Go with the flow

Example 1:

Cody: Wow! This is such a fancy party. I’m not sure that I’ll know who to talk to or what to talk about.

Jada: Don’t think about it too much, just go with the flow. I’m sure you’ll find interesting people and have interesting conversations.

Cody: You think so? I hope I don’t get too shy.

Jada: I’m sure everyone feels that way here.

Example 2:

Lucy: I went out with Karl last week and I wasn’t sure how he felt about me.

Kathrin: So what did you do? Did you guys have a good time? Did you have great conversations?

Lucy: I just went with the flow and everything turned out great. I think he likes me.

Explanation:

To go with the flow means to follow whatever the situation is or whatever people are doing. In the first example, Cody wasn’t sure how to interact with people at an upscale party; to which Jada replied that he should just do whatever everyone was doing or go with the flow. In the second example, Lucy explains that she didn’t know how her date felt about her, but after following his lead, or his actions (went with the flow), she discovered that he liked her.

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Horse of a different color

Example 1:

Jason: I was looking to ask May out on Friday. What do you think?

Freddy: Finally, you keep talking about her but you never actually do anything about it.

Jason: It’s not so much that I am afraid of asking her out; it’s her brother I’m worried about. That’s a horse of a different color. He’s always intimidating people asking his sister out.

Freddy: Yeah, good luck with that.

   

Example 2:

Alexa: Do you think we should go to Europe like we planned? Or should we go to Asia?

Axel: Whoa, going to Asia? That’s a horse of a different color. I think you should really consider where you really want to go because Europe and Asia are two very different places.

Explanation:

A horse of a different color means that something or someone are completely different things or choices. In the first example, Jason was trying to explain May and May’s brother as completely different people with different personalities to deal with. Although the two people are siblings, they are different in many ways.  In the second example, it seems that Alexa was initially thinking about visiting Europe, but after further consideration, she began to wonder about Asia. Axel explains that they are completely different places and that she should really consider the choices before making a decision. 

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Keep me in the loop/ be in the loop

Example 1:

Seth: So what’s happening for Marty’s birthday on Friday?

John: We’re meeting at 6 pm for dinner at the new restaurant in downtown. Do you know which one it is?

Seth: Yes, I’ve seen it but I can’t remember the name. Anyway, I’ll be there! Keep me in the loop in case anything changes.

John: Sure thing. See you!

Example 2:

Marty: Hey, John! Thanks for organizing this awesome dinner for my birthday. I just wish Seth could have made it. I was hoping he would be here.

John: Oh, yeah. That’s totally my fault. I didn’t keep him in the loop once we changed locations. He didn’t know we moved the party. I’m sorry.

Marty: I’ll give him a call. We’re just starting, so there’s a chance he can still come.

Explanation:

To keep someone in the loop is to keep them informed/updated on a plan or project. In the first example, Seth asks John to keep him in the loop / keep him informed about Marty’s party. In example 2, John admits that he didn’t keep Seth in the loop, meaning he didn’t give him the updates on the party changes, so he missed it.

You can also use this expression with the be-verb instead of keep.

Sean is in the loop. He has all the updated information.

Seth wasn’t in the loop. He didn’t get the new address for the party.

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To be under fire

Idiom: to be under fire; used as a verb

First Example:

Jen: What's going on in the office? It seems like everyone is being really secretive.

Tom: I heard that Hank Silva is under fire for lying to clients.       

Jen: What?!

Tom: I don't know all the info, but a number of clients have complained that they were promised more than they received. Some of the clients and even other employees are demanding he be fired, but management is doing an internal investigation.

Meaning: The expression "the be under fire" means that a person is being criticized. In the above example, Tom says that Hank is "under fire" because he's being criticized by clients and other employees. The expression comes from warfare, where "under fire" means that a person is under attack. However, the expression is now also used when someone is just being attacked verbally with criticism. The word "come" is also often used with "under fire" when discussing a situation when someone has recently "come under fire," as in the next example.

Second Example:

The politician recently came under fire after she made a controversial statement about immigration. Party officials attacked her for her statement, and many voters in her district are demanding an apology.

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10 Uses of "Hot"

In honor of the weather in Los Angeles this week, here are ten different ways Americans use the word "hot."

1. at a very high temperature; capable of burning

Wife: Be careful near the stove! It's hot. I just cooked something.

