(To be) a geek

Idiom: (To be) a geek

Context #1:

Jim: What are you doing this weekend?  

Carl: Well, I think I'm going to study and work on my remote control airplane.

Jim: Really? You are such a geek!

Carl: Yeah, I know. Everybody says that.

Context #2:

Sally: Did you know that Peter has a huge collection of Star Wars and Batman toys? The guy is like 40 years old.

Grace: I know. Peter is a real geek! His whole bedroom is filled with Star Wars stuff.

Meaning: "A geek" is used to describe someone whose life interests and hobbies are strangely centered around things like science fiction movies, computer games, math, the sciences, engineering, etc. 

This term is derogatory and is used to tease people or to make fun of them.

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To be wild about (something)

Idiom: To be wild about

  

Meaning: To have a strong, almost uncontrollable, liking to someone or something. 

Context #1 – Someone has fallen in love.

Matt: Leslie, I have something to confess. 

Leslie: Okay, what is it?

Matt: Well, we’ve been spending a lot of time together these days, and well, what I’m trying to say is I’m kind of wild about you.

Leslie: Oh Matt, I feel exactly the same way.  I can’t stop thinking about you all the time.

Matt:  Really?  I’m so happy to hear that because I feel that way too.  I really like you and just want to spend all my time with you.

Context #2 – Talking about baseball between friends.

Don: I love baseball season.  There’s nothing better than a good ballgame.

Summer: I know.  Every year you say the same thing.  Why are you so wild about baseball?

Don: Everyone I know likes baseball.  I’ve been watching and playing baseball since I can remember.  The games, the players, the food, the atmosphere can make your entire day fantastic.  I’m more than wild about it, baseball is life.

Summer: I guess I can’t argue with that.  Besides, baseball has become popular in many countries now. 

Meaning: The idiom “wild about” means to like something very much.  Being wild about something means you can like something to an extreme, for a brief or extended time. 

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Like wildfire

Idiom: Like wildfire

Meaning: Spreading, growing or gaining popularity in an accelerated way; Quickly gaining attention. 

Context #1 – A new song was released by a very popular music artist.

Joc: Hey Clay, did you hear the new McPac-Man song? 

Clayton: No, why?

Joc: Dude, seriously?  It’s been spreading like wildfire.  It’s become so popular across the world, so quickly, that the president wants to meet him.

Clayton: No way!  That popular?

Larry:  Yeah!  They say it will be the track of the century.

Context #2 – The most popular kids in school started dating.

Jay: Manny started dating Jinkee.

Alice: I heard! OMG

Jay: Wow, I guess everybody knows.

Alice: I guess so.  Seems the news has been spreading like wildfire.

Jay:  Yeah, even our other campuses know about this romance.

Alice: Wow, it really is like wildfire. 

Jay: With social media, you can’t keep anything a secret for long.

Meaning: The idiom “like wildfire” means that information about something positive/negative has spread so quickly that it’s almost impossible to stop.  Spreading like wildfire means gaining popularity at a pace most people didn’t imagine possible.  The news become almost impossible to control.

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Well-oiled machine

Idiom: Well-oiled machine

Meaning: Working in a proper and successful way; a well-oiled system or company that operates without problems.

Context #1 – Caris is just starting a new job at Minefield Company.

Larry: Welcome to Minefield Company! Is this your first day working here?

Caris: Yes, it is.

Larry: Great! Let me show you around. Here is our Marketing Department and here is the Human Resource Department. There is also an employee lounge right around the corner, where you can get snacks and coffee while taking a break.

Caris: Wow, everything is so organized here.

Larry: Yes, our company is like a well-oiled machine. And we like it that way.

Caris: It certainly makes me happy to be working here!

Context #2 – Two people are talking about working on political campaigns.

Jenna: Wow! I am so impressed with Hillary Clinton’s vision for America. I think that I will work on her campaign for president once she announces her intention to run.

Ignatius: Oh, I don’t like her at all. She is just a typical politician who is tied to Washington. I would much rather support Kent Thorpe. He is the one with a vision!

Jenna: Kent who? I’ve never heard of him. I don’t even think he has any supporters or even a structure in place to start a presidential campaign.

Ignatius: He doesn’t need a “structure” in place. He only needs to speak and his charisma and vision will change this country.

Jenna: I don’t think so. A presidential campaign must be like a well-oiled machine, with every part working together perfectly in order to succeed.

Ignatius: If that is the case, then Hillary’s well-oiled machine didn’t help her win last time, did it?

Jenna: Well, it’s because Obama’s political campaign was just a little better.

Ignatius: We shall see. Just wait for President Thorpe!

