A Beach Bum

Idiom: A Beach Bum

Example 1:

Chip: Dude, you never go to school. What do you do all day? 

Dale: It’s the summer bro. We’re next to the sand and sea. What’s better than being a beach bum this time of the year? As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing better than being a beach bum.

Example 2:

Simon: Sometimes I wish I could escape my work and just be a beach bum.

Sarah: Everyone thinks that way, but if you were a beach bum you wouldn’t get many things done.

Simon: That’s the point.

Meaning: "A beach bum" (noun) is someone who spends too much time at the beach. This expression is often used when referring to someone who only wants to be at the beach and be unproductive. It could be both negative and positive.  

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A knock off

Idiom: A knock off

Example 1:

Brandon: Wow, Melissa! Nice bag. It looks really expensive!

Melissa: Thanks, Brandon! Shh. don't tell anyone, it's a knock off. It only cost me $15. The original is over $1,500! It's a pretty good knock off. It looks pretty authentic.

Example 2:

Scott: Jessie, look at these toys. These are terrible knock offs!

Jessie: Ha ha ha! Mickey Mouse isn't supposed to look like that!

Meaning: "A knock off" (noun) is a copy of an original item. This expression is often used when the original item is of designer quality and very expensive. This expression has slightly negative connotations that imply that the copy is of very cheap quality and design.

You can learn more idioms like this in LSI's Intermediate and Advanced Conversation Programs. 

Please see: www.languagesystems.edu for more information.

To knock it off

Idiom: To knock it off.

Example 1: My neighbor is a guitar player (but he's not very good). I try to study at home in the evenings but I can't concentrate with the "music" coming through the walls. Some day, I'm going to go over there and tell him to knock it off. I can't take it anymore!

Example 2:

Cindy: Hey Penny, you look tired. Are you feeling OK?

Penny: Hey.. I didn't sleep much last night. I got a new video game and I've been playing it all day and night for the last 2 days. I only take a break when I get hungry, but I just eat something simple like potato chips so I can get back to playing faster.

Cindy: Penny! You'd better knock it off before you get sick!

Meaning: "To knock it off" (phrasal verb) means to stop doing something annoying or bad. This expression is usually used as a command or imperative.

...I'm going to go over there and tell him to stop it.

...You'd better stop it before you get sick!

In each case, it is the activity that should be stopped.

You can learn more idioms like this in LSI's Intermediate and Advanced Conversation Programs.

Please see www.languagesystems.edu for more information.

To toss something

Idiom: to toss something

Context #1:

Sean: Hey Tim!  Smell this milk and tell me if you think it is still good.

Tim: (After smelling the milk) Whoa!  That milk stinks!  I would toss it if I were you.

Sean: Yeah, I guess you're right.  I'll get some fresh milk today.

Context #2:

Kathy: Can I borrow your backpack this weekend?  We're going hiking on Saturday.

Tiffany: Actually, that backpack had a huge rip on the bottom and instead of trying to fix it I just tossed it.  Sorry about that!

Kathy: That's alright.  I think Andrew has an extra one.  I'll ask him.

Meaning: "to toss something" means to throw something away. Usually people toss something because it's old, broken, or no longer needed. 

For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.edu

To sneak into

Idiom: to sneak into

Context #1:

Jim: So we are going to the movies tonight, right?

Sam: Yeah, the show starts at 7pm.

Jim: Ok, you know the candy and food at the theater is so expensive!

Sam: I know!  I think I'll buy some candy before we go and just sneak it into the movie.

Context #2:

Sarah: You know that cool reggae band that is playing tonight at the House of Blues? Well, my friend is the drummer.

Christine: Really?  That's cool!  I heard that tickets are all sold out.

Sarah: That's true!  But my friend said he can sneak me into the concert tonight if I come early.

Meaning: "to sneak into" is a common American idiom that is used to describe a situation where you secretly (and usually inappropriately) bring or take something into another place.  Usually the thing or person you are sneaking in is not allowed, or is not supposed to be there.  If you get caught, you could be in trouble. So be careful!   

For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.edu

Fair-weather friend

Idiom: Fair-weather friend

Example: Fred Anderson won the lottery. Not long after that, Fred met Thomas Henry. Fred and Thomas became very good friends. Thomas went everywhere Fred went; they partied together, ate together and talked everyday.

About two months after Fred and Thomas had met, Fred was in a very bad car accident. All of Fred's lottery winnings went toward his medical bills. While Fred was in the hospital, he only received one call from Thomas, who claimed he was too busy to visit Fred in the hospital.

Once Fred was released from the hospital, his insurance company paid all of his bills and gave him an extra $200,000! News of Fred's recent good fortune spread quickly. Within a week, Thomas showed up at Fred's door to see how his friend was doing. However, Fred refused to answer his door. "I don't need fair-weather friends!" said Fred.

Meaning: A fair-weather friend is a person who only wants contact when you can help him. As soon as you need him, he's not around.

For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.edu

It takes two to tango

Idiom: It takes two to tango

Example:

Kyle: I can't believe it! My girlfriend still won't speak to me.

James: Oooh, that's too bad, What did you do to make her so angry?

Kyle: Nothing! She just suddenly stopped talking!

James: Nothing? I find that hard to believe. It takes two to tango.

Meaning: conflict requires two participants. We use this idiom to indicate "fault," "blame," or responsibility for an argument or fight rests not with one but with two people.

For more information, please visit:www.languagesystems.edu