On the Tip of One’s Tongue

Idiom: On the Tip of One’s Tongue

EXAMPLE:

Rory: Laurie! You have to help me! Something’s really bothering me!

Laurie: Sure, Rory. What’s going on?

Rory: Well, I was listening to a song that I really like, but I can’t remember the name of the singer! It’s on the tip of my tongue!

Laurie: Ok. Do you remember the name of the song?

Rory: Ummmm…no.

Laurie: That’s not helpful. Do you remember what the singer looks like?

Rory: Yeah. He has long black dreadlocks. He’s a really good piano player as well as a singer.

Laurie: All right, now we’re getting somewhere. What else can you tell me about him?

Rory: Um…he always wears sunglasses.

Laurie: He always wears sunglasses? Why does he always wear sunglasses?

Rory: Oh, he always wears them because he can’t see. He’s blind.

Laurie: Rory! Are you thinking of Stevie Wonder?

Rory: Yes! That’s it! Thank you so much! I feel better now!

Laurie: No problem. I can’t believe you forgot Stevie Wonder’s name…

Meaning:

This is an expression that we use when we can remember what something looks like, sounds like, etc. but we can’t remember the actual name of the object or person. It is often used, for example, when we can remember someone’s face, but we can’t remember their name. We can almost remember the name, but not quite, and it’s a very frustrating feeling!

To get to know

Idiom: To get to know:  used as a verb

Example 1: At first, the new-hire wasn't sure about his co-workers; but now that he has gotten to knowthem, he enjoys their company.

Example 2: When you arrive in a city for the first time, traveling around and finding new things is usually difficult. Once you get to know the city, however, everything becomes much easier.

Meaning: "To get to know" suggests that something that was unfamiliar or "unknown" becomes familiar or "known." "To become familiar with" is a synonym.

"To get to know" is an idiom found in unit 4 of Reading Transitions, a Language Systems International text book used for Level 4 students.

Second Nature

Idiom: second nature; used as a noun

First Example:

John trained Luana on a new job at work.  At first, she was very nervous about it, and she was afraid she would do it wrong.  But after doing it for a couple days, it became second nature to her.  She can't believe she ever thought this was difficult!

Meaning: "Second nature" is an adjective phrase that is used to describe a behavior or trait that has become such a habit, it almost seems to have been part of a person from birth. This idiom is usually used to describe something is easy and natural for one person (but not necessarily to other people).  In the example, Luana was at first nervous about her new task at work, but she quickly learned that it was actually very simple.  Notice that the phrase is followed by "to her."  While not required (as in the next example), "second nature" is commonly used with "to +person."

Here is another example:               

Son: Mom, do you think I'll pass my driving test?

Mom: I'm sure you'll be fine. And if you fail the first time, you can take it again later.

Son: I'm sure you passed your test the first time.

Mom: Actually, I failed my first two driving tests.

Son: Really?!  But you're such a good driver.

Mom: Like you, I was really scared during my driving tests.  Plus, I was a pretty terrible driver.  I ran a stop sign during my first test, and I hit another car in my second test before I could even leave the DMV. 

Son: Wow!  I didn't know that!

Mom: I've driven a lot since then, and now it's second nature; I don't even think about it when I drive.  I'm sure you'll be fine.  And think of this way: even if you fail the first time, you'll probably still do better than hitting a parked car in the parking lot.

Son: Thanks mom.

In this case, the son is nervous about his driving test since he's a new driver, but his mom explains that now that she has been driving for years, driving is second nature to her.  She doesn't even think about how to drive because she just knows how.

This idiom is from the upcoming edition of LSI's book "Reading Horizons," which will be used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/   

odds and ends

Idiom: odds and ends; used as a noun

First Example:

When Thomas changed jobs, he had to clean out his office.  He was surprised by all the odds and ends he found.  In addition to paperwork, receipts and normal office supplies, he found old birthday cards, a toothbrush, refrigerator magnets, a couple hangers, and a picture of his mom's dog.  He had forgotten why he had most of them.

Meaning: "Odds and ends" is a phrase that means miscellaneous items. This idiom is usually used when describing an assortment of things that are usually leftovers, and they are not usually valuable or important.  In the above example, Thomas found a number of strange things in his office that he had collected there over the years, so "odds and ends" is a perfect word to summarize the group of objects.

Here is another example:               

Shelley's purse is filled with various odds and ends, including a scarf, post-it notes, a single earring, 2 spoons, a empty water bottle, and a package of old cookies.  She really needs to clean out her purse more often!

In this case, Shelley has a number of odds and ends in her purse in addition to more normal things like makeup and her wallet. 

To understand "odds and ends" more clearly, it might help if you understand that the phrase originally comes from lumberyards (places where they cut wood).  After cutting a long piece of wood a certain length, there would be an "end" left over, and when cutting one large piece into multiple pieces of the same size, there would be an "odd" piece left over; hence "odds and ends."

This idiom is from the upcoming edition of LSI's book "Reading Horizons," which will be used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/   

must-see

Idiom: must-see; used as an adjective. 

