it’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good, phr. ▸ few things are so bad that no one profits from them

every cloud has a silver lining, phr. ▸ every difficult or sad situation has comforting or more hopeful aspect

Pollyanna, n. ▸ very cheerful or optimistic person

New e-book: “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo

expatiate, v. ▸ speak or write in detail about

dilate on, v. ▸ speak or write at length on

divagate, v. ▸ stray or digress

digression, n. ▸ temporary departure from main subject in speech or writing

tangential, adj. ▸ diverging from previous course or line

New e-book: “Vanity Fair” by William Makepeace Thackeray

play hardball, phr. ▸ use uncompromising and ruthless methods to achieve one’s aims

knock something out of the park, phr. ▸ do something extremely well

swing for the fences, phr. ▸ attempt to satisfy high aspirations that are very difficult to achieve

step up to the plate, phr. ▸ take action in response to opportunity or crisis

inning, n. ▸ period during which person or group can achieve something

New e-book: “Anne of Green Gables” by L. M. Montgomery

vivacious, adj. ▸ attractively lively and animated (typically used of a woman)

perky, adj. ▸ cheerful and lively

bubbly, adj. ▸ (of a person) full of cheerful high spirits

sunny, adj. ▸ (of a person or their temperament) cheery and bright

spirited, adj. ▸ full of energy, enthusiasm, and determination

New e-book: “Dracula” by Bram Stoker

vampire, n. ▸ person who preys ruthlessly on others

vulture, n. ▸ person who preys on or exploits others

ravening, adj. ▸ extremely hungry and hunting for prey

pounce, v. ▸ spring or swoop suddenly so as to catch prey

prowl, v. ▸ roam restlessly and stealthily in search of prey

New e-book: “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

stitch up, v. ▸ arrange or secure deal or agreement to one’s advantage

sew up, v. ▸ bring something to favorable conclusion

button up, v. ▸ complete or conclude something satisfactorily

tie up, v. ▸ bring something to satisfactory conclusion

wind up, v. ▸ gradually or finally bring activity to conclusion

The October edition also brings Word-a-day and Cards Reminder notifications to #Android and #Windows in addition to #iOS and #macOS.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and so does a word a day matter for the gray. Now available as iPhone and Mac notifications! #vocabulary #booksky

New e-book: “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” by Edward Gibbon

fiddle while Rome burns, phr. ▸ be concerned with trivial matters while ignoring serious events

rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic, phr. ▸ make ineffective changes that fail to address serious and urgent problem

bury one’s head in the sand, phr. ▸ ignore unpleasant realities

turn a blind eye, phr. ▸ pretend not to notice

the elephant in the room, phr. ▸ major problem or controversial issue which is obviously present but is avoided as subject for discussion

New e-book: “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë

inflamed, adj. ▸ (of strong feelings) provoked or intensified

torrid, adj. ▸ full of passionate or highly charged emotions

fervid, adj. ▸ intensely passionate, especially to an excessive degree

ardent, adj. ▸ enthusiastic or passionate

fiery, adj. ▸ (of a person) passionate and quick-tempered

New e-book: “Poetry” by Edgar Allan Poe

nevermore, adv. ▸ at no future time

thenceforth, adv. ▸ from that time, place, or point onward