Barron 1100

a blind alley

a direction that leads nowhere

a bolt from the blue

a great surpise

a cat's paw

a person used as a tool or dupe

a feather in one's cap

something to be proud of

a flash in the pan

promising at the start but then disappointing

a fly in the ointment

something that spoils or lessens the enjoyment

a lick and a promise

to do something in a hasty and superficial manner

a pig in a poke

an item you purchase without having seen; a disappointment

a pretty kettle of fish

a messy situation, a problem

a pretty kettle of fish

a mess, trouble

a red herring

something that diverts attention from the main issue

a sacred cow

a person who cannot be criticized

a square peg in a round hole

an able man in the wrong job

a wet blanket

one who spoils the fun; killjoy; spoilsport

a white elephant

a costly and useless possession

abhor

to utterly hate

abjure

abstain from, renounce

abortive

fruitless, failing

abound

to exist in great numbers

abrogate

repeal by law

abstemious

moderate in eating or drinking

absurd

ridiculous

access

admittance

accommodate

to make fit, adjust to

accomplice

an associate in crime

accost

to greet first; to approach and speak to

Achilles heel

weak spot

acknowledge

admit

acme

zenith, pinnacle, peak

acrimonious

caustic, bitter

acute

severe, keen, sharp

adamant

inflexible, unyieding

adherent

supporter, backer

admonish

to scold, warn

adroit

clever; skillful

advent

coming of an important event

adversary

enemy, foe, opponent

adverse

unfavorable

advocate

to support

aegis

protection, sponsorship, shield

afflict

to trouble greatly

affluent

wealthy

alacrity

quick willingness

allay

soothe, calm

alleged

supposed, reported

alleviate

lighten, make easier

allude

suggest, hint

aloof

reserved, apart. distant

altruistic

unselfish

ambiguous

undefined, vague, not specific

ameliorate

relieve, improve

amicable

friendly

amnesty

a general pardon

amorous

full of love

an ax to grind

having a selfish motive in the backround

analogous

comparable, similar

anathema

a curse

annals

historical records

anomaly

abnormality, irregularity

anthropologist

person who studies mankind's customs

antipathy

hate, distaste, dislike

antiquated

out-of-date, obsolete

antithesis

exact opposite

apathy

unconcern, lack of interest

appalled

shocked, dismayed

appellation

a name

apple polishing

trying to gain favor by gifts or flattery

arbiter

judge

arbitrary

based on whim

archaic

out of date

ardent

eager, passionate

array

system, arrangement

artifact

a hand-made object

artifice

strategy, trickery

artless

naive, innocent

as broad as it is long

"it makes very little difference"

ascend

to rise

ascertain

find out about, discover

ascetic

one who practices self-denial

asinine

stupid, silly

asperity

bitterness of temper

aspirant

candidate for better job

aspire

to strive for

asset

something of value

assiduous

busy, attentive

astute

keen, shrews

atrophy

waste away

attenuated

decreased, weakened, thinned

attest

confirm as accurate, vouch for

atypical

nonconforming

au courant

up-to-date

audacity

daring, boldness

augment

increase, enlarge

austere

unadorned, simple, hard

automaton

a robot; a mechanical person

avarice

passion for riches, greed

aversion

opposition, strong dislike

avid

enthusiastic; eager

awesome

inspiring terror, weird

badger

to pester; nag; annoy persistently

bagatelle

a trifle

balk

to refuse to move

banal

meaningless from overuse, trivial

barometer

instrument for measuring change

bedlam

uproar, confusion

begrudge

to be resentful or reluctant

behind the eight ball

in trouble

belated

delayed, late

belittle

speak of as unimportant

belligerent

seeking war, hostile

benevolent

charitable, kindly

bereft

deprived of

besiege

to surround

besmirch

stain, soil, dim the reputation

bias

prejudice

bigot

one who is not tolerant of others' ideas

bigot

prejudiced person

bitter pill to swallow

a humiliating defeat

bizarre

fantastic, odd

bizarre

weird

blase

indifferent, not responsive to excitement

blatant

disagreeably loud

bliss

pleasure, happiness

blow hot and cold

swing for and against something"

blue chip

a highly valuable asset, stock, or property

blunt

plain spoken

bogus

fake, counterfeit

bona fide

genuine

brash

insolent

brass tacks

the real problem or situation

break the ice

to make a start by overcoming initial difficulties

brigand

bandit, robber

bring home the bacon

to earn a living, to succeed

bristle

to have one's hair stand up

buff (n)

