøo baïn cuõng neân chuoát laáy hoaï vì lôïi never do! (Toâi khoâng bao giôø noùi doái maø khoâng ích cuûa ngöôøi khaùc.) ngöôïng moàm. Khoâng heà.) I have seen many people let s.o. off (the hook) tha cho ai khoâng baét laøm vieäc. lie through their teeth, and they feel proud to do so. Please let me off the hook for Saturday. I have other (Toâi ñaõ töøng thaáy nhieàu keû noùi laùo moät caùch traéng plans. (Xin tha cho toâi ñöøng baét toâi laøm vieäc ngaøy thöù trôïn maø hoï coøn caûm thaáy töï haøo nöõa chôù.) Baûy. Toâi coøn phaûi lo chuyeän khaùc nöõa.) Okay, I'll let life of the party nuï cöôøi cuûa buoåi tieäc; ngöôøi giuùp vui you off. (Ñöôïc roài, toâi seõ cho baïn nghó.) cho buoåi tieäc nhoän theâm. Bill is always the life of let s.t. slide xao laõng coâng vieäc; laøm ngô cho qua chuyeän. the party. Be sure to invite him. (Bill luùc naøo cuõng laø Jane doesn't ever let her work slide. (Jane khoâng bao ngöôøi giuùp vui cho buoåi tieäc nhoän theâm. Nhôù môøi anh giôø xao laõng coâng vieäc cuûa mình caû.) John let his ta ñoù.) Bob isn't exactly the life of the party, but lessons slide several times during the last course. (Suoát he's polite. (Bob khoâng giuùp vui cho böõa tieäc nhöng trong khoaù hoïc tröôùc John boû maáy baøi luoân.) anh ta laø ngöôøi lòch söï.) Many friends of mine agree let s.t. slip/slide by ñeå cho caùi gì qua. 1. queân moät söï that Jung Tran is the life of the party because he has a kieän. I'm sorry I just let your birthday slip by. (Toâi xin good sense of humour and a lot of jokes. (Nhieàu ngöôi loãi laø ñaõ queân khuaáy ngaøy kyû nieäm sinh nhaät cuûa baïn baïn cuûa toâi ñeàu ñoàng yù raèng Traàn Jung laø nuï cuôøi cuûa maát.) I let it slide by accidentally. (Toâi voâ tình queân buoåi tieäc vì anh ta coù oùc khoâi haøi vôùi raát nhieàu khuaáy ñi maát.) 2. boû qua moät quaõng thôøi gian oan uoång. chuyeän teáu.) You wasted the whole day by letting it slip by. (Baïn ñaõ like a bat out of hell aøo aøo nhö hoàn sö xuaát. Did boû qua moät ngaøy oan uoång.) We were having fun, and you see her leave? She left like a bat out of hell. (Anh we let the time slide by. (Chuùng toâi maõi ham vui neân ñaõ coù thaáy coâ ta ñi ra khoâng? (Coâ ta) ñi caùi gì maø nhö ñeå thôøi gian troâi qua moät caùch oan uoång.) hoàn sö xuaát vaäy.) The car sped down the street like let the cat out of the bag vaø spill the beans tieát loä ñieàu bí a bat out of hell. (Chieác xe voït xuoáng phía phoá aøo aøo maät cuûa ai. When Bill glanced at the door, he let the cat nhö hoàn sö xuaát.) out of the bag. We knew then that he was expecting s.o. to like a bolt out of the blue baát ngôø nhö tieáng seùt arrive. (Khi Bill lieác nhìn ra cöûa soå, anh ta ñaõ ñeå loä cho ngang trôøi; baát ngôø nhö seùt ñaùnh ngang tai. (blue trôøi chuùng toâi bieát ngay. Anh ñang mong ngöôøi naøo ñoù ñeán.) trong xanh, bolt out boãng coù saám chôùp.) The news We are planning a surprise party for Jane. Don't let the came to us like a bolt out of the blue. (Caùi tin ñeán vôùi cat out of the bag. (Chuùng toâi ñang aâm thaàm toå chöùc moät chuùng toâi nhö tieáng seùt ngang trôøi.) Like a bolt out buoåi party baát ngôø cho Jane. Ñöøng noùi cho coâ ta bieát of the blue, the boss came and fired us all. (Baát ngôø nghe.) It was six and a half dozen; the detective was nhö tieáng seùt ngang tai, oâng chuû ñeán vaø sa thaûi heát concentrating on the man's eyes to see if they could tell thaûy chuùng toâi.) him s.t., but the man kept looking directly at the detective like a bump on a log (yeân laëng) nhö phoãng ñaù; (ñöùng eyes. The man never let the bag out of the bag. (Keû taùm yeân) nhö trôøi troàng. I spoke to him, but he just sat laïng ngöôøi nöûa caân; vieân thaùm töû taäp trung doø xeùt ñoâi threre like a bump on a log. (Toâi noùi vôùi anh ta, maét cuûa ngöôøi ñaøn oâng ñeå xem coù khai thaùc ñöôïc gì, nhöng anh ta ngoài yeân nhö phoãng ñaù.) Don't stand nhöng oâng naøy cöù nhìn thaúng vaøo maët ngöôøi thaùm töû. there like a bump on a log. Give me a hand! (Ñöøng coù Ngöôøi ñaøn oâng khoâng ñeå loä gì heát.) It's a secret. Try ñöùng ñoù nhö trôøi troàng nöõa. Giuùp toâi moät tay coi!) not to spill be beans. (Ñaây laø ñieàu bí maät. Ñöøng tieát loä No one understands Mr. Jung Tran. Whenever he is cho ai bieát.) angry, he is silent like a bump on a log. (Khoâng ai let the chance slip by boû lôõ moät dòp may. When I was hieåu noåi oâng Jung Traàn caû. Khi naøo y giaän thì y caâm younger, I wanted to become a medical doctor, but I let nhö phoãng ñaù vaäy.) the chance slip by. (Khi coøn trai treû, toâi muoán trôû thaønh like a fish out of water lôù ngôù nhö (thaèng) maùn veà

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 85

thaønh; chaúng bieát aát giaùp gì At a formal dance, John is always say. (Toâi khoâng muoán bieát hoï laøm gì heát! Luùc like a fish out of water. (Taïi moät buoåi khieâu vuõ, John lôù naøo toâi cuõng noùi, ñeøn nhaø ai naáy saùng maø.) Your ngôù nhö maùn veà thaønh vaäy.) Mary was like a fish out of parents are strict. Mine just live and let live. (Cha meï water at the bowling tournament. (Trong cuoäc tranh taøi cuûa baïn thì khaéc khe. Chöù cha meï toâi thì ai muoán moäc caàu Mary bò lôù ngôù nhö maùn veà thaønh.) I used to soáng sao thì soáng.) I believe that family works as live in the country until I was ten. I remember the first the best cell of a society, which helps educate a child time I came to live in the city, I felt like a fish out of to become a good future-decision maker. It's probably water. (Toâi hoài coøn nhoû ôû thoân queâ cho ñeán möôøi tuoåi unwise if parents just live and let live. (Toâi tin raèng môùi leân tænh thaønh, toâi coøn nhôù laàn ñaàu tieân nhìn thaáy gia ñình ñoùng vai troø teá baøo toát nhaát cuûa moät xaõ hoäi thaønh phoá, toâi lôù ngôù nhö moät thaèng maùn.) nhaèm giuùp giaùo duïc moät ñöùa treû trôû thaønh moät thaønh like a sitting duck vaø like sitting ducks nhö con moài ngon; vieân toát cho töông lai. Neáu cha meï cho con caùi muoán muïc tieâu cho keû khaùc taán coâng. He was waiting there soáng sao maëc tình thì e raèng khoâng maáy saùng suoát.) like a sitting duck—a perfect target for a mugger. (Anh ta live beyond one's means soáng phoùng tay quaù möùc; ngoài moät mình nhö con moài ngon— raát toát cho boïn cöôùp soáng voùi. The Browns are deeply in debt because giöït.) The soldiers were standing at the top of the hill they are living beyond their means. (Gia ñình Brown like sitting ducks. It's a wonder they weren't all killed. ñang mang nôï nhö chuùa choåm vì hoï soáng quaù phoùng (Maáy ngöôøi lính ñöùng khôi khôi treân ñænh ñoài laøm muïc tay.) I keep a budget so that I don't live beyond my tieâu toát cho ñòch. Khoâng hieåu sao khoâng ai cheát caû.) means. (Toâi luoân chi tieâu raát chöøng möïc neân khoâng like a three-ring circus moät caûnh baùt nhaùo (loän xoän bao giôø phaûi voùi caû.) My children sometimes come khoâng chòu ñöôïc.) Our household is like a three-ring home and ask for some money. They live beyond their circus on Monday mornings. (Qua saùng thöù Hai thì caûnh means most of the time. (Maáy ñöùa con toâi ñoâi khi veà nhaø cuûa chuùng toâi thaät laø moät caûnh baùt nhaùo.) This nhaø xin tieàn. Chuùng noù hay soáng phoùng tay laém.) meeting is like a three-ring circus. Quiet down and listen! live by one's wits bieát soáng khoân kheùo. When (Hoïp haønh gì maø baùt nhaùo quaù vaäy. Yeâu caàu yeân laëng vaø you're in the kind of business I'm in, you have to live nghe ñaây!) We had been having a good time until those by your wits. (Khi baïn ñi vaøo coâng cuoäc kinh doanh heartless guys came rushing in and stirred up everything nhö toâi, baïn phaûi khoân kheùo môùi soáng noåi.) John which is now like a three-ring circus. (Chuùng toâi ñang vui was orphaned at the age of ten and grew up living by höôûng cuoäc soáng eâm ñeïp thì boãng nhöõng keû voâ taâm aáy his wits. (John moà coâi töø luùc leân möôøi vaø phaûi khoân xoâng vaøo vaø gaây neân moät caûnh baùt nhaùo nhö thaáy hoâm kheùo laém môùi soáng ñöôïc.) My father told me to live nay.) by my wits, not to live by tricks. (Cha toâi luoân daïy like looking for a needle in a haystack nhö moø kim ñaùy raèng phaûi khoân kheùo môùi soáng, nhöng khoâng ñöôïc beå. (Saùt nghóa: tìm kim trong caây rôm vöïa coû khoâ.) soáng baèng löøa ñaûo.) Trying to find a white dog in the snow is like looking live from hand to mouth soáng vuoát muõi boû mieäng; for a needle in a haystack. (Tìm cho ra moät con choù traéng kieám soáng töøng ngaøy. When both my parents were trong vuøng baêng tuyeát chaúng khaùc naøo tìm kim ñaùy beå.) out of work, we lived from hand to mouth (Khi cha meï I tried to find my lost contact lens on the beach, but it toâi maát vieäc, chuùng toâi phaûi soáng vuoát muõi boû mieäng.) was like looking for a needle in a haystack. (Toâi coá gaéng We lived from hand to mouth during the war. tìm phieán kieáng caän bò maát nôi baõi bieån, nhöng cuõng nhö Things were very difficult. (Hoài coøn chieán tranh moø kim ñaùy bieån thoâi.) chuùng toâi phaûi kieám soáng töøng ngaøy. Cuoäc soáng khoù like water off at duck's back nhö nöôùc ñoå ñaàu vòt; nöôùc khaên voâ cuøng.) ñoå laù moân. (voâ ích, khoâng coù keát quaû hay hieäu quaû naøo live in an ivory tower soáng trong thaùp ngaø; soáng caùch caû.) Insults rolled off John like water off a duck's back. bieät vôùi ngöôøi ñôøi. If you didn't spend so much time (Maéng nhieác John thì cuõng nhö nöôùc ñoå ñaàu vòt.) The in you ivory tower, you'd know what people really bullets had no effect on the steel door. They fell away like think! (Neáu baïn khoâng soáng thu mình trong thaùp ngaø, water off a duck's back. (Loaït ñaïn ñuïng phaûi caùnh cöûa haún baïn seõ bieát roõ ngöôøi ta nghó gì.) Many saét. Ñaàu ñaïn trôït ñi nôi khaùc y nhö nöôùc ñoå laù moân.) professors are said to live in ivory towers. They don't little by little töøng chuùt moät; nhích tôùi töøng chuùt. Little know what the real world is like. (Ngöôøi ta noùi raèng by little, he began to understand what we were talking nhieàu giaùo sö soáng trong thaùp ngaø. Hoï khoâng bieát about. (Töøng chuùt töøng chuùt, oâng ta baét ñaàu hieåu nhöõng gì cuoäc soáng ñích thaät laø gì.) chuùng toâi noùi.) The snail crossed the stone little by live off the fat of the land töï troàng rau laáy maø aên; little. (Nhích töøng chuùt töøng chuùt maø con oác seân boø qua soáng töï tuùc. If I had a million dollars, I'd invest it khoûi caùi taûng ñaù.) and live off the fat of the land. (Neáu toâi coù moät trieäu live and let live ñeøn nhaø ai naáy saùng; ai muoán soáng sao ñoâ la. Toâi seõ boû tieàn ñaàu tö vaø soáng töï löïc töï cöôøng thì soáng. I don't care what they do! Live and let live, I ñöôïc.) I'll be happy to retire soon and live off the

86 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

fat of the land. (Toâi thaáy sung söôùng vì saép ñöôïc nghæ höu look daggers at s.o. neùm cho ai caùi nhìn khinh bæ. vaø soáng moät ñôøi töï tuùc.) Many farmers live off the fat of Tom must have been mad at Ann from the way he the land. (Nhieàu noâng gia soáng töï tuùc baèng caùch töï troàng was looking daggers at her. (Qua caùch nhìn khinh bæ troït laáy rau traùi.) cuûa Tom ñoái vôùi Ann chaéc anh ta giaän coâ aáy laém.) live out of a suitcase taïm döøng chaân; soáng taïm. (Gheù laïi Don't you dare look daggers at me. Don’t even look nôi naøo ñoù maø khoâng boû quaàn aùo, ñoà duøng ra khoûi va-li.) cross-eyed at me! Ñöøng coù nhìn toâi baèng caùi loái khinh I hate living out of a suitcase. For my next vacation, I bæ nhö vaäy! Cuõng ñöøng nhìn toâi kieåu cheá dieãu nhö want to go to just one place and stay there the whole time. vaäy!) (Toâi gheùt soáng kieåu taïm döøng chaân. Laàn nghæ heø tôùi, toâi look down on s.o./something vaø look down one’s nose muoán moät ñeán choã vaø ôû laïi ñoù suoát thôøi gian nghæ (xong at s.o./s.t. xem thöôøng ai hay baát bình vôùi ai No one veà.) We were living out of suitcases in a motel while is better than others in one way or another, so one they repaired the damage the fire caused to our house. should not look down on anyone. (Khoâng ai hôn ai veà (Chuùng toâi phaûi soáng taïm trong nhaø truù trong khi chôø hoï phöông dieän naøy hay phöông dieän khaùc. Vì vaäy söûa caên nhaø chuùng toâi bò chaùy trong vuï hoûa hoaïn vöøa roài.) khoâng neân xem thöôøng hay khinh deã ai.) When I was younger, I loved living out of a suitcase. look for s.o./something high and low tìm kieám ai hay (Khi toâi coøn treû, toâi khoaùi cuoäc soáng taïm nhö vaäy.) vaät gì khaép moïi nôi I have looked for my lost watch live within one's means lieäu côm gaép maém. We have to high and low for many days, and I can’t find it. (Toâi struggle to live within our means, but we manage. (Chuùng ñaõ tìm kieám caùi ñoàng hoà bò thaát laïc maáy ngaøy nay roâi toâi coá soáng lieäu côm gaép maém vaø cuõng noåi.) John is maø vaãn tim khoâng ra.) unable to live within his means. (John khoâng theå naøo soáng look for trouble chuoác hoaï vaøo thaân Unless you lieäu côm gaép maém noåi.) want to look for trouble, you should not argue with lock horns (with s.o.) ñaáu lyù vôùi ai. Let's settle this the police. (Tröø phi baïn muoán chuoác hoaï vaøo thaân thì peacefully. I don't want to lock horns with the boss. khoâng noùi, coøn khoâng thì ñöøng caõi vôùi caûnh saùt.) (Chuùng ta haõy daøn xeáp chuyeän naøy eâm thaém. Toâi khoâng look forward to s.t. troâng mong ñieàu gì I am muoán ñaáu lyù vôùi seáp ñaâu.) The boss doesn't want to looking forward to having a full-time job. (Toâi ñang lock horns either. (Seáp cuõng khoâng muoán ñaáu lyù.) mong tìm ñöôïc moät coâng vieäc laøm toaøn thôøi gian.) lock, stock, and barrel thuøng, boïng, vaø ñuû moïi thöù. We When getting married most people will look foward had to move everything out of the house— lock, stock, to having a happine family. (Khi laäp gia ñình haàu nhö and barrel. (Chuùng phaûi ñöa heát caùc thöù ra khoûi nhaø— moïi ngöôøi ñeàu mong ñöôïc moät gia ñình haïnh phuùc.) thuøng, boïng, vaø ñuû thöù lænh kænh khaùc.) We lost look/check in on s.o./something chaêm soùc ai/vieäc everything—lock, stock, and barrel—in the fire. (Chuùng gì While we are away from home, we have our toâi maát taát caû—thuøng, boïng vaø ñuû moïi thöù.) niece come and look in on our elderly aunt. (Trong Long time no see. Laâu laém khoâng gaëp. Hello, John. khi chuùng toâi vaéng nhaø chuùng toâi nhôø coâ chaùu gaùi ñeán Long time no see. (Chaøo, John. Laâu laém khoâng gaëp.) chaêm soùc baø dì chuùng toâi.) When the director is on When John and Mary met on the street, they both said, leave, the vice director looks in on the company’s “Long time no see." (Khi John vaø Mary gaëp nhau treân welfare. (Khi ngöôøi giaùm ñoác nghæ pheùp thì ngöôøi phoù ñöôøng, hoï noùi: “Laâu laém khoâng gaëp.) chaêm soùc coâng vieäc cuûa coâng ty.) look as if butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth troâng look like a million dollars troâng raát ñeïp; troâng ngon laïnh luøng nhö voâ tri giaùc. Sally looks as if butter laønh Oh, Sally, you look like a million dollars. (OÀ, wouldn't melt in her mouth. She can be so cruel. (Maët Sally, hoâm nay coâ troâng ngon laønh quaù.) Your new Sally troâng laïnh luøng nhö voâ tri giaùc. Coâ ta coù theå taøn hairdo looks like a million dollars. (Kieåu toùc môùi cuûa nhaãn ñeán möùc ñoù.) What a sour face. He looks as if baïn troâng ñeïp laém.) Anh Minh is not beatiful at all, butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. (Thaät laø khuoân maët but when she makes up she looks like a million chua ngoa. Anh ta troâng laïnh luøng nhö voâ tri giaùc.) dollars. (AÙnh Minh cuõng xoaøng thoâi, vaäy maø khi look at s.o. cross-eyed vaø look cross-eyed at s.o. nhìn theo trang ñieåm leân coâ ta troâng raát ñeïp.) kieåu leù maét Don't even look cross-eyed at me! (Ñöøng coù look like the cat that swallowed the canary hôùn hôû neùm cho toâi caùi nhìn khinh bæ nhö vaäy chôù. Ñöøng coù nhìn nhö vöøa ñöôïc cuûa; daùo giaùc nhö thaèng cha aên troäm. toâi kieåu cheá dieãu ñoù nghe!) (Löu yù caâu naøy coù hai nghóa ngöôïc nhau vì laáy theo look back on s.o./something nhìn laïi vaø nhôù ñeán ai hay nghóa ñen cuûa caâu saùo ngöõ: “troâng gioáng con meøo vieäc gì When I look back on these pictures and the vöøa xôi con chim yeán” — coù boä daïng dôùn daùc, laám wonderful times we had, I realize that everyone has a leùt.) After the meeting John looked like the cat that time. (Khi nhìn caùc böùc hình naøy toâi nhôù laïi nhöõng giaây swallowed the canary. I knew he must have been a phuùt tuyeät vôøi chuùng toâi ñöôïc höôûng vaø boãng toâi nhaän ra success. (Sau cuoäc hoïp John troâng hôùn hôû nhö vöøa raèng ai cuõng coù moät thôøi.) ñöôïc cuûa. Toâi bieát chaéc laø anh ta vöøa ñaït ñöôïc thaønh

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 87

coâng naøo ñoù.) What happened? You look like the cat baïn khoâng taäp ñeø neùn taät xaáu ñoù, thì baïn noåi giaän deã that swallowed the canary. (Chuyeän gì vaäy? Troâng baïn daøng laém.) daùo giaùc nhö cha aên troäm vaäy?) lose one's train of thought yù nghó bò ñöùt ñoaïn; noùi gì look the other way ngoù lô choã khaùc; coá tình laøm ngô. queân roài. Excuse me, I lost my train of thought. John could have prevented the problem, but he looked What was I talking about? (Xin loãi, toâi noùi gì queân the other way. (John thöøa khaû naêng giaûi quyeát vaán ñeà, maát roài. Hoài naõy toâi ñang noùi gì?) You made the nhöng anh ta coá tình laøm ngô.) By looking the other speaker lose her train of thought. (Baïn laøm ñöùt ñoaïn way, he actually made the problem worse. (Bôûi coá tình gioøng tö töôûng cuûa dieãn giaû.) laøm ngô, anh ta ñaõ ñeå cho vaán ñeà trôû neân teä haïi hôn.) lost in thought maõi suy nghó; traàm ngaâm suy nghó. lord it over s.o. ñieàu khieån ai; chæ huy ai. Mr. Smith I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said. I was lost in seems to lord it over his wife. In fact, his wife is the one to thought. (Xin loãi. Toâi khoâng nghe anh noùi. vì toâi maõi lord it over him. (Troâng nhö oâng Smith laø ngöôøi chæ huy suy nghó.) Bill—lost in thought as always—went vôï oâng ta, kyø thaät vôï oâng môùi laø ngöôøi ñieàu khieån oâng into the wrong room. (Bill—maõi lo suy nghó nhö moïi ta.) The boss lords it over everyone in the office. (OÂng khi —ñaõ ñi vaøo loän phoøng.) My wife is an introver. seáp laø ngöôøi chæ huy nhöõng ngöôøi trong vaên phoøng.) She is always lost in thougts. (Vôï toâi laø moät ngöôøi lose face maát maët; maát uy tín. John is more afraid of höôùng noäi. Coâ ta luùc naøo cuõng traàm ngaâm suy nghó.) losing face than losing money. (John sôï bò maát maët nhieàu love at first sight yeâu nhau nhö moái tình ñaõ heïn nhau hôn laø sôï maát tieàn.) Things will go better if you can töø kieáp tröôùc; tieáng seùt aùi tình. Bill was standing at explain to him where he was wrong without making him the door when Ann opened it. It was love at first sight. lose face. (Tình theá seõ ñöôïc caûi thieän neáu baïn giaûi thích (Bill ñang ñöùng beân cöûa thì Ann môû cöûa böôùc vaøo. roõ choã sai traùi cuûa oâng ta maø khoâng laøm maát maët oâng.) Theá laø hai ngöôøi ñem loøng yeâu nhö ñaõ heïn nhau töø lose heart maát tinh thaàn; maát töï tin. Now, don't lose kieáp tröôùc.) It was love at first sight when they met, heart. Keep trying. (Naøo, ñöøng coù maát tinh thaàn. Cöù vieäc but it didn't last long. (Tieáng seùt aùi tình ñeán vôùi hai coá gaéng thöû ñi.) What a disappointment! It's enough to ngöôøi khi hoï gaëp nhau, nhöng moái tình khoâng keùo daøi make one lose heart. (Thaät laø baát maõn! Chöøng ñoù cuõng ñuû ñöôïc bao laâu.) Love is s.t. hard to understand, and laøm cho ngöôøi ta maát töï tin.) A person of strong will love at first sight is even harder to explain. (Yeâu laø never let his heart lose easily. Without trying his best, he caùi gì ñaõ khoù hieåu, vaø roài tieáng seùt aùi tình laø gì laïi cannot tell. (Moät ngöôøi coù yù löïc cao khoâng bao giôø maát caøng khoù giaûi thích hôn.) tinh thaàn deå daøng ñöôïc. Khoâng taän löïc thì chöa ñaùng lovely weather for ducks chæ coù vòt môùi öa trôøi naøy maët.) (coù coïp môùi öa); trôøi maây muø vaø hay möa. (YÙ noùi lose one's grip vuoät khoûi tay. 1. naém huït; tuoät tay. I'm khoâng öa thôøi tieát muø mòt öôùt aùt.) holding on to the rope as tightly as I can. I hope I don't Bob: Not very nice out today, is it? (Hoâm nay trôøi lose my grip. (Toâi coá naém chaët sôïi thöøng. Hy voïng toâi khoâng ñöôïc toát laém, ñuùng khoâng?) khoâng bò tuoät tay.) This hammer is slippery. Try not to Bill: It's lovely weather for ducks. (Chæ coù coïp môùi lose your grip. (Caùi buùa naøy trôn laém. Gaéng ñöøng ñeå tuoät öa trôøi naøy.) I don't like this weather, but it's lovely tay.) 2. maát khaû naêng ñieàu khieån; naèm ngoaøi taàm kieåm weather for ducks. (Toâi khoâng öa thôøi tieát naøy; trôøi gì soaùt cuûa ai. I can't seem to run things the way I used to. maø maây muø vaø hay möa quaù chöøng.) I'm losing my grip. (Toâi khoâng coøn khaû naêng ñieàu haønh lower one's sights ñaët laïi muïc tieâu gaàn; haï thaáp muïc coâng vieäc nhö tröôùc nöõa. Toâi thaáy moïi thöù ñeàu naèm ngoaøi tieâu cho deã ñaït ñeán. Even though you get taàm kieåm soaùt cuûa toâi.) They replaced the board of frustrated, don't lower your sights. (Cho duø baïn coù directors because it was losing its grip. (Hoï thay theá ban baát bình ñi nöõa, cuõng khoâng haï thaáp muïc tieâu coâng ñieàu haønh vì ban naøy khoâng coøn khaû naêng ñieàu haønh vieäc ñöôïc.) I shouldn't lower my sights. If I work coâng vieäc.) They lost their grip when the inflation rate hard, I can do what I want. (Toâi khoâng neân ñaët laïi increased to over two hundred percent a year. Prices are muïc tieâu gaàn hôn. Neáu toâi laøm vieäc sieâng naêng, toâi coù rocking. (Hoï maát khaû naêng kieåm soaùt khi möùc laïm phaùt theå laøm nhöõng ñieàu toâi muoán.) taêng ñeán treân hai traêm phaàn traêm moät naêm. Giaù caû taêng ôû lower one's voice dòu gioïng; haï gioïng. Please lower möùc phi maõ.) your voice, or you'll disturb the people who are lose one's temper noåi giaän maát khoân. Please don't lose working. (Xin vui loøng noùi nhoû laïi cho vôùi, neáu khoâng your temper. It's not good for you. (Xin ñöøng noåi giaän maø nhöõng ngöôøi chung quanh ñang laøm vieäc seõ phieàn maát khoân. Nhö vaäy toát cho baïn hôn.) I'm sorry that I loøng.) He wouldn't lower his voice, so everyone lost my temper. (Xin loãi toâi vì noåi giaän neân maát khoân.) heard what he said. (Anh ta khoâng chòu dòu gioïng, Without daily practice depressing your bad habit of cho neân ai cuõng nghe lôøi anh ta noùi.) The boss was getting angry swiftly, if you have it, you can lose your very angry. He raised his voice and gave us a long temper easily. (Neáu baïn coù taùnh hay noåi giaän, haøng ngaøy discourse. In the end he lowered his voice: “I hope

88 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

there will not be such a thing to happen again. I think you troïng; ngöôøi taàm thöôøng. (Loái noùi ñuøa.) I was the all have good jobs and value your work." (OÂng seáp giaän last to find out because I'm low man on the totem döõ. OÂng leân gioïng cho chuùng toâi moät baøi thuyeát giaûng pole. (Toâi laø ngöôøi cuoái cuøng ñöôïc neâu danh vì toâi laø daøi. Sau cuøng, oâng dòu gioïng noùi: “Toâi hy voïng seõ khoâng nhaân vaät voâ cuøng khoâng quan troïng.) I can't be of coù söï vieäc töông töï xaûy ra nöõa. Toâi nghó laø caùc baïn coù any help. I'm a low man on the totem pole. (Toâi khoâng vieäc laøm ñaøng hoaøng vaø bieát giaù trò cuûa noù.) giuùp gì ñöôïc caû. Toâi laø moät nhaân vaät voâ cuøng khoâng lower the boom on s.o. tröøng trò ai ñích ñaùng; maéng nhieác quan troïng.) ai thaäm teä. If Bob won't behave better, I'll have to lower luck out of s.t. may maén traùnh ñöôïc. He lucked out the boom on him. (Neáu Bob khoâng söûa ñoåi taùnh neát, toâi of having to take calculus. (Anh ta may maén traùnh phaûi tröøng trò noù ñích ñaùng.) The teacher lowered the ñöôïc moân toaùn vi phaân.) I hoped I would luck out of boom on the whole class because one student misbehaved. jury, but I had to serve on a three-week long case. (Vò thaày giaùo maéng nhieác caû lôùp moät caùch thaäm teä vì coù (Toâi hy voïng traùnh ñöôïc naïn ñi laøm boài thaåm, nhöng moät hoïc sinh coù haønh vi voâ giaùo duïc.) toâi laïi bò laøm phuï dòch ba tuaàn lieàn.) low man on the totem pole nhaân vaät voâ cuøng khoâng quan

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 89

xin noùi laø moïi vieäc dieãn ra toát ñeïp.) make a mountain out of a molehill chuyeän nhoû xeù ra to; noùi quaù ñaùng. Come on, don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. It's not that important. (Thoâi cho Mm toâi xin vôùi, chuyeän nhoû ñöøng coù xeù ra to. Khoâng coù gì quan troïng caû.) Mary is always making mountains make a beeline for s.o./s.t. xaêm xaêm ñi tôùi. (Laáy hình out of molehills. (Mary thì coù taät chuyeän nhoû xeù ra aûnh ñaøn ong bay veà moät höôùng naøo ñoù.) Billy came into to.) the kitchen and made a beeline for the cookies. (Bill vaøo make a nuisance of oneself töï chuoác laáy phieàn phöùc beáp vaø xaêm xaêm ñi tôùi choã ñeå baùnh ngoït.) After the mình; ñeo ñaù vaøo chaân. I'm sorry to make a game, we all made a beeline for John, who was serving nuisance of myself, but I do need an answer to my cold drinks. (Sau troø chôi, caû boïn chuùng toâi xaêm xaêm keùo quesion. (Toâi böïc mình vì sao cöù töï chuoác laáy, nhöng tôùi nhaø John, ñeå kieám gì laïnh uoáng.) The guy came toâi muoán tìm ra caâu traû lôøi cho ñieàu toâi thaéc maéc.) making beeline for the manager and asked for a raise to Stop making a nuisance of yourself and wait your be made immediately. (Tay ñoù xaêm xaêm ñi laïi phía ngöôøi turn. (Thoâi thì ñöøng töï chuoác laáy phieàn phöùc cho quaûn ñoác vaø yeâu caàu taêng löông cho y ngay töùc khaéc.) mình nöõa.) Making a nuisance of onself is one of make a clean breast of some-thing thuù nhaän vieäc gì. the methods to self-enlight. (Töï chuoác laáy phieàn phöùc You'll feel better if you make a clean breast of it. Now cho mình laø moät trong nhöõng phöông thöùc ñeå töï khai tell us what happened. (Baïn seõ caûm thaáy thoaûi maùi hôn trí mình.) neáu baïn thuù nhaän heát vieäc ñaõ laøm. Naøo noùi cho chuùng toâi make a run for it chaïy heát toác löïc. When the guard bieát chuyeän gì xaûy ra.) I was forced to make a clean wasn't looking, the prisoner made a run for it. (Khi breast of the whold affair. (Toâi bò eùp buoäc phaûi thuù nhaän ngöôøi lính canh nhìn ñi choã khaùc, ngöôøi tuø voït chaïy heát toaøn boä söï kieän xaûy ra.) heát toác löïc.) In the baseball game, the player on make a go of it caûi thieän tình theá; laøm sao cho toát. It's a first base made a run for it, but he didn't make it to tough situation, but Ann is trying to make a go of it. (Tình second base. (Trong traän tranh taøi moân daõ caàu, caàu hình thaät bi ñaùt, nhöng Ann ñang noå löïc ñeå caûi thieän tình thuû taïi luõy moät phaûi chaïy heát toác löïc nhöng anh theá cho bôùt caêng thaúng.) We don't like living here, but khoâng ñeán kòp luõy hai.) we have to make a go of it. (Chuùng toâi khoâng thích soáng ôû make a silk purse out of a sow's ear ñaát seùt naën neân ñaây, nhöng chuùng toâi cuõng phaûi laøm sao cho toát môùi vaøng; traâu queø thaønh traâu laønh. (Vaät boû ñi ñöôïc laøm ñöôïc.) thaønh vaät quyù giaù.) Don't bother trying to fix up this make a great show of s.t. laøm cöû chæ ñeïp; haønh ñoäng old bicycle. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's muoán chöùng toû yù gì. Ann make a great show of wiping ear. (Ñöøng theøm söûa chieác xe ñaïp cuõ ñoù laøm gì. Baïn up the drink that John spilled. (Ann ñaõ laøm moät cöû chæ khoâng theå naøo naën ñaát seùt ra vaøng ñöôïc ñaâu.) My ñeïp khi lau saïch choã bò John lôõ tay laøm ñoå nöôùc uoáng.) mother made a lovely jacket out of an old coat. She Jane displayed her irritation at our late arrival by succeeded in making a silk purse out of a sow's ear. making a great show of serving the cold dinner. (Jane ñeå (Meï laáy caùi aùo cuõ may thaønh chieác aùo môùi thaät xinh. loä söï böïc boäi veà söï ñeán treå cuûa chuùng toâi qua haønh ñoäng Baø quaû ñaõ laøm traâu queø thaønh traâu laønh.) doïn cho chuùng toâi aên toaøn thöùc aên nguoäi laïnh.) The make cracks (about s.o./s.t.) choïc queâ ngöôøi naøo/vieäc man made a great show of gallantry as he lit a hundred gì. Please stop making cracks about my haircut. It's dollar-bill to look for his new girlfriend's shoe. (Ngöôøi the new style. (Ñöøng coù choïc queâ kieåu hôùt toùc cuûa toâi. ñaøn oâng laøm moät cöû chæ ñeïp khi ñoát tôø moät traêm ñoàng ñeå Kieåu môùi ñoù.) Some people can't help making tìm chieác giaøy cho coâ boà môùi.) cracks. They are just rude. (Coù vaøi ngöôøi khoâng neùn make a hit (with s.o./ some-thing) chìu ai; laøm vui loøng ai. ñöôïc taùnh thích choïc queâ. Hoï thaät laø thoâ loã.) The singer made a hit with the audience. (Ca syõ ñaõ chìu make good money laøm aên khaám khaù; laøm ñöôïc nhieàu theo yù khaùn giaû.) She was afraid she woundn't make a tieàn. Ann makes good money at her job. (Ann laøm hit. (Coâ ta sôï khoâng laøm vui loøng hoï.) John made a hit aên khaám khaù nhôø coâng vieäc naøy.) I don't know what with my parents last evening. (Toái qua John ñaõ laøm cho she does, but she makes good money. (Toâi khoâng bieát cha meï toâi vui loøng.) coâ ta laøm gì, nhöng coâ laøm ñöôïc nhieàu tieàn laém.) make a long story short noùi toùm laïi; keå vaén taét (caâu Make hay while the sun is shining. Phôi thoùc phaûi ñôïi trôøi chuyeän.) And—to make a long story short—I never got naéng; Lôïi duïng thôøi cô; Bieát taän duïng thôøi gian. back the money that I lent him. (Vaø—ñeå toùm laïi—toâi There are lots of people here now. You should try to khoâng heà laáy laïi ñöôïc soá tieàn ñaõ cho anh ta möôïn.) If I sell them soda pop. Make hay while the sun is shining. can make a long story short, let me say that everything (Taïi ñaây hieän coù raát nhieàu ngöôøi. Neân ñem nöôùc ngoït worked out fine. (Neáu caàn keå vaén taét caâu chuyeän thì toâi ra baùn ñi. Bieát lôïi duïng thôøi cô chôù.) Go to school

90 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

and get a good education while you're young. Make hay neighbor's dog made my blood boil as he came into while the sun is shining. (Khi coøn treû thì lo ñi hoïc vaø my flower garden and messed up all the plants, then kieám ít chöõ chôù. Phaûi bieát lôïi duïng thôøi cô.) Taâm he laid several piles of feces. (Con choù ngöôøi haøng manages his time very well; he makes hay while the sun is xoùm laøm cho toâi töùc loän gan leân ñaàu vì noù vaøo vöôøn shining. (Taâm söû duïng thôøi gian raát ñuùng möùc. Anh ta hoa cuûa toâi laøm gaõy heát caây, roài coøn ñeå laïi maáy ñoáng luoân bieát taän duïng thôøi gian.) phaân nöõa.) make life miserable for some-one laøm cho ai ñau khoå make s.o.'s blood run cold laøm cho ai (sôï) taùi da gaø. trieàn mieân. My shoes are tight, and they are making life The terrible story in the newspaper made my blood miserable for me. (Ñoâi giaøy cuûa toâi chaät quaù, laøm cho toâi run cold. (Caâu chuyeän kinh dò trong tôø baùo laøm cho ñau khoå trieàn mieân.) Jane's boss is making life toâi sôï taùi da gaø.) I could tell you things about miserable for her. (OÂng seáp cuûa Jane laøm cho coâ ta ñau prisons that would make your blood run cold. (Toâi khoå trieàn mieân.) Diseases, as well as physical desires, daùm caù raèng baïn maø nghó ñeán nhöõng vieäc xaûy ra make life miserable for those who are troubled by them. trong tuø thì chaéc baïn sôï taùi da gaø luoân.) In the dark (Beänh taät, cuõng nhö nhöõng ham muoán veà vaät chaát, laøm night, the brightly glowing eyes of a cat make my cho nhöõng ai vöôùng vaøo phaûi ñau khoå trieàn mieân.) blood run cold sometimes. (Thæng thoaûng ñoâi maét make light of s.t. xem nhö chuyeän ñuøa; coi nhö khoâng. meøo röïc saùng trong ñeâm toái cuõng laøm cho toâi sôï taùi I wish you wouldn't make light of his problems. They're da gaø.) quite serious. (Toâi mong raèng baïn seõ khoâng xem nhöõng make s.o.'s hair stand on end sôï rôûn toùc gaùy. The vaán ñeà cuûa anh ta laø chuyeän ñuøa. Ñoù laø nhöõng vaán ñeà raát horrible scream made my hair stand on end. (Tieáng nghieâm troïng.) I make light of my problems, and that heùt kinh hoàn ñoù laøm cho toâi rôûn toùc gaùy.) The ghost makes me feel better. (Nhöõng chuyeän xaûy ñeán vôùi toâi, toâi story made our mind stand on end. (Caâu chuyeän ma coi nhö khoâng, vaø nhôø vaäy toâi thaáy deã chòu hôn.) laøm cho toâi sôï rôûn toùc gaùy.) make oneself at home töï nhieân nhö ôû nhaø; cöù thoaûi maùi make s.o.'s head swim/pin laøm cho ñaàu ai bôi, laøm xem nhö ôû nhaø. Please come in and make yourself at cho ñieân ñaàu. 1. laøm cho ai choaùng vaùng maët maøy. home. (Xin môøi vaøo vaø töï nhieân nhö ôû nhaø.) I'm glad Riding in your car makes my head spin. (Ñi caùi xe you're here. During your visit, just make yourself at cuûa baïn laøm cho toâi choaùng vaùng maët maøy.) home. (Baïn ñeán chôi toâi vui laém. Suoát thôøi gian löu laïi Breathing the gas made my head swim. (Hít phaûi chôi xin baïn cöù thoaûi maùi xem nhö ôû nhaø.) caùi hôi ñoù laøm cho toâi choaùng vaùng maët maøy.) 2. laøm make short work of s.o./s.t. vaø make fast work for cho ai ñieân ñaàu. All these numbers make my head s.o./something gaëp ai/laøm vieäc gì voäi vaõ; hoái haû laøm vieäc swim. (Nhöõng con soá naøy laøm cho toâi ñieân ñaàu.) gì. I made short work of Tom so I could leave the office The physics lecture made my head spin. (Baøi giaûng to play golf. (Toâi voäi vaõ noùi chuyeän vôùi Tom xong ra veà veà vaät lyù naøy laøm cho toâi ñieân ñaàu.) The increasing ñeå coøn ñi chôi goân.) Billy made fast work of his dinner conflict between two groups makes our heads swim. so he could go out and play. (Billy aên voäi ba mieáng cho (Cuoäc ñoái ñaàu moãi luùc moät gia taêng giöõa hai nhoùm ñoù xong böõa toái ñeå coøn ñi chôi.) If you keep making short laøm cho chuùng toâi ñieân ñaàu.) work of your meals like that, you'll eventually have make s.o.'s mouth water laøm cho ai chaûy nöôùc trouble with you stomach. (Neáu baïn cöù tieáp tuïc aên hoái aên mieáng; theøm roõ giaõi.) The beautiful salad makes my haû kieåu ñoù thì khoâng choùng thì chaày caùi bao töû cuûa baïn mouth water. (Ñóa xaø laùch ngon laønh laøm cho toâi chaûy seõ coù chuyeän ñoù.) nöôùc mieáng.) Talking about food makes my mouth make someome or s.t. tick khích cho ai laøm vieäc; laøm water. (Noùi chuyeän aên uoáng laøm cho toâi theøm roõ cho caùi gì ñoù hoaït ñoäng ñöôïc; xeo naïy. (Nghóa boùng.) I giaõi.) don't know what makes it tick. (Toâi khoâng bieát caùi gì laøm make s.o. the scapegoat for s.t. ai laøm ñaâu baét ngöôøi cho noù chaïy ñöôïc.) What makes John tick? I just don't khaùc chòu. They made Tom the scapegoat for the understand him. (Ai xeo naïy maø Tom chòu laøm vieäc vaäy? whole affair. It wasn't all his fault. (Ai laøm ñaâu maø Toâi thaät khoâng hieåu noåi anh ta.) I took apart the radio chuùng noù baét Tom phaûi chòu heát. Ñaâu phaûi do loãi cuûa to find out what made it tick. (Toâi môû tung caùi radio ra noù hoaøn toaøn.) Don't try to make me the scapegoat. xem cho bieát caùi gì laøm cho noù haùt ñöôïc.) I'll tell who really did it. (Ai laøm ñaâu ñöøng baét toâi make s.o.'s blood boil laøm cho ai soâi maùu; laøm cho ai töùc chòu. Toâi seõ noùi cho bieát ai gaây ra chuyeän ñoù.) loän gan leân ñaàu. It just makes my blood boil to think of make s.t. from scratch töï laøm töø ñaàu; töï laøm laáy. the amount of food that gets wasted around here. (Nghó We made the cake from scratch, using no prepared ñeán chuyeän ngöôøi ta phí boû soá löôïng thöïc phaåm lôùn lao ingredients. (Chuùng toâi laøm baùnh töø boät thöôøng, töï laøm cho toâi soâi maùu.) Whenever I think of that pha cheá laáy chöù khoâng duøng loaïi pha cheá saün.) I dishonest mess, it makes my blood boil. (Heã khi naøo toâi didn't have a ladder, so I made one from scratch. (Toâi nghó ñeán caùi thöù gian xaûo ñoù, toâi laïi thaáy soâi maùu.) The khoâng coù thanh, vì vaäy toâi phaûi laáy goã laøm moät caùi.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 91

make s.t. up out of whole cloth vaø make up some-thing coù loái soáng khaùc, neân caån thaän suy xeùt xem loái môùi out of whole cloth bòa chuyeän. I don't believe you. I ñoù coù khaù hôn tröôùc khoâng.) think you made that up out of whole cloth. (Toâi khoâng tin meet one's end chaám döùt moät ñôøi ai; keát lieãu cuoäc anh ñaâu. Toâi nghó laø anh bòa chuyeän ra.) Ann made up ñôøi ai. The dog met his end under the wheels of a her explanation out of whole cloth. There was not a bit of car. (Con choù chaám döùt ñôøi noù döôùi baùnh xe.) I truth in it. (Ann töï bòa ra lôøi giaûi thích. Khoâng coù chuùt gì don't intend to meet my end until I'm 100 years old. goïi laø thaät caû.) (Toâi thích soáng ñeán traêm tuoåi môùi chaám döùt ñôøi make the fur/feathers fly noåi giaän maéng cho; gaây mình.) What a poor man! He met his end inhunger goã/nhau om soøm/oûm toûi. When your mother gets home under the bridge during a storm night last month. and sees what you've done, she'll really make the fur fly. (Toäi nghieäp oâng laõo! Caùi ñoùi ñaõ keát lieãu cuoäc ñôøi oâng (Khi meï anh veà nhaø nhìn thaáy chuyeän anh laøm, theá naøo döôùi gaàm caàu trong moät ñeâm möa baõo vaøo thaùng baø cuõng noåi suøng maø maéng cho moät traän.) When those tröôùc.) two get together, they'll make the feathers fly. They hate meet one's match kyø phuøng ñòch thuû; gaëp ñoái thuû each other. (Khi hai ñöùa ñoù xaùp laïi vôùi nhau laø gaây goã ngang taøi. John played tennis with Bill yesterday, om soøm. Chuùng noù gheùt nhau thaäm teä.) These people and it looks as if John has finally met his match. (John never get along very well. Each of them can work very ñaùng quaàn vôït vôùi Bill hoâm qua. Döôøng nhö John ñaõ well but whenever they work collectively, they sure make gaëp phaûi tay kyø phuøng ñòch thuû roài.) Listen to Jane the feather fur fly. (Nhöõng ngöôøi naøy khoâng bao giôø hoaø and Mary argue. I always thought that Jane was loud, hôïp vôùi nhau caû. Moãi ngöôøi hoï laøm vieäc raát gioûi nhöng but she has finally met her match. (Nghe Jane vaø heã laøm chung vôùi nhau thì theá naøo cuõng gaây nhau oûm Mary caõi loän kìa. Toâi luoân luoân coù caûm töôûng raèng toûi.) Jane laø ngöôøi to moàm chôù, nhöng cuoái cuøng coâ ta ñaõ make the grade ñaït keát quaû mong muoán; coù phaåm chaát gaëp phaûi tay ñoái thuû ngang taøi.) “Why were Luong cao. I'm sorry, but your work doesn't exactly make the and I destined to be born at the same time?” asked Du grade. (Toâi raát tieác, coâng vieäc anh laøm khoâng ñaït ñeán keát himself as he knew Luong met his match. (Taïi sao quaû mong muoán.) This meal doesn't just make the Löôïng laïi sinh ñoàng thôøi vôùi Du?” Du töï hoûi vì oâng ta grade. It is excellent. (Böõa aên naøy khoâng nhöõng ñaït keát bieát ñaõ gaëp ñoái thuû ngang taøi.) quaû mong muoán. Quaù ngon laø khaùc.) It is believed that meet s.o. halfway saün loøng dung hoaø vôùi ai. No, I goods made in the U.S.A make the grade. (Ngöôøi ta ñeàu won't give in, but I'll meet you halfway. (Khoâng, toâi tin töôûng raèng haøng hoaù cheá taïo taïi Hoa kyø laø haøng coù khoâng phaûi chòu thua ñaâu, nhöng vì toâi saün loøng dung phaåm chaát cao.) hoaø vôùi anh.) They settled the argument by make up for lost time laøm ruùt ñeå buø (laïi thôøi gian ñaõ agreeing to meet each other halfway. (Hoï ñoàng yù daøn maát); coá vôùt vaùt thôøi gian ñaõ maát. Because we took so xeáp cuoäc tranh caõi baèng giaûi phaùp dung hoaø.) long eating lunch, we have to drive faster to make up for Family happiness always needs husband and wife lost time. Otherwise we won't arrive on time. (Vì chuùng to meet each other halfway on most of disagreements. toâi aên tröa keùo daøi laâu quaù neân phaûi laùi xe nhanh ñeå buø (Haïnh phuùc gia ñình luoân luoân caàn coù söï dung hoaø laïi. Neáu khoâng chuùng toâi seõ bò treã.) At the age of sixty, trong phaàn lôùn nhöõng moái baát ñoàng giöõa vôï vaø Bill learned to play golf. Now he plays every day. He's choàng.) making up for lost time. (Vaøo tuoåi luïc tuaàn, Bill môùi hoïc melt in one's mouth thau trong mieäng; coù vò ngon. ñaùnh goân. Baây giôø ngaøy naøo oâng cuõng chôi goân. OÂng coá This cake is so good; it'l melt in your mouth. (Loaïi vôùt vaùt thôøi gian ñaõ maát.) Many old people, when young baùnh ngon thaät; ngaäm vaøo noù thau trong mieäng.) make their way to having fun, make up for lost time by John said that the food didn't exactly melt in his working two jobs and going to school. (Nhieàu ngöôøi khi mouth. (John baûo moùn aên ñoù chöa thaät söï ngon.) I coøn treû maõi ham chôi neân coá vôùt vaùt baèng caùch vöøa laøm have been looking for, but never found, a special kind hai vieäc vöøa ñi hoïc.) of milk candy which I first had thirty seven years ago. march to a different drummer nhaûy theo nhòp dieäu môùi; It melted in my mouth. (Töø laâu nay toâi vaãn ñi tìm moät coù loái soáng khaùc vôùi tröôùc. John is marching to a loaïi keïo söõa ñaëc bieät maø laàn ñaàu tieân toâi ñöôïc aên different drummer, and he doesn't come to our parties caùch ñaây ba möôi baûy naêm. Boû vaøo mieäng noù thau ra anymore. (John baây giôø coù loái soáng khaùc vôùi tröôùc roài; ngon quaù chöøng.) anh ta khoâng theøm tôùi duï tieäc vôùi chuùng ta nöõa ñaâu.) mend (one's) fences söûa laïi haøng raøo; laøm hoaø vôùi ai; Since Sally started marching to a different drummer, noái laïi moái giao haûo ñaõ bò söùt meû. I think I had she has had a lot of great new ideas. (Töø khi Sally coù loái better get home and mend my fences. I had an soáng khaùc, coâ ta coù nhieàu tö töôûng raát hay.) If you want argument with my sister this morning. (Toâi nghó toâi to march to a different drummers, you should deliberately phaûi veà nhaø söûa laïi caùi haøng raøo. Saùng nay toâi vôùi baø consider whether the new way is better. (Neáu baïn muoán chò caõi nhau moät traän. ‘YÙ noùi saùng nay toi vôùi baø chò

