Nội dung lý thuyết
Ngữ động từ là động từ ghép gồm có một động từ và một giới từ, trạng từ hoặc với cả hai. Các ngữ động từ không có nghĩa do các từ kết hợp lại nên chúng mình phải học thuộc nghĩa của chúng.
turn down (bác bỏ), break down (hỏng máy), give up (từ bỏ)
- We put out the fire
- We put the fire out
- We put it out (KHÔNG được nói we put out it)
- We should go over the whole project
- We should go over it
- When we got to the airport, the plane had taken off
- His grandfather passed away last year.
- We’ve put up with our noisy neighbours for years.
- The machine stopped working because it ran out of fuel.
Các ngữ động từ thường có nghĩa khác với nghĩa của các thành phần tạo nên chúng. Tuy nhiên, trong một số trường hợp các em có thể dễ dàng đoán được nghĩa của chúng từ qua việc nắm vững nghĩa của các giới từ và trạng từ thông dụng.
cut down a tree, pull down a building, knock him down
write down the number, copy down the address, note down a lecture
turn down the volume, slow down, (a fire) that lied down
break down, close down
set off a journey, a plane that took off, a book cover that came off, see a friend off at the airport, sells goods off cheaply
turn off/ switch off the television, cut off the electricity, ring off
have a shirt on, put the shoes on, try a coat on
keep on doing something, work on late, hang on/ hold on
turn on/ switch on the light, leave the radio on
put out a fire, blow out a candle, wipe out the dirt, cross out a word
clean out the table, fill out a form, work out the answer
give out/ hand out copies, share out the food between them
read out the names, shout out, cry out, speak out
make out the meanings, point out a mistake, pick out the best
read over/ check over something, think over/ talk over a problem, go over a report
turn off the volume, blow up/ pump up a tyre, step up production
eat/ drink it up, use up something, clear up/ tidy up the mess, pack up a suitcase, cut up into pieces, lock up before leaving, sum up a situation.
If you don’t believe me, ask Bill. He’ll back me up
They blew up the bridge
What brought about the change in his attitude?
We must bring the price of the product down if we are going to be competitive
My friend brought up that matter again
He was born and brought up in a good environment
They called off the meeting
He carried on the task while others had left
Mary’s unhappy- we should do something to cheer her up
She cleaned up the spare room
He cut down the numbet of employees in his company
I’m sorry but your writing is not good enough. You’ll have to do it over.
The residents of the building drew up a plan to catch the thief
He filled out the job application form
She filled up the jug with the water
She found out the truth
Can you figure out how to do it?
He gave away his clothes to the poor
He hasn’t given bacjk my book yet.
You should always keep trying. Don’t give up!
The students handed in their essays.
Peter, please hand these copies out to the class.
We were talking when she suddenly hung up the phone
I was held up in the traffic for nearly 2 hours.
His company has laid off another 50 people this week.
He left out all the prepositions
He really let me down by not finishing the assignment
I am going to look the house over next week
She had to look up too many words in the dictionary
He made up a story about how he got robbed on the way to work.
He was so far away, we really couldn’t make out what he was saying.
He passed the news on to the president
She picked out some very nice clothes
He had to leave early to pick up hí daughter.
She pointed out the mistakes.
They put away the books
He asked me to put off the meeting until tomorrow
He put on his hat and left
They arrived in time to put out the fire.
They set up a new office in
Take down the instructions
He took off hia hat when he saw her
CBS Records was taken over by Sony
Don’t throw the book away.
She tried on five blouses in the shop
I tried out the car before I bought it
Could you turn down the radio, please?
His application was turned down
The prince was turned into a frog by the witch
We turned off the television
Would you mind turning on the cassette player?
They have used up all the money.
Someone broke into my apartment last night and stole the money.
He called on his friend
This plan called for a lot of effort
He cared for his sick father for three years
I came across a photo of my grandmother yesterday when I was cleaning the house.
I counted on him to show me what to do.
It took me two weeks to get over the flu
The students went over the material before the exam
Have you heard from him lately?
Who is looking after your dog?
He’s looking for his keys
The police are looking into the murder
I ran across my old roommate at the college reunion.
I ran into my old friend on the way to school
stand for (thay cho, đại diện cho)
VIP stands for “very important person”
He takes after his mother
The car has broken down.
The war broke out when the talks failed.
He catches on very quickly. You never have to explain twice.
I will never come back to this place
They came in through the back door
He was hit on the head very hard, but after several minutes, he started to come to again
The children promised to come over, but they never do.
That issue never came up during the meeting.
The dispuse had lied down and he was able to lead a normal life again.
We should dress up to go to the theater.
If you come to our town, please drop by to see us
Do you feel like eating out tonight?
How are you getting on in your new job?
He got up early to go to the airport.
I’ll never go back to that place
The gun wen off when he was cleaning it
Suddenly the lights went off.
I though he would stop, but he just went on
What’s going on here?
The price of gas went up by 5 %
This is the town where I grew up
Could you hold on a minute, please?
The kept on looking for the dog
She passed out when she heard the news.
A black car has just pulled up outside your front door
We set off very early
He’s always showing off about how much money he has got.
He didn’t show up last night
Can you speak up a little? I can’t hear you?
The plane is taking off
She invited a lot of people to her party, but only a few turned up.
He broke in on our conversation
She left an hour ago. I’ll never catch up with her now.
He has come in for a lot of criticism lately
He came up with a very good idea
He’s trying to cut down on cigarettes
Most students want to do away with the present curriculum
A lot of students dropped out of school last yerar.
You must face up to the fact that you can’t do the job.
This is the third time you have been late this week. You’re not going to away with it again.
It’s time to get down to business
Do you get on with your neighbours?
When will you ever get through with that project?
Salaries are not keeping up with inflation.
I look forward to the holiday.
He looks down on his neighbours
Slow down. Look out for children crossing.
He really looks up to his older brother.
I got up late; I’ve spent all day making up for lost time.
I can’t put up with him any more. He’s so rude
The car has run out of petrol
1. CATS AND DOGS: rain heavily
=> It's rainingcats and dogs = It's raining heavily
2. CHALK ANDCHEESE: very different from each other
=> I don't haveanything in common with my brother. We're like chalk and cheese.
3. HERE AND THERE: everywhere
=> I have been looking here and there for thegift I bought for my girlfriend.
4. A HOT POTATO: something that is difficult ordangerous to deal with (vấn đề nan giải, nóng hổi)
=> The abortion issue is a political hot potatoin the US.
5. AT THE DROP OF THE HAT: immediately, instantly
=> If you need me, just call me. I can come atthe drop of a hat.
6. BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: time to start from the beginning ; it is time toplan something over again (bắt đầu lại từ đầu)
=> My plans tocreate a tiny car made of glasses were unsuccessful, so I guess it is back tothe drawing board.
7. BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH: avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about the issue. (nói vòngvo, không vô vấn đề chính)
=> Stop beatingabout the bush and answer myquestion.
8. BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD: a good inventionor innovation; a good idea or plan. (ý tưởng hay, tốt)
=> Portable phones are marketed as the bestthing since sliced bread; people think they are extremely good.
9. BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL: to stay up working,especially studying late at night (thức khuya làm việc, học bài)
=> I will have a big exam tomorrow so I'll beburning the midnight oil tonight.
10. CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO STOOLS: when someone findsit difficult to choose between two alternatives (lưỡng lự, không biết lựa chọncái nào, do dự)
=> I was caught between two stools when I hadto choose which shirt to hang out with my girlfriends.
11.BREAK A LEG = good luck
12. HIT THE BOOKS = to study
13. LET THE CAT OUTOF THE BAG: to reveal a secret or a surprise by accident ( để lộ bí mật)
=> It's asecret. Try not to let the cat out of the bag.
14. WHEN PIGS FLY = something will never happen (chuyện viễn vông, không tưởng)
15. SCRATCH SOMEONE'S BACK: helpsomeone out with the assumption that they will return the favor in the future(giúp ai với mong muốn sau này người ta sẽ giúp lại mình)
=> "You scratch my back and I will scratchyours," the customer said when we talked about the new sales contact.
16.HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD: do or say something exactly right (đoán, nói trúngphóc)
=> Mike hit thenail on the head when he said most people can use a computer without knowinghow it works.
17. TAKESOMEONE/SOMETHING FOR GRANTED: coi nhẹ
=> One of theproblems with relationships is that after a while you begin to take each otherfor granted.
18. TAKE SOMETHINGINTO ACCOUNT/CONSIDERATION: toremember to consider something (tính đến cái gì)
=> We will take your long years of service intoaccount when we make our final decision.
19. KEEP AN EYE ON SB/STH: để ý, để tâm đến ai
=> Please keep an eye on my baby while I amout.
20. PUT SOMEONE/SOMETHING AT SOMEONE'S DISPOSAL: tomake someone or something available to someone (có sẵn cho ai sử dụng theo ýmuốn)
=> I'd be glad to help you if you need me. Iput myself at your disposal.
21. SPLITTING HEADACHE (N): a severe headache (đau đầu như búa bổ)
=> I've got asplitting headache. I'm going upstairs for a nap.
22. OFF THE PEG: may sẵn (quần áo)
=> If I buytrousers off the peg, they're always too short.
23. ON THE HOUSE: không phải trả tiền
=> I went to arestaurant last night. I was the ten thousandth customer, so my dinner was onthe house.
24. HIT THE ROOF = GO THROUGH THE ROOF = HIT THE CEILING: to suddenly become angry (giận dữ)
=> I'm afraid he will hit the roof when hefinds out our vacation is cancelled.
25. BRING DOWN THE HOUSE: làm cho cả khán phòng vỗtay nhiệt liệt
=> Bin's voice brought the house down. Hereally brought down the house with his fantastic song.
26. PAY THROUGH THE NOSE: to pay too much for something (trả giá đắt)
=> If you wantdecent wine in a restaurant, you will have to pay through the nose for it.
27. BY THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH: sát sao
=> I gotthrough calculus class by the skin of my teeth.
=> I got to theairport a few minutes late and missed the plan by the skin of my teeth.
28. PULL SOMEONE'S LEG: chọc ai
=> You don't mean that.You're just pulling my leg.
29. IT STRIKE SB AS/THAT A STRANGE: lấy làm lạ
=> I stroke me as a strange when he came toclass early this morning.
30. HIGH AND LOW = HERE AND THERE: everywhere
=> I have been searching high and low for thegift I bought for Hà An for a whole day.
31.THE MORE, THE MERRIER: càng đông, càng vui
=> Of courseyou can have a ride with us! The more, the merrier.
32. SPICK AND SPAN: ngăn nắp, gọn gàng
=> The kitchenwas spick and span as ever, every surface wiped down and everything in itsplace.
33. EVERY NOW AND THEN = sometimes
=> Every nowand then, I want to be alone.
34. PART AND PARCEL: integral, crucial (quan trọng,thiết yếu)
=> Being recognised in the street is all partand parcel of being famous.
35. GO TO ONE'S HEAD: khiến ai kiêu ngạo
=> Don't let all this praises go to your head.
=> Too much success will go to her head.
36.BE ON THE WAGON: kiêng rượu
=> Bob's olddrinking buddies complained that he was no fun when he went on the wagon.
37. ONCE IN A BLUEMOON: rất hiếm
=> Once in ablue moon, I stop thinking about her. If only she knew how much I love her.
38. ON THE SPOT: immediately (ngay lập tức)
=> I will be there on the spot.
39. FEW AND FAR BETWEEN: hiếm gặp
=> Go and tell her that you love her! That kindof girl is really few and far between.
40. ON THE VERGE OF = ON THE BRINK OF = IN THE EDGE: bên bờ vực (cẩn thận với giới từ "on" và "in" nhé!)
=> We have to protect elephants. They are onthe verge of extinction.
41.LEAD SOMEBODY BY THE NOSE: to control someone and make them do exactly what you want them to do (nắm đầu, dắt mũi ai)
=> They simplydidn't know what they were doing and they were led by the nose by amanipulative government
42. AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR: vào phút chót
=> She alwaysturned her term paper in at the eleventh hour.
43. FIND FAULTWITH: chỉ trích, kiếm chuyện, bắt lỗi
=> It is very easy to find fault with the workothers.
44. OFF AND ON/ ON AND OFF: không đều đặn, thỉnhthoảng
=> We don't often go there- just off and on.
45. MAKE BELIEVE: giả bộ, giả vờ
=> I tried to make believe she was happy, butknew deep down it was not true.
46. MAKE GOOD TIME: di chuyển nhanh, đi nhanh.
=> We made good time and were at the hotel bylunch time.
47. LOOK DAGGERS AT SOMEONE: giận giữ nhìn ai đó
=> Their relationship is not free and easy butat least he is no longer looking daggers at her.
48. BE OUT OF THE QUESTION: không thể được
=> You cannot get married until you are 18,it's out of the question.
49. ALL AT ONCE = suddenly: bất thình lình
=> All at once, there was a loud banging on thedoor.
50. BLOW ONE'S TRUMPET: bốc phét, khoác lác
=> Anyone will tell you she's one of the bestjournalist we've got, although she'd never blow her trumpet.
51.SLEEP ON IT: suy nghĩ thêm về điều gì đó.
=> You don'thave to give me your decision now. Sleep on it, and let me know tomorrow.
52. FIGHT TOOTH AND CLAW / NAIL: đánh nhau dữ dội, cấu xé nhau
=> We foughttooth and claw to retain our share of business.
53. PLAY TRICKS /JOKES ON: chọc phá, trêu ghẹo, chơi khăm
=> The kids arealways play jokes on their teachers.
54. DOWN THE DRAIN: đổ sông đổ biển (công sức, tiềnbạc)
=> It's just money down the drain.
55. SMELL A RAT: hoài nghi, linh cảm chuyện không ổn
=> The minute I came in, I smelled a rat.
56. THE LAST STRAW: giọt nước tràn ly
=> When sheshowed up late a third time, that was the last straw. We had to fire her.
57. GET THE HANG OF SOMETHING: nắm bắt được, sử dụng được
=> After threeweeks of using this computer, I think I've finally got the hand of it.
58. HARD OF HEARING: lãng tai, nặng tai
=> Tom is hardof hearing. Therefore, we have to speak loudly so that he can hear us.
59. KEEP AN EYE ON: coi chừng, ngó chừng
=> Please keep an eye on my baby while I'm outfor a while.
60. HAVE A BEE IN ONE'S BONNET (ABOUT SOMETHING):đặt nặng chuyện gì, chấp nhất chuyện gì
=> She has a bee in her bonnet about going toAmerica.
61. GET/HAVE COLD FEET: mất hết can đảm, chùn bước
=> I'm worriedmy friends may be getting cold feet about the university entrance exam.Therefore, I will try my best to help them overcome this severe exam.
62. ON SECOND THOUGHTS: suy nghĩ kĩ
=> On second thoughts, it was a dumb movie.
63. IN VAIN: uổng công, vô ích
=> All the doctor’s efforts were in vain and the man soon died.
64. CHIP IN: khuyên góp, góp tiền
=> If everyone chips in, we will be able to buyher a nice present.
65. OFF ONE'S HEAD: điên, loạn trí
=> The old man has been off his head for atleast a year.
66. RUN AN ERRAND: làm việc vặt
=> I've got torun an errand. I'll be back in a minute.
67. JUMP THETRAFFIC LIGHTS: vượt đèn đỏ
=> They ignore people who jumps the traffic lights.
68. FLY OFF THE HANDLE: dễ nổi giận, phát cáu
=> No one willfly off the handle for no reason.
69. THE APPLE OF ONE'S EYES: đồ quý giá của ai
=> You are the apple of my eyes.
70. BUCKET DOWN: mưa xối xả, mưa to
=> It's been bucketing down all day.
71. CLOSE SHAVE = NARROW ESCAPE: thoát chết trong gang tấc
=> Phew, thatwas a close shave. I was so lucky.
72. DROP A BRICK :lỡ lời, lỡ miệng
=> I dropped abrick when talking with my best friend, and now he doesn't want to talk to me.
73. GET BUTTERFLIES IN ONE'S STOMACH: cảm thấy bồn chồn
=> I always getbutterflies in my stomach when it comes to taking test.
74. OFF THE RECORD: không chính thức, không đượccông bố
=> What the president said is not to beprinted. It's off the record.
75. ONE'S CUP OF TEA: thứ mà ta thích
=> SNSD is my cup of tea. They are so beautifuland talented. Especially Seohyun, she looks so cute.
76. CUT IT FINE: đến sát giờ
=> Only allowing half an hour to get from the station to the airport is cutting itfine, isn't it?
77. GOLDEN HANDSHAKE: món tiền hậu hĩnh dành cho người sắp nghỉ việc
=> The managergot early retirement and a 600,000$ golden handshake when the company wasrestructed.
78. PUT ON AN ACT: giả bộ, làm bộ
=> We've knownyou are a good swimmer - stop putting on an act.
79. COME TO LIGHT: được biết đến, được phát hiện,được đưa ra ánh sáng.
=> Four soldiers have faced charges since thescandal came to light last fall.
80. TAKE THINGS TO PIECES: tháo ra từng mảnh
=> Men like to take things to pieces and putthem together.
81. PUT ONE'S FOOT IN IT: gây nhầm lẫn, bối rối, phạm một sai lầm gây bối rối
=> I really putmy foot in it when I asked her about her job. I didn't know she'd just beenfired.
82. PULL ONE'SWEIGHT: nỗ lực, làm tròn trách nhiệm
=> The rest ofthe team complained that Sarah wasn't pulling her weight.
83. MAKE ENDS MEET: xoay sở để kiếm sống
=> I have towork at two jobs to make ends meet.
84. GET THE HOLD OF THE WRONG END OF THE STICK: hiểu nhầm ai đó
=> I think I must explain to her that she gothold of the wrong end of the stick again.
85. CUT AND DRIED: cuối cùng, không thể thay đổi,rõ ràng, dễ hiểu
=> Although a deal has been agreed, it is notyet cut-and-dried.
86. STAY/KEEP ON ONE'S TOE: cảnh giác, thận trọng
=> We hadbetter keep on our toes while we're walking along the dark portions of thisstreet.
87. SEE EYE TO EYE: đồng tình
=> I'm gladthat they see eye to eye on the matter of the conference location.
88. HAVE IN MIND: đang suy tính, cân nhắc
=> I don't wantto see a movie now, I have in mind going to the park.
89. A LOST CAUSE: hết hy vọng, không thay đổi đượcgì
=> It seems that Charles will give it up. Isuppose he is a lost cause.
90. TO BE BOUND TO: chắc chắn
=> You're bound to be late if you don't hurry.
91. AT HEART: thực chất, cơ bản (basically, fundamentally)
=> Jamessometimes seems quite unfriendly but at heart he's a good person.
92. TO KNOW BY SIGHT: nhận ra (recognize)
=> The woman said that she would know the thief by sight if she ever saw him again.
93. NOW AND THEN = NOW AND AGAIN = AT TIMES = FROM TIME TO TIME = OFF AND ON = ONCE IN A WHILE =EVERY SO OFTEN : sometimes (thỉnh thoảng, không thường xuyên)
94. TO TAKE PAINS: làm việc cẩn thận và tận tâm
=> She takes pains to do everything well.
95. TO MAKE DO: xoay sở, đương đầu (to manage, tocope)
=> During difficult economic times, many peoplehave to make do with less.
96. SELL SOMEONE/ SOMETHING SHORT: đánh giá thấp
=> When you saythat John isn't interested in music, you're selling him short. Did you know heplays the violin quite well?
97. FACE THE MUSIC: chịu trận
=> Mary broke adining-room window and had to face the music when her father got home.
98. LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG: để lộ bí mật
=> I was tryingto keep the party a secret, but Jim went and let the cat outof the bag.
99. ON PROBATION: trong thời gian quản chế
=> While Anne was on probation, she reported tothe police regularly.
100. SELL/ GO LIKE HOT CAKES: bán đắt như tôm tươi
=> The book has only just been published andcopies are already selling like hot cakes in both Britain and America.
101.IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS: good or bad things do not just happen a few at atime, but in large numbers all at once (họa vô đơn chí)
=> First of allit was the car breaking down, then the fire in the kitchen and now Mike'saccident. It never rains but it pours!
102. SALT AND PEPPER: màu tóc hoa râm. (having a mixture of black and white)
=> He has asalt and pepper beard.
103. A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS: a way of askingwhat someone is thinking (dùng để hỏi ai đó xem họ đang nghĩ gì)
=> For several minutes they sat silently, thenfinally she looked at him and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Walter.” (Trongvài phút, họ ngồi im lặng, rồi cuối cùng cô nhìn anh và nói: “Anh đang nghĩ gìmà mê mải thế, Walter.”)
104. HOME AND DRY (adj): êm xuôi, hoàn thành trótlọt (have been successful)
=> I just have to finish the placement exam,I'm home and dry.
105. DOWN AND OUT (adj) : thất cơ lỡ vận
=> True friends always stand by you when you'redown and out.
Dưới đây là 8 parts về một số thành ngữ thông dụng, các em cần chú ý và ghi chép lại một cách hệ thống để tiện cho việc ôn tập. Song song với đó, cố gắng áp dụng vào bài tập, luyện thật nhiều mỗi ngày để đạt hiệu quả tốt nhất.