gadfly - animal-biting fly; an irritating fly; an irritating person
quirk - startling twist; caprice
disheveled - untidy
quirk - startling twist; caprice
disheveled - untidy
Monday 12 December 2011
Vocab testing sites
http://www.wordflashonline.com/qz/free-online-vocab-test.php
http://www.english-test.net/
http://testyourvocab.com/
http://www.english-test.net/
http://testyourvocab.com/
Thursday 1 December 2011
‘game face’
When Dravid and Tendulkar bat, they look very serious most of the time. They don’t joke around. This serious look that a sportsman has while he is on the field is referred to as his `game face’.
Example: Don’t be fooled by his jokes. Once he’s got his game face on and steps onto the field, Chethan is a completely different person.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 20, 2006.
Example: Don’t be fooled by his jokes. Once he’s got his game face on and steps onto the field, Chethan is a completely different person.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 20, 2006.
`cakewalk’
When you say that the victory was a `cakewalk’, what you mean is that it was very easily achieved. You didn’t have to put in too much of an effort; you won without really having to work hard.
Examples: Given your experience, getting the job should be a cakewalk *The first couple of rounds of the tournament should be a cakewalk.
The `cakewalk’ was a form of entertainment among African Americans. Well-dressed couples that took part in this competition were made to walk around a cake. The pair that performed this task most gracefully was awarded a prize. In most cases, the prize was the cake itself; the winner used to `take the cake’. Later, the word `cakewalk’ was used to refer to a popular form of dance.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.
Examples: Given your experience, getting the job should be a cakewalk *The first couple of rounds of the tournament should be a cakewalk.
The `cakewalk’ was a form of entertainment among African Americans. Well-dressed couples that took part in this competition were made to walk around a cake. The pair that performed this task most gracefully was awarded a prize. In most cases, the prize was the cake itself; the winner used to `take the cake’. Later, the word `cakewalk’ was used to refer to a popular form of dance.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.
`magazine’ and `journal’
When first used, the word `journal’ referred to a daily publication which gave an account of the events that happened the previous day. It was like a newspaper. Nowadays, the word is used to refer to any publication that is brought out at regular intervals. For example, a journal can be a monthly, quarterly, etc. The articles contained in a journal are usually scholarly, serious in nature, and deal with a specialised area. For example, we have the Journal of Linguistics, Journal of Writing, etc. A `magazine’, on the other hand, doesn’t limit itself to one area; it deals with various subjects — politics, entertainment and sports. Since the articles are meant for the general public, they are much shorter and are usually accompanied by photographs. `Outlook’, `Frontline’, and `Sportstar’, are all magazines, not journals; and like the journal, they too are brought out at regular intervals.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.
How is the word `exorcism’ pronounced?
The `ex’ is pronounced like the letter `x’, and the following `o’ is like the `ou’ in `ought’, `sought’ and `fought’. The final `ism’ sounds like the `ism’ in `prism’. The main stress is on the first syllable.
When you `exorcise’ a ghost or an evil spirit, what you do is to drive it away by making use of magic or prayers. This act of driving away an evil spirit is called `exorcism’.
Example: The witch doctor tried to exorcise the evil spirit from the library.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.
When you `exorcise’ a ghost or an evil spirit, what you do is to drive it away by making use of magic or prayers. This act of driving away an evil spirit is called `exorcism’.
Example: The witch doctor tried to exorcise the evil spirit from the library.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.
`on cloud nine’
When you say that you are on cloud nine, what you mean is that you are extremely happy; you feel as if you are on top of the world.
Example: The entire team was on cloud nine after winning the championship.
No one is really sure where the expression comes from. Some believe that the original expression was `on cloud seven’, very similar to the expression `seventh heaven’. Others believe that nine was chosen because it is considered a mystical number. According to weathermen, `cloud nine’ refers to the `cumulonimbus’ or the thunderstorm cloud. This cloud often rises to forty thousand feet; and when you are `on’ such a cloud, you are literally on top of the world!
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.
Example: The entire team was on cloud nine after winning the championship.
No one is really sure where the expression comes from. Some believe that the original expression was `on cloud seven’, very similar to the expression `seventh heaven’. Others believe that nine was chosen because it is considered a mystical number. According to weathermen, `cloud nine’ refers to the `cumulonimbus’ or the thunderstorm cloud. This cloud often rises to forty thousand feet; and when you are `on’ such a cloud, you are literally on top of the world!
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.