a fan, follower, enthusiast

bulwark

protection

burgeoned

grew, flourished

burn the midnight oil

study or work late into the night

bury the hatchet

to make peace

by hook or by crook

at any cost, any way at all

cache

secret hiding place

cacophony

harsh sound, discord, dissonance

cajole

coax; wheedle

callous

unfeeling, hardened

callous

unfeeling

callow

inexperienced, youthful

calumny

slander, false accusation

canard

a made-up sensational story

candid

open, honest, frank

candor

honesty, frankness

cant

insincere or almost meaningless talk

capitulate

make terms, surrender

capricious

fanciful, whimsical

carnage

slaughter

castigate

punish, chastise

castles in the air

to dream about a wonderful future

catastrophic

disastrous

cause celebre

a famous law case or controversy

caustic

stinging

celerity

rapidity, speed

cessation

a pause

chagrin

disappointment

charisma

quality of leadership inspiring enthusiasm

charlatan

fraud, pretender

chicanery

underhandedness, trickery

chimerical

imaginary, fantastic

chip off the old block

a son who is like his father

clandestine

hidden, secret

cliche

a commonplace phrase

clique

small, exclusive group of people

coerce

to force

cogent

forceful, convincing, persuasive

cognizant

aware

cold feet

to hesitate because of fear or uncertainty

cold shoulder

to disregard or ignore

comely

handsome, beautiful

commodious

spacious, large

compassion

kindness, sympathetic feeling

compatible

well-matched, harmonious

compensatory

serving to pay back

complacent

self-satisfied

complicity

partnership in wrongdoing

component

element, part

compound

to increase or add to

comprehensive

thorough

concoct

devise

concomitant

attending, accompanying

concur

agree

condescend

lower oneself, stoop

condolence

expression of sympathy

condone

pardon, excuse

conductive

leading, helpful

confidant(e)