92 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

caõi nhau moät traän, toâi phaûi veà ñeå laøm hoaø vôùi baø ta.’) tuùi nhö vaäy! Phaûi taäp ñeå daønh chuùt ñænh ñi.) Thanh Xuaân called up her uncle to apologize and try to money is no object tieàn baïc khoâng thaønh vaán ñeà I mend fences. (Thanh Xuaân goïi cho ngöôøi chuù ñeå xin loãi want to buy the best piece of diamond you have. vaø tìm caùch laøm hoaø vôùi oâng ta.) Despite a lot of effort Money is no object. (Toâi muoán mua vieân kim cöông has been made to mend fences, the relationship between toát nhaát maø baïn coù. Tieàn baïc khoâng thaønh vaán ñeà.) the two countries has been “cold” since the severe The robber walked into the jeweler’s, asked the conflict occurred in late 1970s. Maëc daàu coù nhieàu noã löïc assistant for the most expensive diamond ring, saying, ñeå laøm hoaø dòu, moái lieân heä giöõa hai quoác gia vaãn coøn “money is no object” then pulled out the gun: “Would “laïnh nhaït” keå töø khi cuoäc xung ñoät nghieâm troïng vaøo you be so kind as to put all the money from the till, the cuoái thaäp kyû 1970.) ring and your watch, too, into this paper bag? (Teân mention s.t. in passing (thænh thoaûng nhaéc ñeán) He just cöôùp böôùc vaøo tieäm kim hoaø, yeâu caàu ngöôøi baùn haøng happened to mention in passing that the chairperson had cho anh xem chieác nhaãn ñaéc tieàn nhaát vaø noùi “tieàn resigned. (OÂng ta vöøa tình côø nhaéc laïi chuyeän vò chuû tòch baïc khoâng thaønh vaán ñeà” roài sau ñoù ruùt suùng ra: “Xin töø chöùc.) Taâm mentioned in passing that he as nearly anh vui loøng boû heát tieàn trong hoäc tính tieàn, caùi nhaãn eighty years old. (Thænh thoaûng Taâm nhaéc ñeán raèng naêm ñoù vaø caû chieác ñoàng hoà cuûa anh ñoù, vaøo trong caùi tuùi nay oâng ta gaàn taùm möôi tuoåi.) giaáy naøy.” millstone about one’s neck phaûi eø coå ra chòu trieàn mieân; money is the root of all evil tieàn baïn laø nguoàn goác phaûi gaùnh chòu thieät thoøi (vì keùm taøi) Bình’s inability to cuûa moïi toäi loãi Why do people work so hard to read is a millstone about his neck. (Vieäc Bình khoâng bieát make money? It just causes them trouble. Anyway, ñoïc laø moät thieät thoøi maø anh ta phaûi gaùnh chòu.) The money is the root of all evil. (Taïi sao ngöôøi ta laïi laøm war moved the country into the read that now has become vieäc quaù vaát vaû ñeå laøm tieàn? Tieàn seõ laøm cho hoï raéc millstone abouit people’s neck. (Cuoäc chieán ñaõ laøm ñaát roái maø. Duø sao tieàn laø nguoàn goác cuûa moïi toäi loãi.) nöôùc ñoù maéc nôï maø baây giôø ngöôøi daân phaûi eø coå ra traû.) All bank robbers in prison can tell you that money mind one’s own business lo coâng vieäc cuûa ai Mind is the root of all evil. (Trong tuø taát caû caùc tay cöôùp your own business. Leave him alone! (Lo coâng vieäc cuûa ngaân haøng ñeàu coâng nhaän tieàn laø nguoàn goác cuûa moïi baïn ñi. Ñeå maëc noù!) Her mother’d be fine if Minh toäi loãi.) minds her own business. (Meï coâ ta seõ thaáy khoeû khi Minh money talks coù tieàn mua tieân cuõng ñöôïc; thôøi buoåi bieát lo cho coâng vieäc cuûa mình.) kim tieàn Don’t worry, we have a way to get him out one’s p’s and q’s ñeå yù ñeán tieåu tieát; chi li It’s good to of prison. Money talks. (Ñöøng coù lo, chuùng toâi coù moät mind your p’s and q’s sometimes, but don’t try to be too caùch ñeå anh ra khoûi tuø. Coù tieàn mua tieân cuõng ñöôïc.) meticulous all the time. (Ñoâi khi chi li cuõng laø ñieàu toát, The new way of life is somewhat materialistic. nhöng ñöøng bao giôø cuõng quaù tæ mæ.) One should mind Money talks the loudest. (Cuoäc soáng môùi khaù chuoäng his p’s and q’s when dealing with figures. (Ngöôøi ta neân vaät chaát. Thôøi buoåi kim tieàn maø.) chi li vôùi nhöõng con soá.) Montezuma’s revenge bò Taøo Thaùo röôït I don’t miss s.t. by a mile ñi laïc caû daëm; truùng ñaâu ñaâu When remember what I at yesterday, but last night I got a traveling on the highway, you will miss your exit by a Montezuma’s revenge all night. (Toâi khoâng nhôù hoâm mile if you do not pay attention to the sign. (Khi ñi treân xa qua aên thöù gì maø caû ñeâm qua bò Taøo Thaùo röôït suoát loä, baïn coù theå ñi laïc caû daëm neáu baïn lô ñeãnh khoâng nhìn ñeâm.) kyõ baûng chæ ñöôøng.) He shot the arrow and missed the move heaven and earth to do s.t. dôøi nuùi laáp soâng; target by a mile. (Anh ta baén muõi teân nhöng truùng ñaâu taän taâm taän löïc laøm vieäc gì Taâm used to say to his ñaâu chöù khoâng vaøo ñích.) lover, Lan, “I’ll move heaven and earth to be with miss the point khoâng hieåu yù (ai) I am afraid you missed you, my dear Lan!” Taâm thöôøng vôùi coâ Lan, ngöôøi my point. Let me explain it to you again. (Toâi e baïn yeâu cuûa anh ta raèng: “Anh seõ dôøi nuùi laáp soâng ñeå khoâng hieåu yù toâi roài. Ñeå toâi giaûi thích laïi laàn nöõa.) The ñöôïc gaàn em, Lan aï.”) Road to success is not hard more he kept explaining his idea, the more I missed the when one is not scared to move heaven and earth to point. (OÂng ta caøng coá giaûi thích bao nhieâu toâi caøng reach his goal. (Ñöôøng ñeán thaønh coâng khoâng khoù khoâng hieåu baáy nhieâu.) neáu ta khoâng ngaïi dôøi nuùi laáp soâng ñeå ñaït ñöôïc muïc money burns a hole in one’s pocket tieàn naèm khoâng kòp ñích.) noùng tuùi (thì ñaõ tieâu maát) Thanh Xuaân can not save a move up (in the world) ñaït ñöôïc thaønh coâng The penny she has. Money burns a hole in her pocket. (Thanh harder one works, the more he is like to move up. Xuaân khoâng bao giôø ñeå daønh ñöôïc moät xu. Tieàn naèm (Ngöôøi naøo laøm vieäc chaêm chæ chöøng naøo thì cô may khoâng kòp noùng tuùi coâ ta thì ñaõ ñi maát.) Don’t let money ñaït ñeán thaønh coâng.) Keep your eye on Mai. She is burn a hole in your pocket! You’d better learn to save moving up. (Haõy nhìn kyõ Mai kìa. Coâ ta ñang ñaït some every month. (Ñöøng coù ñeå tieàn naèm khoâng kòp noùng thaønh coâng ñoù.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 93

much ado about nothing chuyeän khoâng coù gì phaûi laøm new lease on life laøm laïi cuoäc ñôøi môùi. Getting the aàm yõ; chuyeän chaúng coù gì quan troïng; moái öu tö voâ côù job offer was a new lease on life. (Tìm ñöôïc moät vieäc (Ñaây laø nhan ñeà vôû kòch cuûa Shakespeare. Löu yù, theo laøm chaúng khaùc naøo laøm laïi cuoäc ñôøi môùi.) When I nghóa Vieät-Haùn “öu” laø moái lo aâu ngoaøi khaû naêng giaûi got out of the hospital, I felt as if I had a new lease quyeát cuûa ngöôøi lo; “tö” laø suy nghó vaø laø moái lo coù theå on life. (Khi toâi ra khoûi nhaø thöông, toâi caûm thaáy nhö giaûi quyeát ñöôïc.) All the commotion about the new tax mình baét ñaàu moät ñôøi môùi.) After being released law turned out to be much ado about nothing. (Taát caû from prison, the man promised himself that he would nhöõng xoân xao veà luaät thueá môùi trôû thaønh caâu chuyeän manage a new lease on life. (Sau khi ñöôïc phoùng khoâng coù gì phaûi aàm yõ nöõa roài.) You promises always thích khoûi nhaø lao, ngöôøi ñaøn oâng töï höùa vôùi mình turn out be much ado about nothing. (Nhöõng höùa heïn cuûa raèng anh ta seõ coá gaéng laøm laïi cuoäc ñôøi môùi.) baïn luùc naøo cuõng trôû thaønh lôøi noùi vu vô, khoâng coù giaù trò nip and tuck saùt nuùt; sít sao. The horse ran nip and gì. We call these events that are much ado about tuck for the first half of the race. Then my horse nothing “head of an elephant and tail of a mouse. (Chuùng pulled ahead. (Nöûa voøng ñua daàu con ngöïa ñoù chaïy toâi goïi nhöõng chuyeän gì maø luùc ñaàu coù veû quan troïng theo saùt nuùt vôùi con ngöïa toâi. Roài sau ñoù ngöïa toâi nhöng veà sau chaúng coù gì laø “ñaàu voi ñuoâi chuoät”. voït leân tröôùc.) In the football game last Saturday, both teams were nip and tuck throughout the game. (Trong traän tranh taøi boùng thuaãn tuaàn tröôùc, caû hai ñoäi ñaõ coù soá ñieåm sít sao nhau.) nip s.t. in the bud trieät ngay töø luùc môùi chôùm; chaän ñöùng khi vöøa môùi xaûy ra. John is getting into bad habits, and it's best to nip them in the bud. (John Nn ñang nhieãm taùnh xaáu, neân toát nhaát neân trieät ngay töø luùc môùi chôùm.) There was trouble in the neck and neck veà ñích cuøng luùc (khi veà ñích); ñoàng classroom, but the teacher nipped it in the bud. (Coù ñieåm, caân söùc. John and Tom finished the race neck chuyeän loän xoän xaûy ra trong lôùp, nhöng thaày giaùo ñaõ and neck. (John vaø Tom chaïy veà ñích cuøng moät luùc.) kòp thôøi chaän ñöùng ngay töø luùc môùi xaûy ra.) It is Mary and Ann were neck and neck in the spelling quite strange why people do not nip those juvenile contest. Their scores were tied. (Trong kyø thi ñaùnh vaàn delinquencies in the bud. They do not take any töø vöïng Mary vaø Ann baùm nhau raát saùt. Hai ngöôøi coù soá proper action until those misdemeanors burst out ñieåm ñeàu nhau.) Had they tried their best to develop into a serious social evil. (Thaät laø laï luøng khi ngöôøi the two parts of the county neck and neck, people would ta khoâng chòu chaän ñöùng nhöõng teä naïn thieáu nhi have been happy. (Phaûi maø hoï quyeát taâm thi ñua phaùt phaïm phaùp ngay töø luùc môùi xaûy ra. Hoï ñeå cho tình trieån hai phaàn ñaát cuûa nöôùc ñoù nhö nhau thì daân chuùng traïng ñoù trôû thaønh moät teä naïn xaõ hoäi nghieâm troïng ñaõ höôûng ñöôïc haïnh phuùc.) môùi coù bieän phaùp thích öùng.) neither fish nor fowl troâng khoâng ra caùi theå thoáng gì; no (ifs, ands, or) buts about it khoâng neáu, khoâng vaø, ngöôøi khoâng ra ngöôøi, ngôïm khoâng ra ngôïm. The car khoâng nhöng vôùi nhò gì heát; khoâng choái caõi; thi haønh that they drove up in was neither fish not fowl. It must raêm raép. I want you there exactly at eight, no ifs, have been made out of spare parts. (Chieác xe anh ta laùi ands, or buts about it. (Toâi muoán anh ñeán ñoù ñuùng troâng chaúng ra caùi theå thoáng gì caû. Chaéc anh ta goùp nhaët taùm giôø, khoâng neáu, khoâng vaø, khoâng nhöng vôùi nhò ôû ñaâu caùc thöù roài veà raùp laïi.) This proposal is neither gì heát.) This is the best television set available for fish or fowl. I can't tell what you're proposing. (Ñeà aùn the money, no buts about it. (Ñaây laø moät boä maùy TV naøy troâng khoâng ra caùi gioáng gì caû. Toâi khoâng bieát anh toát nhaát maø mình mua ñöôïc, khoâng choái caõi ñieàu ñònh laøm gì ñaây.) “Some five or seven students naøy.) Military orders are taken with no (ifs, ands, dressing in new fashions that look neither fish nor fowl. or) buts about it (Leänh trong nhaø binh ñöôïc tuaân (Khoaûn naêm baûy caäu hoïc troø aên maëc theo loái môùi troâng haønh raêm raép chöù.) ngöôøi khoâng ra ngöôøi, ngôïm khoâng ra ngôïm.) no laughing matter khoâng phaûi chuyeän ñuøa; vaán ñeà neither hide not hair khoâng da khoâng loâng; khoâng thaáy nghieâm troïng. Be serious. This is no laughing taêm hôi; khoâng coù ma naøo heát. We could find neither matter. (Phaûi nghieâm chænh. Ñaây khoâng phaûi chuyeän hide nor hair of him. I don't know where he is. (Chuùng ñuøa.) This disease is not laughing matter. It's quite toâi khoâng thaáy taêm hôi cuûa anh ta ôû ñaâu caû. Khoâng bieát deadly. (Caên beänh naøy khaù nghieâm troïng. Deã gaây töû baây giôø anh ta ôû ñaâu.) There has been no one here— vong laém.) Territory of a country is a matter of neither hide nor hair—for the last three days. (Töø tröôùc tears and blood of those who have died for it; it is no tôùi giôø khoâng coù ai ôû ñaây heát—suoát ba ngaøy nay khoâng laughing matter. (Vaán ñeà laõnh thoå cuûa moät nöôùc laø coù ma naøo heát.) maùu vaø nöôùc maét cuûa nhöõng ngöôøi ñaõ hy sinh taùnh

94 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

maïng môùi coù ñöôïc; ñaâu phaûi laø chuyeän ñuøa.) thieân maïng; khoâng vaøo hang huøm sao baét ñöôïc coïp none the worse for wear khoâng coøn xaøi ñöôïc nöõa; duøng con. Come on, John. Give it a try. Nothing ñeán xaøi xaïc. I lent my car to John. When I got it back, ventured, nothing gained. (Thoâi maø John. Phaûi thöû ñi it was none the worse for wear. (Toâi cho John möôïn chôù. Khoâng taän nhaân löïc laøm sao tri thieân maïng.) I chieác xe. Ñeán khi toâi laáy laïi, thì keå nhö heát xaøi luoân.) I felt as if I had to take the chance. Nothing ventured, had a hard day today, but I'm none the worse for wear. nothing gained. (Toâi caûm thaáy caàn phaûi thöû thôøi vaän. (Ngaøy hoâm nay toâi vaát vaû quaù, nhöng khoâng ñeán noãi xaøi Khoâng vaøo hang huøm laøm sao baét ñöôïc coïp con.) xaïc.). not hold water khoâng hôïp lyù; khoâng coù nghóa. no skin off s.o.'s teeth/ nose khoâng dính daáp gì ñeán; Your argument doesn't hold water. (Loái laäp luaän khoâng can döï ñeán ai. It's no skin off my nose if she cuûa baïn khoâng hôïp lyù tí naøo.) This scheme won't wants to act that way. (Coâ ta haønh ñoäng laøm sao thì tuyø work because it won't hold water. (Möu tính ñoù coâ khoâng dính daáp gì ñeán toâi.) She said it was no skin khoâng thaønh coâng vì noù khoâng coù yù nghóa gì.) They off her teeth if we wanted to sell the house. (Baø ta noùi are very stubborn; they know their argument does raèng chuùng toâi coù thích baùn caùi nhaø hay khoâng cuõng not hold water, still they close their ears to listen! chaúng can döï gì ñeán baø ta.) (Hoï raát ngoan coá; hoï bieát laäp luaän hoï khoâng hôïp lyù, no spring chicken tuoåi xuaân qua roài; ñaâu coøn treû moû I vaäy maø vaãn khoâng chòu laéng nghe ngöôøi khaùc noùi.) don't get around very well anymore. I'm no spring not know enough to come in out of the rain luø khuø chicken, you know. (Baây giôø toâi khoâng coøn sinh hoaït khoâng coù khaû naêng öùng phoù (vôùi coâng vieäc, vôùi haêng say nöõa. Baïn bieát ñoù, toâi ñaõ qua khoûi tuoåi xuaân ngöôøi ta, vôùi ñôøi); khoâng bieát traùnh neù. Bob is so roài.) Even though John is no spring chicken, he still stupid he doesn't know enough to come in out of the plays tennis twice a week. (Cho duø John ñaõ qua khoûi rain. (Bob quaù ngu, anh ta khoâng coù khaû naêng öùng tuoåi xuaân, anh ta vaãn coøn chôi quaàn vôït moät tuaàn hai phoù vôùi coâng vieäc.) You can't expect very much laàn.) from somebody who doesn't know enough to come in not able to see the forest for the trees nhieàu caây out of the rain. (Baïn ñöøng troâng mong gì ôõ nhöõng khoâng troâng thaáy röøng; theo tieåu tieát boû phaàn chuû choát; ngöôøi khuø khôø khoâng bieát caùch ñoái phoù vôùi ngöôøi khoâng phaân bieät noåi chính, phuï. The solution is ta.) My wife usually tells me that I am as naive as a obvious. You missed it because you can't see the forest lamb in commercial business because I am do not for the trees. (Giaûi phaùp ñaõ roõ raøng. Baïn khoâng nhìn know anything to come in out of the rain. (Vôï toâi thaáy laø vì baïn theo tieåu tieát maø khoâng nhìn thaáy phaàn thöôøng baûo toâi raèng toâi ngaây ngoâ nhö con cöøu con veà chuû choát cuûa vaán ñeà.) She suddenly realized that she laõnh vöïc kinh doanh thöông maïi vì toâi khoâng bieát hadn't been able to see the forest for the trees. (Coâ ta caùch öùng phoù.) boãng nhaän thaáy mình khoâng coù khaû naêng phaân bieät noåi not know s.o. from Adam tieáng seùt aùi tình; töø cha chính, phuï.) sinh meï ñeû tôùi giôø chöa heà thaáy maët. I wouldn't not born yesterday khoâng coøn thô ngaây nöõa; giaøu kinh recognized John if I saw him. I don't know him from nghieäm. I know what's going on. I wasn't born Adam. (Toâi coù gaëp John cuõng khoâng nhaän ra anh ta yesterday. (Toâi hieåu ñöôøng ñi nöôùc böôùc maø. Toâi khoâng ñaâu. Toâi hoaøn toaøn muø tòt veà anh ta.) What does coøn thô ngaây nöõa.) Sally knows the score. She wasn't she look like? I don't know her from Adam. (Coâ ta born yesterday. (Sally hieåu ñaàu ñuoâi caâu chuyeän maø. Coâ hình daùng theá naøo? Töø cha sinh meï ñeû tôùi giôø chöa ta laø ngöôøi giaøu kinh nghieäm.) heà thaáy maët coâ aáy.) Adgar Allen Poe did not know not have a leg to stand on khoâng coù caên baûn lyù luaän; the lady from Adam until he saw the picture of her, khoâng coù lyù leõ vöõng vaøng. You may think you're in the then he loved her at first sight. (Töø cha sinh meï ñeû right, but you don't have a leg to stand on. (Coù theå baïn tôùi luùc nhìn thaáy böùc hình chuïp ngöôøi thieáu phuï, nghó baïn ñuùng, nhöng baïn khoâng coù caên baûn lyù luaän.) Adgar Allen Poe khoâng heà bieát naøng laø ai, vaäy maø My lawyer said I didn't have a leg to stand on, so I oâng ta lieàn yeâu coâ aáy maõnh lieät nhö tieáng saám noå shouldn't sue the company. (Luaät sö cuûa toâi noùi toâi löng trôøi.) khoâng coù lyù luaän vöõng vaøng, vì vaäy toâi khoâng neân kieän not long for this world saép chaàu dieâm chuùa; gaàn ñaát coâng ty.) xa trôøi. Our dog is nearly twelve years old and not nothing but skin and bones vaø all skin and bones oám chæ long for this world. (Con choù chuùng toâi nuoâi gaàn hai coøn da boïc xöông. Bill has lost so much weight. He's möôi naêm roài neân gaây giôø noù cuõng saép chaàu dieâm nothing but skin and bones. (Bill suït kyù quaù nhieàu. Baây chuùa.) I'm so tired. I think I'm not long for this giôø anh ta chæ coøn da boïc xöông.) That old horse is all world. (Toâi quaù meät moûi. Toâi nghó toâi saép gaàn ñaát xa skin and bones. I won't ride it. (Con ngöïa ñoù chæ coøn da trôøi roài.) When young people do not prepare boïc xöông. Toâi khoâng daùm cöôõi ñaâu.) themselves for the death until they are not long for Nothing ventured, nothing gained Taän nhaân löïc môùi tri this world they start to wonder where they would be

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 95

going to after death! (Luùc coøn treû ngöôøi ta khoâng chuaån laøm sao chöôøng maët ra ngoaøi nöõa ñaâu.) bò cho caùi cheát, maõi ñeán khi gaàn ñaát xa trôøi hoï môùi baét not sleep a wink khoâng heà chôïp maét ñöôïc; khoâng ñaàu öu tö khoâng bieát sau khi cheát seõ ñi veà ñaâu.) nguû ñöôïc tí naøo. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. not open one's mouth vaø not utter a word khoâng heù moâi (Toái hoâm qua toâi khoâng heà chôïp maét.) Ann hasn't (noùi cho ai bieát; caïy mieäng cuõng khoâng noùi. Don't been able to sleep a wink for a week. (Caû tuaàn nay worry, I'll keep your secret. I won't even open my mouth. Ann khoâng heà nguû ñöôïc laáy moät tí naøo.) Tuan (Ñöøng lo, toâi seõ giöõ kín cho. Toâi khoâng heù moâi noùi cho joked: “Woe me! I could not sleep a wink during the ai bieát ñaâu.) Have no fear. I won't utter a word. (Ñöøng day, and I could eat nothing during the night. How sôï gì caû. Caïy mieäng toâi cuõng khoâng noùi maø.) I don't can I survive! (Tuaán noùi ñuøa: “Khoå toâi quaù! Ñeâm know how they found out. I didn't even open my mouth. khoâng aên ngaøy chaúng nguû. Laøm sao soáng ñaây!) (Toâi khoâng hieåu sao hoï bieát ñöôïc. Toâi ñaâu coù heù moâi noùi not s.o.'s cup of tea thöù khoâng hôïp sôû thích/hôïp khaåu cho ai bieát ñaâu.) I am very skeptical; whoever says vò ai. Playing cards isn't her cup of tea. (Chôi baøi “not open his mouth” is usually the first one to tell the khoâng phaûi laø thöù hôïp sôû thích cuûa coâ ta.) Sorry, secret. (Toâi laø ngöôøi ña nghi; ai maø noùi “caïy mieäng toâi that's not my cup of tea. (Raát tieác, ñoù khoâng phaûi laø cuõng khoâng noùi” thöôøng laø ngöôøi ñaàu tieân tieát loä bí maät sôû thích cuûa toâi.) Celibacy is miserable, but cho keû khaùc ñaàu tieân.) marriage is terrible. Sometimes you have you endure not set foot somewhere khoâng rôøi nöûa böôùc; khoâng ñaët s.t. not your cup of tea for the sake of connubial bliss chaân ñeán. Since her husband died Mrs. Emily have not and for the children's futre. (Ñoäc thaân thì ñau khoå, set foot anywhere. (Töø ngaøy choàng maát tôùi nay baø Emily nhöng coù gia ñình thì khoán khoå. Ñoâi luùc baïn phaûi khoâng heà rôøi khoûi nhaø nöûa böôùc.) I wouldn't set foot in chòu ñöïng moät vaøi thöù khoâng hôïp sôû thích cuûa baïn vì John's room. I'm very angry with him. (Toâi seõ khoâng bao haïnh phuùc gia ñình vaø töông lai con caùi.) giôø ñaët chaân ñeán nhaø John nöõa. Toâi giaän noù laém roài.) not up to scratch/snuff gaõi ngöùa ngöôøi ta; coøn nhieàu He never set foot here. (Anh ta khoâng heà ñaët chaân ñeán thieáu soùt; chöa thaám vaøo ñaâu. Sorry, your paper ñaây.) isn't up to scratchy. Please do it over again. (Xin loãi, not show one's face khoâng coøn vaùc maët tôùi (nôi naøo ñoù); baøi tieåu luaän naøy coøn nhieàu thieáu soùt quaù. Xin vui chöôøng maët ra ngoaøi. After what she said, she had loøng laøm laïi.) The performance was not up to better not show her face around her again. (Coâ ta ñaõ noùi snuff. (Buoåi trình dieãn coù quaù nhieàu thieáu soùt.) The nhö vaäy, toát hôn coâ ta ñöøng neân vaùc maët tôùi ñaây nöõa.) money Hao borrowed from his friends and relatives If I don't say I'm sorry, I'll never be able to show my is not up to scratch. (Soá tieàn Haûo möôïn cuûa baïn beø face again. (Neáu toâi khoâng noùi xin loãi hoï, toâi seõ khoâng vaø baø con khoâng thaám vaøo ñaâu caû.)

96 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

chöông trình phaùt thanh chaám döùt roài.) When the performers were off the air, the director told them how well they had done. (Khi nhöõng dieãn vieân chaám döùt phaàn trình baøy cuûa mình, vò ñaïo dieãn taám taét khen Oo hoï ñaõ thuû vai raát xuaát saéc.) odd man out troâng khoâng gioáng ai. I'm odd man out off the record ngoaøi leà; khoâng chính thöùc; (vieäc) bao because I'm not wearing a tie. (Toâi khoâng mang caø vaït ñoàng This is off the record, but I disagree with the neân troâng khoâng gioáng ai heát.) You had better learn to manager on this matter. (Ñaây laø chuyeän ngoaøi leà, work a computer unless you want to be odd out. (Baïn nhöng toâi vaãn khoâng ñoàng yù vôùi oâng quaûn ñoác veà vaán phaûi hoïc caùch söû duïng maùy ñieàn toaùnkhoâng thì seõ khoâng ñeà ñoù.) Although she said her comments were off gioáng ai heát.) His son is odd man out; he usually goes the record, the newspaper published them anyway. out without shirt, shoes and without good conduct. (Maëc daàu baø noùi nhöõng lôøi nhaän xeùt cuûa baø khoâng (Thaèng con trai oâng troâng khoâng gioáng ai heát; noù ñi ra phaûi laø chính thöùc, vaäy maø baùo chí vaãn ñaêng taûi.) ngoaøi maø mình traàn chaân truïi, vaø aên noùi hoãn haøo.) Thanh never finishes his assigned work, but he of all the nerve caû gan thaät; thaáy môùi gheâ. How dare prefers to do anything off the record. (Thaønh khoâng you talk to me that way! Of all the nerve! (Maøy daùm aên bao giôø laøm troøn vieäc ñöôïc giao, nhöng anh ta laïi noùi vôùi tao nhö vaäy! Caû gan thaät!) Imagine anyone thích laøm toaøn nhöõng vieäc bao ñoàng.) coming to a formal dance in jeans. Of all the nerve! He off the top of one's head taøi öùng khaåu I can't think did! (Töôûng töôïng xem coù ngöôøi ñi döï daï tieäc khieâu vuõ of the answer off the top of my head. (Toâi chòu khoâng maø maëc quaàn jeans. Nhö vaäy môùi thaáy gheâ chôù! Vaäy maø coù taøi öùng khaåu ñeå traû lôøi nhanh choùng.) Jane can noù laøm ñöôïc!) Of all the nerve! Those sutdents climbed tell you the correct amount off the top of her head. over the fence, and then returned with alcoholic breath. (Jane coù taøi öùng khaåu traû lôøi ngay con soá chính xaùc.) (Caû gan thaät! Ñaùm hoïc troø ñoù leo raøo ra, roài khi trôû laïi Chi is gifted with rare talent of making verses; she ñöùa naøo cuõng noàng naëc muøi bia.) can rattle off the top of her head a very interesting off base khoâng thöïc teá; khoâng töôûng. I'm afraid you're poem in just a few minutes! (Chi coù bieät taøi laøm thô; off base when you state that this problem will take care of coâ coù theå ñoïc öùng khaåu laøm moät baøi thô chæ trong vaøi itself. (Toâi e raèng baïn khoâng thöïc teá khi noùi raèng vaán ñeà phuùt.) naày seõ töï oån ñònh.) You're way off base! (Baïn hoaøn off to a running start khôûi ñaàu vôùi nhieàu höùa heïn. toaøn khoâng töôûng!) They are off base when attempting I got off a running start in math this year. (Naêm to build up an earthly heaven. (Ho hoaøn toaøn khoâng töôûng nay toâi môùi khôûi ñaàu hoïc toaùn maø thaáy höùa heïn laém.) khi möu tính xaây döïng moät thieân ñöôøng haï giôùi.) The horses got off to a running start. (Nhöõng con off-color phai maøu; nhaït maøu. 1. khoâng ñuùng maøu ai ngöïa khôûi ñaàu cuoäc ñua vôùi nhieàu höùa heïn.) The thích. The book cover used to be red, but now it's a little students got off a running start in computer, but three off-color. (Bìa quyeån saùch ñoù tröôùc ñaây maøu ñoû, nhöng weeks later they dragged along very terribly. Maybe baây giôø hoï ñoåi maøu khaùc (toâi khoâng thích.) The wall the students could not catch up with the instructor's was painted off-color, I think it was meant to be orange. method. (Caùc hoïc vieân baét ñaàu moân ñieàn toaùnvôùi (Böùc töôøng ñöôïc sôn maøu khaùc roài. Toâi cöù nghó laø seõ sôn nhieàu höùa heïn, nhöng ba tuaàn sau hoï keùo leát moät maøu cam chöù.) 2. nham nhôû; loá bòch. That joke you told caùch khoå sôû. Coù theå hoïc vieân khoâng theo kòp phöông was off-color and embarrassed me. (Caâu chuyeän baïn keå phaùp cuûa giaûng vieân.) toâi nghe nham nhôû quaù laøm toâi thaáy boái roái.) The of the first water loaïi thöôïng haïng; ngöôøi lòch duyeät. nightclub act was a bit off-color. (Maøn dieãn hoäp ñeâm hôi This is a very fine pearl—a pearl of the first water. loá bòch.) I am very conservative, so I do not want to do (Ñaây laø haït trai loaïi toát—loaïi thöôïng haïng.) Mr. anything off-color. (Toâi laø ngöôøi baûo thuû, neân toâi khoâng Bui is of the first water—a true gentleman. (OÂng Buøi muoán laøm baát cöù chuyeän gì loá bòch caû.) thuoäc haïng ngöôøi lòch duyeät— moät con ngöôøi raát ö off-duty heát phieân tröïc; xuoáng ca. I'm sorry, I can't talk khaû kính.) In spite of his pauverty, he is always of to you until I'm off duty. (Toâi xin loãi khoâng theå noùi the first water—a really respectful figure. (Maëc daàu chuyeän vôùi baïn baây giôø ñöôïc maø phaûi ñôïi ñeán khi toâi heát oâng ngheøo, oâng ta luùc naøo cuõng laø moät ngöôøi lòch phieân tröïc.) The police officer could'nt help me because duyeät — voâ cuøng ñaùng kính troïng.) he was off duty. (Nhaân vieân caûnh saùt ñoù khoâng giuùp toâi on active duty thi haønh nhieäm vuï. The soldier was ñöôïc vì anh ta xuoáng ca laøm vieäc roài.) on active duty for ten months. (Ngöôøi lính aáy phaûi thi off the air heát phaùt thanh; heát phaùt hình. The radio haønh nhieäm vuï trong möôøi thaùng.) That was a long audience won't hear what you say when you're off the air. time to be on active duty. (Ñoù laø moät nhieäm vuï laâu (Thính giaû ñaøi phaùt thanh khoâng nghe ñöôïc lôøi baïn noùi vì daøi.) Those officers will take turn to be on active duty in abroad for one year. (Nhöõng syõ quan ñoù seõ

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 97

thay phieân nhau thi haønh nhieäm vuï taïi quoác ngoaïi trong expect me to do that? (Trôøi ñaát ôi baïn muoán toâi laøm moät naêm.) sao baây giôø.) Who in the world do you think you on all fours boø quanh; boø leâ boø caøng. I dropped a are? (Trôøi ñaát ôi, coâ nghó coâ laø ai vaäy?) When on contact lens and spent an hour on all fours looking for it. earth do you expect me to do this? (Trôøi ñaát ôi, oâng (Toâi laøm rôùt phieán kieáng caän neân phaûi boø quanh caû giôø muoán toâi khi naøo laøm vieäc naøy?) ñeå tìm noù.) The baby can walk, but is on all fours most One good turn deserves another. aân ñeàn oaùn traû of the time anyway. (Ñöùa beù môùi bieát ñi, neân noù coøn boø phaân minh ÔÛ hieàn gaëp laønh. (Caâu tuïc ngöõ naøy khuyeân quanh nhieàu hôn laø ñi.) Hearing the loud noise, Mr. chuùng ta neân baùo ñaùp cho xöùng ñaùng vôùi nhöõng gì Trinh was so scared that he crawled on all fours out of ñöôïc trao taëng.) If he does you a favor, you should the room. (Nghe moät tieáng ñoäng lôùn, oâng Trònh quaù sôï do him a favor. One good turn deserves another. (Neáu ñeán noåi boø leâ boø caøng ra khoûi phoøng.) anh ta laøm ôn cho anh, anh neân ñeàn ôn anh aáy. AÂn on a waiting list danh saùch chôø. I couldn't get a seat on ñeàn oaùn traû phaân minh.) Glad to help you out. One the plane, but I got on a waiting list. (Toâi khoâng coù choã good turn deserves another. (Raát sung söôùng ñöôïc dòp ngoài treân phi cô, nhöng teân toâi coù trong danh saùch chôø.) giuùp baïn. ÔÛ hieàn thì gaëp laønh.) No one teaches him There is no room for you, but we can put your name on what it means by “One good turn deserves another”, the waiting list. (Khoâng coù choã cho baïn ñaâu, nhöng chuùng so he never helps anyone. (Khoâng ai daïy cho noù bieát toâi coù theå ghi teân baïn vaøo danh saùch chôø.) On the day theá naøo laø “ÔÛ hieàn gaëp laønh”, neân noù khoâng bao giôø the course began, there were about ten people on the giuùp ai caû.) waiting list and the instructor urged them to stay for a one in a thousand/hundred/ million ngaøn naêm moät week or two because there would be some people to drop thuôû (voâ cuøng hieám hoi); traêm, ngaøn (ngöôøi) môùi coù surely. (Vaøo ngaøy khoaù hoïc baét ñaàu, coù khoaûng möôøi moät. He's a great guy. He's one in million. (OÂng ta ngöôøi trong danh saùch chôø vaø vò giaûng vieân khuyeân hoï laø moät hieàn nhaân. Ngaøn naêm moät thuôû môùi coù moät neân naùn laïi moät vaøi tuaàn thì seõ coù choã vì chaéc chaén seõ coù ngöôøi.) Mary's one in a hundred—such a hard ngöôøi boû cuoäc.) worker. (Traêm, ngaøn ngöôøi môùi coù moät—Mary thaät laø once in a blue moon naêm khi möôøi hoaï; raát hieám khi. I moät ngöôøi laøm vieäc sieâng naêng.) The beggar was seldon go to a movie—maybe once in a blue moon. (Toâi ít overwhelmed with joy as he found a diamond ring in khi ñi xem xi neâ laém —naêm khi möôøi hoaï môùi ñi moät the trash can. One in a million! (Ngöôøi aên maøy voâ laàn.) I don't go into the city except once in a blue moon. cuøng sung söôùng khi tìm thaáy trong ñoáng raùc moät (Toâi naêm khi möôøi hoaï môùi ra thaønh phoá moät laàn chöù chieác nhaãn hoät xoaøn. Thaät laø chuyeän ngaøn naêm moät khoâng ñi thöôøng.) This style of dress is seen in display thuôû.) window once in a blue moon. (Kieåu aùo naøy hieám khi thaáy One man's meat is another man's poison. Taây cheâ tröng baøy laøm maãu ôû caùc cöûa tieäm.) oùc khæ tanh, Taøu cheâ oác seân tôõm; cuøng moät thöù maø keû on cloud nine ñang treân maây; thaáy ñôøi leân höông. When thích thì gaät guø, ngöôøi khoâng öa thì daãy naãy, cöùt ai I got my promotion, I was on cloud nine. (Khi naøo toâi thôm muõi naáy. John just loves his new fur hat, but I ñöôïc taêng löông, toâi thaáy ñôøi leân höông.) When the think it is horrible. Oh, well, one man's meat is check came, I was on cloud nine for days. (Khi ngaân another man's poison. (John raát thích caùi noùn loâng thuù phieáu traû löông veà, toâi thaáy ñôøi leân höông maáy ngaøy môùi ñoù, coøn toâi thì thaáy maø khieáp. Ñuùng laø, cuøng moät lieàn.) I am only on cloud nine when I have done s.t. thöù maø keû öa gaät guø, ngöôøi khoâng öa daãy naãy.) The special to help people, especially the poor. (Toâi chæ thaáy neighbors are very fond of their dog even though it's ñôøi leân höông khi laøm ñöôïc moät vieäc gì ñaëc bieät ñeå giuùp ugly, loud, and smelly. I guess one man's meat is ngöôøi; nhaát laø ngöôøi ngheøo.) another man's poison. (Maáy ngöôøi haøng xoùm vaãn cöù on duty ñang thi haønh phaän söï; ñang leân phieân tröïc. I khoaùi con choù gì maø xaáu xí, hay suûa oàn aøo, vaø hoâi can't help you now, but I'll be on duty in about an hour. thoái. Thaät ñuùng laø Taây cheâ oùc khæ tanh, Taøu cheâ oác (Toâi khoâng theå giuùp baïn baây giôø ñöôïc, nhöng chöøng moät seân tôûm.) One's meat is another man's poison; he giôø nöõa toâi seõ leân phieân tröïc (thì coù theå ñöôïc.) Who is says he can't help feeling uneasy whenever he thinks on duty here? I need some help. (Ai ñang thi haønh phaän of the snail dish which people in the Mediterrean söï ôû ñaây? Toâi caàn giuùp moät tí.) The judge signed a enjoy. (Anh ta noùi cöù moãi laàn nghó tôùi moùn oác seân maø summons to arrest those officials on duty on the night the ngöôøi ôû Ñòa Trung haûi khoaùi aên thì toâi thaáy khoù chòu. robbery occurred. (Quan toaø kyù traùt ñeå baét caùc vieân chöùc Quaû laø cöùt ai thôm muõi naáy. ñang tröïc trong ñeâm coù vuï cöôùp xaûy ra.) One's bark is worse than one's bite. Choù suûa choù on earth vaø in creation; in the world trôøi ñaát ôi! (Loái noùi khoâng caén. Mieäng huøm gan söùa. Don't worry about naøy thöôøng duøng chung vôùi caùc töø nghi vaán: what, how, Bob. He won't hurt you. His bark is worse that his who, when.) What on earth do you mean? (Trôøi ñaát ôi, bite. (Ñöøng coù lo thaèng Bob. Noù khoâng laøm gì baïn anh noùi vaäy nghóa laø sao?) How in creation do you ñaâu. Choù suûa choù khoâng caén.) She may scream and

98 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

yell, but have no fear. Her bark is worse than her bite. they promised on honor that they would fight for our (Coù theå baø ta chæ la heùt vaäy thoâi chöù khoâng vieäc gì phaûi group's previlege. Now they have had power, they sôï baø ta caû. Baø aáy mieäng huøm gan söùa ñoù maø.) stay against us. (Khi hoï khoâng coù quyeàn trong tay, hoï one's better half nhaø toâi (choàng hoaëc vôï); oâng/baø xaõ. I traân troïng theà raèng seõ tranh ñaáu cho quyeàn lôïi cuûa think we'd like to come for dinner, but I'll have to ask my nhoùm chuùng toâi. Baây giôø hoï naém ñöôïc quyeàn thì hoï better half. (Toâi nghó laø chuùng toâi raát muoán ñeán choã baïn choáng laïi chuùng toâi.) duøng côm toái laém, nhöng ñeå toâi hoûi laïi nhaø toâi xem sao.) on one's mind cöù laûng vaûng trong taâm trí; laøm cho ai I have to go home now to my better half. We are going baän taâm; xaâm chieám taâm tö. You've been on my out tonight. (Toâi phaûi veà vôùi oâng xaõ. Toái nay chuùng toâi döï mind all day. (Suoát ngaøy hình aûnh em cöù laûng vaûng ñònh ñi chôi.) The husband says that he is a hen-pecked; trong taâm trí anh hoaøi.) Do you have s.t. on your everything in the house is managed by his better half. mind? You look so serious. (Coù chuyeän gì ñang laøm (OÂng ñoù laø ngöôøi sôï vôï; moïi thöù trong nhaø ñeàu do baø xaõ em baän taâm khoâng? Troâng em nghieâm quaù.) When oâng ta naém heát.) you are in love, your lover's image is always on your one's days are numbered ñeám töøng ngaøy; khoâng coøn bao mind. Believe me. (Khi baïn yeâu, hình aûnh ngöôøi yeâu laâu nöõa. (Noùi veà ngöôøi saép maát hay vieäc saép thaát baïi.) luùc naøo cuõng xaâm chieám taâm tö baïn.) If I don't get this contract, my days are numbered at on one's toes luoân luoân caûnh giaùc; luoân ñeà phoøng. this company. (Neáu toâi khoâng tranh cho ñöôïc caùi giao You have to be on your toes if you want to be in this keøo naøy thì vieäc toâi laøm taïi coâng ty chæ tính ñöôïc töøng business. (Baïn phaûi luoân luoân caûnh giaùc neáu baïn ngaøy.) Uncle Tom has a terminal disease. His days are muoán theo caùi ngheà naøy.) My boss keeps me on my numbered. (Chuù Tom bò beänh thaäp töû nhaát sinh. Maïng toes. (Seáp toâi baét toâi luùc naøo cuõng phaûi ñeà phoøng.) oâng ta chæ coøn ñeám töøng ngaøy.) Being on one's toes is very good if you are coming one's eyes are bigger than one's stomach con maét to to a new place. (Luoân luoân ñeà phoøng laø ñieàu toát neáu hôn caùi buïng. I can't eat all this. I'm afraid that my eyes baïn ñeán moät nôi laï.) were bigger than my stomack at every meal. (Toâi khoâng on pins and needles nhö ngoài treân kim (noân noùng); taøi naøo aên heát caùi naøy. Taïi con maét toâi to hôn caùi buïng nhö ngoài treân löûa. I've been on pins and needles all neân böõa naøo cuõng boû möùa.) Cuõng duøng: have eyes bigger day, waiting for you to call with the news. (Caû ngaøy than one's stomach con maét chöùa nhieàu hôn buïng. I nay toâi nhö ngoài treân löûa chôø anh goïi ñieän thoaïi baùo know I have eyes bigger than my stomach, so I won't take tin.) We were on pins and needles until we heard a lot of food. (Toâi bieát con maét toâi chöùa nhieàu hôn buïng, that your plane landed safely. (Chuùng toâi nhö ngoài neân toâi khoâng laáy nhieàu thöùc aên ñaâu.) treân löûa cho ñeán khi ñöôïc baùo cho bieát phi cô cuûa baïn one's number is up tôùi soá roài. (Chæ ngöôøi saép cheát) ñaùp xuoán an toaøn.) John is worried. He thinks his number is up. (John ñang on second thought hay laø (nghó laïi.) On second lo sôï cho maïng soáng cuûa mình. Anh ta nghó anh ñaõ tôùi soá thought, maybe you should sell you house and move cheát roài.) When my number is up, I hope it all goes fast. into an apartment. (Hay laø, coù theå baùn quaùch caùi nhaø (Khi ñeán löôït toâi tôùi soá cheát, toâi mong ñi cho leï.) roài tìm caên naøo ñoù thueâ ôû.) On second thought, let's Depending your state of mind, you can hope when your not go to a movie. (Hay laø, chuùng mình ñöøng ñi xem number is up, it all goes fast or not. (Baïn coù theå hy voïng xin-neâ nöõa.) Give me two Tom Collins. On second luùc tôùi soá cheát baïn ñi leï hay khoâng, tuyø theo taâm thöùc cuûa thought, give me two Bud's. (Cho toâi hai ly röôïu pha. baïn luùc aáy.)] Hay laø, cho hai lon Budweiser. ) on one's feet treân chaân ai. 1. ñöùng leân; ñöùng thôøi gian on s.o.'s head traêm thöù ñoå leân ñaàu ai; traêm daâu ñoå laâu. Get on your feet. They are playing the national ñaàu taèm. All the blame fell on their heads. (Taát caû anthem. (Ñöùng leân ñi. Hoï ñang troåi quoác thieàu.) I've moïi söï keâu ca ñeàu ñoå leân ñaàu hoï.) I don't think that been on my feet all day, and they hurt. (Toâi phaûi ñöùng all the criticism should be on my head. (Toâi khoâng suoát ngaøy roài, hai chaân baây giôø teâ raàn.) 2. laønh beänh; nghó raèng neân ñoå heát nhöõng lôøi chæ trích leân ñaàu toâi.) phuïc hoài söùc khoeû. I hope to be back on my feet next They had worked for months but did not succeed, week. (Toâi hy voïng tuaàn sau toâi seõ laønh beänh.) I can then all the blame fel on my head. (Hoï laøm vieäc suoát help out as soon as I'm back on my feet. (Toâi chöa phuïc maáy thaùng lieàn nhöng khoâng thaønh coâng, roài moïi hoài söùc khoeû thì toâi khoâng giuùp gì baïn ñöôïc.) phieàn traùch ñoå heát leân ñaàu toâi.) on one's honor cam ñoan; traân troïng tuyeân theä. On my on s.o.'s or s.t.'s last legs coøn chuùt nöõa laø chaám döùt; honor, I'll do my best to take good care of the child. (Toâi gaàn kieät queä/tieâu tuøng. (Duøng theo nghóa bi quan: coøn xin cam ñoan raèng toâi seõ chaêm soùc ñöùa beù moät caùch caån chuùt nöõa laø tieâu ñôøi.) This building is on its last thaän.) He promised on his honor that he'd pay me back legs. It should be torn down. (Caùi toaø nhaø saép suïp ñeán next week. (OÂng ta cam ñoan raèng tuaàn tôùi oâng ta seõ traû nôi. Giaät cho nhaøo xuoáng luoân cho roài.) I feel as if tieàn laïi cho toâi.) When they did not have power in hand, I'm on my last legs. I'm really tired. (Toâi coù caûm giaùc

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 99

nhö muoán saép tieâu tuøng. Toâi quaù meät.) tieäc trong xoùm ñoù.) 2. ñöôïc rao baùn; ñöôïc ñem ra ñaáu on s.o.'s say-so theo khaåu leänh; ra leänh mieäng. I can't giaù. We couldn't afford to keep up the house, so it do it on your say-so. I'll have to get a written request. was put on the block to pay the taxes. (Chuùng toâi (Toâi khoâng theå laøm theo leänh cuûa oâng ñöôïc. Toâi caàn coù khoâng theå naøo giöõ noåi caùi nhaø, neân phaûi rao baùn ñeå vaên baûn yeâu caàu ñaøng hoaøng.) laáy tieàn traû thueá.) That's the finest painting I've ever Bill: I canceled the contract with the A.B.C Company. seen on the block. (Ñoù laø böùc hoaï ñeïp nhaát toâi töøng (Toâi ñaõ huyû boû hôïp ñoàng vôùi coâng ty A.B.C. roài.) thaáy ñöôïc ñem ra ñaáu giaù.) on the button ñuùng bon; Bob: On whose say-so? (Theo khaåu leänh cuûa ai?) ngay taïi choã naøo ñoù. That's it! You're right on the Bill: No, not on anyone's say-so. It's in written form. button. (Ñuùng ñoù! Baïn ñang ñöùng ñuùng ngay taïi choã (Khoâng, phaûi theo khaåu leänh. Coù vaên baûn hoaøn toaøn.) ñoù.) He got here at one o'clock on the button. on s.o.'s shoulders (keâ vai) gaùnh vaùc traùch nhieäm. Why (Chuùng toâi ñeán ñaây ñuùng bon moät giôø.) The lady should all the responsibility fall on my shoulders? (Taïi reported that she had lost her purse. The police had it sao toâi phaûi gaùnh vaùc heát moïi traùch nhieäm vaäy?) She and asked her what she had in it. She answered them carries a tremendous amount of reponsibility on her on the button, so she could have it back. (Thieáu phuï shoulders. (Baø ta gaùnh vaùc raát nhieàu traùch nhieäm.) aáy baùo maát chieác ví. Caûnh saùt ñang giöõ chieác ví ñoù vaø on taget ñuùng theo chöông trình; ñuùng y bon (nhö döï hoûi baø xem coù gì beân trong. Baø ta noùi ñuùng phoùc neân lieäu.) You estimate of the cost was right on target. (Baûn hoï traû laïi cho baø ta.) chieát tính giaù caû cuûa baïn ñuùng y bon.) My prediction on the contrary ngöôïc laïi (laø ñaèng khaùc); traùi laïi was not on target. (Söï tieân ñoaùn cuûa toâi khoâng ñuùng chuùt I'm not ill. On the contrary, I'm very healthy. (Toâi naøo heát.) I have planned to finish all of my courses in ñaâu coù beänh. Ngöôïc laïi, toâi raát khoeû maïnh laø ñaèng four semesters and this schedule is on target. (Toâi döï tính khaùc.) She's not in a bad mood. On the contrary, hoïc taát caû caùc khoaù trong boán hoïc kyø vaø toâi laøm ñuùng she's an happy as a lark. (Coâ ta khoâng buoàn phieàn theo chöông trình.) ñaâu. Traùi laïi, coâ ta raát vui— vui nhö môû côø trong on the air ñang ñöôïc phaùt soùng. The radio station came buïng vaäy.) People thought he was poor. On the back on the air shortly after the storm. (Chöông trình phaùt contrary the could burn them up with his money. thanh seõ ñöôïc tieáp noái sau khi côn baõo tan.) We were (Ngöôøi ta töôûng oâng aáy ngheøo. Ngöôïc laïi, tieàn oâng ta on the air for two hours. (Chuùng toâi coù chöông trình phaùt ñoát hoï cheát cuõng chöa heát.) thanh hai giôø ñoàng hoà.) The president will be on the air on the dot ñuùng vaøo giôø (naøo ñoù.) I'll be there at at nine tomorrow. It will be the first press conference for noon on the dot. (Toâi seõ ñeán ñoù ñuùng vaøo giôø ñoù.) I him as president. (Toång thoáng seõ noùi treân ñaøi phaùt thanh expect to see you here at eight o'clock on the dot. (Toâi luùc chín giôø saùng mai. Ñaây seõ laø cuoäc hoïp baùo ñaàu tieân mong ñöôïc gaëp anh taïi ñaây ñuùng taùm giôø.) cuûa oâng vôùi tö caùch laø toång thoáng.) on the go baän roän; chaïy quanh suoát ngaøy. I'm on the average noùi chung; moät caùch toång quaùt. On the usually on the go all day long. (Toâi thì suoát caû ngaøy average, you can expect about a 10 percent failure. (Noùi baän roän.) I hate being on the go all the time. (Toâi chung, baïn neân phoøng möôøi phaàn traêm thaát baïi.) This gheùt phaûi chaïy quanh suoát ngaøy.) I am a disciple of report looks okay, on the average. (Noùi moät caùch toång buffaloism; all day long I am on the go with work and quaùt, baûn töôøng trình naøy cuõng ñöôïc.) work. (Toâi laø moân ñoà cuûa trieát lyù con traâu; suoát caû on the bench treân gheá daøi. 1. ngoài gheá chaùnh aùn. I ngaøy baän roän heát vieäc naøy sang vieäc khaùc.) have to go to court tomorrow. Who's on the bench? on the heels of s.t. heát chuyeän naøy sang vieäc khaùc; (Ngaøy mai toâi phaûi ra toaø. Ai ngoài gheá chaùnh aùn vaäy?) lieân tieáp nhau. There was a rainstorm on the heels It doesn't matter who's on the bench. You'll get a fair of the windstorm. (Heát côn möa laïi sang côn gioù.) hearing. (Ai ngoài gheá chaùnh aùn khoâng thaønh vaán ñeà. Baïn The team held a victory celebration on the heels of seõ ñöôïc xeùt xöû coâng bình.) 2. ñôïi ra saân (caàu thuû phoøng their winning season. (Tieáp theo sau thaønh coâng do hôø.) (Duøng chæ caùc traän tranh taøi theå thao. Caàu thuû chôø ra caû ñoäi ñaït ñöôïc trong muøa tranh taøi theå thao laø moät saân thöôøng laø loaïi phoøng hôø khoâng xuaát saéc.) Bill is on cuoäc lieân hoan aên möøng.) Mrs. Taàn is a devoted the bench now. I hope he gets to play. (Bill ñang ñôïi ra wife. Her work is on the heels of one another. (Baø saân. Toâi hy voïng anh ta seõ ra saân sôùm.) John played Taàn laø moät ngöôøi vôï ñaûm ñang. Baø laøm heát vieäc naøy during the first quarter, but now he's on the bench. (John sang vieäc khaùc (khoâng ngöøng tay.) thi ñaáu suoát trong quyù moät, nhöng baây giôø anh laøm caàu on the horizon seõ xaûy ra. You never know what's on thuû phoøng hôø.) the horizon. (Baïn khoâng bieát vieäc gì seõ xaûy ra caû.) on the block trong khu phoá. 1. trong xoùm; trong khu vöïc. Who can tell what's on the horizon? (Ai coù theå bieát John is the biggest kid on the block. (John laø ñöùa con ñöôïc chuyeän gì seõ xaûy ra?) Seers are believed to be nít to con nhaát trong khu vöïc naøy.) We had a party on capable of telling what is on the horizon. (Ngöôøi ta tin the block last weekend. (Cuoái tuaàn vöøa qua chuùng toâi coù raèng caùc nhaø tieân tri coù khaû naêng ñoaùn tröôùc chuyeän

