to be/get tied up

to be/get tied up

Context #1:

Tom:  What happened to you yesterday?  You were supposed to go out to dinner with me and Jeff?

Jerry: Well, I got tied up at work and I couldn't leave my office until it was like 10pm.

Tom: Oh, we were worried.  Next time just call us and let us know if something comes up.



Context #2:

Sara: Do you want to go to the beach with us this Saturday?

Jill: Oh, I would love to, but my friend is moving and I'm going to be tied up helping her pack and move.

Sara: Alright maybe next time!

Meaning:  to be/get tied up is an American idiom that means someone is busy doing something.  When this idiom is followed by a very phrase it must be followed by a gerund (see context #2 above).

This idiom was taken from LSI's book Speaking Savvy, which is used to teach the Level 5 Speaking class at LSI schools.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

“to go back” vs. “to come back”

“to go back” vs. “to come back”

These two phrasal verbs are often confused because they both mean “to return,” but they are used in different ways, so you have to be careful!

Basically, “to go back” means to return home (your house, your apartment, your country, your city, etc.). However, “to come back” means to go somewhere else, and then return to the same place where they were when they said the statement.

Here is an example:

“After I finish my studies at L.S.I., I will go back to Italy and see my family and friends again. I hope I can come back to Los Angeles someday, but I don’t know when I can do that,” said Claudio, an Italian student who is in L.A. right now.

So, in other words, “to go back” means to return home and stay there, usually for a long time.

“To come back” means to go to a different place (anywhere, it don’t have to be home) and return to the same area he/she is standing when the sentence was said.

Posted by Paul G.

Off the Top of My Head

Off the top of my head

Read the following dialogue and try to guess the meaning of the idiom in bold:

Joe: “ Hey, Mary. Do you know your sister’s phone number?”

Mary: “ Not off the top of my head. I have to check my phone.”

Joe: “Would you mind checking? I really need to talk to her!”

Mary: “Is everything ok?”

Joe: “ Well, I am in love with her and need to tell her…”

Mary: “ Joe, how many times have you met her?!”

Joe: “ Off the top of my head, I guess once or twice.”

Mary: “And you love her already? How about me? We’ve known each other for at least 7seven years!”

Joe: “ But, Mary… You are so different from her.”

Mary: “ What? What are you talking about, Joe? She’s my twin sister!”

Meaning:

Off the top of my head: to say something without thinking about it for very long.

"all in a day's work"

Example 1:

Karen: So, you're doing yoga now, and what else?

Naomi: Well, I'm taking a cooking class and teaching English to private students. Today was a little crazy because I had to schedule private students in between my own classes. Remember, I'm finishing my Master's degree too.

Karen: Wow, Naomi! How do you do it?

Naomi: Oh, it's nothing! All in a day's work!



Example 2:

Tom: So, do you have any plans for the weekend?

April: Yes, I do! I'm going to have some friends over and we're going to barbecue...! How 'bout you?

Tom: Nice! Yes, I'm going out of town, but first I have to finish my reports. They're due by 5.

April: All in a day's work, right Tom?

Tom: Yup! Exactly.


Meaning: nothing special, expected and normal

In Example 1, Naomi is used to having a busy schedule, so doing all these things is normal for her!

In Example 2, Tom has to finish his reports before he can leave for the weekend and April is assuring him that it's expected. Sometimes we use "all in a day's work" as an ironic comment when something is unpleasant, but a normal situation.



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

"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