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Idiom of the Week: Below the Belt
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
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
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
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
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,...
Word of the Week: To Mind
“Mind if I smoke?” To mind something means to be bothered by it. We usually say “I don’t mind,” when something does not bother us. It is less common to see the positive form except in answer to a question: “Do you mind if I smoke?” “Yes, I do mind. It makes me cough.”...
Picture of the Week: The Percy Lion
Northumberland is a very rebellious county. People from the area don’t think of themselves as English, they are Northumbrians or Geordies first. Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland and his son, Harry Hotspur, led rebellions against King Henry IV in the 15th Century....
Phrase of the Week: I’ll believe it when I see it
Lisa: I can do a triple cartwheel! Norman: I’ll believe that when I see it. This is a phrase we use to express disbelief. I don’t believe what you’re saying, but if I see it with my own two eyes, then I will believe it. リサ：私、三連続で側転できるの！ ノーマン：見なきゃ信じられないよ。...
TOEIC Practice Question of the Week
The attaching document contains our figures for this month. Where is the mistake? A. attaching B. contains C. our figures D. this month 今月の金額が明記されたドキュメントを添付します。 ファイルを添付するときは「I am attaching the file」や「I have attached the...
Trivia of the Week: Cross your fingers and touch your nose
If you cross your fingers and touch your nose, you can feel two noses. It also works with small round objects such as a dry bean. This is called the Aristotle illusion. The spatial relationship between your fingers is different than usual, and it confuses your brain...
