to scrape together

Idiom: to scrape together (used as a verb)

First Example:

The college students didn't think they'd have enough money to pay their rent. They sold some stuff and borrowed from their parents and they finally scraped together what they needed just in time.

Meaning: The expression "to scrape together" means to gather together or make something with difficulty.  The expression is used when trying to collect enough of something from limited resources. Most commonly, as in the case above, it's used with money.

Second Example:

            Christina: There's nothing to eat. Want to order a pizza?

            Lisa: I'd rather save money. What's in the cupboard? Maybe we can scrape something together.

            Christina: Not much. There's some pasta.

            Lisa: Great! Is there any olive oil?

            Christina: Yeah, I think so. 

            Lisa: And this tomato is good. We have dinner!

           

Meaning: In the second example, Lisa says that they can "scrape something together", meaning dinner.  This means that despite Christina saying there is nothing to eat, Lisa thinks they can gather together enough food to make them dinner. Also notice that the expression can be separated with a noun.

to live within one's means

Idiom: to live within one's means (used as a verb)

First Example:

Angela is in debt. She hasn't been living within her means this past year, using credit cards to pay for everything. Now she has to move back into her parents' house so she can save money on rent and use it pay off her credit cards instead.

Meaning: The expression "to live within one's means" means to only spend the money you have.  In the example above, Angela was not living within her means, so she built up excessive debt.

Second Example:

            Tim: Hey, want to hang out tonight? I heard about this great new restaurant

            Brad: No, I'm trying to save money, so I'm not going out to eat.

            Tim: But you can go out occasionally.

            Brad: I've been focusing on living within my means. I paid off all my credit cards, and I don't want any more debt.

            Tim: That's responsible of you. 

            Brad: But if you want, we can still hang out. We can make dinner at my place.

            Tim: That sounds cool. What time should I come by? 

Meaning: In the second example, Brad says that he is trying to live within his means. He has paid off his debts and is trying to avoid any more.  This means that he will only spend what he has. 

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To Paint the Town Red

verb, expression - to go out and have fun, have a good time.

Use: William and Cheryl stand outside a convenience store. Cheryl scratches a lottery ticket.

William: I wish we could get out and do something fun tonight. But I don't get paid until next week!

Cheryl: I won! I won! $10,000!

William: Are you kidding?

Cheryl: Come on! I'm going to cash this in and we're going to paint the town red!

In the example, Cheryl is planning to get her lottery money and celebrate (have fun) with William. Thus, they are going to paint the town red.

Iain McConnell, APC #DTLA

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to grill someone

Idiom: to grill someone; used as a verb

First Example:
Theresa was really grilling Harry on their first date. She was sure asking him all these questions about his preferences. He eventuall had to ask her to stop. 

Second Example:

When Janice said she hadn't done her homework because she had to go to the hospital the night before, the teacher grilled her on what happened. The teacher asked for so many details, Janice finally gave up and was honest, explaining that she went to a movie.

Meaning: To "grill" someone means to ask that person many questions, similar to a cross-examination in a courtroom. In the first example/illustration above, Harry was grilled by his date; he thought her questions were excessive. In the second example, Janice is grilled by her teacher, and she eventually admitted that she was lying. 

To line (someone or something) up

Idiom: To line (someone or something) up

Example:

Context #1 – Students are trying to plan a surprise party for their teacher

Jeff: Next Friday is our teacher’s last day of class before she moves to China. I think we should line something up for her surprise farewell party. Something really big!!

 Mimi: Hmmmm...let me think about that. How many people are in the class?

Jeff: About 15 people and they are all adults.

 Mimi: Oh, I know! Let’s line up a magician for the party. I recently saw a magician named “Alvin the Great” who hypnotizes people and makes them do crazy things. When they wake up, they forget ever doing those things!

Jeff: Really? That sounds a little strange. What if they do something embarrassing?

Mimi: Well, he only hypnotized people who were willing and they didn’t do anything too crazy. Just funny things.

Jeff: OK. Do you think we have enough time to line “Alvin the Great” up for the party?

Mimi: Let me call him now.

Context #2 – Students are rushing to see a magician’s show

Jack: OK, everyone. Line up over here by the stage if you want to get a closer look at “Alvin the Great.”

Terri: Oh, this is so exciting! I want to volunteer during the show.

Jack: Well, if you line up first, you will have a better chance.

Meaning: To schedule someone or something for something (figurative); to put people or things in a line (literal)

“In context 1, the figurative meaning is to arrange or schedule someone or something for an event. Jeff and Mimi are scheduling a magician to come and perform during their teacher’s farewell party. In context 2, the literal meaning is to put people or things in a line. In this case, the students are lining up to see the magician and Terri wants to be the first in line so that she can volunteer during the show. 

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(To have money) burn a hole in someone's pocket

Idiom: (To have money) burn a hole in someone's pocket; used as a verb 

Example:

When his mother gave the little boy his allowance, she told him not to "spend it all in one place." But the money was burning a hole in his pocket, so he spent it all at the candy store. He didn't save any of it.

Meaning: To have money "burn a hole in (one's) pocket" means that the person has money that they want to spend immediately. Usually, this expression is used humorously, often in a question such as "Is it burning a hole in your pocket?" when someone seems to be spending recently acquired money too quickly.

