Tieng Anh THPT - Nguyen Duy Xuan - THPT Mai Anh Tuan - Nga Son

PART I: INTRODUCTION Rationale of the Study Phrasal verbs and idioms are essential parts of spoken and written English at all levels These are really difficult topics but interesting when we take deep investigation into them For instance, It rained cats and dogs yesterday The meaning of this sentence is not related to cats or dogs itself but it means that: It rained very heavily yesterday Not only students but also many teachers are challenged by phrasal verbs and idioms They appear in part E of Unit 14 and Unit 15 of the textbook of English 12 – basic curriculum When teaching these points, I myself find it confusing to get students to memorize the forming of the phrasal verbs and idioms The only way to keep them in our minds is to learn by heart and to practice regularly During my teaching and carrying out extensive research into this problem, I found it necessary to provide more common phrasal verbs and idioms, and also extra practice for teachers and students when teaching and learning this For all the reasons, I would like to conduct my research on the topic: “Sentence Transformation Exercises With Some Common Phrasal Verbs and Idioms” Aim of the Study The main aims of the research are: - To provide teachers and students with some common phrasal verbs and idioms in English used in sentence transformation exercises - To provide opportunity to practice writing skills, especially the skill of doing sentence transformation exercises for gifted students at Mai Anh Tuan High School - To hope to provide reference materials for any teachers or students who intend to master the language of English or want to make their English more natural and more fluent Method of the Study Multi-methods are integrated to conduct this research, including mainly methods of observation and analysis Beside, the research is undertaken as a result of the reality of the long-time process of my daily teaching at school Objective and Scope of the Study The objective of the study is phrasal verbs and idioms that are often used in sentence transformation exercises, including rewrite the sentences using the given words and rewrite the sentences using the key word(s) Some of them are taken from the textbook of English 12 of basic curriculum, and the others are collected from a variety of kinds of other material sources Because of many reasons, both subjective and objective, the study will limit itself within “sentences transformation with some common phrasal verbs and idioms”, and this will mainly apply to the gifted students or those who intentionally attend the classes learning Literature, Math and English, known as group D or Math, Physics and English – group A1 at Mai Anh Tuan High School PART II: PROBLEM SOLVING Theoretic basis of the problem As mentioned, phrasal verbs and idioms play a vital role in learning English Anyone who does not know them well are not considered good learners or speakers The most interesting thing when we study them is that they are almost unsystematically formed from so easy single words and that they have completely different meaning that is not related to the original words And it is unsystematic combination that challenges not only students but also many teachers Take another example of this: The only people he looks up to are his grandparents The meaning of this sentence is not related to the single word “look”, “up” or “to” itself It means: The only people he respects are his grandparents or The only people he admires are his grandparents Phrasal verbs and idioms occur around the textbooks of English 10, English 11 and English 12 and are the main contents of part E – Language Focus in English 12 at units 14 and 15 The only way to master them is to learn by heart and to practice them again and again This research hopes to be a good material for both teachers and students in their teaching and learning Practical basis of the problem Mai Anh Tuan High School is located in the rural area with many mountainous and poor villages People here are mainly farmers with average and low living standard As a result, students did not have much good chance of studying and using English until recently Students (and even their teachers) not have an English environment to practice Learning English here has not still been really important to students and people here Therefore, the teachers have so much difficulty in teaching English Working as a teacher for a long time, I myself understand the nature of the problem and usually find it necessary to find out the ways to improve the situation I try my best to this research with a view to getting my students and other teachers to benefit from it by giving them more opportunities to practice and to better their English Solutions to the problem After studying the content of the textbooks English 10, 11 and 12, especially the part E – Language Focus of units 14 and 15, and taking deep investigation into this problem, I have found out some useful measures to deal with this problem The study consists of two main parts: Part A: Some Common Phrasal Verbs and Idioms Used in Sentence Transformation Exercises, with clear meaning and examples and Part B: Practice, with 12 exercises of rewriting the sentences using the given words and the key words at all levels PART I: SOME COMMON PHRASAL VERBS What is a phrasal verb? A phrasal verb is a two-part or three-part verb and is sometimes called a compound verb It is a combination of a verb and an adverb, a verb and a preposition, and a verb with an adverb and a preposition It can have a literal meaning that is easy to understand because the meaning is clear from the words that are used It can also have an idiomatic meaning which cannot easily be understood by looking at the words themselves * Verb and Adverb: run + around - to run around something: to run in a circle around something (literal meaning) E.g The dog ran around the tree - to run around somewhere: to go to various