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Enter into
WotD: Enter into The phrasal verb enter into is commonly used in English and means to begin or become involved in a formal process, agreement, or discussion. For example, two countries might enter into a treaty, or national leaders might enter into a conversation. This phrase is often used when talking about official or serious…
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Rare breed
WotD: Rare breed A rare breed is someone who is not like most people. They are special, unique, and possess qualities that few others still have. When we talk about men as a rare breed, we mean men with the strength, endurance and wisdom of the old days. These men can do hard work, keep…
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Stand the test of time
Phrase: Stand the test of time The phrase stand the test of time means that something continues to be respected, valued, or in good condition for a long time, even as centuries or millennia pass. If something can stand the test of time, it survives and proves its value, even when many other things change…
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Treat with kid gloves
Idiom: Treat with kid gloves First off, we are not talking about wearing children’s gloves here. If you treat someone with kid gloves, it means you handle them very gently and carefully, often because they are sensitive or the situation is delicate. The expression comes from the soft leather gloves made from the skin of…
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Rub salt in a wound
Idiom: Rub salt in a wound If the title of this post made you cringe, I get it. You might wonder why anyone would rub salt in a wound. This phrase creates a clear picture that helps people understand what pain or discomfort feels like. To rub salt in a wound means making someone feel…
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C’est la vie!
Phrase: C’est la vie! The French phrase C’est la vie! is popular around the world, including in English-speaking countries such as Canada and England. Yes, Canada is a bilingual nation, I know, I’m Canadian. So, anyway, the French phrase, “C’est la vie!” translates to “That’s life!” in English. It is used when something happens beyond…
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Put up with
WotD: Put up with The English language is full of interesting phrasal verbs, and one that you will often hear is put up with. Simply put, to put up with something means to tolerate or accept a situation, a person, or something unpleasant without complaining very much. For example, if your neighbour plays loud music…
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Take aback
WotD: Take aback The world, from Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping to Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, has been taken aback. The phrase take someone aback means to surprise or shock someone, usually when they don’t see it coming. If someone is taken aback, it’s because something sudden, unusual or unexpected…
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Lighthearted
WotD: Lighthearted To be lighthearted is to be cheerful, carefree, and a person who doesn’t take things too seriously. A lighthearted person has a positive attitude and helps others feel happy and relaxed. In this post, we’ll look at what lighthearted means and how to use it in daily life. Lighthearted means free from care,…
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Whistleblower
WotD: Whistleblower Every now and then, you see it on the news: a whistleblower has come forward with shocking information that often becomes a nine-days’ wonder. A whistleblower is a person who exposes information or activity within an organization that is illegal, unethical, or incorrect. The word whistleblower comes from the idea of someone blowing…
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