Vocabs Flashcards
inferno
a large fire that is dangerously out of control
deranged
insane
a deranged gunman
pass himself off
to try to make others believe that someone or something is something other than what the person or thing is: Maurice is trying to pass himself off as a journalist to get admitted to the press conference
renege
back out on a promise
“they have reneged on their promises to us”
prodigal
wasteful. spend money recklessly
“prodigal habits die hard (strongly devoted) “
having or giving something on a lavish scale.
generous
“the dessert was prodigal with whipped cream”
allude
suggest, refer to
“she had a way of alluding to Jean but never saying her name”
Meaning of the word ‘however’ in this sentence.
The king did not, however, gain his possession.
However : to whatever extent or whatever way.
put shoulder to the wheel
work extra hard to achieve something; just like pushing a car
We’ll have to put our shoulder to the wheel to get this job done
flew off the handle
lose one’s temper
He tends to fly off the handle when people disagree with him.
hand it up
surrender
Hands up, Johnson! I’ve got you in my sights, and I’m not afraid to put you down if you won’t come into custody quietly.
A signal that one agrees, intends to participate, or wants what someone is offering.
OK everyone, hands up if you think we should move forward with this policy.
strut
walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait.
“peacocks strut through the grounds”
gait : walking manner
plight
predicament / sorry situation
a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.
“we must direct our efforts towards relieving the plight of children living in poverty”
clamber
scramble : crawl
make one’s way quickly or awkwardly up a steep gradient or over rough ground by using one’s hands as well as one’s feet.
“I clambered out of the trench ( narrow channel/ ditch/ furrow / groove)”
groove : a long, narrow cut or depression in a hard material.
double entendre
a word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué
flirty talk full of double entendres
risque ( riskaa) : verging ( be very close to ) on impropriety ( wrong doing) or indecency
ensue
happen or occur afterwards or as a result.
“the difficulties which ensued from their commitment to Cuba”
denote
indicate
present perfect tense
it is used for an action that has already taken place but the definite point of time is not known. it is used with indefinite time adverbs such as ‘just’, ‘already’ and ‘yet’.
eg : I have already shut the window.
he has just cut down the tree.
we used the present pefect tense with ever, never, for and since for an action which happened from a period or point of time in the past till now.
eg: have you ever seen a giraffe? I have never seen one before.
cobble
round pebbles
cobbler
someone who mend shoes
infinitives
infinitive : basic form of a verb
antics
foolish, outrageous, or amusing behaviour.
“the antics of our political parties”
what do ‘must’ and ‘have ‘ express as special finites?
- they are used to express obligation and necessity
- ‘must’ is used when the obligation is expressed from the speaker’s point of view.
- ‘have to’ is used when the obligation depends on outside circumstances.
negative form of ‘must’
- it is ‘need to’
‘must not’ is used to express prohibition.
eg. you must not smoke in the hall.
dearth
scarcity / lack of something
“there is a dearth of evidence”
contend
-struggle to surmount (a difficulty).
“she had to contend with his uncertain temper”
-assert ( declare) something as a position in an argument.
“he contends that the judge was wrong”
surmount
- overcome (a difficulty or obstacle).
“all manner of cultural differences were surmounted” - stand or be placed on top of.
“the tomb was surmounted by a sculptured angel”
stacked against
used to describe a situation in which one person or group is disadvantaged or faces difficult circumstances as compared to others often in a way that is unfair.
pull a fast one
trick someone.
“he had been trying to pull a fast one on his producer”
hail
-solid precipitation from the sky ( rain)
- (of a large number of objects) fall or be hurled forcefully.
“missiles and bombs hail down from the sky” - call out for someone or a taxi
- originate from
lobby
seek to influence (a legislator (lawmaker)) on an issue.
“they insist on their right to lobby Congress (parliament / legislative body)”
try to persuade for more
weigh
consider, influence,
reverberate
resonate
transfixed
-cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment.
“he was transfixed by the pain in her face”
-pierce with a sharp implement or weapon.
“a field mouse is transfixed by the curved talons of an owl”
hurl
throw or impel [force, propel] (someone or something) with great force.
“rioters hurled a brick through the windscreen”
hollering
-give a loud shout or cry.
“he hollers when he wants feeding”
-contact (someone)
I got his number, so you can holler at him when you get a chance”
verbatim
in exactly the same words as were used originally.
“subjects were instructed to recall the passage verbatim”
clannish
(of a group or their activities) tending to exclude others outside the group.
“they are a clannish lot with no time for foreigners”
imbue
inspire or permeate with (a feeling or quality).
“his works are invariably (always) imbued with a sense of calm and serenity”
liken
compare
racism is likened to a contagious disease
veritable
used for emphasis, often to qualify a metaphor.
“the early 1970s witnessed a veritable price explosion”
excerpt
a short extract from a film, broadcast, or piece of music or writing.
audacious
showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.
“a series of audacious takeovers”
showing an impudent lack of respect.
“he made an audacious remark”
anecdote
a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.
“he told anecdotes about his job”
accord
Verb : give or grant someone (power, status, or recognition).
“the powers accorded to the head of state”
Noun : an official agreement or treaty.
“opposition groups refused to sign the accord”
concoction
a mixture of various ingredients or elements.
improbable
unlikely
not likely to be true or to happen.
“this account of events was seen by the jury as most improbable”
unexpected and apparently inauthentic.
“the characters have improbable names”
pamphleteer
a writer of pamphlets, especially ones of a political and controversial nature.
frivolous
not having any serious purpose or value.
“frivolous ribbons and lacy frills”
(of a person) carefree and superficial.
“the frivolous, fun-loving flappers of the twenties”
flapper : (in the 1920s) a fashionable young woman intent on enjoying herself and flouting ( defy )conventional standards of behaviour.
glib
(of words or a speaker) fluent but insincere and shallow.
“the glib phrases soon roll off the tongue”
flaunt
show off
display ostentatiously
exalt
think or speak very highly of (someone or something).
the party will continue to exalt their hero.
promote
allude
suggest, hint
notwithstanding
in spite of , despite
“notwithstanding the evidence, the consensus (agreement) is that the jury will not reach a verdict (guilty or not)”
accordance
in agreement with, in line with
in accordance with — in a manner conforming with.
“the ballot was held in accordance with trade union rules”
atelier
a workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist or designer
drape
-arrange (cloth or clothing) loosely or casually on or round something.
“she draped a shawl around her shoulders”
-cover or wrap loosely with folds of cloth.
“the body was draped in a blanket”
- let (oneself or a part of one’s body) rest somewhere in a casual or relaxed way.
“he draped an arm around her shoulders”
liaison
-communication or cooperation which facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations.
