picture of an old, worn teddy bear against a dark red background

On its last legs (Describing the condition of objects, Part 1)

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picture of an old, worn teddy bear against a dark red background
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by Kate Woodford

A friend recently told me that she needed a new sofa. Her current one, she said, ‘had seen better days’, meaning that it was clearly old and damaged. This nice idiom (‘have seen better days’) got me thinking about the many ways we describe the condition of objects, both good and bad. This post, in two parts and covering both single words and phrases, is the result of this. Continue reading “On its last legs (Describing the condition of objects, Part 1)”

a man with his mouth open and eyebrows raised in a shocked expression, halfway through removing his glasses as he stares at something off-camera

Stunned and thunderstruck (Words for being surprised or shocked)

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a man with his mouth open and eyebrows raised in a shocked expression, halfway through removing his glasses as he stares at something off-camera
izusek / iStock / Getty Images Plus

by Kate Woodford

This post is for anyone who feels they use the words ‘surprised’ and ‘shocked’ too much and is looking for more interesting alternatives. It will include both single words and phrases. Continue reading “Stunned and thunderstruck (Words for being surprised or shocked)”

a woman looking brave and determined as she prepares to do a difficult trick in a skate park

Plucking up courage: talking about being brave

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a woman looking brave and determined as she prepares to do a difficult trick in a skate park
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by Liz Walter

Everyone has times when they have to do things that scare them, and there are lots of different ways to talk about this. Continue reading “Plucking up courage: talking about being brave”

a father and his young daughter sitting next to each other on a sofa and reading a news magazine together

Calling it quits and pitting your wits! (Idioms and phrases in newspapers)

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a father and his young daughter sitting next to each other on a sofa and reading a news magazine together
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by Kate Woodford

Today’s post is the latest in my ‘Idioms and phrases in newspapers’ series, which I write in order to provide you with a regular supply of contemporary, frequently used English idioms and phrases. The expressions all come from a range of national newspapers that were published on the same day. Continue reading “Calling it quits and pitting your wits! (Idioms and phrases in newspapers)”

Close-up photograph of silver, crown-shaped confetti on a red, white and blue Union Flag

Pomp and pageantry: language for the coronation of King Charles III

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Close-up photograph of silver, crown-shaped confetti on a red, white and blue Union Flag
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by Liz Walter

On Saturday, 6 May, the UK will see its first coronation (ceremony to make someone king or queen) since 1953, when Queen Elizabeth began her extraordinarily long reign (the time she was queen). This post looks at some of the vocabulary connected with that event. Continue reading “Pomp and pageantry: language for the coronation of King Charles III”

four seated men seen from the chest downwards - three are sitting formally and wearing plain black suits, and one is sitting casually with crossed legs and wearing a bright red suit

Out of the ordinary: ways of saying that something is unusual (2)

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four seated men seen from the chest downwards - three are sitting formally and wearing plain black suits, and one is sitting casually with crossed legs and wearing a bright red suit
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by Kate Woodford

My last blog post looked at adjectives used to describe things that are unusual or in some way different. In today’s post, I focus on idioms and phrases in this area. Continue reading “Out of the ordinary: ways of saying that something is unusual (2)”

three whole fish cooking in a frying pan set over a campfire

There’s bigger fish to fry: talking about things that are not important

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three whole fish cooking in a frying pan set over a campfire
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by Liz Walter

I have recently written two posts on the topic of importance, so this one looks at the opposite: how to say that something isn’t important. Continue reading “There’s bigger fish to fry: talking about things that are not important”

a living room full of brightly coloured furniture

New words – 17 April 2023

a living room full of brightly coloured furniture
Laurie Rubin / Stone / Getty

dopamine decor noun [C]
UK /ˌdəʊ.pə.miːn ˈdek.ɔːʳ/ US /ˌdoʊ.pəˌmiːn ˈdeɪˈkɔːr/
the trend of using bright colours and patterns when decorating and furnishing your home to make you happier and improve your mental health

Dopamine decor has been inspired by a catwalk trend where people choose to dress in colourful clothes to enhance their mood. The serotonin soaked concept is now emerging in the interiors world too with home owners choosing bright colours and patterns rich in shape and design to express joy and excitement within the home.
[www.avalanadesign.co.uk, 6 July 2022]

chorebot noun [C]
UK /ˈtʃɔː.bɒt/ US /ˈtʃɔːr.bɑːt/
a robot that is designed to do housework and tasks such as laundry, shopping, etc.

I’ve just read a frankly horrifying report concerning the imminent arrival of so-called “chorebots” designed to automate fully 17 domestic tasks. When I say “imminent”, we’re looking at within a decade, which is soon enough. And when I say domestic tasks, I’m talking about the bot stacking the dishwasher, getting a load in the wash, hanging it on the airer afterwards, doing bits and bobs of grocery shopping, that kind of caper.
[thetimes.co.uk, 4 March 2023]

hipstoric adjective
UK /hɪpˈstɒr.ɪk/ US /hɪpˈstɔːr.ɪk/
a way of decorating your home where old furniture, ornaments etc. are combined with a modern style

A fusion of the words “hip” and “historic,” the newly coined “hipstoric” home decor trend is set to dominate in 2023, according to interior designers … Consumers are casting mass-produced pieces aside in favor of reimagined antiques and vintage finds. Combining old with new, this popular eclectic aesthetic is an easy way to add a unique and personal touch to the home and infuse it with a sense of nostalgia.
[bhg.com, 7 February 2023]

About new words

portrait of a textile artist wearing eccentric make-up and sequins and a large, brightly coloured headdress

Quirky and novel: ways of saying that something is unusual (1)

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portrait of a textile artist wearing eccentric make-up and sequins and a large, brightly coloured headdress
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by Kate Woodford

Today, I’m looking at the various words that we use to describe things that are unusual or in some way different. As usual, I’ll be looking at the subtle differences in meaning between this group of near-synonyms. Continue reading “Quirky and novel: ways of saying that something is unusual (1)”

a boy and his father singing and dancing together in the kitchen while doing the washing up, pretending that a scrubbing brush and mop are a microphone and guitar

Making a song and dance about it: talking about importance (2)

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a boy and his father singing and dancing together in the kitchen while doing the washing up, pretending that a scrubbing brush and mop are a microphone and guitar
Marc Dufresne/iStock/Getty Images Plus

by Liz Walter

This is the second of two posts on importance and covers some more aspects of the topic.

I will start with things that are important because of their effect on someone or something else. Someone or something that has the power to affect things can be described as influential. Something that has a great effect on future events is momentous, or – even more emphatically – seismic: Continue reading “Making a song and dance about it: talking about importance (2)”