person you tell your secrets too

conflagration

great fire

confront

come face to face with

congenial

agreeable, sympathetic

conjecture

guess

conjugal

relating to marriage, connubial

connoisseur

expert

connubial

related to marriage

consternation

dread, dismay

constrict

bind, limit, squeeze

construe

to interpret

consummate

perfect, complete

contemptuous

looking down on someone or something

contort

twist violently

controversial

debatable

cope

to be a match for

copious

plentiful, abundant, ample

corpulent

excessively fat, fleshy, obese

corroborate

confirm

coterie

small exclusive group

countenance

approve, tolerate

coup

revolution, overthrow

coup de grace

the finishing stroke

covert

secret

covet

wish, envy, want

crave

to desire

criterion

test, model, standard

crocodile tears

insincere tears

cryptic

puzzling

culminate

reach the highest point

culpable

deserving blame

culprit

one who commits a crime

cumbersome

burdensome, unwieldy

cumulative

accumulated

cupidity

greed

curry

to seek favor by flattery

cursory

not thorough, hasty

curtail

cut short

cynic

skeptic, pessimist

dearth

lack, scarcity

debacle

collapse, ruin

debilitate

weaken

debris

ruins, fragments

decade

ten years

decadence

decay

decapitate

behead

declaim

speak loudly

decorum

correct behavior, politeness

decrepit

worn out, broken down

deem

believe, to judge

defamatory

damaging character by false reports

degrade

lower, make contemptible

deleterious

harmful, bad

delineation

description in words, sketch

delude

to fool

deluge

flood

delve

to do research, dig

demeanor

bearing, conduct

demur

to object

denote

mean, show, indicate

depict

portray, picture, describe clearly

deplorable

sad, pitiable

deploy

spread out in battle formation

deprecate

express disapproval

deride

to make fun of

derived

received from a source, descended from

derogatory

expressing a low opinion

desist

cease

destitution

extreme poverty

desultory

disconnected, random

deter

discourage, hinder

detriment

hurt, damage, injury

devout

sincere, religious

dexterity

physical or mental skill

diatribe

bitter criticism

dilettante

one with little knowledge and great interest

diminutive

small, tiny

discern

recognize

disciple

follower

discreet

prudent, careful, cautious

disdain

scorn

disgruntled

displeased, unhappy

disheveled

disorderly clothing or hair

dismantle

take apart, disassemble

disparage

to discredit

disparate

different

dispersed

broken up, scattered, spread

disseminate

scatter, spread

dissent

protest, differ, disagree

distraught

harassed

diversity

change, variety

divulge

reveal, disclose

docile

easy to manage

doddering

trembling, shaking with old age

doleful

sad

domicile

home

dormant

asleep, resting

Draconian Code

a very severe set of rules

draw in one's horns

to check one's anger, to restrain oneself

dregs

most worthless part

drudgery

unpleasant,dull, or hard work

dubious

uncertain

dulcet

sweet or melodious to the ear

dupe

an easily fooled person

duplicity

double-dealing

duress

force, coercion

dyed-in-the-wool

set in one's ways

edifice

building

efficacy

power to produce an effect

effigy

a likeness

effrontery

boldness

egotist

a conceited, vain person

egregious

outstanding for undesirable quality

elapse

to passs by

elicit

extract

elucidate

to make clear

elusive

hard to grasp

emaciated

wasted away

embellish

adorn

eminent

of outstanding reputation

emissary

an agent

emit

to give off

emulate

strive to equal, rival

encomium

high praise

encumbrance

load, handicap, burden

engrossed

absorbed

enhance

to make greater; intensify; heighten

enigma

a riddle, puzzle

ennui

boredom

entourage

followers

entreaty

plea, appeal

enunciate

to utter, proclaim

epithet

descriptive name

epitome

person or thing that represents the best

equanimity

self-control

equanimity

composure, eveness of mind

eradicate

wipe out

erudite

very scholarly

eruption

bursting out

escalation

intensification

eschew

keep away from

ethics

moral philosophy

euphemisim

saying something in a less direct way

evaluate

find the value of, review

evanescent

momentary, passing, fleeting

eventuate

to result finally

evince

show plainly, exhibit

exacerbate

to irritate

excoriate

criticize severely

excruciating

agonizing

exhort

urge strongly, advise

exonerate

to free from guilt

expatriate

an exile

expedient

fit, adviseable

expedite

carry out promptly

exploit

utilize, profit by

expunge

erase

expurgate

to remove objectionable parts or passages

extant

still existing

extinct

no longer existing

extol

praise highly

extortion

getting money by threats

extraneous

not belonging, foreign

extrinsic

coming from outside, foreign

exult

rejoice greatly

exultation

triumphant joy

fabricate

to lie

fabricate

to make up a lie; to construct; to lie

facade

superficial appearance, front

facet

one side or view of person or situation

facetious

humorous, comical, witty

facile

easily accomplished or attained

factitious

artificial, sham

fair-weather friends

unreliable, they fail one in time of distress

fallacious

misleading, false

falter

hesitate, waver, stumble

fastidious

choosy, particular

fat is in the fire

the mischief is done

fatal

disastrous, deadly

fatuous

inane, foolish, silly

feasible

uncertain

feeling no pain

drunk

feint

a false attack; pretense; sham

felicitous

happy

felon

criminal

ferment

agitation, turmoil, uproar

fervid

enthusiastic, passionate, intense

fetish

a magical object

fetter (v)

