Search This Blog

Translate

Thursday, April 14, 2016

To Chicken Out

Context #1 - 


Tim: Have you heard about the new ride and Magic Mountain called the Death Drop?
John:  Yeah, I heard it's super scary.  Have you been on it?
Tim:  Well, we went there this weekend and I was going to go on it with my friends, but I chickened out at the last minute.
John:  Really?  That must have been a little embarrassing.
Tim:  Yeah, it was!

Context #2 -

Christine: Did you hear about Steve and Carol's anniversary trip to Yosemite?
Stacy:  No, what happened?
Christine:  They agreed to go bungee jumping off this bridge, but Carol was ready to jump and then chickened out.
Stacy: Oh no!  How did Steve take it?
Christine:  He wasn't upset at all.  He actually thought it was kind of funny.

Meaning:  to chicken out is used when someone gets too scared or too afraid to do something so they back out or don't attempt it. 




Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Hole in the wall

Context #1 

Sam: Last night we found this really awesome restaurant for authentic southern BBQ!
Tony: Really?  Where is it?
Sam: It's a tiny little hole in the wall right on the corner of Main St. and First.  The food is cheap and delicious!


Context #2 

Jenny: So, how was your trip to San Diego? 
Sara: It was great!  We found this little hole in the wall downtown that had the best Mexican food I've ever had.
Jenny:  Wow! That sounds good!

Meaning: In American English, the term hole in the wall is used to describe a small restaurant that is usually cheap and delicious, but sometimes a little dirty looking.  It sometimes can mean that the place is a little dirty looking but with good food or a cozy atmosphere.