Allusions Quiz 2 (3rd Qtr.) Flashcards
Sour Grapes
The Fox and the Grapes by Aesop/ The attitude of a person who has been disappointed or thwarted.
Sold down the River
Mississippi River and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn/ Betrayed or misled, especially by someone trusted.
Nemesis
Goddess of vengeance and retribution/ A person’s nemesis is that which causes his or her downfall
Pyrrhic Victory
Greek general Pyrrhus defeating and the Romans/ Winner’s victory comes at such a great expense.
Flash in the Pan
Flintlock rifle ignition pan/ Something or someone that initially shows great promise but soon fails to meet expectations.
Scapegoat
Book of Leviticus, Day of Atonement/ A person who is blamed or punished for someone else’s misdeeds.
Don Quixote/Quixotic/Tilting at Windmills
Miguel de Cervantes, Sancho Panza/ Foolishly or impractically idealistic, a naive attempt to be heroic.
Benedict Arnold
Military leader, American revolution/ A Benedict Arnold is a traitor
Delphic Oracle
Temple of Apollo/ Prediction or message that is ambiguous and difficult to interpret
Over a Barrel
Rescued from drowning/ Unable to act independently and must do the bidding of someone else.
Shibboleth
Ear of corn, Israelites password/ A slogan or catchword used by, or associated with, a particular party, group, or sect.
Doublespeak
1984 George Orwell Propaganda, Ministry of Peace/ Deliberate use of evasive or ambiguous language.
Murphy’s Law
1940s/ When something goes wrong there is a sense of inevitability about it.
Medusa
Gorgons, Greek mythology/ Medusa refers to a repulsive or terrifying woman.
Hoist with one’s own petard
Medieval warfare, exploded prematurely/ Caught in one’s own trap or beaten at one’s own game.
