The Saw movie series was far too graphic; many scenes in those films make me feel ad nauseam because they go to a sickening extreme.

Extreme fans of the Saw movies will discuss their favorite scenes ad nauseam and won't stop until you tell them you're sick of hearing about them.

When writing their own fantasy stories, children have carte blanche over their characters and their fate; this feeling of power is something they might not have in the real world.

Having carte blanche authority over their story characters and creating whole worlds can foster a love of writing in some children; it can be the only place where they feel power.

I have a dossier file on each of you; I know everything about you and your work in previous English classes.

Just kidding! Even if I did have a dossier of all of your essays, I wouldn't read it; I don't use past work to judge current students' writing.

I made a huge faux pas blunder on the trail, I called the horses smelly hay burners and their riders heard me.

I really didn't care about being insensitive; too many people don't realize that riding after heavy rain is not only a faux pas, but also very damaging to the trails.

Lawn flamingos are a great example of kitsch; they are so awful, yet so many people love them.

Dashboard hula dancers are also a perfect example of kitsch decor; cheap and plastic, but very popular among some.

I don't expect students to kowtow to me; just because I'm a teacher doesn't mean they have to kneel in submission.

I hope students don't have to deal with kowtow; being submissive doesn't have to be part of taking a class.

It's hard for musicians to agree on many composers' magnum opus piece; too many have their own opinions about what makes a masterpiece.

Many parents consider each new piece of art made by their child their magnum opus; for some, finger paintings can be masterpieces.

Many service men and women have a pro patria attitude; they are willing to sacrifice for their country.

Many people in the United States have an attitude of pro patria; they are patriotic for the nation.

The old man in the woods prided himself on his storytelling; he was looked to as the best raconteur in the county.

The man's grandson tried to raconteur his own unique stories, but his skill was nowhere near his elder's.

I don't always think a status quo existence is best; break out of the way things are and try new experiences!

Sticking to the status quo is not only a cliché, but also boring; who wants to do the same thing every day?

The chess match was intense as the seasoned player stared, stone-faced, vis-à-vis with her competitor at the table.

Their vis-à-vis meeting was a long time coming; a face-to-face meeting of such skilled chess players was exciting for fans of the game.