Put Someone Up

Idiom: Put someone up

Example 1:

Vanessa: So what are your plans for the summer break? We have three months before school starts again!

Brad: Well, I’m going to visit my friends in London.

Vanessa: Wow! That sounds like fun! But isn’t London expensive?

Brad: Yes, it is, but I’m really lucky. My friend who lives there is putting me up for the summer, so I don’t need to pay for a hotel.

Vanessa: You are lucky! I wish I had friends like that!

Example 2:

Sami: I’m in big trouble. My roommate has asked me to leave by this weekend and I have no place to live!

Petra: Oh, Sami. I’m so sorry to hear that. I would put you up for a short time, but there is no room at my house.

Sami: Really? Not even on the sofa?

Petra: That is where I sleep! We are already in trouble for having too many people living in the apartment.

Sami: I see. Do you think Jennifer could put me up for a while? Just until I find another apartment.

Petra: Maybe. She does have an extra room that she uses as an office. Why don’t we give her a call?

Sami: Great idea. Thank you for helping!

Meaning: To provide a place for someone or something to stay temporarily.

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Head For

Idiom: Head for

Example 1:

Vicki: I can’t believe it's almost time for Summer Break. I’m so excited.

Bjorn: Me, too!

Vicki: Do you have any plans?

Bjorn: I’m heading for Yellowstone Park. I’m going to spend the week camping and hiking!

Vicki: Hmmm…that’s good if you like camping and the outdoors. I’m more of a city girl.

Bjorn: Really?

Vicki: Yes. After school is out, I’ll get ready to head for the outlet malls. I can’t think of anything better than shopping for a week!

Example 2:

Janine:  Pete, you really should start studying more every day for classes. You are getting more behind every day.

Pete: Oh, Janine. You worry too much. I’ll have plenty of time later.

Janine: No, you won’t. You are headed for trouble if you don’t study. You could actually get kicked out of school!

Pete: Do you really think so?

Janine: Yes! It happened to me when I first started school here. I know what I am talking about.

Pete: Well, maybe you are right. I guess I am headed for failure if I don’t start studying more.

Janine: Of course I’m right! I’ll even help you.

Janine: Thanks, Janine!

Meaning: To travel or go toward some destination; to set something or someone on a course toward some situation or condition (used passively).

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Old Enough To Be Your Mother/Father

Idiom: Old enough to be your mother/father

Example 1:

Jane met a guy who seemed like a perfect match on her favorite internet dating site, so she decided to meet him in person. But when she saw him, he was much older than the picture he had posted! She said she couldn't date someone who was old enough to be her father.

Example 2: 

Tina: I heard you're dating someone new?

Jim: Yeah, she's awesome.

Tina: I also heard she's older than you are?

Jim: A bit - she's 36.

Tina: Whoa! She's old enough to be your mother!  

Jim: She's not THAT much older. I'm 25.

Tina: Still, 11 years is a big age difference!  

Jim: She makes me happy, so that's all that matters.

Meaning: The expression "old enough to be (someone's) mother/father" means that another person is substantially older than the person in question.  The expression is used to point out a considerable age difference in dating situations, even when the person is not actually technically old enough to be a person's parent.

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The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Idiom: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Example 1:

The little boy saw his dad taking a nap, so he asked his mom if he could take one too. She said no and to wake his father, but when she got back, they were both asleep! "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" she said as she sighed.

Example 2:

Mother: I just got a call from our daughter's school.  One of us needs to go pick her up.

Father: Why? Is everything OK?

Mother: Apparently, she called her teacher a bad word.

Father: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?

Mother: I know, I should watch my language around her. 

Father: Well, I'll go get her. Don't want you teaching her any new vocabulary.

Meaning: The expression "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" means that a child is just like their mom or dad.

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Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Idiom: Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Example 1: 

Lisa: Did you see that new guy in class? He is SO cute!!

Tina: Oh, you mean James? Yes, he is very handsome! He is my brother's friend.

Lisa: I want to go out on a date with him.

Tina: Lisa, you are barking up the wrong tree!!

Lisa: What do you mean?

Tina: He is gay. He isn't interested in girls!

Example 2:

News Anchor: The police investigation revealed that Mr. Thompson was not guilty of committing the burglary. It was actually his neighbor who had committed the crime. The police finally realized that they were barking up the wrong tree by accusing Mr. Thompson.

Meaning: To waste your effort pursuing the wrong thing, person or path.

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Let Nature Take Its Course

Idiom: Let Nature Take Its Course

Example 1: 

My daughter Isabella is 17 years old. She just graduated from high school and I am worried about her. The thing is, she has never dated anyone. All her friends have gone on dates but her.

Should I try to help her? Or should I let nature take its course?

Example 2: 

Ted: My friend didn't study at all last term for his algebra class. I took the final exam one day before the rest of the class. After the exam, he wanted me to give him all of the answers.

Irene: He wanted you to cheat?! Well, did you give him the answers?

Ted: Oh, no. I let nature take its course: he failed the exam.

Meaning: To let nature take its course means to let things happen naturally with no interference from an outside source.

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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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