places to something (idiomatic meaning) E.g I spent the day running around downtown * Verb and Preposition: run + into - to run into someone/ something: to hit or crash into someone or something (literal meaning) E.g The car ran into the truck on the busy street - to run into someone: to meet someone by chance (idiomatic meaning) E.g I ran into my friend in a restaurant yesterday * Verb and Adverb and Preposition: run + around + with - to run around with someone - to be friends and things with someone or with a group of people (idiomatic meaning) The boy is running around with a bad group of people Some Common Phrasal Verbs This research will not focus on the form of phrasal verbs but give some common ones that are used in the exercises of rewriting the sentences Add up to: to make a total amount of something E.g The bills add up to £734.96 That's more than I expected! Bring up: raise; rear: 2.1 Bring Sb up/ bring up Sb: to care for a child, teaching him or her how to behave, etc E.g - Lucy's parents died when she was a baby Her grandparents brought her up 2.2 Bring St up/ bring up St: to mention a subject or start to talk about it E.g - Bring it up at the meeting Brush St up/ brush up St/ brush up on St: to quickly improve a skill, especially when you have not used it for a time E.g - I must brush up on my Spanish before I go to Peru Burn down: to be destroyed by fire (burn St down/ burn down St: to destroy St by fire) E.g - The house burned down in 1895 - Lightning struck Mr Kennedy's barn last night It burned down before the fire fighters arrived Call St off/ call off St: to cancel St that has been scheduled; to decide that St will not happen E.g - They have called off their engagement - The game was called off because of bad weather Call on/upon Sb: to ask Sb for an answer in class; to formally invite or ask Sb to speak, etc E.g - I don't know why the teacher never calls on you You always know the answer - I now call upon the chairman to address the meeting Care for Sb: to look after Sb who is sick, very old, very young, etc (synonym: take care of); to love or like Sb very muc E.g - She moved back home to care for her elderly parents - He cared for her more than she realized Break in: to enter a building by force E.g - Burglars had broken in while we were away Break into St: to enter a building by force, to open a car, etc by force E.g - We had our car broken into last week 10 Break up: to separate into smaller pieces; to come to an end, to end a personal relationship E.g - The ship broke up on the rocks - Their marriage has broken up - Tim and Julie aren't going steady any more They got really angry with each other and broke up 11 Bring Sb/St back/ Bring back Sb/St: to return Sb/St E.g - Please bring back all library books by the end of the week - He brought me back in his car 12 Catch up with Sb: to reach Sb who is ahead by going faster; to reach the same level or standard as Sb who was better or more advanced E.g - Terry stopped to rest for a few minutes He'll catch up with us later - After missing a term through illness he had to work hard to catch up with the others 13 Check in (at…): to register for a hotel, a conference, etc.; let someone know officially that you have arrived E.g - We’ve checked in at the hotel - Please check in at least an hour before departure 13 Check out (of…): to pay your bill and leave a hotel, etc E.g - Don't forget to take your room key to the front desk when you check out - I’m sorry, they aren’t here They checked out this morning 14 Cheer up: to become more cheerful; Cheer Sb/St up/ cheer up Sb/St: to make Sb/St more cheerful E.g - Suzie's brother was depressed about not getting a promotion, so she sent him a funny card to cheer him up - Give Mary a call, she needs cheering up 15 Draw St up/ draw up St: to make or write St that needs careful thought or planning (a contract or a list, etc.) E.g - The Ajax and Tip-Top Banks have decided to merge Their lawyers will draw all the official documents up sometime this month 16 Drop in/ drop by/ drop round/ drop in on Sb/ drop into St: to pay an informal visit to a person or a place E.g - If you're in town next month, we'd love to see you Please try to drop in (Please try to drop in on us.) 17 Come across Sb/St (no passive): to meet or find Sb/St by chance E.g - I came across children sleeping under bridges - She came across some old photographs in a drawer 18 Eat out: to have a meal in a restaurant E.g - Do you feel like eating out tonight? 19 Eat up/ eat St up/ eat up St: to eat all of St E.g - Eat up! We’ve got to go out soon - Come on Eat up your potatoes 20 Count on Sb/St: to trust to St or to be sore that St will happen E.g - I’m counting on you to help me - Few people can count on having a job for life - We can’t count on this warm weather lasting 21 End up: to find yourself in a place or situation that you did not intend or expect to be in E.g - I ended up doing all the work myself - If you go on like this you’ll end up in prison - If he carries on driving like that, he’ll end up dead 22 Face up to St: to accept and deal with St that is difficult or unpleasant; to take responsibility for… E.g - She had to face up to the fact that she would never walk again - You have to face up to your responsibilities 23 Fall through: to not be completed, or not happen E.g - Our plans fell through because of lack of money - We had originally intended to go to Mexico for our vacation, but our trip fell through when I got sick 24 Feel for Sb: to have sympathy for Sb E.g - I really felt for her when her husband died - I feel for you, honestly 25 Feel up to St: to have the strength and energy to or deal with St E.g - Do we have to go to the party? I really don’t feel up to it - I know the accident was a terrible shock Do you feel up to talking about it? 26 Figure Sb/St out; Figure out Sb/St: to think about Sb/St until you understand them/it; to solve a problem by thinking about it carefully E.g - For a long time I couldn't understand