To Fancy Someone or Something

Idiom: To fancy someone means to be attracted to or like a person; to fancy something means to want something (like an object or product) or to want to do something (like an activity).

 

Context #1

Millie: Hey, Val. You look happy. What are you thinking about?

Val: Oh, hi Millie. Well, you know that I fancy that new guy in class, right?

Millie: The guy from New York? Bill?

Val: Yes. That guy. Well, he just asked me out a few minutes ago. We are having dinner together on Friday night!

Millie: Great news! He obviously fancies you, too!

Context #2: Two friends are talking about a weekend trip

Candy: I'm so excited about this weekend! I really fancy skiing, especially at Big Bear mountain!

Tarik: I know. It is going to be so fun! Do you have all your skiing gear?

Candy: Yes. Here it is.

Tarik: Wow! I really fancy your ski goggles! They are so cool. 

Candy: I just bought them at that new sporting store down the street. They were really cheap and there are many colors to choose from.

Explanation: To fancy someone means to be attracted to or like a person; to fancy something means to want something (like an object or product) or to want to do something (like an activity). In context 1, Val fancies Bill and she is happy because he just asked her out on a date. In context 2, Candy fancies skiing (an activity) and Tarik fancies Candy's ski goggles (thing).

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To Lose One's Train of Thought

Idiom: To lose one's train of thought means to forget what one was talking or thinking about.

Context #1 – Two students talking after history class

Mitzi: Ms. Cranston is so strange! Did you see what happened today?

Valerie: No, I wasn't in class today. What happened?

Mitzi: So she was in the middle of giving the lecture. A student in the front raised his hand and asked a question. It seemed like the student's question made Ms. Cranston lose her train of thought because after she answered the student's question, she just stood there for like two minutes saying nothing and staring into space. It was so weird!

Valerie: Mitzi, you are new in the class. I had Ms. Cranston last year and she always loses her train of thought when students ask questions. She can't seem to get back to where she was in the lecture.

Mitzi: Really? Wow, that's too bad for her. Maybe we should try to help remind her when this happens.

Valerie: Well, you could try!

Context #2: Two friends are talking about a weekend trip

Cassie: Hi Tabitha. How was your weekend?

Tabitha: Oh, it was great! Tom and I went camping in the woods and we had such a strange experience at night. It was late and we were setting up the tent and getting ready for bed. Tom had just finished putting away our hiking gear when......

Cassie: Wait a minute! Where did you go camping? Was it near here or did you have to drive far?

Tabitha: What? No, it was at Mt. Baldy which is not very far away. Ummmm.....Oh Cassie, don't interrupt. Now I've lost my train of thought. What was I saying?

Cassie: You were saying that you were getting ready for bed and Tom was putting away the hiking gear.

Tabitha: Oh, right. He was putting away the hiking gear when all of a sudden we heard a loud noise and then a growl! We saw a bear right there in front of us and we were so scared. But then the bear just turned around and went back into the woods.

Cassie: Wow! You were lucky!

Explanation: “To lose one's train of thought" means to forget what one was talking or thinking about. In context 1, the teacher, Ms. Cranston, often loses her train of thought (or forgets what she was lecturing about) when students interrupt with questions. In context 2, Tabitha lost her train of thought when Cassie interrupted her with a question.

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A wolf in sheep’s clothing

Example 1:

Madeline: Watch out for him. I don’t believe he’s the “nice guy” everyone thinks he is.

Sally: How do you know?

Madeline: I don’t really have any proof, but I get a sense he’s just a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’s being nice now, but he’ll take advantage of you if he can.

Example 2:

Allison: I just had the greatest experience at the used-car dealer! I met the nicest salesman who showed me so many great cars. He promised me he’d give me the best deal.

Bradley: Be careful, buddy! Used-car salesmen are not known for being the most honest people. They’re often characterized as wolves in sheep’s clothing. Just make sure that what he promises is what you pay. And DON’T sign anything until you’re sure.

Explanation:

A wolf in sheep’s clothing is a biblical idiom that is used to warn people against individuals who do not show their true intentions in order to gain from unsuspecting people. Imagine a wolf, generally a dangerous animal, disguising itself as a sheep in order to take advantage of someone. 

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