-a person who acts as a link to assist communication or cooperation between people.
plural noun: liaisons
- sexual relationship, especially one that is secret or illicit.
“He has been involved in an opportunistic sexual liaison with a work colleague”
snuffbox
a small ornamental box for holding snuff ( smokeless tobacco).
snuff
extinguish
“a breeze snuffed out the candle”
correspondence
a close similarity, connection, or equivalence.
“there is a simple correspondence between the distance of a focused object from the eye and the size of its image on the retina”
communication by exchanging letters.
“the organization engaged in detailed correspondence with local MPs”
convoke
call together or summon (an assembly or meeting).
“she sent messages convoking a Council of Ministers”
council : A council is a group of people who come together to consult, deliberate, or make decisions.
Deliberate : engage in long and careful consideration.
“she deliberated over the menu”
constitution
the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government
insubordination
defiance of authority; refusal to obey orders.
“he was dismissed for insubordination”
pillage
rob a (place) using violence, especially in wartime. "the abbey was plundered and pillaged"
arsenal
a collection of weapons and military equipment.
bastille
jail
amass
gather together
arbitrary
based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
(of power or a ruling body) unrestrained and autocratic in the use of authority.
“a country under arbitrary government”
wonderlust
a strong desire to travel.
His wanderlust would not allow him to stay long in one spot
municipal
What would municipal mean?
A municipality refers to a village, town, or city that’s usually governed by a mayor and council. From this noun, we get the adjective municipal, which you can use to describe something that relates to a town or its government
expatriate
a person who lives outside their native country.
exile, emigrant
horde
a large group of people
A horde of beery rugby fans.
vociferous
expressing or characterized by vehement ( showing strong feeling) opinions; loud and forceful.
“he was a vociferous opponent of the takeover”
vehement
showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense.
“her voice was low but vehement”
brandish
wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.
“a man leaped out brandishing a knife”
stagecoach
a large closed horse-drawn vehicle formerly used to carry passengers and often mail along a regular route between two places.
exuberant
full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness.
“a noisy bunch of exuberant youngsters”
misogynistic
strongly prejudiced against women.
“deeply ingrained misogynistic attitudes”
chauvinist
‘show-vvvv-nistic’
a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism
jingoistic
“a chauvinist rejection of foreign interference”
ingrained
(of a habit, belief, or attitude) firmly fixed or established; difficult to change.
“his deeply ingrained Catholic convictions”
damsel
a young, unmarried woman
strutting
“peacocks strut through the grounds”
walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait.
prance
(of a horse) move with high springy steps.
“the pony was prancing around the paddock”
(of a person) walk or move around with ostentatious, exaggerated movements.
“she pranced around the lounge impersonating her favourite pop stars”
ingenious
(of a person) clever, original, and inventive.
“he was ingenious enough to overcome the limited budget”
sequin
a small shiny disc sewn on to clothing for decoration.
“satin dresses trimmed (decorated) with pearls and sequins”
dwelling
A dwelling is a home — where someone lives. … If you know that to dwell means to live somewhere, then the meaning of dwelling won’t be a surprise: it’s an abode, domicile, or home
incessant
(of something regarded as unpleasant) continuing without pause or interruption.
“the incessant beat of the music”
ceaseless
obscenity
the state or quality of being obscene.
“the book was banned for obscenity”
Similar:
indecency, vulgarity
an extremely offensive word or expression.
plural noun: obscenities
“the men scowled ( angry expression) and muttered obscenities”
Stub out
stub out something definition: to stop the end of something, such as a cigar, from burning by pressing it against something else.
stubs out a cigarette
tread
walk in a specified way.
“Rosa trod as lightly as she could”
past tense : trod
past participle: trodden
fervent
having or displaying a passionate intensity.
“a fervent supporter of the revolution”
passionate, impassioned.
hot, glowing or burning
earmark
designate (funds or resources) for a particular purpose.
“the cash had been earmarked for a big expansion of the programme.
mark the ear of (a domesticated animal) as a sign of ownership or identity
foothold
a place where a person’s foot can be lodged (make or firmly fixed/ embedded in a place) to support them securely, especially while climbing.
a secure position from which further progress may be made.
“the company is attempting to gain a foothold in the Russian market”
threshold
the magnitude or intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, result, or condition to occur or be manifested.
“nothing happens until the signal passes the threshold”
the maximum level of radiation or a concentration of a substance considered to be acceptable or safe.
“their water would meet the safety threshold of 50 milligrams of nitrates per litre”
Similar:
lower limit
starting point
minimum
margin
limen
the level at which one starts to feel or react to something.
“he has a low boredom threshold”
a level, rate, or amount at which something comes into effect.
“the inheritance tax threshold”
nodded off
drowsed off
fall asleep, especially briefly or unintentionally.
“he nodded off during the sermon”
drone
a continuous low humming sound
“in the far distance a machine droned”
duly
properly, as might be predicted
in accordance with what is required or appropriate; following proper procedure or arrangement.
“a document duly signed and authorized by the inspector”
moroseness
having a sullen and gloomy disposition.
He has a natural moroseness to his expression.
a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character.
“your sunny disposition has a way of rubbing off on those around you”
pugnacious
having a quarrelsome or combative nature : truculent / aggressive
eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
“his public statements became increasingly pugnacious”
infallible
error-free, unfailing
incapable of making mistakes or being wrong.
“doctors are not infallible”
run up
accumulate
allow a debt or bill to accumulate.
“he ran up debts of £153,000”
make something quickly or hurriedly, especially a piece of clothing.
“I’ll run up a dress for you”
countenance
- the look on a face that shows expression.
An example of countenance is wide eyes and a bright smile indicating joy.
support/ approval
keep someone in countenance : help someone to remain calm and confident.
“to keep herself in countenance she opened her notebook”
keep one’s countenance : maintain one’s composure, especially by refraining from laughter.
amenable
open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.
“parents who have amenable children”
fraternize
associate or form a friendship with someone, especially when one is not supposed to.
“she ignored Elisabeth’s warning glare against fraternizing with the enemy”
corroborate
confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).
“the witness had corroborated the boy’s account of the attack”
bootstrap
get (oneself or something) into or out of a situation using existing resources.
“the company is bootstrapping itself out of a marred (spoil ) financial past”
candour
the quality of being open and honest; frankness.
“a man of refreshing candour”
bobbing up and down
to move up and down with short regular movements, especially on water that is rising and falling. bob up and down: The little boat bobbed up and down on the waves.
desolation
a state of complete emptiness or destruction.
“the stony desolation of the desert”
Misery, loneliness
“in choked desolation, she watched him leave”
ungainly
(of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy.
“an ungainly walk”
sprawl
sit, lie, or fall with one’s arms and legs spread out in an ungainly way.