the last problem, but I finally figured it out - I can't figure Margie out Sometimes she's very warm and friendly and sometimes she acts as if she doesn't know me 27 Fill in St/ Fill St in: to complete a form, etc by writing information E.g - The office needs to know your home address and phone number Could you fill them in on this form? 28 Fill in for Sb: to Sb’s job for a short time while they are not there, to temporarily substitute for another person E.g - You are going to fill in for me while I am away next week 29 Fill out St/ Fill St out: to fill St in E.g - Of course I completed my application I filled it out and mailed it over three weeks ago 30 Get along (with Sb)/ Get on (well) (with Sb): to have a friendly relationship with Sb E.g - Why can't you and your sister get along? Everyone else gets along with her just fine! - She’s never really got on with her sister - She and her sister have never really got on 31 Get over St (syn: overcome St, recover from St): to recover from an illness, a shock or painful experience; to deal with or gain control of St, etc E.g - She can’t get over her shyness - Katy was really upset when she failed the test She thought she would never get over feeling so stupid - He was disappointed at not getting the job, but he’ll get over it 32 Get down to (doing) St: to begin to St, to give serious attention to St E.g - Let’s get down to business - It’s time I got down to thinking about that essay 33 Give up: to stop trying to St E.g - She doesn’t give up easily 34 Give St up/ Give up St/ Give up doing St: to stop doing St E.g - She didn’t give up work when she had the baby - You ought to give up smoking 35 Go out (with Sb): to leave your house to go to a social event; to spend time with Sb and have romantic or sexual relationship with them E.g - She goes out drinking most evenings - Tom has been going out with Lucy for six weeks 36 Hand in St(to Sb)/ Hand St in (to Sb): to submit homework, an assignment, etc., to give St to a person in authority, especially a piece of work or St that is lost E.g - You must all hand in your projects by the end of next week - You'd better get started on your report You know that you have to hand it in at 8:30 tomorrow morning! 37 Hand out St (to Sb)? Hand St out (to Sb): to distribute St to the members of a group E.g - Could you hand these books out, please? - Why don't you have a course description and list of assignments? The teacher handed them out on the first day of class." 38 Hang up: to end a telephone conversation by putting the telephone receiver down or switching the telephone off E.g - After I up I remembered what I’d wanted to say - I'd like to talk longer, but I'd better hang up My sister needs to make a call 39 Hang St up/ Hang up St: to finish using St for the last time E.g - Ruth has up her dancing shoes 40 Hold up/ Hang up St: to delay or block the movement or progress of Sb/St; to steal from a bank, shop/store, etc using a gun E.g - An accident is holding up traffic - When she was walking home last night, two men held her up and took her purse 41 Keep on: to continue E.g - I'm not ready to stop yet I think I'll keep on working for a while 42 Look down on Sb/St: to think that you are better than Sb/St E.g - She looks down on people who haven’t been too college - It's not surprising that Fred has few friends He seems to look down on anyone who doesn't like the same things that he does 43 Look over: to examine St to see how good, big, etc it is E.g - We looked over the house again before we decided we would rent it - I think I may have some typos in this report Could you look it over? 44 Look up to Sb: to admire Sb, to repect Sb E.g - Everyone looks up to Joyce because she always makes time to help others 45 Keep on: to continue E.g - The train kept on all night 46 Make St up/ Make up St: to form St, to invent a story, etc, especially in order to trick or entertain Sb E.g - Women make up 56% of the students numbers - Judy's story is hard to believe I'm sure she made it up 47 Pass away: to die E.g - I was very sorry to hear that your grandfather passed away 48 Put off: to postpone, to delay E.g - I can't put this work off any longer If I don't it soon, it'll be impossible to finish it in time 49 Put up with: to tolerate E.g - It's really important to come to work on time The boss won't put up with lateness 50 Put back: to return something to the proper place E.g - I've finished with these books Do you want me to put them back on the shelves? 51 Run into Sb: to meet Sb by chance E.g - Yesterday at the supermarket, Jan ran into her former roommate Before yesterday, they hadn't seen each other for nearly five years 52 Run out (of St): to use up or finish a supply of St E.g - Could I have a cigarette? I seem to have run out - On the way home from work, Arthur ran out of gas." 53 Show off: to try to impress others by talking about your abilities, possessions, etc E.g - He’s just showing off because that girl he likes is here 54 Show up: to arrive where you have arranged to meet Sb or St E.g - It was getting late when she finally showed up - The boss was very upset when you didn't show up for the meeting What happened? 55 Stand for (no passive): to be an abbreviation or symbol of St E.g - The book’s by T.C Smith What does “T.C” stand for? 56 Take after Sb (no passive): to look or behave like an older member of your family, especially your mother or father; to resemble Sb E.g - Both my sister and I take after our father 57 Take care of Sb/St/Yourself: to care for Sb/St/yourself; to be careful about St E.g - Lois has been taking care of her father since he returned home from the hospital 58 Take off: (of an aircraft, etc.) to leave the ground and begin to fly; Take St off/ Take of St – to remove St, especially a piece of clothing from your/Sb’s body E.g - The plane took off an hour late - Please take your hat off when you go inside a building 59 Try out: to use a machine briefly to determine how well it works E.g - I really like the way this car looks May I try it out? 60 Turn Sb/St down/ Turn down Sb/St: to reduce the noise, heat, etc produced by a piece of equipment by moving its controls; to reject or refuse to consider an offer, a proposal, etc or the person who makes it E.g - He asked her to marry him but she turned him down 61 Turn up/ Turn St up/ Turn up St: to arrive; to increase the sound, heat, etc of a piece of equipment E.g - We arranged to meet at 7.30, but she never turned up - I can barely hear the TV Can you turn it up a little? 