idioms 1

Question 1

to be involved in a situation where people around you are arguing

Answer 1

be caught in the crossfire
E.g: I know that they’re arguing about the budget because I walked into the conference room at the wrong time and was caught in the crossfire.

Question 2

angry or upset

Answer 2

up in arms over/about/after

E.g: The union is up in arms over the reduction in health benefits

Question 3

to avoid getting into trouble

Answer 3

keep your nose clean

E.g: I’d only been out of prison three months, so I was trying to keep my nose clean.

Question 4

To keep a distance from or avoid becoming involved with something that is or might be considered unsavory, immoral, illicit, or illegal

Answer 4

keep (one’s) hands clean

Question 5

to be in an important position where you have influence, but where you are likely to be criticized or attacked

Answer 5

be on the front line

EG: Many social workers are in the front line of racial tension

Question 6

To realize that one has been wrong and/or has behaved poorly.

Answer 6

see the error of one’s ways

E.g: I’m afraid it took me too long to see the error of my ways. But it’s not too late for you

Question 7

while the person involved is not present

Answer 7

in absentia

E.g: An Italian court convicted him in absentia for his terrorist activities.

Question 8

Real and practical experiences of life (as opposed to formal education), especially those involving hardship or adversity.

Answer 8

the school of hard knocks
Eg: The problem with you is that you’ve been spoiled your whole life. You haven’t had gone through the school of hard knocks to teach you what the world is really like!

Question 9

To absent oneself or leave early from school or work when one would normally be required to be there. Primarily heard in US. to stay away from school without permission (Cambridge)

Answer 9

play hooky

Eg: They played hooky and went fishing.

Question 10

to find out what people’s opinions of something are before you ask them to do something

Answer 10

test the water(s)
E.g: I want to test the water before I make the proposal at the general meeting. Do you think you can float the idea to the boss and gauge his reaction?You better test the waters before you fully commit to that plan.

Question 11

To be thoroughly prepared and informed about something or something, especially in advance of some process, action, or decision.

Answer 11

do one’s homework

Question 12

To fail or be ineffective, 2. To fail thoroughly or in a spectacular or embarrassing way. (nghĩa bóng nghĩa đen)

Answer 12

fall flat on one’s face

Question 13

What kind of alcohol would you like to drink?

Answer 13

What’s your poison?

Question 14

Beverages, especially those containing alcohol, considered collectively.

Answer 14

liquid refreshmentEg: We all decided to go for some liquid refreshment after the game

Question 15

to pay for something, esp. for what someone else has bought or used

Answer 15

pick up the tab/bill (for something) e.g: The company will pick up the tab for this trip

Question 16

bị đấm liên tục vào đầu
mệt mỏi, kiệt sức suy nghĩ không ngừng hoang mang, không ổn định
Behaving in a bewildered, confused, or dazed manner.

Answer 16

punch-drunk

Question 17

to drink too much alcohol To frequently drink a lot of alcohol

Answer 17

drink like a fish

I’m not surprised to hear that Karl got drunk again last night—that guy drinks like a fish!

Question 18

1Literally, kept in a barrel or keg that is fitted with a tap and ready to be served.
2 By extension, immediately or readily available.
3 Arranged, organized, or planned.

Answer 18

1 on tap
EG: I love this bar, they have a lot of unique beers on tap.
2
3

Question 19

someone or something that is new and different and makes everything seem more exciting:

Answer 19

a breath of fresh air

Question 20

to copy something that someone else does because it will bring you advantages:

Answer 20

take a leaf out of sb’s book

Question 21

said to emphasize your surprise or shock, especially at something you have just seen or been told:

Answer 21

words fail me!

Question 22

If someone is an open book, it is easy to know what they are thinking and feeling.

Answer 22

be an open book

Question 23

to admit that something you said before was wrong:

Answer 23

(have to) eat your words

Question 24

exactly according to rules or the law:

Answer 24

by the book

Question 25

used to emphasize that there is nothing to add on a matter just mentioned

Answer 25

end of story

Question 26

excellent or to be strongly wished for:

Answer 26

to die for

Question 27

to become alive again after having died

Answer 27

rise from the dead/grave

Question 28

thử mọi cách có thể được; dùng đủ mọi cách

Answer 28

leave no stone unturned

Question 29

to say something that another person was just about to say or was thinking:

Answer 29

take the words out of sb’s mouth

Question 30

to communicate a message to a lot of people

Answer 30

spread the word

Question 31

being responsible for a child while the child’s parents are absent

Answer 31

in loco parentis

E.g: While children are in school, teachers are legally in loco parentis

Question 32

to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops, rather than acting according to plans made earlier

Answer 32

play it by ear

Question 33

a man who has had sex with a lot of women

Answer 33

Don Juan

Question 34

có nghĩa là nếu có một vấn đề liên quan đến hai người hay hai phe, thì cả hai cần hợp tác với nhau để giải quyết vấn đề đó

Answer 34

it takes two to tango

e.g: Don’t blame me for the argument. It takes two to tango! You are equally responsible.

Question 35

To be very easy or enjoyable to say.

Answer 35

roll/trip/slip off the tongue
E.g: When you name your food truck, make sure it’s something that rolls off the tongue so that people will remember it.
The book is a joy to read aloud. The passages just roll off the tongue.

Question 36

you mean that they should say publicly what they think, and not hide it or be ashamed of it.

Answer 36

stand (up) and be counted

Question 37

let something happen, no matter what happens after that. no matter what the consequences

Answer 37

let the chips fall where they may

Question 38

Every part of a multifaceted thing or situation taken together as a whole; the whole thing.

Answer 38

the whole enchilada

Question 39

used to say that someone almost succeeded, but is not completely successful or correct:

Answer 39

close, but no cigar

E.g: