A Piece of Cake

Meaning: easy; something that is not difficult
 Use:

Tom: What did you think of that test, Jill?

Jill: It was a piece of cake!

In other words, Jill thought the test was easy.

A Toss Up

Meaning: The result or end of a situation is unclear or undecided.

Use:  My friend is really unreliable. He often promises to do things for me and then he forgets. He told me he would pick me up at 5 tonight, but whether he will or not is a toss up.

In other words, the author doesn’t know if his friend will come or not.

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Back to the Drawing Board

First Example:

Susanne: Hey Peter! How is your new workout plan going?

Peter: Not so great.

Susanne: What happened?  You seemed so excited about your New Year's resolutions last week, saying you were going to go to the gym four days a week.

Peter: I had dinner plans after work on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then on Friday, I was so tired.  So it's back to the drawing board on my resolutions.

Susanne: Well, two days isn't too bad.  Can you plan to work out on the weekends?

Peter:  I was hoping to have my weekends free, but I think I might plan one weekend day each week.  Then I can plan to go to the gym two days during the work week, making it three days a week.

Susanne: That sounds pretty good to me.                                

Meaning: When someone says "back to the drawing board," it means that a previously established plan isn't working and that it is time to re-plan.  In the above example, Peter's New Year's resolution doesn't work with his schedule, so he needs to re-think his resolution and come up with something that is actually possible.  Sometimes "back to the drawing board" will be used in a complete sentence, such as in the example above; however, the idiom will sometimes be used on its own, as in the following example:

Lisa: My job interview went horribly!

Jason: What happened?! I thought you said you were perfect for that job?

Lisa: I thought I was, but then I got to the interview, and the interviewer started asking me questions about things I didn't understand. I was so confused by his questions, I finally just told him that I misunderstood the job qualifications and apologized for wasting his time.

Jason: I'm sorry to hear that.  What are you going to do next?

Lisa: Back to the old drawing board, I guess. I thought this job was so perfect, I didn't apply anywhere else.

Jason:  Well, good luck in the new job search!

Meaning: This time, Lisa uses the expression "back to the drawing board" without a subject and verb in answer to Jason asking "What are you going to do next?" suggesting that she is starting a new job search.  Also notice that she adds the word "old," which is common with this expression.  The meaning does not change when you add the word "old."

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To Ring in the New Year

To Ring in the New Year:  to celebrate the beginning of the new year at midnight on December 31. 

Example 1

Nina: I am so excited for tonight! I’ve always wanted to ring in the new year from Times Square in New York City!

Vince: I know, but it’s going to be cold. Do you have a warm coat?

Nina: Yes, I am completely prepared. I have a warm coat and gloves, plus thick boots.

Vince: Well, there will be a lot of other people ringing in the new year with us, so be prepared to stand up for a long time!

Example 2

Bob: We are planning a big party to ring in the new year. Would you like to come?

Ken: Sure! When is it?

Bob: Well, we are ringing in the new year, so of course it’s on New Year’s eve.

Ken: Oh, sorry. I have to work that night.

Bob:  Really? That’s too bad! Why don’t you come over after work?

Ken: OK. I finish work at about 10:30 PM. Can I come over after that?

Bob: That’s perfect! You can ring in the new year with us at midnight!

Explanation: To ring in the new year means to celebrate the new year at midnight on December 31^st. In both example dialogues above, people are planning different ways to ring in the new year. In the first, they are going to Times Square in New York, a famous place where crowds gather at midnight on December 31^st to ring in the new year. In the second dialogue, Bob is inviting his friend to a New Year’s party. For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.org.

To Turn Over a New Leaf

To Turn Over a New Leaf -  To make a fresh new start to begin again; to reform and begin again; to start behaving in a better way

Example 1

Nina: I am so out of shape! When I was walking up the stairs to class this morning, I could barely make it. I was so tired that I just wanted to sit down. I’m only 26, so I don’t think that should be happening to me.

Vince: It sounds like you need to turn over a new leaf and start exercising more! Why don’t you sign up at a new gym and start working out?

Nina: Do you really think I need to do that much and actually go to a gym?

Vince: Well, yes. It will motivate you to work out every day if you are paying for it.

Nina: I guess you’re right. I definitely need to turn over a new leaf and start exercising. Maybe I’ll sign up at that new gym down the street.

Vince: Yes, it’s a pretty good gym, but it’s really expensive! You should try to look for some other gyms to see if you can get something cheaper. They should have some good deals now at the beginning of the year. This is the time when everyone wants to turn over a new leaf.

