To make a killing

Example 1:
Ronald: Did you hear about Jacob?
Heejin: Our old friend Jacob? What about him?
Ronald: He made a killing in the stock market last quarter.
Heejin: Really? I should get in touch with him for advice. I lost a lot of money last quarter.


Example 2:
Hugh: I can't go to your party tonight. I have to work - and I'll probably make a killing serving drinks.
Jaime: No kidding. At the bar?
Hugh: Yeah, last week I made $200 in two hours!


Meaning: to make a lot of money or be financially successful. The verb "make" in this idiom must change to agree with the subject.

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Take French Leave

First Example:
Taichi: What are you doing home at noon? Shouldn’t you be at work?
Michael: I didn’t feel like going to work today, so I decided to stay home and do nothing. I get paid
anyway.
Taichi: So you’re taking a French leave? Nice, but I don’t have paid days like you, so I can’t afford that.
Michael: That’s too bad, I’m going to enjoy any time off I can.

Second Example:
Supervisor: Good morning Don. How can I help you?
Don: I don’t really feel like working today.
Supervisor: Are you feeling okay? Are you sick?
Don: Not really. I just want to take the day off.
Supervisor: I can’t get you covered for the day for a French leave. You could have given me a heads up.
We have a lot of work to cover. We need you.
Don: You can’t force me to be here.

Meaning: To take a “French leave” means to take a break from work without asking for permission.

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Wind down

Example 1:
Mom 1: What time do your kids usually go to bed?
Mom 2: Hmm, around 8:30 or 9 pm the latest.
1: Wow, that's pretty good! How do you get them to bed so early? My kids fight and protest until about 10 pm.
2: Well, we limit screen time which means no phones or TV after 6 pm. A bath helps them wind down, too.
1: Oh that makes sense!  I will have to try those tips. Thank you!

Example 2:
Jake: Are you free on Saturday?
Luis: I might be, but I have a brunch with friends and I'm not sure what time that will end.
Jake: We're going to go see the new super hero movie that night. You should really try to join us. We're buying tickets in advance for the 7 pm showing.
Luis: I really want to see that! Can you get me a ticket? I'm sure the brunch will be winding down by around 3 pm. I should be able to make it.

Explanation:
In Example 1, wind down is used in the same way you would use the word relax.  A bath helps them relax, too.
In Example 2, wind down is used to signal the ending or closing of some event. I'm sure the brunch will be ending by around 3 pm.

Pronunciation: wind is pronounced liked wine, with the long i sound.

 https://languagesystems.edu/

To rat on/out

to rat on/out: (verb)

Situation #1: Two students and a teacher

Maria: Mr. Andersen? I think Hank is cheating off of my test.         

Hank: What?! No way!

Mr. Andersen: Let me see your test, Hank.                    

Hank: Why? This is so unfair.

Mr. Andersen: Hmm... You do have all of the same answers as Maria - even the wrong ones. I'm sorry Hank, but I'm going to have to give you a zero on this test.

Hank: Why did you rat on me, Maria?

Maria: Because you were cheating.
                           

Explanation: To "rat on" or "rat out" someone means to tell a person in a position of authority that someone did something wrong. In the example above, Hank says that Maria "rats on" him when she tells Mr. Andersen that Hank is cheating off of her test. The expression "rat on/out" comes from the American mob, where a "rat" is someone who tells the police secrets; it is a very negative thing to say about a person. "Rat out" is usually interchangeable from "rat on," as can be seen in the next example.

                                                                                                                             

Situation #2: Two friends

Katie: Did you hear about Christina's party last night?

Daniel: Yeah, I went! It was awesome! But it got a little too crazy. There were a lot of drugs being taken.

Katie: What? Did you take any?

Daniel: No! I just had a couple beers.

Katie: Did you call the police?

Daniel: Why would I do that?

Katie: Because people were taking drugs. That's illegal!

Daniel: Well, yeah, but I'm not a rat. I'm not going to rat out my friends just because they decide to something illegal. Especially if they're not hurting anyone.

Katie: Well, I would have called the police.

Daniel: And that's why you don't get invited to parties.

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"To hold your horses"

Dad: Come on kids!  Let's go!  We're going to be late.
Kid: Dad, hold your horses.

Joe: Let's go!  I don't want to miss the beginning of the movie.
Tom: Hold your horses!  I'm coming.

Meaning: "To hold your horses" is used when you tell someone to "wait" or "hold on."  People usually say "hold your horses" when they feel like the other person is being a little impatient or too much in a hurry.

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To Break the Ice

To Break the Ice - Meaning: to do or say something when you first meet someone to make the other person feel more comfortable or relaxed, like playing a game or telling a joke.

Hey Amir,

My first day in school was great! I was super nervous meeting all the new people and teachers.
Everyone was in the classroom when our first teacher, Ms. Buell came in. She looked very serious and strict.
I was nervous, but suddenly, she asked everyone to stand up and tell each other about the most interesting place we had ever visited.
It was so much fun. I talked to four different people and felt much more relaxed after that. It was a great ice breaker.
After that, she started the class and I can tell already she will be my favorite teacher!

How was your first day at your new school? Let me know!

Nafi.

https://languagesystems.edu/

Hug it out

Noni: I can’t believe you were so mean to me in front of all those people. I felt humiliated.
Chad: Really? I wasn’t trying to be mean. Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. Come here, let’s hug it out.
Noni: No way. That’s not how I solve things. I really need you to listen to what I have to say.
Chad: Not sure what to think. I’m not very confrontational, so it makes sense to me.

To “Hug it out” means to end an argument, or calm a situation, by giving each
other hugs.

https://languagesystems.edu/