Blog
Idiom of the Week: Until my ship comes in
Bob: Ugh, what a day. Eight hours without a break. And the customers were just terrible. Frank: It sounds like you aren’t enjoying your job. Bob: Well, it pays the bills, but it’s just until my ship comes in. Imagine you own a ship that has sailed off to a distant...
Word of the Week: Unplug
Before you can use an electronic device (without a battery) you must plug it in to a socket in the wall. Televisions, computers, laundry machines, lights, and many other household electronics need electricity. Sometimes we need to move something, or we need to free up...
Picture of the Week: Cherry Blossoms
Are cherry blossoms blooming near your house now? Japan is famous for cherry blossoms in spring. They only bloom for a short time. If harsh rain or strong wind comes soon after they bloom, the petals will fall very soon. You have to go see the cherry blossoms while...
Phrase of the Week: So much for that!
Jane: Did Spot like the toy I bought him? Martha: Yes, he has already ripped it to shreds. Jane: Well, so much for that toy! We say “so much for X” when X has been destroyed or ended. In this case “so much” doesn’t mean “a lot” but “that specific amount.” The thing we...
TOEIC Practice Question of the Week
Without this _______ information we cannot make a decision. A. excruciating B. insignificant C. crucial D. cloying Ｂは「大したことがない」という意味です。Ｄは「（味覚的に）甘すぎる」、Ａは「とても痛い」、Ｃは「重要」です。ここで合っているのはＣです。「この重要な情報がないと決断ができない」という文章です。 Do more TOEIC practice here!...
Trivia of the Week: Polydactyl Cats
Most cats have five toes on their front paws, but some cats have more. Cats with extra “fingers” are called polydactyl cats. They may not have the same number on both sides! They are also called Hemingway cats, because there are many polydactyl cats living at the home...
Idiom of the Week: Hole in the wall
“This apartment is such a hole in the wall. I wish I could afford to live in a big house in a nice neighborhood.” A hole in the wall is a small, out-of-the-way place. It refers to an indoor place, such as a home or business. Although the connotation is not positive, a...
Word of the Week: Steam
Water can take several forms. When it gets cold and freezes, it becomes ice. When it gets hot and evaporates, it becomes steam. Steam can be used to power trains and cook food. Steam is invisible, but it condenses to form tiny floating water droplets in the air, and...
Picture of the Week: Easter Basket
When children wake up on Easter Sunday, they might find the Easter Bunny has left them a basket. Like Santa Claus at Christmas, the Easter Bunny visits while the children are asleep and leaves presents. The basket is decorated with plastic grass and filled with candy,...
Phrase of the Week: Red herring
Fred: I can’t believe the butler did it! What about the maid’s missing alibi? George: That was just a red herring. A red herring is something that seems important, but is actually just there to distract you from what is really important. It is common in mystery...
