Prosource Việt Nam chia sẻ một số thành ngữ trong tiếng Anh

Chào các bạn, hôm nay Prosource Việt Nam – tiền thân là trung tâm Royal English Academy (REA) xin chia sẻ một số thành ngữ trong tiếng Anh. Thành ngữ sẽ là một công cụ cứu cánh giúp cải thiện IELTS bandscore của bạn một cách đáng kể nhưng bạn cũng hãy cẩn thận với nó vì nó có thể sẽ là con dao hai lưỡi nếu như sử dụng sai đó. Vì vậy, hãy cùng Prosource Việt Nam học một số thành ngữ để sử dụng sao cho hiệu quả nhất nha:

English Idioms relating to

FEELINGS - EMOTIONS – REACTIONS​

1. Ants in one's pants: People who have ants in their pants are very restless or excited about something

Eg: I wish he'd relax. He's got ants in his pants about something today!


2. Bare your heart (or soul) to someone: If you bare your heart or soul to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings to them.

Eg: John couldn't keep things to himself any longer. He decided to bare his soul to his best friend.


3. Bear the brunt (of something): A person who bears the brunt of something is the one who suffers the most when something bad or unpleasant happens.

Eg: When things go wrong, his assistant always has to bear the brunt of his anger.


4. Bent out of shape: If you get bent out of shape, you become very annoyed or upset about something that is usually not that important or cannot be avoided.

Eg: Don't get bent out of shape if you're delayed. We'll wait for you.


5. Beside yourself (with an emotion): If you are beside yourself (with an emotion), you lose your self-control because of the intensity of the emotion you are feeling.

Eg: He was beside himself with grief when he lost his son.


6. Carry the torch: If you carry the torch, you have strong feelings for someone with whom you do not or cannot have a relationship..

Eg: He's been carrying the torch for Julie since their college days, before she married Ted.


7. Wouldn't be caught/seen dead: If someone says that they wouldn't be caught or seen dead in a particular place or doing something, they mean that they would be too ashamed or embarrassed.

Eg: My seven-year-old son thinks he's a big boy; he wouldn't be caught dead holding my hand!


8. Cause a stir: If something causes a stir, it creates an atmosphere of excitementor great interest.

Eg: The arrival of the actress caused quite a stir in the village.


9. Cheesed off: If someone is cheesed off with something, they are annoyed, bored or frustrated.

Eg: Julie is absolutely cheesed off with her job.


10. A chip on your shoulder: If someone has a chip on their shoulder, they feel resentful because they feel they are being treated unfairly, especially because of their background, their *** or their colour.



(To be continued)

Prosource Việt Nam xin tiếp tục chia sẻ một số thành ngữ giúp bạn cải thiện IELTS bandscores của mình nhé



1. Close to home: If a remark or comment is close to home, it is so true, or it affects you so directly, that you feel uncomfortable.

Eg: Alan looks embarrassed. Bob's comment must have been close to home!


2. Come apart at the seams: To say that someone is coming apart at the seams means that they are extremely upset or under severe mental stress.

Eg: Bob has had so many problems lately, he's coming apart at the seams.


3. Cork something up: If you cork something up (feelings, emotions), you fail to show or express them.

Eg: It would be better for her if she showed her grief and didn't cork up her feelings.


4. Cut to the quick: If you cut someone to the quick, you hurt their feelings or offend them deeply.

Eg: Alan was cut to the quick when Jack expressed doubts about his sincerity.


5. Out of your depth: If you are out of your depth, it means you are in a situation which is too difficult for you, or which you know little about.


6. On the edge of one's seat: Someone who is on the edge of their seat is very interested in something and finds it both extremely exciting and nerve-wracking.

Eg: Look at Bob! He's on the edge of his seat watching that rugby match.


7. Feel on top of the world: If you feel on top of the world, you feel wonderful or ecstatic about something.

Eg: I've been feeling on top of the world since I got the results - I'm qualified!


8. Keep one's feet on the ground: A person who keeps their feet on the ground continues to act in a sensible and practical way, even if they become successful.


9. Fever pitch: If a situation or feeling reaches fever pitch, it becomes very intense and exciting.

Eg: Reaction to the affair has reached fever pitch all over the country.


10. A fish out of water: If you feel like a fish out of water , you feel uncomfortable because of an unfamiliar situation or unfamiliar surroundings.

Eg: As a non-golfer, I felt like a fish out of water at the clubhouse.


11. Freudian slip: This refers to a mistake made by a speaker which is considered to reveal their true thoughts or feelings.

