Soak up the rays

Idiom:  to Soak up the rays.

This phrase acts like a verb.  What’s the meaning of “soak up”? - It means to “take in”, “absorb”, like a sponge. Rays? Rays are narrow beams of light, usually rays of the sun.

So, “to soak up the rays” means “to tan”!

Example: Our sunny season is over but there's still time to jump on a plane and soak up some rays on one of the beaches in Hawaii.

This idiom is from LSI's book " Speaking Transitions". For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/

Golden Opportunity

Idiom: Golden Opportunity, noun phrase.

Example #1:  John really likes Anna. Unfortunately, they are in different levels. John is a very shy guy and it’s difficult for him to start a conversation with her.  Last weekend, John’s classmate, Kim, had a party at his house. Kim knows both John and Anna, that’s why they were both invited to the party. John had a golden opportunity to introduce himself to Anna and let her know of his existence. He didn’t miss his chance and now they are a couple!

Meaning: Golden opportunity means a perfect chance to do something that will benefit you. The party where John could be in the same room as Anna was a great chance for him to become friends with her.

Example #2:  Marry is a big boss at a very big and successful company. She has been working like a horse, day and night.  There is so much work that Marry hasn’t had a vacation in the past 3 years! One winter there was flu virus that was spreading fast all around the company. More and more people were getting sick every day. The management of the company decided to let all their workers stay home on a paid vacation for 3 days to recover and avoid getting sick. It was a golden opportunity for Marry to forget about her work and just relax.

Meaning : The three days  off that Marry got unexpectedly was a great time for her to just relax. She took advantage of this great chance. There word “golden” doesn’t mean that’s something is made of gold. It means something is very valuable.

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

To Take Lightly

Idiom: to take lightly; used as a verb





First example: Monica told Jeff he needed to complete his work by the end of the day. Important clients were coming in the morning, and they wanted to see the finished product. Unfortunately, Jeff took Monica’s directions lightly. He spent most of his day talking to co-workers and didn’t finish his work. The next morning, when the clients came and found the product unfinished, they were angry. As a result, Jeff was fired.





Meaning: “To take lightly” is the opposite of “to consider seriously.” Monica told Jeff specific instructions, and gave him a good reason for why he needed to finish his work. However, Jeff did not pay attention to how important it was for him to complete his work. If Jeff had not taken her instructions lightly, he would have finished his work on time.





Here is another example.





Second example:



Lisa: Hi Barry, I have a problem I’d like to discuss with you.
Barry: Sure, go ahead and tell me.
Lisa: Well, I’m a little embarrassed because it seems like a silly issue.
Barry: Don’t be embarrassed. I never take your problems lightly. I know you only talk to me about serious issues.
Lisa: Thanks, Barry. Okay, this is what I’m worried about…





Meaning: In this situation, Lisa is a little embarrassed to share her problem. She is afraid that Barry won’t think it’s a serious issue. But Barry tells her that he never takes Lisa’s problems lightly. He understands that Lisa’s problem is an important concern. This gives Lisa confidence to tell Barry what is bothering her.





This idiom is from LSI's book "Reading Horizons," which is used in the level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/

The Honeymoon Is Over

Idiom: The honeymoon (be) over; used as an expression

First example: The people of the nation had a lot of hope when the new president started his term. Everyone praised him and constantly said what a great job he would do leading the country. Now, six months later, the honeymoon is definitely over. People are complaining that the president has not helped increase employment, or reduce taxes and crime. His job has become much more difficult.

Meaning: “The honeymoon is over” originally referred to marriage, when the vacation time right after the wedding was completed. In this case, it refers to the easy time the president had right after he started his term. During the “honeymoon” period, people treated him well and said good things about him. Now that the honeymoon is over, people do not treat him as well, and they offer a lot of complaints about what the president is doing. The president now realizes how hard his job is.

Here is another example.

Second example: Linda moved to Paraguay for a year after she graduated from her university. She wanted to work there while improving her Spanish. For the first few months, everything was great. Linda was excited to meet new people, try new foods, and learn more Spanish. But then the honeymoon was over. Linda realized that she missed her friends and family from home, she didn’t like all the new foods she was eating, and it was difficult to communicate clearly in Spanish. The magical feeling she had when she first came to Paraguay was gone.

