What’s the missing word? soak __________– learn quickly, take in information Choose the right answer: on up off in scroll down for the answer scroll some more The right answer is: up. (soak means to take in a liquid = something wet.) Here are some examples… Continue reading Instant Idiom soak __________
By Jacqueline Schaalje sammydavisdog I really love my job when I can get people to read. I have more success with this when students already read in their own language. Just recently, I got a Russian gentleman to read poems by William Blake. Although he loves literature and reads Molière for breakfast, he had never… Continue reading The Most Famous Poem in English: The Sick Rose by William Blake
nurture – (verb) help grow, feed, develop nurture – (noun) food, development, training, education Pink Sherbet Photography Examples: The business incubation program nurtures start-ups. Her parents nurtured her love of music and bought her a piano when she was only 3. He spent lots of time and dedication nurturing his garden. With these micro credits we can… Continue reading Word to the Wise: Nurture
usher – (noun) a person who shows people their seats in a theatre, cinema, etc. usher – (verb) to go with someone, to bring inside, to introduce Scott Examples: The usher asked for our tickets and then brought us to our seats in the third row. When we arrived at the restaurant, the usher told us that… Continue reading Word to the Wise: Usher
__________ turkey – stop doing something immediately Choose the right answer: cold hot sweet quick scroll down for the answer scroll some more The right answer is: Joel Bombardier cold. (Cold turkey originally meant and still means the unpleasant physical effects a drug addict gets when he stops taking… Continue reading Instant Idiom – Cold turkey
By René Paterson ®Fede-EnglishwithaSmile Thanksgiving is a national holiday in America, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Many businesses close on the Thanksgiving holiday and the day after so that workers have a long, four-day weekend. The day after Thanksgiving is often called Black Friday as many people head out to start their Christmas… Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving! – What is Thanksgiving in America?
commonality – (noun) something that others have too. Bùi Linh Ngân Examples: The two organizations share a commonality of interests. We mustn’t point an accusing finger to one group of young people, but use their commonality to bring them closer together. When two negotiations partners discover their commonality, they will find it easier to sign an… Continue reading Word to the Wise: commonality
In __________– in debt (meaning you owe money to someone) Choose the right answer: Dimes and quarters Hock Pawn Bank scroll down for the answer scroll some more The right answer is: StockMonkeys.com hock. (This word comes from a card playing term.) Here are some examples of how you can use it: I wish I… Continue reading Instant Idiom: In hock
By Jacqueline Schaalje Rob North You can use anymore to talk about situations that were true in the past, but not now. Here is an example: When I was a child I collected cigar bands. Those are the gold-coloured rings around expensive cigars. My uncle used to smoke them, and one day I got his… Continue reading Not Anymore? – Easy sentences with anymore – Plus Quiz
I got two of my stories published recently: one is this, about the recent war in Israel. It was published by On The Premises. It even got an honorable mention. Whatever. I’m overjoyed! The other story will come out in the next issue of MayDay. (These are my first fiction stories in print. I’ve published… Continue reading My First Fiction Story in Print
English with a Smile 