Camp Out

Idiom: Camp out

First Example:

Lenny: What are you and your family doing this weekend?

Nancy: We’re going to Pismo beach.  We’re still considering if we will camp out on the beach or not.

Lenny:  I’m not big on camping out in the wild.  I only camp out in my backyard.  It’s not extravagant, but it’s safe for me.

Second Example:

Mitt: The protesters have been sitting in front of City Hall for some time now.

Sean: Yeah, they decided to camp out to show the mayor how angry they are about the new policies.

Meaning: 

To "camp out" means to sleep/live outdoors for a short or extended period of time, usually in a tent.  To camp out includes giving up general utilities like shower, toilet, and going without many possessions.  In the first example, Nancy is debating whether she and her family will stay in a tent on the beach, but Lenny contends that he doesn’t like the outdoors.  Lenny’s approach to “camping out” is confined to the safety of his back yard.  In the second example, the protesters intended on staying in front of City Hall for an extended period of time to prove their tenacity.  Therefore, they camped out in front of the building showing their willingness to give up comforts to show their commitment.

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Happy Camper

Idiom: Happy Camper; used as a noun

First Example:

Pete: Hey Chip, what’s going on?  You seem to be incredibly unhappy.

Chip: Every time I almost get my work done, someone interrupts me. I’m not a happy camper.

Pete: No kidding, you’ve been quite irritated for the last couple of days.  I guess that project was tough huh?

Second Example:

Jean: You’re certainly a happy camper after your trip to Europe.

Matt: I had a chance to visit so many sites and try so many good things to eat.  What’s not to be happy about?

Meaning: 

To be a "happy camper" means to be satisfied, cheerful or pleased with something, someone, or the result of something.  In the first example, Pete noticed Chip’s demeanor and noticed how unhappy he was with something.  Chip explains that he keeps getting interrupted. This idiom is commonly used with a negative to mean unhappy.

In the second example, Matt expresses his positive experience in Europe and why he was so happy.  He was a satisfied customer, or a Happy Camper.

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To let someone down

Idiom: To let someone down; used as a verb

First Example:

Jeffrey was sure he could make the goal, so he asked Thomas to kick him the ball. But he missed the goal and his team lost. He really let them down. 

Second Example:

Jenna promised her mom that they would have breakfast together on Mother's Day, but she forgot to set her alarm.  When she woke up at 11am, she called her mom, but she had already had gone out for brunch with a friend. Jenna said she was sorry that she let her mom down and promised to make up for it next week.

Meaning: To "let someone down" means to fail or disappoint that person or group. Usually, this expression is used when the person/group being let down was relying on the person to be successful, and the failure was that person's fault. In the first example/illustration above, Jeffrey missed  after he said he was sure that he could make the goal; if he hadn't said he could make it, he wouldn't have let them down. In the second example, Jenna let her mom down after sleeping through the Mother's Day breakfast she promised.

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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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(To be) a geek

Idiom: (To be) a geek

Context #1:

Jim: What are you doing this weekend?  

Carl: Well, I think I'm going to study and work on my remote control airplane.

Jim: Really? You are such a geek!

Carl: Yeah, I know. Everybody says that.

Context #2:

Sally: Did you know that Peter has a huge collection of Star Wars and Batman toys? The guy is like 40 years old.

Grace: I know. Peter is a real geek! His whole bedroom is filled with Star Wars stuff.

Meaning: "A geek" is used to describe someone whose life interests and hobbies are strangely centered around things like science fiction movies, computer games, math, the sciences, engineering, etc. 

This term is derogatory and is used to tease people or to make fun of them.

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To be wild about (something)

Idiom: To be wild about

  

Meaning: To have a strong, almost uncontrollable, liking to someone or something. 

Context #1 – Someone has fallen in love.

Matt: Leslie, I have something to confess. 

Leslie: Okay, what is it?

Matt: Well, we’ve been spending a lot of time together these days, and well, what I’m trying to say is I’m kind of wild about you.

Leslie: Oh Matt, I feel exactly the same way.  I can’t stop thinking about you all the time.

Matt:  Really?  I’m so happy to hear that because I feel that way too.  I really like you and just want to spend all my time with you.

Context #2 – Talking about baseball between friends.

Don: I love baseball season.  There’s nothing better than a good ballgame.

Summer: I know.  Every year you say the same thing.  Why are you so wild about baseball?

Don: Everyone I know likes baseball.  I’ve been watching and playing baseball since I can remember.  The games, the players, the food, the atmosphere can make your entire day fantastic.  I’m more than wild about it, baseball is life.

Summer: I guess I can’t argue with that.  Besides, baseball has become popular in many countries now. 

Meaning: The idiom “wild about” means to like something very much.  Being wild about something means you can like something to an extreme, for a brief or extended time. 

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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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Rocket science

Idiom: Rocket science

Examples:

Context #1 – Two friends are discussing the effects of illegal drugs

Lars: You know, I don’t agree with what the professor said in class today.

Katrina: Hmmmm? About what?

Lars: He said that drugs are the biggest problem in our society today.

Katrina: Well, they are really bad, especially for younger people.

Lars: What about crime? I think that is the biggest problem today.

Katrina: Drugs equal crime. It’s not rocket science! The connection is really clear.

Lars: Oh, I never thought of it that way.

Context #2 – Julia is planning a party for her 6-year-old sister

Julia: Oh, I’m so nervous!

Tito: Why? What’s up?

Julia: I have to plan a birthday party for my little sister. She is turning 6 years old. What should I do?

Tito: Come on! It’s not rocket science! It’s a party for a 6 year old girl. How difficult can that be?

Julia: Well, I want her to have fun!

Tito: Buy a cake, balloons, and presents. Then invite a bunch of her friends over and play some games.

Julia: Well, maybe they want to do something more than that. Maybe I should bring someone in to do their make up and nails. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Tito: They are 6 year-old girls. I think games, presents, and cake should be enough.

Meaning: Something that is not very complicated or difficult to understand

“People use this idiom when they want to describe something that is simple and easy, not complicated. It is usually used in the negative. Instead of saying “it’s not rocket science,” you can also say “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist!” 

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Chasing rainbows

Idiom: Chasing rainbows

Example 1: Sarah is so beautiful and talented! I sometimes dream about what life would be like if she were my girlfriend. I'm too shy to talk to her, but even if I could, I know I would just be chasing rainbows. There's no way she would be interested in me. 

Example 2: My friend is always trying new "get rich quick" schemes. She spends a lot of her money on lottery tickets and workshops that promise to help people achieve wealth in a short time. I try to help her be realistic and tell her that she is just chasing rainbows. Some people can get lucky and win the lottery, but most people won't. 

Meaning: A rainbow is a beautiful arc of color that appears after the rain. A rainbow cannot be touched or held in your hands because it is merely a visual phenomenon created by the sunlight's effect on water droplets in the air. Therefore, when someone chases rainbows, this person is chasing/going after something that is impossible or unrealistic. 

As in example 1, "Sarah" is the rainbow. The speaker knows it's an impossible goal.

In example 2, "getting rich quick" is the rainbow. It is an unrealistic goal.

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The calm before the storm

Idiom: The calm before the storm

Example 1: It was just before the department store was to open on "Black Friday," the biggest shopping day of the year. The store was very quiet, but the sales clerks knew this was just the calm before the storm. As soon as the doors open, there will be hundreds of customers rushing in to try to grab the best merchandise.

Example 2: The sky was dark full of clouds. The weather report said there was a big rainstorm on its way. The calm before the storm lasted only a short while. In just a few minutes, thunder, lightning, and strong winds began to rattle the small village. 

Meaning: The calm before the storm can be used figuratively (as in Example 1) or literally (as in Example 2). This expression describes a period of quiet and calmness before an anticipated period of exciting or chaos. 

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Pedal to the metal

Idiom: Pedal to the metal

Example: Our flight is in 1 hour and we can't miss it! Let's go! Put the pedal to the metal!

Meaning: Pedal to the medal is used to talk about driving very, very fast. When the gas pedal reaches the floor (metal), the car is traveling at maximum speed. This expression is often used as an imperative, or a command, like "hurry," "drive faster."

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Out with the old, in with the new

Idiom: Out with the old, in with the new - To change the old for the new. To leave old things or ideas behind and bring in new things or ideas.

Example 1

Jerry:  What are you doing?

Malcom: I’m eating raw spinach with almonds for lunch.

Jerry: That doesn’t look very appetizing.

Malcom: Well, with the new year comes the "Out with the old, in with the new" attitude. No more double cheeseburgers with fries for lunch. It’s spinach salads for the new year and an hour workout at the gym every morning!

