To mingle

Example 1:

Jason: I really want to make many friends while I'm here in the USA. Do you have any advice for me, Shelby?

Shelby: Well, I think you should try to mingle with your classmates as much as possible. Don't be shy. Introduce yourself to as many people as you can. You can meet many people this way!

Jason: Thanks! I'm going to a party tomorrow night. I will try it!

Example 2:

I took my girlfriend to my company's holiday party last weekend. As soon as we arrived, she started introducing herself to all of my co-workers. She mingled with everyone all night! I didn't see her again until we were ready to go home.

Meaning:

to mingle verbit means to mix socially with other people when at a party or other social occasion. This verb implies that the person who is mingling is moving from one person to another to meet and/or chat for a brief period. A person who mingles does not stay in one place with one specific person/group for very long.

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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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To stop dead n one's tracks

Idiom: to stop dead in one's tracks; used as a verb

Example:

Larry: How was your camping trip?

Vickie: It was awesome! Except for the bear.

Larry: The bear?!

Vickie: Yeah, we went out for a night hike, and when we returned, there was a bear in our campsite going through our food. We forgot to put everything away.

Larry: What did you do?

Vickie: When I first saw it, I stopped dead in my tracks; I was terrified. But then Christina suggested that we should try to scare it away. So we got in her car and turned it on. We honked the horn, revved the engine, and we yelled and clapped, and that scared it away.

Meaning: The expression "to stop dead in one's tracks" means to suddenly stop moving, usually when frightened. In the above example, Vickie says she "stopped dead in (her) tracks" when she saw a bear. The expression comes from hunting and can also be used in the more literal meaning. 

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To Cut a Rug (used as a verb)

Idiom: to cut a rug; used as a verb

First Example:

Brie: I saw you dancing with Deb. You guys really cut a rug.

Aj: Yeah, we were having a blast.

Brie: I didn't realize you were such a great dancer.

Aj: Neither did I! I think Deb is the great dancer, and she just made me look good!

Meaning: The expression "cut a rug" means to dance really well, usually in a very energetic way.  The expression was most popular in the 1920s, although it is still sometimes used to this day.

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To gobble (something) up/down

Context #1:

Kirk: We gotta leave soon if we're going to make the play.

Jake: I just made dinner.

Kirk: Then let's gobble it up; we have to leave in 10 minutes.

Jake: Ugh. I shouldn't have bothered making anything nice.

Kirk: Sorry, but I told you we had these tickets for tonight.

Jake: I know.

Meaning: The word "gobble" is an English onomatopoeia that is used to describe the sound a turkey makes (Onomatopoeias are words like "bark" and "bang" that imitate sounds). But the expression "gobble up" means to eat very quickly, usually because the person is in a hurry or very hungry.  In the above example, Kirk says they need to "gobble up" their dinner because they need to leave for a play. Paradoxically, "Gobble" can be used with the prepositions "up" or "down" and have the exact same meaning, as in this next example:

Context #2:

Jean: This birthday party is a disaster!

Will: Why? The kids seem to be having fun.

Jean: I just put out the pizza, and they gobbled it all down in 5 minutes. They want more, but that's everything I ordered.

Will: Can't you order more?

Jean: It'll take at least half an hour to get here.

Will: Well, let's serve the cake then. Maybe they'll fill up on that.

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To drive someone up the wall

Context #1

Bob: I really hate it when people throw their dirty cigarette butts on the ground. 

Joe: I know! It drives me up the wall too.

Context #2

Sarah: My boyfriend is always late. If he says he'll pick me up at 2, that means 2:30 or even later sometimes. 

Becky: That would drive me up the wall!

Meaning: To drive someone up the wall is an expression used to express that someone feels really frustrated, annoyed or even angry.

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Rug Rat

Idiom: Rug rat – a small child

 

Context #1 – Kindergarten

Barry: My group of rug rats has too much energy today.

Donnie: Perhaps they had too much sugar to eat this morning.  Maybe give them a couple of extra minutes of recess to burn the energy out.

Barry: That’s not a bad idea.

Donnie: Yeah, otherwise the rug rats will tire your patience out.

Context #2 – Two friends talking about their new kids

Henry: My new baby cries all night.

Marie: Yeah, they’ll do that. They just need mom and dad’s attention to feel comfortable. 

Henry: I’m sure that in five months, these little rug rats will have different needs. Marie: Yeah, rug rats always need something new.

Meaning: “Rug rats” means a child.  People have rugs at home and as children begin to crawl, they resemble a small animal crawling on the rug. It’s just a “cute” slang name to describe a small child.

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Off the Beaten Path

Idiom: Off the Beaten Track/Path – in or into an isolated place; in a place where very few people go; a place not known by the general public

Context #1 – Roommates at home

Vanessa: Hey, Brad! I’ve been looking all over for you. Where have you been?

Brad: Oh, hi Vanessa. Sorry, I was really stressed out at work today. I needed to just get away from the crowds for a while, so I stopped by a little pub that is off the beaten path. It was nice just sitting down alone and relaxing for a while with no one to bother me.

Vanessa: You found a pub that is off the beaten path in LA?

