Why don't you spend a little time listening to recording of different English

accents? - (ADVISED) He ADVISED me to listen to recording of different

English accents.

I can't often afford to spend my holiday abroad. - (SELDOM) I'm SELDOM

ABLE to spend my holiday abroad.

Never mind your previous failures - Try to forget them and think of what your next
venture might be! - (BEHIND) PUT your previous failures BEHIND you and
think of what your next venture might be.

The two young men introduced a virus into the computer system. - (ALLEGED)
The two young men were ALLEGED to have introduced a virus into the computer
system.

This is an important scheme and we want him to approve. - (APPROVAL) We

want his APPROVAL of / for this important scheme.

I wouldn't object to moving to a larger flat. - (RATHER) I'd RATHER like to

move to a larger flat.

You'll need the choke out to start the car. - (WITH) The car will only start WITH
the choke.

Some people always live within the limitations of their own experience. -
(OUTSIDE) Some people never GO OUTSIDE their own experience.

There was one policeman on my left, another on my right. - (BETWEEN) I was

BETWEEN two policemen.

I don't think she 's good enough to join my class. - (UP) I don't think she is UP TO
THE STANDARD of our class.

Ten thirty is too late to arrive. - (BEFORE) You must arrive BEFORE ten thirty.

Her job is making her miserable. - (DOWN) Her job is GETTING HER
DOWN. Get sb down (phrv) Làm chán, thất vọng, = to DISAPPOINT/
DISMAY.
I'm not considering that suggestion. - (OUT) That suggestion is OUT/ I've
RULED OUT that suggestion.
My cat has lost its appetite. - (OFF) My cat has GONE OFF/ is OFF its
appetite. Go off (phrv) Chán, không thích như xưa. [To GO OFF DOING STH]

He's so careless that he lost his passport. - (IN) He lost his passport IN
CARELESSNESS.

Soft lighting usually makes people look younger. - (BY) People look younger BY
soft lighting.

You don't think about me when I'm not here. - (OUT) You don't think about me
when I'm OUT OF SIGHT.

I'm sorry, but I don't think there any hope for your brother now. - (BEYOND) I'm
sorry, but I think your brother is BEYOND HOPE now.

You have to be eighteen to vote. You 're not old enough. - (UNDER) You can't
vote if you're UNDER eighteen.

Alcohol makes some people act very foolishly. - (LIKE) Alcohol makes some
people ACT LIKE FOOLS.

I'm going to give up drinking. Today I'll have my last glass of wine. - (AS FROM)
AS FROM tomorrow, I'll give up smoking.

I'd do anything to be able to travel to China. - THERE'S nothing I wouldn 't do to

be able to travel to China.

It was two years ago at the end of this week that I started working here. - AT THE
END of this week I will have been working here for two years.

Fischer will require bottlers to use water that Fischer specifies. - BOTTLERS are
required to use water specified by Fischer.

The dress was so tempting that I bought it. - I COULDN'T RESIST the temptation
to buy the dress.
The weather forecast was inaccurate, so we didn't take the right precautions. -
HAD the weather forecast been accurate, we might have taken the right
precautions.
The passengers don't realize how lucky they have been. - LITTLE do the
passengers realize how lucky they have been.

You must not leave important documents lying around. - (ACCOUNT) ON NO

ACCOUNT should you leave important documents lying around.

You don't seem very well. - (RUN) You seem a bit RUN DOWN. To be RUN
DOWN = to be OFF-COLOR = to be UNDER THE WEATHER: Bệnh.

It's age since that telephone worked properly. - (ORDER) The telephone has been
OUT OF ORDER for ages.

Do you think you could come to the point ? I'm in a hurry. - (BUSH) Please stop
BEATING AROUND THE BUSH. I'm in a hurry.

We should abolish all these antiquated customs. - (DONE) These antiquated

customs should be DONE AWAY WITH.

I'm afraid our problems are only just beginning. - (ICEBERG) I'm afraid our
problems are just THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

His spoken English is very poor indeed. - (SCARECELY) He can SCARCELY

speak English.

I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about. - (EARTH) I don't know
WHAT ON EARTH you 're talking about.

I am sure it wasn 't Bob 's fault. - IT CAN'T have been Bob 's fault.

I don't think it is a good idea for you to go out this evening. - I'D RATHER you
didn 't go out this evening.

I'm sure it was Tom who cleared everything up. - TOM MUST have cleared
everything up.
The Pacific Ocean is on average deeper than the Atlantic. - THE AVERAGE depth
of the pacific ocean is greater than that of the Atlantic.
Alice did not decide to move to a new house until the roof fell in. - ONLY WHEN
the roof fell in did Alice decide to move to a new house.

He suggested that Tom and I should go ahead and get the tickets. - HE SAID:
"What about Tom and you going ahead and getting the ticket?"

Jo may not be very well but he still manages to enjoy life. - JO'S poor health does
not prevent/ stop him (from) enjoying life.

That reminds me of the time I climbed to the top of the Mount Fuji. - (BACK)
That TAKEs me BACK to the time I climbed to the top of the Mount Fuji.

The weather never seems as bad abroad as it does at home, does it? - (BETTER)
The weather always seems better abroad than it does at home, doesn't it ?

When I bought it I thought it was a beautiful colour, but I don't like it any more. -
(GONE) When I bought it I thought it was a beautiful colour but I've GONE OFF
it now.

They will have given him the news by now. - (TOLD) He will have been TOLD
about the news by now.

To be successful in business you must work very hard. - (ESSENTIAL) It is

ESSENTIAL to work hard if you want to be successful in business.

Some people say that Tsiolkovsky invented the space rocket. - (CREDITED)
Tsiolkovsky is/ has been CREDITED with inventing the space rocket/ having
invented the space rocket.
It's no use arguing. - (POINT) There is NO POINT IN arguing.

What exactly am I supposed to have done wrong? - (STAND) What exactly do I

STAND ACCUSED OF?
To STAND ACCUSED OF STH: Bị cáo buộc.

Good colour sense is instinctive for some people. - (COME) Good colour sense
COMES NATURALLY to some people.

Don't ask him about the accident, he 's upset already. - (STATE) Don't ask him
about the accident, he's IN A STATE already.
To be IN A STATE = to be UPSET/ NERVOUS: Buồn bã/ lo lắng.
Everyone is saying the government is about to resign. - (RUMORED) It is
RUMORED that the government is about to resign.

The senior students believe that they are old enough to choose which classes to
attend. - (REGARD) The senior students REGARD THEMSELVES AS being old
enough to choose which classes to attend.

Since the company's methods were exposed in a newspaper, people have lost their
good opinion of it. - (DISREPUTE) Since..., it has FALLEN INTO DISREPUTE.
To FALL INTO DISREPUTE: Chịu tai tiếng.

What really depresses me is this continual wet weather. - (GETS) What really
GETS ME DOWN is this continual weather.

We missed the bus because we had overslept. - (CONSEQUENCE) We missed the

bus AS A CONSEQUENCE OF oversleeping.

She passed the world around that she was looking for a flat. - (KNOWN) She LET
IT BE KNOWN that she was looking for a flat.

They continued to suggest that I was lying. - (PERSISTED) They PERSISTED IN

suggesting that I was lying.

We couldn't have managed without my father's money. - IF IT hadn't been for my

father's money, we couldn't have managed.

I had only just put the phone down when the boss rang back. - HARDLY had I put
the phone down when the boss rang back.

It was Walter Raleigh who introduced potatoes and tobacco into England. - THE
ENGLISH OWE the introduction of potatoes and tobacco to Walter Raleigh.

"If my members agree to that, I'll be very surprised," said the union delegate. -
THE UNION DELEGATE OBSERVED THAT he would be very surprised if his
members agreed.

While I strongly disapprove of your behavior, I will help you this time. - DESPITE
MY strong disapproval of your behavior, I will help you this time.
I'm sorry I missed Professor Baker's lecture. - I'M SORRY NOT to have
heard/attended Pro Baker's lecture.

We may not be able to give the concert. - THE CONCERT may have to be
cancelled.

I was not surprised to hear that Harry had failed his driving test. - IT CAME AS
NO SURPRISE TO me that Harry had failed his driving test.

John inflated the tyres of his bicycle. - (BLEW) John BLEW UP the tyres of his
bicycle.
Inflate (v) thổi căng, thổi phồng, = to BLOW UP.

We'd better leave them a note, because it's possible they'll arrive later. - (CASE)
We'd better leave them a note IN CASE they arrive later.

Before he came here he worked for Mr/ Smith. - (PREVIOUS) Before he came
here, his PREVIOUS boss/employer was Mr. Smith.

He speaks German extremely well. - (COMMAND) He HAS AN excellent

COMMAND OF German.
To HAVE A GOOD COMMAND OF STH = To be GOOD AT STH: Giỏi.

His criticisms are quite unfair. - (JUSTIFICATION) There is NO

JUSTIFICATION for his criticisms.

I can't understand why they are reluctant to sign the contract. - (BAFFLED) I am
BAFFLED BY their reluctance to sign the contract.

I always find chess problems like that quite impossible. - (DEFEAT) Chess
problens like that (always) DEFEAT me!

This must be kept secret. - (KNOW) You mustn't LET anyone (else) KNOW (this).
I can't afford a new dress, that old blue one will have to do. - (MAKE) I can't
afford a new dress. I'll (have) to MAKE DO WITH that old blue one. To
MAKE DO WITH STH: Dùng tạm.

I only recognized him when he came into the light. - NOT UNTIL he came into
the light did I recognize him.
That rumor about the politician and the construction contract is absolutely false. -
THERE IS (absolutely) no truth in that rumour about the politician and the
construction contract.

They never made us do anything we didn't want to do. - WE were never made to
do anything we didn't want to.

My mother was the most warm-hearted person I've ever known. - I'VE never
known a more warm-hearted person than my mother (was).

You can't possibly expect me to have supper ready by 8 o'clock. - (QUESTION)

THERE IS NO QUESTION OF supper being ready by 8 o'clock. Supper (n)
Bữa cơm tối; bữa ăn nhẹ buổi tối.

It is my opinion that there is no advantage in further discussion. - (SEE) AS FAR

AS I CAN SEE, there is no advantage in further discussion.
As far as I can see = As far as I'm concerned = In my opinion = From my
perspective.

Please excuse Jane's poor typing. She's only been learning for a month. -
(ALLOWANCES) Please MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR Jane's poor typing. She...
To MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR SB = to EXCUSE SB.

There is no way that young man can achieve success in this test. - (BOUND) That
young man is BOUND to fail in this test.

Although the dog appeared harmless, it was, in fact, quite dangerous. -

(CONTRARY) CONTRARY TO (its) (harmless) appearance, the dog was in fact
quite dangerous.
Contrary to sth: Trái với.
If Smith hadn't broken his leg, he would have played football for England. -
(REPRESENTED) If Smith hadn't broken his leg, he would have
REPRESENTED England.

This hotel is inaccessible in winter. - (POSSIBLE) It's not POSSIBLE to get to/to
reach this hotel in winter.
As far as I know, he is still working in Bristol. - (KNOWLEDGE) TO MY BEST
KNOWLEDGE, he is still working in Bristol.
To my best knowledge = As far as I know: Theo như tôi được biết.

The workers only called off the strike after a new pay offer. - ONLY AFTER a
new pay offer did the workers call off the strike.

He was sentenced to six months in prison for his part in the robbery. - HE
RECEIVED A sentence of six months for his part in the robbery.

You can eat as much as you like for 5$ at the new lunch-bar. - THERE IS NO
limit/restriction to how much you eat at the new lunch-bar.

She wore a hearing-aid, even though she could hear the phone ring perfectly well.
- SHE WASN'T SO deaf/hard of hearing that she couln't hear the phone.

You will never meet anyone more generous than Mrs. Jones. - MRS JONES IS the
most generous person you will/could ever meet/ (be likely) to meet.

My parents let me go abroad alone for the first time last year. - I WAS allowed to
go abroad alone for the first time last year.

It was his incompetence which led to their capture. - IF he hadn't been so

imcompetent they wouldn't have been captured.

I'm certainly not going to give you any more money. - I HAVE NO INTENTION
OF giving you any more money.
To have no intention of doing sth: Không có dự định.

I don't think there will be any applicants for this post. - (LIKELIHOOD) There is
LITTLE/ NO LIKELIHOOD that there will be applicants for this post. To HAVE
LITTLE/ NO LIKELIHOOD: Có ít khả năng.

It was difficult for Susan to believe the good news - (HARDLY) Susan could
HARDLY believe the good news.

You must make allowances for his inexperience. - (ACCOUNT) You must TAKE
his INEXPERIENCE INTO ACCOUNT.
To take sth into account = To make allowances = To excuse: Chiếu cố, bỏ quá.
This contract is not binding until we both sign it. - (BOUND) Neither one of us is
BOUND by this contract until we both sign it.
Bound (a) Ràng buộc, = to be BINDING.

He wasn't to blame for the accident. - (FAULT) The accident was not his FAULT.

You shouldn't take his help for granted. - (ASSUME) You should /do not
ASSUME (that) he will help you.
To take sth for granted = to assume: Đinh ninh, cho rằng.

Our hotel booking hasn't been confirmed. - WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED

confirmation of/about our hotel booking (yet).

The sales man told me that my new car would be delivered next Wednesday. -
ACCORDING the salesman my new car would/will be delivered next Wednesday.

The Yeti has very rarely been seen at this altitude. - THERE HAVE very few
sightings of the Yeti at this altitude.

It's not certain that Jones will get the job. - It is OPEN TO QUESTION (as to)
whether Jones will get the job.
To be OPEN TO QUESTION = to be NOT CERTAIN = to be IN DOUBT: Không
chắc chắn.

Everyone started complaining the moment the announcement was made. - NO

SOONER had the announcement been made than everyone started
complaining.

A house in that district will cost you at least 100,000$. - YOU WON'T BE ABLE
to buy/get a house in that district for less than/under $100.000.
Alan worked too hard at the office, and this led to his illness. - ALAN'S ILLNESS
was caused by/brought about/due to/the result of his working too hard at the
office.

Mr. Bill managed to repair the garage roof only because his neighbor helped him. -
(WITHOUT) WITHOUT the help of his neighbor, Mr. Bill would/could not/never
have repairted the garage roof.

Nobody is infallible. - (MISTAKES) Everyone makes MISTAKES.

The last Olympic Games were held in Seoul. - (TOOK) The last Olympic Games
TOOK PLACE in Seoul.

He talked about nothing except the weather. - (SOLE) His SOLE topic/subject of
conversation was the weather.

In the end, I felt I had been right to leave the club. - (REGRETS) I HAD NO
REGRETS about/on/over leaving the club in the end.

It is stupid of you to refuse Richard's offer of a loan. - (IDIOT) You are an IDIOT
to refuse Richard's offer of a loan.

The company has decided to replace this model. - (INTENTION) It's the
company's INTENTION to replace this model.

In the next few years we'll probably hear a lot more about environmental
pollution. - (LIKELY) We're likely to hear a lot more about environmental
pollution in the next few years.

Keeping calm is the secret of passing your driving test. - AS LONG AS you (can)
keep/stay calm, you will/should/ought to pass your driving test.

Immediately after his appointment to the post, the new editor fell ill. - NO
SOONER had he been/was he appointed to the post than the new editor fell
ill.

The protest has been so vociferous that the committee has had to reconsider. -
THERE HAS BEEN such a vociferous protest that the committee has had to
reconsider.

You think that fat people are always jolly but you are wrong. - CONTRARY TO
your belief/opinion, fat people are not always jolly.

My boss works better when he's pressed for time. - THE LESS time my boss has,
the better he works.

The patient recovered more rapidly than expected. - THE PATIENT MADE a
more rapid/a quicker/faster recovery than expected.

There isn't a pair of thermal socks left in the shop, Madam. - WE ARE
COMPLETELY (sold) out of thermal socks, Madam.
Their chances of success are small. - IT'S NOT (very) likely (that) they will
succeed.

Their problems are all self-inflicted. - (MAKING) Their problems are all of their
own MAKING.
Of your own making = Your own fault: Lỗi của riêng mình.

The travel agent was able to offer a 50% reductionon holidays to the Costa Brava.
- (HALF) The travel agent was able to offer HALF-PRICE holidays to the Costa
Brava.

If you take that job, you'll have to get up at 6 a.m every morning - (MEAN) Taking
that job will MEAN (that) you'll have to get up at 6a.m every morning.

The only thing they could do was to look for a new flat. - (ALTERNATIVE) They
had no ALTERNATIVE but to look for a new flat.

If only one could rely on what she says. - (PITY) IT'S A PITY (that) one/we
cannot rely on what she says.

An open fire can't be compared to central heating. - (COMPARISON) There is no

COMPARISON between an open fire and central heating.
Comparison between 2 things.

I remember very few things about my childhood. - (SCARCELY) I can

SCARCELY remember anything /a thing about my childhood.
Scarcely = Hardly = Rarely = Barely.

Several members of the committee said they were worried abot the chairman's
proposals. - (CONCERN) Several members of the committee EXPRESSed
CONCERN about/at/over the chairman's proposal.
To EXPRESS CONCERN: Bày tỏ quan ngại.

The river Volta overflowed last year. - (BURST) The river Volta BURST its banks
last year.

Some people will do anything to lose weight. - (LENGTHS) Some people will
DO/ GO TO GREAT LENGTHS to lose weight.
To GO TO GREATH LENGTHS = To TRY YOUR BEST.
The number of people out of work has been going down little by little. -
(GRADUAL) There has been a GRADUAL decrease/decline/fall in the number of
people out of work.

House prices have risen dramatically this year. - THERE HAS been a dramatic
increase in (the) house prices this year.

This affair does not concern you. - THIS AFFAIR IS NO concern of yours.
No concern of yours = None of your business.

You must submit articles for the magazine by June 18th. - THE FINAL DATE for
you to submit articles for the magazine is June 18th.

Although Jimmy was the stronger of the two, his attacker soon overpowered him. -
DESPITE HIS (superior) strength, Jimmy was (soon) overpowered by his attacker.

What a surprise to see you here! - FANCY seeing you here!

Fancy (v, BrE) = Like.

Gerald never had enough to live on until he married that rich businesswoman. -
(SHORT) Gerald was (always) SHORT OF MONEY until/before he married that
rich businesswoman.

William decided that an actor's life was not for him. - (CUT) William (decided that
he) was not CUT OUT to be an actor.

You're under no obligation to accept their offer. - YOU CAN PLEASE yourself/
yourselves about whether you accept their offer or not.

The company presents a gold watch to each of its retiring employees. - EACH of
the company's retiring employee is represented a gold watch.

The only thing that kept us out of prison was the way he spoke the local dialect. -
BUT FOR HIS COMMAND of (the) local dialect we would have been jailed/ put
into jail.

My father finds maps hard to follow. - MY FATHER HAS difficulty following

maps.
Under no circumstances should you phone the police. - THE LAST thing you
should/must/ought to do is to phone/phoning the police.

People don't want to buy cars with large engines any more - (CALL) There isn't
much CALL FOR cars with large engines.
Call (for) = Demand: Nhu cầu.

Twenty years ago this region produced twice as much coal as it does now. -
(HALVED) Coal production/The coal produced in this region has (been)
HALVED in the last 20 years.
Halve (v, from "half") Giảm nửa.

The prime Minister is unlikely to call an early general election. - (LIKELIHOOD)

There is little LIKELIHOOD of the PM calling a(n) (early general) election. To
have LITTLE LIKELIHOOD of sb doing sth: Ít có khả năng, = to be
IMPOSSIBLE.

Nobody could possibly believe the story he told us. - (BEYOND) The story he told
us is/was BEYOND BELIEF.
To be BEYOND BELIEF = to be UNBELIEVABLE: Không thể tin được.

Scientists say forests are being destroyed by air pollution. - (BLAME) Scientists
BLAME our pollution FOR the destruction of the forests.
= Scientists BLAME the destruction of the forests ON our pollution.
Blame (v) - Đổ lỗi.
- BLAME tác nhân FOR hậu quả
- BLAME hậu quả ON tác nhân

His reactions are quite unpredictable. - (KNOWS) One never KNOWS how he is
going to/will/may/might react.

The project received the unanimous approval of the committee. - (FAVOR) The
whole committee was/were IN FAVOR OF the project.
To be in favor of sth = to approve of sth = to like sth.

There are several categories of people who do not have to pay the new tax. -
(EXEMPT) There are several categories of people who are EXEMPT FROM
(paying) the new tax.
To be exempt from sth: Miễn. Exempt form tax: Miễn thuế.
"That's a lovely new dress, Jean" said her mother. - JANE'S MOTHER
COMPLIMENTED Jean on her lovely new dress.

We couldn't find George anywhere. - GEOGRE WAS nowhere to be found.

Customs officials are stopping more travellers than usual this week. - AN
INCREASED of travellers is/are being stopped by customs officials this
week.

She listens more sympathetically than anyone else I know. - SHE IS A more
sympathetic listener than anyone else I know.

The minister's popularity suffered as a result of the scandal. - (EFFECT) The

scandal had a bad/negative EFFECT (on the Minister's popularity).

The teachers agreed to introduce the new methods. - (AGREEMENT) There was
(an) AGREEMENT among the teachers to introduce new methods.

Jenny didn't feel like going to the party. - (MOOD) Jenny wasn't IN THE MOOD
to go to the party/for (going to) the party.

The councilor answered every question frankly. - (FRANK) The councilor gave
frank answers to every question.

It is said that he has been to prison several times. - (REPUTED) He is REPUTED

to have been (sent) to prison.
Be REPUTED = Be RUMORED: Được đồn đại...

Most stores will accept a credit card instead of cash. - (ALTERNATIVE) Most
stores will accept a credit card as an ALTERNATIVE to cash.

Our opinions on the subject are identical. - (DIFFERENCE) There is (absolutely)

NO DIFFERENCE in/between our opinions on the subject.
Identical (a) Y đúc, = similar.

Local residents said they were against the new traffic scheme. - (DISAPPROVAL)
Local residents EXPRESSED/ VOICED their DISAPPROVAL of the new traffic
scheme.
I am amazed by the mistakes he makes - WHAT amazes me is/are the mistakes he
makes.

No one has challenged his authority before. - THIS IS THE FIRST TIME (that)
someone has challenged his authority.

"If Brian doesn't train harder, I won't select him for the team," said the manager. -
THE MANAGER THREATENED not to select Brian (if he didn't train
harder/unless he trained harder).

You'll certainly meet lots of people in your new job. - YOU ARE
bound/sure/certain to meet lots of people.

I left without saying goodbye as I didn't want to disturb the meeting. - RATHER
than disturb the meeting, I left without saying goodbye.

There aren't many other books which explain this problem so well. - IN FEW
OTHER BOOKS would one see this problem well EXPLAINED.

I dislike it when people criticize me unfairly. - I OBJECT to people criticizing me

unfairly.
Robert is sorry now that he didn't accept the job. - ROBERT NOW WISHES (that)
he had taken/accepted the job.

If interst rates are cut, the economic situation may improve. - (REDUCTION) A
REDUCTION OF/IN interest rates may improve the economic situation.

The architect's new design was heavily criticized. - (CRITICISM) There was a
heavy criticism of the architect's new design.
= The architect's new design suffered from a heavy CRITICISM.

Very little money was raised by the charity appeal - (RESPONSE) There was very
little RESPONSE to the charity appeal.

Ours is the only company allowed to import these chemicals - (MONOPOLY) Our
company has got (the/a) MONOPOLY of/on/over the importation of these
chemicals.
To have a/the monopoly on sth: Độc quyền.
The coach's tactics were directly responsible for the team's defeat. -
(CONSEQUENCE) The team's defeat was a/the direct consequence of the coach's
tactics.
= As a CONSEQUENCE of...., the team was defeated.

We have no idea where he is. - (WHEREABOUTS) We don't know his

WHEREABOUTS/His WHEREABOUTS is/are unknown to us.

The policeman acted quickly and averted an accident. - (PROMPT) The PROMPT
action of the policeman averted an accident.
Avert (v) Đẩy lui, ngăn ngừa, = to PREVENT.

This new record is certain to sell a lot of copies - (DOUBT) There is NO DOUBT
that this new record will sell a lot of copies.
There is no doubt...: Không còn nghi ngờ gì nữa.

"Nothing will persuade me to sleep in that haunted house," she said. - SHE
FLATLY refused to sleep in that haunted house.
To FLATLY RUFUSE: Từ chối thẳng thừng.
It wasn't necessary for them to call for help after all. - THEY didn't have/need to
call for help after all.

You won't find a more dedicated worker anywhere than Mrs. Jones. - NOWHERE
will you find a more dedicated worker than Mrs. Jones.

I want to be left alone. - (DISTURBED) I don't want to be DISTURBED.

He took the company to court on the grounds of unfair dismissal. - (UNFAIRLY)

He took the company to court on the grounds of being UNFAIRLY dismissed.

We're likely to be a little late, I'm afraid. - (EVERY) There's EVERY

LIKELIHOOD/ POSSIBILITY that we'll be a little late.
To have every likelihood/ possibility: Có mọi khả năng.

The Committee said they liked the first proposal best. - (PREFERENCE) The
committee EXPRESSed A PREFERENCE for the first proposal. To express a
preference for sth = to prefer: Thích hơn.
I really must answer all these letters. - (GET DOWN) I really must GET DOWN
TO answerING all these letters.

It's not your fault. - (BLAME) You are NOT TO BLAME.

People seem to be criticizing the police quite a lot nowadays. - (CRITICISM)

There's quite a lot of CRITICISM directed at the police nowadays.

In a nutshell, the man's an idiot. - (BLUNTLY) BLUNTLY, the man's an idiot.

In a nutshell: Nói ngắn gọn là. (=to put it in a nutshell)
Bluntly: Thẳng thừng mà nói.

I'm dying to meet them. - (WAIT) I (just) CAN'T WAIT to meet them.

They lay on the beach the whole week sunbathing. - (SPENT) They SPENT the
whole week LYING on the beach sunbathing.

I SERIOUSLY DOUBT whether this will work. - (DOUBTS) I have serious

doubts as to whether this will work.
I have no intention of giving up now. - (TEND) I DO NOT INTEND to give up
now.

Richard only took over the family business because his father decided to retire
early. - HAD it not been for his father's early retirement, Richard wouldn't have
taken over the family business.

We would always take great care when flying at night. - WE ALWAYS USED to
have/keep our wits about us when flying at night.

KEEP/HAVE YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU

- aware of what is happening
- ready to think and act quickly

There haven't been such a long queues at the cinema since the release of the last
blockbuster. - NOT since the release of the last blockbuster have there been such
long queues at the cinema.

I will only be satisfied if the manager apologizes fully. - NOTHING SHORT of a

full apology from the manager will satisfy me.
She was concentrating so hard on her work that she didn't notice when I came in.
(WRAPPED) - She was so WRAPPED UP IN HER WORK that she didn't notice
when I came in.

BE WRAPPED UP IN WORK
- up to ears in work
- up to your neck in work
- snowed under with work
- to have too much on your plate

The price of the house has been reduced as much as possible because the owner
needs some money. (BONE) - The house has been CUT/PARED TO THE BONE
because the owner needs some money.

CUT/PARE STH TO THE BONE

- to reduce sth as much as possible
The permit expires at the end of the month. - THE PERMIT IS NOT valid at the
end of the month.

The first sign of the disease is blurred vision. (ONSET) - THE ONSET of the
disease is blurred vision.

ONSET (n)
- the first sign of sth bad

Don't say anything negative about her hair because she's very sensitive and might
be offended by your remarks. (OFFENCE) - Don't say anything negative about her
hair because she's very sensitive and might TAKE OFFENCE AT your remarks.

TAKE OFFENCE AT STH

- to take exception to sth
- to feel upset and annoyed

The new teacher was so nervous that the class react mischievously. (REACTION) -
The new teacher's nervousness drew mischievous REACTION from the class.

DRAW STH FROM STH

- to get something from a particular place
George seems to have been putting his website together for a long time. (UNDER
CONSTRUCTION) - George's website seems to have been UNDER
CONSTRUCTION for a long time.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- being built

They've been having discussions on the issue for over two weeks. (PROGRESS) -
Discussions on the issue have been IN THE PROGRESS for over two weeks.

The accused never expressed regret for what he had done. (TIME) - AT NO TIME
did the accused expressed regret for what he had done.

AT NO TIME
- on no occasion
- never

These adverts look exactly the same as the articles in this magazine.
(DIFFERENCE) - It's impossible to TELL THE DIFFERENCE between the
adverts in this magazine.

Terry and I started arguing about the situation in the Middle East. (INTO) - I GOT
INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH Terry about the situation in the Middle East.

GET INTO AN ARGUMENT

- to start to argue
- to argue over/about sth
- up in arms about sth

There's no need for me to tell you that you'll be paid handsomely for this.
(SAYING) - It GOES WITHOUT SAYING that you'll be paid handsomely for
this.

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING (that...)

- obviously
- certainly

In the end Pauline phoned the insurance firm. - WHAT Pauline did in the end was
phone the insurance firm.
I wouldn't eat too many of those, if I were you. - YOU'D better not eat too many of
those.

It's possible that Mary and helen have not heard from the bank yet. - MARY AND
HELEN might/may not have heard from the bank yet.

By law, all rear-seat passengers are obliged to wear seat-belts. - BY LAW, SEAT
BELTS have to be worn by all rear-seat passengers.

In the end of nuclear weapon being used, we are all doomed. - SHOULD IT
happen that nuclear weapons are used, we are all doomed.

You haven't by any chance got a copy of the report, have you? - THERE isn't any
chance of you having a copy of the report, is there?
She felt so disappointed that she suddenly started to cry. (SUCH) - Her
disappointment was SUCH that she burst into tears.

The boy's work can surely be improved. (OF) - The boy's work must be
CAPABLE OF improvement/being improved.

The Japanese are the best at making pocket-sized technology. (COMES) - The
Japanese are SECOND TO NONE WHEN IT COMES TO making pocket-sized
technology.

SECOND TO NONE
- the best
- the peerless

WHEN IT COMES TO DOING STH

- when mentioning sth

If the applicants are all equal in qualification and ability, we'll choose those who
applied first. (PAR) - If the applicants are all ON A PAR, we'll choose those who
applied first.

ON A PAR (with sb/sth)

- equally good, fine etc.
No one likes his behaviour. (DESIRED) - The way he behaves LEAVES A LOT
TO BE DESIRED.

LEAVE A LOT TO BE DESIRED

- bad
- unacceptable

She wasn't very big but she was very strong. (LACKED) - What she LACKED in
size she made up in strength.

More than 300 workers were considered useless after the factory had closed down.
(SCRAP) - With the closure of the factory, more than 300 workers were
THROWN ON THE SCRAP HEAP.
THROW SB ON THE SCRAP HEAP
- make sb useless
- make sb unemployed

No one could deny that he had won all the international competitions.
(UNDISPUTED) - He was the UNDISPUTED champion of the
world.

UNDISPUTED
- undoubted
- indubitable

You can be highly intelligent but not have much common sense. - HAVING
common sense doesn't mean that you are highly intelligent.

The audience didn't enjoy his performance. (DOWN) - The audience didn't GO
DOWN WELL WITH his performance.

GO DOWN WELL WITH STH

- to like sth

Although she was upset, there was never any question of revenge. (LAST) - Upset
as she was, revenge was THE LAST THING ON HER MIND.

You must not leave the iron switched on for a long time. - ON NO OCCASION
should you leave the iron switched on for a long time.
ON NO OCCASION
- at no time
- never

If you want, you can leave. (LIBERTY) - You are AT LIBERTY to leave as you
wish.

AT LIBERTY
- free
- allowed to do sth
That jacket of yours is worn-out - isn't it time you bought a new one? - That jacket
of yours has SEEN ITS BETTER DAYS - isn't it time to buy a new one?

HAVE SEEN BETTER DAYS

- old
- in bad condition
- worn-out (of clothes)

Joe waited for her, pretending to tie his shoelaces. (PRETENCE) - Joe waited for
her UNDER THE PRETENCE OF tying his shoelaces.

UNDER THE PRETENCE OF DOING STH

- pretending to do sth

She didn't make a noise for fear of walking up her parents. (LEST) - She didn't
make a noise LEST she wake her parents.

LEST SB DO STH
- for fear of/that...

Because of being injured, he was no longer a candidate for the title.

(CONTENTION) - Injury PUT HIM OUT OF CONTENTION for the
contention.

PUT SB IN/OUT OF CONTENTION (for sth)

- to make sb able/unable to contend

As far as I'm concerned, the project is nearly completed.

(NEARING) - TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, the project is NEARING
completion.
TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE
- as far as I'm concerned
- as far as I know
- as far as is known

Near (v).
Nearing completion (coll).
The two sides never looked likely to reach an agreement. - AT NO TIME did the
two sides look likely to reach an agreement.

For further information, please send a self-addressed envelope to the above

address. - FURTHER INFORMATION CAN be obtained by sending a self
addressed envelope to the above address.

With six children to look after, she is extremely busy. (HANDS) - With six
children ON HER HANDS, she is extremely busy.

HAVE STH ON YOUR HANDS

- to have difficulties to deal with

Only final-year students are allowed to use the main college car park.
(RESTRICTED) - The use of the main college car park is RESTRICTED TO final
year students

RESTRICTED TO SB
- limited to sb

The new computer system has caused quite a few problems for the manager.
(AGAINST) - The manager has COME UP AGAINST quite a few problems with
the new computer system.

COME UP AGAINST STH

- to deal with difficulties
- to face sth difficult

We agreed that each of us would do this washing-up on alternative days. (TURNS)

- We agreed that each of us would TAKE TURNS to do this washing-up.
You should be able to dress yourself by now. - IT'S HIGH time you dressed
yourself by now.

Could I stay with you in Chicago for a few days, John? (PUT) - Could you PUT
ME UP in Chicago for a few days, John?

PUT SB UP
- to let sb stay in your house
- to let sb rent your house

I didn't feel like doing something energetic. (MOOD) - I was not IN THE MOOD
for doing something energetic.

IN THE MOOD for doing/to do sth

- to feel like doing sth
- to feel up to do sth
- to want/like to do sth

* If I hadn't helped you, you would have been in trouble with your girlfriend. -
WERE I not to have helped you, you would have been in trouble with your
girlfriend.

He wasn't present at the party, which made her very happy. However, no one
expected to welcome him. - HAD he been present, she wouldn't have been happy,
nor he would have been welcomed.

People shouldn't think that Miss World must have the great appearance. - IT IS
NOT ALWAYS thought ESSENTIAL that Miss World must have the great
appearance.

THINK STH + ADJ -> BE THOUGH + ADJ

I think that these talkative girls are chatting about my problem. - THESE
TALKATIVE GIRLS must be chatting about my problem.

He causes me a lot of trouble. (FLESH) - He is A THORN IN MY FLESH.

A THORN IN YOUR FLESH/SIDE

- a person who causes trouble an unwanted shit
I'm sorry, James. But I'm very busy with my work. (UP) - I'm sorry, James. But I'm
UP TO MY NECK IN WORK.

UP TO YOUR NECK IN WORK

- up to ears in work
- snowed under
- wrapped up in work
- to have too much in your plate

If you continue to be stuck-up, everyone will ignore you. - YOU WILL FALL ON
DEAF EARS if you continue to be stuck-up.

FALL ON DEAF EARS

- ignored
- shunned
- ostracized

Our independence on overseas trade sets a special value upon drive and
resourcefulness in export industries. (PUTS) - Our independence on overseas
trades PUTS drive and resourcefulness in export industries AT A PREMIUM.

PUT STH AT A PREMIUM

- to make sth valuable

* The audience were misled by the idea that economic recovery was close at hand.
(AWAY) - The audience RAN AWAY WITH the idea that economic recovery was
close at hand.

I decided to go home and make myself clean and smart - to let everyone know that
life has not got me down. - I decided to go home and SPRUCE MYSELF UP - to
let everyone know that life has not got me down.

SPRUCE YOURSELF/SB UP
- make yourself/sb cleaner/tidier to improve the general appearance

I couldn't stop thinking about the exam despite playing backgammon with Paul.
(MIND) - PLAYING BACKGAMMON with Paul failed/didn't TAKE MY MIND
OFF the exam.

TAKE YOUR MIND OFF STH

- to make you stop thinking about sth

Pete said that Josh doesn't usually lie. (LIKE) - "IT isn't like Josh to tell lies". Pete
said.
* I can spend more time with my grandchildren when I retire. (FREE) -
Retirement will FREE ME UP to spend more time with my grandchildren.

* Oscar is qualified to teach Russian because he has a degree in it. (HIM) - Oscar's
Russian degree qualifies HIM to teach the language.

I'm glad you now see sense and agree that your parents are right. (SENSES) - I'm
glad you have COME TO SENSES that your parents are right.

COME TO SENSES
- to understand sth

* I didn't tell Angie because I didn't want to hurt Eddie's feelings.

(CONSIDERATION) - I didn't tell Angie OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR
Eddie.

OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR SB

- for sb's sake

You have to use logical and lateral thinking in equal measure in this job. (STRIKE)
- You have to STRIKE A BALANCE between logic and lateral thinking in this
job.

STRIKE A BALANCE (between A and B)

- to make A and B equal

Ralph would hand in his resignation immediately if he could find a better job.
(HAT) - Ralph would hand in his resignation AT THE DROP OF A HAT if he
could find a better job.

AT THE DROP OF A HAT

- at once
- on the spot
- immediately
The parents of that girl are furious about her expulsion. (ARMS) - The parents of
that girl are UP IN ARMS ABOUT her expulsion.
She furiously threw the book across the room. - SUCH as her fury that she threw
the book across the room.

I went down with flu as soon as I had recovered from bronchitis. - NO SOONER
had I recovered from the bronchitis than I went down with flu.

BRONCHITIS (n) Viêm phế quản.

However friendly he seems, he's not to be trusted. - FRIENDLY as he may seem,

he's not to be trusted.

I didn't realize how much he was influenced by his brother. - I DIDN'T REALIZE
THE EXTENT to which he was influenced by his brother.

Police are warning people to check for forged notes which are currently in
circulation. (LOOKOUT) - Police are warning people to be ON THE LOOKOUT
for forged notes which are currently in circulation.

ON THE LOOKOUT
- careful
- cautious
- circumspect

Jack made absolutely sure nothing would go wrong when he planned the
expedition. (CHANCE) - Jack LEFT NOTHING TO CHANCE when he planned
the expedition.

LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE

- to make sure nothing bad will happen

I could tell by the tone of his voice how serious the situation was. (HOME) - The
tone of his voice BROUGHT IT HOME to me how serious the situation was.

Vanessa was taken on by a big firm as soon as she graduated. (LANDED) - ON

GRADUATION, Vanessa LANDED A JOB WITH a big law firm.
Taxpayers had to pay the cost of the privatization plan. (FOOT) - Taxpayers had to
FOOT THE BILL for the cost of the privatization plan.
FOOT THE BILL (for sth)
- to pay for sth

Don't tell the boss anything about this. (BREATHE) - Don't BREATHE A WORD
OF THIS TO the boss.

BREATHE A WORD (of sth to sb)

- to let on a secret
- to give away a secret

You cannot say anything that would persuade me to live overseas. - NOTHING
you say would persuade me to live overseas.

* The chairman's leaving just before you're due to arrive. - BY the time you arrive,
the chairman will have just left.

It was difficult to understand her colleagues' open hostility towards her proposal. -
THAT her colleagues were so hostile towards her proposal was difficult to
understand.

The club owner became a media celebrity, as well as extremely rich. - NOT ONLY
did the club owner become a media celebrity, he was also extremely rich.

David played the main role when the proposal was drafted. - David was
INSTRUMENTAL IN drafting the proposal.

INSTRUMENTAL (in sth)

- playing a main/key/indispensable role
- important

* If you hadn't changed our original agreement, everything would have been fine.
(STUCK TO) - If you had STUCK TO what we originally agreed, everything
would have been fine.

* Mai felt entirely comfortable when her boss was around. - Mai felt entirely AT
EASE WITH THE PRESENCE of her boss.
AT EASE
- comfortable

The direct aim of the statement is to make the public aware of the present
situation. - THE STATEMENT BOILS down to making the public aware of the
present situation.

BOIL DOWN TO STH/DOING STH

- chung quy là vì...

My sister is not feeling well these days. - MY SISTER IS FEELING a bit under
the weather these days.

UNDER THE WEATHER

- off-color
- unwell

I've never thought of buying a new laptop. - BUYING a new laptop has never
CROSSED MY MIND.

CROSS YOUR MIND

- come to your mind

Only the manager and the secretary know the details. - KNOWLEDGE of the
details is LIMITED/RESTRICTED TO only the manager and the secretary.

These dangerous lizards live only in the tropical regions. (PECULIAR) - These
dangerous lizards are PECULIAR TO the tropical regions.

PECULIAR
- belonging to a place, situation, person etc.

We are unlikely to have clear weather for our picnic tomorrow. (PROSPECT) -
THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT that we will have clear weather for our picnic.

THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT (that...)

- there is little likelihood that...
- there is little probability that...
* The police are advising vigilance as there have been more robberies lately. - Due
to an INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF robberies, the police are advising
vigilance.

You may be dismissed if you fail to observe the company's dress code. - FAILURE
to observe the company's dress code may LEAD TO your dismissal.

Dismissal (n) <- Dismiss (v).

"There is no point in writing it all out in longhand if you can use a typewriter, isn't
there?" - SHE DISSUADED me from writing it all out in longhand.

I tried to remember what has happened all those years before. - I CAST MY
MIND BACK TO what has happened all those years before.

CAST YOUR MIND BACK TO STH

- remember sth
- take sb back to sth

There is an enormous variety of tourist attractions in this part of the countries.

(MANNER) - THERE ARE ALL MANNER OF tourist attractions in this part of
the country.

THERE ARE ALL MANNER: Despite the fact that "Manner" is singular and
uncountable, it has to go with "There are". It's like a collocation. - different
types of sth
- many kinds of sth

Her latest novel isn't as good as good as her previous one. (PAR) - Her latest novel
was not ON A PAR with her previous one.

Students at the school are not allowed to go into the Rainbow Disco. (BOUNDS) -
The Rainbow Disco are OUT OF BOUNDS TO students at the school.

OUT OF BOUNDS (to sb)

- not allow people to go in

David reckoned that his success was due to incredible luck. (PUT) - David PUT
HIS SUCCESS DOWN TO incredible luck.
Don't forget those who are at work on this lovely, sunny day. (SPARE) - SPARE A
THOUGHT for those who are at work on this lovely, sunny day.

* Alice is the most generous person I have ever met. - I'VE never met anyone who
is more generous than Alice

We won't get to the airport in less than 30 minutes. (LEAST) - It will take us AT
LEAST 30 minutes to get to the airport.

Perhaps no one will ever know what happened that fateful night. - WHAT
HAPPENED that fateful night will never be known.

* She is almost certain to turn down your proposal. - I DOUBT whether she will
accept your proposal.

No one stands a chance of beating Mansell in this year's championship. - It's a

FOREGONE CONCLUSION that Mansell will win this year's championship.

FOREGONE CONCLUSION
- a result obvious to everyone

They haven't decided whether to sack him or not. - THEY HAVEN'T COME to
decision ABOUT whether to save him or not.

In the event, the extra insurance they took out wasn't necessary. - IN THE EVENT,
WE needn't have taken out the insurance.

* A great many people will congratulate her if she wins. (SHOWERED) - She will
be SHOWERED WITH CONGRATULATIONS if she wins.

I remained neutral during their disagreement because I liked both of them.

(SIDES) - I didn't TAKE SIDES during their disagreement because I liked both of
them.

To put it bluntly, we are making no progress with this rehabilitation scheme.

(STANDSTILL) - This rehabilitation scheme is AT A STANDSTILL

AT A STANDSTILL
- making no progress
The mistake in the account was not noticed until the figures were re-checked.
(LIGHT) - The mistake in the account didn't COME TO LIGHT until the figures
were re-checked.

* Their heavy downpour brought their picnic to an abrupt end. (CUT) - They have
to CUT THEIR PICNIC SHORT because of the heavy downpour.

CUT STH SHORT

- to stop doing sth before it is finished

* The reforms will not succeed unless they are carefully planned. (CRUCIAL) -
Careful planning is CRUCIAL for success of the reforms.

* I feel completely exhausted when I've listened to Marion for half an hour.
(LEAVES) - Half an hour listening to Mario LEAVES ME FEELING completely
exhausted.

* There were very few people who understood what the professor said in the
meeting. (VIRTUALLY) - There was VIRTUALLY NO ONE who understood
what the professor said in the meeting.

It's impossible to predict how long it will take to finish this kind of job.
(TELLING) - THERE IS NO TELLING HOW long it will take to do this kind of
job.

THERE IS NO TELLING +Wh

I was about to hand in my notice when I was unexpectedly offered promotion.

(ON) - I was ON THE POINT OF handing my notice when I was unexpectedly
offered promotion.

ON THE POINT OF DOING STH

- about to do sth

Winning that prize has made him very conceited. (HEAD) - Winning that prize has
GONE TO HIS HEAD.
* The prisoner was recaptured as he rushed towards the gate. (DASH) - The
prisoner was recaptured as he MADE A DASH FOR the gate.
MAKE A DASH FOR STH
- to dash for sth
- to rush towards sth

Before you leave the office, please look at the new contract. (EYE) - Before you
leave the office, please CAST AN EYE OVER the new contract.

CAST AN/YOUR EYE OVER STH

- to look quickly at sth

* The conflict between two political parties will carry on for a long time.
(MEANS) - The conflict between two parties is BY NO MEANS over.

BY NO MEANS
- definitely not
- certainly not

It's too complex to understand why you quit your job while you haven't got
another one. (BEYOND) - It's BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION to understand
why you quit your job while you haven't got another one.

Since the company's methods were exposed in a newspaper, people have lost their
good opinion of it. - Since the company's methods were exposed in a newspaper, it
has FALLEN INTO DISREPUTE

FALL INTO DISREPUTE

- to not be respected or trusted

If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask. - If I can be OF ANY
ASSISTANCE, please don't hesitate to ask.

OF (ANY) ASSISTANCE
- of (any) help
- helpful
The audience suddenly started to applaud loudly. - ALL of a sudden there was a
loud applause from the audience.

Attendances at the exhibition have been down this year. - THE EXHIBITION has
not been well-attended this year.
* We had a long discussion about the problem but we couldn't solve it. - WE
DISCUSSED the problem AT LENGTH but we couldn't solve it.

Few people smoke these days. - THERE IS a decrease in the number of smokers
these days.

Why are you against inviting Jack to the party? - WHAT'S the reason of your
objection to inviting Jack to the party?

There isn't enough space in this room for a big cupboard. - A BIG CUPBOARD
will TAKE UP/OCCUPY too much space in this room.

The river overflowed last year. - THE RIVER burst its bank last year.

Bill was much taller than all of his classmates. - Bill TOWERED OVER all of his
classmates.

TOWER OVER
- very tall in comparison to others

Please make sure you have all the documents available before the meeting.
(FINGERPRINTS) - Please make sure you have all the documents AT YOUR
FINGERTIPS before the meeting.

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
- getting and using sth easily

Mimi knew for sure her boyfriend was lying to her. (SHADOW) - Mimi knew
WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT that her boyfriend was lying to her.

BEYOND/WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT

- there is no doubt that something is true
Tim tried to be like his idol when he was a teenger. (MODELLED) - As a
teenager, Tim MODELLED HIMSELF ON his idol.

MODEL YOURSELF ON SB
- to try to be like sb
- to set sb as an example for you to make progress, or simply to follow, imitate
their behavior

Be sure to say goodbye to your grandmother before you leave. (WITHOUT) - Be

sure not to leave WITHOUT saying goodbye to your grandmother.

They'll have to take the dog on holiday with them. (BEHIND) - They can't LEAVE
THE DOG BEHIND when they go on holiday.

* In order to stay open, the charity shop needs at least four helpers. (ENABLE) -
NO fewer than four helpers are need to ENABLE the charity shop to stay open.

The motorcyclist rounded the corner at a quite unbelievable speed. (WHICH) - The
speed AT WHICH the motorcyclist rounded the corner was quite unbelievable.

I'll be thinking of you and hoping that you have good luck on the day of your
interview. (FINGERS) - I'll KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED for you on the day
of your interview.

KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED/CROSS YOUR

FINGERS - to hope that things will happen nicely

Don't panic about something so trivial. (MOUNTAIN) - Don't MAKE A

MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL.

That jumper you knitted for my daughter no longer fits her. (GROW) - My
daughter has GROWN OUT OF that jumper you knitted for her.

GROW OUT STH # GROW INTO STH

They accused me of causing the accident. (BLAME) - They PUT THE BLAME
ON ME FOR the accident.
PUT THE BLAME ON SB (for sth)
- to blame sb for sth
- to blame sth on sb
- to accuse sb of sth

She began to suffer from irrational fears. (PREY) - She FELL PREY TO irrational
fears.
BE/FALL PREY TO STH
- to be hurt or deceived by sth bad

The tourists were unharmed after the train crash. - The tourists were NONE THE
WORSE after the train crash.

NONE THE WORSE, BETTER, RICHER etc.

- not worse, better, richer etc.

You should always be grateful for what you are given. - You should NOT LOOK
A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.

NOT LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH

- to not appreciate or question a gift

* He said he had nothing to do with the accident. - HE REFUSED to take the

blame for the accident.

She isn't very good at arranging flowers. (FLAIR) - She doesn't HAVE much of A
FLAIR FOR arranging flowers.

HAVE A FLAIR FOR STH

- to have a natural ability to do sth well

* Uncle August did not suffer from his experience. (WORSE) - Uncle August was
NONE THE WORSE after his experience.

The impression most people have of him is that he is an honest person. (COMES)
- He COMES ACROSS/OVER AS an honest person.
COME ACROSS/OVER AS STH/ADJ
- to be understood in a particular way

* Fred has only himself to blame for losing his driving license for repeated
speeding. (SERVES) - IT SERVES Fred to lose his driving license for repeated
speeding.

SERVE SB
- it's because of sb's mistake
The incident ruined my chance of promotion. (PAID) - The incident PUT PAID
TO my chance of promotion.

PUT PAID TO STH

- to ruin
- to finish
- to destroy

Jack doesn't know all the answers, though he pretends to. - JACK ACTS as if he
knew all the answers

It was an impressive building but it wasn' to my taste. - IMPRESSIVE as the

building was, it wasn't to my taste.

We had not expected we should have so much difficulty in finding the place. -
THE PLACE was much more difficult to find than we had expected.

I hardly think he will agree to give you a pay rise. - THERE IS LITTLE
LIKELIHOOD that he will agree to give you a pay rise.

* How likely is it she will pass the exam? - WHAT ARE HER CHANCES of
passing the exam?

WHAT ARE YOUR CHANCES...: always plural.

* They have discovered some interesting information. (LIGHT) - Some interesting

information has COME TO LIGHT.
* They suspended Jack for the next two matches. (BANNED) - Jack was
BANNED FROM playing in the next two matches.

BAN SB FROM DOING STH

- to forbid sb from doing sth
- to refuse to allow sb to do sth

I really want to see her again. (DYING) - I'M DYING to see her again.

That dress has only the slightest mark on it. - I CAN BARELY make out/see a
mark on that dress.
The truth only came out on the publication of the general's personal diaries. -
ONLY WHEN the general's personal diaries were published did the truth come
out.

When you do decide want you want to do, please let us know. (MIND) - WHEN
you have made up your mind what you want to do, please let us know.

* He liked the new job straight away. (DUCK) - He TOOK TO the new job LIKE
A DUCK TO WATER.

TAKE TO STH LIKE A DUCK TO WATER

- to like sth so much
- to have a natural ability to do sth well

There is surely a better way of encouraging people to recycle more. (HAS) -

THERE HAS TO BE a way of encouraging people to recycle more.

If there's no reason not to, I'll vote for Carol. - ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, I'll
vote for Carol.

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL: Nếu không có gì thay đổi.

- if everything happens as expected

* The instructions said I should use glue. I did use glue. (AS) - I used glue AS it
said I should in the instructions.
* This system of communication only worked within groups. - BETWEEN groups
this system didn't work.

The enquiry was held in private. (DOORS) - The enquiry was held BEHIND
CLOSED DOORS.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

- If something happens behind closed doors, it is hidden or kept secret from public
view

* He was unable to control his emotions after his big win. (SPILLED) - His
emotions SPILLED OVER after his big win.
SPILL OVER
- to go over the edge (literary)

* She paid tribute to him in her farewell speech. (SHOWED) - She SHOWED her
admiration for him in her farewell speech.

If you want my opinion, he's useless. (WORTH) - FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH,

he's useless.

FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH

- even though it/my opinion may not be important or valuable

We need to stamp out the prejudice. (GET) - We need to GET RID OF the
prejudice.

STAMP STH OUT = GET RID OF STH = REMOVE STH

No one believed in the accused's explanation about the illegal merchandise during
the trial. (RING) - The accused's explanation didn't RING TRUE during the trial.

RING TRUE/FALSE
- to seem true/false
- to seem believable/unbelievable

What Daniel told me was more of an order than a piece of advice. - WHAT
DENIEL TOLD ME WAS NOT so much a piece of advice as an order.

NOT SO MUCH STH AS STH: Không giống như... mà là...

e.g: - They're not so much lovers as friends
- I don't feel angry so much as sad.

* Should they strike the consultant off, she will never work again. - IF SHE BE
struck off, the consultant will never work again.

It's bad you spent your past years doing trivial things. (ERRANDS) - YOU
SHOULDN'T have spent your past years RUNNING ERRANDS.

RUN ERRANDS
- to go out or to buy sth
- to do trivial things
* We regret not having been able to come to Uncle Tom's funeral. (RESPECTS) -
We would like to have been able to come to PAY OUR LAST RESPECTS to
Uncle Tom when he died.

