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Từ vựng tiếng Anh về Thành ngữ và cách diễn đạt — C1

Các thành ngữ và câu nói cố định dùng trong văn phong trang trọng, như a double-edged sword, a catch-22 và a slippery slope.

20 câu

Các từ trong bài

a double-edged sword
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Dao hai lưỡi
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
Something that has both clear advantages and serious disadvantages at the same time.
Ví dụ: Social media fame can be a double-edged sword.
a catch-22
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Vòng luẩn quẩn
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
A frustrating situation where solving one problem is impossible without first solving another one that depends on it.
Ví dụ: You need experience to get the job, but you need the job to get experience — it's a Catch-22.
par excellence
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Xuất sắc nhất
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
Being the best or most typical example of its kind.
Ví dụ: He is a diplomat par excellence, admired across the region.
in no uncertain terms
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Rất rõ ràng
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
Very clearly and directly, with absolutely no room for doubt.
Ví dụ: She told him, in no uncertain terms, that the plan was cancelled.
a blessing in disguise
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Họa thành phúc
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
Something that seems unfortunate at first but turns out to bring an unexpected benefit.
Ví dụ: Losing that job turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
a means to an end
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Phương tiện đạt mục đích
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
Something done not for its own value but simply to achieve a further goal.
Ví dụ: For her, the boring internship was just a means to an end.
the lesser of two evils
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Lựa chọn ít tệ hơn
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
The less harmful choice between two bad options.
Ví dụ: Neither candidate was great, but he seemed the lesser of two evils.
a slippery slope
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Đà trượt (nguy hiểm)
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
A course of action likely to lead step by step to something worse.
Ví dụ: Allowing one exception could be a slippery slope.
a vicious circle
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Vòng luẩn quẩn (tự lặp lại)
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
A situation in which one problem causes another problem, which then makes the first one worse.
Ví dụ: Debt and stress became a vicious circle for the family.
in the same vein
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Cùng phong cách
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
Following the same style, idea or manner as something already mentioned.
Ví dụ: The next chapter continues in the same vein as the first.
the pen is mightier than the sword
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Ngòi bút mạnh hơn lưỡi gươm
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
A traditional saying meaning that ideas and words can bring about more lasting change than violence or force.
Ví dụ: The journalist's article achieved more than any protest — the pen is mightier than the sword.
if it ain't broke, don't fix it
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Đừng sửa khi chưa hỏng gì
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
A saying advising against changing something that is already working perfectly well.
Ví dụ: The old system still works fine — if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
a watched pot never boils
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Càng mong đợi càng thấy lâu
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
A well-known saying meaning that time seems to pass more slowly when you are anxiously waiting for something.
Ví dụ: Stop checking your phone every minute — a watched pot never boils.
beggars can't be choosers
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Ăn mày không được kén chọn
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
An old saying meaning that people who depend on others' generosity should accept what they are given without complaint.
Ví dụ: The shelter only had one spare bed, but beggars can't be choosers.
the squeaky wheel gets the grease
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Kêu ca trước để được chú ý
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
A common saying meaning that the person who complains most noticeably is the one who receives attention or help first.
Ví dụ: After weeks of emails, his request was finally handled — the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
when the going gets tough, the tough get going
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Càng khó càng phải cố
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
An old saying meaning that strong, determined people work hardest exactly when a situation becomes difficult.
Ví dụ: The team trained even harder after the injury — when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
a leopard can't change its spots
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Giang sơn dễ đổi bản tính khó dời (bản chất khó thay đổi)
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
A common saying meaning that a person's basic character does not really shift, however much they claim otherwise.
Ví dụ: He promised to be more careful with money, but a leopard can't change its spots.
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Chắc trong tay hơn mơ trong bụi
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
It's better to keep something you already have than risk it for something better that is uncertain.
Ví dụ: I'll take the guaranteed offer — a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
the road to hell is paved with good intentions
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Ý tốt chưa chắc kết quả tốt
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
Well-meaning plans alone often fail to lead to good results, and can even cause harm.
Ví dụ: He meant to help, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
you can't teach an old dog new tricks
Nghĩa tiếng Việt
Người già khó đổi thói
Định nghĩa tiếng Anh
It's difficult to make someone change their long-established habits or ways, especially as they get older.
Ví dụ: Grandpa still refuses to use a smartphone — you can't teach an old dog new tricks.