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Posts Tagged ‘definition’

English Idiom of the Day – Cloud Nine

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 @ 08:02 AM
posted by Jo

Cloud Nine

To be on 'cloud nine' means you are extremely happy or blissful.

Example: For a few days after I heard I'd got the job, I was on cloud nine.

Did you know...?  This idiom originates in the fact that weather experts classify cloud nine as a particular type of cloud that is white and fluffy and very high up in the sky. To be up high in the sky is likened to paradise or being happy.

Idiom with similar meaning: To be 'over the moon'

English Idiom of the Day – A black sheep

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 @ 10:02 AM
posted by Jo
A black sheep
Someone who is the black sheep doesn't fit into a group or family because their behaviour or character is bad, odd or disgraces the group.
 
Example: My brother was the black sheep in the family - he ran away at 16 to become an actor.
  
Did you know...? The idiom originated from the occasional black sheep which is born into a herd of white sheep and the fact that black sheep are less desirable than white ones because it is more difficult to dye their wool different colours.
 

ESL Word of the Day – Describe

Friday, February 18, 2011 @ 10:02 AM
posted by Jo

Describe

To say what something or someone is like by giving details about it/them.

Example: The police asked her to describe the man; Anpther approach to the problem is described in Chapter 3.

Similar words: depict, explain

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ESL Word of the Day – Govern

Thursday, February 17, 2011 @ 10:02 AM
posted by Jo

Govern

1. (verb) to officially and legally control a country and make all the decisions about taxes, laws, public services etc; to rule. Example: They elected new leaders to govern the country.

2. (verb) if rules, principles etc govern the way a system or situation works, they control how it happens. Examples: There is new legislation governing the export of live animals; The universe is governed by the laws of physics.

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ESL Word of the Day – Strategy

Friday, January 21, 2011 @ 09:01 AM
posted by Jo

Strategy

(Noun) - A planned series of actions for achieving something; skillful planning.

Example:  The police force needs a new strategy for dealing with crime;  The company developed a new business strategy.

Did you know...?  The word 'strategy' was in the Oxford Dictionary's top 200 most-viewed words last year.

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ESL Word of the Day – Challenge

Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 10:01 AM
posted by Jo

Challenge

(Noun) Something that tests strength, skill, or ability, especially in a way that is interesting.

Example: John now faces the biggest challenge of his career / I decided to take up the challenge to climb Mount Olympus.

Did you know...?  The word 'challenge' was in the Oxford Dictionary's top 250 most-viewed words last year.

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Top 25 Verbs and Their Meaning

Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:01 AM
posted by Jo

Top 25 Verbs

A verb is a word or group of words that describes an action, experience, or state, such as 'come', 'see', 'jump' and 'put on'. There are estimated to be more than 20,000 verbs in the English language. Here is a list of the top 25 verbs from the Oxford English Dictionary.

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ESL Word of the Day – Issue

Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 09:01 AM
posted by Jo

Issue

Noun - a subject or problem that is often discussed or argued about, especially a social or political matter that affects the interests of a lot of people.

Example Usage: We should discuss the issue of discrimination at our next meeting;  We must resolve the issue with the neighbours.

Common Phrases:  'raise an issue', 'address an issue', 'resolve an issue', 'avoid an issue'

Did you know...?  The word 'issue' was in the Oxford Dictionary's top 50 most-viewed words of last year.

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