English Journalistic Gems

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  • Brainpower

    Brainpower

    Intelligence or ability to think

    Examples 

    I believe that children are different in the way they learn, in terms of size, height, colour of eyes and brainpower.

    Awesome brainpower! Gr8 choice!

  • Hang one’s hat

    Hang one’s hat

    To settle down; make oneself at home

    Examples 

    I’ve finally found my dream job and I plan to hang my hat there for years to come.

    Who cares? Best city is where you hang your hat!

  • Vet out

    Vet out

    Check out; investigate thoroughly to ensure suitability

    Examples

    We need to vet out the candidates before the interview.

    We need to do our due diligence and research to vet out all of the safety issues.

    Thankfully, there’s time to vet this guy out.

  • Old chestnut

    Old chestnut 

    A story or joke that has been told so many times that it has become stale and uninteresting

    Examples 

    —“I think we should do a team-building exercise where we all fall backwards into each other’s arms.”

    —“ That’s just an old chestnut. We’ve done that exercise every year for the past five years.”

    The accident is not that old chestnut again!

  • Beggar belief

    Beggar belief

    To be unbelievable; to defy belief 

    Examples 

    The spectacular vista at the Grand Canyon beggars belief.

    My boss’s incompetence is astounding. It truly beggars all belief.

    Beggars belief that racists like this are allowed to peddle their divisive filth.

  • Drip

    Drip

    Be fashionable 

    Example

    When sycophancy is so strong it makes the page drip. Surely it’s time for people to grow up and stop this awful celebrity idolization.

  • Mental positives

    Mental positives

    Positive thinking, positive mental attitude

    Example 

    During the pandemic, many of us discovered it’s much easier to manage weight issues by reducing or eliminating unhealthy, high calorie restaurant meals. Purchasing & cooking your food not only saves A LOT money, mental positives has gained by “slowing down” to enjoy a home cooked meal. 

  • Pay through the nose

    Pay through the nose

    Pay more for it than is fair or reasonable

    Examples 

    After paying through the nose for the penalty, how many more workers will the company layoff? 

    Some restaurant owners have even noticed that we do not like paying through the nose for our wines when eating out. 

  • Sucker punch

    Sucker punch

    A hard  blow to someone’s body when they are not expecting it

    Examples 

    Being the one who was laid off can feel like a sucker punch. 

    Another sucker punch!

  • Rag

    Rag

    A newspaper that is considered to be of bad quality; a sleazy newspaper

    Example

    Give it up, young man, get your life back with the family that loves you. Newspapers are rags. Wipe your car down with them.

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