Eg: So you got the job - I'm so sad - sorry, I mean glad!


(To be continued)

Làm thế nào để đạt IELTS speaking band score 7.0 +
Chào các bạn, hôm nay Prosource Việt Nam rất vui được chia sẻ phương pháp luyện tập IELTS Speaking bandscore trên 7.0.
Trước tiên phải nghĩ rằngIELTS speaking không giống như là daily speaking mà chúng ta dùng hàng ngày, vì nó đòi hỏi sự phức tạp hơn trong việc sử dụng ngôn từ, cũng như những cấu trúc nói phức tạp.
Hãy xác định và tập trung luyện tập speaking trong một khoảng thời gian nhất định, và phải hiểu rõ yêu cầu chấm điểm của IELTS examiner:

Một số tiêu chí chấm điểm IELTS speaking như sau:
1-Pronunication/ intonation/ speed/ volume/ nature
2-Vocabulary( ở phần này các bạn nên dùng khoảng từ 2-3 từ academic trong mỗi câu trả lời).

3-Grammar( chú ý chỉ cần sử dụng đúng thời thì và cấu trúc ngữ pháp là ổn. Không cần quá phức tạp để tránh bị vướng hay ngập ngừng trong lúc nói).

4-Complex sentences:
Đây chính là mẹo và bí quyết nhé.
+relative clauses: who/ which/ where/ when/…
+idioms( chỉ cần sử dụng 1-2 idioms là ok rồi. Nhưng chú ý cẩn thận với idioms nhé vì nó giống như con dao hai lưỡi, 1 mặt sẽ cứu bạn một bàn thua trông thấy, 1 mặt sẽ làm bạn bị mất điểm nếu sử dụng không đúng tình huống).
+ Con***ional types ( type 1 or 2)
+ Passive tense
+ complicated sentences:not only….. but also…/ ‘d better…/ prefer…to…/ neither..nor/ either…or/……
+ phrasal verbs và phrasal nouns

5-Cohension
( các bạn chú ý phải đảm bảo tất cả các ideas phải match với nhau một cách logic và hợp lý theo dòng thời gian và theo thứ tự các sự kiện nhé).
Nên sử dụng linking words và linking phrases để tạo một chuỗi liên kết các ideas một cách rõ ràng và mạch lạc nhé!

Tuy nhiên, quan trọng nhất trong bài nói của các bạn là FLUENCY. Bạn chỉ cần thể hiện bài nói của mình một cách tự nhiên nhất, với đúng phát âm, có ngữ điệu hay và trả lời đủ thông tin của câu hỏi là ok rồi.
Sau khi đảm bảo là bạn nói tự tin và trôi chảy rồi, thì bước tiếp theo là đáp ứng theo đúng yêu cầu của examiner.

(to be continued)
P/S: baì viết sau mình sẽ chia sẻ các Phương pháp luyện tập và một số Example về các bước để đạt bandscore cao ^^

Chúc các bạn thành công ^^

Hôm nay Prosource sẽ giới thiệu cho các bạn link học về speaking nha ^^

1. sự khác nhau giữa cách phát âm giữa tiếng anh mĩ và tiếng anh anh


https://prosourceblog.wordpress.com/2013/11/22/ame-vs-bre-difference-in-prounciation/

Chúc các bạn học tiếng anh hiệu quả ^^
chúng mình sẽ update thêm nhé ai mong chờ link tiếp theo nào ^^

(to be continued)

Hãy cùng Prosource Việt Nam tiếp tục tìm hiểu một số thành ngữ hay dùng trong tiếng Anh nha


1. Have one's heart in the right place: A person who has their heart in the right place has kind feelings and good intentions, even if the results are not too good.

Eg: The old lady's cake wasn't wonderful but she's got her heart in the right place.


2. Get a grip on yourself: If you get a grip on yourself, you make an effort to control your feelings so as to be able to deal with a situation..

Eg: After the initial shock, Lisa got a grip on herself and called an ambulance.


3. Get something out of your system: This expression means that you get rid of a strong emotion or desire by expressing it openly or trying to fulfil it.

Eg: Tell your parents how you feel - it's better to get it out of your system!


4. Get worked up (about something): If you get worked up about something, you become upset, annoyed or excited, often unnecessarily.

Eg: It's his first day at school tomorrow and he's all worked up about it!


5. Go bananas: If someone becomes very emotional and starts behaving in a crazy way, they go bananas.

Eg: If you announce that you're going to drop out of school, your parents will go bananas!


