Be On The Fence

Context #1

Jim:  Have you decided who you're going to vote for?

Chris: I still don't know.  I'm kind of on the fence right now.  Both candidates are qualified and seem great for the job.

Context #2

Carol:  Have you and your husband found a new apartment yet?

Shelly:  Well, we're still on the fence about which city to live in.  I want to live closer to the beach, but my husband wants to live closer to his work. 

MEANING: to be on the fence means that you cannot make up your mind between two choices or alternatives.  It means that you are having a hard time deciding on one thing over the other. 

To Wake Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed

Context #1:

Tom: Man!  Chrissy must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed today!

Steve:  I know.  She is in such a bad mood.  

Tom: I think I'll just stay away from her today.

Context #2:

Sara:  Jenny, can I borrow a pen?  I forgot mine.

Jenny: Really? Again? You always forget your pen.  How many times has it been now? A million...

Sara: Wow!  Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Jenny: I'm sorry.  Yeah, I'm a little stressed out today.  Here you go.  You can use this pen.

MEANING: to wake up on the wrong side of the bed is an expression used when someone is really grumpy or in a bad mood.  It is almost always used with a past tense form, like in example #2.

A Stone’s Throw

Example: 

Stephane:  I’m looking for the emergency clinic.  Someone told me it was pretty near.

Sean: It’s a stone’s throw away.  You see that building fifty feet away?

Stephane: The pink one?

Sean: That’s the one.  Just next door.

Stephane:  Wow, no kidding! It really is close.

Meaning: "A stone’s throw" means a very short distance; In other words, as far as someone can throw a stone.   Most people can’t throw something very far, so when this expression is used, it typically means you’re within sight of a location, thing, or person you’re looking for.

A Baker's Dozen (used as a noun)

First Example:

Stephanie: I need to get some bagels for a meeting.

Baker: How many do you need?      

Stephanie: Well, there's going to be 10 people, but I want a couple extra because I'm not sure what everyone likes. So I guess a dozen.

Baker: How about a baker's dozen, which is thirteen?

Stephanie: That's perfect!

Meaning: A "baker's dozen" is a phrase that really just means "13" of something. This expression is most commonly used when purchasing baked goods, such as bagels, donuts, rolls, etc. It refers to the tradition of a baker throwing in one extra when a customer purchases 12 of something, as in the example above.

Second Example (added by request):

Christina wanted to give out donuts during her class presentation. There 12 students including herself, but there was also the teacher, so she asked for a baker's dozen.

Origin (a little something extra):

It's commonly believed the expression comes from medieval England, when there were strict laws regarding bread sellers. Since bread was a staple in the people's diet, there were laws regulating the price of bread based on weight. So if a baker sold a customer a dozen loaves, but accidentally only included 11 loaves, or one of the loaves was under weight, that baker could be heavily fined for overcharging the customer. So bakers started throwing in an extra loaf for orders of a dozen loaves, just in case, and the expression was born.

To fall into your lap

Example 1:

Tom and Elizabeth are brother and sister. Tom has been looking for a job for about a month.

Elizabeth: How’s your job hunt going, Tom?

Tom: I finally have a job

Elizabeth: Really?

Tom: Yes! I’m going to be working as a Coder for Google.com

Elizabeth: Oh wow!! That’s so exciting! Congratulations

Tom: Thank you sis!

Elizabeth: How did you get that job?

Tom: I’d turned in my resume about two months ago and completely forgot about it. Well, they called me last week and interviewed me over the phone.

Elizabeth: That’s amazing! It seems like it just fell into your lap

Tom: Yes! I’m surprised how easily it fell into my lap. They want me to start tomorrow.

Elizabeth: I’m so happy for you

Tom: Me too.

Example 2:

I’ve been looking for a cheap apartment in West Hollywood. My best friend pays $950 for a one bedroom apartment there. That rate is unheard of for that area. She told me that she is going to be going to Russia to teach English for one year, so I can take over her lease. I’ll be paying the same amount for rent. I can’t believe how effortlessly that apartment fell into my lap.

Meaning: To come to you without you making any effort.

http://languagesystems.edu/

To Go Down in Flames

Example 1:

Hey, Marty! What are you doing for your birthday?

I think I am going to have a party at Fabulous 5.

Wait! They went out of business!

What?! Are you sure? They closed down?!

Yeah. Apparently there were leaks in the restrooms, holes in the walls, the chairs and tables were old and starting to break, and on top of all that, they owed a lot of money to the government. They had no choice!

Oh, man! Yeah, I guess it’s  true! The place was in pretty bad shape, but they had the nicest people working there and the DJs were always awesome! It’s hard to believe they would go down in flames like that!

I know! I’ll miss their cocktails… They were pretty good and they only cost $3.00!

Well, maybe that’s why they were not making enough money… I will never forget Fabulous 5!

Example 2:

Hey Susan,

Jonathan is my brother-in-law. He is an experienced banker and is currently looking for a job. His career went down in flames after his company accused him of stealing from them… I don’t believe that actually happened and now he can’t get a job anywhere. Do you think you could interview him if you need someone?

Sincerely,

Cibelle

Meaning of “to go down in flames”: To be ruined, to fail, to end completely or suddenly.

http://languagesystems.edu/

For the Birds

Context #1 – Roommates watching TV at home

Vanessa: This new TV show was supposed to be so good, but it's really boring and confusing. I have no idea what's going on.

Brad: Yes, this show is definitely for the birds. Why don't we change the channel?

Vanessa: I agree. Even reruns of old shows are better than this!

Context #2 – Two friends at a party

Sami:  Hey, Petra! How are you?

Petra: OK, I guess. I hardly know anyone here.

Sami: Yeah, me too. I thought Brian invited a bunch of our friends?

Petra: I don't see anyone. Plus, these snacks suck. A few carrot sticks and sparkling water? Seriously? This isn't supposed to be a health club, it's a party!

Sami: I know. And this live band is terrible. They are just making noise, not music.

Petra: You know what? This party is for the birds. Let's get out of here and go some place fun!

Sami: Great idea! Let's go.

Click to listen to the idiom now

Meaning: “For the birds” means that something is worthless or undesirable. In Context 1, the new TV show is terrible and not even worth watching, so they decide to change the channel. In Context 2, the party doesn't have good food, music, or people they know, so it is no good. Petra and Sami finally decide to leave.

Check out the following video that is literally "For the Birds!"

http://languagesystems.edu/