Author: Kate Woodford

I'm a freelance lexicographer and writer, living in Cambridge, UK. I worked for many years on Cambridge University Press’s range of ELT dictionaries and now work with Liz Walter on dictionary and non-dictionary titles. My other interests include fashion, cooking, child-rearing, BBC Radio 4 and the quirks and peculiarities of the English language. You can follow me on Twitter @Katewoodford2

Wild horses and gift horses (Idioms with the word ‘horse’)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language31 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

Idioms featuring the word ‘horse’ or ‘horses’ are common in English, and this is no great surprise. Humans have always had a close relationship with this beautiful animal. For centuries, horses were our main means of transport. We also used them in farming, war, and industry. More recently, of course, we’ve ridden horses, both for leisure and in the sport of horse racing. Today, I’m looking at some of the most frequent and useful horse idioms. Continue reading “Wild horses and gift horses (Idioms with the word ‘horse’)” →

Applauding or heckling? (What audiences do)

On By Kate WoodfordIn the English language, Vocabulary24 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

If, like me, you spent your spare time last month watching the Winter Olympics, you’ll know how exciting it was. I enjoyed everything about it. When I wasn’t watching the events or admiring the fabulous scenery, I was looking at the spectators as they cheered for (=encouraged by shouting at) their country’s sportsmen and women. This post looks at the language we use to describe the behaviour of people who have come together to watch a sports event or an occasion such as a play or concert. Continue reading “Applauding or heckling? (What audiences do)” →

Stumbling and tumbling (The language of falling)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Synonyms, the English language, Vocabulary15 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

A couple of weeks ago, I was walking to the shops when I slipped and fell on a patch of ice. I got up immediately and was absolutely fine, though of course, rather embarrassed! Later, when telling a friend about my accident, I said I had fallen ‘in a heap’, to convey how heavily I had fallen, the whole of my body landing on the ground. I started thinking about this phrase and all the other ways we talk about falling and thought I’d share my thoughts with you. Continue reading “Stumbling and tumbling (The language of falling)” →

Walk a mile in my shoes (Words about empathy)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Synonyms, the English language, Vocabulary25 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

There’s a nice idiom in English that says before you criticize a person, you should walk a mile in their shoes. In other words, instead of judging someone, you should try to imagine what it’s like to be that person, with all the problems and challenges that they face. The phrase is essentially a call for us to be more empathetic (or empathic), using our imagination and experience to understand other people’s feelings and thoughts. This post looks at the words and phrases we use to talk about and convey empathy. Continue reading “Walk a mile in my shoes (Words about empathy)” →

Dog-tired (Ways of saying ‘tired’)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Synonyms, the English language, Vocabulary11 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

This post is for anyone who feels they use the word ‘tired’ too much and is looking for some more interesting and emphatic alternatives. As usual, it will include both single words and phrases. Continue reading “Dog-tired (Ways of saying ‘tired’)” →

Pondering, musing, and brooding (The language of thinking)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Synonyms, the English language, Vocabulary35 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

Today’s post looks at the various ways we talk about thinking, in the sense of using our brains to consider or understand something, or to solve a problem or plan something. Continue reading “Pondering, musing, and brooding (The language of thinking)” →

Woman drinking coffee and reading a newspaper.

Flavour of the month (Newspaper idioms)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms and phrases in newspapers, the English language17 Comments

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Woman drinking coffee and reading a newspaper.
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by Kate Woodford

The idioms and phrases in today’s post all come from a range of national newspapers published on the same day. I write a post like this every couple of months in order to provide you with a regular supply of frequent, contemporary English idioms. Continue reading “Flavour of the month (Newspaper idioms)” →

candles and lanterns of remembrance

Talking about death (Part 2)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Conversation, Idioms, Synonyms, the English language12 Comments

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candles and lanterns of remembrance
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by Kate Woodford

My first post on death and dying looked at softer, less direct ways of talking about this subject, for example saying that we ‘lose’ a person or that a person ‘passes away’ rather than saying they ‘die’.  Today, I’m looking at idioms and phrases generally in this area, some of which are also gently euphemistic. Continue reading “Talking about death (Part 2)” →

Talking about death (Part 1)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Synonyms, the English language, Vocabulary25 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

The theme of today’s blog post may not be exactly cheerful, but you might just find it useful. The subject is death and dying. Whether we like it or not, it’s something that we all talk about at some point in our lives. Continue reading “Talking about death (Part 1)” →

All hands on deck! (Nautical Idioms, Part 2)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language9 Comments

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by Kate Woodford

Today’s post is the second of a pair focusing on nautical idioms, that is, idioms relating to sailing and the ocean. Part 1 covered idioms with the words ‘boat’, ’ship’ or ‘water’. Today, I’m looking at idioms containing a range of other nautical words. Where an item of vocabulary or the nautical origin of a phrase is not clear, I have given a brief explanation. Continue reading “All hands on deck! (Nautical Idioms, Part 2)” →