Intermediate+ Word of the Day

A bull is, as you may know, the male of a cow and it is also a male elephant or moose. In religion, a bull is a document issued by the pope. Unrelatedly, and as a slang term, bull is a synonym for ‘lies’ or ‘exaggerations’ and, in US English, if you bull someone, it means that you try to impress them by telling lies…

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When your skin itches, it means that you feel a tingling irritation that makes you want to scratch. Everything that causes that feeling, like clothes for example, also itches. A bit confusing perhaps, but, informally, to itch also means to…

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You might have heard that crap is used as an interjection when something goes wrong. This is because, colloquially and somewhat vulgarly, crap means ‘excrement’ or ‘the act of defecation,’ and ‘junk or litter.’ Also very colloquially, crap can means…

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To boost means ‘to lift something or someone by pushing from below’ and ‘to increase.’ It also means ‘to speak well of someone or something in order to help.’ As a US slang term, to boost means ‘to shoplift.’ As a noun, a boost is an upward raise, an increase, and a remark that helps someone…

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A peg is a wooden or plastic pin driven into something and used for fastening or support. In British English, a pin used to fasten washing to a line is a peg (in US English, this is called a clothespin). A peg is also a degree or level and, in US English, it is a hard throw, especially in…

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A buck is the male of an antelope, deer, rabbit and other animals and, in US English, the skin of buck deer used as leather (in UK English, this would be “buckskin,” which can also be used in US English). Figuratively, we can call a young and spirited man a buck, although…

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To grant means ‘to give,’ ‘to accord,’ or ‘to agree to a proposal or request.’ To grant can also mean that you accept something, such as someone else’s point in an argument. As a noun, a grant is something given or granted, such as money, a privilege,…

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To clash means ‘to produce a very loud noise by collision’. It also means ‘to disagree’ or ‘to engage in physical conflict, whether in game or battle.’ If colors clash, it means that they don’t combine well. As a noun, a clash is a loud harsh noise, a conflict of interests, and a fight or contest.

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A slot is a thin and narrow opening for receiving something, such as a piece of paper or a coin, and also a place or position in a sequence, series, or schedule. Informally, it’s also a job opening. As a verb, to slot is to make a slot in something, to put something into a slot, or to fit someone or something into a schedule…

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You’ve probably heard “lock” a lot lately as part of the word “lockdown.” We’ll tell you about several meanings of “lock” and also exactly what “lockdown” is and share a video with you showing how people are finding new ways to connect while socially distancing. Are you finding creative ways to get through lockdown?

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