Out with the old, in with the new

Idiom: Out with the old, in with the new - To change the old for the new. To leave old things or ideas behind and bring in new things or ideas.

Example 1

Jerry:  What are you doing?

Malcom: I’m eating raw spinach with almonds for lunch.

Jerry: That doesn’t look very appetizing.

Malcom: Well, with the new year comes the "Out with the old, in with the new" attitude. No more double cheeseburgers with fries for lunch. It’s spinach salads for the new year and an hour workout at the gym every morning!

Jerry: Really? Well, good luck with that!

Example 2

Kathleen: I’ve made a decision.

Tia: OK.

Kathleen: For the new year, I’m going to break up with Philip.

Tia: But you guys are always breaking up and then getting back together.

Kathleen: Well, this is it. It’s the new year. Out with the old, in with the new. I’m going to ask Javier out on a date. I’ve always thought he was cute and I think we would have a lot of fun.

Tia: You would make a cute couple!

Meaning: “Out with the old, in with the new” means to leave old things or ideas behind and start fresh with new things or ideas. People usually say this at the beginning of a new year or at the beginning of something new.  In the first example, Malcom is throwing out his old habit of eating fast food  and starting to eat healthier food for lunch instead.  In the second example, Kathleen is leaving her old boyfriend behind and looking for a new relationship with someone she can have fun with.

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To start from scratch

Idiom: To start from scratch - To start something from the very beginning

Context #1

Jen:  I really admire Keisha. She has become a successful restaurant owner in just three years.

Kat: I agree. And did you know that she started from scratch? There were no restaurants in that area and she raised the startup money herself! She even cooked the food on the menu at the beginning until she had more money to hire a cook.

Jen: That’s really impressive! Nowadays, it’s so hard to be successful when starting from scratch. Usually, it’s much easier to just take over a business that is already established.

Context #2

Jack: What’s wrong? You look really sad.

Terri: Oh, I’m just having problems finishing my new book.

Jack: Really? You usually put out a new book every 6 months or so.

Terri: Well, not this time. I had finished about half of the book when my editor told me it was all wrong and didn’t make sense. He told me that I would have to start over again.

Jack: Wow! You had to start from scratch after finishing almost half of the book? That’s tough.

Terri: I know. Hopefully, I can do it a little faster this time.

Meaning: “To start from scratch” means to start something from the very beginning without using anything else as a starting point. 

In context #1, Keisha started her business from scratch, meaning that she started her business new. 

In context #2, Terri had to throw out half of the book she had written and start the book over again from the beginning.

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Deck the Halls

 

Idiom: Deck the Halls

Example 1:

Jennifer: (singing) Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!

Olaf: What? I don’t understand a word you are singing!

Jennifer: It’s an old Christmas carol, or song, Deck the Halls!

 Olaf: What does it mean?

Jennifer: Well, “deck the halls” means to decorate for Christmas. A bough is a branch, so they are hanging up branches of holly.

Olaf: Ummm, what is holly?

Jennifer: Oh, it’s a type of flowering plant, usually with green leaves and small red round berries.

Olaf: I see those everywhere at Christmas time. Teach me the song!

Example #2 – Two roommates are talking at home

Jack: This neighborhood is gorgeous. Look at all the Christmas lights.

Terri: I know! Every single house is decorated with something unique. It’s a beautiful sight.

Jack: Hey, I heard that Carlos is moving to this neighborhood with his new wife next year.

Terri: Well, they had better be prepared to deck the halls and a whole lot more at Christmas time!

Meaning: “Deck the halls” comes from an old Christmas carol, or song, and it simply means to put up decorations at Christmas time.  @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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Tis the Season

Idiom: Tis the Season

Example 1: A mom and her small son are talking about the holidays.

Jeff: Wow! Look at all these presents under the tree!

Mom: Well, tis the season!

Jeff: But it’s still early, a week before Christmas. I thought Santa Claus brought all the presents while we are sleeping on Christmas eve?

Mom: Ummm...Santa.......ahhhh....came early this year. Surprise!

Jeff: Really?

Mom: Yes, really. Because you were such a good boy!

Example 2: Two roommates are talking at home.
Jack: OK. I have my ugly sweater, antlers, exchange gift, and egg nog. I’m ready for the Christmas party!

Terri: Ha! You really look like you’re ready! I like the antlers!

Jack: Tis the season.....to party!!!!

Meaning: “Tis the season” typically refers to the time before Christmas, which can be defined as anywhere from October to December 24th. @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

                                                    

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Be my guest

Idiom: be my guest

Example 1:

Matt: Hey man, I’m going to San Diego next year.

Dee:  Oh really? Can I come too?

Matt: Be my guest.

Dee: Really? That’s awesome.

Example 2:

Thomas: Do you think I can turn in those reports on Monday of next week?

Charles: Be my guest.  They’re not due until Tuesday anyway. 

Meaning: "Be my guest" means: “go ahead,” “help yourself,” or it could mean giving someone permission to do something.  It’s a neutral term used by many people in formal or informal settings.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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To Drop a Hint

Idiom: (to) drop a hint

Example 1:

Rudolph: Hey Dasher, what kind of gift are you getting for your girlfriend this holiday season?

Dasher:  Wait.  You’ll find out after the holiday season.

Rudolph: Oh, come on, drop me a hint!  It’s not my gift.

Dasher: No way!  It’s a big surprise.

Example 2:

Manny: Hey, how much money are you asking for this event?

Floyd: More money than you can imagine.

Manny: Really? At least drop a hint.  Everyone wants to know.

Floyd: I don’t really want to talk about that. 

Meaning: "To drop a hint" is another way of expressing “give me a hint” or another way of asking for more details.  It’s often used amongst friends and close colleagues.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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To Ring Up

Idiom: To Ring Up

Example 1:

Store clerk to the man waiting in line to pay: "Hello, sir. Are you ready? I can ring you up at this register."

Example 2:

Shopper who realizes there is mistake on her receipt: "I have to go back to the store. The cashier rang up 2 cartons of eggs but I only have 1. I was overcharged for something I didn't buy!"

Meaning: "To Ring Up" is a separable phrasal verb that is used to describe the action of the cashier in a store. 

"The cashier will ring up your items."

"Can you ring me up?"

Remember! When using object pronouns (you, me, us, it, etc) the pronoun must separate the phrasal verb. Ex: Ring me up   NOT: Ring up me. Longer nouns that are not pronouns generally don't separate the phrasal verb. Ex: Ring up all the items in my shopping cart. NOT: Ring all the items in my shopping cart up.

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

www.languagesystems.edu