PAY YOUR LAST RESPECTS

- to honor sb after their death
- to pay tribute to sb dead

You've eaten so much that it's logical you feel sick. (STAND) - You have eaten so
much that IT STANDS TO REASON you feel sick.

IT STANDS TO REASON (that...)

- it makes sense
- it is obvious

I suspected him when he started being so helpful. (RAT) - I SMELT A RAT when
he started being so helpful. (RAT)

SMELL A RATE
- to smell sth fishy
- to suspect sb

The handling of the matter has been heavily criticized by the press. (SCORN) -
The press has POURED SCORN ON handling of the matter.

POUR SCORN ON SB/STH

- to say sb/sth is stupid
- to criticize sb/sth

Our broken immersion heater must be repaired urgently. (SEEN) - We must have
our broken immersion heater SEEN TO urgently.

SEE TO SB/STH
- to deal with a problem, person or task
- to fix/repair sth

* The government is always changing its policies on transportation. (LACK) -

There's a LACK OF CONSISTENCY in the government's policies on
transportation.
* A party will be thrown for the twins when they return. (THEM) - The twins will
have a party thrown for THEM when they return.

* It's just possible that we may have to introduce pay cuts. (RULED) - We haven't
RULES OUT the possibility of introducing pay cuts.

RULE STH OUT

- to exclude

Alex grimaced as he swallowed the foul-tasting medicine. (PULLED) - Alex

PULLED A FACE as he swallowed the foul-tasting medicine.

PULL A FACE: nhăn mặt

- to grimace

* Most people are indifferent to the mistreatment of animals. (SHOW) - Most

people SHOW little/no concern about the mistreatment of animals.

SHOW LITTLE/NO CONCERN ABOUT STH

- to not give a damn
- to not give a rat's ass
* The majority of their clientele is made of local people. (COMPRISE) - Local
people COMPRISE the majority of their clientele.

* The custom dates back to medieval times. (ROOTS) - The ROOTS of the
custom date backs medieval times.

* It's difficult to imagine his work being improved on by anyone. (BETTERING) -

It's difficult to imagine anyone BETTERING his work.

Anthony wasn't at all discouraged by this bad experience. (PUT) - This bad
experience didn't PUT Anthony OFF in the least.

Coming second didn't make her feel any better because she only wanted to win.
(CONSOLATION) - Coming second was OF NO CONSOLATION TO her
because winning was all that mattered to her.
I couldn't understand a word of what he said. (TAIL) - I couldn't MAKE HEAD
OR TAIL what he said.

MAKE HEAD OR TAIL: hiểu rõ ngọn ngành

- to understand

Bad publicity badly affects sales figures. (DETRIMENTAL) - Bad publicity is

DETRIMENTAL TO sales figures.

DETRIMENTAL (to)
- harmful to sb
- deleterious to sb

I'm not to blame for your financial problems. - YOU CAN'T HOLD me
responsible for your financial problems.

HOLD SB RESPONSIBLE FOR STH: đổ quấy trách nhiệm

- to blame sth for sth

Customs officials are stopping more travelers than usual this weekend.
(SEARCHED) - An increased number of travelers are being SEARCHED by
customs officials this weekend.
The store will probably accept a credit card instead of cash. (ALTERNATIVE) - It
is likely that the store will accept a credit card AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO cash.

It is said that he has acted in a very determined way. (ACCOUNTS) - He has

showed a great DETERMINATION in his actions, BY ALL ACCOUNTS.

BY/FROM ALL ACCOUNTS

- as said by many people

You don't have to pay now if you would rather not. (UNDER/PREFER) - You are
UNDER NO OBLIGATION to pay if you'D PREFER not.

It's possible the looming crisis won't ever actually materialize. (BOUNDS) - It's
not BEYOND BOUNDS OF POSSIBILITY that the looming crisis won't ever
actually materialize.

NOT BEYOND BOUNDS OF POSSIBILITY

- not impossible
- possible

* The only explanation for him being so late is that his train was delayed. - HIS
TRAIN must have been delayed for him to be so late.

Could you possibly get here before lunch? - IS THERE any chance you can get
here before lunch?

It doesn't matter what happens, we'll still go somewhere nice for your birthday. -
COME WHAT MAY, we'll still go somewhere nice for your birthday.

COME WHAT MAY

- whatever happens

You just can't compare the quality of her work with his. - THERE'S NO point in
comparing the quality of her work with his.

A rise in temperature in the next century seems likely. - IN ALL PROBABILITY,

there will be a rise in temperature in the next century.
* If we delay too long, we are likely to clinch the deal. - THE LONGER we delay,
the more likely we ARE TO clinch the deal.

CLINCH
- to get sth
- to win sth

* The brochure gives hardly any useful information. - PRECIOUS little useful
information was given in the brochure.

You could be arrested for not giving a breath sample to the police. - REFUSAL to
give a breath sample to the police could lead to your arrest.

My boss doesn't allow us to eat at our desk. (LINE) - My boss DRAWS THE LINE
AT us eating at our desk.

DRAW THE LINE AT STH

- to never do sth
- to not allow sb to do sth
* Somehow no one found out he had stolen the technical design from another
company. (AWAY) - Somehow he MANAGED TO GET AWAY WITH the
technical design from another company.

What he told me made me very curious to hear the rest of the history. (APPETITE)
- What he told me WHETTED MY APPETITE for the rest of the story.

* Don't eat so many sweets and won't have to visit the dentist so often. (SAVE) -
Eating few sweets will SAVE YOU HAVING to visit the dentist so often.

Some people tend to do better in a pressurized working environment.

(CONSTANT) - Some people work better when they are UNDER CONSTANT
PRESSURE at work.

* Let's hope so-called mad cow disease doesn't break out again. (ANOTHER) -
Let's hope there won't be ANOTHER outbreak of the so-called mad cow
disease.
There don't seem to be many talented athletes around at the moment.
(SUFFERING) - We seem to be SUFFERING FROM a paucity/lack of talented
athletes at the moment.

Educationalists don't agree on the value of learning by computer. (EYE) -

Educationalists don't SEE EYE TO EYE on the value of learning by computer.

There is sometimes a discrepancy between out outgoings and our earnings.

(TALLY) - What we spend doesn't always TALLY with what we earn.

TALLY
- to match or agree with sth

His analysis of the situation was far too complex for me to grasp. (HEAD) - His
analysis of the situation WENT RIGHT OVER MY HEAD.

GO OVER YOUR HEAD

- to not understand sth

It was an extremely far-fetching proposal. (EXTREME) - What was being

proposed was far-fetching IN THE EXTREME.
IN THE EXTREME
- extremely

The actor suddenly couldn't remember what he was supposed to say. (DRIED) -
The actor suddenly DRIED UP.

DRY UP
- to suddenly stop talking because you know not what to say

A house in that district will cost you at least $100.000. - YOU WON'T BE ABLE
to buy that house for less than $100.000

The Yeti has very rarely been seen at this altitude. - THERE HAVE BEEN few
sightings of the Yeti at this altitude.

It was more of an argument than a discussion. - IT WAS NOT SO much a

discussion as an argument.

Their chances of success are small. - IT IS NOT likely they will succeed.

* The committee members said they would remain loyal to the chairman.
(PLEDGED) - The committee members PLEDGED their loyalty TO the
chairman.

Saying something is not the same as doing it. (WORLD) - There is A WORLD OF
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN saying something and doing it.

The house was dirty because no one bothered to keep it clean. (TROUBLE) - The
house was dirty because no one TOOK THE TROUBLE to keep it clean.

TAKE THE TROUBLE

- to bother to do sth

In a nutshell, Joseph's not up to the job. - THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT,
Joseph's not up to the job.

THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

- in a nutshell
- generally
- generally/broadly speaking
* I felt relaxed at Gita's house because her parents greeted me so warmly. (EASE)
- Gita's parents MADE ME FEEL AT EASE with the warmth of their greetings.

Since we have encountered many problems, we should stop conducting this

research. (HALT) - Since we have encountered many problems, we should CALL
A HALT TO this research.

CALL A HALT TO STH

- to put an end to sth
- to put a stop to sth
- to stop/end/halt sth

Fancy you and I meeting in the middle of Africa like this. - IT'S REALLY ODD
that you and I should meet in the middle of Africa like this.
Gary is proud of the fact that he is never late. - GARY PRIDES himself on never
being late.

PRIDE YOURSELF ON STH

- proud of sth
- to take pride in sth

The goods you want won't come in until next week. - The goods you want are
OUT OF STOCKS at the moment.

None of us was expecting to have a test this morning. (BLUE) - The morning's test
CAME OUT OF THE BLUE for every one of us.

You can't just decide to go on a safari. You need to plan things very carefully.
(SPUR) - Going on a safari isn't a decision you can make ON THE SPUR OF
THE MOMENT. You need to plan things very carefully.

ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT

- on an impulse
- on a whim
- on a caprice
- impulsively/whimsically/capriciously

Something told me to say exactly what I thought, but I didn't. (SORELY) - I was
SORELY TEMPTED to say exactly what I thought.
The severity of the punishment bore no relation to the seriousness of the crime.
(PROPORTION) - The severity of the punishment was OUT OF PROPORTION
FOR the seriousness of the crime.

In the area, Thailand is much better than all other countries in football.
(SHOULDERS) - In the area, Thailand is HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE all
other countries in football.

* Don't you remember anything about your lifetime in London as a child?

(RECOLLECTION) - Haven't you HAD ANY RECOLLECTION OF your
lifetime in London as a child?
Social scientists find it hard to accept that the fall in birth rate is responsible for
the old age of our society. (RESISTANCE) - There is RESISTANCE AMONG
social scientists to the idea that the fall in birth rate is responsible for the old age
of our society.

That rumor about the politician and the construction contract is absolutely false. -
THERE IS absolutely no truth in the rumor about the politician and the
construction contract.

You can eat as much as you like for $5 at the new lunch bar. - THERE IS no limit
on how much you can eat with $5 at the new lunch bar.

You think that fat people are always jolly, but you are wrong. - CONTRARY TO
what you think, fat people are not always jolly.

It won't harm us to see what special offers are on at the moment. - WE might as
well see what special offers are on at the moment.

He could certainly make a decision on whether learning abroad is a good idea. -

THERE IS EVERY likelihood that he will make a decision on whether learning
abroad is a good idea.

Tom upset Fiona a bit when he said she behaved like her mother. - Tom
RUFFLED FIONA'S FEATHERS when he said she behaved like her mother.

RUFFLE SB'S FEATHERS

- to upset or annoy sb
After she married him, he revealed his true character and she saw him as he really
was. (EYES) - After she married him, he revealed his true character and THE
SCALES DROPPED FROM HER EYES.

THE SCALES DROP/FALL FROM YOUR EYES: tỉnh ngộ

- you suddenly realize or know the truth

He made an embarrassing mistake when he described his girlfriend as "plump".

(FOOT) - He PUT HIS FOOT IN IT when he described his girlfriend as
"plump".
PUT YOUR FOOT IN IT/IN YOUR MOUTH: nhỡ mồm
- to say a stupid thing

* After a six-week strike, the workers have started talks to solve the dispute with
the management. (ENTERED) - After a six-week strike, the workers have
ENTERED INTO NEGOTIATION to solve the dispute with the management.

* Although found guilty, Robson continued to insist that he was not. (PROTEST) -
Although found guilty Robson continued to PROTEST HIS INNOCENCE. (=
strongly said he was not guilty)

* I knew that the whole project could never have succeeded right from the start.
(DOOMED) - I knew that the whole project was DOOMED TO FAILURE right
from the start.

DOOMED TO FAILURE
- unable to be successful

We were all surprised that the plan worked perfectly. (PLAIN) - TO OUR
SURPRISED, the plan turned out to be PLAIN SAILING.

PLAIN/SMOOTH SAILING: thuận buồm xuôi gió

- fine/Ok/good

It's not a good thing you keep agreeing with people's ideas like that. (TIDE) - You
shouldn't be SWIMMING/GOING AGAINST THE TIDE like that.

SWIM/GO AGAINST THE TIDE

- to not follow what everyone else is doing
I hate it when my colleagues try to get involved in everything in my business.
(FINGER) - I object to having my colleagues HAVING A FINGER IN EVERY
PIE in my own business.

HAVE A FINGER IN EVERY PIE: chuyện gì cũng xía mũi vào

* Because of his lack of confidence right at the last minute, he backed out of the
plan. (FEET) - If he hadn't had COLD FEET at the last minute, he wouldn't have
backed out of the plan.

Looking back, I think he was trying to deceive us. (LEG) - IN RETROSPECT, I

think he was trying to PULL OUR LEG.

IN RETROSPECT: hồi tưởng

- looking now about sth in the past

PULL YOUR LEG

- to deceive
- to fool

However intelligent he may seem, I don't think he can come up with a sudden
solution. (RABBIT) - Intelligent as he may seem, I don't think he can PULL A
RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT.

PULL A RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT

- to do sth unexpected to improve difficult situations

To tell the truth, market competitions sometime become very fierce. (RED) - AS A
MATTER OF FACT, market competitions are sometimes RED IN TOOTH AND
CLAW.

RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW

- fierce

(As predatory animals sometimes cover their teeth and claws in blood of their
preys as they kill or devour them)

* We suppose the new models are about ten thousand dollars. (VICINITY) - The
new models are supposed to be IN THE VICINITY OF ten thousand dollars.
IN THE VICINITY OF STH
- approximately
- about

We are having problems because we didn't take out medical insurance. (COST) -
We are COUNTING THE COST because medical insurance wasn't taken out.
COUNT THE COST: gánh chịu hậu quả
- to have problems because you have done sth wrong

The head master is well-known for his reliability and dedication. (REPUTED) -
The head teacher is REPUTED to be a reliable and dedicated person.

REPUTED
- famous
- well-known

My grandfather had completely forgotten that he phoned me last night.

(RECOLLECTION) - My father HAD NO RECOLLECTION of phoning me last
night.

* When you lie, some gestures can show you are lying. - SOME GESTURES can
give you away when you lie.

* My decision to get and dance coincided with the band's decision to stop playing.
- THE MOMENT I got up to dance, the band stopped playing.

It's nobody's fault that the match was cancelled. - NOBODY IS TO blame for the
cancellation of the match.

Something must be done quickly to solve the problem of unemployment. -

URGENT action must be taken to solve the problem of unemployment.

You shouldn't talk to people who will not listen. (FALL) - You shouldn't FALL
ON DEAF EARS.

I couldn't make Julie give a definite answer. (PIN) - I couldn't PIN Julie DOWN
TO a definite answer.
PIN SB DOWN TO STH
- to make sb make a decision
- to make sb provide details of sth

My husband has had to earn the income since I broke my leg. - My husband has
BROUGHT HOME THE BACON since I broke my leg.
BRING HOME THE BACON
- to earn money

James Hogg Ltd. is the only shop that supplies this product. (EXCLUSIVE) -
James Hogg Ltd. is the EXCLUSIVE supplier of this product.

I think that my parents cope calmly with everything I do. (STRIDE) - I'm under
the impression that my parents TAKE everything I do IN STRIDE.

TAKE STH IN STRIDE

- to deal with sth calmly

* Simon hadn't expected that he would feel so weak after the operation. - THE
OPERATION left Simon feeling weaker than he had expected.

When they broke the news, she stayed perfectly calm and controlled. (HAIR) -
When they broke the news, she did NOT TURN A HAIR.

NOT TURN A HAIR

- to not show emotions when told sth bad has happened

The police didn't mention whether or not the suspects were armed. (OMITTED) -
The police OMITTED to mention whether ot not the suspects were armed.

OMIT (to say/mention sth)

- to refuse to talk about/mention sth

It's not certain that Jones will get the job. - IT IS OPEN TO DOUBT whether
Jones will get the job.

OPEN TO DOUBT/DISPUTE/QUESTION
- not certain
The defense contributed enormously to the team's success. (MADE) - The defense
MADE AN enormous CONTRIBUTION TO the team's success.

I was about to leave the house when I heard the phone ring. (VERGE) - I WAS ON
THE VERGE OF leaving when I heard the phone ring.
ON THE VERGE OF DOING STH
- about to do sth
- on the point of doing sth

My friend persuaded me to go to the party in fancy dress. - MY FRIEND

TALKED me into going to the party in fancy dress.

* The thief ran right past you, so I'm sure you saw his face. - YOU must have seen
the thief's face because he ran past you.

* There's no way we can agree to this solution. (CONCERNED) - This solution is

out of the question AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

When I grow up, I'm going to be really important. (CAT) - I'm going to be a FAT
CAT when I grow up.

FAT CAT
- big fish/gun/noise/shot/wheel
- someone so important and powerful

I'm never going to speak to Annie again. She made me look foolish in front of all
my friends. (MONKEY) - I'm never going to speak to Annie again. She MADE A
MONKEY OUT OF ME in front of all my friends.

MAKE A MONKEY OUT OF SB

- to make fun of sb
- to make a mockery of sb
- to take the mickey/mick out of sb
- to mock/tease sb

You'll have to work harder if you want to pass your exams. (SOCKS) - You'll have
to PULL YOUR SOCKS UP if you want to pass the exams.

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP

- to try to improve your work or behavior

* It will be necessary to pay the full amount when you book. (PAID) - The full
amount will have to be PAID when you look.

* So many people were really delighted when the government lost the election.
(JUBILATION) - There was much JUBILATION when the government lost the
election.

* The staff hated Frank's new policies intensely and so went on strike. (HATRED)
- So intense was the HATRED for Frank's new policies that the staff went on
strike.

I feel it's wrong that this site is going to be redeveloped by the council.
(EARMARKED) - I feel it's wrong that this site is EARMARKED FOR
redevelopment by the council.

EARMARK (for sth)

- to keep or intend sth for a particular purpose

* What put me off the idea was simply how expensive it was going to. - THE
SHEER expense/cost was what put me off the idea.

* The fund-raisers have not officially decided where to send the proceeds of the
concert. - NO official decision has been made ABOUT where to send to send the
proceeds of the concert.

Every possible effort was made by the orphanage to find the boy's parents. - THE
ORPHANAGE LEFT NO STONE unturned in an attempt to find the boy's
parents.

Experts say that the fall in the birth rate between 1946 and 1977 caused the drop in
the number of school leavers. - THE DROP in the number of school leavers is said
to have been caused by the fall in the birth rate between 1946 and 1977.

The ban on hunting was only imposed because the Minister insisted. - BUT FOR
the Minister's insistence, the ban wouldn't have been imposed.

We would have had a nice party if he hadn't behaved so badly. - IT WAS HIS
behavior that prevented us from having a nice party.
* We would like to have a copy of your new prospectus. - WOULD YOU BE so
kind as to send us a copy of your new prospectus.

Why should anybody be proud of the fact that they got rid of 200 jobs? - WHY
SHOULD ANYBODY TAKE pride in the fact that they got rid of 200 jobs?

* Travellers consider themselves superior to those who lead a more sedentary life.
(DOWN) - Travellers LOOK DOWN ON those who lead a more sedentary life.

I know I don't make clear what I mean sometimes. (EXPRESS) - I know I don't
EXPRESS MYSELF clearly sometimes.

I only called the police when I had tried everything else. (RESORT) - I only called
the police AS A LAST RESORT.

* The girl's behavior was incomprehensible to the Head Teacher. (LOSS) - The
Head teacher was AT A LOSS to comprehend the girl's behavior.

He threatened the officers with violence. - HE MADE threats of violence against

the officers.

Whatever the methods used to obtain the result, drugs were definitely not
involved. - THERE WAS NO QUESTION of drugs being involved, whatever the
methods used to obtain the result.

* It was the ability to incorporate loan words that made English so rich in
vocabulary. - ENGLISH BECAME rich in vocabulary because of its ability to
incorporate loan words.

To pass the time, I looked through some pictures. - I WHILED AWAY the time by
looking through some pictures.

* The manufacturing process was delayed by problems no one had foreseen.

(HELD) - The manufacturing process WAS HELP UP DUE TO UNFORESEEN
problems.

Eliza would never have got the job if her brother hadn't advised her when she
completed the application form. (WITHOUT) - Eliza would never have got the job
WITHOUT HER BROTHER'S HAVING ADVISED HER WHEN completing the
application form.
* "My trainer's foreign accent makes it hard to follow what she says", Sue said.
(WHICH) - Sue explained to me that it WAS HER TRAINER'S FOREIGN
ACCENT WHICH MADE it hard to follow what he said.

* The guide point out to us the magnificent carvings above the window. (DREW) -
The guide DREW OUR ATTENTION TO the magnificent carvings above the
window.

* We ask passengers not to leave their seats until the aircraft door have been
penned. (REMAIN) - Passengers ARE ASKED TO REMAIN SEATED until the
aircraft doors have been penned.

Keeping calm is the secret of passing your driving test. - AS long as you keep
calm, you will pass your driving test.

I left without saying goodbye as I didn't want to wake him up. - RATHER than
wake him up, I left without saying goodbye.

This liver condition is common among those who drink a lot. - THIS LIVER
CONDITION is common among heavy drinkers.

"I think the whole idea is ridiculous", he said. - HE DISMISSED the whole idea as
being ridiculous.

It shouldn't have surprised me that my children didn't like the new, cheaper ice
cream. - I MIGHT have known that my children wouldn't like the new, cheaper
ice-cream.

Her lateness made the boss angry. (BANANAS) - IT WAS BECAUSE SHE was
late that her boss WENT BANANAS

GO BANANAS
- to go ape
- to hit the roof
- to blow your top
- to see red
She wore headphone in order not to disturb anyone. - SHE WORE HEADPHONE
LEST she should disturb anyone.
She is not very good at arranging flowers. (FLAIR) - She doesn't have much of a
FLAIR for arranging flowers.

Bill changed his ways when he came out of prison. (LEAF) - Bill TURNED
OVER A NEW LEAF when he came out of prison.

You must not, I repeat not, open this box until Christmas Day. - UNDER no
circumstances is this box to be opened until Christmas Day.

Sorry, you can't do whatever you want. (PICK) - SORRY, YOU'RE NOT IN the
position to pick and choose.

This vase seems too big for this small table. (PROPORTION) - THIS VASE
LOOKS OUT OF PROPORTION for this small table.

A lot of awards on his wall point to his great success. (TESTIMONY) - THE
NUMEROUS awards on his wall BEAR TESTIMONY TO his great success.

BEAR TESTIMONY/WITNESS
- to say you know that sth is true

Concerns about job and public safety are more important than other issues. (SEAT)
- OTHER issues have to TAKE A BACK SEAT TO this concerns about job and
public safety.

Your license may be suspended if you refuse to take the breathalyzer. - REFUSAL
to take the breathalyzer may lead to your LICENSE SUSPENSION.

Venezuelan mourners queued for hours to attend the funeral of the country's late
leader, Hugo Chavez. (TRIBUTE) - VENEZUELAN MOURNERS LINED up for
hours to PAY TRIBUTE TO their late leader, Hugo Chavez.

A lot of good men have been destroyed by drink. - MANY A good man HAS been
destroyed by drink.
* She was embarrassed when she realized that everyone was listening to her
singing. - MUCH to her embarrassment, she realized that everyone was listening
to her singing.
Mr. Tipper's wife was very sorry she couldn't celebrate the New Year with her
husband. - MRS. TIPPER GREATLY regretted not being able to celebrate the
New Year with her husband.

The journalists only heard about the changes to the wedding plans when they
arrived at the venue. - IT WAS ONLY when they arrived at the avenue THAT the
journalists heard about the changes to the wedding.

* Success in the academic field depends on your ability to amass qualifications. -

THE MORE qualifications you are able to amass, the more success you will
have.

Do you have any idea how Jack made enough money to buy that new sports car.
(LIGHT) - Can you SHED LIGHT ON how Jack made enough money to buy that
new sports car?

SHED/CAST/THROW LIGHT ON STH

- to explain

* The stranded climber would never have been rescued if his brother hadn't had an
ingenious plan. (INGENUITY) - But for his brother's INGENUITY, the stranded
climber would never have been rescued.

* When I started to work, I was so inexperienced that I didn't know how to send a
fax. (CLUE) - I didn't HAVE A CLUE how to send a fax when I started to work.

NOT HAVE A CLUE

- to not know sth/how to do sth

Nobody knows what caused the collapse of the building. - IT'S unknown what
caused the collapse of the building.

* We aren't willing to support the strike, we don't approve it. - FAR FROM being
willing to support the trike, we don't approve it.
FAR FROM DOING/BEING STH
- almost opposite to doing/being sth

* His mood began to improve as soon as he drank a glass of wine. - SCARCELY

had he drunk a glass of wine when his mood began to improve.
SCARCELY... WHEN
- hardly... when
- no sooner... than

Were Mike not so affluent a man, Ann wouldn't be dating him. - BUT for Mike's
affluence, Ann wouldn't be dating him.

* Apart from a few minor mistakes, you did a good job on the whole. - BY AND
LARGE, you did a good job.

BY AND LARGE
- generally
- in general
- generally speaking
- the long and the short of it

* Diane finds that creating things tops her from thinking about her work. (MIND)
- Diane finds that creating things TAKES HER MIND OFF her work.

The manager praised one particular player. (SINGLED) - One particular player
was SINGLED OUT FOR praise by the manager.

SINGLE SB OUT FOR STH

- to choose one person from a group, usually for praise or criticism

He is said to be a very good pianist. - HE HAS a reputation for being a very good
pianist.

* I have little confidence that he will be able to do the job. - I HAVE SERIOUS
doubts about his ability to do the job.

I agreed to do the work because I understood that I would be paid for it. - MY
UNDERSTANDING WHEN I agreed to do the work was that I'd be paid for it.

* Those of us at the back couldn't hear most of the play. (INAUDIBLE) - Most of
the play was INAUDIBLE TO those of us at the back.

INAUDIBLE
- unable to be heard
Sean did all the illustration for the book but no one acknowledged his work.
(CREDIT) - Sean wasn't GIVEN ANY CREDIT for doing all the illustration for
the book.

GIVE SB CREDIT (for doing sth)

- to acknowledge

* Having finished your studies, you must decide what to do next. (FUTURE) - You
must decide upon your FUTURE now that you have finished your studies.

We didn't phone you in case we woke you up. (SO) - We didn't phone you SO AS
NOT TO wake you up.

Only Martha survived the crash. (SOLE) - Martha was THE SOLE survivor of the
crash.

Now that their parents have consented to their marriage, their future happiness is
guaranteed. (STANDS) - Now that they have their parents' CONSENT to marry,
nothing STANDS IN THE WAY of their future happiness.

STAND IN THE WAY OF SB/STH

- to prevent
- to forbid
- to not allow

Puzzle-solving is one of her favorite pastimes and always has been. (PASSION) -
She has HAD A PASSION for solving puzzle since she was a child.

HAVE A (consuming) PASSION FOR STH

- to like sth very much
They all agreed that the new dress code was a complete success. (HAILED) - The
new dress code was HAILED as a complete success.

HAIL SB/STH AS STH

- to praise sb/sth

* She know nothing of her husband's impending promotion. (ABOUT) - Little did
she know that her husband was ABOUT to be promoted.
She only ever has one chocolate at a time. (PERMITS) - She never PERMITS
herself more than one chocolate at a time.

