To fall into your lap

Example 1:

Tom and Elizabeth are brother and sister. Tom has been looking for a job for about a month.

Elizabeth: How’s your job hunt going, Tom?

Tom: I finally have a job

Elizabeth: Really?

Tom: Yes! I’m going to be working as a Coder for Google.com

Elizabeth: Oh wow!! That’s so exciting! Congratulations

Tom: Thank you sis!

Elizabeth: How did you get that job?

Tom: I’d turned in my resume about two months ago and completely forgot about it. Well, they called me last week and interviewed me over the phone.

Elizabeth: That’s amazing! It seems like it just fell into your lap

Tom: Yes! I’m surprised how easily it fell into my lap. They want me to start tomorrow.

Elizabeth: I’m so happy for you

Tom: Me too.

Example 2:

I’ve been looking for a cheap apartment in West Hollywood. My best friend pays $950 for a one bedroom apartment there. That rate is unheard of for that area. She told me that she is going to be going to Russia to teach English for one year, so I can take over her lease. I’ll be paying the same amount for rent. I can’t believe how effortlessly that apartment fell into my lap.

Meaning: To come to you without you making any effort.

http://languagesystems.edu/

To Go Down in Flames

Example 1:

Hey, Marty! What are you doing for your birthday?

I think I am going to have a party at Fabulous 5.

Wait! They went out of business!

What?! Are you sure? They closed down?!

Yeah. Apparently there were leaks in the restrooms, holes in the walls, the chairs and tables were old and starting to break, and on top of all that, they owed a lot of money to the government. They had no choice!

Oh, man! Yeah, I guess it’s  true! The place was in pretty bad shape, but they had the nicest people working there and the DJs were always awesome! It’s hard to believe they would go down in flames like that!

I know! I’ll miss their cocktails… They were pretty good and they only cost $3.00!

Well, maybe that’s why they were not making enough money… I will never forget Fabulous 5!

Example 2:

Hey Susan,

Jonathan is my brother-in-law. He is an experienced banker and is currently looking for a job. His career went down in flames after his company accused him of stealing from them… I don’t believe that actually happened and now he can’t get a job anywhere. Do you think you could interview him if you need someone?

Sincerely,

Cibelle

Meaning of “to go down in flames”: To be ruined, to fail, to end completely or suddenly.

http://languagesystems.edu/

For the Birds

Context #1 – Roommates watching TV at home

Vanessa: This new TV show was supposed to be so good, but it's really boring and confusing. I have no idea what's going on.

Brad: Yes, this show is definitely for the birds. Why don't we change the channel?

Vanessa: I agree. Even reruns of old shows are better than this!

Context #2 – Two friends at a party

Sami:  Hey, Petra! How are you?

Petra: OK, I guess. I hardly know anyone here.

Sami: Yeah, me too. I thought Brian invited a bunch of our friends?

Petra: I don't see anyone. Plus, these snacks suck. A few carrot sticks and sparkling water? Seriously? This isn't supposed to be a health club, it's a party!

Sami: I know. And this live band is terrible. They are just making noise, not music.

Petra: You know what? This party is for the birds. Let's get out of here and go some place fun!

Sami: Great idea! Let's go.

Click to listen to the idiom now

Meaning: “For the birds” means that something is worthless or undesirable. In Context 1, the new TV show is terrible and not even worth watching, so they decide to change the channel. In Context 2, the party doesn't have good food, music, or people they know, so it is no good. Petra and Sami finally decide to leave.

Check out the following video that is literally "For the Birds!"

http://languagesystems.edu/

 

To Buy the Farm

Context #1 – Two friends talking

Victoria: Did you hear the news?

Brandon: No, what happened?

Victoria: Do you know that older man who lives down the street from us?

Brandon: Oh, yes. I do.

Victoria: Well, he bought the farm yesterday.

Brandon: Really? But he was only 87 and in good shape.

Victoria: I know! And I've heard he would go skydiving twice a week.

Brandon: So he bought it while skydiving? .

Victoria: No, he was fine after skydiving yesterday. He came home, ate dinner, and then went to bed. It happened in his sleep.

Listen how to pronounce the idiom now

Context #2 – Talking about a movie

Sal:  That movie was so violent! It's like everyone bought the farm at the end.

Patty: Well, it was a war movie.

Sal: Yeah, I guess so.

Patty: It really shouldn't have surprised anyone when most of the characters bought it. That's just the way it goes.

Sal: Well, it's depressing. Why don't we go see a comedy next time?

Patty: Sound good to me.

Meaning: “To buy the farm” or “to buy it” means to die or be killed. It's usually used in the past tense (bought the farm) and it is sometimes used without “farm” (bought it). In Context 1, the older man dies in his sleep with no visible cause. In Context 2, many of the people in the war movie are killed in combat, so it is a violent film.

http://languagesystems.edu/

To Chicken Out

Context #1 - 

Tim: Have you heard about the new ride and Magic Mountain called the Death Drop?

John:  Yeah, I heard it's super scary.  Have you been on it?

Tim:  Well, we went there this weekend and I was going to go on it with my friends, but I chickened out at the last minute.

John:  Really?  That must have been a little embarrassing.

Tim:  Yeah, it was!

Context #2 -

Christine: Did you hear about Steve and Carol's anniversary trip to Yosemite?

Stacy:  No, what happened?

Christine:  They agreed to go bungee jumping off this bridge, but Carol was ready to jump and then chickened out.

Stacy: Oh no!  How did Steve take it?

Christine:  He wasn't upset at all.  He actually thought it was kind of funny.

Meaning:  to chicken out is used when someone gets too scared or too afraid to do something so they back out or don't attempt it. 

http://languagesystems.edu/

Hole in the wall

Context #1 

Sam: Last night we found this really awesome restaurant for authentic southern BBQ!

Tony: Really?  Where is it?

Sam: It's a tiny little hole in the wall right on the corner of Main St. and First.  The food is cheap and delicious!

Context #2 

Jenny: So, how was your trip to San Diego? 

Sara: It was great!  We found this little hole in the wall downtown that had the best Mexican food I've ever had.

Jenny:  Wow! That sounds good!

Meaning: In American English, the term hole in the wall is used to describe a small restaurant that is usually cheap and delicious, but sometimes a little dirty looking.  It sometimes can mean that the place is a little dirty looking but with good food or a cozy atmosphere.  

http://languagesystems.edu/

Leave No Stone Unturned

Example 1: 

When Bobby went to the park with his family, his father accidentally dropped the keys to the car. For more than an hour, the whole family was searching for them. Bobby's mother instructed them to "leave no stone unturned, we need those keys to get home!" So the family searched in all possible places until Bobby's sister found them near the car. After that, the family could relax and enjoy the park.

Example 2:

The police is the city left no stone unturned  in the search for the missing bank robbers. All leads were investigated and every contact was questions. The police had almost exhausted all of their resources when the thieves were  found in Mexico living in luxury.

Explanation:

The expression to leave no stone unturned means to use all your power, energy, and resources to find something/one. In example 1, Bobby's family had to literally look under and around every stone in the park until the missing keys were located. In example 2, the police searched everywhere and followed all leads until the thieves were located. 

http://languagesystems.edu/