Meaning: In this situation, Linda was originally excited to be in a different country, doing new things and speaking another language. Everything seemed magical and exciting. However, after a few months, this magical feeling ended and Linda realized how difficult life could be living abroad. The honeymoon was over, and she discovered that life does not stay magical forever.

This idiom is from LSI's book "Reading Horizons," which is used in the level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com

black and blue

Example 1:

James: Oh my goodness, Lacy! What happened to your face? Your eye is black and blue! are you ok?
Lacy: Hi, James. Yes, I'm fine. I hurt myself yesterday at the park. I was roller skating and I fell over a stick. Can you believe it!?
James: Wow, you're a really good skater, too. I hope it gets better soon. It looks bad!

Example 2:

Joe: I have a date tomorrow night after my big fight. I hope I win because I don't want my face to be all black and blue for my date!
Pam: Well, Joe. You are a boxer. Being bruised is a normal part of your life! Besides, if she really cares about you, your face won't matter!

Meaning:

to be black and blue means to be bruised.
A bruise is a dark mark that appears under your skin when you get hit or have an injury.

In the first example, Lacy's eye is black and blue because she had an accident while roller skating and hit her face. So now, her eye is bruised. She has a bruise around her eye.

In the second example, Joe is a boxer. Many fighters experience injuries and their faces or bodies are often black and blue. Joe has a date and hopes his face won't be bruised for his date.

This idiom is usually used as an adjective, so don't forget the be verb!

This idiom comes from the LSI textbook "Speaking Savvy." This book is used by LSI teachers in our Level 5 Speaking classes. For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.com

to blow off

Example 1:

Last week, I was buying a birthday gift for my roommate when I saw my grammar teacher Nancy at Del Amo Mall. I waved to Nancy to say hello. She just looked right at me and walked away! I was so shocked by her rude behavior!
On Monday, I asked her why she blew me off at the mall. I was relieved when she told me that she was going to pick up her new glasses and couldn't see anything until she got them. She just didn't recognize me! I'm happy to know that she didn't blow me off on purpose.

Example 2:

Jake: Hey, Tim! Are you going to Mark's party on Thursday?
Tim: I really want to, but we have tests on Friday morning. I need to study!
Jake: Oh! Don't worry about the tests! You'll be fine.
Tim: Besides, I have plans to study with Sheila.
Jake: You guys should blow off the study session and come to the party!

Meaning:
The idiom to blow off means to ignore something or someone in an obvious way.

In the first example, the student is shocked because her grammar teacher blew her off at the mall- she saw her and ignored her very obviously. Actually, her teacher did not blow her off / ignore her, she just couldn't see anything without her new glasses.

In the second example, Jake wants Tim to blow off his study session to attend a party. If he blows off studying, then he is ignoring his plan to study to go to the party.

This idiom comes from the LSI textbook "Spekaing Savvy." This book is used by LSI teachers in our Level 5 Speaking classes. For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.com

to total (one's car)

Idiom: to total (one's car)

Context #1:

Jay: Hey Sarah, I heard that you got into an accident on the freeway yesterday. Are you ok?

Sarah: Yeah... I'm OK, but my car isn't!

Jay: How bad is the damage? Can it be fixed?

Sarah: No way! I completely totalled my car. I'm going to have to buy a new one.

Jay: Wow! I'm really sorry to hear that. You're lucky you didn't get hurt.

Context #2:

Tom: The traffic on the 5 freeway was really bad this morning.

Joe: I know. I saw on the news that there was a bad accident. Some guy on a motorcyle lost control and hit the center divider. He was rushed to the hospital and his bike was totalled.

Meaning: the idiom "to total" is used for cars, motorcyles, and bicycles. It can be used in both the active (context #1) and passive forms (context #2). You can use this idiom in a situation where a car or bike is totally damaged. The vehicle can no longer be used. It is so damaged that it cannot be fixed. Basically, you have to get a new one.

This idiom comes from the LSI textbook "Spekaing Savvy." This book is used by LSI teachers in our Level 5 Speaking classes. For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.com

By Ty Mussack