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To drop the ball

Idiom: To drop the ball

Example: Last week, my wife received all of our monthly bills. She wrote the checks, put them in envelopes and asked me to mail them the next day. I forgot. Now all of our bills are late. I can't believe I dropped the ball like that! My wife is so angry.

Meaning: To drop the ball means to not do or perform your responsibility. When you have a duty or responsibility and you forget to do it or don't do it well, you drop the ball.

By Iain McConnell, #DTLAcampus

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To be a cheapskate

Idiom: To be a cheapskate

Example:

Marc: OMG! Eric is such a cheapskate! He brought a tiny bag of candies for Peter’s kids on their birthday!

Anne: Really? I can’t believe it. I know he likes to save money, but they are his nephews!

Marc: Not only that, Peter always makes really nice gifts on his birthday! Remember last year’s?

Anne: Oh yeah, Peter got him an iPad Air 2!!

Meaning:

The expression “to be a cheapskate” means to be unwilling to give or spend money, to be miserly or stingy.

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To imbue with

Idiom: To imbue with

Example #1:

Saul: What should we teach during summer camp this year?

Jay: I’m not sure, but remember last year’s camp? Our teachers really imbued us with a positive attitude.

Saul: That’s because we had a mature leadership crew last year.

Jay: I’m sure they imbued us with good values so we could have a positive influence on new camp members.

Example #2:

Leslie: Our mother really imbued us with good values, don’t you think?

Michael: She sure did.

Leslie: She really made an effort to influence us in a good way.

Michael: That’s why mom is the best.

  

Meaning: The expression "imbued with" means to influence or inspire someone to be filled with a feeling/custom. 

In the first example above, Leslie mentions that her mom "imbued her" with good values. That means her mother taught her how to be a good person.

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To run for

Idiom: To run for

Example I:

Hillary: Bill, I think I’m going to run for President in the next election.

Bill: That would be great.  I’m sure you will do a great job.

Maria: Many people suggested I didn't run for it this time around, but I still think I can make a difference.

Neil: Go for it.  I will support you all the way.

Meaning: The expression "to run for" means to try or attempt something. 

In the example above, Hillary wants "to run for" president because she feels that she is capable of being a good president.

Example II:

Aaron: Dude, my date wants to marry me after only one date.

John: It’s a good idea to run for it.

Aaron: It’s a bit scary considering we just met.

John: Uh, yeah. The situation sounds a little intense.

Meaning: In this example, the expression "to run for" means to run away or get away (as far as possible) from someone/something. 

In the example above, John suggests "to run for it” because he feels that the person Aaron is dating may be pushing the relationship faster than normal.

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To have a change of heart

Idiom: To have a change of heart; used as a verb 

Example:

Maria: So what do you think of the puppy now?

Neil: Now that he's at home, I admit, he is pretty adorable. And you're right, we did have enough room for a pet.

Maria: I'm glad you had a change of heart. I know you didn't want a dog at first, but I think we made a good choice.

Neil: So do I.

Meaning: The expression "have a change of heart" means that someone changes his/her mind on a decision or opinion, usually from a negative to a positive. 

In the example above, Todd has "had a change of heart" because he didn't initially want a pet.  But now that they have the puppy, he's happy about it.

www.languagesystems.edu 

To have a heart

Idiom: To have a heart; used as a verb 

Example:

Maria: Look at these adorable puppies my friend posted on facebook. They're looking for homes. Maybe we should adopt one?

Neil: We don't need a dog.

Maria: Why not? They're so adorable, and they need homes. And I have been thinking a pet could be fun.

Neil: I don't know.

Maria: Oh, have a heart. At least go look at them with me and think about it. They need homes, and we have one.

Neil: OK, we can go see the puppies tomorrow, but I'm not promising anything.

Meaning: The expression "have a heart" means to be compassionate, generous or forgiving. In the example above, Maria tells Neil to "have a heart" when he initially rejects her suggestion that they adopt a puppy. This imperative usage (telling someone to do something) is one of the most common ways to use this idiom. When a person rejects something that is compassionate, generous or forgiving, someone else might say "have a heart;" this suggests that the person should reconsider.

In addition to the imperative usage above, the idiom is also often used with the word "if," as in the following example:

Christine: I know you're still mad at Daniel for scratching your car, but he apologized and offered to pay for it. 

Thomas: I know, but it was really irresponsible of him.

Christine: If you had a heart, you would just forgive Daniel and move on.

Meaning: In this case, saying "if you had a heart" is almost a challenge, telling someone that they need to be more compassionate, generous or forgiving (as in this specific example).

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Shop 'til you drop

Idiom: Shop 'til you drop

An advertisement for a department store:

Next Friday Next Friday, for one day only, our annual 50% OFF SALE will begin. 

All items in the store will be an unbelievable HALF PRICE! 

So come in next Friday and shop 'til you drop!

Meaning: To buy as much as you can or shop until you can't shop anymore.

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To talk shop

Idiom: To talk shop 

Read the following e-mail and try to guess the meaning of the idiom in bold:

Hi George,

How have you been?

I just wanted to thank you for giving me advice regarding my new job at LS. I know it was your brother's wedding party, and you probably didn't want to talk about work there, but all the advice you gave me was very helpful! I would never talk shop at my brother's wedding! You rock!

Thanks again!

Bob. 

Meaning: To talk about someone's job or business matters on a social setting.

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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.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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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.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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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

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