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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: bump

Bump can mean ‘to collide’ or ‘to move with a series of jolts.’ We have other meanings to tell you about, including what it means to “bump into someone” or “bump someone off,” and what “the bumps” are.

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: flap

To flap means ‘to move back and forth loosely’ or ‘to move up and down,’ like wings or arms. As a slang term, ‘to become excited or confused,’ usually because of stress, is also to flap. As a noun, a flap is…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: squeal

A squeal is a long, sharp cry, as of pain, surprise, fear, or excitement or a screeching sound. Informally, in US English, a protest or complaint about something can be called a squeal. As a verb, squeal obviously means…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: ridge

A ridge is a long, narrow elevation of land or a chain of hills or mountains, and also the long and narrow upper edge or crest of something. Any raised strip on clothing or any raised margin on a…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: flop

To flop means ‘to drop or fall in a heavy or clumsy way’ or ‘to swing loosely.’ In US English, if someone changes suddenly from one opinion or party to another, that’s also to flop. Informally, to flop means…

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