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Students at LA County Museum

Paul Huber

On Friday, October 19th, a group of 40 Poly ESL students and staff from Irvine, Pasadena and Los Angeles gathered at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) for a night of drinks, pizza, and music.

Such a large group deserved a large space. Poly students and staff met on the grassy, green area toward the back of the jazz concert. This was the perfect space for everyone to get familiar with each other.

The clear, blue L.A. sky inspired conversation and laughter. The Jon Mayer Trio’s soothing sound echoed in the background as Poly members tapped their glasses and blissfully shouted “Cheers.”

Some were standing, some were sitting, but all were embracing the opportunity to meet and greet people from Turkey, China, Mexico, Korea, Russia, Japan, Saudi Arabia etc.

The following Monday, students were still joyous about the event. They came to school smiling from cheek to cheek reminiscing about Friday night.

Student Event – Jazz at LACMA

Paul Huber

Jazz at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is an annual celebration of the greatest Jazz musicians in Los Angeles. The beloved program runs from April to November, every Friday night at 6:00 p.m.
“Celebrating over twenty years at LACMA, the program continues to be one of the museum’s most recognizable offerings […] Over 42,000 visitors attend the program annually,” according to LACMA’s website.
Located on the Smidt Welcome Plaza of the museum, Jazz at LACMA invites all guests, of all ages, for FREE! Guests are welcomed to bring food and drinks into the event, as well as picnic baskets and blankets; however, they must follow LACMA’s guidelines: http://www.lacma.org/plan-your-visit
This intimate event produces a remarkable sense of community in L.A., which, at times, can feel impossible to imagine for a city with such constant mobility.
On October 19, 2018, our Poly ESL students will attend this melodious event to build a stronger bond amongst our three centers: Los Angeles, Pasadena and Irvine. The students will swing to the rhythms of the Jon Mayer Trio.
In the heart of L.A., under the Californian sky, the students will feel the gentle breeze harmoniously swaying with the rich echoes of the jazz instruments.

#POLY Languages #Los Angeles #LA #LACMA #JAZZ night

Idioms – Knowledge

Paul Huber

American English Idioms

An idiom is a phrase (group of words) that usually has a figurative meaning. The use of idioms is wide spread in the English language; native English speakers use idioms almost every day.  Therefore, studying idioms is critical for effective communication, whether in listening, speaking, reading, or writing.  Studying idioms not only improves your understanding of the English language but also gives you a deeper insight into American culture.  The idiomatic expressions (idioms) introduced are based on a theme chosen.

 

Idioms related to Knowledge

know for a fact – to know with a certainty

You often use the expression to emphasize your statement or point.

Example:

I know for a fact that Jane does not like Paul. Jane told me who she likes.

 

know (something) by heart – to have memorized something completely.

If you know something by heart, that means you have memorized it.

Example:

Mary does not need the lyrics for the song. She knows it by heart because she has heard it so many times.

Peter knows all the states in America by heart.

 

Know (something) backwards and forwards – to be very familiar with or knowledgeable of a subject

If you know something backwards and forwards, you really know about the subject well.

Example:

Jane knows about the operations of her company backwards and forwards.  She has worked there for many years.

 

learn the ropes/know the ropes –  learn or understand the basic skills to perform a task

The ropes here probably came from the complicated roping required for sailing ships. If you know the ropes of a task, you know the basic skills required to accomplish the task.

Example:

First learn the ropes by watching Jim who has many years of experience.  Then you will know the ropes.

 

Under one’s belt – 1) consumed (food or drink) 2) acquired (knowledge or experience)

Whatever you consume (eat) will be in your tummy (stomach); the food you eat eventually goes below your belt-line. The expression is often used for knowledge or experience you have acquired. It makes sense in that whatever you have eaten, it’s safely yours.

Example:

Please buy Paul something to eat so that he has some food under his belt. He’s very annoying when he’s hungry.

Once he figured out a few techniques under his belt, he out performed all his friends.

 

Do you have similar idioms in your own country related to the English idioms here?

Do you have good sample sentences for the idioms introduced here?

Please share to reinforce the idioms you’ve studied here. Study English by learning idioms regularly.

3 Food Idioms With Interesting Origins

admin

We use idioms in various everyday situations. Literature is riddled with these flowery phrases to elevate prose and poetry. They are so common that we have become unaware that we are using them like idioms are naturally flowing in our speech.

Idioms, sometimes, are easy to understand and make practical sense such as carrot top and cool as a cucumber. Meanwhile, some idioms have interesting origins like the three food idioms below.

Bring home the bacon – to earn money

Example: The parents must bring home the bacon.

This phrase has a funny origin dated back in 1104 in Great Dunmow, Essex that sounded more like a folktale. A local couple impressed the church in their little town with their love and devotion that they were given a slab of bacon. This started the ritual of the church to award couples bacon if they can prove that they are loyal to each other for a year. Since then, couples have been trying to bring home the bacon.

Cry over spilled milk – get upset over something that has happened and cannot be changed

Example: The vase is broken and it cannot be fixed. Don’t cry over spilled milk!

The origin of this idiom is not exactly known, but common belief said that it originated from the days when people offer food and drink to fairies to which they strongly believed. Fairies love milk and when people spill milk, it is nothing to worry about and is considered as an extra offering to the fairies.

Spill the beans – To reveal secret information often ruining a surprise or plan

Example: Jenny spilled the beans about Kerry’s plans.

This phrase originated from ancient Greece where people cast votes using white or black beans in a jar. A white bean means positive vote or “yes” and a black bean means negative vote or “no”. If someone spilled the beans, the result of the voting will be revealed even before the official count.