`ding-dong battle’
The expression `ding-dong’ refers to the sound that a bell makes; the back and forth motion of the knocker hitting a bell.
When you say that two participants were involved in a ding-dong battle, what you mean is that they were involved in a long drawn out battle. The fight was intense and there were times when each participant seemed to have the upper hand in turns. In a ding-dong battle, it is often very difficult to predict who will emerge the winner; sometimes, the result is inconclusive.
Another expression which has more or less the same meaning is `see-saw battle’. When you sit on the see-saw, you are up one moment, and down the other.
Example: *The fans were hoping for a ding-dong battle. They were disappointed when the Aussies thrashed the Indians.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 06, 2006.
When you say that two participants were involved in a ding-dong battle, what you mean is that they were involved in a long drawn out battle. The fight was intense and there were times when each participant seemed to have the upper hand in turns. In a ding-dong battle, it is often very difficult to predict who will emerge the winner; sometimes, the result is inconclusive.
Another expression which has more or less the same meaning is `see-saw battle’. When you sit on the see-saw, you are up one moment, and down the other.
Example: *The fans were hoping for a ding-dong battle. They were disappointed when the Aussies thrashed the Indians.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 06, 2006.
Which is correct? `Deter to do’ or `deter from doing’ something?
First, let’s deal with the pronunciation of `deter’. The first `e’ is like the `i’ in `bid’, `bit’ and `sit’, and the second is like the `ir’ in `shirt’, `bird’ and `dirt’. The stress is on the second syllable `ter’. The word `deter’ is usually followed by `from’ and not `to’.
When you deter someone from doing something, you discourage him from doing it. You achieve this by making the individual realise how difficult the task may be, or by highlighting the unpleasant consequences of performing the task. You do everything to ensure that the person no longer wishes to continue to do what he was doing.
Example: Nothing you say will deter the students from joining the protestors.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 06, 2006.
When you deter someone from doing something, you discourage him from doing it. You achieve this by making the individual realise how difficult the task may be, or by highlighting the unpleasant consequences of performing the task. You do everything to ensure that the person no longer wishes to continue to do what he was doing.
Example: Nothing you say will deter the students from joining the protestors.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 06, 2006.
`extinct’ and ‘extinguished’
When something becomes extinct, it ceases to exist; you don’t find it anywhere on the planet. Any living organism can become extinct. Dinosaurs, for example, have become extinct.
Examples: There are reasons to believe that the tiger will soon become extinct. *Some of the animals in the rainforests are on the verge of extinction.
The word `extinguish’, on the other hand, is usually used along with the word `fire’. When you extinguish a fire or a flame, you put it out.
Example: The firemen battled for three hours before they extinguished the fire.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 06, 2006.
Examples: There are reasons to believe that the tiger will soon become extinct. *Some of the animals in the rainforests are on the verge of extinction.
The word `extinguish’, on the other hand, is usually used along with the word `fire’. When you extinguish a fire or a flame, you put it out.
Example: The firemen battled for three hours before they extinguished the fire.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 06, 2006.
`eater’s coma’
This is a type of coma that we have all experienced some time or the other. How do we normally feel after a particularly heavy meal? Most of the time, we feel pretty sluggish; we don’t feel like doing anything. After some time, we begin to feel rather sleepy. This lazy and sleepy feeling that we have after a heavy meal is called `eater’s coma’.
Example: If I eat everything that is on the table, I’ll lapse into an eater’s coma.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 06, 2006.
Example: If I eat everything that is on the table, I’ll lapse into an eater’s coma.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 06, 2006.
`Bangalored’
The Americans invented this word, and they have been using it quite frequently. As you know, many multinationals, in order to save money, are outsourcing their work to cities in India. When an American says that he has been `Bangalored’, what he means is that he has lost his job because his company has decided to move its operations to a city in India — not necessarily Bangalore.
Example: According to the article, another 10,000 people will be Bangalored by the end of the year.
It is not often that the name of a city is used as a verb. You may wonder why the Americans chose the city of Bangalore. You must remember that during the early stages of outsourcing, most of the companies were moving to this city — Bangalore was then perceived as the Silicon Valley of India. The Americans’ fear of losing jobs to the city of Bangalore gave rise to another word — `Bangalorephobia’.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.
Example: According to the article, another 10,000 people will be Bangalored by the end of the year.
It is not often that the name of a city is used as a verb. You may wonder why the Americans chose the city of Bangalore. You must remember that during the early stages of outsourcing, most of the companies were moving to this city — Bangalore was then perceived as the Silicon Valley of India. The Americans’ fear of losing jobs to the city of Bangalore gave rise to another word — `Bangalorephobia’.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.
