April 2023

The verge is the edge or border of something and, figuratively, the point or limit beyond which something will happen. As a verb, to verge, always followed by the preposition on means ‘to be at the margin or border of something’, and…

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When something is crisp, it means that it is hard but brittle or firm and fresh. Crisp also means ‘precise and clear,’ ‘neat, well groomed,’ and ‘lively.’ When talking about weather, crisp means ‘cold but invigorating’ and when talking about people…

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When we’re talking about something that happens, to tend means ‘to be likely or usual.’ If someone or something tends to or towards something, it means that they are disposed to it or that they have a particular tendency toward it. Tend also means…

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Jazz is a music genre that originated in the early 1920s in New Orleans, US. However, jazz is also a slang word that means ‘liveliness, excitement, spirit,’ as well as ‘pep or enthusiasm,’ when talking about a person. It can also mean…

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You probably already know that wind is air in motion and also breath. Colloquially, wind means ‘hint’ and ’empty talk,’ as well as ‘gas generated in the stomach’ in the UK. Related to this, the verb wind means…

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Most commonly, to entertain means ‘to hold someone’s attention’ usually by amusing them in some way. However, entertain has many other meanings, like ‘to have someone as a guest’ and ‘show hospitality.’ It is also a synonym for…

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The chest is the front part of a human’s body, from the neck to the abdomen. A chest is also a box with a lid used to store things or, especially in the UK, a small cabinet, usually hung from the wall, used for….

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Groom is a shortened version of bridegroom–a man who is about to get married or just got married. A groom is also someone whose job is to look after horses. As a verb, to groom means…

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Nowadays we hear about drones a lot; they are plane-like machines operated by remote control. However, a drone is also the male bee and, colloquially, a dull and uninteresting person. A person who lives off the work of others is also…

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To fold means ‘to bend something over itself,’ like cloth or paper. To fold also means ‘to cross, to put one over the other,’ when talking about a person’s arms. Fold is also a synonym for wrap and it means ‘to embrace’ as well. Informally,…

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