100 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

saép xaûy ra.) chicken soup. Then you'll really be on the mend. (Baïn on the horns of a dilemma phaûi choïn moät trong hai caàn duøng chaùo gaø aên noùng. Roài theá naøo cuõng laønh (ngöôøi, vaät, vieäc); löôõng löï vì khoù choïn. Mary found maø.) You should put some slices of ginger in your herself on the horns of a dilemma. She didn't know which tea and keep yourself warm enough, you can avoid to choose. (Mary ñang phaûi choïn moät trong hai. Coâ ta having cold. (Baïn neân boû vaøi laùt göøng vaøo trong traø khoâng bieát choïn sao ñaây.) I make up my mind easily. vaø giöõ cho ñuû aám, baïn coù theå traùnh khoûi bò caûm.) I'm not on the horns of a dilemma very often. (Toâi thì on the money chính xaùc, y bon Our plane arrived quyeát ñònh leï laém. Vì vaäy ít khi phaûi löïa vôùi choïn gì heát.) on the money at 2:15pm. (Phi cô chuùng toâi ñeán ñuùng 2 "Tom is rich but not handsome; Bob is handsome but giôø 15 phuùt.) Coøn noùi laø right on the money. not rich. I don't know who to choose. Oh, I am on the on the move baän khoâng kòp hôû tay; di chuyeån lieân horns of a dilemma!” Sally talked to herself. (Sally töï noùi tuïc; raøy ñaây mai ñoù. What a busy day. Things are vôùi loøng: “Tom thì giaøu nhöng khoâng ñeïp trai; Bob thì really on the move at the store. (Thaät laø moät ngaøy baän ñeïp trai maø khoâng giaøu. Khoâng bieát choïn ai baây giôø. OÂ, roän. Trong tieäm coâng vieäc baän roän khoâng kòp hôû tay.) thaät khoù choïn quaù.) When all the buffalo were on the move across the on the hour vaøo ñaàu giôø (taïi moãi ñaàu giôø.) I have to plains, it must have been very exciting. (Khi taát caû take this medicine every hour on the hour. (Toâi phaûi uoáng nhöõng con traâu kia di chuyeån qua khoûi caùnh ñoàng thuoác naøy vaøo moãi ñaàu giôø.) I expect to see you there xong, chaéc phaûi laø vui laém.) Mr. Jung Tran has on the hour, not one minute before and not one minute been on the move since his mother died. (Töø ngaøy meï after. (Toâi mong ñöôïc gaëp baïn vaøo ñaàu giôø, khoâng sôùm maát ñeán nay oâng Traàn Jung soáng raøy ñaây mai ñoù.) khoâng muoän.) There used to be news on every hour, but on the QT aâm thaàm; leùn luùt The company president now there is only news at seven in the morning and eight was making payments to his wife on the QT. (OÂng in the evening. (Tröôùc ñaây hoï thöôøng coù baûn tin vaøo moãi giaùm ñoác coâng ty aâm thaàm traû löông cho vôï.) The ñaàu giôø suoát ngaøy, nhöng nay chæ coù tín töùc luùc 7 giôø saùng mayor accepted to bribe on the QT. (Vieân thò tröôûng vaø taùm giôø toái.) leùn luùt nhaän cuûa hoái loä.) Nowadays those high on the house chuû khoaûn ñaõi; ñöôïc bieáu khoâng. "Here,” ranking officials do not accept bribe on the QT any said the waiter, “have a cup of coffee on the house." more, but they openly ask for bribery. (Ngaøy nay ("Naøy,: ngöôøi chaïy baøn noùi, “môøi duøng taùch caø pheâ naøy nhöõng vieân chöùc cao caáp ñoù khoâng coøn nhaän hoái loä cuûa nhaø haøng chuùng toâi khoaûn ñaõi.") I went to a moät caùch leùn luùt nöõa, maø hoï coâng khai ñoøi hoái loä.) restaurant last night. I was the ten thousandth customer, on the spot ngay taïi choã 1. taïi hieän tröôøng; taïi choã so my dinner was on the house. (Toái qua toâi ñi aên ôû nhaø xaûy ra (söï vieäc.) It's noon, and I'm glad you're all haøng. Toâi laø thöïc khaùch thöù möôøi ngaøn, do ñoù böõa aên ñoù here on the spot. Now we can begin. (Tröa roài, toâi raát ñöôïc bieáu khoâng.) Today is its tenth anniversary, the sung söôùng ñöôïc thaáy taát caû caùc baïn ñeàu coù maët taïi restaurant offers meals on the house from four to nine ñaây. Chuùng ta coù theå baét ñaàu.) I expect you to be on this evening. (Hoâm nay laø kyû nieäm möôøi naêm thaønh laäp, the spot when and where trouble arises. (Baát cöù luùc nhaø haøng cho thöïc khaùch aên khoûi traû tieàn töø boán giôø ñeán naøo coù vieäc gì xaûy ra toâi muoán baïn coù maët ngay taïi chín giôø toái.) ñoù.) 2. ñang gaëp raéc roái to; ñang coù khoù khaên. on the level coâng minh chính tröïc; thaønh thaät. How can There is a problem in the department I manage, and I be sure you're on the level? (Laøm sao toâi bieát chaéc baïn I'm really on the spot. (Trong caùi ban toâi phuï traùch laø ngöôøi thaønh thaät?) You can trust Sally. She's on the gaëp chuyeän, neân hieän nay toâi ñang raéc roái to.) I level. (Baïn coù theå tin töôûng Sally. Coâ ta laø ngöôøi coâng hate to be on the spot when it's not my fault. (Toâi gheùt minh chính tröïc.) A judge should always be on the level. bò nhöõng khoù khaên trôû ngaïi maø khoâng phaûi do loãi (Moät quan toaø phaûi luoân luoân coâng minh chính tröïc.) mình gaây ra.) I always fulfill my duty and finish my on the market ñeå baùn; ñang coù baùn treân thò tröôøng. I work on time, so I am never on the spot. (Toâi luoân had to put my car on the market. (Toâi phaûi ñeå baùn caùi xe luoân laøm troøn phaän söï vaø hoaøn taát coâng vieäc ñuùng cuûa toâi.) This is the finest home computer on the thôøi haïn, neân toâi khoâng bao giôø gaëp khoù khaên caû.) market. (Ñaây laø loaïi maùy ñieàn toaùncaù nhaân toát nhaát ñang on the spur of the moment boãng nhieân; ñoät nhieân. baùn treân thò tröôøng.) The Japanese producers beat the We decided to go on the spur of the moment. (Boãng American manu-facturers in putting merchandise on the nhieân chuùng toâi quyeát ñònh ñi.) He had to leave market quickly. (Caùc nhaø saûn xuaát Nhaät aên ñöùt caùc nhaø town on the spur of the moment. (Ñoät nhieân oâng aáy saûn xuaát Myõ trong vieäc tung haøng ra thò tröôøng moät caùch phaûi rôøi khoûi thaønh phoá.) On the spur of the moment nhanh choùng.) she fainted and fell on the ground while she was on the mend laønh beänh; ñöôïc laønh laën trôû laïi. My cold giving an exciting lecture. (Ñang thao thao giaûng baøi was terrible, but I'm on the mend now. (Toâi bò caûm naêng ñoät nhieân baø bò xæu xuoáng saøn nhaø.) quaù, nhöng toâi saép laønh roài.) What you need is some hot on the tip of one's tongue ngoaøi choùt löôõi; muoán noùi

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 101

ra; nhôù mang maùn. I have his name right on the tip of top of the world. (Töø ngaøy anh ta coù vieäc laøm ñeán my tongue. I'll think of it in a second. (Toâi nhôù mang maùn giôø, troâng anh luùc naøo cuõng voâ cuøng hôùn hôû.) We teân anh ta. Xin cho toâi moät phuùt nhôù laïi xem.) John had have been married for twenty two years now and we the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Ann said it first. always feel on top of the world. (Chuùng toâi thaønh vôï (John muoán traû lôøi nhöng chöa kòp noùi thì Ann ñaõ nhanh choàng treân hai möôi naêm nay vaø chuùng toâi luoân luoân mieäng hôn.) caûm thaáy voâ cuøng haïnh phuùc.) on the wagon khoâng uoáng röôïu; boû röôïu. None for me, on trial ñang ra haàu toaø. My sister is on trial today, thanks. I'm on the wagon. (Ñöøng cho toâi nghe, xin caûm so I have to go to court. (Hoâm nay chò toâi ra haàu toaø, ôn. Toâi khoâng uoáng röôïu.) Look at John. I don't think neân toâi phaûi ñi ra ñoù xem.) They placed the he's on the wagon anymore. (Troâng anh chaøng John kìa. suspected thief on trial. (Hoï ñöa ngöôøi bò tình nghi aên Toâi khoâng nghó laø anh ta ñaõ boû röôïu.) Tran is very troäm ra toaø.) During the war, many prisoners were alcoholic but he always says he will be on the wagon. executed without being on trial. (Trong chieán tranh, (Traân laø moät bôïm röôïu maø luùc naøo cuõng noùi laø seõ boû nhieàu tuø nhaân bò haønh hình maø khoâng ñöôïc ñöa ra toaø röôïu.) aùn xeùt xöû.) on the wrong track ñi sai ñöôøng; (laøm) sai caùch. You'll on vacation ñi vaéng; ñi khoûi. Where are you going never get the right answer. You're on the wrong track. on vacation this year? (Naêm nay baïn seõ ñi ñaâu (Baïn seõ khoâng bao giôø coù ñöôïc caâu traû lôøi ñuùng. Vì baïn chôi?) I'll be away on vacation for three weeks. ñi sai ñöôøng roài.) They won't get it figured out because (Chuùng toâi seõ ñi vaéng trong ba tuaàn.) Mrs. Franklin they are on the wrong track. (Hoï khoâng theå naøo hình instructed the cutler to tell newcomer that she had dung ra ñöôïc ñieàu ñoù vì hoï laøm sai caùch.) When doing been on vacation. (Baø Franklin baûo ngöôøi quaûn gia ra s.t., it is sometimes difficult for s.o. to know whether or noùi vôùi ngöôøi môùi ñeán raèng baø ta ñaõ ñi khoûi roài.) not he/she onthe wrong track. (Khi laøm moät vieäc gì, ñoâi open a can of worms môû naép cho truøn boø ra; taïo ra khi khoù maø bieát ñöôïc vieäc ñang laøm ñoù laø ñuùng hay sai.) nhieàu raéc roái voâ loái. Now you are opening a whole on thin ice quaù lieàu maïng. If you try that you'll really new can of worms. (Baây giôø anh laïi gaây ra nhieàu raéc be on thin ice. That's too risky. (Neáu baïn tìm caùch laøm roái voâ loái quaù.) How about cleaning up this mess vieäc ñoù baïn quaû quaù lieàu maïng. Nhö vaäy laø quaù nguy.) before you open up a new can of worms? (Doïn saïch If you don't want to find yourself on thin ice, you must caùi môù loän xoän naøy roài haún baøy ra chuyeän raéc roái voâ be sure of your facts. (Neáu baïn khoâng muoán laøm lieàu, loái khaùc.) baïn phaûi naém vöõng taát caû moïi yeáu toá.) Cuõng duøng: skate open one's heart (to s.o.) noùi heát noåi loøng vôùi ai; toû on thin ice truôït treân baêng; ñang trong tình traïng mô hoà, tình vôùi ai. I always open my heart to my spouse muø tòt. I try to stay well informed so I don't end up when I have a problem. (Khi naøo toâi noùi heát noåi loøng skating on thin ice when the teacher asks me a question. cuûa toâi vôùi ngöôøi baïn ñôøi cuûa toâi.) It's a good idea (Toâi coá gaéng theo saùt baøi vôû trong lôùp keûo khi thaày giaùo to open your heart every now and then. (Thænh thoaûng hoûi tôùi khoâng bieát thì nguy to.) baïn cuõng neân toû tình vôùi ngöôøi vôï/choàng cuûa mình.) on tiptoe ñöùng nhoùn goùt; ñi roùn reùn. I had to stand on I had known her for six years before I opened my tiptoe in order to see over the fence. (Toâi phaûi ñöùng nhoùn heart to her. (Toâi bieát naøng saùu naêm môùi daùm toû tình goùt môùi nhìn qua haøng raøo ñöôïc.) I came in late and vôùi naøng.) walked on tiptoe so I wouldn't wake anybody up. (Toâi vaøo open Pandora's box baøy toû yù töôûng thaàm kín vôùi ai; treã neân toâi phaûi ñi roùn reùn ñeå khoûi khuaáy ñoäng ngöôøi noùi ñieàu thaät veà ai. When I asked Jane about her khaùc.) I sneaked in the room, walked on tiptoe to the problems, I din't know I had opened Pandora's box. bed. The baby was sleeping soundly; his face looked like (Khi toâi hoûi Jane veà vaán ñeà ñoù, toâi khoâng ngôø nhö an angel and so innocent! (Toâi seø seï böôùc vaøo roùn reùn vaäy laø ñaõ baøy toû noåi loøng thaàm kín cuûa mình vôùi coâ böôùc laïi gaàn chieác giöôøng. Ñöùa beù nguû thaät say; khuoân ta.) You should be cautious with people who are maët troâng nhö moät thieân thaàn vaø ngaây thô laøm sao!) upset. You don't want to open Pandora's box. (Baïn on top ñöùng ñaàu; haïng nhaát. I have to study day and neân caån troïng vôùi nhöõng ngöôøi naøo ñang böïc töùc. Baïn night to keep on top. (Toâi phaûi hoïc ngaøy hoïc ñeâm ñeå ñaâu coù muoán noùi ñieàu thaät baïn nghó veà hoï.) ñöôïc luoân luoân ñöùng ñaàu.) Bill is on top in his field. other side of the tracks khu phoá ngheøo; khu phoá toài (Bob thuoäc ngöôøi ñöùng haïng nhaát trong laõnh vöïc naøy.) taøn. Who cares if she's from the other side of the Technically speaking, US made hydraulic system is tracks? (Ai caàn bieát chuyeän coâ ta ôû khu ngheøo laøm always on top. (Veà phöông dieän kyõ thuaät, heä thoáng thuyû gì.) I came from a poor family — we lived on other löïc cuûa Hoa kyø cheá taïo laø ñöùng ñaàu theá giôùi.) side of the tracks. (Toâi sinh ra trong moät gia ñình on top of the world sung söôùng toät cuøng; voâ cuøng hôùn ngheøo — trong khu phoá toài taøn.) hôû. Wow, I feel on top of the world. (Chaø, toâi caûm thaáy out and about ñi tôùi ñi lui ñöôïc; ñi ñaây ñi ñoù ñöôïc. sung söôùng toät cuøng.) Since he got a new job, he's on Beth has been ill, but now she's out and about.

102 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

(Beth töø laâu nay vaãn bò beänh, nhöng baây giôø coâ ñaõ coù theå hoaït ñoäng This vessel will remain out of ñi tôùi ñi lui ñöôïc.) As soon as I feel better, I'll be able to commission for another month. (Chieác thuyeàn naøy seõ get out and about. (Chöøng naøo toâi thaáy khoeû, toâi môùi coù ngöng hoaït ñoäng theâm moät thaùng nöõa.) The ship theå ñi ñaây ñi ñoù ñöôïc.) has been out of commission since major repairs out cold vaø out like a light baát tænh nhaân söï. I fell and hit began. (Töø khi khôûi coâng ñaïi tu chieác taøu phaûi ngöng my head. I was out cold for about a minute. (Toâi bò teù moïi hoaït ñoäng.) 2. baát khieån duïng; khoâng coøn duøng truùng vaøo ñaàu xuoáng ñaát. Sau ñoù toâi baát tænh chöøng moät ñöôïc nöõa. My watch is out of commission and is phuùt.) Tom fainted! He's out like a light! (Tom xæu roài! running slowly. (Chieác ñoàng hoà cuûa toâi heát duøng ñöôïc Anh ta laïi baát tænh nöõa!) Hearing of her husband's roài; noù chaïy chaäm nhö ruøa.) I can't run in the death, the woman fell down on the ground and out like a marathon because my knees are out of commission. light. (Ñöôïc tin choàng maát, ngöôøi ñaøn baø teù xæu xuoáng ñaát (Toâi khoâng theå chaïy vieät daõ ñöôïc vì hai ñaàu goái toâi baát tænh.) khoâng coøn duøng ñöôïc nöõa.) Since everyone has out in left field laäp dò; baát bình thöôøng. Sally is a lot of known his tricks, his ration, as well as the theory, is fun, but she's sort of out in left field. (Sally thaät laø vui, out of commission. (Bôûi moïi ngöôøi ñeàu thöøa bieát nhöng coâ ta coù veû laäp dò quaù.) What a strange idea. It's nhöõng thuû ñoaïn cuûa anh ta, neân loái laäp luaän cuõng nhö really out in left field. (Thaät laø moät yù kieán laï luøng. Ñuùng caùi lyù thuyeát aáy cuûa anh ta ñaõ trôû neân baát khieån laø baát bình thöôøng.) duïng.) out of a clear blue sky vaø out of the blue baát thaàn; khoâng out of gas heát hôi. 1. heát nhieân lieäu (heát xaêng trong ngôø tröôùc. Then, out of a clear blue sky, he told me he xe.) We can't go any farther. We're out of gas. was leaving. (Roài thì, baát thaàn, anh ta noùi anh rôøi khoûi nôi (Chuùng ta khoâng theå ñi tieáp nöõa ñöôïc. Xe heát hôi ñaây.) Mary appeared on my doorstep out of the blue. roài.) This car will be completely out of gas in a few (Mary baát thaàn xuaát hieän tröôùc cöûa nhaø toâi.) Out of the more miles. (Chaïy theâm vaøi daëm ñöôøng nöõa thì xe seõ blue, the car rushed forward and passed several other khoâng coøn moät gioït xaêng.) 2. meät moûi; kieät söùc; hao cars before crashing into a barrier. The car operator moøn. What a day! I've been working since early must have been drunk. (Baát thaàn chieác xe voït tôùi vaø qua morning, and I'm really out of gas. (Hoâm nay laø ngaøy maët maáy chieác roài ñaâm saàm vaøo moät haøng raøo caûn. Chaéc gì ñaâu! Töø saùng sôùm ñeán giôø laøm luoân tay, neân baây ngöôøi laùi xe ñaõ quaù say roài.) giôø meät muoán heát hôi.) This electric clock is out of out of all proportion vuôït quaù taàm kieåm soaùt; vöôït quaù gas. I'll have to get a new one (Chieác ñoàng hoà ñieän khuoân khoå thoâng thöôøng. This problem had grown out naøy heát hôi roài. Toâi seõ phaûi ñoåi chieác môùi.) Cuõng of all proportion. (Vaán ñeà naøy ñaõ vöôt quaù taàm kieåm soaùt duøng: run out of gas chaïy cho ñeán heát xaêng. I hope roài.) Yes, this thing is way out of proportion. (Vaâng, we don't run out of gas. (Chuùng toâi hy voïng khoâng bò vieäc naøy vöôït quaù khuoân khoå bình thöôøng.) Cuõng duøng: heát xaêng giöõa ñöôøng.) blow s.t. out of all proportion thoãi phoàng moät caùch quaù out of hand ngay töùc thì; laøm lieàn (khoâng caàn suy ñaùng. The press has blown this issue out of all nghó hay hoûi yù kieán ai.) I can't answer that out of proportion. (Baùo chí ñaõ thoåi phoàng vaán ñeà naøy moät caùch hand. I'll check with the manager and call you back. quaù ñaùng.) Let's be reasonble. Don't blow this thing out (Toâi khoâng traû lôøi ngay ñöôïc. Toâi phaûi hoûi yù kieán cuûa of proportion. (Chuùng ta phaûi laøm sao cho coù lyù. Ñöøng oâng quaûn ñoác roài seõ goïi laïi sau.) The offer was so thoåi phoàng vieäc naøy quaù ñaùng.) good that I accepted it out of hand. (Vieäc ñoù toát quaù out of circulation heát coøn löu haønh. 1. ñình baûn I'm ñeán ñoä toâi nhaän ngay khoâng caàn suy nghó gì caû.) sorry, but the book you want is temporarily out of out of luck xui xeûo; keùm may maén. If you wanted circulation. (Raát tieác, nhöng quyeån saùch naøy hieän nay some ice cream, you're out of luck. (Neáu baïn muoán taïm thôøi khoâng coøn löu haønh nöõa.) How long will it be kem, thì xui cho baïn quaù.) I was out of luck. I got out of circilatuon. (Noù taïm ñình baûn trong bao laâu?) 2. there too late to get a seat. (Toâi xui quaù. Vì ñeán ñoù khoâng tieáp xuùc nhieàu vôùi beân ngoaøi/moïi ngöôøi. I don't treå neân khoâng coøn choã ngoài.) Some people consider know what's happening because I've been out of “out of luck” a fallacy because it reveals one's circulation for a while. (Toâi khoâng bieát hieän nay tình incapability of doing s.t.. They use it as a form of hình chung quanh theá naøo vì töø laâu nay toâi ít tieáp xuùc vôùi defense mechanism. (Nhieàu ngöôøi xem “keùm may beân ngoaøi.) My cold has kept me out of circulation for a maén” laø moät loái nguïy bieän cho söï keùm taøi cuûa mình few weeks. (Vì bò caûm neân maáy tuaàn lieàn toâi khoâng tieáp khi laøm vieäc gì ñoù. Hoï duøng caùch noùi ñoù ñeå chaïy toäi.) xuùc vôùi ai heát.) Those people living in ivory tower keep out of one's element khoâng ñöôïc thoaûi maùi hoaëc töï themselves out of circulation. (Nhöõng ngöôøi soáng trong nhieân; khoå s ôû When it comes to computers, Tod's thaùp ngaø ñeàu kheùp mình khoâng chòu tieáp xuùc vôùi theá giôùi out of his element. (Khi hoïc ñeán maùy vi tính, Tod caûm beân ngoaøi.) thaáy khoâng ñöôïc thoaûi maùi chuùt naøo. “Khoå sôû vì moân out of commission khoâng coøn ñöôïc söû duïng nöõa. 1. heát naøy.) Sally's out of her element in math. (Sally thì

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 103

khoå sôû vì moân toaùn.) I quite understand Tod and Sally. gian.) After the Vietnam war was over the SEATO I am out of my element in computers and math! (Toâi (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) was out of thoâng caûm saâu xa vôùi Tod vaø Sally. Toâi thì khoå sôû caû service and replaced by the ASEAN (Association of moân ñieàn toaùnlaãn moân toaùn luoân!) SouthEast Asian Nations). (Sau khi chieán tranh Vieät out of one's mind/head/senses ñieân khuøng; ngô ngô ngaùo nam keát thuùc Toå Chöùc Lieân Phoøng Ñoâng Nam AÙ ngaùo. hy did you do that? You must be out of your ngöng hoaït ñoäng vaø ñöôïc thay theá bôûi Hieäp Hoäi Caùc mind! (Taïi sao anh laøm vaäy? Chaéc anh ñieân tôùi nôi roài!) Quoác Gia Ñoâng Nam AÙ.) Good grief, Tom! You have to be out of your head! Out of sight, out of mind khoâng thaáy khoâng xoùt; xa (Khoå cho Tom chöa! Anh coù phaûi laø ñieân khuøng khoâng maët caùch loøng. When I go home, I put my caùi ñaõ!) She's acting as if she were out of her senses. schoolbooks away so I won't worry about doing my (Coâ ta haønh ñoäng nhö moät ngöôøi ngô ngô ngaùo ngaùo.) homework. After all, out of sight, out of mind. (Khi veà out of order khoâng theo thöù töï. 1. khoâng ñuùng vò trí; loän nhaø, toâi cho maáy quyeån saùch ñi choã khaùc ñeå toâi khoûi xoän. This book is out of order. Please put it in the right phaûi lo laéng gì veà baøi taäp nöõa. Duø sao thì khoâng thaáy place on the shelf. (Quyeån saùch naøy ñeå sai choã cuûa noù roài. khoâng xoùt.) Jane dented the fender on her car. It's Nhôø ñeå laïi cho ñuùng choã ñi.) You're out of order, John. on the right side, so she doesn't have to look at it. Like Please get in line after Jane. (John, baïn ñöùng loän xoän they say, out of sight, out of mind. (Jane laøm moùp caùi quaù. Ñöùng sau Jane giuøm cho vôùi.) 2. khoâng theo ñuùng deø xe cuûa coâ. Ngay beân phaûi, neân coâ ta khoâng nhìn thuû tuïc quy ñònh. I was declared out of order by the thaáy moãi ngaøy. Gioáng nhö ngöôøi ta noùi khoâng thaáy president. (Vò chuû toïa tuyeân boá toâi khoâng theo ñuùng thuû khoâng xoùt.) Mai and Taán had been in love with tuïc.) Ann inquired, “Isn't a motion to table the question each other like a tree and its shadow. Ironically, out of order at this time? (Ann muoán bieát: “Boä baây giôø when Taán was away for six months, Mai went with vieäc ñöa vaán ñeà leân ñeå moå xeû khoâng coøn theo duùng thuû other man. Some woman! Out of sight, out of mind! tuïc nöõa sao?) (Mai vaø Taán töøng yeâu thöông nhau nhö hình vôùi out of practice vuïng veà vì khoâng thieáu thöïc haønh/taäp boùng. Mæa mai thay, khi Taán ñi vaéng coù saùu thaùng thì döôït; luït ngheà. I used to be able to play the piano Mai ñi vôùi ngöôøi khaùc. Ñaøn baø gì maø laï vaäy! Xa maët extremely well, but now I'm out of practice. (Toâi tröôùc thì caùch loøng!) ñaây ñaùnh ñaøn piano hay laém, nhöng baây giôø khoâng ñaùnh out of sorts thaáy khoâng khoeû; caúng raúng (böïc boäi thöôøng neân vuïng veà.) The baseball players lost the trong ngöôøi.) I've been out of sorts for a day or two. game because they were out of practice. (Caùc caàu thuû daõ I think I'm coming down with s.t.. (Toâi thaáy trong caàu thua traän tranh taøi ñoù bôûi vì hoï thieáu taäp döôït.) ngöôøi khoâng khoeû tôùi moät hai ngaøy lieàn. Coù leõ toâi bò Practice makes perfect, you are completely out of caùi gì ñoù laøm cho xuoáng tinh thaàn.) The baby is out practice now. (Coù taäp döôït môùi tinh thoâng, baïn khoâng taäp of sorts. Maybe she's getting a tooth. (Thaøng beù cöù döôït neân baây giôø luït ngheà roài.) caúng raúng hoaøi. Coù leõ noù ñang moïc raêng.) She is out of print heát ñôït (saùch, aán phaåm.) The book you want usually as happy as lark. I don't understand why is out of print, but perhaps I can find a used copy for you. today she is so out of sorts. (Baø ta thöôøng ngaøy thaáy (Quyeån saùch baïn caàn ñaõ baùn heát roài, nhöng toâi coù theå tìm vui veû nhö chim sôn ca. Khoâng hieåu sao hoâm nay giuùp baïn moät quyeån ñaõ duøng roài.) It was published troâng baø ta böïc boäi nhö vaäy.) nearly ten years ago, so it's probably out of print. (Saùch out of the corner of one's eye nhìn qua khoùe maét; naøy xuaát baûn caùch ñaây gaàn möôøi naêm, neân coù leõ baây giôø lieác thaáy. I saw s.o. do it out of the corner of my ñaõ heát ñôït.) eye. It might have been Jane who did it. (Toâi lieác qua out of season heát muøa. 1. qua khoûi muøa; khoâng coøn thaáy thaáy coù ngöôøi laøm. Khoâng chöøng Jane laøm ñoù.) I baùn. Sorry, oysters are out of season. We don't have only saw the accident out of the corner of my eye. I any. (Raát tieác, soø ñaõ heát muøa roài. Chuùng toâi khoâng coøn don't know who is at fault. (Toâi chæ lieác maét thaáy tai loai aáy nöõa.) Watermelon is out of season in the winter. naïn xaûy ra. Toâi hoaøn toaøn khoâng bieát ai loãi ai phaûi.) (Veà muøa ñoâng ñaâu coøn muøa döa haáu nöõa.) 2. heát muøa saên out of the frying pan into the fire traùnh voû döa gaëp baét (thuù röøng, chim, caù, vv.) Are salmon out of season? voû döøa; ñaõ ngheøo coøn gaëp eo. When I tried to argue (Coù phaûi baây giôø heát muøa caù hoài roài khoâng?) I caught a about my fine for a traffice violation, the judge trout out of season and had to pay a fine. (Toâi baét nhaàm charged me with contempt of the court. I really went con caù toâm traùi muøa neân phaûi ñoùng tieàn phaït.) of the frying pan into the fire. (Khi toâi coá tìm caùch out of service heát duøng ñöôïc (maùy moùc); khoâng coøn hoaït baøo chöõa cho toäi vi phaïm luaät löu thoâng thì bò oâng toaø ñoäng (toå chöùc.) Both elevators are out of service, so I gaùn theâm cho caùi toäi khinh thò phaùp ñình. Ñuùng laø coá had to use the stairs. (Caû hai caùi thang maùy ñeàu khoâng traùnh voû döa gaëp phaûi voû döøa.) I got deeply in debt. duøng ñöôïc.) The washroom is temporarily out of Then I really got of the frying pan into the fire when I service. (Phoøng taém giaët taïm thôøi ngöng söû duïng moät thôøi was fired from the job. (Toâi ñang maéc nôï nhö chuùa

104 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

choåm. Ñaõ ngheøo coøn gaëp eo, toâi laïi bò maát vieäc laøm.) toâi seõ khaù daàn khaù daàn vaø khoâng bò baát cöù khoù khaên out of the hole ruû saïch nôï naàn; traû döùt nôï. I get paid naøo khaùc.) next week, and then I can get out of the hole. (Tuaàn tôùi toâi out of thin air töø treân trôøi rôùt xuoáng; töø khoâng laøm ra laõnh löông, vaø roài toâi seõ traû döùt heát nôï.) I can't seem to coù. Suddenly—out of thin air—the messenger get out of the hole. I keep spending more money than I appeared. (Boãng — nhö töø treân trôøi rôi xuoáng — earn. (Toâi xem ra khoâng traû döùt nôï noåi. Vì caùi taùnh laøm ngöôøi ñöa tin xuaát hieän.) You must made that up out thu vaøo thì ít maø tieâu ra thì nhieàu.) My in-law brother of thin air. (Chaéc baïn laøm caùi ñoù töø khoâng ra coù. plans his budget so well that last year he was heavily in “Baïn töï laøm ra hay bòa ra.") Winning the lottery debt because of his sickness. This year he is almost out of means that the richness is out of thin air. (Truùng soá the hole. (Ngöôøi anh em coät cheøo vôùi toâi bieát tính toaùn chaúng khaùc naøo ñöôïc caùi giaøu töø treân trôøi rôi xuoáng.) vieäc chi thu raát hay ñeán ñoä naêm ngoaùi oâng maéc nôï quaù out of this world tuyeät (vôøi); tuyeät luaân. This pie is trôøi vì bò beänh. Vaäy maø naêm nay oâng ta traû gaàn saïch nôï.) just out this world. (Baùnh nhöng möùt naøy ngon tuyeät out of the question khoâng theå ñöôïc; khoâng ñöôïc pheùp; vôøi.) Look at you! How lovely you look—simply out ngoaøi khaû naêng. I'm sorry, but it's out of the question. of this world. (Troâng anh kìa! Deå thöông quaù—tuyeät (Toâi raát tieác, bôûi vì vieäc naøy khoâng theå laøm ñöôïc.) You laém.) Miss Khanh is just out of the world. She got can't go to Florida this spring. We can't afford it. It's out her MA in one year and now is working on her Ph.D.. of the question. (Caùc ngöôøi khoâng ñi Florida vaøo muøa Moreover she is the champion of the National Tennis xuaân naøy ñöôïc. Chuùng toâi khoâng ñuû söùc ñaøi thoï. Ngoaøi League. (Coâ Khanh laø moät ngöôøi tuyeät luaân. Coâ hoïc khaû naêng cuûa chuùng toâi.) Direct conversation between xong chöông trình Cao hoïc chæ moät naêm vaø hieän ñang the winner and the loser is usually out of question. For tieáp tuïc ñeå laáy vaên baèng baùc syõ. Hôn vaäy nöõa, coâ laø both have complexes: the winner takes superiority, the voâ ñòch cuûa Hoäi Quaàn Vôït Quoác Gia.) lose inferiority. (Ñoái thoaïi tröïc tieáp giöõa keû chieán ngöôøi out of tune (with s.o./s.t.) laïc gioïng; laïc toâng. 1. sai baïi thöôøng khoù maø thöïc hieän. Vì caû hai phía ñeàu coù maëc toâng (nhaïc.) The oboe is out of tune with the flute. caûm: keû thaéng thì töï toân töï ñaïi; ngöôøi thua thì töï ti.) (Caùi tieâu sai toâng vôùi caùi saùo.) The flute is out of out of the red thoaùt nôï; döùt nôï. This year our firm is tune with John. (Caùi saùo thì sai toâng vôùi gioïng cuûa likely to get out of the red before fall. (Naêm nay xí nghieäp John.) 2. khoâng hoaø hôïp. (Duøng theo nghóa boùng); baát chuùng toâi coù veû nhö thoaùt ñöôïc caûnh nôï naàn.) If we can hoaø. Your proposal is out of tune with my ideas of cut down on expenses, we can get outof the red fairly what we should be doing. (Ñeà aùn cuûa baïn khoâng hôïp soon. (Neáu chuùng toâi giaûm bôùt nhöõng khoaûn chi tieâu, vôùi nhöõng yù kieán cuûa toâi veà nhöõng vieäc chuùng ta chuùng toâi coù theå traû döùt nôï sôùm hôn nhieàu.) Old Nam muoán laøm.) Let's get all our efforts in tune. (Naøo, killed himself because, according to what is said in his chuùng ta phaûi noã löïc tìm söï hoaø hôïp.) When wife will, he knew he could never be out of the red—no matter and husband are in tune, they can remove the whole how hard he tried. (Giaø Nam töï töû vì, theo lôøi chuùc thö, mountain. You two should stay away from out of tune. raèng oâng bieát cho duø coù coá söùc bao nhieâu cuõng khoâng taøi (Khi vôï choàng thuaän hoaø thì coù theå dôøi nuùi laáp soâng. naøo traû döùt nôï noåi.) Hai ngöôøi neân traùnh chuyeän baát hoaø ñi.) out of the running bò loaïi khoûi cuoäc (chaïy) ñua. After out of turn ñöôïc ñaëc aân. We were permitted to be the first part of the diving meet, three members of our served out of turn, because we had to leave early. team were out of the running. (Sau laàn thi nhaøo loän xuoáng (Chuùng toâi ñöôïc ñaëc aân aên tröôùc, vì chuùng toâi phaûi ñi nöôùc, ba toaùn vieân trong toaùn toâi bò loaïi khoûi cuoäc tranh sôùm.) Bill tried to register out of turn and was sent taøi.) After the scandal was made public, I was no longer away. (Bill tìm caùch xin ñöôïc ñaëc aân neân ñöôïc phaùi ñi in the running. I pulled out of the election. (Sau vuï tai ngay.) tieáng bò ñöa ra aùnh saùng, toâi bò loaïi ra khoûi cuoäc chaïy out on a limb ñang ôû vò theá bò hieåm nguy; laøm lieàu. ñua. Toâi ruùt teân ra khoûi cuoâc baàu cöû luoân.) I don't want to go out on a limb, but I think I'd out of the woods qua khoûi giôø phuùt/côn nguy kòch; qua agree to your request. (Toâi khoâng muoán bò ñaåy vaøo côn bæ cöïc. When the patient got out of the woods, tình theá nguy hieåm, nhöng toâi nghó toâi seõ ñoàng yù vôùi everyone relaxed. (Khi beänh nhaân qua ñöôïc giôø phuùt yeâu caàu cuûa baïn.) She really went out on a limb nguy kòch, moïi ngöôøi caûm thaáy nheï nhoõm.) I can give when she agreed. (Kho coâ ta ñoàng yù töùc laø coâ ñaõ laøm you a better prediction for your future health when you lieàu.) I do not care if I am out on a limb or not, but are out of the woods. (Qua côn nguy kòch naøy roài, toâi seõ I think it should be wise to take a chance. (Toâi khoâng cho baïn bieát tröôùc töông lai söùc khoeû cuûa baïn seõ ra sao.) caàn bieát toâi coù laøm lieàu hay khoâng, nhöng toâi nghó toát My family has been out of the woods four times now. I hôn neân choäp laáy thôøi cô.) wish from now on our lives would get better and better out on the town (la caø) vui chôi choã naøy choã kia; toå without any further hardship. (Gia ñình toâi traûi qua boán chöùc aên möøng. I'm really tired. I was out on the laàn bæ cöïc. Toâi hy voïng töø nay trôû ñi cuoäc soáng cuûa chuùng town until dawn. (Toâi baây giôø meät quaù. Hoài hoâm toâi

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 105

maõi vui chôi ñeán saùng môùi veà.) We went out on the over the long haul trong moät thôøi gian daøi; veà laâu veà town to celebrate our silver anniversary. (Chuùng toâi toå daøi. Over the long haul, it might be better to invest chöùc aên möøng kyû nieäm ngaøy thaønh hoân thöù hai möôi laêm in stocks. (Veà laâu veà daøi, khoâng chöøng ñaàu tö vaøo cuûa chuùng toâi.) Old Jung only works and never goes out chöùng khoaùn laïi toát hôn.) Over the long haul, of town. He will be dull some day. (Giaø Jung chæ coù laøm everything will turn out all right. (Veà laâu veà daøi, moïi vieäc maø khoâng bao giôø bieát vui chôi. Ngaøy naøo ñoù y seõ vieäc seõ trôû laïi bình thöôøng.) That type of education, muï ngöôøi ñi.) over the long haul, will take serious effects on out to lunch ñi aên tröa ôû tieäm. I'm sorry, but Sally is out generations, and the future of our children will be to lunch. May I take a message? (Toâi raát tieác, Sally ñaõ ñi quite endangered. (Loái giaùo duïc nhö vaäy, veà laâu veà ra ngoaøi aên tröa roài. Coù caàn toâi nhaén laïi khoâng?) She's daøi, seõ coù nhöõng taùc haïi nghieâm troïng ñoái vôùi nhieàu been out to lunch for nearly two hours. When will she be theá heä vaø töông lai cuûa con em chuùng ta seõ thaät söï back? (Coâ ta ñi ra ngoaøi aên tröa caû gaàn hai giôø roài. Bao laâm nguy.) giôø thì coâ trôû laïi vaäy?) She probably won't come back over the short haul veà ñoaûn haïn; ñoaûn kyø. Over the till tomorrow. She went out to lunch, then to the meeting short haul, you'd be better off to put your money in at the main office. (Coù leõ ngaøy mai coâ ta môùi trôû laïi. Coâ the bank. (Veà ñoaûn haïn, toát hôn baïn neân boû tieàn vaøo ñi ra ngoaøi aên tröa xong roài sau ñoù ñi döï hoïp taïi truï sôû ngaân haøng laáy lôøi.) Over the short haul, you may chính.) wish you had done s.t. different. But things will work over the hill baét ñaàu xeá boùng; tuoåi ñôøi xeá boùng. Now out all right. (Veà ngaén haïn, coù theå baïn muoán laøm moät that Mary's forty. She thinks she's over the hill. (Baây giôø ñieàu gì ñoù khaùc thöôøng. Nhöng khoâng sao caû, ñaâu seõ Mary môùi boán möôi roài. Vaäy maø ta nghó laø baø ñaõ baét ñaàu vaøo ñoù.) They are raising a special fund, over the xeá boùng.) My grandfather was over eighty before he felt short haul, to help poor students, and, over the long he was over the hill. (OÂng toâi taùm möôi tuoåi oâng môùi baét haul, to reform the education system. (Hoï ñang gaây ñaàu nghó laø xeá boùng.) I wish I could save some money moät laïoi quyõ ñaëc bieät, veà doaûn haïn, ñeå giuùp hoïc sinh to spend when I am over the hill. (Toâi mong ñeå daønh ñöôïc ngheøo, vaø, veà laâu veà daøi, nhaèm ñeå caûi toå heä thoáng moät soá tieàn ñeå chi duøng khi tuoåi ñôøi xeá boùng.) giaùo duïc.) over the hump qua khoûi phaàn khoù nhaát. This is a over the top vöôït quaù döï truø. Our fund raising difficult project, but we're over the hump now. (Ñaây laø döï campaign went over the top by $3,000. (Chieán dòch aùn khoù, nhöng chuùng toâi ñaõ qua phaàn khoù nhaát cuûa noù gaây quyõ cuûa chuùng toâi ñaõ thu ñöôïc quaù soá döï truø laø ba roài.) I'm halfway through—over the hump— and it ngaøn.) We didn't go over the top. We didn't even get looks as if I may get finished after all. (Toâi ñaõ xong ñöôïc half of what we set out to collect. (Chuùng toâi khoâng moät nöûa —qua khoûi phaàn khoù nhaát—neân troâng coù veû saép nhöõng khoâng vöôït quaù con soá döï truø. Chuùng ta coøn hoaøn taát.) chöa ñaït tôùi moät nöûa con soá ñeà ra.)

106 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

luùc naøo cuõng keâu goïi ñoùng goùp maø khoâng coù muïc ñích gì heát.) pay an arm and a leg (for some-thing) vaø pay through the nose (for s.t.) traû quaù nhieàu tieàn (cho vaät Pp gì); mua hôù. I hate to have to pay an arm and a leg packed in like sardines eùp nhö caù moøi trong hoäp. It for a tank of gas. (Toâi gheùt ñoå ñaày caùi thuøng xaêng xe was terribly crowded there. We were packed in like naøy vì phaûi traû quaù nhieàu tieàn.) If you shop around, sardines. (Trong ñoù ñoâng ngöôøi quaù. Chuùng toâi bò eùp laïi you won't have to pay an arm and a leg. (Neáu baïn ñi nhö caù moøi trong hoäp.) The bus was full. The mua saém maø doï giaù tröôùc, baïn seõ khoâng bò mua hôù.) passengers were packed like sardines. (Xe buyùt ñaày roài. Why should you pay through the nose? (Taïi sao baïn Haønh khaùch eùp nhö caù moøi trong hoäp.) They packed us phaûi traû nhieàu tieàn quaù vaäy?) Cuõng duøng: cost an arm in like sardines. (Hoï nheùt chuùng vaøo nhö caù moøi trong and a leg ñaét quaù. It cost an arm and a leg, so I hoäp.) didn't buy it. (Caùi ñoù giaù ñaéc quaù neân toâi khoâng mua.) paddle one's own canoe thuyeàn ai naáy cheøo; moät mình pay one's debt (to society) traû nôï xaõ hoäi (ôû tuø); thi caùng ñaùng coâng vieäc; taùch ra moät mình laøm rieâng. I've haønh aùn. The judge said that Mr. Simpson had to been left to paddle my on canoe too many times. (Toâi pay his debt to society. (Quan toaø noùi oâng Simpson nhieàu laàn bò ngöôøi ta boû cho töï mình caùng ñaùng laáy coâng phaûi traû nôï xaõ hoäi. Quan toaø phaùn raèng oâng Simpson vieäc.)  (Sally khoâng ñi vôùi chuùng toâi. Coâ ta töï taùch ra phaûi bò giam giöõ.) Mr. Brown paid his debt in state ñeå moät mình laøm rieâng.) I hate doing things with that prison. (OÂng Brown ñaû thi haønh aùn taïi nhaø tuø cuûa tieåu guy who is very bossy. I prefer to paddle my own canoe. bang.) (Toâi gheùt laøm vieäc vôùi ngöôøi tròch thöôïng ñoù. Toâi thích pay one's dues ñoùng tieàn. 1. ñoùng leä phí hoäi vieân. If moät mình töï laøm laáy.) you haven't paid your dues, you can't come to the club pad the bill keâ theâm cho nhieàu; keâ gian; veõ vôøi. The picnic. (Neáu baïn khoâng ñoùng leä phí hoäi vieân, baïn plumber had padded the bill with things we didn't need. khoâng ñöôïc tham döï buoåi du ngoaïn do hoäi toå chöùc.) (Ngöôøi thôï oáng nöôùc keâ theâm nhieàu moùn ñoà chuùng toâi How many people have paid their dues? (Coù bao khoâng caàn duøng ñeán.) (Toâi bò ngöôøi ta caùo buoäc laø ñaõ nhieâu ngöôøi ñoùng leä phí caû thaûy?) 2. traûi qua nhieàu keâ gian.) Contractor, electrician, mecha-nic, and so on gian khoå. He worked hard to get to where he is can pad the bill easily if they are not honest. (Thaàu xaây today. He paid his dues and did what he was told. caát, thôï ñieän, thôï maùy, vaân vaân, neáu khoâng chaân thaät, ñeàu (OÂng ta laøm vieäc vaát vaû ñeå ñöôïc thaønh ñaït nhö ngaøy coù theå veõ vôøi moät caùch deã daøng.) nay. OÂng ta ñaõ traûi qua nhieàu gian khoå vaø chòu nghe paint the town red tieäc tuøng naùo nhieät; aên nhaäu oàn aøo. lôøi ngöôøi khaùc.) I have every right to be here. I paid Let's all go out and paint the town red! (Naøo chuùng ta my dues! (Toâi ñöôïc toaøn quyeàn ôû ñaây. Toâi ñaõ traûi qua haõy tìm choã toå chöùc tieäc tuøng cho naùo nhieät leân chôù!) nhieàu gian khoå roài!) Oh, do I feel terrible. I was out all last night, painting pay the piper nhaän laõnh haäu quaû; nhaän chòu hình the town red. (OÀ, toâi thaáy gheâ quaù. Toái hoâm qua toâi ñi döï phaït. You can put off paying your debts only so tieäc, aên nhaäu oàn aøo.) long. Eventually you'll have to pay the piper. (Baïn coù part s.o.'s hair saùt raït gaàn ñuïng (ñaàu); xôùt nheï. That theå töï yù khoâng thanh toaùn nôï cuõng ñöôïc. Nhöng sôùm plane flew so low that it nearly parted my hair. (Chieác xe muoän gì baïn cuõng seõ nhaän laõnh haäu quaû ñoù thoâi.) ñoù bay thaáp thaät saùt raït gaàn ñuïng ñaàu luoân.) He You can't get away with that forever. You'll have to punched at me and missed. He only part my hair. (Anh ta pay the piper someday. (Baïn khoâng theã troán traùnh maõi ñaám toâi moät caùi huït. Chæ xôùt nheï thoâi.) ñöôïc. Baïn seõ phaûi nhaän chòu hình phaït.) Those pass the buck choái toäi; ñöøa cho ngöôøi chòu Don't try to criminals should have known that if they committed pass the buck! It's your fault, and everybody knows it. crime, they would have to pay the piper sooner or (Ñöøng coù choái toäi! Loãi cuûa baïn raønh raønh, ai cuõng bieát later. Why aren't they scared? (Nhöõng ngöôøi gaây ra maø.) Some people try to pass the buck whenever they toäi aùc haún phaûi bieát neáu hoï nhuùng tay vaøo toäi aùc, sôùm can. (Nhieàu ngöôøi choái toäi ñöôïc laø hoï laøm lieàn.) They muoän gì cuõng phaûi chòu hình phaït. Taïi sao hoï khoâng pass the buck because they do not have good sense of sôï?) responsibility. (Hoï choái toäi vì hoï khoâng coù tinh thaàn traùch penny-wise and pound foolish khoân baïc ñoàng ngoâng nhieäm cao.) baïc ngaøn; tính giaø hoaù non. (Caâu tuïc ngöõ coù yù cheâ pass the hat ngöõa noùn/tay xin tieàn; keâu goïi ñoùng goùp. cöôøi nhöõng ngöôøi ky coùp töøng ñoàng nhöng phung phí Bob is passing the hat to collect money to buy flowers vaøo vieäc khaùc.) Sally shops very carefully to save a for Ann. (Bob ngöûa noùn ra xin tieàn moïi ngöôøi ñeå mua hoa few cents on food, then charges the food to a charge cho Ann.) He's always passing the hat for s.t.. (Anh ta card that costs a lot in annual interest. That's being penny-wise and pound-foolish. (Sally caån thaän tính

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 107

chi li khi choïn mua thöùc aên, nhöng laïi duøng theû tín duïng question. You certainly pitched him a curve. (Anh hoûi ñeå bò tính tieàn lôøi haøng naêm. Nhö vaäy goïi laø tính giaù hoaù Tom caâu hoûi ñoù khoù quaù. Chaéc chaén laø anh ñaõ laøm non.) John drives thirty miles to buy gas for three cents a cho anh ta söûng soát.) Pitching the enemy a curve gallon less than it costs here. He's really penny-wise and with a blitzkrieg is one of the military tactics used pound-foolish. (John laùi xe ñi ba chuïc daëm ñeå mua moãi during the war. (Xuaát kyø baát yù coâng kyø voâ bò—taán ga-loâng xaêng reû ñöôïc ba xu. Thaät laø tính giaø hoaù non.) coâng baát ngôø ñeå ñòch khoâng kòp trôû tay—laø moät trong That man has been eating instant noodles for years, nhöõng chieán thuaät ñöôïc duøng trong thôøi kyø chieán saving money to invest in clothes making business. Last tranh.) month he lost fifty thousand dollars. Should he be called play ball (with s.o.) chôi banh 1. baét ñaàu traän ñaáu penny-wise and pound-foolish! (Ngöôøi ñoù aên mì goùi maáy (boùng.) When will our team play ball with yours? naêm nay lieån ñeå daønh tieàn môû tieäm may. Thaùng tröôùc (Bao giôø thì ñoäi chuùng toâi ñaáu vôùi ñoäi baïn?) anh ta bò maát naêm möôi ngaøn ñoâ la. Ñaùng goïi laø khoâng Suddenly, the umpire shouted, “Play ball!” and the baïc ñoàng ngoâng baïc ngaøn ñoù chôù!) game began. (Troïng taøi boãng noùi lôùn: “Baét ñaàu!” vaø Perish the thought Ñöøng theøm lo nghó gì caû. If you traän ñaáu boùng baét ñaàu.) 2. phoái hôïp vôùi ai (ñeå chuyeàn should become ill—perish the thought—I'd take care of banh cho nhau.) (Duøng trong caùc traän daõ caàu.) you. (Ñöøng lo nghó gì caû—neáu baïn beänh, toâi seõ chaêm soùc Look, friend, if you play ball with me, everything baïn cho.) I'm afraid that we need a new car. Perish the will work out all right. (Naøy anh baïn, neáu anh phoái thought. (Ñöøng theøm nghó gì caû cuõng bieát laø chuùng ta caàn hôïp vôùi toâi, moïi vieäc seõ xong ngay.) Things would moät chieác xe môùi.) go better for you if you'd learn to play ball. (Neáu baïn pick up the tab bao ai; traû tieàn (ñaõi.) Order whatever chòu phoái hôïp vôùi ngöôøi khaùc thì moïi chuyeän xaûy ra you want. The company is picking up the tab. (Baïn cöù toát ñeïp hôn nhieàu.) vieäc muoán duøng gì goïi naáy. Coâng ty bao maø.) Whatever play both ends (against the middle) ñaâm bò thoùc we go out, my father picks up the tab. (Baát cöù khi naøo thoïc bò gaïo. I told my brother that Mary doesn't like chuùng toâi aên tieäm, cha toâi ñeàu traû tieàn.) When people him. Then I told Mary that my brother doesn't like go French, there will be one to pick up the tab. When they her. They broke up, so now I can have the car this go Dutch, everyone will pay his share. (Khi ngöôøi ta chôi weekend. I succeeded in playing both ends against the theo loái Phaùp thì seõ coù moät ngöôøi bao traû tieàn. Khi chôi middle. (Toâi maùch cho anh toâi raèng Mary khoâng öa theo loái Myõ thì phaàn ai naáy traû.) anh ta. Roài toâi noùi vôùi Mary raèng anh toâi khoâng thích pie in the sky tích phöôùc cho ñôøi. (Laáy töø thaønh ngöõ pie in gì coâ ta. Keát quaû hai ngöôøi boû nhau, neân baây giôø cuoái the sky by and by when you die ñôøi nay tích ñôøi sau ñöôïc tuaàn toâi coù xe chaïy phom phom. Toâi thaønh coâng nhôø nhôø.) Are you nice to people just because of pie in the ñaõ ñaâm bò thoùc thoïc bò gaïo.) If you try to play both sky, or do you really like them? (Baïn toát vôùi ngöôøi ta laø vì ends, you're likely to get in trouble with both sides. baïn muoán tích phöôùc hay laø baïn thaät söï thích hoï?) (Neáu baïn cöù hay ñaâm bò thoùc thoïc bò gaïo thì coù ngaøy Don't hold out for a big reward, you know—pie in the ngöôøi khaùc seõ thoïc laïi cho xem.) sky. (Ñöøng mong ai thöôûng veà sau heát, hieåu khoâng—töùc play cat and mouse (with some-one) nhö meøo vôøn laø khoâng caàn tích phöôùc cho ñôøi sau.) Only atheists do chuoät. (Nghóa ñen: baét roài thaû; nghóa boùng: khi thöông not care about pie in the sky. They don't thoroughly khi gheùt, luùc thaém thieát luùc thôø ô.) The police understand the law of cause and effect. (Chæ coù nhöõng keû played cat and mouse with the suspect until they had voâ thaàn môùi khoâng caàn tích ñöùc. Hoï khoâng thaáu hieåu veà sufficient evidence to make an arrest. (Caûnh saùt laøm luaät nhaân quaû.) nhö meøo vôøn chuoät vôùi ngöôøi bò tình nghi cho ñeán khi pitch in (an help) nhaøo voâ laøm giuùp vieäc gì. Pick up a coù ñaày ñuû yeáu toá roài môùi baét.) Tom had been paintbrush and pitch in and help. (Laáy caùi coï sôn vaø nhaøo playing cat and mouse with Ann. Finally she got tired voâ ñaây sôn giuùp ñi.) Why don't some of you pitch in? of it and broke up with him. (Tom giôõn vôùi Ann nhö We need all the help we can get. (Taïi sao caùc baïn khoâng meøo vôøn chuoät. Roát cuoäc coâ ta thaáy chaùn quaù neân boû ai nhaøo voâ giuùp moät tay? Ai giuùp chuùng toâi cuõng raát hoan luoân chaøng ta.) ngheânh.) We boys scouts are always ready to pitch in play fast and loose (with some-one/something) and help poeple. (Höôùng ñaïo sinh chuùng toâi luùc naøo cuõng (laøm vieäc) voâ traùch nhieäm; (söû duïng caùi gì) böøa baõi; saün saøng nhaøo voâ giuùp moïi ngöôøi.) chôi kieåu luùc nhaët luùc khoan. I'm tired of your pitch s.o. a curve (ball) xuaát kyø baát yù (haønh ñoäng baát ngôø playing fast and loose with me. Leave me alone. (Toâi khieán khoâng phaûn öùng kòp); haønh ñoäng/lôøi noùi laøm cho ai chaùn caùi kieåu voâ traùch nhieäm cuûa anh ñoái vôùi toâi. söûng soát. You really pitched me a curve ball when you Buoâng tha toâi ra.) Bob got fired for playing fast and said I had done a poor job. I did my best. (Toâi thaät söûng loose with the company's money. (Bob bò ñuoåi vieäc vì soát khi nghe oâng noùi toâi laøm vieäc khoâng ra gì. Toâi laøm ñaõ söû duïng böøa baõi tieàn cuûa coâng ty.) They have heát khaû naêng toâi roài ñoù.) You asked Tom a hard been playing fast and loose with the company's money

