Monday, 6 October 2025

gruesome




gruesome
= extremely unpleasant and shocking, particularly in relation to violence, death, or horror 
可怕的;

The report of a gruesome murder shocked the entire community to its core.
一宗慘無人道的謀殺案的報道讓整個社區都震驚了。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS





 

tune out


tune out
= to stop paying attention to something
對…置之不理;

During the lecture, some students began to tune out and eventually fell asleep.
在講座期間,一些學生開始走神,最終睡著了。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS



 

Friday, 3 October 2025

annoy


annoy

(verb)
= to disturb someone and make someone angry

Examples

Don’t annoy me. I have lots of things to do right now.

The loud noise from the mahjong game really annoyed the neighbors.

He was annoyed by the interruptions during his speech.

Reference 
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/annoy


Here are more examples of using "annoy":

She found it annoying when people interrupted her while she was speaking.

My little brother loves to annoy me by stealing my snacks.

It annoys me when drivers don't use their turn signals.

Constant notifications from my phone can be quite annoying during work hours.


Some synonyms for "annoy":

Irritate
Disturb
Bother
Upset 
Agitate 
Pester
Provoke 


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS












 

Tense Table

 Tense Table 


Tense Table

Verbs can change forms based on tense, which indicates the time of the action. We use a tense table as a reference to understand these variations.


Examples


Infinitive: Abide

Past Tense: Abided

Past Participle: Abided


Infinitive: Arise

Past Tense: Arose

Past Participle: Arisen


Infinitive: Begin

Past Tense: Began

Past Participle: Begun


Infinitive: Catch

Past Tense: Caught

Past Participle: Caught


Infinitive: Fight

Past Tense: Fought

Past Participle: Fight 



Explanation of Tenses


Infinitive: The base form of the verb (e.g. "abide"). It often expresses a general action without a specified time.


Past Tense: Indicates that the action occurred in the past (e.g. "abided"). This form is used for completed actions.


Past Participle: Used in perfect tenses and passive voice (e.g. "abided"). It often appears with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "was."


Additional Examples


Infinitive: Go

Past Tense: Went

Past Participle: Gone


Infinitive: See

Past Tense: Saw

Past Participle: Seen


Understanding these forms helps in constructing sentences correctly across different tenses. Use this table as a quick reference to enhance your writing skills!


https://jeffreywckin.github.io/011-Tense-Table.html


in good shape

 in good shape

= being physically fit, healthy, or in a good condition 


After six months of training, Susan is now in good shape for the half-marathon.


This second-hand car is in good shape and only needs a minor tune-up for maintenance.


After a healthy diet and regular exercise, John feels he is in good shape for the summer.


The team is in good shape heading into the playoffs, with all players healthy and motivated.



Some synonyms and antonyms for "in good shape":


Synonyms:

Fit

Healthy

In good condition 

Robust

Sound

Strong


Antonyms:

Out of shape

Unfit

Unhealthy 

Damaged

Weak

Poor condition


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS 

Thursday, 2 October 2025

speak of the devil


speak of the devil
= something you say when someone mentioned in conversation appears unexpectedly 
當在對話中提到某人時,他意外出現; 說曹操,曹操到;

We are just talking about Mark, and then he walks in. Speak of the devil!
我們剛在談論Mark,然後他走了進來。說曹操,曹操到!

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS





 

king of the hill


king of the hill

= a person who is very successful or holds a dominant position in a particular field or context  
= 一個在特定領域或情境中非常成功或佔據主導地位的人。

After years of hard work, Mark has finally become the king of the hill in the AI industry.
經過多年的努力,Mark終於成為了人工智慧產業的王者。

After winning the tennis competition, Mark is now the king of the hill; however, he must work hard to maintain his position against his rivals.
在贏得網球比賽後,Mark現在是王者;然而,他必須努力維持自己在對手中的地位。

The restaurant has maintained its reputation as the king of the hill in fine dining for over a decade.
這家餐廳在高檔餐飲界已維持了十多年的王者聲譽。

With his latest novel topping the bestseller list, the author has once again proven he is the king of the hill in contemporary literature.
隨著他的最新小說登上暢銷書榜,這位作者再次證明了他在當代文學中的王者地位。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS



 

Wednesday, 1 October 2025

have an axe to grind

 have an axe to grind

= to have a personal motive or agenda that influences someone's opinions or actions

 

When Peter criticizes the new pension policy, I believe he has an axe to grind because he stands to benefit from the old policies.


