PE 9/16 Meditation is Simple

* drive one bonkers: to make one crazy

ex> I need to stop playing this game on my phone because it’s driving me bonkers.

* cool as a cucumber: calm, unlikely to become upset

ex> Here’s a photo of Nikola Tesla sitting in a chair, cool as a cucumber, while high voltage sparks flash all around him.

Note> Cucumbers are no more even-tempered than other fruits, but they have an interesting thermal property: their insides can be up to 20 degrees Celsius cooler than the outside temperature.

* catch a wink: to nap or sleep

ex> Nina is just catching a few winks in the spare room before her concert tonight.

* superfluous: not necessary; more than enough

ex> the ad was so successful that we had to find something for the superfluous volunteers to do.

* there’s nothing to it: it is easy

ex> I used to be too afraid to learn to use a sewing machine, but I’ve found that there’s nothing to it.

* banish: to punish someone by sending them away; send away something that is unwanted

ex> Many political activists were banished to a cold and desolate part of the country.

Note> Banishment is one of the oldest forms of punishment. It was effective because it separated the person being punished from the safety and shelter of the community. Later, criminals would be sent to stay at a specific remote place, usually an island.

* keep something up: ~을 정기적으로 계속하다

There is a minor variation of this expression that is commonly used. One can say that they keep up with something or someone. Keeping up with someone means remaining in contact with someone you’ve known in the past.

ex> I haven’t kept it up, but I’ve been thinking of joining a funk band, so hopefully I can remember how to play.