Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Dear readers,

Before 2015 officially comes to an end, let me just say a quick thank you for your continuous support. To my Christian readers, may you have a blessed Christmas with your family and friends. And to the rest of my readers, happy holidays and A Happy New Year! May 2016 be a bigger, better and grander year for us all! See you in January 2016!

May Naik

Homonyms - Harsh (As an Adjective)

1.    (adj) – unkind

Ø       These poor children have had such a harsh upbringing. It’s no wonder they so timid.

Ø        Everyone secretly thought the punishment was rather harsh for such a minor offence.

Ø       Hannah eventually apologized to her brother for saying such harsh things to him during their argument.

2.   (adj) – (of a climate or conditions) hostile

Ø       Very few plants can survive the harsh environment of the desert.  

Ø        Everyone was amazed that he managed to endure the harsh conditions in prison for so many years. 

Synonyms - Definite

Definite – certain, sure, clear, obvious

Ø     I can’t say for certain if Sally is joining us for dinner tonight.

Ø     John feels absolutely sure that he’s made the right decision.

Ø     Sam’s not at all clear about what he wants to do when he goes to college, but that’s very normal when you’re a teenager.

Ø     If there were an obvious solution to every problem, nobody would spend hours doing extensive research.

Verbal Idioms - A Little Too Close for Comfort

Meaning – to be so close to you that you feel uneasy, worried or frightened.

Ø     That car came a little too close for comfort when the driver suddenly swerved to avoid a pothole.

Ø     John’s boss lives less than five miles away from him. That’s a little too close for comfort for him. So, if he can’t find a new place within the next three months, he plans to find a new job.  

Similes with As - As Mad as a Hatter

Meaning – strange in behaviour, foolish, eccentric

Ø     My friend is as mad as a hatter. She lives all by herself in this huge house and has the habit of adopting just about every stray cat she sees on the street.

Ø     Most of us think James is as mad as a hatter. He spends a fortune on electronic gadgets but refuses to spend a dime on a proper meal. 

Idiomatic Pairs of Words - Null and Void

Meaning – not legally binding

Ø     The election was declared null and void when it was discovered that one of the ballot boxes had been tampered with.

Ø     The change in the law automatically makes the previous agreement null and void.

Proverbs - It Takes All Sorts to Make a World

Meaning: Different people like different things or have different characters or talents

Ø     Tim reckons Sally is wasting her time and money collecting antiques. She, on the other hand, can’t understand how he can spend so much time and money on miniature figures. I suppose it takes all sorts to make a world.

Ø     Just observing all the different characters in a single company made me realize that it takes all sorts to make a world. It’s no wonder they say the HR (=human resource) department almost always has the toughest job.  

Homonyms - Band

1.   (noun) – musicians

Ø     Bars that hire good bands almost always attract a decent crowd.

Ø     The Jackson 5 was by far one of the most popular bands   in the 70s.

Ø     Justin Timberlake made his name in the 90s boy band,  Nsync, before launching a highly successful solo career.

2.   (noun) – strip

Ø     What happened to all rubber bands I saw on the table this morning?

Ø    That wrist band Ben is wearing monitors his heart rate as he is jogging.

3.   (noun) – group

Ø     Despite being out of politics for more than a decade (= 10 years), he still has a large band of supporters.

Phrasal Verbs - Break (Break down v Break in v Break off v Break out v Break through v Break up)

Break down – to stop functioning

Ø     My car broke down this morning. So, I had to take the bus to work.

Break in (to) – to enter a building by force

Ø     A burglar broke into our house while we were away and stole all the jewellery and electronic items.

Break off

1.  to stop speaking suddenly

Ø     Ms Johnson broke off in the middle of a sentence and stared at the group of noisy children seated at the back of the class.

2.  to end sth

Ø     We were shocked to learn that Zack and Rachael have broken off their engagement.

Break out – to escape from a place

Ø     Despite the heavy security, two prisoners managed to break out of prison last night.

Break through – to achieve or discover sth new

Ø     A few scientists have claimed to be on the verge of (= very close to) a break through in a cure for lung cancer.

Break up – to end a relationship

Ø     Jake and Christina may have broken up, but they’re still good friends.

Similes with Like - Spend Money Like Water

Meaning – spend a lot of money frequently and quickly

Ø     I’m shocked at how some young adults can spend money like water without worrying if they can repay their debts.

Ø     If John continues to spend money like water, his entire  inheritance will be gone in less than 5 years!

Similes With As - As Dry as a Bone

Meaning – very dry

Ø     During summer, the grass gets as dry as a bone. It’s no surprise that people worry about fires.

Ø     It seems Matt has not watered the plants in days. The soil is as dry as a bone.

Homophones - Male v Mail

Male  – man or boy

1.   (adj)

Ø     What percentage of the adult male population in Britain has been unemployed for more than 6 months?

Ø     Engineering is still a very much male dominated industry in  many countries.

Ø     Many of the male students in this college are very active in  sport.

2.   (noun)

Ø     Among the bodies discovered in the abandoned house are three unidentified Australian males.

Mail (noun) – letters/packages

Ø     My new bag arrived in yesterday’s mail.

Ø     Some of the strangest things get sent through the mail.

Ø     The company contacted Sam by mail.

Idioms with Prepositions - At Face Value

Meaning – what something appears to be from appearance.

Ø     You can’t take everything Randy says at face value. He’s constantly exaggerating.

Ø     I took the job offer at face value as I didn’t think that they would try and trick me.

Happy Diwali!

