New Year, New You.
Bye to old year, Hello to New Year.
As Earth takes another spin around the Sun, a
new year begins with fresh hopes and possibilities.
Today’s patience becomes tomorrow’s strength.
Every New Year, millions of people resolve to
change their lives, but most of these resolutions gradually lose
steam. This time, I must make my 2026 resolutions stick.
We enjoyed our lunch al fresco under the
shade of the trees. (in the open air / outdoors)
The café offers al fresco dining by the riverside.
Do not expect too much from life.
Don’t lose sleep over things you cannot control.
She has been losing sleep over worries about her
future.
After a long day at work, his eyes glazed with
tiredness. (became dull and unfocused)
After hours of reading, her eyes glazed. (became
tired and unfocused)
She was dazed after hearing the unexpected
announcement. (confused and shocked)
The blow left him dazed for a few moments.
(stunned and unable to think clearly)
Only at first glance, his charm and wit completely swept
her off her feet. (made her fall in love instantly)
✅ Sweep someone off their
feet (to make someone fall in love quickly or feel extremely
impressed/admire someone deeply)
The beauty of the hills swept the tourists off their feet.
(amazed and delighted them)
That surprise job offer in SG completely swept me
off my feet. (made me extremely happy and amazed)
With all the challenges and expenses, the journey
was immensely fulfilling. (gave great satisfaction and joy
despite difficulties)
Interest in electric vehicles is gathering steam.
(increasing rapidly)
The festival preparations gathered steam as
the date approached. (progressed rapidly)
The final exam will test students’ mettle. (challenge
their courage, determination, and ability to perform under pressure)
✅ Test someone’s mettle (to
challenge someone’s courage, determination, or strength of character)
The soldiers’ training tested their mettle.
The new government promised to flush out corruption
from the administration. (get rid of, uncover, or eliminate something bad or
hidden)
The government launched a drive to flush out bribery in
government offices.
The new business is going great guns.
✅ Going great guns (idiom) – to be
doing very well, making rapid progress, or succeeding energetically
Sales of the product are going great guns this
year.
The team is going great guns in the
championship.
He said things he later regretted in a fit of rage.
(a sudden outburst of intense anger)
Only a dimwit (a person who is not very
intelligent; a foolish person) would repeat the same error again and again.
Let’s talk shop and finalize the project
details.
✅ Let’s talk shop (idiom) – to
discuss work, business, or professional matters.
They met for coffee and began to talk shop.
Work hard now; then and only then (at
that time and not before; only in that particular situation) will you
achieve success.
When you understand the basics, then and only then should
you move to advanced topics.
Without proper care, the ancient manuscripts
could crumble into dust.
His dreams seemed to crumble into dust after
repeated failures.
Public anger is at its peak after the incident.
His anger reached its peak during the
argument.
The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds
in his actions.
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
Every mistake teaches us what didn’t work and helps us make
smarter choices next time. True success comes from learning, adapting,
and trying again with greater wisdom.
Honesty is a basic axiom (a statement or
rule that is accepted as true without proof) of good character.
It is an axiom that hard work leads to success.
In mathematics, an axiom forms the foundation of
logical reasoning.
Decisions made using guesswork (by
estimating or guessing rather than knowing for sure) often lead to mistakes.
She solved some of the puzzle using guesswork when
clues were missing.
Wise men speak when they have something to say, fools
speak because they have to say something.
She gave a gritty performance despite the
pain. (showing courage, determination, and strength in difficult situations)
The team showed a gritty spirit and refused to give
up.
Only those who go through difficulties understand
the real pain.
The mother threatened to spank (hit
someone, especially a child, lightly on the bottom as a form of
punishment) the child for breaking the window.
In earlier times, children were often spanked
for disobedience.
Always try to turn every disaster into an opportunity.
Money is not evil per se; it is how it is used
that matters.
✅ Per se (adverb) – by itself; in
itself; intrinsically.
The idea isn’t wrong per se, but the timing is poor.
He is not lazy per se; he just lacks
motivation.
Agriculture suffers greatly in a water-stressed country
during droughts.
Singapore is a water-stressed / water-scarce
city.
Singapore faces water stress due to limited
freshwater resources.
That brand has fallen out of favour among
young people.
✅ Fall out of favour (idiom) – to
lose approval, support, or popularity.
The old customs have fallen out of favour in
modern society.
