Vocabulary

We use either of these expressions to express the idea that we are preparing something that will be the base of what is to come later.

Lay the groundwork comes from construction, when a foundation must be laid before a building can be built.

Sowing the seeds comes from agriculture, referring to when the seeds are placed in the ground so they can grow and then be harvested later.

We use this fun expression to mean that someone knows what they need to know; to be informed. Examples: I have to go now, but keep me in the loop regarding any progress you all make. No one on my team keeps me in the loop, and then I look like an idiot in front […]

This refrain is used to describe a situation where the total of all the individual parts is less than the total of all of those parts working together.

One of these machines can pull 1000 pounds; individually, three of them can pull a total of 3000 pounds. But if you put the three of them together, they can pull 5000 pounds! So, the whole is 5000 pounds even though the sum of the parts is only 3000!

Each of these verbs is used to describe when someone takes something that doesn’t belong to them.  But, as is usually the case, they’re used slightly differently. Basically, we use steal when we want to focus on what was stolen, and rob when we want to focus on who the victim was. I have been […]

Oftentimes, when we have problems on our minds, we may find it hard to fall asleep at night, as our brains process and think and generally worry. When this happens, we say that we’re losing sleep over something.

However, if someone mentions a problem and you are not at all worried about it, you can express that idea saying, “I’m not losing any sleep over it.”

A: I’m worried about our situation in the company.

Despite their surface similarity, these words are completely unrelated.

The English word is a noun and a verb, and describes how to get out of a place, to leave it.

There must be an Exit sign over every door that leads to the street, in case of emergencies.
After reciting her monologue, Marie bowed before the cheering audience and exited the stage.

A common problem for English learners is spelling. Oh, let’s be honest, whoever designed English spelling needs to be _____ (I’ll let you fill in the blank with your idea for the best punishment). Despite all the horrible spellings, there are usually rules to most words—we just have a LOT of rules with their nuances (and exceptions).

These are probably among the most misused false friends, undoubtedly due to their incredible similarity with their Spanish counterparts. However, they have no relation at all!

Actual and Actually are used to present factual information, usually after another person has said something wrong. It’s a great way to politely correct someone. It’s similar in meaning to “real(ly).

Smoking is often considered a nasty habit, and those who want to quit have several ways to give up the habit. Some try to slowly reduce, perhaps with the help of patches or gum. Others turn to electronic cigarettes. A few even do acupuncture or hypnosis. But often the quickest, cheapest, and most dramatic way to give up smoking is to quit cold turkey.

This expression is useful for those times when we feel that as soon as one bad thing happens to us, many others follow. It’s as if all the bad things happened at once.

First, I tripped over my shoelaces and fell. I was fine, but right then the big boss came in and tripped over me! He didn’t fall down, but he spilled his coffee all over my immediate boss, who was coming over to schedule my quarterly review! When it rains, it pours!

I hope you never need to use this expression!