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Come of age
Phrase: Come of age Everyone has a coming-of-age story about how they grew up and became the person they are today. Even though I’m fifty-two, I still don’t always feel like a real adult, but that’s another story. Coming of age means becoming an adult or maturing, usually after learning important life lessons. People grow up in their own ways and…
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Cartel
Word of the Day: Cartel At the end of February, Mexico erupted into violence after Mexican authorities killed an important and powerful cartel leader. Everybody understands this guy was a drug lord. But do you know what a cartel is? Sometimes, criminal organizations form a cartel to control illegal activities, such as drug trafficking. In…
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Cardinal rule
WotD: Cardinal rule There are people in this world who live to bend the rules that others have to follow. In life, some rules are made to be broken. But then, there are cardinal rules. These are the ones that don’t bend, and the ones you never, ever break. A cardinal rule is a very important principle or guideline that should…
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Grey zone
WotD: Grey zone You have a situation on your hands, but you don’t know what to do. The rules are unclear, and there is no straightforward path for you to follow. Congratulations, my friend, you have entered the grey zone. The term grey zone is used to describe situations that are not clear-cut or easy…
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Black humour
WotD: Black humour If English is not your first language, you understand that there is nothing more difficult to understand in a foreign language than humour. Probably the most difficult kind of humour to find funny is black humour. Black humour is a type of comedy that makes jokes about serious, sad, or even frightening…
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Work wonders
WotD: Work wonders I am not a big believer in quick fixes. Things seem to fall apart or go to hell in a handbasket overnight, but it takes time to put them back together. However, with that said, have you ever heard the phrase work wonders? It means to have a very good effect or…
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Spring in your step
Idiom: Spring in your step After a long winter, many people feel tired and sluggish. But when spring arrives, everything changes. Suddenly, you have a spring in your step. The days grow longer, the sun shines brighter, and the temperature rises. There’s a new feeling in the air. To have a spring in your step…
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Truth will out
Proverb: Truth will out They try to hide, but no matter what they do, the old proverb rings true: truth will out. It means that the truth cannot stay hidden forever. Even if someone tries to cover up the facts, the truth will come to light sooner or later. This phrase is often used to…
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Brownie points
WotD: Brownie points Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m trying to earn some brownie points”? Brownie points is a common North American term for the praise, approval, or rewards from someone, often from a boss, teacher, or friend, for doing something good. When you earn brownie points, you do something extra to make someone…
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Instant gratification
WotD: Instant gratification We live in an instant gratification world. We all want what we want immediately. Without considering the consequences of our impatience, we think, “Bigger, better, faster, more, give it to me now!” With just a click, we can order food, watch movies, or buy products online. This easy access makes waiting harder,…
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