Deck the Halls

 

Idiom: Deck the Halls

Example 1:

Jennifer: (singing) Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!

Olaf: What? I don’t understand a word you are singing!

Jennifer: It’s an old Christmas carol, or song, Deck the Halls!

 Olaf: What does it mean?

Jennifer: Well, “deck the halls” means to decorate for Christmas. A bough is a branch, so they are hanging up branches of holly.

Olaf: Ummm, what is holly?

Jennifer: Oh, it’s a type of flowering plant, usually with green leaves and small red round berries.

Olaf: I see those everywhere at Christmas time. Teach me the song!

Example #2 – Two roommates are talking at home

Jack: This neighborhood is gorgeous. Look at all the Christmas lights.

Terri: I know! Every single house is decorated with something unique. It’s a beautiful sight.

Jack: Hey, I heard that Carlos is moving to this neighborhood with his new wife next year.

Terri: Well, they had better be prepared to deck the halls and a whole lot more at Christmas time!

Meaning: “Deck the halls” comes from an old Christmas carol, or song, and it simply means to put up decorations at Christmas time.  @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu

Tis the Season

Idiom: Tis the Season

Example 1: A mom and her small son are talking about the holidays.

Jeff: Wow! Look at all these presents under the tree!

Mom: Well, tis the season!

Jeff: But it’s still early, a week before Christmas. I thought Santa Claus brought all the presents while we are sleeping on Christmas eve?

Mom: Ummm...Santa.......ahhhh....came early this year. Surprise!

Jeff: Really?

Mom: Yes, really. Because you were such a good boy!

Example 2: Two roommates are talking at home.
Jack: OK. I have my ugly sweater, antlers, exchange gift, and egg nog. I’m ready for the Christmas party!

Terri: Ha! You really look like you’re ready! I like the antlers!

Jack: Tis the season.....to party!!!!

Meaning: “Tis the season” typically refers to the time before Christmas, which can be defined as anywhere from October to December 24th. @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

                                                    

                                                  www.languagesystems.edu

Be my guest

Idiom: be my guest

Example 1:

Matt: Hey man, I’m going to San Diego next year.

Dee:  Oh really? Can I come too?

Matt: Be my guest.

Dee: Really? That’s awesome.

Example 2:

Thomas: Do you think I can turn in those reports on Monday of next week?

Charles: Be my guest.  They’re not due until Tuesday anyway. 

Meaning: "Be my guest" means: “go ahead,” “help yourself,” or it could mean giving someone permission to do something.  It’s a neutral term used by many people in formal or informal settings.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu

To Drop a Hint

Idiom: (to) drop a hint

Example 1:

Rudolph: Hey Dasher, what kind of gift are you getting for your girlfriend this holiday season?

Dasher:  Wait.  You’ll find out after the holiday season.

Rudolph: Oh, come on, drop me a hint!  It’s not my gift.

Dasher: No way!  It’s a big surprise.

Example 2:

Manny: Hey, how much money are you asking for this event?

Floyd: More money than you can imagine.

Manny: Really? At least drop a hint.  Everyone wants to know.

Floyd: I don’t really want to talk about that. 

Meaning: "To drop a hint" is another way of expressing “give me a hint” or another way of asking for more details.  It’s often used amongst friends and close colleagues.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu

To Ring Up

Idiom: To Ring Up

Example 1:

Store clerk to the man waiting in line to pay: "Hello, sir. Are you ready? I can ring you up at this register."

Example 2:

Shopper who realizes there is mistake on her receipt: "I have to go back to the store. The cashier rang up 2 cartons of eggs but I only have 1. I was overcharged for something I didn't buy!"

Meaning: "To Ring Up" is a separable phrasal verb that is used to describe the action of the cashier in a store. 

"The cashier will ring up your items."

"Can you ring me up?"

Remember! When using object pronouns (you, me, us, it, etc) the pronoun must separate the phrasal verb. Ex: Ring me up   NOT: Ring up me. Longer nouns that are not pronouns generally don't separate the phrasal verb. Ex: Ring up all the items in my shopping cart. NOT: Ring all the items in my shopping cart up.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu

Retail Therapy

Idiom: Retail Therapy

Example 1:

Cora: Frances just broke up with her boyfriend. We need to plan something to help cheer her up. Do you have any ideas?

Julie: I have the perfect idea! She loves shopping, so I think some retail therapy will definitely help her feel better!

Cora: Great idea! Let's pick her up and go to the mall.

Example 2:

With the stress of the holidays and the cold winter weather, it's easy for people to begin to feel depressed. That's why shopping is so popular this time of year! We love to buy gifts for our loved ones, but a little retail therapy really helps some people feel better! 

Meaning: "Retail therapy" is an expression that's used to describe shopping as a treatment for sadness.  @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu

To Dig In

Idiom: To dig in

Context #1:

Tony: Hey guys!  The pizza is ready, so dig in!

Joe: Should we wait for John?

Tony: No, he called and said he's not coming.

Context #2:

Bethany: I know your food hasn't come yet, but I am so hungry. Can I go ahead and start eating?

Chrissy: Yeah, don't worry about. Dig in!

Meaning: "To dig in" is a phrased that is used to tell someone to go ahead and start eating. Usually it is used in a situation where someone is politely waiting to eat. This idiom means, "You don't have to wait. Go ahead and start eating."

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

Eat responsively!

www.languagesystems.edu