to hamper, to chain

fiasco

complete failure

fiat

an official order, a decree

flabbergasted

astounded

flagrant

notorious

flamboyant

colorful

flay

scold harshly, strip off the skin

fledgling

little known, newly developed

flout

to show contempt

fluctuate

alternate, shift

foist

pass as genuine, pass off slyly

foment

stir up, instigate

forthwith

immediately

fortuitous

accidental

forty winks

a short nap

fracas

brawl, noisy fight

fractious

quarrelsome

frail

weak, delicate

fraught

filled

fray

a conflict, fight

frenetic

frenzied, frantic

frenzy

frantic outburst

fretful

worrisome

from pillar to post

from one place to another

frugal

thrifty

fruitless

useless

frustrate

foil

fulsome

excessive

furtive

sly; secret; stealthy

futility

uselessness

galvanize

arouse or excite to activity

gamut

range

garbled

confused, mixed up

garrulous

wordy, talkative

gaudy

showy, flashy

gaunt

haggard, thin

genocide

planned destruction of an entire people

genre

a certain form or style in painting or literature

germane

in close relationship to, appropriate

gesticulate

to use lively gestures

gild the lily

to praise extravagantly

gist

main point, essence

glean

collect, gather

glib

smooth of speech

go against the grain

to irritate

gratuity

tip

gregarious

enjoying the company of others

grimace

facial expression of disgust

grotesque

fantastic, strange, bizarre

guise

mien, appearance, manner

gullible

easily fooled

gusto

zest, enjoyment, enthusiasm

habitat

natural environment

halcyon

calm, peaceful

hapless

unlucky; unfortunate

harass

to torment

harbinger

forerunner

have the upper hand

to gain control

haven

place of safety

havoc

ruin

heinous

hatefully evil

heresy

lack of faith, dissent, unbelief

heterogeneous

dissimilar

hirsute

hairy

histrionics

display of emotions

hoard

accumulate, save, store up

hoax

a trick

Hobson's choice

to have no choice at all

homogenous

uniform, same

hook, line, and sinker

completely, all the way

hostile

angry, antagonistic

humility

modesty, meekness, humbleness

hyperbole

exaggerated figure of speech

iconoclast

attacker of beliefs, image-breaker

idyllic

peaceful, simple

ignominious

disgraceful, humiliating

ilk

kind, sort

I'm from Missouri

a skeptic, one who is not easily convinced

imbibe

drink

imminent

about to happen

impeccable

faultless

impede

hinder, interfere, block

imperative

necessary

imperceptible

extremely slight or gradual

imperturbable

serene, steady, calm

impetuous

impulsive

impious

irreverent, lacking respect

implacable

relentless, unappeasable

implore

to plead urgently for aid or mercy

importune

ask urgently

impresario

organizer

impromptu

offhand, spur of the moment

imprudent

unwise

impunity

exemption

in a bee line

take the straightest, shortest route

in apple pie order

in neat order, good condition

in seventh heaven

the highest happiness or delight

in the arms of Morpheus

asleep

in the doldrums

in a bored or depressed state

in the lap of the gods

out of one's own hands

inadvertent

due to an oversight, negligent

inane

silly

inanimate

without life

incapacitated

disabled

inchoate

in an early stage

incipient

just starting

incisive

keen, acute

inclement

stormy, harsh

incoherent

disjointed

incompatibility

lack of harmony

incongruous

having inconsistent elements

incontrovertible

undeniable

incredulous

skeptical

incumbent

morally required

Indian summer

warm autumn weather

indict

accuse

indifference

lack of concern

indigenous

native

indigent

poverty-stricken

indiscriminate

choosing at random without careful selection

indoctrinate

to teach certain principles

indolent

lazy

inebriated

intoxicated, drunk

ineffectual

not effective

inert

powerless to move

inevitable

unavoidable, certain, sure

inexorable

cannot be moved by persuasion, inflexible

infallible

exempt from error, right

infamous

evil

infraction

violation

ingratiate

charm, win confidence

inherent

inborn, natural

inhibition

restraint

iniquity

wickedness, injustice

initiate

set going, start

innate

natural, inborn

innocuous

mild, innocent, harmless

inordinate

excessive

insatiable

cannot be satisfied

insidious

treacherous, sly, seductive

integral

essential

interject

interrupt

interloper

an unauthorized person

interminable

unending

internecine

mutually destructive, involving conflict in a group

interrogate

question

intimidate

to make afraid

intrepid

courageous; brave

intrinsic

inborn, natural, essential

intrinsic

inherent, within itself

introspective

looking into one's own feelings

inundate

to flood, to swamp

invalidate

to deprive of legal force, cancel

invective

insulting, abusive speech

inveigh

attack verbally

inveterate

firmly established, habitual

inviolable

completely protected

irascible

irritable

irate

angry; incensed

irrational

absurd, unreasonable

irrelevant

not related to the subject

itinerant it's an ill wind that blows nobody good ivory tower

going from place to place

jaunty

sprightly

jeopardize

endanger

jettison

throw overboard, discard

jocose

merry, humorous

jostle

to push, to elbow

jubilant

in high spirits, joyful

jurisdiction

range of authority

juxtapose

to place side by side

keep a stiff upper lip

keep up courage, stand up to trouble

keep the pot boiling

to see that interest doesn't die down

know the ropes

to be fully acquainted with the procedures

labyrinth

winding passages

laceration

rough cut

lackluster

lacking brightness

laconic

concise, pithy

lampoon

ridicule

landmark (adj)

