1. to draw a red herring across the track - đánh trống lảng 2. to divert the conversation - nói lái sang chuyện khác Meaning: 1. A red herring is a type of strong-smelling smoked fish that was once drawn across the trail of a scent to mislead hunting dogs and put them off the scent. 2. a piece of information or suggestion introduced to draw attention away from the real facts of a situation. For example: Mother Thẳng:It’s bedtime Liên! Baby Liên: Mom, how do ants feed their babies? Mother Thẳng: Don’t know dear. Close your eyes now. Baby Liên: But mama, do ant babies cry when hungry?

When her mother told her to go to sleep, baby Liên closed her eyes. gave her mother a goodnight kiss. talked about something else.

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 4:30h ngày 3 tháng 4 2016
Phạm Công Hiển

under the table Trốn thuế hoặc hối lộ để làm chuyện trái luật pháp, vô đạo đức Meaning: If something is done under the table, it's done secretly, usually because it's illegal or unethical. Note: If this idiom is used to qualify a noun or a noun phrase, hyphens must be used, as in "under-the-table payments". Origin: Probably related to the fact that if a package or an envelope is passed under a table, other people cannot easily see what's going on. Variety: This idiom is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

For example:

• If I do any overtime, can you pay me under the table so I won't have pay tax on it.
  
• If you make under-the-table payments to customs officials, you can get goods through the port without having them inspected.
  

Tâm said that Cường has receives under-the-table payments for sleeping on the job not paying income tax Hanging out with uncle Vinnie in his free time

Click for answer b.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 4:30h ngày 3 tháng 4 2016
Phạm Công Hiển

kill two birds with one stone Nhất cử lương tiện / nhất tiễn song điêu - bắn một viên sỏi/đạn giết hai con chim Meaning: If you kill two birds with one stone, you achieve two things with the one action. For example: I need to go to the bank, and if I drop the books off at the library on the way I'll be killing two birds with one stone. Liên says that she kills two birds with one stone if she does her own housework because she gets the house clean and she gets some exercise at the same time.

Tâm killed two birds with one stone by going to America. She practiced her English before her exam and she got better at speaking English read a book on American history went to visit her uncle Vinnie

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 4:30h ngày 3 tháng 4 2016
Phạm Công Hiển

... hands are tied Bị bó tay - Không làm gì được. Meaning: if someone's hands are tied, they are not free to behave in the way that they would like. You are not free to act. For example: I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do. My hands are tied. I'd like to raise people's salaries but my hands are tied. Some of my students are failing, but my hands are tied by their parents, who can't admit their kids need extra help.

The guy in the bank who approves loans said his hands were tied and he can't untie them. would be happy to give us the loan. couldn't approve our loan.

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 4:30h ngày 3 tháng 4 2016
Phạm Công Hiển

The elephant in the room Một sự thật hiển nhiên hay một vấn đề rất lớn mà mọi người đều nhận thức được một cách sâu sắc, nhưng không ai muốn thảo luận hoặc đề cập đến. Meaning: An English metaphorical idiom for an obvious truth or a very large issue that everyone is acutely aware of, but nobody wants to talk about. Perhaps a sore spot, perhaps politically incorrect, or perhaps a political issues, it's something that no one wants to discuss. Origin:In 1814, Ivan Andreevich Krylov (1769-1844), poet and fabulist, wrote a fable entitled "The Inquisitive Man" which tells of a man who goes to a museum and notices all sorts of tiny things, but fails to notice an elephant. The phrase became proverbial.

For example:

• There was an elephant in the dining room this evening when my brother sat down at the table with a black eye, but did not say anything about what had happened.
  
• Increasing poverty in the world is the western politicians’ elephant in the room.
  

There was an elephant in the room when I spoke with my mother, because she hates my new boyfriend. she likes elephants. the elephant is afraid of mice.

Click for answer a.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 4:30h ngày 3 tháng 4 2016
Phạm Công Hiển

chicken out Bỏ cuộc, không dám làm một việc gì đó vì run sợ Meaning: Back out from fear, lose one's nerve. To decide not to do or complete an activity due to fear. Origin:Chicken is a popular synonym for "cowardly," a usage arising in the 1600s and 1700s but then apparently abandoned until the 20th century. [Slang; c. 1930]

For example:

• In the end I chickened out and took the easier route down the mountain.
  
• My friends dared me to jump into the pond, but I chickened out and climbed down from the tree.
  

We almost convinced Vinnie to ride the roller coaster, but he chickened out beause he loves to eat chicken. he is allergic to chicken. he saw how high it went.

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 21 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

Ask for the moon Đòi hỏi điều gì đó mà sẽ không bao giờ có được Meaning: to make unreasonable demands for things, or to wish for something impossible to achieve or obtain. Origin: This hyperbolic idiom appeared in the mid-1800s in slightly different form. Charles Dickens had it as cry for the moon (in Bleak House, 1852) and William Makepeace Thackeray as wish for the moon (in Lovell the Widower, 1860). Today ask is the most common version.

For example:

• Vinnie's wife is always asking for the moon. He works hard 12 hours a day for poor pay, but she still expects expensive holidays and clothes.
  
