CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT, PERSIST, CREEP, EASE, EDGE, INCH, CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES, UPGRADE, COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER, TURKEY — 16 Words Defined: Meaning, Origin & Usage

What do CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT, PERSIST, CREEP, EASE, EDGE, INCH, CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES, UPGRADE, COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER, and TURKEY actually mean? These 16 words span motivational language, physics of motion, airline travel, English idioms, and everyday vocabulary. Below, we break down the definition, origin, and real-world usage of each term.

Whether you encountered these words in a word game, a crossword, a quiz, or just daily reading, this vocabulary guide gives you clear, concise explanations with links to authoritative sources. Words are grouped thematically for easier learning.

CARRY ON — Definition and Meaning

Carry on is a phrasal verb meaning to continue doing something, to proceed as before, or to persevere despite obstacles. The phrase gained iconic cultural status through the World War II–era British motivational poster "Keep Calm and Carry On," designed by the Ministry of Information in 1939 to boost public morale. In everyday speech, "carry on" can also mean to behave in an excited or improper manner ("stop carrying on like that"). In aviation, a carry-on is a piece of luggage small enough to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat — a term so ubiquitous that airlines have built entire fare classes around it. The phrase also inspired the long-running British comedy film series Carry On (1958–1992).

CONTINUE — Definition and Meaning

Continue means to persist in an activity or process without stopping, or to resume something after an interruption. The word entered English through Old French from the Latin continuare, meaning "to make continuous" or "to join together," derived from continuus ("unbroken"). It's one of the most versatile and fundamental verbs in English, appearing in formal contexts ("the trial will continue tomorrow"), casual speech ("please continue"), and computing ("press any key to continue"). In video games, the "Continue?" screen — often accompanied by a countdown timer — became an iconic prompt in arcade culture, inviting the player to insert another coin to keep playing.

MAKE IT — Definition and Meaning

Make it is an informal English expression with several related meanings, all revolving around achieving success or survival. It can mean to succeed in reaching a destination ("We made it to the airport just in time"), to survive a difficult ordeal ("The patient is going to make it"), or to achieve professional success ("She finally made it as a singer"). The phrase implies overcoming obstacles, doubt, or adversity to arrive at a desired outcome. In pop culture, the sentiment echoes through countless motivational sayings and song lyrics — from Frank Sinatra's "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere" about New York City to everyday encouragement like "You're going to make it."

PERSIST — Definition and Meaning

Persist means to continue firmly or obstinately in a course of action, opinion, or pursuit, despite difficulty, opposition, or failure. It derives from the Latin persistere — a combination of per- ("through") and sistere ("to stand") — literally meaning "to stand through" whatever comes. The related noun persistence is widely regarded as one of the most critical qualities for success, famously championed by Calvin Coolidge's often-quoted passage: "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence." In computing, to persist data means to store it so it survives beyond the current session — a fitting metaphorical extension of the word's core meaning.

CREEP — Definition and Meaning

Creep means to move slowly and carefully, often close to the ground or in a manner intended to avoid detection. The word comes from the Old English crēopan, meaning "to crawl." It has rich usage across multiple domains: in everyday language, you might "creep up on someone" or describe shadows that "creep across the floor." In engineering, creep is the tendency of a solid material to slowly deform under persistent stress. In project management, scope creep describes the gradual, uncontrolled expansion of a project's requirements beyond its original goals. As informal slang, a "creep" is an unsettling or disturbing person. Radiohead's 1993 hit "Creep" remains one of the most recognizable rock songs of the era.

EASE — Definition and Meaning

Ease carries dual identities as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, ease means comfort, relaxation, or the absence of difficulty — "She moved with ease" or "a life of ease." As a verb, it means to make something less severe ("ease the pain"), to relax ("ease up"), or — critically — to move slowly, carefully, and gently. You "ease into a parking spot," "ease the door shut," or "ease forward in traffic." The word entered English from Old French aise (meaning "comfort" or "elbow room"), ultimately from Latin adjacens ("lying nearby"). The expression "at ease" is also a military command allowing soldiers to relax from the attention position.

