Phrase of the Week: Fend for Yourself

執筆者 | 2016年07月09日 | Phrases

“After they leave their mother, the young animals must fend for themselves.” “Fend” is a word that doesn’t appear by itself, but it appears in this common phrase meaning “look out for/take care of oneself”. It originally came from the word “defend”....

Trivia of the Week: Acquired Taste

執筆者 | 2016年07月07日 | Trivia

“Coffee is an acquired taste.”   Children instinctively like sweet foods such as candy, but often don’t like bitter foods such as coffee or grapefruit the first time they try them. As you get used to these foods, you may come to like them, or acquire a taste for...

Idiom of the Week: Pulling the Strings

執筆者 | 2016年07月06日 | Idioms

“She’s the president of the company but actually her husband is the one pulling the strings.”   Whoever is “pulling the strings” is in control, but hidden, like a puppeteer who controls a puppet using strings.   「彼女が社長だけど本当に糸を引いているのは夫なんだ。」  ...

Word of the Week: Gentle

執筆者 | 2016年07月05日 | Words

“A gentle breeze was blowing.” “Pet the kitten gently.” To be gentle is to be very soft and not cause any damage, even to something delicate like a young kitten. 「優しい風が吹いていた。」 「子猫を優しくなでてね。」...