To sit on the fence
Definition: Avoid making a decision or choice Henry: Hi Vinicius! Have you decided what class you want to take next session? Vinicius: No I’m still sitting on the fence. Henry: Which class are you on the fence about? Vinicius: I will either take Advanced Conversation or Level 7, but I’m trying to figure out which […]
To look on the bright side
Context #1: Amy: We need to save money. Brian: Why do we need to save money? Amy:Because we need to buy a house. Brian: But a house is so expensive. Amy: That’s why we need to save money. Brian: How much do we need to save? Amy:We need to save enough for a down payment. Brian: How much is that? Amy: That’s […]
To Cut a Rug (used as a verb)
Idiom: to cut a rug; used as a verb First Example: Brie: I saw you dancing with Deb. You guys really cut a rug. Aj: Yeah, we were having a blast. Brie: I didn’t realize you were such a great dancer. Aj: Neither did I! I think Deb is the great dancer, and she just […]
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 […]
Eye-popping
Idiom: Eye-popping; used as an adjective Context #1: Taylor: Did you see the new Christopher Nolan movie? Jake: Yeah. You? Taylor: Yeah, and while I didn’t really care for the story, the cinematography was eye-popping! I was not expecting it to look that amazing. Jake: Yeah, I was blown away by how beautiful it was. […]
to grill someone
Idiom: to grill someone; used as a verb First Example: Theresa was really grilling Harry on their first date. She was sure asking him all these questions about his preferences. He eventuall had to ask her to stop. Second Example: When Janice said she hadn’t done her homework because she had to go to the […]
To kick (something) around
Idiom: To kick (something) around; used as a verb First Example: Dawn: How is the screenplay that you’re writing with Janet? Jeff: Truthfully, we’re kind of stuck. We can’t settle on an ending. Dawn: Oh? Jeff: We’ve got a few ideas we’re kicking around at the moment, but we haven’t found anything we really like. Dawn: […]
A bunch of
Idiom: a bunch of Context #1: Jim: I need to go to the store to get some pens for my class. Steve: Really? I have a bunch of extra pens. I can give you like 10 if you want. Jim: Are you sure? That would be great. Thanks! It’ll save me a trip to the […]
Over the hill
Example: Iain: “Hi, Ligia! Happy birthday!” Ligia: “Thank you, Iain! I am so happy it’s my birthday!” Iain: “You are turning 30, right?” Ligia: “ I am actually turning 37… Pretty soon I’ll be over the hill.” Iain: “Ligia… you are still young! You’ll not be over the hill anytime soon!!” Ligia: “You are right! […]
To let (someone) down
To let (someone) down: to disappoint, to not complete an expectation Jamie: Sorry I’m late, Mr. Tosca. Mr. Tosca: You told me your presentation would ready two hours ago. Our new clients are very angry. Jamie: Don’t worry, Mr. Tosca. I’ll explain everything to them. Mr. Tosca: No, you won’t. They left 45 minutes ago! […]