Many voters think that the senator has an axe to grind when he criticizes the new tax reforms, as he has significant investments in companies that benefit from the old laws.


After losing the championship, the coach expressed his frustrations about the referees, suggesting he has an axe to grind given their previous decisions.


The journalist's relentless coverage of the scandal makes me think he has an axe to grind against the organization involved.



Some synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "have an axe to grind":


Synonyms:

Have a hidden agenda

Have a personal stake

Have a vested interest

Have a bone to pick 


Antonyms: 

Be objective

Be neutral

Be unbiased

Be disinterested


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

hapless

 hapless

= someone who is both unlucky and often experiences unfortunate circumstances 


Susan felt hapless after missing her flight due to a series of unexpected delays.

 

The hapless traveler found herself stranded at the airport overnight because of a canceled flight.


The hapless family faced a series of misfortunes, from a leaking roof to a broken car.


After losing his wallet for the third time this month, he began to see himself as a hapless victim of bad luck.


Some synonyms and antonyms for "hapless":


Synonyms:

Unfortunate

Unlucky

Ill-fated 


Antonyms:

Fortunate

Lucky

Blessed

Favored

Successful 


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Monday, 29 September 2025

droll



droll
= amusing odd  
離奇可笑的; 滑稽的;風趣幽默的;

The droll retired policeman shared his amusing stories with us, leaving us in fits of laughter.
這位風趣幽默的退休警察和我們分享了他的趣事,引得我們捧腹大笑。

The author’s droll sense of humor made the book a global bestseller.
作者的幽默感使這本書成為全球暢銷書。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS



 

hypothesis


hypothesis

= a proposed explanation  made based on limited evidence 
= 假設;

The scientist formulated a hypothesis that increasing temperatures would impact the ecosystem.
科學家提出了一個假設,氣溫升高會影響生態系統。

After reviewing the data, the researcher revised their hypothesis to account for unexpected results.
在審查數據後,研究人員修改了假設,以解釋意料之外的結果。

The team's hypothesis suggested that sleep deprivation negatively affects cognitive performance.
該團隊的假設表明,睡眠不足會對認知能力產生負面影響。

The hypothesis that urban areas have higher temperatures than rural areas was tested with temperature readings.
透過溫度讀數測試了「城市地區氣溫高於農村地區」的假設。

The student's hypothesis proposed that increased study time leads to better academic performance.
學生的假設表明增加學習時間可以提高學業成績。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS



 

Friday, 26 September 2025

agile



agile

(adjective)
= able to think quickly

Examples

We want to create an agile marketing team. 

His agile mind allowed him to solve complicated problems in a short period of time.

To win customers, businesses must remain agile and meet their needs.

Reference
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/agile


Here are more examples of using "agile":

The software development team is agile, quickly adapting to changing requirements.

An agile mindset is essential for thriving in a fast-paced work environment.

Athletes need to be both physically and mentally agile to excel in their sports.

Startups often benefit from being agile, allowing them to pivot their strategies when necessary.


Some synonyms for "agile":
 
Quick
Lively
Alert 
Flexible
Adaptable
Responsive 
Light-footed


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS










 

Verbs

 Verbs

A verb is a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence. Verbs are essential in sentences as they convey what the subject is doing or what is happening.


Examples of Verbs in Action


Teacher: How do monkeys move?

Student: They swing.

The word "swing" describes the action of monkeys moving through trees.


Teacher: How do people move?

Student: They walk.

