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: 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: parrot-fashion
To do something parrot-fashion, is to learn or memorize it by repetition without understanding it, or repeat it mechanically without thinking about it. British and Australian English. Examples of … [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...]
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: blow the cobwebs away
To blow the cobwebs away has two, similar, meanings. If you blow the cobwebs away you get some fresh air and exercise so that you are refreshed and can think more clearly. To blow the cobwebs away … [Read More...]
Idiom: a storm petrel
A storm petrel (or stormy petrel) is someone who brings trouble, or who is a sign of trouble to come. Examples of use: 1. We remember her as the storm petrel of our family 2. He is … [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: an old flame
An old flame is someone who is a former boyfriend or girlfriend. Examples of use: 1. Do you know him? He's just an old flame. 2. I just discovered that my boss is an … [Read More...]
English Phrasal Verbs
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: round up
1. To round up something (or round something up) is to increase a number to the nearest whole number, or to the nearest number ending in zero. Example of use: Here's the money I owe you: … [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: throw together
1. To throw together something, or throw something together, is to prepare or create it without much planning, and with whatever is available at the time. Examples of use: a) I haven't been … [Read More...]
Phrasal Verb: clog up
To clog up something (or clog something up) is to block it so that nothing can move or pass through it. Examples of use: 1. They poured oil down the sink and now the drain is clogged up. 2. People … [Read More...]
Phrasal verb: witter on
To witter on is to talk in a long-winded way, for a long time, about things that are not very important. This expression is informal British English. Examples of use: 1. I wish you would … [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: 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. … [Read More...]
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