To Squirrel Something Away

Idiom: To squirrel something away; used as a verb 
 

First Example:

Kyle: I bought a car!

Elizabeth: Really?  How much are your monthly payments?           

Kyle: I don't have any.

Elizabeth: What?! How?                   

Kyle: I've been squirreling away a little money from each paycheck for years, and it saved up over time!  When my last car started having problems, I checked my savings and realized I had enough to buy a used car.
Elizabeth: Great! Then you can drive to lunch!        

Meaning: The idiom "to squirrel something away" is used to describe the act of saving or hoarding for a future, similar to how squirrels save nuts for the coming winter. The most common use of the expression is used to describe saving money over a period of time, as in the example above, when Kyle explains that he has been squirreling away money for years. This means he has been saving small amounts of money over the years, intending to use it at a later time. While the idiom is primarily used for money, it can be used in other ways, as in this example:

Carlos: It's November. I guess it's time to start thinking about Christmas shopping.          

Ronda: Oh, I'm already done.

Chris: No way.

Ronda: Yep.  I start shopping for Christmas the day after. I keep an eye out for potential gifts at great prices year round. There are so many great sales early in the year. Then I squirrel them away until December so that I don't have to rush when the holidays approach and everyone else is going nuts.

Chris: Wow. So you're saying the gift you give me this year was probably bought in January?

Ronda: Who said you're getting a gift?  I'm just kidding. But I think I bought your gift in March. 

Meaning: In this example, Ronda explains that she squirrels away Christmas gifts that she buys on sale throughout the year. @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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To Serve Your Country

Idiom: To serve a/your country; used as a verb 

First Example:

Announcer: For Veteran's Day, the president honored the men and women who have served our country.  He thanked the military members for their service in a speech given at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Meaning: The idiom "to serve a country" is used to describe someone who is enrolled in the military.  The expression is used to emphasize the sacrifice that being a member of a military can take on those who have served. In the example above, the president is honoring military members who have served their country on Veteran's Day, a special day to commemorate those who have done military service.  Normally, most individuals "serve" their own country, so this idiom is often used with a possessive adjective, as in the example ("our" instead of "a"). Here is another example:

Chris: I heard you're joining the navy after you graduate?  

Tammy: Yep.  I start next month.

Chris: Really?  Are you doing it to help pay for college?

Tammy: Not really. I mean, that's certainly a benefit, but it's not my primary reason. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to give back, and serving my country seems like the best way to that.

Chris: That's cool. 

Meaning: In this example, Tammy is joining the Navy.  When Chris asks if she is doing it to help pay for college (there are programs that pay for US veterans' higher education), she says the she has wanted to give back to her community since she was a little girl, emphasizing that her service is primarily altruistic (doing something for others) rather than self-serving (receiving benefits in this case). @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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To Be A Turkey

Idiom: to be a turkey

Example:

John: I can’t find my laptop.  I hope I didn’t lose it or get it stolen.

Eli: Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you, Kazu borrowed your laptop this morning.  He said he would have it back to you before class.  His broke and he had to find a way to take notes in class. 

John: He’s such a turkey! He can’t just take things without asking. I have early class today. He clearly didn’t think about that.

Eli: That’s a bit harsh. I don’t think Kazu was trying to upset you. 

John: Who’s the turkey that suggested he do that?

Eli:  I guess that would be me.  Sorry dude.

Meaning: To be a turkey is an expression used when someone is trying to call someone thoughtless or even a fool.  It’s not a nice thing to say, but it’s used commonly to avoid using stronger or more profane language. 

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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Go Cold Turkey

Idiom: Go cold turkey

Example:

Frank: I’m thinking about quitting fast food.

Aaron: That’s really good.  It’s really unhealthy to eat fried food every day. 

Frank: Yeah, I’m going cold turkey.  No transition period.

Aaron: Wow!  That’s difficult.  I usually cut some foods slowly.  I can’t give up food I like all at once. 

Meaning: Go cold turkey is an expression used when someone stops doing something without a transition period.  It’s a very sudden stop to an action or habit.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Idiom: You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Example:

Joe: Jane! Are you all right? You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Jane: I just got really shocking news from my doctor. We are having triplets. 

Joe: 3 babies?!

Jane: Now YOU look like you have just seen a ghost!

Meaning: You look like you have just seen a ghost is an expression used when someone has a shocked or scared look on their face. 

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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To make one's blood run cold

Idiom: To make one's blood run cold

Example 1: 

Don't see the movie "The Exorcist!" It's so scary! It made my blood run cold! 

Example 2:

There was a terrible car accident near my home. The sound of the crash made my blood run cold! It was so shocking and scary. 

Meaning:

something makes one's blood run cold means that something really scared/shocked/terrified someone.

@LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

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In Cold Blood

Idiom: In cold blood

Context #1:

John: Did you hear about that serial killer who appeared in court today?

Sam: Yeah, I heard the judge sentenced him to life in prison with no parole.

John: That's right. He killed about 10 people in cold blood so I guess he deserved that.

Context #2:

Jenny: Last night on the news I saw that a lady was killed in New York while waiting for the bus.

Chrissy: Yeah, I guess some crazy guy just walked up to her and shot her in cold blood.

Meaning: In cold blood is an idiom that is used as an adverb. It is commonly used with verbs like kill, shoot, and murder. It means to kill someone in a cruel and unfeeling fashion. The person doing the killing does not feel any kind of sadness or remorse.      @LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

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