“the door shot open, sending him sprawling across the pavement”
spread out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way.
“the town sprawled along several miles of cliff top”
contrite
repentant
feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.
“a contrite tone”
gash
lacerate, slash, tear apart
a long, deep cut or wound.
“a bad gash in one leg became infected”
“the jagged edges gashed their fingers
amalgamated
combine or unite to form one organization or structure.
“he amalgamated his company with another”
illusive
deceptive
“an illusive haven”
elusive
difficult to find, catch, or achieve.
“success will become ever more elusive”
difficult to remember.
“the elusive thought he had had moments before”
break someone’s fall
to stop someone who is falling from hitting the ground directly, so that they hurt themselves less than they would have done
stilted
(of a manner of talking or writing) stiff and self-conscious or unnatural.
“we made stilted conversation”
avert
turn away (one's eyes or thoughts). "she averted her eyes while we made stilted conversation"
prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence).
“talks failed to avert a rail strike”
cast your mind back
think about something that happened in past
To cast one’s self on
to yield (surrender) or submit one’s self unreservedly to, as to the mercy of another.
at the mercy of someone
If one person or thing is at the mercy of another, the first person or thing is in a situation where they cannot prevent themselves being harmed or affected by the second.
Reeking
wet with secreted or exuded moisture such as sweat or tears. “wiped his reeking neck” synonyms: watery wet.
Reek of
to emit smoke or vapor. 2a : to give off or become permeated with a strong or offensive odor
a room reeking of incense. b : to give a strong impression of some constituent (being a part of a whole.)quality or feature
a neighborhood that reeks of poverty. 3 : emanate.
countermand
rescind, revoke, cancel
revoke or cancel (an order).
“an order to arrest the strike leaders had been countermanded”
mosey ( informal )
walk or move in a leisurely manner.
“we decided to mosey on up to Montgomery”
walk or drive leisurely
i’ll just have a mosey round
thud
a dull, heavy sound, such as that made by an object falling to the ground.
“he hit the floor with a terrific thud”
thump, clunk, clonk, bang
derisive
expressing contempt or ridicule.
“he gave a harsh, derisive laugh”
trepidation
a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen.
“the men set off in fear and trepidation”
Upon
On
Upon is also used to mean ‘immediately after’, as in ‘Upon his release from prison, Davis went immediately to his mother’s house’.
seize
- take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
“she jumped up and seized his arm” - (of a feeling or pain) affect (someone) suddenly or acutely.
“he was seized by the most dreadful fear” - strongly appeal to or attract (the imagination or attention).
“the story of the king’s escape seized the public imagination” - Understand (something) quickly or clearly.
“he always strains to seize the most sombre truths” - (of a machine with moving parts) become jammed.
“I realized that the mechanism had seized” - fasten or attach (someone or something) to something by binding with turns of rope.
“Jack was seized to the gun and had his two dozen lashes”
solace
comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.
“she sought solace in her religion”
give comfort or consolation to.
“the soundlessness of nature impressed and solaced her”
discourse
written or spoken communication or debate.
Eg: when you discuss something with your friends in person or over a chat platform.
speak or write authoritatively (confident, can be trusted, commanding way) about a topic.
“she could discourse at great length on the history of Europe”
zinger (informal)
a striking or amusing remark.
“open a speech with a zinger”
an outstanding person or thing.
“a zinger of a shot”
inveterate
habitual, ingrained, deep-rooted
having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change.
“an inveterate gambler”
“the inveterate hostility between the two countries was not easily eradicated (eliminated)”
eradicate
get rid of, reduce
flout
-mock. scoff
-openly disregard (a rule, law, or convention (agreement, protocol, practice).
“the advertising code is being flouted”.
flaunt
display (something) ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or admiration or to show defiance.
“newly rich consumers eager to flaunt their prosperity
peruse
read carefully
read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way.
“he has spent countless hours in libraries perusing art history books and catalogues”
indisputable
unable to be challenged or denied.
indisputable proof
phrasal verb : Zero in
take aim with a gun or missile.
“jet fighters zeroed in on the rebels’ positions”
focus one’s attention.
“they zeroed in on the clues he dropped about himself”
voracious
wanting or devouring great quantities of food.
“a voracious appetite”
engaging in an activity with great eagerness or enthusiasm.
“she’s a voracious reader
avid
having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something.
“an avid reader of science fiction”
having an eager desire for.
“she was avid for information about the murder inquiry”
pitfall
a hidden or unsuspected danger or difficulty.
“the pitfalls of buying goods at public auctions”
a covered pit for use as a trap.
authoritative
reliable
formidable
inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.
“a formidable opponent”
tactile
of or connected with the sense of touch.
“vocal and visual signals become less important as tactile signals intensify”
perceptible by touch or apparently so; tangible.
“she had a distinct, almost tactile memory of the girl fleeing”
designed to be perceived by touch.
“tactile exhibitions help blind people enjoy the magic of sculpture”
omission
a person or thing that has been left out or excluded.
“there are glaring omissions in the report”
a failure to fulfil a moral or legal obligation.
“to pay compensation for a wrongful act or omission”
curtail
reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on.
“civil liberties were further curtailed”
etymology
the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning.
a branch of linguistics dealing with etymologies.
digression
a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
“let’s return to the main topic after that brief digression”
unabashed
shameless, unembarrassed
“he was unabashed by the furore (outroar ,commotion) his words provoked”
divest
deprive someone of (power, rights, or possessions).
“men are unlikely to be divested of power without a struggle”
reconnoitre
survey , explore
make a military observation of (a region).
“they reconnoitred the beach some weeks before the landing”
off-grid
not using or depending on public utilities, especially the supply of electricity.
“off-grid housing”
“he has lived off-grid for 32 years”
deterrent
a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
“cameras are a major deterrent to crime”
contention
heated disagreement.
“the captured territory was the main area of contention between the two countries”
an assertion, especially one maintained in argument.
assertion : a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.
“Freud’s contention that all dreams were wish fulfilment”
in contention : having a good chance of success in a contest.
“three penalties kept the team firmly in contention”
procession
a number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, especially as part of a ceremony.
“a funeral procession” , march
makeshift
temporary
acting as an interim ( meantime) and temporary measure.
“arranging a row of chairs to form a makeshift bed”
behold
see or observe (someone or something, especially of remarkable or impressive nature).
“behold your lord and prince!”
convoy
a group of ships or vehicles travelling together, typically one accompanied by armed troops, warships, or other vehicles for protection.
a convoy of lorries
prompt
Verb
(of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling).
“the violence prompted a wave of refugees to flee the country”
encourage (a hesitating speaker) to say something.