• Don't ask for the moon, Mrs Phạm. Be reasonable, please.
  
  

When Liên asked her mother for 10 thousand dollars in cash on her birthday, her mother said: "you're asking for the moon". She meant: to give Liên the money to give Liên a picture of the moon. to say no.

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 18 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

chickens come home to roost Gà luôn luôn về chuồng Ác giả ác báo. Meaning: If chickens are coming home to roost, someone is suffering the unpleasant consequences of their bad actions in the past. Origin:The origins and history of the quote “chickens coming home to roost” begins with Geoffrey Chaucer in The Parson’s Tale, written in 1390. It actually only refers to birds returning to their nest, and not chickens at all.

For example:

• Vinnie's in hospital with liver problems. I guess the chickens have come home to roost after all those years of heavy drinking.
  
• The chickens are coming home to roost for the executives who committed fraud in the nineties. They're being charged now even though they committed their crimes over ten years ago.
  

The chickens are coming home to roost for Vinnie at last. For years he treated his wife and children badly, and now they're taking care of him they're still putting up with him they've left and he's old and lonely

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 21 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

let the cat out of the bag Tiết lộ bí mật Meaning: If you let the cat out of the bag, you let someone know a secret. Origin:Possibly related to the fact that in England in the Middle Ages, piglets were usually sold in bags at markets. Sometimes, someone would try to cheat a buyer by putting a cat in one of the bags instead of a piglet. And if someone let the cat out of the bag, the fraudster's secret was revealed.

For example:

• We'd planned a surprise party for Ngọc, but some guy she works with let the cat out of the bag, so now she knows.
  
• Don't forget that this is a secret, so whatever you do, don't let the cat out of the bag.
  
  

After Liên let the cat out of the bag, everybody laughed we all knew they ran after it

Click for answer b.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 18 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

a wolf in sheep's clothing Hình cừu dạ sói Ngoại hình trông hiền lành, nhưng bụng dạ nham hiểm Meaning: A wolf in sheep's clothing is someone who seems to be a good person but is really a bad person. A person or thing that appears friendly or harmless but is really hostile Origin:The term a wolf in a sheep’s clothing is used to describe a person who seems outwardly mild but is in fact dangerous or dynamic. The term comes from a famous fable by Aesops, who told a story about a wolf that deceives farmers by wrapping himself in a sheep’s fleece.

The origin of this phrase is found in the Bible. In Matthew 7:15, it states beware of the false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing.

For example:

• The priest at our church seemed to be a very warm and caring man, but we later found out that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.
  
• People in our town suspected that Vinnie was a wolf in sheep's clothing, but I think they were wrong.
  
  

We realized the teacher was a wolf in sheep's clothing when he was seen smoking a cigarette in a bar was given the "Teacher of the Year" award was arrested for abusing one of his students

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 18 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

(it's) raining cats and dogs Mưa như trút nước; mưa như thác đổ Meaning: You can say "it's raining cats and dogs" if it's raining very hard. Origin:The first time this phrase appeared in print was in Jonathan Swift's A Complete Collection of Polite and Ingenious Conversation in 1738, in which he wrote, "I know Sir John will go, though he was sure it would rain cats and dogs". The phrase's source before this time remains a mystery, despite the many theories that have been put forward to explain its origin.

For example:

• We can't go now because it's raining cats and dogs.
  
• It's raining cats and dogs out there! It's a wonder any of the men can see what they're doing!
  

It's raining cats and dogs, so watch out for falling animals make sure you take an umbrella keep your pets inside

Click for answer b.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 18 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

a whale of a time Những giờ phút vui chơi thỏa thích, tuyệt vời Meaning: If you have a whale of a time, you have a great time and really enjoy yourself. Origin:The whale, as everyone knows, is the largest mammal on this planet. The blue whale can sometimes grow to over a hundred feet long. Therefore when you say ‘a whale of something’, what you mean is ‘a large or big amount of something’.

For example:

• I went to a karaoke club with my friends last night and we had a whale of a time. It was great!
  
• Ngọc said she had a whale of a time at the party. I wish I'd gone too now.
  

Vinnie said he had a whale of a time at the jazz festival and he wishes he hadn't gone wants to go again next year probably won't bother going again

Click for answer b.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 18 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

(like) water off a duck's back Nước đổ đầu vịt; nước đổ lá môn Không thấm thía gì cả Meaning: You can say an insult or criticism is like water off a duck's back if it doesn't upset you. Origin:Probably related to the fact that ducks have oily feathers and water can't get through them, so water runs off their backs. In the same way, criticism can either get through to someone and upset them, or not get through to them and not upset them, and be "like water off a duck's back."

For example:

• I asked Liên if she got upset when I wrote negative things about her, and she said she didn't care what people wrote - it was like water off a duck's back.
• If Vinnie said he was too sensitive about criticism and he wanted to be like one of those people for whom it's like water off a duck's back.
  

