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Like clockwork
English Idiom: Like clockwork Japanese trains run on time; they are very rarely late or delayed. For this reason, we can say that Japanese trains run like clockwork. When things work smoothly together without problems or delays, they operate like clockwork. A good clock or watch is never wrong. A clock needs to work regularly…
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Movement
Word of the Day: Movement A movement is a group of people who all want to achieve a similar goal. The purpose of a movement could be anything from human rights, women’s rights, and animal rights to stopping a particular development, such as the construction of an oil pipeline or a highway. If we believe…
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Soak up (something)
English Idiom: Soak up (something) Of course, you can use a sponge or cloth to soak up spilled liquid, but that is not an idiomatic meaning. Have you ever watched children learn? I used to teach English to children, and they were like sponges; they just soaked up anything I tried to teach them. They…
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Growing pains
Word of the Day: Growing pains Both teenagers and businesses experience growing pains. This means we all have them once; unfortunately, some experience them twice or more. When we are teenagers, we tend to grow quite quickly, which can cause pain in our joints, such as our elbows and knees. The term growing pains has…
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Work for peanuts
Idiom: Work for peanuts Probably the only ones who enjoy working for peanuts are squirrels because it’s an idiom that means to work for a small amount of money. Most of us are working for the man all week, and what do we get? Peanuts! That’s OK for squirrels, but it’s not enough for us! Many…
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Novel
Word of the Day: Novel Yes, a novel (notice the article) is a long story. We all know that, but did you know it can also be used as an adjective? These days, virtual reality or self-driving cars are relatively novel. By saying something is novel, we mean it is new, exciting and probably cool.…
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Tough nut to crack
English Idiom: Tough nut to crack Any problem that’s hard to solve is a tough nut to crack. This idiom means every solution is contained within a challenging problem. If you break the problem, you can get to the answer inside. Many people work very long hours. They would prefer to work less, but they…
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Omnipotent
Word of the Day: Omnipotent Women are omnipotent, meaning they have unlimited power, knowledge, and ability to do anything. They can read any man like an open book but keep their powers a secret. When I say women are omnipotent, I am not joking or trying to be sarcastic in any way. Women know what…
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Read someone like an open book
English Idiom: Read someone like an open book This is a popular little idiom, and if you have a significant other or better half in your life, you will understand what it means precisely. To read someone like an open book means that you know what they are thinking without asking them or them telling…
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Neither here nor there
Phrase: Neither here nor there When a comment, answer, or statement is not related to the topic of discussion and, therefore, not relevant, neither here nor there is used. For example, you give your husband a choice for supper tonight: nabe or buri teri. He says, “Curry!” You reply, “Curry is neither here nor there;…
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