62 Write St down/ Write down St: to write St on paper, especially in order to remember or record it E.g - Could you tell me your e-mail address again? I want to write it down PRACTICE ON PHRASAL VERBS EXERCISE 1: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words A rather nasty problem has appeared => We’ve come ……………………………………………………………… Brenda doesn’t get on with her next-door neighbour any more => Brenda has ……………………………………………………………… That isn’t my car => That car ………………………………………………………………… The hotel gives you everything except a toothbrush! => It provides ……………………………………………………………… She looks like my cousin => She reminds me ………………………………………………………… It’s wrong to keep offering people drinks => Don’t keep plying ……………………………………………………… I’d like to meet your parents => Please introduce ………………………………………………………… $100 sounds reasonable for that camera Have you looked at prices in other shops? => Have you compared …………………………………………………… I burst into tears when I heard the bad news => I broke …………………………………………………………………… 10 Jean persuaded the others to agree with her point of view => Jean brought ……………………………………………………………… EXERCISE 2: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words I’ll the ironing in the end => I’ll get …………………………………………………………………… The arrangements for our holiday didn’t come to anything => Our holiday ……………………………………………………………… The best solution was thought of by Sally => Sally came ……………………………………………………………… Gerry has applied for the job of financial director => Gerry has put …………………………………………………………… Our teacher used Sophia as an example of a good student => Our teacher held ………………………………………………………… I’m not much interested in sports => I don’t really go ………………………………………………………… Terry was rude but Anne got her revenge on him => Anne paid ………………………………………………………………… You can stay with us for a week => We can …………………………………………………………………… The police only warned Sally because it was her first offence => Sally was let … 10 Sue drew attention to the flaw in the plan => Sue pointed ……………………………………………………………… EXERCISE 3: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words The huge traffic jam on the motorway delayed us for several hours (held) => The huge traffic jam on the motorway ……………… for several hours Our plane’s departure time is 10.00 am takes => Our plane …………………………………………………… 10.00 am She owns all this land now belongs => All ………………………………….……………………………… now Can you take me to the station by car? give => Can you ………………………………………………… to the station? There is no sugar left run => We have …………………………………………………………… sugar I’ll never be able to persuade her to agree with the idea bring => I’ll never ……………… …………………………………… to the idea I found my old diary by chance came => I ………………………………………………… my old diary by chance The football match was postponed due to the rain put => The football match was ………………………………… due to the rain It’s a very formal dinner party dress => We are expected …………………………………… for the dinner party 10 An ankle injury prevented her from taking part in the race (drop) => She had to ………………………… the race because of an ankle injury EXERCISE 4: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words Peter always trusts me with his secrets (in) => …………………………………………………………………………… I don’t understand the reference of this phrase (to) => …………………………………………………………………………… You were in my dreams last night (about) => …………………………………………………………………………… This house brings home to mind! (of) => …………………………………………………………………………… Tina rewrote the French book in Spanish (from) => …………………………………………………………………………… Christmas and roast turkey go together in my mind (with) => …………………………………………………………………………… I think a rest would you good (from) => …………………………………………………………………………… When he has to face a crisis, Tony panics (faced) => …………………………………………………………………………… Collecting stamps gives me a lot of pleasure (derive) => …………………………………………………………………………… 10 The deaths of over fifty people were caused by the storm (resulted) => …………………………………………………………………………… EXERCISE 5: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words We have given winter equipment to all the soldiers (provide) => …………………………………………………………………………… You haven’t explained exactly how the money disappeared (accounted) => …………………………………………………………………………… Brian is good at looking after the sick (care) => …………………………………………………………………………… That sort of behaviour is deplorable, in my opinion (approve) => …………………………………………………………………………… The new lecturer was unpopular with his students (take) => …………………………………………………………………………… We wouldn’t want to restrict the freedom of the students in any way (impose) => …………………………………………………………………………… I suddenly realized the meaning of a “freebie” (dawn) => …………………………………………………………………………… His charming manners deceived several people, including me (taken) => …………………………………………………………………………… 10 I don’t think this record will ever be popular (catch) => …………………………………………………………………………… EXERCISE 4: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words A police car has just stopped outside (up) => …………………………………………………………………………… They didn’t punish Karen, only gave her a warning (got) => …………………………………………………………………………… What are you trying to say? (at) => …………………………………………………………………………… Graham stopped talking to deal with a customer (off) => …………………………………………………………………………… I have to leave early because something has happened (up) => …………………………………………………………………………… 10 The politician has been sitting squarely in the middle of the fence since the election That is why it is sometimes