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Landfall
Word of the Day: Landfall In maritime lingo, landfall refers to the sighting or reaching of land after a voyage at sea. It’s a very significant moment. Can you imagine how people felt hundreds of years ago when they made landfall, completing a journey across the water that had probably taken months? Yeah, the anticipation…
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Social lubricant
WotD: Social lubricant When most English speakers hear the term social lubricant, they probably think of alcohol. A social lubricant eases social interaction, like grease for the gears of human connection. Alcohol helps to lower inhibitions and make people more open to conversation; however, a social lubricant can be a cup of coffee that sparks…
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Sphere of influence
WotD: Sphere of influence Earlier this year, I created a lesson about English as the lingua franca and if that may change. The term sphere of influence came up, and now is as good a time as any to cover that here. A sphere of influence is a geographical area over which a country or…
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Time is money
Idiom: Time is money The adage, time is money, has been around for as long as we have had money, and its meaning still holds true today. Time is the most valuable thing that we have. We should make the most of our time and ensure it not be wasted. Time is money is a…
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Well-oiled
Word of the Day: Well-oiled The term well-oiled has its roots in the practice of regularly lubricating machines with oil to keep them running smoothly. This term, often associated with heavy industrial machinery, has now become frequently used in daily life to describe anything that operates effectively and efficiently. Whether it’s a well-oiled machine, a…
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Put in perspective
Phrase: Put in perspective In today’s fast-paced world, the news bombards us with a constant stream of information, often sensationalizing certain events and causing us to lose sight of the broader context. This is where the need to put things in perspective becomes crucial. As events unfold, especially ones with significant impact, it’s essential to…
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Must-have
Word of the Day: Must-have The concept of a must-have item is deeply ingrained in Western culture. From the latest smartphones to trendy fashion accessories, there is constant pressure to keep up appearances by purchasing the newest must-have items. A must-have is something that is believed to be indispensable or very desirable. It’s something that…
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Incremental
WotD: Incremental It is said that the only constant in life is change, but I would add death and taxes, too, because, well, we all die, and the taxman will always get you in the end. Now, change very rarely happens suddenly. It sort of creeps up on you when you are not looking. Change…
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Glass ceiling
WotD: Glass ceiling Glass is a valuable substance. We can use glass to correct our vision, hold liquids, and create windows to keep the weather outside. Problems arise when we create glass ceilings. The glass ceiling refers to an invisible yet unbreakable barrier that prevents people, especially women, from rising to top workplace positions. It…
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Take advantage of
Phrase: Take advantage of Taking advantage of opportunities is essential for personal and professional growth. When we take advantage of life’s chances, we make the most of them positively and proactively. So, what does it mean to take advantage of something? To take advantage of something means to make good use of the opportunities or…
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