Party Pooper

Idiom:  Party Pooper; used as a noun.

First Example:  

“All of us wanted to have a summer barbecue at the beach this weekend, but when we mentioned our idea to Cindy, she immediately started to complain about how hot the sun was and how much trouble it would be for us to carry the food.  She is such a party pooper!”

Meaning:  A Party Pooper is a person who often tries to reduce the interest or enthusiasm of others.  In this example, the majority of the group was very enthusiastic about having a summer barbecue party at the beach.  However, Cindy did not share their excitement over the idea and immediately started to complain about it.  The idiom, Party Pooper, is often used to describe someone who does not share the same interest as the group and often tries to discourage them either intentionally or unintentionally.  This idiom can be used as a non-offensive way of describing someone who often disturbs the fun of others.  The idiom is most commonly used as a noun.

This idiom is from the book "Everyday Idioms for Reference and Practice – Book One" which is used in the LSI Intermediate Conversation Class.

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

Pick Up the Tab

Idiom:  To Pick Up the Tab; used as a verb.

First Example:  

“Sam had invited Alice to an expensive restaurant for dinner.  Since this was their first date together, Sam had picked up the tab for the night.”

Meaning:  To Pick Up the Tab means to pay for the cost of something, usually a meal.  In this example, since Sam had invited Alice out on a date, it is customary in most Western societies for men to pay for the first meal of a date.  This idiom can apply to any situation where somebody intends to pay for the full price of a meal.  This idiom is used as a verb in this example.

This idiom is from the book "Everyday Idioms for Reference and Practice – Book One," which is used as the primary textbook in LSI’s Intermediate Conversation classes.

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

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.