To Shop Around

Idiom:  To Shop Around; used as a verb.

First Example:  Tom had shopped around at several stores before finding the refrigerator he wanted.  After comparing prices at a few places, he found that the appliance store by his house had the cheapest price.

Meaning:  To Shop Around means to shop at different stores to find what you want at the best price.  In this example, this person had gone to several stores to compare the price for the refrigerator he wanted.  This idiom can apply to any situation when a person is looking for the best price for a particular item.  The idiom is used as verb in this example.

Here is another example:

Second Example:  Before you decide to buy a new car, you should always shop around at several car dealerships first.  Most first time car buyers tend to experience “buyer’s remorse” when they find out that they could have bought the same car at a lower price.

Meaning:  In this case, the idiom, Shop Around, is used to express the advice that one should research the cost of buying a big priced item before buying it right away.  Most people tend to regret buying an item if they find out that they could have bought it at a lower price.  In this example, the idiom is being used as a verb when giving recommendations/suggestions.

This idiom is from the book "Everyday Idioms – Book One" which is used in the LSI Intermediate Conversation Class.

For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/ 

To Get off to a Good Start

Idiom:  To Get Off to a Good Start; used as a verb.

First Example:  Mary’s first day of class got off to a good start because all of her students arrived on time and were excited for the first lesson of the day.

Meaning:  To Get off to a Good Start means to start a particular activity correctly or to have a successful beginning.  In this example, Mary’s first day of class had started out correctly because all of her students had arrived on time and were ready for class.  Further, her students were very excited for her first lesson and the idiom implied that she would have a successful day.  This idiom can apply to any situation where any particular project or activity starts off in a good way.  This usually applies to an activity that required a lot of planning.  It’s used as a verb in this example.

Here is another example:

Second Example:  John’s blind date with Cindy was off to a good start!  After meeting her at the restaurant, they both discovered that they had similar interests and were both very passionate about their pets.

Meaning:  In this case, the idiom, off to a good start, serves to express the idea that John and Cindy’s blind date had a successful start.  Typically, an awkward situation, such as a blind date, can be a potentially frustrating event.  However, since John and Cindy shared many common interests, the blind date could potentially lead to a very fruitful relationship in the future.  In this example, the idiom is being used as an idiomatic phrase.

This idiom is from the book "What’s up – American Idioms," which is used as supplemental material in the LSI Levels 5-7 Listening/Speaking classes.

For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/ 

To follow someone's lead

Example 1
Kate is such a wonderful person! She does a lot of volunteer work in her community helping the homeless and under-privileged children. I think more people should follow Kate's lead and help people who need it most.

Example 2
If you are trying to get into shape and be healthy, you should follow John's lead. He exercises often and eats lots of fruits and vegetables.

To follow someone's lead means to do as someone else does, to use someone as an example.

"To follow someone's lead" is a common idiom used by native speakers. Practical idioms like this can be learned from LSI Speaking books like "Reading Connections," which is used to teach the Level 3 Reading/Vocabulary classes at Language Systems.   For more information please visit: www.languagesystems.com 

To put someone behind bars

Example 1

Joe was arrested for fraud. He was filing fake insurance claims and collecting money he did not deserve. The judge decided to put Joe behind bars for at least 2 years.

Example 2

When the police realized that Frank had been driving while drunk, they put him behind bars for the weekend.

To put someone behind bars means to put someone in jail. Usually  only the police or authorities are used as the subject because they have the authority to send someone to jail.

"To put someone behind bars" is a common idiom used by native speakers. Practical idioms like this can be learned from LSI Speaking books like "Speaking Transitions," which is used to teach the Level 4 Speaking/Listening classes at Language Systems schools.  For more information please visit: www.languagesystems.com 

To Ask For It

Idiom: "To Ask For It"

 

Context #1:

 

John:  Man!  What happened to your hand? It's all wrapped up like you just came from the hospital!

Tony:  I got bit by my neighbor's dog this morning.

John:  The dog just attacked you?

Tony:  No, I was teasing the dog and I guess the dog got angry and bit me.

John: That was pretty stupid of you.  You asked for it!

 

Context #2:

 

Paulina:  Guess what?  I got another speeding ticket today.

Kathy: Again?  I thought you were going to start driving more carefully.

Paulina:  Well, I was late for work and to make it on time I had to go like 85mph on the freeway.  I was driving so fast that I had to weave in and out of the cars that were going like 70.

Kathy: You were going 85 on the freeway?  You were asking for a ticket.

 

"To ask for something" is a common idiom used by native speakers.  It means that someone deserved the negative consequences they experienced.  It's the same as saying, "Well, you deserved it."  Practical idioms like this can be learning in LSI Speaking books like "Speaking Savvy," which is used to teach the Level 5 Speaking/Listening classes at Language Systems schools.  For more information please visit: www.languagesystems.com 

My Bad

Idiom: "My Bad"

Context #1:

Tom (passenger): Oh man look!  We got a parking ticket!  How much is it for?

Steve (owner of the car): I have to pay $55.

Tom: Do you want me to help you pay the ticket?

Steve: You don't need to.  It's my bad.  I knew I should have put some money in the parking meter.

Context #2:

Sally: I heard you broke up with your boyfriend.

Jane: Yeah, actually, he kind of broke up with me.

Sally:  Really?  What happened?

Jane:  Well, I think it was my bad.  I just kept nagging him too much about every little thing. 

Meaning: "my bad" is a very common idiom in American English, especially among young people.  It basically means, "it was my fault."  American young people use this expression when they take responsibility for something that went wrong.  Everyday expressions like this are taught in the Speaking/Listening classes at Language Systems International.  For more information please visit: www.languagesystems.com

Hit The Spot

Idiom: Hit the Spot

 

Example: Mike and Alex are eating at a restaurant after class

 

Alex: Wow! You ate that sandwich pretty quickly!

Mike: Dude, I was so hungry. I was running late today so I had to skip breakfast.

Alex: I see. Did the sandwich hit the spot?

Mike: Yeah! It definitely hit the spot!!

 

Meaning of 'hit the spot': to be exactly what is needed or wanted (if the food hits the spot, it makes you feel satisfied). 

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