Bite off more than you can chew

Example 1: 

Christina: What's wrong?​ You look so stressed out​!

Adam: I am. I have 4 homework assignments tonight, a math test tomorrow, and I have to memorize my lines for the school play this weekend. Plus, I told my neighbor I would help her paint her house tomorrow!

Christina: Wow, that is too much! I think you bit off more than you can chew. 

Adam: You're right. I shouldn't have accepted so much responsibility, there's no way that I can do it all by myself.

 

Example 2:

Chase: How is your new job?

Austin: It's OK, but I'm a little bit nervous. Today was my first day, and my boss already assigned me 3 important projects. 

Chase: Wow, does he know that you don't have any experience?

Austin: I was afraid to tell her because I wanted to impress her. I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew. 

Chase: Maybe you can ask one of your coworkers for help so you don't have to do all the work by yourself!

Meaning: To try to do more than you are able to do; To try to do something that is too difficult for you.

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Be a sitting duck

Example 1: 

Jin Young: How was your trip last weekend?

Dori: Not so good. Someone broke into my car and stole my bags!

Jin Young: Oh no! What happened?

Dori: Well, I was driving to my hotel, but somehow I got lost. I was in a bad neighborhood, I didn't know how to get around, and my cell phone had no service so I couldn't use my map!

Jin Young: Wow, it sounds like you would be an easy target for a robber.

Dori: Yeah, and then, my car broke down in the middle of the street! I was a sitting duck.  When I got out of the car to try to fix it, the burglar took my bags from my backseat. It was so easy for him!

Example 2: 

During the war, the two armies fought each other by firing weapons across an open field. One night, a soldier started sleepwalking toward the middle of the field. When the sun rose, he was a sitting duck, sitting alone with no weapons in the field!

Meaning: Something that is easy to attack; someone unprotected and vulnerable

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To Storm Something

Example:

Tony: It’s so hot. I really want a cold treat.

Sandra: Too late. I stormed the refrigerator earlier and ate all the ice cream.

Tony: Oh What?! That’s not cool. What am I supposed to enjoy now?

Sandra: Well, we can go to the supermarket and storm their ice cream section.

Tony: Tempting

Meaning: The expression "to storm something" means to take over or control something by force.   

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A long shot

Example 1:

I’ve been applying to several jobs in the last week. Many of them require advanced degrees, which is something I don’t have. However, I do have many years experience in the industry. I’ve been told not to bother applying for those jobs because I’m not qualified, but I still think I should try. I understand that and I know it’s a long shot, but I’m hopeful.

Example 2:

Jack: The Powerball Jackpot reached 2 billion dollars! Are you going to buy a ticket?

Jill: No way. I never play the lottery. It’s a waste of money.

Jack: Of course it’s a long shot, but wouldn’t it be amazing to buy a 2-dollar ticket and win 2 billion?! I think it’s worth it for the excitement alone!

Explanation:

A long shot is something that probably won’t happen, but is worth trying for despite that. 

In example 1, the speaker is applying for jobs that have a specific education requirement. Although he knows there’s a chance it won’t work, he will try anyway. 

In example 2, Jack knows he probably won’t win the lottery, but he thinks it’s worth trying anyway.

This expression is often used with it is in the contracted form It’s

IT’S a long shot, but I’m going to apply for that job.

It is also used with be verb.

Winning the lottery IS a long shot, but I’m going to play.

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A bee in her/his/my bonnet

Example 1:

Debbie has been really unhappy recently. I thought she was just busy and maybe a little stressed out. It turns out she’s had a bee in her bonnet about something I said to her last week. She was complaining that she never has money. She goes to school full time, but she still has a lot of free time, so I suggested she get a part-time job instead of going to so many parties. Apparently, she didn’t like that and has been mad at me since then. I was just trying to help!

Example 2:

I really don’t like when people borrow something and “forget” to return it. That has always been a bee in my bonnet.

Explanation:

Imagine wearing a hat (a bonnet) and then imagine a bee inside your bonnet! You would certainly not be comfortable or calm. This expression is generally used to talk about negative feelings. There are a few ways to use a bee in my/his/her bonnet. 

In example 1, Debbie has a bee in her bonnet about something the speaker said. In other words, Debbie is upset/angry about what the speaker said. 

In example 2, the speaker explains that it bothers them when borrowed items are not returned; this is a bee in their bonnet.

Use the verb have to show angry.

Debbie HAS a bee in her bonnet. Debbie is angry.

Use the verb be when talking about something that bothers you.

Littering on the street IS a bee in my bonnet. I don’t like littering. 

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To talk one's ear off

Idiom: to talk one's ear off ; used as a verb

First Example:

Christine: How was the party last night?

Stanley: Ugh. It was horrible.

Christine: Really? What happened?

Stanley: Well, I went because I wanted to network. There were a bunch of industry people there. But I met this one guy named Prince, and he talked my ear off all night. I couldn't get away from him.

Christine: Couldn't you excuse yourself and just not go back to him?        

Stanley: I couldn't get a chance to talk! I even excused myself once to go to the restroom, and he followed me!

Meaning: The expression "to talk one's ear off " means to talk to someone excessively. In the above example, Stanley says Prince "talked his ear off" at a party, preventing Stanley from meeting other people.

Second Example:

George: Your phone is ringing.

Tracy: I know. It's my mom. I don't feel like answering.

George: Why not?

Tracy: We're hanging out. If I answer, she'll talk my ear off, and you'll eventually get bored listening to me say "Uh huh" and "Yeah" for an hour.

George: Can't you just tell her you'll call her back?

Tracy: Ha! No, then she'd be offended. It's better if she leaves a voicemail, and I'll call her back later.

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Break Someone’s Heart

Example:

Hanna: Thank you for taking me to see the puppies.

Ceasar: I told you they were cute. I just didn’t think you would bring one home.

Hanna: Well, it broke my heart to leave such a cute puppy all alone in a cage. 

Ceasar: You’re breaking my heart with the thought of how much time we have to dedicate to this cute animal.

Meaning: The expression "to break someone’s heart" means to cause or create pain and anguish on anyone on a deep emotional level.  To make someone extremely sad.

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