Stop and Smell the Roses

Example 1:

Mark: Hi, Joanne. You look a little tired. Are you OK?

Joanne: Hey, Mark. Yeah, I'm all right. I have been really busy recently. My new job is pretty demanding and I've got a few big projects to complete for school. I haven't been sleeping very well, but I'll be OK.

Mark: It's good to be busy, but make sure you stop and smell the roses! You don't want to make yourself sick. 

Example 2: 

I have a great job and it requires me to work many hours each week. Although I really enjoy my job, I have to remember to stop and smell the roses from time to time. Life isn't just about work. It's important to stop and appreciate the simple things in life.

Meaning:

Stop and smell the roses is a common English expression that can be used as friendly advice to someone who may be working too much or too hard.

If you take a break (stop) and enjoy the simple pleasures in life (and smell the roses), everything can be a little more enjoyable!

This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook titled "Reading Foundations"  This book is used at LSI to teach the Level 2 Reading/Vocabulary class.  For more informatioin please visit www.languagesystems.com

I Wouldn't Say That

Example 1:

Ron: Hey Sally, let's see a movie at the theater tonight.

Sally: That's a great idea! What should we see?

Ron: I really want to see the new "Rambo" movie! It looks awesome!

Sally: Hmm, could we see that movie another day? I don't want to watch an action movie.

Ron: Oh, OK. I didn't know you hated action movies.

Sally: I wouldn't say that. Tonight just seems like a good night for a comedy. 

Example 2:

Student 1: More homework?! This teacher isn't fair. I think she hates us.

Student 2: I wouldn't say that. I think she just wants us to practice as much as we can. 

Explanation:

I wouldn't say that is a very polite way to disagree with someone's comment. You can add a comment to explain why you disagree. 

In Example 1, Ron thinks Sally hates action movies. Sally politely disagrees with him and explains that she would rather see a comedy movie. 

Ron: Oh, OK. I didn't know you hated action movies. (Sally disagrees with this)

Sally: I wouldn't say that. Tonight just seems like a good night for a comedy. (Sally explains why she disagrees)

In Example 2, Student 1 thinks the teacher is too strict because she assigns a lot of homework. Student 2 disagrees and offers a different point of view.

This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook titled "Speaking Transitions"  This book is used at LSI to teach the Level 4 Speaking class.  For more informatioin please visit www.languagesystems.com