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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At the drop of a hat

Example:

My friend had an extra Taylor Swift ticket and offered it to me. She's my favorite, so I took the ticket at the drop of a hat. I didn't even hesitate for a second.

Meaning: To do something suddenly or immediately, especially because you're excited about it.

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Example 1: Two friends gossiping about their classmate

Camila: Hey, Barbara, have you see Johnny's new girlfriend?? 

Barbara: Oh my goodness, yes. Where did he meet her? 

Camila: I have no idea. I always thought Johnny was pretty good looking, but his girlfriend, uh, not so much....

Barbara: Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess. Johnny probably sees something we can't see. 

Example 2: Roommates discussing furniture

Jay: This is the amazing couch you were telling me about?! It's kind of ugly, Jeff.

Jeff: What are you talking about?! This print reminds me of when I was a kid. I love it!

Jay: Well, to me, it's super old-fashioned and outdated. 

Jeff: You know what they say, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and I love it!

Explanation:

In both examples, one person believes someone/something is ugly. The "beholder" is the person who is looking at the person/object and sees them/it through their eyes/preference/experience. In example 1, Johnny (the beholder) sees beauty in his girlfriend even though others cannot. In example 2, Jeff (the beholder) sees a beautiful couch while Jay thinks it's ugly. Basically, the expression means people can see some beauty when others might not.

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Read between the lines

Example 1:

Will: Mary won’t return my calls.  I’m not sure if she’s sad or sick.

Heather: Did anything happen? 

Will: I told her I liked her as a girlfriend, and she just disappeared.  I’m not sure why she won’t return my phone calls.

Heather: You have to read between the lines Will.  I don’t think she likes you the same way, and she’s trying to show you by staying away.

Example 2:

Mark: I can’t understand what the point of this statement is.  I can understand the words and content, but not the main idea.

Alice: Sometimes you have to read between the lines to understand what someone is trying to tell you.

Mark: What do you mean?

Alice: Well, sometimes things have a hidden meaning or implied meaning.  Look for clues.

Explanation:

  

Read between the lines means to look for a the meaning of something hidden in a statement.

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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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Wet Blanket

Example:

Kim: I can’t wait to go to Bangkok.  It’s going to be so much fun. There are so many places to see.

Vijo: I hate the city. I prefer a more quiet countryside place. The city is for unstable people.

Kim: Oh, don’t be such a wet blanket. Why do you always have to complain when I want to do something that’s fun for me?  We always do what you want and I never complain.

Vijo: You’re right, I’m sorry. I always seem to have this behavior when this happens. I’m sorry; I’m just really uncomfortable with city people. I’ll give it an honest try this time.

Kim: I would really appreciate that. Nobody likes a wet blanket. 

Meaning: The expression "wet blanket" means a person that is always negative and usually ruins other people’s good times. 

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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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In vain

Context #1: 

Mike: Have you heard from Richard? It's been a while since I've talked to him.

Bryan: No, I can't get a hold of him. I've even tried getting in touch with his mother. She's also tried in vain for the last 2 days. I hope he's OK.

Mike: That's really weird, but I'm sure he's fine. Let me know if you hear anything.

Bryan: For sure

Context #2

Tom: Hey, Stan! How are you? Wow! What happened to your leg?!

Stan: Hey, Tom. I had a bike accident and broke my ankle. It happened about 2 weeks ago. I have to stay off of it for at least another month. 

Tom: Oh what a bummer! So that means you won't be running the marathon next week then. That's terrible. You've been training for months!

Stan: I know. The last 6 months of training were all in vain! The only good thing about this is that I'm finally forced to relax and rest. I'll get back on the road once it heals.

Explanation:

In vain is used when something is done without success; it's almost considered a waste of time/effort. 

In example 1, Richard's mother tried without success to get in touch with him.  

In example 2, Stan's training was wasted because of his injury.

This expression can be used with a verb: verb + in vain

She tried in vain to call Richard.

This expression can be used with nouns: noun + be + in vain

All of Stan's training was in vain.

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From time to time

Context #1

Luz: Do you like watching action movies?  I think they’re the best.

Leo: Sure, from time to time. 

Luz: Like how often?

Leo: maybe once every three or four days.  Not too often.

Context #2

Bob: From time to time I remember when we first met. 

Shannon: That’s so sweet of you to say.  I didn’t think you thought about that at all.

Bob: Yes, occasionally I’ll have a memory that brings me back to the moment I ran into you while crossing the street with your friend.

Shannon: Well, from time to time I remember when you asked me out ten minutes later after we crossed the street.

Bob: I guess we both like thinking about the beginning of our relationship.

Meaning: Irregularly; now and then; occasionally; sometimes; not predictably.

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Crocodile tears

Meaning: A display of an emotion that is not real; or showing an emotion but not feeling that emotion. If a person is not sad but wants to look sad, he or she will shed crocodile tears, meaning that person is acting sad rather than feeling sad. People often use the verbs “cry,” “shed,” or “weep” before the idiom crocodile tears.

Example 1: Shasta worked at an awards show the night before her conversation with Jean.

Jean: Did you watch the Tuney Awards last night?
Shasta: Oh, I didn’t tell you? I worked backstage at the Tuney’s!
Jean: What?! No, you didn’t tell me! Did you meet Darlene Lafleur?
Shasta: Yeah, I met her.
Jean: What a lovely person! I thought her speech after winning best song and best new artist was so…heart-felt! And she was so surprised that she won. What a humble woman! I’m glad she brought tissues to the stage for her tears.
Shasta: Um, she brought tissues to the stage because she had prepared to cry. Those were crocodile tears. Just before she appeared on stage I heard her say, “Everyone out there knows I’m going to win. Those other artists are terrible. I can’t believe they even showed up.”

Example 2: BREAKING NEWS!

Police have arrested and charged John Dalia with the murder of his co-worker Kevin McDonald. Police claim that Dalia waited for McDonald outside his home and attacked him as he was leaving for work. Dalia wiped tears from his eyes as he spoke to the press this afternoon: “I did not kill Kevin. He was my friend. I loved that man and would never hurt him.” Dalia’s co-workers, however, claim he was crying crocodile tears: “John never had a nice thing to say about Kevin; but John’s wife did!” 

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