Idioms thường gặp trong đề thi THPT quốc gia và cách học hiệu quả

50 Idioms thường gặp trong đề thi THPT Quốc gia

• A piece of cake: Dễ như ăn bánh.

Ví dụ: After studying for weeks, the final exam was a piece of cake for me.

• All ears: Lắng nghe.

Ví dụ: Please tell me what happened; I'm all ears.

• Apple of my eye: Người quan trọng trong mắt ai đó, người mình yêu quý hết mực

Ví dụ: My daughter is the apple of my eye; I love her more than anything.

• Beat around the bush: Nói vòng vo tam quốc.

Ví dụ: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.

• Break a leg: Chúc may mắn.

Ví dụ: Break a leg! I know you'll do great in the audition.

• Cost an arm and a leg: Rất đắt đỏ.

Ví dụ: I'd love to travel the world, but it usually costs an arm and a leg.

• Cross your fingers: Cầu may.

Ví dụ: Cross your fingers for me; I'm hoping to get the job.

• Cut corners: Đi tắt, làm tắt.

Ví dụ: We can't afford to cut corners on safety; it's too important.

• To judge a book by its cover: Đánh giá người khác qua vẻ bề ngoài.

Ví dụ: Don't judge a book by its cover; you never know what someone is really like until you get to know them.

• Every cloud has a silver lining: Trong cái rủi có cái may.

Ví dụ: I was disappointed when I didn't get the job, but every cloud has a silver lining, and I ended up finding a better opportunity.

• Fish out of water: Lạc lõng, lạ lẫm.

Ví dụ: I felt like a fish out of water at the fancy party; I'm more comfortable in casual settings.

• Get a taste of your own medicine: Gậy ông đập lưng ông.

Ví dụ: When he realized how much his behavior had hurt others, he finally got a taste of his own medicine.

• Go the extra mile: Nỗ lực hết mình.

Ví dụ: If you want to succeed, you have to be willing to go the extra mile and put in extra effort.

• Hit the nail on the head: Nói chính xác.

Ví dụ: You hit the nail on the head; that's exactly what I was thinking.

• It's raining cats and dogs: Mưa như trút nước.

Ví dụ: I didn't bring an umbrella, and now it's raining cats and dogs.

• Keep your chin up: Luôn lạc quan, tự tin.

Ví dụ: Even when things are tough, you have to keep your chin up and stay positive.

• Kill two birds with one stone: Một mũi tên trúng hai đích.

Ví dụ: By taking the train instead of driving, I can save money and reduce my carbon footprint - it's like killing two birds with one stone.

• Let the cat out of the bag: Tiết lộ bí mật.

Ví dụ: I was planning a surprise party, but my friend accidentally let the cat out of the bag.

• No pain, no gain: Có công mài sắt, có ngày nên kim.

Ví dụ: You won't improve your fitness if you don't push yourself during your workout - no pain, no gain.

• Piece of mind: Bình an.

Ví dụ: After speaking with her mother, she finally had a piece of mind and was able to sleep well.

• Pull someone's leg: Chọc ghẹo ai đó.

Ví dụ: He was just pulling your leg when he said he saw a unicorn in the park.

• Put all your eggs in one basket: Đặt hết hy vọng vào một điều gì đó.

Ví dụ: I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket and invest everything in one stock.

• See eye to eye: Đồng thuận.

Ví dụ: We see eye to eye on the importance of environmental protection.

• Speak of the devil: Nhắc Tào Tháo, Tào Tháo đến.

Ví dụ: Speak of the devil, here comes John!

• Take a rain check: Hẹn lần sau.

Ví dụ: I'm too busy today, can I take a rain check on that dinner invitation?

• Take it easy: Thư giãn, không quá căng thẳng.

Ví dụ: You don't need to finish that project in one day, take it easy and pace yourself.

• Catch someone's eye: Thu hút sự chú ý của ai.

