To Shape Up

EXAMPLE  1:

Dear Zora,

This is the last time I will remind you to wash the dishes after cooking.

We are roommates and we share a space. You never clean up after yourself! I always have to ask you to keep the apartment clean... Sometimes I feel like I am your mother! Seriously, if you don't shape up, I will ask you to leave. 

Sincerely,

Tasha Orushko

EXAMPLE 2:

Dear Tasha,

I don't care what you say! I pay my rent on time and I always wash the dishes!

I am not your maid. I will clean up my mess, but don't expect me to pick up after you.  Am I clear?

You are the one who has to shape up, my friend!

Have a great day!

Zora

MEANING: To shape up means to improve performance or behavior 

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A No-Brainer

Example 1:

Bill: Do you have plans for vacation, Mike?
Mike: Nope. I can't decide what I want to do. My roommates want to go to Las Vegas, but my parents want to take me on a cruise through Mexico.
Bill: Mike! That's a no-brainer! You can go to Vegas anytime! The cruise to Mexico is something you shouldn't pass up.

Example 2: 

Seth: Have you heard back from the company you interviewed with last week? I know you've been looking for work for a few months.
Ruth: Yes, actually. They called me the other day to offer me a position.
Seth: Wow! That's great! You're going to take the job, right?
Ruth: Of course! It's a no-brainer!

Explanation:
A no -brainer is an extremely easy question or decision to make.
In Example 1, Mike has to decide between a trip to Las Vegas with his friends or a cruise to Mexico with his parents. While both trips sound fun, Bill thinks the choice is obvious and easy to decide- of course he should go to Mexico! Living in southern California, Mike has plenty of opportunities to travel to Las Vegas, but it's unlikely his parents will take this same cruise again.
In Example 2, Ruth says she will take the job. To her, there is no other option. It is the obvious choice.
You can think of something as a no-brainer if someone who has no-brain can still make the decision easily.

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To Wake Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed

Context #1:

Tom: Man!  Chrissy must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed today!

Steve:  I know.  She is in such a bad mood.  

Tom: I think I'll just stay away from her today.

Context #2:

Sara:  Jenny, can I borrow a pen?  I forgot mine.

Jenny: Really? Again? You always forget your pen.  How many times has it been now? A million...

Sara: Wow!  Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Jenny: I'm sorry.  Yeah, I'm a little stressed out today.  Here you go.  You can use this pen.

MEANING: to wake up on the wrong side of the bed is an expression used when someone is really grumpy or in a bad mood.  It is almost always used with a past tense form, like in example #2.

Leave No Stone Unturned

Example 1: 

When Bobby went to the park with his family, his father accidentally dropped the keys to the car. For more than an hour, the whole family was searching for them. Bobby's mother instructed them to "leave no stone unturned, we need those keys to get home!" So the family searched in all possible places until Bobby's sister found them near the car. After that, the family could relax and enjoy the park.

Example 2:

The police is the city left no stone unturned  in the search for the missing bank robbers. All leads were investigated and every contact was questions. The police had almost exhausted all of their resources when the thieves were  found in Mexico living in luxury.

Explanation:

The expression to leave no stone unturned means to use all your power, energy, and resources to find something/one. In example 1, Bobby's family had to literally look under and around every stone in the park until the missing keys were located. In example 2, the police searched everywhere and followed all leads until the thieves were located. 

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Pull an all nighter

Meaning: Depriving yourself of sleep all night to do things that need to be done or you want to do. Usually used for studying.

Example 1

Matt and Ben are two friends

Matt: Are you going to John’s party tonight?

Ben: No, I’m not!

Matt: Why not?

Ben: I have a test tomorrow.

Matt: Didn’t you study for the test?

Ben: No, that’s why I have to study all night!!

Matt: Man! So you are going to pull an all nighter?

Ben: Yeah! It looks like it!

Example 2

Jessica finished her final exams at her university in the morning and is now visiting her parents in the afternoon.

Jessica: Hi mom!! It’s so good to see you.

Mom: Thanks honey! It’s so nice to see you, too. I’ve missed you.

Jessica: I’ve missed you, too. How are you?

Mom: I’m great. How about you?

Jessica: I’m so tired, mom!!

Mom: Why, honey?!

Jessica: I was awake all night

Mom: Why were you awake all night? Were you at a club? You should focus on your studies!!!

Jessica: NO Mom!!!! I was pulling an all nighter for my final exams.

Mom: Oh, I see. You are such a good student, honey!

Heavy Hitter

Heavy Hitter

Example 1:

Oprah Winfrey is considered a heavy hitter in her field.

Example 2:

Carlos: I’m excited to have Wendy working with us!!

Hoyeon: Why?

Carols: Have you seen her resume? She’s a real heavy hitter!

Meaning: someone who has achieved a lot and is very powerful

To Play Hardball

To Play Hardball

Example 1:

Things are getting a little tough so the president has decided to play hardball on this issue.

Example 2:

Jacob: Sam is such a nice teacher

Jake: Yes, but he’s also not afraid to play hardball when the class starts acting rowdy

Meaning: to act strong and aggressive about an issue with someone

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Travel Light

Example 1:

I'm going home for the holidays this year. I am so excited to see my family after 6 months of being here in America studying English. My classmate gave me good advice for my trip. She advised Itravel light. She explained that if I take just a small amount of luggage, I can save money on the flight fee and also have a lot of space to bring back my favorite things from my country! This is such a good idea because there are so many things I want to bring back to America with me, so if I travel light, I'll have space in my luggage to bring it back with me!

Example 2:

John: Mike, are you ready for our camping trip?

Mike: I sure am! I've got the tent, the sleeping bag, the portable TV, the portable DVD player, the generator...

John: Mike! Have you ever been camping before? We won't need a TV or a DVD player! We'll be enjoying nature. And besides, it's always best to travel light when camping. We'll have to hike up to the campsite from the car. We can't carry so much!

Mike: Oh, I see. OK. I guess I have to go home and repack my things....

Explanation:

To travel light means to pack only a little luggage for a trip. 

In Example 1, the student will travel light in order to leave space to bring back souvenirs.

In Example 2, John tells Mike that it's important to travel light when camping because they will be hiking.

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