The Word Watcher: Climate

On By Cambridge WordsIn the English languageLeave a comment
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I’m Anna Stevenson, the Word Watcher. The heatwaves that dominated the summer months in many parts of the world this year have prompted me to look at some words and terms relating to climate change that haven’t yet made it into the dictionary.

Such heatwaves, along with flooding and wildfires, are making some places feel less like home and more like a place of danger. Many individuals and communities are now being forced to consider climate migration – moving to another area, city, or even country, whether temporarily or permanently. Continue reading “The Word Watcher: Climate” →

All good things come to an end: talking about leaving a place

On By Liz WalterIn Conversation, the English language38 Comments
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by Liz Walter

The phrase all good things come to an end means that enjoyable experiences cannot last forever. The reason I’ve chosen this title is that after more than a decade of writing these posts, this one will be my last! The topic, therefore, is things we say when we stop something we’ve been doing for a long time or leave somewhere we have been for a long time. Continue reading “All good things come to an end: talking about leaving a place” →

I’m tearing my hair out here! Hair idioms

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language15 Comments
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by Kate Woodford

It will come as no surprise to you that an aspect of the human body as important and visible as hair features in a lot of English idioms. Today I’m going to look at a selection of these phrases that feature in contemporary English. Continue reading “I’m tearing my hair out here! Hair idioms” →

Are you free on Saturday? Phrases for invitations.

On By Liz WalterIn the English language13 Comments

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by Liz Walter

It can be tricky to use just the right words when we invite someone to come to our home or to do something with us. We probably want to make them feel welcome but at the same time give them the opportunity to refuse the invitation if they aren’t keen. Today’s post looks at some phrases we use to do this. Continue reading “Are you free on Saturday? Phrases for invitations.” →

You’re barking up the wrong tree! (Dog idioms, Part 2)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language6 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

Last month, I published a post on idioms connected with man’s best friend (=the dog). When I researched the piece, I found that there were more frequent and useful canine idioms than I was expecting, so here is a second post on the subject. As well as idioms containing the word ‘dog’, I have included a few that feature dog-related vocabulary. I hope you learn a phrase or two from it! Continue reading “You’re barking up the wrong tree! (Dog idioms, Part 2)” →

Fanning the flames: idiomatic language connected to fire

On By Liz WalterIn Idioms, the English language14 Comments

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by Liz Walter

My last post focused on words connected to fire and burning. Many of these words and phrases are also used in metaphorical or idiomatic ways, and today’s post discusses this aspect of them. Continue reading “Fanning the flames: idiomatic language connected to fire” →

The Word Watcher: Holidays

On By Cambridge WordsIn the English language, Word watching5 Comments
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I’m Anna Stevenson, the Word Watcher, and these are the words I’ve been watching.

What does the word “holiday” make you think of? Sightseeing and souvenir shopping? Lying on a beach? Actually, these days we’re finding all sorts of interesting ways to spend our precious time off. So let’s broaden our horizons in this post and look at some of the new types of holiday that have caught my eye recently. Continue reading “The Word Watcher: Holidays” →

There’s life in the old dog yet! (Dog idioms, part 1)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language17 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

The dog is sometimes referred to in English as man’s best friend, reflecting our close relationship with this remarkable animal. In the past, we used dogs to protect ourselves against predators. Nowadays, they perform all manner of roles for us, including herding farm animals, assisting in police work, and helping people with disabilities. And of course, many of us keep dogs as companions. It’s no surprise, then, that the word ‘dog’ features in a great many English idioms, (though it seems rather unfair that so many of these phrases have negative meanings!) This post and my next look at some of the most frequent and useful dog idioms. Continue reading “There’s life in the old dog yet! (Dog idioms, part 1)” →