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)”→
Most readers of this blog will be familiar with the verb throw when it means using your hand and arm to send something such as a ball through the air. Today’s post looks at some of the many ways that this basic sense of ‘throw’ is used in more idiomatic ways, often in fixed or semi-fixed phrases. Continue reading “Throwing a punch or throwing your head back: using the verb ‘throw’”→
hushpitalitynoun [U] UK /ˌhʌʃ.pɪˈtæl.ə.ti/ US /ˌhʌʃ.pɪˈtæl.ə.t̬i/ a style of tourism that focuses on providing travellers with quiet places to stay and a peaceful atmosphere with no loud activity or disturbance
By 2026, more than 56 per cent of travellers will choose destinations primarily to rest and recharge, rather than to sightsee or stay busy. As daily life grows louder and more demanding, “hushpitality” is quietly reshaping the idea of luxury. This new travel philosophy is not about simply switching off devices or booking a quieter hotel room. It is about seeking a complete sensory reset. The focus is on intentional sound, or the lack of it, where silence itself becomes the experience. [www.harpersbazaar.in, 25 December 2025]
inheritourismnoun [U] UK /ɪnˈher.ɪ.ˌtʊə.rɪ.zᵊm/ US /ɪnˈher.ɪ.ˌtʊr.ɪ.zᵊm/ a travel trend where people choose the same types of holiday and often the same accommodation as their parents and grandparents did in the past
“Inheritourism reflects how travel preferences are passed down across generations,” said Jess Petitt. “Many people inherit travel preferences from their parents, with family experiences often shaping how people travel well into adulthood.” A 2026 travel report from Hilton identified “inheritourism” as a notable trend for the new year ― with 66% of travelers saying that their parents have influenced their choice of accommodations and 73% saying they shaped their general travel style. [huffingtonpost.co.uk, 3 February 2026]
onebaggingnoun [U]
/ˌwʌnˈbægɪŋ/ the practice of travelling with only a single carry-on sized bag, to simplify the trip and reduce costs
If you’re like me, then it’s time to learn about a minimalist approach to travelling in the form of onebagging. In some ways, it’s just a way to pack light, but in others, it’s more a philosophy of travel akin to feng shui with a passport. This travel subculture has spread globally, with the onebag subreddit now containing over 871,000 members, the community nurturing a love for the approach that is both highly practical and near-spiritual. [faroutmagazine.co.uk, 16 November 2025]
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’)”→
fricyadjective
/ˈfraɪ.si/ having a taste that is both fruity and spicy
“Fricy” is 2026’s defining food trend, fusing fruity and spicy flavours in bold, new ways. Born out of a growing appetite for contrast-driven flavours, fricy food distinguishes itself by leaning into an intensified interplay of heat and sweetness, resulting in dishes that are sharper, more vibrant, and impossible to ignore compared to traditional spicy or fruity fare. [oteats.outlooktraveller.com, 25 January 2026]
swangyadjective
/ˈswæŋ.i/ having a taste that is both sweet and tangy
Swangy foods will have chefs thinking outside the box, too, creating foods that are the best of both worlds. These two flavor profiles balance each other out, with tangy ingredients brightening sweet ingredients, and sweet ingredients mellowing out the sharpness of mouth-puckering notes. [tastingtable.com, 17 January 2026]
spouradjective UK /spaʊəʳ/ US /spaʊr/ having a taste that is both spicy and sour
The world of drinks is also moving in the same direction, adopting spicy and sour variations that reinterpret well-known classics. This has led to the creation of cocktails known as “spour,” where spicy and citrus flavors meet, and ingredients such as Tajín become a permanent fixture on the rims of glasses. The success of these flavors reflects a more curious public, less fearful of spice and increasingly attracted to immediate but layered taste experiences. [reportergourmet.com, 8 January 2026]
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the most visited painting in the world, is famous for its subject’s strange smile. That smile is often described as enigmatic, meaning that it is rather mysterious and it is impossible to guess what she is thinking. Today’s post looks at some other words and phrases to do with people hiding or showing their emotions. Continue reading “Poker faced or heart on your sleeve? Showing or hiding emotions.”→
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)”→
