On Hand

Meaning: Present; available

Example 1:

Terri: Did you just see that used car with the “For Sale” sign parked over there? It’s a gorgeous car and it looks like new!

 Selma: Yes, I did. I called the number on the sign and talked to the owner. The mileage is really low and it drives perfectly.

 Terri: Well, you’ve been looking for a car. Why don’t you buy it?

 Selma: That’s just the problem. The owner needs to sell it fast, and he is willing to negotiate the price. But, he wants cash only.

 Terri: There’s a bank right down the street.

 Selma: Yes, I know, but I still don’t have that much cash on hand to pay for the car today and I’m afraid someone else will buy it if I wait until I can get the cash.

 Terri: I wish that I had enough cash on hand to lend to you because that is a really good deal for a car. Maybe you could borrow from your roommate?

 Selma: Yes, she might have enough cash on hand because she is really good at saving money. I think I’ll call her right now.

Example 2:

Ken: Oh, the kids are so bored and it’s summer! We have to do something. Can we play a game?

Jolene: Well…We could play volleyball at the beach, but I don’t think we have enough people on hand to make two complete teams.

Ken: I see. Why don’t we just play Frisbee at the beach. Do we have enough Frisbees on hand for 6 kids?

Jolene: Yes, I think we do. Also, Mrs. Smith already lives right on the beach and she is willing to watch the kids while they play.

Ken: That makes me feel better to have an extra person on hand to help with the kids. They can get pretty wild at times.

Meaning:
To be on hand means that someone or something is available or ready to be used. In example one, they are talking about having cash or money on hand. In example two, they talk about having people and things on hand to play at the beach.

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Reading Horizons. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 6 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com

To Borrow From

To Borrow From

Meaning: to take another idea and add it to your own

 Example 1:

Terri: I’m so excited! My cousin is coming in from out of town and I want to show her around LA, but I want to take her to someplace different, not just the typical tourist places.

Selma: What is she interested in?

Terri: Well, let’s see….She is actually studying architecture at New York University, but I can’t imagine LA has any interesting buildings compared to New York!

Selma: Actually, there are a few places you could take her that have really nice examples of Art Deco like The Wiltern, The El Ray Theater and even on the Queen Mary in Long Beach!

Terri: Art Deco? What exactly is it?

Selma: It’s a unique style of architecture from the 1920s and 1930s that borrowed styles from ancient cultures like Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Terri: Really? Well, I’m sure that would be interesting for an architecture major, especially a style that borrowed from so many other cultures.

Example 2:

Ken: I just saw a really interesting report on TV.

Jolene: Really? What was it about?

Ken: Well, they were talking about how so many of the words in English are borrowed from other languages.

Jolene: I thought that English was the “international language” and that other languages borrowed from English.

Ken: That may be the case now, but originally English borrowed many of its words from Latin. Also, a large number of words were borrowed from Greek and French.

Jolene: Hmmm….interesting!

Meaning:
To borrow from means to take another idea from someone or something and make it your own idea. In example 1, the style “Art Deco” borrowed from other ancient styles to make its own unique style. In example 2, the English language also borrowed from other languages to form modern English.

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Reading Connections. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 3 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com

To Take Something Back

To Take Something Back

Meaning: to say that something you said before is not true

Example 1:

Terri: I feel just awful! I told some friends at a party last week that Cindy was cheating on her husband because I saw her having dinner with another man at a really nice restaurant. However, I just found out today that the man was her brother who was visiting her for the weekend.

Selma: Oh, no! How many people did you tell? It is going to be so hard to take it back. I bet people have been gossiping about this for a week!

Terri: Yes, I know! I really wish I could take back everything I said, but I’m afraid it’s impossible. But I’m going to try. I’m going to call everyone at the party to tell them I was wrong.

Selma: That’s going to take a lot of time. Good luck!

Terri: Thanks, I’ll need it.

Example 2:

Ken: Jolene, could I talk to you in private for just a moment?

Jolene: Umm…I don’t know, Ken. I’m still a little upset about last night.

Ken: I know. I just want to tell you that I had a little too much to drink at the restaurant and I didn’t mean the things I said.

Jolene: What? Do you really think you can take back what you said about me? Maybe your true feelings were showing when you said that I am just a spoiled little rich girl!

Ken: If I could take it all back I would! I really didn’t mean it, Jolene. Please believe me!

Jolene: I just can’t forget what you said! Maybe you should be more careful from now on. It’s so difficult to take back the things you tell people, especially the insults.

Ken: I know and I hope you can forgive me someday….

Meaning:
To take back means to say that something you said in the past is not true. In the first example, Terri told a lot of people that Cindy was having an affair. Those people will tell other people and pretty soon many people will think she is having an affair. However, it is not true, but it will be very hard to take back this piece of gossip because so many people have heard it. In the second example, Ken said something very hurtful to Jolene. Because of this, Jolene cannot forget his words and will not forgive him. Ken cannot take back his words.

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Reading Connections. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 3 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com

in the long run

Example 1:

Carly: I don't want to study anymore! I have been a student for too long! I should just quit school.

Mary: Carly! Don't be crazy! I know school can be difficult, but it will be worth it in the long run. Trust me.  

Carly: I know. You're probably right. 

Example 2:

Many children don't enjoy eating vegetables. It's important for parents to show children that eating a balanced diet will improve their overall health in the long run. Children may have trouble understanding this, and are only focused on the present. 

Meaning:

in the long run means in the future. This idiom is often used when the present situation is not ideal or is uncertain, as in examples 1& 2.

In example 1, Carly doesn't want to study now, but Mary reminds her that studying now will give her an advantage in the future.

In example 2, children don't know (or care) that vegetables will benefit them in the future. They are only concerned about the present. 

This idiom can be found in Reading Transitions. This book is used in the Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary class. To learn more, please visit www.languagesystems.com

 

to fake it

Example 1:

My boyfriend loves action movies, but I prefer romantic comedies. He gets so excited when we go to the theater to see the newest action movie. I don't want to make him feel bad, so I fake it and act excited, too.

Example 2:

Bonnie: Shhh! Look, little Joey is sleeping. Let's be very quiet. I don't want to wake him up. 

Amanda: OK, I'll be quiet.

Joey: HAHA! I tricked you! I'm not sleeping!

Bonnie: Joey! You were faking it! You tricked us!

Meaning:

Remember the word fake (adj) means "not real."
The idiom to fake it means to pretend, and is used as a verb. 

In example 1, the speaker's excitement for action movies is fake, she doesn't really enjoy them. When she goes to see an action movie with her boyfriend, she fakes it/pretends

In example 2, Joey is pretending to sleep, meaning that his sleeping is fake. He is faking it and not actually sleeping. He just wanted to play a joke on Bonnie and Amanda. 

This idiom comes from the LSI book titled Reading Transitions.  This book is used to teach Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes at LSI schools.  For more information please visitwww.languagesystems.com 

to kick back

Context #1:

David: So what are you going to do this weekend?
Sam:  I had such a busy and stressful week at work, so this weekend I'm just going to kick back and get some rest.
David:  That sounds good.  Call me if you change your mind and you want to go out and do something.
Sam: All right.

Context #2:

Stephanie:  When I was a kid, I lived way up in the mountains.
James:  Really?  Did you like living there?
Stephanie:  Yeah it was pretty cool.  After dinner, I used to go outside, kick back, and look at all the stars in the sky.  It was so beautiful.  In Los Angeles, we hardly ever see stars at night.
James: Yeah, that's true.

Meaning:  to kick back means to relax and take it easy. 

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

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