Pull yourself together (used informally)

Idiom: Pull yourself together: used informally

Context #1 Coach and player talking

Coach: Ok, this is really an important race. If we win the next race then our team will be in first place. 

Vinnie: I know coach but I'm so nervous. I don't think that I will be able to compete. I think I'm going to be sick.

Coach: Come on..... pull yourself together. You have run this race many times and you have always done well.

Vinnie: Yeah, but I feel so sick.....

Coach: Come on and do your best.

Context #2 2 Students at an ESL school


Meaning:This phrase is used when someone needs to calm down and to control their emotions. 

Kenji: Oh dude I forgot that we have a test today. I'm going to flunk it.

Mai: How could you forget about this test. We have been talking about it all week. And I'm sure you won't get an "F".

Kenji: I know. What am I going to do?

Mai: Well first you gotta pull yourself together. Freaking out isn't going to help you. I'm sure you will do well. Remember it's only a small percentage of our final grade.

Jenji: You're right. Any grade is better than a zero.

In context #1 The racer is worried about loosing the race and disappointing his coach and team. 

His coach tried to relax him and remind him that he is a good runner.  

In context #2 Kenji is upset because he forgot about a test and is worried about getting a poor grade.

Mai gets Kenji to calm down by reminding him that he is a good student.

http://languagesystems.edu/ 

Comfort food (used as a noun)

Context #1 A teacher and his student talkingTeacher: What's wrong Tatiana? Tatiana: I have been feeling a little down recently and last night I went to a Russian restaurant near my apartment. Teacher: I hope you had a great time. Did you eat anything good? Tatiana: Yeah, that's the problem. Since I was missing home I ate some Russian comfort food. I had a very delicious bowl of Borscht. Teacher: That's wonderful! So what's the problem? Tatiana: It reminded me of home so much that now I'm really homesick.

Context #2 Two friends talking Henry: So Jeries , do you get home often? Jeries: Not as often as I would like to. My boss keeps me really busy. Henry: I hear you. My boss can be like that too. Don't you miss you family and friends? Jeries: Nope. My mom sends me some really good Mac and Cheese. She makes it from scratch. Henry: That's gotta be good to eat some old fashioned comfort food. Jeries: Yeah, it reminds me of when I was a little boy. we would have Mac and Cheese almost every weekend. I am amazed that I still love it.

Meaningf Comfort food is simple, homestyle food that brings an individual comforting thoughts of their home or childhood. In context #1 Borscht reminds Tatiana of her home in Russia. In context #2 the Mac and Cheese reminds Jeries of the time when he was young.

http://languagesystems.edu/