The word "walk" describes the common action of people moving on foot.


Teacher: How do birds move?

Student: They fly.

The word "fly" describes the action of birds moving through the air.


Teacher: How do kangaroos move?

Student: They hop.

The word "hop" describes the unique way kangaroos move by jumping.


Teacher: How do horses move?

Student: They gallop.

The word "gallop" describes the fast, rhythmic way horses run.


Importance of Verbs


Verbs are not only important for describing actions but also for conveying time through tenses. 


For example:


Present Tense: "I run every day."

Past Tense: "I ran yesterday."

Future Tense: "I will run tomorrow."


Types of Verbs

Action Verbs: Describe physical or mental actions (e.g., run, think).

Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a subject complement (e.g., is, appear).

Auxiliary Verbs: Help the main verb express tense or mood (e.g., have, will).


Conclusion

Understanding verbs is crucial for effective communication. They help us express actions and connect ideas, making our sentences more dynamic and engaging.


https://jeffreywckin.github.io/010-Verbs.html

have a good nose for something

 have a good nose for something

= to be naturally good at finding and recognizing opportunities, trends, or important details  


Mark has a good nose for business; he can identify numerous lucrative investment opportunities before anyone else.


Sarah has a good nose for fashion; she can spot upcoming trends long before they hit the mainstream.


James has a good nose for investing; he consistently chooses stocks that outperform the market.



Some synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "have a good nose for something":


Synonyms

Have an eye for

Be intuitive about

Be savvy in


Antonyms

Lack insight into

Be clueless about

Miss opportunities


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Thursday, 25 September 2025

swear


swear
= to use offensive or vulgar language to insult or express anger toward someone 
咒罵;

He swore at the referee after receiving the red card.
在收到紅牌後,他對裁判咒罵。

I believe he will swear at you if you don’t follow what he said.
我相信如果你不遵循他的話,他會對你咒罵。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS





 

hit the sack



hit the sack
= (informal) to go to bed
= (非正式)上床睡覺;

I have to go to the airport early tomorrow morning, so I’m going to hit the sack now.
我明天早上要去機場,所以我現在要上床睡覺。

After a long day at work, I’m ready to hit the sack early tonight.
經過一整天的工作,我今晚準備早點上床睡覺。

We have a big day planned for tomorrow, so let’s hit the sack now.
我們明天有一個大計劃,所以我們現在就上床睡覺吧。

I’ve got an early meeting, so I’ll hit the sack right after dinner.
我有個早會,所以晚餐後我會馬上上床睡覺。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS



 

Wednesday, 24 September 2025

downpour

 downpour

= a heavy rainfall that occurs in a short period of time


We had to stop here during our hike because the downpour was so heavy that we could not continue.


Due to the heavy downpour, the outdoor concert was postponed until next week, much to the disappointment of the fans.


The downpour caused several delays at the airport, with flights being grounded until the weather improved.


The soccer match was halted due to the downpour, as the field became too muddy for safe play.



Synonyms for "Downpour": 

Rainstorm 

Torrential rain

Heavy rain

Pouring rain 


Antonyms for "Downpour":

Drought

Dry spell

Clear skies

Sunshine

Light rain 


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Tuesday, 23 September 2025

perfect storm

 perfect storm

= a rare and extreme situation where a combination of factors leads to a disastrous outcome


The hurricane coincided with a high tide and heavy rainfall, resulting in a perfect storm that devastated the coastal town.


With her job loss and health issues, she found herself in a perfect storm of challenges. 


After the breakup, job stress, and the loss of a family member, she found herself in a perfect storm of emotional turmoil.



