IDIOMS LESSON 36Summer 2013

Out of the question: Impossible, not feasible

Having class at the pool is absolutely out of the question.

To have to do with: to have some connection to; often used negatively

What do cats have to do with learning idioms?

I promise, I had nothing to do with breaking that window!

To check in: to register at a hotel; to leave something for transport or safekeeping

When you check your bags in at the airport, there is a possibility they will be searched.

You usually need a picture ID to check into a hotel.

To check out: to pay a bill at a hotel and then leave; to investigate or examine

Don’t forget to get a receipt when you check out of the hotel.

It is a favorite pastime for young men to check out the pretty girls at the

beach.

To take one at one’s word: to believe, to accept what one says as true.

Also: to take one’s word for it

I know it’s cold outside, but don’t take my word for it—go see for yourself.

To serve one’s purpose: to be useful, to suit one’s needs or requirements.

Going to college helped me get this job, so my education has served its purpose.

To cop out: to avoid one’s responsibility; to quit

She could have done very well in school, but she copped out as soon as it got difficult.

Her explanation for missing class was a total copout.

To line up: to form a line; to arrange to have or manage to get

Sarah lined up a popular rock band for the beach party.

People lined up outside the ticket off for hours to get tickets to the concert.

To lose one’s cool: to get excited, angry, or flustered

I lose my cool often when people walk in late or talk when I’m talking.

To throw (someone) a curve: to introduce an unexpected topic, causing embarrassment That student threw me a curve with

his question about that slang word!

To leave open: to delay making a decision

I’m not sure if the boss will be available at that time, so let’s leave it open for now.

To miss the boat: to lose an opportunity; to fail in some undertaking

You were so late to class today that you missed the boat to learn the new vocabulary lesson.

To think up: to invent, to create also : to dream up

Thomas Edison thought up the light bulb in his Menlo Park laboratory.