historic

largess

liberality, gift, gratuity

lassitude

fatigue, weariness

lassitude

weakness, weariness

latent

lying hidden

laudable

commendable

lax

careless

left holding the bag

to be left to suffer the blame

legerdemain

deceptive adroitness, sleight of hand

legion

large number

let sleeping dogs lie

to let well enough alone, to avoid stirring up old hostilities

lethal

deadly

someone usually benefits from another person's misfortune out of touch with life

lethargic

lazy, indifferent

levity

humor, lightness of disposition

libel

degradation by writing or publishing

like Caesar's wife

above suspicion

lily-livered

cowardly

liquidation

destruction, disposal of

lithe

graceful

livid

pale

loaded for bear

to be well prepared

loath

unwilling

loathe

despise

lock, stock, and barrel

entirely, completely

longevity

long duration of life

look a gift horse in the mouth

to be critical of a present

lucrative

profitable

lugubrious

very sad

lurid

sensational

lush

luxurious

Machiavellian

not principled, governed by opportunity

magnanimous

noble, generous

maim

cripple, disable

maladjusted

to attempt to do something without having the necessary materials disturbed

malady

disease

malevolant

ill-disposed, ill-intentioned

malign

slander, abuse

malignant

becoming progressively worse

malleable

capable of being formed or shaped

malnutrition

inadequate diet

mammoth

huge

mandate

authoritative command

manifest

obvious, evident

manifold

many

martinet

strict disciplinarian

masticate

to chew

mastiff

large dog

materialism

concern with possessions

matron

an older married woman

maudlin

sentimental

megalomania

abnormal desire for power

mendacious

false, lying

menial

degrading, humble

mentor

tutor, counselor, coach

mercenary

greedy, motivated by desire for gain

make bricks without straw

metamorphosis

change

meticulous

careful

mien

bearing, appearance

milieu

setting, environment

modify

to change

mollify

appease, pacify

monolithic

having a massive structure

moribund

at the point of death, dying

mortality

death

mortify

humiliate, embarrass

motivate

provoke, stimulate, inspire

mundane

earthly

munificent

generous

murky

dark, obscure

myriad

countless number

nadir

lowest point

naive

unsophisticated, unworldly

nascent

beginning to develop or exist

nebulous

vague, not clear

nefarious

villianous

negligible

inconsiderable, trifling

nepotism

favoritism towards relatives

nettle

irritate

neurotic

having a nervous disorder

neutralize

counteract

nirvana

heavenly place

noisome

unwholesome, foul

nomadic

wandering

nominal

in name only, slight

nondescript

difficult to describe, undistinguished

nonentity

one of no importance

nostalgia

yearning for the past

nuance

shade of difference

nullify

cancel, abolish

nurture

nourish

nutritive

having nourishing properties

obese

very fat

obliterate

wipe out, erase

obloquy

dishonor, disgrace, shame

obscure

unclear, unknown, lowly

obsequious

seeking favor

obsess

preoccupy

obsolescence

process of wearing out

obviate

do away with

occult

supernatural, mysterious, secret

octogenarian

person of eighty

of the first water

of the best quality, of the greatest

off the beaten track

not usual, out of the ordinary

ominous

menacing

omnipotent

unlimited in power or authority, almighty

omnivorous

eatting any kind of food

on pins and needles

to be on edge, jumpy

on tenter hooks

in a state of anxiety

on the bandwagon

joining with the majority

on the carpet

being scolded

on the dot

exactly on time

on the qui vive

on the alert

on the spur of the moment

without thinking, on impulse

once in a blue moon one swallow doesn't make a summer opprobrium

on a very rare occasion

opulence

wealth

originate

begin, arise

ostensible

seeming, pretend, outward

ostentatious

showy

oust

eject

out of one's depth

in a situation that is too dificult to handle

out of the frying pan into the fire

to go from a difficult situation to a worse one

out on a limb

in a dangerous or exposed position

overt

evident, open

pall

become dull, cease to please

palliate

relieve without curing

paltry

of little importance

panacea

cure-all

pandemonium

uproar, disorder

parable

a moralistic story

paradox

seemingly self-contradictory situation

paragon

model of excellence

paramount

foremost, supreme

pariah

social outcast

paroxysm

violent outburst

parsimonious

miserly

pass the buck

to evade responsibility

passe

old-fashioned, outmoded

pathetic

pitiful, sad, distressing

paucity

shortage

pecuniary

financial

pedagogue

teacher

don't jump to conclusions based on incomplete evidence insult, scorn

penance

atonement for sin

penchant

a strong leaning in favor

penitent

regretful, confessing guilt

pensive

reflective, thoughtful

penury

poverty

perceive

to come to have an understanding of

peregrination

travel (n)