Difference between `The theatre is closed’ and `The theatre has been closed’?
The first sentence suggests that the theatre is not open at the moment; it is locked for the time being. Chances are, it will open a little later. It has not been closed permanently.
The second sentence, on the other hand, seems to suggest that someone has forcibly closed down the theatre. Perhaps the municipal authorities were unhappy with the safety features, and decided to shut the place down. In this case, the closure is either permanent or for a lengthy period of time.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.
The second sentence, on the other hand, seems to suggest that someone has forcibly closed down the theatre. Perhaps the municipal authorities were unhappy with the safety features, and decided to shut the place down. In this case, the closure is either permanent or for a lengthy period of time.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.
`let your hair down’
Some people are very reserved when they are in the company of others. When you tell a person to let his hair down, what you mean is that you want him to relax and start enjoying himself. You want him to speak his mind.
Example: It was only after the completion of his last exam that Chetan let his hair down.
In the old days, women had to put their hair up in a bun during the daytime. The only time when they could literally let their hair down and be themselves was when they were ready to go to bed.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.
Example: It was only after the completion of his last exam that Chetan let his hair down.
In the old days, women had to put their hair up in a bun during the daytime. The only time when they could literally let their hair down and be themselves was when they were ready to go to bed.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.
How is the expression `sotto voce’ pronounced?
The first `o’ in `sotto’ is like the `o’ in `hot’, `got’, and `pot’; the second is like the `o’ in `go’, `so’, and `no’. The `o’ in `voce’ is pronounced like the second `o’ in `sotto’. The `c’ that follows is like the `ch’ in `child’ and `chips’; the final `e’ is like the `i’ in `bit’, `pit’, and `hit’. The main stress is on the first syllable of `voce’. The word comes from Italian; `sotto’ means `under’ and `voce’ means `voice’.
When you say something `sotto voce’, you say it in a soft voice. Whatever you say is spoken in a low volume; you speak softly out of the corner of your mouth, so that you are not overheard by anyone. The word is considered literary, and is mostly used in formal contexts.
Example: During the principal’s speech, several students made snide remarks sotto voce.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.
When you say something `sotto voce’, you say it in a soft voice. Whatever you say is spoken in a low volume; you speak softly out of the corner of your mouth, so that you are not overheard by anyone. The word is considered literary, and is mostly used in formal contexts.
Example: During the principal’s speech, several students made snide remarks sotto voce.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.
`geek’
This is a word mostly used in informal contexts, and it has several different meanings. One of the meanings of `geek’ is a boring individual who walks around wearing rather unfashionable clothes. This person has little or no social skills.
*You must be nuts to ask a geek like Govind tips about fashion. *I don’t want you to invite that geek Harish to our party. .
An individual who is an expert, or is very knowledgeable in his limited area of interest (for example, computers) can also be called a geek. He is someone whose focus of interest is rather narrow, but he knows everything about the subject.
*If it is a computer geek you require, you’d better hire Dravid. He’s excellent. *I want to learn everything on my own. I don’t want some geek telling me everything.
I understand the word comes from the Dutch `geck’ which means `fool’. It is in this sense that Shakespeare used the word in some of his plays. In the 1920s, the Americans used the word `geek’ to refer to an individual in a carnival who performed bizarre acts. The original `geek’ was someone who entertained his audience by biting off a live chicken’s/snake’s head! With the passage of time, the word began to be used to refer to anyone who was socially inept; whose interests were very different from those of others.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 23, 2006
*You must be nuts to ask a geek like Govind tips about fashion. *I don’t want you to invite that geek Harish to our party. .
An individual who is an expert, or is very knowledgeable in his limited area of interest (for example, computers) can also be called a geek. He is someone whose focus of interest is rather narrow, but he knows everything about the subject.
*If it is a computer geek you require, you’d better hire Dravid. He’s excellent. *I want to learn everything on my own. I don’t want some geek telling me everything.
I understand the word comes from the Dutch `geck’ which means `fool’. It is in this sense that Shakespeare used the word in some of his plays. In the 1920s, the Americans used the word `geek’ to refer to an individual in a carnival who performed bizarre acts. The original `geek’ was someone who entertained his audience by biting off a live chicken’s/snake’s head! With the passage of time, the word began to be used to refer to anyone who was socially inept; whose interests were very different from those of others.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 23, 2006
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