To kick (something) around

Idiom: To kick (something) around; used as a verb

First Example:

Dawn: How is the screenplay that you're writing with Janet?

Jeff: Truthfully, we're kind of stuck. We can't settle on an ending.

Dawn: Oh?

Jeff: We've got a few ideas we're kicking around at the moment, but we haven't found anything we really like.

Dawn: Well, if you need help, I can kick some ideas around with you guys and give you an outsider's perspective.

Jeff: Actually, that might be helpful. Let me ask Janet what she thinks.      

Meaning: To "kick (something) around" means to discuss or brainstorm. Usually, this expression is used when a person or group of people are trying to find a solution, as in the example above (where Janet and Jeff have been kicking around ideas for an ending, and Dawn offers to help). Notice that this idiom is separable, meaning it can be used with a noun in front of the idiom ("a few ideas we're kicking around"), separating the idiom ("kick some ideas around") or even after the idiom ("kick around some ideas" - not in example dialogue). 

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A face only a mother could love

Idiom: A face only a mother could love

Read the text messages between these two friends and try to guess the meaning of the idiom: A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE.

_____________________________________________________

Hi Jenn,

Have you met the new neighbor yet?

He is so funny. He is also very smart and has traveled all over the world.

He has a great job, and I think he is SINGLE! I think he is so handsome!

Susy, I haven't met him yet.

I saw him by the pool. Do you seriously think he is handsome?

I think you need to wear eye glasses. He has a face only a mother could love...

You are so mean!

Whatever! Gotta go. Bye.

______________________________________________________

Meaning: A face only a mother could love means an unattractive face.

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Like mother, like daughter

Idiom: Like mother, like daughter

Read the following dialogue and try to guess the meaning of the idiom "like mother, like daughter":

Anna: I can't believe our daughter is getting married today! She looks beautiful! Look at how well she dances! 

Bob: She is a good dancer because you are! She is also as beautiful as you are. Like mother, like daughter!

Anna: Oh, Bob... 

Bob: May I have this dance, ma'am? 

Meaning: "Like daughter, like mother" is an idiom used to show that a daughter has similar talents, looks, or personality traits as her mother. 

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Pit stop

Idiom: Pit stop

Example 1: 

Our road trip to Las Vegas was great except for 1 thing. John kept drinking a ton of water and we had to make so many pit stops for him to use the restroom! 

Example 2:

Jason: Are you ready to go?

Maria: Yes, but we'll need to make a quick pit stop for gas and snacks. It's going to be a long drive.

Jason: OK! There's a gas station near the freeway. We can get everything there.

Explanation: A pit stop is a short break in a driving trip to do something such as fill the gas tank, use the restroom, buy snacks, etc. 

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Road rage

Idiom: Road rage

Example 1 (On the road)

Robbie: Watch out, Sarah! You almost hit that car in front of us!

Sarah: Oh my gosh! I didn't see it! Oh no, it looks like he's slowing down but why?

(Other driver gives Robbie and Sarah the middle finger and is shouting something at them from his car)

Robbie: Wow! That guy needs to calm down! He has a serious case of road rage! And Sarah, you need to drive more carefully.

Example 2 (News Report)

There was a terrible incident of road rage late last night on the 110 freeway in Los Angeles. A local man lost his life when an enraged motorist stuck him with his vehicle after a minor traffic accident. Police are still investigating. 

Meaning: Road rage is extremely aggressive behavior by a person driving a car or other road vehicle. Road rage includes rude hand gestures, shouting, unsafe driving, purposely blocking or hitting another vehicle, throwing things at other drivers, getting out of the car to fight, and has even resulted in death.

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A class clown

Idiom: A class clown

Context #1:

Jill: Have you met John, the new student from Texas?

Cathy: Yeah, he is so funny.  His first day in class he was doing an impression of President Obama and everyone was laughing so hard.

Jill: I heard about that.  I guess he has become the official class clown.

Context #2:

Tom: Man! That accounting class is so boring.

Chris: Yeah, I know.  Everyone is so serious.

Tom: We need to get a new student who can be the class clown.

Chris: Definitely!

Meaning: "class clown" is a term used to describe the student in a class who is really funny and makes people laugh.  The class clown is usually joking around and doing silly things just because that is his/her personality.

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(To be) a geek

Idiom: (To be) a geek

Context #1:

Jim: What are you doing this weekend?  

Carl: Well, I think I'm going to study and work on my remote control airplane.

Jim: Really? You are such a geek!

Carl: Yeah, I know. Everybody says that.

Context #2:

Sally: Did you know that Peter has a huge collection of Star Wars and Batman toys? The guy is like 40 years old.

Grace: I know. Peter is a real geek! His whole bedroom is filled with Star Wars stuff.

Meaning: "A geek" is used to describe someone whose life interests and hobbies are strangely centered around things like science fiction movies, computer games, math, the sciences, engineering, etc. 

This term is derogatory and is used to tease people or to make fun of them.

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