The icing on the cake

Context #1

Dear Diary,

I just started at my new school and I'm very excited! All of my teachers are excellent, the school is in a wonderful location, my schedule is great, AND one of my classmates is really cute. The classes are pretty small, too, so I know I'll be partnering with him on projects and exercises. I know I'm here to study so I won't let him distract me from that. He's just the icing on the cake! Can't wait for school tomorrow!

Context #2

Lena: How's your new job, Sandra?

Sandra: I love it! It's a great company.

Lena: Is the pay good? Are you making more than at your last job?

Sandra: Oh, yes! Much more! But that's just the icing on the cake. We're given tons of perks like fully-covered health insurance, an office gym, and a free healthy lunch catered on site every Friday. There are also lots of opportunities to move up as the company grows into other markets. I'm really excited about it!

Lena: Wow! That sounds amazing. Are they still hiring?

Explanation: The icing on the cake is used to talk about an additional, but non-essential, part of something that is already quite good. It makes a good thing even better.

In Example 1, the student is writing in her diary about her new school. Her new school is good in many ways AND there's a cute boy in her class. The cute boy is not necessary but makes a good thing even better. 

In Example 2, Sandra has a great new job. There are many perks and opportunities for growth which makes the job great. She says the great pay is an extra thing to make the job better.

use the BE verb with this expression

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Have second thoughts

Context #1

Getting married is one of the biggest steps someone can take in life and it is always wise to consider many things before making this huge commitment. Some people may say that being in love is the only requirement for getting married; others say it’s not that simple. Where will you live? Will you have children? Will you share household duties? How well do you know each other? Some believe the last question is the most important. If you don’t know someone very well, you may not be able to trust them or there may be some things in their past that you don’t like. There are many instances of couples who rush to get married but have second thoughts as the wedding date approaches. If you have many doubts as you move towards this great life step, perhaps it’s best to take a step back and reconsider.

Context #2

Sophie: I’m getting nervous. I don’t think this is a good idea, Margie.

Margie: Are you serious? We’ve been preparing for this for weeks! This is the only way we can pass our chemistry test. We have to cheat!

Sophie: It doesn’t feel right. I’m having second thoughts. Maybe we should just try and study more.

Margie: Are you crazy? The test is tomorrow. We don’t have time!

Sophie: What if we get caught? We’ll get a zero on the test AND be in trouble. We can try our best and get a score we deserve.

Margie: I can’t believe you’re changing your mind. You can go ahead and study. I’m going to get a perfect score on tomorrow’s test without you.

Explanation:

When someone has second thoughts, they are reconsidering their decision and there’s a chance they could change their mind. Their 1^st (first) thought is their original plan/idea. Their 2^nd (second) thought comes when they doubt their 1^st one and begin thinking of a way out.

In Example 1 on the subject of marriage, the writer shares an example of a couple who rushes to marry, only for one of them to have second thoughts. Their first thought was “yes! Let’s get married!” Their second thought is now more like, “hmm, maybe this isn’t the best idea..”

In Example 2, the girls are preparing to cheat on an exam (1^st thought), but then Sophie has second thoughts (maybe it’s not such a good idea after all). Sophie changes her mind and doesn’t participate in the cheating with Margie.

If someone has second thoughts, they might not always change her mind. If someone is having second thoughts about their wedding, it’s very possible they are just nervous but will still get married.

More examples:

I am having second thoughts about changing careers. I like my current job.

Jan had second thoughts about buying those shoes. Her bank account was nearly empty.

I have a sky diving appointment this weekend. I’m excited, but also nervous. I’m worried I will have second thoughts once I’m in the plane.

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Play it by ear

Play it by ear: (1) Play music without reading from a score; (2) To do something instinctively; to do something without planning based on the circumstances.

Context #1 – Friends talking about an upcoming trip

Hanna: So what are we going to do when we get to London?

Leslie: Well, we said we would go to the major attractions during the day.

Hanna: Yeah, but I want to go out at night too.  Should I do some research?

Leslie: Let’s just play it by ear.  I mean, we don’t even know what it will feel like until we arrive.

Hanna: Yeah, that’s not a bad idea.  Let’s just play it by ear then. I’m sure we’ll figure something out.

Context #2 – Two traveling musicians.

Jason:  I can’t wait for our concert this Sunday.  I can’t believe we’re opening for Black Violin.

Jose: I know.  I heard they always invite their opening act to play on stage with them impromptu.  What should we do if that happens?

Jason: We’ll just play it by ear man.  That’s the best way to approach something like that.

Jose: I guess we have no choice.  Awesome!  Wyld Stallyns!!!

Explanation: “Play it by ear” means to do something without any planning.  It could apply to music or any situation where there are no instructions.  Many people use it when they feel confused about life. 

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