Ringing in the New Year with a resolution to learn more vocabulary!

Header image credit: Pixabay.com

It’s the final vocabulary Monday post of the year. That means it’s a great opportunity to present some New Year related vocabulary.

Today’s post focuses on three nouns and two expressions. However there’s some more bonus language at the end of the post too.

New Years Eve – noun

This is the last day of the year. It often also focuses on the evening time and the final hours of the year.

‘What are your plans for New Year’s Eve? We’re meeting in the bar at 10′

We watched the New Year’s Eve celebrations on TV.
How is New Year’s Eve celebrated in your country?
Further Examples from the online Cambridge English Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/new-year-s-eve?q=New+Year%27s+Eve

New Year’s Day

This is the first day of the year. Do you have any traditions, customs or routines for the 1st of January?

‘It’s traditional here to climb a local mountain during the morning on New Year’s Day‘

To ring in the New Year

To celebrate the beginning of the New Year

‘we’re planning a huge party to ring in the New Year‘

This expression originates from the tradition of ringing church bells at midnight. First the bells would ring slowly, in the same way they did to announce that someone had died. This would ‘ring out’ the end of the year- and send away evil spirits from the past year. Then, at midnight a more ‘cheerful’ tolling/ringing would begin, this was a celebration to ‘ring in‘ the arrival of the new year.

References:

The phrase finder https://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/45/messages/116.html

Ringing in vs. Bring in the New Year: what’s the difference. Mic.com
https://mic.com/articles/163755/ringing-vs-bringing-in-the-new-year-what-s-the-difference-and-which-is-right#.5KL0ozmM4

New Year’s resolutions

A promise or decision that you make at the beginning of the year to change a habit or routine for the better; Stop doing something; or start doing something new.

Common collocations with Resolutions

make a resolution = create or set a new goal

keep a resolution = continue practising or maintaining your commitment

break a resolution = to end, finish or stop

According to Wikipedia, the practice of making commitments at the beginning of the new year dates back to Roman times and even before.

The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_resolution

To turn over a new leaf

To change the way you live your life or behave for the better. It can also mean to restart something in a new way.

‘This year I’m going to turn over a new leaf. I’m going to go to the gym every day and eat more fruit. And I’ll start… …tomorrow, or maybe next week.’

A page, or piece of paper, in a book was traditionally called a leaf. By ‘turning over a new leaf‘ you are saying that you are progressing to a new page in the book.

References:

https://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/36/messages/889.html

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/turn–over–a–new–leaf

https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2016/04/21/unexpected-phrase-origins/

Extra language for the new year…

Happy New Year!

This is what you say to people just before and during the new year period

At christmas we say ‘Merry Christmas!’ and for the New Year ‘happy New Year!’

Pour someone/yourself a drink

To move liquids from one container to another is ‘to pour’. For example, pour some wine from the bottle into a glass.

We can offer to ‘pour someone a drink’, or request someone to ‘pour you another glass please’.

Get a round in

To ‘get a round in’ is to order, and pay for, drinks for your group of friends in a bar. This is a very informal British expression.

‘I’m going to arrive late. Don’t wait for me, get a round in and I’ll be there as soon as I can’
An example of a possible message or phone conversation

Paint the town red

To go out and party in a big way

See the year out/in in style – or – see the year out/in in a big way

To party/celebrate

Have a quiet night in

To stay at home and relax

So, Happy new year to you all!

How are you planning to ring in 2019? will you paint the town red or have a quiet night at home? Either way, pour a drink and enjoy yourself.

If your New Year’s Resolutions include developing your English Skills, then remember to visit our newly updated website and find out about our Online English Classes – http://www.glynsenglish.online

Image Credits: Pixabay.com

References:

MacMillan Online Dictionary: https://www.macmillandictionary.com

Merriam Webster online dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com

Wikipedia.org

Phrases.org.uk

Mic.com