"to work up to it"

Example 1:

Karen: Hey Naomi, how's your new yoga class going?

Naomi: It's awesome! It helps me relax so much and I'm getting in shape too...!

Karen: Cool! I tried yoga once, but the poses were so hard--my body is not that flexible.

Naomi: Yeah, I've been learning a new pose this week--the crow! I have to work up to it slowly because I need to get stronger and I don't want to injure myself!


Example 2:

Tom: Hi April, how's your friend Lisa doing?

April: Hi Tom! She's fine.... Why do you ask?

Tom: To be honest, I really like her. I'm working up to asking her out on a date... do you think she'll go out with me?

April: I don't know--you should ask her!


Meaning: to build slowly or progress to something, especially when you are not able to do it yet and need to develop strength or skills first.

In Example 1, Naomi talks about starting slow in her yoga pose to become flexible and strong enough to do it correctly or easily. She doesn't want to push herself until she is ready because she wants to avoid an injury.

In Example 2, Tom is shy and nervous about asking Lisa (April's friend) on a date. He's been thinking about it and is building up the courage to ask her out.

Usage notes: "work up to it" means "work up to something." Note that this idiom form is "work up to + noun." So, you can use the gerund (verb + ing) in this idiom too! See Example 2: "working up to asking her out...."


The idiom "to work up to it" was taken from Unit 5 (At the Beach) in LSI's textbook Speaking Transitions for Level 4 Listening/Speaking classes.

to be on the same page

Idiom: to be on the same page: used as an expression
First example: Tracy and Derek own a clothing company.  They have to make a lot of important decisions every day.  They talk to each other about each decision that they make. Most of the time, they agree with one another.  If they are not on the same page about a decision, they continue to talk about it until they both agree.

Meaning: “To be on the same page” means “to agree with.”  When two people are on the same page, they agree with each other.  In this case, Tracy and Derek have to work together to make their company successful.  Usually, they are on the same page with the decisions they make.  However, sometimes they disagree with each other.  In these situations, they keeping discussing the issue until they both support the same idea.

Here is another example:
Second example:

Tammy: Matt, did you talk to Lisa about the ski trip next month?

Matt:  I did.  She wants us to drive everyone because we have the biggest cars.

Tammy: Yeah, that’s ok, but she doesn’t want to pay us for the gas.  She expects us to pay for all the gas for the entire trip.

Matt:  That’s not fair!  I’ll bet gas will cost us at least $100 for the trip.

Tammy: I know!  I told Lisa that I won’t drive unless everyone gives me $15 for gas.  She got really mad at me.

Matt:  I’ll talk to her.  You and I are on the same page about the gas money.  If we both refuse to pay for the gas, she’ll have to pay us… or find someone else to drive.

Tammy:  Thanks, Matt.  I’m glad we agree with each other on this.

Meaning: In this situation, a ski trip is being planned.  Lisa wants Tammy and Matt to drive and pay for all the gas.  Both Tammy and Matt feel that this is not fair.  Because they are on the same page about the issue, Lisa will probably have to change her mind and pay them some money for gas.

This idiom is from LSI's soon-to-be-published book "Speaking Horizons," which will be used in the level 6 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com

to take into account

Idiom: To take into account; used as a verb

First example: Susan wanted to buy a new car that cost thirty thousand dollars. The salesman told her that she could get a car loan, but she would have to pay $500 a month for the next five years. Susan took the high loan payments into account and decided to buy a used car instead.

Meaning: “To take into account” generally means to win to consider something or think about the important points of an issue. In this situation, Susan wanted to buy a car. She originally chose an expensive new car. However, she thought about the high monthly payments and realized it was not the best decision for her. She took into account the fact that a used car would cost her less each month.

Here is another example:

Second example: This year, a new president will be elected for the country. Men from two different political parties want to win the election. Before the voters make a choice, they have to take into account each candidate’s political ideas and experience. Then the voters can select the person they think will do the best job.

Meaning: In this case, people are making a very important decision about who will lead the country. They need to take into account a lot of information. After the voters consider all of the information, then they will be able to choose the person they want to win.