Jerry: Really? Well, good luck with that!

Example 2

Kathleen: I’ve made a decision.

Tia: OK.

Kathleen: For the new year, I’m going to break up with Philip.

Tia: But you guys are always breaking up and then getting back together.

Kathleen: Well, this is it. It’s the new year. Out with the old, in with the new. I’m going to ask Javier out on a date. I’ve always thought he was cute and I think we would have a lot of fun.

Tia: You would make a cute couple!

Meaning: “Out with the old, in with the new” means to leave old things or ideas behind and start fresh with new things or ideas. People usually say this at the beginning of a new year or at the beginning of something new.  In the first example, Malcom is throwing out his old habit of eating fast food  and starting to eat healthier food for lunch instead.  In the second example, Kathleen is leaving her old boyfriend behind and looking for a new relationship with someone she can have fun with.

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To start from scratch

Idiom: To start from scratch - To start something from the very beginning

Context #1

Jen:  I really admire Keisha. She has become a successful restaurant owner in just three years.

Kat: I agree. And did you know that she started from scratch? There were no restaurants in that area and she raised the startup money herself! She even cooked the food on the menu at the beginning until she had more money to hire a cook.

Jen: That’s really impressive! Nowadays, it’s so hard to be successful when starting from scratch. Usually, it’s much easier to just take over a business that is already established.

Context #2

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

Terri: Oh, I’m just having problems finishing my new book.

Jack: Really? You usually put out a new book every 6 months or so.

Terri: Well, not this time. I had finished about half of the book when my editor told me it was all wrong and didn’t make sense. He told me that I would have to start over again.

Jack: Wow! You had to start from scratch after finishing almost half of the book? That’s tough.

Terri: I know. Hopefully, I can do it a little faster this time.

Meaning: “To start from scratch” means to start something from the very beginning without using anything else as a starting point. 

In context #1, Keisha started her business from scratch, meaning that she started her business new. 

In context #2, Terri had to throw out half of the book she had written and start the book over again from the beginning.

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At face value

Idiom: at face value

Example 1- Sales representatives will do anything to sell you their product.  So, don’t take their word at face value.

Example 2- Charlie is very smart; if he gives you legal advice, you should take it at face value.

Meaning: "at face value" means the superficial appearance or implication of something. @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSISB

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Get a kick out of something

Idiom: "Get a kick out of something"

Example #1:

Chris: Hey Leo, are you watching the World Cup game today?

Leo: I love watching the World Cup. I get a kick out of major tournaments. They’re always exciting.

Chris: Yeah, me too. It’s nice to see the world come together for such a big event.

Leo: Besides, it’s every four years. You don’t get to watch it all the time.

Example #2:

Diego: The first game of the tournament is going to be really good. 

Edson: I heard it would be a tough game.

Diego: I get a kick out of watching a weak team win against a strong team.

Edson: It’s definitely good for the sport and makes things more exciting.

Meaning: “Get a kick out of something” means to enjoy watching or doing something. 

In example 1, Leo really enjoys watching big tournaments.  In example 2, Diego enjoys watching underdog teams beat favored teams.

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Horsing around

Idiom: "horsing around"

Example:

Mariela:  Minami, you really should pay more attention in your Idioms class. I don’t think you pay attention in class, you are always horsing around.

Minami: Horsing around? I don’t have a horse! I don’t even know how to ride a horse.  I take the bus everywhere I go!

Mariela: No, silly. Horsing around means goofing around and not paying attention.

Minami: Okay, you are right. I really need to stop chatting with Bruno and Sylvia in Idioms class and need to start paying attention to what the teacher says.  

Meaning: "horsing around" means to be goofing around, playing around. Not paying attention.

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Loose Cannon

Idiom: Loose Cannon

Meaning: A person who doesn't think of their actions or their effects on those around them. 

Example:

Michele: I can't believe how Jason acted at the party.

Christina: I heard he was such a loose cannon and hurt a lot of people's feelings.

Michele: I don't think the alcohol helped any.

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To be on cloud nine

Idiom: to be on cloud nine

Meaning: To be very content, happy, and in an excellent mood

Example:

Iain: Jennifer has been on cloud nine all day.

Mary: I know! It's because she got engaged last night.

Iain: Ah!! That makes sense now.

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