“‘And the picture?’ he prompted”
Noun
an act of encouraging a hesitating speaker.
“with barely a prompt, Barbara talked on”
the time limit for the payment of an account, stated on a prompt note.
adjective
done without delay; immediate.
“she would have died but for the prompt action of two ambulancemen”
adverb BRITISH
exactly (with reference to a specified time).
“I set off at three-thirty prompt”
savvy
having good understanding
vigilant
observant
astute
having/ show an ability to accurately assess situation / people
“an astute businessman”
relentless
persistent
unceasingly intense.
“the relentless heat of the desert”
masquerade
pretense
I doubt he could have kept up the masquerade for long.
scrutiny
careful observation/ examination
The government’s record will be subjected to/come under (close) scrutiny in the weeks before the election.
conniving
given to ( prone/inclined to ) or involved in conspiring to do something immoral, illegal, or harmful.
conspire : make secret plans jointly to commit an unlawful or harmful act.
“they conspired against him”
“a heartless and conniving person”
deterrent
a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
“cameras are a major deterrent to crime”
mete
dispense or allot (allocate) justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment.
“punishments meted out to soldiers who violated army regulations”
incredulous
(of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something.
“an incredulous gasp”
pew
a long bench with a back, placed in rows in the main part of some churches to seat the congregation.
an enclosure or compartment containing a number of seats, used in some churches to seat a particular worshipper or group of worshippers.
trail
draw or be drawn along behind someone or something.
“Alex trailed a hand through the clear water”
sweep, drag
present participle : Trailing
coursing
(of liquid) move without obstruction; flow.
“tears were coursing down her cheeks”
pursue (game, especially hares) with greyhounds using sight rather than scent.
“many of the hares coursed escaped unharmed”
tentative
hesitant
furore
an outbreak of public anger or excitement.
“the verdict raised a furore over the role of courtroom psychiatry”
frenzy
a state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behaviour.
“Doreen worked herself into a frenzy of rage”
morph
change smoothly from one image to another by small gradual steps using computer animation techniques.
“the characters can be morphed on screen”
undergo or cause to undergo a gradual process of transformation.
“the cute moppet has morphed into the moody moll of the indie world”
ordeal
a very unpleasant and prolonged experience.
“the ordeal of having to give evidence”
careen
rush , turn , tilt , lean over
frantic
distraught with fear, anxiety, or other emotion.
“she was frantic with worry”
conducted in a hurried, excited, and disorganized way.
“frantic attempts to resuscitate the girl”
gingerly
carefully
heave
produce a sigh.
lift something with great effort / haul
wince
make a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of pain or distress.
“he winced at the disgust in her voice”
rattle
make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds.
“the roof rattled with little gusts of wind”
a rapid succession of short, sharp, sounds.
“the rattle of teacups on the tray”
foreboding
a feeling that something bad will happen; fearful apprehension.
“with a sense of foreboding she read the note”
anxious, apprehension
veer
sudden change of direction
sweltering
hot
trawl
: thorough search
A constant trawl for information
Trawled the streets hoping to meet people
boisterous
-noisy, energetic and cheerful
-(of weather or water) wild or stormy.
“the boisterous wind was lulled”
ruckus
a row or commotion
peal
a loud ringing of a bell or bells.
“the bell rang again, a long, loud peal”
a loud repeated or reverberating sound of thunder or laughter.
“Ross burst into peals of laughter
cacophony
a harsh discordant mixture of sounds.
“a cacophony of deafening alarm bells”
incongruous
not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something.
“the duffel coat looked incongruous with the black dress she wore underneath”
stead
in the place of someone or something.
She conducted the meeting in his stead
slink
move smoothly and quietly with gliding steps, in a stealthy or sensuous manner.
“the fox came slinking through the bracken”
sensuous
aesthetically pleasing, or sexually attractive
mint
pristine condition, brand new
scrawl
write (something) in a hurried, careless way.
“Charlie scrawled his signature”
an example of hurried, careless writing.
“the page was covered in scrawls and doodles”
squeal
scream
“the girls squealed with delight”
respite
a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
“the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering”
ravage
severely damaged; devastated.
“he hopes to visit his ravaged homeland”
snubbed
rebuff
rebuff( rejected ), ignore, or spurn disdainfully.
“he snubbed faculty members and students alike”
lest
in case
vagrant
a person without a settled home or regular work who wanders from place to place and lives by begging.
frumpy
old fashioned
aspirant
having ambitions to achieve something, typically to follow a particular career.
“an aspirant politician”
pining
suffer a mental and physical decline, especially because of a broken heart.
“she thinks I am pining away from love”
dormant
asleep
languish
very worried and upset
exasperated
intensely irritated and frustrated.
conform/ conformity
comply with rules, obey
Conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group.
gallivating
go around from one place to another in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment.
“she quit her job to go gallivanting around the globe”
broach
raise (a difficult subject) for discussion.
“he broached the subject he had been avoiding all evening”
in cahoots
in an alliance or partnership.” In most contexts, it describes the conspiring activity of people up to no good.
the twins are in cahoots with each other to trick their parents
hapless
unfortunate
the hapless victims of the disaster.
affable
friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
“an affable and agreeable companion”
amiable
having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
“the amiable young man greeted me enthusiastically”
bearing
a person’s way of standing or moving.
“a man of precise military bearing”
the way a person behaves or conducts themselves.
“she has the bearing of a First Lady”
relation; relevance.
“the case has no direct bearing on the issues being considered”
the ability to tolerate something bad or to be tolerated.
“school was bad enough, but now it’s past bearing”
have a row
If two people have a row, they have a noisy argument
jitter
act nervously.
“an anxious student who jittered at any provocation
rickety
(of a structure or piece of equipment) poorly made and likely to collapse.
“we went carefully up the rickety stairs
affected by rickets.
“poverty was evident in undernourished faces or rickety legs”
irksome
irritating
waft
(with reference to a scent, sound, etc.) pass or cause to pass gently through the air.
“the smell of stale fat wafted out from the cafe”
keenness
the quality of being eager or enthusiastic; eagerness.
“he has expressed his keenness to retain his job”
put up/ put him or her up
give accommodation to
cistern
a tank for storing water, especially one supplying taps or as part of a flushing toilet.
clinch
secure
abet
encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular to commit a crime.
“he was not guilty of murder but was guilty of aiding and abetting others
exude
give off, emanate
with bated breath
Eagerly or anxiously, as in We waited for the announcement of the winner with bated breath. This expression literally means “holding one’s breath” (bate means “restrain”).
detractor
critic
arduous
tedious , onerous
pique
stimulate, arouse, irritate, resentful
she was piqued by his curtness ( discourteous )
yelp
a short, sharp cry, especially of pain or alarm.
“she uttered a yelp as she bumped into a table”
screech, squawk, shirek , howl, yowl
trudge
walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions.
sling
suspend or arrange (something), especially with a strap or straps, so that it hangs loosely in a particular position.
“a hammock was slung between two trees”
condescend
patronise
treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority.
“she was determined not to be put down or patronized”
patron
What is an example of a patron?
The definition of a patron is a regular customer of an establishment or someone who provides financial support to some person or cause, such as a patron of the arts. An example of a patron is a person who goes to eat at the same restaurant every week.
paranoia
Paranoia is thinking and feeling like you are being threatened in some way, even if there is no evidence, or very little evidence, that you are.
statutory
required, permitted, or enacted ( pass/ approve/ act out) by statute.
“statutory controls over prices”
having come to be required or expected through being done or made regularly.
“the statutory Christmas phone call to his mother”
taut
stretched or pulled tight; not slack.
“the fabric stays taut without adhesive”
especially of muscles or nerves) tense; not relaxed.
“my voice was taut with anger”
(of writing, music, etc.) concise and controlled.
“a taut text of only a hundred and twenty pages”
sift
sieve, look through carefully
tug
pull, wrench
scurry
hurry
entrance
enchant
chariot
a two-wheeled vehicle drawn by horses, used in ancient racing and warfare.
grueling
extremely tired and demanding
mope
sulk, low spirited
exemplary
ideal
in light of ( phrase of light )
taking (something) into consideration.
“the exorbitant prices are explainable in light of the facts”
extortionate
- (of a price) much too high; exorbitant.
“£2,700 for that guitar is extortionate” - using or given to extortion (demanding something through threats or force).
“the extortionate power of the unions”
make provision for something
If you make provision for something that might happen or that might need to be done, youmake arrangements to deal with it.
searing
extremely hot or intense.
“the searing heat of the sun”
severely critical.
“a searing indictment of the government’s performance”
searing pain
relent
ease off, change one’s mind
concede
surrender, acknowledge, accept, allow
gaudy
extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless.
“silver bows and gaudy ribbons”
garish
obtrusively bright and showy; lurid.
“garish shirts in all sorts of colours”
Stumped
(of a question or problem) be too hard for; baffle.
“education chiefs were stumped by some of the exam questions”
skulking
keep out of sight, typically with a sinister or cowardly motive.
“don’t skulk outside the door like a spy!”
move stealthily or furtively.
“he spent most of his time skulking about the corridors”
vigour
physical strength and good health.
“I was 79, but still full of vigour and vitality”
effort, energy, and enthusiasm.
“they set about the new task with vigour”
flabbergasted
surprised
wits
(sometimes singular) the ability to reason and act, esp quickly (esp in the phrase have one’s wits about one)
(sometimes singular) right mind, sanity (esp in the phrase out of one’s wits)
at one’s wits’ end at a loss to know how to proceed
live by one’s wits to gain a livelihood by craftiness and cunning rather than by hard work
What does keeping her wits about her mean?
keep (one’s) wits about (one)
To stay calm and rational, especially in times of stress. Luckily, the teacher kept her wits about her and was able to evacuate all of her students from the burning building.
surreptitious
kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
“low wages were supplemented by surreptitious payments from tradesmen”
supple
bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible.
“her supple fingers”
full swing
at the highest level of activity Work on the project is in full swing. The party was in full swing by the time we arrived.
green thumb
unusal ability to grow plants
Came into
- if someone comes into money, property or a title, they receive it as a result of feath of a relation.
- if a particular emotion / quality comes into a situation , it influences that situation. She married for money- love didn’t come into it.
prudence
wisdom, judgement,
judiciousness
weasel
achieve something by use of cunning or deceit.
“she suspects me of trying to weasel my way into his affections”
devise
think up, come up with , conceive
impetuous
acting or done quickly and without thought or care.
“she might live to rue this impetuous decision”
moving forcefully or rapidly.
“an impetuous but controlled flow of water”
cordoned off
to prevent people from getting into (an area) by putting a line of people or objects around or in front of it.
Police cordoned off the street.
about - turn
turn around
as thick as thieves
(of two or more people) very close or friendly; sharing secrets.
“he and Auntie Lou were as thick as thieves”
haunt
a place frequented by a specified person.
“the bar was a favourite haunt of artists of the time”
delineate
describe or portray (something) precisely.
“the law should delineate and prohibit behaviour which is socially abhorrent”
indicate the exact position of (a border or boundary).
“his finger found a precisely outlined section delineated in red marker”
abhorrent
inspiring disgust and loathing; repugnant.
“racism was abhorrent to us all”
impart
make (information) known.
“the teachers imparted a great deal of knowledge to their pupils”
bestow (a quality).
“shiitake mushrooms impart a wonderfully woody flavour to the salad”
avenue
a way of approaching a problem or making progress towards something.
“three possible avenues of research suggested themselves”
shard
a piece of broken ceramic, metal, glass, or rock, typically having sharp edges.
“shards of glass flew in all directions”
beacon
: a lighthouse or other signal for guidance
: a radio transmitter emitting signals to guide aircraft
: a source of light or inspiration
… the beacon to the oppressed of all countries …
— Adrienne Koch
3: a signal fire commonly on a hill, tower, or pole
try as one might
no matter how hard one tries
Try as he might, he couldn’t do it.
entice
attempt, lure, attract
pound
a place where stray animals, especially dogs, may be officially taken and kept until claimed by their owners.
pinfold
usurp
take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force.
“Richard usurped the throne”
scrounged around
Forage ( scavenge, hunt ) about in an effort to obtain something at no cost, as in We scrounged around their kitchen looking for a snack.
laden
heavily loaded
hot to the touch
When skin feels hot to the touch, it often means that the body’s temperature is hotter than normal.
slab
a large, thick, flat piece of stone or concrete, typically square or rectangular in shape.
“paving slabs”
a large, thick slice or piece of cake, bread, chocolate, etc.
“a slab of bread and cheese”
remove slabs from (a log or tree) to prepare it for sawing into planks.
“he slabbed the log on the two other remaining sides to make a rectangular timber”
antagonise
cause (someone) to become hostile.
“the aim was to antagonize visiting supporters”
annoy, alienate , estrange
gobsmacked
utterly astonished; astounded.
congeniality
Congeniality is the quality of being pleasant and agreeable. Someone who’s known for their congeniality is friendly, nice, and easy to get along with. Such a person can be described as congenial.
spate
a large number of similar things coming in quick succession.
“a spate of attacks on holidaymakers”
destitute
extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself.
“the charity cares for destitute children”
hoisted
raise (something) by means of ropes and pulleys.
