To Pass Time

Example 1: I usually read a magazine to pass time in the waiting room when I visit the doctor's office.

Example 2: It's 6:00 pm now and the movie starts at 8:00 pm. I think I will walk my dog and finish my homework to pass the time until we go to the theater.

Explanation: to pass time means to do something while you're waiting. In the first example, the speaker is waiting to see the doctor, so he is reading a magazine while waiting. In the second example, the speaker is going to walk her dog and then finish her homework while waiting for the movie.

This idiom is from LSI's "Speaking Transistions," which will be used in the Level 4 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/

To Wolf Down

Example 1: We found a lost puppy on our street. I don't know how long it was out there, but he was really hungry! He wolfed down a plate of food in a few minutes!

Example 2: I didn't have breakfast this morning and now I'm running late for lunch! I'm sure I'll just wolf it down when I finally have time..

Explanation: to wolf down means to eat extremely quickly. 

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 visithttp://www.languagesystems.com/

To Let Something Go

Idiom: To let (something) go

 

Context #1:

 

Chris: Last night we lost the Championship basketball game. I can't believe it!

Joe: Yeah it was a tough loss, but you have to let it go and think about next season.

Chris: You're right. I shouldn't keep thinking about it.

 

Context #2:

 

Sally: Did I tell you that my boyfriend cheated on me last weekend? I have been trying to forgive him but I can't!

Carissa: It must be hard. If you can't let this go you might have to just end the relationship.

Sally: Yeah, if I can't forgive him it is going to be really hard to continue in this relationship. 

 

Meaning: To let something go means to stop thinking about something negative. When you learn to stop letting something bother you or make you sad, angry, or feel negatively, then you learn to let that thing go.  Idioms like this are learned and practiced by students at Language Systems International in the Speaking and Conversation classes. For more information please go to: www.languagesystems.com

To Make One's Day

Idiom: To make one's day

Meaning: To give or provide happiness and/or excitement; to brighten someone's day.

Situation: Tom was sick and feeling down until his friend Roger sent him a funny text message...

Tom texts Roger: "Thanks for the message. It really made my day!"

Note: when using this idiom, you must remember to place a possessive noun or pronoun before the word "day" (for example: his day,her day, Jane's day).

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Take A Hike

Idiom: Take a hike

Meaning: Leave, go away

Situation: Natalia is standing outside a restaurant waiting for a friend. Bob, who is wearing tight pants and many gold chains, walks up to her...

Bob: Hi, beautiful! How about giving me your phone number?

Natalia: Oh, I have a boyfriend. I can't.

Bob: Don't worry; I won't tell him!

Natalia: Take a hike!

"Take a hike" can be considered rude, but is also very direct.

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On A __ Scale

Idiom: On a __ scale; used as a prepositional phrase

First Example:

Daniel: Hey Deanna, I was in San Jose the other day and saw an ad for your company on TV.  I didn't expect to see anything outside of Los Angeles.

Deanna: Yeah, since we opened the San Francisco branch, we've expanded our advertising.  We're now advertising on a statewide scale.

Daniel: Wow.  Have you gotten any new clients out of it?

Deanna: Actually, yes.  I just signed a contract with a new client in Oakland, and I have a telephone meeting with a possible client from Northern California in half an hour. 

Daniel: Wow, that's great!  Congratulations.

Deanna: Thanks.

Daniel: And if you decide you want to break into the Las Vegas market, let me know.  I have some contacts there.

Deanna: I'll keep that in mind.

Meaning: The phrase “on a ____ scale” indicates a measurement of some kind.  The “____” is completed with an adjective that indicates size or range, such as with the example above: “on a statewide scale.”  This means that Deanna is advertising her company all over the state of California.  This idiom can be used with words suggesting large ranges ("statewide", "national", "massive", "grand") and small ranges ("local", "small", "limited").   Look at another example:

Deanna: What about your company?  Any plans to move out of Las Vegas?

Daniel: Right now, demand doesn't seem very high, so we're only advertising on a limited scale.  We're doing well locally, so we're playing it safe.

Deanna: Yeah, it can be risky to try to expand too quickly.  Glad to hear you're doing well though.

Daniel: Thanks.

In this case, Daniel is not advertising on a large scale, preferring to keep his business local, where he is already doing well.

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/

In the Spotlight

Idiom: In the spotlight; used as a prepositional phrase

First Example:

Dani: How was the party last night?

Henry: It was pretty fun.  Tom was crazy.

Dani: What did he do?

Henry: He got drunk and performed a dance routine in the living room. 

Dani: He does love being in the spotlight.

Henry: Yeah.  And then to make sure he still had everyone's attention, he jumped into the pool!

Dani: With his clothes on?

Henry: Yeah. He tried to get other people to join him, but no one would.  Eventually, he got out of the pool and took a cab home, but it was pretty funny.

Meaning: The phrase “in the spotlight” means at the center of attention.  The idiom comes from the literal meaning of being in a spotlight while onstage.  However, the idiom can now be used in a non-literal sense when someone is at the center of attention.  In the example, Tom loves to be the center of attention, which explains his crazy antics.   Look at another example:

Marisol: Are you excited about your presentation in class tomorrow?

Yoshi: Not really.  I hate being in the spotlight.  I get nervous being in front of other people.

Marisol: Then you should try to shift the attention.

Yoshi: What do you mean?

Marisol: Well, try to interact with your audience so that it feels more like a conversation.  You have a lot of friends in that class.

Yoshi: That's not a bad idea.  Thanks for the advice.

In this case, Yoshi does not like being at the center of attention, and he isn't looking forward to his presentation, so Marisol suggests a way of making him feel less "in the spotlight."

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/