A Sight for Sore Eyes

Idiom:  A Sight for Sore Eyes; used as a noun/idiomatic expression.

First Example:  After having lived in Russia for two years, Betty was really happy to return to her hometown of Malibu in California.  For the past two years, Betty had constantly dreamed of surfing in the ocean.  When she finally saw the beach, it was a sight for sore eyes.

Meaning:  A Sight for Sore Eyes means someone or something you’re glad to see again.  In this example, Betty was really glad to see the beach because she had spent a long time away from it during her stay in Russia.  This idiom can apply to any situation where someone is really happy to see something that they had been yearning for.  The idiom is used as a noun and/or idiomatic expression.

Here is another example:

Second Example:  After William returned from a long business trip, his own bed was a sight for sore eyes.

Meaning:  In this case, the idiom, A Sight for Sore Eyes, is used to express William’s happiness at seeing his bed after traveling for a long time.  When most people travel for an extended period of time, very often they’re glad to see a familiar sight.  In this example, the idiom is being used as noun/idiomatic expression.

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/

Freebie

Idiom:  Freebie; used as a noun.

First Example:  

Sam:  “I work as a food critic for a magazine about food.  The salary is a little low but there are a lot of freebies with the job.  Some of the shops that I review send me boxes of cheese so that I can write articles about them.  But there’s one problem.

Mary:  “What’s that?”

Sam:  “I don’t eat cheese!”

Meaning:  Freebie means something which is given for free, often in return for possible favors in the future.  In this example, Sam, who is a food critic, often receives free items from the stores that he reviews.  Because his job is to review stores, the owners of these shops believe that by sending him free sample items, Sam will write positive articles about their stores.  This idiom can apply to any situation where an individual receives something for free.  This idiom is used as noun in this example.

Here is another example:

Second Example: Alex likes to check for grand openings of new stores in his area on Yelp.com.  When his friends ask him why he always attends the grand openings, he tells them that the stores often give away freebies to encourage future customers to return and buy things from these shops.

Meaning: In this case, the idiom, freebies, serves to express the idea that shops often give away free items to promote the grand opening of the stores.  Many shops often give away free products to encourage customers into becoming regular patrons and hope that they will promote the store to their friends in the future.  In this example, the idiom is being used as a noun.

This idiom is from the book "Help with Idioms," which is used as supplemental material in LSI’s Intermediate Conversation classes.

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

Snap A Photo

Example 1:
Excuse me, sir. Would you mind snapping a photo of me and my family near this statue? We really appreciate it! Thanks!















Example 2:
Hold on, I want to snap a photo of the notes on the board before the teacher erases them.

Meaning:
snap a photo means to take a picture

This idiom is from LSI's 1st edition of "Reading Horizons," which was used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/

Penny-pincher

Example 1:
Ronald is such a penny-pincher. He will only buy something if he has a coupon or if it is on sale.

Meaning: a penny-pincher is someone who is very careful with money. In the example, Ron makes sure he never pays full price for anything.

Example 2:
Our budget is tight this month. We have to pinch our pennies until my next paycheck.

Meaning: to pinch pennies means to be careful with all your money, even small coins like pennies (1 cent coins). You can insert a possessive adjective when talking about a specific person's money.
She should pinch her pennies. We must pinch our pennies. I didn't pinch my pennies, now I'm broke.

This idiom is from LSI's 1st edition of "Reading Horizons," which was used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/

To Take Off

Idiom: "to take off"

 

Context #1:

 

Joe: Where are you going?  Class doesn't end for another 30 minutes!

Steve: I know, but I have to take off early today. I have an appointment at the DMV.

Joe: Oh, I see.

 

Context #2:

 

Sally: Wow! This movie is really boring. 

Julie: I know! I don't think I can handle any more.

Sally: Let's just take off and go hang out at Starbucks.

Julie: Sounds good to me.

 

Meaning: "to take off" is a very commonly used idiom in American English. It simply means "to leave." Our students learn practical idioms like this in our Speaking and Listening classes at LSI. For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.com

Keep Your Chin Up

Idiom: To keep one's chin up

Meaning: To keep one's spirits high; to act brave and confident.

Cultural Note: We say this to someone who is experiencing something emotionally difficult.

 

John just broke up with his girlfriend, Mari, and is talking to his friend Naoto

 

John: I miss Mari.

Fred: Keep your chin up, John. Things will get better.

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Suck It Up

Idiom: Suck it up

Meaning: Stop complaining.

 

Example: Abby is talking to her teacher Mr. N, as he assigns the class some homework.

 

Abby: But Mr. N, we've already been assigned a lot of homework for tomorrow in the other classes!!

Mr. N: Well, now you have some homework for my class too!

Abby: But, tomorrow is Friday and we have to study for tests.

Mr. N: Abby, suck it up!

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