To kick (something) around

Idiom: To kick (something) around; used as a verb

First Example:

Dawn: How is the screenplay that you're writing with Janet?

Jeff: Truthfully, we're kind of stuck. We can't settle on an ending.

Dawn: Oh?

Jeff: We've got a few ideas we're kicking around at the moment, but we haven't found anything we really like.

Dawn: Well, if you need help, I can kick some ideas around with you guys and give you an outsider's perspective.

Jeff: Actually, that might be helpful. Let me ask Janet what she thinks.      

Meaning: To "kick (something) around" means to discuss or brainstorm. Usually, this expression is used when a person or group of people are trying to find a solution, as in the example above (where Janet and Jeff have been kicking around ideas for an ending, and Dawn offers to help). Notice that this idiom is separable, meaning it can be used with a noun in front of the idiom ("a few ideas we're kicking around"), separating the idiom ("kick some ideas around") or even after the idiom ("kick around some ideas" - not in example dialogue). 

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A face only a mother could love

Idiom: A face only a mother could love

Read the text messages between these two friends and try to guess the meaning of the idiom: A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE.

_____________________________________________________

Hi Jenn,

Have you met the new neighbor yet?

He is so funny. He is also very smart and has traveled all over the world.

He has a great job, and I think he is SINGLE! I think he is so handsome!

Susy, I haven't met him yet.

I saw him by the pool. Do you seriously think he is handsome?

I think you need to wear eye glasses. He has a face only a mother could love...

You are so mean!

Whatever! Gotta go. Bye.

______________________________________________________

Meaning: A face only a mother could love means an unattractive face.

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Like wildfire

Idiom: Like wildfire

Meaning: Spreading, growing or gaining popularity in an accelerated way; Quickly gaining attention. 

Context #1 – A new song was released by a very popular music artist.

Joc: Hey Clay, did you hear the new McPac-Man song? 

Clayton: No, why?

Joc: Dude, seriously?  It’s been spreading like wildfire.  It’s become so popular across the world, so quickly, that the president wants to meet him.

Clayton: No way!  That popular?

Larry:  Yeah!  They say it will be the track of the century.

Context #2 – The most popular kids in school started dating.

Jay: Manny started dating Jinkee.

Alice: I heard! OMG

Jay: Wow, I guess everybody knows.

Alice: I guess so.  Seems the news has been spreading like wildfire.

Jay:  Yeah, even our other campuses know about this romance.

Alice: Wow, it really is like wildfire. 

Jay: With social media, you can’t keep anything a secret for long.

Meaning: The idiom “like wildfire” means that information about something positive/negative has spread so quickly that it’s almost impossible to stop.  Spreading like wildfire means gaining popularity at a pace most people didn’t imagine possible.  The news become almost impossible to control.

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Nest egg

Idiom: Nest egg

Example:

Laurie: I heard they’re having a party for you this Friday?

Bob: Yep. I have been working here for 46 years, and it’s finally time for me to retire.

Laurie: That’s great! What are you going to do?

Bob: I’ve always wanted to travel around the world, so I’m heading out on Monday for Europe.

Laurie: Wow! Do you have any money saved?

Bob: Yep. Every month, I’ve put money into a savings account, and there’s about a million dollars in there now.

Laurie: Wow! That’s quite a nest egg!

Bob: Proves that hard work pays off.

Meaning: A “nest egg” is a sum of money saved for the future. It usually refers to a very large amount saved over a long period of time that is intended for a large expense (retirement, a child’s college education, purchasing property, etc.) rather than a smaller savings.

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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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