Around the Bend

Idiom: around the bend

Meaning: to be coming soon (an event or time of year); upcoming

 

Context #1 – Betty and Sergio are talking about the upcoming vacation

Sergio: This has been a difficult term at school. I can’t wait until vacation!

Betty: Well, you won’t have to wait long. The break is just around the bend and I have some really fun activities planned!

Sergio: Really?

Betty: Yes. I think you will like where we are going. But I’m keeping everything a secret so that you will be surprised.

Sergio: No way! Vacation is just around the bend and I have very little time to plan. What if I need to bring a bathing suit or hiking boots? I need to know.

Betty: No worries! I will make sure you have everything you need.

Context #2 – It is October 2016 and two friends are talking about the upcoming presidential election in November.

Darline: I can’t believe how fast time goes by. The election is right around the bend and we need to vote for our next president. Do you know who you will vote for yet?

Kenji: No, I think that I need a little more time and there is not much of a choice. One of the candidates just insults everyone and the other one is a career politician who only cares about power.

Darline: Well, it may seem hopeless, but we should still vote. It’s not only the presidential election, but other important elections for the House and Senate are also around the bend.

Kenji: Yes, I know. Maybe our votes will make a difference in those elections.

Darline: I certainly hope so!

Meaning: The idiom “around the bend” means upcoming or coming soon in American English. Sometimes “around the corner” can have the same meaning when discussing upcoming events or seasons. For example, in Context 1, they are talking about their upcoming vacation. In Context 2, they are talking about the presidential election which is just around the bend. Please note that in British English, the definition for this idiom is crazy or mentally unstable. For example. “I think this stressful job is sending me around the bend,” which means the job is making me crazy.

To Fall Into Place

Idiom: to fall into place

Meaning: to begin to make sense;  to happen in a satisfactory way without problems; to understand something that was not understandable before; to solve the problem

Context #1 – Bethany is finishing her first day on the job

Lars: I’m so glad you got a job here. How do you like it? Is everything OK?

Bethany: Well, I like it now. At first I was really confused about how I was supposed to take orders over the phone and that really stressed me out.

Lars: Oh no! You should have told me. We have support material for new people who are just learning on the job.

Bethany: Yes, I know. I asked Martha what to do and she gave me a script and other support material. Then, things began to fall into place, and I finally understood what to do.

Lars: Whew! That’s good. I really want you to like it here.

Bethany: No worries! After everything fell into place, I am stress-free and happy!

Context #2 – Two fans are watching a basketball game and discussing their favorite team

Donna: Wow! I can’t believe how differently the team is playing today compared to just last week when they completely fell apart and lost by 20 points.

Carlos: I know! It’s like a miracle. I guess the changes the coach made in the team lineup and the new plays really made things fall into place for the team.

Donna: You can say that again! Look at all the shots they are making, and they are getting almost all of the rebounds!

Carlos: Yes, it is fun to watch.

Donna: Well, I’m really glad that everything fell into place for the team before they lost too many games. We might even go to the playoffs this year!

Meaning: The idiom “to fall into place” means to make sense of something that previously was not understandable or to organize something efficiently to make it more understandable. In Context 1, Bethany was confused about her job duties, but when a co-worker helped her, everything fell into place. In Context 2, when the team became more organized and together, everything fell into place and they started playing well.  

to scrape together

Idiom: to scrape together (used as a verb)

First Example:

The college students didn't think they'd have enough money to pay their rent. They sold some stuff and borrowed from their parents and they finally scraped together what they needed just in time.

Meaning: The expression "to scrape together" means to gather together or make something with difficulty.  The expression is used when trying to collect enough of something from limited resources. Most commonly, as in the case above, it's used with money.

Second Example:

            Christina: There's nothing to eat. Want to order a pizza?

            Lisa: I'd rather save money. What's in the cupboard? Maybe we can scrape something together.

            Christina: Not much. There's some pasta.

            Lisa: Great! Is there any olive oil?

            Christina: Yeah, I think so. 

            Lisa: And this tomato is good. We have dinner!

           

Meaning: In the second example, Lisa says that they can "scrape something together", meaning dinner.  This means that despite Christina saying there is nothing to eat, Lisa thinks they can gather together enough food to make them dinner. Also notice that the expression can be separated with a noun.

to live within one's means

Idiom: to live within one's means (used as a verb)

First Example:

Angela is in debt. She hasn't been living within her means this past year, using credit cards to pay for everything. Now she has to move back into her parents' house so she can save money on rent and use it pay off her credit cards instead.

Meaning: The expression "to live within one's means" means to only spend the money you have.  In the example above, Angela was not living within her means, so she built up excessive debt.

Second Example:

            Tim: Hey, want to hang out tonight? I heard about this great new restaurant

            Brad: No, I'm trying to save money, so I'm not going out to eat.

            Tim: But you can go out occasionally.

            Brad: I've been focusing on living within my means. I paid off all my credit cards, and I don't want any more debt.

            Tim: That's responsible of you. 

            Brad: But if you want, we can still hang out. We can make dinner at my place.

            Tim: That sounds cool. What time should I come by? 

Meaning: In the second example, Brad says that he is trying to live within his means. He has paid off his debts and is trying to avoid any more.  This means that he will only spend what he has. 

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To Paint the Town Red

verb, expression - to go out and have fun, have a good time.

Use: William and Cheryl stand outside a convenience store. Cheryl scratches a lottery ticket.

William: I wish we could get out and do something fun tonight. But I don't get paid until next week!

Cheryl: I won! I won! $10,000!

William: Are you kidding?

Cheryl: Come on! I'm going to cash this in and we're going to paint the town red!

In the example, Cheryl is planning to get her lottery money and celebrate (have fun) with William. Thus, they are going to paint the town red.

Iain McConnell, APC #DTLA

For more information about Language Systems, please visit languagesystems.edu

Party Pooper

A person or thing that spoils a good time or ruins a good mood.

Use: Jo and Kendra are discussing an upcoming event...

Jo: Kendra, are you going to invite Lisa to your birthday?

Kendra: I would like to, but do you remember the last time we were all together? She wouldn't stop talking about how angry her boyfriend made her.

Jo: True. She was a real party pooper. We were having a great time until she arrived.

In the example, Jo and Kendra talk about how they were having until Lisa arrived. In other words, Lisa's complaining about her boyfriend killed their fun. That is why Lisa is a party pooper.

-- Iain McConnell, APC Language Systems #DTLA

For more information about Language Systems please visit www.languagesystems.edu

Raining Cats and Dogs

Idiom: Raining Cats and Dogs

Example 1:

I didn't expect this kind of weather. It's raining cats and dogs and I forgot my umbrella. Needless to say, I'm going to get soaked on my way home. Hopefully I won't catch a cold!

Example 2:

Looks like we have to reschedule the picnic. Forecasters predict really heavy rains this weekend. We won't have any fun in the park if it's raining cats and dogs!

Meaning: Raining cats and dogs is a playful expression to describe very heavy rain. This expression is usually used with "it."

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