Many people claim that insults or negative comments are like water off a duck's back, but in reality, many of them are pleased by such things upset by such things unaffected by such things

Click for answer b.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 2 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

add fuel to the fire Thêm dầu vào lữa Meaning: If you add fuel to the fire, you do something to make a bad situation even worse. Origin: Probably metaphorical, from the fact that adding a fuel, like petrol or wood, to a fire will make it burn brighter and hotter.

For example:

• People are already unhappy, and if the government allows oil prices to increase it'll just be adding fuel to the fire.
  
• If Vinnie's angry, don't say anything. You'll just be adding fuel to the fire.
  
  

Our workers are already upset, and you'll just add fuel to the fire if you give them a bonus pay for their medical care cut their wages

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 2 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

tie the knot Cột tay với nhau - Kết hôn, lấy nhau Meaning: If you tie the knot, you get married. Origin: While there is no definitive evidence to prove it, many etymologists suggest that this idiom derives from the actual ritual of tying a knot which has been a part of marriage ceremonies in many cultures through history.

For example:

• Liên really wants to tie the knot, but Cường says he's not ready for marriage just yet.
  
• Liên and Cường are tying the knot at Bà Béo Restaurant next Saturday, and you're all invited.
  

Cường and Liên decided to tie the knot because it had come undone they loved one another they needed to save money

Click for answer b.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 1 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

The last straw (that broke the camel's back) Sự chịu đựng bao giờ cũng có giới hạn Meaning: The last straw is the final problem that makes someone lose their temper or the problem that finally brought about the collapse of something.

Origin: It comes from an Arabic story, where a camel was loaded with straw until a single straw placed on the rest of the load broke its back.
For example:

• I was already close to resigning, but the last straw was being bossed around by some kid twenty years younger than me. After that, I quit the job.
  
• I saw my girlfriend flirting with another guy at the party, and that was the last straw. I told her our relationship was over and I left.
  

I'd had lots of problems with the hotel, but having the air conditioner break down on a really hot night was the last straw. The next day I moved out told the manager fixed the air conditioner

Click for answer a.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 1 tháng 11 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

The back of beyond The back of the beyond Một nơi xa xôi hẽo lánh; một nơi xa ánh sáng thành thị. Meaning: You can say a place is in the back of beyond, or the back of the beyond, if it's very far from towns or cities.

Origin: The inland desert region of Australia that is otherwise known as the Never-never is also sometimes called the 'Back of Beyond'.

Note: "The back of beyond" is used more in British and Australian English, while "the back of the beyond" is used more in American English.

For example:

• Why do you want to live way out in the desert? It's in the back of beyond.
  
• Liên went to visit her cousins in a tiny village in the back of the beyond. It took her a long time to get there.
  

My Uncle Vinnie lives in a 100-Year-Old Cottage in the back of beyond, right near a subway station a baseball stadium a mountain range

Click for answer c.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 6 tháng 10 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

nothing to write home about Chẳng có gì quan trọng hơn hoặc đặc biệt hơn. Cũng như bình thường thôi Meaning: If you say something is nothing to write home about, you mean it isn't very important or it isn't very good. The origin of this phrase dates to the world war time when the soldiers were away from their home and they wrote letters. If there was nothing exciting and everything was as usual, there was nothing to write home about.

This idiom originated in the late 1800s, possibly among troops stationed far from home, and became widespread during World War I.

For example:

• Thuận: Where did you eat last night?
  
• Thảo: We tried the new Chinese restaurant around the corner.
  
• Thuận: Really? I've been thinking about trying that place. How was it?
  
• Thảo: Nothing to write home about. I wouldn't bother going there.
  
• Thuận: Too bad. We really need a good restaurant near the house.
  

When Thảo says, "Nothing to write home about," she means that the new restaurant is excellent the new restaurant isn't particularly good, or at least that it's no better than average. the restaurant is really terrible

Click for answer b.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 6 tháng 10 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

hold your own Đủ khả năng, sở trường; đủ sức phấn đấu; đủ sức chống chọi Meaning: If you hold your own, you are as successful as other people in a situation, or as good as others at an activity. To maintain your position or condition despite difficulties

For example:

1. Ngọc's a great tennis player and she can hold her own against anyone in her class, including the boys.
2. Cường works so hard because he hates the thought of not holding his own against old school friends when it comes to earning money.
   
3. Liên can hold her own in any argument.

Trinh was very sick, but now she's holding her own very sad too lazy to walk

Click for answer a.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 6 tháng 10 2014
Phạm Công Hiển

full of yourself Tự cao; tự đại; tự kiêu; tự hào Huênh hoang, ngạo mạn, chảnh Meaning: If you are full of yourself you think you're better or more important than you really are.

For example:

1. That guy was so full of himself! He couldn't stop talking about himself and all the wonderful things he's done.
2. Vinnie is so full of himself that he doesn't even realise it when he's boring the people he's talking to.
   

Note: You can also say "full of himself", "full of herself", "full of myself", "full of themselves", and so on.

If you say to someone "You're so full of yourself!" they'll probably feel proud upset pleased

Click for answer b.

► Bài Học Kế Tiếp ◄

Thảo luận, ý kiến hay thắc mắc
Cập nhập lần cuối cùng lúc 8:30h ngày 6 tháng 10 2014
Phạm Công Hiển