Hong Kong is officially heading into orbit. The news that Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, has journeyed to the Tiangong space station has filled the entire city with pride and a sense of wonder.
Whether you dream of living on a space station or just want to improve your English writing skills, this week’s guide is ready for lift-off. Let’s explore some stellar words and phrases inspired by space exploration.
1. Pioneer
Meaning: a person who is among the first to explore a new country or area of knowledge
Example: Hong Kong’s first astronaut is a true pioneer who will inspire a whole new generation of young girls to study science.
2. Milestone
Meaning: a very important event or achievement in the development of something
Example: Selecting a female astronaut from Hong Kong marks a massive milestone for the city’s aerospace ambitions.
3. Microgravity
Meaning: a condition in space where people or objects appear to be weightless, often called zero gravity
Example: Eating a bowl of noodles in microgravity is much messier than it is back on Earth.
4. It’s not rocket science
Meaning: used to say that something is not difficult to do or understand
Example: Just read the instructions on the maths homework – it's not rocket science.
5. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: something that happens very rarely
Example: My brother cleans his bedroom once in a blue moon, so my mum was shocked when he actually vacuumed yesterday.
6. Reach for the stars
Meaning: to aim for something that is very difficult to achieve; to have high ambitions
Example: Even though the training is hard, she always told her students to reach for the stars.