6. Go off the deep end: If a person goes off the deep end, they become so angry or upset that they cannot control their emotions

Eg: Mary will go off the deep end if her kids leave the kitchen in a mess again.


7. Go to pieces: If you go to pieces, for example after a terrible shock, you are so upset or distressed that you cannot lead your life normally.

Eg: Jack nearly went to pieces when his son died in a plane crash.


8. Groan inwardly: If you groan inwardly, you feel like expressing despair, disapproval or distress, but you remain silent.

Eg: On his return, when Pete saw the pile of files on his desk, he groaned inwardly.


9. Gut feeling: If you have a gut feeling about something, you have a strong intuition which you cannot explain, but you are sure that you are right.

Eg: As I read the story, I had a gut feeling that the postman was lying ... and I was right!


10. Hard as nails: A person who is hard (or 'tough') as nails is unsentimental and shows no sympathy.

Eg: Don't expect any sympathy from him. He's as hard as hails.


11. Have kittens: To say you're going to have kittens is a dramatic way of expressing worry, anxiety or fear.

Eg: His mother nearly had kittens when Alex announced that he wanted to be a trapeze artist.


(To be continued)

Prosource Việt Nam sẽ tiếp tục chia sẻ các thành ngữ về chủ đề "FEELINGS - EMOTIONS – REACTIONS" để mọi người cùng tham khảo nha!


1. Head over heels in love: When a person falls passionately in love with another, they are said to be head over heels in love.

Eg: Tony's only interest at the moment is Maria. He's head over heels in love with her!


2. Change of heart: If someone has a change of heart, they change their attitude or feelings, especially towards greater friendliness or cooperation.

Eg: He was against charity, but he had a change of heart when he saw the plight of the homeless.


3. Couldn't give a hoot!: To say that you don't or couldn't give a hoot, means that you don't care at all about something.

Eg: She wears eccentric clothes but she's couldn't give a hoot about what others think.


4. Hope against hope: If you hope against hope, you continue to hope even when the situation looks bad

Eg: The whole building was destroyed by fire. John's parents are hoping against hope that he escaped in time.


5. Hot under the collar: If you get hot under the collar, you feel annoyed, indignant or embarrassed.

Eg: If anyone criticizes his proposals, Joe immediately gets hot under the collar.


6. In the heat of the moment: If you say or do something in the heat of the moment,you say or do it without pausing to think, at a time when you are experiencing unusually strong emotions such as anger, excitement, etc.

Eg: I was so angry that in the heat of the moment I said things that I regretted later.

Tiếp tục cùng Prosource Việt Nam tìm hiểu một số thành ngữ thú vị trong tiếng Anh để tăng bandscore nào mọi người:





1. big fish in a small pond

- an important person in a small place

Eg: The man was not so important in the city but in the small town he was a big fish in a small pond.


2. blue around the gills

- to be looking sick

Eg: I was looking blue around the gills during my illness.


3. cold fish

- a person who is unfriendly or does not mix with others

Eg: The man is a cold fish and he has very few friends.


4. drink like a fish

- to drink alcohol to excessive amounts

Eg: The man drank like a fish at the party and he had to go home by taxi.


5. a fine kettle of fish

- a situation that is not satisfactory, a mess

Eg: This is a fine kettle of fish. I am going to be late for the meeting.


6. fish for a compliment

- to try to get someone to say something nice about you

Eg: The man is fishing for a compliment about his new Italian suit.


7. fish for (something)

- to try to get information from someone

Eg: The lawyer was fishing for information from the woman.


8. fish in troubled waters

- to involve oneself in a difficult or confused or dangerous situation in order to get something

Eg: The woman was fishing in troubled waters when she began to ask questions about the crime.


9. fish or cut bait

- to either do what you are supposed to do or quit and let someone else do it

Eg: It was time to fish or cut bait so I decided to let someone else handle the problem.


10. a fish out of water

- someone who does not fit in, an uncomfortable or awkward feeling

Eg: The woman felt like a fish out of water when she went to the party in her formal dress while everyone else was wearing jeans.


11. fishy

- to be suspicious or unlikely

Eg: Something is fishy with these numbers. There are too many people on this list.



(To be continued)

Prosource Việt Nam - Idioms, Their Meanings and Origins


Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning: You love a person more when they are away.
Origin: This line was first read in Davison’s ‘Poetical Rhapsody’ in 1602.



Brand spanking new
Meaning: A new or unused object.
Origin: This idiom originates from doctors spanking a newborn baby to make it cry to start breathing.