Some synonyms and antonyms for "perfect storm":


Synonyms: 

Crisis 

Disastrous combination 

Perfectly timed disaster

Catastrophic event


Antonyms:

Calm situation

Favorable conditions

Smooth sailing 

Stability 

Optimistic scenario



#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Monday, 22 September 2025

swing for the fences


swing for the fences
= to take a big risk to achieve something significant 
冒很大的風險以達成某個重要的目標;

Susan decided to invest all her savings to make a film; she is definitely swinging for the fences with her new career path.
Susan決定將所有的積蓄投入製作一部電影;她在新的職業道路上無疑是在奮力一搏。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS





 

hightail it out of somewhere


hightail it out of somewhere
= to depart quickly or leave a place at once
迅速離開或立即離開某處;

When the thunderstorm hit, we hightailed it out of the sports ground.
當雷雨來襲時,我們迅速撤離了運動場。

When the fire alarm went off, everyone hightailed it out of the building.
當火警警報響起時,所有人都迅速撤離了建築物。

The moment the storm started, we hightailed it out of the park.
暴風雨一開始,我們就迅速撤離了公園。

Seeing the dark clouds approaching, they decided to hightail it out of the beach.
看到烏雲逼近,他們決定迅速撤離海灘。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS




 

a sitting duck

 a sitting duck

= someone or something that is vulnerable or defenseless 


Without their weapons, the soldiers are just sitting ducks for the enemy.


When I forgot to take the key out of the door, I felt like a sitting duck for burglars.


Without proper security measures, the store was a sitting duck for thieves.

 

The unprotected computer system was a sitting duck for hackers.


With no backup plan in place, the team was a sitting duck when the project hit a snag.



Some synonyms and antonyms for "sitting duck":


Synonyms:

Vulnerable

Defenseless

Easy target

Prey 


Antonyms:

Protected

Secure

Defended

Safe 


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Friday, 19 September 2025

agile


agile

(adjective)
= able to think quickly

Examples

We want to create an agile marketing team. 

His agile mind allowed him to solve complicated problems in a short period of time.

To win customers, businesses must remain agile and meet their needs.

Reference


Here are more examples of using "agile":

The software development team is agile, quickly adapting to changing requirements.

An agile mindset is essential for thriving in a fast-paced work environment.

Athletes need to be both physically and mentally agile to excel in their sports.

Startups often benefit from being agile, allowing them to pivot their strategies when necessary.


Some synonyms for "agile":
 
Quick
Lively
Alert 
Flexible
Adaptable
Responsive 
Light-footed


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS











 

Synonyms and Antonyms

 Synonyms and Antonyms


Understanding synonyms and antonyms is essential for enhancing vocabulary and improving language skills.


Synonyms

Definition: When two words have the same or similar meanings, they are called synonyms. Using synonyms can help avoid repetition in writing and make it more engaging.


Examples of Synonyms:


The synonym of the word 'Fast' is 'Quick'.

Example in a sentence: She runs quickly to catch the bus.


The synonym of the word 'Difficult' is 'Hard'.

Example in a sentence: The exam was hard, but I managed to pass.


The synonym of the word 'Begin' is 'Start'.

Example in a sentence: Let’s start the meeting now.


The synonym of the word 'Big' is 'Large'.

Example in a sentence: They have a large garden in their backyard.


The synonym of the word 'Happy' is 'Cheerful'.

Example in a sentence: She has a cheerful demeanor that brightens the room.



Antonyms

Definition: When two words have opposite meanings, they are called antonyms. Knowing antonyms can help express contrasting ideas clearly.


Examples of Antonyms:


The antonym of the word 'Bottom' is 'Top'.

Example in a sentence: The top shelf is out of reach.


The antonym of the word 'Bright' is 'Dark'.

Example in a sentence: The room was dark after the lights went out.


The antonym of the word 'Noisy' is 'Quiet'.

Example in a sentence: The library is a quiet place to study.


The antonym of the word 'High' is 'Low'.

Example in a sentence: He prefers low music volumes when working.


The antonym of the word 'Happy' is 'Sad'.

Example in a sentence: She felt sad after hearing the news.


Importance of Synonyms and Antonyms

Using synonyms and antonyms enriches your language skills by:


Enhancing Vocabulary: It allows for the use of varied expressions.


