friends in high places

Idiom: friends in high places (used as a noun)

First Example:

Sandra: Did you hear that Ben got the promotion?
Donald: No way! I thought for sure you'd get it!
Sandra: Well, I don't have as many friends in high places.
Donald: What do you mean?
Sandra: Well, he has a few friends in upper management. Something tells me that helped him more than his qualifications...

Meaning: The expression "friends in high places" means to know people in important positions who can help and support you.  In the example above, Sandra claims that Ben has friends in upper management positions, and that these friends in high places are what helped him get the promotion.

Second Example:

Ally: Want to go to a big movie premiere tonight?

Cameron: Sure, but how are we going to get in?

Ally: Let's just say that I've got a few friends in high places.

Cameron: Like who?

Ally: That's not your concern. 

Cameron: But seriously, who?

Ally: OK, fine. I used to babysit the producer of the film. His mom and my mom are friends, so when I heard he was making this movie, my mom called his mom, and she made him give me two tickets. Anyway, do you want to go with me? 

Cameron: Sure! Do you have any embarrassing stories you can share about him?

Meaning: In the second example, Ally doesn't actually have a friend in a traditional position of power; rather, her mother knows the film's producer's mother. Often, the expression "friends in high places" is used like this, in order to suggest a person knows someone important but wants to keep the identity of that person secret. 

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TO SHOP AROUND

Example 1:

James:  I’m going to buy a laptop for $800.00

Leo: What?! That’s expensive! Have you shopped around for cheaper ones?

James: Not, really…

Leo: You should! I’m sure you can find one for way less than $800.00

James: Good idea!

Example 2:

Gina: Did you buy dad’s Fathers’ Day gift?

David: I’m shopping around to find the best price on the golf clubs he wants.

Gina: Ok, let me know when you find a good deal.

Shop around: To look at different stores to find what you want at the best price.

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to just scrape by

Context #1:

Tom: Did you pass your physics class this semester?

Brian: Yeah, but I barely scraped by. I almost failed!

Context #2:

Jennifer: This Russian class I'm taking is so hard.

Whitney: Are you failing it?

Jennifer: I'm not failing, but I am just scraping by. It's super difficult.

Meaning: to just scrape by is used when you are barely passing a class. You are right on the border of passing or failing.

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Afraid of One's Own Shadow

Example 1: 

Mark: Are you OK, Sandra? You look worried about something.

Sandra: Oh, hey Mark. I didn't see you there. I've been a little more anxious these days. I can't seem to relax.

Mark: Did something happen?

Sandra: I had a car accident recently. It was pretty bad. Since then, everything scares me. I'm even afraid of my own shadow!

Mark: Well, it will take some time to feel normal again. At least you still have your sense of humor!

Example 2:

Betty: Hey, Jane. I heard you broke up with Steven. I thought you two were getting along. Did something happen?

Jane: No, nothing happened. We got along just fine, but it always bothered me that he was a little too wimpy. 

Betty: Wimpy? What do you mean?

Jane: He wasn't very strong or brave. Last week, someone took a parking spot from us when we were clearly next in line! He didn't do anything! Then, I needed help moving some furniture at home and he tried to help me, but he couldn't lift the dining chair. He's a nice guy, but honestly, he's afraid of his own shadow. I like scary movies, roller coasters, adventure, and excitement! I think he'll have a heart attack if he spends more time with me. 

Explanation:

If someone is described as being afraid of his/her/their own shadow,  it can be said that they get frightened very easily by things that wouldn't normally scare someone. Your shadow is generally something that doesn't frighten you because you understand that it is harmless.

In Example 1, Sandra is emotionally and mentally recovering from an accident. She's understandably still unsettled after her accident, but she jokes that her shadow even frightens her.

In Example 2, Jane felt that Steven was too afraid of things that, in her opinion, shouldn't scare a person. So she ended their relationship.

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Scare the Daylights Out of Someone

Example 1:

Jill: Hey Bill, did I tell you the story about the racoon?

Bill: No, but it sounds interesting! What happened?

Jill: Well, last week when I went to take out the garbage, a giant racoon hissed at me! I think I was interrupting his dinner!

Bill: Wow! That's pretty scary! I heard racoons can be pretty dangerous.

Jill: Yes, they can be. He scared the daylights out of me! Tom is taking out the trash next week.

Example 2:

Mom: Sean! Where have you been? You said you would be home at 6. It's almost 9! Why didn't you call?

Sean: Sorry, mom. I was playing video games with Frank and I lost track of time. My phone battery died and I didn't realize it until it was too late.

Mom: I was so worried. It scared the daylights out of me when I called your phone and it went straight to voicemail. Anything can happy and you know how much I worry about you!

Sean: I know mom, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry.

Explanation:

to scare the daylights out of someone means the same as frighten someone, usually unexpected and surprising.

In Example 1, the racoon surprised and scared Jill. The racoon scared the daylights out of Jill.

In Example 2. Sean frightened his mother. Sean scared the daylights out of his mother.

What is something that scares the daylights out of you?

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to study one’s brains out

Idiom: to study one’s brains out

Context #1:

Jim:  How did you do on the grammar test?
Sam: I got 100%.  I studied my brains out for that test.
Jim:  Nice job!

Context #2:

Chrissy: Are you preparing for the GRE exam?
Tammy: Yeah, I've been studying my brains out for the last 6 months.
Chrissy:  Well I'm sure you'll do great!

Meaning: to study one's brains out means to study extremely hard for something.

SHOPPING SPREE

Example 1:

Jenny: I won a $2,000 shopping spree at TNA! I'm heading there right now, want to come?
Vanessa: Hell, yeah! Let's go!!

Example 2:

Maria: I wish I didn’t go on that shopping spree two weeks ago!

Tatsu: Why? You were so happy with everything that you bought.

Maria: I know! But now I’m short on rent.

Tatsu: Yikes!

Shopping Spree:  To go to a mall and spend all your money buying many things, especially clothes, jewelry, makeup, etc.