Brad: Yes, unbelievable! There are a few regulars that go there, but it’s never crowded and people just leave you alone. It’s great when you need to unwind.

Context #2 – Two friends talking before going on vacation

Sami:  I’m so excited. I can’t wait until my vacation!

Petra: Really? Where are you going?

Sami: Well, I’ve been really stressed out with school lately, so I wanted to go somewhere that is off the beaten track. Someplace where I can be alone.

Petra: Sounds nice!

Sami: Yes. I am driving up to Oregon and I’m going to stay in a little Bed and Breakfast my roommate told me about a few weeks ago.

Petra: Well, if you want to go somewhere quiet, it is always good to find a place that is off the beaten track. Then, you don’t have to deal with all the crowded places that tourists like to visit.

Meaning: “Off the beaten track/path” means a place that is isolated or is not known by a lot of people. In context 1, Brad needs to go somewhere quiet where no one will bother him, so he finds a pub that is “off the beaten path.” In context 2, Sami wants to spend her vacation in a place that is off the beaten track so that she doesn’t encounter crowds of people and can just relax.

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To take a rain​ ​check

Context #1: 

Arias and Varysun are talking on the phone.

​

Arias: Hey Varysun! Can you remind me what time we are going to watch the movie Change of Thrones?

Varysun: Actually, I'm feeling a little sick today.

Arias: Oh, no! What happened?

Varysun: I don't know for sure​,​ but my stomach has been hurting and I've been in bed all day.

Arias: That sounds terrible! Is there anything I can get you?

Varysun: No, thank you, I've just been drinking a lot of 

​water​ and resting.

Arias: I'm glad you are taking care of yourself. 

Varysun: Do you think we could take a rain check on going to the movies?

Arias: Yes! Of course. Once you feel better we can pick another date and time to watch Change of Thrones.

Varysun: Thank you for being so understanding!

Arias: No worries at all, my friend! Feel better and get well soon.

Varysun: Okay, bye now.

Arias: Bye!

Context #2:

Branishk and Ramsayon are cousins who are hanging out at The Rose Garden.

Branishk: I thought you and Sansara were going to Santa Barbara this weekend, no?

Ramsayon: We were but she said she needed to take a rain check.

Branishk: Really? Why? What happened?

Ramsayon: Well, her sister had to have an emergency surgery​,​ so she decided to help​ her this weekend.

Branishk: That's really nice of her. Were you able to get a refund from the hotel?

Ramsayon: We were going to stay at my friend's place, so​ we didn't loose any money. 

Branishk: That's good!

Meaning: To reschedule plans for later

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Cut (somebody) some slack

Context #1

Andrew: Last week’s assignment was due two days ago. Why haven’t you finished it yet?

Mia: Andrew, you know I’ve been having some personal problems. Please cut me some slack.

Andrew: There are no exceptions. If I cut you some slack, then everyone will want me to cut some slack for them. 

Mia: You’re so inflexible. I wish you would be more understanding.

Andrew: I would cut you some slack if you didn’t have a habit of turning assignments in late.

Context #2

Jeff: I’ve reported a student for using his phone during class time.

Michelle: Why can’t you cut the student some slack? Maybe the student had a legitimate emergency.

Jeff: He was checking facebook. How would the student benefit from me cutting him some slack?

Michelle: I guess there’s no excuse. You never cut anyone some slack sometimes though?

Jeff: Students get more than enough warnings before being reported. This student doesn’t deserve any slack. He does this daily.

Meaning: The expression "cut somebody some slack" means to give someone permission to do something not normally allowed or to be less strict about something (e.g. a policy or rule). In this example, Mia was upset that Andrew didn’t allow for additional time to finish her assignment. However, Andrew is unwilling to be more flexible because Mia has had a habit of turning things in late. So he is less willing to cut Mia some slack. In the second example, the teacher was upset that the student was focusing on his phone everyday and had been warned about the rules previously. The teacher didn’t think giving the student any more chances (cutting any slack) was of benefit to him or the student.

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To shoot from the hip

Context #1

Dana: Karen, I need to buy a new shirt for my company dinner tomorrow night. I think I'm going to buy one of these two. What do you think? Which one?

Karen: Well, the red one with the yellow sleeves is interesting - and bright. It really catches the eye! But the white and blue shirt will probably look better with your skirt. I'm just not sure I like the pink buttons. Hmmm, I don't know. Let's ask Roger.

Dana: Roger, what do you think of these two shirts? Which one would you buy if you were me?

Roger: Neither. They are both ugly.

Karen: Wow. He really shoots from the hip.

Context #2

Dear Professor Andersen,

I wanted to write you to ask if our group could submit our project again. Joseph and I did a lot of research and planning. Fred, on the other hand, did very little work. Fred knew this, so he promised Joseph and I he would read and organize all of our work and put it all together. I guess he decided to shoot from the hip because none of our research was included - and he didn't do any. Joseph and I are very worried about our grade.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jane

Meaning: To say or do something without thinking carefully about it. This can be used in a positive or negative way. When this idiom is used, it can mean a person is direct and honest (positive) or careless and thoughtless (negative).

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