To Drop a Hint

Idiom: (to) drop a hint

Example 1:

Rudolph: Hey Dasher, what kind of gift are you getting for your girlfriend this holiday season?

Dasher:  Wait.  You’ll find out after the holiday season.

Rudolph: Oh, come on, drop me a hint!  It’s not my gift.

Dasher: No way!  It’s a big surprise.

Example 2:

Manny: Hey, how much money are you asking for this event?

Floyd: More money than you can imagine.

Manny: Really? At least drop a hint.  Everyone wants to know.

Floyd: I don’t really want to talk about that. 

Meaning: "To drop a hint" is another way of expressing “give me a hint” or another way of asking for more details.  It’s often used amongst friends and close colleagues.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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A Blessing In Disguise

Idiom: A blessing in disguise

Meaning: Something that at first appears to be bad or unlucky but is actually good.

Example:

Mike: I heard you lost your job. Is that true?

Sam: Yeah, it is! But losing my job was a blessing in disguise.

Mike: How so?

Sam: I never would have found my current job if it hadn't happened, I'm making way more money now. @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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Food Coma

Read this thank you note and try to guess the meaning of the idiom in bold:

What do you think the idiom food coma means?

A. The state of foods, especially vegetables, that are nearly dead before being completely cooked or ingested.

B. Feeling very tired and sleepy shortly after eating a big meal.

C. A punctuation mark in the shape of food indicating a pause between parts of a sentence.

The answer is.... 

B.  Feeling very tired and sleepy shortly after eating a big meal.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

  Eat responsively! 

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To Squirrel Something Away

Idiom: To squirrel something away; used as a verb 
 

First Example:

Kyle: I bought a car!

Elizabeth: Really?  How much are your monthly payments?           

Kyle: I don't have any.

Elizabeth: What?! How?                   

Kyle: I've been squirreling away a little money from each paycheck for years, and it saved up over time!  When my last car started having problems, I checked my savings and realized I had enough to buy a used car.
Elizabeth: Great! Then you can drive to lunch!        

Meaning: The idiom "to squirrel something away" is used to describe the act of saving or hoarding for a future, similar to how squirrels save nuts for the coming winter. The most common use of the expression is used to describe saving money over a period of time, as in the example above, when Kyle explains that he has been squirreling away money for years. This means he has been saving small amounts of money over the years, intending to use it at a later time. While the idiom is primarily used for money, it can be used in other ways, as in this example:

Carlos: It's November. I guess it's time to start thinking about Christmas shopping.          

Ronda: Oh, I'm already done.

Chris: No way.

Ronda: Yep.  I start shopping for Christmas the day after. I keep an eye out for potential gifts at great prices year round. There are so many great sales early in the year. Then I squirrel them away until December so that I don't have to rush when the holidays approach and everyone else is going nuts.

Chris: Wow. So you're saying the gift you give me this year was probably bought in January?

Ronda: Who said you're getting a gift?  I'm just kidding. But I think I bought your gift in March. 

Meaning: In this example, Ronda explains that she squirrels away Christmas gifts that she buys on sale throughout the year. @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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Skeleton(s) in one's closet

Idiom: skeleton(s) in one's closet ; used as a noun

First Example:

Michael: Why is Oscar so upset?

Pam: You didn't hear?  Everyone found out that his brother is in prison, and now he's really embarrassed.                                                      

Michael: Why? It's not like he's the one in jail.

Pam: True, but some people don't like others to know about their families' secrets.  And no one likes having the skeletons in their closet revealed.

Michael: That's true. I would hate it if everyone was talking about some deep, dark secret in my family.

Pam: Like what?

Michael: Well, like... Wait, I'm not gonna tell you!

Meaning: The idiom "skeleton(s) in one's closet" is used as a noun to refer to the embarrassing or shocking secrets that people have. The skeletons in the idiom refer to the secrets themselves, and the closet refers to keeping them "in the dark." "Skeleton's in one's closet" is the American idiom while British and Australian people use the alternative "skeleton(s) in one's cupboard." Here is another example of the American version:

Adviser: So, Mrs. Smith, before you run for office, I need to know. Do you have any skeletons in your closet?  Any affairs or other dirty little secrets?        

Politician: Not that I can think of.

Adviser: You don't have any past criminal behavior - any laws broken that might come out?

Politician: Like speeding tickets?

Adviser: No, no one cares about minor things like that. I'm talking about major things like drinking and driving, or a hit and run.

