Idiom of the Week: All in the Same Boat

Tour bus driver: “Thank you for helping to change the tire.” Tourist: “Well, we’re all in the same boat. I want to get back on the road as much as you do.” When two or more people are in the same situation, they are said to be “in the same boat”. If two people are in...

Picture of the Week: Daffodil

The daffodil is a white, yellow or orange flower. It is also called “Narcissus” after the Greek myth about a man who couldn’t stop looking at his reflection in a pool of water....

Phrase of the Week: Bit by Bit

“Learning Japanese is so hard! I don’t feel like I’m making any progress.” “Don’t worry. Keep studying and practicing, and you’ll learn it bit by bit.” A bit can mean “a little” or “a small piece of something bigger”. “Bit by bit” describes something that happens very...

TOEIC Practice Question of the Week

“Today only, this product is a real _____ at 50% off!” Fill in the blank. A. cheap B. bargain C. negotiation D. reasonable Aだと形容詞の後ですから名詞が必要です。名詞だけに絞るとBとCが残ります。Cは「交渉」という意味です。かなり似ている「取引」という意味の「deal」だったらこの文章にも使えますが、やはり「お得」のBが適切ですね。 Do more TOEIC practice here!...

Trivia of the Week: Mars

The name “March” is related to the Roman god of war, Mars. The planet Mars is also named after him. His symbols include the spear and sword, as well as the wolf. Those make sense for a god of war. But the woodpecker is another symbol for Mars. The woodpecker was...