Posts tagged Idioms
English Lesson & Podcast: Romance & Love Idioms
Feb 14th
Jack popped the question to Dianne one warm April afternoon in Central Park.
Listen to the Story:
Jack and Dianne met on Valentine’s Day, 2011 when they went on a blind date. They hit it off right away. Some people said it was love at first sight. That night, they spent several hours chatting, laughing and making eyes at each other. They dated several times after that, and even went on a double date with Jack’s friends Brad and Angelina.
Dianne was crazy about Jack, and soon he was head over heels for her. In April, Dianne told me that Jack stole her heart, and Jack also realized that she was the one.
Jack popped the question to Dianne one warm April afternoon in Central Park. She said yes, and so they got engaged. In May, they got hitched in Las Vegas Their close friends, Brad and Angelina, were with them when they tied the knot. Everyone knew that they were made for each other.
Let’s look at the idioms and expressions used in this romantic story!
Listen to the lesson:
♥ go on a blind date (idiom). When two people go on a blind date, they meet each other for the first time during that date.
♥ hit it off with [someone] (idiom). When you hit it off with someone, you get along well them from the beginning.
♥ love at first sight (idiom). When you fall in love the first time you meet someone, you experience love at first sight.
♥ make eyes at [someone] (idiom). When you make eyes at someone, you look at them in a romantic way.
♥ double date (idiom). When two couples go on a date to the same place at the same time, it is a double date. You can have a double date or go on a double date.
♥ be crazy about [someone] (idiom). When you are crazy about someone, you like them very much.
♥ head over heels for [someone] (idiom). When you are head over heels for someone, you are completely in love with them.
♥ be the one (idiom). When you say [someone] is the one, it means that [someone] is the only one person you want to marry.
♥ steal [someone’s] heart (idiom). When you steal someone’s heart, you cause them to fall in love with you.
♥ pop the question (to someone) (idiom). When you pop the question, you propose marriage to them.
♥ get /become engaged (idiom). When you get or become engaged, you make a promise to marry each other.
♥ [people] get hitched (slang). When you get hitched, it means you get married.
♥ [people] tie the knot (idiom). When you tie the knot, it means you get married.
♥ [people] be made for each other (idiom). When two people are made for each other, it means they are a perfect combination / a perfect couple)
![English Lesson: Idioms from Sex And The City [Hook Up With]](http://blog.myhappyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hook-64x64.jpg "English Lesson: Idioms from Sex And The City [Hook Up With]")
English Lesson: Idioms from Sex And The City [Hook Up With]
Jan 23rd
![English Lesson: Idioms from Sex And The City [Hook Up With]](http://blog.myhappyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hook.jpg "English Lesson: Idioms from Sex And The City [Hook Up With]")
She hooked up with him
Today we will start looking at some idioms and slang from the hit HBO series, Sex and The City, Season 1, Episode 1. Careful, this program uses sexual language and topics. This English lesson is written for adults.
Hook up with [someone] means to get together or make a connection with someone. There are generally two different ways to use this idiom, and each has its own nuance. Have a look at this line:
“Elizabeth was attractive and bright and right away she hooked up with one of the city’s typically eligible bachelors.”
1. You can hook up with someone for romance or sex. In SATC, it seems like this is the implied meaning:
- Elizabeth hooked up with Joe.
- Tony went to the club with his friends because they wanted to hook up with some women.
- Did you hook up with anyone at your high school reunion?
2. You can hook up with someone for a hobby, interest, or a business service:
- My laptop broke, so Lori hooked me up with her computer tech.
- Paul McCartney first hooked up with John Lennon in art school. That is how The Beatles began.
- I’m trying to hook up with someone who likes sailing, so if you know anyone please let me know.
Practice questions:
- Do you know anyone who goes to clubs to hook up with someone?
- Have you tried to hook up with a repairman, or technician?
- Think of your favorite pop or rock group. Where and when did the members hook up with each other?
Thanks for studying with me today. If you have any comments or feedback on this lesson, please let me know.
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Including…
- The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
- How to USE the phrasal verb.
- The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
- EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
- A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.
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English Lesson: Slang & Idioms At The Office
Jan 23rd
Working 24/7
Ted and Jenny work in the same office. Betty is their boss. Check out their conversation:
- Jenny: Hey Ted! What’s up. You look bummed.
- Ted: I am. I’ve been working 24/7 this week to finish the presentation for the big meeting next week.
- Jenny: So how is it going?
- Ted: Terrible. I showed it to Betty this week and she said it was no good. It really burns me up.
- Jenny: No way!
- Ted: Yeah, so now, I’m back to square one.
- Jenny: That stinks. I’m sorry to hear that.
Now, let’s look at the slang and idioms used in the conversation:
Bummed means disappointed. We often use be, seem & look with bummed”
- You look bummed.
- Ted seems bummed today. I wonder what happened.
- I’m bummed. My car broke down today.
24/7 (twenty-four/seven) means twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. We use this both literally to refer to time, and figuratively to mean non-stop.
- The convenience store is open 24/7 (literal meaning: the store never closes)
- I’ve been working 24/7 this week to finish the presentation (figurative meaning: I have worked very hard and a lot of hours)
Burns [someone] up means makes [someone] very upset. We often use words referring to fire and high temperature to talk about being upset or angry.
- The boss made me redo my presentation. It really burns me up.
- Inconsiderate drivers really burn me up.
Back to square one means you need to do something from the beginning again. Even though you completed the task, you need to redo it.
- The boss didn’t like my presentation, so now I am back to square one. (I have to redo my presentation)
- I just assembled this des, but I am missing a part. I need to go back to square one. (I have to take it apart, and try to assemble it once more from step 1)
That stinks means “that’s too bad” or “that’s a shame.” We use that stinks when we respond to hearing negative or bad news:
- Joe didn’t get the promotion? That stinks.
- The restaurant ran out of my favorite dish! That stinks.
Practice questions: Answer the questions in a full sentence and be sure to use the key expressions in your answer:
- What has made you bummed recently?
- Have you ever worked 24/7?
- What has happened at work or school that burns you up?
- Talk about the last time you did something, but then had to go back to square one.
- Talk about a situation where you wanted to say, that stinks.
Thanks for studying with me today. I hope you don’t have to work too hard!
NEW for 2012! 109 Phrasal Verbs – 116-page eBook
Including…
- The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
- How to USE the phrasal verb.
- The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
- EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
- A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.
Just $5!
Would you like a FREE 15-page sample? Click here for more information.