“a white flag was hoisted”
hurtle
move or cause to move at high speed, typically in an uncontrolled manner.
“a runaway car hurtled towards them”
prowl
(of a person or animal) move about restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of prey.
“lions prowling in the bush”
slink, skulk
on the prowl
prowling around in search of prey.
“there is a serial killer on the prowl”
rung
1.
a horizontal support on a ladder for a person’s foot.
2.
a strengthening crosspiece in the structure of a chair.
apprehensive
anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
“he felt apprehensive about going home”
decked out
: dressed in a very fancy way
We got all decked out for the occasion.
: decorated in a fancy way —often + with
a room decked out with hundreds of little lights
squint
look at someone or something with one or both eyes partly closed in an attempt to see more clearly or as a reaction to strong light.
“the bright sun made them squint”
have eyes that look in different directions.
“Melanie did not squint”
(of a person’s eye) have a deviation in the direction of its gaze.
“her left eye squinted slightly”
cross eye
look with difficulty or concentration at someone or something.
“Faye peered at her with suspicion”
sow
scatter
bring about
wily
skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.
“his wily opponents”
matronly
denoting, relating to, or characteristic of a staid or conservatively dressed older married woman, especially one with a somewhat heavy build.
“she looked matronly in a putty-coloured tweed two-piece”
impede
delay
stub
the truncated remnant of a pencil, cigarette, or similar-shaped object after use.
“the ashtray was full of stubs”
the counterfoil of a cheque, receipt, ticket, or other document.
“retain your ticket stubs”
accidentally strike (one's toe) against something. "I stubbed my toe, swore, and tripped"
bar
closed or secured with a long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material.
“he sits by a barred window”
marked with bands of colour or light.
“he spotted a barred owl”
fasten (something, especially a door or window) with a bar or bars.
“she bolted (run) and barred the door”
forbid someone from undertaking (an activity).
“the job she loved had been barred to her”
exclude (something) from consideration.
“nothing is barred in the crime novel
mark (something) with bars or stripes.
“his face was barred with light”
bolt
(of a horse or other animal) run away suddenly, typically from fear.
“the horses shied (shy) and bolted”
(in hunting) cause (a rabbit or fox) to run from its burrow or hole.
“a ferret progresses through the holes bolting rabbits”
(of a plant) grow quickly upwards and stop flowering as seeds develop.
“the lettuces have bolted”
eat (food) quickly.
“there’s no need to bolt your food”
eat/ drink greedily : gobble, gulp, wolf, guzzle
disbar
- expel (a barrister) from the Bar, so that they no longer have the right to practise law.
“a disciplinary tribunal directed that he should be disbarred”
2.
exclude (someone) from something.
“competitors wearing rings will be disbarred from competition”
recede
go or move back or further away from a previous position.
“the floodwaters had receded”
prink
make a small hole in (something) with a sharp point; pierce slightly.
“prick the potatoes with a fork”
(especially of a horse or dog) make (the ears) stand erect when on the alert.
“the dog’s ears were pricked”
pompous
affectedly grand, solemn, or self-important.
“a pompous ass who pretends he knows everything”
defect
a shortcoming, imperfection, or lack.
“genetic defects”
abandon one’s country or cause in favour of an opposing one.
“he defected to the Soviet Union after the war”
peg
idiom - peg you as
spike, pin, control, keep down
idiom meaning : To believe or consider that one definitely is a certain type of person or thing
eg : I didn’t peg you to be the funny type
taunt
provoke, jeer
a remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone.
“pupils will play truant rather than face the taunts of classmates about their ragged clothes”
admonish
reprimand, scold
fortuity
by chance occurrence
throng
crowd
the shopping mall is thronged with people.
he pushed his way through the throng.
much less
used to introduce something as being even less likely than something already mentioned.
“what woman would consider a date with him, much less a marriage?”
the staff themselves are not happy with the new opening hours, much less the customers.
scanty
small or insufficient in quantity or amount.
“they paid whatever they could out of their scanty wages to their families”
jutting
extend out, over, or beyond the main body or line of something.
“a rock jutted out from the side of the bank”
protruding
drag the lake
to look for something in a lake, river etc by pulling a heavy net along the bottom
The police are dragging the lake for the missing girl’s body.
cajoling
persuading
cherubic
having the innocence or plump prettiness of a young child.
“a round, cherubic face”
virtuous
having or showing high moral standards.
“she considered herself very virtuous because she neither drank nor smoked”
toggle
switch from one effect, feature, or state to another by using a toggle.
“the play/pause button toggles between those functions”
graze
(of cattle, sheep, etc.) eat grass in a field.
“cattle graze on the open meadows”
put (cattle, sheep, etc.) to feed on grassland.
“shepherds who grazed animals on common land”
scour
clean or brighten the surface of (something) by rubbing it hard, typically with an abrasive or detergent.
“she scoured the cooker”
the action of scouring or the state of being scoured, especially by swift-flowing water.
“the scour of the tide may cause lateral erosion”
an act of rubbing something hard to clean or brighten it.
“give the floor a good scour”
subject (a place, text, etc.) to a thorough search in order to locate something.
“David scoured each newspaper for an article on the murder”
dial
a face of a clock or watch that is marked to show units of time.
commiseration
condolences
entail
involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.
“a situation which entails considerable risks”
coveted
greatly desired or envied.
“I gave up a coveted job, that of editor-in-chief”
that of
“That of” is mostly used to compare two things (that is used as a pronoun).
Example: The population of New York is greater than the population of San Diego. Can be transformed to: The population of New York is greater than that of San Diego.
the reins
power and control of a business or other activity:
These are the councilors who hold the reins of power.
He handed the reins to his successor.
I am retiring, and someone else can take over the reins.
having said that
nevertheless
petulant
(of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
“he was moody and petulant”
traverse
1.
travel across or through.
“he traversed the forest”
rubble
waste or rough fragments of stone, brick, concrete, etc., especially as the debris from the demolition of buildings.
“two buildings collapsed, trapping scores of people in the rubble”
Latchkey kid
A latchkey kid, or latchkey child, is a child who returns to an empty home after school or a child who is often left at home with no supervision because their parents are away at work. The child can be any age, alone or with siblings.
steadfast
resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.
“steadfast loyalty”
exorbitant
(of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high.
“some hotels charge exorbitant rates for phone calls”
scatterbrain
: a person who is forgetful, disorganized, or unable to concentrate or think clearly
take the plunge
go for it
incapacitated
deprived of strength or power; debilitated.
“Richard was temporarily incapacitated”
pogrom
an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group, in particular that of Jewish people in Russia or eastern Europe.
“the Nazis began a pogrom against Jewish people in Germany”
all in all
on the whole.
