Lesson 18 Flashcards
big shot
a powerful or important person
EXAMPLE 1: Martin has become a real big shot in Hollywood. This year he produced several movies.
EXAMPLE 2: Adam is a big shot in Silicon Valley. He started a very successful software company.
Norn: This expression can also be used in the negative sense, to mean somebody who thinks they’re very important. Example: Now that she’s been promoted to vice president, Beth thinks she’s such a big shot!
(to) fool around
to waste time, or spend it in a silly way
EXAMPLE 1: If we keep fooling around here, we’ll be late to the restaurant!
EXAMPLE 2: Stop fooling around! You’ve got lots of work to do.
Norn: This expression also can mean to have casual sexual relations. Example: Steve and Tanya were fooling around in the back seat of the car when a policeman knocked on the window.
(to) get on one’s nerves
to annoy or irritate someone
EXAMPLE 1: My neighbor’s dog barks all night. It really gets on my nerves.
EXAMPLE 2: Please stop whistling. It’s getting on my nerves!
SYNONYMS: to get under someone’s skin; to bug someone [slang]
(to) get the show on the road
to start working; to begin an undertaking
EXAMPLE 1: We can’t afford to waste any more time - let’s get the show on the road!
EXAMPLE 2: Kids, let’s get the show on the road. We don’t want to be late for the movie!
(to) lighten up
to stop taking things so seriously
EXAMPLE 1: Lighten up! I’m sure Ted was only joking when he said your guitar playing gave him a headache.
EXAMPLE 2: Don always takes his job so seriously. He needs to lighten up.
SYNONYMS: chill out [slang]; take it easy
night owl
a person who enjoys being active late at night
EXAMPLE 1: Sara goes to sleep every night at 3 a.m. She’s a real night owl.
EXAMPLE 2: I never go to bed before midnight. I’m a night owl.
Nothing doing!
Not a chance!
EXAMPLE 1: You want me to buy the Golden Gate Bridge from you for a million bucks? Nothing doing!
EXAMPLE 2: You want me to write your paper on Catherine the Great? Nothing doing!
SYNONYMS: No way! Not on your life!
(to) stay up
not to go to bed; to stay awake
EXAMPLE 1: Ted and Amber stayed up all night talking about cookies.
EXAMPLE 2: Whenever I stay up late, I regret it the next morning.
