A long shot

Example 1:

I’ve been applying to several jobs in the last week. Many of them require advanced degrees, which is something I don’t have. However, I do have many years experience in the industry. I’ve been told not to bother applying for those jobs because I’m not qualified, but I still think I should try. I understand that and I know it’s a long shot, but I’m hopeful.

Example 2:

Jack: The Powerball Jackpot reached 2 billion dollars! Are you going to buy a ticket?

Jill: No way. I never play the lottery. It’s a waste of money.

Jack: Of course it’s a long shot, but wouldn’t it be amazing to buy a 2-dollar ticket and win 2 billion?! I think it’s worth it for the excitement alone!

Explanation:

A long shot is something that probably won’t happen, but is worth trying for despite that. 

In example 1, the speaker is applying for jobs that have a specific education requirement. Although he knows there’s a chance it won’t work, he will try anyway. 

In example 2, Jack knows he probably won’t win the lottery, but he thinks it’s worth trying anyway.

This expression is often used with it is in the contracted form It’s

IT’S a long shot, but I’m going to apply for that job.

It is also used with be verb.

Winning the lottery IS a long shot, but I’m going to play.

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To talk one's ear off

Idiom: to talk one's ear off ; used as a verb

First Example:

Christine: How was the party last night?

Stanley: Ugh. It was horrible.

Christine: Really? What happened?

Stanley: Well, I went because I wanted to network. There were a bunch of industry people there. But I met this one guy named Prince, and he talked my ear off all night. I couldn't get away from him.

Christine: Couldn't you excuse yourself and just not go back to him?        

Stanley: I couldn't get a chance to talk! I even excused myself once to go to the restroom, and he followed me!

Meaning: The expression "to talk one's ear off " means to talk to someone excessively. In the above example, Stanley says Prince "talked his ear off" at a party, preventing Stanley from meeting other people.

Second Example:

George: Your phone is ringing.

Tracy: I know. It's my mom. I don't feel like answering.

George: Why not?

Tracy: We're hanging out. If I answer, she'll talk my ear off, and you'll eventually get bored listening to me say "Uh huh" and "Yeah" for an hour.

George: Can't you just tell her you'll call her back?

Tracy: Ha! No, then she'd be offended. It's better if she leaves a voicemail, and I'll call her back later.

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On a Shoestring

Idiom: On a Shoestring – with a very small amount of money    

  

Context #1 

Two student talking after class

Vickey: Hey, Mac. Do you know if that part-time position at the bookstore on campus is still available?

Mac: I’m not sure. Don’t you already work part-time at a restaurant and you are a full-time student?

Vickey: Yes, but I’ve been living on a shoestring for the past year and I really need to make more money in order to pay the rent.

Mac: I know how you feel. I lived on a shoestring all through college. When I finally graduated and found a high-paying job, it was such a relief. Let’s walk over to the bookstore now and check on that part-time job.

Context #2 

Two friends are talking about the restaurant where they work

Sierra:  Wow, it has been so slow the past few months. The boss cut my hours again this week. Now, I’m only working 3 hours a day during the evening shift.

Peter:  Yes, me too. I guess they are running this restaurant on a shoestring until the business gets better. They even cut down on the number of items on the menu in order to save money.

Sierra: Well, I hope it gets better soon. At this rate, I’ll need to find another part-time job.

Meaning: “On a shoestring” means to do something, like run a business or manage one’s budget, with very little money.  In context #1, Vickey is looking for another part-time job because she is living on a shoestring budget and needs to make more money to pay rent. In context #2, Sierra and Peter are working at a restaurant that must run on very little money since business is down. 

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Get cold feet

Context #1

Alicia: When are we going to get a new car?

Brian: I don't know. We can't afford it now that you've stopped work.

Alicia: Did you talk to your boss today?

Brian: Yes.

Alicia: Did you ask him for a promotion? 

Brian: Well...

Alicia: Oh, Brian, you promised!

Brian: I didn't promise...

Alicia: Yes, you did. You were going to tell him you'd leave if he didn't give you a pay raise.

Brian: Well that wouldn't do much good, would it? If I ended up losing my job we'd have no money, at all.

Alicia: Oh, come on, stop making excuses. You didn't say anything because you got cold feet again. No courage, that's your trouble.

Context #2

Jessica: How are you feeling about the wedding?
Paula: I am starting to get nervous. This is such a big change.
Jessica: Everyone gets cold feet before marriage. They important thing to remember is that you love him.
Paula: That’s true. I do love him. Thank you for the encouragement.

Meaning: In the context 1, he was going to ask for a pay rise, but he got scared. In the context 2, Paula was afraid to compromise herself in the marriage. 

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Get your act together

Get your act together: to organize in ways necessary to achieve a goal, necessity, or responsibility.

 

 Context #1 – Friends talking about relationships

Don: Are you seriously considering marrying your girlfriend.  I thought you said you had no job or plans for the future.

Jerrad: Well, she’s pretty great and she makes me want to be a better person.

Don: Well then, you better get your act together before her parents or friends disapprove of you.

Jerrad: I’m really trying to get my act together.  I don’t want to lose her.

Don: I hope so.  Otherwise, some other guy is going to take her from you.

   

Context #2 – Brother and sister talking about responsibilities in college

Kelly:  I’m glad you’re home for spring break. How’s college?

Devin: I’m not doing so well.  All the partying is keeping me from being focused.

Kelly: Hey, mom and dad are paying a lot of money for you to go to school.  You better get your act together.

Devin: I know.  I don’t want to disappoint them and I want to make sure I get a good education.

Explanation: “Get your act together” means to become responsible by taking steps in a positive/productive direction.  It means that your ideas are in many separate direction and you have to sit down, focus and complete the tasks necessary to succeed.

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Under the radar

Context #1

Deborah: What are you listening to?

Craig: It's this new band my little brother told me about.

Deborah: It's really good. Why haven't I ever heard this before?

Craig: They're kind of under the radar right now, but I think this song is going to be make them big.

Deborah: Can you send me a copy?

Craig: Sure!

Meaning: The expression "under the radar" is used to describe something that most people aren't aware of. It's often used as an adjective to describe music that is "underground" and not currently popular, such as in the example above. The expression comes from airplanes that fly so low, they can't be detected by radar. "Under the radar" can also be used as an adverb to describe something that was done in a secretive and potentially illegal manner, as in the next example:

Context #2

Sylvia: Did you hear about Kari?

Michael: I heard that she was arrested. Is that true?

Sylvia: Yeah! It's crazy.

Michael: What did she do? She always seemed so quiet and sweet.

Sylvia: I don't know all the details, but apparently she has been stealing from the company under the radar for years. I guess she just made small transactions to herself that no one noticed until the company was audited this year.

Meaning: Sylvia uses the expression "under the radar" to explain that Kari was stealing from the company in a secretive way. 

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