Tempest in a Teapot

Idiom: Tempest in a Teapot

Example 1: Small cultural differences can sometimes create big problems! My roommate is from another country, so we sometimes disagree. Just the other day, we were fighting because I had left my jacket on the couch when I arrived home. I was tired and in a rush to get something to eat. I thought it wasn't a big deal but my roommate began to lecture me on responsibilities as a roommate and having pride in your home. He got really upset and I couldn't understand it! What a tempest in a teapot! 

Example 2: 

George: I'm so angry!

Martin: What's the matter?

G: We invited 50 people to the party and 45 confirmed, but only 42 have arrived on time! I planned all of this for nothing!!! I'm going to cancel the whole thing if they don't show up in 5 minutes!

M: Hey, George! Relax! It's OK! The rest of the guests will come soon, I'm sure. 

Jack: Martin, what's wrong with George?

M: He's upset because 3 guests haven't arrived yet.

J: Really!? That's just a tempest in a teapot! There are more than enough people to begin the party!

Meaning: This expression is used to describe a big fuss or commotion over something minor. In Example 1, the speaker feels that his roommate is overreacting to something very small and unimportant. In Example 2, George is really upset because 3 people haven't arrived for the party, but Martin thinks it's not a big problem because most of the guests have arrived.  

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Rain or Shine

Idiom: Rain or Shine

Example 1: I have been training for the Los Angeles Marathon for 6 months and the race is coming up in a couple of weeks. I'm prepared for the run, but I'm nervous because the weather report shows rain for marathon day! It's such a big event with a lot of preparation by the city so it will happen come rain or shine. I really hope we have nice weather that day. Running in the rain would be dreadful.

Example 2: 

Maggie: Hi Jessica! How are you? 

Jessica: Hi! I'm great, thanks! I'm pretty excited for my wedding this weekend!

M: Wow that is exciting! I hope the weather stays clear and sunny for your big day.

J: I hope so, too. but I'm not worried! I know everything will be perfect rain or shine!

Meaning: (come) rain or shine = no matter what the weather or situation (usually weather). In Example 1, the Los Angeles Marathon will not be cancelled if it rains on that day. In Example 2, Jessica says she expects everything will be fine even if it rains. 

This expression can be used with come without changing the meaning. Example: We will be there come rain or shine. = We will be there rain or shine.

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to grill someone

Idiom: to grill someone; used as a verb

First Example:
Theresa was really grilling Harry on their first date. She was sure asking him all these questions about his preferences. He eventuall had to ask her to stop. 

Second Example:

When Janice said she hadn't done her homework because she had to go to the hospital the night before, the teacher grilled her on what happened. The teacher asked for so many details, Janice finally gave up and was honest, explaining that she went to a movie.

Meaning: To "grill" someone means to ask that person many questions, similar to a cross-examination in a courtroom. In the first example/illustration above, Harry was grilled by his date; he thought her questions were excessive. In the second example, Janice is grilled by her teacher, and she eventually admitted that she was lying. 

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.

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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.

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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.

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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). 

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