To Shoot the Breeze

Meaning: Chat or talk to someone in a very casual, fun way

Context #1 – Two students are talking about going on Spring Break

Jaffer:  I can’t wait until the end of this term! I really need a break from studying.

Katrina: I know. It’s nice to take a break from school every now and then. What are you planning on doing?

Jaffer: Nothing. I just want to sleep all day, sit around, and shoot the breeze with my friends. I won’t even open one of my textbooks. I can’t wait!

Katrina: Me, too! I’m just going to be shooting the breeze and having fun! 

Jaffer: Well, have a good one!

Context #2 – Two co-workers are gossiping in the office around the water cooler

Simon: Did you see Kevin today? Unbelievable!

Pete: Huh? What do you mean?

Simon: He was over there at his desk just shooting the breeze with Jasmine. I don’t think he has worked even one minute today.

Pete: .Really? But Kevin is always such a good worker and finishes everything on time. Are you sure he wasn’t just helping Jasmine with her work? He just doesn't seem like the type to sit around and shoot the breeze with people at work.

Simon: Ha! Believe me, that wasn’t work! He was just sitting there enjoying their little chat without any concern about the tons of work everyone has to do.

Pete: Well, I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe he just didn’t feel like working today.

Meaning: “To shoot the breeze” means to talk or chat with someone in a very casual manner. In context 1, Jaffer isn’t going to go anywhere for his break. He just wants to “shoot the breeze” and hang out with his friends. In context 2, Simon is angry that Kevin is just sitting around and chatting with Jasmine instead of working.

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Hit The Road

Idiom: Hit the road

Example 1: 

Jeff: Hey, Bill. What time is it? I need to be home by 10 or my mom will kill me.

Bill: It's 9:15. You'd better hit the road soon if you want to be on time!

Jeff: You're right! Bye!

Example 2:

Man 1: Excuse me, who are you and why are you taking fruit from my tree?!

Man 2: Sorry, they just looked really delicious and I wanted to try one.

Man 1: Well, you can't just take fruit from MY tree! Hit the road before I call the police!

Meaning: To hit the road is an informal expression that means leave, go, or begin a journey/trip. 

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Party Animal

Idiom: Party Animal

Example 1:

Tommy: Are you ready to see the final game of the season?

Don: I’m so excited about it, that I’ve been partying for the last three days without sleep.

Tommy:  Dude, you’re a real party animal. That’s wild. Where do you find the time and money to be able to do that?

Don: It’s in my blood. My father was a party animal, my grandparents were party animals.  Actually, now that I think about it, all my family members are party animals.

Example 2:

Victoria: I spent so much time studying in college. I wish I would have been more social and attended more events.

Liz: I remember nothing about class or college. My boyfriend and I were always partying.

Victoria: How did you manage to graduate, being such party animals?

Liz: I wish I could tell you, but I can’t remember. 

Victoria: I can’t believe it. Most people are incapable of that.

Meaning: A party animal is someone who attends parties on a consistent basis.  A party animal is someone who is constantly attending, participating, and/or organizing parties. Usually, they are social and have high levels of energy.

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Hit the Airwaves

Idiom: Hit the Airwaves

Example 1:

Samira: What’s wrong, Giorgio? You look really nervous.

Giorgio: I am nervous. My band just finished its first CD. Now we have to promote it.

Samira:  Wow! That’s great!

Giorgio: So we are getting ready to hit the airwaves and start promoting it. We have an interview on “Coffee with the Girls” this afternoon. It’s a local TV show and it has a large following in this area.

Samira: Oh, I’ve seen that show! They have a lot of bands and singers as guests. That is so exciting!

Giorgio: Yes it is, but I’m also nervous because we are going to play a single from the CD and then they will interview us afterwards. It’s a live show, so I don’t want to make any mistakes.

Samira: Well, if you want to become famous, you have to hit the airwaves to promote your band. Don’t worry! You will be just fine.

Giorgio: Thank you for the encouragement, Samira!

Samira: Anytime!

Example 2:

Lilith: Quick! Turn on the TV to channel 4!

Liam: What? OK, but why?

Lilith: Do you remember that woman who had an affair with the mayor a few months ago? Myra Johnson?

Liam: Oh yes. Didn’t she disappear? No one has heard from her since the mayor confessed to the affair on TV and apologized to everyone.

Lilith: Yes, and the mayor blamed Myra Johnson for everything! Well, now Myra is hitting the airwaves with her side of the story.

Liam: Wow! Good for her. She shouldn’t be blamed for everything. I want to hear what she says.

Lilith: Me, too. Look, it’s starting!

Meaning: to go on radio or TV to promote something or to tell one side of a story.

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Bells and Whistles

Idiom: Bells and Whistles

Example 1:

Gerry: Congratulations, Kiki! I heard you passed the driver’s test!

 Kiki: Yes, I’m so happy. It took me three tries, but I finally have a driver’s license.

Gerry: So have you thought about buying a car?

 Kiki: Of course! My dad said he would help me, so we have been looking for cars together. It’s been a little difficult because he has a completely different idea about what kind of car I should buy.

Gerry: What do you mean?

Kiki: Well, I want a cute car with all the bells and whistles! Then I can drive around the town in style. But my dad wants me to start with something boring and basic.

Gerry: Actually, it’s probably better to just get a basic car at first without the bells and whistles. It’s cheaper and more practical.

Kiki: But it’s my first car!

Example 2:

Jackie: What’s the matter? You look upset!

Tommy: My computer crashed and I don’t think I’ll be able to repair it. I really can’t afford to buy a new computer right now!

Jackie: Don’t worry. Computers are not that expensive, especially if you buy a computer without all the bells and whistles. The more extras you add, the more expensive it will be.

