Category Archives: Language & Terms

What is an “Empty Nest”? (Video)

Posted on Tuesday - October 13, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

What does it mean to have an “empty nest”? Find out in this short 3-minute video: Check out the lesson I talk about in this video, Daily English 444 – Planning for Retirement. And get more information on our Unlimited … Continue reading →

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3 Expressions That Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean

Posted on Tuesday - September 22, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

As you know, just learning the meaning of individual words isn’t enough to understand everyday English. There are many expressions for which simply defining the meaning of each individual word would be misleading (give you the wrong idea). That’s what … Continue reading →

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Raising versus Begging the Question

Posted on Tuesday - September 15, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

In our Daily English 210 – A Family Road Trip, we use the expression, “to question the wisdom of (something).” In this short video, I explain two more expressions with “question”: to raise the question and to beg the question. … Continue reading →

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In the Line of Duty

Posted on Tuesday - August 18, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Like many of you, I’ve mostly been staying home over the past few months, and I’ve been catching up on (doing what others have already done) some TV series. One I’ve enjoyed is a British series called Line of Duty. … Continue reading →

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Being Locked Down is Better Than Being Locked Up

Posted on Monday - July 27, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Many countries have used lockdowns to respond to the coronavirus. A lockdown is when people in a place or area are prevented from leaving or traveling around freely: “There are lockdowns in many U.S. cities that have closed restaurants.” In … Continue reading →

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Dad Jokes

Posted on Tuesday - June 23, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Last Sunday was Father’s Day in the United States, so it’s a good time to talk about “Dad jokes.” In recent years, people have started classifying (identifying; labeling) certain not-very-sophisticated jokes as “Dad jokes.” These are usually simple jokes, often … Continue reading →

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Blood is Thicker Than Water

Posted on Tuesday - June 16, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Americans will celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, June 21st, so it’s a good time to talk about expressions in English related to family and relatives (people related to you by blood). One well-known saying is “Blood is thicker than water.” … Continue reading →

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How to Get a Date by Lingering

Posted on Tuesday - May 19, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

In another edition of English With Your Coffee, I talk about a newspaper headline related to “lingering.” I also explain one of the reasons I wasn’t very good at dating when I was younger. ~Jeff P.S. For more English related … Continue reading →

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English With Your Coffee: Rallies, Momentum, and Mementos

Posted on Wednesday - May 6, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

  We talk about stock market rallies, momentum, and mementos in this edition of English With Your Coffee. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage (drink) and enjoy! ~Jeff P.S. For useful English about the stock market, check out Daily … Continue reading →

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Right Off the Bat

Posted on Wednesday - April 29, 2020 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Today I talk briefly about two popular expressions in English: “right off the bat” and “hit it out of the bark.” Both are related to the world’s greatest sport, baseball. Enjoy! For more idiomatic expressions, check out our Daily English … Continue reading →

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