108 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

for four years now, but they are never fired. (Hoï söû duïng taøi, nhöng anh ta coù khuynh höôùng muoán bieåu dieãn tieàn cuûa coâng moät caùch böøa baõi suoát boán naêm nay roài ñeã khoe taøi nhieàu hôn.) When he made the rude nhöng hoï khoâng heà bò sa thaûi.) If you play fast and remark, he was just playing to the gallery. (Khi anh ta loose like that, you can get into a lot of trouble. (Neáu baïn ñöa ra lôøi nhaän xeùt loã maõng ñoù, anh ta chæ coát bieåu chôi kieåu luùc nhaët luùc khoan nhö vaäy, coù ngaøy baïn seõ bò dieãn khoe taøi maø thoâi.) raéc roái to.) play with fire (daùm) ñuøa vôùi löûa; chôi dao. If you play it safe caån taéc voâ öu; an toaøn tröôùc nhaát. You accuse her of stealing, you'll be playing with fire. should play it safe and take your umbrella. (Caån taéc voâ (Neáu baïn caùo buoäc coâ ta aên troäm, ñuùng laø baïn daùm öu, ñi ñaâu neân ñem theo duø (oâ.) If you have a cold or ñuøa vôùi löûa roài.) I wouldn't try that if I were you— the flu, play it safe and go to bed. (Neáu baïn bò caûm hay unless you like playing with fire. (Tröø khi anh thích cuùm, an toaøn nhaát laø neân ñi nghæ sôùm.) Always keep in ñuøa vôùi löûa thì khoâng noùi—neáu toâi laø anh thì toâi mind that whatever you do, play it safe. (Neân luoân luoân khoâng daïi gì laøm vaäy.) Those who play with fire nhôù trong ñaàu laø baát cöù baïn laøm gì, an toaøn tröôùc nhaát.) will get burned any day. (Chôi dao coù ngaøy ñöùt tay.) play one's cards close to the chest/vest laøm vieäc raát caån poke fun (at s.o.) choïc queâ ngöôøi naøo. Stop poking thaän vaø kín ñaùo. It's hard to figure out what John is up fun at me! It's not nice. (Ñöøng choïc queâ toâi nöõa! Toâi to because he plays his cards close to his chest. (Thaät khoù khoâng deã thöông nhö anh noùi ñaâu.) Bob is always maø hình dung ra nhöõng gì John laøm vì anh ta laøm vieäc raát poking fun. (Bob luùc naøo cuõng choïc queâ ngöôøi ta.) caån thaän vaø kín ñaùo.) Don't let them know what you're poke one's nose in(to some-thing) vaø stick one's nose up to. Play your cards close to your vest. (Ñöøng cho hoï in(to s.t.) choû muõi vaøo vieäc ngöôøi khaùc. I wish you'd bieát baïn laøm nhöõng gì nghe. Phaûi caån thaän vaø kín ñaùo stop poking your nose into my business. (Toâi mong môùi ñöôïc.) A person who plays his/her cards close to anh ñöøng choû muõi vaøo chuyeän cuûa toâi.) She was too the chest should be a good secretary. (Ngöôøi laøm vieäc upset for me to stick my nose in and ask what was caån thaän vaø kín ñaùo seõ laø moät thö kyù rieâng gioûi.) wrong. (Toâi choû muõi vaøo chuyeän cuûa coâ ta vaø hoûi play second fiddle (to some-one) nhaân vaät thöù hai; oâng lung tung khieán coâ phaùt böïc mình.) It's our bad phoù. I'm tired of playing second fiddle to John. (Toâi habit is to poke out noses into others' business. We chaùn caûnh ñoùng vai oâng phoù cho anh chaøng John naøy should stay away unless they need our help. (Caùi taät quaù.) I'm better trained than he, and I have more xaáu cuûa chuùng ta laø choû muõi vaøo vieäc cuûa ngöôøi experience. I shouldn't play second fiddle. (Toâi bieát vieäc khaùc. Chuùng ta neân traùnh xa ra tröø phi hoï yeâu caàu raønh hôn oâng ta, nhieàu kinh nghieäm hôn. Toâi khoâng chòu chuùng ta giuùp.) laøm nhaân vaät thöù hai ñaâu.) pop the question ngoû lôøi caàu hoân vôùi ai. I was play s.t. by ear coù taøi baét chöôùc. 1. baét chöôùc haùt surprised when he popped the question. (Toâi laáy laøm theo/ñaøn theo. I can play “Stardust” by ear. (Toâi coù theå ngaïc nhieân khi anh ta ngoû lôøi caàu hoân vôùi toâi.) I've nghe roài baét chöôùc theo ñaøn theo baøi Stardust. Some been waiting for years for s.o. to pop the question. I people can play Chopin's music by ear. (Coù ngöôøi coù theå am not wanted! (Toâi ñôïi cho coù ngöôøi caàu hoân vôùi toâi nghe nhaïc Chopin roài baét chöôùc ñaøn theo ñöôïc.) 2. hoïc nhöng chaúng coù ai caû. Toâi bò eá roài!) She thought loùm maø cuõng gioûi; coù taøi hoïc loùm. John can play the she was not wanted because she was nearly thirty piano by ear. (John hoïc loùm maø ñaùnh piano cuõng gioûi years old now. Fortunately, there was one last month. gheâ.) If I could play by ear, I wouldn't have to take (Coâ ta töôûng coâ bò eá vì ñaõ ba möôi tuoåi roài maø khoâng lessons—or practice! (Neáu toâi coù taøi hoïc loùm, toâi ñaâu daïi coù ai caàu hoân heát. May thay thaùng tröôùc coù moät gì ñi hoïc hay laø taäp taønh moãi ngaøy laøm gì!) ngöôøi.) play the field caëp boà tuøm lum. (Thích coù nhieàu boà, khoâng pound a beat loä trình tuaàn tieãu. (Noùi veà thoùi quen thích caëp boà vôùi moät ngöôøi.) When Tom told Ann good- cuûa nhaân vieân coâng löïc ñi laøm phaän söï theo thôøi bieåu bye, he said he wanted to play the field. (Khi Tom chaøo töø vaø loä trình nhaát ñònh.) The patrolman pounded the giaõ Ann, anh ta noùi vôùi coâ ta raèng anh thích caëp boà tuøm same beat for years and years. (Haøng bao naêm nay lum.) He said he wanted to play the field while he was ngöôøi lính tuaàn tieãu vaãn ñi treân con ñöôøng aáy.) still young. (Môùi neû muõi maø noù ñaõ ñoøi caëp boà tuøm lum.) Pounding a beat will wreck your feet. (Ñi tuaàn kieåu High school students today like to play the field more naøy coù maø raõ chaân luoân.) The thief learned by heart than studying hard to prepare for their future. The say that the patrolman would pound a beat at seven and they enjoy fun. (Hoïc sinh trung hoïc hieän nay thích caëp boà eleven every evening. so he broke into Mrs. Emily's tum lum hôn laø hoïc ñeå chuaån bò cho töông lai cuûa mình. house at about eight o'clock. (Teân cöôùp bieát roõ ngöôøi Hoï baûo hoï thích vui.) lính ñi tuaàn luùc naøo cuõng ñi ngang qua con ñöôøng ñoù play to the gallery (bieåu dieãn) khoe taøi hôn laø trình dieãn luùc baûy giôø vaø möôøi moät giôø toái, neân y ñaõ ñoät nhaäp thöïc söï. John is a very competent actor, but he has a vaøo nhaø baø Emily khoaûn taùm giôø.) tendency to play the gallery. (John laø moät dieãn vieân coù pound the pavement ñi lang thang tìm vieäc laøm. I

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 109

spent two months pounding the pavement after the factory Pretty is as pretty does. Neát na thì ai cuõng thöông. I workd for closed. (Sau khi nhaø maùy ñoùng cöûa toâi boû ra (Caâu naøy coù nghóa laø: Baïn neân laøm nhöõng ñieàu hay hai thaùng roøng ñi lang thang tìm vieäc laøm.) Hey, Bob. ñeå ñöôïc nhieàu ngöôøi yeâu meán. Taïm dòch laø: Ñeïp You'd better get busy pounding those nails unless you ngöôøi caøng neân ñeïp neát. Caùi neát ñaùnh cheát caùi ñeïp.) want to be out pounding the pavement. (Neø, Bob. Neáu Now, Sally. Let's be nice. Pretty is as pretty does. baïn khoâng muoán ñi lang thang kieám vieäc laøm thì haõy xaên (Naøy, Sally. Neân töû teá vôùi ngöôøi khaùc. Neát na thì ai tay aùo leân maø laøm caät löïc ñi chôù.) cuõng thöông.) My great-aunt always used to say pour cold water on s.t. vaø dash cold water on s.t.; throw “pretty is as pretty does” to my sister. (Baø dì toâi luùc cold water on s.t. töôùi nöôùc laïnh leân caùi gì; laøm cho hoûng naøo cuõng noùi vôùi chò toâi caâu: “Ñeïp ngöôøi caøng neân heát keá hoaïch, döï tính cuûa ai. When my father said I ñeïp neát” chaùu aï.) When talking about beauty, my couldn't have the car, he poured coldp water on my plans. mother always mentions two proverbs: “Beauty is (Khi noùi khoâng cho toâi möôïn xe, oâng ñaõ laøm hoûng heát döï only sikn deep” and “Pretty is as pretty does." (Khi tính cuûa toâi..) John threw cold water on the whole noùi veà caùi ñeïp, meï toâi luùc naøo cuõng nhaéc ñeán hai caâu project by refusing to participate. (John quaû ñaõ laøm cho tuïc ngöõ: “Saéc ñeïp nhö hoa sôùm nôû toái taøn” vaø “Caùi caùi döï aùn naày heát hy voïng khi anh ta töø choái khoâng tham neát ñaùnh cheát caùi ñeïp.") döï vaøo.) When seeing the way he talks to his father and prick up one's ears ngheånh tai leân nghe. At the mother, I felt like s.o. pouring cold water on my plan. I sound of my voice, my dog pricked up her ears. (Nghe intended to spend some time with him to tell him how I coù tieáng toâi, con choù nhaø toâi ngheånh tai leân nghe.) I expected from him. (Khi thaáy anh ta aên noùi vôùi cha vaø meï pricked up my ears when I heard my name mentioned. anh nhö vaäy, toâi thaáy döï tính cuûa toâi hoûng beùt heát vì toâi (Toâi ngheånh tai leân nghe vì coù ngöôøi nhaéc ñeán teân coù yù muoán chuyeän troø vôùi anh ta ñeå baøy toû loøng troâng caäy toâi.) cuûa toâi ñoái vôùi anh ta.) promise the moon (to some-one) vaø promise s.o. the pour money down the drain tieàn ñoå soáng ñoå bieån. moon höùa traêng höùa cuoäi; höùa heïn ñuû ñieàu. Bill What a waste! You're just pouring money down the will promise you the moon, but he won't live up to his drain. (Thaät laø phí phaïm! Baïn ñem tieàn ñoå soáng ñoå bieån promises. (Bill chæ höùa traêng höùa cuoäi vôùi baïn thoâi, heát.) Don't buy any more of that low-quality bôûi anh ta khoâng bao giôø laøm nhö ñaõ höùa ñaâu.) My merchandise. That's just throwing money down the drain. boss promised the moon, but only paid the minimum (Ñöøng mua maáy thöù reû tieàn ñoù. Nhö vaäy chaúng khaùc naøo wage. (OÂng chuû toâi höùa heïn ñuû ñieàu, nhöng roài chæ traû ñem tieàn ñoå soâng ñoå bieån heát.) cho toâi möùc thuø lao coâng nhaät maïc haïng.) pour oil on troubled water ñoå daàu leân nöôùc; laøm dòu pull oneself up (by one's own boot-straps) töï ruùt hai côn thònh noä; can giaùn ngöôøi khaùc. (Ngöôøi xöa tò thuyû chaân ra khoûi baãy; töï vöôn leân baèng chính khaû naêng baèng coät ñoàng vaø “nhö yù kim coâ boång” thì ngöôøi ñôøi nay cuûa mình. They simply don't have the resources to ñoå daàu leân maët nöôùc ñeå côn thònh noä cuûa ba ñaøo; nguï yù pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. (Chæ ñôn noùi laøm cho ai bôùt giaän; bôùt thònh noä.) That was a good giaûn moät ñieàu laø baûn thaân hoï khoâng coù khaû naêng naøo thing to say to John. It helped pour oil on troubled water. giuùp hoï töï vöôn leân caû.) If I could have pulled Now he looks happy. (Ñoù laø moät chuyeän toát neân noùi cho myself up, I'd have done it by now. (Neáu toâi töï vöôn John bieát. Noù giuùp laøm dòu côn thònh noä. Baây giôø troâng leân baèng chính khaû naêng cuûa toâi thì giôø naøy toâi ñaõ anh ta vui veû.) Bob is the kind of person who pours oil laøm xong roài.) It will take much longer time for you on troubled water. (Bob thuoäc loaïi ngöôøi chuyeân moân ñi to pull yourself up. As the matter of fact, our can giaùn ngöôøi khaùc.) grandparents all did that. (Töï mình vöôn leân baèng practice what you preach khuyeân ngöôøi phaûi bieát chính khaû naêng mình thì seõ maát raát nhieàu thôøi gian. khuyeân ta. If you'd practice what you preach, you'd be Duø sao chaêng nöõa, oâng cha mình tröôùc ñaây cuõng vaäy better off. (Neáu baïn bieát khuyeân ngöôøi khaùc nhö vaäy, thì thoâi.) baïn neân laøm vaäy ñi.) You give good advice. Why not pull s.o.'s leg treâu gheïo ai; choïc queâ ai. You don't practice what you preach? (Baïn khuyeân ngöôøi ta thì hay mean that. You're just pulling my leg. (Baïn thaät laém. Taïi sao baïn khoâng töï khuyeân mình laøm nhö vaäy ñi?) khoâng coá yù. Baïn chæ treâu gheïo toâi thoâi.) Don't I only know how to give advice, I don't practice what I believe him. He's just pulling your leg. (Ñöøng tin lôøi preach. (Toâi chæ bieát khuyeân ngöôøi ta thoâi. chöù toâi khoâng noù. Noù chæ coát choïc queâ baïn.) töï khuyeân toâi laøm ñöôïc gì heát.) pull s.o.'s or s.t.'s teeth laøm giaûm hieäu naêng. The preach to the choir muùa rìu qua maét thôï (Aslo teach mayor tried to pull the teeth of the new law. (Vieân thò grandmother how to suck egg – British) I don’t mean to tröôûng tìm caùch laøm giaûm hieäu naêng cuûa ñieàu luaät preach to the choir, but this is really what I mean. (Toâi môùi ban haønh.) The city council pulled the teeth of khoâng coù yù muùa rìu qua maét thôï, nhöng thaät tình ñaây laø the new mayor. (Hoäi ñoàng thaønh phoá laøm giaûm hieäu ñieàu toâi muoán trình baøy.) naêng cuûa vieân thò tröôûng.) Veto power, one of the

110 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

rights of the big five, pulls the UN Security Council's doäi.) teeth. (Quyeàn phuû quyeát, moät trong nhöõng quyeàn cuûa nguõ put all one's eggs in one basket xaû laùng; truùt heát haàu ñaïi cöôøng (Anh, Hoa kyø, Nga, Phaùp, Trung Hoa)thöôøng bao; nhaát chín nhì buø. (Caâu naøy coù yù noùi nhöõng ngöôøi laøm suy yeáu hieäu naêng cuûa Hoäi Ñoàng Baûo An Lieäp Hieäp baïo gan muoán “ñöôïc coù caû, ngaõ veà khoâng”. Thöôøng Quoác.) duøng trong caùc cuoäc ñoû ñen hoaëc vieäc kinh doanh. Boû pull s.t. out of a hat vaø pull s.t. out of thin air coù taøi heát tröùng vaøo moät roã, lôõ tay laøm rôùt thì beå heát.) thaùnh; laøm taøi thaùnh. This is serious problem, and we Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Then just can't pull a solution out of a hat. (Ñaây laø vaán ñeà everything won't be lost if there is a catastrophe. nghieâm troïng, vaø chuùng ta khoâng coù taøi thaùnh naøo giaûi (Ñöøng coù xaû laùng. Nhôõ coù meänh heä gì thì khoâng bò quyeát ñöôïc.) I'm sorry, but I don't have a pen. What do traéng tay.) John only applied to the one college he you want met to do, pull one out of thin air? (Toâi xin loãi wanted to go to. He put all his eggs in one basket. vì khoâng coù vieát. Baây giôø anh muoán toâi laøm gì? laøm taøi (John chæ noäp ñôn xin hoïc taïi moät tröôøng. Nhö vaäy laø thaùnh aø?) I believe that money can pull that matter out nhaát chín nhì buø (nhôõ tröôøng ñoù khoâng nhaän thì maát of a hat. (Toâi nghó ñoàng tieàn laø taøi thaùnh coù theå giaûi quyeát moät naêm hoïc.) Old Trung was lucky when he put all ñöôïc chuyeän ñoù. his eggs in one basket. He gained a huge profit from pull the rug out (from under s.o.) voâ hieäu hoaù vieäc gì; the investment. (Giaø Trung gaëp may maén khi oâng ta laøm hö söï. The treasurer pulled the rug out from under truùt heát haàu. Nhôø laàn ñoù oâng ta kieám ñöôïc moät khoaûn the mayor. (Ngöôøi thuû quyõ ñaõ voâ hieäu hoaù vieäc laøm cuûa lôïi khaù lôùn.) vieân thò tröôûng.) Things were going along fine until the put in a good word (for some-one) noùi toát cho ai. treasurer pulled the rug out. (Moïi vieäc tieán trieån toát ñeïp I hope you get the job. I'll put in a good word for cho ñeán khi bò tay thuû quyõ ñoù laøm hö söï.) you. (Toâi hy voïng baïn ñöôïc nhaän vaøo laøm. Toâi seõ noùi pull the wool over s.o.'s eyes löøa ñaûo ai. You can't toát cho baïn.) Yes, I want the job. If you see the boss, pull the wool over my eyes. I know what's going on. (Maøy please put in a good word. (Vaâng, toâi muoán vieäc laøm khoâng theå löøa tao ñöôïc ñaâu. Tao bieát ñöôøng ñi nöôùc böôùc ñoù. Neáu baïn gaëp oâng seáp, nhôø noùi toát cho toâi moät caû roài.) Don't try to pull the wool over her eyes. She's tieáng.) too smart. (Ñöøng coù hoøng maø löøa ñöôïc baø ta. Baø ta khoân put in one's two cents (worth) coù theâm lôøi nhaän xeùt. laém.) Can I put in my two cents worth? (Cho toâi coù theâm pull up stakes doïn ñi nôi khaùc; doïn nhaø. (Ví vôùi hình aûnh lôøi nhaän xeùt ñöôïc khoâng?) Sure, go ahead—put giôû leàu ñi nôi khaùc ñeå döïng.) I've been here long your two cents in. (Haún roài, töï nhieân ñi—noùi vaøi lôøi enough. It's time to pull up stakes. (Toâi ôû ñaây ñaõ laâu roài. nhaän xeùt ñi.) Tôùi luùc phaûi ñi choã khaùc roài.) I hate the thought of put on airs laøm boä laøm tòch. Stop putting on airs. having to pull up stakes. (Toâi gheùt chuyeän phaûi doïn nhaø You're just human like the rest of us. (Ñöøng coù laøm boä ñi choã khaùc.) In my life, I have pulled up stakes at least laøm tòch nöõa. Baïn cuõng laø ngöôøi nhö chuùng toâi thoâi.) twenty times. (Trong ñôøi toâi, toâi phaûi doïn nhaø ít nhaát hai Ann is always putting on airs. You'd think she was a möôi laàn.) queen. (Ann luùc naøo cuõng laøm boä laøm tòch. Baïn nghó push one's luck vaø press one's luck mong caàu may maén coâ ta laø hoa haäu chaéc.) theâm; caàu khoâng bò xui xeûo.) You're okay so far, but put on the dog khoe giaøu, khoe cuûa, laøm ra veû giaøu don't push your luck. (Cho tôùi nay thì baïn vaãn ñöôïc bình coù When those women meet, they always put on the yeân, nhöng ñöøng neân mong caàu may maén theâm nöõa. dog. (Khi maáy baø ñoù gaëp nhau thì thöôøng khoe cuûa.) Bob pressed his luck too much and got into a lot of put one's best foot forward tìm caùch taïo cho ai aán trouble. (Bob quaù mong caàu khoâng bò xui xeûo nhöng roài töôïng toát veà baïn. When you apply for a job, you bò naïn to.) Don't push your luck, just keep your mind should always put your best foot forward. (Khi baïn worry-free. (Ñöøng mong caàu may maén, chæ caàn giöõ cho xin vieäc laøm, baïn neân tìm caùch taïo cho ngöôøi chuû aán taâm trí voâ lo.) töôïng toát veà baïn.) I try to put my best foot forward push s.o. to the wall vaø press s.o. to the wall doàn ai vaøo whenever I meet s.o. for the first time. (Khi gaëp ngöôøi chaân töôøng (doàn vaøo theá bí); doàn ai vaøo theá chaúng ñaëng naøo laàn ñaàu toâi luoân tìm caùch taïo cho hoï moät aán ñöøng. When we pressed him to the wall, he told us töôïng toát veà toâi.) where the drug was hidden. (Khi chuùng toâi doàn anh ta put/lay one's cards on the table thaúng thaén vaø ñöøng vaøo theá bí, anh ta buoäc loøng phaûi chæ choã daáu ma tuyù.) uùp môû; noùi toaïc moùng heo. Come on, John, lay There was little else I could do. They pushed me to the your cards on the table. Tell me what you really think. wall. (Toâi coù soá vieäc khaùc caàn laøm. Nhöõng vieäc naøy toâi bò (Thoâi ñi, John, caàn thaúng thaén vaø khoâng uùp môû. Noùi doàn vaøo theá chaúng ñaëng ñöøng (neân phaûi laøm.) Don't thaät cho toâi nghe baïn nghó gì.) Why don't we both ever pull him to the wall, he will react violently. (Ñöøng put our cards on the table? (Taïi sao chuùng ta khoâng bao giôø doàn anh ta vaøo theá bí, anh ta seû phaûn öùng raát döõ thaúng thaén vaø ñöøng uùp môû gì heát?)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 111

put one's foot in one's mouth vaø put one's foot in it; stick kept working tiredlessly until his last breath. (Khi coøn one's foot in one's mouth thaàn khaåu buoäc xaùc phaøm sinh tieàn, cha toâi luùc naøo cuõng baét tay vaøo coâng vieäc. When I told Ann that her hair was more beautiful than I OÂng laøm lieân tuïc moät caùch khoâng meät moûi cho ñeán had ever seen it, I really put my foot in my mouth. It was a ngaøy truùt hôi thôû cuoái cuøng.) wig. (Khi toâi noùi toùc cuûa Ann ñeïp hôn bao giôø heát, toâi ñaõ put one through one's paces baét ai phaûi troå heát taøi noùi khoâng thaät loøng. Thaät ra ñoù laø toùc giaû.) I put my ngheä. The boss really put me through my paces foot in it by telling John's secret. (Toâi ñaõ daïi doät noùi ra bí today. I'm tired. (Hoâm nay ñuùng laø oâng chuû baét toâi maät cuûa John.) phaûi troå heát taøi ngheä. Toâi meät ñöø luoân.) I tried out put one's hand to the plow tay vaøo caây caøy; baét tay vaøo for a part in the play, and the director really put me vieäc lôùn. If John would only put his hand ot the plow, he through my paces. (Toâi coá ñoùng moät vai trong vôû could do an excellent job. (Neáu John chòu baét tay vaøo kòch, vaø vò ñaïo dieãn baét toâi phaûi troå heát taøi ngheä ra.) vieäc lôùn anh ta coù theå laøm vieäc xuaát saéc.) You'll never It's good idea to put you through your paces accomplish anything if you don't put your hand to the sometimes. (Thænh thoaûng baïn coù dòp troå heát taøi ngheä plow. (Baïn seõ khoâng laøm gì ra troø neáu baïn khoâng chòu baét thì cuõng toát laém.) tay vaøo vieäc lôùn.) put on one's thinking cap baét ñaàu suy nghó nghieâm put one's money where one’s mouth is chöùng minh chænh. All right, let's put on our thinking caps and baèng haønh ñoäng; ngoân haønh nhö nhaát Instead of do some arithmetic. (Ñöôïc roài, baïn neân baét ñaàu suy bragging about your generosity, put your money where nghó nghieâm chænh ñeå laøm toaùn soá hoïc laø vöøa.) It's your mouth is and sign a check for the flood victim. (Thay time to put on our thinking caps, children. (Caùc con, vì noùi khoaùc raèng mình roäng raõi, haõy chöùng minh baèng tôùi giôø cho caùc con suy nghó nghieâm chænh roài ñoù haønh ñoäng baèng caùch kyù cho moät chò phieáu naïn nhaân baõo nghe.) luït ñi.) put s.o./something out to pasture veà vöôøn gaëm coû. put one’s nose to the grind-stone chuùi muõi vaøo maùy (Noùi veà con ngöïa veà giaø ñöôïc cho nghæ khoâng phaûi maøi; caùm ñaàu vaøo laøm vieäc. The boss told me to put my laøm vieäc.) Please don't put me out to pasture. I have nose to the grindstone. (OÂng chuû baûo toâi phaûi caém ñaàu lots of good years left. (Xin ñöøng cho toâi veà höu voäi. vaøo laøm vieäc.) I've had my nose to the grindstone ever Toâi coøn coù theå laøm vieäc theâm nhieàu naêm nöõa.) This since I started working here. (Töø ngaøy toâi baét ñaàu laøm taïi car has reached the end of the line. It's time to put it ñaây, luùc naøo toâi cuõng caém ñaàu vaøo laøm vieäc.) If the out to pasture. (Chieác xe naøy ñaõ ñeán thôøi kyø roài. Phaûi other people in this office would get their noses to the cho noù veà vöôøn thoâi.) Putting s.o. out to pasture is grindstone, more work would get done. (Neáu nhöõng ngöôøi one of the methods used to get rid of officials who khaùc trong vaên phoøng naøy ai cuõng caém ñaàu vaøo laøm vieäc, oppose the government's policy. (Cho veà vöôøn laø moät nhieàu coâng vieäc seõ ñöôïc xong sôùm.) Cuõng duøng” keep trong nhöõng phöông caùch duøng ñeå loaïi boû nhöõng vieân one's nose to the girndstone laøm vieäc ñeâm ngaøy.) The chöùc naøo choáng ñoái chính saùch cuûa chính phuû.) manager told me to keep my nose to the grindstone or be put s.o./something to bed ñeå ai/vaät gì leân giöôøng. 1. fired. (Vieân quaûn lyù baûo toâi phaûi laøm vieäc ñeâm ngaøy (cho ai) ñi nguû Come on, Billy, it's time for me to khoâng thì bò sa thaûi.) put you to bed. (Naøo nhanh leân, Bill, tôùi giôø meï cho put one's oar in vaø put in one's oar töï yù laøm giuùp ai; xen con nguû roài.) I want Grandpa to put me to bed. vaøo goùp yù veà vieäc gì. You don't need to put your oar in. (Con muoán oâng noäi cho con ñi nguû.) 2. keát thuùc moät I don't need your advice. (Khoâng ai muôïn baïn xen vaøo coâng ñoaïn. (Duøng trong coâng vieäc xuaát baûn.) This goùp yù. Toâi khoâng caàn yù kieán cuûa baïn.) I'm sorry. I edition is finished. Let's put it to bed. (Soá naøy xong shouldn't have put in my oar. (Xin loãi. Toâi khoâng neân xen roài. Keát thuùc coâng ñoaïn naøy ñi.) Finish the editing vaøo goùp yù nhö vaäy.) At first he put his oar in, and of this book and put it to bed. (Gaéng laøm cho xong everyone yelled. Now that his advice was so good that my vieäc hieäu ñính quyeån saùch naøy ñeå coøn chuyeån sang boss took it. (Thoaït tieân anh ta töï yù xen vaøo goùp yù vaø moïi coâng ñoaïn khaùc.) ngöôøi la où. Giôø thì yù kieán anh quaù hay khieán oâng chuû toâi put s.o./something to sleep cho ai nguû luoân. 1. thanh laøm theo.) toaùn ngöôøi naøo; cho ai ñi ñôøi. We had to put our put one's shoulder to the wheel gheù vai vaøo gaùnh vaùc dog to sleep. (Chuùng toâi phaûi thanh toaùn con choù cuûa coâng vieäc; baét tay vaøo (coâng) vieäc. You won't chuùng toâi.) The robber said he'd put us to sleep accomplish anything unless you put your shoulder to the forever if we didn't cooperate. (Teân cöôùp noùi neáu wheel. (Baïn khoâng bao giôø hoaøn taát ñöôïc gì heát neáu baïn khoâng ngoan ngoaõn laøm theo y thì y seõ cho chuùng toâi khoâng chòu baét tay vaøo coâng vieäc.) I put my shoulder to ñi ñôøi.) 2. laøm cho ai nguû. (Nhö thuoác nguû hay thuoác the wheel and finished the job quickly. (Toâi baét tay vaøo meâ.) The doctor put the patient to sleep before the vieäc vaø chaám döùt moät caùch nhanh choùng.) When he was operation. (Tröôùc khi giaûi phaåu, baùc syõ cho beänh alive my father always put his shoulder to the wheel. He nhaân nguû.) I put the cat to sleep by stroking its

112 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

tummy. (Toâi xoa buïng con meøo moät hoài noù nguû maát tieâu.) heïn cuûa baïn cho ñeán khi ñöôïc vieát ra baèng vaên töï roõ 3. caùi gì laøm cho ai buoàn nguû. That dull lecture put me raøng. Ghi ra heát ñi roài chuùng ta noùi chuyeän.) Social to sleep. (Buoåi noùi chuyeän ñoù laøm cho toâi buoàn nguû.) contract is s.t. that is not put on paper but fully Her long story almost put me to sleep. (Caâu chuyeän leâ observed by the majority. (Coâng öôùc xaõ hoäi laø moät theâ cuûa baø ta laøm cho toâi buoàn nguû quaù chöøng.) daïng thöùc baát thaønh vaên (khoâng coù vaên töï roõ raøng) put s.o.'s nose out of joint laøm mích loøng ai; xuùc phaïm nhöng ñöôïc ña soá tuaân thuû.) ñeán ai. I'm afraid I put his nose out of joint by not put s.t. on the cuff mua chòu; ghi vaøo soå nôï. I'll inviting him to the picnic. (Toâi sôï ñaõ laøm mích loøng anh take two of those, and please put them on the cuff. ta vì khoâng môøi anh döï buoåi du ngoaïn.) There is not (Toâi seõ mua hai caùi, vaø cho toâi mua chòu.) I'm reason to put your nose out of joint. I meant no harm. sorry, Tom. We can't put anything more more on the (Khoâng coù lyù do gì ñeå goïi laø baïn laøm mích loøng caû. YÙ toâi cuff. (Toâi raát tieác, Tom aï. Chuùng toâi khoâng theå ghi muoán noùi laø khoâng sao heát.) Children should be taught theâm vaøo soå nôï cuûa anh baát cöù moùn gì nöõa ñöôïc.) to behave and not to put their noses out of joint. (Treû con Bob tries to make two ends meet. In case he fails, he neân ñöôïc daïy doã söï leã pheùp vaø khoâng ñöôïc xuùc phaïm puts his groceries on the cuff. (Bob coá tieän taëng cho ñeán ai heát.) vöûa vôùi ñoàng löông kieám ñöôïc. Tröôøng hôïp khoâng put s.o. through the wringer ñì ai; gaây khoù khaên cho ai. tieän noåi, thì anh ghi soå.) They are really putting me through the wringer at put/lay s.t. on the line noùi gaèn töøng chöõ. She was school. (ÔÛ tröôøng toâi bò ñì quaù trôøi.) The boss put Bob very mad. She put it on the line, and we have no doubt through the wringer over this contract. (OÂng seáp vin vaøo about what she meant. (Coâ ta raát giaän döõ. Vaø coâ noùi caùi hôïp ñoàng ñoù maø gaây khoù khaên cho Bob.) Bad boss gaèn töøng chöõ, khieán chuùng toâi hieåu roõ ngay coâ ta usually put his employee through the wringer like that. muoán gì.) All right, you kids! I'm going to lay it on (Maáy oâng seáp naøo toài môùi ñi ñì nhaân vieân nhö vaäy.) the line. Don't ever do that again if you know what's put s.o. to shame laøm cho ai khoù xöû; laøm cho ai xaáu hoå; good for you. (Naøy, caùc chaùu! Chuù noùi roõ töøng chöõ beâu cho ai xaáu maët. Your excellent efforts put us all to moät naøy. Neáu caùc chaùu bieát ngoan ngoaõn vaâng lôøi thì shame. (Nhöõng noå löïc tuyeät vôøi cuûa baïn laøm cho chuùng ñöøng bao giôø taùi phaïm nöõa.) toâi raát khoù xöû.) I put him to shame by telling everyone put s.t. through its paces bieåu dieãn khaû naêng cuûa vaät gì. about his bad behavior. (Toâi laøm cho anh ta xaáu hoå baèng I was down by the barn, watching Sally put her caùch vaïch cho moïi ngöôøi thaáy caùi haønh vi xaáu xa cuûa anh horse through its paces. (Toâi xuoáng döôùi chuoàng suùc ta.) When he put me to shame, he thought that vaät xem Sally cho con ngöïa cuûa coâ ta bieåu dieãn taøi everybody would like him better. He was wrong! (Khi anh ngheä cuûa noù.) This is an excellent can opener. beâu cho toâi xaáu maët, anh töôûng moïi ngöôøi seõ thích anh Watch me put it through its paces. (Ñaây laø caùi môû hoäp hôn. Anh ta laàm to!) tuyeät cuù meøo. Xem toâi bieåu dieãn ñaây naøy.) In the put s.o. to the test thöû taøi ngöôøi naøo; thöû söùc ai. I think circus those people are putting the lions, the I can jump that far, but no one has ever put me to the test. elephants, and the tigers through their paces. (Trong (Toâi nghó toâi coù theå nhaûy xa côõ ñoù ñöôïc, nhöng khoâng ai buoåi xieäc ngöôøi ta bieåu dieãn taøi ngheä cuûa sö töû, voi chòu cho toâi thöû taøi caû.) I'm going to put you to the test vaø coïp.) right now! (Toâi cho baïn thöû taøi ngay baây giôø!) If you put the cart before the horse ñaët caùi caøy tröôùc con want to put me to the test, I am ready. A good anvil does traâu; laøm chuyeän ngöôïc ñôøi. You're eating your not fear the hammer. (Neáu baïn muoán thöû taøi toâi thì toâi dessert! You've put the cart before the horse. (Baây giôø ñaây saün saøng. Thieät vaøng ñaâu sôï löûa.) maø anh aên traùng mieäng! Ñuùng laø ñaët caùi caøy tröôùc put s.t. on ice vaø put s.t. on the back burner ngaâm toâm con traâu.) Slow down and get organized. Don't put vieäc gì (giöõ nguyeân traïng vaø khoâng chòu giaûi quyeát); giöõ the cart before the horse! (Haõy töø töø vaø ngaên naép. nguyeân traïng. I'm afraid that we'll have to put your Ñöøng coù laøm chuyeän ngöôïc ñôøi nhö vaäy.) Haûo has project on ice for a while. (Toâi e raèng chuùng ta seõ phaûi the cart before the horse in most of his projects. (Haàu ngaâm toâm döï aùn cuûa baïn theâm moät thôøi gian nöõa.) Just nhö nhöõng döï aùn naøo cuûa Haûo cuõng ñeàu laø nhöõng put your idea on ice and keep it there till we get some vieäc ngöôïc ñôøi.) money. (Baïn cöù giöõ nguyeân caùi yù kieán ñoù cho ñeán khi naøo put two and two together döïa theo nhöõng döõ kieän chuùng toâi chaïy ra tieàn caùi ñaõ.) coù saün. Well, I put two and two together and came put s.t. on paper vieát ra treân giaáy; phaûi coù vaên töï roõ up with an idea of who did it. (ÖØ thì, toâi döïa theo raøng. You have great idea for a novel. Now put it on nhöõng döõ kieän coù saün ñaây ñeå suy ra vaø bieát ai ñaõ laøm paper. (Baïn coù yù cho moät tröôøng thieân tieåu thuyeát. Baây vieäc aáy.) Don't worry. John won't figure it out. He giôø vieát ra treân giaáy ñi.) I'm sorry, I can't discuss your can't put two and two together. (Ñöøng coù lo. John offer until I see s.t. in writing. Put it on paper, and then khoâng tìm ra noåi ñaâu. Anh ta khoâng bieát döïa vaøo we'll talk. (Toâi raát tieác, toâi khoâng theå baøn ñeán nhöõng höùa nhöõng döõ kieän coù saün ñeå tính toaùn.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 113

put up a (brave) front laøm boä tónh; laøm gan. Mary is ñöôïc.) The lawyer was scolded for putting words frightened, but she's putting up a brave front. (Mary raát into the witness' mouth. (OÂng luaät sö bò cöï vì ñaõ töï yù sôï, nhöng coâ ta laøm boä tónh.) If she weren't putting up a noùi thay cho ngöôøi laøm chöùng.) That old lady has a front. I'd be more frightened than I am. (Neáu coâ ta khoâng bad habit of putting words into our mouths. (Baø laõo laøm gan, toâi coøn sôï khieáp ñaûm hôn nöõa.) From the ñoù coù taät xaáu töï yù noùi thay lôøi chuùng toâi.) beginning, the two children pretended to put up a brave Put your money where your mouth is! Ñöøng coù xaïo by talking aloud. Then, all a sudden, a huge figure nöõa maø phaûi laøm thöû xem! I'm tired of your appeared and scrared them to death. (Thoaït tieân hai ñöùa bragging about your skill at betting. Put you money beù giaû boä laøm gan baèng caùch noùi chuyeän thaät to. Roài where your mouth is! (Toâi chaùn nghe caùi troø khoe boãng moät hình thuø to lôùn xuaát hieän laøm cho chuùng sôï thaát khoang taøi ñaùnh caù cuûa baïn laém roài. Ñöøng xaïo nöõa saéc.) maø laøm thöû coi!) You talk about betting, but you put words into s.o.'s mouth töï yù noùi thay ngöôøi khaùc. don't bet. Put your money where your mouth is! (Baïn Stop putting words into my mouth. I can speak for noùi veà chuyeän ñaùnh caù, nhöng khoâng bao giôø thaáy myself. (Ñöøng coù töï yù noùi thay lôøi toâi. Toâi bieát töï noùi baïn ñaùnh caù caû. Ñöøng noùi xaïo nöõa maø laøm thöû xem!)

114 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

anyone else. He's really quick on the trigger. (John coù caâu traû lôøi nhanh hôn ai heát. Anh ta thaät coù phaûn öùng quaù nhanh.) Sally will probably win the quiz game. She's really quick on the draw. (Sally coù leõ seõ thaéng Qq trong kyø ñoá vui ñeå hoïc. Coâ ta coù phaûn öùng nhanh laém.) quick on trigger/draw nhanh tay suùng. 1. coù taøi ruùt suùng quick on the uptate hieåu nhanh; saùng trí. Just vaø baén nhanh. Some of the old cowboys were known to because I'm not not quick on the uptake, it doesn't be quick on the trigger. (Moät soá cao boài giaø noåi tieáng laø mean I'm stupid. (Ñöøng chæ vì toâi khoâng hieåu nhanh nhanh tay suùng.) Wyatt Erap was particularly quick on maø goïi toâi laø ngöôøi ngu nheù.) Mary understands the draw. (Wyatt Erap coù bieät taøi ruùt suùng vaø baén nhanh.) jokes before anyone else because she's so quick on the 2. phaûn öùng nhanh. John gets the right answer before uptake. (Mary hieåu yù nhöõng caâu chuyeän teáu nhanh hôn ai heát vì coâ ta saùng trí.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 115

moät luùc, roài traû lôøi: “Tình yeâu nhö gioït söông mai. Töø ñaøng xa noù gioáng nhö haït kim cöông. Ñeán gaàn hôn noù chæ laø gioït nöôùc. Nhöng neáu baïn coù ñöôïc trong taàm tay thì noù trôû thaønh gioït nöôùc maét.) Rr rake/haul s.o. over the coals maéng nhieác ai moät traän neân thaân. My motheer hauled me over the coals for rack one's brain(s) suy nghó ñeán naùt oùc. I racked my coming in late last night. (Toái hoâm qua toâi ñi veà treå brains all afternoon, but couldn't remember where I put neân bò meï toâi maéng cho moät traän neân thaân.) The the book. (Suoát caû buoåi chieàu toâi suy nghóa ñeán naùt oùc, manager raked me over the coals for being late again. nhöng khoâng nhôù ra ñaõ ñeå queân quyeån saùch ôû ñaâu.) (Vieân quaûn lyù cho toâi moät traän neân thaân vì ñeán treã.) Don't waste any more time racking your brain. Go read between the line suy ra yù ai noùi gì; hieåu ñöôïc yù borrow the book from the library. (Ñöøng coù maát thì giôø ai After listening to what she said, you can see what suy nghó naùt oùc laøm gì. Ra thö vieän maø möôïn quyeån khaùc she meant if you are able to read between the line. ñi.) Avarice led the man to rack his brain every waking (Sau khi nghe baø ta noùi baïn seõ hieåu baø ta nguï yù gì minute; he had much more money than he could ever use neáu baïn hieåu ñöôïc yù baø aáy.) Read between the lines in his lifetime, but still he was far from satisfied. (YÙ muoán especially when people used double-speak. (Haõy coá laøm giaøu nhanh khieán cho oâng ñoù suy nghó naùt oùc töøng hieåu yù ngöôøi ta nhaát laø khi hoï duøng loái phaûn ngöõ.) giaây töøng phuùt; oâng ta ñaõ kieám ñöôïc nhieàu tieàn hôn tröôùc read s.o. like a book ñi guoác trong buïng ai I’ve got nhöng oâng vaãn chöa thoûa maõn.) Taâm figured out. I can read him like a book. (Toâi bieát rain cats and dogs möa nhö caàm chónh ñoå It’s raining Taâm roài. Toâi ñi guoác trong buïng anh ta maø.) I read cats and dogs. Look at it pour! I am not going in out in Phong like a book. When I saw him coming with a that storm. It’s raining cats and dogs. (Trôøi möa baõo nhö smile, I knew right away he was going to ask me for vaäy toâi khoâng ñi ra ngoaøi ñaâu. Möa nhö caàm chónh ñoå kia some money. (Toâi ñi guoác trong buïng Phong maø. Khi kìa.) thaáy y vöøa ñeán vöøa cöôøi cöôøi toâi bieát ngay y saép hoûi rain or shine baát keå möa hay naéng Don’t worry. I’ll be möôïn tieàn.) there rain or shine. (Ñöøng coù lo. Toâi seõ ñeán ñoù baát keå read s.o. the riot act maéng nhieác ai thaäm teä The möa hay naéng.) Old Dung has been teaching at this teacher read the students the riot act for their failure school for over ten years. He has not been absent a single to turn in their assignements. (Thaày giaùo maéng cho day, and – rain or shine – he has been always on time! hoïc sinh moät traän vì toâi khoâng chòu naïp baøi.) Poor (Giaø Duõng daïy ôû tröôøng naøy ñöôïc hôn möôøi naêm. OÂng ta old Ñöùc! He is a hen-pecked husband, standing his chöa heà vaéng moät buoåi vaø baát keå möa hay naéng, oâng wife’s reading him the riot act. (Toäi nghieäp oâng giaø chöa heà ñeán treã!) Ñöùc. OÂng ta sôï vôï neân ñöùng cho baø ta sæ vaû moät traän.) raise one’s sightsñaët muïc tieâu cao quaù söùc When you’re ride roughshod over s.o./s.t. xem thöôøng ai hay vieäc young, you tend to raise your sights too high. (Khi baïn gì You shouldn’t have come into our town to ride coøn treû baïn thöôøng ñaët ra caùc muïc tieâu cao quaù söùc roughshod over laws and our traditions. (Leõ ra caùc mình.) On the other hand, some people need to raise ngöôøi khoâng neân ñeán thò traán chuùng toâi deå roài cheâ bai their sights. (Maët khaùc, vaøi ngöôøi caàn phaûi ñaët ra caùc luaät leä vaø truyeàn thoáng cuûa chuùng toâi.) It’s not right muïc tieâu cao hôn söùc cuûa hoï.) I usually raise my sights to ride roughshod over the people and their customs and then set them very hard. (Toâi thöôøng ñaët ra muïc tieâu when you come to a new place. (Khi baïn ñeán moät choã cao quaù söùc toâi ñeå roài coá gaéng ñaït cho baèng ñöôïc.) xa laï, ñieàu khoâng neân laøm laø coi thöôøng con ngöôøi vaø raise some eyebrows nhíu maøy; thoaùng ngaïc nhieân hay phong tuïc cuûa hoï.) söûng soát (Coù theå thay theá some baèng few, s.o., a lot, vv. ride the gravy train coù cuoäc soáng xa hoa I What you just said may raise some eyebrows, but wouldn’t like loafing. I don’t want to ride the gravy shouldn’t make anyone really angry. (Nhöõng gì baïn vöøa train. (Toâi khoâng thích kieåu nhaøn taûn. Toli khoâng noùi coù theå laøm cho ngöôøi nghe nhíu maøy nhöng khoâng muoán soáng xa hoa.) That eighty-year-old man laøm ai giaän ñaâu.) John's sudden marriage to Ann raised attributes to his good health to the fact that he as a few eyebrows. (Vieäc John ñoät ngoät laøm ñaùm cöôùi vôùi always been abstemious, not riding the gravy train. Ann gaây cho nhieàu ngöoi hôi söûng soát.) Tuaán, when (OÂng laõo taùm möôi ñoù coù söùc khoeû toát nhö vaäy laø nhôø asked what love is, rose his eyebrows, thought for a oâng luoân luoân soáng ñieàu ñoä vaø khoâng phaûi nhôø coù while, then answered: “Love is just like a drop of morning cuoäc soáng xa hoa.) dew that looks like a piece of diamond for beyond. It is riding for a fall laøm vieäc hoaëc soáng baïc maïng Bình only a drop of water when one gets close enough to it, needs to eat better and get more sleep. He is riding and when you have had it in hand, it is a drop of tear! for a fall. (Bình caàn aên nhieàu hôn vaø nguû theâm chuùt (Khi ñöôïc hoûi tình yeâu laø gì, Tuaán nhíu ñoâi maøy, suy nghó nöõa. Anh ta laøm vieäc baát keå giôø giaác vaäy khoâng

116 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

ñöôïc.) Many people are riding for a fall because they here. Don't rock the boat! (Nhìn naøy, Tom, moïi thöù ôû feel their lives are too short. (Nhieàu ngöôøi soáng baïc maïng ñaây ñeàu eâm ñeïp. Ñöøng coù gaây roái loaïn!) You can vì hoï caûm thaáy cuoäc ñôøi hoï quaù ngaén nguûi.) depend on Tom to mess things up by rocking the boat. right off the bat laàn ñaàu tieân; ngay töùc thì When I was (Baïn cöù tin laø Tom seõ phaù roái laøm caùc thöù ôû ñaây loän learning to ride a bicycle, I fell on my head right off the xoän leân cho xem.) bat. (Khi toâi taäp ñi xe ñaïp, vieäc ñaàu tieân laø teù ñuïng ñaàu Rome wasn't built in a day. Thaønh La-maõ khoâng theå xuoáng ñaát.) The new manager demanded new office moät ngaøy maø xaây xong. (Phaûi coù thôøi gian khoâng theå furniture right off the bat. (Vieân quaûn lyù môùi ñoøi thay ngaøy moät ngaøy hai maø xong.) Don't expect a lot to nhöõng ñoà ñaïc trong vaên phoøng ngay töùc thì.) happen right away. Rome wasn't built in a day, you ring in the new year ñoùn giao thöøa. know. (Ñöøng troâng mong nhieàu chuyeän xaûy ra moät We are planning a big party to ring in the new year. luùc. Baïn bieát ñoù, thaønh La-maõ khoâng theå moät ngaøy (Chuùng toâi ñang chuaån bò moät böõa tieäc lôùn ñeå ñoùn giao maø xaây xong.) Don't be anxious about how fast you thöøa.) How did you ring in the new year? (Baïn ñoùn are growing. Rome wasn't built in a day. (Ñöøng noân giao thöøa coù vui khoâng?) New Year Eve is a solemn noùng maø mong cho mau lôùn. Phaûi coù thôøi gian khoâng night so we always have a very careful preparation to theå moät ngaøy moät hai maø ñöôïc.) My father teaches ring the new year. (Ñeâm tröø tòch laø moät ñeâm trang troïng me that if I would like to do anything worthwhile, I neân chuùng toâi chuaån bò raát caån thaän ñeå ñoùn giao thöøa.) have to take a lot of time. “Rome wasn't built in a risk one's neck (to do some-thing) lieàu maïng ñeå laøm day.” he usually says to me. (Cha toâi daïy toâi raèng neáu vieäc gì. Look at that traffic! I refuse to risk my neck just toâi muoán laøm moät vieäc gì coù giaù trò, toâi phaûi daønh to cross the street to buy a paper. (Troâng xe coä chaïy nhieàu thôøi gian. OÂng thöôøng noùi: “Khoâng coù gì ngaøy nöôøm nöôïp kìa! Toâi khoâng daùm lieàu maïng baêng qua moät ngaøy hai maø xong ñöôïc.") ñöôøng ñeå mua moät tôø baùo ñaâu.) I refuse to rish my neck rub elbows/shoulder with some-one saùt caùnh cuøng ai at all. (Toâi khoâng daùm lieàu maïng ñeå laøm vieäc gì heát.) laøm vieäc gì. I don't care to rub elbows with s.o. who rob Peter to pay Paul giaät gaáu vaù vai; laáy nôï sau traû nôï acts like that! (Toâi khoâng caàn saùt caùnh laøm vieäc vôùi tröôùc. Why borrow money to pay your bills? That's just ngöôøi naøo coù haønh ñoäng nhö vaäy!) I rub shoulders robboing Peter to pay Paul. (Taïi sao ñi möôïn tieàn ñeå with John at work. We are good friends. (Taïi sôû toâi thanh toaùn caùc hoái phieáu ñoù? Nhö vaäy coù khaùc gì laø giaät saùt caùnh cuøng John laøm vieäc. Chuùng toâi laø ñoâi baïn gaáu vaù vai ñaâu.) There's no point in robbing Peter to thaân thieát.) When you are in battlefield, you will pay Paul. You still will be in debt. (Khoâng lyù do gì maø laáy find that it is important to rub shoulders with your nôï sau traû nôï tröôùc caû. Nôï vaãn hoaøn nôï fellow fighters. (Khi ra traän, ban môùi thaáy taàm quan rob the cradle cöôùp noâi con nít (Nguõ thaäp nieân tieàn nhò troïng cuûa söï saùt caùnh beân nhau giöõa caùc chieán höõu.) thaäp tam; nhaéc laïi tích khi Nguyeãn Traõi 73 tuoåi gaëp Thò rub s.o.'s fur the wrong way vaø rub s.o. the wrong Loä tuoåi môùi “traêng troøn leû” töùc 17 ñeå ví caûnh choàng baèng way xoa ngöôïc loâng; laøm cho ai giaän. (Laáy hình aûnh tuoåi oâng, vôï baèng tuoåi chaùu.); traâu giaø moïc söøng non; vuoát ngöôïc loâng con meøo laøm cho noù ñau neân caøo choàng tuoåi oâng, vôï tuoåi chaùu. I hear that old Bill is caáu boû chaïy.) I'm sorry I rubbed your fur the wrong dating Ann. Isn't that sort of robbing the craddle? She's way. I didn't mean to upset you. (Toâi raát tieác ñaõ laøm much younger than he is. (Toâi nghe noùi Bill ñang caëp boà cho baïn giaän. Toâi khoâng coù yù ñoù ñaâu.) Don't rub vôùi Ann. Coâ ta treû hôn anh aáy nhieàu laém. Nhö vaäy coù her the wrong way! (Ñöøng laøm cho baø ta giaän chôù!) phaûi nhö vaäy laø goïi laø cöôùp noâi con nít khoâng?) Uncle rule the roost caàm caân naåy möïc (ngöôøi coù quyeàn Bill—who is nearly eighty—just married a thirty-year- quyeát ñònh; ngöôøi chuû hay ngöôøi caàm ñaàu.) Who old woman. That is really robbing the craddle. (Chuù rules the roost at your house? (Trong nhaø baïn ai laø Bill—ñaõ gaàn taùm möôi—maø cöôùi moät ngöôøi ñaøn baø chæ ngöôøi caàm caân naåy möïc?) Our new office manager ba möôi tuoåi. Ñuùng laø traâu giaø moïc söøng non.) When really rules the roost. (Vieân quaûn ñoác môùi laø ngöôøi flirted, the seventeen-year-old girl asked the “old man” caàm caân naåy möïc.) A family, or any organization, how old he was. The latter answered: “Fifty years ago I is good or bad depending mostly on the person who was twenty three!” Everyone thought it was really rules the roost. (Moät gia ñình, hay baát cöù moät toå chöùc robbing the craddle, but they had a very happy life naøo, neân hay hö tuyø thuoäc phaàn lôùn vaøo ngöôøi caàm afterwards. (Khi bò oâng giaø taùn tænh, coâ gaùi möôøi baïy tuoåi caân naåy möïc.) hoûi oâng ta nieân kyû bao nhieâu. OÂng traû lôøi raèng: “Naêm run a fever vaø run a temperature ñang leân côn soát. muôi naêm tröôùc anh hai möôi ba!” Ai cuõng nghó nhö vaäy I ran a fever when I had the flu. Khi toâi bò cuùm toâi laø oâng tuoåi oâng vôï tuoåi chaùu nhöng hoï soáng vôùi nhau raát thöôøng bò soát.) The baby is running a temperature haïnh phuùc. and is grouchy. (Ñöùa beù ñang leân côn soát neân caúng rock the boat laéc thuyeàn (gaây roái loaïn); phaù roái söï bình raúng luoân.) an cuûa ngöôøi khaùc. Look, Tom, everything is going fine run around like a chicken with its head cut off vaø

