Are you HEADING somewhere for Labor Day?

Time flies, and summer is almost over once again. Temperatures will start to drop and soon the leaves will turn colors. Not long after that, we will need to wear warmer clothing. Before all this happens though, we take a Monday off to enjoy summer before it goes away. We call this Monday Labor Day or the "unofficial" end of summer. FYI: summer officially ends on the fall equinox, which is on September 22 this year.

• OVER - finished
• DROP - decrease
• FYI - For Your Information

Americans often head somewhere and do stuff to enjoy the weather on Labor Day. Many hit the beach to enjoy the sun and surf. While at the beach, people will likely hit the boardwalk to shop, get something to eat, or just watch people walk by. Some will hit the park to do some hiking and maybe take a dip in a lake. Some of us love to hit the road and get away from the city. What about you? Are you heading anywhere?

• SURF - waves on the beach
• TAKE A DIP - go in the water; go for a swim

LESSON:
If you noticed, I used the words "hit" and "head" instead of saying "go." These words are idiomatic and are commonly used among native speakers. "Let's hit the beach" is another, more informal way of saying "Let's go to the beach." Similarly, you can say "we're hitting the boardwalk" or "we're going to the boardwalk; they're both correct. At the end of the day, you can say, "It's time to head home," which means the same thing as "It's time to go home."

• IDIOMATIC - common way of using language

Here are a few more examples of using "hit" and "head" instead of "go"
1. Where are you headed?/Where are you heading? [Where are you going?]
2. Let's head home and then head to the beach.  [go home/go to the beach]
3. Not me, I'm heading to work.  [going to work]
4. We're hitting the road this weekend to visit my aunt in Pennsylvania.  [driving]
5. It's getting late. Let's hit the road.  [Let's go.]
6. We're heading to a friend's house for a barbecue.  [going to a friend's house]
7. My friends and I are hitting the movies to watch the latest blockbuster.  [going to the movies]
8. After traveling around the world for 5 years, they are finally heading home.   [going home]

So what are you doing this Labor Day? Let us know where you're headed.

Have a fun and safe long weekend!