A night on the town

Idiom: A night on the town

Meaning: an evening when people go various places and enjoy different types of entertainment such as dancing in a nightclub, eating in a restaurant, or drinking in a bar.

Context #1 – Kiki just graduated from UCLA and her friend wants to take her out to celebrate

Gerry: Congratulations, Kiki! You made it! How does it feel to be a college graduate?

 Kiki: It feels great! All those years of studying are now worth it.

Gerry: Well, I want to take you out to celebrate. Why don’t we go out for a night on the town this weekend?

 Kiki: Oh, that sounds like fun! Where should we go?

Gerry: It’s up to you. You should choose since we are celebrating your graduation.

Kiki: Well, I love dancing. Do you think we could go to that new nightclub that just opened up in West Hollywood?

Context #2 – Jackie has friends coming in from out of town

Jackie: A couple of my friends are coming to visit from Florida next month. This is their first time to LA and I really want to show them a good time.

Tommy: Well, LA is known for its nightlife. Why don’t you take them out for a night on the town?

Jackie: That’s a good idea! In fact, we could go to a really nice restaurant and see if we can spot any celebrities! That would be fun.

Tommy: Yes, but you had better make reservations right away for that kind of restaurant.

Jackie: I’ll do it now. This will be a night they will never forget!

Meaning: “In context 1, they are going out dancing to celebrate Kiki’s graduation from UCLA. In context 2, Jackie is planning to take her friends out to a really nice restaurant in LA and she is hoping to see some celebrities there. Both are typical examples for the idiom a night on the town.

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To line (someone or something) up

Idiom: To line (someone or something) up

Example:

Context #1 – Students are trying to plan a surprise party for their teacher

Jeff: Next Friday is our teacher’s last day of class before she moves to China. I think we should line something up for her surprise farewell party. Something really big!!

 Mimi: Hmmmm...let me think about that. How many people are in the class?

Jeff: About 15 people and they are all adults.

 Mimi: Oh, I know! Let’s line up a magician for the party. I recently saw a magician named “Alvin the Great” who hypnotizes people and makes them do crazy things. When they wake up, they forget ever doing those things!

Jeff: Really? That sounds a little strange. What if they do something embarrassing?

Mimi: Well, he only hypnotized people who were willing and they didn’t do anything too crazy. Just funny things.

Jeff: OK. Do you think we have enough time to line “Alvin the Great” up for the party?

Mimi: Let me call him now.

Context #2 – Students are rushing to see a magician’s show

Jack: OK, everyone. Line up over here by the stage if you want to get a closer look at “Alvin the Great.”

Terri: Oh, this is so exciting! I want to volunteer during the show.

Jack: Well, if you line up first, you will have a better chance.

Meaning: To schedule someone or something for something (figurative); to put people or things in a line (literal)

“In context 1, the figurative meaning is to arrange or schedule someone or something for an event. Jeff and Mimi are scheduling a magician to come and perform during their teacher’s farewell party. In context 2, the literal meaning is to put people or things in a line. In this case, the students are lining up to see the magician and Terri wants to be the first in line so that she can volunteer during the show. 

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