1. a clean bill of health – a declaration that someone is healthy again 2. a clean break – a complete separation 3. a clean getaway – an undetected escape 4. a clean slate/sheet – free of existing commitments and restrictions 5. a new broom sweeps clean – people who are new to a responsibility will make vast changes 6. as clean as a whistle – very clean 7. clean cut – appearing neat and tidy 8. elbow grease –physical effort...
Last week marked summer solstice – the longest day of the year. The word 'solstice' has been used in English since the mid-13th century. It comes from the Latin ‘sol’ meaning ‘sun’ and ‘sistere’ meaning ‘stand still’. To celebrate the end of spring and the beginning of summer, here are twenty idioms about the warm weather seasons: a place in the sun – a position of advantage a touch of the sun – slight sunstroke come rain or shine – whatever the weather/situation everything under the sun – everything on earth happy is the bride the sun shines on – old proverb saying that if the sun sh...
Following the inevitably short-lived spell of wonderful weather we had in the UK this Bank Holiday, it seems only fitting that this week’s blog is weather-related! Just one slight twist, instead of looking into one just word, we’ll be looking into four… The seasons: four cyclic subdivisions of our calendar year that mark shifts in hours of sunlight, the weather and nature. But why the names 'spring', 'summer', 'autumn' and 'winter'? In the 14th century, what we now know as 'spring' was called 'springing-time', presumably a reference to the blossoming of plant life; the spring of the leaf. Through the centuries, the ...
American vs. British English
Common Mistakes
Commonly Confused Words
English Idioms Explained
English Literature
Exams & Tests
Grammar & Punctuation
Mindful Spelling
Spelling at School
Spelling Games
Spelling Homework
Spelling Tips
Spellzone Tips & Tools
Supporting Adult Learners
Supporting Dyslexic Learners
Supporting EAL Learners
Word Origins & Stories
Writing & Vocabulary
"Thank goodness for Spellzone during this remote learning phase. The site is easy for students to navigate independently and they're really enjoying the activities and spelling games. You get an awful lot for your money with Spellzone. Really reassuring is the very prompt response with helpdesk queries. I've very rarely needed the helpdesk, but when I have, the issue has been addressed and sorted within a very short time."
Sarah Taggart, Oasis Academy Lord's HillConnect with us at: 
