Lesson 2 - Tying the Knot

Easy American Idioms » Lesson 2 - Tying the Knot

Word List

To tie the knot

→ To get married.
To take the plunge

→ To follow through on a big or life-changing decision. On the invitation, it has a double meaning. It refers both to a “plunge” into water at the beach party and to the fact that Matt and Allison will be getting married.
To get cold feet

→ To be or become afraid to do something. To have second thoughts. Notice that you can also say “have cold feet.”
Stuffy

→ Formal. Overly conservative in ceremony and style.
To let your hair down

→ To celebrate in a free and uninhibited way.
To walk down the aisle

→ To get married.
To not see something coming

→ To not expect something. To be surprised by something.
A turnout

→ The number of people at an event. Notice that there’s also the verb “to turn out.”
To get hitched

→ To get married. These days,this expression is an informal, humorous, and exaggerated way to say “to get married.”
To pop the question

→ To propose marriage to someone.
To lose your nerve

→ To lose courage.
To turn someone or something down

→ To say “no” to someone or something.
To settle on something

→ To decide something after discussion, consideration, or negotiation.
To count on something

→ To depend on something happening. To be sure something will happen.
To bail

→ To leave a person or quit a project earlier than expected. You can also say “to bail out on someone or something.”
To beat around the bush

→ To be indirect in approach in order to avoid confrontation.
To give it to someone straight

→ To be direct and honest with someone.
To bully someone into something

→ To force someone to do something.
To throw someone for a loop

→ To surprise someone. To confuse someone with something unexpected.
To do a 180

→ To change in a drastic way. To turn completely around.
To play the field

→ To date many different people.
To settle down

→ To grow comfortable and content in a routine or situation, especially in a relationship with another person. Often, this implies growing older and more responsible, or lessfun-loving and free, depending on how you look at it!
To be a wake-up call

→ To be something that changes your view of what is important or possible.
To be seeing someone

→ To date someone informally.
To hand it to someone

→ To acknowledge someone’s achievement.
To get something on track

→ To make decisions and take actions about something that will lead to a favorable outcome.

Tying the Knot

Mike: Hmmm . . . What’s this card? “Join us! Matt and Allison are tying the knot! Take the plunge with them Saturday, June 22nd , at their Engagement/ Beach Party. There’ll be no chance to get cold feet at this sizzling hot summer party! Takes place at Turtle Beach. This party is no stuffy ceremony, so join in if you want to see the couple let their hair down one last time before the walk down the aisle! RSVP by Friday, June 15th . It’ll be a blast!” Wow. Matt and Allison are getting married! Didn’t see that coming.

Allison: Mike! You’re here! So glad you could make it!

Mike: Wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Matt: Hey, buddy! How are ya?

Mike: Great! Congratulations, you two!

Matt and Allison: Thanks!

Mike: Looks like a good turnout!

Matt: Yeah, we’re happy so many people could come.

Mike: So you two are finally gonna get hitched.Who popped the question? Was it you, Matt, or did you propose to him, Allison?

Matt: I decided to be the romantic one. I took Allison to the park where we had our five-year anniversary picnic, and asked her there . . . She was in a bad mood that day . . . I almost lost my nerve—I thought she was gonna turn me down!

Allison: He’s right . . . I almost left him in the park. I had a terrible migraine. Stress at work. And he’d been acting so strange, I guess getting ready for the big question.

Mike: Have you guys settled on a date yet?

Allison: We’re close . . . Sometime next July. You’ll be around, won’t you?

Mike: You can count on it.

Allison: Oh, I just saw my aunt arrive. Sorry to bail on you Mike, right when you get here!

Mike: No, no problem; we’ll catch up later on.

Allison: Great. See you both in a bit.

Mike: Okay, can I ask you something direct?

Matt: Ha! It’s not like you’ve ever been one to beat around the bush.

Mike: Fair enough. Give it to me straight. Did she bully you into this?

Matt: No, seriously . . . I really want this.

Mike: I tell ya, when I got the invite, it really threw me for a loop. You’ve done a complete 180. Just a couple months ago, you were telling me how you kind of missed playing the field.

Matt: I know. But things have changed. I guess I’ve settled down.

Mike: I guess so! What happened?

Matt: Well, remember that car accident Allison had? When I found out, it was a real wake-up call. I remember thinking I didn’t know how I would live without this woman. It hit me—she was the one for me. I decided I should either marry her or stop seeing her.

Mike: Wow.

Matt: Really, and since I’ve proposed, everything has been perfect. I feel like a million bucks. It was the right decision.

Mike: I have to hand it to you. It seems like you’re really getting your life on track. You’re a lucky man. She’s a great person. You deserve a great woman.

Matt: Thanks, I appreciate that. But come on, this is supposed to be fun. Let’s grab a beer and join the party.

Mike: Great idea.

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