Commonly Used Foreign Words and Phrases (DEF)

Question 1

RSVP

Answer 1

Used on an invitation to indicate that the favor of a reply is requested

Question 2

déjà vu

Answer 2

Psychology; the illusion of having previously experienced something actually being encountered for the first time; disagreeable familiarity or sameness

Question 3

faux pas

Answer 3

A slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion

Question 4

Du Jour

Answer 4

As prepared on the particular day; of the kind being served today: du = of, jour = day

Question 5

Bon Voyage

Answer 5

Have a pleasant trip

Question 6

alma mater

Answer 6

a school, college, or university at which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated

Question 7

Cum Laude

Answer 7

An Academic honor given @ graduation
(Magna cum laude: with high honors)
(Summa cum laude: the highest academic distinction)

Question 8

Femme Fatale

Answer 8

An irresistibly attractive woman, especially one who leads men into difficult, dangerous, or disastrous situations; a siren

Question 9

esprit de corps

Answer 9

a sense of unity and of common interests and responsibilities, as developed among a group of persons closely associated in a task, cause, or enterprise, etc.

Question 10

Verbatim

Answer 10

in exactly the same words; word for word
“To repeat something verbatim”
-Adverb
Corresponding word for word to the original - Adjective

Question 11

E pluribus unum

Answer 11

Out of many, one
(motto of U.S)

Question 12

prima donna

Answer 12

a first or principal female singer of an opera company; a temperamental person; a person who takes adulation and privileged treatment as a right and reacts with petulance to criticism or inconvenience

Question 13

Avant-garde

Answer 13

the advance group in any field, especially in the visual, literary, or musical arts, whose works are characterized chiefly by unorthodox and experimental methods

Question 14

Status Quo

Answer 14

The existing state or condition

Question 15

joie de vivre

Answer 15

a delight in being alive; keen, carefree enjoyment of living

Question 16

Carte Blanche

Answer 16

Unconditional authority; full discretionary power

Question 17

caveat emptor

Answer 17

Let the buyer beware: the principle that the seller of a product cannot be held responsible for its quality unless it is guaranteed in a warranty

Question 18

Alpha and Omega

Answer 18

the beginning and the end of something (Revelation 1:8); the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet

Question 19

tabula rasa

Answer 19

a mind not yet affected by experiences, impressions, etc…, anything existing undisturbed in its original, pure state

Question 20

hoi polloi

Answer 20

the common people; the masses; (often preceded by the)

Question 21

Ad nauseam

Answer 21

to a sickening or disgusting degree

Question 22

Carpe diem

Answer 22

Seize the day; enjoy the present, as opposed to placing all hope in the future

Question 23

tempus fugit

Answer 23

Time Flies

Question 24

c’est la vie

Answer 24

express philosophical acceptance of the way things are: “That’s Life”

Question 25

Bona Fide

Answer 25

made, done, presented, etc.…, in good faith; Without deception or fraud; Authentic; True

Question 26

savoir faire

Answer 26

knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact

Question 27

non sequitur

Answer 27

an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premises; a statement containing an illogical conclusion

Question 28

Id est

Answer 28

That is to say; in other words (i.e.)

Question 29

enfant terrible

Answer 29

1. An incorrigible child, as one whose behavior is embarrassing 2. An outrageously outspoken or bold person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things 3.A person whose work, thought, or lifestyle is so unconventional or avant-garde as to appear revolutionary or shocking

Question 30

terra firma

Answer 30

Firm or solid earth or Dry land (as opposed to water or air)

Question 31

Vox Populi

Answer 31

the voice of the people; popular opinion

Question 32

ad hoc

Answer 32

Adverb: For the present purpose or end presently under consideration Adjective: Concerned or dealing with a specific subject, purpose, or end

Question 33

Cause Celebre

Answer 33

Any controversy that attracts public attention

Question 34

magnum opus

Answer 34

A great work

Question 35

persona non grata

Answer 35

An unwelcome or unacceptable person

Question 36

Quid pro quo

Answer 36

One thing in return for another

Question 37

Je ne sais quoi

Answer 37

an indefinable quality that makes somebody or something more attractive or interesting

Question 38

modus operandi

Answer 38

A method or way of doing something

Question 39

nom de plume

Answer 39

a naming word; a word or group of words used as the name of a class or people, places, or things, or of a specific person, place, or thing

Question 40

Haute couture

Answer 40

top fashion; exclusive and expensive clothing made for an individual customer by a fashion designer, or the industry that produces such clothing

Question 41

mea culpa

Answer 41

expressing guilt or fault; used to express an admission of your own guilt

Question 42

raison d'etre

Answer 42

the reason for being; underlying principle

Question 43

laissez faire

Answer 43

principle of no regulation of industry; principle that the economy works best if private industry is not regulated and markets are free

Question 44

bete noire

Answer 44

somebody/thing that is particularly disliked

Question 45

en masse

Answer 45

in a group; as a body

Question 46

in absentia

Answer 46

while absent; in the absence of the person or persons concerned

Question 47

Sub rosa

Answer 47

Confidentially; secretly; privately

Question 48

schadenfreude

Answer 48

gloating at somebody else’s bad luck; smug or malicious pleasure taken in somebody else’s misfortune

Question 49

noblesse oblige

Answer 49

notion of aristocratic responsibilities; the idea that people born into the nobility or upper social classes must behave in an honorable and generous way toward those less privileged

Question 50

sine qua non

Answer 50

an essential condition or prerequisite

Question 51

deus ex machina

Answer 51

god who resolves plot; in ancient Greek and Roman theater, a god introduced to resolve a complicated plot

Question 52

doppelganger

Answer 52

double or mirror image

Question 53

coup d'etat

Answer 53

seizure of political power; the sudden violent overthrow of a government and seizure of political power, especially by the military