difficult to isolate the actual idiomatic expression and then find it in a dictionary of idioms Some Common Idioms This study will not concentrate on the form of idioms but give some common ones that are used in the exercises of rewriting the sentences Be about to St: to be close to doing St; to be going to St very soon E.g - I was just about to leave when the phone rang According to: as stated or reported by Sb/St E.g - According to Mick, it’s a great movie - You’ve been absent six times according to our records Account for St: to be the explanation or cause of St; to give an explanation of St E.g - The poor weather may have accounted for the small crowd - He was unable to account for the error After all: despite what has been said or expected; used when you are explaining St; or giving a reason E.g - So you made it after all! - He should have paid He suggested it, after all All of a sudden: suddenly, quickly and unexpectedly E.g - All of a sudden someone grabbed me around the neck - All of a sudden, it became cloudy and began to rain As a matter of fact: actually, used to add a comment on St that you have just said; usually adding St that you think the other person will be interested in; used to disagree with St that Sb has just said E.g - It’s a nice place We’ve stayed there ourselves, as a matter of fact - As a matter of fact, we have been to the sports stadium many times As far as 7.1 As far as I know/ as far as I can remember/see/tell, etc.: used to say that you think you know, remember, understand, etc St but you can not be completely sure, especially because you not know all the facts E.g - As far as we knew, there was no cause for concern - She lived in Chicago, as far as I can remember - As far as I can see, you’ve done nothing wrong 7.2 As far as I am concerned: used to give your personal opinion on St E.g - As far as I am concerned, you can what you like 7.3 As far as St is concerned: used to give facts or an opinion about a particular aspect of St E.g - She’s doing fine as far as French is concerned, it’s her German I’m worried about As if/ as though: in the same way that something would be; in a way that suggests something E.g - He behaved as if nothing had happened - It sounds as though you had a good time As long as: provided that, on condition that E.g - As long as you promise to be careful, you can borrow my car 15 10 As soon as: when, just after something E.g - I phoned my friend as soon as I finished dinner 11 First of all : before doing anything else; at the beginning; as the most important thing E.g - First of all, let me ask you something 12 Get rid of St : to make yourself free of Sb/St that is annoying you or that you not want; to throw St away E.g - That shirt is really ugly Why don't you get rid of it? - We got rid of all the old furniture 13 In any case: whatever happens or may have happened E.g - There’s no point complaining now – we’re leaving tomorrow in any case 14 In case (…): because of the possibility of St happening; if E.g - You’d better take the key in case I’m out - In case you’re wondering why Jo’s here – let me explain 15 In case of St: if St happens E.g - In case of fire, ring the alarm bell 16 Have St in common (with Sb/St): to have the same interests, ideas, features, characteristics, etc as Sb else E.g - Tim and I have nothing in common - I had nothing in common with the other members of the class 17 In (actual) fact: actually; used to give extra details about St that has just been mentioned; used to emphasize a statement, especially one that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned E.g - I used to live in France; in fact, not far from where you’re going - The man has been to China before In fact, he has been there three times 18 In general: in most situations or circumstances E.g - In general, most of the people are happy with the new manager 19 In order that: so that St can happen E.g - All those concerned must work together in order that agreement can be reached on this issue 20 In order to St: with the purpose or intention of doing or achieving St E.g - She arrived early in order to get a good seat 21 In terms of St: with regard to St E.g - In terms of our agreement with the other company, we are not allowed to sell the products online 22 Keep/Bear Sb/St in mind, Keep in mind that, Bear in mind that: to remember Sb/St; to remember or consider that… E.g - If I need someone to help fix my computer, I usually keep my friend in mind - Bear in mind that you should try your best all the time 23 Make a, no, some, etc difference (to/in Sb/St): to cause a change in a situation; to have no effect on Sb/ St E.g - It does not make a difference whether our boss comes to the meeting or not - “Shall we go on Friday or Saturday?” – “It makes no difference to me.” 24 Make fun of Sb/St: to laugh at Sb/St or make other people laugh at them, usually in an unkind way E.g - It’s cruel to make fun of people who stammer 16 25 Make sense: to have a meaning that you can easily understand E.g - This sentence doesn’t make sense 26 Make sense of St: to understand St that is difficult or has no clean meaning E.g - I can’t make sense of that painting 27 For sure: without doubt E.g - No one knows for sure what happened 28 Make sure (of St/that…): to St in order to be certain that St else happens E.g - Make sure that no one finds out about this - She looked around to make sure that she was alone 29 More or less: almost, approximately E.g - I’ve more or less finished the book - She could earn $200 a night, more or less 30 On time: at the scheduled time, exactly at the correct time, punctually E.g - Our train arrived exactly on time 31 Once again: again, one more time E.g - I tried once again to phone my boss at his home 32 Regardless of St: in spite of St E.g - Regardless of the weather, we are going to go fishing tomorrow morning 33 Right away: immediately E.g - I forgot my book at home but I will go and get it right away 34 So far: until now E.g - So far, no one has