To Pull Something Off

To pull something off: to succeed in doing something difficult or challenging

Example 1:

Taka: I just took the official TOEFL test and it was so hard! I’m really tired.

Sarah: Really? Why did you take it so early? You’ve only been in TOEFL class for a month.

Taka: Yes, but in order to get accepted to the University of Oregon, I have to submit my score earlier than I first thought. So, I had to take the TOEFL test now.

Sarah: Oh, I see. How do you think you did?

Taka: Well, I’m not sure. I’ve been studying pretty hard in class and I think I’ve really been improving. Even though the test was hard, I think that I pulled it off and will get the score I need to go to university.

Sarah: Wow! That’s great! I wish that I could pull something like that off. I’ve been in TOEFL class for three months and I still don’t think I can get the score I need.

Taka: I’m sure you will soon. Just study hard and be positive.

Sarah: Thanks for the advice!

Example 2:

Ken: So, we had a huge 30^th surprise birthday party for my sister last weekend. We had over 100 people in the restaurant with decorations. On top of that, we had to keep it a secret so that it would be a surprise for her. I really didn’t think we could pull it off.

Jackie: So how was it? Was she surprised?

Ken: Actually, I think everything was great. She was really surprised and everybody had a great time. In the end, I really think we pulled the whole thing off!

 Jackie: Well, I’m glad it turned out to be a good party. What a nice thing to do for your sister!

 Ken: Yes, we are really close and I wanted to do something special for her birthday.

Meaning:

To pull something off means to succeed in doing something that is initially difficult or challenging. In the first example, Taka wasn’t ready to take the TOEFL test and get the score he needed to go to university. However, in the end, he pulled it off and got the score he needed. In the second example, Ken planned a big surprise party for his sister with about 100 people attending. At first, he didn't think he could keep it a secret, but in the end, Ken pulled it off and had a successful surprise party.

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

Jerk

Idiom: Jerk - Used as a noun

 Example 1:

Tina: I cannot stand Kevin. He is such a JERK!

Selma: Wait a minute….I thought you were dating him and everything was wonderful!

Tina: Yes, we have been dating for about two months, but he is still a JERK! I just found out that he has been dating two other girls at that same time! No wonder he was always late picking me up for our dates.  He told me that I was the only girl for him and I believed him!

Selma: Wow! He is a jerk. Why don’t you just break up with him and go out with a nice guy for a change?

Tina: Well, I don’t know…maybe I should give Kevin one more chance. Even though he’s a jerk, he is still a lot of fun to be around.

Selma: OK….If that’s what you want. I still think you should look for someone else.

Tina: Well, I’ll think about it. See you later.

Example 2:

Kitty: My professor is such a jerk! Half of the time he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Then, he gets mad at the class if we don’t understand him.

Jolene: Really? I heard that his class is really interesting. Are you talking about Professor Jones who teaches American History?

Kitty: Yes! He’s so mean and doesn’t listen to any of our questions. Plus, his tests are impossible to complete. I think he really just wants to flunk everyone in class. He doesn’t care about his students at all!

Jolene: It’s so hard to believe that we are talking about the same professor.

Kitty: Well, we are and he’s a big jerk. Believe me! He doesn’t care about the students and only thinks about himself and his academic career. The other day, he left class early just to be interviewed on TV!

 Jolene: Wow! He sounds like a jerk. I wonder what happened to make him change so much.

 Kitty: I don’t know, but I’m really thinking about dropping his class.

Meaning:
A “jerk” is a word used to describe people who are mean, selfish, or foolish. In the first example, Tina’s boyfriend went out with other girls when they were dating and didn’t tell her. In the second example, the professor is selfish and is only thinking about himself while treating the students really poorly.

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Speaking Savvy, Unit 7, Part 1. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 5 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com

To Throw a Fit

To Throw a Fit

Example 1:

Tina: Oh my goodness! Did you just see that little girl at the mall? She threw a fit when her mother refused to buy her candy.

Selma: I know, I saw her! My oldest child used to throw a fit about every little thing, but my youngest daughter never throws a fit about anything!

Tina: Really? Since I don’t have any kids, I would have no idea how to deal with a kid throwing a fit like that! I guess I have a lot of learning to do.

Selma: Oh, you’ll learn fast. Believe me!

Tina: Well, I better get home or my husband will throw a fit. He wants to go to an early movie tonight, so I can’t be late.

Selma: OK, see you tomorrow.

Tina: Bye.

Example 2:

Kitty: I’m just getting so tired of my boss. Every time we don’t do things perfectly, he throws a fit. We are all so afraid of him. Yesterday, when he caught my co-worker talking on her cell phone at her desk, he grabbed the cell phone away from her and threw it on the floor!

Jolene: Wow! Did it break?

Kitty: No, but I don’t think he would care if it did.

Jolene: That must be tough. It makes everyone really stressed out when you have a boss like that. My boss is so easy going. I’ve never seen him throw a fit about anything, even the biggest mistakes.

Kitty: You are so lucky. Why don’t we exchange jobs!

Jolene: No, that’s OK. I like it where I’m at, but maybe I could find you a job in my company. Then you wouldn’t have to put up with a boss who throws a fit over every little thing.

Meaning:
To throw a fit means to get very angry or to fly into a rage about something. In the first example, the little girl wanted candy, but her mother would not give it to her, so the girl threw a fit that was noticed by everyone in the mall. In the second example, the boss always gets angry when they make mistakes in the office.

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Reading Transitions, Unit 8, part 2. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com

To Get Around To

To Get Around To

Meaning: Finally manage to do something, make the effort to do something

Example 1:

Tom: Ahhh, just a day sitting in front of the TV with a beer watching football! What a life!

Sarah: Ummm…actually I really need you to change the light bulbs in the bathroom. They burned out two weeks ago and I have to put my make up on in the dark every morning. I look terrible!

Tom: Well, you’re not helpless! Why don’t you go buy the light bulbs and change them yourself?

Sarah: What? You know I’m not tall enough to change those light bulbs! Even with the ladder! Remember when I tried to do it last year and fell? Please, Tom, you just never get around to doing it and I’ll have to shower and put on make up in the dark for the rest of my life!

Tom: Don’t be so dramatic! I’ll get around to it soon. Just let me finish my beer and watch this game.

Sarah: (sigh)

Example 2:

Ken: So, you and Jenny make a really good couple. When are you going to propose? It’s time you settle down and start a family.

Jack: Oh, I don’t know. I’ll get around to asking her someday. I like the way things are now.

Ken: Well….you had better not wait too long. She might just get tired of waiting and find someone else who wants to start a family.

Jack: Really? I never thought about it that way. I’ve always just assumed we would get around to it sooner or later.

Ken: Dude! That’s not the way to look at it. You have to ask her now!

Jack: You know what? You’re right. I’m going to buy a ring and propose to her this weekend.

Ken: Sounds great!

Jack: Thanks for the advice!

Meaning:
To get around to something  means to finally do something after waiting or delaying it for a while.  It is used in a variety of different situations and usually shows that the person is not making an effort to do something that needs to be done. In example A, Tom has been putting off changing the light bulb. In example b, Jack has been delaying proposing to his girlfriend Jenny.  

This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Speaking Savvy. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 5 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com

"to get down to work"

Example 1:

Gina: Wow, Suzy, our presentation is due tomorrow! Can we finish it?

Suzy: Yes! Don't panic. We just need to find more graphics and add a bit more information.

Gina: You're right. The format looks good. I think the clients will be happy.

Suzy: Exactly. Let's get down to work.


                                  


Example 2: (in the library)

Mark: (whispers) Hi Tom, how's it going?

Tom: Hey Mark... ugh! I have way too much work to do! I have to study for my final exams, and I have to write two research papers--and I haven't started them yet! I think my professors gave me too many assignments... it's not possible...

Mark: You know what, Tom? You just need to get down to work!

Tom: You're totally right-- I should stop complaining and get busy.

Mark: That's the spirit, Tom! Good luck!


             


Meaning: to get serious and focus on what you need to do to accomplish a challenging goal

In Example 1, Gina is worried about their presentation that is due the next day and Suzy calmly suggests that they only need to get down to work and focus on the details to finish it.

In Example 2, Tom should get down to work instead of complaining about it!

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

to play up

Example 1:

Cindy: Wow Jenna! Your eyes look great! I love your makeup!

Jenna: Thanks, Cindy! I took a makeup class last week and I learned how to play up my eyes with the right colors. Do you have some free time? I can show you some tricks!

Cindy: That would be great. Thanks! 

Example 2:

The big election is coming up in a few months! Who is the best candidate? How do you know if they are telling the truth? One thing is certain, the candidates will be playing up the importance of family values and other issues they think will gain votes and support. 

Meaning:

to play up = to make something easier to notice. to enhance or emphasize

In example 1, Jenna's eye makeup really makes her blue eyes more noticeable.  

In example 2, the candidates will make sure family values and other important issues will be noticeable/emphasized in their speeches.

You can find this idiom and more in LSI's Reading Savvy 1st Edition, which is used to teach Level 5 Reading/Vocabulary at LSI schools.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com 

to stick it out

Example 1:

Paul: Hey Mario. Are you OK? You seem angry or stressed out. What's going on?

Mario: Hi Paul. I'm OK. It's just my summer school class. It's really difficult and I'm thinking about quitting.

Paul: Really? But you're such a good student! I think you should stick it out. You only have 2 weeks until it's over!

Mario: Maybe you're right. If I quit, I will certainly regret it!

Example 2:

Studying English in the United States can be difficult at first. You may experience culture shock, loneliness, confusion, and more. For some students, the feelings are so negative that they think about quitting and going home! However, if you stick it out, it can be one of the best decisions you have ever made! You can meet many new people from all over the world at your ESL school and learn about different cultures. You can make friends with native speakers and really improve your English! If you do these things, you will be so happy that you stuck it out!

Meaning:

to stick it out = not quit even though the situation may be difficult/unpleasant. This expression is used for temporary or semi-permanent situations that have an ending date such as a class, contract, study program, etc. 

You can find this idiom and more in LSI's Reading Savvy, 1st Edition, which is used to teach Level 5 Reading/Vocabulary at LSI schools.  For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com