“To Be a Snap”

Idiom:  “To Be a Snap”

Bob: Hey, Marilyn! What’s new with you?

Marilyn: Not much… I’ve been trying to finish organizing my closet.

Bob: How is it going?

Marilyn: Very difficult. I really don’t like organizing things.

Bob: Really? I love organizing closets! It’s not hard at all. It’s a snap . I’ve been doing this for a long time. 

Marilyn: Wow, you could come and help me!

Bob: I could, but I won’t. I don’t work for free!

Marilyn: Haha, you are funny!

Bob: No, I’m serious. That’s actually my job. I am a closer organizer! You pay, I organize!

Marilyn: Ok, you’re hired!

Meaning:  To Be a Snap means to be very easy.

This idiom was taken from our LSI book Speaking Horizons.

"to get to know"

Example 1:

Mari (teacher): Hi Lisa, so how are things with your roommate?

Lisa: A little better-- I chat with her sometimes now.

Mari: That's good news! It sounds like you're getting to know her.

                                                               
             
Lisa: Getting to know her?

Mari: Yes, that means you are learning about her a little bit.

Lisa: Ah, yes! And she is getting to know me too!


Example 2:

John: So Amy, do you want to go out this weekend?

Amy: Sure, I'd love to. Where would you like to go?

 

John: Well, I'm thinking about the Arts Districts downtown. I'd like to get to know that area more. I just discovered it!

Amy: Cool! I heard there's a lot of artist studios and galleries to visit.

John: Exactly! And some nice restaurants too!

Meaning: to become familiar with


In Example 1, Lisa is learning about her roommate, so she is getting to know her.

In Example 2, John and Amy want to become familiar with an area of Los Angeles that is new for them, so they want to get to know it better.

Usage notes: We get to know someone or something. We use "getting to know" after the "be" verb.

The idiom "to get to know" was taken from Unit 4 (Age & Expectations) in LSI's textbook Reading Transitions for Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes.

"to keep up with"

Example 1:

Mari (teacher): Hi Lisa, you're a new student! Welcome to our class!! Are you having fun?

Lisa: Thank you! Emmm... Yes, I want to--but it's sooo difficult.

Mari: I understand, but don't worry. You'll feel better with more practice...!

                  

Lisa: Sure? But I can't understand Americans when they speak to me... I feel so stupid! It's too hard to talk with my roommate. She speaks very, very fast...

Mari: Ok, just start talking to her everyday. Then little by little, you'll be able to keep up with her. And you should talk to native speakers as much as possible.

Lisa: Ok, I see! I will try!!
 

Example 2:

John: Hi Amy! Have you heard much from Gavin?
Amy: No... he's too busy with his little boys!

Father Gavin Rossdale “tried” to keep up with his two lovely sons Kingston, 5, and Zuma, 2 during a Memorial Day party held at the beach in Malibu, California.

John: Right?! His sons are adorable, but they have so much energy!! Wow!
Amy: Haha!! I'm sure Gavin finds it hard to keep up with them!

Meaning: to stay level or equal with someone or something, maintain.

In Example 1, Lisa needs to practice so she can become fluent and understand native speakers. She wants to keep up with her roommate in daily conversations.

In Example 2, Gavin's sons have more energy than he does, so his sons are faster than him! Gavin has to work hard to keep up with them!

Usage notes: We keep up with someone or something. For example, it's good to keep up with the news in order to stay informed.

The idiom "to keep up with" was taken from Unit 3 (Communicating in Today's World) in LSI's textbook Reading Transitions for Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes.

"rags to riches"

Example 1:

Every one knows who Oprah Winfrey is, but many people don't know much about her life before she was famous.

Oprah's life is a true example of a "rags to riches" story. She grew up poor and disadvantaged in Mississippi and is now one of the richest and most powerful women in the world! Wow!



Example 2:

Seth: Let's see a movie this weekend.

Mary: OK, which one do you have in mind?

Seth: I don't remember the name, but it's a rags to riches story set in India. The main character is a poor guy who wins a game show and becomes rich.

Mary: Oh! you're talking about Slumdog Millionaire!



Meaning:
rags to riches can be used to describe a story where a very poor person becomes rich.

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

see eye to eye

Example 1:

Marc: I'm sorry, but if we don't see eye to eye on this project, I will have to select a new partner. It is important that we all agree.

James: I understand that it is important for us to work together. I will do my best.

Marc: Thank you. I appreciate your cooperation.



Example 2:

Stacy: Why do you fight with your boyfriend so much?

Macy: We never see eye to eye on anything. For example, he thinks we should get married and I think we are OK like this. He also thinks playing video games is a great way to spend time together. I hate video games!

Stacy: Do you guys agree on anything?

Macy: Yes, we see eye to eye on many things, too, like movies, music, and food.


Meaning:
to see eye to eye = to have the same opinion
to see eye to eye + on ______ = to have the same opinion about _____

In example 1, two people are working together on a project, but they have different opinions, they don't see eye to eye.
In example 2, Macy is explaining that her boyfriend has different opinions about marriage and video games.
They don't see eye to eye on marriage or video games, but they see eye to eye on movies, music, and food.

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

To raise (one's) voice

Idiom: to raise (one's) voice

 

Context #1:

 

Wife:  "Why are you coming home so late from work?  You said you would be home at 8!"

Husband (in a loud angry voice): "I hit traffic!  Ok?  Just calm down."

Wife: "You don't have to raise your voice.  I'm just asking because I was getting worried about you."

Husband:  "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to yell at you.  I just had a really stressful day at work."  

 

Context #2:

 

Sara:  My mom is so nice to me.  I really appreciate her a lot.

Kathy:  I know!  Your mom is such a sweetheart.  You're very lucky.

Sara:  Even whe she gets mad or upset, she never raises her voice at me.

 

Meaning:  to raise one's voice means to talk in a loud manner, usually due to anger or frustration.  When people get into a fight or an argument, very often someone will raise their voice.  This expression can be found in the LSI textbook titled "Reading Savvy."  This book is used to teach level 5 Reading/Vocabulary classes.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

To pile up

Idiom: To pile up

 

Context #1

 

Mother:  Can you please clean your room?  Your dirty clothes are starting to pile up.  Pretty soon you will have a mountain of dirty clothes.

Daughter:  Ok Mom!  Don't worry.  I promise I'll put all my dirty clothes in the laundry basket before I go to bed tonight.

 

Context #2

 

Tom: Wow!  Today was so busy at work.  I was sick for three days so I couldn't come in to work.  Now my work has piled up for three days.  I checked my email and I had like 50 messages in my inbox.

Joe: Sounds like you will be busy this week.  Good luck catching up on all those emails.

 

Meaning:  the idiom "to pile up" is used when the amount of something increases to a relatively large amount.  It is usually used for things like work, clothes, books, and other random things. 

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Speaking Transitions which is used to teach Level 4 Speaking/Listening classes at LSI schools.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com