Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Idiom: Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Example 1: 

Lisa: Did you see that new guy in class? He is SO cute!!

Tina: Oh, you mean James? Yes, he is very handsome! He is my brother's friend.

Lisa: I want to go out on a date with him.

Tina: Lisa, you are barking up the wrong tree!!

Lisa: What do you mean?

Tina: He is gay. He isn't interested in girls!

Example 2:

News Anchor: The police investigation revealed that Mr. Thompson was not guilty of committing the burglary. It was actually his neighbor who had committed the crime. The police finally realized that they were barking up the wrong tree by accusing Mr. Thompson.

Meaning: To waste your effort pursuing the wrong thing, person or path.

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Let Nature Take Its Course

Idiom: Let Nature Take Its Course

Example 1: 

My daughter Isabella is 17 years old. She just graduated from high school and I am worried about her. The thing is, she has never dated anyone. All her friends have gone on dates but her.

Should I try to help her? Or should I let nature take its course?

Example 2: 

Ted: My friend didn't study at all last term for his algebra class. I took the final exam one day before the rest of the class. After the exam, he wanted me to give him all of the answers.

Irene: He wanted you to cheat?! Well, did you give him the answers?

Ted: Oh, no. I let nature take its course: he failed the exam.

Meaning: To let nature take its course means to let things happen naturally with no interference from an outside source.

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Tempest in a Teapot

Idiom: Tempest in a Teapot

Example 1: Small cultural differences can sometimes create big problems! My roommate is from another country, so we sometimes disagree. Just the other day, we were fighting because I had left my jacket on the couch when I arrived home. I was tired and in a rush to get something to eat. I thought it wasn't a big deal but my roommate began to lecture me on responsibilities as a roommate and having pride in your home. He got really upset and I couldn't understand it! What a tempest in a teapot! 

Example 2: 

George: I'm so angry!

Martin: What's the matter?

G: We invited 50 people to the party and 45 confirmed, but only 42 have arrived on time! I planned all of this for nothing!!! I'm going to cancel the whole thing if they don't show up in 5 minutes!

M: Hey, George! Relax! It's OK! The rest of the guests will come soon, I'm sure. 

Jack: Martin, what's wrong with George?

M: He's upset because 3 guests haven't arrived yet.

J: Really!? That's just a tempest in a teapot! There are more than enough people to begin the party!

Meaning: This expression is used to describe a big fuss or commotion over something minor. In Example 1, the speaker feels that his roommate is overreacting to something very small and unimportant. In Example 2, George is really upset because 3 people haven't arrived for the party, but Martin thinks it's not a big problem because most of the guests have arrived.  

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Rain or Shine

Idiom: Rain or Shine

Example 1: I have been training for the Los Angeles Marathon for 6 months and the race is coming up in a couple of weeks. I'm prepared for the run, but I'm nervous because the weather report shows rain for marathon day! It's such a big event with a lot of preparation by the city so it will happen come rain or shine. I really hope we have nice weather that day. Running in the rain would be dreadful.

Example 2: 

Maggie: Hi Jessica! How are you? 

Jessica: Hi! I'm great, thanks! I'm pretty excited for my wedding this weekend!

M: Wow that is exciting! I hope the weather stays clear and sunny for your big day.

J: I hope so, too. but I'm not worried! I know everything will be perfect rain or shine!

Meaning: (come) rain or shine = no matter what the weather or situation (usually weather). In Example 1, the Los Angeles Marathon will not be cancelled if it rains on that day. In Example 2, Jessica says she expects everything will be fine even if it rains. 

This expression can be used with come without changing the meaning. Example: We will be there come rain or shine. = We will be there rain or shine.

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to grill someone

Idiom: to grill someone; used as a verb

First Example:
Theresa was really grilling Harry on their first date. She was sure asking him all these questions about his preferences. He eventuall had to ask her to stop. 

Second Example:

When Janice said she hadn't done her homework because she had to go to the hospital the night before, the teacher grilled her on what happened. The teacher asked for so many details, Janice finally gave up and was honest, explaining that she went to a movie.

Meaning: To "grill" someone means to ask that person many questions, similar to a cross-examination in a courtroom. In the first example/illustration above, Harry was grilled by his date; he thought her questions were excessive. In the second example, Janice is grilled by her teacher, and she eventually admitted that she was lying. 

Camp Out

Idiom: Camp out

First Example:

Lenny: What are you and your family doing this weekend?

Nancy: We’re going to Pismo beach.  We’re still considering if we will camp out on the beach or not.

Lenny:  I’m not big on camping out in the wild.  I only camp out in my backyard.  It’s not extravagant, but it’s safe for me.

Second Example:

Mitt: The protesters have been sitting in front of City Hall for some time now.

Sean: Yeah, they decided to camp out to show the mayor how angry they are about the new policies.

Meaning: 

To "camp out" means to sleep/live outdoors for a short or extended period of time, usually in a tent.  To camp out includes giving up general utilities like shower, toilet, and going without many possessions.  In the first example, Nancy is debating whether she and her family will stay in a tent on the beach, but Lenny contends that he doesn’t like the outdoors.  Lenny’s approach to “camping out” is confined to the safety of his back yard.  In the second example, the protesters intended on staying in front of City Hall for an extended period of time to prove their tenacity.  Therefore, they camped out in front of the building showing their willingness to give up comforts to show their commitment.

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Happy Camper

Idiom: Happy Camper; used as a noun

First Example:

Pete: Hey Chip, what’s going on?  You seem to be incredibly unhappy.

Chip: Every time I almost get my work done, someone interrupts me. I’m not a happy camper.

Pete: No kidding, you’ve been quite irritated for the last couple of days.  I guess that project was tough huh?

Second Example:

Jean: You’re certainly a happy camper after your trip to Europe.

Matt: I had a chance to visit so many sites and try so many good things to eat.  What’s not to be happy about?

Meaning: 

To be a "happy camper" means to be satisfied, cheerful or pleased with something, someone, or the result of something.  In the first example, Pete noticed Chip’s demeanor and noticed how unhappy he was with something.  Chip explains that he keeps getting interrupted. This idiom is commonly used with a negative to mean unhappy.

In the second example, Matt expresses his positive experience in Europe and why he was so happy.  He was a satisfied customer, or a Happy Camper.

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