Phrases & Expressions

To have a slight suspicion or idea about something.

• I had an inkling that he was lying.
• She had no inkling of the surprise party.

With the audience sitting on all sides of the stage or performance area.

• The play was performed in the round.
• Watching a concert in the round makes everyone feel close to the stage.

In the area of low air pressure directly behind a fast-moving vehicle or rider.

• The cyclist rode in the slipstream of the leader to save energy.
• Racing cars save fuel by driving in the slipstream of the car in front.

A saying that naming a strong emotion helps you calm it down.

• When you feel anxious, try to name it to tame it.
• The counsellor taught us to name it to tame it in stressful moments.

In business, the choice between changing strategy or continuing with the current plan, based on results.

• After six months of weak sales, the founders faced a pivot or persevere decision.
• It's time to decide: pivot or persevere.

An annual challenge encouraging people to reduce or eliminate plastic use during July.

• Many people take part in Plastic Free July to help the environment.
• Are you joining the Plastic Free July campaign this year?

Time that was used in a useful or enjoyable way.

• The extra hours of practice were time well spent.
• Visiting my grandparents is always time well spent.

A method for prioritizing tasks by plotting their potential value against the effort required.

• The value vs effort matrix showed clear winners.
• We used value vs effort to decide which projects to start.

A specific goal or set of requirements that must be met in a game or competition to win.

• What is the victory condition here?
• Achieving this is the victory condition.

Wanting to do something and also having the ability to do it.

• We need volunteers who are willing and able to work at weekends.
• My grandmother is still willing and able to look after the children.