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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

in the long run

Example 1:
Carly: I don't want to study anymore! I have been a student for too long! I should just quit school.
Mary: Carly! Don't be crazy! I know school can be difficult, but it will be worth it in the long run. Trust me.  
Carly: I know. You're probably right. 
Example 2:
Many children don't enjoy eating vegetables. It's important for parents to show children that eating a balanced diet will improve their overall health in the long run. Children may have trouble understanding this, and are only focused on the present. 
Meaning:
in the long run means in the future. This idiom is often used when the present situation is not ideal or is uncertain, as in examples 1& 2.
In example 1, Carly doesn't want to study now, but Mary reminds her that studying now will give her an advantage in the future.
In example 2, children don't know (or care) that vegetables will benefit them in the future. They are only concerned about the present. 
This idiom can be found in Reading Transitions. This book is used in the Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary class. To learn more, please visit www.languagesystems.com
 

to fake it

Example 1:
My boyfriend loves action movies, but I prefer romantic comedies. He gets so excited when we go to the theater to see the newest action movie. I don't want to make him feel bad, so I fake it and act excited, too.
Example 2:
Bonnie: Shhh! Look, little Joey is sleeping. Let's be very quiet. I don't want to wake him up. 
Amanda: OK, I'll be quiet.
Joey: HAHA! I tricked you! I'm not sleeping!
Bonnie: Joey! You were faking it! You tricked us!
Meaning:
Remember the word fake (adj) means "not real."
The idiom to fake it means to pretend, and is used as a verb. 
In example 1, the speaker's excitement for action movies is fake, she doesn't really enjoy them. When she goes to see an action movie with her boyfriend, she fakes it/pretends
In example 2, Joey is pretending to sleep, meaning that his sleeping is fake. He is faking it and not actually sleeping. He just wanted to play a joke on Bonnie and Amanda. 
This idiom comes from the LSI book titled Reading Transitions.  This book is used to teach Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes at LSI schools.  For more information please visitwww.languagesystems.com