Get a kick out of something

Idiom: "Get a kick out of something"

Example #1:

Chris: Hey Leo, are you watching the World Cup game today?

Leo: I love watching the World Cup. I get a kick out of major tournaments. They’re always exciting.

Chris: Yeah, me too. It’s nice to see the world come together for such a big event.

Leo: Besides, it’s every four years. You don’t get to watch it all the time.

Example #2:

Diego: The first game of the tournament is going to be really good. 

Edson: I heard it would be a tough game.

Diego: I get a kick out of watching a weak team win against a strong team.

Edson: It’s definitely good for the sport and makes things more exciting.

Meaning: “Get a kick out of something” means to enjoy watching or doing something. 

In example 1, Leo really enjoys watching big tournaments.  In example 2, Diego enjoys watching underdog teams beat favored teams.

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

Jump on the bandwagon

Idiom: "jump on the bandwagon"

Example #1:

Carlos: Did you watch the Kings game last night?

Tommy: I thought you didn't watch hockey.

Carlos: Well, I didn't before. But now that they're winning, so it's fun to watch.

Tommy: Oh, so you just jumped on the bandwagon. You're not really a fan.

Carlos: What do you mean?

Tommy: You didn't follow them all season. You just watch them now because they're winning. You just jumped on the bandwagon.

Carlos: Wow! You're so critical.

Example #2:

Kyle: I hate this football season.

Crystal: Why?

Kyle: The stadium was much more comfortable and empty before everyone jumped on the bandwagon.

Crystal: But it's good for the team. Also, the stadium can make some money. They need to fix it anyway.

Kyle: It doesn't matter. I don't like people who do something just because it's popular and not because they actually care.

Meaning: join a popular trend or activity.

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

Horsing around

Idiom: "horsing around"

Example:

Mariela:  Minami, you really should pay more attention in your Idioms class. I don’t think you pay attention in class, you are always horsing around.

Minami: Horsing around? I don’t have a horse! I don’t even know how to ride a horse.  I take the bus everywhere I go!

Mariela: No, silly. Horsing around means goofing around and not paying attention.

Minami: Okay, you are right. I really need to stop chatting with Bruno and Sylvia in Idioms class and need to start paying attention to what the teacher says.  

Meaning: "horsing around" means to be goofing around, playing around. Not paying attention.

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

Beating a dead horse

Idiom: “Beating a dead horse”

Example:

Minami:  Hey there Mariela.  I heard you were talking to Joyce about politics yesterday, and you told her to “stop beating a dead horse”.  I mean I don’t know much about politics, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to do something as cruel as that!  Why would she beat a dead horse?  That’s horrible!

Mariela:  Minami, you silly goose!  “Beating a dead horse” is an English idiom.

Minami:  Really?  That’s pretty strange.  What the heck does it mean?

Mariela:  It means repeating something over and over again, trying to make your point in so many different ways that it becomes totally obvious.

Minami:  Oh, I think I get it.  I just don’t understand why English idioms use so many references to animals.  They are very confusing to me! 

Meaning: "Beating a dead horse" is a common idiom has nothing to do with cruelty to animals, dead or alive, but simply means to make your point over and over again ad nauseam!  (Basically, this means to keep explaining and giving examples about something to the point of making your audience sick to their stomachs!).

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

To get busted

Idiom: "to get busted"

Context #1:

Fred: Hey, did you hear what happened to Joe?

Chris: No, what happened?

Fred: He got busted for drinking and driving. He is in serious trouble.

Chris: Oh man! That's too bad! He's probably going to lose his license.

Context #2:

Stephanie: Yesterday in Math class I was cheating on my test and I got busted by the teacher.

Veronica:  You did? That was stupid.

Stephanie: I know. She took my test away and said I would get a zero.

Meaning: "to get busted" is an American idiom that means to get in trouble for doing something wrong. People get busted when they are caught breaking the law or a rule. Getting busted is embarrassing and usually leads to serious consequences. 

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

To be hot

Idiom: "to be hot"

Context #1:

James:  Did you watch the basketball game last night? The Miami Heat won again.

Tom:  I know. They are hot right now.

James: I don't think anyone can beat them. 

Tom:  I think you're right! They're going to win the NBA Championship.

Context #2:

Sally: Who's the hottest golfer in the world right now?

Jane: Well, it's not Tiger Woods.

Sally: Yeah, what happened to him. He used to be really good.

Meaning: "to be hot" is an idiom related to sports and it is used to talk about teams or individual players that are doing really well during a specific period of time. You can use this idiom for any team or player when they are performing at an excellent or outstanding level. The hot players or teams tend to shine more than all other players or teams. Practical idioms like this are taught in the Speaking and Conversation classes at LSI.  

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

To spread the word

Idiom: "To spread the word"

Example:

Mitsue runs to Hugo excitedly...

Mitsue: Spread the word! The LSI beach party is coming soon! It's a day at the beach with free lunch, sports, games and prizes!

Hugo: Will do! I'll tell my class first!

Meaning: "To spread the word" means to tell as many people as you can. "The word" is a message. We use this idiom for good or bad news.

For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.edu