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Cancel your Christmas
Phrase: Cancel your Christmas Have you ever heard someone say they would cancel your Christmas? While it is not in keeping with the holiday spirit, you may hear this phrase around the holidays when arguments become heated. Cancel your Christmas is used in English to show disappointment, frustration, or to warn someone that something negative…
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The greater good
Idiom: The greater good The holiday season is a great time to think about the greater good. The greater good means doing things not just for ourselves, but to help others. It’s about making choices that help the most people, even if we have to make small sacrifices. At Christmas, we often see people working…
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Get stuck in
Phrase: Get stuck in Have you ever heard someone from the UK say, Get stuck in? This everyday British phrase means to start doing something with energy and enthusiasm. When you get stuck in, you are not waiting around or hesitating—you jump right into the task with two feet and give it your best effort.…
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The big picture
WotD: The big picture It may seem shocking, but 2026 is only two weeks away. I know, right? The older we become, the faster time goes by. Know why? Check out my lesson, The Perception of Time, to find out. As a new year approaches, we start to think about our goals and plans. It…
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Tenure
Word of the Day: Tenure OK, so today we are going to look at the word tenure, which is often used in both educational and work settings. Tenure is the period during which a person holds a job, office, or title. It can also be the right to keep a position for a certain length…
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Off-putting
WotD: Off-putting Have you ever heard someone describe a situation or a person as off-putting? If you are unsure about the meaning of this word, you are not alone. If you continue reading, we will look at what off-putting means and how you can use it in everyday conversations. To begin, off-putting is an adjective…
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Take the initiative
Phrase: Take the initiative To take the initiative means to be the first to act, do something before anyone else, or start something without being told. When you take the initiative, you do not wait for others to give instructions or offer opportunities. Instead, you see what needs to be done and do it yourself.…
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Pass the baton
Phrase: Pass the baton The phrase pass the baton comes from the world of relay races. In a race, runners must hand over a stick, called a baton, to the next runner on their team. In everyday usage, to pass the baton means to give responsibility or leadership to someone else. Today, it is important…
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On the ball
Phrase: On the ball If you want to ensure someone is alert and paying attention, you can use today’s phrase and say to them, “Be sure you are on the ball!” Being on the ball means you are quick to understand, ready to act, and aware of what is happening around you. This popular idiom…
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Barebones
Word of the Day: Barebones The word barebones is often used in English to describe something simple with only the most basic parts. If something is barebones, it includes only what is necessary and nothing extra. This word can be used to describe things, ideas, or services that have no frills and only the essentials.…
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