To Step Up (one's) Game (used as a verb)

First Example:

Tina: Did you hear? I just got the project.

Alec: Really? I thought my proposal was a lock.

Tina: They liked mine better. Looks like you need to step up your game if you're gonna compete with me.

Alec: Don't get too cocky. You won one proposal, your first.

Tina: The first of many.

Alec: We'll see.

Meaning: To "step up (one's) game" is a phrase that means to improve one's skills or talents. This idiom is sometimes used in a somewhat joking manner between people who are competing, as Tina uses it above.  Alternatively, it can also be used to commend someone on their improvement, as in the next example:     

Vito: I heard you got a promotion?

Kate: Yeah, they liked my last couple reports and told me to keep up the good work.

Vito: Congratulations! You've really stepped up your game. I remember when you first got here, you seemed so lost.

Kate: I was lost! I was terrified someone would figure out at any moment that I had no idea what I was doing, and I'd get fired.

Vito: Well, you know what you're doing now. You'll probably end up being my boss one day.

http://languagesystems.edu/

To Be or Get Fired Up

Idiom: to be or get fired up.

Example:
Nikki: Oh my goodness! That game was so exciting! In the end, there was a penalty shootout between the teams, but we 

won 3 - 2.

Ned: I know! I saw the game on TV!  Everyone is really fired up about the World Cup now that it is getting toward the end.

Nikki: I know! I hope we make it to the finals. That would be amazing!

Ned: Well, the team is certainly good enough!

Bob: What’s wrong? You look really sad.

Ken: Well, I’m not sad, but I’m a little frustrated with my roommates. I absolutely LOVE soccer and I am so fired up about the World Cup. I have been trying to have some parties at our house whenever there is a big game and I just want a little support from my roommates.

Bob: OK. So what exactly is the problem?

Ken: My two roommates don’t care at all. They don’t get fired up about anything. They just sleep all day, don’t help me at all, and loudly complain about how boring soccer is during the big games. They don’t even know anything about the games or the teams!

Bob: Well, I agree that they should not complain about it being boring, but you really cannot expect them to be fired up about a sport they are not interested in.

Ken: I guess you are right. But at least they could be a little more supportive.

Meaning: To be or get fired up means to be excited or enthusiastic about something. In the first example, Nikki is fired up about her team at the World Cup. In the second example, Ken is upset that his roommates are not fired up about the World Cup. 

For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.edu

To spread the word

Idiom: "To spread the word"

Example:

Mitsue runs to Hugo excitedly...

Mitsue: Spread the word! The LSI beach party is coming soon! It's a day at the beach with free lunch, sports, games and prizes!

Hugo: Will do! I'll tell my class first!

Meaning: "To spread the word" means to tell as many people as you can. "The word" is a message. We use this idiom for good or bad news.

For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.edu