to play up

Example 1:

Cindy: Wow Jenna! Your eyes look great! I love your makeup!

Jenna: Thanks, Cindy! I took a makeup class last week and I learned how to play up my eyes with the right colors. Do you have some free time? I can show you some tricks!

Cindy: That would be great. Thanks! 

Example 2:

The big election is coming up in a few months! Who is the best candidate? How do you know if they are telling the truth? One thing is certain, the candidates will be playing up the importance of family values and other issues they think will gain votes and support. 

Meaning:

to play up = to make something easier to notice. to enhance or emphasize

In example 1, Jenna's eye makeup really makes her blue eyes more noticeable.  

In example 2, the candidates will make sure family values and other important issues will be noticeable/emphasized in their speeches.

You can find this idiom and more in LSI's Reading Savvy 1st Edition, which is used to teach Level 5 Reading/Vocabulary at LSI schools.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com 

to stick it out

Example 1:

Paul: Hey Mario. Are you OK? You seem angry or stressed out. What's going on?

Mario: Hi Paul. I'm OK. It's just my summer school class. It's really difficult and I'm thinking about quitting.

Paul: Really? But you're such a good student! I think you should stick it out. You only have 2 weeks until it's over!

Mario: Maybe you're right. If I quit, I will certainly regret it!

Example 2:

Studying English in the United States can be difficult at first. You may experience culture shock, loneliness, confusion, and more. For some students, the feelings are so negative that they think about quitting and going home! However, if you stick it out, it can be one of the best decisions you have ever made! You can meet many new people from all over the world at your ESL school and learn about different cultures. You can make friends with native speakers and really improve your English! If you do these things, you will be so happy that you stuck it out!

Meaning:

to stick it out = not quit even though the situation may be difficult/unpleasant. This expression is used for temporary or semi-permanent situations that have an ending date such as a class, contract, study program, etc. 

You can find this idiom and more in LSI's Reading Savvy, 1st Edition, which is used to teach Level 5 Reading/Vocabulary at LSI schools.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com 

A Packrat

Idiom: A Packrat

Context #1:

Chris:  Have you been to Tom's apartment? It's a total mess!

Jerry: Yeah I know!  He's got books and clothes and stuff everywhere.

Chris: He never throws anything away.  He's a real packrat!

Context #2:

Anthony:  Hey Sean, what are you doing?

Sean: I'm cleaning out my garage.  My wife says I have to get rid of all the stuff that I haven't used in years.

Anthony: Well, if you haven't used that old soccer ball in 10 years you probably don't need it.

Sean: I know, but I just like to keep things.  My wife says she married a packrat.  

Meaning:  "a packrat" is a term that refers to someone who likes to keep things instead of getting rid of them.  Often this is someone who has a hard time throwing things away.  This idiom was taken from LSI's textbook Reading Horizons, which is used to teach Level 6 Reading/Vocabulary at LSI schools.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

“ A Pet Peeve ”

Idiom:  “ A Pet Peeve ”

Context #1:

 

Joe:  Today I was driving to school and some guy cut right in front of me on the freeway.  He didn't use his turn signal or anything!  I hate that!

Tim: I know.  That is a pet peeve of mine.  I can't stand when people do that!

 

Context #2:

 

Christine: So how's it going with your new boyfriend?

Tammy: Pretty good.  But he comes over to my place and leaves his dirty dishes in the sink without washing them.  It's driving me crazy.  That's one of my pet peeves, you know?

Christine:  Well, then you should just talk to him and let him know how much it annoys you.

Tammy: Yeah, you're right.

 

Meaning: a "pet peeve" is a noun, it means something that really bothers or annoys you.  It is something that drives you crazy, in a bad way!  This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook "Reading Horizons" which is used to teach Level 6 reading at LSI schools.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

"To tell the future"

Idiom:  “To tell the future”

Meaning:

“to tell the future” means to predict (or foresee) an event that hasn’t happened yet. This expression has the word “tell” in it, but actually the meaning is not related to “saying” anything. It is related to “reading” or “seeing” the future.

EXAMPLE:

Geoff: Emma! I’m so scared! What are we going to do?!?

Emma: Calm down, Geoff! What are you talking about?

Geoff: I just learned that the ancient Mayans could tell the future! 2012 is the last year on the calendars they made, so the end of the world is coming soon! They knew about it over 1,000 years ago!!!

Emma: Yeah, I heard about that. I’m not worried about it, though. Even if it is true, I think you should try to chill out and enjoy life. Don’t freak out!

Geoff: OK, Emma. Maybe you’re right. I’ll try to relax.

“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.