Ret's Word of the Day

Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 46, 2026 View this lesson in your browser WEEK 46 • 2026 A five-minute English lesson for your weekend THIS WEEK'S EXPRESSION Be sleeping at the wheel idiomatic expression | /biː ˈsliːpɪŋ ət ðə wiːl/ MEANING Be sleeping at the wheel means to fail to pay attention to something you are responsible for, allowing problems to develop or opportunities to pass. En français : Manquer de vigilance ; ne pas être à la hauteur de ses responsabilités ; laisser passer les problèmes sans réagir. How is it used? The image is of a driver who is not watching the road. Figuratively, it criticises someone who should be alert and taking action. Be asleep at the wheel is the standard dictionary form; be sleeping at the wheel is also used. The expression can sound accusatory, so use it carefully at work. Useful pattern: [Person or organisation] + is/was/has been + sleeping at the wheel. Example...

Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 43, 2026 View this lesson in your browser WEEK 43 • 2026 A five-minute English lesson for your weekend THIS WEEK'S EXPRESSION cut to the chase idiom  |  /kʌt tə ðə tʃeɪs/ MEANING cut to the chase means to get straight to the point and leave out unnecessary details or small talk. En français : Aller droit au but • En venir à l’essentiel. How is it use...

Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 42, 2026 View this lesson in your browser WEEK 42 • 2026 A five-minute English lesson for your weekend THIS WEEK'S EXPRESSION It’s a long shot idiom  |  /ɪts ə ˈlɒŋ ʃɒt/ MEANING It’s a long shot means something has only a very small chance of success or of happening. En français : C’est peu probable • Ça a peu de chances de réussir. How is it ...

Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 41, 2026 View this lesson in your browser WEEK 41 • 2026 A five-minute English lesson for your weekend THIS WEEK'S EXPRESSION It's all Greek to me idiom  |  /ɪts ɔːl ˈɡriːk tə miː/ MEANING It's all Greek to me means you cannot understand something at all — it looks or sounds completely incomprehensible. En français : C'est du chinois pour moi / C'est incompréhensible pour moi. ...

Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 40, 2026 View this lesson in your browser WEEK 40 • 2026 A five-minute English lesson for your weekend THIS WEEK'S EXPRESSION touch base phrasal verb  |  /ˌtʌtʃ ˈbeɪs/ MEANING To touch base means to make brief contact with someone, usually to exchange information, discuss progress or make arrangements. En français : reprendre contact, faire le point ou se tenir au courant. ...

Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 25, 2026 🖥️ View on Blogger Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 25, 2026 FEATURED EXPRESSION The idiom "plenty of fish in the sea" means that there are many other opportunities or people available, especially in the context of romantic relationships. It is often used to comfort someone who has just ended a relationship or been rejected, reminding them that they will find someone else. ...

🖥️ View on Blogger Ret's Weekend English Roundup • Week 21, 2026 FEATURED LESSON The phrasal verb scoff at means to speak about something in a way that shows you think it is silly, unimportant, or wrong. It is used when someone mocks or dismisses an idea, suggestion, or belief. We can use it in various tenses: "Don't scoff at my idea!" or "She scoffed at the thought of leaving early." ...