From time to time
Context #1 Luz: Do you like watching action movies? I think they’re the best. Leo:Sure, from time to time. Luz: Like how often? Leo: maybe once every three or four days. Not too often. Context #2 Bob: From time to time I remember when we first met. Shannon: That’s so sweet of you to say. I didn’t think you […]
Get out of here
Context #1 Sam:Guess what? I got a new car. I got a brand new BMW. Chris:Get out of here! Sam: Really! Context #2 Sharon: I finally broke up with Matt. Tammy: Now way. Get out of here! Sharon: Really. This time it’s is over. Meaning: “to get out of here” is a common idiom that […]
To draw a blank
Context #1: Faz and Tyler are eating at a restaurant. Tyler: Faz, you are the most forgetful person I know. Faz: No way! My memory is just fine. Tyler: Oh, really? How long have we known each other? Faz: Um… More than ten years! Tyler: Okay, so what is my name? Faz: It’s…ah… Give me […]
To be in hot water
Context #1: James is met at home by his angry mother Mother: You are in hot water, young man! James: Why? What did I do? Mother: You took the car without asking. Now you come home – and it’s 2:00 am! You didn’t call or tell me where you were! James: But, Mom, I couldn’t […]
To gobble (something) up/down
Context #1: Kirk: We gotta leave soon if we’re going to make the play. Jake: I just made dinner. Kirk: Then let’s gobble it up; we have to leave in 10 minutes. Jake: Ugh. I shouldn’t have bothered making anything nice. Kirk: Sorry, but I told you we had these tickets for tonight. Jake: I […]
Munchies
Context #1 – Hanging out at home Jo:Hurry up, the movie is starting. Becky: I’m trying to hurry, but there’s nothing to snack on and I have the munchies. Jo:You’re always hungry. Can’t you watch without food? Becky:Movies are so much better with a snack to munch on. Jo:I guess. In that case, maybe we should go […]
Rug Rat
Idiom: Rug rat – a small child Context #1 – Kindergarten Barry: My group of rug rats has too much energy today. Donnie: Perhaps they had too much sugar to eat this morning. Maybe give them a couple of extra minutes of recess to burn the energy out. Barry: That’s not a bad idea. Donnie: Yeah, otherwise the rug […]
Off-the-Cuff
Context #1 – Students in class at university Vickey: I’m so confused after Professor Johnson’s lecture today. Did you understand any of it? Mac: Not at all! He just makes a bunch of off-the-cuff remarks and thinks it is a lecture. I doubt he even knows what he is talking about. Vickey: I agree. He […]
Off the Beaten Path
Idiom: Off the Beaten Track/Path – in or into an isolated place; in a place where very few people go; a place not known by the general public Context #1 – Roommates at home Vanessa: Hey, Brad! I’ve been looking all over for you. Where have you been? Brad: Oh, hi Vanessa. Sorry, I was really […]
To Pose For
To pose for – To assume a position or attitude for a photograph or painting. Context #1 – Two friends talking Victoria: Hey, Bob. What are you doing? Bob: I’m getting ready to pose for a photoshoot online. They want to feature me in a piece they are doing on successful business people. Victoria: OK. […]
Pay it forward
Context #1 John: Have you heard what people have started doing at the Starbucks drive through? The person in front is paying for whatever the people behind them have ordered. Steve: Yeah, I’ve heard about that happening. I guess people are just trying to be kind to each other. John:That’s right. It’s a really cool […]
A kick!!
Context #1 Tom:What are you doing? Chris:I’m putting Tabasco sauce in my humus. Tom:Why? Chris:Well, the humus tastes good, but it needs a little kick. Context #2 Suzie:What did you order? Teresa: I ordered the Thai green curry. Suzie: I’ve had that before. I hope you like spicy food because that green curry really has […]