Ví dụ: The sparkling diamond ring in the shop window caught her eye.

• Cry over spilt milk: Tiếc nuối điều đã xảy ra và không thể thay đổi được.

Ví dụ: I know you made a mistake, but there's no use crying over spilt milk.

• Cut to the chase: Vào thẳng vấn đề chính.

Ví dụ: Let's cut to the chase and discuss the main point of this meeting.

• Get out of hand: Mất kiểm soát.

Ví dụ: The party got out of hand and the police had to be called.

• Give someone the benefit of the doubt: Tin tưởng ai đó.

Ví dụ: I don't think she stole your wallet, let's give her the benefit of the doubt.

• In the black: Có lời, có tiền.

Ví dụ: The company's profits are up, and they are finally in the black.

• In the red: Nợ nần.

Ví dụ: The business has been struggling for years and is now in the red.

• To break the ice: Phá vỡ không khí ngượng ngùng.

Ví dụ: We played a game to break the ice and get to know each other better.

• To be in hot water: Gặp khó khăn.

Ví dụ: He's in hot water with his boss for missing the deadline.

• To spill the beans: Lộ bí mật.

Ví dụ: She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.

• To give someone the cold shoulder: Phớt lờ ai đó.

Ví dụ: After their argument, he gave her the cold shoulder and refused to speak to her.

• To make a long story short: Nói tóm lại

Ví dụ: To make a long story short, I spent all day working on it but it was worth it in the end.

• To have a sweet tooth: Thích ăn ngọt

Ví dụ: My friend has a sweet tooth and can't resist desserts.

• To have a heart of gold: Tốt bụng

Ví dụ: My grandmother has a heart of gold and always puts others first.

• To burn the midnight oil: Thức khuya học bài

Ví dụ: I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my homework on time.

• To have butterflies in one's stomach: Cảm thấy lo lắng, hồi hộp

Ví dụ: I always get butterflies in my stomach before an important exam.

• To be on thin ice: Trong tình huống rủi ro

Ví dụ: If I don't finish this project on time, I'll be on thin ice with my boss.

• To let sleeping dogs lie: Chuyện đã qua để cho qua

Ví dụ: I decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up the past argument.

• To give it a shot: Thử làm việc gì đó

Ví dụ: I'm not sure if I can win the race, but I'll give it a shot.

• To hit the ground running: Bắt tay vào việc

Ví dụ: I started my new job ready to hit the ground running.

• To have bigger fish to fry: Có những việc quan trọng hơn để làm

Ví dụ: I can't help you with your project now, I have bigger fish to fry.

• To turn a blind eye: Nhắm mắt cho qua

Ví dụ: I knew my friend was cheating on the test, but I decided to turn a blind eye.

• A dime a dozen: Rẻ như cho

Ví dụ: Those old books are a dime a dozen and easy to find at the thrift store.

• The ball is in your court: Quyết định nằm ở bạn

Ví dụ: I've given you all the information, now the ball is in your court to make a decision.

Các Idioms thường gặp trong đề thi THPT quốc gia khác theo chủ đề

Idiom sử dụng động vật (Animal idioms)

• A wolf in sheep's clothing: Sói đội lốt cừu

Ví dụ: You can't trust him, he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

• A fish out of water: Cảm thấy lạc lõng, lạ lẫm

Ví dụ: He's never been to a big city before, he feels like a fish out of water.

• Let the cat out of the bag: Để lộ bí mật

Ví dụ: I was planning a surprise party, but someone let the cat out of the bag.

• Monkey business: Chuyện linh tinh

Ví dụ: Stop the monkey business and get back to work.

• Don't count your chickens before they hatch: Nói trước bước không qua

Ví dụ: You may have submitted a great application, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.

• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: Những gì đã có trong tay giá trị hơn những thứ chưa có

Ví dụ: I could try to find a better deal, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

• Kill two birds with one stone: Một mũi tên trúng hai đích

Ví dụ: I need to go to the bank and the post office, so I'll kill two birds with one stone and do them both at once.

