on any given day

Example 1: On any given day, you can find me reading a book at Starbucks. I go there almost every day to study.

Example 2: There are lots of street performers on the Venice Boardwalk. If you go there on any given day, you'll certainly see something interesting.

Explanation:
on any given day is used the same way as any day. 

This idiom can be found in Reading Horizons 1st Edition which is used to teach Reading/Vocabulary in level 6. For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.com

on the spot

Example 1: Greg asked Jan to marry him and she said yes on the spot. She didn't need time to think.

Example 2: In the United States, it's customary to open gifts on the spot, as soon as they are received.

Explanation: on the spot can be used the same way as you'd use the word immediately

In example 1, Jan said yes immediately to Greg's proposal. In example 2, it explains how Americans usually open gifts immediately after they are received. 

This idiom comes from Reading Horizons 1st Edition which is used in the level 6 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.com

To be a joke

Idiom: To be a joke

 

Context #1:

 

Jack: Last night I took my girlfriend to see that new action movie starring Sylvester Stallone.

Tony: How was it?

Jack:  It was a joke! The acting was so bad. And the side effects were kind of stupid too.

Tony: Yeah, I heard the reviews weren't that good.

 

Context #2:

 

Christine: Tonight I'm going to attend that public meeting at city hall. They're going to vote on the new law that will ban fireworks within the city limits.

Bonnie:  Really? Good luck!  I stopped attending those meetings because they're always a joke! The city government never listens to the people and it seems like no progress is ever made at those meetings.

 

Meaning: "to be a joke" is a common idiom in American English that is used to express the idea that something is dumb, boring, or not worthwhile. It is always used in a negative way, with a little mix of sarcasm too.  Practical idioms like this are taught in the Listening and Speaking classes at Language Systems International.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

All bets are off

Idiom: All bets are off

 

Meaning: An agreement that was decided on before is no longer valid. 

This is usually said when someone breaks your trust or does something to hurt your feelings. For example, you trusted that person before but because they did something bad you don't trust them anymore and you'll do whatever you want and not care how those actions affect them.

 

Paul and Matt are in Vegas.

 

Paul: Matt, I told you not to tell my sister that I gambled $500 away! I trusted you.

Matt: I know! I'm sorry.

Paul: I can't believe you did that. I've always kept your secrets, but now all bets are off.

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To Sweeten the Pot

Idiom: to sweeten the pot; used as a verb

First Example:

Joseph: Jamal turned down the job offer. 

Olivia: What?! I thought he wanted that position.

Joseph: He does, but he said it's not worth it.  He said it's too much work for not enough money.  But the CEO won't let me increase the salary any more.

Olivia: Is there any other way you can sweeten the pot?

Joseph: What do you mean?

Olivia: Well, you can't give him more money, but maybe you can offer a few more vacation days, or maybe offer him Mark's office since he's leaving.  

Joseph: That's a pretty good idea.  I'm gonna go see what I can come up with.

Meaning: The expression "sweeten the pot" means to make something more desirable.  The expression originally comes from gambling; when players make new bets, they will sometimes say they are "sweetening the pot" as they throw chips in.  This means the pot (i.e. the money that will be won by the person with the best hand) is larger and therefore more desirable to all players.  But while the expression is still used in gambling, the expression is now used in everyday conversation, as seen above. In this example, Joseph offered Jamal a new position, but Jamal turned it down because he didn't think it was worth it. Olivia suggests that Joseph "sweeten the pot" by adding additional incentives like vacation days and a new office to the offer that Jamal might want but that won't cost as much as a salary increase.  

Here's another example:

Natalia: Could you help me move this weekend?  I'll buy you pizza.

Cole: I don't know; you have a lot of stuff.  Isn't there any way you can sweeten the pot a bit more?

Natalia: Ok, then I'll take you to that new seafood restaurant you've been wanting to try.  The meal and drinks will be on me.

Cole: Deal!  What time are we packing the truck?

In this case, Natalia offered to buy Cole pizza if he helped her move, but Cole asked her to "sweeten the pot," meaning he wanted more for his help.  She then offered to take him to a more expensive dinner, which he accepted.

Note: this idiom is related to LSI's upcoming Las Vegas trip over Thanksgiving weekend.  For more information, contact the Marketing Department or ask the front desk at your school.

To Have An Ace Up One's Sleeve

Idiom: to have an ace/something up one's sleeve; used as a verb

First Example:

Victor: Are you nervous about your audition tomorrow?

Jean: A little, but I think I have a pretty chance at getting the role.

Victor: What makes you so confident?  It sounds like a lot of people are auditioning for this movie.

Jean: Well, I kind of have an ace up my sleeve.  I knew the director when we were kids.  His sister was my best friend.

Victor: Do you think he'll remember you?

Jean: I changed my name when I got married, so he won't recognize the name, but I spent a lot of time at his house.  He has to remember me. 

Meaning: The expression "have an ace up one's sleeve" means to have a secret or surprise that will give that person an advantage.  The expression originally comes from people cheating at poker, when holding an ace (the most valuable card) up one's sleeve would give that person an advantage over the other players.  While it can still used for cheating in poker, the expression now has a less negative meaning when used in everyday conversation, as seen above. In this example, Jean believes that her knowing the director will help her get the movie role she is auditioning for.   Furthermore, the idiom has developed further so that "something" can now be used instead of "ace", with the expression "to have an something up one's sleeve" having the same meaning as the original, as in the next example:

Chris: Are you going to do anything special during the wedding ceremony tomorrow?

Edward: No.

Chris: I don't believe you.  I think you have something up your sleeve.

Edward: Well, promise not to tell anyone.

Chris: OK, I promise.

Edward: I'm going to sing Kate's favorite song to her during the ceremony, but no one really knows.  I want it to be a surprise, and I can't wait to see the look on her face.

Chris: She's gonna love it.    

In this case, Edward has a surprise "up his sleeve" for his wedding; he will be singing his new bride's favorite song to her.

Note: this idiom is related to LSI's upcoming Las Vegas trip over Thanksgiving weekend.  For more information, contact the Marketing Department or ask the front desk at your school.

Stay Put

Idiom:  Stay Put; used as a verb.

First Example:  

“Small children usually have so much energy and can never sit still for very long.  You should not expect your three year-old to stay put for very long.”

Meaning:  Stay Put is usually used to express the idea of staying in one place and to not move.  In the example above, it is very difficult for small children to stay in one place for an extended period of time.  This idiom can be used as a general verb to relate the idea of staying in one place.  The words, stay and put cannot be separated.

Here is another example:

Second Example:

“If you ever become lost while hiking in the mountains, it is generally a good idea to stay put until help arrives.  It might be more difficult for people to find you if you continue to move around without any sense of direction.”

Meaning: In this case, the idiom, Stay Put, is used to express the advice that you should not move around if you ever become lost.  It is generally easier for search parties to find a lost hiker if they are still in the general area where they had originally intended to go.  In this example, the idiom is being used as a verb.

This idiom is from the book "The Idiom Advantage – Fluency in Speaking and Listening," which is used as primary material in LSI’s Advanced Conversation classes.

For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/