A Blessing In Disguise

Idiom: A blessing in disguise

Meaning: Something that at first appears to be bad or unlucky but is actually good.

Example:

Mike: I heard you lost your job. Is that true?

Sam: Yeah, it is! But losing my job was a blessing in disguise.

Mike: How so?

Sam: I never would have found my current job if it hadn't happened, I'm making way more money now. @SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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To Be A Turkey

Idiom: to be a turkey

Example:

John: I can’t find my laptop.  I hope I didn’t lose it or get it stolen.

Eli: Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you, Kazu borrowed your laptop this morning.  He said he would have it back to you before class.  His broke and he had to find a way to take notes in class. 

John: He’s such a turkey! He can’t just take things without asking. I have early class today. He clearly didn’t think about that.

Eli: That’s a bit harsh. I don’t think Kazu was trying to upset you. 

John: Who’s the turkey that suggested he do that?

Eli:  I guess that would be me.  Sorry dude.

Meaning: To be a turkey is an expression used when someone is trying to call someone thoughtless or even a fool.  It’s not a nice thing to say, but it’s used commonly to avoid using stronger or more profane language. 

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Idiom: You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Example:

Joe: Jane! Are you all right? You look like you have just seen a ghost!

Jane: I just got really shocking news from my doctor. We are having triplets. 

Joe: 3 babies?!

Jane: Now YOU look like you have just seen a ghost!

Meaning: You look like you have just seen a ghost is an expression used when someone has a shocked or scared look on their face. 

@SBLA @OC @NELA @DTLA

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To make one's blood run cold

Idiom: To make one's blood run cold

Example 1: 

Don't see the movie "The Exorcist!" It's so scary! It made my blood run cold! 

Example 2:

There was a terrible car accident near my home. The sound of the crash made my blood run cold! It was so shocking and scary. 

Meaning:

something makes one's blood run cold means that something really scared/shocked/terrified someone.

@LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

www.languagesystems.edu

In Cold Blood

Idiom: In cold blood

Context #1:

John: Did you hear about that serial killer who appeared in court today?

Sam: Yeah, I heard the judge sentenced him to life in prison with no parole.

John: That's right. He killed about 10 people in cold blood so I guess he deserved that.

Context #2:

Jenny: Last night on the news I saw that a lady was killed in New York while waiting for the bus.

Chrissy: Yeah, I guess some crazy guy just walked up to her and shot her in cold blood.

Meaning: In cold blood is an idiom that is used as an adverb. It is commonly used with verbs like kill, shoot, and murder. It means to kill someone in a cruel and unfeeling fashion. The person doing the killing does not feel any kind of sadness or remorse.      @LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

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Skeleton crew

Idiom: skeleton crew; used as a noun

First Example:

Toby: Are you going to the concert this Saturday?

Claire: No.  I have to work Saturday night.

Toby: That's too bad - but maybe you can get off a little early? It's usually pretty slow on the weekends.

Claire: Because it's always so slow, Tim decided to run a skeleton crew. There are only going to be three of us here manning the phones.

Toby: That's too bad.  Well, I'll take lots of pictures for you.

Claire: Thanks.

Meaning: The idiom "skeleton crew" is used when a business is operating with the minimum number of people.  This is usually done during an emergency or low demand causes there to be limited staff. In the example above, Claire says she will be working on a skeleton crew because there isn't enough demand for a full crew.  "Skeleton crew" is the American idiom, while British people use the alternative "skeleton staff." Here is another example of the American version:

Mary: Wow, the service at that restaurant was awful!         

William: Well, they were running on a skeleton crew.

Mary: Really?  How do you know?

William: When you were in the restroom, the waiter told me. Apparently, the manager fired a server everyone liked, so all of the servers went on strike. There was only one server for the whole restaurant tonight, and he had to act as bartender as well.

Mary: Then that explains why it seemed like he was always running around but everything came out so late.

William: Exactly. And that's why I left him a decent tip. I felt bad for him.

Meaning: In this example, Mary says the service at a restaurant was slow, and William explains that the restaurant's normal employees were on strike, leading to a skeleton crew of only one server.       @LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

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To hit the books

Idiom: To hit the books

Context #1 – Two students just got back from the one-week break and are starting a new term at Language Systems in LA.