Improving Writing: It helps avoid redundancy, making writing more engaging.


Clarifying Meaning: Antonyms can clarify concepts by highlighting differences.


By incorporating synonyms and antonyms into your vocabulary, you can communicate more effectively and express your thoughts more precisely.


https://jeffreywckin.github.io/009-Synonyms-and-Antonyms.html

at lightning speed

at lightning speed

= to do something very quickly


Susan practiced sprinting at lightning speed, preparing for the road race next week.


The delivery service promises to get your package to you at lightning speed.


During the presentation, he answered questions at lightning speed, impressing the audience with his knowledge.


The computer processes data at lightning speed, making it ideal for complex calculations.



Some synonyms for "at lightning speed":


In a flash 

In the blink of an eye 

At a rapid pace

In no time

Swiftly

Quickly

In an instant 


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Thursday, 18 September 2025

on everyone’s lips


on everyone’s lips
= (something) is being widely talked about or discussed by many people
廣為談論的;

The death of the celebrity is now on everyone’s lips, with many people grieving the news all over social media.
現在,這位名人的死訊成為眾人熱議的話題,許多人在社群媒體上哀悼。

After her stunning performance at the talent show, Susan is on everyone’s lips this week.
在才藝表演中的精彩表現後,Susan本周成為了大家熱議的話題。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS





 

hang in there


hang in there
= to encourage someone to persevere or remain hopeful during difficult times
= 鼓勵某人在困難時期堅持或保持希望;

After losing the final match, her best friend told Susan to hang in there and focus on the next competition.
在輸掉最後一場比賽後,她的好朋友告訴Susan要堅持下去,專注於下一場比賽。

After a rough week at work, he reminded himself to hang in there until the weekend.
經過一個艱難的工作週,他提醒自己要堅持下去,直到週末。

During the tough training sessions, the coach encouraged the team to hang in there and trust the process.
在艱苦的訓練課程中,教練鼓勵球隊要堅持下去,相信其過程。

The road to recovery can be long, but hang in there; you're making progress.
康復的道路可能漫長,但要堅持下去;你正在取得進展。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS



 

Wednesday, 17 September 2025

ahead of time

 ahead of time

= to do something in advance 


Susan submitted her assignment ahead of time, which greatly impressed her professor.


Mark booked his flight ahead of time to get the best deals on tickets.


Mark bought his holiday gifts ahead of time so he wouldn't have to deal with the last-minute rush.


They purchased their movie tickets ahead of time to guarantee good seats.



Some synonyms for "ahead of time":


In advance

Beforehand

Early 

Ahead

In preparation 


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Tuesday, 16 September 2025

all in good time

 all in good time

= something will happen when the appropriate moment arrives


I know you are eager to travel around the world, but you need to save your money first. All in good time.


I understand you want a promotion immediately, but you need to demonstrate your skills first. All in good time.


I know you want to have kids soon, but let’s enjoy our time together as a couple first. All in good time.


I know you're eager to lose weight quickly, but sustainable change takes time. All in good time.


I know you want to make new friends instantly, but building relationships takes effort. All in good time.



Some synonyms and alternative phrases for "all in good time":

 

At the right moment

When the time is right

Eventually

In time

At the appropriate time

When the opportunity arises

Gradually 

At the right hour


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

Monday, 15 September 2025

a cold fish

 a cold fish

= a person who is unemotional or unfriendly


Although Peter is a talented boss, his employees feel he is a bit of a cold fish because of his lack of empathy.


The manager’s cold fish attitude during team meetings left employees feeling undervalued and unmotivated.


Though he’s a brilliant scientist, his reputation as a cold fish has made it difficult for him to collaborate with others.


Many people describe him as a cold fish, but those who know him well understand that he just struggles to express his feelings.


Some synonyms for "cold fish":


Unemotional 

Distant

Detached

Indifferent  


#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

muster




muster
= to gather
集結;

The emperor mustered his troops before the war.
皇帝在戰爭前召集了他的軍隊。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS