Hi everyone,
Learning American idioms through conversation can be an effective and engaging way to grasp the nuances of language. Idioms are often deeply rooted in culture, and understanding them can provide insight into the social context of conversations.
1. Summary of the conversation between Art and Logan
In this conversation between Art and Logan, Art reminds Logan of their weekend plans, sparking banter about a past incident where Art had to cancel due to an emergency. The two friends discuss plans for the weekend, settling on a low-key movie night despite their differing tastes. Banter continues over the movie choice, and they decide to grab a bite before the film. Logan playfully insists that dinner is on Art, humorously evening the score for the past canceled plans. Overall, the conversation is characterized by light-hearted teasing and friendly planning for their upcoming get-together.
2. American idiom list and example
- To pack up shop: To prepare a place in order to leave it
- Example: Before closing time, the store owner started to pack up shop, turning off lights and securing the doors.
- To be out the door: To leave. To be gone
- Example: As soon as the meeting ended, Sarah was out the door, eager to avoid the traffic.
- To feel up to something: To have the desire to do something
- Example: Despite feeling tired, James felt up to joining his friends for a game of basketball.
- To stand someone up: To not show up for a date or appointment without giving the other person advance warning
- Example: Sarah was disappointed when her date stood her up without any explanation.
- To stew over something: To be quietly angry about something
- Example: Instead of confronting the issue directly, Emily tended to stew over her coworker’s comments silently.
- To cut someone some slack: To give someone a break. To be understanding of someone’s situation
- Example: Knowing his friend was going through a tough time, Alex decided to cut him some slack for missing the deadline.
- To fall through: To not be accomplished. To not work out
- Example: The plans for a weekend getaway fell through due to unexpected weather conditions.
- To leave someone high and dry: To fail to do something that someone else was depending on
- Example: When the car broke down, leaving them stranded, Jake felt his friend had left him high and dry.
- To make it up to someone: To compensate someone for something
- Example: After forgetting their anniversary, Mark went out of his way to make it up to his wife with a surprise dinner.
- In the meantime: While waiting. In the time that passer between one event and another
- Example: The repair would take a few hours; in the meantime, they decided to explore the nearby shops.
- To let off some steam: To release or let go of built –up energy anxiety, or pressure
- Example: After a stressful week at work, Maria decided to let off some steam by going for a long run.
- Low-key: Relaxed and quiet. Simple
- Example: Instead of a big celebration, they opted for a low-key dinner with close friends.
- Like a chicken with its head cut off: Moving around quickly and crazily, as if without reason or thought
- Example: When the fire alarm went off, people rushed out of the building like chickens with their heads cut off.
- To catch a flick: To see a movie
- Example: Let’s catch a flick this weekend; there’s a new comedy everyone’s talking about.
- A chick flick: A romantic or emotional movie, as opposed to an action movie or thriller, suggesting (chauvinistically) that these movies appeal mostly to women
- Example: Mark teased his friend for suggesting a chick flick, but secretly enjoyed the romantic comedy.
- To zone out: To stop thinking or become unaware of one’s environment
- Example: During the lecture, Jenny couldn’t help but zone out, her mind wandering to other thoughts.
- A play-by-play: A moment to moment description of events, either as they happen or after the fact
- Example: After the game, Tom provided a detailed play-by-play of the crucial moments to his friends.
- To let someone off easy: To allow someone to get away with unacceptable behavior with only a light punishment
- Example: Despite the mistake, the manager decided to let the intern off easy, offering guidance instead of reprimand.
- To grab a bite: To eat a snack or light meal, usually outside of the house
- Example: Before heading to the movie, they decided to grab a quick bite at the nearby cafe.
- To be so hungry you could eat a horse: To be very hungry
- Example: After a long hike, Sarah was so hungry she could eat a horse; thankfully, they found a restaurant soon.
- To even the score: To settle things, to make things even, to arrive at a fair resolution between two people
- Example: After helping his friend move, John felt they had evened the score for the times his friend had assisted him.
- To be “on” someone: To be someone’s responsibility especially financially
- Example: The financial burden of the project was on Jack, who had to manage the budget and expenses.