peremptory

binding, compulsory, absolute

perfidious

false, treacherous

perfunctory

careless

permeate

to spread through

pernicious

damaging, harmful

perpetrate

commit

perpetuate

to cause to continue

persevere

persist

perspicacious

shrewd

pertinent

appropriate

peruse

read carefully

perverse

contrary

pesky

annoying

phenomenon

unusual occurrence

Philadelphia lawyer

a lawyer of outstanding ability

phlegmatic

calm, sluggish

phobia

strong dislike, persistent fear

pinnacle

peak, crown, summit

pique

fit of resentment

pittance

small amount

placard

poster

plaintiff

the complaining party, in law

platitude

trite saying

plethora

to agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge so as to avoid trial for a more serious offense overabundance; excess

plight

predicament

poignant

painful to the feelings, moving

ponder

consider carefully

potent

intense, strong, powerful

potentate

ruler

potential

possible

potpourri

mixture, melody

pragmatic

based on experience, practical

precedent

custom, model

precipitate

hasten

preclude

prevent

precocious

reaching maturity early

plea bargain

prelude

introduction

premise

a proposition for argument

premonition

forewarning

prerogative

an exclusive power or right

prestigious

well-known

pretext

an excuse

prevalent

general, common, prevailing

prevarication

lying, deviation from the truth

privation

lack of necessities

procrastinate

put off, delay

prodigious

enormous, extraordinary

prodigy

phenomenon, marvel

proffer

offer for acceptance

profligate

wasteful

profound

intense, deep

profuse

abundant, overflowing

progeny

descendants

prognosticate

to be able to tell what will happen in the future

prohibition

forbidding of certain actions

prolific

fertile

promulgate

make public, proclaim

propagate

multiply, spread, produce

propensity

bent, inclination, disposition

propinquity

nearness in time and place

propitious

favorable

propriety

correctness, suitability

proximity

nearness

prudent

cautious, wise

pugnacious

combative

puissant

powerful

pungent

sharply stimulating

puny

weak, unimportant

put the cart before the horse

to reverse the proper order, do things backwards

Pyrrhic victory

a too costly victory

qualm

twinge of conscience

quandary

dilemma, doubt

quarry

something hunted or pursued

quell

crush, stop

quip

to joke

rabid

furious, mad, fanatical

raconteur

a skilled storyteller

rail

use abusive language, scold

raiment

clothing, dress

rampant

flourishing

rash

reckless

rationalize

use or give a reason other than the real one

raucous

shrill, harsh

raze

destroy

realm

someone's special field

rebuke

reprimand, reproach, criticize

recant

renounce previous statements

recoil

draw back

recondite

obscure, hidden

red-letter day

day of happiness, time for rejoicing

redolent

fragrant

redress

to right a wrong

refute

prove wrong, disprove

relegate

banish, assign to inferior position

remiss

negligent, careless

remote

distant

renumeration

reward

repent

desire to make ammends, regret

repertoire

works that an artist is ready to perform

replenish

to restock, fill again

replete

completely filled with

repose

state of rest

reprehensible

blameworthy

repress

to put down

reprimand

to scold severely

reproach

rebuke, reprimand

repudiate

disown, refuse to accept

repugnant

repulsive, distasteful

repulse

drive back

reputed

believed, thought, supposed

requisite

requirement

resourceful

able to meet any situation

respite

postponement

restrictive

harsh, confining

reticent

uncommunicative; silent

reticent

reserved, silent

retort

reply, answer

retrospect

looking backward

reverberating

reechoing

revere

admire, respect, honor

revert

go back

reviled

scolded

rhetoric

use (sometimes exaggerated) of language

rife

widespread

rift

an opening, a split

romp

move in a lively manner

roster

a list of names

rudimentary

basic, elementary

rue

regret

ruminate

reflect upon, ponder

rustic

unpolished, countrified

saga

heroic story

sage

wise man, philosopher

salient

outstanding

sally

sudden rushing forth

salubrious

wholesome, healthful

salvation

deliverance from ruin

sanctimonious

hypocritically religious

sanction

certify, endorse

sanctuary

place of protection

sanguine

hopeful

satiety

surfeit, excess, fullness

saturate

fill up completely

save face

to avoid disgrace

schism

split

scion

descendant

scoff

to mock

scrutinize

examine closely

scurrilous

vulgar, using indecent language

scurry

run quickly

sedate

sober, still, quiet, undisturbed

sedentary

largely inactive

senile

infirm, weak as a result of old age

serenity

peaceful repose

servile

submissive, slavish

shibboleth

slogan, pet phrase

sinecure

soft job

singular

remarkable, uncommon

sinister

evil

site

location

Skid Row

disreputable part of town, inhabited by derelicts and people

skirmish

small battle

sleep on it

postpone a decision while giving it some thought

slovenly

disorderly, carelessly

sojourn

temporary stay

solace

comfort

solicit

seek earnestly

somber

sad, gloomy

sophistry

false reasoning or argument

sordid

filthy, ignoble

sour grapes

to disparage something that you cannot have

spate

rush, flood

spew

vomit

spontaneous

on the spur of the moment

sporadic

occasional

spurious

counterfeit, false, specious

squeamish

easily shocked

stagnant

inactive, dull, motionless

staunch

firm, trusty, strong

steeped

to weaken one's position by stating the argument before that person does soaked; saturated; drenched

stentorian

loud

stereotype

conventional custom

stiff upper lip

to be courageous in the face of trouble

stigmatize

to mark with a disgrace

stipulate

make a specific demand

stock in trade

the goods, tools, and other requisites of a trade

straight from the shoulder

in a direct, open way

strident

rough, harsh, shrill

strife

unrest, discord

stunted

held back or checked in natural growth

stupor

insensible condition, daze

stymie

to hinder

subjugate

conquer

subservient

obsequious, servile

substantiate

ratify, confirm

subterfuge

a trick, deception

subterranean

underground

succinct

concise, brief

succulent

juicy

succumb

yield

sullen

grim, ill-humored

sultry

torrid

sumptuous

lavish

superficial

on the surface, slight

superfluous

surplus, excessive

supine

lying on the back

supplication

earnest prayer

surfeit

superabundance, excess

surge

to rush suddenly

surmise

guess

surreptitious

accomplished by secret

steal one's thunder

susceptible

easily affected

swan song

final or last

symptomatic

to vote against a candidate running for reelection, to change one's mind indicative

