to soften the blow

Idiom: to soften the blow; used as a verb

First Example:

Noreen: I'm sorry to hear you lost your job Kelly.

Kelly: Thanks. 

Noreen: How are you paying your bills?

Kelly: Well, I'm getting unemployment benefits, so that softened the blow a little. 

Noreen: Oh good, I'm glad you're not completely broke.

Kelly: Yeah, but my unemployment check barely covers rent and food.  I need to find a new job soon so I can pay my other bills.

Noreen: I'll let you know if I hear of any openings.

Meaning: To "soften the blow" means to better a situation that is difficult or unpleasant.  When something bad happens to someone, Americans occasionally call the negative event a "blow" (especially when something is lost).   Therefore, when something is done to make that "blow" less severe, it is seen as "softening" it.  In the above example, Kelly lost her job, so she doesn't have enough money to pay all her bills, although unemployment benefits have helped her eat and pay her rent.  However, it is important to be clear that this idiom is only used when the result of a negative event is made a little better, but the problem still exists.  Look at the following example.

Second Example:

Sandra: Hey Fernando, how is your wife doing?  I heard she was in the hospital.

Fernando: The doctors still aren't sure, but they're doing lots of tests.   

Sandra: I'm sorry to hear that.  Are you OK?

Fernando: I'm doing OK, but it came as a blow to the kids.  They don't understand why they can't see their mom.

Sandra: That's tough.

Fernando: Fortunately, Amy's mom had some vacation time at work, so she is staying with us.  That helped soften the blow a lot.  She visits with Amy while I'm at work, and she has been helping me with the kids while I visit Amy in the evening.

Sandra: Well, if there's anything I can do, let me know. Maybe I can help babysit one evening.

Fernando: That would be great!  Thanks for offering.   

Here, Fernando's wife is still sick, but his wife's mother is softening the blow by helping out, and Sandra offers to help even more.  Notice also the underlined use of "blow" - when used to describe a bad situation with a strong effect, "blow" is usually used in the expression "come as a blow."

This idiom is from LSI's book "Speaking Transitions," which is used in the Level 4 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/  

in other words

Idiom: in other words; used as an adverb

First Example:

Movie Review: The dialogue sounds so fake, and the acting is so unrealistic, the audience laughed when they were supposed to cry.  Meanwhile, the story itself is pretty uninteresting, and the second half is so boring, the person sitting in front of me fell asleep and starting snoring.  I couldn't wait for the movie to end, and I almost walked out in the middle.  In other words, you should not see this movie. 

Meaning: "In other words" means to "put it another, shorter way."  This expression is usually used after a list, giving a quick summary.  In the example above, the movie critic states a number of negative things about the film and then follows up with the summary statement "you should not see this movie."  This idiom is often put at the beginning of a sentence. Look at another example.

  Second Example (click on video to hear the example below)

Job Advertisement: Do you work well both alone and with others?  Do other people usually care about your opinion, and they often do what you suggest?  Are you dependable and reliable, but also willing to take risks? In other words, are you a leader?

Here, the person writing this job advertisement asks about a number of qualities that the job seeker might have.  Then, he or she asks if the job seeker is a leader.  This means that whoever wrote this job advertisement believes that these qualities together make up a leader.

This idiom is from LSI's book "Speaking Transitions," which is used in the Level 4 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/  

To Fix Up

To Fix Up

Meaning: To improve the appearance or condition of something

 Example 1:

Tom: It is so exhausting looking for a house. We have visited at least 10 different houses in the past two weeks and we still haven’t found one we like!

 Sarah: Are you looking for a new house?

 Tom: No, we don’t really have enough money to buy a new house. Instead, we are looking for an older house that we can fix up. We don’t mind doing a little work as long as the house is in a good location.

 Sarah: That’s what we did when we bought our house a couple of years ago. We had such a good time fixing everything up on the weekends. We especially liked painting everything. It was a great experience for the kids because they were able to fix up their rooms in any way they wanted.

 Tom: That sounds like fun! I hope we find something soon.

 Sarah: I’m sure you will. Good luck!

Example 2:

Ken: Wow! That’s a really old car! What year is it?

Jack: It’s a 1967 Mustang. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Ken: Well….it’s kind of old and rusty.

Jack: You have to use your imagination! After I fix it up with a new paint job and tires, it will be as good as new. Actually, it will be better than new!

Ken: You mean that you are going to fix this old car up? That’s going to take a lot of work!

Jack: Yes, it will, but in the end I’ll have a beautiful classic car. Since I’ll spend so much time fixing it up, the car will be special. You can’t find that in any of the new cars.

Ken: I see your point. Would you like me to help you fix it up on the weekend? My dad owns a tire shop and I can get you a great deal.

Jack: Sounds good! Thank you for the offer!

Meaning:
To fix up means to improve the appearance or condition of something. It is usually used when talking about older things that need changing to look better, like a house or car.

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

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