entered the speech contest at the television station 35 Take advantage of St/St: to make used St well; to make used of an opportunity E.g - She took advantage of the children’s absence to tidy their rooms - We took full advantage of the hotel facilities 36 Take care of Sb/St: to look after or give attention to someone or something E.g - It is good to take care of your health or you will become sick 37 Take place: to happen, especially after previously being arranged or planned E.g - The film festival takes place in October 38 Take Sb’s/St’s place/ Take the place of Sb/St: to replace Sb/St E.g - She couldn’t attend the meeting so her assistant took her place - Computers have taken the place of typerwriters in most offices 39 Be up to Sb: to be Sb’s duty or responsibility; to be for Sb to decide E.g - It’s not up to you to tell me how to my job - Shall we eat out or stay in? It’s up to you 40 Cost an arm and a leg: very expensive E.g - This new car cost me an arm and a leg 41 On cloud nine: very happy E.g - When I passed the driving test, I was on cloud nine 42 Once in blue moon: very rarely E.g - I go to a movie theater once in a blue moon 43 A piece of cake: very easy to E.g - After studying hard, the test was a piece of cake 44 Sell like hotcakes: sell fast E.g - Danielle Steel’s new book is selling like hotcakes 17 45 A smart cookie: intelligent person E.g - My brother has always been a smart cookie 46 Life is just a bowl of cherries: Life is wonderful E.g - Ann always says: “Life is just a bowl of cherries.” 47 The apple of one’s eye: someone’s favourite person E.g - Arba is the apple of my eye 48 Upset the apple cart: to cause big problems E.g - Don’t tell dad I drove his car last night You’ll upset the apple cart 49 A pie in the sky: unrealistic E.g - Going on vacation on the Moon for almost all of us is a pie in the sky 46 Your salad days: time when you were young and inexperienced E.g - When we get together with school friends, we talk about our salad days 47 Bring home the bacon: to earn enough to support the family E.g - Amy is a single mom and she works long hours to bring home the bacon 48 Save your bacon: save you from risk E.g - My son’s quick idea to solve my problem saved my bacon 49 Bread and butter: the main source of profit E.g - He sells variety of things, but the computers are his bread and butter 50 Break bread: to share a meal with other people E.g - We used to break bread when we were in the dorm 51 Cup of tea: favourite activity, the best choice of entertainment E.g - Making trips is my cup of tea 52 Cook your goose: to ruin oneself, to be in trouble E.g - If you borrow too much money for your business, you will cook your goose 53 Small potatoes: unimportant things E.g - Don’t worry about your car scratches They are small potatoes 54 A hot potato: a topic that is considered too dangerous to become involved with E.g - Talking about religion used to be a hot potato 55 Drop someone like a hot potato: to leave someone right away E.g - When she found out he was not rich, she dropped him like a hot potato 56 Cry in your beer: to regret not having done St E.g - Study hard and get your diploma Or, someday you’ll be crying in your beer 57 Go bananas: to become very excited and act wildly E.g - Mary went bananas when she passed the exams 58 Drive me nuts: to make you crazy E.g - The noise of the boys on the bus drives me nuts 59 A peach: a very nice, caring person E.g - Mary is such a peach She spent Saturday helping me cook the food the party 60 Drink like a fish: to drink a lot especially liquor E.g - When Bob visits us, we buy a lot of beer He drinks like a fish 61 Rub salt in the wound: to make the situation worse E.g - Do not criticize her in front of her friend You are rubbing salt in the wound 62 Land Sb in hot water: to get Sb in trouble E.g - He is not afraid to criticize his boss, but this often lands him in hot water 18 63 Go to Sb’s head: to make Sb drunk E.g - I go very easy on wine because it soon goes to my head 64 By mistake: by accident; without intending to E.g - I took your bag instead of mine by mistake 65 On purpose: not by accident; deliberately E.g - He did it on purpose, knowing it would annoy her 66 Lift/Raise a finger/hand (to St): to nothing to help Sb E.g - The children never lift a finger to help around the house 67 In the presence of Sb/ In Sb’s presence: with Sb in the same place E.g - The document was signed in the presence of two witnesses - She asked them no to discuss the matter in her presence 68 Be blame (for St): to be responsible for St bad E.g - If anyone’s to blame, it’s me - Which driver was to blame for the accident? 69 Make allowance(s) for St/ Make allowances (for Sb): to consider St, for example when you are making a decision or planning St; to allow Sb to behave in a way that you would not usually accept, because of a problem or because there is a special reason E.g - The budget made allowance for inflation - The plan makes no allowance for people working at different rates - You have to make allowances for him because he’s tired 70 Make up your mind/ Make your mind up: to decide St E.g - They’re both beautiful – I can’t make up my mind - Have you made your minds up where to go for your honeymoon? 