To cause a stir

Idiom: to cause a stir; used as a verb

First Example:

Newscaster: The dramatic game between Brazil and Germany on July 8th caused quite a stir.  At 7 to 1, Germany set a new record for the most goals scored in a semifinal game, with 5 of those goals scored within the first 29 minutes of the game - also a record.  Sports fans everywhere were shocked by the outcome, and even many non-sports fans were paying attention.    

Meaning: The idiom "to cause a stir" is used when something causes a lot of excitement, interest, or agitation.  The idiom is not used for just any exciting moment, being reserved for unusual moments that cause a great deal of unusual excitement, interest or agitation, such as in the example above, when Germany set two World Cup records in its game against Brazil.  However, excitement isn't the only "stir" that can be "caused"; the idiom is also often used to describe controversy, as in the next example.

Second Example:

Nicole: How was work today? 

Joe: Awful!  Management sent out a memo with a new dress code policy that caused a huge stir, and that's all anyone could talk about all day.

Nicole: What was so controversial?                                                 

Joe: Well, it said women had to wear dresses or skirts; there was no mention of pants, so a lot of people were angry about that.  And they didn't include any information on casual days, suggesting that everyone would have to wear formal office wear from now on.

Nicole: Did they mean to eliminate those things?

Joe: No.  It turns out the new manager decided to just write a new policy rather than edit the old one, and he didn't think to check it with anyone before sending it out.  Management said they'd fix it and post a new one tomorrow, but it really caused a stir when everyone went into the office today and found this new policy.

Nicole: I bet.  glad it worked out though.

Meaning: In this example, a new manager "caused a stir" by writing a new, incomplete dress code policy.  In this case, the idiom is being used to show that the event caused controversy instead of excitement, even though the controversy eventually passed (when they figured out it was an error).

This week's idioms inspired by the excitement over the World Cup here at LSI. 

To eat, sleep and breathe (something)

Idiom: to eat, sleep and breathe (something); used as a verb

First Example:

Janet: Have you seen Jamie lately?  She always seems to be busy.

Corey: Oh, she's really into the World Cup.

Janet: Really?  I didn't know she liked soccer.                              

Corey: She was never that interested before, but ever since the World Cup started, she eats, sleeps and breathes soccer.  If she's not watching a game, she's reading predictions or recaps.

Janet: Wow!

Corey: I've never seen her this enthusiastic about something. I wouldn't be surprised if she dreams about soccer.

Meaning: The idiom "to eat, sleep and breathe (something)" is used when someone is  incredibly enthusiastic about something, focusing all of their energy on that one thing.  In the example above, Corey says that Jamie "eats, sleeps and breathes" soccer since the World Cup started.  This means that Jamie spends all of her time focusing on soccer.  Alternatively, some Americans will use the slightly different idiom "to live and breathe (something)" for the same meaning.

Valerie: How is your sister doing in school? 

Timothy: Great!  She finally decided on her major.

Valerie: What did she choose?                                                       

Timothy: Guess.

Valerie: Well, ever since she was little, she has lived and breathed ballet, so I'm going to guess Dance?

Timothy: And you are correct.  My parents were trying to convince her to become a business major, saying it would be better for her career, but I've never had any doubt she'd become a dancer.         

Meaning: In this example, Timothy's sister "lives and breathes" ballet, meaning that she dedicates all of her energy on ballet.  These two idioms basically mean the same thing and different people will prefer one over the other (often based on age or region). 

This week's idioms inspired by the excitement over the World Cup here at LSI. 

To Pull Out All The Stops

Idiom: to pull out all the stops.

Example:
LSI Teacher:  The United States of America’s Independence Day is on July 4^th and it is the celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This day is also known as the Fourth of July. Celebrations usually pull out all the stops, with barbeques, parades, carnivals, concerts, baseball games, and fireworks. There are a lot of fireworks and each city usually puts on a firework show at night. Hollywood studios typically save their biggest movies of the summer for the Fourth of July weekend. So, get ready for some amazing fireworks, barbecues, and movies to fill your weekend! 

Bob: I’m so excited for the game this Friday! I went to Party City and bought a bunch of decorations for my house. I also made a deal with the local sandwich shop to cater my party for a really low fee.

Ken: Wow! You are really pulling out all the stops, aren’t you?

Bob: I guess so. I know that when I went to my friend’s house to see another game last week, she really pulled out all the stops and even had a live band play after the game.

Ken: Well, that will be hard to match, but it looks like you and your friends will have a good time.

Bob: We will have a better time if our team wins!

 Meaning: To pull out all the stops means to do everything you can to make something successful. In the first example, the teacher is talking about how everyone celebrates the 4^th of July. In the second example, Bill is pulling out all the stops in order to make a successful party. 

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

To Be or Get Fired Up

Idiom: to be or get fired up.

Example:
Nikki: Oh my goodness! That game was so exciting! In the end, there was a penalty shootout between the teams, but we 

won 3 - 2.

Ned: I know! I saw the game on TV!  Everyone is really fired up about the World Cup now that it is getting toward the end.

Nikki: I know! I hope we make it to the finals. That would be amazing!

Ned: Well, the team is certainly good enough!

Bob: What’s wrong? You look really sad.

Ken: Well, I’m not sad, but I’m a little frustrated with my roommates. I absolutely LOVE soccer and I am so fired up about the World Cup. I have been trying to have some parties at our house whenever there is a big game and I just want a little support from my roommates.

Bob: OK. So what exactly is the problem?

Ken: My two roommates don’t care at all. They don’t get fired up about anything. They just sleep all day, don’t help me at all, and loudly complain about how boring soccer is during the big games. They don’t even know anything about the games or the teams!

Bob: Well, I agree that they should not complain about it being boring, but you really cannot expect them to be fired up about a sport they are not interested in.

Ken: I guess you are right. But at least they could be a little more supportive.

Meaning: To be or get fired up means to be excited or enthusiastic about something. In the first example, Nikki is fired up about her team at the World Cup. In the second example, Ken is upset that his roommates are not fired up about the World Cup. 

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

Blow the whistle on (somebody)

Idiom: "blow the whistle on (somebody)"; used as a verb

First Example:

Maria: How was the soccer game? 

Neil: It was awful! The other team kept cheating, but the ref never blew the whistle on them!

Maria: What were they doing?                                                       

Neil: This one guy kept hitting the ball with his hands, and another guy kept tackling people in way that are supposed to be illegal.

Maria: And the referee never said anything?

Neil: Nope. I don't think he was even watching. 

     

Meaning: The idiom "blow the whistle on (someone)" is usually used when someone reports someone else's wrongdoing. In the example above, Neil says that the referee never blew the whistle on players who were acting inappropriately. However, while the idiom may seem obvious in terms of sports (as a referee has a whistle to blow), this idiom can be used in other ways, as seen in the example below.    

Second Example:

Victor: What happened to Russell?  I haven't seen him at work lately.

Nancy: You didn't hear? He found out that the company was lying about their taxes, so he blew the whistle on the company!

Victor: Really?                                                                                

Neil: Yeah. He called the IRS and told them; they apparently give money to whistleblowers.

Victor: What did the company do?

Neil: Well, there's going to be an investigation, but of course, once they found out, they asked him to leave.                                                                       

Meaning: In this usage, "blow the whistle on" is used to report a company or other person for some kind of illegal activity. In the example above, Russell "blew the whistle" on his company for lying on their tax forms, an illegal activity. People like Russell are also referred to as "whistleblowers." 

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

Starstruck

Idiom: "Starstruck”

Example #1:

Jan: I’m so excited to be at the World Cup this year. I still can’t believe it. It’s like a dream.

Steve: I know! I’m so excited for the game today. I can’t wait to see Neymar and Dos Santos in person!!

Jan: With all these famous players around, you are acting so starstruck!! Hopefully you can get one autograph from someone famous.

Steve: Just seeing the players in person is enough for me!

Example #2:

Selena: You are not going to believe who I just saw at the restaurant in Santa Monica!!

Jackie: I can’t even guess.

Selena: Johnny Depp.

Jackie: No way!

Selena: Yes, I just sat there and stared at him in starstruck awe watching him the whole time I was there.

Jackie: Actually, that sounds a little creepy, but I’m sure he gets that a lot!

Meaning: feeling or showing great interest in and admiration for famous people. “Starstruck” means to be really interested in famous people and to sometimes feel overwhelmed in a famous person’s presence.  In the first example, Steve is acting starstruck around all the famous soccer players he is seeing at the World Cup. In the second example, Selena just sat and stared at Johnny Depp in starstruck awe; she couldn’t do anything.

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

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