Idioms

"crack the books" = start studying

"The reason why he isn't doing very well is that he rarely cracks the books."

"cut class" = miss school

"Although some of my daughter's friends cut class a lot, she is at school every day."

"a balancing act" = a difficult situation where you try to do several different things
at the same time
"Working and studying at the same time is a real balancing act."

"high-and-mighty" = self-important and proud

"Sarah always acts high-and-mighty, and she thinks she is better than everyone
else because she is a well-known movie star."

"feel at home" = feel comfortable or relaxed

"The more you learn about the culture here, the more you will feel at home."

"move in" = start living somewhere

"Some of my adult children have moved back in because they want to save
money."

"read someone like a book" = understand someone very well

"My teacher can read students like a book. He knows which students studies, and
which students don't."

"go by the book" = follow rules exactly

"If you always go by the book in your work, your company will trust you more."

"no spring chicken" = no longer young

"I don't think he'll be able to hike to the summit because he's no spring chicken."

"play it safe" = be careful and not take chances

"My knee still hurts, so I'm going to play it safe and not go jogging today."

"strapped for cash" = short of money

"I'm a little strapped for cash, so I can't eat out very often."

"come into money" = get money suddenly

"Steve came into money when his father passed away last year."
 Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
 stuff (noun): things
- Please put your stuff in your backpacks.
 bow (verb): bend your head and waist to show respect and thanks to
another person 
- You should bow in Japan when you meet people in formal situations.
 math (noun): mathematics 
- I don't like math. It's hard for me.
 start off (verb): begin 
- Ashley started off her acting career in New York City.
 basic (adjective): simple 
- We lived in a very basic house when I was little.
 originally (adverb): at first, in the beginning 
- My mother is originally from Mexico, but she grew up in the United States.
 gotta go (informal expression): have to go 
- Hey, I (I've) gotta go to work now. See you later. 
- My brother's gotta study more if he wants to pass the class.
 honey (adjective): sweetheart, dear, love 
- Hi, honey! Will you make me lunch, please?
 work out (phrasal verb): going well
- My new job schedule has really worked out for me.
 commute (verb; also a noun): to travel between home and work or school
- VERB: I have to commute two hours each day to get to work.
- NOUN: How long is your commute to work every day?
 utilities (noun): public services including water, gas, and electricity
- How much do you pay for utilities each month?
 furnished (adjective): containing furniture, for example, a sofa, tables, and
washing machine
- I decided to rent a furnished apartment so I wouldn't have to buy so many
things.
 vacancies (noun): rooms not being used or rented
- Do you have any vacancies starting next month?
 nonsense (noun): untrue or incomprehensible statement or idea
- Stop talking nonsense and tell us exactly what happened.
 spoil (verb): ruin; frustrate; block; prevent
- I hope this bad weather doesn't spoil our picnic this afternoon.
 porch (noun): a small area just outside the front door of homes where you
can sit and relax
- Let's go sit on the porch and enjoy the cool evening breeze.
 head down (phrasal verb): go down
- I'll head down to the store after dinner to pick up some milk.
 make the best of it (idiom): do what you can under the circumstances
- We've had to make the best of it ever since dad died last year.
 get rid of  (verb): throw away, dispose of, use up 
- Let's get rid of this old table. One of the legs is broken.
 buck (noun): informal for dollar
- Could I borrow a couple of bucks for lunch?