taboo

forbidden

tacit

not stated, understood, implied

taint

contaminate

take the bull by the horns

to face a problem directly

take the wind out of one's sails

to remove someone's advantage

tangible

able to be touched

swap horses in midstream

tantalize

tease or torment by offering something good, but fail to deliver

tantamount

identical, equivalent

taut

on edge, keyed up, tense

technology

related to science of engineering

technology

applied science

temerity

foolish boldness

tenable

supportable; defendable

tenacious

stubborn, tough

termagant

a shrew, a scolding woman

terminate

to end

terra firma

solid, firm land

terse

compact, brief, concise

the acid test

a severe test

the die is cast

an unchangeable decision has been made

the distaff side

women

the grapevine

a secret means of spreading information

the lion's share

the major portion

the sum and substance

the heart or substantial part

the sword of Damocles

any imminent danger

the world, the flesh, and the devil

temptations that cause man to sin

the writing on the wall

an event that predicts the future

therapy

curing or healing process

throng

great number of people, crowd

through thick and thin

in spite of all sorts of difficulties

thumbs down

signal of rejection

thwart

to hinder

timorous

fearful

tinge

a small amount of; a trace; smattering

to be at large

not confined or in jail

to be in fine fettle

to be in fine spirits, feeling well

to be under a cloud

to be in temporary disgrace or trouble

to beard the lion

to visit and oppose a person on his own grounds

to break the ice

to make a beginning

to bring down the house

to cause great enthusiasm

to build upon sand

to have a poor base, or not sufficient preparation

to burn the midnight oil

to study or work until very late

to carry the day

to win the approval of the majority

to cool one's heels

to be kept waiting

to do one's heart good

to make one feel happy or better

to draw in one's horns

to become cautious

to eat humble pie

to admit your error and apologize

to feather one's nest

to enrich oneself at every opportunity

to feather one's nest

grow rich by taking advantage of circumstances

to flog a dead horse

to continue to make an issue of something that is over

to get off one's high horse

to act like an ordinary person

to get one's back up

to become angry

to get the sack to get up on the wrong side of the bed to go up in smoke

to be discharged or fired

to have at one's fingertips

to have ready, to have a thorough knowledge

to hit the nail on the head

to state or guess something correctly

to lay one's cards on the table

to talk frankly

to leave no stone unturned

to make every effort, to try one's best

to lionize a person

to make a big fuss over someone

to live in a fool's paradise

to be happy without a real basis

to maintain the status quo

to keep things as they are

to make ends meet

to manage on a given income

to make the best of a bad bargain

to be in a bad mood to come to no practical result

to change or go along with a poor situation

to pay the piper

to bear the consequences

to play possum

to try to fool someone; to make believe one is asleep or dead

to pour oil on troubled waters

to make peace; to calm someone down

to pull one's own weight

to do a fair share of the work

to pull up stakes

to quit a place

to raise Cain

make a fuss, cause trouble

to rub a person the wrong way

to do something to irritate or annoy

to rule the roost

to be in charge, to be master

to show one's hand

to reveal one's intentions

to sow wild oats

to lead a wild, carefree life

