NRTC English: Is it peak or pique my interest?

The correct phrase is “pique my interest.” When you say “pique my interest,” you mean that something has aroused or stimulated your curiosity or interest.

For example:

• The trailer for the new movie has definitely piqued my interest.
• The Black Friday sale piqued my interest to shop online for deals.

In a similar vein, it is wrong to say “wreck havoc”. The standard phrase is “wreak /riːk/ havoc” when you mean to inflict or cause great, devastating damage.

Here are two examples provided by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary:

1. A powerful tornado wreaked havoc on the small village.
2. The virus wreaked havoc on my computer.

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When you pay much more than a fair price, you pay through the nose, not by the nose. Idioms are sensitive and fixed and must be treated as such.

For example:

• They paid through the nose for one-to-one intensive tuition.
• We paid through the nose to get the car fixed.

Hunger pains or hunger pangs?

According to Dictionary.com, “hunger pangs means sharp or sudden sensations of hunger—often painful ones. The phrase hunger pains is also commonly used to mean the same thing. In some cases, this is likely because hunger pangs has been misheard as hunger pains. Still, both are acceptable.”

Also, Merriam Webster’s Dictionary explained that “You might feel ‘pains’ when hungry, but their recurrence makes them ‘pangs’. The discomfort or cramping caused by hunger is known as hunger pangs not pains. Because pangs is rarely seen elsewhere (and its pronunciation is close to pain), the phrase is often confused for hunger pains.”

When you enter or go into a place, you set foot in, not step foot in. If you go with all your luggage or possessions, then it is correct to say bag and baggage (NOT, bag and baggages).