to turn down

Example 1:

Sandra has been looking for a job for about a month. She had a job interview today with a great company. The company was really impressed with Sandra and offered her a job right away. The only problem is that Sandra is still a student and she takes classes in the morning. The company needs someone who can work the morning shift. Unfortunately, Sandra had to turn down the job offer.

Example 2:

Jared and Susan have 3 classes together this semester. They spend a lot of time together in class and out of class studying. Jared started having special feelings for Susan after late-night study sessions during mid-term exams. He was sure that she felt the same, so he asked her out on a romantic date. Susan was so surprised! She was really excited because she was feeling the same way about Jared. Of course, Susan accepted the date, and Jared was happy that Susan didn't turn him down.

Meaning:

to turn down (phrasal verb) means to say no to someone's proposal/suggestion/request or refuse an offer. In Example 1, Sandra must refuse the job offer because of her schedule. In Example 2, Jared requests a date with Susan and Susan did not refuse.

to turn down is a separable phrasal verb, so be careful when using object pronouns, shorter nouns (2 words or less), and longer nouns (more than 2 words).

turn (object pronoun) down
ex: She turned him down.

turn (short noun) down
ex: Carl will turn the offer down.

turn down (short noun)
ex: Carl will turn down the offer.

turn down (long noun)
ex: Mike had to turn down the job offer in Texas.


This idiom was taken from LSI's textbook titled Speaking Savvy. This book is used to teach Speaking and Listening in our Level 5 class. For more information please visit: http://www.languagesystems.com/

to be crazy about something/someone

Example 1:

Sherman is really crazy about Star Wars. Every year, he attends the Star Wars convention dressed as Darth Vader. He collects all the action figures and toys he can find. Sherman even named his new puppy Princess Leia! I hope he can find a girls who is as crazy about Star Wars as he is!


Example 2:

I am crazy about Martin. He is so handsome, and he tells the best jokes! I can't stop thinking about him. Martin is the perfect guy for me!

Meaning:

to be crazy about something/someone is an expression that many Americans use when they are talking about something/someone that they really, really, really like.

So, if you really, really like chocolate, you can say, "I am crazy about chocolate."
If you like baseball very much, you can say, "I am crazy about baseball."

What are you crazy about?

This idiom was taken from LSI's textbook titled Speaking Savvy. This book is used to teach Speaking and Listening in our Level 5 class. For more information, please visit: http://www.languagesystems.com/