Nina: Good idea!

Example 2

Bob: I cannot believe how much Bill has changed since he got out of rehab! He is like a new person.

Ken: Yes, he has really turned over a new leaf. I’m so glad that he finally decided to accept the fact that he is an alcoholic and then found treatment.

Bob: I know. He tried to hide it for so long, but everyone could see that he was out of control. He was drunk almost every day!

Ken: I just hope he stays sober and doesn’t drink again.

Bob:  I think he will be OK. Once he turns over a new leaf, everyone will support him.

Ken: I agree.

Explanation: When it’s the new year or even the start of something new, it’s time to make a fresh start, to do something different, and to turn over a new leaf! In this case,  “leaf” means a page—a fresh, clean page or to turn the page and start a new chapter of your life. It can also mean to start behaving in a better way.  In the first example,  Nina is still young, but really out of shape, so she decides to start exercising to get in better shape. In the second example, Bill is an alcoholic, so he needs to make a fresh start and start behaving in a different way. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com. 

On Thin Ice

On Thin Ice -  In a risky or difficult situation. 

Example 1

Nikki: I’m so nervous right now. I’m on thin ice with Dave and I still have to sing with him again tonight when we go out Christmas caroling in the mall.

Ned: What do you mean you are on thin ice? I thought you both loved singing Christmas songs together.

Nikki: That was before I started seeing Todd. I mean, I like Dave as a friend and he is really fun to sing with, but I don’t want to date him. When he saw me out with Todd last night at the restaurant, he seemed really upset.

Ned: Wow, that’s tough. Maybe you should just talk to him about it and tell him how you really feel.

Noriko: Yes, I probably should since I really want to keep him as a friend. Wish me luck!

Example 2

Bob: What’s wrong, Ken?

Ken: Well, I’m afraid I’m about to lose my job. I’m really on thin ice with my boss and he is watching every move I make.

Bob: Really? Why is that?

Ken: Well, recently I’ve been going out with my friends and partying a lot. We stay out really late and it is so hard for me to get up in the mornings. I’m supposed to be to work by 9:00 AM, but I’ve been late a few times.

Bob:  What do you mean by “late?”

Ken: I came in around 10:15 AM a few days. My boss was so angry because we are busy right now and other employees had to cover for me.

Bob: Wow, I can see why you are on thin ice at work. You shouldn’t be late again.

Ken: Yes, I know. I’m really trying to make it on time every day.

Meaning: To be on thin ice means to be in a risky or difficult situation. In the first example, Nikki is on thin ice because she went out with another guy and her friend became upset because he likes her. In the second example, Ken is on thin ice, or is in risk of losing his job, because he has been late a lot to work.  For more information, please visit:www.languagesystems.com. 

To Get in the Holiday Spirit

To Get in the Holiday Spirit - to have good feelings about the holidays 

Example 1:

Santa Claus: Merry Christmas, everyone!  

Noriko: Wow! I can’t believe how beautiful the mall looks with all these Christmas decorations. And look over there! It’s Santa Claus posing for pictures with the kids.

Nikki: Yes, Santa Claus is getting everyone in the holiday spirit.

Noriko: I’ve never had my picture taken with Santa before. Do you think it would be strange if I did it now?

Nikki: Why not? Let’s get in the holiday spirit! It will be a nice souvenir for you to take back to Japan with you.

Noriko: OK. Let’s do it!

Christmas Carolers

Example 2: 

Bob: Oh, I’ve been so busy at work. I’m just exhausted! And now, my girlfriend wants me to go to a stupid Christmas party tonight that her company is having. I don’t want to go.

Ken: I know what you mean. I can’t get in the holiday spirit this year. Maybe I’ve just been working too hard.

Bob: Well, a few days of rest and relaxation would help a lot. I’ll definitely get in the holiday spirit once my vacation starts!

Ken: Where are you going this year?

Bob:  We are taking a ski trip to Big Bear. We’ll definitely have a white Christmas with all that snow.

Ken: That’s enough to get anyone in the holiday spirit!

Meaning: To get in the holiday spirit means to become excited about  or to have good feelings about a major holiday, especially Christmas. Someone who gets in the holiday spirit starts participating in all the events surrounding that holiday like buying gifts, sending cards, and putting up decorations. This idiom is especially useful during winter! For more information, please visit:www.languagesystems.com.