Meaning: The idiom “well-oiled machine” means that a system or company works in a proper and successful way. In the first context, Caris is impressed by how well the company operates. In the second context, Jenna believes that only a candidate with a campaign like a "well-oiled machine" can be successful.

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Rocket science

Idiom: Rocket science

Examples:

Context #1 – Two friends are discussing the effects of illegal drugs

Lars: You know, I don’t agree with what the professor said in class today.

Katrina: Hmmmm? About what?

Lars: He said that drugs are the biggest problem in our society today.

Katrina: Well, they are really bad, especially for younger people.

Lars: What about crime? I think that is the biggest problem today.

Katrina: Drugs equal crime. It’s not rocket science! The connection is really clear.

Lars: Oh, I never thought of it that way.

Context #2 – Julia is planning a party for her 6-year-old sister

Julia: Oh, I’m so nervous!

Tito: Why? What’s up?

Julia: I have to plan a birthday party for my little sister. She is turning 6 years old. What should I do?

Tito: Come on! It’s not rocket science! It’s a party for a 6 year old girl. How difficult can that be?

Julia: Well, I want her to have fun!

Tito: Buy a cake, balloons, and presents. Then invite a bunch of her friends over and play some games.

Julia: Well, maybe they want to do something more than that. Maybe I should bring someone in to do their make up and nails. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Tito: They are 6 year-old girls. I think games, presents, and cake should be enough.

Meaning: Something that is not very complicated or difficult to understand

“People use this idiom when they want to describe something that is simple and easy, not complicated. It is usually used in the negative. Instead of saying “it’s not rocket science,” you can also say “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist!” 

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A night on the town

Idiom: A night on the town

Meaning: an evening when people go various places and enjoy different types of entertainment such as dancing in a nightclub, eating in a restaurant, or drinking in a bar.

Context #1 – Kiki just graduated from UCLA and her friend wants to take her out to celebrate

Gerry: Congratulations, Kiki! You made it! How does it feel to be a college graduate?

 Kiki: It feels great! All those years of studying are now worth it.

Gerry: Well, I want to take you out to celebrate. Why don’t we go out for a night on the town this weekend?

 Kiki: Oh, that sounds like fun! Where should we go?

Gerry: It’s up to you. You should choose since we are celebrating your graduation.

Kiki: Well, I love dancing. Do you think we could go to that new nightclub that just opened up in West Hollywood?

Context #2 – Jackie has friends coming in from out of town

Jackie: A couple of my friends are coming to visit from Florida next month. This is their first time to LA and I really want to show them a good time.

Tommy: Well, LA is known for its nightlife. Why don’t you take them out for a night on the town?

Jackie: That’s a good idea! In fact, we could go to a really nice restaurant and see if we can spot any celebrities! That would be fun.

Tommy: Yes, but you had better make reservations right away for that kind of restaurant.

Jackie: I’ll do it now. This will be a night they will never forget!

Meaning: “In context 1, they are going out dancing to celebrate Kiki’s graduation from UCLA. In context 2, Jackie is planning to take her friends out to a really nice restaurant in LA and she is hoping to see some celebrities there. Both are typical examples for the idiom a night on the town.

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To line (someone or something) up

Idiom: To line (someone or something) up

Example:

Context #1 – Students are trying to plan a surprise party for their teacher

Jeff: Next Friday is our teacher’s last day of class before she moves to China. I think we should line something up for her surprise farewell party. Something really big!!

 Mimi: Hmmmm...let me think about that. How many people are in the class?

Jeff: About 15 people and they are all adults.

 Mimi: Oh, I know! Let’s line up a magician for the party. I recently saw a magician named “Alvin the Great” who hypnotizes people and makes them do crazy things. When they wake up, they forget ever doing those things!

Jeff: Really? That sounds a little strange. What if they do something embarrassing?

Mimi: Well, he only hypnotized people who were willing and they didn’t do anything too crazy. Just funny things.

Jeff: OK. Do you think we have enough time to line “Alvin the Great” up for the party?

Mimi: Let me call him now.

Context #2 – Students are rushing to see a magician’s show

Jack: OK, everyone. Line up over here by the stage if you want to get a closer look at “Alvin the Great.”

Terri: Oh, this is so exciting! I want to volunteer during the show.

Jack: Well, if you line up first, you will have a better chance.

Meaning: To schedule someone or something for something (figurative); to put people or things in a line (literal)

“In context 1, the figurative meaning is to arrange or schedule someone or something for an event. Jeff and Mimi are scheduling a magician to come and perform during their teacher’s farewell party. In context 2, the literal meaning is to put people or things in a line. In this case, the students are lining up to see the magician and Terri wants to be the first in line so that she can volunteer during the show. 

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