Foreign words/phrases Flashcards by Renee Muchechetere | Brainscape

Q

terra firma

A

Solid ground (earth)

Origin: Latin

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Q

nemesis

A

Arch enemy

Origin: Greek

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Q

modus operandi

A

Method of operation

Origin: Latin

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Q

bona fide

A

Good faith

Origin: Latin

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Q

angst

A

Anxiety/suffering

Origin: German

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Q

eureka

A

I’ve found it!

Origin: Greek

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Q

status quo

A

Current state of affairs

Origin: Latin

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Q

Et tu brute

A

And you, Brutus

Origin: Latin

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Q

bwana

A

The boss

Origin: Swahili

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Q

femme fatale

A

Deadly woman

Origin: Latin

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Q

ex post facto

A

After the fact

Origin: Latin

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Q

et al

A

And others

Origin: Latin

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Q

savoir faire

A

Social tact (class)

Origin: French

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Q

au naturel

A

As in nature

Origin: French

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Q

pro bono

A

For the public good

Origin: Latin

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Q

per capita

A

Per person

Origin: Latin

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Q

re:

A

Regarding

Origin: Latin

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Q

c’est la vie

A

Such is life

Origin: French

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Q

coup de grace

A

Death blow

Origin: French

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Q

kamikaze

A

Suicide

Origin: Japanese

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Q

hakuna matata

A

No worries

Origin: Swahili

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Q

par excellence

A

The best example

Origin: French

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Q

connoisseur

A

Expert judge

Origin: French

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Q

aqua vitae

A

Water of life

Origin: Latin

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Q

guerrila

A

Little war

Origin: Spanish

Q

mano y mano

A

Man on man

Origin: Spanish

Q

in vitro

A

In the test tube

Origin: Latin

Q

alter ego

A

Other self

Origin: Latin

Q

ad lib

A

Without preparation

Origin: Latin

Q

faux pas

A

Social blunder

Origin: French

Q

schlep

A

To carry

Origin: Yiddish

Q

karma

A

Fate

Origin: Sanskrit

Q

P.S. (post scriptum)

A

After the writing

Origin: Latin

Q

crème de la crème

A

Best of the best

Origin: French

Q

post mortem

A

After death

Origin: Latin

Q

mantra

A

Sacred writing

Origin: Sanskrit

Q

hubris

A

Pride and arrogance

Origin: Greek

Q

vice versa

A

Other way around

Origin: Latin

Q

rigor mortis

A

Stiffening after death

Origin: Latin

Q

hoi polloi

A

The masses

Origin: Greek

Q

a la mode

A

Fashionable

Origin: French

Q

karate

A

With open hands

Origin: Japanese

Q

alma mater

A

Nourishing mother

Origin: Latin

Q

caveat emptor

A

Let the buyer beware

Origin: Latin

Q

prima donna

A

Emotional performer

Origin:

Q

guru

A

Leader / expert

Origin: Sanskirt

Q

persona non grata

A

Person not wanted

Origin: Latin

Q

gringo

A

American (Non-Spanish)

Latin: Spanish

Q

carte blanch

A

A blank check

Latin: French

Q

deja vu

A

Same thing again

Origin: French

Q

RSVP

A

Please respond

Origin: French

Q

ante meridian (A.M.)

A

Before noon

Origin: Latin

Q

post meridian (P.M.)

A

After noon

Origin: Latin

Q

aurora borealis

A

Northern lights

Origin: Latin

Q

gesundheit

A

Bless you

Origin: German

Q

nouveau riche

A

Newly rich

Origin: French

Q

non sequitur

A

Illogical; doesn’t follow

Origin: Latin

Q

etc,

A

And so on

Origin: Latin

Q

hors d’oeuvre

A

Appetizers

Origin: French

Q

entree

A

Main meal

Origin: French