IDIOMS

IDIOMS
- go/run deep: ăn sâu (of emotions, feelings, beliefs, etc.)
e.g. The anger runs deep on both sides./ This suspicion runs very deep among some government members.
- grasp the nettle: giải quyết một vấn đề khó khăn cách dứt khoát
e.g. You've been putting off making that phone call for days - I think it's about time you grasped the nettle!
- grit one's teeth: nghiến răng/cắn răng chịu đựng (nghĩa đen, bóng)
e.g. She gritted her teeth against the pain.// It started to rain harder, but we gritted our teeth and carried on./ We had to grit our teeth and agree with their conditions because we wanted the contract.
- have a chip on one's shoulder (about sth): giận cá chém thớt/cảm thấy bất mãn (vì không được đối xử công bằng)
- have a soft spot for SO/sth = have a soft corner for SO/sth = like SO/sth
e.g. She's always had a soft corner for you.
- have sth up one's sleeve = have secret plans or ideas: che giấu con át chủ bài
e.g. If I know Mark, he'll have one or two tricks up his sleeve.
- have one's hands full = be snowed under (with sth) = be very busy (with sth) = be up to one's ears in sth
e.g. She certainly has her hands full with four kids in the house.// I'd love to come but I'm completely snowed under at the moment.// We're up to our ears in work.
- hit the roof = go through the roof = become very angry
- hit/strike/touch a (raw) nerve = upset SO: chọc tức ai (bằng việc đề cập một vấn đề nhạy cảm)
e.g. The article struck a raw nerve as it revived unpleasant memories./ You touched a raw nerve when you mentioned his first wife.
- hold one's breath: nín thở (nghĩa đen, bóng)
e.g. Hold your breath and count to ten.// He held his breath while the results were read out.
- hold your own (against SO/sth) (in sth): trụ vững
e.g. Business isn't good but we're managing to hold our own./ She can hold her own against anybody in an argument./ The patient is holding her own although she is still very sick.
- if/when push comes to shove: khi không còn lựa chọn nào khác, khi bị đẩy đến đường cùng
e.g. If push comes to shove, we can always sell the car.
- be stuck in a rut: mắc kẹt trong sự buồn tẻ
e.g. I need to change jobs - after 15 years here I feel I'm (stuck) in a rut.
- kill (SO) in cold blood: giết người không chớp mắt
- in the blink of an eye = in no time = very quick(ly)
- in the dark (about sth): không biết một xíu xiu gì về...
e.g. Workers were kept in the dark about the plans to sell the company./ She arrived at the meeting as much in the dark as everyone else.
- in the face of sth: dù cho phải đối mặt với...
e.g. She left home in the face of strong opposition from her parents./ She showed great courage in the face of danger.
- keep a cool/clear head = keep one's head
e.g. She needed to keep a clear head if she was to remain in control.
- keep a straight face: cố gắng nhịn cười
- keep body and soul together = survive: tồn tại, đủ sống
e.g. They barely have enough money to keep body and soul together./ His wages are barely enough to keep body and soul together.
- keep SO on their toes: khiến ai luôn phải luôn cố gắng, tập trung và nhiệt huyết trong công việc
e.g. I work with people who are half my age, so that keeps me on my toes.// Surprise visits help to keep the staff on their toes.
- keep one's eyes open (for SO/sth) = keep one's eyes peeled/skinned (for SO/sth): cố gắng tìm ra thứ gì đó
e.g. While you are checking the animals, keep your eyes open for any signs of disease.// We kept our eyes peeled for any signs of life.
- keep one's fingers crossed that.../ cross one's fingers that...: rất mong đợi điều gì đó sẽ xảy ra
e.g. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll be healthy again very soon.
- keep one's head above water: cầm cự được (về mặt tài chính)
e.g. The business is in trouble, but we are just about keeping our heads above water./ I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to keep our heads above water.
- know one's stuff = know one's onions: am hiểu (một vấn đề/một công việc)