Be my guest

Idiom: be my guest

Example 1:

Matt: Hey man, I’m going to San Diego next year.

Dee:  Oh really? Can I come too?

Matt: Be my guest.

Dee: Really? That’s awesome.

Example 2:

Thomas: Do you think I can turn in those reports on Monday of next week?

Charles: Be my guest.  They’re not due until Tuesday anyway. 

Meaning: "Be my guest" means: “go ahead,” “help yourself,” or it could mean giving someone permission to do something.  It’s a neutral term used by many people in formal or informal settings.

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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.

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To Ring Up

Idiom: To Ring Up

Example 1:

Store clerk to the man waiting in line to pay: "Hello, sir. Are you ready? I can ring you up at this register."

Example 2:

Shopper who realizes there is mistake on her receipt: "I have to go back to the store. The cashier rang up 2 cartons of eggs but I only have 1. I was overcharged for something I didn't buy!"

Meaning: "To Ring Up" is a separable phrasal verb that is used to describe the action of the cashier in a store. 

"The cashier will ring up your items."

"Can you ring me up?"

Remember! When using object pronouns (you, me, us, it, etc) the pronoun must separate the phrasal verb. Ex: Ring me up   NOT: Ring up me. Longer nouns that are not pronouns generally don't separate the phrasal verb. Ex: Ring up all the items in my shopping cart. NOT: Ring all the items in my shopping cart up.

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Retail Therapy

Idiom: Retail Therapy

Example 1:

Cora: Frances just broke up with her boyfriend. We need to plan something to help cheer her up. Do you have any ideas?

Julie: I have the perfect idea! She loves shopping, so I think some retail therapy will definitely help her feel better!

Cora: Great idea! Let's pick her up and go to the mall.

Example 2:

With the stress of the holidays and the cold winter weather, it's easy for people to begin to feel depressed. That's why shopping is so popular this time of year! We love to buy gifts for our loved ones, but a little retail therapy really helps some people feel better! 

Meaning: "Retail therapy" is an expression that's used to describe shopping as a treatment for sadness.  @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu