TO CUT CORNERS

Example 1

 

Sarah: Hey Bella, do you want to go to Starbucks after school?

 

Bella: I'd really like to  but I want to save money for a new dress for the school dance so I need to cut

corners. Lets get something to drink at my house instead.

 

Sarah: Okay. Sounds good.

 

Example 2

 

Susan: ( To co-worker ) Christine is a great friend but she's difficult to work with, because she always tries to cut corners to get things done quickly. Sometimes I have to go back and redo her work to make sure its acceptable to the boss.

 

Maria: That's terrible! You should tell her not to do that again.

 

Meaning: "To cut corners" can be used in a couple of different situations. In the first example, a person can cut corners in order to save money or to economize. In the second example,

"cutting corners" involves completing a task quickly while eliminating a few of the steps in the process. Cutting corners can be a positive or negative action depending on the situation.

cut corners: this idiom can be found in LSI 's Level 4 Reading Horizons book

To see ( someone's ) point

First example

Judy:  Hey Megan, I heard that you are selling your car, I have a friend who might be    interested.

Megan: That's great. Tell her to give me a call.

Judy: How much are you selling it for? I think she can pay about $ 3000

Megan: I'm selling it for $3500 and I really can't accept any less. It's a fairly new car and in great condition and I paid three times the price for it.

Judy: Ok. I see your point. I'll tell her to give you a call.

Second example

Sarah: Mom, I really don't want to play soccer this season.

Sarah's Mom : But honey, you're such a great player and your team won first place last season.

Sarah: I know, but I've been thinking of taking a yoga class and getting more involved in a club at school. I wish you'd see my point ( of view )

Sarah's Mom: Why don't you think about it for a few more days and we can talk about it later?

Meaning: To "see someone's point" means that you understand their reason for having a certain opinion, or for feeling a certain way. When you say " I see your point ," you are telling

them their idea is reasonable and understandable. This can be a useful phrase when you have a small difference of opinion and you want the other person to feel understood.
This idiom can be found in LSI 's Level 4 Speaking Transitions book.

to cheer up / cheer someone up

Example 1:

Emily: I just failed my driving test. I'll never get my license!
Matt: Oh no! That's ok. Don't be so sad. I can help you practice for your next test appointment.
Emily: I never want to drive again! I'm so discouraged!
Matt: Come on, Emily! Cheer up! Everything will be fine! You just need a little more practice.

Example 2:

Rita: Good morning, Betty! How are you?
Betty: Oh, hi, Rita... I didn't see you come in...
Rita: Are you ok? You look sad.
Betty: I am very sad today. My goldfish died yesterday. I only had him for two weeks!
Rita: I'm so sorry to hear that! Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?
Betty: No, that's ok. Thank you for your concern.

Meaning:

to cheer up is most often used in an imperative sentence (giving instructions, commands, or advice). When you say this to another person, you are instructing/advising/commanding them to feel better and stop feeling so sad or down.
In the first example, Emily is upset because she failed her driving test. Her friend Matt says, "cheer up" because it's not necessary to be so sad since she has another chance to take the test.

to cheer someone up is used when one person tries to make another person feel better. Remember to use object pronouns or names in place of someone.
In the second example, Betty is upset because her goldfish died. Rita asks, "is there anything i can do to cheer you up (make you feel better)?

This idiom is from LSI's book "Speaking Transitions," which is used in the level 4 Listening/Speaking class. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com

out of the blue

Read the following examples to guess the meaning for out of the blue

Example 1:
I was washing dishes after dinner last night when out of the blue, my roommate from college called me on the phone! I hadn't spoken to her in over 5 years so I was really surprised that she called.

Example 2:
Julia and Oscar were dating for more than 8 months. They went out for a nice dinner last Saturday night. Right before dessert, Julia suddenly broke up with him. There was no explanation and no warning. It was totally out of the blue. Oscar was so sad and shocked.

Meaning:
out of the blue is a common expression that signals when something unexpected happens without warning.

In the first example, the speaker and her college roommate have not had contact for a long time, so the phone call was really surprising and unexpected. She called out of the blue.

In the second example, Oscar had no idea that Julia was going to end the relationship. He thought he was just going to have a nice date with his girlfriend! When she broke up with him before dessert, of course Oscar was shocked! It was totally out of the blue!


This idiom is from LSI's book "Speaking Savvy," which is used in the level 5 Listening/Speaking class. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com

to take off

Idiom: to take off

Context #1:

Joe: What time is it?

Sam: It's 3 o'clock.

Joe: Oh man! I have to take off. I have a doctor's appointment at 3:15.

Sam: Alright. See you later!

Context #2:

Debbie: You were at the party last night, right?

Julie: Yeah, I went with my boyfriend.

Debbie: What time did you guys leave?

Julie: We took off about midnight.

Meaning: to take off is a very common American idiom. Native speakers will use this idiom to mean "leave."

This idiom was taken from LSI's textbook Speaking Savvy. This book is used at LSI schools to teach Level 5 Speaking. For more information please visit: http://www.languagesystems.com/

to be bummed

to be bummed (out)


Context #1:

Steve: What's wrong? You look like you are really bummed.
Alex: Yeah...my girlfiend told me that she wants to break up.
Steve: Oh man! Sorry to hear that.
Alex: That's alright. There's nothing I can do about it.


Context #2:

Lisa: Did you get the tickets for the Lady Gaga concert?
Jennifer: No! The tickets were all sold out!
Lisa: No way! Sara is going to be bummed when she finds out. She loves Lady Gaga and she has been looking forward to this concert for so long.


Meaning: be bummed (adjective) means to feel sad, disappointed, or depressed. You can also use this adjective as the phrasal verb "bummed out." If you add "out" it does not change the meaning. Like other adjectives in English, the common verbs to use with "bummed" are "be" "get" and "feel."


This idiom comes from the LSI Textbook Speaking Transitions, which is used to teach Level 4 Speaking at LSI schools. For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

To Cut Down on Something

To Cut Down on Something

Please try to guess the meaning of the idiom in bold:

Sheryl has gained 45 lbs (pounds) in the last couple of months. Her doctor told her if she does not cut down on sugar and fat, she might have a heart attack soon!

What do you think “to cut down” means?

A. To increase the amount of something
B. To eat something
C. To decrease the amount of something
D. All of the Above
E. None of the Above

The answer is: C

Meaning: To cut down on something means to decrease the amount of something.
In the example above, if Sheryl does not decrease the amount of sugar and fat , she might have a heart attack!

This idiom was taken from the LSI book Reading Horizons!