In traditional methods, people pound rice into
flour using a wooden mortar and pestle.
The court ordered the company to reinstate (restore
someone or something to a former position, condition, or status) the dismissed
employee.
The government decided to reinstate the old policy after
public demand.
The rumbling of thunder could be heard in
the distance. (a deep, continuous, low sound, often suggesting something
approaching or building up)
A rumbling noise came from the old engine.
The rumbling of thunder filled the sky (বজ্রগর্জন).
We heard the rumbling of the train in the
distance. (ট্রেনের
গম্ভীর গোঁ গোঁ শব্দ)
My stomach is rumbling with hunger. (পেটের গড়গড় শব্দ)
The rumbling engine indicated a mechanical
problem. (ইঞ্জিনের
গমগমে শব্দ)
There were rumblings of protest across the
city. (অসন্তোষের
গুঞ্জন)
A new phone feels thrilling in the first few days.
The king was overthrown by an usurper who
seized the throne by force. (a person who takes a position, power, or authority
illegally or by force)
The usurper ruled the country without any
legal right.
A storm came out of the blue and ruined the
picnic. (suddenly and unexpectedly (হঠাৎ করে, কোনো পূর্বসংকেত ছাড়াই))
Out of the blue, they announced the exam date.
He showed up out of the blue at my
doorstep.
She wore a thick jacket to beat the chill in
the early morning. (to keep warm or protect oneself from cold (ঠান্ডা কাটানো / শীত থেকে নিজেকে
বাঁচানো))
A cup of hot tea helps beat the chill on
winter evenings.
Bad days are unavoidable; a good attitude is a choice.
Days change—your attitude doesn’t have to.
Strong people are not born into strength; they are shaped,
tempered, and forged by the storms they weather.
You know it’s love when all you want is that person
to be happy, even if you’re not part of their happiness.
I esteem my own reputation above temporary
pleasure. (respect and admire)
I esteem my own reputation and refuse to lie or
cheat.
He esteems hard work and discipline above
everything else.
Teachers who are dedicated are greatly esteemed in
society.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own
reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
Do not fear starting over; it gives you the strength
to rebuild your life around your true aspirations.
You ought to respect your parents. (right,
advisable, or morally correct. (উচিত / করা উচিত))
Students ought to study regularly.
You ought to keep your promises.
A meaningful life can be extremely satisfying even in the
midst of hardship, whereas a meaningless life is a terrible ordeal no matter
how comfortable it is.
Begin and end each day in gratitude for life’s smallest
mercies; in time, you’ll realize how profoundly blessed you are.
He made a fatuous remark that embarrassed
everyone. (foolishly confident, silly, or lacking intelligence
(মূর্খ / নির্বোধ আত্মবিশ্বাসে ভরা))
Her fatuous smile showed she didn’t
understand the seriousness of the issue.
The plan sounded clever but was actually fatuous.
Ignoring the issue may make the problem
worse over time.
His fatuous comments only made the problem
worse.
Many clout chasers create fake
controversies to gain followers. (people who seek attention, fame, or
influence, especially on social media, by associating with popular people,
trends, or controversies)
He is not serious about the cause; he’s just a clout
chaser. (মনোযোগ
ও জনপ্রিয়তা পাওয়ার জন্য অন্যের খ্যাতি বা ট্রেন্ডের পেছনে ছোটা মানুষ)
The song was a hit with the media.
The song grabbed massive media attention.
The sudden price hike kicked up a stir among
consumers. (cause excitement, controversy, or strong public reaction)
His controversial post kicked up a stir online.
(হইচই
ফেলে দেওয়া / আলোড়ন সৃষ্টি করা)
The judge’s remark kicked up a stir in
legal circles.
The hill station witnessed a deluge of tourists during
the holiday season. (a large quantity or sudden flood of something)
The actor received a deluge of praise after
the film’s release. (প্রচুর পরিমাণে / ঢল নেমে আসা)
Social media was flooded with a deluge of comments.
She peered out of the window to see who was
calling her. (look carefully or with difficulty from a hidden or enclosed
place)
Passengers peered out of the train windows at the
passing scenery.
Tourists peered out of the bus to catch
a glimpse of the hills. (উঁকি দিয়ে দেখা / আড়াল থেকে তাকানো)
A deep fissure opened in the ground after
the earthquake. (a long, narrow crack or split, especially one that forms in rock,
ground, or between people or groups)
The drought caused fissures in the dry farmland.
Political disagreements created a fissure within
the party. (ফাটল /
চিড়)
His remarks on social media drew sharp criticism.
The violent attack drew sharp condemnation from
world leaders.
The New Year begins with a gush of resolutions, but
most of these New Year’s resolutions are like dewdrops on grass, destined
to fizzle out in the very first week of the new year.
She prodded him with her elbow to wake him
up. (খোঁচা
দেওয়া / উসকানো / তাগিদ দেওয়া)
The teacher prodded the students to think harder.
(poke, push, or urge someone to take action)
She felt unloved after being ignored by her
friends.
Many old toys lie unloved in the attic.
✅ Attic — a space or room just
below the roof of a house, often used for storage
(ছাদের ঘর / ছাদের নিচের কক্ষ / আলমারির উপরে রাখা ঘর)
We stored old clothes and toys in the
attic.
The attic was dusty and full of forgotten
furniture.
She climbed up to the attic to find the old
photo albums.
The student’s cheeky answer amused the
entire class. (bold or slightly rude in a playful or amusing way)
His cheeky behavior didn’t go unnoticed by
his parents. (বেআক্কেল,
দুষ্টু
কিন্তু মজাদারভাবে)
She wore a cheeky grin after surprising
everyone.
Success means nothing if you don’t have the right people
to share it with; otherwise, you’re just gonna end up lonely.
He gave up a life of luxury to choose poverty.
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s
possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible!
Ignoring climate change is an example of ostrich
mentality.
✅ Ostrich mentality — the habit of
ignoring problems by pretending they don’t exist, instead of facing them
His ostrich mentality about health issues delayed proper
treatment.
The school’s ostrich mentality ignored repeated
complaints. (সমস্যা
এড়িয়ে যাওয়ার মানসিকতা)
Everyone begins a business with big dreams and
hopes it will grow very big someday, but success comes only through
hard work.
Sometimes, when there’s no one to hear you, you
have to talk to yourself.
When we strive to become better than we are, everything
around us becomes better too.
The company plans to productize its new
software for use by small businesses. (turn something (an idea, service, technology,
or process) into a sellable product)
They decided to productize their training program to
sell it online.
We need to productize this app idea before pitching
it to investors.
She has no clear vision of her future.
She lacks a definite plan for her future.
The CEO decided to hand over the reins to
his successor. (give someone else control or responsibility, especially in a
leadership role.
After 20 years, she finally handed over the reins of
the company to her son. (নিয়ন্ত্রণ বা দায়িত্ব অন্যকে দেওয়া)
Stay faithful, for something amazing is on its
way.
She is looking spiffy today.
✅ Spiffy — smart, neat, stylish,
or attractive in appearance
He arrived spiffy and well-groomed.
Workplace
The office looks spiffy after renovation.
Everyone looked spiffy at the wedding.
Don’t nurse the pain of insult; let your success
answer it.
Don’t bury insult in sorrow—rise with success and
let it speak for you.
He continued to nurse his anger instead of forgiving.
✅ Nurse (verb) — to hold on to a
feeling (especially pain, anger, or resentment) for a long time
She nursed her disappointment quietly.
She nursed hopes of returning to SG.
✅
The employees were told to fall in line with
company policies. (start following rules, orders, or the same way of thinking
as others)
He refused to fall in line with unfair
rules.
That was an out-of-the-way suggestion. (unusual or strange)
The artist is known for his out-of-the-way style.
He has some out-of-the-way ideas. (unusual, uncommon, or
unconventional)
Returning a lost phone to its owner is nothing out
of the ordinary for me. (something normal, not special, or not
extraordinary)
That trip created an enduring memory for
the whole family. (a memory that lasts for a very long time and does not fade
easily)
The teacher’s words became an enduring memory
for the students.
Childhood experiences often turn into enduring
memories.
After months at home, he felt the itch to
travel again. (have a strong urge or desire to do something)
She felt the itch to start her own
business.
I’m feeling the itch to learn a new
language.
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority,
it is time to pause and reflect.
Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean it’s
right; think for yourself.
A man is born to work, to suffer and to fight; he who
doesn’t, must perish.
The greatest happiness is to know the source of
unhappiness.
Identifying what makes you unhappy allows you to overcome
it.
The man who has no imagination has no wings.
Positivity attracts positivity like a magnet.
