Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which words with opposite, or almost opposite, meanings are used together to create a special effect. Often oxymorons might appear at first to be nonsense but...
Category: Usage
Unassuming
Unassuming is an adjective. We use it to describe a person who is modest. Unassuming people tend not to draw attention to themselves. Often, they are very talented and accomplished people who don’t show...
Follow suit
We use the expression “follow suit” when we talk about somebody doing the same as – or copying – someone else. It comes from a card game called whist in which a player must...
Influence, influence on and influence over?
Influence, influence on and influence over? We use the word Influence when we are talking about someone or something having an effect. We can use it on its own or with “on” or “over”...
Loophole
Loophole When people make laws, rules and contracts they often use very complicated words and sentences. This is supposed to make them very precise or clear about what is expected to happen or not...
To a t
You might come across the phrase “to a t” (or, perhaps “to a tee”). It means “exactly” or “perfectly”. One common use is in the expression “suits … to tee”. If your friend’s dress...
Coax and cajole
Coax and cajole are words that we use when we talk about trying to get someone to do something – perhaps something that they don’t want to do. They are both synonyms of “persuade”...
Auxiliary verbs
“Auxiliary” is an adjective meaning “helping” or “supporting”. So, an auxiliary verb is one that helps or supports other verbs. We use auxiliary verbs to help other verbs form the various tenses, moods, and...
“Crave” or “crave for”?
Is it better to use “crave” or “crave for”? We would normally say “I crave an apple pie”, and not “I crave for an apple pie”. One definition of the verb “to crave” is...
Thingamajig, whatchamacallit and hoojamaflip
We might use “thingamajig”, “whatchamacallit” or “hoojamaflip” when we don’t know – or have forgotten what something is called: Or even: To pronounce these words, try breaking them down into separate parts: There are...