Page 55 - Speak English Like an American

(to) shell out — to pay (often more than one would like)
EXampLe 1: Bob shelled out $5,000 for Nicole’s piano lessons before she
decided she’d rather play the flute.
EXAMPLE 2: How much am I going to have to shell out to get two tickets
to the Rolling Stones concert?

(to) take (something) by storm — to win popularity quickly
ExampLe |: The play “The Producers” really took New York by storm.
EXAMPLE 2: That new restaurant really took Chicago by storm!

(that’s or those are) the breaks — when something bad hap-
pens and you can’t do anything about it
EXAMPLE |: By the time we got to the theater, the new Harry Potter movie
was already sold out. Oh well, that’s the breaks!
EXAMPLE 2: Your glasses fell on a rock and broke while you were fishing?
Those are the breaks!

wise guy [slang] — a smart aleck; one who makes a lot of
sarcastic comments

EXAMPLE 1: When Mrs. Lee asked Joey what he wanted to be when he
grew up, he said, “An adult.” She told him not to be such a wise guy.
EXAMPLE 2: That clerk in the video store is a real wise guy. He’s always
making nasty comments about the customers.
SYNONYMS: wise ass [rude], smart ass [rude]

PRACTICE THE IDIOMS

Choose the best substitute for the phrase in bold:

1) I’m in good spirits today because I got a promotion at work.
a) happy
b) drunk
c) tired

2) Renting an apartment on Park Avenue in Manhattan is dif-
ficult, unless you’re made of money.
a) wealthy
b) strange
c) famous

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