Example 1: Every one knows who Oprah Winfrey is, but many people don’t know much about her life before she was famous. Oprah’s life is a true example of a “rags to riches” story. She grew up poor and disadvantaged in Mississippi and is now
Example 1: Marc: I’m sorry, but if we don’t see eye to eye on this project, I will have to select a new partner. It is important that we all agree. James: I understand that it is important for us to work together. I will
Idiom: to raise (one’s) voice Context #1: Wife: “Why are you coming home so late from work? You said you would be home at 8!” Husband (in a loud angry voice): “I hit traffic! Ok? Just calm down.” Wife: “You don’t have to raise
Idiom: To pile up Context #1 Mother: Can you please clean your room? Your dirty clothes are starting to pile up. Pretty soon you will have a mountain of dirty clothes. Daughter: Ok Mom! Don’t worry. I promise I’ll put all my dirty
“To depend on (something/someone)” EXAMPLE 1: Eli: I’m almost finished packing my bags for our camping trip, Gina. But…should I bring a rain jacket? What do you think? Gina: That’s a good question. I don’t know if it will rain or not. It just depends
To Make Ends Meet John and Barb have been married for 42 years. John worked as an executive at a prestigious company for 30 years and retired in 2002. Barb was an attorney and retired in 1995. They both made a lot of money, lived
Idiom: to get a jump on First example: Annie knows that the stores will be crowded from Thanksgiving until the New Year holiday because people want to buy lots of gifts for the holidays. Annie hates crowds and she tries to avoid them as much
Idiom: To be up forFirst example: Jason is in medical school. He has been studying for the last eight weeks without a break. He spent every day studying, even the weekends. Next week is his school’s spring break. Jason will have a week to relax
Idiom: to soften the blow; used as a verb First Example: Noreen: I’m sorry to hear you lost your job Kelly. Kelly: Thanks. Noreen: How are you paying your bills? Kelly: Well, I’m getting unemployment benefits, so that softened the blow a little. Noreen: Oh
Idiom: in other words; used as an adverb First Example: Movie Review: The dialogue sounds so fake, and the acting is so unrealistic, the audience laughed when they were supposed to cry. Meanwhile, the story itself is pretty uninteresting, and the second half is so
