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Go pear-shaped
Idiom: Go pear-shaped Let’s talk about shapes for a few minutes. Architecture and design are all about the search for the perfect form and function. For example, hearing someone talk about a perfect circle or square is common. There is beauty in perfection. Most things in nature are round. Nature doesn’t do square. She does…
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Bleeding Edge
WotD: Bleeding edge The term bleeding edge gives a graphic image of something that cuts and causes bleeding. It’s just another, more visual, term for leading or cutting edge. All three of these terms refer to the latest technological advances. Each new generation is living on the bleeding edge of technology. If we pause to think about it, humans…
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Any port in a storm
Proverb: Any port in a storm When you are at sea, any port in a storm will offer relief and safety. You may not like the port and it may not be where you’d prefer to be, but it’ll do until the circumstances can be improved. This certainly has been a stormy week in Japan. On Tuesday,…
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Pony up
Word of the Day: Pony up It’s Friday again—time to pony up. These days most people earn a monthly salary, but I remember when I was paid weekly on a Friday. For this reason, I thought Friday would be the perfect day to talk about paying what you owe or, in other words, to pony up. Pony…
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Canary in the coal mine
Phrase: Canary in the coal mine Many commonly used English language phrases originated from literal meanings. Until quite recently, the lives of men depended on a canary in the coal mine. Yes, it’s true. Before modern mine ventilation methods were invented, methane or carbon monoxide gasses could build up in a coal mine. Both of these…
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Tit for tat
Word of the Day: Tit for tat Ah, revenge is sweet, isn’t it? The problem is that revenge doesn’t often stop at one incident. Usually, it develops into a tit-for-tat exchange that can continue without end. A while ago, I wrote a post about one-upmanship. One-upmanship is all about doing something better, bigger or faster than someone else.…
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Game of cat and mouse
Phrase: Game of cat and mouse A game of cat and mouse is a competition in which people try to win by outsmarting, receiving or tricking each other. If you’ve ever seen the cartoon Tom & Jerry, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Now, of course, Tom & Jerry is just a cartoon, not real life, but…
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Conundrum
WotD: Conundrum Say the word to yourself – conundrum. Be sure to say the word in your head, not out loud. If you’re on a train or at the office and people hear you talking to yourself, they’ll think you have a few screws loose. I think the word conundrum sounds like some terrifying musical instrument. It is, however,…
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Under the thumb
Idiom: Under the thumb You may want to be at the beach or the opera, but you never want to be under the thumb of someone else. When someone has you under their thumb, they completely dominate and control you. It’s never a good place to be. Overbearing, domineering, controlling people want to have others under their thumb. These…
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Come to light
Idiom: Come to light Everyone has secrets, and eventually, they all come to light. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are or your walk of life. A secret is only a secret so long as you don’t tell anyone – not a living soul. It is no longer a secret once you share your secret…
Got any book recommendations?