• Like a fish in water: Rất thoải mái, hoà nhập

Ví dụ: She's never been to this country before, but she's adapting well and feels like a fish in water.

• Elephant in the room: Vấn đề hiển hiện nhưng khó nói

Ví dụ: We all know that the company is struggling financially, but no one wants to talk about the elephant in the room.

• Horse of a different color: Khác hoàn toàn với những gì đang nói đến

Ví dụ: I thought we were talking about the budget, not marketing strategy. That's a horse of a different color.

Idioms diễn tả cảm xúc

• Over the moon: Rất hạnh phúc, sung sướng

Ví dụ: When she got the job offer, she was over the moon with excitement.

• On top of the world: Cảm thấy vô cùng tự tin

Ví dụ: After winning the championship, the team felt like they were on top of the world.

• Down in the dumps: Buồn rầu, chán nản

Ví dụ: He's been down in the dumps since he lost his job.

• Jump for joy: Nhảy cẫng lên vì vui mừng

Ví dụ: When she saw her long-lost friend, she jumped for joy and gave her a big hug.

• On cloud nine: Cảm thấy vô cùng hạnh phúc, sung sướng

Ví dụ: Winning the lottery would put me on cloud nine for weeks.

• Feeling blue: Buồn bã, chán nản

Ví dụ: She's been feeling blue ever since her pet passed away.

• On pins and needles: Lo lắng, căng thẳng

Ví dụ: He was on pins and needles waiting for the test results.

• Walking on air: Cảm thấy vô cùng hạnh phúc, sung sướng

Ví dụ: After their first kiss, she felt like she was walking on air.

• In seventh heaven: Cảm thấy vô cùng hạnh phúc, sung sướng

Ví dụ: When she found out she was pregnant, she was in seventh heaven.

• Mixed feelings: Cảm xúc lẫn lộn

Ví dụ: She had mixed feelings about leaving her hometown for college.

Idioms sử dụng số (Number Idiom)

• A picture is worth a thousand words: Trăm nghe không bằng một thấy

Ví dụ: I could try to describe the beauty of the sunset, but a picture is worth a thousand words.

• Two heads are better than one: Hai đầu tốt hơn một

Ví dụ: Let's work on this project together. Two heads are better than one.

• Third time's a charm: Quá tam ba bận

Ví dụ: I failed the driving test twice, but they say third time's a charm.

• Five-finger discount: Ăn trộm

Ví dụ: The store owner caught him taking the candy without paying for it. He was charged with a five-finger discount.

• Sixth sense: Giác quan thứ sáu

Ví dụ: I had a sixth sense that something was wrong, and it turned out my intuition was correct.

• Behind the eight ball: Ở thế không thuận lợi

Ví dụ: We're behind the eight ball on this project. We need to work harder to catch up.

• Cloud nine: Sung sướng, hạnh phúc

Ví dụ: When I found out I got the job, I was on cloud nine.

• Perfect ten: Điểm số hoàn hảo

Ví dụ: She aced the test and got a perfect ten.

Cách học Idioms thường gặp trong đề thi THPT quốc gia

Học qua nguồn gốc của Idioms

Đôi khi, người học có thể gặp những Idioms mà khó đoán được đúng ý nghĩa vì giữa nghĩa đen và nghĩa bóng không có sự liên quan nào. Trong một vài trường hợp, việc tìm hiểu nguồn gốc của Idiom có thể làm sáng tỏ hơn sự liên quan giữa nghĩa đen và nghĩa bóng.

