Idiom of the Week: Below the Belt

執筆者 | 2012年09月19日 | Idioms

Lisa: Mommy, buy me this toy. Mother: No, honey, we can’t afford it this month. Why don’t you ask Santa for it? Lisa: I’ll tell Daddy who killed his tulips. Mother: That’s really hitting below the belt. In some kinds of fighting, there are rules about where you can...

Word of the Week: Bright

執筆者 | 2012年09月18日 | Words

Bob: I heard your daughter won the spelling bee. Ted: Yes, she’s very bright. “Bright” usually refers to something that emits light, such as the sun or a light bulb. But when a person is bright, it means that they are smart or clever. Animals can be bright too....

Phrase of the Week: I could use a break

執筆者 | 2012年09月15日 | Phrases

Phil: You’ve been working for three hours. Come take a break with us. Steve: Okay. I guess I could use a breather. When we say we “could use” something, it means we would like it, although we may not actually really need it. After working for three hours, a break...

TOEIC Practice Question of the Week

執筆者 | 2012年09月14日 | TOEIC

I would be happy to babysit your son if I am not going on a trip with my friend that weekend. Where is the mistake? A. to babysit B. am not C. going on D. with my friend その週末友達と旅行の予定さえなかったら、喜んで子守りするんだけどねぇ… 実際旅行に行くので他のベビーシッターを探してくださいという意味です。「旅行に行かないのだったら」の部分は「if I...

Trivia of the Week: Aurora Borealis

執筆者 | 2012年09月13日 | Trivia

Also called the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis is caused by the solar wind (plasma released from the sun) hit the Earth’s atmosphere. It can only be seen at night because it is not very bright compared to the sun. They have been seen on other planets as well,...