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run (around) in circles chaïy quanh nhö ñieân nhö khuøng. (Ngöôøi cha vaø ngöôøi meï laø nhöõng taám göông cho con I spend all afternoon running around like a chicken caùi noi theo. Ñoù laø neà neáp cuûa gia ñình.) with its head cut off. (Toâi maát caû buoåi chieàu chaïy quanh run into a stone wall gaëp trôû löïc khieán cho phaûi nhö ñieân nhö khuøng.) If you run around in circles, ngöng treä. We've run into stone wall in our you'll never get anything done. (Neáu baïn cöù chaïy quanh investigation. (Chuùng toâi ñaõ gaëp trôû löïc khieán cho nhö ñieân nhö khuøng vaäy thì khoâng laøm ñöôïc vieäc gì caû.) cuoäc ñieàu tra khoâng tieán haønh ñöôïc.) Algebra was Get organized and stop running in circles. (Thu xeáp hard for Tom, but he really ran into a stone wall with caùc thöù cho ngaên naép vaø ñöøng chaïy quanh nhö ñieân nhö geometry. (Toaùn ñaïi soá quaù khoù ñoái vôùi Tom, nhöng khuøng nöõa.) trôû ngaïi lôùn nhaát ñoái vôùi anh laïi laø hình hoïc.) The run a tight/taut ship ñieàu haønh coâng vieäc moät caùch negotiation ran into stone wall when the opposite side nghieâm minh; thuyeàn tröôûng taøi ba. The new office gave too many unacceptable conditions. (Cuoäc thöông manager really runs a tight ship. (Vieân quaûn lyù môùi naøy thaûo gaëp trôû löïc vì phe beân kia ñöa ra quaù nhieàu ñieàu ñieàu haønh coâng vieäc moät caùch raát nghieâm minh.) kieän khoâng theå chaáp nhaän ñöôïc.) Captain Jones is known for running a taut ship. run s.o. ragged laøm cho ai phaûi baän roän; laøm vieäc (Thuyeàn tröôûng Jones noåi tieáng laø moät ngöôøi taøi ba.) luoân tay. This busy season is running us all ragged run for one's life chaïy keûo cheát. The dam has burst! at the store. (Muøa naøy laø muøa khieán cho moïi ngöôøi Run for life! (Caùi ñeâ ñaõ vôõ roài! Chaïy keûo cheát!) The trong tieäm phaûi baän roän.) What a busy day. I really captain told us all to run for our lives. (Vò ñoaøn tröôûng ran myself ragged. (Thaät laø moät ngaøy baän roän. Toâi baûo chuùng toâi chaïy keûo cheát.) It was a terrible laøm luoân tay khoâng nghæ ñöôïc.) When the business withdrawal. It was just a chaos; every soldier ran for his runs the clerks in a sore, the happiest person is the life and the enemy had best chance to massacre. (Thaät laø manager. (Khi coâng vieäc baét nhöõng nhaân vieân trong moät cuoäc ruùt lui khuûng khieáp. Moät caûnh töôïng hoån ñoän; moät cöûa tieäm phaûi baän roän suoát ngaøy, ngöôøi sung lính thì maïnh ai naáy chaïy vaø keû thuø thì thaúng tay taøn saùt.) söôùng nhaát laø vieân quaûn ñoác.) run in the family gioáng tính ai (trong gia ñình); neà neáp run/go to seed boû beâ khoâng chaêm soùc; vaát böøa baõi. gia ñình. My grandparents lived well into their nineties, Look at that lawn. The whole thing has run to seed. and it runs in the family. (OÂng baø toâi soáng thoï treân chín (Troâng caùi thaûm coû kìa. Bò boû beâ thaät thaûm thöông.) möôi tuoåi, khieán cho ai naày trong gia ñình ñeàu gioáng tính Pick things up around here. This place is going to cuûa hai ngöôøi aáy.) My brothers and I have red hair. It seed. What a mess! (Nhaët heát caùc thöù naøy leân. Choã runs in the family. (Anh em toâi vaø toâi ñeàu coù toùc hung ñoû. naøy sao maø vaát ñoà böøa baõi quaù. Thaät laø loän xoän!) Maáy ngöôøi khaùc cuõng vaäy.) A father and a mother are The children ran to seed and their mother had to do examples for the children to follow. It runs in the family. the cleaning up. (Con xaû thì meï phaûi doïn.)

118 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

scratched the surface. And I think it is just that; they are not going into the gist of the problem.  (Hoï chæ môùi löôùt qua maët ngoaøi thoâi. Vaø toâi nghó chæ coù vaäy thoâi; hoï seõ khoâng ñi saâu vaøo caùi loõi cuûa vaán ñeà ñaâu.) Ss screw up one's courage laáy (thu) heát can ñaûm. I safe and sound vui khoeû. It was a rough trip, but we got guess I have to screw up my courage and go to the there safe and sound. (Chuyeán ñi coù hôi vaát vaû, nhöng taát dentist. (Toâi nghó laø toâi phaûi thu heát can ñaûm môùi caû chuùng toâi ñeán ñoù ai naáy ñeàu vui khoeû.) I'm glad to daùm tôùi choã nha syõ ñöôïc.) I spent all morning see you here safe and sound. (Toâi raát möøng ñöôïc thaáy caùc screwing up my courage to take my driver's test. (Suoát baïn ñeán ñaây ñeàu vui khoeû.) I wish I could have a safe caû buoåi saùng toâi phaûi thu heát can ñaûm deã laøm baøi thi and sound life till the last hour. (Toâi öôùc ñöôïc soáng moät laáy baèng laùi xe.) I had to screw up my courage to ñôøi vui khoeû cho ñeán giôø phuùt cuoái cuøng.) call aloud her name. Hearing my call, she stopped save s.t. for a rainy day phoøng khi traùi gioù trôû trôøi. I've waiting, but I turned around and ran home in one saved a little money for a rainy day. (Toâi coù daønh duïm breath. (Toâi phaûi coá söùc bình sinh laáy heát can ñaûm ñeå ñöôïc moät ít ñeå phoøng khi traùi gioù trôû trôøi.) It is always goïi teân coâ naøng moät tieáng. Nghe vaäy coâ ta ngöøng laïi wise to save some extra bucks for a rainy day. (Ñieàu saùng chôø nhöng toâi laïi quay löng ñi vaø boû chaïy moät maïch suoát laø neân ñeå daønh vaøi tröï phoøng khi traùi gioù trôû trôøi.) veà thaáu nhaø.) The cicadar did not save anything for a rainy day, so, second nature to s.o. caùi gì (ñoái vôùi ai) deã nhö khoâng. when he came to the ant's house and asked for s.t. to eat. Swimming is second nature to Jane. (Bôi loäi ñoái vôùi The ant kicked him out, scolding: “Why don't you keep Jane thì deã nhö khoâng.) Driving is not problem for singinng to fill your stomach? (Con ve khoâng chòu ñeå Bob. It's second nature to him. (Laùi xe khoâng thaønh daønh khi traùi gioù trôû trôøi, neân luùc anh ta ñeán nhaø kieán xin vaán ñeà vôùi Bob. Vieäc ñoù ñoái vôùi anh ta nhö khoâng.) chuùt gì ñeå aên. Con kieán beøn ñuoåi anh ra vaø maéng raèng: Something is second nature to s.o., but is the “Taïi maøy khoâng haùt tieáp cho no?") problem to other. (Coù vieäc thì ñoái vôùi ngöôøi naøy thì save the day chuyeån baïi thaønh thaéng; thay ñoåi ñöôïc tình deã nhö khoâng, nhöng laø ñieàu khoù khaên cho ngöôøi theá. The team was expected to lose, but Sally made khaùc.) many points and saved the day. (Caû ñoäi ñeàu nghó raèng seõ see eye (about s.t.) vaø see eye to eye on s.t. coù caùch bò thua, nhöng nhôø Sally ghi ñöôïc nhieàu ñieåm neân ñaõ nhìn gioáng nhau; coù caùch nhìn gioáng ngöôøi khaùc. chuyeån baïi thaønh thaéng.) Your excellent speech saved John and Ann see eye about the new law. Neither of the day. (Baøi noùi chuyeän xuaát saéc cuûa baïn ñaõ laøm thay them likes it. (John vaø Ann coù caùch nhìn gioáng nhau ñoåi ñöôïc tình theá.) Propaganda, as well as veà ñieàu luaät môùi ban haønh. Hai ngöôøi ñeàu khoâng advertizement, can save the day.# (Tuyeân truyeàn, cuõng thích.) That's interesting because they rarely see nhö quaûng caùo, coù khaû naêng laøm thay ñoåi ñöôïc tình theá.) eye to eye. (Nhö vaäy thì thaät thuù vò vì hoï ít khi coù caùch scrape the bottom of the barrel moùt maùy löôïm laïi trong nhìn gioáng nhau laém.) Had the people of the two ñoáng pheá thaûi. You've bought a bad-looking car. You sides see eye to eye about the problem, it would have really scraped the bottom of the barrel to get that one. been solved very long ago.# (Giaù nhö ngöôøi cuûa hai (Baïn ñaõ mua chieác xe xaáu xí ñoù. Haún baïn ñaõ moùt maùy phía coù cuøng caùch nhìn veà vaán ñeà aáy thì moïi chuyeän maø löôïm laïi trong ñoáng pheá thaûi môùi ñöôïc chieác ñoù chöù ñaõ ñöôïc giaûi quyeát laâu roài.) gì.) The worker you sent over was the worst I've seen. see the (hand) writing on the wall xem ñieàm bieát Send me another—and don't scrape the bottom of the vieäc töông lai; ñoaùn bieát vieäc saép xaûy ra. If you barrel. (Ngöôøi maø baïn phaùi tôùi cho toâi teä chöa töøng don't improve your performance, they'll fire you. thaáy—Phaùi cho toâi moät ngöôøi khaùc ñi. Ñöøng coù löôïm laïi Can't see the writing on the wall? (Neáu baïn khoâng caûi moùt maùy trong ñoáng pheá thaûi maø göûi tôùi cho toâi nöõa.) tieán loái laøm vieäc cuûa baïn, hoï seõ sa thaûi anh cho xem. scratch the surface gaõi ngöùa ngoaøi da; môùi löôùt qua maët Boä khoâng ñoaùn ñöôïc vieäc ñoù sao?) I know I'll fired. ngoaøi. The investigation of the governor's staff revealed I can see the handwriting on the wall. (Toâi bieát toâi seõ some suspicious dealing. It is thought that the bò sa thaûi. Toâi coù theå xem ñieàm bieát vieäc töông lai investigators have just scratched the surface. (Cuoäc ñieàu maø.) tra cuûa ban tham möu oâng thoáng ñoác cho thaáy coù ñieàu môø see the light (at the end of the tunnel) thaáy aùnh aùm. Ñieàu naøy khieán ngöôøi ta nghó raèng nhöõng nhaân vieân saùng cuoái ñöôøng haàm; coøn chuùt hy voïng töông lai. I ñieàu tra chæ môùi gaõi ngöùa ngoaøi da thoâi.) We don't know had been horribly ill for two months before I began to how bad the problem is. We've only scratched the surface. see the light at the end of the tunnel. (Toâi bò beänh lieät (Chuùng toâi chöa bieát vaán ñeà teä haïi ñeán möùc naøo. Vì giöôøng lieät chieáu trong suoát hai thaùng roøng sau ñoù thì chuùng toâi chæ môùi löôùt qua maët ngoaøi.) They have just thaáy coù chuùt hy voïng ñoù chôù.) I began to see the light one day in early spring. At that moment, I knew

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I'd get well. (Toâi baét ñaàu thaáy coù aùnh saùng cuoái ñöôøng neân tìm caùch ñaåy ñi.) I couldn't stand him anymore, haàm vaøo ñaàu xuaân. Luùc aáy, toâi bieát mình ñaõ khoeû laïi.) so I sent him packing. (Toâi khoâng chòu noåi anh ta nöõa, My life in this rat hole is so terrible that I never can see neân toâi phaûi toáng khöù anh ta.) The maid proved to the light at the end of the tunnel. (Cuoäc soáng trong caùi loã be so incompetent that I had to send her packing. (Coâ chuoät naøy cuûa toâi quaù khieáp ñaûm ñeán ñoä toâi khoâng theå giuùp vieäc laøm teä quaù neân buoäc loøng phaûi toáng khöù coâ naøo nhìn thaáy aùnh saùng cuoái ñöôøng haàm caû.) ta ñi.) Once you have power in hand, you may see the light (of day) thaáy trôøi traêng; bôùt baän roän; ñöôïc become hard to please. Anyway, you should take thong thaû. Finally, when the holiday season was over, careful consideration before sending s.o. packing. we could see the light of day. We had been so busy! (Sau (Moät khi baïn coù quyeàn trong tay, baïn coù theå trôû neân cuøng, khi muøa nghæ heø chaám döùt, chuùng toâi môùi bôùt baän khoù taùnh. Duø sao thì, khi muoán toáng khöù ai, baïn neân roän.) When business lets up for a while, we'll be able to xem xeùt caån thaän.) see the light. (Khi coâng vieäc laøm aên lôi ñi moät luùc, chuùng send s.o. to the showers cho ai ra khoûi saân; ñuoåi ra toâi môùi thong thaû ñöôïc.) They never let us see the light khoûi saân coû. (Hình thöùc phaït kyû luaät caàu thuû hay ñaáu for fear that we would commit “wrong doings”. (Hoï thuû naøo vi phaïm ñieàu leä hoaëc suùt keùm khaû naêng thi khoâng bao giôø cho chuùng toâi ñöôïc thong thaû vì sôï raèng ñaáu.) John played so badly that the coach sent him chuùng toâi seõ laøm “nhieàu ñieàu sai traùi”.) to the showers after the third quarter. (John chôi dôû sell like hotcakes baùn ñaéc nhö toâm töôi. The delicious quaù neân huaán luyeän vieân ñaõ cho anh ra khoûi saân sau candy sold like hotcakes. (Loaïi keïo ngon naøy baùn ñaéc hieäp ba.) After the fistfight, the coaches sent both nhö toâm töôi.) The fancy new cars were selling like players to the showers. (Sau khi thöôïng caúng tay haï hotcakes. (Loaïi xe môùi kieåu coï ñoù baùn ñaéc nhö toâm töôi.) caúng chaân, hai ñaáu thuû bò huaán luyeän vieân cuûa hai ñoäi If you products are sold like hotcake, you will be rich cho ra khoûi saân.) overnight. (Neáu saûn phaåm cuûa baïn maø baùn ñaéc nhö toâm separate the men from the boys phaân bieät keû hay töôi thì chaúng maáy choác baïn giaøu to.) ngöôøi dôû. This is the kind of task that separaties the sell s.o. a bill of goods baùn baùnh veõ: (noùi) gaït cho ngöôøi ta men from the boys. (Ñaây thuoäc loaïi coâng vieäc nhaèm tin; phænh gaït ai. Don't pay any attention to what John phaân bieät keû hay ngöôøi dôû.) This project requires a says. He's just trying to sell you a bill of goods. (Ñöøng coù lot of thinking. It'll separate the men from the boys. ñeå yù ñeán gì John noùi. Anh ta tìm caùch gaït cho baïn tin.) (Döï aùn naøy ñoøi hoûi nhieàu kieán thöùc vaø suy luaän. Do I'm not selling you a bill of goods. What I say is true. ñoù phaûi caàn phaân bieät keû hay ngöôøi dôû (ñeå maø giao.) (Toâi khoâng löøa phænh anh caùi gì heát. Nhöõng gì toâi noùi laø How can it separate the men from the boys when söï thaät.) True! What is true? I know you are selling me the boys are boss? (Laøm sao phaân bieät keû hay ngöôøi a bill of goods! (Thaät! Thaät caùi gì? Toâi bieát anh ñang dôû ñöôïc khi ngöôøi dôû laø oâng chuû?) phænh gaït toâi maø!) separate the sheep from the goats chia laøm hai sell s.o./something short ñaùnh giaù thaáp ngöôøi naøo hay nhoùm/toaùn. Working in a place like this really vieäc gì. This is a very good restaurant. Don't sell it separates the sheep from the goats. (Laøm vieäc trong short. (Ñaây laø moät nhaø haøng noåi tieáng. Ñöøng coù ñaùnh giaù moät nôi nhö theá naøy ñaõ voâ tình chia soá ngöôøi ra laøm thaáp noù.) When you say that John isn't interested in hai nhoùm.) We can't go on with the game until we music, you're selling him short. Did you know he plays separate the sheep from the goats. Let's see which the violin quite well? (Khi baïn noùi John khoâng thích aâm group can reach the target quicker. (Neáu khoâng chia nhaïc, anh ñaõ ñaùnh giaù thaáp anh ta quaù. Baïn coù bieát anh ta ra laøm hai toaùn thì laøm sao chôi troø chôi naøy ñöôïc. chôi vó caàm cöø laém khoâng?) Because I believe that Haõy thi xem nhoùm naøo ñeán ñích nhanh hôn.) In this everyone is my teacher, I never sell anyone short. (Vì toâi case we should separate the sheep from the goats, and tin raèng moïi ngöôøi laø thaày toâi, neân khoâng bao giôø toâi then go around. We'll meet at the other end within two ñaùnh giaù thaáp ai caû.) hours, okay? (Trong tröôøng hôïp naøy chuùng ta neân send one about one's business ñaåy ai ñi choã khaùc; baûo ai chia laøm hai toaùn, vaø ñi voøng. Chuùng ta seõ gaëp nhau ñi nôi khaùc. (Thöôøng vì böïc mình hay khoâng öa.) Is phía beân kia trong voøng hai tieáng ñoàng hoà, ñöôïc that annoying man on the telephone again? Please send chöù?) him about his business. (Coù phaûi caùi tay khoù chòu ñoù ñeán serve as a guinea pig chòu laøm vaät thí nghieäm. Try goïi ñieän thoaïi nöõa khoâng? Nhôø noùi anh ta ñi choã khaùc lo it on s.o. else! I don't want to serve as a guinea pig! coâng vieäc anh ta ñi.) Ann, I can't clean up the house (Yeâu caàu ngöôøi khaùc ñi! Toâi khoâng muoán bò ñem ra with you running around. I'm going to have to send you laøm vaät thí nghieäm ñaâu!) Jane agreed to serve as a about your business. (Ann aø, toâi khoâng theå naøo doïn deïp guinea pig. She'll be the one to try out the new nhaø cöûa trong khi coâ cöù chaïy tôùi chaïy lui nhö vaäy ñöôïc. vaccine of AIDS. (Jane chòu laøm vaät thí nghieäm. Coâ ta Toâi thaáy coâ neân ñi choã khaùc ñi.) seõ laø ngöôøi ñöùng ra ñeå ngöôøi ta tieâm thöû thuoác chuûng send s.o. packing toáng khöù ai ñeán nôi khaùc. (Gheùt boû ai ngöøa beänh SIDA. (AIDS: Acquired Immune

120 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

Deficiency Sundrome) Hoäi Chöùng Suy kieät Khaû Naêng set s.o.’s teeth on edge nghe eâ raêng quaù; chua vaõi Mieãn Nhieãm. Chöùng lieät khaùng. Ngöôøi Vieät mình quen ñaùi; nghe kieâng raêng I can’t stand food that sets my duøng chöõ SIDA noùi theo tieáng Phaùp.) teeth on edge. (Toâi khoâng chòu noåi maáy thöù ñoà aên laøm serve s.o. right ñaùng ñôøi (ñaùng kieáp.) John copied off cho toâi eâ raêng.) Please don’t scrape your my test paper. It would serve him right if he fails the test. fingernails on that board. It sets my teeth on edge. (John coùp baøi thi cuûa toâi. Neáu anh ta coù rôùt cuõng ñaùng (Xin ñöøng caø moùng tay cuûa baïn leân caùi baûng ñoù. Noù ñôøi. It'd serve John right if he got arrested. (John coù bò laøm toâi thaáy kieâng raêng quaù.) baét thì cuõng ñaùng ñôøi noù.) The burglar was going to set the world on fire caû theá giôùi boác chaùy; laøm cho break into the house through the chimney. He never could thieân haï xoân xao You don’t have to set the world on because the passage was too narrow for him and he was fire. Just do your job well. (Baïn khoâng caàn phaûi laøm stuck half the way. It served him right. (Teân troäm ñònh cho theá giôùi boác chaùy. Chæ caàn gioûi coâng vieäc cuûa baïn chui qua oáng khoùi leûn vaøo nhaø. Nhöng y khoâng bao giôø ñi.) John Reed wrote “Ten Days Shook the World” toaïi nguyeän vì loã oáng khoùi quaù nhoû so vôùi y neân y bò keït but it did not set the world on fire at all. (John Reed giöõa chöøng. Ñaùng ñôøi ñaùng kieáp.) vieát “Möôøi Ngaøy Laøm Rung Chuyeån Theá Giôùi nhöng set foot somewhere ñaët chaân ñeán nôi naøo. If I were quyeån saùch khoâng laøm thieân haï xoân xao chuùt naøo.) you, I wouldn't set foot in that town. (Neáu toâi laø baïn, toâi shake in one’s boots vaø quake in one’s boots run leân seõ khoâng theøm ñaët chaân tôùi caùi thò traán ñoù.) I wouldn't vì lo sôï Stop shaking in your boots, Ba. Nobody set foot in her house! Not after the way she spoke to me. here is going to hurt you. (Ñöøng coù run leân vì lo sôï (Toâi khoâng theøm ñaët chaân tôùi nhaø coâ ta ñaâu! Noùi vôùi toâi nhö vaäy chöù Ba. ÔÛ ñaây khoâng ai laøm haïi maøy ñaâu.) nhö vaäy thì ai theøm.) Loäc flirted with Mai for two years Thaønh did not quake in his boots. He had a candid but the girl did not pay attention to him. The boy left the view of the case. (Thaønh khoâng run sôï. Anh ta coù caùi town with lovesickness, pledging that he would never set nhìn ñích thöïc veà vaán ñeà ñoù roài.) foot in Mai's town again. (Loäc taùn tænh Mai trong suoát hai shape up or ship out laøm ñaøng hoaøng thì ôû, laøm dôû dôû naêm nhöng coâ naøng khoâng heà ñeå yù ñeán anh. Chaøng beøn öôn öôn thì ñi Taâm was late again. The manager oâm moät moái töông tö boû ñi vaø theà raèng khoâng bao giôø ñaët told him to shape up or ship out. (Taâm laïi ñi treã nöõa. chaân ñeán caùi thò xaõ cuûa Mai nöõa.) Vieân quaûn lyù baûo anh ta laøm ñaøng hoaøng thì ôû, laøm set great store by s.o./ some-thing ñaët heát tin töôûng vaøo dôû dôû öôn öôn thì ñi.Our personnel manager is a ngöôøi naøo hay vieäc gì. I set great store by my computer very affable gentleman who never says “shape up or and its ability to help me in my work. (Toâi ñaët heát tin ship out” to us. That’s why we all do our jobs very töôûng vaøo boä maùy ñieàn toaùncuûa toâi cuøng vôùi khaû naêng well. (Vieân tröôûng phoøng nhaân vieân laø moät ngöôøi raát cuûa noù coù theå giuùp toâi hoaøn thaønh coâng vieäc.) We set hoaø nhaõ, khoâng bao giôø noùi “laøm ñaøng hoaøng thì ôû, great store by John because of his quick mind. (Chuùng toâi laøm dôû dôû öôn öôn thì ñi” vôùi chuùng toâi caû. Vì vaäy ñaët heát tin töôûng vaøo John vì anh ta laø ngöôøi saùng trí.) I chuùng toâi laøm vieäc raát ñaøng hoaøng.) set great store by my wife all my life because she is a shed crocodile tears nöôùc maét caù saáu She thought devoted, faithful, nice and kind person. (Suoát ñôøi toâi luùc she could get away with the police officer if she shed naøo cuõng ñaët heát tin töôûng vaøo vôï toâi vì coâ ta laø moät crocodile tears. (Coâ ta töôûng coù theå duøng nöôùc maét caù ngöôøi ñaûm ñang, trung tín, deã thöông vaø toát buïng.) saáu ñeå vieân caûnh saùt cho coâ ta ñi.) That woman, set one back on one's heels laøm cho ai quaù vui möøng, who one minute before was talking happily with her ngaïc nhieân, hoaëc söûng soát The result of the test set me friends, saw her sister and burst out weeping bitterly. back on my heels. (Keát quaû baøi thi laøm cho toâi vui möøng I doubted that she only shed crocodile tears. (Baø ñoù khoâng xieát.) The news of his son getting involved in a môùi phuùt tröôùc thì cöôøi cöôøi noùi noùi vôùi baïn beø thaät drive-by shooting set my back on my heels. (Caùi tin veà vui veû nhöng khi thaáy coâ em ta ñeán thì baät khoùc thaûm caäu con con trai cuûa oâng ta dính líu ñeán vuï laùi xe chaïy xaû thieát. Toâi nghi baø ta khoùc nöôùc maét caù saáu quaù.) suùng baén loaïn xaï laøm toâi quaù söûng soát.) shoot from the hip noùi toaïc moùng heo Jim is alway set one’s sights on s.t. nhaém vaøo muïc tieâu maø tôùi You shooting from the hip, but he speaks the truth. (Jim should not set your sights on anything you can not do. chuyeân moân noùi toaïc moùng heo. Nhöng anh ta noùi (Baïn khoâng neân nhaém vaøo baát cöù muïc tieâu naøo maø baïn thaät.) Don’t pay attention to him. It’s his khoâng theå laøm noåi.) Unlike rationalists, volun-tarists personality, shooting from the hip. He means no usually set their sights on s.t. that they cannot possibly harm. (Ñöøng ñeå yù ñeán anh ta laøm gì. Ñoù laø taùnh neát do. Ngu Coâng’s removing the mountain in front of his anh ta, noùi toaïc moùng heo. Anh ta khoâng laøm haïi ai house is an example. (Khoâng gioáng nhö nhöõng ngöôøi duy heát.) lyù, ngöôøi duy yù chí thöôøng nhaém vaøo muïc tieâu hoï haàu shot in the arm söï khích leä; nieàm phaán khôûi (cho ai nhö khoâng laøm ñöôïc. Ngu Coâng dôøi nuùi laø moät thí duï yeâu ñôøi) His wife always comforts him when he is ñieån hình.) in a bad mood. It’s a grreat shot in the arm. (Vôï anh

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 121

ta luùc naøo cuõng an uûi anh moãi khi anh ta buoàn. Ñoù laø It’s rather late to give Tim any help. It’s sink or nguoàn khích leä lôùn lao.) Her friendly greeting card was swim for him. (Baây giôø hôi treã ñeå giuùp ñöôïc gì cho just what he needed – a real shot in the arm! (Taám thieäp Tim roài. Phaûi ñeå töï noù tieáp tuïc hay boû cuoäc ñi.) chuùc möøng cuûa coâ naøng laø moùn anh ta caàn – laø nieàm phaán That is the time of sink or swim. If you want to khôûi cho anh ta.) succeed you should know how to work it out. (Ñoù thôøi should have stood in bed neân naèm nöôùng theâm chuùt nöõa ñieåm quyeát ñònh. Neáu baïn muoán thaønh coâng thì baïn When I arrived there, I did not see a soul. I should have phaûi bieát caùch ñeå ñaït ñeán.) stood in bed. (Khi toâi ñeán ñoù, chaúng thaáy moáng naøo caû. sit on one’s hands ngoài rung ñuøi; khoâng giuùp ñöôïc gì Bieát vaäy toâi naèm nöôùng moät chuùt cho söôùng thaân.) I did We need s.o. who is handy, not s.o. who is just sits not remember why I got up early las Sunday. I should on his hands. (Chuùng toâi caàn moät ngöôøi sieâng vieäc have stood in bed. (Toâi chaúng nhôù taïi sao thöù Baûy tuaàn chöù khoâng caàn moät ngöôøi chæ bieát ngoài rung ñuøi.) tröôùc toâi laïi daäy sôùm nöõa. Leõ ra neân naèm nöôùng theâm Old Tom is very weak now; he can only sit on his chuùt nöõa.) hands. (Giaø Tom baây giôø quaù yeáu, oâng ta chæ coù theå show one’s (true) colors ñeå loä cho ai bieát yù hay heù cho ngoài moät choã khoâng giuùp ñöôïc gì.) thaáy moät tí Which film are you going to see, Taâm. Come sit tight bình tónh chôø ñôïiThe secretary told me to on, show your true colors. (Baïn ñònh xem phim naøo haû relax and sit tight. The manager would be right with Taâm. Nhanh leân, noùi cho bieát ñi!) It’s difficult to know me. Vieân thö kyù baûo toâi thong thaû vaø bình tónh chôø. one’s thought if he does not show his true colors. (Thaät Vieân quaûn lyù seõ ra gaëp toâi ngay. We were waiting khoù maø bieát ngöôøi naøo ñoù nghó gì neáu y khoâng ñeå loä cho in line for the gate to open when s.o. came out and ngöôøi khaùc thaáy.) told us to sit tight.. (Chuùng toâi ñang saép haøng tröôùc sign one’s own heath warrant töï kyù giaáy khai töû Here coång chôø môû cöûa thì coù ngöôøi ra baûo chuùng toâi khieân is the deed to the property – signed, sealed and delivered. nhaãn chôø ñôïi.) (Ñaây laø giaáy chöùng nhaän taøi saûn – ñaõ thoâng qua heát caùc sitting on a powder keg (ngoài treân thuøng thuoác suùng) thuû tuïc roài naøy.) We cannot start our project until it is ngoài treân baøn choâng; ngoài treân ñoáng löûa When the signed, sealed and delivered. (Chuùng toâi khoâng theå baét deadline was drawing near we felt like stting on a ñaàu döï aùn vì noù chöa ñöôïc thoâng qua heát caùc thuû tuïc.) powder keg because we knew we would not be able to sign one’s own death warrant töï giaáy khai töû mình I finish our job in time. (Khi thôøi gian giao keøo gaàn keà would not spend a large sum of money on gambling. That chuùng toâi thaáy nhö ngoài treân baøn choâng vì chuùng toâi would be signing my own death warrant. (Toâi chaúng daùm bieát khoâng theå naøo hoaøn taát kòp coâng vieäc.). The xaøi moät soá tieàn lôùn ñeå ñaùnh baïc ñaâu. Nhö vaäy chaúng brushfire spread so quickly that residents in the khaùc naøo töï kyù giaáy khai töû mình.) Old Tö signed his nearby areas felt like sitting on a powder keg. (Ñaùm own death warrant when he gambled all his savings. (Giaø chaùy röøng lan nhanh quaù khieán cho cö daân caùc vuøng Tö töï kyù giaáy khai töû cho mình khi oâng ta nöôùng heát soá laân caän caûm thaáy nhö ñang ngoài treân ñoáng löûa.) tieàn ñeå daønh vaøo soøng baøi.) six of one and half a dozen of the other keû taùm laïng sign on the dotted line kyù thuaän; chaáp thuaän caùc ñieàu ngöôøi nöûa caân; caân xöùng nhau None are good. They khoaûn Here are the papers for the purchase of your are both the same – six of one and half a dozen of the house. As soon as you sign on the dotted line, that nice other. Chaúng coù ai toát laønh. Caû hai ngöôøi ñeàu nhö looking white house will be all yours! (Ñaây laø taát caû giaáy nhau – keû taùm laïng ngöôøi nöûa caân thoâi.) Mai and tôø veà vuï mua nhaø. Chöøng naøo baïn kyù thuaän heát caùi khoaûn Lan are both rude and malicious. Now that they meet trong caùc giaáy tôø ñoù thì ngoâi nhaø xinh xaén maøu traéng ñoù and play tricks on each other. That is six of one and seõ hoaøn toaøn thuoäc veà baïn.) I sometimes have an idea hald a dozen of the other. (Mai vaø Lan ñeàu thoâ loã vaø that signing on the dotted line is like signing my own tinh ranh nhö nhau. Baây giôø hoï gaëp nhau vaø chôi death warrant. I don’t understand why. (Ñoâi khi toâi coù khaêm nhau. Ñuùng laø keû taùm laïng ngöôøi nöûa caân maø.) caûm töôûng laø chaáp thuaän caùc ñieàu khoaûn treân moät giao skeleton in the closet/cupboard chuyeän bí maät caù keøo gioáng nhö kyù vaøo baûn khai töû cho chính mình vaäy. nhaân; bí maät ñôøi tö No none knows that woman’s Toâi chaúng hieåu taïi sao.) skeleton in the closet. (Chaúng ai bieát bí maät ñôøi tö cuûa sink one’s teeth into s.t. caén thöû moät mieáng gì; thaáy gai baø ta laø gì.) Miss Hoa has been living in that big con maét muoán laøm laáy Look at that cake that you house for years. The day before her marriage, her made! I want to sink into a piece of that cake. (Troâng caùi husband to-be disappeared. People think she has a baùnh em vöøa môùi laøm kìa! Anh muoán caén thöû moät mieáng skeleton in the cupboard. quaù chöøng.) Looking at the way you do your work, I skin of one’s teeth trong ñöôøng tô keû toùc  We want to sinkk my teeth into it. (Troâng caùi caùch maøy laøm escaped the accident by the skin of our teeth. (Chuùng vieäc ñoù tao thaáy gai con maét quaù.) toâi thoaùt naïn trong ñöôøng tô keû toùc.) sink or swim tieáp tuïc hay boû cuoäc; thôøi ñieåm quyeát ñònh sleep like a dog nguû say nhö cheát When he sleep

122 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

nothing can wake him up because he sleeps like a dog. im phaêng phaét When I came into the room, it was so (Khi oâng ta nguû thì khoâng coù gì coù theå ñaùnh thöùc oâng ta still you could hear a pin drop. Then everyone daäy ñöôïc ñaâu. OÂng ta nguû say nhö cheát vaäy ñoù.) In shouted: “Happy birthday!” (Khi toâi böôùc vaøo phoøng, your language you say “sleep like a dog” but in my taát caû im laëng nhö tôø. Boãng moïi ngöôøi la leân: “Chuùc language we say “sleep like a dead man.” (Trong ngoân möøng sinh nhaät!” I like this neighborhood. At night ngöõ cuûa baïn thì baïn noùi “nguû say nhö choù” coøn trong it is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. (Toâi thích khu ngoân ngöõ toâi thì chuùng toâi noùi “nguû say nhö cheát”.) naøy. Veà ñeâm caû xoùm ñeàu im phaêng phaét.) sleep on s.t. chôø suy nghó laïi The cicy council decided sow one’s wild oats soáng baát caàn ñôøi; soáng baïc maïng to sleep on the water project for a while. (Hoäi ñoàng thaønh My wife told me that I was too old to sow my wild phoá quyeát ñònh gaùt laïi döï aùn cung caáp nöôùc moät thôøi gian oats. Vôï toâi noùi vôùi toâi raèng toâi ñaõ quaù giaø khoâng theå ñeå suy nghó laïi.) After some time I slept on it, I have soáng baát caàn ñôøi ñöôïc.)  Teenagers, especially decided to accept the offer. (Sau moät hoài suy nghó laïi, toâi girls, should not sow their wild oats too early. They ñaõ quyeát ñònh nhaän lôøi ñeà nghò ñoù.) may wìnd up in poverty. (Tuoåi treû, nhaát laø con gaùi, slip of the tongue lòu löôõi; noùi vaáp The speaker slipped khoâng neân soáng baït maïng. Haäu quaû coù theå laø cuoäc of the tongue several times so his speech was not very soáng ngheøo khoå sau naøy.) interesting. (Vieân thuyeát trình noùi lòu löôõi nhieàu laàn quaù speak of the devil vöøa nhaéc Taøo Thaùo thì Taøo Thaùo neân baøi dieãn vaên cuûa oâng ta keùm phaàn haáp daãn.) If you tôùi Taâm! Well, speak of the devil! We were just don’t want to slip of the tongue, you’d better roll your talking about you. (Taâm! Chaø, vöøa nhaéc Taøo Thaùo thì tongue seven times before speaking. (Neáu baïn khoâng Taøo Thaùo tôùi.) We just talked about Mai when she muoán noùi lòu hay noùi vaáp thì haõy uoán löôõi baûy laàn tröôùc slowly walked in the door. Speak of the devil. (Chuùng khi noùi.) toâi vöøa noùi veà Mai thì coâ ta luø luø böôùc vaøo cöûa. Ñuùng slip one’s mind quyeân baüng; queân daàn nhöõng gì ñaùng nhôù laø vöøa nhaéc Taøo Thaùo thì Taøo Thaùo ñeán.) My wife’s birthday slipped my mind, but my children split the difference chai hia soá sai bieät; cöa ñoâi moãi reminded me just in time. That evening we all ate out to beân nhöôøng/chòu moät nöûa She wanted to sell her celebrate it. (Sinh nhaät vôï toâi maø toâi queân khuaáy maát. car at $2,500 and I want to buy for $2,300. Finally we May maáy ñöùa con toâi nhaéc neân toâi hoâm aáy chuùng toâi ra split the difference and closed the deal at $2,400. (Baø tieäm aên möøng.) She used to have a very good memory. ta ñoøi baùn chieác xe giaù $2.500 coøn toâi muoán mua vôùi Since she had a migraine headache, many things have giaù $2.300. Cuoái cuøng chuùng toâi chai hia soá sai bieät slipped her mind. (Tröôùc ñaây baø ta coù trí nhôù raát toát. Töø vaø toâi mua chieác xe ñoù vôùi giaù $2.400.) Splitting the ngaøy baø bò chöùng nhöùc ñaàu kinh nieân khieán baø daàn daàn difference is a common way to compromise when two moïi chuyeän.) sides are so far apart. (Cöa ñoâi moãi beân nhöôøng moät slip through one’s fingers tuoät khoûi tay ai; ñaùnh laïc nöûa laø caùch thoâng duïng nhaát ñi ñeán dung hoaø khi hai höôùng ai I had a copy of the book that you are looking beân coù söï caùch bieät quaù xa.) for, but it slipped through my fingers somehow. (Toâi coù spread like wildfire lan nhanh nhö löûa gaëp rôm The quyeån saùch ñang tìm nhöng khoâng bieát noù laïc vaøo ñaâu hemorrhagic fever spread like wildfire in some poor roài.) Two persons in black were following her but she countries. (Taïi caùc nöôùc ngheøo beänh soát xuaát huyeát managed to slip through her fingers. (Hai ngöôøi baän ñoà lan truyeàn nhanh nhö löûa gaëp rôm. The new novel is ñen baùm theo sau naøng nhöng naøng tìm caùch ñaùnh laïc so interesting that it spreads like wildfire. (Quyeån höôùngh hoï ñöôïc.) tieåu thuyeát môùi hay qua ñeán ñoä noù lan truyeàn nhanh slow and steady wins the race kieân trì beàn chí laøm gì nhö löûa gaëp rôm.) cuõng xong Slow and steady winds the race. I worked my spread oneself too thin oâm ñoàm quaù nhieàu vieäc; baét way through college in six years and became a teacher caù hai tay It’s good to participate in a variety of after graduation. (Kieân trì beàn chí thì laøm gì cuõng xong. actitivies, but don’t spread yourself too thin. (Tham Toâi hoïc moät leøo saùu naêm vaø sau khi ra tröôøng trôû thaønh gia vaøo nhieàu hoaït doäng khaùc nhau thì toát, nhöng baïn moät giaùo vieân.) ñöøng neân oâm ñoàm quaù nhieàu.) Many high ranking smack-dab in the middle ngay choùc ôû chính giöõa His officials seem to spread themselves too thin, and they aunt and uncle were having a fight, and he was trapped– only have meetings, one after another, that take up all smack-dab in the middle of the two relatives. (Caäu môï of their time. (Nhieàu vieân chöùc cao caáp döôøng nhö anh ta ñang ñaùnh nhau, neân anh ta bò ket giöõa hai ngöôøi oâm ñoàm quaù nhieàu vieäc neân hoï aên roài chæ ñi hoïp, heát thaân.) I knew I strapped – smack-dab in the middle of cuoäc hoïp naøy sang cuoäc hoïp khaùc maø maát heát thì the two friends whose ideas never seemed compatible. giôø.) (Toâi bieát toâi bò keït giöõa hai ngöôøi baïn coù nhöõng yù töôûng square peg in a round hole raâu oâng noï caèm baø haàu nhö khoâng bao giôø hôïp nhau.) kia.Taâm graduated from a business school, but now so still/quiet you could hear a pin drop im laëng nhö tôø; he is working for a company as an adminstrator. He

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 123

says he’s just a square peg in a round hole. (Taâm toát start off with a clean slate. (Ngöôøi ñaøn oâng aáy, sau nghieäp tröôøng thöông maõi, nhöng baây giôø laø nhaân vieân khi ñöôïc phoùng thích khoûi nhaø tuø, töï höùa vôùi mình haønh chaùnh. Anh ta noùi tröôøng hôïp anh laø raâu oâng noï caém raèng oâng seõ laøm laïi töø ñaàu. It’s never too late to caèm baø kia.  There are many square pegs in the round start off with a clean slate if you will. (Thaät khoâng holes around here, you know. (Baïn bieát khoâng, coù quaù bao giôø goïi laø ñeå laøm laïi töø ñaàu neáu baïn thaät söï muoán nhieàu tröôøng hôïp raâu oâng noï caém caèm baø kia laém.) (laøm nhö vaäy.) squeak by s.o./something laøm ñaïi (cho xong); laøm laáy steal a march on s.o. ñi böôùc tröôùc One should be ñöôïc  Maria did not review her lessons for the final clever and fast–not dishonest–to steal a march. test, so she squeak by it. (Maria khoâng oân baøi ñeå thi cuoái (Ngöôøi ta neân khoân kheùo vaø lanh lôïi – chöù khoâng khoaù, neân coâ ta laøm ñaïi cho xong.) Mrs. Hoaøng phaûi löøa bòp – ñeå coù theå ñi böôùc tröôùc.) These guys squeaked by many things and, to my surprise, she got are not capable to steal a march on anyone. They can them! (Baø Hoaøng laøm laáy ñöôïc nhieàu chuyeän laém, vaø, only run after others. (Maáy tay naøy khoâng ñuû söùc ñi thaät ñaùng ngaïc nhieân, baø ñöôïc troùt loït heát.) böôùc tröôùc ñaâu. Hoï chæ bieát chaïy sau ñuoâi thieân haï stab s.o. in the back ñaâm sau löng chieán só Trust thoâi.) yourself. Don’t trust those guys; they stab you in the back steal s.o.’s thunder baät mí tröôùc döï tính cuûa ai; laøm anytime. (Chæ tin vaøo chính baïn thoâi. Ñöøng tin maáy tay giaûm uy tín cuûa ai Someone stole me thunder by ñoù; hoïc ñaâm sau löng chieán só luùc naøo khoâng hay.) No letting Mom know I was going to buy a new car. (Coù one could believe that a super power did stab its ally in ngöôøi baät mí tröôùc vôùi Meï veà yù ñònh mua xe môùik the back and collaborated with its enemy. (Khoâng ai ngôø cuûa toâi.) In a democratic country people’s votes can raèng moät sieâu cöôøng coù theå ñaâm sau lön chieán só cuûa steal a high ranking official’s thunder. (Trong moät ñoàng minh mình vaø roài hôïp taùc vôùi keû thuø.) nöôùc daân chuû, laù phieáu cuûa ngöôøi daân coù theå laøm stand (hold) one’s ground coá giöõ vöõng laäp tröôøng choáng giaûm uy tín cuûa vieân chöùc cao caáp.) cöï quyeát lieät The accused’s lawyer tried to confuse the steal the spotlight/the show dieãn xuaát taøi tình Mai witness when he was giving his testimony, but he Anh always steals the spotlight when she appears. managed to stand his ground. (Luaät sö cuûa bò caùo tìm (Moãi laàn xuaát hieän Mai Anh ñeà dieãn xuaát taøi tình.) caùch gaây boái roái cho ngöôøi chöùng trong khi ngöôøi naøy ñöa AÙi, one of the famous Vietnamese famous singers, ra lôøi laøm chöùng nhöng anh ta coá giöõ vöõng laäp tröôøng.) seems to steal the spotlight in whichever show. (AÙi, Because those people did not unite to stand their moät trong nhöõng ca só Vieät Nam noåi tieáng, döôøng nhö ground, they lost the battle into their enemy. (Vì nhöõng dieãn xuaát taøi tình trong baát cöù cuoäc trình dieãn naøo.) ngöôøi ñoù khoâng ñoaøn keát ñeå quyeát chí choáng laïi, hoï ñeå step (tread) on s.o.’s toes daãm chaân leân coâng vieäc cuûa maát cuoäc tranh ñaáu vaøo tay keû thuø.) ai Lan was always stepping on s.o.’s toes during the stand on one’s own two feet töï löïc caùnh sinh Since we time she was on the cirriculum committee. (Lan coù taät gave him a sum of money to start an ice cream cart, he daãm chaân leân ngöôøi khaùc trong khi laøm vieäc trong has been able to stand on his own two feet. (Töø ngaøy ban soaïn hoïc trình.) Living in a country where laws chuùng toâi cho anh ta moät ít tieàn laøm chieác xe kem ñeán are like trees in a forest, one finds it difficult to avoid nay, anh ta ñaõ töï löïc caùnh sinh ñöôïc roài. I started to treading on anyone’s toes. (Soáng trong moät nöôùc maø stand on my own two feet when I was at eighth grade. I luaät phaùp chaèng chòt nhö caây trong röøng thì ngöôøi ta earned my living as a tutor. (Toâi baét ñaàu töï löïc caùnh sinh khoù maø traùnh khoûi naïn daãm chaân leân nhau.) töø khi hoïc lôùp taùm. Toâi kieám soáng baèng ngheà daïy keøm.) step on the gas voäi vaøng leân; nhanh leân When stand up and be counted ñöùng leân vaø coù tieáng noùi We traffic is jammed, it is impossible to step on the gas were generally in favor of the democratic reform, but we (Khi löu thoâng bò taét ngheõn thì khoâng theå voäi vaøng have not stood up and be counted. (Noùi chung chuùng toâi ñöôïc.) Step on the gas! Step on the gas! Our spring uûng hoä caûi caùch daân chuû, nhöng chuùng toâi chöa ñöùng leân love is getting opver soon! Nhanh leân chöù! Voäi vaøng vaø noùi leân tieáng noùi cuûa mình.) We are minority. We leân vôùi chöù! Cuoäc tình xuaân saép taøn roài.) should learn to stand up and be counted. (Chuùng toâi thuoäc step out of line boû haøng nguõ; phaù phaùch He was the daân thieåu soá. Chuùng toâi caàn hoïc ñeå ñöùng leân vaø ñoøi coù first one that stepped out of line. (OÂng ta laø ngöôøi ñaàu tieáng noùi.) tieân boû haøng maø ñi.) Going out with Nam is a lot of start from scratch baét ñaàu töø soá khoâng I built my own fun, but what I don’t like about him is that he usually house, starting from scratch. (Toâi töï xaây laáy caên nhaø cuûa steps out of line. (Ñi chôi vôùi Nam thì vui thaät, nhöng toâi, baét ñaàu töø soá khoâng.) In my life I have started from moät ñieàu toâi khoâng thích anh ta anh aáy thöôøng hay sratch four times. (Trong ñôøi toâi toâi baét ñaàu phaûi baét ñaàu phaù phaùch.) töø soá khoâng laøm laïi ñeán boán laàn.) stew in one’s own juice ngaäm hôøn nuoát haän Don’t start off with a clean slate laøm laïi töø ñaàu That man, ever get angry with anyone. It’s you who stew in your after being released from prison, promised himself to own juice! (Ñöøng coù giaän ai heát. Chính baïn laø ngöôøi