EDGE — Definition and Meaning

Edge is a versatile English word with multiple meanings. As a noun, it refers to the sharp side of a blade, the boundary or outer limit of something ("the edge of the cliff"), or a slight advantage ("a competitive edge"). As a verb, it means to move slowly, cautiously, and incrementally — typically sideways or with great care: "edge closer to the podium," "edge past the parked cars," or "edge toward the exit." The word derives from the Old English ecg, meaning "corner" or "sharp side." In modern culture, "edgy" has come to describe something provocative, unconventional, or pushing boundaries. In landscaping, an edger is a tool for creating clean borders along lawns and garden beds.

INCH — Definition and Meaning

Inch is both a unit of measurement and a verb. As a unit, one inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters or 1/12 of a foot. The word comes from the Latin uncia, meaning "one-twelfth" — the same root that gives us "ounce." As a verb, to inch means to move very slowly and by tiny increments: "inch forward in rush-hour traffic," "inch toward a compromise," or "inch the price up gradually." The expression "give someone an inch and they'll take a mile" warns that a small concession can lead to much larger demands. Historically, the inch was defined as the width of a man's thumb, though it was later standardized to its current precise metric equivalent.

CHECKED BAGS — Definition and Meaning

Checked bags (or checked baggage, checked luggage) are suitcases and other luggage items that airline passengers surrender at the check-in counter or bag drop to be transported in the aircraft's cargo hold during a flight. Unlike carry-on bags, checked bags are not accessible during the journey. Major airlines began widely charging fees for checked bags around 2008, with many carriers now charging $30–$45 per bag each way for economy passengers. However, free checked baggage remains one of the most popular perks of airline elite status and premium credit cards — saving frequent travelers hundreds of dollars annually. Weight limits typically range from 50 to 70 pounds per bag depending on the airline and fare class.

LOUNGE — Definition and Meaning

Lounge functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, a lounge is a comfortable room or area designed for relaxation or socializing — from a hotel lobby lounge to a television room. In the airline world, an airport lounge is a premium waiting area offering amenities far beyond the standard gate area: complimentary food and beverages, comfortable seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, shower facilities, quiet workspaces, and sometimes even sleeping pods. Access is typically restricted to business/first-class passengers, airline elite status members, or holders of premium credit cards. Major lounge networks include Priority Pass and airline-operated clubs like Delta Sky Club, United Club, and American Airlines Admirals Club. As a verb, to lounge means to lie, sit, or stand in a relaxed, lazy way — "lounging by the pool."

MILES — Definition and Meaning

The word mile (plural: miles) has two primary contexts. As a unit of distance, one mile equals 5,280 feet or approximately 1.609 kilometers. The term derives from the Latin mille passus, meaning "a thousand paces" — the distance a Roman soldier would cover in 1,000 double steps. In aviation and travel, frequent-flyer miles (or "points") are a loyalty currency earned by flying, using co-branded credit cards, dining through airline portals, or shopping with partner brands. These miles can be redeemed for free flights, cabin upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise. Elite status members typically earn miles at accelerated rates (2× or 3× the standard earning), making bonus miles one of the signature perks of airline loyalty programs.

UPGRADE — Definition and Meaning

Upgrade means to raise something to a higher standard, quality, rank, or version. In computing, upgrading refers to installing newer software or hardware. In everyday life, you upgrade a phone plan, upgrade your skills, or upgrade your hotel room. In the airline world, an upgrade specifically means being moved from a lower cabin class (typically economy) to a higher one — business class or first class. Complimentary upgrades are one of the most coveted perks of airline elite status, potentially turning a $300 economy ticket into a $3,000+ premium experience. Airlines manage upgrades through waitlists, miles-based redemptions, and last-minute complimentary clearances for their most loyal customers.

