English Vocabulary

edict vs. addict   edict (an official order, decree, or command) The government issued an edict to ban smoking in public places. The festival was banned by the emperor’s edict. addict (a person who takes harmful drugs and cannot stop) Many heroin addicts were unwilling to go to treatment centers. …

envelop vs. envelope envelop (surround, cover) Thick black smoke enveloped the building. She was trying to envelop the baby in a towel.   envelope (a thin paper container that can hold a letter, a thin package, etc.) He folded the letter and put it in an envelope. I slit open …

use your brains (think, use your intelligence) It’s very easy; just use your brains. He never uses his brains to deal with problems.      – English Vocabulary

rack your brains (think very hard) It’s not so easy. You have to rack your brains once you start on it. He racked his brains, trying to remember the way out of the building.      – English Vocabulary

  pick someone’s brain (ask for helpful information or advice from someone) I have no idea how to fix this device; let me pick your brain. I want to buy a new English dictionary. Can I pick your brains?      – English Vocabulary