To Cuddle Up

Idiom: to cuddle up; used as a verb

First Example:

After a stressful day at work, Janelle just wanted to go home and cuddle up with her boyfriend; lying on the couch with him while watching TV always made her feel better.

Meaning: To "cuddle up" with someone means to get physically close with someone, often a romantic partner. The expression suggests relaxing together comfortably under a blanket or other covers. In the example above, Janelle wants to cuddle up with her boyfriend on the couch and relax. However, this idiom isn't always romantic, as in the following example.

Second Example:

Other children made fun of five-year-old Tommy at school, and he was crying when he got home. When he got home, he cuddled up with him mom in her favorite chair and took a nap in her arms.

Here, Tommy had a bad day at school, but his mother made it better by cuddling up with him in a chair while he fell asleep. Notice that the preposition "with" is usually used with "cuddle up." In addition to not always being romantic, one doesn't even always "cuddle up" with another person, as in the following example:

Second Example:

Andy had a really bad cold, so instead of going to work, he grabbed his favorite blanket and cuddled up with a good book. He felt great the next morning.

In addition to cuddling up with people, we can also "cuddle up" with a book (we usually say "a good book" in this case), which means to get warm under a blanket and read. The expression "curl up" can be substituted in this last case (as in, "curl up with a good book").

This idiom is from LSI's book "Reading Horizons," which is used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/

The Bottom Line

Idiom: The Bottom line

Example 1:

Tammy: I'm so excited about starting my new business! I've always dreamed of selling
clothing. Now, I'm decorating my store and setting up fashion displays.

Selma: That's great! I'm sure it's a lot of fun getting everything ready and fixing up the store; however, the bottom line is that you need to get a lot of customers to stay open.

Tammy: Yes, I know and I've been adverstising my grand opening in the local media. I hope it
works.

Selma: Good luck with everything!

Example 2:

Sammy formed a band this year called "The Black Cats" with his friends Jimmy and Frank. They like to play popular songs and often perform at different places during the weekends. Each member of the band has a regular job during the week. Sammy and Jimmy are lawyers, and Frank teaches ESL at LSI. The bottom line is that they all love music and want to play it. They don't care if they make a lot of money.

Meaning:
The Bottom Line means the most important fact or point of something. In the first example, Tammy has opened a new business and is talking about decorating her store. However, the most important fact for Tammy is that she brings in customers to buy what she is selling. In the second example, three guys form a band and play at different places on the weekend. It's not enough to make a living, but the most important thing for these guys is that they are doing what
they love, playing music.

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook
Reading Transitions. This book is used at LSI schools in the level
Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: http://www.languagesystems.com/

to pull one's own weight

to pull one's own weight; used as a verb

Example 1: Mario has been looking for a new job for about a month. He doesn't like his current job because he has to do all the work. The other people in his work do not pull their own weight, so he is really stressed out all the time. He would rather work at a job where each person pulls his own weight and does their assigned duties.

Meaning: to pull one's own weight means to do the work you are responsible for. In the first example, Mario doesn't like his work very much because other people at his work do not pull their own weight, meaning they do not do their share of the work.

Example 2: Tom, Bill and Fred decided to rent a house together a couple of months ago. However, Bill and Fred have asked Tom to move out because Tom just doesn't pull his own weight around the house. Bill and Fred have to do all the housework and Tom just sits around watching TV.

Meaning: In example 2, Tom is not doing his share of the housework, so he is not pulling his own weight around the house. His roommates are doing all the work, so they want Tom to move out.

This idiom is from LSI's book "Speaking Savvy," which is used in the Level 5 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com

To Cater To

To Cater To

Example 1:

Tammy: I just love that new restaurant on 9th street! It has the most delicious sandwiches!

Selma: I know! I went there with some friends from school last week. The best thing about the restaurant is that it caters to vegetarians, so we tried a variety of different types of dishes. Restaurants in this area usually only carry a few common vegetarian dishes, but this
restaurant had so many!

Tammy: Yes, I really want to go back there.


Example 2:

Kitty: I absolutely loved staying at that hotel on the coast. When I was there, the hotel employees catered to my every need. All I needed to do was ask.