First Example:

Samantha: I'm trying to decide what movie to watch tonight.  Can you suggest any old movies?  I want something romantic.

Rebecca: Have you seen Casablanca? 

Samantha: Yeah, I cried at the end.

Rebecca: What about Gone With the Wind? 

Samantha: Yep - but that's old.  Maybe something a little newer.

Rebecca: I assume you've already seen Titanic? 

Samantha: Actually, I haven't.

Rebecca: Really? You have to watch Titanic! It's one of the must-see movies of the 90s!  I thought everyone had already seen it.  How could you have missed it? 

Samantha: Uh, I was born in the 90s.

Meaning: "Must-see" is an adjective that means something should be seen by everyone. This idiom is usually used for movies and plays.  In the example, Rebecca says that Titanic is a must-see movie, which means she thinks everyone should see Titanic.  

Here is another example:

Stephanie: I saw the musical The Book of Mormon last night on Broadway.

Harry: How was it? 

Stephanie: It was just OK.  I had heard so many good things, I thought I was going to love it, but I wouldn't say it's a must-see.

Harry: That's too bad.  I was excited to see it.

Meaning: In this case, Stephanie said that The Book of Mormon wasn't a must-see, so she doesn't think everyone should see it.  notice that even when used as a noun, there is a hyphen between the two words.

This idiom is from the upcoming edition of LSI's book "Reading Horizons," which will be used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/   

Personal Space

Idiom: personal space; used as a noun. 

First Example:

Erica: Matt is so weird!  He's always invading my personal space.

Christina: Me too!  He always stands too close.  Do you think he just does it to girls?

Erica: I don't know.  Let's ask Tom.  Hey Tom!

Tom: Yes?

Christina: Erica and I have a question.  We noticed that Matt sometimes gets a little too close.  Does he do that to you as well?

Tom: Yes!  He apparently doesn't understand what personal space is.

Meaning: "Personal space" is an invisible border around a person that is considered unacceptable to cross. While the exact size varies by person and culture, most people feel uncomfortable if someone else stands closer than approximately 2 feet from him/her.  In the above example, Erica, Christina and Tom all agree that Matt often stands too close; most likely, Matt's idea of personal space is just smaller than theirs.  Notice that Erica uses the verb "invade" to describe the way Matt crosses this invisible line; most people think of the area directly around themselves as their own, personal space, and it is an invasion of privacy to cross it.

Here is another example:

Daniel: I hate the subway after work! 

Helen: Why? 

Daniel: Everyone is so crammed in there.  I get claustrophobic*.

Helen: Weird.  I hate when other people invade my personal space too, but it doesn't really bother me on the subway.  I guess it's because I know it's not their fault.

Daniel: You're lucky. I flip out when strangers are that close.

*claustrophobia is a fear of small spaces.

Meaning: In this case, Daniel and Christina are talking about the crowded subway. For most people (like Helen), personal space invasions don't bother them as much when it's caused by a crowd; however, some people (like Daniel) are so bothered by personal space invasions that they become frightened. 

This idiom is from LSI's book "Reading Horizons," which is used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/   

To Pull Something Off

To pull something off: to succeed in doing something difficult or challenging

Example 1:

Taka: I just took the official TOEFL test and it was so hard! I’m really tired.

Sarah: Really? Why did you take it so early? You’ve only been in TOEFL class for a month.

Taka: Yes, but in order to get accepted to the University of Oregon, I have to submit my score earlier than I first thought. So, I had to take the TOEFL test now.

Sarah: Oh, I see. How do you think you did?

Taka: Well, I’m not sure. I’ve been studying pretty hard in class and I think I’ve really been improving. Even though the test was hard, I think that I pulled it off and will get the score I need to go to university.

Sarah: Wow! That’s great! I wish that I could pull something like that off. I’ve been in TOEFL class for three months and I still don’t think I can get the score I need.

Taka: I’m sure you will soon. Just study hard and be positive.

Sarah: Thanks for the advice!

Example 2:

Ken: So, we had a huge 30^th surprise birthday party for my sister last weekend. We had over 100 people in the restaurant with decorations. On top of that, we had to keep it a secret so that it would be a surprise for her. I really didn’t think we could pull it off.

Jackie: So how was it? Was she surprised?

Ken: Actually, I think everything was great. She was really surprised and everybody had a great time. In the end, I really think we pulled the whole thing off!

 Jackie: Well, I’m glad it turned out to be a good party. What a nice thing to do for your sister!

 Ken: Yes, we are really close and I wanted to do something special for her birthday.

Meaning:

To pull something off means to succeed in doing something that is initially difficult or challenging. In the first example, Taka wasn’t ready to take the TOEFL test and get the score he needed to go to university. However, in the end, he pulled it off and got the score he needed. In the second example, Ken planned a big surprise party for his sister with about 100 people attending. At first, he didn't think he could keep it a secret, but in the end, Ken pulled it off and had a successful surprise party.

This idiom can be found in the upcoming new edition of Reading Horizons. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 6 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com