PERMIT YOURSELF STH

- to allow yourself to do sth

The police had to let the suspect go because new evidence was produced.
(LIGHT) - The police had to let the suspect go because new evidence was
BROUGHT TO LIGHT.

BRING STH TO LIGHT: làm rõ

- to make public
- to discover sth

Don't let her relaxed manner deceive you; she is an extremely shrewd woman.
(TAKEN) - Don't let yourself be TAKEN IN by her relaxed manner; she is an
extremely shrewd woman.

TAKE SB IN (often passive)

- to deceive
- to fool
- to have sb on

I feel that I don't fit in with the people in the new office. (FISH) - I feel LIKE A
FISH OUT OF WATER with the people in the new office.

LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER

- strange and awkward
- not familiar
The two children began to argue fiercely about who had damaged the bicycle.
(BROKE) - A fierce argument BROKE OUT between the two children about who
had damaged the bicycle.

* It's important to be well-prepared for an interview because if you make a

mistake, you may not get the job. - A MISTAKE IN AN INTERVIEW MAY
COST you a job so it is important to be well-prepared.

"Nothing will persuade me to sleep in that haunted house", she said. - SHE
FLATLY refused to sleep in that haunted house.
The news that the Prime Minister had resigned came as a great shock to everyone.
- EVERYONE WAS TAKEN aback by the news that the Prime Minister had
resigned.

TAKEN ABACK
- surprised
- shocked

* A computer breakdown was blamed for the delayed despatch of the brochures. -
A COMPUTER BREAKDOWN WAS GIVEN as the reason for the delayed
despatch of the brochures.

* It would be much better for you to ask someone who really knows about the law.
- YOU'D BE FAR better off asking someone who really knows the law.

* When I made my suggestion, he laughed. - HE GREETED my suggestion with

laughter.

Why is it so funny that I want to learn the saxophone? - WHAT'S SO FUNNY

about my wanting to learn the saxophone?

* Considering how young he is, he has achieved a lot. - IF YOU BEAR HIS age in
mind, he has achieved a lot.

* Jane enjoys looking after young children very much. - JANE GETS a lot of
enjoyment out of looking after children.
GET ENJOYMENT OUT OF DOING STH
- to enjoy

By the beginning of the next century, we will have used up all fossil fuels. (OUT) -
FOSSIL FUELS will have RUN OUT by the beginning of the next century.

She gets bored quickly at parties because there is so much trivial conversation.
(SMALL) - Too much SMALL TALK is the reason why she gets bored quickly at
parties.

SMALL TALK: chuyện phiếm

Your excuse are beginning to sound unconvincing to me. (THIN) - Your excuses
are WEARING THIN as far as I'm concerned.

WEAR THIN
- to become weaker or unacceptable

You can rely on Kate to always say exactly what she thinks. (COUNT) - You can
always COUNT ON Kate to always say exactly what she thinks.

* We have no seats left for the concert on December 14th. - ALL THE seats for the
concert on December 14th have been booked.

*** Mary knew what the answer was after reading the book. - BY THE TIME
Mary finished reading the book, she knew what the answer was.

The people who were at the meeting will say nothing to the press. - NOBODY
who was at the meeting will say anything to the press.

Every day, it's the same routine in my job. - DAY IN, DAY OUT, it's the same
routine in my job.

I find his clothes the most irritating about him. - WHAT MOST irritates me about
him is his clothes.

Will you please stay with me for a while? (COMPANY) - Will you KEEP ME
COMPANY for a while?
KEEP SB COMPANY
- to stay with sb so that they're not alone

He got angry because we all disagreed with him. (TEMPER) - He LOST HIS
TEMPER because we all disagreed with him.

LOSE YOUR TEMPER

- to blow your top
- to hit the roof
- to see red
- to fly into a temper/fury/rage
We hadn't been told about the removal until last Friday. - IT WAS NOT until last
Friday that we WERE told about the removal.

* The inspector showed us four potential hazards. - THE INSPECTOR DREW our
attention to four potential hazards.

He would do anything to win the girl's hand. (LENGTHS) - He would GO TO

GREAT LENGTHS to win the girl's hand.

GO TO GREAT LENGTHS
- to go to great pains
- to take great pains
- to be at pains
- to try/endeavour

I think those tools will prove useful. (HANDY) - I think those tools will COME
IN HANDY.

COME IN HANDY
- to prove useful

Since their father's death, they have had serious financial problems. (STRAITS) -
Since their father's death, they have been IN DIRE STRAITS.

IN DIRE STRAITS: quẫn túng

- very poor
I advise you to stop smoking cigarettes. (SHOES) - If I were IN YOUR SHOES, I
would stop smoking.

IN YOUR SHOES
- in your position
- if I were you

* John has taken it upon himself to look after the baby tomorrow. (COMMITTED)
- John has COMMITTED HIMSELF TO LOOKING after the baby.

COMMIT YOURSELF TO DOING STH

- to promise sincerely to do sth
Further progress was impossible because of the flood. - THE FLOODS made
further progress impossible.

* That's the second time this year that Susan refused to marry him. (DOWN) -
Susan has TURNED DOWN his proposal of marriage twice this year.

* Your examination results will determine whether or not you get into university.
(ON) - Your entry to university DEPENDS ON your examination results.

He oftens gets ill at this time of the year. (PRONE) - He's PRONE TO GETTING
ill at this time of the year.

I am not normally keen on cycling at the weekend. (IN) - I don't normally GO IN

FOR cycling at the weekend.

GO IN FOR STH
- to do sth regularly
- to enjoy sth

* Buying new clothes is something I almost never make the effort to do. - I
HARDLY bother buying new clothes.

* There is nobody in this office that will offer a different opinion to the one I gave
one. - WHOEVER you ask in thi office will say the same thing as I did.
"Without the rapid growth in population there would be fewer food shortages". -
HE BLAMES the food shortages ON the rapid growth in population. HE
BLAMES the rapid growth in population FOR the food shortages.

* Not a word came out of her mouth. (LOST) - She was LOST FOR WORDS.

That hotel is a bit too expensive for us, I'm afraid. - That hotel is a bit BEYOND
OUR REACH , I'm afraid.

BEYOND YOUR REACH

- you can't afford it

I don't think it was reasonable of you to complain so much about the service.
(MAKE) - I don't think it was reasonable of you to MAKE SUCH A FUSS
ABOUT the service.
Robert was offended when he was left out of the team. (EXCEPTION) - Robert
TOOK EXCEPTION TO being left out of the team.

* Ours is the only company allowed to import these chemicals. - Our company
HAS A MONOPOLY OVER importing these chemicals.

HAVE A MONOPOLY OVER STH: chiếm độc quyền

* There was nothing we could do to stop him. (POWERLESS) - We were

POWERLESS to stop him.

* I'm on the tenth page of the report I am writing. - So far I have written ten pages
of the report.

On receipt of your cheque, we shall send the goods to you. - AS SOON AS we

receive your cheque, we shall send the goods to you.

* These new machines have put an end to queuing. - BEFORE these new
machines, people had to queue.

I had to clear the spare room before I could start decorating. (CLEARED) - Only
when I had CLEARED the room could I start decorating.
* Buying a plane ticket at the last minute isn't often possible. (TO) - Rarely is it
possible TO buy a plane ticket at the last minute.

He didn't ask her anything about her study. (QUESTION) - Not a single
QUESTION did he ask her about her study.

Einstein proved that energy and mass are basically the same thing. - What
EINSTEIN PROVED WAS THAT energy and mass are basically the same thing.

You can do jogging anytime whatever the weather is like. - You can do jogging at
anytime, COME RAIN OR SHINE.

COME RAIN OR SHINE

- come what may
- whatever happens
Mary was born in a village very far away from the city. (NOWHERE) - Marry was
born in a village IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

- remote
- far away

Jim played truant this morning, so his father has punished him severely. (BOOK) -
Jim played truant this morning, so his father has THROWN THE BOOK AT HIM.

THROW THE BOOK AT SB

- to punish sb severely

* Coming to class late is inexcusable. (EXCUSE) - There is no EXCUSE FOR

coming to class late.

The construction workers recklessly disregarded the safety at work. (SHOWED) -

The construction workers SHOWED a reckless disregard for the safety at work.

They have known each other since they were at infant school. (INFANTS) - They
have known each other since they were IN THE INFANTS.
THE INFANTS
- infant school

I was surprised to discover that the hotel was a long way from the center.
(TURNED) - To my surprise, the hotel TURNED OUT to be a long way from the
center.

He easily loses his temper. (FLIES) - He easily FLIES INTO A TEMPER.

FLY INTO A TEMPER/FURY/RAGE

- to blow your top
- to hit the roof
- to see red
- to go ballistic

* I find Tom's behavior quite incomprehensible. (LOSS) - I find myself AT A

LOSS to comprehend Tom's behavior.
They've been arguing about the motorway extension for years. (BONE) - The
proposed motorway extension has been A BONE OF CONTENTION for years.

BONE OF CONTENTION
- sth sb argue about.

I'm afraid our problems are just beginning. (ICEBERG) - The problems are just
THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG, I'm afraid.

THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG

- the lull before the storm
- the calm before the storm

You don't have to buy one if you don't like it. - YOU ARE UNDER no obligation
to buy one if you don't like it.

* There aren't many other books which explained this problem so well. - IN FEW
OTHER BOOKS in this problem well-explained.

* His condition improved so rapidly that he went home four days after the
operation. - THERE was such a rapid improvement IN his condition that he went
home four days after the operation.

* You're a trainee for three months and then you become a junior employee. -
YOU BECOME A JUNIOR EMPLOYEE ONCE you have been a trainee for
three months.

* The cause of the explosion is still unknown. - NOBODY knows what caused the
explosion.

I think you misunderstood, Kevin. - I think you must have GOT THE WRONG
END OF THE STICK, Kevin.

You only have a short time to do this work, so don't waste time. - You are
WORKING AGAINST THE CLOCK, so don't waste time.

DO STH AGAINST TIME/THE CLOCK

- to do sth as fast as possible
* They painted the wall very well. (MADE) - They MADE A GOOD JOB OF
painting the wall.

DO/MAKE A GOOD/BAD JOB OF STH

- to do sth well/badly

* Although he is young, there are several ministers even younger than him.
(MEANS) - Although he is young, he is BY NO MEANS the youngest minister.

* Williams remained silent throughout the meeting. - Williams MADE NO

CONTRIBUTION TO the discussion at the meeting.

* They could not warn people by electronic mail because that might spread the
computer virus. (FEAR) - They could not warn people by electronic mail FOR
FEAR OF spreading the computer virus.

* He used to be a teacher, so he really knows what it's like in the classroom.

(FIRST-HAND) - He has FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE of the classroom.

I tried as hard as I could to make sure that this problem would not arise. (POWER)
- I did everything IN MY POWER to prevent this problem for arising.

DO STH IN YOUR POWER

- to do sth you can

* Jill's success could be put down to hard work. - HARD WORK was what caused
Jill's success.

* The sole survivor of the crash was Mary Peters. - MARY PETERS was the only
passenger not killed in the plane crash.

* The number of people who understand his idea exceeds his expectations. -
MORE people understand him than he expects.

* The job is yours provided your references are satisfactory. - THE JOB OFFER is
dependent on your satisfactory references.

* An announcement of engagement appeared in the local paper. - THEIR

ENGAGEMENT was announced in the local paper.
* His efforts to find a solution didn't deserve such savage criticism. - HE
SHOULDN'T have been savagely criticized for his efforts to find a
solution.

* You won't reach the station in less than 20 minutes. - IT WILL TAKE you AT
LEAST 20 minutes to reach the station.

Julie always listens to my complaints about work. - Julie always LENDS AN EAR
TO my complaints about work.

* We must include buying new furniture in our household budget this year.
(ACCOUNTED) - Buying new furniture must be ACCOUNTED FOR in our
household budget this year.

ACCOUNT FOR STH

- to form the total of sth

We should waste no words talking to that stubborn guy. (BREATH) - We should

SAVE OUR BREATH BY not talking to that stubborn guy.
SAVE YOUR BREATH: đừng có phí hơi
- to not talk to sb
- to consider sb not worth talking to

* The writer's writing styles contrasted sharply with his spoken language.
(CONTRAST) - There was a sharp CONTRAST BETWEEN the writer's writing
style and his spoken language.

* What has this experience taught you? (DRAWN) - What CONCLUSION has
you DRAWN FROM this experience?

That reminds me of the time I climbed to the top of Mount Fuji. - THAT TAKES
me back to the time I climbed to the top of Mount Fuji.

People are persuaded by adverts to spend more than they can afford. - ADVERTS
TEMPT people INTO spending more than they can afford.

TEMPT SB INTO DOING STH

- to talk sb into doing sth
* It was pure chance that a policeman was passing as I was attacked. - ONLY by
chance was a policeman passing as I was attacked.

You've got a nerve, implying it was all my fault. - HOW dare you imply that it was
all my fault.

* I was greatly relieved to hear that her condition was not serious. - IT WAS with
great relief to hear that her condition was not serious.

* Be considerate to other road users. - YOU ARE NOT enough to other road

users. * I'd really hate to live in a city. - LIVING in a city is NOT TO MY

LIKING.

* There is a predominance of boys in this class. - THERE ARE more boys than
girls in this class.
Were you to lose your ticket , no duplicate would be issued. - Should YOU LOSE
YOUR TICKET, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE to issue a duplicate.

It was assumed that Roy would marry that rich old lady. - People TOOK IT FOR
GRANTED that Roy would marry that rich old lady.

