Idiom of the Week: Soldier On

“I know you’re sick of studying, but just soldier on through one more week of classes, and then you’ll have a vacation.” Sometimes you have to keep going through difficult conditions or keep working at an unpleasant task. At a time like that,...

Idiom of the Week: Strong Suit

“Argh! What’s that awful yowling?” “Sorry. I guess singing isn’t my strong suit.” Your “strong suit” is your special talent, or something you’re good at. It comes from playing cards, which have four suits. In some...

Idiom of the Week: Say the Word

“If you need a ride, just say the word and I’ll come pick you up.” It would probably take more than one word to make a request, but we tell people to “say the word” in order to show that we are ready to do them this favor at any time....

Idiom of the Week: Strike a Chord

“This book became popular because it really struck a chord with its audience.” If something “strikes a chord” with you it means that it touches on a meaningful subject in a way that you can relate to. You could also say it “speaks to...

Idiom of the Week: Mumbo Jumbo

“Let’s rent this movie today.” “A fantasy movie? You know I don’t care for magic and unicorns and all that mumbo jumbo.” “Mumbo jumbo” is a negative word for something complicated or confusing that we don’t...