“virus”

“virus”

(noun) A computer program that tries to move from one computer to another and destroy or change computer files.

A “virus” is a little animal that gets inside our bodies and makes us sick–our computers get “sick” when they get viruses, too!

Examples: 

I had to take my computer in for [...]

“(on the) brink”

“(on the) brink”

(noun) A point right before something (an action or event) is certain (or likely) to begin.

The “brink” of something is like the edge of cliff; once you step off the cliff, you will have no choice but to fall!

Examples: 

The two countries were on the brink of [...]

“behind-the-scenes”

“behind-the-scenes”

(adjective/adverb) Not seen by the public.

“Behind-the-scenes” is an idiom that comes from the theater. When you are at the theater, you only see what is happening on stage–you don’t see all the activity going on behind the curtain that is being done to make the performance look good on stage.

[...]

“cut corners”

“cut corners”

(verb) To economize, to try to spend less money.

When you cut corners, you spend less money than you should; usually something important (value, safety, effectiveness) is reduced because you have spent less money.

Examples: 

Because we were forced to cut corners on performance checks, the new computer design didn’t [...]

“in black and white”

“in black and white”

( adverb) Written; clear and easy to see or understand.

Examples: 

The company refused to deal with the customer’s complaints until they were put in black and white.

The store manager said the reason why she had to fire two people [...]

“freight”

“freight”

(noun) Products carried by a large vehicle. (adjective) Something that carries freight (train, truck, van or car only).

Examples: 

What kind of freight is in your truck? You usually carry lumber.

Freight trains transport goods all around the country.

Our TOEIC Words of [...]

Word of the Week 7-5-11

“hospitality”

(noun) Generous treatment of guests.

Examples: 

This hotel has great hospitality; they have a free wine tasting in the lobby every night.

If you wish to order any food from the hotel restaurant to be delivered to your room, please call the hospitality department.

[...]

Word of the Week 5-31-11

“advance notice”

(noun) Being informed before something happens.

Examples: 

Because I was given advance notice about the topic of his speech, I was able to prepare questions.

Because there was no advance notice of the schedule changes at the conference, there was a lot of [...]

Word of the Week 5-24-11

“work out”

(verb) To end successfully, to have a specific result; to succeed.

Examples: 

I hope that everything will work out for my friend when she moves to Japan; she doesn’t even know how to speak Japanese.

We able to work out the details of [...]

Word of the Week 5-17-11

“institute”

(verb) To establish, to begin. (noun) A place of study and/or research.

Institutes are often places where a lot of research is being conducted, or where people can study very specific topics.

Examples: 

The company instituted a new policy regarding what employees need to wear while at work.

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