This idiom is from LSI's soon-to-be-published book "Speaking Horizons," which will be used in the level 6 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com

Stop and Smell the Roses

Example 1:

Mark: Hi, Joanne. You look a little tired. Are you OK?

Joanne: Hey, Mark. Yeah, I'm all right. I have been really busy recently. My new job is pretty demanding and I've got a few big projects to complete for school. I haven't been sleeping very well, but I'll be OK.

Mark: It's good to be busy, but make sure you stop and smell the roses! You don't want to make yourself sick. 

Example 2: 

I have a great job and it requires me to work many hours each week. Although I really enjoy my job, I have to remember to stop and smell the roses from time to time. Life isn't just about work. It's important to stop and appreciate the simple things in life.

Meaning:

Stop and smell the roses is a common English expression that can be used as friendly advice to someone who may be working too much or too hard.

If you take a break (stop) and enjoy the simple pleasures in life (and smell the roses), everything can be a little more enjoyable!

This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook titled "Reading Foundations"  This book is used at LSI to teach the Level 2 Reading/Vocabulary class.  For more informatioin please visit www.languagesystems.com

I Wouldn't Say That

Example 1:

Ron: Hey Sally, let's see a movie at the theater tonight.

Sally: That's a great idea! What should we see?

Ron: I really want to see the new "Rambo" movie! It looks awesome!

Sally: Hmm, could we see that movie another day? I don't want to watch an action movie.

Ron: Oh, OK. I didn't know you hated action movies.

Sally: I wouldn't say that. Tonight just seems like a good night for a comedy. 

Example 2:

Student 1: More homework?! This teacher isn't fair. I think she hates us.

Student 2: I wouldn't say that. I think she just wants us to practice as much as we can. 

Explanation:

I wouldn't say that is a very polite way to disagree with someone's comment. You can add a comment to explain why you disagree. 

In Example 1, Ron thinks Sally hates action movies. Sally politely disagrees with him and explains that she would rather see a comedy movie. 

Ron: Oh, OK. I didn't know you hated action movies. (Sally disagrees with this)

Sally: I wouldn't say that. Tonight just seems like a good night for a comedy. (Sally explains why she disagrees)

In Example 2, Student 1 thinks the teacher is too strict because she assigns a lot of homework. Student 2 disagrees and offers a different point of view.

This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook titled "Speaking Transitions"  This book is used at LSI to teach the Level 4 Speaking class.  For more informatioin please visit www.languagesystems.com

A bunch of

Idiom: a bunch of

Context #1:

Jim: I need to go to the store to get some pens for my class.

Steve: Really? I have a bunch of extra pens. I can give you like 10 if you want.

Jim: Are you sure? That would be great. Thanks! It'll save me a trip to the store.

Steve: No problem!

Context #2:

Jenny: Hey Cindy, can you do me a big favor? Next week I need a ride to the airport.

Cindy: Next week? No problem! Next week is the beginning of my summer vacation so I will have a bunch of free time.

Jenny: Awesome! I really appreciate it! I'll buy you lunch.

Cindy: Thanks!

Meaning: "a bunch of" is a very common idiom in American English. It has the same meaning as "a lot of" and it can be followed by both non-count nouns and plural count nouns. This can be seen in the two examples above.

 

This idiom comes from the LSI book "Speaking Savvy," which is used to teach Level 5 Speaking classes at LSI schools. For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

 

Ty

To Skip Something

Idiom:  to skip something

Context #1:

Jerry:  Man, I am so hungry.
Sam: Well, didn't you eat lunch?
Jerry:  That's the problem.  I was so busy at work today that I had to skip lunch.
Sam:  You should keep some snacks at work for next time you are really busy.
Jerry:  Good idea!

Context #2:

Sara: Why didn't you come to class yesterday?
Jane:  Well, my friend has two tickets to Disneyland and she said I could have one of them for free!
Sara:  So you skipped class and went to Disneyland?
Jane:  Yeah, I couldn't say no. 

Meaning:  to skip something means that you do not do something or choose not to do something.  It is a very common idiom in American English. 

This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook titled "Speaking Savvy."  This book is used at LSI to teach the Level 5 Speaking class.  For more informatioin please visit www.languagesystems.com

Ty