“all in all it’s been a good year”
all things considered
penchant ( pronounced as pon- shon )
a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
“he has a penchant for adopting stray dogs”
on reflection
If someone admits or accepts something on reflection, they admit or accept it after having thought carefully about it.
after thinking about something On/Upon reflection, I decided to accept their offer
congeal
become semi-solid, especially on cooling.
“the blood had congealed into blobs”
circumvent
find a way around (an obstacle).
“if you come to an obstruction in a road you can seek to circumvent it”
much to someone’s regret.
causing someone great disappointment.
stifle
make (someone) unable to breathe properly; suffocate.
“those in the streets were stifled by the fumes”
restrain (a reaction) or stop oneself acting on (an emotion).
“she stifled a giggle”
foretold
predict
frolic
play or move about in a cheerful and lively way.
“Edward frolicked on the sand”
a playful and lively movement or activity.
“his injuries were inflicted by the frolics of a young filly
frivolous
not having any serious purpose or value.
“frivolous ribbons and lacy frills”
(of a person) carefree and superficial.
“the frivolous, fun-loving flappers of the twenties”
exhilarate
very happy, animated, elated
quaint
picturesque
no mean feat
to be a great achievement
Getting the job finished in under a week was no mean feat
reprieve
cancel or postpone the punishment of (someone, especially someone condemned to death).
“under the new regime, prisoners under sentence of death were reprieved”
stickler
a person who insists on a certain quality or type of behaviour.
“he’s a stickler for accuracy”
composite
make up of several parts
mongrel
cross-breed
physique
the form, size, and development of a person’s body.
“a sturdy, muscular physique”
build
valiant
possessing or acting with bravery or boldness
smorgasbord
a range of open sandwiches and delicacies served as starter or a buffet.
a wide range of something; a variety.
“the album is a smorgasbord of different musical styles”
crypt
Tomb
an underground room or vault beneath a church, used as a chapel or burial place.
dismal
causing a mood of gloom or depression.
“the dismal weather made the late afternoon seem like evening”
(of a person or their mood) gloomy.
“his dismal mood was not dispelled by finding the house empty”
gloomy
went about
transitive
(go about something) : to do something that you normally do in your usual way.
go about your business/work/daily life
etc: There were no further reports of violence in the town, and most people went about their daily activities as usual.
blatant
(of bad behaviour) done openly and unashamedly.
“blatant lies
completely lacking in subtlety; very obvious.
“despite their blatant attraction to each other they try to stay just friends”
shrill
(of a voice or sound) high-pitched and piercing.
“a shrill laugh”
plaintive
sounding sad and mournful.
“a plaintive cry”
quake
quaking(especially of the earth) shake or tremble.
“the rumbling vibrations set the whole valley quaking”
staunch
very loyal and committed in attitude. ( faithful )
“a staunch supporter of the anti-nuclear lobby”
stop or restrict (a flow of blood) from a wound.
“he staunched the blood with whatever came to hand” ( stem, hold back)
immensely
extremely
substantial
of considerable importance, size, or worth.
“a substantial amount of cash”
concerning the essentials of something.
“there was substantial agreement on changing policies”
limpid
(of a liquid) completely clear and transparent.
“the limpid waters of the Caribbean”
lucid, clear
propriety
conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behaviour or morals.
“he always behaved with the utmost propriety”
truce
an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting or arguing for a certain time.
“the guerrillas called a three-day truce
ceasefire
insinuation
an unpleasant hint or suggestion of something bad.
“I’ve done nothing to deserve all your vicious insinuations”
implication, hint
civil
relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters.
“civil aviation”
courteous and polite.
“they were comparatively civil to their daughter”
secular
endeavour
try hard to do or achieve something.
“he is endeavouring to help the Third World
an attempt to achieve a goal.
“an endeavour to reduce serious injury”
confer
grant (a title, degree, benefit, or right).
“the Minister may have exceeded the powers conferred on him by Parliament”
have discussions; exchange opinions.
“the officials were conferring with allies”
patent
a government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.
“he took out a patent for an improved steam hammer”
easily recognizable; obvious.
“she was smiling with patent insincerity”
toe the line
accept the authority, policies, or principles of a particular group, especially unwillingly.
“he knew that he had to toe the official line because he couldn’t afford to be put on the dole”
on the dole
: receiving money that a government (especially the British government) gives to people who do not have jobs or who are very poor They’ve been on the dole for a year. They’re going on the dole.
burly
(of a person) large and strong; heavily built.
“I saw a burly figure approaching”
individualistic
more interested in individual people than in society as a whole.
“individualistic cultures where individuals strive for self-realization”
unorthodox
led up to
in the month that led up to the event, everyone in class was busy with the preparation.
caved in
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure. the wall caved in when a tree fell on it.
come in out of the rain
- Literally, to enter a place in order to avoid rain.
Kids, come in out of the rain before you’re all soaking wet! - To remember or consider reality while fantasizing or being overly optimistic.
I was excited to book a vacation until my nearly-depleted bank account forced me to come in out of the rain.
onslaught
a fierce or destructive attack.
“a series of onslaughts on the citadel (fort)”
an overwhelmingly large number of people or things.
“in some parks the onslaught of cars and people far exceeds capacity”
turmoil
a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.
“the country was in turmoil”
consolidation
- the action or process of making something stronger or more solid.
“the permanent consolidation of peace” - the action or process of combining a number of things into a single more effective or coherent whole.
“a consolidation of data within an enterprise”
Exodus
a mass departure of people.
“the annual exodus of sun-seeking Canadians to Florida”
withdrawal
rover
a person who spends their time wandering.
“they became rovers who departed further and further from civilization”
globetrotter , wanderer
discreet
careful and prudent in one’s speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment.
“we made some discreet inquiries”
intentionally unobtrusive.
“a discreet cough”
inconspicuous
emit
produce and discharge (something, especially gas or radiation).
“even the best cars emit carbon dioxide”
make (a sound).
“she emitted a sound like laughter”
foiled
prevent (something considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding.
“a brave policewoman foiled the armed robbery”
frustrate the efforts or plans of.
“their rivals were foiled by the weather”
deterred
discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.
“only a health problem would deter him from seeking re-election”
prevent the occurrence of.
“strategists think not only about how to deter war, but about how war might occur”
afflict
(of a problem or illness) cause pain or trouble to; affect adversely.
“his younger child was afflicted with a skin disease”
a person afflicted with leprosy has to lead a secluded life.
strenuous
requiring or using great effort or exertion.
“the government made strenuous efforts to upgrade the quality of the teaching profession”
difficult, arduous
recluse
a person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people
hermit, monk, ascetic
“she has turned into a virtual recluse”
paraplegic
adjectives : affected by or relating to paralysis of the legs and lower body.
