Chronic Constantly
present or recurring
Chronicle A
record of events
Circumspect Cautious
and watchful
Citadel Fortress
overlooking a city
Civility Politeness
Clack A
short sharp sound
Clime Climate
Coffer A
large strong box for holding money and valuables
Cogent Convincing
Cogitation Think
deeply
Cognate Related
Cognizant Having
knowledge
Collate Compare
in detail
Collation A
light meal
Colloquial Language
used in ordinary conversation, not formal or literary
either . . . or, neither . . . nor--Either means "one of
two"; neither means "not one of two." Or goes with
either; nor, with neither.
Either Sarah or I will go, but neither Bill nor
Jan will."
When used alone, both either and neither take
verbs in the singular.
Either is ready to go with you. Neither is now ready.
etc.-
A series introduced by "such as" or "e.g." should not be
followed by etc. because the phrases, taken together, are redundant. The
term etc. in a series is often vague and should be eliminated or
replaced with more specific terms.
first, firstly--In enumerations use the forms first, second,
third (not firstly, secondly, thirdly).
gage, gauge--In
the sense of a standard of measurement, these words are interchangeable (a
narrow-gauge or -gage railroad), although gauge is the
preferred spelling. Only gage can refer to a variety of plum and to a
challenge or pledge.
to
split the difference
This idiom is normally used when we are negotiating with someone over the price for something, and find it hard to reach agreement. The 'split the difference' price is halfway between and the amount asked for and the amount offered. (It's very common to use this idiom when buying or selling second-hand goods - especially cars.)
Mary: "It's a nice computer but I'll only pay you $250 for it."
David: "Come on, this computer cost me over $800 less than a year ago. I want $450 for it."
Mary: "But there are faster models on the market. Okay, I'll pay you $300."
David: "$400 is the least I will accept."
Mary: "Sorry, but that's just too much."
After a few minutes where neither person will offer more or accept less, David tries to make
the sale...
David: "Okay, let's split the difference. $350?"
Mary: "It's a deal."
($350 is halfway between the $300 offered and the $400 asked for - David and Mary split the difference.)
This idiom is normally used when we are negotiating with someone over the price for something, and find it hard to reach agreement. The 'split the difference' price is halfway between and the amount asked for and the amount offered. (It's very common to use this idiom when buying or selling second-hand goods - especially cars.)
Mary: "It's a nice computer but I'll only pay you $250 for it."
David: "Come on, this computer cost me over $800 less than a year ago. I want $450 for it."
Mary: "But there are faster models on the market. Okay, I'll pay you $300."
David: "$400 is the least I will accept."
Mary: "Sorry, but that's just too much."
After a few minutes where neither person will offer more or accept less, David tries to make
the sale...
David: "Okay, let's split the difference. $350?"
Mary: "It's a deal."
($350 is halfway between the $300 offered and the $400 asked for - David and Mary split the difference.)
to
jump out of your skin
If
something really scares you, or shocks you, then maybe you 'jump out of your
skin'.
A
common game (in England at least) for young children is to hide from their
parents and then
jump
out, shouting 'Boo!' If the parent isn't expecting it then they might jump out
of their skin.
This
idiom is often used when talking about yourself: "I nearly jumped out of
my skin!"
to let the cat out of the bag
If
you let the cat out of the bag, then you tell somebody something that should be
kept secret
from
them - usually because it is supposed to be a surprise for that person.
Mary:
Hi Jane, are you looking forward to the party on Saturday?
Jane: What party?
Mary:
Your party!
Jane: What do you mean, my party?
Mary:
Your birthday party. I thought you knew.
(Later
Mary tells Julia what she had said to Jane)
Julia: Well done, Mary. You've let the cat out
of
the bag now. It was supposed to be a surprise party!
Mary:
I'm sorry.
to
be not your cup of tea
If
something isn't your cup of tea then you don't like it. It's often used with
'really' which acts as
a
softener. It's not my cup of tea = I
don't like it
-
It's not really my cup of tea = I don't like it very much
"David,
would you like to go ice-skating tomorrow evening with me?" asked Mary.
"To
be honest, Mary, ice-skating's not really my cup of tea. Would you like to go
to the cinema instead?"
in
charge of- in control
of, responsible for
My
sister has been in charge of buying supplies at her company for many years.
in
short supply- not
enough, in less than the amount or number needed
Experienced
computer programmers are in short supply at our company.
in
stock- have something
ready to sell or use
They
didn't have any computer printer ribbons in stock at the store.
in
the long run- in the
final result
The
company has been losing money recently but in the long run they should do very
well.
in
the market for- ready
to buy something
We
have been in the market for a new computer for a long time but still we haven't
bought one.
1)Have
you ever hated anyone? If so, why and for how long?
2)What
is the greatest accomplishment of your life? Is there anything you hope to do
that is even better?
3)Would
you give up half of what you now own for a pill that would permanently change
you so that one hour of sleep each day would fully refresh you?
4)If
you knew you could devote yourself to
any single occupation – music, writing, acting, business, politics, medicine,
etc. – and be the best and most successful in the world at it, what would you
choose? If you knew you had only a 10 percent chance of being successful, would
you still put in the effort?
5)If
you went to a dinner party and were offered a dish you had never tried, would
you want to taste it even if it sounded strange and not very appealing?
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