For representative purposes.
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“When did you buy that awful painting that you have on the wall? Had you lost your mind when you…”
“It’s a gift from my aunt. But don’t worry, it won’t be on the wall for long. I plan to regift it to you.”
“Regift? What does it mean?”
“When you get a gift that you don’t like, what is it that you normally do?”
“I usually give it to someone else as a gift!”
“That’s what the word regift means. To take something that was given to you and give it to someone else as a gift. Here’s an example. My sister is planning to regift many of the presents she received on her birthday.”
“I hope she doesn’t regift it to the person who gave her the gift!”
“That would be embarrassing, wouldn’t it? The kurtha that my uncle gave me is a bit small. Next week is my nephew’s birthday. I plan to regift it to him.”
“That’s a good idea! My mother doesn’t regift anything. She keeps everything.”
“I’ve been a regifter all my life.”
“Regifter? Is he a person who keeps regifting?”
“Yes, that’s right! Everyone in my family is a regifter.”
“Your friend Akshay is a regifter. By the way, how is he doing? Is he back on his feet after the accident?”
“He isn’t back on his feet, yet. But, he’s on the mend.”
“On the mend? Does it mean that his condition is improving? That he’s getting better?”
“Very good! When you say that someone is on the mend, what you’re suggesting is that he’s recovering. His health is improving. Sunitha had pneumonia for a couple of weeks. According to her mother, she’s on the mend now.”
“That’s good to know. How about this example? Dilip broke his leg in an accident. But he’s on the mend now.”
“Sounds fine. The expression can be used with things as well — not just people. After the ruthless downsizing, I’m told that our company’s financial situation is on the mend.”
“That’s good to know. Many people believe that our economy is on the mend.”
“I’m not so sure about that! But that’s a good example! Have you seen Akshay recently?”
“Of course not! You know me. I never visit people who are ill. Have you visited him?”
“No, I haven’t. I choose to avoid him when he’s unwell. As it is, he’s rather thin-skinned, and the …”
“Thin-skinned? I’ve heard of people being thick-skinned. What does thin-skinned mean?”
“It’s the opposite of thick-skinned.”
“When you say that someone is thick-skinned, what you’re suggesting is that he is rather insensitive. Criticism and insults do not affect him.”
“Very good. Most politicians in our country are thick-skinned.”
“I suppose one has to be thick-skinned to become a politician. So, is a thin-skinned person someone who is very sensitive. Someone who is easily offended by criticism.”
“Excellent! A thin-skinned individual can be easily hurt. If you criticise him or just tease him, you will hurt his feelings. It doesn’t really take much to do this. Don’t make the mistake of making fun of Divya’s paintings. She’s rather thin-skinned.”
“Don’t worry. My family is full of thin-skinned people. I know how to deal with them.”
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Published – July 07, 2025 08:30 am IST
