to cut to the chase

Idiom: to cut to the chase; used as a verb

First Example:

Henry: ...and then, I asked if there was going to be a meeting about this, or if it was just a decision from management, but she couldn't tell me, although she did not seem to want a meeting...       

Patti: Can you just cut to the chase already? Are they making the change or not?

Henry: Oh, uh, yeah, the managers decided.

Patti: Great, thanks.

Meaning: The expression "to cut to the chase " means to focus on what's important. As in the above example, the expression is often used when someone is telling a story or giving background, but the other person just wants to know the final outcome.

Second Example:

Lou: I need a new assistant. Mine is not working out.

Nico: Why not?

Lou: She gets hung up on little details, but our office is such a fast-paced environment. I need someone who can cut to the chase and get things done.

Nico: I think I know someone who might be perfect. I'll tell her to send you her resume.

Lou: Thanks!

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To fall for someone

Example 1:

Veronica: I want to tell you something, but please don’t run away.

Charles: Is it pretty bad?  I’m not sure, but okay tell me.

Veronica: I have fallen for you. 

Charles: Really?  I fell for you too.

Example 2:

Nick: I’m not happy that my sister is dating someone I hate.  It’s just not fair.

Every: What?  Your sister fell for that crazy guy from the concert.  Not good.

Explanation:

To Fall For Someone means to fall in love with a person.  In the first example, both Veronica and Charles liked each other and decided to confess.  In the second example, Nick was upset that his sister made poor choice in men, as his friend Emery described him as “crazy guy.”

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Haste makes waste

Example:

Ina: I heard you won some money from the lottery. 

Michael: I did.  I’m going to buy a house, and a boat, and get married, and……

Ina: Whoa! Wait a second. Don’t you want to save or invest some of that money? Also, don’t you want to wait to get to know your girlfriend better before you make a mistake? I mean haste makes waste, don’t you think?

Michael: What are you saying? I mean, I love her and I want to share my new wealth. Besides, I always wanted all that other stuff.

Ina: I know you’re excited right now, but you have to think about things before rushing and making mistakes that could cost you more in the future.

Meaning: The expression "haste makes waste" means to rush into something, or do something quickly, with the possibility of making mistakes that may cause one severe problems or a waste of money and/or materials.

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A miss is as good as a mile

Idiom: A miss is as good as a mile - A near miss is still a miss and is no better than missing by a big margin. In other words, losing is still losing.

Context #1

Timothy: Hi, Samantha. What’s wrong?

Samantha: I feel so bad because my basketball team played for the championship last night and we lost. It was our big chance and we failed!

Timothy: What was the final score?

Samantha: It was 82-83 in overtime. We missed a free throw at the very end and the other team won by a point.

Timothy: Well, it sounds like the game was really close and your team played well.

Samantha: Does the score really matter? A miss is as good as a mile. Losing a game by one point is still losing.

Timothy: I see your point.

Context #2

Sal:  Good Morning, Mr. Smith. I’m so sorry I’m late.

Mr. Smith: This is the third time in a week, and we really needed you today in the meeting. Everyone else from the department was there.

Sal: I only missed the train by one minute! It was pulling out of the station just as I arrived. I almost made it. So then I had to wait another hour for the next train.

Mr. Smith: Well, a miss is as good as a mile. Being late for the train one minute is the same as being late an hour. You still missed it. You need to make a greater effort to be on time.

Sal: You are right. It won’t happen again.

Meaning: A close miss is still a miss, even if it’s only by a small margin. In context 1, Samantha’s basketball team lost the championship by 1 point, but they still lost, so the margin didn’t really matter. In context 2, Timothy only missed the train by one minute, but he had to wait one hour for the next train. Therefore, there was no difference in missing the train by one minute or one hour. He was still late.

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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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Stand over someone

Example 1: 

Lina: How was your math test?

Matthew: It was OK, but it was hard for me to focus. My teacher was standing over me during the whole test. I think she was watching me to see if I made any mistakes, but it was very distracting.

Lina: That's strange. When I took the test she stood over me the whole time too! Maybe she thinks that we are going to cheat, so she is watching us closely to make sure that we don't.

Example 2: 

Rafael: Why are you so tired?

Elena: I couldn't sleep last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined that someone was standing over me, watching me sleep! I think it's because of the horror movie I watched last weekend.

Rafael: Creepy! 

Meaning: To stand next to someone and watch what they are doing

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On one's own

Example #1

Natasha: Hey, Jackie! Thank you so much for sending me the e-mail regarding the next Summer trip! I wish I could join you guys, but I am actually going on a trip.

Jackie: Oh, no! That's a bummer! Sorry you will not join us. Well, where are you going?

Natasha: I am going to Denmark.

Jackie: WOW! That sounds great! Who are you going with?

Natasha: Nobody! 

Jackie: Wait... Nobody? What do you mean?

Natasha: I am going on my own! Just me! 

Jackie: Are you sure you want to go on your own? Isn't that dangerous?

Natasha: No! I love traveling on my own! Don't worry. Next time you guys plan a trip, I will join you. Thank you again!

Jackie: You are welcome! If you change your mind, let me know!

Example #2

Hi Katherine,

I am so glad to hear you are coming to Los Angeles! You asked me on your e-mail if you could stay with me. Of course you can stay with me!

I live in a studio on my own. It's small, but you can sleep on the air mattress if you don't mind.

It will be so much fun to have you here! I have a business trip from 07/10 to 07/13, so I am sorry you will be on your own those days.

When I get back, we can go on a day trip to San Diego if you want!

Can't wait to see you!

Love,

Lynn

On one's own MEANING: by oneself, alone, unaccompanied

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