There were many mistakes in her typing. - Her typing was RIDDLED WITH
MISTAKES.

RIDDLED WITH MISTAKES

- full of mistakes

Things considered, he did try his best to save the company. (FAIRNESS) - IN ALL
FAIRNESS TO HIM, he did try his best to save the company.

IN ALL FAIRNESS TO SB: công bằng mà nói

He failed in everything he did. (BALLOON) - He WENT DOWN LIKE A LEAD

BALLOON.

GO DOWN LIKE A LEAD BALLOON

- unsuccessful
- unaccepted
Don't worry about that. These problems are just imaginary. (MIND) - Don't worry
about that. These problems are ALL IN YOUR MIND.

ALL IN YOUR MIND

- if a problem is all in the mind, it does not exist and is only imagined

Nobody said anything even though they all wanted to say. (PREGNANT) - There
was A PREGNANT SILENCE/PAUSE.

PREGNANT SILENCE/PAUSE
- an occasion when nobody speaks, although people are aware that there are
feelings or thoughts to express

I really think she should stop ignoring me in meetings. (SHOULDER) - It's about
time she STOPPED GIVING ME A COLD SHOULDER in meetings.

GIVE SB A COLD SHOULDER

- to ignore sb
- to give sb the brush-off
- to turn a deaf ear/blind eyes to sth
- to bury your head in the sand
- to close your eyes to sth
- to shut your eyes to sth

* In my opinion, it was an absolute miracle that they survived the accident.

(SHORT) - The fact that they survived the accident was NOTHING SHORT OF an
absolute miracle.

* She disapproved of my suggestion. (DIM) - She TOOK A DIM VIEW OF my

suggestion.

TAKE DIM VIEW OF STH

- to frown on sth
- to disapprove of sth

Payment will be made when the order is received. (RECEIPT) - Payment will be
made ON RECEIPT OF the order.

ON RECEIPT OF STH
- when sth is received
The villagers prepared themselves to withstand the coming storm. (BRACED) -
The villagers BRACED THEMSELVES to withstand the upcoming storm.

BRACE YOURSELF
- to prepare (physically and mentally)

* Organic vegetables are said to be very healthy. (WONDERS) - Organic

vegetables are said to DO WONDERS TO your health.

* The Presidential visit attracted such an enormous crowd that all traffic came to a
standstill. - SO MANY people turned out to see the Presidential visit that all traffic
came to a standstill.
* They declared war on the pretext of defending their territorial rights. - THE
EXCUSE for the declaration of war was the defence of their territorial rights.

* Our science correspondent sees this new inventions the answer to many of our
problems. - ACCORDING to our science correspondent, this invention is the
answer to many of our problems.

* Cheques should only be accepted with proof of identity. - NEVER accept

cheques without proof of identity.

* People no longer smoke so many cigarettes as they used to. - THE smoking of
cigarettes is no longer as popular as it used to be.

* The engine failed because a part had been badly fitted. - THE ENGINE
FAILURE was due to a badly fitted part.

* I'm absolutely sure that they weren't playing in this weather. - THEY CAN'T
have been playing in this weather.

It is not a habit of mine to sleep in the afternoon. - I AM not in the habit of

sleeping in the afternoon.

IN THE HABIT OF DOING STH

- to be used/accustomed/given to doing sth
I would like to express my thanks for everything you've done for me.
(THANKFUL) - I'd like to say HOW THANKFUL I am for everything you've
done for me.

* They probably don't live at the same address anymore. (DOUBT) - I DOUBT
WHETHER THEY ARE LIVING at the same address any more.

The authorities have improved the public transport system here recently.
(IMPROVEMENTS) - The authorities HAVE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS
IN the public transport system here recently.

He seemed to be worried about something. (IMPRESSION) - I GOT THE

IMPRESSION THAT something was worrying him.
GET/HAVE THE IMPRESSION (that...)
- to think/reckon (that...)

When should we collect the books we ordered last week? - When ARE WE
SUPPOSED TO PICK up the books we ordered last week?

It is certain that he will compensate you for the damage he has done. - HE IS
BOUND to make it up to you for the damage he has done.

MAKE IT UP TO SB (for sth)

-

I don't mind staying in on Saturday night if I have good company. - I'M NOT
AVERSE to staying in on Saturday night if I have good company.

NOT AVERSE TO DOING STH

- to not dislike doing sth
- to like doing sth

Helen won't be happy until she gets a full refund. - NOTHING short of a full
refund will SATISFY Helen.

It wasn't very polite of you not to notify them about the change of plans. - YOU
COULD have notified them about the change of plans.
* We were elated by the birth of our first grand-child. - WE were OVER THE
MOON when our first grand-child was born.

OVER THE MOON

- elated
- delighted
- happy

Being her only niece, Ann is very precious to her. (APPLE) - Being her only niece,
Ann is THE APPLE OF HER EYES.

A holiday in the UK is very expensive these days. (ARM) - A holiday in the UK

COSTS YOU AN ARM AND A LEG these days.
COST SB AN ARM AND A LEG
- to charge sb too much
- to be too expensive

* How could you come on Saturday? (SUIT) - How does COMING on Saturday
SUIT you?

There's a possibility that you may be able to get a grant. (ELIGIBLE) - We are
pleased to say that you may be ELIGIBLE to get a grant.

If you wait for a good opportunity until the market improves, you'll get a better
return on your investment. (BIDE) - If you BIDE YOUR TIME until the market
improves, you'll get a better return on your investment.

BIDE YOUR TIME

- to wait calmly for a good opportunity to come

*** Some people are not able to learn English. (UNABLE) - Some people find it
UNABLE to learn English.

* Marry got the wrong end of the stick. - MARRY misunderstood something.

*** The man is a bit over the top when you first meet him. (EXAGGERATED) -
The man is EXAGGERATED IN his behavior when you first meet him.
*** He is rather A COLD FISH when you first meet him. (FORMAL) - He is
FORMAL and a bit unfriendly when you first meet him.

Anne was afraid her neighbors would despise her for not having a washing
machine. (LOOK) - Anne was afraid her neighbors would LOOK DOWN ON
HER/LOOK DOWN THEIR NOSES AT HER for not having a washing machine.

LOOK DOWN ON SB = LOOK DOWN YOUR NOSE AT SB

- to depreciate sb
- to devalue sb
- to despise sb

They don't mind which film they go to. (MATTER) - It doesn't MATTER to them
which film they go to.

* I was not willing to buy the product because it was too expensive. (OFF) - The
sheer expense/cost of the product PUT me OFF buying it.

We never buy things in small quantities as we would make profits. (BULK) - With
a view to making profits, we always buy things IN BULK.

BUY STH IN BULK

- to buy sth a lot

*** We really loved to have a chance to visit the Colosseum but we couldn't.
(FOOT) - We would sooner have had a chance to SET FOOT ON the Colosseum.

* The committee had a long discussion but they could not make up their mind. ._.
(REACH) - Lengthy as their discussion might be, they could not REACH A
CONCLUSION.

He decided to become the boss of a small company instead of working for a

multinational company. (FISH) - In preference to working for a multinational
company, he decided to become a BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND.

IN PREFERENCE TO DOING STH

- rather than do sth
It was not surprising when my parents were furious with my getting a tattoo.
(ARMS) - It came as no surprise that my parents were UP IN ARMS ABOUT my
getting a tattoo.

* You could be in trouble for not giving a breath sample to the police. (HOT) - On
refusal to give a breath sample to the police, you could be IN HOT WATER.

IN HOT WATER/GET INTO HOT WATER

- in trouble
- having problems

* We certainly will win if we exchange ideas with each other. (HEADS) - We are
bound to win if we PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER.
PUT YOUR HEADS TOGETHER
- to exchange ideas
- to discuss sth together

If anyone succeeds in solving the problem right away, it will probably be him.
(SPOT) - He stands a chance of solving the problem ON THE SPOT.

ON THE SPOT
- right away
- at once
- immediately

He is famous for his vast knowledge of primitive religion. (AUTHORITY) - He is

an AUTHORITY ON primitive religion.

AN AUTHORITY ON STH
- an expert at sth
- an old hand at sth
- a master of sth

The disagreement was a lot of a fuss about nothing. (TEACUP) - The

disagreement was A STORM IN A TEACUP.

A STORM IN A TEACUP
- a tempest in a teapot
This is not the first time he has openly disagreed with the party leader. (SWORDS)
- This is not the first time he has CROSSED SWORDS WITH the party leader.

CROSS SWORDS WITH SB

- to argue with sb

He made too many mistakes to be considered for promotion. (FREQUENT) - His

mistakes are too FREQUENT for him to be considered for promotion.

* We found her manner rather off-putting. (BY) - We were put off BY her manner.

* The police said that the circumstances of her death are suspicious. (TREATING)
- The police are TREATING the circumstances of her death as suspicious.

I suggest he doesn't know the right answer. - I DOUBT whether he knows the right
answer.

"You liar!", she said to him. - SHE CALLED him a liar.

His daughter has startling intelligence, though she wastes most evenings playing
games. - INTELLIGENT as his daughter is, she wastes most evenings playing
games.

In a nutshell, Joseph's not up to the job. - THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT,
Joseph's not up to the job.

* What alienated the workforce was that management never consulted them. - IT
WAS the fact that management never consulted them that alienated the workforce.

When are the council going to do something about the city's traffic problem? -
IT'S HIGH TIME SOMETHING was done by the council about the city's traffic
problem.

He is so keen on basketball that he spends almost all of his time playing it. - HIS
KEENNESS on basketball is such that he spends almost all of his time playing
it.

If the government urged you to join the army, would you accept it? - WERE you to
be urged to join the army BY the government, would you accept it?
* The harvest workers think they were maltreated. (CLAIM) - The harvest
workers CLAIM to have been maltreated.

After years of arguing about who would be the first heir, all the members of the
family agreed to forget their differences. - Who WOULD BE THE FIRST HEIR
has been settled among ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY by BURYING
THEIR HATCHET.

BURY THE HATCHET

- to stop arguing and become friends again
He seems to be more active because he has won a scholarship to study overseas.
(LEASE) - That he has won a scholarship to study overseas GIVES HIM A NEW
LEASE OF LIFE.

GIVE SB A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

- to make sb more energetic and active than before

Sometimes I have got a bad memory, so most importantly I need regular practice.
- First and foremost I need regular practice because I have got a MEMORY/MIND
LIKE A SIEVE

MEMORY/MIND LIKE A SIEVE

- to be very absent-minded

* Maldivies attract hordes of tourists to its beach resorts and 24-hour bustling
nightlife. (CLOCK) - It is Maldivies' beach resorts and ROUND-THE-CLOCK
nightlife that tourists are attracted to.

* The company tried unsuccessfully to secure a bank loan. (AVAIL) - The

company's efforts were TO NO AVAIL IN securing a bank loan.

TO NO AVAIL (in sth)

- in vain
- without success

* If Mary were feeling well, she would have come to Tom's party. (SINCE) - Mary
must be ill SINCE she didn't come to Tom's party.
* In my opinion, computers are more trouble than they're worth. (HINDRANCE) -
In my opinion, computers are more of a HINDRANCE than a help.

HINDRANCE
- something that causes trouble and difficulty

There was hardly any movement in the traffic in front of us. (INCHED) - The
traffic INCHED ALONG in front of us.

INCH
- to move very slowly

* The letter arrived completely unexpectedly this morning. (BLUE) - The letter
arrived completely OUT OF THE BLUE this morning.

Sam was really anxious, waiting to see if he had got a place in the cricket team.
(TENTERHOOKS) - Sam was ON TENTERHOOKS, waiting to see if he had got
a place in the cricket team.

ON TENTERHOOKS
- worried/anxious/nervous
- sitting on pins and needles
- at wits' end

Harry was disappointed to hear the news that the match had been cancelled. -
News of the cancellation of the match CAME AS A DISAPPOINTMENT to
Harry.

At this time of year, the area often affected by violence storm. - At this time of
year, the area often FEELS THE EFFECTS OF the violence storm

*** The tree blown down in the storm were not cleared away for weeks. - It WAS
WEEKS BEFORE the tree blown down in the storm were cleared away.

* There were very little paper left in the printer. - The printer had almost RUN OF
OUT paper.

* Without access to the statistics, I will not be able to complete the report.
(HOLD) - Unless I GET HOLD OF the statistics, the report will not be completed.

GET HOLD OF STH

- to find sb/sth
- to obtain sth

* The suspect could not explain why he had sand in his boots. (ACCOUNT) - The
suspect could not ACCOUNT FOR why he sand in his boots.

* He is too irresponsible to run the department. (CHARGE) - He is not responsible

to be IN CHARGE OF the department.

* Sheila is worried about the proposed changes at work. (PROSPECT) - The

PROSPECT of changes at work makes Sheila worry.

I can recommend you to the manager; I'm a friend of his. (WORD) - I can PUT IN
A GOOD WORD FOR you to the manager; I'm a friend of his.

Martine cannot go any higher in his career. (PINNACLE) - Martine has

REACHED THE PINNACLE OF his career.

REACH THE PINNACLE OF STH

- to reach the most successful part of sth

* The board had a secret meeting in order to discuss changes in the company.
(DOORS) - The board met BEHIND CLOSED DOORS in order to discuss
changes in the company.

He got up very early this morning. (CRACK) - He got up AT THE CRACK OF

DAWN this morning.

AT THE CRACK OF DAWN

- very early in the morning
~ the small hours

* Even though Simon rarely has a lot of money, he always buys his mom a
birthday present. - HOWEVER short of money Simon is, he always buys his mom
a birthday present.

* It would have taken a miracle to save the paintings from the fire. - NOTHING
short of a miracle would have saved the paintings from the fire.