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. […]
Street Smart
Idiom: street smart(s); used as an adjective or noun Context #1: Lenny: So Mayra got a new place. Bruce: Really? Where is it? Lenny: Over on 4th, kind of near the freeway. Bruce: Isn’t that kind of a bad neighborhood? Lenny: Yeah, but she’s street smart. She grew up in an area like that, so she […]
To catch some rays
Context #1: Gina: Hi, Will! It looks like you caught some rays on the weekend. Will: I sure did! My friend and I went to Huntington Beach on Saturday. We played in an all-day beach volleyball tournament! Context #2: Linda: Joan, where were you? Joan: Oh, it is such a nice day. I went out to catch some rays. […]
Cut (somebody) some slack
Context #1 Andrew: Last week’s assignment was due two days ago. Why haven’t you finished it yet? Mia: Andrew, you know I’ve been having some personal problems. Please cut me some slack. Andrew:There are no exceptions. If I cut you some slack, then everyone will want me to cut some slackfor them. Mia:You’re so inflexible. I wish you would […]
To snake something
Context #1 Tom: Hey, what happened to my french fries? I go to the restroom and I come back to find them almost gone? Chris: Yeah, when you left I saw John snake a handful of them. He just laughed and walked away. Context #2 Carol: You’re never going to believe what happened yesterday. I was […]
To Eat It
Context #1 Jim: Hey, what happened to your elbow? It’s all bandaged up. Tony: Well, I was riding my bike to school yesterday and I ate it when I was going down hill. Jim: Wow! You have to be careful. Context #2 Susie: I heard your boyfriend is teaching you how to skateboard. Jenny: […]
To Troll
Idiom: To troll someone or something. Used as a verb (action) or noun (person). To make a provocative online comment or posting with the goal of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them. A person who posts to an internet discussion group, chat room, or blog with the sole purpose of disrupting it. Context […]
Come out swinging
First Example: Charlie: Did you watch the political debate last week? Emilio: Of course! It was so shocking; both candidates came out swinging. Charlie: That’s an understatement; they were beyond aggressive. Emilio: They attacked each other relentlessly. Meaning: To “come out swinging” comes from the aggressive act of swinging your arms to punch someone or an […]
Pull yourself together (used informally)
Idiom: Pull yourself together: used informally Context #1 Coach and player talking Coach: Ok, this is really an important race. If we win the next race then our team will be in first place. Vinnie: I know coach but I’m so nervous. I don’t think that I will be able to compete. I think I’m going […]
To be running on fumes
Idiom: To be running on fumes – to continue to do something or stay awake when there is almost no energy left to do it. Context #1 – Two friends talking Vincent: Hey, Brandy! Oh my God, you look so tired. Are you OK? Brandy: Not really. I still […]