COMFORT — Definition and Meaning

Comfort means a state of physical ease, emotional well-being, or freedom from pain and constraint. It also refers to a person or thing that provides consolation in times of grief or distress. The word entered English from Old French confort, derived from Late Latin confortare ("to strengthen greatly"). Beyond its literal meaning, comfort appears in several notable expressions: a "comfort zone" is the psychological space where things feel familiar and safe; "creature comforts" are material pleasures that make life enjoyable; and "cold comfort" is an idiom meaning reassurance or consolation so inadequate that it provides virtually no relief — "Being told it could be worse is cold comfort when you've just lost your job."

FEET — Definition and Meaning

Feet is the plural of foot, a word with two primary meanings. Anatomically, the foot is the terminal part of the leg below the ankle, the body part on which humans and many animals stand and walk. As a unit of measurement, one foot equals 12 inches (30.48 cm). "Feet" appears in numerous idiomatic expressions: "get back on your feet" (recover), "put your best foot forward" (make a good impression), "drag your feet" (procrastinate), and most famously "cold feet" — a sudden loss of nerve or confidence, especially before a major commitment like a wedding or business deal. Getting "cold feet" means hesitating or wanting to back out at the last moment.

SHOULDER — Definition and Meaning

Shoulder refers to the joint connecting the arm to the body's torso — the broadest part of the upper body. As a verb, it means to assume a burden or responsibility ("shoulder the blame") or to push with one's shoulder. The word extends metaphorically into many expressions: "shoulder to shoulder" (side by side, in solidarity), "a shoulder to cry on" (emotional support), "head and shoulders above" (clearly superior), and the shoulder of a road (the paved strip alongside a highway). The idiom "cold shoulder" means to deliberately ignore or snub someone — to give them the "cold shoulder" is to treat them with conspicuous indifference. The phrase's origin is debated but may relate to serving unwelcome guests a cold shoulder of mutton rather than a warm meal.

TURKEY — Definition and Meaning

A turkey is a large gallinaceous bird of the genus Meleagris, native to North America. The domesticated turkey is the traditional centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner in the United States and Canada. Confusingly, the bird shares its English name with the country Turkey (now officially Türkiye) — the result of a historical mix-up where European traders confused the American bird with the African guinea fowl imported through Ottoman trade routes. In bowling, a "turkey" means three consecutive strikes. In slang, a "turkey" can mean a failure or flop. Most relevantly to idioms, "cold turkey" means to quit something abruptly and completely without tapering off — most commonly applied to breaking addictions: "He quit smoking cold turkey." The phrase's origin may relate to the goosebumps and pale, clammy skin resembling a plucked turkey that accompany sudden withdrawal symptoms.

Summary of All 16 Word Definitions

Here's a quick-reference table for all 16 words covered in this vocabulary guide:

Frequently Asked Questions

What does carry on mean?

To carry on means to continue doing something or to persevere despite difficulty. It's also used as a noun for hand luggage small enough to bring aboard an aircraft.

What does persist mean?

To persist means to continue firmly in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition. From Latin persistere, it literally means "to stand through."

What does it mean to creep up on someone?

To creep up on someone means to approach them slowly, quietly, and stealthily — often to surprise them or avoid being noticed.

What does it mean to edge closer?

To edge closer means to move toward something slowly, cautiously, and by small increments — often when the situation requires care or precision.

What are checked bags at an airport?

Checked bags are luggage items passengers hand over at the airline counter to be transported in the plane's cargo hold. Many airlines charge fees for checked bags, though elite status often includes free checked baggage.

What is an airport lounge?

An airport lounge is a premium waiting area offering amenities like free food, drinks, Wi-Fi, showers, and comfortable seating — typically accessible to elite status members, premium ticket holders, or credit card holders.

What does cold comfort mean?

Cold comfort is an idiom meaning consolation or reassurance that is so inadequate it provides virtually no real relief from distress.

What does cold feet mean?

Cold feet means a sudden loss of nerve or confidence, especially before a major commitment — most famously used about hesitating before a wedding.

What does cold shoulder mean?

Cold shoulder means to deliberately ignore or snub someone, treating them with conspicuous indifference and dismissal.

What does cold turkey mean?

Cold turkey means to quit something abruptly and completely without gradual reduction — most commonly used for breaking addictions to substances like tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.