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In the same ballpark
Idiom: In the same ballpark Let’s talk about numbers and what it means to be in the same ballpark. Over the last few years, estimating the value of homes has been very challenging. Home prices in countries from Canada to New Zealand had been rising so fast that asking prices and affordability were not in…
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Carpool
Word of the Day: Carpool I only realized the other day, after living in Japan for over 20 years, that carpooling is a foreign concept here. I had to explain to a person that even though American cars are big enough to install a pool in, that’s not what a carpool is. A carpool is…
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Take the plunge
Idiom: Take the Plunge Life is a series of decisions about whether to take the plunge or not. No matter how old you are, take a moment to reflect on how you got to where you are. How many times have you passed on taking the plunge, and how well did that work out for…
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Elastic
Word of the Day: Elastic As a young child, my only concept of elastic was a rubber band. My father would tell me to get him an elastic out of the junk drawer in the kitchen to hold his tobacco pouch together. The clasp was busted, you see, and he used an elastic or rubber…
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Live out your days
Phrase: Live out your days How would you like to live out your days? Retirees-to-be are often not aware of the challenges that they face when they are not working. If they are not careful to prepare themselves, they might feel lost and bored. Retired people need to make sure that they have an enjoyable…
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In its own right
Phrase: In its own right People and things in this life should be judged in their own right, not because of who their parents are, where they work or to what they have connections. The phrase in your own right means to be recognized for your unique or special qualities, not because you have certain…
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No-brainer
WotD: No-brainer There are some things that you should know or be able to figure out very quickly. We call them no-brainers. You may have heard the saying, ‘There is no such thing as a stupid question.’ Well, I’m here today to tell you that there are stupid questions, and often they come from the…
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With open arms
Phrase: With open arms We have surprised ourselves and the rest of the world. Once the word spread that Ukrainians were fleeing their country, Europeans welcomed them with open arms. Poland has done much more than anyone could have expected. Romania and even Japan have done what they can to accommodate those displaced by Russian…
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In dire straits
Phrase: In dire straits When someone describes your situation as being in dire straits, you should know you are in deep trouble. People caught with illegal drugs in Japan instantly find themselves in dire straits. When you are in dire straits, you are in a very bad or difficult situation, and the outcome does not…
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Like a ton of bricks
Phrase: Like a ton of bricks There is no weight difference between a ton of bricks, a ton of tomatoes or a ton of feathers. We say like a ton of bricks because it sounds much more dramatic and has a more substantial impact. The simile, like a ton of bricks, is used when someone…
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