To Paint the Town Red

verb, expression - to go out and have fun, have a good time.

Use: William and Cheryl stand outside a convenience store. Cheryl scratches a lottery ticket.

William: I wish we could get out and do something fun tonight. But I don't get paid until next week!

Cheryl: I won! I won! $10,000!

William: Are you kidding?

Cheryl: Come on! I'm going to cash this in and we're going to paint the town red!

In the example, Cheryl is planning to get her lottery money and celebrate (have fun) with William. Thus, they are going to paint the town red.

Iain McConnell, APC #DTLA

For more information about Language Systems, please visit languagesystems.edu

Party Pooper

A person or thing that spoils a good time or ruins a good mood.

Use: Jo and Kendra are discussing an upcoming event...

Jo: Kendra, are you going to invite Lisa to your birthday?

Kendra: I would like to, but do you remember the last time we were all together? She wouldn't stop talking about how angry her boyfriend made her.

Jo: True. She was a real party pooper. We were having a great time until she arrived.

In the example, Jo and Kendra talk about how they were having until Lisa arrived. In other words, Lisa's complaining about her boyfriend killed their fun. That is why Lisa is a party pooper.

-- Iain McConnell, APC Language Systems #DTLA

For more information about Language Systems please visit www.languagesystems.edu

Raining Cats and Dogs

Idiom: Raining Cats and Dogs

Example 1:

I didn't expect this kind of weather. It's raining cats and dogs and I forgot my umbrella. Needless to say, I'm going to get soaked on my way home. Hopefully I won't catch a cold!

Example 2:

Looks like we have to reschedule the picnic. Forecasters predict really heavy rains this weekend. We won't have any fun in the park if it's raining cats and dogs!

Meaning: Raining cats and dogs is a playful expression to describe very heavy rain. This expression is usually used with "it."

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Rain on Someone's Parade

Idiom: Rain on Someone's Parade

Example 1:

John: I'm so excited to see the new Iron Man movie tonight! Let's go to In-n-Out before showtime and get burgers to have dinner in the theater. That sounds like a great idea, right?

Bill: I hate to rain on your parade, but they won't allow outside food in the theater. We can go their early and eat first. 

Example 2: 

Mom: Aren't you excited?! Our camping trip is only 2 days away! Just imagine all the fresh air, hiking, and the sounds of nature! I can't wait!

Teenager: No. I am not excited. There's no WIFI in the woods. I won't be able to text, watch videos, or send Snaps. That doesn't sounds fun at all.

Mom: Well I won't let you rain on my parade! It's going to be great! You'll have fun. I promise!

Meaning: to "rain on someone's parade" is to ruin their good mood or fun plans.

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To Make Big Bucks

Idiom: "to make big bucks"

Example 1:

Joe: Whatever happened to Tony, that guy who we went to high school with?

Sam: You didn't hear? He developed some app for smart phones and he's making big bucks now!

Joe: Yeah, I can see that. He was really smart and creative.  Good for him!

Example 2:

Sally: I heard that Stacy wants to become a elementary school teacher.

Grace: Your kidding? Teachers don't make a lot of money!

Sally: Well, she knows that no one becomes a teacher to make big bucks. She just has a really special heart for children and she wants to make a difference in their lives.

Grace: Oh really? Well, then I hope everything works out for her.

Meaning: "to make big bucks" is an idiom that means to make a lot of money or to earn a really large salary compared to others.

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To Get Canned

Idiom: to get canned

Example 1:

Tom: Guess what!

Steve: What?

Tom: John got canned this morning!

Steve: Really? What happened?

Tom: He got caught stealing from the company.

Example 2:

Sarah: Look! Chrissy is late again! This time an hour late.

Joyce: The boss has already warned her like 3 times.

Sarah: Yeah, I bet she's going to get canned this time.

Joyce: If she does, it's her own fault.

Meaning: "to get canned" means to be fired from your job.

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To Pitch Camp

Idiom: to pitch camp

Example 1:

Rob: Let’s go camping before the summer ends. What do you think?

Alex: I have zero camping skills. I don’t even know how to make a tent. 

Rob: You mean to pitch camp?   

Alex: Huh?

Rob: Pitching camp is easy man. I can teach you how to do it. Usually a tent comes with a set of instructions. To pitch camp you’ll have to prop up your tent, create a fire within safe distance, and store food in a high place so bears don’t get to it.

Example 2:

Pablo: What are you doing man? Are you seriously thinking about pitching camp in city hall?

Ai: That’s the only way these politicians are going to listen to our demands. We are citizens and have the right to protest.

Pablo: Sure, but don’t you think pitching camp in City Hall will attract the police and get you in trouble? I’m not sure that it’s legal.

Ai: Sounds like you need to pitch camp in BoringVille. Voting does nothing.

Pablo: Oh really, I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up pitching camp in jail. Good luck playa!

Meaning: To Pitch Camp is to prepare, set-up, and arrange a place to sleep or camp. Some people use it to describe sleeping in front of a building as protest, sleeping in front of a store to get a good price before a sale (Black Friday), or simply camping in your back yard.

www.languagesytems.edu