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

www.languagesystems.edu

To Be A Turkey

Idiom: to be a turkey

Example:

John: I can’t find my laptop.  I hope I didn’t lose it or get it stolen.

Eli: Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you, Kazu borrowed your laptop this morning.  He said he would have it back to you before class.  His broke and he had to find a way to take notes in class. 

John: He’s such a turkey! He can’t just take things without asking. I have early class today. He clearly didn’t think about that.

Eli: That’s a bit harsh. I don’t think Kazu was trying to upset you. 

John: Who’s the turkey that suggested he do that?

Eli:  I guess that would be me.  Sorry dude.

Meaning: To be a turkey is an expression used when someone is trying to call someone thoughtless or even a fool.  It’s not a nice thing to say, but it’s used commonly to avoid using stronger or more profane language. 

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu

You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Idiom: You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Example:

Joe: Jane! Are you all right? You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Jane: I just got really shocking news from my doctor. We are having triplets. 

Joe: 3 babies?!

Jane: Now YOU look like you have just seen a ghost!

Meaning: You look like you have just seen a ghost is an expression used when someone has a shocked or scared look on their face. 

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu

To make one's blood run cold

Idiom: To make one's blood run cold

Example 1: 

Don't see the movie "The Exorcist!" It's so scary! It made my blood run cold! 

Example 2:

There was a terrible car accident near my home. The sound of the crash made my blood run cold! It was so shocking and scary. 

Meaning:

something makes one's blood run cold means that something really scared/shocked/terrified someone.

@LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

www.languagesystems.edu

In Cold Blood

Idiom: In cold blood

Context #1:

John: Did you hear about that serial killer who appeared in court today?

Sam: Yeah, I heard the judge sentenced him to life in prison with no parole.

John: That's right. He killed about 10 people in cold blood so I guess he deserved that.

Context #2:

Jenny: Last night on the news I saw that a lady was killed in New York while waiting for the bus.

Chrissy: Yeah, I guess some crazy guy just walked up to her and shot her in cold blood.

Meaning: In cold blood is an idiom that is used as an adverb. It is commonly used with verbs like kill, shoot, and murder. It means to kill someone in a cruel and unfeeling fashion. The person doing the killing does not feel any kind of sadness or remorse.      @LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

www.languagesystems.edu

To Strut One's Stuff

Idiom: to strut one’s stuff

Context #1 – Two people are watching a soccer game and one of the players just scored a goal.

Jen:  Goal!!! That was a great shot! Look at him strut his stuff!

Kat: Hmmm. I think that was just a lucky shot.

Jen: Seriously? Look at the replay. It was an AMAZING shot, not luck!

Kat: Well, I don’t think so. Believe me, he should not strut his stuff and celebrate like that over one lucky shot. It’s silly.

Jen: I think he should strut his stuff every chance he gets. Anyways, the game is over so let’s eat dinner.

Context #2 - Two people are watching others dancing at a club.

Jack: Look at Paul out there on the dance floor just strutting his stuff.

Terri: I know! Where did he learn to dance like that?

Jack: Oh, he has been dancing since he was a baby. Plus, I think he has a lot of natural talent.

Terri: Well, that’s obvious. I wish I could do that.

Jack: You should ask Paul to give you lessons. In no time at all, you’ll be strutting your stuff on the dance floor!

Terri: Ha, ha! I don’t think I could ever be that good, but it would be a lot of fun.

Meaning: “To strut one’s stuff” means to show off what you can do well or to walk proudly and show off (or celebrate) one’s best features or talents. In context #1, the soccer player struts his stuff, or shows off, after making an amazing goal. In context #2, Paul is a talented dancer and is strutting his stuff, or showing off his dance moves, on the dance floor.
@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

www.languagesystems.edu

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

www.languagesystems.edu