Husband: Thanks for the warning! I wouldn't want to burn myself.

2. at a temperature higher than normal

Mom: Your forehead is so hot!

Son: Does that mean I don't have to go to school?

Mom: With a fever like that, you have to go back to bed.

3. spicy

Mina: I love Thai food. I'm going to order "drunken noodles" very hot.

Tim: I can't eat anything too spicy. Can we order it medium?

4. intense emotion

Robert: Wow! Did you see Tina yell at that guy in the parking lot?

Michelle: Yeah! I didn't realize she had such a hot temper.

5. popular

Ingrid: Did you get Beyoncé tickets?

Todd: I couldn't. She's so hot right now, they sold out instantly.

6. causing a lot of new interest

George: How was Coachella?

Kimberly: It was amazing. And I saw the hottest band early Saturday afternoon. Everyone was talking about their performance the rest of the day. I think they're going to be huge in a couple years.

7. stolen

Jason: So Steve just called me from jail. He got arrested.

Karen: Really? What happened?

Jason: He was with a friend who was driving a hot car.

Karen: Did Steve know it was stolen?

Jason: I don't think so. Want to go with me to bail him out of jail?

8. attractive

Karla: Your trainer is so hot! He's gorgeous!

Hailey: Why do you think I've been coming to the gym so much lately?

9. attracted to

Hailey: Remember my trainer?

Karla: The gorgeous one? How could I forget?

Hailey: Turns out, he's hot for me too. We're going on a date tonight.

Karla: I'm so jealous! Have fun!

10. very good (often used with "not" in a negative way)

Nicole: How are you feeling?

Eric: Not so hot. I think I'm going to take today off work and go to the doctor.

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On the Spur of the Moment

On the spur of the moment: to do something suddenly or without planning     

Context #1 

Two students talking after class

Vinnie: Hey, Megan. How was your weekend?

Megan: It was fantastic! We spent the weekend hanging out at Huntington Beach. It was so relaxing.

Vinnie: Wow, I didn't know that you had planned a weekend at the beach.

Megan: I didn't plan it at all. My roommate just decided to go there on the spur of the moment and asked me to come along. It took very little to persuade me!

Context #2 

Two friends are talking in a coffee shop

Sam:  Hey, Pete. I saw you yesterday with Francesca at that new restaurant on Wilshire Blvd. How did you get a date with her? She is beautiful and smart!

Pete:  Well, I still can't believe we went out. I'm always so nervous around her. On Friday, I just happened to see her after class and asked her out to dinner on the spur of the moment. 

Sam: And she said "yes" right away?

Pete: She didn't even hesitate! I'm so glad I took the chance and asked her out because she is a really nice person. I want to ask her out again, but next time I'll plan it.

Meaning: “On the spur of the moment” means to do something suddenly or without a plan. In Context 1, Megan and her roommate decided to spend the weekend at the beach without any previous planning, or on the spur of the moment. In Context 2, Pete had not planned to ask Francesca out, but he did it on the spur of the moment and she said "yes."

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On a Shoestring

Idiom: On a Shoestring – with a very small amount of money    

  

Context #1 

Two student talking after class

Vickey: Hey, Mac. Do you know if that part-time position at the bookstore on campus is still available?

Mac: I’m not sure. Don’t you already work part-time at a restaurant and you are a full-time student?

Vickey: Yes, but I’ve been living on a shoestring for the past year and I really need to make more money in order to pay the rent.

Mac: I know how you feel. I lived on a shoestring all through college. When I finally graduated and found a high-paying job, it was such a relief. Let’s walk over to the bookstore now and check on that part-time job.

Context #2 

Two friends are talking about the restaurant where they work

Sierra:  Wow, it has been so slow the past few months. The boss cut my hours again this week. Now, I’m only working 3 hours a day during the evening shift.

Peter:  Yes, me too. I guess they are running this restaurant on a shoestring until the business gets better. They even cut down on the number of items on the menu in order to save money.

Sierra: Well, I hope it gets better soon. At this rate, I’ll need to find another part-time job.

Meaning: “On a shoestring” means to do something, like run a business or manage one’s budget, with very little money.  In context #1, Vickey is looking for another part-time job because she is living on a shoestring budget and needs to make more money to pay rent. In context #2, Sierra and Peter are working at a restaurant that must run on very little money since business is down. 

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