Lisa was shopping at the mall. After buying a few things, she reached into her bag and her wallet was gone! She started to freak out.

She retraced her steps but couldn’t find it. “Maybe someone took it,” she thought. But Lisa told herself to keep her cool.

She went to the information desk and explained. The staff said, “Let’s keep our fingers crossed that someone turns it in.”

Lisa waited nervously. After 20 minutes, a young boy came running with her wallet. “I found this near the bench,” he said.

Lisa was so happy. She checked the wallet—everything was still there. “You really made my day,” she told the boy.

When she got home, Lisa called her friend and said, “Losing my wallet really threw me for a loop, but I was lucky this time!”

Idioms Used in the Story

1. Freak out

Meaning: To panic or become very upset.

Examples:
I freaked out when I lost my phone.
Don’t freak out—it’s just a small problem.

2. Keep (one’s) cool

Meaning: To stay calm.

Examples:
It’s important to keep your cool in an emergency.
She kept her cool during the interview.

3. Keep (your) fingers crossed

Meaning: To hope for good luck.

Examples:
Keep your fingers crossed for me—I have an exam today!
We kept our fingers crossed for sunny weather.

4. Make (someone’s) day

Meaning: To make someone very happy.

Examples:
Your kind words really made my day.
Getting that job offer made my day.

5. Throw (someone) for a loop

Meaning: To surprise or confuse someone.

Examples:
The news really threw me for a loop.
Her question threw him for a loop.