To The Point

To The Point

Vocabulary Focus:

  • Tendency
  • Sparing
  • Sparingly
  • Interminate
  • Interminable:
  • Throng
  • Particular
  • Intrepid
  • Accosted
  • Sermon
  • Stance
  • His reserved nature
  • He was against it
  • a sword of Damocles

Here are explanations and examples for those words and phrases, focusing on their meanings and nuances:

Tendency

A tendency is an inclination or a predisposition to behave in a certain way, a pattern of behavior or a proclivity towards something. It suggests a recurring or habitual action.

  • He had a tendency to be forgetful, often misplacing his keys.
  • The company has a tendency to hire young, inexperienced employees.

Sparing

Sparing means using something carefully and in moderation, avoiding waste or excess. It suggests a conscious effort to conserve resources.

  • She was sparing with her words, only speaking when necessary.
  • They were sparing in their use of electricity to conserve energy.

Sparingly

Sparingly means in a sparing manner, using something cautiously and in limited amounts. It suggests a reluctance to use something liberally.

  • He used the expensive ingredients sparingly, saving them for special occasions.
  • The doctor advised the patient to eat salt sparingly.

Interminate

Interminate means having no end or limit, endless or unending. It suggests a duration that goes on indefinitely.

  • The desert stretched out before them, seemingly interminable.
  • The wait for the train was interminable, making the passengers restless.

Interminable

Interminable means extremely long or drawn out, unending or seemingly without end. It suggests a duration that is tedious or frustrating.

  • The meeting was interminable, lasting for hours with no end in sight.
  • The journey across the country seemed interminable, filled with delays and detours.

Throng

A throng is a large crowd of people, a dense gathering of individuals. It suggests a large mass of people moving or gathered together.

  • A throng of tourists gathered to see the famous landmark.
  • The throng of shoppers made it difficult to navigate the aisles of the store.

Particular

Particular means specific or detailed, specific in requirements or standards. It suggests a strong preference or a focus on details.

  • He was very particular about his clothes, always wearing the same brand of shoes.
  • The chef was particular about the ingredients he used in his recipes.

Intrepid

Intrepid means fearless and adventurous, brave and courageous in the face of danger. It suggests a bold and fearless spirit.

  • The intrepid explorer ventured into uncharted territory.
  • The intrepid firefighter rushed into the burning building to save the trapped children.

Accosted

To accost means to approach and address someone in a bold or aggressive manner, often with the intent of interrupting or confronting them.

  • He was accosted by a beggar on the street.
  • She was accosted by a group of strangers who tried to start a fight.

Sermon

A sermon is a religious discourse, a formal talk given in a church or other place of worship.

  • The priest delivered a passionate sermon about the importance of forgiveness.
  • She listened attentively to the sermon, taking notes on the key points.

Stance

Stance means a position or attitude towards something, an opinion or viewpoint.

  • He took a firm stance against the new policy.
  • Her stance on environmental issues was well-known.

His reserved nature

His reserved nature refers to his tendency to be quiet, reticent, and cautious in expressing emotions or opinions. It suggests a personality that is introverted and not easily revealing of feelings.

  • His reserved nature made it difficult to get to know him.
  • He preferred to observe rather than participate, due to his reserved nature.

He was against it

This phrase indicates a person’s opposition or disapproval of something. It suggests a strong negative opinion.

  • He was against the proposed changes to the city’s zoning laws.
  • She was against the idea of moving to a new city.

a sword of Damocles

This phrase refers to a constant threat or danger hanging over someone’s head, a metaphorical representation of imminent danger.

  • The debt hanging over the company was a sword of Damocles, threatening its future.
  • The possibility of war loomed like a sword of Damocles over the fragile peace negotiations.

I hope these explanations are helpful! 

***

To the Point

Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was known as “Silent Cal” due to his tendency to speak sparingly. Following an interminable sermon, a throng of journalists gathered around him on one particular Sunday. One intrepid reporter accosted the President, “Mr. President, we understand that the sermon was about sin. Can you tell us what the minister’s stance on the topic was?” Coolidge, known for his reserved nature, responded, “He was against it.”

  • Tendency: kecenderungan
  • Sparing: hemat
  • Sparingly: dengan hemat
  • Interminate: tidak berakhir
  • Interminable: tidak berkesudahan
  • Throng: kerumunan
  • A throng of: sebuah kerumunan
  • Particular: tertentu
  • Particular Sunday: Minggu tertentu
  • Intrepid: berani
  • Accosted: disapa
  • Sermon: khotbah
  • Stance: sikap
  • His reserved nature: sifatnya yang tertutup
  • He was against it: dia menentangnya
  • The sword of Damocles

2nd verse

Calvin Coolidge, our thirtieth president, was named “Silent Cal” by reporters because of his laconic speech. One Sunday, after Mr. Coolidge had listened to an interminable sermon, a throng of newsmen gathered around him. An intrepid reporter accosted the Chief Executive: “Mr. President, we know that the sermon was on the topic of sin. What did the minister say?” “He was against it,” the reticent Coolidge replied.

  • Silent Cal: Silent Cal (merupakan julukan untuk Presiden Amerika Serikat ke-30, yaitu Calvin Coolidge)
  • Laconic: lakonik
  • Interminable sermon: khotbah yang tak berkesudahan
  • A throng of newsmen: kerumunan wartawan
  • Intrepid: berani, gagah berani
  • Accost: menegur, menyapa
  • Chief Executive: kepala eksekutif
  • Reticent: pendiam, tidak suka bicara
  • the sword of Damocles:

The sword of Damocles” is an expression that refers to a threat that hangs over someone’s head, which can cause danger or disaster at any moment. This expression comes from an ancient Greek legend about a servant named Damocles, who was believed to have been invited by a king to have dinner on his royal throne. However, above his head, the king placed a sword hanging by a horsehair, showing that the power held by the king also brought great risk and threat. Since then, the expression “the sword of Damocles” has been used to refer to a threat that hangs over someone’s head.

The Silent Warrior

He had a tendency to be sparing with his words, using them sparingly and only when necessary. His life was an interminate struggle against an interminable enemy, a throng of foes that never ceased to attack. He had no particular reason to fight, except for his own intrepid spirit and sense of duty. He often accosted the enemy leaders, challenging them to single combat, but they always refused. He did not care for their sermons, their empty promises and threats. He only cared for his stance, his firm position that he would never surrender. His reserved nature made him a mystery to his allies, who admired and feared him in equal measure. He was against it when they proposed a truce, a temporary peace that would only postpone the inevitable. He knew it was a trap, a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

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