tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23541748912299309912024-03-13T21:02:29.824-07:00American English, yo!I love analyzing my native language, American English, and helping non-native speakers make sense of it. I've been doing this for fun with friends who speak English as a second language for nearly 30 years. I would like to first thank A.D., C.F. and E.A., and now P.G., for inspiring me to finally write this stuff down!yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-50077378498645125152014-04-15T05:52:00.001-07:002014-04-15T05:52:39.981-07:00Take it with a grain of salt.If you 'take something with a grain of salt,' it means that you consider the source while deciding if something is true or not.<div><br></div><div>Examples:</div><div>-Sara didn't like the movie. She said it was awful.</div><div>-yeah, but you have to take everything she says with a grain of salt. She doesn't like most movies.</div><div><br></div><div>-The newspaper said the economy is sinking.</div><div>-It could be true, but you have to take it with a grain of salt. That newspaper isn't very reliable.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-44617276715515023072013-07-06T02:13:00.001-07:002013-07-06T02:13:40.191-07:00Hit the hayTo 'hit the hay' means to go to bed. It recalls a simpler time when people may have slept in a barn.<div><br></div><div>Example:</div><div>-Okay, kids! Time to hit the hay!</div><div>-Aw! 5 more minutes?</div><div><br></div>yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-74793136914068353272013-06-19T03:14:00.001-07:002013-06-19T04:01:22.428-07:00Holy shit!'Holy shit' is a strong exclamation used to express extreme surprise.<div><br></div><div>Example:</div><div>(Upon receiving $1000 as a gift)</div><div>-Holy shit!</div>yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-29873484947178758762012-11-16T03:58:00.001-08:002012-11-16T03:58:30.908-08:00Cut to the chaseIf you 'cut to the chase,' it means that you just come out and tell someone something, after (possibly) previously stalling.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-They've been hemming and hawing all week. I wish they'd just cut to the chase and tell me.<br />
-They should, you're right!<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-7291712501897354812012-11-15T15:56:00.001-08:002012-11-15T15:56:19.618-08:00FlooredIf you are 'floored' by something, it means you are shocked and can't believe what you're hearing.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-I can't believe you didn't get the job! I'm just floored!<br />
-Yeah, me, neither. I'm still in shock.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-73209923239515976452012-11-14T17:17:00.001-08:002012-11-14T17:17:38.292-08:00Full of shitSomeone who is 'full of shit,' is someone who is completely lying. Since 'shit' is a bad word, obviously this should only be said around people with whom you have a close relationship.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-I can't believe she actually said that! She's so full of shit!<br />
-Totally!<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-78327633762344055872012-11-14T11:42:00.001-08:002012-11-16T04:03:56.244-08:00Hemming and hawingIf someone is 'hemming and hawing,' it means they're stalling on making a (perhaps big) decision. <br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-I wish he'd just make up his mind!<br />
-All this hemming and hawing is getting old.<br />
<br />
-yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-17641381843253840072012-11-10T00:18:00.001-08:002012-11-12T00:06:27.535-08:00Pig outIf you 'pig out," it means that you eat so much that afterward you're stuffed and maybe even feel sick.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-Good morning, sweetie! Would you like some breakfast?<br />
-No thanks, Mom. Last night I pigged out on pizza at Suzanne's and I'm still full!<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-67174361281812754312012-11-08T06:28:00.001-08:002012-11-08T06:28:54.889-08:00Not going to sugarcoat itIf you're not going to 'sugarcoat' something, it means you're going to be frank and direct about some bad news, without trying to soften it.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-Well, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. You have to lose weight.<br />
-You're right, Dr. Smith. I know you're right.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-65346604800728481052012-11-06T00:14:00.001-08:002012-11-06T22:17:32.091-08:00Gridlock'Gridlock' refers to a major traffic jam when no one can move. It has also been used the American political scene as if late.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-Gridlock traffic! Happy Monday.<br />
-Ugh.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-39081555302513984882012-11-05T22:05:00.001-08:002012-11-06T00:18:22.564-08:00Living under a rockIf you are 'living under a rock,' it means that have not been paying very close attention to what's been happening (especially in the world) around you. <br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-I just can't comprehend how anyone could be an undecided voter at this point!<br />
-They must be living under a rock!<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-18561628438006567102012-11-04T05:44:00.001-08:002012-11-08T06:32:17.201-08:00In a safe place.If you have something you don't want to lose, you might put it in a safe place. Sometimes, however, you put it in such a 'safe place' that later you can't find it.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-Do you have the tickets for tonight?<br />
-I put them in a safe place and now I can't find them.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-5213511614310740442012-10-12T02:41:00.001-07:002012-10-15T19:29:10.397-07:00Hard to readIf someone is 'hard to read,' it means that is hard to anticipate what they are thinking or feeling.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-Do you think your mother-in-law liked your gift?<br />
-I don't know. She's really hard to read.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-91656003834658253892012-10-11T05:16:00.001-07:002012-11-16T04:05:54.740-08:00All for showIf something is 'all for show,' it means that something being done isn't genuine, but rather, it is being done to impress or to give a positive impression to someone else.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-I can't believe she got so emotional!<br />