Politician: Nope, can't think of anything like that.

Adviser: Good.  Now let's discuss marketing...

Meaning: In this example, the adviser is asking if the politician has any skeletons in her closet. This idiom is commonly used when discussing the secrets of politicians and other public figures. The adviser even clarifies that minor issues, like speeding tickets, aren't really bad enough to be considered a skeleton in one's closet.       @LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

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To hit the books

Idiom: To hit the books

Context #1 – Two students just got back from the one-week break and are starting a new term at Language Systems in LA.

Jeff:  What a vacation! San Francisco was beautiful and the weather was perfect.

Katie: I know. It’s nice to take a break from school and get out of town for a while.

Jeff: Yes, but now it’s back to school. I want to take the TOEFL test in January, so I really have to hit the books. I don’t think I have been studying enough.

Katie: Don’t worry! You still have time to study. However, I have to take the TOEFL next week, so I have been hitting the books for the past couple of months. No breaks for me until I take that test.

Jeff: Well, good luck!

Context #2 – A student who is failing his English class is asking his teacher for help.

Jonathan: Hi teacher. I’m here because I noticed that I’m failing this class and that I may not be able to go to the next level. Is there anything I can do?

Timothy: Well, the first thing you must do is hit the books, since we have tests in a couple of days. Then, you need to attend class every day and come on time.

Jonathan: I know. I’m really going to try to do better. I have just been a little lonely and homesick lately. I really miss my family back home.

Timothy: In addition to hitting the books,  practicing and talking to people in English outside of class will help your studies and your loneliness. Maybe if you make more friends to talk to in English, you won’t be as homesick.

Jonathan: You are right. I feel lonely sometimes, so it would be good to make more friends and go out more often. Then, I could also learn more English. Thank you for the advice!

Meaning: “To hit the books” means to study hard. In context #1, Katie and Jeff both have to hit the books in order to get a high score on the TOEFL test. In context 2, the student has to hit the books in order to pass his class.
@LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

www.languagesystems.edu

Heat Wave

Idiom: Heat Wave

Context #1 – Walking in LA during a heat wave

The temperature is 105 plus degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), and it feels like you just stepped into a huge oven. It's the hottest it's been in recent memory. You just passed a homeless guy who was trying to fry an egg on the sidewalk. There is air conditioning in just about every place you go, except your apartment because you don’t have an air conditioner. You are desperately looking for a place to cool off until the sun goes down. Just staying outside for an extended period of time could be bad for your health. It is difficult to move and EVERYONE is cranky because of the hot weather. You are experiencing a HEAT WAVE....

Context #2 – Two roommates in an apartment without air conditioning during a heat wave

Jennie:  I cannot even believe how hot it is right now. It’s like I’m in hell and there is no end in sight.

Katie: I know! I can’t even breathe. I feel like I’m in an oven. I had no idea there could be a heat wave like this in California.

Jennie: We really should have rented an apartment with air conditioning. I just didn’t think we would need it.

Katie: Well, we are going to melt if we stay in this apartment any longer. Why don’t we go see a movie? It’s always nice and cool in the movie theater.

Jennie: That sounds like a plan. Maybe it will cool off later after the movie finishes.

Katie: I doubt it! Mrs. Cline our neighbor says that she cannot remember a heat wave like this and she has been living in California her whole life!

 Meaning: “Heat wave” is an idiom that is specifically used to talk about a period of time that is much hotter than usual. In context #1, it describes a person experiencing a heat wave while walking outside. In context #2, the roommates are in their apartment, but they don’t have air conditioning, so they are trying to find a way to stay cool.  @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSIS

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At face value

Idiom: at face value

Example 1- Sales representatives will do anything to sell you their product.  So, don’t take their word at face value.

Example 2- Charlie is very smart; if he gives you legal advice, you should take it at face value.

Meaning: "at face value" means the superficial appearance or implication of something. @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSISB

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To face the music

Idiom: to face the music

Example 1- (In school) Sally didn’t study for her tests this week.  She’ll have to face the music when it’s time to show her parents her results.

Example 2- I had to face the music after the teacher caught me using my phone during the test.

Meaning: "to face the music" means to accept the consequences of something one is responsible for. @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSISB

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To stay tuned

Idiom: to stay tuned

Example 1-(News story on television) There was a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in our town this morning. Reports of damage are slowly being reported. Residents are urged to stay tuned for emergency instructions.

