Monday Muddle: overtime, over time

overtime: (noun) the period of time that is beyond the amount of time scheduled; typically used in relation to extra work hours or extra time in a sporting event added to allow a player or team to break the tie; the payment for work done beyond regular hours over time: …

Monday Muddle: conscious, conscience

conscious: (adjective aware of a situation or of one’s surroundings; awake; alert conscience: (noun) inner thoughts or feelings that lead you to speak or act in a way that is in keeping with your beliefs; an inner sense of right and wrong The noun form of the adjective conscious is …

Monday Muddle: peal, peel

peel: (noun) the outer layer of a fruit or vegetable; (verb) to remove the outer layer of a fruit or vegetableUsed in the expression “to keep your eyes peeled”. peal: (noun) a loud ringing of bells; a loud, sustained or repeated sound, such as thunder or laughter; (verb to ring …

Monday Muddle: absence, absenteeism

absence: (noun) the state of being away from somewhere; the period of time spent away; a lack of something absenteeism: (noun) the habit of being away without good reason from somewhere you are regularly obligated to be (work, school); the rate or frequency of habitual absence

Monday Muddle: muster, mustard

muster: (verb) assemble (usually military troops) for inspection or for preparation for battle; (noun) assembly of troops for inspection or for a military exercisePart of the expression “to pass muster”. mustard: (noun) condiment made from seeds of the mustard plant; mustard plantNOT part of the expression “to pass muster”. “To …

Monday Muddle: heal, heel

heal: (verb) to recover from an illness or injury; to return or restore to good health heel: (noun) a part of the body; the back portion of some things, such as a foot, shoe, or loaf of bread; someone who acts in an unkind or unscrupulous manner; (verb) to follow …

Monday Muddle: rein, reign, rain

rein: (noun) a long, narrow strap typically used in the plural to guide a horse, and metaphorically used to guide people or situations; (verb) to guide; to keep under control (used with adverbs like “in” and “back”)Part of the expression “free rein”. reign: (noun) the period in which someone holds …