Ví dụ: Idiom "Beat around the bush" khi dịch nghĩa đen từng từ sẽ thành “đập xung quanh bụi”, tuy nhiên thành ngữ này được hiểu là “nói vòng vo, không vào thẳng vấn đề chính”. Thoạt nghe sẽ khó thể thấy được sự liên quan giữa hai nghĩa kể trên, tuy nhiên thành ngữ này được cho là bắt nguồn từ việc săn bắn chim ở Anh. Khi săn bắn chim, các thợ săn sẽ đánh vào bụi cây để lùa bầy chim bay ra. Có thể hiểu là họ đang đánh bụi cây (Beat around the bush) trước khi vào đến việc chính là săn bắn chim.

Ghi nhớ bằng thành ngữ tiếng Việt

Việc dịch Idioms thường gặp trong đề thi THPT quốc gia sang thành ngữ tiếng Việt sẽ giúp ta hiểu rõ hơn về ý nghĩa và ngữ cảnh sử dụng, tuy nhiên không phải idiom nào cũng có thể dịch sang thành ngữ tiếng Việt một cách hoàn toàn giống và chính xác. Dưới đây là một vài ví dụ về Idiom và thành ngữ tiếng Việt tương đương:

• Find a needle in a haystack: Mò kim đáy bể

• Handsome is as handsome does: Tốt gỗ hơn tốt nước sơn

• As strong as a horse: Khỏe như trâu

• Like water off a duck’s back: Nước đổ đầu vịt

• When in Rome do as the Romans do: Nhập gia tùy tục

Tham khảo thêm: 5 phương pháp học idiom hiệu quả.

Bài tập

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Question 1: It's important to keep your plans secret because you never know who might let _______ out of the bag.

A. a cat

B. a dog

C. a fish

D. a horse

Question 2: When it comes to negotiating a deal, remember that a ________ in the hand is worth two in the bush.

A. fish

B. bird

C. dog

D. monkey

Question 3: I always feel like a ________ when I have to attend formal events.

A. fish out of water

B. wolf in sheep's clothing

C. monkey in the middle

D. horse of a different color

Question 4: Don't get too excited about the job offer until you've signed the contract. Remember, don't count your ________ before they hatch.

A. cows

B. chickens

C. sheep

D. pigs

Question 5: She's so comfortable in social situations, it's like she's a ________ in water.

A. fish

B. bird

C. monkey

D. horse

Question 6: The company's financial troubles are the ________ in the room that no one wants to address.

A. monkey

B. elephant

C. horse

D. fish

Question 7: He pretended to be my friend, but he was really a ________ in sheep's clothing.

A. wolf

B. fox

C. lion

D. tiger

Question 8: When we go on vacation, I like to plan our itinerary carefully so that we can ________ with one stone.

A. kill two elephants

B. catch two fish

C. see two birds

D. kill two birds

Question 9: I don't trust that politician. Something about him seems like ________ business to me.

A. horse

B. monkey

C. fish

D. bird

Question 10: I thought the meeting was about one thing, but then the boss started talking about something completely unrelated - it was like a ________ of a different color.

A. bird

B. horse

C. fish

D. monkey

Đáp án

Tổng kết

Trong kỳ thi THPT quốc gia, việc nắm vững kiến thức về các Idioms thường gặp là vô cùng quan trọng. Bài viết trên đã giới thiệu những Idioms thường gặp trong đề thi THPT quốc gia, cũng như gợi ý một vài cách học hiệu quả và bài tập. Bên cạnh đó, để thực sự thành thạo phần kiến thức về Idiom, bạn đọc cần phải luyện tập thường xuyên và dành thời gian để học thêm nhiều thành ngữ khác. Hy vọng bài viết này sẽ giúp ích cho bạn đọc đang trong quá trình chuẩn bị cho kỳ thi quan trọng này.

Trích dẫn nguồn tham khảo

"English Idioms." EF Education First - Global Site (English), www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-idioms/.

"Idioms Phrases: How Can I Learn & Use Them?" College of English Language, 8 July 2022, www.englishcollege.com/how-learn-english-idioms-phrases-memorize-easily.
"7 Everyday English Idioms and Where They Come From." Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/list/7-everyday-english-idioms-and-where-they-come-from.