This tag is for questions related to definitions and nuances of meaning of a word or phrase.
2
votes
0answers
13 views
What is the meaning of “below” in here? [migrated]
As far as I know, below something is like saying that one thing is physically under something else because it’s beneath it. But I’ve come across what looks like a different usage of the preposition ...
0
votes
1answer
31 views
Use of he, him and it in a conversation
I don't fully understand the relationship between the following conversations. Suppose, two men are fighting, and there are three commentators. At this point man 2 intends to attack man 1.
...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Using “into”: Tuesday into Thursday
What is the meaning of into in the following sentence:
"Residents of southern Japan and South Korea are being put on alert for strengthening Typhoon Soulik to pose serious threats to lives and ...
0
votes
0answers
12 views
Is there a term for words or phrases that we associate correctly, but not by definition or origin?
Simply put, I am looking to find out if there exists a term for words or phrases that we have commonly accepted connotations for, despite whether or not context exists of its definition or origin.
...
3
votes
3answers
98 views
Question about sentence structure in New York Times article
I'm reading a New York Times article, and I have a question about this paragraph:
The point is that once you’ve made excuses for and come to the aid of a bad leader, it gets ever harder to say no ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
What does it mean to populate something with a scan?
In an exercise I came across this:
In this case, the solution is to enable the Source cache, and populate
it with a Scan before the first round of translation commences.
What do they mean by ...
-1
votes
0answers
21 views
“Its impossible for anything to change it.” Meaning [on hold]
I read this sentence "it's impossible for anything to change it." And was wondering what saying impossible for anything means.
3
votes
1answer
47 views
Why isn’t a verb’s transitivity considered only a matter of meaning, not one of grammar?
After reading some examples of intransitive verbs, I get the impression
that transitivity is not a grammatical concept. It seems that it hangs
on the meaning not the structure of the verb in the ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
What does 'The Thick End Of' mean, and why?
I came across this phrase around 20 years ago, and have always understood it to mean 'most of'. I might complain about having to pay "the thick end of £4" for a coffee, when it cost somewhere between £...
-2
votes
1answer
23 views
“Prissy dresser” meaning
From the movie The Life of David Gale - "Socrates was ugly, Plato was fat, and, um, and Aristotle was a prissy dresser!"
What does the term "prissy dresser" actually mean?
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Marveled v. Marveled at
Which is correct?
They marveled the effigy.
OR
They marveled at the effigy.
Please provide an explanation.
Thanks.
15
votes
1answer
848 views
“Within the month” vs “Within a month” is there a difference?
Just applied for a job and they said "Must be available to start within the month".
Does that mean by the end of month? In this case August 30th? Or does it mean 30 days from now, meaning September ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
What does “Scale Past 7 Figures” mean? [on hold]
11 Mindset Shifts You Need to Scale Past 7 Figures.
0
votes
0answers
49 views
what does “release the lock on the paper” mean?
Here is the context. My advisor and I are writing an academic paper. In an email, he sent me some comments about the paper and ended the email by "Releasing the lock on the paper again".
I am not a ...
2
votes
0answers
55 views
What is the meaning of phrase “He is worth a packet of potato-meal”?
I've stumbled upon it in Flann O`Brien's book "Third Policeman" and cannot figure out the meaning of the chip packet phrase.
The context:
I had never seen the old man but knew all about him. He had ...
6
votes
1answer
61 views
Lameduck meaning as verb
Let me draw your attention to a question posted in English Language Learners where
OP has extracted a text from the book "The Collector" by John Fowles that uses the verb lameduck. I can not find any ...
-2
votes
0answers
34 views
were controlled by … or controlled by [on hold]
X factor controlled the accumulation of A and B in a soil, so which one of below sentences is correct to explain that.
The accumulation of A and B in the soil were controlled by X factor
The ...
1
vote
2answers
28 views
What does “double unit” mean?
Please! In the sentence below I wonder what the word "double unit" means.
"the Economics one course is a double unit so there are two lectures a week and one tutorial"
Does double unit mean these ...
1
vote
1answer
33 views
Difference between “inferred from” and “inferred by”
What is the difference (if any) between the following:
This fact (A) is inferred from that fact (B).
and
This fact (A) is inferred by that fact (B).
Any other preposition that could be used in ...
-1
votes
2answers
78 views
What does “No Kami-sama himself” mean?
I saw this in a novel "We are people that believe in Kami-sama and no Kami-sama himself" and I have no idea what "no Kami-sama himself" means.
Lumachina shook her head left and right.
「Even if ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
What does “First Look Companies” mean? [on hold]
Montgomery Summit occurs each year at the start of March. This year, it was held March 8-9, offering participation from first look companies, emerging firms, and growth businesses.
0
votes
1answer
36 views
Receive or Receives
Which one of the phrases is wrong? and why?
The deal is subject to ESL Investment receiving equity finance to fund the acquisition.
The deal is subject to ESL Investment receives equity finance to ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
Please help and correct me [on hold]
am i correct if i send calendar invite with the history of the communication to plan a meeting and say" Please find hereby the dialing details for the call".?
0
votes
0answers
40 views
What does “ease of presence” means? [on hold]
I heard this is a personal quality one may have, but have no idea what it refers to.
1
vote
1answer
39 views
What is the meaning of “match for” in this sentence?
I am translating error messages for a company (unfortunately I cannot reveal too much context here).
The message is "This optin does not match for this user". It it not clear to me 1) whether "optin" ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
“Made my toes warm”? [on hold]
I am reading a science-fiction short story and I met this sentence that I can't understand.
"made my toes warm"
What does it means?
