Blog
Idiom of the Week: Get On Like a House On Fire
“When the cousins first met they were shy but soon they were getting on like a house on fire.” To get on like a house on fire is to like each other a lot and become good friends quickly. This is one of the few times when “a house on fire” is not a bad thing!...
Word of the Week: Raise
“Raise the lever before pumping the gas.” “If I get a raise in my salary, I’ll be able to travel more.” The basic meaning of “raise” is to lift something or make it higher. It is usually a verb—you can raise a lever or a curtain. When talking about raising the amount...
Picture of the Week: Tomato
These tomatoes are sliced, so you can see the seeds. Do you like tomatoes? Raw or cooked? このトマトは切ってあるから種が見えます。あなたはトマトが好きですか？生で食べられますか？
Phrase of the Week: It’s Been a While
“Nice to see you. It’s been a while!” “Wow, it’s been a while. I used to come here all the time!” You can use this phrase when it’s been a long time since you saw a certain person, went to a certain place, ate a certain food, etc. It’s slightly less informal than...
TOEIC Practice Question of the Week
“You must abstain the room key from the front desk when you check in.” Find the mistake. A. must B. abstain C. from the D. when you 「チェックインするときに受付から鍵を取得しないといけません。」 「取得する」なら「abstain」ではなく「obtain」です。Abstainは、何かをしないことです。例えば、手術の前に物を食べたらいけない場合はabstain from eatingやabstain...
Trivia of the Week: Sinkholes
A sinkhole is a hole that forms when the surface collapses after the rock below is worn away. They can also form when a cave or tunnel collapses. They can form gradually or suddenly and they can be big or small. Some can become huge lakes, and others can suddenly...
Idiom of the Week: You and What Army?
“Be quiet or I’ll make you be quiet!” “Oh yeah? You and what army?” In an argument or fight, this phrase is used to tell someone they can’t make you do something, or that you won’t let them do something. They would need an army helping them, and they don’t have one....
Word of the Week: Mouthful
“This is delicious,” the child said around a mouthful of cake. “That’s his name? It’s really long.” “Yeah, it’s a mouthful.” A mouthful can be the amount of food or drink that fits in your mouth, or it can be something that is long and complicated and difficult to...
Picture of the Week: Amethyst
Amethyst is a violet quartz often used for jewelry. In ancient Greece, it was believed to protect against drunkenness, and drinking vessels were made from it. It’s also the birthstone for February. ...
Phrase of the Week: You Know
“You know, I think I have a copy of that book you need for your class.” “I can’t wait around all day, you know.” At the beginning of a sentence, “you know” can be a thoughtful introduction. At the end of a sentence, it is often used to remind the listener that they...
