To Pitch Camp

Idiom: to pitch camp

Example 1:

Rob: Let’s go camping before the summer ends. What do you think?

Alex: I have zero camping skills. I don’t even know how to make a tent. 

Rob: You mean to pitch camp?   

Alex: Huh?

Rob: Pitching camp is easy man. I can teach you how to do it. Usually a tent comes with a set of instructions. To pitch camp you’ll have to prop up your tent, create a fire within safe distance, and store food in a high place so bears don’t get to it.

Example 2:

Pablo: What are you doing man? Are you seriously thinking about pitching camp in city hall?

Ai: That’s the only way these politicians are going to listen to our demands. We are citizens and have the right to protest.

Pablo: Sure, but don’t you think pitching camp in City Hall will attract the police and get you in trouble? I’m not sure that it’s legal.

Ai: Sounds like you need to pitch camp in BoringVille. Voting does nothing.

Pablo: Oh really, I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up pitching camp in jail. Good luck playa!

Meaning: To Pitch Camp is to prepare, set-up, and arrange a place to sleep or camp. Some people use it to describe sleeping in front of a building as protest, sleeping in front of a store to get a good price before a sale (Black Friday), or simply camping in your back yard.

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The Life of the Party

Idiom: the life of the party

Example 1:

Pete:  I’m usually the wallflower of the party.  I’m not very good at socializing.

Chip: Dude, you really have to stop doing that. 

Pete: It’s not so easy man.  You can say that because you’re always the life of the party.  You’re always talking to everyone, introducing others, and making sure everyone is having a good time. 

Chip:  You think I’m the life of the party?  Wow, thanks man.  I never thought about myself that way.

Example 2:

Kazuyuki:  Being the life of the party comes naturally to many people.

Ting:  Are you kidding me?  I think it’s something that you have to work on.  You can be social, but that doesn’t make you the life of the party.  To be the life of the party, one should know most of the people in an event, be aware of everything that’s going on, be a good host, and entertain everyone.  That takes serious communication and organizational skills.

Kazuyuki:  Or you could just be very good looking and charming.

Ting:  You’re so pessimistic.  You’re definitely not the life of my parties.

Meaning: The life of the party is used to describe someone who keeps a positive environment for everyone and is always making people feel good.  People who are the life of the party are: usually social, outgoing, organized, and have a good sense of humor.  Being the life of the party requires good social skills and a positive attitude.

www.languagesystems.edu