To tame means ‘to domesticate,’ as done with wild animals, and, figuratively, it can be used to talk about people. It also means ‘to control’ and ‘to make less interesting or boring.’ As an adjective, it refers to something that is domesticated and to something or someone that gives in easily. Tame is also a synonym of boring or dull…
A tack is a short nail with a large flat head, as well as a long stitch used to fasten fabric before sewing. It is also a course of action and, more specifically, the direction a boat takes when it sails against the wind at an angle. To tack means ‘to fasten or close with tacks’ or, more generally, ‘to attach as something extra’ (often with the preposition onto or adverb on) or ‘to secure before sewing.’ …
A ditch is a narrow channel dug in the ground and used for draining or irrigating land or any natural channel or waterway. The verb ditch means ‘to dig a ditch’ and also ‘to crash a plane into water.’ Colloquially, to ditch means ‘to get rid of something’ or ‘to miss something without permission,’ such as school or work or just an unpleasant task…
To slam means ‘to shut hard and noisily,’ as done with a door, ‘to strike or hit with noise and great impact,’ and ‘to push or strike violently,’ usually with the prepositions into or against. Figuratively, it means ‘to criticize harshly.’ As a noun, a slam is something being closed hard and noisily, a noisy impact, or a verbal attack…
As an adverb, just means ‘a moment before’ or ‘at this moment.’ It also means ‘exactly,’ ‘really,’ or ‘simply,’ and ‘by a narrow margin.’ It is a synonym for ‘only’ as well. As an adjective, something just is something done with justice and reason or based on law and right or something proper and done according to principles…
In architecture, a lobby is an entrance hall that works as an anteroom or foyer. In terms of politics, a lobby is ‘a group of people who try to influence government officials to vote in favor of a special interest.’ Related to this, the verb to lobby means ‘to try to influence the actions or votes of someone,’ and also…
A poll is a sampling of opinions on a subject taken from a group of people and analysed. A poll is also the act of voting in an election and the number of votes cast or the numerical result of the voting. Polls, usually in the plural, are the places where the voting takes place. As a verb, to poll is to ask questions about a subject, as well as to receive votes at the polls…
A campaign is a series of operations undertaken for a specific purpose. On a military campaign, these operations are part of a war. However, campaigns can be related to politics, sales, marketing, or anything else aiming to achieve a certain aim. In politics, a campaign is a competition between candidates…
To jam means ‘to press or squeeze in a small space,’ ‘to block by crowding,’ and ‘to push violently on or against something’ or ‘to put something in position with a quick movement.’ In addition, jam means ‘to interfere with a radio or TV signal’ and, when we talk about a machine, if it jams, we mean that it is no longer usable. In music, to jam means to play music…
