Second to None
Second to None:the best, better than anything or anyone else Context #1 – A friend is asking his roommate about restaurants Mark: Hey, Mannie. What are you doing? Mannie: Well, I’m looking for a really nice restaurant. I’ve decided to ask Tanya to marry me and I would like to do it in a romantic […]
A drop in the bucket
First Example: Mary: Thanks for the donation for the Children’s Hospital. Conner: I wish I could give more. I know $100 is a drop in the bucket compared to what they need. Mary: It’s still generous of you. Yeah, we need to raise about $10 million, but if more […]
Fallen on deaf ears
Example 1: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has been warning people for years: smoking cigarettes is bad for your health. Beginning in 1965, the CDC required that warning labels be placed in small letters on the side of every package of cigarettes sold in the U.S. These warning labels read, “Caution: Cigarette Smoking […]
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 […]
A small world
Context #1 Tom: So Sara, where are you from?Sara: I’m from California.Tom: Really? Me too! Where in California?Sarah: I’m from San Diego. How about you?Tom: I’m from San Diego too. Wow! It’s a small world! Context #2 Chris: You know that new girl in our class? Well, I just found out that we grew up […]
Actions speak louder than words
Context #1 Amy: Hey Brian, what time will you pick me for tomorrow’s carpool to school? Brian: I’ll be there at 9 am sharp. Amy: Are you sure? Because the last 3 times you were late and we almost missed our first class. I would almost prefer to walk than wait for you again if […]
A penny for your thoughts
Context #1 Friends making a decision about where to take a trip Natalie: I was thinking about the restaurants we should visit while in San Francisco. I have so many I want to go to. What about you? Robert: I don’t know what to say. Whatever is fine. Natalie: Hey, we’re doing this together right? A penny for […]
Pull Christmas Crackers
Context #1 Family sitting down for Christmas dinner Dad: OK everyone. Let’s sit down to eat Christmas dinner! Jason: Dad, can we pull the Christmas crackers now? Dad: Sure, Jason! Go ahead. Jason: Pulling Christmas cracker with his sister and it makes a “bang.” Mother: Oh, look at those cute little toys. OK, Jason, now let […]
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 […]
Black Friday; used as a noun
Context: Alex: What are you doing over the Thanksgiving break? Armando: Well, I’m spending Thanksgiving evening with my parents, and then I’m spending the night in a Best Buy parking lot. Alex: Why would you do that? Armando: It’s Black Friday. I need a new computer, and they are selling a laptop I’ve had my […]
To shoot some hoops
Context #1: I just want to relax this weekend. I don’t want to study. I don’t want to clean or do laundry. I just want to relax. Maybe I’ll watch something on Netflix or take a long nap. I might call up some friends and shoot some hoops if the weather is nice. Context #2: We […]
Shoot the Breeze!!
Context #1: Mark: Hey Rob! How was your date last night with Mary? Rob: Hi Mark. It was OK. I’m not sure we’re a good match. Mark: Why not? Rob: Well, we met for coffee and only spent about 30 minutes together before she left. We were pretty uncomfortable, just shooting the breeze. She didn’t really […]
