Idioms
John hiked over 8 miles to get to the top of a mountain. As he's admiring the view from up top, he says, "I sure am beat."
I'm tired
Emery is looking at your Pokémon cards and sees that you have a whole page of duplicate cards that he does not have. Emery sighs and says, “You know, that’s one of my favorite cards, but I don’t even have one!”
Is this sarcasm or an indirect request?
What is Emery really saying?
Indirect request
I really want one of those cards
You and Emery are playing in the pool. As you’re swimming, a wasp comes and lands in the water! It floats towards you and seems agitated as it’s trying to fly away.
How are you feeling in this moment? How is Emery feeling?
What could you do to stay calm?
Emery is probably feeling scared, surprised, or nervous.
You could grab the pool net and try to move the wasp. You could ask dad to help you. You could get out of the pool for a minute to take some space.
Dad’s been at work all day. He had a hard, long day. As soon as he walks in the door, you and Emery are yelling and running around the house.
How might dad be feeling in this moment?
Emery tries to steal your switch controller while you aren't looking. You turn around and see it in his hands.
What could you say to Emery?
Please, can I have my controller back?
Could you please not steal my controller?
I don't appreciate you taking my things.
Mom says we need new books and we need groceries. We might as well kill two birds with one stone and go the library and the store in the same trip.
Accomplish two things at one time
You are working on your homeschool, and mom tells you that she has a doctor’s appointment today. You and Emery have to go with her and Emery says, “I can’t wait to sit in a room and do nothing for hours!”
Is this sarcasm or an indirect request?
What is Emery really saying?
Sarcasm
I do not want to go to the doctors and be bored
A big thunderstorm starts as you’re playing at the park. The rain starts pouring and the wind is very powerful. You are out in the field and you walked there, so the car is not in the parking lot.
What are two things you can do to stay calm?
You could start to walk home, find a cover for the rain to stop, take some deep breaths, or ask for a coat or umbrella
Your friend, Jake, has been practicing every day for the soccer team tryouts. After school, he comes to you looking dejected. He tells you he didn't make the team, even though he's been excited for weeks.
How is Jake feeling?
What could you say to make him feel better?
Your mom is packing a bag for a camping trip. You notice her start to place your collared shirt in the bag.
What could you say to mom?
I do not want to wear that shirt while camping. Can I pick out a different outfit?
That shirt is too tight, is there a looser one I could wear?
Don't put all your eggs in one basket!
Don't risk it all on one thing
You and Emery were building forts in the living room. Mom asks you in the evening to go clean up the living room. You stomp your feet and complain because the mess is so big! “Thanks for having such a great attitude, Elijah!”
Is this sarcasm or an indirect request?
What is mom saying?
Sarcasm
"Why are you having a bad attitude?" or "Can we please nicely pick up the living room quickly?"
You, mom, and Emery go to the carousel. A bus is parked outside, and a big group of kids is inside. The elementary school kids are really loud, are taking the best animals on the carousel, and push past you in line! Emery wants to keep riding and doesn’t want to leave.
How are you feeling in this moment?
What do you need to feel better?
You might be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, annoyed, tired, or upset.
You could sit at a table to get away from the noise. You could ask mom to leave in a certain amount of time. You play with a fidget while you wait for Emery. You could ask mom for your loops to drown out the noise a little.
Your class just had a massive test. Your friend Max comes to sit with you at lunch. He doesn't say a word.
What might have happened? How is he feeling?
Maybe he didn't do well on the test?
He's probably feeling anxious, upset, or stressed.
A boy at youth group sees a girl talking to you while there is a big group game going on. Later, he asks you if you’re dating that girl and teases you for talking to her.
What are you probably feeling in this moment?
What could you say to this boy?
I don't feel comfortable with you teasing me. I was just talking to that girl, and I would like you to stop teasing me.
Mark and Bobby are playing a game outside, but they keep arguing. "We need to see eye to eye on the rules or else we'll just keep fighting!" Bobby says.
Have the same opinion or same point of view
You and Emery are playing music and as you are choosing a song, Emery says, “Have you listened to this song?” and tries to grab the phone.
Is this sarcasm or an indirect request?
What does Emery want?
Indirect request
Emery wants to play a specific song or wants a turn playing songs.
The wind is shaking your window at night while you're trying to sleep.
How might you be feeling?
What do you need to feel better?
Tired, scared, annoyed, nervous, etc.
You could wear loops, you could turn on a fan or music to drown out the noise, you could ask mom for help.
You come inside and your mom is sitting on the couch. She has a thermometer next to her and a blanket wrapped around her. She starts coughing?
What happened and how is she feeling?
It appears as though she may be sick.
She might be feeling tired, exhausted, worn out, overwhelmed, or sad.
Emery is in your room, and he keeps playing with your toys. It's getting late and you are getting frustrated and tired.
What could you say to Emery?
I would like to go to bed soon. Could you please leave my room?
I'm done playing for tonight. Can I have some space?
Maggie can't find her backpack and it's almost time to leave for school. While searching, Maggie says, "This feels like a wild goose chase!"
A long search
Charlie chose pizza for lunch while Jack chose a burger. As they're sitting down, Charlie looks at Jack's burger and says, "Wow, that looks really good. I don't really want my pizza anymore."
Is this sarcasm or an indirect request?
What does Charlie want?
Indirect request
Charlie wants Jack's burger instead of his own pizza for lunch.
Emery beat you in smash bros and won't stop bragging about it. He talks about it all night long and makes fun of you.
What are you probably feeling?
What do you need to feel better?
You could take some space from Emery, ask him to stop, you could release some angry by drawing or taking deep breaths.
A new kid shows up at youth group. Your friend walks over to introduce themselves. The new kid turns red and tries to turn away.
Why did the new kid turn away? What is he feeling?
What could you do?
The new kid is probably shy and scared because he doesn't know anyone.
You could invite him into your small group or point a leader towards him to help him.
Your best friend starts talking about how cute he thinks a girl in your class is. He goes on and on about it and asks you which girl you think is cute.
What could you say?
Can we talk about something else? I do not want to talk about this.
I appreciate you sharing, but I am not comfortable with this conversation.