Think you everybody for your help.
Andrea, Rome, Italy
0
votes
2answers
36 views
What does scope mean in this sentence?
I asked my friend who moved recently to Texas: "How's living there? A lot of Tacos, huh?"
She replied back: "Lol. Pretty much. Leaves scope for the imagination".
I know what scope means in ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
The meaning of “source”
What does the verb "source" mean in this context? It's about writing a customer story. The verb is in imperative mood.
Context:
Week 1
SOURCE
Survey your sales teams and shortlist the ...
-1
votes
0answers
22 views
Could someone please explain what this paragraph means? [on hold]
"Most likely, there are fewer emotions for which there is agreement among several listeners than there are emotions that a single listener may perceive in a piece. Even fewer emotions may be relevant ...
1
vote
1answer
35 views
meaning of “come by”
I am grateful if you could clarify the meaning of the following message I got from my supervisor in college.
"Please come by this coming Tuesday for an chat."
Which do you think is correct?
(1) come ...
-1
votes
2answers
75 views
What is the correct interpretation of 72nd Independence Day?
India just completed 71 years of independence. India became a free country on 15th August 1947.
When celebrating my birthday, for example, I turn 21 years old, I will celebrate my 21st birthday ...
2
votes
3answers
52 views
How are sophomoric and sophisticated related? [on hold]
How are sophomoric and sophisticated related? I suspect they come from the Greek Sophia for wisdom.
5
votes
2answers
50 views
Does the word “sympathizer” have a negative connotation?
Recently, at my work, there was an email which talked about the "LGBT sympathizers" community. What the author wanted to say is the "friends of the LGBT community".
Technically speaking it seems ...
-3
votes
0answers
31 views
What's the meaning of the English phrase— Be that as you may? [on hold]
Word meaning of the phrase of
Oh ! Little countess. I came across on a website! Meaning of English phrase.
1
vote
1answer
33 views
“by as much as 8 percent” means “by 8 percent” or “by up to 8 percent”?
The authors of the study, one of the most closely watched overviews of the global high-end retail market, predicted that such expansion would drive up growth across the global luxury market by as much ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Fathom. Is it a commonly used verb? [on hold]
I have come across the word FATHOM. Is it a commonly used verb in the AmE? Meaning to think, understand smth. Thank you!
7
votes
6answers
3k views
What does “junk-food-scoffing masses” mean? [on hold]
What does "junk-food-scoffing masses" mean? And what does "scoffing masses" mean here?
Europe is now the biggest market for organic food in the world, expanding by 25 percent a year over the past ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
What does it mean? “obtaining the correct papers”
I think it should be an idiom or sth like that. It has been used in the answer of this question:
What is difficult when living in a different country?
0
votes
0answers
43 views
“should” meaning in main clause of Conditional
Good day!
I want to understand opportunity and grammar of using «should» in Conditional in main clause. Is something right below:
(1) Real Future/Present Conditional: If he is there, she should tell ...
1
vote
2answers
29 views
Is there a term for thinking anything heard from an outside source about yourself or someone else is true?
This is most prominently seen with people who follow astrological signs. E.g. "Well Cancers are very sentimental people, so that totally explains me/my mom/my friend". Is there a phrase or specific ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
What is the difference between swing by, drop by, and stop by?
Do drop by, swing by, and stop by all have the same meaning? Is there a difference in usage?
3
votes
2answers
79 views
When did “docile” come to mean “calm”?
I’ve looked in accredited dictionaries, but I cannot find any one that defines “docile” as meaning “calm.” I’ve heard and seen “docile” used to mean “calm,” like in “docile people”; and I know that it ...
0
votes
2answers
57 views
What are some words or expressions which can be used to describe a wrong decision? [on hold]
What are some words/expressions with which we can describe the wrong decisions made in the past by a person/entity/organisation?
The sentence:
Real Madrid claims to have the biggest fanbase in ...
2
votes
0answers
40 views
Confusion between disparage, belittle, denigrate, deprecate and depreciate
I have been building my vocab for a month. I am pretty confused at the usage of these words; I have consulted many dictionaries like Cambridge, Merriam-Webster etc but they all seem to "prevaricate". ...
2
votes
1answer
30 views
what's the meaning of “to take a bite out of her” in a specific occasion?
Here is the thing, I was watching Sharp Objects Episode 6 and when little Camile dressed in a red cheerleader suit, waiting for some compliment but her mother kept silent, her sister said:"Mama, ...
2
votes
0answers
55 views
Does “discreet” mean “tactful” or “euphemistic”? [closed]
Could the word "discreet" be used to mean like "tactful" or "euphemistic"?
Example: Try to say no in a discreet way (i.e. say no in a careful and euphemistic way so as not to upset/offend someone ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
Can the word “reckon” be used to suggest something?
I generally use the word "reckon" to suggest something to others.
For Example:- I reckon you to start with vocabulary.
I need help to know the usage of the word "reckon", and is the word usage in ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
Difference between contraction of and contraction in
What is difference between contraction of and contraction in?
1. There is a contraction of economic output
2. There is a contraction in economic output
Which one is correct?
0
votes
2answers
36 views
“Was a moment that wasn't”
The headline of a CNN news of August 11 reads, "In Trump's White House, Charlottesville was a moment that wasn't."
What does "Charlottesville was a moment that wasn't" mean?
1
vote
1answer
39 views
What is the meaning and the grammar behind the second sentence?
I specifically need help understanding the "to recommend a wine firm in whose hands you could not go very far wrong" part. Thanks.
"Previous governesses had limited their conversation on the wine ...