124 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

phaûi ngaäm hôøn nuoát giaän chöù chaúng phaûi ai khaùc.) khoâng caàn phaûi ñoaùn môùi hieåu coâ ta.) After Mai stewed in her own juice for a while, she strike (hit) a happy medium ñöa ra moät giaûi phaùp realized she had a terrible temper and apologized to us. dung hoaø Trang loves spicy food, but Vinh doesn’t (Sau moät hoài ngaäm hôøn nuoát giaän, Mai nhaän thaáy mình like it at all. We have to order some food that strikes a giaän baäy neân ñaõ xin loãi chuùng toâi.) happy medium. (Trang thích aên cay nhöng Vinh thì stick one’s neck out lieàu maïng; laøm lieàu Why do khoâng heà thích cay. Chuùng toâi phaûi goïi thöùc aên dung people stick their necks out to save s.o.’s life? (Taïi sao hoaø ñeå hai ngöôøi cuøng aên ñöôïc. Five persons ngöôøi ta laïi lieàu maïng mình ñeå cöùu maïng keû khaùc?) He agreed on the project, but the other five went against stuck his neck out this time because he thought he would it. Finally we found a compromise that hit a happy be able to earn a lot of money. (OÂng ta laøm lieàu laàn naøy medium. (Naêm ngöôøi ñoàng yù vôùi döï aùn ñoù, nhöng vì oâng nghó raèng oâng seõ kieám ñöôïc moät soá tieàn to.) naêm ngöôøi kia thì choáng laïi. Cuoái cuøng chuùng toâi ñaõ stick together baùm saùt nhau; ñoaøn keát moät loøng It’s a tìm ñöôïc moät söï dung hoaø ñeå laøm vöøa loøng hai beân.) big crowd here. Let’s stick together so we won’t get lost. strike (hit) a sour note laøm maát vui The bad news (Nôi ñaây ñoâng quaù, chuùng ta phaûi baùm saùt nhau keûo bò struck a sour note at her birthday party. (Caùi hung tin laïc.) Stop arguing, you guys! If we stick together we ñoù ñaõ laøm maát vui buoåi hoïp vui sinh nhaät cuûa coâ ta.) can beat this difficulty. (Caù ngöôøi thoâi ñöøng caõi nhau nöõa! The director’s announcement of his resignation hit Neáu ñoaøn keát moät loøng chuùng ta coù theå vöôït qua ñöôïc a sour note at our company’s anniversary khoù khaên naøy.) celebration. (Lôøi tuyeân boá töø chöùc cuûa vieân giaùm ñoác stick to one’s guns cöông quyeát giöõ vöõng laäp tröôøng I laøm cho buoåi leã kyû nieäm chu nieân cuûa coâng ty chuùng am sure I am right, so I will stick to my guns. (Toâi bieát toâi toâi maát vui.) ñuùng neân toâi cöông quyeát giöõ vöõng laäp tröôøng.) One strike it rich trôû neân giaøu coù (nhôø ñöôïc cuûa) Thanh who can be easily persuaged to do s.o. else’s way does dug a hole in the garden to plant a tree and found a not stick to his guns. (Ngöôøi maø deã bò thuyeát phuïc laøm big urn of gold. He struck it rich. (Thanh ñaøo moät caùi theo yù keû khaùc thöôøng khoâng cöông quyeát giöõ vöõng laäp loã trong vöôøn ñeå troàng caây thì gaëp ñöôïc moät huû vaøng. tröôøng.) Töø ñoù oâng ta trôû neân giaøu coù.) That old beggar Still waters run deep. Læm ræm ròm roi; Taàm ngaàm ñaám found a diamond ring in the trash can, and he struck cheát voi Sang is very quiet. No one knows that what she it rich! (OÂng laõo aên xin ñoù löôïm ñöôïc chieác nhaãn hoät is and where she works. (Sang thaät kín mieäng. Khoâng ai xoaøn trong thuøng raùc, vaø oâng ta trôû neân giaøu coù.) bieát coâ ta laøm gì vaø laøm taïi ñaâu.) Hoäi is an A-one strike s.o. funny laøm cho ai phaûi töùc/phì cöôøi Why director of a big company but no one knows he is because are you all laughing? Did I say s.t. thay struck you he is so quiet. Steel waters run deep. (Hoäi laø moät giaùm funny? (Taïi sao caùc ngöôøi cöôøi? Boä toâi noùi ñieàu gì ñoác soá moät cuûa moät coâng ty lôùn nhöng khoâng ai bieát. laøm cho caùc ngöôøi thaáy töùc cöôøi sao?) Chung is one Taàm ngaàm maø ñaám cheát voi.) our favorite humorists. His stories, his gait, and his stir up hornet’s nest choïc cho ngöôøi ta giaän Laâm loves face all strike everyone funny. (Chung laø moät trong to stir up hornet’s nest wherever he goes. What a strange nhöõng caây haøi höôùc chuùng toâi meán moä. Caâu chuyeän man! (Ñi ñeán ñaâu Laâm cuõng thích choïc cho ngöôøi ta giaän. anh ta keå, boä ñi vaø caû khuoân maët anh ta ñeàu laøm ai Con ngöôøi chi laï!) It’s not wise to stir up hornest’ nest cuõng phaûi phì cöôøi.) when you need their help. (Thaät chaúng khoân ngoan chuùt strike s.o.’s fancy haáp daãn ai The car strikes me naøo neán baïn caàn ngöôøi ta giuùp mình maø laïi choïc hoï fancy, yes! But its price doesn’t at all. (Chieác xe giaän.) troâng thaät haáp daãn, ñuùng vaäy. Nhöng caùi giaù cuûa noù straight from the horse’s mouth nguoàn tin coù thaåm thì chaúng haáp daãn chuùt naøo.) She is rich. She will quyeàn It’s not a rumor. It came straight from the buy anything that strikes her fanyc, no matter how horse’s mouth. (Ñaây khoâng phaûi laø tin ñoàn. Noù chính expensive it it. (Baø ta giaøu coù. Baát cöù thöù gì baø thaáy mieäng cuûa moät vieân chöùc coù thaåm quyeàn noùi ra maø.) haáp daãn thì baø mua, baát keå ñaéc reû bao nhieâu.) The news came straight from the horse’s mouth just the strike up a friendship trôû thaønh baïn beø I happened day before, then he denied saying it the following day. We to strike up a friendship with a French girl while we don’t trust him. (Môùi ngaøy hoâm tröôùc caùi tin ñoù do vieân were on a business trip in Paris. (Toâi trôû thaønh baïn chöùc chính quyeàn ñích thaân noùi ra, roài qua hoâm sau oâng quen vôùi moät coâ gaùi Phaùp nhaân dòp cuøng ñi coâng taùc ta laïi choái. Chuùng toâi khoâng tin oâng aáy nöõa.) chung.) If you are lonely, you should go out straight from the shoulder thaúng thaén, khoâng uùp môû frequently and strike up a friendship with s.o. you Vinh’s statelent was straigh from the shoulder. (Lôøi leõ like. (Neáu baïn coâ ñôn thì haõy thöôøng xuyeân ra ngoaøi cuûa Vinh raát thaúng thaén.) Khanh is always speaking vaø kieám ngöôøi naøo thích maø laøm baïn.) straight from the shoulder. You don’t have to guess what strike while the iron is hot naém laáy thôøi cô You she means. (Khanh coù thoùi quen noùi khoâng uùp môû. Baïn know, the price on that house is reasonable; the

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interest rate has been lowered. You’d better buy it. You goïi ñoù laø caùi ñuoâi ngoaéc con choù.) Why is this small should strike while the iron is hot! (Baïn bieát khoâng, giaù matter so important? Now the tail is wagging the dog! caên nhaø ñoù phaûi chaêng; laõi suaát ñaõ haï roài neø. Baïn raùng (Taïi sao chuyeän nhoû nhaët naøy maø quan troïng laém mua ñi. Phaûi naém laáy thôøi cô chöù.) The manager was in vaäy? Roõ raøng laø nhoû ñieàu khieån lôùn!) Mr. Dong is good mood, so I asked him for a pay raise and he agreed. the boss but he can never make up his mind. He has to I struck while the iron was hot! (Vieân quaûn ñoác ñang vui ask his secretary whose knowledge and managerial neân toâi xin oâng ta taêng löông vaø oâng ñoàng yù lieàn. Toâi skill is much better than he. Everybody in the office naém ñöôïc thôøi cô!) knows it is the tail wagging the dog. (OÂng Ñoâng laø stuff and nonsense voâ lyù khoâng chòu ñöôïc/noåi Read seáp maø khoâng bao giôø quyeát ñònh ñöôïc vieäc gì caû. this book. You will in it all stuff and nonsense. (Ñoïc OÂng ta phaûi hoûi yù kieán ngöôøi thö kyù rieâng maø ngöôøi quyeån saùch naøy ñi. Baïn seõ thaáy trong ñoù toaøn nhöõng thöù coù kieán thöùc roäng vaø khaû naêng ñieàu haønh cao hôn oâng voâ lyù khoâng chòu ñöôïc.) Stop it! I don’t want to hear all ta nhieàu. Moïi ngöôøi trong sôû ñeàu bieát ñaây laø caùi ñuoâi that stuff and nonsense. (Deïp ñi! Toâi khoâng thích nghe ngoaéc con choù.) toaøn nhöõng thöù voâ lyù khoâng chòu noåi ñoù ñaâu.) take a backseat (to s.o.) nhöôøng quyeàn cho ai; ñeå stuff the ballot box gian laän phieáu baàu The election ngöôøi khaùc ñieàu khieån. I decided to take a backseat judge was caught stuffing the ballot box just before the to Mary and let her manage the project. (Toâi quyeát election hours were over. (Vieân giaùm saùt baàu cöû bò baét ñònh nhöôøng cho Mary ñeå coâ ta quaûn trò coâng trình quaû tang gian laän phieáu baàu ngay tröôùc khi heát giôø baàu ñoù.) I had done the best I could, but it was time to cöû.) In order that an election goes on fairly, election take a backseat and let s.o. else run things. (Toâi ñaõ officials are supposed to strictly guard against any forms laøm heát söùc mình roài, nhöng toâi thaáy ñaõ tôùi luùc phaûi of stuffing the ballot box. (Nhaèm ñeå cho moät cuoäc baàu cöû nhöôøng choã cho ngöôøi khaùc theá mình laøm coâng vieäc.) dieãn tieán moät caùch coâng bình, caùc vieân chöùc baàu cuûa phaûi A person cannot have creative and good ideas all trieät ñeå giöõ cho ñöøng xaûy ra caùc vuï gian laän phieáu baàu.) the time. It is better if he would take a backseat (to suit (fit) s.o. to a T raát thích hôïp vôùi ai Some jobs suit s.o.) after a long while of working in that position. me to a T but many others don’t. (Toâi raát thích hôïp vôùi (Moät ngöôøi khoâng theå coù nhöõng saùng kieán hay maõi moät vaøi coâng vieäc nhöng nhieàu coâng vieäc chaúng thích ñöôïc. Toát hôn sau moät thôûi gian laøm vieäc oâng ta neân hôïp vôùi toâi chuùt naøo.) Tell me which jobs that do not fit nhöôøng cho ngöôøi khaùc thay vaøo choã ñoù.) you to a T. (Keå cho toâi xem coâng vieäc naøo khoâng thích take a leaf out of s.o.'s book hoïc theo saùch cuûa ai. hôïp vôùi baïn xem.) When you act like that, you're taking a leaf out of swim against the tide/current loäi ngöôïc doøng; laøm your sister's book, and I don't like it! (Khi baïn haønh chuyeän ngöôïc ñôøi Bình is willing to do what everybody ñoäng nhö vaäy, töùc laø baïn hoïc theo saùch cuûa chò baïn else does. He never likes to swim against the tide. (Bình roài. Toâi khoâng thích vaäy ñaâu.) You had better do it saün loøng laøm nhö bao nhieâu ngöôøi khaùc. Anh ta chaúng heà for your way. Don't take a leat out of my book. I don't thích loäi ngöôïc doøng.) Mai, on the contrary, loves to do it well. (Baïn neân laøm theo caùch cuûa baïn. Ñöøng coù swim against the tide. She is an eccentric person. (Mai hoïc theo saùch cuûa toâi. Toâi laøm dôû laém.) Taking a ngöôïc laïi khoaùi laøm chuyeän ngöôïc ñôøi laém. Coâ ta laø leaf out of someon's book is not always good unless ngöôøi laäp dò maø.) People who try to swim against the that person is a master of his field. (Hoïc theo saùch current are either creative or insane. (Nhöõng ngöôøi naøo cuûa ngöôøi khaùc khoâng phaûi luùc naøo cuõng hay tröø phi maø laøm chuyeän ngöôïc ñôøi thì hoaëc laø hoï coù oùc saùng taïo ngöôøi ñoù laø baäc sö trong ngheà.) hoaëc laø hoï laø nhöõng keû ñieân.) take forty winks nguû moät laùt; ñi nguû You should take a forty winks and call me when you get up. (Baïn neân ñi nguû moät chuùt ñi roài khi naøo daäy thì goïi toâi.) When I have a lot of things to do, I take forty winks very late and get up very early. (Khi toâi coù nhieàu vieäc phaûi laøm, toâi ñi nguû raát treã vaø daäy raát sôùm.) take it or leave it chòu thi laáy, khoâng chòu thì thoâi I Tt only have this much. You can take it or leave it. (Toâi chæ coøn chöøng naøy. Baïn chòu thì laáy khoâng chòu thì thoâi.) Mai wanted to borrow me two hundred tail wagging the dog caùi ñuoâi ngoaéc con choù; nhoû ñieàu dollars, but I had only one hundred. As she hesitated, khieån lôùn. John was just hired yesterday, and today he's I said, “Take it or leave it.” (Mai muoán möôïn toâi 200 bossing everyone around. It's a case of the tail wagging ñoâ, nhöng toâi chæ coøn 100. Thaáy Mai chaàn chöø, toâi the dog. (John môùi ñöôïc tuyeån vaøo ngaøy hoâm qua, vaø baây noùi: “Chòu thì laáy khoâng chòu thì thoâi.”) giôø anh ta laøm trôøi vôùi maáy ngöôøi chung quanh. Ngöôøi ta take liberties with s.o./s.t. vaø free with s.o./s.t. lôïi duïng

126 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

ai/vieäc gì quaù ñaùng You are overly familiar with me, khoâng xaûy ra It was a very rude remark, but Mat Mr. Lopez. People might think you were taking liberties took it in stride. (Ñoù laø moät lôøi nhaän xeùt raát thoâ loã, with me. (OÂng bieát toâi quaù maø oâng Lopez. Khoâng kheùo nhöng Mark xem nhö chuyeän thöôøng.) It’s hard for ngöôøi ta noùi oâng lôïi duïng toâi quaù ñaùng ñoù.) I don’t like you to take s.t. in stride because, above all, you have it when you make free with my computer. You should ask to put your anxiety and judgment away. (Thaät khoù maø when you want to use it, Okay? (Toâi khoâng thích khi baïn xem chuyeän gì ñoù nhö khoâng vì tröôùc heát baïn phaûi töï tieän duøng caùi maùy ñieän toaùn cuûa toâi. Khi naøo muoán loaïi boû ñöôïc söï noân noùng vaø thieân kieán trong ngöôøi duøng baïn phaûi hoûi toâi chöù.) baïn tröôùc.) take one’s medicine chaáp nhaän hình phaït Bob knew he take s.t. lying down caén raêng chòu ñöïng I’m not the was going to get spanked, and he didn’t want to take his kind of person who’ll take s.t. like that lying down. medicine. (Bob bieát mình saép söûa bò aên ñoøn, nhöng caäu ta (Toâi khoâng thuoäc loaïi ngöôøi caén raêng chòu ñöïng nhö khoâng muoán nhö vaäy.) Thaønh has a good sense of vaäy ñöôïc ñaâu.) Taking s.t. lying down is responsibility; he is ready to take his medicine if he does synonymous to sacrifce and endurance that not many anything wrong. Thaønh coù tinh thaàn traùch nhieäm cao; anh people can stand. (Caén raêng chòu ñöïng ñoàng nghóa ta saün saøng chòu hình phaït neáu anh phaïm baát cöù sai laàm vôùi hy sinh vaø cam chòu, moät ñieàu ít ngöôøi laøm ñöôïc.) naøo. take s.t. on faith cöù taïm tin nhö vaäy Please try to take s.o./something by storm laøm cho ai say meâ Jane is believe what I am telling you. Just take it on faith. madly in love with Tom. He took her by storm at the office (Xin taïm tin lôøi toâi noùi ñi. Cöù taïm tin nhö vaäy ñaõ.) party, and they’ ve been together ever since. (Jane yeâu Surely you can’t expect me to take a story like that anh chaøng Tom say ñaém. Hai ngöôøi gaëp nhau taïi moät böõa on faith. (Chaéc baïn cuõng khoâng theå ñoøi hoûi toâi phaûi tieäc do sôû toå chöùc vaø hai ngöôøi quen nhau töø ñoù.) taïm tin caâu chuyeän nhö vaäy chôù.) take s.o./something for granted khoâng coi troïng ai/vieäc gì take s.t. on the chin neám qua muøi cay ñaéng The Mrs. Armenda complained that Mr. Franklin takes her worst luck comes my way, and I am used to taking it for granted. (Baø Armenda phaøn naøn raèng oâng Franklin on the chin. (Xui xeûo luùc naøo cuõng ñeán vôùi toâi neân toâi khoâng coi troïng baø aáy.) As ever he never takes anyone ñaõ quen neám muøi cay ñaéng.) It is good to take s.t. or anything for granted. For he believes that everyone is on the chin at least once in one’s life because one his teacher, and everything has its own use to preserve. cannot be lucky all the time. (Trong cuoäc ñôøi neân neám (Bao giôø anh ta cuõng khoâng daùm coi thöôøng baát cöù ai hay muøi cay ñaéng ít nhaát moät laàn vì khoâng ai ñöôïc may baát cöù vieäc gì. Vì anh ta tin raèng moïi ngöôøi laø thaày anh maén hoaøi.) aáy, vaø moïi vieäc ñeàu coù caùi duïng caàn döôïc toân troïng.) take s.t. with a pinch of salt vaø take s.t. with a grain take s.o.’s breath away laáy hôi thôû cuûa ai 1. laøm ai phaûi of salt tai nghe buïng ngôø They took my explanatin ngoäp thôû Walking too fast take my breath away. (Ñi boä with a pinch of salt. I am sure they did not believe me. nhanh quaù laøm toâi ngoäp thôû.) 2. laøm cho ai phaûi nín thôû (Hoï nghe toâi giaûi thích maø vaãn nghi ngôø. Toâi bieát (vì saéc ñeïp, söï huøng vó) The magni-ficent painting took chaéc hoï khoâng tin toâi.) You are too skeptical. Why my breath away. (Böùc tranh ñeïp quaù laøm toâi phaûi nín do you take everything with a pinch of salt? (Baïn ña thôû.) nghi quaù. Taïi sao caùi gì baïn cuõng tai nghe maø buïng take s.o. under one’s wing(s) theo keøm ai moät beân The ngôø vaäy?) teram leader took the new employees under his wings, take the bitter with the sweet coù naøy coù kia; coù toát and they learned the job in no time. (Vieân toaùn tröôûng coù xaáu Every now and then we have disappoint- keøo caùc nhaân vieân môùi moät beân, neân chaúng bao laâu sau ments, but we are ready take the bitter with the sweet. hoï laøm gioûi ngay.) Parents should spare time to take (Thænh thoaûng thaáy baát maõn, nhöng chuùng toâi saün their children under their wings until they can think saèng chaáp nhaän coù naøy coù kia.) Take the bitter with independently. (Cha meï neân keøm theo con caùi moät beân the sweet! Without the bitter the sweet is not so sweet! cho ñeán khi chuùng khoân lôùn.) (Phaûi chaáp nhaän cay ñaéng! Khoâng coù cay ñaéng laøm take s.t. at face value chaáp thuaän ngay khoâng thaéc maéc sao thaáy giaù trò cuûa ngoït buøi!) He made us a promise, and we took his word at face take the bull by the horn saün saøng saün saøng öùng phoù; value. (OÂng ta höùa vôùi chuùng toâi vaø chuùng toâi chaáp thuaän ñöùng muõi chòu saøo The difficulty we are having ngay khoâng thaéc maéc.) We usually take everything at does not go away by itself. We have to take the bull by face value, and once in a while we have trouble because the horn. (Caùi khoù khaên chuùng ta ñang gaëp phaûi some people do not keep their promises. (Chuùng toâi khoâng phaûi töï nhieân maø heát ñöôïc. Chuùng ta phaûi saün thöôøng chaáp thuaän ngay khoâng thaéc maéc, neân thænh saøng öùng phoù vôùi noù.) Mr. Bình is the person who thoaûng chuùng toâi bò raéc roái vì coù moät sôù ngöôøi höùa maø takes the bull by the horn on all problems in our khoâng giöõ lôøi.) communty. (OÂng Bình laø ngöôøi ñöùng muõi chòu saøo veà take s.t. in stride xem nhö chuyeän thöôøng; xem nhö moïi vaán ñeà trong coäng ñoàng chuùng toâi.)

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take the law into one’s hands naém luaät trong tay; naém caây noùi chuyeän laøm aên.) quyeàn sinh saùt Police are usually authorized to take the talk through one’s hat noùi xaïo Many people are law into their hands. (Caûnh saùt thì thöôøng ñöôïc cho pheùp not as good as they say. They are just talking through naém luaät trong tay.) In a totalitarian state the ruler their hats. (Nhieàu ngöôøi khoâng toát nhö lôøi hoï noùi ñaâu. takes the law into his hands. (Trong moät nöôùc ñoäc ñoaùn Hoï chæ noùi xaïo ngoaøi mieäng thoâi.) Three persons thì ngöôøi caàm quyeàn naém quyeàn sinh saùt trong tay.) were talking through their hats about how beautiful take the stand ra laøm nhaân chöùng; ngoài vaøo choã nhaân theri countries are. (Ba ngöôøi ñang noùi khoaùc vôùi chöùng My uncle had to be in court all day, waiting to nhau veà xöù sôû cuûa hoï ñeïp ñeõ ñeán côõ naøo.) take the stand. (Chuù toâi phaûi chöïc ôû toaø suoát ngaøy, ñôïi tôùi talk until one is blue in the face noùi raõ hoïng That phieân mình ra laøm nhaân chöùng. When he took the stand, boy is rather hard-headed. He did not listen to his he mumbled because he was too scared. (Khi ngoài vaøo father who had to talk until he was blue in the face. choã nhaân chöùng thì oâng laïi laép baép vì quaù sôï.) (Thaèng beù ñoù cöùng ñaàu thaät. Cha noù noùi ñeán raõ hoïng take the words out of one’s mouth noùi chaän hoïng; cöôùp maø noù chaúng chòu nghe.) Although a number of us lôøi ai Taâm said exactly what his brother was going to pleaded with Taâm to acknowledge his error by talking say. He took the words out of his brother’s mouth. (Taâm until wer were in blue in the face, he remained noùi y heät ñieàu anh noù ñònh noùi. Noù noùi chaän hoïng anh noù adamant in his refusal to admit his wrongdoing. (Maëc maø.) I agreed with you. I wanted to say the same thing. daàu moät soá trong chuùng toâi naên næ vôùi Taâm laø neân You took the words right out of my mouth. (Toâi ñoàng yù nhìn nhaän sai phaïm cuûa mình baèng caùch noùi vôùi anh baïn noùi y heät ñieàu toâi muoán noùi. Baïn noùi cöôùp lôøi toâi ta raõ hoïng, nhöng anh nhaát möïc khoâng chòu nhaän loãi.) maø.) tear one’s hair böùc toùc böùc tai; böïc boäi; noùng naûy take to one’s heels chaïy maát tieâu His grandchild When she found out that she had forgetten the key stopped, said hello to his grandpa and then took to his in her office, she tore her hair. (Khi coâ ta bieát ra mình heels. (Ñöùa chaùu ñöùng laïi, noùi chaøo oâng vôùi oâng noù roài boû ñaõ boû queân xaâu chìa khoaù taïi sôû laøm, coâ ta böùc toùc chaïy maát tieâu.) The man took his heels to get to the böùc tai.) We did not know what Taâm and Mai had busstop before it was too late. (OÂng aáy chaïy thaät nhanh had. When we got there, we saw Mai tearing her hair, ñeán traïm xe buyùt cho kòp chuyeán xe.) but Taâm was not there. (Chuùng toâi khoâng bieát Taâm vaø take up one’s abode somewhere dôøi ñi ôû choã khaùc We Mai coù chuyeän gì. Khi chuùng toâi ñeán thì thaáy Mai had been living in Seattle for two years when we decided ñang böùc toùc böùc tai, maø khoâng thaáy Taâm ôû ñoù.) to take up our abode in Southern California. (Chuùng toâi ôû tell one to one’s face noùi thaúng vaøo maët ai I won’t Seattle ñöôïc hai naêm thì quyeát ñinh dôøi xuoáng Nam tell anyone about what you want to say to them. If you Cali.) Leaving that remote place, we took up our abode want, you can tell them to their faces. (Toâi seõ khoâng in the vicinity of the capital city. (Rôøi khoûi nôi xa xoâi ñoù, noùi vôùi baát cöù ai veà chuyeän baïn muoán noùi vôùi hoï. chuùng toâi dôøi ñeán ôû taïi vuøng ngoaïi oâ thuû ñoâ.) Neáu muoán, baïn coù theå noùi thaúng vaøo maët hoï.) talk a blue streak noùi nhö sanh nhö söùa; noùi lua lua No Telling s.o. to his/her face can be annoying at the one except his mother can understand what that little girl moment, but in the long run it is not a bad habit at all. says. She talks a blue streak. (Ñöùa beù noùi nhö sanh nhö (Noùi thaúng vaøo maët ai laø chuyeän coù theå gaây böïc boäi söùa. Ngoaïi tröø meï noù ra chaúng ai hieåu ñöôïc noù noùi gì.) ngay luùc ñoù, nhöng veà laâu veà daøi thì ñoù khoâng phaûi Those who talke a blue streak should take a course on taùnh xaáu.) public speaking. (Ngöôøi taät noùi lua lua nhö vaäy thì neân ñi tell tales out of school reâu rao chuyeän rieâng cuûa ai; hoïc moät khoaù veà aên noùi tröôùc coâng chuùng.) phao tin ñoàn nhaûm I wish that among us no one talk in circles noùi quanh noùi co Those two girls were would tell tales out of school. (Toâi mong raèng trong talking in circles for hours about a simple thing that soá chuùng ta khoâng coù ai ñi reâu rao chuyeän rieâng tö would take ten to fifteen minutes to finish it. (Hai caùi coâ cuûa ngöôøi khaùc.) If you keep telling tales out of ñoù noùi quanh noùi coù caû tieáng ñoàng hoà veà moät chuyeän maø school, someday you will be a victim of yourself. (Neáu leõ ra chæ maát chöøng 10 ñeán 15 phuùt laø noùi xong.) I baïn cöù ñi reâu rao chuyeän ñoàn nhaûm nhí nhö vaäy hoaøi, sometimes talk in circles, driving her up the wall. (Toâi coù ngaøy chính baïn seõ laø naïn nhaân cuûa caùc tin ñoàn ñoù.) thænh thoaûng noùi quanh noùi co laøm cho baø ta noåi ñieân tempest in a teapot chuyeän khoâng ñaâu maø oàn aøo leân.) Even a tempest in a teapot can take a lot of time to talk shop baøn chuyeän laøm aên khoâng phaûi choã All right, settle it. (Thaäm chí moät chuyeän khoâng ñaâu maø oàn aøo everyone, we are here not to talk shop. Let’s talk about roài phaûi maát raát nhieàu thôøi gian ñeå giaûi quyeát.) s.t. else. (Thoâi cho toâi xin caùc ngöôøi ñi, chuùng ta khoâng Those people tend to makes noises from some neân noùi chuyeän laøm aên ôû ñaây. Noùi chuyeän khaùc ñi.) tempest in a teapot. (Maáy ngöôøi ñoù chuyeân moân thích Mary and Traân stood by the punch bowl, talking shop. laøm oàn aøo töø nhöõng chuyeän khoâng ñaâu.) (Mary vaø Traân ñöùng beân caïnh caùi bình röôïu pha nöôùc traùi thank one’s lucky stars nhôø trôøi ñöôïc may maén I

128 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

thank my lucky stars that I got married a devoted wife. tuaàn traêng maät ñaõ qua roài khi bò vieân quaûn ñoác naït noä (Nhôø trôøi toâi may maén cöôùi ñöôïc ngöôøi vôï ñaûm ñang.) baûo toâi laøm nhanh leân.) He does not believe in luck, so he cannot thank his The pot calling the kettle black. Löôn ngaén cheâ lucky stars. (Noù khoâng tin laø coù chuyeän may maén neân noù traïch daøi Thanh is always late, but he complains khoâng theå noùi nhôø trôøi ñöôïc may maén.) people who are early. That is the pot calling the kettle That’s the last straw vaø That’s the straw that broke the black. (Thanh luùc naøo cuõng ñeán treã, vaäy maø anh cöù camel’s back. Nhö vaäy laø tuyeät tình; chaám döùt töø ñaây phaøn naøn raèng ngöôøi khaùc ñeán sôùm. Ñoù laø löôn ngaén When Xinh came down sick, that was the last straw. We cheâ traïch daøi.) It is very common that the pot had to cancel our trip. (Khi Xinh ñoå beänh xuoáng, moïi calling the kettle black. People do not know about chuyeän xem nhö chaám döùt. Chuyeán ñi cuûa chuùng toâi phaûi themselves well, but are ready to criticize others. huyû boû.) The project was proposed and carried by Mrs. (Löôn ngaén cheâ traïch daøi laø chuyeän khaù bình thöôøng. Brownings. When she resigned, that was the straw that Ngöôøi ta khoâng hieåu roõ chính mình nhöng laïi ñi pheâ broke the camel’s back. (Döï aùn ñöôïc chuû xöôùng vaø thöïc bình keû khaùc.) hieän bôûi baø Browinings. Khi baø ta töø chöùc thì keå nhö moïi There are plenty of other fish in the sea. khoâng coù chuyeän chaám döùt.) môï chôï cuõng ñoâng; thieáu khoái gì ngoaøi chôï Don’t That’s the ticket. Ñuùng nhö vaäy That’s the ticket! We ever think you are the only person who can do the job. knew you could sing that song beautifully. (Ñuùng nhö There are plenty of other fish in the sea. (Ñöøng bao vaäy! Chuùng toâi bieát chaéc baïn haùt baøi ñoù hay tuyeät maø.) giôø nghó raèng baïn laø ngöôøi duy nhaát coù theå laøm ñöôïc No matter what s.o. is doing well or bady, Old Bald coâng vieäc naøy. Khoâng môï chôï cuõng ñoâng!) When usually says, “That’s the ticket!” Is he a yes-man? (Baát Mai lost her parrot, she cried a lot. Her mother said, keå ngöôøi khaùc laøm hay hoaëc dôû, Giaø Hoùi cuõng noùi: “There are plenty of other fish in the sea. I’ll get you “Ñuùng nhö vaäy!” OÂng ta coù ba phaûi khoâng ñoù?) another one.” But Mai said that it was a rare parrot That takes care of that. Xong caû roài; oån roài We spent that was able to speak several phrases. (Khi Mai maát many hours to fix the roof, and that takes care of that. con keùt, coâ ta khoùc quaù trôøi. Meï coâ baûo, “Thieáu khoái (Chuùng toâi boû maáy giôø ñeå söûa caùi maùi nhaø. Vaø baây giôø thì gì ngoaøi chôï ñeå meï mua con khaùc cho con.” Nhöng xong caû roài.) You were lucky. It took me a week to fix Mai noùi laïi raèng con keùt ñoù bieát noùi nhieàu laém.) the roof. But that takes care of that. (Baïn heân ñoù. Toâi There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Thieáu gì phaûi maát caû tuaàn leã môùi söûa xong. Nhöng moïi vieäc oån caû caùch giaûi quyeát moät vaán ñeà. Don’t worry. I’ll figure roài.) out a way to get it done. There’s more than one way The coast is clear. Khoâng coù gì nguy hieåm I want to to skin a car. (Ñöøng lo. Toâi seõ nghó caùch ñeå laøm vieäc stay inside until the coast is clear. (Toâi muoán ôû trong nhaø ñoù. Thieáu gì caùch giaûi quyeát moät vaán ñeà.) There’s cho ñeán khi khoâng coøn gì nguy hieåm (môùi ra ngoaøi.) more than one way to skin a cat. There are many You can come out now. The coast is clear. (Baïn coù theå solutions to a problem. (Thieáu gì caùch giaûi quyeát vaán ra ngoaøi ñöôïc roài. Khoâng coù gì nguy hieåm nöõa.) ñeà. Moät vaán ñeà thì coù nhieàu giaûi phaùp.) The early bird gets the worm. traâu chaäm uoáng nöôùc There’s no account for taste. Sôû thích khoâng giaûi ñuïc; cheát tröôùc ñöôïc moà maõ Don’t be late again! Don’t nghóa ñöôïc. Some people seem to like the music you know that the early bird gets the worm? (Ñöøng coù although I think it is worse than noise. There is ñeán treã nöõa! Boä baïn khoâng bieát traâu chaäm uoáng nöôùc ñuïc nothing accounting for taste. (Moät soá ngöôøi döôøng aø?) I’ll be there before the sun is up. After all, the early nhö thích aâm nhaïc maëc daàu toâi thaáy raèng aâm nhaïc bird gets the worm. (Toâi seõ ñeán ñoù tröôùc khi maët trôøi leân. coøn teä hôn laø tieáng oàn aøo nöõa. Ñaõ noùi sôû thích thì Duø sao thì cheát tröôùc ñöôïc moà maõ maø.) khoâng giaûi nghóa ñöôïc maø.) The French say, The fat is in the fire. Löûa chaùy thaønh ngoïn; vieäc ñaõ lôõ roài “Chacun aø son gout” which means “Each has his own She has decided to leave you because you are too taste.” There’s no accounting for taste! (Ngöôøi Phaùp cheap. What are you going to do? (Vì anh keo kieät quaù noùi: “Chacun aø son gout” coù nghóa laø “Moãi ngöôøi moät neân baø ta quyeát ñònh boû anh roài ñoù. Anh tính laøm sao sôû thích. Thích thì khoâng giaûi nghóa ñöôïc.) ñaây?) The fat is in the fire! He drove my car recklessly There will be the devil to pay. (Neáu baïn laøm hö xe and crashed it into a hydrant! (Chuyeän lôùn roài! Noù laùi xe toâi, baïn seõ voâ soá naïn.) Bill broke a window, and caåu thaû quaù ñeå toâng xe toâi vaøo truï nöôùc chöõa löûa roài.) now there will be the devil to pay. (Bill laøm beå kính The honeymoon is over Tuaàn traêng maät ñaõ qua; thôøi gian cöûa soå, neân phaûi laõnh voâ soá naïn.) I was so nervous maën noàng ñaõ döùt The honeymoon is over. We should that I broke the ignition key, then I stepped on the roll up our sleeves to work as hard as horses. (Tuaàn traêng gas; the car jumped back, hitting the signpost. Now maät ñaõ qua roài. Chuùng ta phaûi xaên tay aùo leân maø laøm there will be the devil to pay. (Toâi bò khôùp ñeán noåi toâi vieäc nhö traâu thoâi.) I knew the honeymoon was over laøm gaõy caùi chìa khoaù xe, roài ñaïp nhaàm chaân ga; when the manager yelled at me to work faster. (Toâi bieát chieác xe voït lui, toâng phaûi caùi coät ghi daáu ñi ñöôøng.

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 129

Baây giôø phaûi laõnh voâ soá naïn thoâi.) kids throw a monkey wrench in the works!”. Then two The shoe is on the other foot. Bò ñaùnh môùi bieát ñaùnh laø of them burst out laughing. (Maáy ñöùa treû haøng xoùn cöù ñau. Coù neám boà hoøn môùi bieát ñaéng. The teacher is sang chôi beân nhaø cuûa John vaø Jane hoaøi. Jane nhìn taking a course in summer school and is finding out what chuùng noù, noùi ñuøa: “Maáy ñöùa naøy laøm trôû ngaïi coâng it's like when the shoe is on the other foot. (Thaày giaùo vieäc quaù!” roài hai ngöôøi phaù leãn cöôøi.) theo hoïc khoaù heø vaø hieåu ra raèng coù bò ñaùnh môùi bieát throw caution to the wind thaû cho gioù; trôû neân lieàu ñaùnh ngöôøi laø ñau.) When the policeman was arrested, lónh. Thy, who is usually cautious, threw caution to he learned what it was like to have the shoe on the other the wind and went windsurfing. (Thy, moät ngöôøi voán foot. (Khi ngöôøi caûnh saùt bò baét, anh ta môùi thaám thía caån thaän, boãng trôû neân lieàu lónh vaø daùm ñi chôi löôùt raèng coù neám boà hoøn môùi bieát ñaéng.) Quan was born soùng.) I don't taking a little chance now and then, with a silver spoon in his mouth. He usually blames his but I'm not the type of person who throws caution to friends that they are lazy and ridiculous. He probably the wind. (Toâi khoâng maáy khi daùm thöû, vì toâi khoâng does not understand what it means by “The shoe is on the thuoäc haïng ngöôøi daùm lieàu lónh.) other foot." (Quaân sinh ra trong boïc ñieàu. Anh ta thöôøng throw down the gaunlet ra daáu thaùch thöùc. (Duøng cheâ bai baïn beø raèng hoï löôøi bieáng vaø khôø daïi. Coù leõ anh hình aûnh hai duõng syõ thôøi trung coå thaùch nhau so chöa hieåu yù nghóa caâu “Coù neám boà hoøn môùi bieát ñaéng.) kieám.) When Bob challenged my conclusions, he think on one's feet vöøa noùi vöøa suy nghó. If you want to threw down the gaunlet. I was ready for an argument. be a successful teacher, you must be able to think on your (Khi Bob cheâ traùch phaàn keát luaän cuûa toâi, anh ta feet. (Neáu baïn muoán laøm moät thaày giaùo thaønh coâng, baïn muoán thaùch thöùc toâi. Toâi saün saøng tranh luaän ngay.) phaûi coù khaû naêng vöøa noùi vöøa suy nghó.) I have to write Frowning at Bob is the same as throwing down the out everything I'm going to say, because I can't think on gaunlet. He loves to get into a fight about s.t.. (Chau my feet too well. (Toâi phaûi vieát ra heát nhöõng gì saép trình maøy nhìn Bob chaúng khaùc naøo ra daáu thaùch thöùc anh baøy vì toâi khoâng coù khaû naêng vöøa noùi vöøa suy nghó.) ta giao ñaáu. Anh ta khoaùi ñaùnh nhau vì chuyeän khoâng It's easy to think on your feet if you know your subject ñaâu laém.) As Don Quixote threw down the gaunlet thoroughly. As a teacher, you should master your subject. to challenge The Knight of Mirror, he started to fight (Vöøa noùi vöøa suy cuõng deå neáu baïn naém vöõng ñeà taøi baïn against himself. (Khi Ñoâng-Ki-xoát ra daáu thaùch thöùc muoán noùi ñeán. Laøm thaày giaùo, baïn neân naém vöõng moân giao ñaáu vôùi Hieäp Syõ Kính Töû, anh ta baét ñaàu chieán mình daïy cho thaät thaáu ñaùo.) ñaáu vôùi chính mình.) through thick and thin traûi qua nhöõng caûnh vui throw good money after bad maát tieàn mua taät. I buoàn/söôùng khoå; traûi qua cay ñaéng ngoït buøi. We've bought a used car and then had to spend $300 on been together through thich and thin and we won't desert repairs. That was throwing good money after bad. each other now. (Chuùng toâi ñaõ töøng soáng qua nhöõng hoaøn (Toâi mua chieác xe cuõ roài coøn veà boû theâm ba traêm ra caûnh söôùng khoå roài neân khoâng bao giôø chuùng toâi lìa boû söûa. Thaät laø maát tieàn mua taät.) The Browns are nhau.) Over the years, we went through thick and thin always throwing good money after bad. They bought and enjoyed every minute of it. (Haøng bao naêm nay, an acre of land that turned out to be swamp, and then chuùng toâi cuøng nhau soáng trong caûnh vui buoàn vaø thaáy raát had to pay to have it filled in. (Gia ñình Brown luùc haïnh phuùc.) Vietnamese women are noted for their naøo cuõng bò caûnh maát tieàn mua taät. Hoï mua mieáng faithfulness. They are ready to go through thick and thin ñaát gaëp sình laày khoâng neân laïi phaûi boû theâm tieàn ra with their families and always sacrifice for the sake of ñoå ñaát cho cao leân.) When I first came here, I threw their husband and children. (Ngöôøi ñaøn baø Vieät nam noåi good money after bad, too. I bought a used car and tieáng veà söï trung tín. Hoï saün saøng cuøng vôùi gia ñình traûi had to have it repaired. The cost of the repair was as qua nhöõng cay ñaéng ngoït buøi vaø luoân luoân hy sinh ñeå much as I had paid for it! (Khi toâi ñeán ñaây laàn ñaàu choàng con hoï ñöôïc sung söôùng.) tieân, toâi cuõng bò maát tieàn mua taät vaäy. Toâi mua chieác throw a monkey wrench in the works gaây trôû ngaïi coâng xe cuõ veà vaø phaûi söûa. Tieàn söûa baèng tieàn mua luoân!) vieäc cuûa ai. I don't want to throw a monkey wrench in throw in the towel/sponge boû pheá ra ñoù; ngöng coâng the works, but have you checked your plans with a vieäc. When John could stand no more of Mary's bad lawyer? (Toâi khoâng muoán gaây trôû ngaïi coâng vieäc cuûa anh temper, he threw in the towel and left. (Khi John ñaâu, nhöng xin hoûi anh ñaõ hoûi kyõ keá hoaïch cuûa anh vôùi khoâng chòu noåi côn thònh noä cuûa Mary, anh ta boû pheá moät luaät sö naøo ñoù chöa?) When John refused to help ra ñoù vaø ñi maát.) Don't give up now! It's too soon to us, he really threw a monkey wrench in the works. (Khi throw in the sponge. (Ñöøng chòu thua chôù! Baây giôø John töø choái khoâng chòu giuùp chuùng toâi, anh ta quaû ñaõ ngöng coâng vieäc thì haõy coøn quaù sôùm.) gaây trôû ngaïi cho coâng vieäc cuûa chuùng toâi raát nhieàu.) throw oneself at s.o.'s feet quyø moïp döôùi chaân ai. Those children from next door come to John and Jane's Do I have to throw myself at your feet in order to house all the time. Jane looked at John and joked: “These convince you that I'm sorry? (Anh coù phaûi quyø moïp

130 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

döôùi chaân em ñeå cho em hieåu anh aân haän chöøng naøo anh bieát anh bò sa thaûi ngay töùc khaéc.) The two khoâng?) I love you sincerely, Jane. I'll throw myself at brothers threw everyone for a loop by killing their your feet and await your command. I'll you slave! (Anh parents whom they blamed to have abused them. How yeâu em voâ ngaàn, Jane aï. Anh saün saøng quyø moïp döôùi old are they? (Hai anh em ñoù laøm cho moïi ngöôøi chaân em ñeå chôø em ra leänh. Anh nguyeän laøm noâ leä cho söûng soát baèng caùch haï saùt cha meï chuùng roài coøn vieän em.) The poor man threw himself at the official's feet côù laø cha meï chuùng haønh haï chuùng. Chuùng noù bao and begged for mercy, but the official answered sternly: nhieâu tuoåi vaäy?) “Get away!" (Ngöôøi ñaøn oâng quyø moïp döôùi chaân vieân throw s.o. to the wolves boû ai cho soùi aên; laøm vaät hy chöùc aáy vaø khaån khoaûn xin tha, nhöng vieân chöùc noï xaúng sinh. The press was demanding an explanation, so gioïng: “Ñi choã khaùc!") the mayor blamed the mess on John and threw him to throw oneself on the mercy of the court vaø throw the wolves. (Baùo chí ñang leân tieáng ñoøi giaûi thích, oneself at the mercy of the court khaån khoaûn xin toaø neân oâng thò tröôûng ñoå heát toäi cho John vaø hy sinh anh khoan hoàng. Your honor, please believe me, I didn't do ta luoân.) I wouldn't let them throw me to the wolves! it on purpose. I throw myself on the mercy of the court I did nothing wrong, and I won't take the blame for and beg for a light sentence. (Thöa oâng chaùnh aùn, xin oâng their errors. (Toâi khoâng bao giôø ñeå hoï ñem toâi ra laøm tin toâi. Toâi khoâng heà coá yù laøm chuyeän ñoù. Toâi khaån vaät hy sinh ñaâu! Toâi khoâng laøm gì sai traùi, vaø toâi cuõng khoaûn xin toaø khoan hoàng cho toâi ñöôïc giaûm khinh.) seõ khoâng chòu gaùnh loãi cho hoï ñaâu.) Jane threw herself at the mercy of the court and hoped throw s.t. into the bargain ñöôïc bieáu keøm theo haøng for the best. (Jane khaån khoaûn xin toaø khoan hoàng vaø hy mua. To encourage me to buy a new car, the car voïng ñöôïc cöùu xeùt.) What a funny thing! That serial dealer threw a free radio into the bargain. (Ñeå killer threw himself on the mercy of the court! When the khuyeán duï toâi mua xe, nhaân vieân trong ñaïi lyù baùn xe victims he had killed begged him for mercy, did he listen bieáu theâm moät caùi radio keøm theo.) If you purchase to them? Why now...? (Thaät laø chuyeän buoàn cöôøi! Teân three pounds of chocolates, I'll throw one pount of gieát ngöôøi haøng loaït kia ñaõ khaån khoaûn xin toaø khoan salted nuts into the bargain. (Neáu baïn mua ba caân soâ- hoàng! Khi nhöõng naïn nhaân y saùt haïi van xin y tha toäi, y coâ-la, toâi bieáu theâm goùi haït ngaøo muoái.) coù chòu tha khoâng? Sao baây giôø laïi...?) thumb/hitch a ride xin quaù giang. My car broke throw s.o. a curve quaúng ai ñöôøng cong. (Duøng trong caùc down on the highway, and I had to thumb a ride to get cuoäc tranh taøi daõ caàu.) 1. neùm cho ai traùi banh xoaùy vaø back to town. (Xe toâi bò hö treân xa loä, neân toâi phaûi xin eùp-pheâ. The pitcher threw John a curve, and John quaù giang veà laïi phoá.) Sometimes it's dangerous to swung wildly against thin air. (Caàu thuû neùm boùng neùm hitch a ride with a stranger. (Ñoâi khi cho ngöôøi laï cho John traùi banh xoaùy vaø eùp- pheâ, khieán John ñaùnh moät quaù giang cuõng nguy hieåm.) It was a cold and caùi huït vaøo giöõa quaõng khoâng.) During that game, the windy night. The man, seeing a person thumbing a pitcher threw everyone a curve at least once. (Trong traän ride on the high way, stopped his car and got killed tranh taøi, caàu thuû neùm boùng ñoù cho moãi ñoái thuû ít nhaát after that. He died because he was too kind. (Ñeâm aáy moät ñeán hai traùi banh xoaùy vaø eùp-pheâ nhö vaäy.) 2. taïo baát trôøi laïnh vaø gioù to. Thaáy moät ngöôøi ñöùng treân xa loä ngôø laøm cho ai boái roái. John threw me a curve when we xin quaù giang, oâng ta môùi ngöøng xe laïi vaø sau ñoù bò making our presentation, and I forgot my speech. (John gieát cheát. Vì quaù töû teá maø oâng ta cheát.) laøm cho toâi boái roái trong luùc chuùng toâi ñang trình baøy ñeà thumb one's nose at s.o./s.t. hónh muõi leân khinh taøi cuûa chuùng toâi, khieán toâi queân maát baøi noùi chuyeän cuûa khænh. (Loái baøy toû thaùi ñoä khinh bæ ai.) The tramp toâi.) When you said “house” you threw me a curve. The thumbed his nose at the lady and walked away. (Tay password was supposed to be “home”. (Khi baïn noùi chöõ laõng töû hónh loã muõi leân khinh khænh nhìn baø ta roài boû “nhaø” baïn laøm cho toâi boái roái. Duøng töø naøy ngöôøi ta coù ñi.) You can't just thumb your nose at people who duïng yù noùi ñeán “gia ñình”.) Ah, you mean “house” for give you trouble. You've got to learn to get along. “home”! We do mean the same thing and, even more (Baïn khoâng neân hónh loå muõi leân khinh khænh vôùi interesting, we mean “spouse”, too. Does it throw you a nhöõng ngöôøi gaây raéc roái vôùi baïn. Phaûi hoïc caùch soáng cruve? (A, baïn goïi “nhaø” laø “gia ñình”! Chuùng toâi cuõng sao cho phuø hôïp vôùi moïi ngöôøi.) duøng nhö vaäy, nhöng thuù vò hôn, chuùng toâi coøn coù yù noùi tickle s.o.'s fancy gôïi tính toø moø cuûa keû khaùc; taïo cho ñeán “vôï hoaëc choàng” nöõa ñoù. Nhö vaäy coù laøm baïn boái roái ai oùc toø moø muoán bieát. I have an interesting khoâng?) problem here that I think will tickle your fancy. (Toâi throw/knock s.o. for a loop laøm cho ai ngôõ ngaøng hay coù moät chuyeän raát vui maø toâi nghó seõ laøm cho baïn toø söûng soát. When Binh heard the news, it threw him for a moø muoán bieát.) This doesn't tickle my fancy at all. loop. (Khi Bình nghe ñöôïc tin aáy, anh ta thaät boái roái.) This is dull and boring. (Chuyeän naøy khoâng laøm cho The manager knocked Binh for a loop by firing him on toâi thích tìm hieåu chuùt naøo caû. Chaùn pheøo.) A good the spot. (Vieân quaûn lyù laøm cho Bình söûng soát khi cho teacher ought to have some way to tickle his students'

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 131

fancy, so that they will find it interesting to go to school. quaù nhieàu vì laøm nhöõng vieäc khoâng töôûng roài.) (Moät thaày giaùo gioûi caàn coù caùch kích thích oùc toø moø cuûa Time hangs heavy on some-one's hands. Thaáy thôøi hoïc sinh, ñeå töø ñoù chuùng môùi thaáy ñi hoïc laø moät ñieàu thuù gian troâi moät caùch voâ vò. I don't like it when time vò.) hangs so heavy on my hands. (Toâi thaáy chaùn naûn khi tied to one's mother's apron strings luùc naøo cuõng ñeo thôøi gian troâi moät caùch voâ vò nhö theá naøy.) John theo meï. Tom is still tied to his mother's upon strings. looks so bored. Time hangs heavy on his hands. (John (Tom giôø naøy maø vaãn coøn ñeo theo meï.) Isn't he a little troâng chaùn chöôøng. Ñoái vôùi anh thôøi gian troâi qua thaät old to be tied to his mother's apron strings? (Boä anh ta voâ vò.) khoâng thaáy ñaõ khaù lôùn roài khoâng neân ñeo theo meï nöõa Time is money. Thôøi giôø laø vaøng baïc. I can't afford sao?) My daughter is ten years old now, still she ties to to spend a lot of time standing here talking. Time is her mother's apron strings. (Con gaùi toâi ñaõ möôøi tuoåi roài, money, you know? (Toâi khoâng theå naøo boû phí thôøi vaäy maø coâ beù cöù ñeo theo meï.) gian maø ñöùng ñaây noùi chuyeän. Baïn bieát, thôøi giôø laø tie s.o. in knots töï troùi buoäc mình; caûm thaáy noùng ruoät vaøng baïc chöù?) People who keep saying time is hay böïc boäi. John tied himself in knots worrying about money may be working too hard. (Ai maø luùc naøo cuõng his wife during the operation. (Suoát trong thôøi gian vôï noùi thôøi giôø laø vaøng baïc thì ngöôøi ñoù laøm vieäc döõ anh ta treân baøn moå, John caûm thaáy voâ cuøng noùng ruoät.) laém.) This waiting and worrying really ties me in knots. (Chôø tip the scales at s.t. nhaác vaät gì leân; cöû (taï, vaät naëng.) ñôïi vaø lo laéng laøm cho toâi böïc boäi thaät.) Tom tips the scales at nearly 200 pounds (Tom coù tie s.o.'s hands troùi tay ai. (Ngaên caám ai khoâng cho töï do theå nhaác moät vaät naëng chöøng hai traêm caân Anh.) haønh ñoäng.) I'd like to help you, but my boss has tied I'll be glad when I tip the scales at a few pounds my hands. (Toâi thích giuùp baïn, nhöng oâng seáp toâi ñaõ troùi less. (Toâi maø naâng ñöôïc gaàn gaàn chöøng ñoù vaøi caân laø tay toâi roài.) Please don't tie my hands with unnecessary toâi ñaõ khoaùi tæ roài.) When I was young, I could tip restrictions. I'd like the freedom to do whatever is the scales at hundred kilograms. Now I am old, I can necessary. (Vui loøng ñöøng troùi tay toâi vì nhöõng chuyeän only lift ten pounds! (Hoài coøn treû toâi cöû ñöôïc moät khoâng caàn thieát. Toâi thích laøm nhöõng gì toâi xeùt thaáy quan traêm kí-loâ. Giôø giaø roài, toâi chæ nhaác ñöôïc möôøi caân!) troïng.) toe the mark/line laøm troøn nhieäm vuï; laøm theo ñieàu tie the knot chui ñaàu vaøo troøng (laäp gia ñình); laáy nhau. leä. You'll get ahead, Sally. Don't worry. Just toe the Well, I hear that you and John are going to tie the knot. mark, and everything will be okay. (Sally, coâ seõ thaønh Congratulations! (ÖØ thì, toâi nghe noùi chò vaø John saép chui coâng. Ñöøng lo. Cöù laøm troøn nhieäm vuï thì moïi vieäc seõ ñaàu vaøo troøng. Xin chuùc möøng!) My parents tied the xong ngay.) John finally got fired. He just couldn't knot almost forty years ago. (Boá meï toâi cuøng chui vaøo learn to toe the line. (Cuoái cuøng thì John bò ñuoåi sôû. troøng caùch ñaây boán möôi naêm.) Marriage is miserable, Chæ vì anh khoâng laøm theo ñieàu leä.) A person who but celibacy is terrible. I'd rather be miserable than always toes the mark can be a good spouse, a good terrible, so I tied the knot twenty two years ago. (Hoân parent and a good citizen as well. (Moät ngöôøi luùc naøo nhaân laø ñau khoå, nhöng ñoäc thaân laïi khoán khoå. Toâi thaø cuõng laøm troøn nhieäm vuï cuûa mình seõ laø moät ngöôøi choïn ñau khoå hôn khoán khoå, neân toâi ñaõ chui ñaàu vaøo phoái ngaãu toát, moät baäc cha meï toát vaø cuõng laø moät troøng caùch ñaây hai möôi hai naêm.) coâng daân toát.) tighten one's belt thaéc löng buoäc buïng. Things are tongue-in-cheek khoâng nghieâm chænh; hay dieãu côït. beginning to cost more and more. It looks like we'll have Ann made a tongue-in-cheek remark to John, and to tighten our belts. (Moïi thöù baét ñaàu caøng ngaøy caøng ñaéc he got mad because he thought she was serious. (Ann ñoû. Chaéc roài chuùng ta phaûi thaéc löng buoäc buïng.) Times thích dieãu côït veà John, nhöng anh chaøng noåi doaù vì are hard, and prices are high. I can tighen my belt for töôûng coâ ta noùi thaät.) The play seemed very serious only so long. (Thôøi gian thì eo heïp, giaù caû thì taêng cao. at first, but then everyone saw that it was tongue-in- Toâi thì chæ coù theå thaéc löng buoäc buïng moät khoaûn thôøi cheek, and they began laughing. (Thoaït ñaàu ai cuõng gian naøo thoâi.) töôûng ñoù laø bi kòch, nhöng veà sau môùi bieát ñoù laø haøi tilt at windmills taán coâng maùy xay luùa chaïy gioù (keû thuø kòch, neân ai naáy phaù leân cöôøi.) trong hoang töôûng); laøm nhöõng vieäc khoâng töôûng. (Laáy töø too good to be true thaät quaù hoaù ngôø; khoâng tin noåi nhaân vaät Ñoâng-Ki-Xoát cuûa vaên haøo Cervantes taán coâng ñoù laø thaät. The news was too good to be true. (Caùi coái xay luùa vì töôûng ñoù laø quaùi vaät hieän hình.) Aren't tin ñoù thaät quaù hoaù ngôø.) When I finally got a big you too smart to go around tilting at windmills? (Baïn raise, it was too good to be true. (Cuoái cuøng khi toâi khoâng thöøa trí thoâng minh ñeå traùnh nhöõng vieäc laøm khoâng ñöôïc taêng löông leân thaät cao, toâi khoâng tin noåi ñoù laø töôûng sao?) I'm not going to fight this issue. I've wasted thaät.) too much of my life tilting at windmills. (Toâi seõ khoâng Too many cooks spoil the stew/ broth. Nhieàu thaày theøm ñeám xæa ñeán chuyeän naøy ñaâu. Ñôøi toâi ñaõ phí phaïm thoái ma. Let's decide who is in charge around here.

132 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

Too many cooks spoil the stew. (Chuùng ta haõy quyeát ñònh ngöôøi ñoù leân naém quyeàn lieàn sa thaûi nhieàu coâng nhaân xem neân ñeà cöû ngöôøi naøo phuï traùch taïi ñaây. Khoâng thì seõ vaø tuyeån duïng ngöôøi khaùc. Ai cuõng noùi raøng:“Keû bò caûnh nhieàu thaày thoái ma.) Everyone is giving orders, chieán thaéng vöøa coù quyeàn vöøa ñöôïc lôïi.) The office but no one is following them! Too many cooks spoil the of president includes the right to live in the White broth. (Moïi ngöôøi ai cuõng ra leänh ñöôïc, nhöng khoâng ai House and at Camp David. To the victors belong the chòu theo leänh ai heát! Thaät laø nhieàu thaày thoái ma.) Too spoils. (Ñaëc quyeàn cuûa moät toång thoáng laø ñöôïc ôû taïi many cooks spoil the broth. In my office, there are three Toaø Baïch OÁc vaø taïi Traïi David. Keû chieán thaéng vöøa figures who all can give orders, and they usually step on coù quyeàn vöøa ñöôïc lôïi.) others' toes because their orders usually conflit. The rest tough act to follow khoù theo kòp ai. Bill's speech is history. (Nhieàu thaày thoái ma thaät. Trong sôû toâi coù ba was excellent. It was a tough act to follow, but my nhaân vaät ñeàu coù quyeàn ra leänh vaø hoï thöôøng daãm chaân speech was good also. (Baøi noùi chuyeän cuûa Bill quaù leân nhau vì leänh cuûa hoï thöôøng maâu thuaãn nhau. Haäu quaû xuaát saéc. Thaät khoù maø theo kòp anh ta, nhöng baøi cuûa ra sao ai cuõng bieát roài.) toâi cuõng hay vaäy.) In spite of the fact that I had a to one's heart's content cho thoûa thích; cho thoûa chí tough act to follow, I did my best. (Baát chaáp söï theå toâi (bình sinh.) John wanted a week's vacation so he could khoù loøng theo kòp ngöôøi khaùc. Toâi ñaõ coá gaéng heát söùc go to the lake and fish to his heart's content. (John muoán toâi.) nghæ moät tuaàn leã ñeå ñi caâu caù ôû ngoaøi hoà cho thoaû thích.) tough row to hoe vieäc khoù nuoát. It was a tough row I just sat there, eating chocolate to my heart's content. to hoe, but I finally got a college degree. (Ñoù laø moät (Toâi chæ ngoài caém cuùi aên coâ-coâ-la cho thoaû chí bình sinh.) vieäc khoù nuoát, nhöng cuoái cuøng cuõng ñaõ ñoaït ñöôïc toot/blow one's own horn khoe khoang; töï khen mình; maûnh baèng ñaïi hoïc.) Getting the contract signed is meøo khen meøo daøi ñuoâi. Tom is always tooting his own going to be a tough row to hoe, but I'm sure I can do horn. Is he really as good as he says he is? (Tom luùc naøo it. (Laøm sao kyù ñöôïc hôïp ñoàng laø vieäc khoù nuoát, cuõng khoe khoang. Anh ta coù toát buïng nhö lôøi anh ta noùi nhöng toâi ñoan chaéc toâi laøm ñöôïc.) khoâng?) I find it hard to blow my own horn, but I true to one's word nhö ñaõ höùa. True to his word, manage. (Toâi thaáy töï khen mình sao khoù quaù, nhöng ñeå Tom showed up at exactly eight o'clock. (Nhö ñaõ höùa, toâi thöû xem.) Be a modest person. Let people say about ñuùng taùm giôø Tom ñeán.) We'll soon know if Jane is you. Don't toot your own horn. (Haõy laøm ngöôøi khieâm true to her word. We'll see if she does what she nhöôøng. Ñeå cho ngöôøi ta noùi veà mình. Ñöøng coù töï khen promised. (Khoâng bao laâu chuùng ta seõ bieát Jane coù mình.) giöõ lôøi höùa hay khoâng. Chuùng ta seõ thaáy coâ ta coù laøm toss one's hat into the ring tuyeân boá ra tranh cöû. Jane nhö ñaõ höùa hay khoâng.) Anyone who is true to his wanted to run for treasurer, so she tossed her hat into the word is good to make friends. (Ai bieát giöõ lôøi höùa laø ring. (Jane muoán tranh chöùc uyû vieân taøi chaùnh, neân coâ ta ngöôøi toát ñaùng keát baïn.) tuyeân boá seõ ra tranh cöû.) The mayor never tossed his try one's wings (out) vaø try out one's wings thöû ñoâi hat into the ring. Instead he announcement his retirement. caùnh; thöû löûa. (YÙ noùi muoán thöû khaû naêng vöøa môùi ñaït (Vieân thò tröôûng khoâng tuyeân boá ra tranh cöû nöõa. Thay ñöôïc.) John just got his driver's license and wants vaøo ñoù oâng cho bieát seõ veà nghæ höu.) They are too old to borrow the car to try out his wings. (John vöøa môùi to toss their hats. Even if they do, no one would vote for ñaäu baèng laùi xe neân muoán möôïn xe ñeå thöû löûa.) I them. (Hoï giaø quaù roài coøn tuyeân boá tranh cöû caùi noåi gì. learned to skin-dive, and I want to go to the seaside to Cho duø hoï coù laøm vaäy, seõ khoâng coù ai boû phieáu cho hoï try out my wings. (Toâi hoïc laën xong, nay toâi muoán ra ñaâu.) ngoaøi bieån ñeå thöû löûa xem sao.) You've read about to the ends of the earth ôû taän cuøng theá giôùi; chaân trôøi it enough. It's time to try your wings. (Baïn ñoïc quaù goùc beå. I'll pursue him to the ends of the earth. (Toâi seõ nhieàu roài. Baây giôø laø luùc thöû löûa xem theá naøo.) theo ñuoåi anh ta ñeán taän cuøng theá giôùi.) We've almost try s.o.'s patience muoán choïc giaän ai. Stop explored the whole world. We've traveled to the ends of whistling. You're trying my patience. Very soon I'm the earth trying to learn about our world. (Chuùng ta gaàn going to lose my temper. (Ñöøng huyùt saùo nöõa. Maøy khaùm phaù heát caû theá giôùi roài. Chaân trôøi goùc beå naøo chuùng muoán choïc giaän tao roài. Huyùt nöõa laø tao noåi suøng leân ta cuõng ñaõ ñaët chaân ñeán.) Are you sure you have baây giôø.) Some students think it's fun to try the traveled to the ends of the earth? Have you been to the teacher’s patience. (Moät soá hoïc sinh nghó raèng choïc Devil Triangle? (Baïn coù chaéc baïn ñaõ ñi heát chaân trôøi goùc ñöôïc thaày giaùo giaän môùi vui.) beå roài khoâng? Baïn ñeán Tam giaùc Quyû chöa?) turn a blind eye to s.o./s.t. giaû boä laøm ngô ai/vieäc gì To the victors belong the spoils. Keû chieán thaéng vöøa coù The usher turned a blind eye to the little boy who quyeàn vöøa ñöôïc lôïi. Those men took office and sneaked into the theater. (Ngöôøi soaùt veù laøm ngô ñeå immediately fired many workers and hired new ones. thaèng beù leûn vaøo raïp haùt.) Mai saw Taâm but she Everyone said, “To the victors belong the spoils." (Nhöõng turned a blind eye to him. (Mai nhìn thaáy Taâm nhöng

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 133

coâ ta giaû boä laøm ngô anh ta.) (Coøn treû tuoåi maø Bình ñaõ thaønh coâng lôùn vì anh ta turn a deaf ear to s.t. giaû caâm giaû ñieác The bieát töông keá töïu keá ñeå kieám lôïi.) government has turned a deaf ear to the homeless. (Chính turn the table xui thaønh heân Fortune turned the phuû ñaõ giaû caâm giaû ñieác vôùi nhöõng ngöôøi voâ gia cö.) tables and that team won the game by two point. (May Those persons are ready to pay thousands of dollars for maén cho ñoäi ñoù, xui thaønh heân, neân thaéng traän ñoù hai a banquet, but they turn a deaf ear to poor people who ñieåm.) only need one or two dollars for a scanty meal. (Nhöõng turn the other cheek quay maët laøm ngô (Khoâng ngöôøi ñoù saün saøng traû haøng ngaøn ñoâ-la cho moät böõa tieäc theøm ñeám xæa tôùi cho duø bò ñoái xöû teä baïc hay bò xuùc nhöng hoï laïi giaû caâm giaû ñieác vôùi nhöõng ngöôøi ngheøo haïm) I usually turn the other when s.o. is rude to khoå chæ caàn vaøi ñoâ-la mua moät böõa an thanh ñaïm.) me. (Toâi thöôøng quay maët laøm ngô vôùi baát cöù ai thoâ turn on a dime cua thaät gaáp; cua gaét The new car can loã vôùi toâi.) Turning the other cheek is one of the handle to turn on a dime. (Chieác xe môùi coù theå chòu ñöïng ways to nourish one’s patience. (Quay maët laøm ngô laø ñöôïc nhöõng laàn cua thaät gaáp.) The speeding car turned moät trong nhöõng caùch reøn luyeän taùnh nhaãn nhuïc.) a dime and headed in the other direction. (Chieác xe ñang turn the tide xoay chuyeån tình theá; ñaûo ngöôïc tình chaïy quaù toác ñoä cua thaät gaáp vaø chaïy veà höôùng khaùc.) theá It looked as if the team was going to lose, but turn over a new leaf baét ñaàu vôùi tö theá (hay phong thaùi) near the end of the game, their star player turned the môùi After a minor accident, Thanh decided to turen tide. (Troâng coù veû nhö ñoäi ñoù saép söûa thua traän ñaáu over a new lead and drive more carefully. (Sau moät tai nhöng khi gaàn cuoái traän thì tuyeån thuû cuûa ñoäi ñaõ xoay naïn nhoû, Thanh quyeát ñònh baét ñaàu vôùi phong thaùi môùi vaø chuyeån ñöôïc tình theá.) At first many people seõ laùi xe caån thaän hôn.) It is common that when people opposed our plan. After a long and serious discussion have experienced s.t., they then turn over a new leaf. we were able to turn the tide. (Thoaït ñaàu coù nhieàu (Ñieàu khaù phoå thoâng laø khi ngöôøi ta traûi qua moät laàn kinh ngöôøi phaûi ñoái keá hoaïch cuûa chuùng toâi. Nhöng sau nghieäm roài thì hoï môùi chòu baét ñaàu moät phong thaùi môùi.) moät cuoäc thaûo luaän daøi vaø nghieâm chænh chuùng toâi ñaõ turn over in one’s grave ñoäi moà ñöùng daäy (YÙ noùi caû ñaûo ngöôïc ñöôïc tình theá.) ngöôøi cheát cuõng khoâng chòu noåi.) If Beethoven heard twiddle one’s thumb ngoài nghòch vôùi ngoùn tay Mai sing play one of his sonatas, he’d turn in over his What am I going to do while waiting for you? Sit grave. (Neáu Beethoven maø nghe mai chôi moät trong here and twiddle my thumbs? (Trong khi chôø ñôïi baïn nhöõng minh taáu cuûa oâng ta thì chaéc oâng ta seõ ñoäi moà thì toâi seõ laøm gì naøo? Ngoài ñaây vaø nghòch vôùi maáy ñöùng daäy luoân.) If Aunt Taàn knew what you were doing ngoùn tay?) Get busy! Don’t sit there twiddling your with her favorite stamps collection, she would turn over thumbs! (Laøm vieäc ñi! Ñöøng ngoài ñoù maø nghòc vôùi in her grave. (Neáu Dì Taàn maø bieát ñöôïc nhöõng gì baïn ngoùn tay nöõa.) ñang laøm vôùi boä söu taäp tem cuûa baø thì chaéc baø ta ñoäi moà twist s.o. around one’s little finger xoay ai nhö deá ñöùng leân quaù.) The five-member interviewing committee twisted turn s.o.’s stomach laøm cho ai ñau buïng (laøm cho ai leân him around his little finger for one hour. (Moät ban ruoät – duøng caû nghóa ñen laãn boùng) The show was so phoûng vaán naêm ngöôøi xoay anh ta nhö deá trong moät much fun that I laughed a lot and that turned my stomach. tieáng ñoàng hoà.) It’s very funny. Instead of twisting (Buoåi trình dieãn hay quaù khieán toâi cöôøi quaù trôøi ñeán noãi my wife around my little finger, my wife twists me ñau caû buïng.) Mrs. Thaùi never turns her stomach around her little finger! (Thaät buoàn cöôøi. Thay vì because of a bad smell of anything, but she really turns xoay vôï toâi nhö deá thì vôï toâi laïi xoay toâi nhö deá!) her stomack when she has to spend a lot of money. (Baø twist s.o.’s arm eùp buoäc ai; hoái thuùc ai I didn’t want Thaùi khoâng heà leân ruoät vì muøi hoâi maø baø leân ruoät vì phaûi to get into business, but my father twisted my arm. tieâu tieàn nhieàu.) (Toâi khoâng thích ñi vaøo thöông tröôøng, nhöng cha toâi turn s.t. to s.o.’s advantage bieát lôïi duïng, töông keá töïu eùp buoäc toâi phaûi vaäy.) Many officials, at first had keá The ice-cream store manager was able to trune the no ideas of corruption. But gradually their wives hot weather to his advantage (Ngöôøi coi tieäm kem bieát twisted their arms, and they accepted briberies. lôïi duïng muøa noùng böùc ñeå baùn kem.) Being a young (Thoaït ñaàu nhieàu vieân chöùc khoâng coù yù tham nhuõng man, Bình has brought the world before him because he nhöng daàn daø bò vôï hoï hoái thuùc vaø roài hoï chaáp nhaän knows how to turn anything in his hand to his advantage. chuyeän hoái loä.)

134 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

laâu nay vaãn ñuùt loùt cho nghò vieân thaønh phoá ñoù.) Taâm transferred a large sum of money to his girl friend under the table. (Taâm ñaõ leùn luùt chuyeån moät soá tieàn lôùn cho boà cuûa noù.) Uu under the weather bi beänh; ñoå beänh When fall is about to be over and winter is about to come, many people are under the weather. (Khi muøa thu saép under a cloud (of suspicion) bò nghi coù dính líu ñeán vieäc chaám döùt vaø muøa ñoâng caän keà thì nhieàu ngöôøi bò gì. Someone stole some money at work, and now beänh.) She is very sensitively allergic to anything everyone is under a cloud of suspicion. (Coù ngöôøi aên caép that she smells. Only some dust can make her be tieàn ôû sôû, neân nay ai cuõng bò nghi ngôø coù dính líu ñeán vuï under the weather. (Caùi muõi baø ta thì dò öùng deã dò maát tieàn ñoù.) Even the manager is under a cloud. öùng voâ cuøng vôùi nhöõng gì noù ngöûi phaûi. Chæ caàn moät (Ngay caû vieân quaûn lyù cuõng bò nghi coù dính líu ñeán vuï ít buïi thoâi cuõng laøm cho baø ta ñoå beänh.) ñoù luoân.) After the anti-government demonstration under the wire vöøa kòp luùc; ñuùng luùc My check burst out at the market last week, everyone in town is came to the credit company under the wire, and I under a cloud. Secret agents are reinforced and security could escape late charge. (Chi phieáu cuûa toâi ñeán measure has been increased. (Sau vuï bieåu tình choáng coâng ty baûo hieåm vöøa kòp luùc neân toâi thoaùt ñöôïc bò chính phuû xaûy ra tuaàn tröôùc, moïi ngöôøi trong thò traán ñeàu phaït vì treã haïn.) I was the last one to walk through bò nghi coù dính líu. Nhaân vieân maät vuï ñöôïc taêng cöôøng the door under the wire. (Toâi laø ngöôøi cuoái cuøng cuøng vôùi bieän phaùp an ninh ñöôïc gia taêng.) böôùc qua caùi cöûa ñoù ñuùng luùc (noù ñoùng laïi.) under construction ñang ñöôïc xaây caát; kieán thieát môùi) until all hours raát treã, raát khuya When I was in Don’t enter the area that is under construction. (Ñöøng school I had to stay up until all hours. (Khi coøn ñi ñi vaøo khu vöïc ñang xaây caát.) The United States of hoïc toâi phaûi ñi nguû raát treã.) It’s not good for America is always under construction. That is why it the teenagers to go out until all hours. (Treû em vò thaønh whole country looks fresh and young. (Hoa Kyø luùc naøo nieân maø ñi chôi veà khuya thì khoâng toát.) cuõng thaáy kieán thieát môùi. Do ñoù caû nöôùc ñeàu troâng töôi up a blind alley vaøo ngaõ cuït; beá taéc The maùt.) investigation on her sudden disappearance seems to under fire chòu döôùi laèn ñaïn; ñang bò taán coâng The be up in a blind alley. (Cuoäc ñieàu tra veà vuï coâ gaùi company director was forced to resign under fire due to ñoät ngoät maát tích döôøng ñang ñi vaøo ngaõ cuït.) his errors in management. (Vì phaïm loãi trong vieäc ñieàu Negotiations between the rebels the authorities are haønh, vieân giaùm ñoác coâng ty bò buoäc phaûi töø chöùc.) up in a blind alley because of the rebels’ demands The troops had to remain unmoved for whole night are generally unacceptable. (Nhöõng cuoäc thöông because they were under heavy fire by the enemy. (Caû löôïng giöõa caùc phieán quaân vaø chính quyeàn ñang bò toaùn quaân phaûi naèm laïi chòu traän suoát caû ñeâm vì hoûa löïc beá taéc vì nhöõng ñoøi hoûi khoâng theå chaáp nhaän ñöôïc naëng neà cuûa ñòch.) cuûa phieán quaân.) under one’s own steam töïc tuùc; moät mình caùng ñaùng up a tree ñang gaëp khoù khaên maø chöa coù caùch giaûi We need more strong hands to help us with this heavy Experience teaches me that whenever I was up a work. Five of us are unable to do it under our own tree, there would be s.o. to help me out. (Kinh steam. (Chuùng toâi caàn theâm ngöôøi löïc löôõng giuùp vaøo nghieäm cho toâi thaáy raèng cöù moãi khi toâi gaëp khoù coâng vieäc naøy. Naêm chuùng toâi khoâng theå töï mình laøm khaên maø chöa coù caùch thoaùt ra thì coù ngöôøi giuùp toâi.) laáy ñöôïc.) I started to be under my own steam when I I am up a tree now. I don’t know who is going to was at the eighth grade. I earned my living as tutor. (Toâi help out, or I have to figure out myself. (Toâi ñang baét ñaàu töï laäp tuø khi leân lôùp taùm. Toâi kieám soáng baèng gaëp khoù khaên ñaây. Khoâng bieát coù ai giuùp toâi khoâng ngheà daïy keøm.) hay toâi phaûi töï mình tìm caùch thoaùt ra laáy.) under the counter buoân baùn phi phaùp; baùn leùn luùt up against s.t. ñang gaëp raéc roái vì chuyeän gì She is That liquor store owner was arrested for selling drug not a lucky person. She seems to be up and against under the counter. (Ngöôøi chuû tieäm baùn röôïu bia ñoù bò one or two serious problems all the time. (Baø ta laø baét vì oâng ta buoân baùn thuoác men phi phaùp.) He sold ngöôøi khoâng may maén. Baø ta haàu nhö luùc naøo cuõng dirty books under the counter. (OÂng ta baùn saùch khieâu gaëp moät vaøi vaán ñeà nghieâm troïng.) Mai is up daâm moät caùch leùn luùt.) against a legal trouble. (Laàn naøy Mai gaëp raéc roái veà under the table (cuûa) ñuùt loùt; cuûa hoái loä. Many phaùp luaät.) construction companies have been paying the city up and about khoeû laïi vaø ñi ñöùng nhö bình thöôøng councilman under the table. (Nhieàu coâng ty xaây caát töø (Cuõng duøng up and Adam) I wish you wouild be up and about soon. (Toâi chuùc baïn sôùm bình phuïc.) It

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 135

takes a long time for a person who broke his leg to be up ñeá baïn laïi khoâng muoán cheát, ai bieát ñöôïc.) and about. (Phaûi maát moät thôøi gian thì ngöôøi gaõy chaân up North ngoaøi taän mieàn Baéc (Ngöôøi Anh-Myõ cuõng môùi coùt theå khoeû vaø ñi ñöùng laïi bình thöôøng ñöôïc.) duøng nhöõng chöõ ñeå chæ veà caùc mieàn nhö back East up and at them thöùc daäy vaø baét tay vaøo vieäc ngay; sieâng xuoáng mieàn Ñoâng, down South vaøo Nam, out West naêng hoaït baùt We have to be up and at them quickly so leân mieàn cao, vv. nhö ngöôøi Vieät mình) In that our work can be done in time. (Chuùng ta phaûi thöùc Vietnam, there are four seasons up North, but down daäy vaø baét tay vaøo vieäc nhanh leân cho kòp xong coâng South there are only two – sunny and rainy season. vieäc.) The whole family were up and at them right (Taïi Vieät Nam, ôû ngoaøi Baéc thì coù boán muøa, nhöng after their arrival in the United States. (Caû gia ñình ñeàu vaøo trong Nam thì chæ coù hai muøa – möa vaø naéng.) thöùc daäy vaø baét tay vaøo laøm vieäc ngay sau khi ñeán ñaát In Northern hemisphere, going up North means Myõ.) going to a colder place. (Trong vuøng Baéc baùn caàu, ñi up-and-coming sieâng naêng hoaït baùt Anyone who is up- leân höôùng Baéc coù nghóa laø ñi ñeán moät nôi laïnh hôn.) and-coming when young is likely to be successful later up the creek without a paddle ñang böïc boäi, phieàn on. (Ai maø hoài coøn nhoû sieâng naêng hoaït baùt thì sau naøy phöùc When he is up the creek without a paddle, he coù nhieàu trieån voïng thaønh coâng.) Bình is also an up- acts strangely. (Khi anh ta ñang böïc boäi thì anh haønh and-coming young man who is working toward his ñoäng kyø cuïc laém.) Sometimes, you can not prevent degree in robotics engineering. (Bình cuõng laø moät tay s.t. that makes you up the creek without a paddle. sieâng naêng hoaït baùt; anh ñang hoïc ngaønh kyõ sö ngöôøi (Ñoâi khi baïn khoâng theå ngaên caûn vieäc gì ñoù gaây maùy.) phieàn phöùc cho baïn ñöôïc ñaâu.) up for grabs ñang chöïc saün  They have a long up to date ñang hieän haønh; thôøi trang ñang thònh waiting list. If s.o. drops out, another one immediately haønh All of this information about premium and fills in. There is never a vacant seat up for grabs. (Hoï coù interest rates are up to date. (Taát caû tin töùc veà möùc moät danh saùch döï khuyeát thaät daøi. Neáu coù ai boû ra thì tieàn caên baûn vaø tieàn lôøi naøy ñeàu laø ñang hieän haønh laäp töùc coù ngöôøi khaùc ñieàn vaøo ngay. Khoâng bao giôø coù ñoù.) It is rather expensive if you want everything saün choã troáng caû.) you have up to date. (Thaät toán tieàn neáu baïn muoán caùi up front thaønh thaät vaø côûi môû; öùng tröôùc I like to work gì baïn coù cuõng thuoäc thôøi trang ñang thònh haønh heát.) with a supervisor who is a up front type of person. (Toâi [Löu yù: up-to-date – coù ngang noái – thì coù nghóa laø thích laøm vieäc vôùi ngöôøi quaûn ñoác naøo thuoäc loaïi thaønh toái taân, môùi nhaát] This camera is the up-to-date thaät vaøo côûi môû.) We are eager to buy a house, but we model of this brand. (Caùi maùy hình naøy kieåu toái taân do not have enough money for a 20% up front the value nhaát do hieäu naøy saûn xuaát.) We only keep of the house. (Chuùng toâi noùng loøng muoán mua moät caùi documents that are up-to-date. (Chuùng toâi chæ löu giöõ nhaø nhöng khoâng ñuû tieàn öùng tröôùc 20% trò giaù caên giaù nhöõng taøi lieäu môùi nhaát thoâi.) caên nhaø.) up to no good laøm chuyeän baäy baï By looking at his up in arms quaù giaän; mang theo khí giôùi I was really face, I can tell he was just up to no good. (Chæ caàn up and arms when the credit company sent me another nhìn caùi maët noù laø toâi bieát noùi vöøa môùi laøm chuyeän bill for the amount I had paid. (Toâi thaät quaù giaän khi gì ñoù baäy baï.) Several boys down the street where coâng ty tín duïng göûi cho toâi caùi giaáy ñoøi tieàn nöõa veà I live get together every night. I hope they are not up khoaûn tieàn maø toâi ñaõ traû cho hoï roài.) Those men were to no good. (Maáy caäu con trai ôû cuoái ñöôøng toâi ñang up in arm, ready to launch an assault into the house ôû thöôøng tuï taäp vaøo ban ñeâm. Toâi hy vong chuùng where five hostages were being held. (Maáy ngöôøi ñoù khoâng laøm chuyeän baäy baï.) mang theo khí giôùi, saün saøng môû ñôït xung phong ñaùnh up to one tuyø quyeàn löïa choïn What you want to do vaøo caên nhaø ñang coù naêm con tin bò giam giöõ.) is all up to you. (Baïn muoán laøm giaø thì tuyø quyeàn up in the air chöa ngaõ nguõ; duï döïa chöa döùt khoaùt baïn löïa choïn chöù.) It cannot be up to the children Despite several talks between the two companies, the if they are too young. (Khoâng theå ñeå cho con nít tuyø conflict of interest is still up in the air. (Maëc daàu coù quyeàn löïa choïn neáu chuùng coøn quaù nhoû.) nhieàu cuoäc ñaøm phaùn giöõa hai coâng ty, vuï tranh chaáp veà up to one’s neck/ear (in some-thing) ngaäp ñeán taän quyeàn lôïi vaãn chöa ngaõ nguõ.) There are two important coå/tai; buø ñaàu vì coâng vieäc I don’t know why I am issues the board of directors left up in the air. (Coøn hai always up to my neck with so many trifles. (Toâi vaán ñeà quan troïng ban giaùm ñoác duï döïa chöa döùt khoaùt.) khoâng bieát taïi sao luùc naøo toâi cuõng baän roän ngaäp ñeán up in years giaø khuù ñeá I don’t want to be up in years taän coå vì nhöõng chuyeän laët vaët.) My wife seems to when I almost lose all five senses. (Toâi khoâng thích soáng be up to her ear with housework. (Vôï toâi döôøng nhö giaø khuù ñeá khi maø nguõ quan haàu nhö maát heát.) Don’t luùc naøo cuõng buø ñaàu vì coâng vieäc nhaø.) ever say so. When you are up in years, you still don’t up to par ñuùng tieâu chuaån hoaëc trung bình The want to die, who knows. (Ñöøng noùi vaäy. Khi baïn giaø khuù quality of this product is marginally up to par.

136 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

(Phaåm chaát moùn haøng suyùt soaùt ñuùng tieâu chuaån.) The but I cannot figure out how put an egg through the reports made by the new secretary were not up to par, so neck of a bottle. (Toâi ñaõ xoay xôû moïi caùch nhöng the manager gave them to his assistant for a revision. khoâng theå laøm sao boû caùi tröùng loït vaøo coå chai (Nhöõng baùo caùo do coâ thö kyù môùi laøm chöa ñaït möùc ñöôïc.) After using every trick in the book, Bình trung bình, neân oâng quaûn ñoác ñöa cho ngöôøi phuï ta söûa was able to get his patio up by himself. (Sau khi taän laïi.) duïng moïi phöông phaùp, Bình coù theå töï mình döïng up to snuff tôùi möùc trung bình; hôïp tieâu chuaån His caùi maùi loài leân ñöôïc.) work is always up to snuff or higher. (Coâng vieäc anh ta use one’s head thoâng minh chuùt ñi; chòu khoù suy nghó laøm luoân luoân ñaït tôùi möùc trung bình hay cao hôn.) Tom did not know how to drive a nail to hang the Many items that are not up to snuff were returned to picture, so his mother had to shout at him, “Use your factory. (Nhieàu moùn haøng khoâng hôïp tieâu chuaån ñaõ ñöôïc head!” (Tom khoâng bieát ñoùng ñinh, neân meï anh ta traû veà laïi cho xöôûng maùy.) phaûi la leân: “Thoâng minh chuùt ñi!” Of course, he up-to-the-minute môùi nhaát; sau cuøng Today’s means used his head and finally was able to drive the nail of communi-cation can bring you up-to-the-minute news properly. (Dó nhieân, anh ta chòu suy nghó vaø ñaõ ñoùng around the world quickly. (Phuông tieän lieân laïc hieän nay ñöôïc caùi ñinh moät caùch deã daøng.) coù theå ñem laïi cho baïn tin töùc môùi nhaát moät caùch nhanh use some elbow grease coá gaéng; ra söùc If you use choùng.) That up-to-the-minute news on the hostage in some elbow grease you can do well at school. (Neáu the Philippines is discou-raging. (Tin sau cuøng veà caùc baïn coá gaéng thì baïn coù theå hoïc gioûi maø.) I am con tin taïi Philuaättaân thaät ñaùng naûn loøng.) special, you know. Despite the fact that however ups and downs nhöõng thaêng traàm trong ñôøi I wish to hard I use some elbow grease, I still fail to get my thank my wife who has been with me all the up and things done well. (Baïn bieát khoâng toâi thuoäc ngöôøi downs of my life. (Toâi muoán caûm ôn vôï toâi ñaõ luoân luoân ñac bieät. Baát keå toâi ra söùc caùch maáy toâi vaãn khoâng saùt caùnh vôùi toâi qua moïi thaêng traàm cuûa cuoäc ñôøi toâi.) theå naøo laøm coâng vieäc cuûa toâi cho ngon laønh caû.) The ups and downs in his life have made him a callous use s.o./something as an excuse ñoå thöøa cho ai/vieäc person. (Nhöõng thaêng traàm cuûa cuoäc ñôøi anh ta laøm cho gì Whenever he doesn’t want to come to a anh trôû neân moät ngöôøi chai ñaù.) gathering with his friends, he uses his mean wife as upset s.o.’s plans laøm hoûng chuyeän cuûa ai Taâm upset an excuse. (Khi anh ta khoâng muoán ñi döï hoïp maët my plans when he forgot to inform others to come to the vôùi baïn beø, anh ta thöôøng ñoå thöøa taïi baø vôï khoù tính meeting. (Taâm laøm hoûng vieäc cuûa toâi khi anh ta queân cuûa anh ta.) My daughter uses her headache as an thoâng baùo maáy ngöôøi khaùc ñeán döï hoïp.) Despite the excuse to stay at home. (Con gaùi toâi ñoå thöøa taïi ñau manager’s resignation, it did not upset our plan. (Maëc ñaàu neân phaûi ôû nhaø.) daàu coù söï töø chöùc cuûa vieân quaûn ñoác. vieäc ñoù khoâng laøm use s.t. up xaøi caïn laùn Someone used the milk up hoûng vieäc cuûa chuùng toâi.) but did not tell me to buy more. (Ai xaøi heát söõa maø upset the apple cart laøm ñaûo loän; laøm loän tuøng pheøo khoâng noùi ñeå toâi mua theâm.) Oh my gosh! s.o. The opponents decided to upset the apple cart by used the bath tissue. What can I do? (Trôøi ñaát ôi! Ai revealing a scandal that they had kept for years. (Nhöõng xaøi heát giaáy ñi caàu roài. Toâi laøm sao baây giôø?) ñoái thuû quyeát ñònh laøm ñaûo loän moïi thöù baèng caùch tung use strong language chöûi theà, la loái om soøm ra vuï tai tieáng maø hoï ñaõ giaáu maáy naêm nay.) The little Adults, especially parents, should not use strong boy upset the apple cart. (Thaèng nhoû laøm loäng tuøng pheøo language in front of their children. (Ngöôøi lôùn, nhaát heát trôn ñoù.) laø cha meï, khoâng neân chöûi theà tröôùc maët con caùi.) upside down laät ngöõa; ñaàu chuùc xuoáng ñaát The No matter how serious the problem can be, one’d cockroach fell upside down on the ground but was able better do the talking than use strong language. (Duø to turn itself back and ran away. (Con giaùn rôùt ngöõa cho vaán ñeà nghieâm troïng caùch maáy, ngöôøi ta neân xuoáng ñaát nhöng töï laät laïi ñöôïc vaø chaïy maát.) The duøng lôøi leõ maø noùi chöù khoâng neân la loái om soøm.) cream in the tube is very low at the bottom. I had to put used to s.o./something ñaõ quen vôùi ai/vieäc gì I am the tube upside down. (Kem coøn chuùt xíu döôùi ñaùy. Toâi used her yak-yakking. (Toâi ñaõ quen vôùi caùi loái noùi phaûi chuùc ñaàu caùi oáng xuoáng.) daùch daùch cuûa baø ta roài.) We are used to a hard use every trick in the book xoay xôû moïi caùch; taän duïng life. (Chuùng toâi ñaõ quen vôùi cuoäc soáng khoù khaên roài.) moïi phöông phaùp I have used every trick in the book,

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 137

quoác gia khaùc, cöû tri ôû ñoù khoâng ñöôïc may maén coù quyeàn naøy.)

Vv vanish into thin air tan bieán vaøo khoâng khí; bieät voâ aâm tín My money gets spent so fast. It seems to vanish into thin air. (Tieàn toâi tieâu nhanh nhö chôùp. Nhö theå noù tan Ww bieán vaøo khoâng khí vaäy.) When I came back, my car was gone. I had locked it, and it couldn't have vanished wait-and-see attitude thaùi ñoä chôø xem. John into thin air! (Khi toâi trôû laïi, chieác xe toâi ñaõ bieán maát. thought that Mary couldn't do it, but he took a wait- Toâi khoaù ñaøng hoaøng, vaø khoâng theå naøo noù coù theå bieán and-see attitude. (John nghó raèng Mary khoâng theå laøm maát nhö tan vaøo khoâng khí nhö vaäy ñöôïc.) ñöôïc vieäc ñoù, nhöng anh ta vaãn coù yù chôø xem.) His Variety is the spicinch of salt. I was sure they didn't wait-and-see attitude didn't influence me at all. (Thaùi believe me. (Hoï nghe lôøi giaûi thích cuûa toâi maø buïng hoï ñoä chôø xem cuûa anh ta khoâng coù aûnh höôûng gì ñeán toâi ngôø. Toâi bieát chaéc hoï khoâng tin toâi.) You are too caû.) skeptical. Why do you take everything with a pinch of wait on s.o. hand and foot phuïc dòch ai heát mình; cuùc salt? (Baïn laø quaù ña nghi. Taïi sao baïn cöù tai nghe maø cung taän tuïy. I don't mind bringing you your coffee, buïng ngôø vaäy?) but I don't intend to wait on you hand and foot. (Toâi vote a straight ticket doàn heát phieáu cho ñaûng naøo I khoâng thaáy phieàn chuùt naøo heát khi mang caø pheâ ñeán usually vote a straight ticket for all candidates of my cho anh, nhöng toâi muoán laøm ngöôøi phuïc dòch anh heát party. (Toâi thöôøng doàn heát phieáu cuûa toâi cho caùc öùng cöû mình ñaâu.) I don't want anyone to wait on me hand vieân thuoäc ñaûng toâi.) To tell the truth, voting a straight and foot. I can take care of myself. (Toâi khoâng thích ticket is not fair. One should vote for candidates who are ngöôøi naøo cuùc cung taän tuïy vì toâi heát. Töï toâi lo laáy devoted to the community’s affairs, not for those who are ñöôïc roài.) I love my wife with all my heart because of the same political party. (Thaät ra maø noùi, doàn heát she waits on me foot and hand. (Toâi yeâu vôï toâi vôùi taát phieáu cho moät ñaûng naøo thì khoâng coâng baèng. Ngöôøi ta caû taám loøng vì naøng luùc naøo cuùc cung taän tuïy vì toâi.) neân baàu cho öùng cöû vieân naøo taän söùc vôùi coâng vieäc coäng walk a tightrope laøm vieäc caån thaän töøng li töøng tí. ñoàng chöù khoâng phaûi baàu cho nhöõng ngöôøi cuøng ñaûng I've been walking a tightrope all day, I need a relax. chính trò vôùi mình.) (Suoát ngaøy chuùng toâi phaûi laøm vieäc caån thaän töøng li vote s.o. in baàu ai leân People have been voting him in töøng tí, baây giôø toâi phaûi caàn nghæ ngôi.) Our for many terms. (Ngöôøi ta töø laâu nay baàu cho oâng ta maáy business is about to fail. We've been walking a nhieäm kyø lieàn.) They voted him in because he tightrope for three months. (Coâng vieäc laøm aên cuûa promised that he would fight for tax reduction. (Hoï baàu chuùng toâi bò thaát baïi. Neân suoát trong ba thaùng nay cho oâng vì oâng höùa seõ tranh ñaáu ñeå giaûm thueá.) chuùng toâi phaûi laøm vieäc caån thaän töøng li töøng tí.) vote s.o. out boû phieáu loaïi ai After the first term, he Walking a tightrops is the situation where one must proved inefficient in solving the power crisis, people be very cautious. If you keep “walking” like that you voted him out. (Sau nhieäm kyø ñaàu, oâng ta toû ra keùm coûi will be beside yourself soon. (Ñi treân giaây caêng töùc laø trong vieäc giaûi quyeát cuoäc khuûng hoaûng naêng löôïng, tình traïng ai ñoù phaûi laøm vieäc caån thaän töøng li töøng tí. ngöôøi ta boû phieáu loaïi oâng ra.) For he got involved in Neáu baïn cöù tieáp tuïc “ñi” nhö vaäy thì baïn seõ hoaù ñieân a financial scandal, they voted him out. (Vì coù dính líu sôùm.) ñeán moät vuï tai tieáng taøi chaùnh, ngöôøi ta boû phieáu loaïi walk on air ñi treân khoâng; hôùn hôû; sung söôùng. Ann oâng ra.) was walking on air when she got the job. (Ann thaáy vote s.t. down boû phieáu phaûn ñoái vieäc gì The city loøng hôùn hôû vì xin ñöôïc vieäc laøm.) On the last day council proposed a new power plant to be built in the of school, all the children are walking on air. (Vaøo city, but the voters voted it down. (Hoäi ñoàng thaønh phoá ngaøy cuoái nieân khoaù, taát caû hoïc sinh ñeàu caûm thaáy döï truø xaây theâm moät nhaø maùy ñieän trong thaønh phoá, sung söôùng.) Sunday is the happiest day in a week. nhöng cöû tri boû phieáu phaûn ñoái.) Voters in the United Every member in my family walks on air. (Chuû nhaät laø States have a full power to vote anything they don’t like ngaøy haïnh phuùc nhaát trong tuaàn. Moïi ngöôøi gia ñình down, but in other countries, voters there are not lucky toâi ñeàu caûm thaáy sung söôùng.) to have such a power. (Cöû tri taïi Hoa Kyø coù toaøn quyeàn walk on eggs ñi treân tröùng; raát caån thaän; raát deø daët. boû phieáu phaûn ñoái vieäc gì hoï khoâng thích, nhöng taïi caùc The manager is very hard to deal with. You really

138 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

have to walk on eggs. (Vieân quaûn lyù thaät laø khoù chôi. Baïn his hands of her after they had a child. (OÂng Taâm laø neân raát caån thaän khi tieáp xuùc vôùi oâng ta.) I've been ngöôøi voâ traùch nhieäm; oâng taùn tænh coâ Stephanie, roài walking on eggs ever since I started working here. (Töø phuûi tay sau khi hoï coù vôùi nhau moät ñöùa con.) ngaøy toâi baét ñaàu laøm vieäc taïi ñaây luùc naøo toâi raát deø daët.) waste one's breath toán coâng phí söùc. Don't waste Although we walked on eggs on this matter, the your breath talking to her. She won't listen. (Ñöøng toán outcome was not satisfactory. (Maëc daàu chuùng toâi raát caån coâng phí söùc noùi chuyeän vôùi coâ ta. Coâ chòu nghe ñaâu.) thaän trong vaán ñeà naøy, keát quaû cuûa noù khoâng ñöôïc nhö yù You can't persuade me. You're just wasting your laém.) breath. (Baïn khoâng lay chuyeån ñöôïc toâi ñaâu. Phí walk the floor ñi tôùi ñi lui trong loøng noân noùng; boàn choàn coâng phí söùc voâ ích.) Had I known you have been ñi tôùi ñi lui. While Bill waited for news of the operation, lying to me, I wouldn't have wasted my breath to help he walked the floor for hours on end. (Trong khi Bill ñôïi you. (Giaù maø toâi bieát töø tröôùc tôùi giôø baïn löøa doái toâi keát quaû cuoäc giaûi phaåu, anh ta ñi tôùi di lui vôùi veû boàn thì toâi daïi gì giuùp baïn chôù.) choàn.) Walking the floor won't help. You might as well water under the bridge nöôùc chaûy qua caàu; (xem sit down and relax. (Boàn choàn ñi tôùi ñi lui cuõng chaúng nhö) chuyeän dó vaõng. Please don't worry about it giuùp ích gì. Thaø baïn neân ngoài xuoáng nghæ ngôi cho khoeû.) anymore. It's all water under the bridge. (Xin ñöøng lo It's easy said than done. When your close relative is in laéng veà chuyeän aáy nöõa. Xem nhö nöôùc chaûy qua caàu the operation room, you will surely walk the floor like me. ñi.) I can't change the past. It's water under the (Noùi thì deã laém. Khi baïn coù ngöôøi thaân naèm treân baøn moå, bridge. (Toâi khoâng thể laøm thay ñoåi quaù khöù ñöôïc. baïn cuõng seõ boàn choàn ñi tôùi ñi lui nhö toâi thoâi.) Chuyeän dó vaõng nhö nöôùc chaûy qua caàu.) You can walls have ears tai vaùch maïch röøng. Let's not discuss live with the past but you can't change it because the this matter here. Walls have ears, you know. (Ñöøng neân past is like water under the bridge. (Baïn coù theå soáng baøn chuyeän naøy taïi ñaây. Tai vaùch maïch röøng, baïn bieát vôùi dó vaõng chöù baïn khoâng theå thay doåi dó vaõng ñöôïc chôù.) Shhh, Walls have ears. s.o. may be listening. vì dó vaõng nhö nöôùc chaûy qua caàu.) (Suît. Tai vaùch maïch röøng. Nhôõ coù ai nghe thì khoå.) wear more than one hat ngöôøi ñoäi hai noùn; kieâm Do you think wall have ears? I don't think so. One of us nhieàu vieäc/chöùc. The mayor is also the police here will make the report! (Baïn nghó laø vaùch coù tai aø? Toâi chief. She wears more than one hat. (Vieân thò tröôûng nghó khoâng phaûi vaäy. Coù ngöôøi trong chuùng ta ñi baùo caùo kieâm luoân chöùc caûnh saùt tröôûng. Baø ta laøm ngöôøi ñoäi ñoù!) hai noùn.) I have too much to do to wear more than warm the bench ngöôøi phoøng hôø; ngoài chaàu rìa. (Laáy one hat. (Coâng vieäc cuûa toâi quaù ña ñoan roài, khoâng hình aûnh ngöôøi ngoài ñeán noùng caû gheá maø vaãn chöa ñöùng theå kieâm theâm vieäc khaùc ñöôïc.) daäy ra saân ñöôïc vì khoâng ñöôïc goïi.) John spent the wear the pants naém quyeàn trong nhaø We all know whole game warming the bench. (John ngoài chaàu rìa suoát who wears the pants in that family. (Chuùng toâi ai caû traän ñaáu.) Mary never warms the bench. She plays cuõng bieát ngöôøi naøo naém quyeàn trong caùi gia ñình from the beginning to the end. (Mary khoâng bao giôø ngoài ñoù.) chaàu rìa caû. Töø giôø phuùt ñaàu coâ d0aõ ra saân vaø thi ñaáu cho wear out one's welcome chuû nhaø quaù quen maët; ôû ñeán cuoái.) To have s.o. warm the bench seems a waste chôi laâu hoaù nhaøm. Tom visited the Smiths so often of manpower, but it is still necessary. That is for that he wore out his welcome. (Tom thaêm vieáng nhaø emergency! (Cho ai ñoù ngoài chaàu rìa coù veû phí phaïm Smith quaù nhieàu neân chuû nhaø quaù quen maët.) At nhaân söï quaù, nhöng vaãn caàn thieát phaûi coù. Coátñeå öùng phoù about midnight, I decided that I had worn out my khi coù khaån thieát!) welcome, so I went home. (Khoaûng nöûa ñeâm, toâi warm the cockles of s.o.'s heart laøm cho ai vui leân; thaáy quyeát ñònh ñaõ laïi quaù laâu hoaù nhaøm neân boû veà.) vui trôû laïi. It warms the cockles of my heart to hear you well-heeled vaø well-fixed; well-off giaøu coù; giaøu tieàn say that. (Toâi thaáy vui khi nghe baïn noùi nhöõng lôøi aáy.) laém cuûa. My uncle can afford a new car. He's well- Hearing that old song again warmed the cokles of her heeled. (Chuù toâi dö söùc mua xe môùi. OÂng ta giaøu maø.) heart. (Nghe laïi baøi haùt ñoù laøm cho coâ ta thaáy loøng vui Everyone in his family is all well-off. (Ngöôøi naøo trôû laïi.) trong gia ñình ñoù cuõng giaøu tieàn laém cuûa heát.) His wash one's hands of s.o. or s.t. phuûi tay vôùi ai hay vôùi whole life was a sermon on cupidity; he lived in vieäc gì; caét ñöùt lieân laïc vôùi ai/vieäc gì. I washed my poverty in order to die well-off. (Caû cuoäc ñôøi oâng ta hands of Tom. I wanted no more to do with him. (Toâi caét thuyeát giaûng veà loøng ham muoán phuù quyù giaøu sang; ñöùt lieân laïc vôùi Tom. Toâi khoâng muoán laøm vieäc gì vôùi oâng soáng trong ngheøo khoå ñeå ñöôïc cheát giaøu coù.) anh ta nöõa.) This car was a real headache. I washed my well-to-do giaøu coù vaø tieáng taêm; giaøu vaø coù chöùc hands of it long ago. (Chieác xe naøy ñaõ laøm cho toâi nhöùc quyeàn. The Jones family is quite well-to-do. (Gia ñaàu. Toâi boù xoù noù töø laâu roài.) Mr. Tam is an ñình Janes raát giaøu coù vaø tieáng taêm.) There is a irresponsible man; he flirted with Stephanie, then washed gentleman waiting for you at the door. He appears

