Speak English Like an American Lesson 25 Idioms and Expressions MCQ Test
LESSON 25 – Ted Brings Home More Good News
TED BRINGS HOME MORE GOOD NEWS
Ted tells his family that a talent agent wants to meet with him. The agent will fly Ted and Amber to New York. Nicole announces that she’s been named president of the Spanish Club.
Ted: Amber and I are going to break into the music business. Last night after our concert, a talent agent asked us to meet with him in New York.
Susan: Congratulations! We’ll give you some spending money for your trip.
Ted: No need. The agent is footing the bill for everything. And when we get there, he’s going to wine and dine us.
Susan: He must think you’re the cream of the crop.
Ted: He thinks we sound like the Goo Goo Dolls.
Nicole: Who are they?
Ted: You’re really out of it. They’re a popular rock band.
Nicole: Our family is certainly on a winning streak. I was elected president of the Spanish Club today.
Ted: The Spanish Club? Big deal!
Nicole: You don’t get it, Ted. This is only the beginning. Today, president of the Spanish Club. Tomorrow, ambassador to Spain!
Ted: Well, Ambassador, you’ll need to wrap up my chemistry homework before you leave for the Spanish Embassy.
Susan: A rock star and a diplomat — I’m so proud of both of you!
IDIOMS
- Big deal!
→ So what? That doesn’t really matter.
EXAMPLE 1: You won five dollars in the lottery? Big deal!
EXAMPLE 2: Your father has a job with a big company in New York City? Big deal!
- (to) break into
→ to enter or be let into a profession
EXAMPLE 1: If you want to break into journalism, it’s a good idea to work on a college newspaper.
EXAMPLE 2: These days it’s difficult to break into investment banking.
NOTE: “Break into” has several other meanings:
-
- Interrupt. Boris and I were talking. Please don’t try to break into our conversation.
- Enter illegally or by force. Somebody broke into Peter’s house and stole his DVD player.
- To suddenly begin an activity, such as singing. After receiving the check from the National Cookie Company, Susan broke into song.
- cream of the crop
→ the best of a group
EXAMPLE 1: In the world of women’s tennis, the Williams sisters are the cream of the crop.
EXAMPLE 2: Of course you’ll get accepted to Harvard. Don’t forget, you’re the cream of the crop!
SYNONYM: creme de la crème
- (to) foot the bill
→ to pay
EXAMPLE 1: You paid last time we went to the movies. Let me foot the bill this time.
EXAMPLE 2: Fortunately, whenever we go out to dinner with the boss, she foots the bill.
SYNONYM: to pick up the tab
- (to) get it
→ to understand
EXAMPLE 1: I invited 40 people to my Thanksgiving dinner, but only 10 people came. I don’t get it!
EXAMPLE 2: Don’t you get it? Your company is about to go out of business!
- (to be) out of it
→ not aware or knowledgeable about trends or modern habits
EXAMPLE 1: Don’t ask for Susan’s advice on fashion. She’s really out of it. She wears sneakers with everything.
EXAMPLE 2: Betsy has never even heard of Harry Potter. She’s really out of it!
NOTE: “Out of it” also means “confused” or “disoriented.” Example: After staying up all night studying, Ted felt out of it the next day.
- spending money
→ money for minor expenses
EXAMPLE 1: Before Tim left for Europe, his parents gave him $400 in spending money.
EXAMPLE 2: Martin’s parents are paying his college tuition, but he has to earn his own spending money.
SYNONYM: pocket money
- (to) wine and dine
→ to take someone out for an evening or an expensive meal
EXAMPLE 1: Donna wined and dined Bob and Susan and then presented them with a contract for the sale of Susan’s Scrumptious Cookies.
EXAMPLE 2: Kate was wined and dined during her trip to Santiago.
- (to be on a) winning streak
→ a series of wins
EXAMPLE 1: The basketball team hasn’t lost a game all season. They’re on a winning streak!
EXAMPLE 2: You won 10 games in a row? You’re on a winning streak!
- (to) wrap up
→ to finish
EXAMPLE 1: If you wrap up your homework by eight o’clock, we’ll have time to catch a movie tonight.
EXAMPLE 2: Okay folks, let’s wrap up these exercises so we can go home early tonight.
