A long shot

Example 1:

I’ve been applying to several jobs in the last week. Many of them require advanced degrees, which is something I don’t have. However, I do have many years experience in the industry. I’ve been told not to bother applying for those jobs because I’m not qualified, but I still think I should try. I understand that and I know it’s a long shot, but I’m hopeful.

Example 2:

Jack: The Powerball Jackpot reached 2 billion dollars! Are you going to buy a ticket?

Jill: No way. I never play the lottery. It’s a waste of money.

Jack: Of course it’s a long shot, but wouldn’t it be amazing to buy a 2-dollar ticket and win 2 billion?! I think it’s worth it for the excitement alone!

Explanation:

A long shot is something that probably won’t happen, but is worth trying for despite that. 

In example 1, the speaker is applying for jobs that have a specific education requirement. Although he knows there’s a chance it won’t work, he will try anyway. 

In example 2, Jack knows he probably won’t win the lottery, but he thinks it’s worth trying anyway.

This expression is often used with it is in the contracted form It’s

IT’S a long shot, but I’m going to apply for that job.

It is also used with be verb.

Winning the lottery IS a long shot, but I’m going to play.

Visit our website: languagesystems.edu

A bee in her/his/my bonnet

Example 1:

Debbie has been really unhappy recently. I thought she was just busy and maybe a little stressed out. It turns out she’s had a bee in her bonnet about something I said to her last week. She was complaining that she never has money. She goes to school full time, but she still has a lot of free time, so I suggested she get a part-time job instead of going to so many parties. Apparently, she didn’t like that and has been mad at me since then. I was just trying to help!

Example 2:

I really don’t like when people borrow something and “forget” to return it. That has always been a bee in my bonnet.

Explanation:

Imagine wearing a hat (a bonnet) and then imagine a bee inside your bonnet! You would certainly not be comfortable or calm. This expression is generally used to talk about negative feelings. There are a few ways to use a bee in my/his/her bonnet. 

In example 1, Debbie has a bee in her bonnet about something the speaker said. In other words, Debbie is upset/angry about what the speaker said. 

In example 2, the speaker explains that it bothers them when borrowed items are not returned; this is a bee in their bonnet.

Use the verb have to show angry.

Debbie HAS a bee in her bonnet. Debbie is angry.

Use the verb be when talking about something that bothers you.

Littering on the street IS a bee in my bonnet. I don’t like littering. 

Visit our website: languagesystems.edu

To talk one's ear off

Idiom: to talk one's ear off ; used as a verb

First Example:

Christine: How was the party last night?

Stanley: Ugh. It was horrible.

Christine: Really? What happened?

Stanley: Well, I went because I wanted to network. There were a bunch of industry people there. But I met this one guy named Prince, and he talked my ear off all night. I couldn't get away from him.

Christine: Couldn't you excuse yourself and just not go back to him?        

Stanley: I couldn't get a chance to talk! I even excused myself once to go to the restroom, and he followed me!

Meaning: The expression "to talk one's ear off " means to talk to someone excessively. In the above example, Stanley says Prince "talked his ear off" at a party, preventing Stanley from meeting other people.

Second Example:

George: Your phone is ringing.

Tracy: I know. It's my mom. I don't feel like answering.

George: Why not?

Tracy: We're hanging out. If I answer, she'll talk my ear off, and you'll eventually get bored listening to me say "Uh huh" and "Yeah" for an hour.

George: Can't you just tell her you'll call her back?

Tracy: Ha! No, then she'd be offended. It's better if she leaves a voicemail, and I'll call her back later.

Visit our website: languagesystems.edu

Break Someone’s Heart

Example:

Hanna: Thank you for taking me to see the puppies.

Ceasar: I told you they were cute. I just didn’t think you would bring one home.

Hanna: Well, it broke my heart to leave such a cute puppy all alone in a cage. 

Ceasar: You’re breaking my heart with the thought of how much time we have to dedicate to this cute animal.

Meaning: The expression "to break someone’s heart" means to cause or create pain and anguish on anyone on a deep emotional level.  To make someone extremely sad.

Visit our website: languagesystems.edu

To stop dead n one's tracks

Idiom: to stop dead in one's tracks; used as a verb

Example:

Larry: How was your camping trip?

Vickie: It was awesome! Except for the bear.

Larry: The bear?!

Vickie: Yeah, we went out for a night hike, and when we returned, there was a bear in our campsite going through our food. We forgot to put everything away.

Larry: What did you do?

Vickie: When I first saw it, I stopped dead in my tracks; I was terrified. But then Christina suggested that we should try to scare it away. So we got in her car and turned it on. We honked the horn, revved the engine, and we yelled and clapped, and that scared it away.

Meaning: The expression "to stop dead in one's tracks" means to suddenly stop moving, usually when frightened. In the above example, Vickie says she "stopped dead in (her) tracks" when she saw a bear. The expression comes from hunting and can also be used in the more literal meaning. 

Visit our website: languagesystems.edu

To Scratch the surface

Example 1: 

Katya: Hey,​Yuko! What did you learn about in school today?

Yuko: Our professor talked about space. We learned about stars, planets, and black holes. It was so interesting!

Katya: Wow! I've always wondered if there could be life on other planets. Did you learn about that?

Yuko: No, our lesson was only one hour long. The professor only scratched the surface. I will have to learn a lot more about space before I can understand it completely.

Example 2: 

Amy: How was your trip to Los Angeles?

Jason: It was great, but I wish it had been​ longer. I was there for a week, and I got to see the Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood sign, and the ​Dodger Stadium. But I feel like there is so much more to see and do in LA. I barely scratched the surface. 

Meaning: To ​talk about a topic on a superficial level; not go deeply into the subject; only deal with a small part of a problem or situation.

Visit our website: languagesystems.edu

Stand over someone

Example 1: 

Lina: How was your math test?

Matthew: It was OK, but it was hard for me to focus. My teacher was standing over me during the whole test. I think she was watching me to see if I made any mistakes, but it was very distracting.

Lina: That's strange. When I took the test she stood over me the whole time too! Maybe she thinks that we are going to cheat, so she is watching us closely to make sure that we don't.

Example 2: 

Rafael: Why are you so tired?

Elena: I couldn't sleep last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined that someone was standing over me, watching me sleep! I think it's because of the horror movie I watched last weekend.

Rafael: Creepy! 

Meaning: To stand next to someone and watch what they are doing

Visit our website: languagesystems.edu