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 139

quite well-to-do. (Coù moät vò naøo chôø gaëp baïn ngoaøi cöûa. chuoät leo chaïng beáp. Vaéng chuû nhaø gaø böôi beáp. OÂng ta coù veû giaøu vaø coù chöùc quyeàn.) In our city, The students behaved very badly for the substitute people look well-off. No one seems to pay attention to teacher. When the cat's away the mice will play. (Hoïc those living in the countryside, who are undergoing sinh toû ra hoãn xöôïc vôùi thaày giaùo daïy theá. Ñuùng laø miserable lives. (Trong thaønh phoá chuùng toâi, ngöôøi troâng vaéng meøo chuoät leo chaïng beáp.) John had a wild giaøu coù laém. Vaø döôøng nhö hoï khoâng theøm ñeå taâm ñeán party at his house when his parents were out of town. nhöõng ngöôøi soáng ôû thoân queâ maø hieän ñang chòu ñöïng That is when the cat's away the mice will play. (John cuoäc soáng thoáng khoå.) toå chöùc buoåi tieäc vui raát naùo nhieät taïi nhaø vì boá meï wet behind the ears treû ngöôøi non daï. John's too young anh ñeàu ñi vaéng. Vaéng chuû nhaø gaø böôi beáp laø vaäy.) to take on a job like this! He's still wet behind the ears! Today the boss is going to a meeting at the main (John quaù treû khoâng ñaûm ñöông noåi vieäc ñoù ñaâu! Anh ta office. We all can have a good time! When the cat's treû ngöôøi non daï.) He may be wet behind the ears, but away the mice will play! (Hoâm nay seáp ñi hoïp ôû truï he's well trained and totally competent. (Coù theå anh ta treû sôû chính roài. Chuùng ta tha hoà maø vui chôi! Vaéng chuû ngöôøi non daï, nhöng anh ñöôïc huaán luyeän kyõ vaø coù khaû nhaø gaø böôi beáp ñi!) naêng.) when time is ripe khi thôøi gian chín muoài; dòp thuaän What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. AÊn tieän nhaát. I'll tell her the good news when the time cho ñeàu keâu cho ñuû. If John gets a new coat, I should is ripe. (Khi naøo thôøi gian ñaõ chín muoài, toâi seõ baùo get one, too. After all, what is sauce for the goose is cho coâ ta tin vui naøy.) When the time is ripe, I'll sauce for the gander. (Neáu anh John coù chieác aùo khoaùc bring up the subject again. (Khi naøo thuaän tieän nhaát, môùi, thì con cuõng neân coù moät caùi môùi nhö vaäy. Thì, aên toâi seõ neâu vaán deà naøy ra laïi.) Politicians are cho ñeàu keâu cho ñuû chôù.) If I get punished for breaking experts in launching attacks on their opponents when the window, so should Mary. What is sauce for the goose time is ripe. (Caùc nhaø hoaït ñoäng chính trò laø nhöõng is sauce for the gander. (Neáu toâi bò phaït veà toäi laøm beå chuyeân vieân tung ra nhöõng ñoøn taán coâng ñoái thuû khi kính cöûa soå thì Mary cuõng phaûi bò. AÊn cho ñeàu keâu cho coù dòp thuaän tieän nhaát.) ñuû.) When you have children, you should remember Where there's a will there's a way. Coù chí thì neân. “What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” if Don't give up, Ann. You can do it. Where there's a you don't want them to blame that you are “unjust”. (Khi will there's a way. (Ñöøng naûn loøng, Ann aï. Coâ laøm coù con, baïn neân nhôù caâu “AÊn cho ñeàu keâu cho ñuû” neáu ñöôïc maø. Coù chí thì neân.) khoâng con caùi seõ con baïn laø “baát coâng”.) They told John he'd never walk again after his what makes s.o. tick đoäng löïc naøo thuùc ñaåy laøm nhö vaäy; accident. He worked at it, and he was able to walk nguyeân nhaân naøo khieán cho coù haønh ñoäng ñoù. William again! Where there's a will there's a way. (Hoï cho is sort of strange. I don't know what makes him tick. John bieát vì tai naïn ñoù laøm cho anh ta khoâng coøn ñi (William thuoäc loaïi ngöôøi kyø cuïc. Toâi khoâng hieåu doäng ñöôïc nöõa. Anh coá taäp, vaø baây giôø ñi laïi ñöôïc roài! Coù löïc naøo thuùc ñaåy anh ta laøm nhö vaäy.) When you get to chí thì neân thaät!) know people, you find out what makes them tick. (Khi baïn Where there's smoke there's fire. Khoâng coù löûa sao caàn hieåu ngöôøi ta, baïn neân tìm hieåu nguyeân nhaân naøo coù khoùi. There is a lot of noise coming from the khieán cho ngöôøi ta coù haønh ñoäng ñoù.) Basically, the so- classroom. There is probably s.t. wrong. Where called what makes one tick is mainly his own desire. (Moät there's smoke there's fire. (Trong lôùp vang leân tieáng caùch caên baïn, caùi goïi laø ñoäng löïc naøo thuùc ñaåy ngöôøi ta oàn aøo. Hình nhö coù chuyeän baát oån. Khoâng coù löûa sao laøm nhö vaäy chính laø duïc voïng cuûa chính anh ta.) coù khoùi.) I think there is s.t. wrong at the house on When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Khi tôùi La-maõ thì the corner. The police are there again. Where there's baét chöôùc nguôøi La-maõ; nhaäp gia tuyø tuïc. I don't smoke there's fire. (Toâi nghó coù chuyeän gì xaûy ra usually eat lamb, but I did when I went to Australia. trong goùc nhaø. Caûnh saùt laïi ñeán nöõa kìa. Khoâng coù When in Rome, do as the Romans do. (Toâi khoâng maáy khi löûa sao coù khoùi.) They say that the government are aên thòt cöøu, nhöng khi qua AÙo toâi coù aên moät laàn. Khi tôùi going have new tax law applied beginning next La-maõ thì baét chöôùc ngöôøi La-maõ vaäy.) I always carry month. Where there's smoke there's fire. (Ngöôøi ta an umbrella when I visit London. When in Rome, do as ñoàn chính phuû seõ aùp duïng moät luaät thueá môùi baét ñaàu the Romans do. (Khi naøo toâi gheù Luaân ñoân, toâi cuõng keø töø thaùng tôùi. Khoâng coù löûa sao coù khoùi.) keø caùi duø. Nhaäp gia tuyø tuïc maø.) Gred went to my wide of the mark xa vôøi quaù. 1. caùch xa muïc tieâu. house and he took his shoes off. I told him not to, but he Tom's shot was wide of the mark. (Cuù baén cuûa Tom said: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do." (Greg ñeán caùch xa vôùi muïc tieâu.) The pitch was quite fast, but nhaø toâi vaø anh côûi boû giaøy ra. Toâi baûo anh ta ñöøng, nhöng wide of the mark. (Traùi banh neùm thì nhanh thaät, anh noùi: “Nhaäp gia tuyø tuïc chôù.") nhöng caùch xa muïc tieâu quaù.) 2. khoâng ñaït tieâu When the cat's away the mice will play. Vaéng meøo chuaån, khaùc vôùi ñieàu mong muoán Jane's efforts

140 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

were sincere, but wide of the mark. (Nhöõng noå löïc cuûa breath any more! If you keep say that, I would think Jane raát ñaùng phuïc, nhöng khoâng ñaït tôùi tieâu chuaån.) you are insulting me. (Ñöôïc roài, döøng coù caûm ôn toâi He failed the course because everything he did was maø laëp ñi laëp laïi nhö vaäy nöõa! Neáu baïn cöù noùi hoaøi wide of the mark. (Anh ta hoûng moân ñoù laø vì nhöõng gì anh thì toâi cho laø baïn laêng nhuïc toâi ñoù.) ta laøm khoâng gioáng nhö ngöôøi ta mong muoán.) with flying colors deã daøng vaø ngon laønh. John wild-goose chase röôït le le giöõa trôøi; cuoäc tìm kieám voâ passes his geometry test with flying colors. (John thi ích. (YÙ noùi laøm moät vieäc khoâng ích lôïi chaúng khaùc naøo ñaäu moân hình hoïc moät caùch deã daøng vaø ngon laønh.) röôït theo con vòt trôøi vì khoâng theå baét ñöôïc.) I wasted Lieân qualified for the race with flying colors. (Lieân all afternoon on a wild-goose chase. (Toâi maát caû buoåi coù ñuû söùc ñeå thaéng cuoäc ñua moät caùch deã daøng vaø chieàu ñi tìm khoâng coù keát quaû gì heát.) John was angry ngon laønh.) because he was sent out on a wild-goose chase. (John within an inch of one's life thaáy caùi cheát trong gang giaän döõ vì anh ta bò ñaåy ñi tìm kieám moät caùch voâ ích.) taác. The accident frightened me within an inch of Cuc does not want to go steady with anyone. Looking my life. (Tai naïn laøm cho toâi hoaûng vía vì thaáy caùi for her now is just like a wild-goose chase. (Cuùc khoâng cheát chæ trong gang taác.) When Mary was seriously thích giao du vôùi moät ai nhaát ñònh heát. Baây giôø ñi tìm coâ ill in the hospital, she came within an inch of her life. ta chaúng khaùc naøo röôït le le giöõa trôøi.) (Khi Mary bò beänh naëng naèm nhaø thöông, coâ ta chæ win by a nose hôn nhau chæ moät caùi muõi; hôn nhau suyùt caùch caùi cheát trong gang taác.) The bus ran over a soaùt I ran the fastest race I could, but I only won by a mine which gave out a terrible explosion. Passengers nose. (Toâi coá chaïy heát söùc mình, nhöng cuõng chæ hôn anh were thrown out in all directions. Five were killed on moät caùi muõi.) Sally won the race, but she only won by a the spot. I was one of the lucky ones who came within nose. (Sally thaéng cuoäc ñua, nhöng chæ suyùt soaùt coù moät an inch of their lives. (Chieác xe ñoø ñaïp phaûi mìn vaø tí.) Tam tore his hair and ears because the other horse moät tieáng noå kinh hoàn vang leân. Haønh khaùch vaêng ra won his by a nose. (Tom böùc toùc böùc böùc tai vì con ngöïa tung toùe. Naêm ngöôøi cheát taïi choã. coøn toâi ñöôïc may kia chæ hôn con ngöïa anh ta moät caùi muõi.) maén chæ caùch caùi cheát trong gang taác.) with all one's heart and soul vôùi taát caû taâm hoàn; moät with no strings attaced vaø with-out any strings caùch chaân thaønh. Oh, Bill, I love you with all my heart attached voâ ñieàu kieän; khoâng coù ñieàu raøng buoäc. and soul, and I always will! (OÂ, Bill ôi, em yeâu anh vôùi My parents gave me a computer without any strings taát caû taâm hoàn em, vaø em seõ maõi maõi yeâu anh nhö theá!) attached. (Cha meï toâi cho toâi boä ñieàn toaùnmaø khoâng She thanked us with all her heart and soul for the gift. keøm theo moät ñieàu raøng buoäc naøo heát.) I want this (Coâ ta caûm ôn chuùng toâi moät caùch chaân thaønh veà moùn only if there are no strings attached. (Toâi muoán phaûi quaø chuùng toâi ñeõ taëng cho coâ.) Husband and wife being khoâng coù ñieàu kieän naøo raøng buoäc môùi ñöôïc.) in love with all their hearts and souls could be with each with one hand tied behind one's back vaø with both other till the cow comes home. (Vôï choàng yeâu thöông hands tied behind one's back deã daøng; bò troùi tay. I nhau moät caùch chaân thaønh thì coù theå soáng vôùi nhau ñeán could put an end to this armgument with one hand ñaàu baïc raêng long ñöôïc.) tied behind my back. (Bò troùi tay maø toâi vaãn chaám döùt wither/die on the vine (nhö hoa) chöa nôû ñaõ voäi taøn. cuoäc caûi vaû naøy. YÙ noùi “Toâi dö söùc keát thuùc cuoäc caûi You have a great plan, Tom. Let's keep it alive. Don't vaõ naøy maø khoâng thaáy trôû ngaïi gì heát.) John could let it wither on the vine. (Baïn coù keá hoaïch hay laém, Tom do this job with both hands behind his back. (John coù aï. Coá duy trì keá hoaïch ñoù nghe. Ñöøng ñeå cho noù nhö hoa theå laøm vieäc naøy moät caùch deã daøng.) chöa nôû ñaõ voäi taøn nghe.) The whole project died on the without batting an eye khoâng maûy may khua ñoäng; vine when the contract was canceled. (Toaøn boä döï aùn nhö khoâng theøm phaûn öùng. I knew I had insulted her, hoa chöa nôû ñaõ voäi taøn ñaõ voäi taøn vì hôïp ñoàng bò huyû boû.) but she turned to me and asked me to leave without Their love affair withered on the vine after three batting an eye. (Toâi bieát toâi ñaõ xuùc phaïm coâ ta, nhöng months' marriage. People should not get married too coâ quay sang toâi vaø yeâu caàu toâi ñi nôi khaùc khoâng early. (Chuyeän tình hai ñöùa ñoù chöa nôû ñaõ voäi taøn sau moät maûy may xuùc ñoäng.) Right in the middle of the môùi ba thaùng thaønh hoân. Ngöôøi ta khoâng neân laäp gia ñình speech — without batting an eye — the speaker sôùm quaù laø vaäy.) walked off the stage. (Ngay giöõa luùc ñang dieãn with every (other) breath cöù laõi nhaõi lieân hoài; cöù laäp ñi thuyeát, dieãn giaû rôøi khoûi buïc noùi — khoâng theøm phaûn laëp laïi maõi khoâng döùt. Bob was out in the yard, raking öùng ngöôøi nghe ra sao.) leaves and cursing with every other breath. (Bob ra ngoaøi without further ado ñeán ñaây xin nhöôøng lôøi; khoâng saân caøo raùc maø mieäng cöù laõi nhaõi chöûi theà lieân hoài.) baøn caõi nöõa. (Duøng ñeå keát thuùc phaàn noùi chuyeän cuûa The child was so grateful that she was thanking me with ngöôøi naøo tröôùc khi giôùi thieäu qua phaàn ngöôøi khaùc.) every breath. (Coâ beù ñoù cöù laëp ñi laëp laïi maõi khoâng döùt +And without further ado, I would like to introduce caâu caûm ôn toâi.) Okay, don't thank me with every other Mr. Bill Franklin! (Vaø ñeán ñaây toâi xin nhöôøng lôøi laïi

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 141

cho oâng Bill Franklin.) The time has come to leave, so without further ado, good evening and good-bye. (Ñaõ ñeán giôø rôøi khoûi ñaây, neân xin ñöøng baøn caõi theâm nöõa, xin chuùc vui veû vaø chaøo taïm bieät.) wolf in sheep's clothing choù soùi ñoäi loùt cöøu non; ngaây thô “traêm laù”. Beware of the police chief. He seems polite, Xx but he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. (Neân caån thaän deà phoøng oâng caûnh saùt tröôûng. OÂng ta troâng töû teá laém, nhöng X-double minus trình dieãn toài. Pat gave an x- ñoù laø con soùi doäi loát cöøu non ñoù.) This proposal seems double minus performance at the audition and lost harmless enough, but I think it's a wolf in sheep's her chance for the lead role. (Pat ñaõ trình dieãn quaù clothing. (Ñeà aùn xem ra khoâng coù veû gì nguy hieåm caû, dôû trong moät buoåi toång döôït thöû gioïng neân khoâng nhöng toâi nghó ñoù chæ laø choù soùi ñoäi loát cöøu non thoâi.) It ñöôïc choïn thuû vai chính.) Of the ten characters of is difficult to distinguish who is who now. There are too the cast, Mary gave x-double minus performance. many wolves in sheep's clothing. (Thôøi nay thaät khoù maø (Trong soá möôøi nhaân vaät trong baûn phaân vai, Mary phaân roõ ai laø ai. Coù quaù nhieàu choù soùi ñoäi loát cöøu non.) trình dieãn dôû laém.) work like a horse laøm nhu traâu. I've been working like X marks the spot ngay taïi choã This is where the a horse all day, and I'm tired. (Suoát ngaøy hoâm nay toâi rock struck my car — X marks the spot. (Ñaây chính laøm vieäc nhö traâu, baây giôø meät quaù.) I'm too old to laø choã hoøn ñaù vaêng truùng xe toâi – ngay taïi choã naøy. work like a horse. I'd prefer to relax more. (Toâi baây giôø quaù giaø ñeå laøm vieäc nhö traâu nöõa roài. Toâi thích nghæ ngôi hôn.) Poor old man! He had been working like a horse all his life, then he had no time to relax before he took his last breath. (Toäi nghieäp oâng giaø! Suoát moät ñôøi laøm vieäc nhö traâu, roài chöa kòp nghó ngôi thì ñaõ truùt hôn thôû cuoái cuøng.) work one's fingers to the bone laøm vieäc vaát vaû. I Yy worked my fingers to the bone so you children could have everything you needed. Now look at the way you treat me! year in, year out heát naêm naøy sang naêm khaùc. I (Cha ñaõ laøm vieäc vaát vaû ñeå cho caùc con coù ñöôïc nhöõng gì seem to have hay fever year in, year out. I never get caàn ñeán. Baây giôø thì haõy nhìn laïi caùch caùc con ñoái xöû vôùi over it. (Toâi döôøng nhö naêm naøo cuõng bò beänh soát cha kìa!) I spent the day working my fingers to the raï, heát naêm naày sang naêm khaùc. Naêm naøo cuõng bò bone, and now I want to relax. (Toâi maát caû ngaøy laøm vieäc heát.) John wears the same old suit, year in, year vaát vaû roài, nay muoán nghæ ngôi.) out. (John maëc moät boä quaàn aùo duy nhaát, heát naêm work out for the best thaønh coâng toát ñeïp; keát quaû khaû naøy sang naêm noï.) quan. Don't worry. Things will work out for the best. You can say that again! Vaø You said it! Noùi ñuùng (Ñöøng lo. Moïi vieäc seõ thaønh coâng toát ñeïp.) It seems quaù! Baïn noùi ñuùng laém! bad now, but it'll work out for the the best. (Baây giôø troâng Mary: You can say that again! (Anh noùi ñuùng coù veû khoâng ra gì, nhöng keát quaû seõ khaû quan cho xem.) quaù!) worth its weight in gold raát coù giaù trò; raát saùng giaù. Bill: This cake is yummy! (Baùnh naøy ngon thaät!) This book is worth its weight in gold. (Quyeån saùch naøy Bob: You said it! (Noùi ñuùng quaù!) raát coù giaù trò.) Oh, Bill. You're wonderful. You're worth You can't take it with you. Cheát roài chaúng mang your weight in gold. (OÂ, Bill ôi. Anh tuyeät vôøi quaù. Anh theo ñöôïc. Soáng khoâng höôûng thì ñeå laøm gì. My laø moät con ngöôøi raát saùng giaù.) uncle is a wealthy miser. I keep telling him, “You worth one's salt ñoàng löông töông xöùng. Taân doesn't can't take it with you." (OÂng chuù toâi laø moät ngöôøi work very hard, and he's just barely worth his salt, but giaøu coù nhöng keo kieät. Toâi thöôøng noùi vôùi oâng raèng: he's very easy to get along with. (Taân khoâng laøm vieäc “Chuù ôi cheát roài chaúng mang theo ñöôïc ñaâu.) If sieâng laém, vì ñoàng löông khoâng xöùng vôùi anh ta, nhöng you have money, you should make out a will. You anh ta cuõng chòu khoù laøm.) I think he's more than can't take it with you, you know! (Neáu baïn coù tieàn, worth his salt. He's a good worker. (Toâi nghó laø anh laøm baïn neân vieát chuùc thö ñi. Baïn bieát maø, cheát roài ñaâu gioûi hôn ñoàng löông traû cho anh ta. Anh laø moät ngöôøi thôï coù mang theo ñöôïc!) People should save s.t. for a gioûi.) rainy day. At the same time they should know how to spend money because “You can't take it with you." (Ngöôøi ta neân bieát daønh chuùt ñænh phoøng khi traùi gioù

142 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

trôû trôøi. Ñoàng thôøi hoï cuõng neân bieát xaøi tieàn vì “Soáng maø khoâng höôûng thì ñeå laøm gì.") You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Giaø ñôøi khoâng bieát caùch soáng môùi. Taät cuõ khoâng chöøa. "Of course I can learn.” bellowed Uncle John. “Who says you can't Zz teach an old dog new tricks?" ("Dó nhieân toâi hoïc ñöôïc zero hour khoâng giôø (giôø aán ñònh taán coâng cuûa cuoäc chôù.” Chuù John gaàm leân. “Ai baûo chaùu laø giaø ñôøi thì haønh quaân) At the zero hour his platoon advanced khoâng bieát caùch soáng môùi?) I'm sorry. I can't seem to to the enemy’s post. (Vaøo luùc khoâng giôø, trung ñoäi learn to do it right. Oh, well. You can't teach an old dog anh ta tieán veà höôùng ñoàn ñòch.) It was zero hour new tricks. (Toâi xin loãi. Döôøng nhö toâi khoâng bieát laøm and the operation began. (Luùc khoâng giôø cuoäc haønh sao cho ñuùng. Ñuùng laø. Giaø ñôøi khoâng bieát caùch soáng quaân baét ñaàu.) môùi.) It is believed that a seventy-year-old person still zero in on s.t. nhaém ngay/chuù yù vaøo vaät gì. “Now,” can learn. Why say “You can't teach an old dog new said Mr. Smith, “I would like to zero in on another tricks”? (Ngöôøi ta tin raèng baûy möôi coøn hoïc ñöôïc. Taïi important point." ("Naøy,” oâng Smith noùi, “toâi muoán sao laïi noùi “Giaø ñôøi khoâng bieát caùch soáng môùi”?) nhaém vaøo moät ñieåm quan troïng khaùc.) Mary is Your guess is as good as mine. Baïn ñoaùn y nhö toâi.; very good about zeroing in on the most important Baïn cuõng gioáng nhö toâi. I don't know where the and helpful ideas. (Mary coù taøi nhaém vaøo nhuõng yù scissors are. Your guess is as good as mine. (Baïn cuõng kieán naøo coù ích nhaát vaø quan troïng nhaát.) When gioáng nhö toâi. Toâi khoâng bieát caùi keùo ôû ñaâu caû.) Your driving you should zero in on everything in front of guess is as good as mine as to when the train will arrive. you on the road. (Khi laùi xe baïn neân taäp trung söï chuù (Baïn cuõng nhö toâi khoâng bieát bao giôø thì xe löûa ñeán.) yù vaøo nhöõng gì phía tröôùc treân ñöôøng.) Your guess is as good as mine. We all don't know when zonk out naèm xuoáng laø nguû ngay; say lì bì Once he the earth is going to enjoy permanent peace. (Baïn cuõng zonked out, nothing could wake him up. (Moät khi noù nhö toâi. Chuùng ta khoâng bieát bao giôø thì theá giôùi naøy naèm xuoáng nguû ngay roài thì khoâng coù gì thöùc noù daäy môùi an höôûng thaùi bình vónh cöûu.) ñöôïc caû.) Don’t let him go anywhere, he has zonked out. (Ñöøng cho anh ta ñi ñaâu caû, anh ta say roài.)

Thành ngữ tiếng Anh – Trần Ngọc Dụng 143

slippery as an eel as smart as a fox as snug as Glossary index a bug in a rug as sober as a judge as soft as a baby's bottom as soon as possible as strong as A an ox as stubborn as a mule as the crow flies A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. as thick as pea soup as thick as thieves as as according to Hoyle a chip off the old block act tight as Dick's hatband a stone's throw away high-and-mighty Actions speak louder than words. as weak as a kitten as white as the driven act of God act one's age add fuel to the fire vaø snow as wise as an owl at a premium at a add fuel to the flame add insult to injury A fool snail's pace at death's door at half-mast at and his money are soon aparted. afraid of one's loggerheads at loose ends at one fell own shadow A friend in need is a friend indeed. swoop/in one fell swoop at one's wit's end at against the clock air s.o.'s dirty linen in public a sea (about s.t.) at sixes and sevens at s.o.'s little bird told me A little knowledge is a doorstep/on s.o.'s doorstep at the bottom of the dangerous thing. all in a day's work all over but ladder at the drop of a hat at the eleventh the shouting All road lead to Rome All's well that hour at the end of one's rope at the end of ends well. All that glitters is not gold. all thumbs one's tether at the last minute at the outside all walks of life All work and no play makes Jack at the tip of one’s tongue at the top of one's a dull boy. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. voice at the top of one's lungs at this stage (of An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. the game) A watched pot never boils. away A penny saved is a penny earned. a pig in a poke from one's desk a wet blanket apple of s.o.'s eye armed to the teeth arm in arm A rolling stone gathers no moss. as a duck takes to water as an aside as bad as all that as B blind as a bat as busy as a beaver as busy as a babe in the woods Back beyond reasonable bee As as busy as Grand Central Station as doubt beyond the pale beyond the shadow of clear as mud as comfortable as an old shoe as a doubt bide one’s time bid fair big as cool as a cucumber as crazy as a loon as dead as life/large as life/big as life and twice as natural a dodo as dead as a doornail as different as night big cheese/big gun/big shot/big wheel/big wig/ and day as easy as (apple) pie as easy as duck whole cheese. big daddy big deal big frog soup as far as it goes as fit as a fiddle as flat as in a small pond/little frog in a big pond. big a pancake as free as a bird as full as a tick as head/swelled head. big lie, the big stink big tight as a tickas as funny as a crutch as good as time/ big-time/ show off/ small-time big top as good as gold as happy as a clam as as happy big wheel bingo card bird has flown bird in as a lark as hard as nails as high as a kite as the hand is worth two in the bush birds and the high as the sky as hungry as a bear as innocent as bees birds of a feather flock together bird lamb as it were ask for the moon ask for trouble watcher birthday suit bite off more than one asleep at the switch as light as a feather as can chew bite the dust bite the hand that likely as not as luck would have it as mad as a feeds one bitter pill black and white/black- hatter as mad as a hornet as mad as March hare and-white black out/rolling black out blank as mad as a wet hen as one as plain as day as check blast off blast away blaze a trail plain as the nose one one's face as poor as a blazer blind alley blip out bleep out church nouse as pretty as a picture as proud as a blockhead blood and thunder blood is peacock as quick as a wink as quiet as a mouse thicker than water blood runs cold/blood as regular as clockwork as scarce as hen's freezes/blood turns to ice hair/stand on end, the teeth/scarcer than hen's teeth as sick as a dog as creeps blow one’s top blow one’s stack

144 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

blow hot and cold blow in blow one’s brains session  bump into bump (someone) off out blow one’s cool blow one’s lines/fluff one’s bundle (someone)/upwrap up burn a hole in lines blow one’s mind blow one’s own horn/toot one’s pocket burn one’s bridges/burn one’s one’s own horn blow over blow the lid off boats burn one’s fingers burn out burn blow the whistle on blow up blow up in one’s rubber burnt child dreads the fire/once bitten, face blue around the face blue Monday twice shy burn the candle at both ends burn boarding house reach body blow body English the midngiht oil burn to a crisp burn up burn boggle the mind boil down boiling point blow up the road burst at the seams bury one`s up/ make one’s blood boil bolt from the blue out head in the sand/hide one’s head in the sand of the blue bonehead bone of contention bone bury the hatche/tmake up busy work but for to pick/crow to pick bone of contention bone up but for s.o./s.t. but good/and how butterflies bore to tears born out of wedlock born with a in one's stomach butter s.o. up/polish the apple silver spoon in one’s mouth/well-heeled. Born butter wouldn’t melt in one’s mouth butt yesterday nobody’s fool. borrow trouble Both. . in/horn in button down button one’s lip/zip . and bottle blond bottle up bottom dollar one’s lip buy off/pay off buy out by all bottom drop out/bottom fall out bottom line appearances by all means/by all manner of bottom line bound for bow and scrape bowl means by all odds/far and away by a long over bow out box office boy friend girl friend shot/miss by a mile by and by by and large boys will be boys brain bucket brain drain by chance by choice by dint of by far/far branch off band-new/bran-new brass hat and away by fits and starts/from time to time, brave it out brazen it out bread and butter off and on by heart  by hook or by crook by bread basket break camp break down/go back inches by leaps and bounds by means of by on break even break ground break in break mistake by no means/not by any means/by no into break off break one’s balls break one’s manner of means/not by any manner of means neck break one’s heart break one’s neck B.Y.O.Bring Your OwnB.Y.O.B Bring Your break out break the ice break up/crack up/go to Own Bottle by oneself by the dozen/by the pieces/cut out/break off break with breathe hundred/by the thousand by the piece by the down one’s neck breathe easily breathe freely same token by the seat of one’s pants by the breathe one’s last bred in the bone breeze in skin of one’s teeth by the sweat of one’s brow bright and early bring about bring around by the wayby the bye ad by turnsby virtue bring round bring to bring down bring down of/in virtue of by dint of by way of by word the house bring home bring home the bacon of mouth bring off/put over bring on bring s.o. to bring to bay/at bay bring to light/ come to light bring C to one’s knees bring to pass/bring about/come to call a spade a spade call it a cay call it quits pass bring to terms bring up bring up the rear call s.o. on the carpet call the dogs off call Bronx cheer brown bagger brown-nose/polish off the dogs can’t carry a tune can’t hold a the apple brown paper bag/plain white wrapper candle to s.o. can’t make heads or tails (out) of brown study brush off/give the brush off/cold s.o./s.t. can’t see beyond the end of one’s nose shoulder  brush up brush up on bubble gum can’t see one’s hand in front of one’s face music bubble trouble bucket of bolts carry a torch for s.o. carry coals to Newcastle Buckle/buckle down/knuckle down buck up bug- carry the ball carry the torch carry the eyed bug s.o. bughouse bug in one’s ear build weight of the world on one’s shoulders carry a fire under build castles in the air build castles weight (with s.o.) case in point cash-and-carry in Spain bullet lane bull in a china shop bull cash in (on s.t.) cast (one's) pearls before

Thành ngữ tiếng Việt – Trần Ngọc Dụng 145

swine cast the first stone catch coldt/ake cold the rough die of a broken heart die of catch one's death (of cold)/take one's death of cold boredom dig some dirt up on s.o. dig up some dirt on s.o. do a land-office business dollar catch s.o. off-balance catch s.o.'s eye/get s.o.'s for dollar Don't let s.o./something get you eye have caught in the crossfire caught short down dose of one's own medicine do s.o.'s cause (some) eyebrows to raise cause (some) heart good do s.t. by hand do s.t. hands down tongues to wag champ at the bit change horses in do the dishes do the honors down in the midstream Charity begins at home clear the table dumps down in the mouth down the drain down the wire draw a line between s.t. and climb on the bandwagon clip s.o.'s wings close s.t. else draw blood dream come true drink at hand close ranks coast-to-coast cock-and-bull to excess drive a hard bargain drop in one's story come a cropper come apart at the seams tracks drop s.o. a line/drop s.o. a few lines come away empty-handed come by s.t. come drop the ball drop the other shoe drown down in the world come home (to roost) come in one's troubles drown one's sorrows drug on out of the rain come into one's or its own come of the market drum some business up/drum up some business age come off second-best come out ahead come out in the wash come out of the closet come to a bad end come to a dead end come to E a head come to an end come to an untimely end Early to bed and early to rise, (makes a man come to a standstill come to grief come to grips healthy, wealthy, and wise.) earn one's keep with s.t. come to light come to one's senses easy come, easy go Easy does iteat humble come to pass come to the point/get to the point pie eat like a bird eat like a horse eat one's come to think of it come true come up in the hat eat one's heart out eat one's words eat out of s.o.'s hands eat s.o. out of house and world come what may conspicuous by one's home end in itself end of the road end of the absence control the purse strings cook s.o.'s line Enough is enough enter one's mind goose cook the accounts cool one's heels cost a Every cloud has a silver lining. Every dog has pretty penny count noses count heads count its day /Every dog has his day every living soul one's chickens before they hatch cover a lot of every minute counts every moment counts everyting but the kitchen sink everything ground cover for s.o. crack a joke crack a smile from soup to nuts everything from A to Z cramp s.o.'s style cream of the crop Crime expecting (a child) doesn't pay cross a bridge before one comes to it cross a bridge when one comes to it cross- examine s.o. cross one's heart (and hope to die) F cross swords (with s.o.) crux of the matter cry face the music fair-weather friend fall down before one is hurt cry bloody murder/scream on the job fall flat (on one's face) fall in(to) bloody murder cry one's eyes out cry over spilled place fall short (of s.t.) Familiarity breeds milk cry wolf Curiosity killed the cat curl s.o.'s contempt.  farm out/farm out s.o./s.t. feast hair curl up and die cut class cut off one's nose one's eyes (on s.o./something) feather in one's to spite one's face cut one's (own) throat cut cap feather one's (own) nest feed the kitty s.o./something offshort cut s.o./something to the feel like a million (dollars) feel like a new bone cut s.o.'s losses cut s.o. to the quick cut the person feel out of placefeel s.t. in one's ground out from under s.o./cut out the ground from bones/know s.o. in one's bones. fight under s.o. s.o./s.t./hammer and tongs fill s.o.'s shoes fill the bill Finders keepers(, losers weepers) find D it in one's heart (to do s.t.) find one's or s.t.'s dance to another tune date back (to sometime way somewhere fine kettle of fish first and dead and buried dead to the world death on foremost First come, first served. first of all s.o./something desert a sinking ship diamond in

146 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

first thing (in the morning) first thing first fish way get stars in one's eyes get the benefit of for a compliment fish or cut bait fit for a king fit the doubt/give s.o. the benefit of the doubt get the blues get the hang of s.t. get the inside like a glove fix s.o.'s wagon flash in the pan flat track get the jump on s.o. get the last laugh broke flesh and blood float a loan fly in the get the last word/get the final word get the face of s.t. or s.t. fly in the teeth of s.o./something nod get the red-carpet treatment/give s.o. the fly in the ointment fly off the handle foam at red-carpet treatment/ roll out the red carpet for the mouth follow one's heart food for thought s.o. get the runaround/give s.o. the run around get the shock of one's life get the short end of foot the bill force s.o.'s hand force s.o. to the the stick/end up with the short end of the stick wall/drive s.o. to the wall for fear of s.t. forgive get the upper hand (on s.o.) get the word/get and forget fork money out (for s.t.)/fork out money the message get time to catch one's breath (for some-thing) form an opinion for the devil of get to first base (with s.o./s.t.)/reach first base it/for the heck of it/for the hell of it for one’s (with s.o./something) get to one's feet get to money for the odds to be against one for the the bottom of s.t. get to the heart of the matter get two strikes against one get under s.o.'s record foul play free and easy free-for-all skin get up enough nerve (to do s.t.) get up on from hand to hand from pillar to post from rags the wrong side of the bedget out of the wrong to riches from start to finish from stem to stern side of the bed get wind of s.t. get worked up from the bottom of one's heart from the ground (over s.t.)/get worked up about gild the lily  up from the word go from top to bottom fun and gird (up) one's loins give a good account of oneself give as good as one gets give credit games where credit is due Give one an inch, and one will take a mile/If you give one an inch, one will take a mile. give one one's freedom give G oneself airs give one's right arm (for s.o. get a black eye  gethave give s.o. a black eye /something)/ give s.o. a piece of one's mind get a clean bill of health get (all) dolled up get give s.o. a ring give s.o./s.t. a wide berth a load off one's feet/take a load off one's feet get give s.o. the eye give s.o. the shirt off one's a load off one's mind get along (on a shoestring) back give s.o. tit for tat give s.t. a lick and a get a lump in one's throat get away with s.t. get promise give the bride away give the devils a word in edgewise/get a word in edgeways get his/her due give up the ghost go about one's cold feet get a lump in one's throat get down to business go against the grain go along for the brass tacks get down to business get down to ride go and never darken my door again go work get fresh (with s.o.) get goose bumps get (a)round the bend go away empty-handed go goose pimples get in s.o.'s hair get into the swing back on one's word go down in history go of things get one's ducks in a row get one's feet Dutch go in one ear and out the other go into on the ground/keep one's feet on the ground get a nose dive go into a tailspin go into one's one's feet wet get one's fill of s.o./s.t. get one's song and dance about s.t. go like clockwork fingers burned get one's hands dirty/dirty one's go off the deep end go on a fishing hands/soil one's hands get one's head above expedition go (out) on strike go overboard water/keep one's head above water get one's just go over s.o.'s head go over s.t. with a fine- desserts get one's second wind get one's teeth tooth comb go over with a bang go scot-free into s.t. get on s.o.'s nerves get on the go The thief went scott-free go stag go the bandwagon/jump on the bandwagon get second distance go the limit go through channels go thougts about s.o./something get (someone) off the through the motions go through the roof go to hook get s.o. over a barrel get s.o. under one's bat for s.o. go to Davy Jones's locker go to thumb get s.o.'s dander up get s.o.'s back up/get pot/go to the dogs go the rack and ruin/go to s.o.'s hackles up/get s.o.'s Irish up get s.o.'s earget wrack and ruin go to s.o.'s head go to the wall s.t. off one's chest get s.t. off (the ground) get s.t. go to town go up in flames go up in smoke sewed up/get s.t. wrapped up get s.t. straight get green with envygrin and bear it grind to a halt s.t. through some-one's thick skull/get s.t. into s.o.'s grit one's teeth gun for s.o. thick head get s.t. under one's belt get s.t. under

Thành ngữ tiếng Việt – Trần Ngọc Dụng 147

like a ton of bricks hit the bull's eyes hit the H nail (right) on the head hit the spot hold one's hail-fellow-well-met hair of the dog that bit one end (of the bargain) up/hold up one's end (of the hale and hearty Half a loaf is better than none bargain hold one's head up hold up one's head hand glove (with s.o.) handle s.o. with kid gloves hold one's own hold one's peace hold one's hand over fist hand over hand hang by tongue hold out the olive branch hold the fort hair/hang by a thread on hang in the balance thold true hole in one honor s.o.'s check Hang on! hang on s.o.'s every word Hang on to hope against all hope horn in (on s.o.)/horse your hat!/Hold on to you hat! hang s.o. in effigy of another color horse of a different color hot hard-and-fast rule hardly have time to breath under the collar hard on s.o.'s heels Haste makes waste hate s.o.'s guts have a bee in one's bonnet/put a bee in s.o.'s bonnet have a big mouth have a bone to I pick (with s.o.) have a brush with s.t.  have a chip If the shoe fits, wear it. if worst comes to on one's shoulder have a close shave have a worst in a dead heat in a flash in a huff in close call have a familiar ring have a good head a mad rush in a (tight) spot in a vicious circle on one's shoulders have a green thumb have a in a world of one's own in bad faith in bad heart have a heart of gold have a heart of stone sorts in bad taste in poor taste in black and have a lot going (for one) have a low boiling white in broad daylight inch by inch in deep point have an ax to grind have an eye out (for water in fine feather in full swing in good s.o./something)/ keep an eye out (for s.o./s.t.) have shape in good condition in heat in less than an in (with s.o.) have an itchy palm have an no time in mint condition in name only in no itching pain have a price on one's head have a mood to do s.t. in nothing flat in one ear and scrape (with s.o./something) have a soft spot in out the other in one's birthday suit in one's one's heart for s.o./s.t. have a sweet tooth have a mind's eye in one's or its prime in one's right weakness for s.o./s.t. have bats in one's belfry mind in one's second childhood in one's spare have clean hands have blood hands have dibs time in over one's head in print in rags in on s.t./put one's dibs on s.t. have egg on one's face round numbers/in round figures ins and outs of have eyes in the back of one's head have feet of s.t. in season in seventh heaven in short clay have foot-in-mouth disease have mixed order in short supply in stock in the air in feelings (about s.o./s.t. have money to burn have the bargain in the black in the red in the one's back to the wall have one's cake and eat it blood in one's blood in the bullpen in the too/eat one's cake and have it too have one's ear cards in the doghouse in the doldrums in the to the ground/keep one's ear to the ground have flesh in the gutter in the hole in the know one's finger in the pie have one's hand in the till in the lap of luxury in the limelight in the have one's hands full (with s.o./something) have spotlight in the line of duty in the long run in one's hands tied have one's head in the clouds the money in the nick of time in the pink (of have one's heart in one's mouth/one's heart is in condition) in the prime of life in the public one's mouth have one's heart set on s.t. have eye in the redin the right in the same boat in one's nose in a book have one's tail between one's the same breath in the twinkling of an eye in legs/one's tail is between one's legs have one's the wind in the wrong in two shakes of a words stick in one's throat/one's words stick in one's lamb's tail It never rains but it pours. throat have other fish to fry have s.o. dead to rights have s.o. in one's pocket have s.o./something in one's hands have s.t. at one's J fingertips have s.t. hanging over one's head have s.t. in stock have s.t. to spare have the right-of- Johnny-come-lately Johnhnny-on-the-spot way have the shoe on the other foot have the jump out of one’s skin jump the gun jump time of one's life have too many irons in the fire the jack just what the doctor ordered head and shoulders above s.o./s.t. He who laughs last, laughs longest. hide one's light under a bushel high man on the totem pole hit a snag hit bottom hit s.o. between the eyes hit (someone) K

148 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

keep a civil tongue (in one's head) keep a stiff hand to mouth live in an ivory tower live off upper lip keep a straight face keep body and soul the fat of the land live out of a suitcase live together keep late hours keep one's eye on the within one's means lock horns (with s.o.) lock, ball keep one's temperhold one's temper keep stock, and barrel Long time no see. look as if one's weather eye open keep one's word keep butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth look at s.o. s.o. in stitches keep s.o. on tenderhooks keep cross-eyed look cross-eyed at s.o. look back s.o./something in mind/ bear s.o./something in mind on s.o./s.t. look daggers at s.o. look down on keep s.o. posted keep s.t. to oneself keep s.t. s.o./something look down one’s nose at s.o./s.t. under one's hat keep s.t. under wraps keep the look for s.o./s.t. high and low look for trouble home fires burning keep the wolf from the door look forward to s.t. look in on s.o./s.t./check in keep up (with the Joneses) keep up (with the on s.o./s.t. look like a million dollars look like times) kick up a fuss kick up a row; kick up a the cat that swallowed the canary look the storm kick up one's heelskill the fatted calf kill other way lord it over s.o.lose facelose the goose that laid the golden egg  kill time kill heartlose one's grip lose one's temper lose two birds with one stone kiss and make up kiss of one's train of thought  lost in thought love at death kiss s.t. good-bye knit one's brow knock first sight lovely weather for ducks lower on wood know all the tricks of the trade know one's sights lower one's voice lower the boom one's ABCs know s.o. by sight know on s.o. low man on the totem pole luck out of s.o./something like the palm of one's hand know s.t. s.t. from memory know s.t. inside out know the ropes/show s.o. the ropes know the score/know what's what know which side one's bread is M buttered on make a beeline for s.o./s.t. make a clean

breast of s.t. make a go of it make a great show of s.t. make a hit (with s.o./s.t.) make a L long story short make a mountain out of a last but not least laugh out of the other side of molehill make a nuisance of oneself make a the one’s mouth laugh up one’s sleeve law unto run for it make a silk purse out of a sow's ear onself lay a finger on s.o./s.t. lay an egg lay make cracks (about s.o./s.t.) make good money down the law lay it on thick/pour it on thick; Make hay while the sun is shining. make life spread it on thick lay s.t. to waste/lay waste to s.t. miserable for s.o. make light of s.t. make lead a dog's life/live a dog's life lead s.o. down oneself at homemake short work of s.o./s.t. the garden path lead s.o. on a merry chase lead make fast work for s.o./s.t. make someome or the life of RileyRiley learn s.t. from the bottom up s.t. tick make s.o.'s blood boil make s.o.'s leave a bad taste in s.o.'s mouth leave no stone blood run cold make s.o.'s hair stand on end unturned leave one to one's fate leave s.o. for make s.o.'s head swim make s.o.'s head spin dead leave s.o. high and dry leave s.o. holding make s.o.'s mouth water make s.o. the the bag leave s.o. in peace leave s.o. in the lurch scapegoat for s.t. make s.t. from scratch make leave s.o./s.t. hanging in midair keep s.t. up out of whole cloth make up s.t. out of s.o./something hanging in midair lend an ear (to whole cloth make the fur fly make the feathers s.o.) lend oneself or itself to s.t. Let bygones by fly make the grade make up for lost time bygones. let grass grow under one's feet let off march to a different drummer meet one's end steam/blow off steam let one's hair down/let down meet one's match meet s.o. halfway melt in one's hair let s.o. off (the hook) let s.t. slide let one's mouth mend (one's) fences mention s.t. s.t. slip by let s.t. slide by let the cat out of the in passing millstone about one’s neck mind bag/spill the beans let the chance slip by lie one’s own business one’s p’s and q’s miss s.t. through one's teeth life of the party like a bat out by a mile miss the point money burns a hole in of hell like a bolt out of the blue like a bump on one’s pocket money is no object money is the a log like a fish out of water like a sitting duck root of all evil money talks Montezuma’s like sitting ducks like a three-ring circus like revenge move heaven and earth to do s.t.move looking for a needle in a haystack like water off at up (in the world) much ado about nothing duck's back little by little live and let live live beyond one's means live by one's wits live from

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trial on vacation open a can of worms open N one's heart (to s.o.) open Pandora's box other neck and neck neither fish nor fowl neither hide side of the tracks out and about out cold/out not hair new lease on life nip and tuck nip s.t. in like a light out in left field out of all the bud no (ifs, ands, or) buts about it no laughing proportion out of circulation out of matter none the worse for wear no skin off s.o.'s commission out of gas/run out of gas out of teeth no skin off s.o.'s nose no spring chicken hand out of luck out of one's element out of not able to see the forest for the trees not born one's mind out of one's head; out of one's yesterday not have a leg to stand on nothing but senses out of order out of practice out of skin and bones/all skin and bones Nothing print out of season out of service Out of ventured, nothing gained not hold water not sight, out of mind out of sorts out of the know enough to come in out of the rain not know corner of one'e eye out of the frying pan into s.o. from Adam not long for this world not open the fire out of the hole out of the question one's mouth not utter a word not set foot out of the red out of the running out of the somewhere not show one's face not sleep a wink woods out of thin air out of this world out of not s.o.'s cup of tea not up to scratch not up to tune (with s.o./s.t.) out of turn out on a limb snuff out on the town out to lunch over the hill over the hump over the long haul over the short hau lover the top O odd man out of all the nerve off base  off-color off-duty off the air off the record off the top of P one's head off to a running start of the first water packed in like sardines paddle one's own on active duty on all fours on a waiting list canoe pad the bill paint the town red part s.o.'s hair pass the buck pass the hat pay an once in a blue moon on cloud nine on duty on arm and a leg (for s.t.) pay one's debt (to earth/in creation; in the world One good turn society) pay one's dues pay the piper penny- deserves another one in a thousand one in a wise and pound foolish Perish the thought hundred; one in a million One man's meat is pick up the tab pie in the sky pitch in (an another man's poison. One's bark is worse than help) pitch s.o. a curve (ball) play ball (with s.o.) play both ends (against the middle) play one's bite one's better half one's days are cat and mouse (with some-one) play fast and numbered one's eyes are bigger than one's loose (with s.o./something) play it safe play stomach/have eyes bigger than one's stomach one's cards close to the chest play one's card one's number is up  on one's feet on one's honor close to one's vest play second fiddle (to s.o.) on one's mind on one's toes on pins and needles play s.t. by ear play the field play to the on second thought on s.o.'s head on s.o.'s or s.t.'s gallery play with fire poke fun (at s.o.) poke one's nose in(to s.t.)/stick one's nose in(to s.t.) last legs on s.o.'s say-so on s.o.'s shoulder son pop the question pound a beat pound the tageton the air on the average on the bench on pavement pour cold water on s.t./dash cold the block on the contrary on the dot on the water on s.t.; throw cold water on s.t. pour heels of s.t. on the horizon on the horns of a money down the drain pour oil on troubled dilemma on the hour on the house on the level water practice what you preach Pretty is as pretty does prick up one's ears promise the on the market on the mend on the money on moon (to s.o.) promise s.o. the moon pull the move on the QT on the spot on the spur of oneself up (by one's own bootstraps) pull s.o.'s the moment on the tip of one's tongue on the leg pull s.o.'s or s.t.'s teeth pull s.t. out of a hat wagon on the wrong track on thin ice/skate on pull s.t. out of thin air pull the rug out (from thin ice on tiptoe on top on top of the world on under s.o.) pull the wool over s.o.'s eyes pull

150 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

up stakes push one's luck press one's luck push s.o. to the wall press s.o. to the wall put all one's S eggs in one basket put in a good word (for s.o.) safe and sound save s.t. for a rainy day save put in one's two cents (worth) put on airs put on the day scrape the bottom of the barrelscratch the dog put one's best foot forward put one's the surface screw up one's courage second cards on the table/lay one's cards on table put nature to s.o. see eye (about s.t.)/see eye to one's foot in one's mouth put one's foot in it; stick eye on s.t. see the (hand) writing on the wall one's foot in one's mouth put one's hand to the see the light (at the end of the tunnel) see the plow put one's nose to the grindstone/keep one's light (of day) sell like hotcakes sell s.o. a bill nose to the girndstone put one's oar in/put in one's of goods sell s.o./something short send one oar put one's shoulder to the wheel put one about one's business send s.o. packing send through one's paces put on one's money wher s.o. to the showers separate the men from the one’s mouth is put on one's thinking cap put boys separate the sheep from the goats serve s.o./s.t. out to pasture put s.o./something to bed as a guinea pig serve s.o. right set foot put s.o./something to sleep put s.o.'s nose out of somewhere set great store by s.o./s.t. set one joint put s.o. through the wringer put s.o. to back on one's heels set one’s sights on s.t. set shame put s.o. to the test put s.t. on ice put s.t. s.o.’s teeth on edge set the world on fire on the back burner put s.t. on paper put s.t. on the shake in one’s boots/quake in one’s boots cuff put s.t. on the line/lay s.t. on the line put s.t. shape up or ship out shed crocodile tears through its paces put the cart before the horse put shoot from the hip shot in the arm should two and two together put up a (brave) front put have stood in bed show one’s (true) colors words into s.o.'s mouth Put your money where sign one’s own heath warrant sign one’s own your mouth is! death warrant sign on the dotted line sink one’s teeth into s.t. sink or swim sit on one’s hands sit tight sitting on a powder keg six of Q one and half a dozen of the other skeleton in quick on trigger quick on the draw quick on the the closet/ cupboard sleep like a dog sleep on uptate s.t. slip of the tongue slip one’s mind slip through one’s fingers slow and steady wins the

race smack-dab in the middle so still/quiet you could hear a pin drop sow one’s wild oats R speak of the devil split the difference rack one's brain(s)  rain cats and dogs rain or spread like wildfire spread oneself too thin shine raise one’s sights raise some eyebrows square peg in a round hole squeak by s.o./something stab s.o. in the back stand rake s.o. over the coals/haul s.o. over the coals (hold) one’s ground stand on one’s own two read between the line read s.o. like a book read feet stand up and be counted start from s.o. the riot act ride roughshod over s.o./something scratch start off with a clean slate steal a ride the gravy train riding for a fall right off the march on s.o. steal s.o.’s thunder steal the bat ring in the new year risk one's neck (to do spotlight/the show step (tread) on s.o.’s toes s.t.) rob Peter to pay Paul rob the cradl rock the step on the gas step out of line stew in one’s own juice stick one’s neck out stick together boat Rome wasn't built in a day rub elbows with stick to one’s guns Still waters run deep. stir s.o. rub shoulders with s.o. rub s.o.'s fur the up hornet’s nest straight from the horse’s wrong way rub s.o. the wrong way rule the roost mouth straight from the shoulder strike (hit) a run a fever run a temperature run around like a happy medium strike (hit) a sour note strike it chicken with its head cut off run (around) in circles rich strike s.o. funny strike s.o.’s fancy strike up a friendship strike while the iron is run a tight ship run a taut ship run for one's life hot stuff and nonsense stuff the ballot box run in the family run into a stone wall run s.o. suit (fit) s.o. to a T swim against the ragged run to seed/go to seed tide/current

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one's heart's content toot/blow one's own horn T toss one's hat into the ring to the ends of the tail wagging the dog take a backseat (to s.o.) earth To the victors belong the spoils. tough take a leaf out of s.o.'s book take forty winks act to follow tough row to hoe true to one's take it or leave it take liberties with word try one's wings (out)try out one's wings s.o./something; free with s.o./something take one’s try s.o.'s patience turn a blind eye to s.o./s.t. medicine take s.o./something by storm take turn a deaf ear to s.t. turn on a dime turn s.o./something for granted take s.o.’s breath away over a new leaf turn over in one’s grave turn take s.o. under one’s wing(s) take s.t. at face s.o.’s stomach turn s.t. to s.o.’s advantage turn value take s.t. in stride take s.t. lying down take the other cheek turn the tide twiddle one’s s.t. on faith take s.t. on the chin take s.t. with a thumb twist s.o. around one’s little finger pinch of salt take s.t. with a grain of salt take the twist s.o.’s arm bitter with the sweet take the bull by the horn take the law into one’s hands take the stand take the words out of one’s mouth take to one’s U heels take up one’s abode somewhere talk a blue under a cloud (of suspicion) under streak talk in circles talk shop talk through construction under fire under one’s own one’s hat talk until one is blue in the face tear steam under the counter under the table one’s hair tell one to one’s face tell tales out of under the weather under the wire until all school tempest in a teapot thank one’s lucky hours up a blind alley up a tree up against stars That’s the last straw That’s the straw that s.t. up and about up and Adam up and at broke the camel’s back. That’s the ticket. That them up-and-coming up for grabs up front takes care of that. The coast is clear. The early up in arms up in the air up in years up bird gets the worm. The fat is in the fire. The Northback up the creek without a paddle up honeymoon is over The pot calling the kettle to date[up-to-date up to no good up to one black. There are plenty of other fish in the sea up to one’s neck/ear (in some-thing) up to par There’s more than one way to skin a cat. There’s up to snuffup-to-the-minute ups and downs no account for taste. There will be the devil to pay upset s.o.’s plans upset the apple cart upside The shoe is on the other foot.think on one's feet down use every trick in the book use one’s through thick and thin throw a monkey wrench in head use some elbow grease use the works throw caution to the wind throw down s.o./something as an excuse use s.t. up use the gaunlet throw good money after bad throw in strong language used to s.o./s.t. the towel throw in the sponge throw oneself at s.o.'s feet throw oneself on the mercy of the court V throw oneself at the mercy of the court throw s.o. vanish into thin air Variety is the spicinch of a curve throw s.o. for a loop/knock s.o. for a loop salt. vote a straight ticket vote s.o. in vote throw s.o. to the wolves throw s.t. into the s.o. out vote s.t. down bargain thumb a ride/hitch a ride thumb one's nose at s.o./something tickle s.o.'s fancy tied to one's mother's apron strings tie s.o. in knots tie W s.o.'s hands tie the knot tighten one's belt tilt at wait-and-see attitude wait on s.o. hand and windmills Time hangs heavy on s.o.'s hands. foot walk a tightrope walk on air walk on Time is money. tip the scales at s.t. toe the eggs walk the floor walls have ears warm mark toe the line tongue-in-cheek too good to the bench warm the cockles of s.o.'s heart be true Too many cooks spoil the stew/broth. to wash one's hands of s.o. or s.t. waste one's

152 English Idioms – Trần Ngọc Dụng

breath water under the bridge wear more than fingers to the bone work out for the best one hat wear out one's welcome wear the pants worth its weight in gold worth one's salt well-heeled;well-fixed; well-off well-to-do wet behind the ears What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. what makes s.o. tick When X in Rome, do as the Romans do. When the cat's X-double minus X marks the spot away the mice will play. when time is ripe Where there's a will there's a way. Where there's smoke there's fire. wide of the mark wild-goose Y chase win by a nose with all one's heart and soul year in, year out You can say that again! wither on the vine/die on the vine with every You said it! Your guess is as good as mine. (other) breath with flying colors within an inch of one's life with no strings attaced without any strings attached with one hand tied behind one's Z back with both hands tied behind one's back zero hour zero in on s.t. on the road. zonk out without batting an eye without further ado wolf in sheep's clothing work like a horse work one's

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