Lesson 3 - That’s a Weight off My Shoulders!

Easy American Idioms » Lesson 3 - That’s a Weight off My Shoulders!

Word List

To be coming up

→ To be about to occur. To happen in the nearfuture.
To sneak up on somebody

→ To happen or be about to happen without someone’s realization or preparation. By the way, you’ll hear many people use the past form “snuck” as well.
To slip someone’s mind

→ To be forgotten.
To go in on something with someone

→ To share the cost or expense of something with someone.
To not have a clue

→ To not know about something at all.
To look around

→ To move through a place and observe without the intention of finding something in particular.
To turn up

→ To appear or be found.
To break the bank

→ To spend all your money on something, to empty your bank account to pay for something, to pay too much for something.
Bookworm

→ A person who loves to read.
To be on the case

→ To already be working on a certain project, to have begun working to achieve a particular goal.
To be run-of-the-mill

→ To be ordinary or typical. To be commonplace.
To tear something to pieces

→ To find fault with something or harshly criticize. To insult.
To throw someone a bone

→ To make a small or token gesture of support for someone, often in a patronizing way.
To shoot something down

→ To dismiss or reject something, such as an idea or a suggestion.
To get on someone’s nerves

→ To annoy or agitate someone.
To be beat

→ To be exhausted.
To call it a day

→ To decide that a project, event, or situation is over. To stop working on something for the day.
To put in or give your two cents

→ To give your opinion or share your ideas about something.
To knock someone’s socks off

→ To shock or surprise someone in a pleasant or happy way by performing beyond expectation.
To be in shape

→ To be in good physical condition. Note that you can also say “to get in shape, ”meaning“ to train your body and become physically fit.”
To shell out

→ To pay, usually a bit unwillingly.
Hands down

→ Without a doubt.
To be a weight off your shoulders

→ To no longer be a source of worry or concern for you.
To push your luck

→ To try to get too much of a reward, to be greedy, to want too much.

That’s a Weight off My Shoulders!

Giovanni: Hello?

Briona: Hey, Giovanni. It’s Bri.

Giovanni: Hey.

Briona: You know, Dad’s birthday is coming up in four days . . .

Giovanni: Oh man, I almost forgot! It really sneaked up on me this year.

Briona: Yeah, I thought it might have slipped your mind. So, I was wondering—do you wanna go in on a gift for him with me?

Giovanni: Yeah, sure . . . but I don’t have a clue what we should get him.

Briona: Me neither. I was thinking we could go to the mall and look around. Maybe something will turn up.

Giovanni: When do you want to go?

Briona: Friday good?

Giovanni: Sounds like a plan. See ya then.

Briona: What about a new grill?

Giovanni: Bri, I’m not a rich guy. I can’t afford to break the bank with this gift.

Briona: Okay, how about a gift certificate to a bookstore? Dad loves to read. He’s a real bookworm.

Giovanni: Yeah, we already thought of that, and Aunt Linda is on the case.

Briona: Fine. Neckties?

Giovanni: Can you get any more run-of-the-mill?

Briona: Well, then WHAT?! Every suggestion I make, you tear to pieces. At least throw me a bone here! It’s not helpful for you to just shoot down my ideas!

Giovanni: Well, I don’t know what to get him either. What do you buy for the man who has everything?

Briona: Oh, you’re a great help! Your optimism is beginning to get on my nerves. I’m beat. Maybe we should just call it a day.

Giovanni: No, wait . . . All right, Bri, you want my two cents?

Briona: Finally! Yes! What do you think?

Giovanni: It’s his 50th birthday, so we should get him something good. . . .

Briona: Like . . . ?

Giovanni: I don’t know . . . Something that really knocks his socks off!

Briona: Big help you are! You know, you could at least . . . Hey! That’s it! Didn’t Dad say he wanted to start exercising, because he feels like he’s not in shape?

Giovanni: Yeah . . .

Briona: Well . . . we could get him a pair of running shoes, and a membership to a club!

Giovanni: Hmmm . . . That’s not bad. But how much will I have to shell out?

Briona: Don’t worry . . . Pay what you can; I’ll pay the rest.

Giovanni: This is hands down the best idea I’ve heard all day.

Briona: What a weight off my shoulders!

Giovanni: Mine too! And since I inspired it, you should treat me to lunch.

Briona: Don’t push your luck!

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