OXYMORON

Oxymoron

Derived from Greek words :

Oxy -> SharpMoros -> Dull

Oxymoron

• A figure of speech in which two contradictory terms are combined.

• A phrase in which two words with opposite meaning appear side by side.

Oxymorons make readers think

A writer uses Oxymoron•to create new meaning - silent scream / growing smaller / pretty ugly / •To add emphasis –

Open secretSomething which is supposedly a secret but actually known quite generally

It was an open secret that Selina would be the next president of the Student Council. She is well liked by others and has all the qualities of a good leader.

BittersweetPleasant but tinged with sadness

It was a bittersweet farewell for John. Although he was glad he had made the decision to leave the company, he knew in his heart that he would definitely miss his lovely colleagues.

Day 1 - 09/07/13

Deafening silenceA silence or lack of response that reveals something significant, such as disapproval or lack of enthusiasm

The suggestion that they work through the holidays was met with deafening silence. Many of the workers had looked forward to the break to spend time with their families.

a living death

a life that is so full of suffering that it would be better to be dead

After the tragic accident Sally cannot walk, feed herself or even speak. It is a living death for someone who used to be so outgoing and adventurous.

Day 2 - 10/07/13

Defensive strikeAn attack launched to prevent an enemy from attacking first

Many military advisors are working hard to convince the President to launch a defensive strike on Zudu as they are concerned with the country’s frequent missile testing.

Stand downTo leave or abandon a position

Joe was forced to stand down from his position as class chairman when it was discovered that he was involved in the recent spate of theft in class.

Day 3 - 11/07/13

Paid volunteerSomeone who is paid to participate as a subject in clinical trials or lab experiments

Although Sharon had earned a considerable amount of cash as a paid volunteer at a pharmaceutical company, she often worried about the side effects of the medication she would get in the long term.

Irregular patternA pattern that is not fixed

Jim was paranoid about his health when he realised that his heard had been beating an irregular pattern. Every time his heart skipped a beat he thought that he was having a heart attack.

Day 4 - 12/07/13

Appear invisibleTo be unnoticeable or hidden from others

Joshua changed his chat status in Facebook to appear invisible as he did not want to be distracted by his friends’ messages while he was studying.

Found missingDiscovered to be missing / not around

Three police cars were dispatched to comb the coastline of East Coast Park after a two year old girl was found missing from her family’s barbecue party by the beach.

Day 5 - 13/07/13

Terribly pleasedExtremely satisfied and happy

George was terribly pleased that the day was finally going according to plan. He has had a rough week and had felt like giving up many times.

Love hateA relationship in which your feelings about someone or something often alternate between love and hate

I have to admit I have a love hate relationship with running. I go through phases of really not enjoying it, followed by being almost obsessed by it.

Day 6 - 16/07/13

Plastic glassCups made of plastic

Dave has replaced all his drinking cups at home with plastic glasses ever since his wife picked up the habit of throwing things at him from the kitchen whenever she got angry.

Fully emptyNot containing anything

Remember to make sure that the flask is fully empty before you add in the solution. Even adding a tiny droplet of water will trigger a powerful chemical reaction.

Day 7- 17/07/13

Big babySomeone who is behaving or acting childishly

The tutor told Kevin not to be such a big baby when he complained about having too much homework.

Act normallyTo be yourself, to be relaxed

When you meet someone for the first time it is advisable that you act naturally instead of trying to be someone you are not.

Day 8 - 18/07/13

Even oddsA fifty-fifty chance that a particular thing will happen

The school rugby team has even odds of making it to the semi-final of the tournament. Their next opponent is Bukit Batok Secondary and the two teams are evenly matched in all areas.

Tragic comedyA drama combining elements of tragedy and comedy

Many of Shakespeare’s plays can be called a tragic comedy as he had infused much humour in some of his tragic tales.

Day 9- 19/07/13

Small crowdA small number of people gathering

A small crowd had gathered at the foot of the block where the body was found. The rest of the neighbours were too afraid to look at the gory scene.

Original copyThe original piece / not a duplicate

The graduating classes were told that they could enter the exam hall only if they produce an original copy of their O level entry proof.

Day 10 - 22/07/13