Break a leg
Meaning: To wish good luck.
Origin: This idiom has its origins in a superstition about believing in Sprites. Sprites are the spirits of ghosts, who were known to create a havoc. Thus asking someone to ‘break a leg’ meant fighting the spirits.



The cat bird seat Meaning: To be at a vantage point.
Origin: Mocking birds are known as cat birds who usually sit on the tree top to get a broad view.


Clear as bell
Meaning: To be understood clearly.
Origin: The bells, like the ones used in churches have a loud and clear sound which can be heard over a great distance. Thus, the idiom originates from the clear and single note sound of the church bell.


Cold Turkey
Meaning: To quit something abruptly and experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Origin: When one quits something abruptly, the skin resembles the pale blue color of a dead turkey.



Get up on the wrong side of the bed
Meaning: To start the day on a less happy note.
Origin: This phrase owes its origin to a popular belief in the Roman times. It is believed that in those times, getting up on the left side of the bed was considered to bring bad luck.


At the end of my tether
Meaning: To reach the end of your patience or endurance.
Origin: This phrase originates from the fact that a tether rope is tied to grazing animals with one end around their neck and the other to the ground. This is done to prevent them from wandering away into the wild.



Apple of my eye Meaning: An object of affection, which is valued above everything else.
Origin: This idiom has Biblical origins. It finds a mention in Deuteronomy 32:10: “He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye”.


Go back to the drawing board Meaning: To start the venture from scratch.
Origin: This phrase originates from the actual need of architects, designers, draftsmen, and each and every person who plans and needs a space to do so. The space here is essentially a drawing board. This use of this phrase increased after the World War II.


I’ll take a rain check Meaning: It is a polite way of turning down a proposal or an invitation, and to promise that the same will be fulfilled at another time.
Origin: This phrase owes its origin to the fact that not many people like doing things when it is raining.


Bone of contention
Meaning: A topic which remains a dispute for discussion amongst parties.
Origin: The Oxford English Dictionary states that this phrase was coined back in the 1500s. It was seen in the sentence, “The diuell hath cast a bone to set stryfe betweene you”. It could refer to two dogs fighting over the same bone.



Kick the bucket
Meaning: To die.
Origin: The idiom is derived from the twitching slaughtered pig which is hung on the bucket bar. Sometimes, the slaughtered pig develops muscle spasms and the twitching appears as kicking the bucket bar.

Idioms, Their Meanings and Origins

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning: You love a person more when they are away.
Origin: This line was first read in Davison’s ‘Poetical Rhapsody’ in 1602.

Brand spanking new
Meaning: A new or unused object.
Origin: This idiom originates from doctors spanking a newborn baby to make it cry to start breathing.

Break a leg
Meaning: To wish good luck.
Origin: This idiom has its origins in a superstition about believing in Sprites. Sprites are the spirits of ghosts, who were known to create a havoc. Thus asking someone to ‘break a leg’ meant fighting the spirits.

The cat bird seat
Meaning: To be at a vantage point.
Origin: Mocking birds are known as cat birds who usually sit on the tree top to get a broad view.

Clear as bell
Meaning: To be understood clearly.
Origin: The bells, like the ones used in churches have a loud and clear sound which can be heard over a great distance. Thus, the idiom originates from the clear and single note sound of the church bell.

Cold Turkey
Meaning: To quit something abruptly and experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Origin: When one quits something abruptly, the skin resembles the pale blue color of a dead turkey.

Get up on the wrong side of the bed
Meaning: To start the day on a less happy note.
Origin: This phrase owes its origin to a popular belief in the Roman times. It is believed that in those times, getting up on the left side of the bed was considered to bring bad luck.

At the end of my tether
Meaning: To reach the end of your patience or endurance.
Origin: This phrase originates from the fact that a tether rope is tied to grazing animals with one end around their neck and the other to the ground. This is done to prevent them from wandering away into the wild.

Apple of my eye
Meaning: An object of affection, which is valued above everything else.
Origin: This idiom has Biblical origins. It finds a mention in Deuteronomy 32 “He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye”.

Go back to the drawing board
Meaning: To start the venture from scratch.
Origin: This phrase originates from the actual need of architects, designers, draftsmen, and each and every person who plans and needs a space to do so. The space here is essentially a drawing board. This use of this phrase increased after the World War II.

I’ll take a rain check
Meaning: It is a polite way of turning down a proposal or an invitation, and to promise that the same will be fulfilled at another time.
Origin: This phrase owes its origin to the fact that not many people like doing things when it is raining.

