To be out

Idiom: to be out

Context #1

Jim:  Hey, you'd better wake up Steve.  You know the teacher hates when he sleeps in class.

Tom:  I already tried.  I poked him several times but he still didn't wake up.  He is out!

Context #2

Susie:  What time did you get home from the party last night?

Kathy: I got home around 2 o'clock in the morning. 

Susie: Yeah, me too.  I was so tired I just went to bed.

Kathy: I know.  I brushed my teeth and then turned on the TV to watch a movie but I was out in like 5 minutes.

Meaning: to be out is an American idiom that is used when you describe someone who is in a deep sleep.  When I person is out, it is usually because they are really tired, really exhausted, or really drunk. If someone is out, it is really hard to wake them up. Practical idioms like this are taught in the Speaking and Conversation classes at LSI.  

For more information please visit www.languagesystems.edu

To get jipped

Idiom:  to get jipped

Context #1:

Sam: Hey, nice cell phone!

Tom: Yeah, I got it on E-bay for $100.

Sam:  Really?  You got jipped.  I saw the same exact phone at Best Buy for $50.

Tom: Oh man!

Context #2:

Julie: I bought this book on Amazon and the seller said that it was "like new."  But look, there's writing in pen all over the place.

Christine:  It looks like you got jipped.  I would return that book and ask for a refund!

Julie:  Yeah, I'm going to do that.

Meaning:  to get jipped is an idiom in American English that is used for situations where you pay for something but the price is not fair or is unreasonably high.  Sometimes you pay too much for something that is not worth that much.  Sometimes a seller is dishonest and is trying to make a huge profit.  In these situations, you can use this idiom.  Practical idioms like this are taught in the Speaking and Conversation classes at LSI.  

For more information please visit www.languagesystems.edu

Loose Cannon

Idiom: Loose Cannon

Meaning: A person who doesn't think of their actions or their effects on those around them. 

Example:

Michele: I can't believe how Jason acted at the party.

Christina: I heard he was such a loose cannon and hurt a lot of people's feelings.

Michele: I don't think the alcohol helped any.

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

To be on cloud nine

Idiom: to be on cloud nine

Meaning: To be very content, happy, and in an excellent mood

Example:

Iain: Jennifer has been on cloud nine all day.

Mary: I know! It's because she got engaged last night.

Iain: Ah!! That makes sense now.

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

Tongue in Cheek

Idiom: tongue in cheek; used as an adjective or adverb

First Example:

Helen: What did you get me for my birthday?

Rick: Tickets to see One Direction!                                          

Helen: You're kidding, right?

Rick:  No.  You said you liked them.

Helen: Yeah, but I said it tongue in cheek. I can't believe you took me seriously!

Rick:  I'll admit, I'm kind of glad.  I thought it was a strange band for a 35-year-old woman to like.

Helen: Yeah, well, hopefully you can sell them and buy me a real present.

Meaning: When an American says that something was said "tongue on cheek," it means that the statement is meant to be understood as ironic and humorous.  It can be used as an adverb (as above) or an adject.  In the example above, Rick believed Helen when she said she liked the boy band One Direction, but he didn't realize she was making a joke, so he bought her tickets for her birthday.  This is a common problem when Americans say things "tongue in cheek." Here is another example using the phrase as an adjective:

Jen: Hey John. How was your weekend?

John: It was great!  Like I texted you, I took my grandmother to the opera on Saturday, and then...

Jen: Wait, you mean that wasn't a tongue in cheek text? You really took your grandmother to the opera?

John: Yeah, she and I both love Bizet, and they're doing Carmen.  It's a great production.  I thought it was strange that you responded back with "LOL."

Jen: I didn't realize you liked opera. Huh, you learn something new every day.

Meaning: In this case, John told Jen via text that he was going to an opera with his grandmother, but Jen thought the text John sent was a "tongue in cheek" joke, so she responded with "LOL" ("Laugh Out Loud").   In this case, John was not being ironic as he actually likes opera.  Notice that this example uses the expression as an adjective, whereas the previous example used the expression as an adverb.

This week, we have been covering strange/humorous American idioms in honor of our new favorite blog,  Venezuela Sayings.

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

To fall off the back of a truck

Idiom: to fall off the back of a truck; used as a verb ("must" being a noun).

 First Example:

Christina: Ooh, I like that phone.  Can I see it?

Salesman: Sure! And it's a great price! Only $100.                  

Christina: Wow, that's cheap for a new phone. Is it used?

Salesman:  No, it's brand new.

Christina: Then why are there pictures on it of someone's kid?

Salesman:  Maybe it fell of the back of a truck.

Christina: I'm sorry - I can't purchase stolen goods.  But thanks!

Meaning: When an American says that something "fell off the back of a truck," it means that the item is stolen property.  One common usage is like the one above, when a person will state euphemistically that something "fell off the back of a truck" to suggest that something is stolen without admitting to selling stolen goods (which is illegal).  In the example above, the salesman is telling Christina that the phone might be stolen, but without admitting anything wrong.  However, while the idiom was initially used to euphemistically admit that something was stolen, it is now sometimes used in everyday English to replace "stolen" even though no admission of guilt is being avoided.  Here is another example:

Maria: Wow, Daniel! That's a nice bike!  Where did you get it?

Daniel: I bought it from a guy in an alley in downtown.

Maria: Did it falloff the back of a truck?

Daniel: I didn't think of that; it was pretty cheap.  Think I should go by the police station and see if anyone has reported it stolen?

Maria: Probably a good idea. And who knows - if it is stolen, maybe the owner will give you what you paid for it as a reward.

Meaning: In this case, Maria asks if the bike could be stolen - a possibility Daniel hadn't thought of.   Of course, if he gets caught riding a stolen bike, he could get into trouble, so Maria suggests that he check with the police station to find out if it is stolen.

This week, we will be covering strange/humorous American idioms in honor of our new favorite blog,  Venezuela Sayings.

For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.edu

To Feel Blue

To Feel Blue: To feel depressed or sad. The use of the color blue to mean sad dates from the late 1300s.

Dialogue 1

Nikki: What is the matter, Ned? You look awful!

Ned: I’m feeling really blue because Carol just left me for another guy.

Nikki: Really? Who?

Ned: Her new co-worker, Bob. She just told me all of a sudden that she wanted to break up.

Nikki: I’m so sorry to hear that. Don’t worry. You’ll find someone new. Besides, you didn’t get along very well with Carol anyway. You need to find someone who likes the same things you like.

Ned: You’re right. I feel blue now, but tomorrow things will be much better.

Dialogue 2

Bob: Oh, no! I failed my math test. That means I have to take summer school to bring up my grade.

Ken: That’s too bad! You must really feel blue right now.

Bob: You think? I had big plans for the summer and now it will all be spent at school with Mr. Simpson doing math problems.

Ken: Maybe you should have studied more?

Bob:  Ok, don’t make it worse. I already feel blue. You need to do something to cheer me up.

Ken: Well, I can help you with your math. I love math. I could do it all day!

Meaning: To feel blue means to feel very sad about something or someone.  In the first dialogue, Ned is feeling blue because his girlfriend broke up with him.  In the second dialogue, Bob feels blue because he has to take a math class during the summer instead of doing something fun.  

For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.edu