The brighter we shine, the more good things will happen to us.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think,
more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.
He who can listen to the music in the midst of noise can
achieve great things.
Focus and inner calm lead to success, even in tough
situations.
Every other day, he goes out and eats outside. (One
day he does it, the next day he doesn’t)
✅ “every other day” = on alternate
days
He studies English every other day to avoid burnout,
not every day.
I am running this small business as a stepping stone to
a bigger business in the future.
This small business is a stepping stone for
me toward a larger business in the future. (something that helps you make
progress toward a bigger goal, especially in career, business, or life. It is
not the final goal, but an important starting point)
She used the small business as a stepping stone to
build a large company. ( a small step that leads to something bigger)
Failure can be a stepping stone, not a setback. (a
temporary stage for future success)
Running a restaurant can be a punishing
business with long hours and thin margins.
Do good from the heart, not from mood or need.
Make friends from the heart, not from mood or need.
(not driven by mood or need)
Renewable energy is considered a sunshine
industry because of global demand. (a business or sector that is
growing fast, has a bright future, and offers many opportunities, especially
for jobs and investment)
The tech sector has become a sunshine industry in
recent years.
The chartered vehicle is still smouldering.
(burn slowly without flames, producing smoke)
The campfire smouldered long after we left the site. (burn
slowly)
After the wildfire, the forest floor still
smouldered for days.
Everybody would love to be themselves, but they can’t
because they must fall in line with the person in front of them.
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Making decisions with half-boiled knowledge
can be dangerous. (something not fully done, developed, or thought through. It
is often used figuratively to criticize ideas, plans, or efforts)
The plan sounded ambitious but turned out to be
half-boiled. (poorly thought out)
———-
⚡🚀 Things You Must Stop
Doing to Move Forward :
First, stop regretting the past. What’s done is
done, and you cannot change what has already happened. Instead, learn from your
mistakes and use those lessons to move forward in life.
Second, stop worrying about the future. Free
yourself from fear of the unknown and trust your ability to handle whatever
comes your way. Worry only steals your peace and energy.
Third, stop looking for happiness in other people.
True happiness comes from within, and when you find it inside yourself,
everything else begins to fall into place naturally.
Fourth, stop underestimating your inner strength.
You are stronger than you think. Believe in your abilities, embrace your
resilience, and remember that every setback is an opportunity to learn and
grow.
Everything is temporary—so stay grateful in good times and
patient in hard times.
———–
I am game for a new challenge. (willing, ready,
or happy to do something)
I am game for anything that helps me
grow.
Fear takes away the soul of creativity.
(remove the essence, spirit, joy, or true meaning of something, making it feel
empty or lifeless)
Corruption takes away the soul of democracy.
Greed takes away the soul of humanity.
Constant pressure can take away the soul of a job.
Dishonesty takes away the soul of a relationship.
War takes away the soul of a nation.
We want to tap into her popularity to grow
our market. (use her fame and public influence)
After the loss, the team rebounded strongly.
(recover or improve after a setback)
Sales rebounded after a slow quarter.
She rebounded from failure with renewed
confidence.
The company is expecting a rebound in profits.
The company set a lofty target of doubling
its revenue this year.
Winning the championship was a lofty target, but the
team worked hard and achieved it.
She aims to publish five books in a year, a truly
lofty target.
She is fickle in her friendships; one day
she’s close to you, the next she’s distant.
The weather in this city is so fickle—sunny in
the morning, raining by noon.
Investors can be fickle, quickly moving their money
from one stock to another.
He sat alone, brooding over his past mistakes.
Don’t brood over things you can’t change. (worry
deeply)
She brooded in silence after the argument.
She walked away when she realized he was trying to coerce her
into a relationship. (forcing or pressuring someone to enter or continue a
relationship against their will, using threats, emotional manipulation, fear,
or pressure. This is wrong and unethical, and in many places, illegal)
He was coerced into signing the document.
Health risks exist at both extremes of body weight—being
obese or extremely thin.
She did short stints at different companies
to gain experience. (short periods of time spent doing a particular job,
activity, or duty)
After a brief stint in sales, he switched careers.
For many, New Year resolutions fall fast as old
habits return.
Holidays help flush out stress, and quality time with
family can actually increase productivity.
We should mentally prepare him for
the challenges ahead.
She prepared herself mentally to face the
interview.
Parents must prepare children mentally to handle
failure.