Learn American idioms and phrases through conversation: Topic – Face the Music

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 Father and Patrick

Patrick’s parents express concern about his lifestyle, urging him to be more responsible and take his future seriously. They criticize his frequent job changes, lack of financial planning, and his dream of becoming a writer. Patrick rejects his father’s offer to help him get a job at the family company, insisting on pursuing his passion for writing. The conversation escalates, revealing tensions about Patrick’s girlfriend, Marcie. Ultimately, Patrick’s parents decide it’s time for him to move out and face the real world, but assure him of their love and support. Patrick reacts with surprise and humor, asking if he can still drop off his laundry at his parents’ place.

2. American idiom list and example

1. To give someone a break: To hold back criticism, judgment, or effort against someone
   • Example: “Come on, give him a break! He’s doing his best.”
2. To brush something off: To fail to take something seriously
   • Example: “Don’t just brush off your responsibilities; take them seriously.”
3. To put something away: To save something, such as money
   • Example: “It’s essential to put away some money for unexpected expenses.”
4. To burn through something: To use something very fast, with little care for future supplies
   • Example: “He burned through his savings by spending extravagantly.”
5. To live paycheck-to-paycheck: To earn only enough money to meet weekly or monthly bills
   • Example: “Many young professionals struggle with living paycheck-to-paycheck in expensive cities.”
6. No skin off someone’s nose: To be of no concern or importance to someone
   • Example: “If I decide to change careers, it’s no skin off your nose.”
7. To make your own way in the world: To support yourself, to be responsible for your own needs in life
   • Example: “After college, she decided to make her own way in the world and moved to a new city.”
8. To get the ball rolling: To get started doing something
   • Example: “Let’s have a meeting to get the ball rolling on the new project.”
9. To get your feet wet: To get experience, to try something out
   • Example: “Interning at the company allowed her to get her feet wet in the industry.”
10. Like talking to a wall: Communicating with someone who doesn’t understand or listen
    • Example: “Trying to explain the importance of time management to him is like talking to a wall.”
11. To go about something: To handle, to act, or to perform in a situation or with a certain goal
    • Example: “There are many ways to go about solving this problem.”
12. To have your head in the clouds: To be a dreamer, to fail to be realistic or pay attention to realistic needs
    • Example: “I love her creativity, but sometimes she has her head in the clouds when it comes to practical matters.”
13. To sell out: To betray your principles for money
    • Example: “I won’t sell out my principles for a higher salary.”
14. To get along with: To behave in an agreeable way with someone
    • Example: “She gets along well with her colleagues; they make a great team.”
15. To see eye to eye: To agree 
    • Example: “They rarely see eye to eye on political issues.”
16. To take charge of something: To become responsible for something and make active decisions about it
    • Example: “It’s time for her to take charge of the project and make decisions.”
17. To wake up and smell the coffee: To acknowledge the reality of a situation
    • Example: “It’s time for him to wake up and smell the coffee, realizing the importance of time management.”
18. Neither here nor there: To not be the point
    • Example: “Your opinion on this matter is neither here nor there; we need to focus on the facts.”
19. To cut the cord: To detach yourself from someone or something that you used to have strong influence or control over
    • Example: “Moving to a new city was a way for her to cut the cord and become independent.”
20. It’s about time: To be the right time
    • Example: “You’ve been procrastinating for weeks; it’s about time you start working on your assignment.”
21. To face the music: To confront or accept unpleasant realities 
    • Example: “After skipping classes, he had to face the music when he failed the exam.”
22. To sink or swim: To be in a situation where you must either perform your best or fail
    • Example: “Starting your own business is a sink or swim situation; you have to give it your all.”
23. To cut someone off: To stop someone’s supply of something, often money or support
    • Example: “After years of financial support, his parents decided to cut him off and encourage independence.”

3. Conversation between Father and Patrick