to spill the beans

to give away a secret

to split hairs

to make fine distinctions

to strike while the iron is hot to take a leaf out of someone's book to take by storm

to take action at the right moment

to take down a peg

to take the conceit out of a braggart

to imitate or follow the example to make a fast impression

to take French leave

to go away without permission

to take under one's wing

to become responsible for

to tell tales out of school

to reveal harmful secrets

to throw cold water

to discourage a plan or idea

to throw down the gauntlet

to challenge someone

to throw the book at someone

to give maximum punishment

to tighten one's belt

to get set for bad times or poverty

to tilt at windmills

to fight imaginary enemies

to toe the mark

to obey or stick to a rule or policy

to twist around one's finger

tto control completely

to upset the apple cart

to overturn or disturb a plan or intention

tolerate

to cancel defects, to give a falsely virtuous appearance to something to permit, to put up with

tongue in cheek

insincerely

tortuous

winding

tounge in one's cheek

not to be sincere

tradition

long-standing practice

tranquil

peaceful

transient

fleeting, passing, short-lived

tremulous

trembling

trenchant

keen, sharp, biting

trend

general direction

trivial

petty, worthless

truncated

cut short

turbulent

unruly, agitated, riotous

turn the tables

to turn a situation to one's own advantage

turpitude

evil, wickedness, vileness

tussle

a rough struggle

two strings to one's bow

two means of achieving one's aim

tyro

novice, beginner

ubiquitous

being everywhere at once

ultimate

final

umbrage

offense, resentment

unabated

without subsiding

unconcionable

unreasonable, without conscience

unctuous

affectedly emotional

under the wire

just in time

underwrite

agree to finance

universal

widespread

unkempt

neglected, untidy

unmitigated

as bad as can be, unrelieved

unsavory

morally bad, disagreeable, offensive

unwieldy

difficult to handle, bulky

urbane

polished, civilized

to whitewash

usurp

annex, grab, seize

utopia

place of perfection

vacillate

fluctuate, hesitate

valor

courage

vapid

dull, uninteresting

vehemently

passionately, violently, eagerly

veneer

thin covering

venerable

respected, worshipped

venial

forgivable, pardonable

venom

poison

vertigo

dizziness

vestige

evidence, trace

vexatious

annoying

viable

workable

vicissitudes

difficulties

vigil

wakeful watching

vigilant

alert; watchful

vilify

slander, malign

vindicate

justify, absolve

virile

manly, masterful

virtuosity

great technical skill

virulent

harmful

vitiate

destroy the use or value

vitriolic

biting, burning

vituperation

abuse, blame

vivacious

gay, lively

vogue

fashion

volition

willpower; choice

voluble

talkative

voluminous

bulky, large

voracious

desiring huge amount

vulnerable

able to hurt

vulnerable

susceptible, open to attack

wan

pale

wane

decline, decrease

wary

watchful, shrewd

wash dirty linen in public

to openly discuss private affairs

wear one's heart on one's sleeve

to make one's feelings evident

wheedle

persuade, coax, cajole

whet

stir up, stimulate

whimsical

witty, humorous

wince

flinch, draw back

windfall

unexpected financial gain

wink at

to pretend not to see

wistful

wishful, pensive, longing

without rhyme or reason

making no sense

woolgathering

absentmindedness or daydreaming

worth one's weight in gold

extremely valuable, very useful

wrest

seize

yen

strong desire, strong longing

zealous

enthusiastic

zenith

top, prime, summit