71 Be in doubt: to be uncertain E.g - The success of the system is not in doubt 72 No doubt: used when you are saying that St is probable or that St is certainly true E.g - No doubt she’ll call us when she gets there - He’s made some great movies There’s no doubt about it 73 Do (Sb) good: to have a useful effect; to help Sb E.g - Do you think these latest changes will any good? - I’m sure a few days off would you a power of good 74 Be/Stand in awe of Sb/St: to admire Sb/St and be slightly frightened of them/it E.g - While Diana was in awe of her grandfather, she adored her grandmother 75 Take it for granted (that …): to believe St is true without first making sure that it is E.g - I just took it for granted that he’d always be around - She seemed to take it for granted that I would go with her to New York 76 Take Sb/St for granted: to be so used to Sb/St that you not recognize their true value any more and not show that you are grateful E.g - Her husband was always there and she just took him for granted - We take having an endless supply of clean water for granted 77 Above all: most important of all, especially E.g - Above all, keep in touch 78 Keep an eye on Sb/St: to take care of Sb/St and make sure that they are not harmed, damaged, etc E.g - We’ve asked the neighbours to keep an eye on the house for us while we are away 19 79 Break even: to complete a piece of business, etc without either losing money or making a profit E.g - The company just about broke even last year 80 Buy St on credit: to buy St by paying later E.g - We bought the dishwasher on credit 81 Take effect: to start to produce the results that are intended; to begin to apply E.g - The aspirins soon take effect - The new law takes effect from tomorrow 82 Part and parcel of St: an essential part of St E.g - Keeping the accounts is part and parcel of my job 83 At the back of your mind: if a thought, etc is at the back of your mind, you are aware of it but it is not what you are mainly thinking about E.g - At the back of my mind was a small, warning voice, telling me it was wrong 84 Not turn a hair: to show no emotion when St surprising, shocking, etc happens E.g - She listened to his confession without turning a hair 85 In writing: in the form of a letter, document, etc E.g - All telephone reservations must be confirmed in writing - Could you put your complaint in writing? PRACTICE ON IDIOMS EXERCISE 1: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words I’m sure he took your briefcase by mistake => I’m sure he didn’t ………………………………………………………… Tony stood in for me at the meeting => Tony took ………………………………………………………………… Nobody helped me at all (finger) => ……………………………………………………………………………… I was there when he admitted the truth (presence) => ……………………………………………………………………………… You shouldn’t feel that what happened was your fault (for) => ……………………………………………………………………………… Please excuse Jane’s poor typing: she’s only been learning for a month (allowances) => ……………………………………………………………………………… Simon really ought to make a decision about his future (mind) => It’s high time Simon ……………………………………… about his future Barbara’s parents were certain that she would be a great tennis player (doubt) => Barbara’s parents were …………… that she would be a great tennis player Dr Sharp wants you to look after his patients while he’s away (CARE) => Dr Sharp would like you to ………………………… his absence 10 Yogurt is supposed to be good for you => Yogurt is supposed to …………………………………………………… EXERCISE 2: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words In your opinion, did Romeo really love Juliet? => Do you think ……………………………………………………………… ? 20 All the witnesses said the accident was my fault (blame) => All the witnesses said that …………………………………… the accident Maria said I had caused the accident (blamed) => Maria ………………………………………………………… the accident You should just ignore anything Mike says (notice) => You should ……………………………………………………………… Witnesses said the accident was the van driver’s fault (blamed) => …………………………………………………………………………… At first the new computer made me feel a bit afraid (awe) => …………………………………………………………………………… I assumed that you would ask for a reference (granted) => …………………………………………………………………………… You’d feel better if you had a quiet holiday (do) => …………………………………………………………………………… What I want more than anything is peace and quiet (all) => What I want ………………………………………………………………… 10 I didn’t mean to break the vase (purpose) EXERCISE 3: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words The police arrived as the thieves were committing the crime (red-handed) => …………………………………………………………………………… The arrived at their destination alive and kicking => …………………………………………………………………………… This is the first time I’ve seen her in my life (set) => …………………………………………………………………………… He is different from his brother in almost all respects (bears) => …………………………………………………………………………… Andrew doesn’t claim to have a lot of musical talent (pretence) => …………………………………………………………………………… It’s unlikely he’ll be picked for the Olympic swimming team (chances) => …………………………………………………………………………… We were lucky to find somewhere to park so quickly (stroke) => …………………………………………………………………………… I wonder where Harry is now – I haven’t seen him for years (become) => …………………………………………………………………………… This is a subject that Jack and I disagree about (eye) => …………………………………………………………………………… 10 If you were in the situation I’m in, you’d feel the same => If you put …………………………………………………………………… EXERCISE 4: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words John was shocked to hear that he had failed his driving test (came) => …………………………………………………………………………… Didn’t you realize that he was only pretending? => Didn’t it …………………………………………………………………… Don’t panic about something so trivial (mountain) => …………………………………………………………………………… 21 What has this experience taught you? => What conclusions ………………………………………………………… To pass the time, I looked through some magazines => I whiled ……………………………………………………………………… The business is hardly making a profit at the moment (even) => …………………………………………………………………………… Nowadays goods are often acquired but not paid for immediately (credit) => …………………………………………………………………………… We never purchase small quantities as we would make less profit (bulk) => …………………………………………………………………………… I have frequently made stupid mistakes like that => Many’s …………………………………………………………………… 10 We were all shocked by his reaction => His reaction came ………………………………………………………… EXERCISE 5: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words The new regulations will begin to apply on June 1st (effect) => …………………………………………………………………………… Being a film star involves making sacrifices in your personal life (parcel) => …………………………………………………………………………… It doesn’t seem likely that they’ll make him resign (likelihood) => …………………………………………………………………………… Julia soon calmed down and explained her problem => …………………………………………………………………………… I felt vaguely that something was wrong, but what was it? (back) => …………………………………………………………………………… When they broke the news, she stayed perfectly calm and controlled (hair) => …………………………………………………………………………… We agreed that each of us would the washing-up on alternate days (turns) => …………………………………………………………………………… I remained neutral during their disagreement because I liked both of them (sides) => …………………………………………………………………………… The new musical has delighted theatre audiences throughout the country (storm) => …………………………………………………………………………… 10 If you wish to complain, you must write a letter (writing) => …………………………………………………………………………… EXERCISE 6: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words Do you consider Michael one of your best friends? => Do you count ……………………………………………………………… We were all shocked by his reaction => His reaction came ………………………………………………………… Mr Foster asked me to write this letter to you => It is at ……………………………………………………………………… Regarding payment, most major credit cards are acceptable => As far as …………………………………………………………………… 22 I firmly believe him to be the rudest person I know (without) => ……………………………………………………………………………… You may not be able to find a parking space in the city centre => I doubt …………………………………………………………………… Don’t ask him about the accident, he is upset already (state) => …………………………………………………………………………… The senior students believe that they are old enough to choose which classes to attend (regard) => …………………………………………………………………………… Since the company’s methods were exposed in a newspaper, people have lost their good opinion of it (disrepute) => …………………………………………………………………………… 10 She was so beautiful that I couldn’t stop looking at her (eyes) ANSWER KEY EXERCISE 1: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words take your briefcase on purpose/ intentionally/ deliberately my place at the meetinng Nobody lifted a finger to help me He admitted the truth in my presence You shouldn’t blame yourself for what happened Please make allowances for Jane’s poor typing: she’s only been learning for a month made up his mind/ made his mind up in no doubt/ not in any doubt take care of his patients during/ in his absence 10 Yogurt is supposed to you good EXERCISE 2: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words Do you think Romeo really loved Juliet? I was to blame for blamed me for (causing/ having caused) the accident take no notice of… / not take any notice of …anything Mike says Witnesses blamed the van driver for the accident./ blamed the accident on the van driver At first I felt/ was made to feel in awe of the new computer I took it for granted that you would ask for a reference A quiet holiday would you good above all is peace and quiet – more than anything = above all (else) 10 didn’t break the vase on purpose EXERCISE 3: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words The police caught the thieves red-handed They arrived at their destination safe and sound This is the first time I’ve set eyes on her in my life He bears little resemblance/ hardly any resemblance to his brother Andrew makes no pretence to having a lot of musical talent His chances of being picked for the Olympic swimming team are poor/slim 23 It was a stroke of luck that we found somewhere to park so quickly./ Finding somewhere to park so quickly was a stroke of luck I wonder what has become of Harry – I haven’t seen him for years This is a subject that Jack and I don’t see eye to eye on 10 yourself in my place/position/situation, you’d feel the same EXERCISE 4: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words It came as a shock/surprise (to John) to hear that he had failed his driving test occur to you that he was only pretending? Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill have you drawn from/as a result of this experience? away the time by looking some magazines The business is hardly breaking even at the moment Nowadays goods are often bought on credit We always buy in bulk in order to make more profit the time that I have made stupid mistakes like that 10 as a shock to all of us/ to us all EXERCISE 5: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words The new regulation (will) take effect / come into effect on June 1st Making sacrifices in your personal life is part and parcel of being a film star There seems (to be) little likelihood that they’ll make him resign/ of their making him resign/of his having to resign Julia soon pulled herself together and explained her problem I felt at the back of my mind that something was wrong, but what was it? When they broke the news, she didn’t turn a hair We agreed that each of us would take (it in) turns to the washing-up I didn’t take sides during their disagreement because I liked both of them The new musical has taken theatre audiences throughout the country by storm 10 If you wish to complain, you must so in writing EXERCISE 6: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words Michael as (being) one of your best friends? as a shock to us all at Mr Foster’s request that I am writing this letter to you payment is concerned, most major credit cards are acceptable He is without doubt the rudest person I know if you will be able to find a parking space in the city centre Don’t ask him about the accident, he is in the state already 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, it has fallen into disrepute 10 She was so beautiful that I couldn’t take my eyes off her 24 Evaluatiion the results of the study 4.1 Findings of the study After a trial period in some classes at Mai Anh Tuan High School (mainly class 11A and 11M), I noticed that the students made a considerable progress They know more phrasal verbs and idioms and know how to rewriting sentences exercises with them effectively Specific findings Class 11A 11M Total Number of Boys student 50 26 43 32 93 58 8-10 6.5-7.9 5-6.5