Allusions Test 1 Semester 2 Meanings

Question 1

Stealing Someone’s Thunder

Answer 1

To “steal one’s thunder” is either to take credit for the idea of another or to lessen the effect of another’s idea by suggesting the same idea Eirst.

Question 2

Witch Hunt

Answer 2

A witch hunt refers to a campaign against a particular group of people, often those holding unorthodox opinions or behaving in an unconventional manner.

Question 3

Throw Down the Gauntlet

Answer 3

“Throwing down the gauntlet” refers to issuing a challenge, especially issuing that challenge in a dramatic manner.

Question 4

The Muses

Answer 4

a “Muse” is someone’s source of inspiration, especially in artistic, creative endeavors

Question 5

Kafkaesque

Answer 5

refers to a situation or a experience that is bizarre, surreal, or anxiety-producing

Question 6

Tower of Babel

Answer 6

“Tower of Babel” or simply “Babel” can refer to any noisy confusion. This confusion may or may not be caused by the presence of different languages.

Question 7

Pollyana

Answer 7

someone who is unusually optimistic and always looking at the bright side. The term often has connotations of being excessively cheerful and naïve.

Question 8

Pavlov’s Dogs/Pavlovian

Answer 8

“Pavlov’s dogs” is a phrase that refers to someone who automatically or instinctively responds to or obeys a signal. The adjective “Pavlovian” refers to such an automatic, unthinking response.

Question 9

Bedlam

Answer 9

wildly chaotic or extremely raucous and noisy.

Question 10

The Handwriting on the wall

Answer 10

an indication that doom or misfortune is coming.

Question 11

Albatross Around One’s Neck

Answer 11

a burdensome, ongoing problem.

Question 12

Prometheus/Promethean

Answer 12

Prometheus represents valiant resistance to authority or rebellion against the established order of the universe. The adjective “Promethean” refers to an act of such resistance.

Question 13

Juggernaut

Answer 13

a force, especially a destructive force, that defies opposition.

Question 14

Red Herring

Answer 14

refers to diverting someone onto a false trail or distracting a person from the true issue.

Question 15

Pharisses/Pharisaical

Answer 15

A “Pharisee” is a hypocrite who upholds the letter of the law. But not its spirit. The adjective “Pharisaical” refers to a hypocritical act.

Question 16

Sour Grapes

Answer 16

“Sour grapes” refers to the attitude of a person who has been disappointed or thwarted. The person bitterly rationalizes that what he or she had wanted was probably not so great after all.

Question 17

Sold Down the River

Answer 17

To be “sold down the river” is to be betrayed or misled, especially by someone trusted.

Question 18

Nemesis

Answer 18

A person’s “nemesis” is that which causes his or her downfall, or the term can refer to the downfall itself.

Question 19

Pyrrhic Victory

Answer 19

A “Pyrrhic victory” is one in which the winner’s victory comes at such a great expense that it is scarcely better than losing.