Heartland English School – Word of the Day

Theme: Elections

Word: campaign (verb, noun)

Meaning: work in an organized and active way toward a particular goal, typically a political or social one

Example: During an election campaign, politicians try to talk to as many people as possible.

Example: You can check the news to see where the party leaders are campaigning today.

Theme: Elections

Word: election

Meaning: a formal and organized choice by vote of a person for a political office or other position

Example: Prime Minister Trudeau recently called an election. Canadians will elect their Members of Parliament on September 20th.

Other forms: elect (verb), elected, electable (adjective)

Theme: Water

Word: water under the bridge

Meaning: This is used to say that a difficult or negative situation is now in the past, and that it isn’t important to think about anymore. It’s often used to suggest forgiveness. It compares the past to water passing (and disappearing) under a bridge.

Examples:

• Jason and I didn’t use to get along, but that’s just water under the bridge. Now we are good friends.

• Don’t worry about our little argument yesterday. It’s water under the bridge.

Theme: Water

Word: (like) a fish out of water

Meaning: Someone who feels awkward and out of place because they are in a situation that is very unfamiliar to them. It is most often used when this situation is unique to them (and the other people around them are more comfortable). It comes from the idea of a fish awkwardly flopping around on land.

Examples:

• Susie felt like a fish out of water in her high level calculus class. Everyone else seemed to have no trouble, but she couldn’t understand anything!

• Harry is single, and when he goes out with his married friends he feels a bit like a fish out of water.

Theme: Water

Word: keep your head above water

Meaning: to survive a difficult ongoing situation. It comes from the idea of continuously swimming to avoid going under the water.

Examples:

• Jim lost his job, but he and his wife were able to keep their heads above water by spending less money.

• “How is your new school?” “It’s really difficult! I’m keeping my head above water, though.”

Theme: Water

Word: test the waters

Meaning: to try to check what something will be like (or what people’s reaction to something will be) before you actually do it. It comes from the idea of putting a toe or foot into water to see what the temperature is before you jump in.

Examples:

• The company tested the waters for their new product idea by sending out surveys and doing research before they decided to produce it.
  
• Before you decide to get a job in this industry, why don’t you test the waters a little and talk to people who work there to see what it’s like?

Theme: Water

Word: (be) in hot water

Meaning: to be in a difficult or troublesome situation where you are attracting a lot of negative attention and criticism

Examples:

• Marie was late for work again on Tuesday. I think she is going to be in hot water with her boss this time.
  
• The company is in hot water over the offensive remarks tweeted by their CEO.

Theme: Gym Accessories

an exercise ball

Meaning: a large, vinyl ball you can use to strengthen and stretch your body, improving core stability and balance

Example: The trainer made us do pushups on our exercise balls.

Other names: physioball, fitball, Swiss ball

Theme: Gym Accessories

a resistance band

Meaning: an elastic band used for strength training

Example: Resistance bands are great to use at home because they don’t take up as much space as dumbbells.

Other names: workout bands, exercise bands, stretch bands

Theme: Gym Accessories

a foam roller

Meaning: a lightweight, cylindrical tube of compressed foam, used to increase flexibility, reduce soreness, and eliminate muscle knots

Example: After running, it’s good to use a foam roller under your legs to stretch your muscles.