Camp Out

Idiom: Camp out

First Example:

Lenny: What are you and your family doing this weekend?

Nancy: We’re going to Pismo beach.  We’re still considering if we will camp out on the beach or not.

Lenny:  I’m not big on camping out in the wild.  I only camp out in my backyard.  It’s not extravagant, but it’s safe for me.

Second Example:

Mitt: The protesters have been sitting in front of City Hall for some time now.

Sean: Yeah, they decided to camp out to show the mayor how angry they are about the new policies.

Meaning: 

To "camp out" means to sleep/live outdoors for a short or extended period of time, usually in a tent.  To camp out includes giving up general utilities like shower, toilet, and going without many possessions.  In the first example, Nancy is debating whether she and her family will stay in a tent on the beach, but Lenny contends that he doesn’t like the outdoors.  Lenny’s approach to “camping out” is confined to the safety of his back yard.  In the second example, the protesters intended on staying in front of City Hall for an extended period of time to prove their tenacity.  Therefore, they camped out in front of the building showing their willingness to give up comforts to show their commitment.

http://www.languagesystems.com/

Happy Camper

Idiom: Happy Camper; used as a noun

First Example:

Pete: Hey Chip, what’s going on?  You seem to be incredibly unhappy.

Chip: Every time I almost get my work done, someone interrupts me. I’m not a happy camper.

Pete: No kidding, you’ve been quite irritated for the last couple of days.  I guess that project was tough huh?

Second Example:

Jean: You’re certainly a happy camper after your trip to Europe.

Matt: I had a chance to visit so many sites and try so many good things to eat.  What’s not to be happy about?

Meaning: 

To be a "happy camper" means to be satisfied, cheerful or pleased with something, someone, or the result of something.  In the first example, Pete noticed Chip’s demeanor and noticed how unhappy he was with something.  Chip explains that he keeps getting interrupted. This idiom is commonly used with a negative to mean unhappy.

In the second example, Matt expresses his positive experience in Europe and why he was so happy.  He was a satisfied customer, or a Happy Camper.

http://www.languagesystems.com/

To let someone down

Idiom: To let someone down; used as a verb

First Example:

Jeffrey was sure he could make the goal, so he asked Thomas to kick him the ball. But he missed the goal and his team lost. He really let them down. 

Second Example:

Jenna promised her mom that they would have breakfast together on Mother's Day, but she forgot to set her alarm.  When she woke up at 11am, she called her mom, but she had already had gone out for brunch with a friend. Jenna said she was sorry that she let her mom down and promised to make up for it next week.

Meaning: To "let someone down" means to fail or disappoint that person or group. Usually, this expression is used when the person/group being let down was relying on the person to be successful, and the failure was that person's fault. In the first example/illustration above, Jeffrey missed  after he said he was sure that he could make the goal; if he hadn't said he could make it, he wouldn't have let them down. In the second example, Jenna let her mom down after sleeping through the Mother's Day breakfast she promised.

http://www.languagesystems.com/

To kick (something) around

Idiom: To kick (something) around; used as a verb

First Example:

Dawn: How is the screenplay that you're writing with Janet?

Jeff: Truthfully, we're kind of stuck. We can't settle on an ending.

Dawn: Oh?

Jeff: We've got a few ideas we're kicking around at the moment, but we haven't found anything we really like.

Dawn: Well, if you need help, I can kick some ideas around with you guys and give you an outsider's perspective.

Jeff: Actually, that might be helpful. Let me ask Janet what she thinks.      

Meaning: To "kick (something) around" means to discuss or brainstorm. Usually, this expression is used when a person or group of people are trying to find a solution, as in the example above (where Janet and Jeff have been kicking around ideas for an ending, and Dawn offers to help). Notice that this idiom is separable, meaning it can be used with a noun in front of the idiom ("a few ideas we're kicking around"), separating the idiom ("kick some ideas around") or even after the idiom ("kick around some ideas" - not in example dialogue). 

http://www.languagesystems.com/

A face only a mother could love

Idiom: A face only a mother could love

Read the text messages between these two friends and try to guess the meaning of the idiom: A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE.

_____________________________________________________

Hi Jenn,

Have you met the new neighbor yet?

He is so funny. He is also very smart and has traveled all over the world.

He has a great job, and I think he is SINGLE! I think he is so handsome!

Susy, I haven't met him yet.

I saw him by the pool. Do you seriously think he is handsome?

I think you need to wear eye glasses. He has a face only a mother could love...

You are so mean!

Whatever! Gotta go. Bye.

______________________________________________________

Meaning: A face only a mother could love means an unattractive face.

www.languagesystems.edu

Like mother, like daughter

Idiom: Like mother, like daughter

Read the following dialogue and try to guess the meaning of the idiom "like mother, like daughter":

Anna: I can't believe our daughter is getting married today! She looks beautiful! Look at how well she dances! 

Bob: She is a good dancer because you are! She is also as beautiful as you are. Like mother, like daughter!

Anna: Oh, Bob... 

Bob: May I have this dance, ma'am? 

Meaning: "Like daughter, like mother" is an idiom used to show that a daughter has similar talents, looks, or personality traits as her mother. 

www.languagesystems.edu

Pit stop

Idiom: Pit stop

Example 1: 

Our road trip to Las Vegas was great except for 1 thing. John kept drinking a ton of water and we had to make so many pit stops for him to use the restroom! 

Example 2:

Jason: Are you ready to go?

Maria: Yes, but we'll need to make a quick pit stop for gas and snacks. It's going to be a long drive.

Jason: OK! There's a gas station near the freeway. We can get everything there.

Explanation: A pit stop is a short break in a driving trip to do something such as fill the gas tank, use the restroom, buy snacks, etc. 

www.languagesystems.edu