“a paraplegic war veteran”
noun
a person affected by paralysis of the legs and lower body.
“researchers hope the treatment might enable paraplegics to walk again”
sanction
a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.
“a range of sanctions aimed at deterring insider abuse”
official permission or approval for an action.
“he appealed to the bishop for his sanction”
give official permission or approval for (an action).
“the scheme was sanctioned by the court”
impose a sanction or penalty on.
“foreigners in France illegally should be sent home, their employers sanctioned and border controls tightened up”
punishment
censured
express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement.
“the company was heavily censured by inspectors from the Department of Trade”
flimsy
insubstantial and easily damaged.
“a flimsy barrier”
meagre
(of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality.
“they were forced to supplement their meagre earnings”
inculcate
instil (an idea, attitude, or habit) by persistent instruction.
“I tried to inculcate in my pupils an attitude of enquiry”
teach (someone) an attitude, idea, or habit by persistent instruction.
“they will try to inculcate you with a respect for culture”
raid
a rapid surprise attack on an enemy by troops, aircraft, or other armed forces.
“a bombing raid”
penance
punishment inflicted on oneself as an outward expression of repentance for wrongdoing.
“he had done public penance for those hasty words”
atonement
atonement
the action of making amends for a wrong or injury.
“he submitted his resignation as an act of atonement”
reparation
the action of making amends for a wrong one has done, by providing payment or other assistance to those who have been wronged.
“the courts required a convicted offender to make financial reparation to his victim”
the compensation for war damage paid by a defeated state.
plural noun: reparations
“the Treaty of Versailles imposed heavy reparations and restrictions on Germany”
demise
a person’s death.
“Mr Grisenthwaite’s tragic demise”
LAW
conveyance or transfer of property or a title by will or lease.
dissolution
decay, dissolving, death , destruction, termination
grew convinced of his friend’s approaching dissolution
futile
incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
“a futile attempt to keep fans from mounting the stage”
abhor
regard with disgust and hatred.
“he abhorred sexism in every form”
budge
move
refuse to budge
encave
: to hide in or as if in a cave
enclaves
: a distinct territorial, cultural, or social unit enclosed within or as if within foreign territory
various ethnic enclaves like Chinatown and Little India.
flock
a large number or crowd of people.
“a flock of paparazzi tailed them all over London”
echo
a sound or sounds caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener.
“the walls threw back the echoes of his footsteps”
a close parallel to an idea, feeling, or event.
“his love for her found an echo in her own feelings”
verb
1.
(of a sound) be repeated or reverberate after the original sound has stopped.
“their footsteps echoed on the metal catwalks”
2.
(of an object or event) be reminiscent of or have shared characteristics with.
“a blue suit that echoed the colour of her eyes”
incumbent
necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility. "the government realized that it was incumbent on them to act"
(of an official or regime) currently holding office.
“the incumbent President was defeated”
the holder of an office or post.
“the present incumbent will soon be retiring
inauguration
an act of inaugurating especially : a ceremonial induction into office
cruet
a small container or set of containers for salt, pepper, oil, or vinegar for use at a dining table.
decanter
A wine decanter’s primary purpose is to store and serve wine and allow it to breathe. An adequate surface area exposed to air is crucial to the oxygenating process. Sediment and crumbled cork are often found in red wines. Pouring into a decanter can help to filter and remove any unwanted residue
combatant
fighter
scabbard
a sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger, typically made of leather or metal.
“a ceremonial sword hung at his side in a gilded scabbard”
a sheath for a gun or other weapon or tool.
sheath
a close-fitting cover for the blade of a knife or sword.
a protective covering around an electric cable.
extort
obtain (something) by force, threats, or other unfair means.
“he attempted to extort money from the company”
irrevocable
not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered; final.
“an irrevocable step”
swoon
verb
1.
LITERARY
faint, especially from extreme emotion.
“Frankie’s mother swooned and had to be helped to the headmaster’s office”
2.
be overcome with admiration, adoration, or other strong emotion.
“you can have them swooning over you with a few well-placed words”
noun
LITERARY
an occurrence of fainting.
“I fell down in a swoon”
proclaim
announce officially or publicly.
“they proclaimed that housing shortages would be solved within ten years”
2.
indicate clearly.
“his high, intelligent forehead proclaimed a strength of mind that was almost tangible”
paragon
a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.
“it would have taken a paragon of virtue not to feel viciously jealous”
a person or thing viewed as a model of excellence.
“your cook is a paragon”
perfect example
punnet
a small light basket or other container for fruit or vegetables.
“a punnet of strawberries”
make away
DEFINITIONS1. (make away with something) to escape with something that you have stolen. The burglars made away with all their silverware. Synonyms and related words. To escape from a place or situation.
He/she/it: makes away with
I/you/we/they: make away with
Present participle: making away with
take to one’s heels
run away.
we took to our heels when we saw a weird figure.
hard and fast
If you say that there are no hard and fast rules, or that there is no hard and fast information about something, you are indicating that there are no fixed or definite rules or facts.
There are no hard and fast rules, but rather traditional guidelines as to who pays for what.
At the moment there’s no hard and fast timetable.
ambrosia
GREEK & ROMAN MYTHOLOGY
the food of the gods.
shadow of one’s (former/old) self
Reduced or diminished, in vigor or size by age, illness, or fatigue, or in wealth or power.
from a stout woman, she was reduced to a shadow of her former self.
fallacy
Fallacies are common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim.
What is an example of a fallacy?
Example: “People have been trying for centuries to prove that God exists. But no one has yet been able to prove it. Therefore, God does not exist.” Here’s an opposing argument that commits the same fallacy: “People have been trying for years to prove that God does not exist. But no one has yet been able to prove it.
undermine
erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation).
“the flow of water had undermined pillars supporting the roof”
lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously.
“this could undermine years of hard work”
sabotage
sunglow
a pinkish glow often seen in the sky before sunrise or after sunset
monotonously
1 : uttered or sounded in one unvarying tone : marked by a sameness of pitch and intensity. 2 : tediously uniform or unvarying.
“outside, the crickets chirped monotonously”
bird perch
bird roost
What does roosting mean? Roosting is when birds sleep or settle to rest.
What does as chance would have it meaning?
as luck would have it
By good or bad fortune.
I was already late and then, as luck would have it, I couldn’t find a parking spot.
As luck would have it, the other candidate declined, so the job is mine after all!
proponent
a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or course of action.
“a strong proponent of the free market and liberal trade policies”
advocate
ephemeral
lasting for a very short time.
“fashions are ephemeral: new ones regularly drive out the old”
transient
short-lived
