To People Watch

Idiom: "To People Watch"

Context #1:

Joe: I have to pick up my friend today at the airport.  I hate going to the airport.

Chuck: Really?  Not me!  I love sitting in airports.  It's a great place to people watch!

Joe:  Yeah I guess that's true.

Context #2:

Sally: I went Christmas shopping at the mall last night.  It was so crowded!  There were way too many people.

Bill: Yeah, I know.  Every year before Christmas the mall is a zoo.  I let me wife do the shopping while I find a comfortable place to just sit and do a little people watching.  There are so many interesting things to observe.

Meaning: "to people watch" is an expression used to describe the activity of just watching the different kinds of people in a public place. Usually someone "people watches" just out of curiosity.  This idiom can be found in the book LSI Speaking Transitions. This book is used to teach Level 4 Speaking/Listening at LSI schools. For more information visit:www.languagesystems.com

Soulmate

Idiom: Soulmate

Context #1:

 

Sara: Guess what?  My boyfriend asked me to marry him!

Jane: Wow!  That's great!  You finally found your soulmate.

 

Context #2:

 

Jim: So do you think everyone just has one soulmate?

Bill: Well, I think that it is possible to have more than one choice when it comes to deciding on who to spend the rest of your life with.

 

Meaning:  "soulmate" is an expression used to describe the one person you want to spend the rest of your life with.  This idiom can be found in the book LSI Reading Savvy.  This book is used to teach Level 5 Reading/Vocabulary at LSI schools.  For more information visit: www.languagesystems.com

To be a Must

Idiom: to be a must; used as a verb ("must" being a noun). 

First Example:

Maria: I'm so excited!  I'm going to Disneyland this weekend.

Neil: Have you been before?

Maria: No, I've never been.

Neil: You'll have a great time

Maria: Which rides should I go on?  I like fast rides.

Neil:  Then you should definitely go on Space Mountain.  It's a must.  And the railroad and Matterhorn are pretty fun as well.

Meaning: While "must" is normally used in English as modal, it can be used as a noun meaning something that is indispensable or required.  However, while "must" usually has a formal meaning when used as a modal, it's often used as a noun in informal situations, when someone is giving a suggestion of something that is worth doing.  In the example above, Neil says that the ride Space Mountain is a must, meaning that Maria should make sure to go on it.  Usually, "must" is used as a noun in the phrase "to be a must."

Here is another example:

            Having a car is a must if you hope to live and work in Los Angeles.  While the public transportation is acceptable for visitors, it's usually not reliable enough for everyday commuting.

Meaning: In this case, it's being suggested that a car is necessary for those living and working in Los Angeles due to unreliable public transportation.

This idiom is from LSI's new edition of "Reading Horizons," which will be used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/   

"on the surface"

Example 1:

Mark: Hi Gina, how are you and Michael doing? You look great!

Karen: Hi Mark! We're good--but totally crazy with the kids right now...!

Mark: Well, it seems like you're handling everything okay.

Karen: Ha! Maybe it looks like that on the surface... but I'm so stressed out! I had no idea how much work kids are!!

Mark: Well, just let me know if you need a break. Sue and I would love to babysit, and you and Michael can take a night off.

Karen: Thanks so much, Mark!

Example 2:

Barbara: Hi John! How's your new job?

John: Hey Barbara! It's going well, thanks!

Barbara: Is it what you expected?

John: Of course not! (laughs) You know there's always more than what you see on the surface... I have a lot more responsibilities than I thought I would have!

Meaning: at first glance, outward appearance (there is more than what you see in the beginning or on the surface)

In Example 1, Mark thinks Gina looks great--but really she is stressed out because she's so busy with two small children!

In Example 2, John explains to Barbara that there is a lot more for him to do at his new job than he thought at first.

The idiom "on the surface" was taken from Unit 10 (L.A. vs. N.Y.C.) in LSI's textbook Reading Transitions for Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes.  

"to make a move"

Example 1:

Jerry: Hey Ryan! So... how's it going with the new girl at Starbucks? Have you asked her out yet?

 

Ryan: No, not yet... It's hard to talk to her at work, but I think she knows I like her!

 

Jerry: Man, are you waiting for her to make a move?
                                                               

             
Ryan: Haha! Very funny! Actually, I don't like it when a woman asks me out the first time.

 

Jerry: Why not? Are you old-fashioned? If a woman makes a move, you know she's really interested.

 

Ryan: That's true, I guess--I just feel more traditional about asking someone on a first date.

 

Jerry: Well, don't wait too long, Jerry--or some other guy might make a move first!

 

Example 2:

August: So Amy... white goes first... make a move!

Cynthia: Hmm, I don't know all the chess pieces yet....

 

August: There's only one way to find out. Try one and you'll learn as we play.

 

Cynthia: Okay, I just have to protect my King and Queen, right?

 

August: Exactly! And white goes first. I'm black, so you make the first move.

 

Meaning: to try to start a romantic relationship with someone, to try to advance your position

In Example 1, Ryan likes a woman who works at Starbucks, but he's a little afraid to make a move and ask her out on a date. His friend, Jerry, is pushing him to just go for it.

 

In Example 2, August and Cynthia are playing a game of chess, but Cynthia has never played before. She doesn't know how to make a move with her chess pieces to start the game and advance. 

 

Usage notes: We make a move when we want to advance our position. We can make a move to try to get a promotion at work, win a game, and start a relationship with someone. 

 

The idiom "make a move" was taken from Unit 9 (The Speed of Romance) in LSI's textbook Reading Transitions for Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes.

Steer Clear

Idiom: Steer Clear

Example 1:

Are you on a diet? You'd better steer clear of the bakery! You know they always put the best cookies in the window and you might get tempted!

Example 2:

If you are going to Downtown LA, I advise you to steer clear of the 110 freeway. I heard on the radio that there was a big accident and traffic is pretty terrible at this time. 

Explanation:
steer clear + of + noun
steer clear = avoid  + something
This expression is often used to warn people about something they should avoid. In example 1, they suggest avoiding the bakery (with many delicious sweets) while their friend is on a diet. In example 2, the person is advised to avoid the freeway because of heavy traffic.

This idiom was taken from the LSI textbook titled "Reading Horizons," which is used to teach Level 6 Reading/Vocabulary classes at LSI schools. For more information please visitwww.languagesystems.com

average joe

Example 1:

These politicians don't care about the average joe. They only worry about other rich people. 

Example 2:

Jack Smith's story is amazing! Last year he was just an average joe and now he is a world famous rock star! How did he do it? 

Explanation:
average joe = average man
An average joe is a regular male person who is usually not exceptionally attractive, talented, or wealthy. Average joe is a common expression that is used when referring to an ordinary member of society.

This idiom was taken from the LSI textbook titled "Reading Horizons," which is used to teach Level 6 Reading/Vocabulary classes at LSI schools. For more information please visitwww.languagesystems.com