Day 36 Flashcards
Stooge
a person who is forced or paid by someone in authority to do an unpleasant or secret job for them:
- The newly appointed mayor is widely regarded as a government stooge.
Self-fulfilling
happening because it is expected to happen:
- Pessimism is self-fulfilling - expect the worst and it happens.
Fierce
physically violent and frightening:
- a fierce attack/battle
- Two men were shot during fierce fighting last weekend.
strong and powerful:
- Fierce winds prevented the race from taking place.
- Firefighters had to retreat from the fierce heat.
Vicariously
Assert yourself
to behave in a way that expresses your confidence, importance, or power and earns you respect from others:
- I really must assert myself more in meetings.
- Don’t be afraid to assert yourself and make your views clear.
- Refusing to help with the housework was his way of asserting himself.
- Things began to change when women asserted themselves politically.
- Boarding school was a tough environment, and she quickly learned to assert herself.
Platoon
a small group of about ten or twelve soldiers, with a lieutenant in charge of it:
- His platoon was ambushed.
- a platoon commander
a group of vehicles, especially military vehicles:
- The captain was in the lead vehicle of the platoon.
- First there is a platoon of motorcycle outriders who will clear the streets ahead.
Tapered
becoming gradually narrower at one end:
- She was wearing black tapered trousers.
- Set in a tapered gorge, Tushi is a hamlet of six or seven houses.
Ivory
the hard yellowish-white substance that forms the tusks of some animals such as elephants, used especially in the past to make decorative objects:
- Ivory is a softer material than you might imagine.
- a ban on ivory trading
Utensil
a tool with a particular use, especially in a kitchen or house:
- In the drawer was a selection of kitchen utensils - spoons, spatulas, knives, and whisks.
Deputy
a person who is given the power to do something instead of another person, or the person whose rank is immediately below that of the leader of an organization:
- I’d like you to meet Ann Gregory, my deputy.
- I’m acting as deputy while the boss is away.
- the deputy director/editor/sheriff
- UK She’s deputy (head) of a large North London school.
Felony
(an example of) serious crime that can be punished by one or more years in prison:
a felony charge
- He was convicted of a felony.
Hollow
having a hole or empty space inside:
- a hollow tube
- Hollow blocks are used because they are lighter.
- a hollow log
Whatnot
and whatnot
(also and what have you)
- and other similar things:
- You can buy snacks and whatnot at the bar.
- That’ll give you enough time to get the table set and whatnot.
Backhanded compliment
a remark that seems to say something pleasant about a person but could also be an insult:
- I say this unironically, and not as a backhanded compliment.
- She was insulted by his back-handed compliment.
- behaviour or an action that seems to suggest something good about someone or something but could also be an insult:
- It was a backhanded compliment that the worst criminals sought him out to represent them.
- The appearance of Hollywood stars in British ads is something of a back-handed compliment.
Chiefly
mainly:
- The island chiefly attracts upmarket tourists.
- magazines intended chiefly for teenagers
