Stop and Smell the Roses

Example 1:

Mark: Hi, Joanne. You look a little tired. Are you OK?

Joanne: Hey, Mark. Yeah, I'm all right. I have been really busy recently. My new job is pretty demanding and I've got a few big projects to complete for school. I haven't been sleeping very well, but I'll be OK.

Mark: It's good to be busy, but make sure you stop and smell the roses! You don't want to make yourself sick. 

Example 2: 

I have a great job and it requires me to work many hours each week. Although I really enjoy my job, I have to remember to stop and smell the roses from time to time. Life isn't just about work. It's important to stop and appreciate the simple things in life.

Meaning:

Stop and smell the roses is a common English expression that can be used as friendly advice to someone who may be working too much or too hard.

If you take a break (stop) and enjoy the simple pleasures in life (and smell the roses), everything can be a little more enjoyable!

This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook titled "Reading Foundations"  This book is used at LSI to teach the Level 2 Reading/Vocabulary class.  For more informatioin please visit www.languagesystems.com

I Wouldn't Say That

Example 1:

Ron: Hey Sally, let's see a movie at the theater tonight.

Sally: That's a great idea! What should we see?

Ron: I really want to see the new "Rambo" movie! It looks awesome!

Sally: Hmm, could we see that movie another day? I don't want to watch an action movie.

Ron: Oh, OK. I didn't know you hated action movies.

Sally: I wouldn't say that. Tonight just seems like a good night for a comedy. 

Example 2:

Student 1: More homework?! This teacher isn't fair. I think she hates us.

Student 2: I wouldn't say that. I think she just wants us to practice as much as we can. 

Explanation:

I wouldn't say that is a very polite way to disagree with someone's comment. You can add a comment to explain why you disagree. 

In Example 1, Ron thinks Sally hates action movies. Sally politely disagrees with him and explains that she would rather see a comedy movie. 

Ron: Oh, OK. I didn't know you hated action movies. (Sally disagrees with this)

Sally: I wouldn't say that. Tonight just seems like a good night for a comedy. (Sally explains why she disagrees)

In Example 2, Student 1 thinks the teacher is too strict because she assigns a lot of homework. Student 2 disagrees and offers a different point of view.

This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook titled "Speaking Transitions"  This book is used at LSI to teach the Level 4 Speaking class.  For more informatioin please visit www.languagesystems.com

A bunch of

Idiom: a bunch of

Context #1:

Jim: I need to go to the store to get some pens for my class.

Steve: Really? I have a bunch of extra pens. I can give you like 10 if you want.

Jim: Are you sure? That would be great. Thanks! It'll save me a trip to the store.

Steve: No problem!

Context #2:

Jenny: Hey Cindy, can you do me a big favor? Next week I need a ride to the airport.

Cindy: Next week? No problem! Next week is the beginning of my summer vacation so I will have a bunch of free time.

Jenny: Awesome! I really appreciate it! I'll buy you lunch.

Cindy: Thanks!

Meaning: "a bunch of" is a very common idiom in American English. It has the same meaning as "a lot of" and it can be followed by both non-count nouns and plural count nouns. This can be seen in the two examples above.

 

This idiom comes from the LSI book "Speaking Savvy," which is used to teach Level 5 Speaking classes at LSI schools. For more information please visit www.languagesystems.com

 

Ty

To Skip Something

Idiom:  to skip something

Context #1:

Jerry:  Man, I am so hungry.
Sam: Well, didn't you eat lunch?
Jerry:  That's the problem.  I was so busy at work today that I had to skip lunch.
Sam:  You should keep some snacks at work for next time you are really busy.
Jerry:  Good idea!

Context #2:

Sara: Why didn't you come to class yesterday?
Jane:  Well, my friend has two tickets to Disneyland and she said I could have one of them for free!
Sara:  So you skipped class and went to Disneyland?
Jane:  Yeah, I couldn't say no. 

Meaning:  to skip something means that you do not do something or choose not to do something.  It is a very common idiom in American English. 

This idiom can be found in LSI's textbook titled "Speaking Savvy."  This book is used at LSI to teach the Level 5 Speaking class.  For more informatioin please visit www.languagesystems.com

Ty

Over the hill

Example: 
Iain: “Hi, Ligia! Happy birthday!”
Ligia: “Thank you, Iain! I am so happy it’s my birthday!”
Iain: “You are turning 30, right?”
Ligia: “ I am actually turning  37… Pretty soon I’ll be over the hill.”
Iain: “Ligia… you are still young! You’ll not be over the hill anytime soon!!”
Ligia: “You are right! I’ll say I’m over the hill when I turn 85! Haha.”
Iain: “That’s better! Enjoy your birthday!”

Meaning: Over the hill means to be too old!

Happy Birthday Ligia!!!

To let (someone) down

To let (someone) down: to disappoint, to not complete an expectation

Jamie: Sorry I’m late, Mr. Tosca. 

Mr. Tosca: You told me your presentation would ready two hours ago.  Our new clients are very angry.

Jamie: Don’t worry, Mr. Tosca. I’ll explain everything to them.

Mr. Tosca: No, you won’t. They left 45 minutes ago!  You really let me down.

“Let down” is also used as a countable noun to mean “disappointment.”

Jake: Did you like the movie?

Linda: No, it was ­a let down.

“Let down” is a common phrase in popular culture. Search for the Beatles’ song “Don’t Let Me Down.”

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.com

"to get ahead"

Example 1:

Boss: You're still here? It's almost 7:30!

Employee: I know, don't worry... I just want to get ahead because I have so much extra work to do this week.

Boss: Wow, you're a hard worker! But please take care of yourself, and don't work overtime this week, ok?

Employee: Thank you, I got it. And I will feel much better when I don't have this work on my desk tomorrow!


Example 2:

Tim: I'm getting another job to pay off my credit cards faster.

June: I hear you! I'm thinking about getting a part-time job to make some extra money. I really want to build up my savings.

Tim: Sounds good~ Just don't spend your extra income!

June: Exactly! We have to be careful with our money to really get ahead!


Meaning: to become successful, to push yourself into an advantageous position

In Example 1, the employee feels behind in his/her work, so he/she wants to work late in order "to get ahead" and that means less work tomorrow.

In Example 2, Tim wants to pay off his debt and June wants to save money. Both of them want "to get ahead" and succeed with their finances.

Usage notes: We can use "get ahead" in various verb tenses by modifying the form of "get."

Ex. I am getting ahead with my new job. present progressive
Ex. I got ahead last year when I saved lots of money. past simple
Ex. I've gotten ahead many times in my life simply by working hard. present perfect
Ex. I will get ahead with my new business plan. future simple


The idiom "to get ahead" was taken from Unit 7 (Making it Work) in LSI's textbook Reading Transitions for Level 4 Reading/Vocabulary classes.