Heavy Hitter

Heavy Hitter

Example 1:

Oprah Winfrey is considered a heavy hitter in her field.

Example 2:

Carlos: I’m excited to have Wendy working with us!!

Hoyeon: Why?

Carols: Have you seen her resume? She’s a real heavy hitter!

Meaning: someone who has achieved a lot and is very powerful

To Play Hardball

To Play Hardball

Example 1:

Things are getting a little tough so the president has decided to play hardball on this issue.

Example 2:

Jacob: Sam is such a nice teacher

Jake: Yes, but he’s also not afraid to play hardball when the class starts acting rowdy

Meaning: to act strong and aggressive about an issue with someone

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Travel Light

Example 1:

I'm going home for the holidays this year. I am so excited to see my family after 6 months of being here in America studying English. My classmate gave me good advice for my trip. She advised Itravel light. She explained that if I take just a small amount of luggage, I can save money on the flight fee and also have a lot of space to bring back my favorite things from my country! This is such a good idea because there are so many things I want to bring back to America with me, so if I travel light, I'll have space in my luggage to bring it back with me!

Example 2:

John: Mike, are you ready for our camping trip?

Mike: I sure am! I've got the tent, the sleeping bag, the portable TV, the portable DVD player, the generator...

John: Mike! Have you ever been camping before? We won't need a TV or a DVD player! We'll be enjoying nature. And besides, it's always best to travel light when camping. We'll have to hike up to the campsite from the car. We can't carry so much!

Mike: Oh, I see. OK. I guess I have to go home and repack my things....

Explanation:

To travel light means to pack only a little luggage for a trip. 

In Example 1, the student will travel light in order to leave space to bring back souvenirs.

In Example 2, John tells Mike that it's important to travel light when camping because they will be hiking.

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head back to one’s hometown

Context #1

Gary: What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year?

Chris: Well, normally we go to my parents' place. But this year we're heading back to my wife's hometown in Nebraska.

Gary: Nebraska? I hope you have a nice warm jacket to take with you.

Context #2

Amanda: How do you celebrate the Chinese New Year in China?

Yi Fei: Well, a lot of people head back to their hometown to spend time with their family.

"head back to one's hometown" is a common American idiom that means "to return to one's hometown."

Leftovers

Context #1

Jim: Man! We cooked a huge turkey last night for Thanksgiving!

Todd: So I guess you had a lot of leftovers.

Jim: Yeah! I'm going to be eating turkey sandwiches for the next week.

Context #2

Sarah: We had a really nice Thanksgiving potluck party at my work today.

Chrissy: Did a lot of people bring food?

Sarah: Yeah, everybody did a great job. In fact, I even got to bring home some leftovers.

"leftovers" is a term used to describe the extra food that you have after a party or meal. A lot of Americans like to take home the leftovers and then eat them the next day.

Off the grid

Example 1:

Jason: I think the most logical thing we could do is keep a low profile and stay off the grid.

James: That’s not my style Jason.  I know some people like to do that, but I need to be social.

Jason: I’m not saying that’s fun, but just to get away from things for some time.

James: Getting off the grid means my social life would be dead.  I’m sorry, but I need massive

human interaction.


Example 2:

Griz: I was thinking of a vacation to the Andes of South America.

Leslie: Would we be off the grid?

Griz:  That’s the idea.

Leslie:  Good luck with that.  I’m not giving up my comforts and friends to go climb some

mountains.  I don’t like camping.

Ted:  You should really reconsider.  I think it would be good to get away from all this technology

and from people in general.

Leslie:  You should do it.  That way you can be alone in the mountains and I can be alone at

home.  Yay!  It works for the both of us.  Have fun!


Meaning: to be away from anything relating to media, television, radio, electricity, etc.  To

get off the grid means to be in a remote outdoor place with no access to any services most

people depend on.  Some people who don’t depend on electric companies, grow their own food,

don’t use motorized vehicles that run on petroleum can be considered off the grid.


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Doubleheader

Example 1:

Johnny: Hey Daniel, are you really going to compete in a doubleheader? Isn’t your leg hurt?

Daniel: Don’t worry Johnny, I know one competition right after the other might sound crazy, but I can handle it.

Johnny: What if someone sweeps your leg or something?

Daniel: It wouldn’t be the first time.  Besides, if I can win both competitions in one day, I’ll get even more famous.

Example 2:

Bill: We should totally give a presentation on History.

Ted: No way dude! How about a presentation on time travel?

Bill:  Dude, you thinking what I’m thinking?

Bill & Ted:  Presentation Doubleheader!  Excellent!

Ted:  But Bill, wouldn’t that take a lot of work.  I mean one presentation after the other sounds 

difficult.  A doubleheader will need lots of presenters.  Maybe we can dress people up in costumes.

Bill:  That’s awesome.  And I can have my stepmom and little brother can help us prepare.  

Meaning: Two events, presentations, movies, etc. happening one after the other.  Usually there’s a short time between both events, but they are both happening the same day.

For more information visit www.languagesystems.edu