Example 2- Stay tuned for more updates and pictures from the Beach Party.

Meaning: "to stay tuned" means to stay on one news channel, radio station, or website and wait for more information. @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSISB

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To have a blast

Idiom: to have a blast

Example 1- (last week) Don't forget to buy your ticket for the Beach Party! It's on Friday and we always have a blast, so you don't want to miss it!

Example 2- (this week) The Beach Party was so much fun! We had a blast playing beach volleyball, tug-of-war, water games, and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! I'm so glad I didn't miss it! I can't wait for next year. 

Meaning: "to have a blast" means to have a lot of fun. 

Grammar note: the verb have changes according to the necessary verb tense:

We will have a blast next week. 

We had a blast yesterday.                  @LSINE @LSIOC

We are having a blast right now.         @LSISB @LSILA

See all the #LSIBeachParty14 pictures on Picasa at https://plus.google.com/photos/102773294412586155497/albums/6054915585057002849?banner=pwa

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To burn off

Idiom: to burn off 

Context #1:

Julie:  Hey, do you want to go to the beach today?

Kathy: I don't know.  It's really cloudy right now.

Julie: I know.  California is like that in June.  It's always cloudy in the morning but once the clouds burn off it'll be gorgeous.

Kathy: Really?  Ok!  Let's go then.

Context #2:

Tom: Did you guys go to the beach yesterday?

David: Yeah, we were going to go in the morning, but it was too cold and cloudy. We waited until the clouds burned off.

Tom: I bet the weather was amazing in the afternoon.

David: Yeah, it was perfect! Clear, sunny skies and not a lot of wind.

Meaning: "to burn off" is an idiom that is specifically used to talk about the process of morning clouds gradually disappearing.  Usually along the coast in California the sky is cloudy in the morning. But then in the late morning or early afternoon the clouds go away and it becomes sunny and hot. 

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A day at the beach

Idiom: A day at the beach

Ron and Lisa are both students in the same class in university. It's nearing the end of the term and Ron is stressed about his finals...

Ron: I've been doing research for two days now, and I don't feel any closer to writing my final essay. I wish our professor would just give us a multiple choice exam. That would be far easier for me.

Lisa: No way! I never do well on multiple choice tests; but, for me, writing an essay is like a day at the beach.

Meaning: A day at the beach is a non-stressful, relaxing day - an easy day. When someone uses the idiom a day at the beach, it means the project, task, or event will be easy or non-challenging.

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To bring sand to the beach

Idiom: To bring sand to the beach

Sandra and Jane are discussing a friend's up-coming birthday...

Sandra: I don't know what to get Julia - and her birthday party is this weekend!

Jane: I know she likes bracelets. She certainly has a lot of them.

Sandra: No kidding! She has so many that if I give her another, it'll be like bringing sand to the beach!

Meaning: Because there is so much sand at the beach, there is no point or purpose in bringing sand. When to bring sand to the beach is used, it means the action a speaker suggested or choice a speaker has made (in the above example, buying yet another bracelet for a person who has many) is without purpose or good reason.

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To bury one's head in the sand

Idiom: to bury one's head in the sand; used as a verb

First Example:

Teacher: Joe, can we talk about your test?   

Joe: I know. I did terribly.  But I'll do better next time.

Teacher: Isn't this the third one you've failed?                              

Joe: Yeah, so?

Teacher: Well, maybe you should stop burying your head in the sand and admit you need help.  If you fail another test, you won't pass the class.

Joe: Oh wow. Yeah, I guess I do need to do something.

Teacher: Why don't you go down to the tutoring center tomorrow? I hear they have some really great math tutors that should be able to help you.

Meaning: The idiom "to bury (one's) head in the sand" is used when someone is ignoring a bad situation. The idiom is based on the idea that ostriches bury their heads in order to avoid danger; however, this is actually a myth as ostriches do not hide in this way. Here is another example:

Tricia: I finally paid off my credit card.    

Val: That's awesome!  How did you do it?

Tricia: Well, for a long time I just buried my head in the sand about how much debt I had, but one day I finally added it up and realized I had $20,000 in credit card debt.

Val: Wow! That's a lot!

Tricia: Yeah. Once I finally admitted how bad it was, I quit using my cards and paid off as much as a I could each month.  It took me a couple years, and it was really tight, but I'm so glad I did it.

Val: Congratulations

Meaning: In this example, Tricia uses the expression to explain the she was ignoring the amount of credit card debt she had. 

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