Jeff:  What a vacation! San Francisco was beautiful and the weather was perfect.

Katie: I know. It’s nice to take a break from school and get out of town for a while.

Jeff: Yes, but now it’s back to school. I want to take the TOEFL test in January, so I really have to hit the books. I don’t think I have been studying enough.

Katie: Don’t worry! You still have time to study. However, I have to take the TOEFL next week, so I have been hitting the books for the past couple of months. No breaks for me until I take that test.

Jeff: Well, good luck!

Context #2 – A student who is failing his English class is asking his teacher for help.

Jonathan: Hi teacher. I’m here because I noticed that I’m failing this class and that I may not be able to go to the next level. Is there anything I can do?

Timothy: Well, the first thing you must do is hit the books, since we have tests in a couple of days. Then, you need to attend class every day and come on time.

Jonathan: I know. I’m really going to try to do better. I have just been a little lonely and homesick lately. I really miss my family back home.

Timothy: In addition to hitting the books,  practicing and talking to people in English outside of class will help your studies and your loneliness. Maybe if you make more friends to talk to in English, you won’t be as homesick.

Jonathan: You are right. I feel lonely sometimes, so it would be good to make more friends and go out more often. Then, I could also learn more English. Thank you for the advice!

Meaning: “To hit the books” means to study hard. In context #1, Katie and Jeff both have to hit the books in order to get a high score on the TOEFL test. In context 2, the student has to hit the books in order to pass his class.
@LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

www.languagesystems.edu

To Strut One's Stuff

Idiom: to strut one’s stuff

Context #1 – Two people are watching a soccer game and one of the players just scored a goal.

Jen:  Goal!!! That was a great shot! Look at him strut his stuff!

Kat: Hmmm. I think that was just a lucky shot.

Jen: Seriously? Look at the replay. It was an AMAZING shot, not luck!

Kat: Well, I don’t think so. Believe me, he should not strut his stuff and celebrate like that over one lucky shot. It’s silly.

Jen: I think he should strut his stuff every chance he gets. Anyways, the game is over so let’s eat dinner.

Context #2 - Two people are watching others dancing at a club.

Jack: Look at Paul out there on the dance floor just strutting his stuff.

Terri: I know! Where did he learn to dance like that?

Jack: Oh, he has been dancing since he was a baby. Plus, I think he has a lot of natural talent.

Terri: Well, that’s obvious. I wish I could do that.

Jack: You should ask Paul to give you lessons. In no time at all, you’ll be strutting your stuff on the dance floor!

Terri: Ha, ha! I don’t think I could ever be that good, but it would be a lot of fun.

Meaning: “To strut one’s stuff” means to show off what you can do well or to walk proudly and show off (or celebrate) one’s best features or talents. In context #1, the soccer player struts his stuff, or shows off, after making an amazing goal. In context #2, Paul is a talented dancer and is strutting his stuff, or showing off his dance moves, on the dance floor.
@LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

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At face value

Idiom: at face value

Example 1- Sales representatives will do anything to sell you their product.  So, don’t take their word at face value.

Example 2- Charlie is very smart; if he gives you legal advice, you should take it at face value.

Meaning: "at face value" means the superficial appearance or implication of something. @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSISB

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To face the music

Idiom: to face the music

Example 1- (In school) Sally didn’t study for her tests this week.  She’ll have to face the music when it’s time to show her parents her results.

Example 2- I had to face the music after the teacher caught me using my phone during the test.

Meaning: "to face the music" means to accept the consequences of something one is responsible for. @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSISB

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To stay tuned

Idiom: to stay tuned

Example 1-(News story on television) There was a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in our town this morning. Reports of damage are slowly being reported. Residents are urged to stay tuned for emergency instructions.

Example 2- Stay tuned for more updates and pictures from the Beach Party.

Meaning: "to stay tuned" means to stay on one news channel, radio station, or website and wait for more information. @LSILA @LSINE @LSIOC @LSISB

www.languagesystems.edu