Bone of contention
Meaning: A topic which remains a dispute for discussion amongst parties.
Origin: The Oxford English Dictionary states that this phrase was coined back in the 1500s. It was seen in the sentence, “The diuell hath cast a bone to set stryfe betweene you”. It could refer to two dogs fighting over the same bone.

Kick the bucket
Meaning: To die.
Origin: The idiom is derived from the twitching slaughtered pig which is hung on the bucket bar. Sometimes, the slaughtered pig develops muscle spasms and the twitching appears as kicking the bucket bar.


PROSOURCE VIỆT NAMSỐ 18, ngõ 67, phố Chùa Láng, Đống Đa, Hà nội
Hotline: 046.680.3010 hoặc Ms Thư 0944.266.006/ 0949.268.855
Email: prosource.education@gmail.com
Website:http://www.prosource.edu.vn​

Idioms, Their Meanings and Origins

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning: You love a person more when they are away.
Origin: This line was first read in Davison’s ‘Poetical Rhapsody’ in 1602.

Brand spanking new
Meaning: A new or unused object.
Origin: This idiom originates from doctors spanking a newborn baby to make it cry to start breathing.

Break a leg
Meaning: To wish good luck.
Origin: This idiom has its origins in a superstition about believing in Sprites. Sprites are the spirits of ghosts, who were known to create a havoc. Thus asking someone to ‘break a leg’ meant fighting the spirits.

The cat bird seat
Meaning: To be at a vantage point.
Origin: Mocking birds are known as cat birds who usually sit on the tree top to get a broad view.

Clear as bell
Meaning: To be understood clearly.
Origin: The bells, like the ones used in churches have a loud and clear sound which can be heard over a great distance. Thus, the idiom originates from the clear and single note sound of the church bell.

Cold Turkey
Meaning: To quit something abruptly and experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Origin: When one quits something abruptly, the skin resembles the pale blue color of a dead turkey.

Get up on the wrong side of the bed
Meaning: To start the day on a less happy note.
Origin: This phrase owes its origin to a popular belief in the Roman times. It is believed that in those times, getting up on the left side of the bed was considered to bring bad luck.

At the end of my tether
Meaning: To reach the end of your patience or endurance.
Origin: This phrase originates from the fact that a tether rope is tied to grazing animals with one end around their neck and the other to the ground. This is done to prevent them from wandering away into the wild.

Apple of my eye
Meaning: An object of affection, which is valued above everything else.
Origin: This idiom has Biblical origins. It finds a mention in Deuteronomy 32 “He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye”.

Go back to the drawing board
Meaning: To start the venture from scratch.
Origin: This phrase originates from the actual need of architects, designers, draftsmen, and each and every person who plans and needs a space to do so. The space here is essentially a drawing board. This use of this phrase increased after the World War II.

I’ll take a rain check
Meaning: It is a polite way of turning down a proposal or an invitation, and to promise that the same will be fulfilled at another time.
Origin: This phrase owes its origin to the fact that not many people like doing things when it is raining.

Bone of contention
Meaning: A topic which remains a dispute for discussion amongst parties.
Origin: The Oxford English Dictionary states that this phrase was coined back in the 1500s. It was seen in the sentence, “The diuell hath cast a bone to set stryfe betweene you”. It could refer to two dogs fighting over the same bone.

Kick the bucket
Meaning: To die.
Origin: The idiom is derived from the twitching slaughtered pig which is hung on the bucket bar. Sometimes, the slaughtered pig develops muscle spasms and the twitching appears as kicking the bucket bar.


PROSOURCE VIỆT NAMSỐ 18, ngõ 67, phố Chùa Láng, Đống Đa, Hà nội
Hotline: 046.680.3010 hoặc Ms Thư 0944.266.006/ 0949.268.855
Email: prosource.education@gmail.com
Website:http://www.prosource.edu.vn​

Idioms, Their Meanings and Origins

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning: You love a person more when they are away.
Origin: This line was first read in Davison’s ‘Poetical Rhapsody’ in 1602.

Brand spanking new
Meaning: A new or unused object.
Origin: This idiom originates from doctors spanking a newborn baby to make it cry to start breathing.

Break a leg
Meaning: To wish good luck.
Origin: This idiom has its origins in a superstition about believing in Sprites. Sprites are the spirits of ghosts, who were known to create a havoc. Thus asking someone to ‘break a leg’ meant fighting the spirits.

