To Drop a Hint
Idiom:(to) drop a hint Example 1: Rudolph: Hey Dasher, what kind of gift are you getting for your girlfriend this holiday season? Dasher: Wait. You’ll find out after the holiday season. Rudolph: Oh, come on, drop me a hint! It’s not my gift. Dasher: No way! It’s a big surprise. Example 2: Manny: Hey, how […]
A Blessing In Disguise
Idiom: A blessing in disguise Meaning: Something that at first appears to be bad or unlucky but is actually good. Example: Mike: I heard you lost your job. Is that true? Sam: Yeah, it is! But losing my job was a blessing in disguise. Mike: How so? Sam: I never would have found my current job if […]
Food Coma
Read this thank you note and try to guess the meaning of the idiom in bold: What do you think the idiom food coma means? A. The state of foods, especially vegetables, that are nearly dead before being completely cooked or ingested. B. Feeling very tired and sleepy shortly after eating a big meal. C. A punctuation mark in the shape of […]
To Squirrel Something Away
Idiom: To squirrel something away; used as a verb First Example: Kyle: I bought a car! Elizabeth: Really? How much are your monthly payments? Kyle: I don’t have any. Elizabeth: What?! How? Kyle: I’ve been squirreling away a little money from each paycheck for years, and it saved up over time! […]
Skeleton(s) in one's closet
Idiom: skeleton(s) in one’s closet ; used as a noun First Example: Michael: Why is Oscar so upset? Pam: You didn’t hear? Everyone found out that his brother is in prison, and now he’s really embarrassed. Michael: Why? It’s not like he’s the one in jail. Pam: […]
To hit the books
Idiom: To hit the books Context #1 – Two students just got back from the one-week break and are starting a new term at Language Systems in LA. Jeff: What a vacation! San Francisco was beautiful and the weather was perfect. Katie: I know. It’s nice to take a break from school and get out of town […]
Heat Wave
Idiom: Heat Wave Context #1 – Walking in LA during a heat wave The temperature is 105 plus degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), and it feels like you just stepped into a huge oven. It’s the hottest it’s been in recent memory. You just passed a homeless guy who was trying to fry an egg on […]
At face value
Idiom: at face value Example 1-Sales representatives will do anything to sell you their product. So, don’t take their word at face value. Example 2-Charlie is very smart; if he gives you legal advice, you should take it at face value. Meaning: “at face value” means the superficial appearance or implication of something. @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSISB www.languagesystems.edu
To face the music
Idiom: to face the music Example 1- (In school)Sally didn’t study for her tests this week. She’ll have to face the music when it’s time to show her parents her results. Example 2- I had to face the music after the teacher caught me using my phone during the test. Meaning: “to face the music” means to accept […]
To stay tuned
Idiom: to stay tuned Example 1-(News story on television)There was a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in our town this morning. Reports of damage are slowly being reported. Residents are urged to stay tuned for emergency instructions. Example 2- Stay tunedfor more updates and pictures from the Beach Party. Meaning: “to stay tuned” means to stay on one news channel, radio station, […]
To have a blast
Idiom: to have a blast Example 1- (last week)Don’t forget to buy your ticket for the Beach Party! It’s on Friday and we always have a blast, so you don’t want to miss it! Example 2- (this week) The Beach Party was so much fun! We had a blast playing beach volleyball, tug-of-war, water games, and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! I’m so […]
To burn off
Idiom: to burn off Context #1: Julie: Hey, do you want to go to the beach today? Kathy: I don’t know. It’s really cloudy right now. Julie: I know. California is like that in June. It’s always cloudy in the morning but once the clouds burn off it’ll be gorgeous. Kathy: Really? Ok! Let’s go […]