-Oh, that? It was all for show.yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-77306268986086042772012-10-10T19:34:00.001-07:002012-10-14T18:05:24.267-07:00Coming fromYou can say you don't know where someone is 'coming from' if you don't understand their point of view.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-I think we should just ignore them.<br />
-But why? I don't understand where you're coming from.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-62477157311606477202012-10-09T16:06:00.001-07:002012-11-06T22:28:36.094-08:00Down time'Down time' is time when you don't have to be anywhere doing anything and can actually relax. It speaks to how over-programmed and over-scheduled so many Americans are.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-I really need some down time! I've been way too busy lately!<br />
-Yeah, me too! (Sigh.)yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-32617387236810415512012-10-09T05:33:00.001-07:002012-10-09T16:02:03.120-07:00Head-butt and butt headsIf you are 'head-butted,' it means someone has bumped or hit you with their head. It's usually something kids or pets do. Interestingly, it different from but related to 'butting heads.' This is when two people keep disagreeing and can't reach any consensus, as if their heads were actually bumping, or butting, together.<br />
<br />
Examples:<br />
-Your cat keeps head-butting me. I think she likes me.<br />
-She just wants to get her smell on you.<br />
<br />
-Dad and I just don't agree on anything! It's so frustrating to talk to him.<br />
-Yeah, you guys do butt heads a lot!yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-22154829814957569612012-10-08T01:22:00.001-07:002012-10-08T19:16:27.089-07:00Pop quizA 'pop quiz' is a quiz that a teacher gives with previous warning. Often, they are given to see who has done the homework, such as keeping up with the reading.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-How was English today?<br />
-Horrible. We had a pop quiz and I hadn't read.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-7968820550475508812012-10-05T16:16:00.001-07:002012-10-05T16:21:51.109-07:00Wound upIf someone is 'wound up,' it means they have lots of pent up energy that they need to get out, by running or playing. Kids are often described in this way. <br />
<br />
This expression uses the imagery of a music box. You turn it over, wind it up, and let go. Then the music plays fast until it finally stops and you have to wind it up again.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-Oh, my goodness! The kids are so wound up today!<br />
-Yeah, they need to go outside and play.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-63323004589999917742012-10-04T00:41:00.001-07:002012-10-05T16:36:19.160-07:00JaywalkTo 'jaywalk' means to cross the street in the middle of the block where there is no crosswalk. Although it's illegal, police officers don't give tickets for doing this.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-Let's cross here.<br />
-No, we can't jaywalk! There's way too much traffic! We have to go to the corner.<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-17924519558021288332012-10-03T18:26:00.001-07:002012-10-03T18:26:41.663-07:00Woo hoo!'Woo hoo!' is an exclamation said with great excitement when someone is really happy about something. Some synonyms include 'yippee,' 'woot' 'yay' and 'hooray.'<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-My daughter just found out she was accepted at Harvard! WOO HOO!<br />
-Yay! That's awesome!<br />
<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-55439332240170624502012-10-02T01:13:00.001-07:002012-10-02T01:25:32.890-07:00Tied upA person who is 'tied up' is busy and can't take on a new request from someone else. It can also be used as an apology to say that they couldn't get to something they were supposed to be doing because something unexpected happened to prevent them from doing it. To add emphasis, they can say they're 'all tied up.' this expression is often used in a work place or other professional environment.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-I'm sorry; I can't help you with that. I'm all tied up today with a project. Maybe tomorrow?<br />
-Sounds good.<br />
<br />
-Did you finish the Stevens case?<br />
-No, I'm sorry. I was all tied up in meetings with my team and never got around to it.yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-13026689423911017442012-09-30T18:14:00.002-07:002012-10-02T01:13:34.237-07:00KlutzA 'klutz' is a clumsy person who trips a lot and/or drops things.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-Dad is such a klutz!<br />
-Yeah, he broke Mom's favorite vase!<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-22125980154425411682012-04-08T15:15:00.001-07:002012-04-08T15:43:23.253-07:00Happy Easter!Easter is the holiday where Christians celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Churches tend to be fuller than usual on Easter Sunday, and many people dress more formally. Little girls wear fancy little Easter dresses, and the boys wear pastel-colored little shirts and pants or shorts. After church, families tend to gather for brunch (a big meal after breakfast time and before lunch time), where they might eat egg casserole, bacon or ham, fruit, and some type of roll or bread.<br />
<br />
For both Christians and non-Christians, it is also a day of Easter Egg hunts (dyed hardboiled eggs or plastic eggs filled with candy) where children go around their house or outside in their yard with their Easter baskets and collect the eggs that have been left for them by the Easter Bunny. Usually they get chocolate and jelly beans. <br />
<br />
Examples:<br />
-Alleluia, the Lord is risen!<br />
-The Lord is risen, indeed! Alleluia!<br />
<br />
-Happy Easter, sweetie! What did the Easter Bunny bring you?<br />
-A chocolate Easter bunny and jelly beans!yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354174891229930991.post-89574043587963716102012-04-07T05:02:00.001-07:002012-04-08T15:21:14.285-07:00PistolA 'pistol' is a type of handgun, but it can also be used, especially by grandparents, to describe a small child who is very cute or doing something sweet or ornery.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
-C'mere, you little pistol! Nana loves you!<br />
-Love you, Nana!<br />
yowordgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15441089765114343061noreply@blogger.com0