The cat bird seat
Meaning: To be at a vantage point.
Origin: Mocking birds are known as cat birds who usually sit on the tree top to get a broad view.

Clear as bell
Meaning: To be understood clearly.
Origin: The bells, like the ones used in churches have a loud and clear sound which can be heard over a great distance. Thus, the idiom originates from the clear and single note sound of the church bell.

Cold Turkey
Meaning: To quit something abruptly and experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Origin: When one quits something abruptly, the skin resembles the pale blue color of a dead turkey.

Get up on the wrong side of the bed
Meaning: To start the day on a less happy note.
Origin: This phrase owes its origin to a popular belief in the Roman times. It is believed that in those times, getting up on the left side of the bed was considered to bring bad luck.

At the end of my tether
Meaning: To reach the end of your patience or endurance.
Origin: This phrase originates from the fact that a tether rope is tied to grazing animals with one end around their neck and the other to the ground. This is done to prevent them from wandering away into the wild.

Apple of my eye
Meaning: An object of affection, which is valued above everything else.
Origin: This idiom has Biblical origins. It finds a mention in Deuteronomy 32 “He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye”.

Go back to the drawing board
Meaning: To start the venture from scratch.
Origin: This phrase originates from the actual need of architects, designers, draftsmen, and each and every person who plans and needs a space to do so. The space here is essentially a drawing board. This use of this phrase increased after the World War II.

I’ll take a rain check
Meaning: It is a polite way of turning down a proposal or an invitation, and to promise that the same will be fulfilled at another time.
Origin: This phrase owes its origin to the fact that not many people like doing things when it is raining.

Bone of contention
Meaning: A topic which remains a dispute for discussion amongst parties.
Origin: The Oxford English Dictionary states that this phrase was coined back in the 1500s. It was seen in the sentence, “The diuell hath cast a bone to set stryfe betweene you”. It could refer to two dogs fighting over the same bone.

Kick the bucket
Meaning: To die.
Origin: The idiom is derived from the twitching slaughtered pig which is hung on the bucket bar. Sometimes, the slaughtered pig develops muscle spasms and the twitching appears as kicking the bucket bar.


PROSOURCE VIỆT NAMSỐ 18, ngõ 67, phố Chùa Láng, Đống Đa, Hà nội
Hotline: 046.680.3010 hoặc Ms Thư 0944.266.006/ 0949.268.855
Email: prosource.education@gmail.com
Website:http://www.prosource.edu.vn​

Khởi động tuần mới với các thành ngữ thú vị trong tiếng Anh cùng Prosource Việt Nam nào mọi người



1. go on a fishing expe***ion

- to attempt to discover information

Eg: The lawyer went on a fishing expe***ion to try and discover the facts of the case.


2. green around the gills

- to be looking sick

Eg: The girl looked green around the gills when she left the nurse’s office.


3. have other/bigger fish to fry

- to have other more important things to do, to have other opportunities

Eg: I have other fish to fry and I do not plan to spend any more time talking about my friend’s problems.


4. Holy mackeral!

- an expression used to express a strong feeling of surprise

Eg: Holy mackeral! Look at the size of that motorcycle.


5. like shooting fish in a barrel

- one side in a competition is so weak that they have no chance of winning

Eg: The contest was like shooting fish in a barrel. It was very easy to win.


6. live in a fish bowl

- to live where many people know about your life and personal business

Eg: The small town was like living in a fish bowl. Everybody knew what I was doing.


7. neither fish nor fowl

- something that does not belong to a definite group or category

Eg: I do not know what you should call the strange food. It is neither fish nor fowl.


8. packed in like sardines

- packed very tightly, very crowded

Eg: We were packed in like sardines during the morning commute in the train.


9. pale around the gills

- to be looking sick

Eg: The man looked pale around the gills when he left the boat.


10. red herring

- some information or a suggestion that is used to draw attention away from the real facts of a situation (orginally used as a strong fish smell from a smoked fish that was used to confuse hunting dogs when they were hunting and following something)

Eg: The tax issue was a red herring and it is not what the news reporters wanted the government to talk about.


11. a shark

- a ruthless or dishonest person

Eg: The salesman is a shark. Don’t do business with him.


12. small fry

- unimportant people, children (small fry are young newly-hatched fish)

Eg: The police were only able to catch some of the small fry in the organized crime gang.


13. there are plenty of other fish in the sea

- there are other choices, there are other people to choose from

Eg: There are plenty of other fish in the sea and when my sister lost her boyfriend she did not worry too much.