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Thursday, December 4, 2014

To Ring Up

Idiom: To Ring Up

Example 1:
Store clerk to the man waiting in line to pay: "Hello, sir. Are you ready? I can ring you up at this register."

Example 2:
Shopper who realizes there is mistake on her receipt: "I have to go back to the store. The cashier rang up 2 cartons of eggs but I only have 1. I was overcharged for something I didn't buy!"

Meaning: "To Ring Up" is a separable phrasal verb that is used to describe the action of the cashier in a store. 
"The cashier will ring up your items."
"Can you ring me up?"
Remember! When using object pronouns (you, me, us, it, etc) the pronoun must separate the phrasal verb. Ex: Ring me up   NOT: Ring up me. Longer nouns that are not pronouns generally don't separate the phrasal verb. Ex: Ring up all the items in my shopping cart. NOT: Ring all the items in my shopping cart up.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Retail Therapy

Idiom: Retail Therapy


Example 1:
Cora: Frances just broke up with her boyfriend. We need to plan something to help cheer her up. Do you have any ideas?
Julie: I have the perfect idea! She loves shopping, so I think some retail therapy will definitely help her feel better!
Cora: Great idea! Let's pick her up and go to the mall.

Example 2:
With the stress of the holidays and the cold winter weather, it's easy for people to begin to feel depressed. That's why shopping is so popular this time of year! We love to buy gifts for our loved ones, but a little retail therapy really helps some people feel better! 

Meaning: "Retail therapy" is an expression that's used to describe shopping as a treatment for sadness.  @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA