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Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Tag along



Tag along (used as a verb, adjective or noun)

Situation #1: Two friends

Kate: I'm so excited. I'm going to check out that new horror movie!
Chris: Really? I've been wanting to see that. Mind if I tag along?
Kate: Not at all! Let's go!

Explanation: "Tag along" means to go with someone. When used as a verb, it's usually asked in a question (as in the above example, or if Kate had asked "Would you like to tag along?"). However, when used as an adjective or noun, "tag along" (or sometimes "tagalong" or "tag-along") is usually more negative, suggesting that the person is following another in a constant and possibly annoying way, as seen in the next example:

Situation #2: Two friends
Brie: Have you seen Valerie?
Kim: No, why?
Brie: Well, I'm avoiding her. She is such a tagalong! She follows me everywhere, and it's getting annoying!
Kim:  She doesn't seem like she's that annoying.
Brie: She followed me into the bathroom earlier, even though she didn't have to go, and then she followed me to my class, even though her class was on the other side of the building! I don't need a tag-along friend!
Kim:  Uh...
Valerie:  Hey guys! What are you talking about?


Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Lit


Meaning: Fun or exciting

Dialogue #1: Karla and Trey are at a big house party in LA.
Trey: Hey, Karla! How's it going?
Karla: Oh, hi Trey. Great! How about you?
Trey: I'm good. Isn't this party lit?
Karla: Yes! I'm having so much fun!
Trey: Me, too. Tom's parties are always exciting.




Dialogue #2: Pam and Terry are talking about a new movie.
Pam: Have you seen the new James Bond movie?
Terry: Yes, I went last night. It was lit!!
Pam: Really? I haven't seen it yet, but I've heard it's awesome. I can't wait to go this weekend.



Explanation: The term lit has meant "drunk or intoxicated" for over a century. However, recently its meaning has changed to "exciting," as well as "excellent" or "awesome." In the first dialogue, Karla and Trey are talking about the party as being lit or really exciting. In dialogue #2, Terry tells Pam that the new James Bond movie is lit or awesome.


Wednesday, August 8, 2018

To hit the nail on the head



Context #1
Jill: I like John, but there is something a little strange about him.
Jane: Yeah, he always wears the same shirt.
Jill: You know what? That's it! You hit the nail on the head!

Context #2
Tom: People in Southern California drive so dangerously on the freeway. I wonder why?
Joe: Well, people could avoid a lot of accidents if they just used their turn signals when changing lanes.
Tom: Exactly! You hit the nail on the head!

Meaning: "to hit the nail on the head" is used when someone has an opinion or an idea and it is exactly right.


https://languagesystems.edu/

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

"To get something/someone out of someone's head"

Meaning: to stop thinking about something or someone


Example 1
Hey Lina, I love that song you played for me yesterday! What is it called?
I can't get it out of my head! I really want to add it to my playlist!
Let me know as soon as you get this text! This is driving me crazy!



Example 2 
John, I had a great time with you last week at the party. I know we are friends, but... I think about you all the time.
I think I am falling in love with you. I can't get you out of my head. Do you feel the same way?
I am so embarrassed to ask, but I need to know. ?? xoxo, Anne.


Notice that in both text messages Anne is having a hard time not thinking about something or someone.
In the first example, she is asking her friend to let her know the name of A SONG she can't GET OUT OF HER HEAD! She can't stop playing the song in her head.
In the second example, she is letting her friend know she can't stop thinking about him... She can't GET HIM OUT OF HER HEAD because she is probably in love with him! 



Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Selfigenic



Jay:  How was your trip?  Did you take any pictures?
Mina:  It was great, but the photos weren’t that great.  I’m just not selfigenic.
Jay:  How can you fail at that?  I mean, it’s not that difficult because you can actually see yourself on the screen.
Mina:  I don’t know.  I’m just not good at any photos.  Even if I can see myself, it’s difficult not to look awkward.
 
Selfigenic means to have a good appearance in a selfie.  

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Patch (Things) Up (used as a verb)


Situation 1:
“Tom and Jerry used to be best friends when they were little.  Unfortunately, when they became older, they both got into a disagreement with one another because they liked the same girl.  Eventually, they patched things up and decided that their continued friendship was more important.”

Situation 2:
Susan:  “I thought Tom and Jerry hated each other.  Usually I see them arguing with one another despite having been childhood friends.  Today, they seem to be enjoying each other’s company.”

Peter:    “They fought over a girl awhile back, but apparently, they patched up their differences and became best friends again.”
 
Meaning:
To patch things up means to deal, repair, or reconcile one’s differences.  This is typically treated as a phrasal verb and used to communicate the resolution of a disagreement or conflict.  Both of the situations above communicated how Tom and Jerry resolved their differences and became friends again.  In situation 2, the alternative form of patch up (their) differences is also commonly used to express the same idea.



 

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Lightweight

Lightweight (used as an adjective)

Situation #1: Two friends
Brant: Do you want another cocktail?
Jean: Nah, I'm ok. I'm a total lightweight.
Brant: But you've only had one?
Jean: I know, but if I have another drink, I won't be able to walk out of here.

Explanation: "Lightweight" has a number of meanings. Most commonly, it's used for a category of boxers who don't weigh very much. It can also be used to describe a material, such as in a lightweight jacket. Informally, it can also be used to describe someone who can't "hold their liquor," another idiom for a person who gets drunk very easily.



Situation #2: Two coworkers
Sharon: Hey, Brian. How was the office Christmas party?
Brian: Oh, you should have been there! It turns out, Karen is a lightweight.
Sharon: Really? What happened?
Brian: She got completely wasted and started dancing on the table! I think she was going to start stripping for the boss before someone got her down.
Sharon: You're right; I wish I hadn't stayed home. That sounds hilarious!