Word of the week: Homebody

This week's word is

homebody

which is a noun used to refer to a person who likes staying at home rather than going out, something normal when it's cold, isn't it? 

Example: I have always been a homebody, just hiding out in my little cottage. 

Word of the week: Out of touch

I'm sure you all know the expression "in touch", but what about the opposite "out of touch"? This week's expression is precisely

out of touch

which means no longer in communication with someone or no longer informed about something or up to date with something; and also no reflecting what is true or actual.

Examples: 

I've been out of touch with my brother for many years.

She's out of touch with new methods of teaching languages.

These statistics are out of touch with reality and cannot be used. 

Word of the week: Catfish

This week's word is the noun

catfish

which, apart from a type of fish, is used to refer to someone who pretends to be someone they're not, generally using social networking sites to create false identities with the aim of pursuing online romances.

Example: I was really falling for that gorgeous guy on Facebook, but he turned out to be a catfish. 

Word of the week: Chilling

Tomorrow's Halloween, so this week's word is the adjective

chilling

which means frightening, usually because it's connected to something violent or cruel. 

Examples:

Paul told us a chilling story about a murderer. 

The film evokes chilling reminders of the war.

Word of the week: Deadlock

This week's word is

deadlock

which means a complete failure to reach an agreement or settle an argument.

Examples:
The strike has reached a deadlock. (noun)

Despite months of discussion the negotiations remained deadlocked. (adjective)

Word of the week: I don't like the look of this

This week's expression is

I don't like the look of sth/sb

which means I feel a bit uneasy about something or somebody.

Example:

Do you know Tom's new friend, Jerry? I don't like the look of him at all. 

In Spanish we'll say something like 'me da mala espina' or 'no me gusta la pinta de eso'.

Word of the week: Crackpot

This week's word is

crackpot

which means (noun referring to a person) a crazy or very strange person; (adjective for an idea) foolish.

Examples: 

Some crackpot called to tell us that the sky is falling in.

Tommy had a crackpot idea and all his stupid friends followed it.

Word of the week: The penny dropped

This week's idiom is

the penny dropped

which means that you have finally understood something.

Example: It was only when I saw Peter's car outside Sally's house that the penny dropped and I realised they were having an affair. 

Word of the week: Stay tuned

For the last post on word of the week before the summer starts, there you go the expression

stay tuned

which means to hang on or await more news on a subject. So, it means, there won't be any more posts during the summer, but the blog will be back in September.

Word of the Week: Down-to-earth

This week's word is the adjective

down-to-earth

which means sensible, realistic and practical, in a way that is helpful and friendly; not pretentious.

Examples:

Despite the fact that he won a lot of money, he's very down-to-earth. 

He's a down-to-earth, average guy who's turned his life round.

Word of the week: Nasty

This week's adjective is

nasty

which means very bad or unpleasant; morally offensive or in bad taste; or even exasperatingly difficult to solve.

Examples:

Don't buy that coat; it looks cheap and nasty.

Try not to make nasty comments about her speech. 

He told a very nasty joke.

That's a very nasty problem. I don't know what we can do about it.

Word of the week: Come in handy

This week's expression is

come in handy

which means to be useful or convenient for a certain purpose.

Examples:
I always keep paper clips in my pencil case; you never know when they'll come in handy.

I'll keep these bottles; they might come in handy.

Word of the week: To tail someone

This week's word is

to tail someone

which is an informal way of saying to follow somebody and keep them under surveillance.

Example: A flock of paparazzi has tailed them all over Berlin. 

A similar expression is on someone's tail which means following somebody closely. 

Example: A police car stayed on her tail for ten minutes. 

Word of the week: Practice makes perfect!

This week's expression is for all of you who are having exams these days

practice makes perfect

and it means that doing something over and over again is the only way to learn to do it well. So, if you practise English a lot, you'll do well in your exams, for example. 

I know it may sound as something teachers say a lot. However, when it comes to languages, practice is everything. I've learned from experience that if you watch many TV series in English, you'll improve your listening skills; and if you read a lot of books, you'll improve your reading comprehension. 

So, now that you know how, you just have to do it!

Word of the week: To miss the boat

This week's expression is

to miss the boat

which means not taking advantage of a good opportunity.

Example: Pay attention or you'll miss the boat and not learn English.

If you want some more examples in context, click and listen to the following audio: To miss the boat

Word of the week: Out of place

This week's expression is

out of place

which means in a setting where one is or feels inappropriate.

Example:
A green suit was out of place at the funeral.
He had always felt out of place in her family.

Word of the week: Borderline

This week's word is the adjective

borderline

which means of a questionable nature or quality, that is to say, on the edge of one category and verging on another.

Example: She got a borderline pass in her last exam.

Word of the week: Mark my words

This week's expression is

mark my words

which is an expression used to warn people about something which you believe will come true for sure, in other words, it is the same as saying listen to what I'm about to say since it will turn out to be true. You can place it before or after a sentence.  

Example:
Mark my words, that car will break down on the way there.
That marriage won't last, mark my words.

Word of the week: Outraged

This week's adjective is

outraged

which means shocked and angry.

Example: He was outraged at the way he had been treated.

Outrage can also be used as a noun and as a verb; and if you need to describe a thing you can use the adjective outrageous which means very shocking and unacceptable.
Example: She says the most outrageous things sometimes. 

Word of the week: In the back of beyond

This week's expression is

in/at the back of beyond

which means in a place which is far away from somewhere and difficult to get to.

Examples: 

He lives in some tiny remote village in the back of beyond.

I don't recommend that hotel. It's at the back of beyond.

How would you say that in Spanish? Write your answer in a comment!