What is a euphemism?
A euphemism (noun) is a mild, indirect or evasive expression that takes the place of one that is taboo, offensive, unpleasant or embarrassing e.g. words relating to death, sexual activity, bodily functions, and violence. euphemistic - adjective euphemistically - adverb Examples: terminate – kill tactical withdrawal – retreat friendly fire – the accidental killing of soldiers on one’s own side collateral damage – the killing of people by mistake (especially by the military) lost their lives – were killed … Read More >>
Help with English
I have introduced a new opportunity for you to ask questions about how to use English and how to improve your English skills. Add your question to the Ask about English page, or send me an email, and I will answer your questions about any aspect of English. You might notice that the Studying Online forum is not available. Unfortunately there were lots of spammers on the forum, and it also wasn't actively used by our genuine students and users of this site, and so I have closed it. I might reintroduce it one day in the future. Ask a question about English will be a very good replacement … Read More >>
What is a euphemism?
A euphemism (noun) is a mild, indirect or evasive expression that takes the place of one that is taboo, offensive, unpleasant or embarrassing e.g. words relating to death, sexual activity, bodily functions, and violence. euphemistic - adjective euphemistically - adverb Examples: terminate – kill tactical withdrawal – retreat friendly fire – the accidental killing of soldiers on one’s own side collateral damage – the killing of people by mistake (especially by the military) lost their lives – were killed … Read More >>
Phrasal verb: warm to
To warm to somebody or something is to start to like somebody or something. Examples of use: 1. My mother didn't like my boyfriend when they first met, but she is warming to him now. 2. We're warming to the idea of relocating our business to Italy. 3. It will take him a long time to warm to the idea. 4. I warmed to my new neighbours immediately. infinitive warm to present simple warm to and warms to -ing form warming to past simple warmed to past … Read More >>
Phrasal verbs, idioms and sayings for Valentine’s Day
1. Puppy love is the love felt between young people (children and adolescents). Informal. Example of use: It's only puppy love. They will forget each other soon. 2. To lose one's heart to someone is to fall in love with them. Example of use: She lost her heart to her dance teacher. 3. Chat up - to chat up somebody (or chat somebody up) is to talk to them in a flirtatious way to show you are attracted to them, and to try and make them interested in you. Example of use: Every time we go to that club, the barman tries to chat up my friend. 4. Get together … Read More >>
The question mark
The question mark (?) is known as the interrogation mark or interrogation point in American English. Direct Questions A question mark is placed at the end of a word, phrase or sentence to show that what comes before it is a direct question. For example: What is your name? Where are you from? Can you open the window, please? Do you like football? What's that? Who? Direct Quotations A question mark is also used if the question is a direct quotation that repeats the speaker's exact words: "Do you like football?", he asked. "Can … Read More >>
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What is a euphemism?
A euphemism (noun) is a mild, indirect or evasive expression that takes the place of one that is taboo, offensive, unpleasant or embarrassing e.g. words relating to death, sexual activity, bodily functions, and violence. euphemistic - adjective euphemistically - adverb Examples: terminate – kill tactical withdrawal … [Read More...]
What is a palindrome?
A palindrome is a word, phrase, sentence, number etc that reads the same backwards as it does forwards. From the Greek palíndromos / running back again. Examples: Eve kayak level LOL noon Madam, I'm Adam radar refer solos November 2nd 2011 was a rare eight-digit palindrome day, if you … [Read More...]
What is an anagram?
An anagram is word or phrase made by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase. Anagrams are often used for fun, and are used mainly in games and puzzles, especially crosswords. Etymology From Greek - anagrammatizein transpose letters Examples of anagrams: astronomer - moon starer dormitory - dirty room eat - … [Read More...]
What is a prefix?
1. A prefix (noun) is an affix added to the beginning of a word or word root to form a new word. The word prefix comes from Latin fixus (fasten, attach) and pre (before, in front, in advance). If you know what a prefix means, it will help you understand the meaning of a new word. Examples: ♦ dis - to do the opposite of dislike … [Read More...]
What is an acronym?
An acronym is a word formed when the initial letters, or first few letters, of a name or series of words are combined, and then pronounced as one word. Examples: ♦ NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization ♦ NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration ♦ AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ♦ … [Read More...]
English Idioms
Idiom: a square meal
A square meal is a substantial and healthy meal: one that is nourishing and fills you. Examples of use: a) I've been eating salad all week: I need a square meal! b) You're looking thin. … [Read More...]
Idiom: as keen as mustard
If somebody is as keen as mustard, they are very enthusiastic. British English. Mustard is a pungent yellow or brown paste or powder used to add flavour to food. Examples of use: 1. The new army … [Read More...]
Idiom a piece of cake
If something is a piece of cake it is very easy to do. Informal English. Examples of use: a) My English exam was a piece of cake. b) I thought buying a new car would be a piece of cake, but … [Read More...]
Idiom: out of this world
If something is out of this world it is fantastic or extraordinary (too good for this world). This colloquial / slang expression is often used when describing food that is especially … [Read More...]
Idiom: have a chin-wag
A chin-wag is an informal talk or chat. If you have a chin-wag with somebody you have an informal conversation, chat or gossip. Slang. Examples of use: 1. I met my old friend from school yesterday. … [Read More...]
Idiom: look sheepish
To look sheepish is to look guilty or embarrassed because you know you have done something wrong or silly. Examples of use: 1. You are looking sheepish. What have you done? 2. Who has eaten … [Read More...]
Idiom: the world is one’s oyster
The expression the world is my oyster (or the world is your oyster, his oyster etc) means that there are unlimited opportunities to choose from and you can have anything you want, and you can achieve … [Read More...]
Phrasal verbs, idioms and sayings for Valentine’s Day
1. Puppy love is the love felt between young people (children and adolescents). Informal. Example of use: It's only puppy love. They will forget each other soon. 2. To lose one's … [Read More...]
English Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal Verb: stick with
To stick with something is to continue to do or use something as you had planned, without changing to something else Examples of use: 1. I thought about buying a new truck, but I decided to stick … [Read More...]
Phrasal Verb: zip up
To zip up something (or zip something up) is to close it with a zip. Examples of use: 1. It's cold outside. Zip your coat up. 2. Can you zip up my suitcase, please? 3. Have you zipped up your … [Read More...]
Phrasal Verb: put across
To put across something (or put something across) is to explain or express something, such as a fact or meaning, clearly and effectively so that people can understand it easily. Examples of use: 1. … [Read More...]
Phrasal verb: freak out
To freak out is to experience strong emotions and become excited or disturbed, or very angry or very upset. Informal English. Examples of use: 1. He freaked out when he realised his new car had … [Read More...]
English phrasal verbs ebook
Many English language learners find that English phrasal verbs can be difficult to learn, remember and use. I'm writing a new ebook to help you learn some common English phrasal verbs. This … [Read More...]
Phrasal verb: bump into
1. To bump into someone is to meet them unexpectedly or by chance Examples of use: a. I sometimes bump into my old English teacher at the train station. b. We bumped into your friend Martin the … [Read More...]
Phrasal Verb: bend over backwards
To bend over backwards is to try very hard to do something to help or please someone. Examples of use: 1. She will bend over backwards to give the children a good Christmas this year. 2. We bent … [Read More...]
Phrasal verb: man up
To man up means to be strong, take contol and do the honourable or responsible thing. Examples of use: 1. Man up and get yourself a job and provide for your family. 2. You need to man up and tell … [Read More...]
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