To be glad to see the back of

Context #1: Kim and Derek are at work sitting in the break room. They begin talking about their co-worker, Fred.

Kim: You know - Fred was late again today.
Derek: I’m not surprised. I had to finish his last project because he wasn’t here to do it.
Kim: Does the boss know?
Derek: The boss knows now. He is pretty angry. I heard the boss tell Fred the next time he’s late or his work isn’t finished, he’ll be fired.
Kim: That’s fine by me. Fred’s lazy. Actually, I’ll be glad to see the back of him!

Context #2 : Joe is writing a post card about his experience at summer camp…

Dear Mom and Dad,

I can’t believe I’m still here. Every hour seems to take a week! I really miss you and I miss home. It’s cold here. The other kids are really mean. I can’t sleep in this uncomfortable bed. Also, the activities are boring. I’ll be glad to see the back of this place!

Love, Joe.

Meaning: We use this idiom when a person or thing is part of our life and is not liked. A similar idiom is “to be glad to get rid of.” When you “see the back of” a person, it means that person is leaving. In other words, if you are “glad” to “see the back of” someone, you are happy that person is leaving.

http://languagesystems.edu/ 

Sick

Context #1:

Tom: Have you seen the new Star Wars movie yet?
Jim: Yeah, I saw it last night. It was so sick!
Tom: I know! I think it is the best one yet.

Context #2:

Sara: On Saturday we went to the street skateboarding championships, and it was so cool!
Kim: I bet! I can't believe so of the tricks that they can do now.
Sara: I know! We saw some really sick tricks.

Meaning: "sick" is an idiom/slang word that is used to describe something that is really cool.

http://languagesystems.edu/ 

 

Bark up the wrong tree

Context #1 Alex: I'm sure that Cynthia took my candy. Mike: Cynthia? There's no way she took it. Alex: I think she did! She was at school yesterday. Mike: So was everyone else! It's a big school. Alex: She likes candy. Mike: Lots of people like candy. I think you're barking up the wrong tree. Alex: Wait a minute. Why are you so sure she didn't take it?

Context #2

Young Aaron's birthday is coming up soon. He will turn five years old on his birthday. Aaron's parents have been keeping Aaron's birthday present as a surprise but Aaron really wants to know what his present will be. As a result, Aaron is asking his mother all kinds of unusual questions to try to discover what his gift is. Aaron asks if his mother or father have gone shopping anywhere different. Aaron asks if his present is larger than a loaf of bread. He asks if his gift is hidden in the house. Aaron asks many questions. Finally, Aaron's mother says...

"Young man, if you think that I will tell you what your present is, you are very mistaken. You are barking up the wrong tree!"

Meaning: To make a wrong assumption about someone or something.

http://languagesystems.edu/