D: Dazzling lights

I: Immense joy

W: Windfall

A: Abundance

L: Lavish festivities

I: Illustrious life

Here’s wishing all my Hindu readers a Happy Diwali! May you have a blessed and joyous celebration with your family and friends! I’ll be back with more writing tips tomorrow:)

Cheers

May 

Phrasal Verbs - Bounce Back

Meaning – recover from a great difficulty

Ø      We were amazed that it took Mike a mere 6 years to bounce back from  bankruptcy and make millions of dollars.

Ø      Despite a poor start, Nick managed to bounce back and win the tennis  match in four sets. 

Similes with Like - Look Like a Drowned Rat

Meaning – to be extremely wet, especially after getting caught in heavy rain

Ø     Poor Eric walked in through the door looking like a drowned rat! Apparently, he got caught in the thunderstorm on the way home from work.

Ø     Despite looking like a drowned rat, Matt was surprisingly chirpy (= happy) and friendly this morning.

Idiomatic Pairs of Nouns - Aches and Pains

Meaning – minor health problems

• Despite his young age, John is constantly complaining about experiencing aches and pains. We secretly suspect his problems are due to his weight.
• Danny started experiencing aches and pains in his shoulders and legs shortly after my first big workout in more than two weeks.

Similes with As - As cold as Ice

1.   extremely cold

Ø     Oh dear! Are you all right? Your hands are as cold ice.

Ø     After spending two hours in the meeting room, we emerged with our hands as cold as ice.

2.  not affected by emotion (used to describe one’s personality)

Ø     I can’t understand why Tim’s as cold as ice today. In fact, he ate his breakfast in complete silence.

Ø     Randy has been as cold as ice with the new neighbour ever since their huge argument last night.

Homonyms - Care (As a Noun and Verb)

1.   (noun) – protection

Ø     Maria will need to rest for months after the operation. So, she’ll need a lot of care.

Ø     Schools are responsible for the children in their care.

2.   (noun) – attention

Ø     She wrapped the present with great care.

Ø     You need to take care with your spelling and grammar.

3.   (noun) – deal with

Ø     All the house chores have been taken care of.

Ø     You paid for dinner last time. Let me take care of (= pay for) it this time.

4.   (verb) – worry

Ø     She’s never cared much about her health. It’s no wonder she’s ill (= sick) now.

Ø     I don’t care if it rains tonight. I’m going out.

5.   (verb) – want

Ø     Would you care for a cup of coffee/tea?

Ø     Would you care to join us for a drink?

Idiomatic Pairs of Words - Hot and Bothered

Meaning – to be worried and upset

Ø     The organizers of the Korean pop concert are getting all hot and bothered about the poor ticket sales.

Ø     While his family and friends are getting all hot and bothered about the global economic slowdown, Matt has decided to focus on growing his business.

Proverbs - A New Broom Sweeps Clean

Meaning – someone new on the job who makes major changes

Ø     The new intern is an excellent worker. Hopefully, she’ll keep up the good work. It’s like they say, ‘a new broom sweeps clean.’

Ø     Talk about a new broom sweeps clean! He’s only been on the job for less than three months, but Mr Johnson has already managed to make some radical changes in the management of the company.

Similes with As - As Thick as Thieves

Meaning – spending a lot of time together

Ø     Despite the 15-year age gap, Alan and John are always seen dining and drinking together. In fact, they are as thick as thieves.

Ø     That group of young, aspiring dancers are as thick as thieves. They spend almost every waking hour together! 

Homonyms- Peak (As a Noun, Verb and Adjective)

Peak

1.   highest point

Ø        Prices of food reached a peak (noun) during the festive  season in February.

Ø      It was no surprise that James won many tournaments at  the peak (noun) of his fitness and career.

Ø      Official figures show that consumer spending peaked (verb) in February.

2.   (noun) – mountain

Ø     Mount Everest is one of the most difficult peaks to climb.

3.   (adj)

Ø     Traffic congestion is at its worst at peak hours (= when it is  busiest).

Ø    I always avoid travelling during the peak (=busiest) season.  Everything’s expensive and it’s crowded no matter where you go.

Homophones - Grate v Great

Grate (verb) – to rub food against a grater in order to cut it into small pieces.

Ø     I walked in on my mother grating cheese in the kitchen for the cake she was preparing for tonight’s party.

Great (adj) – large in quantity, size or degree.

Ø     The rising cost of living is of great concern to voters.

Ø     The great majority of (= almost all) people would agree that the cost of living is rising at an alarming rate.

Ø     It gives us great pleasure to announce that we will opening a new store within the next 6 months.

Ø     John spent a great deal of time perfecting his spoken Mandarin before leaving for his new job in Shanghai.

Idiomatic Pair of Nouns - At Someone's Beck and Call

Meaning – to be ready to do as someone wishes

Ø     The unfortunate helper was at the family’s beck and call from early morning till late at night.

Ø     Despite being at her boss’s beck and call for more than three years, poor Lisa still lost her job when the company started firing people during the global economic slowdown. 

Idioms with Prepositions - At a Stretch

Meaning – without a break

Ø      I don’t know how some people can use the computer for more than 2 hours at a stretch. I get sore eyes.

Ø      Sam has a very demanding job. It’s no surprise that spends more than 9 hours at a stretch in the office on most days.

Homophones - Dew v Due

Dew (noun) – drops of water that form on the ground and other surfaces during the night

Ø      I’ve gotten used to the sight of morning dew on my windscreen when I leave for work in the early hours of the morning.

Due

1.  (adj) – expected

Ø     What time is the next train due?

Ø     Their second child is due in June.

2.  (adj) – because of

Ø     A lot of her unhappiness is due to the long hours and low salary.

Ø     The bus was delayed due to heavy traffic.  

3.  (adj) - owed

Ø     The next payment is due (= to be paid) in a month’s time.