Tommy: I guess you are right, but I really do a lot of things on the computer in addition to my work. I especially like gaming and you need a strong computer for that, one that has all the bells and whistles.

Jackie: Well, maybe you will just have to make a sacrifice for now. Get a basic computer and add the extras later when you can afford it.

Meaning: Extra; the things that a device or machine has or does that are not necessary, but that make it more exciting.

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Put Someone Up

Idiom: Put someone up

Example 1:

Vanessa: So what are your plans for the summer break? We have three months before school starts again!

Brad: Well, I’m going to visit my friends in London.

Vanessa: Wow! That sounds like fun! But isn’t London expensive?

Brad: Yes, it is, but I’m really lucky. My friend who lives there is putting me up for the summer, so I don’t need to pay for a hotel.

Vanessa: You are lucky! I wish I had friends like that!

Example 2:

Sami: I’m in big trouble. My roommate has asked me to leave by this weekend and I have no place to live!

Petra: Oh, Sami. I’m so sorry to hear that. I would put you up for a short time, but there is no room at my house.

Sami: Really? Not even on the sofa?

Petra: That is where I sleep! We are already in trouble for having too many people living in the apartment.

Sami: I see. Do you think Jennifer could put me up for a while? Just until I find another apartment.

Petra: Maybe. She does have an extra room that she uses as an office. Why don’t we give her a call?

Sami: Great idea. Thank you for helping!

Meaning: To provide a place for someone or something to stay temporarily.

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Head For

Idiom: Head for

Example 1:

Vicki: I can’t believe it's almost time for Summer Break. I’m so excited.

Bjorn: Me, too!

Vicki: Do you have any plans?

Bjorn: I’m heading for Yellowstone Park. I’m going to spend the week camping and hiking!

Vicki: Hmmm…that’s good if you like camping and the outdoors. I’m more of a city girl.

Bjorn: Really?

Vicki: Yes. After school is out, I’ll get ready to head for the outlet malls. I can’t think of anything better than shopping for a week!

Example 2:

Janine:  Pete, you really should start studying more every day for classes. You are getting more behind every day.

Pete: Oh, Janine. You worry too much. I’ll have plenty of time later.

Janine: No, you won’t. You are headed for trouble if you don’t study. You could actually get kicked out of school!

Pete: Do you really think so?

Janine: Yes! It happened to me when I first started school here. I know what I am talking about.

Pete: Well, maybe you are right. I guess I am headed for failure if I don’t start studying more.

Janine: Of course I’m right! I’ll even help you.

Janine: Thanks, Janine!

Meaning: To travel or go toward some destination; to set something or someone on a course toward some situation or condition (used passively).

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The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Idiom: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Example 1:

The little boy saw his dad taking a nap, so he asked his mom if he could take one too. She said no and to wake his father, but when she got back, they were both asleep! "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" she said as she sighed.

Example 2:

Mother: I just got a call from our daughter's school.  One of us needs to go pick her up.

Father: Why? Is everything OK?

Mother: Apparently, she called her teacher a bad word.

Father: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?

Mother: I know, I should watch my language around her. 

Father: Well, I'll go get her. Don't want you teaching her any new vocabulary.

Meaning: The expression "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" means that a child is just like their mom or dad.

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Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Idiom: Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Example 1: 

Lisa: Did you see that new guy in class? He is SO cute!!

Tina: Oh, you mean James? Yes, he is very handsome! He is my brother's friend.

Lisa: I want to go out on a date with him.

Tina: Lisa, you are barking up the wrong tree!!

Lisa: What do you mean?

Tina: He is gay. He isn't interested in girls!

Example 2:

News Anchor: The police investigation revealed that Mr. Thompson was not guilty of committing the burglary. It was actually his neighbor who had committed the crime. The police finally realized that they were barking up the wrong tree by accusing Mr. Thompson.

Meaning: To waste your effort pursuing the wrong thing, person or path.

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Let Nature Take Its Course

Idiom: Let Nature Take Its Course

Example 1: 

My daughter Isabella is 17 years old. She just graduated from high school and I am worried about her. The thing is, she has never dated anyone. All her friends have gone on dates but her.

Should I try to help her? Or should I let nature take its course?

Example 2: 

Ted: My friend didn't study at all last term for his algebra class. I took the final exam one day before the rest of the class. After the exam, he wanted me to give him all of the answers.

Irene: He wanted you to cheat?! Well, did you give him the answers?

Ted: Oh, no. I let nature take its course: he failed the exam.

Meaning: To let nature take its course means to let things happen naturally with no interference from an outside source.

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Tempest in a Teapot

Idiom: Tempest in a Teapot

Example 1: Small cultural differences can sometimes create big problems! My roommate is from another country, so we sometimes disagree. Just the other day, we were fighting because I had left my jacket on the couch when I arrived home. I was tired and in a rush to get something to eat. I thought it wasn't a big deal but my roommate began to lecture me on responsibilities as a roommate and having pride in your home. He got really upset and I couldn't understand it! What a tempest in a teapot! 

Example 2: 

George: I'm so angry!

Martin: What's the matter?

G: We invited 50 people to the party and 45 confirmed, but only 42 have arrived on time! I planned all of this for nothing!!! I'm going to cancel the whole thing if they don't show up in 5 minutes!

M: Hey, George! Relax! It's OK! The rest of the guests will come soon, I'm sure. 

Jack: Martin, what's wrong with George?

M: He's upset because 3 guests haven't arrived yet.

J: Really!? That's just a tempest in a teapot! There are more than enough people to begin the party!

Meaning: This expression is used to describe a big fuss or commotion over something minor. In Example 1, the speaker feels that his roommate is overreacting to something very small and unimportant. In Example 2, George is really upset because 3 people haven't arrived for the party, but Martin thinks it's not a big problem because most of the guests have arrived.  

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