Jolene:That must have been expensive! Usually hotels that offer a lot of services charge much more.

Kitty: Actually, it was not too expensive. I guess that hotel caters to young couples looking for a romantic weekend. It worked with us because my husband and I are definitely going back.

Jolene: Wow, I’ll have to check it out the next time I go out of town for the weekend.

Meaning:
To cater to means to supply what is wanted or needed. In the first example, the restaurant supplies food for vegetarians. In the second example, the hotel supplies a lot of services for people staying there. This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Reading Transitions. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes.
For more information, please visit: http://www.languagesystems.com/

To Network

To network

Example 1:
Tim: Wait just a minute. I’d like to update my Facebook page and add some more information to my profile.

Selene: Wow, you really spend a lot of time on Facebook! I know it’s interesting to see what your friends are doing, but don’t you get bored after a while?

Tim: Well, I don’t just use Facebook to keep in touch with my friends. I also use the site to network for work contacts. I’d really like to get a new job. I’ve joined some new Facebook groups connected to my job.

Selene: Really? I’ve never thought of that and I’ve been on Facebook for about two years. I use it to see what my friends are doing.

Tim: Well, these days more professionals are using social networking sites to network with other people in fields related to their jobs.


Example 2:
Kitty: I’m trying to raise money for homeless people and I’ve started a volunteer group to collect donations and bring food to the homeless.

Jolene: Really? That’s a wonderful idea! You should make a Facebook page for your group so that you can network with your contacts and get more help for your group.

Kitty: You’re right! I didn’t think about that before, but I have a lot of Facebook friends, so networking for my volunteer group on Facebook might be just the thing we need to help our group grow.

Meaning:
To Network means to meet or come in contact with other people to share information, contacts or other help or to communicate with and within a group. In the first example, Tim is using Facebook to network for a job. In the second example, Kitty is networking with all her friends on Facebook for a volunteer group that helps the homeless.

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Speaking Transitions. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 4 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com

Eye Candy

Example 1:

I love to go to Santa Monica on the weekends for many reasons. The first reason is shopping! The Promenade has the best shops. The second reason is food. Santa Monica has some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. Finally, the third reason is the eye candy! There are always such great looking people walking around. Santa Monica is awesome!

Example 2:

I don't really like soccer but I will go to a soccer game any time I have a chance. It might seem strange, but have you ever noticed all the eye candy at soccer games? The players, the fans, it's great!

Meaning:
eye candy is a very informal way to refer to an attractive person or an attractive group of people.

It's a fun expression that can be used in many situations
I go to the beach for the eye candy.
Look at all the eye candy at this party.
Is there a lot of eye candy there?This idiom comes from the LSI textbook Speaking Savvy. LSI teachers use this book to teach Level 5 Speaking/Listening. For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

to talk into

Example 1:

Marcy isn't coming with us to the Grand Canyon. She said that it was more important for her to stay in Los Angeles to work and study. I told her that it was going to be a really great experience and it might be her only chance to see if before she goes back to her country. Although I tried my best, I couldn't talk Marcy into going with us.

Example 2:

Hank: Hey, Frank! What are you going to do this weekend?

Frank: I don't have plans yet. Why? What are you going to do?

Hank: I have to move to my new apartment and I was hoping you could help me....

Frank: Oh.... that doesn't sound like fun.. I think I might be busy, actually. Yes, I have plans!

Hank: Come on, Frank! You are lying! If you help me, I will treat you to pizza and a movie after. And besides, Jena will be helping me, too..

Frank: Jena will be there?! OK, you talked me into it! See you on Saturday.


Meaning:
to talk into is a separable phrasal verb that is similar in meaning to the verb convince.

In the first example, one friend is trying to convince Marcy to join them on the trip, but at last, she couldn't convince her. She couldn't talk Marcy into going.

In the 2nd example, Hank convinces Frank to help him move by offering dinner and a movie, as well as a chance to spend time with Jena. Frank initially says no, but changes his mind after Hank gives him more information.

This idiom comes from the LSI textbook Speaking Transitions. LSI teachers use this book to teach Level 4 Speaking/Listening. For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com