Vocabulary 2
73 flashcards · English · by ุ
eunuch (2)
pronunciation yoo·nuhk noun a man who has been castrated, especially (in the past) one employed to guard the women's living areas at an oriental court. an ineffectual person.
quid pro quo
noun a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something.
don2
pronunciation don verb put on (an item of clothing).
don1
pronunciation don noun a Spanish title prefixed to a male forename. a university teacher, especially a senior member of a college at Oxford or Cambridge.
gigolo
pronunciation ji·guh·low noun a young man paid or financially supported by an older woman to be her escort or lover.
answer back
phrasal verb respond cheekily or disrespectfully to someone, especially when being criticized or told to do something.
once in a blue moon
informal very rarely.
disburse
pronunciation dis·burs verb pay out (money from a fund).
instigate
pronunciation in·stuh·geit verb bring about or initiate (an action or event).
war of words
a prolonged debate conducted by means of the spoken or printed word.
oasis
pronunciation ow·ei·suhs noun a pleasant or peaceful area or period in the midst of a difficult, troubled, or hectic place or situation
acid test
noun a conclusive test of the success or value of something.
all hell breaks loose
informal suddenly there is pandemonium.
across the board
applying to all.
Achilles heel; Achilles' heel
noun a weakness or vulnerable point.
above board; aboveboard3
adjective legitimate, honest, and open.
a wolf in sheep's clothing
a person or thing that appears friendly or harmless but is really hostile.
war of nerves
a struggle in which opponents try to wear each other down by psychological means.
war of attrition
a prolonged war or period of conflict during which each side seeks to gradually wear out the other by a series of small-scale actions.
a necessary evil
something that is undesirable but must be accepted.
laureate1
pronunciation law·ree·uht noun a person who is honored with an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement
creed
pronunciation kreed noun a set of beliefs or aims which guide someone's actions
inextricable
pronunciation uh·nek·struh·kuh·bl adjective impossible to disentangle or separate
linchpin; lynchpin; lynch-pin
pronunciation linch·pin noun a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization
a kick in the teeth
informal a grave setback or disappointment.
a kick in the pants
informal an unwelcome surprise that prompts or forces fresh effort.
be a law unto oneself
behave in a manner that is not conventional or predictable
a matter of life and death
a matter of vital importance.
narrow escape
a situation in which an accident or other unfortunate incident is barely avoided.
one-track mind
noun used in reference to a person whose thoughts are preoccupied with one subject or interest.
a pat on the back
an expression of approval or congratulation.
quantum leap
noun a huge, often sudden, increase or advance in something.
a raw deal
informal a situation in which someone receives unfair or harsh treatment.
ray of sunshine
informal a person or thing that brings happiness into the lives of others.
red-letter day
noun a day that is pleasantly noteworthy or memorable.
incredulous
pronunciation uhn·kreh·joo·luhs adjective (of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something
inaugurate
pronunciation uh·naa·gyr·eit verb begin or introduce (a system, policy, or period)
orchestrate
pronunciation or·kuh·streit verb arrange or direct the elements of (a situation) to produce a desired effect, especially surreptitiously
repository
pronunciation ree·paa·zuh·taw·ree noun a place, building, or receptacle where things are or may be stored
embezzle
pronunciation uhm·beh·zl verb steal or misappropriate (money placed in one's trust or belonging to the organization for which one works)
vacate (2)
pronunciation vei·keit verb | Law cancel or annul (a judgment, contract, or charge) verb leave (a place that one previously occupied)
wallow2 (2)
pronunciation waa·low verb (chiefly of large mammals) roll about or lie relaxed in mud or water, especially to keep cool, avoid biting insects, or spread scent (of a person) indulge in an unrestrained way in (something that creates a pleasurable sensation)
*staunch3 (2)
adjective loyal and committed in attitude (of a wall) of strong or firm construction
tidbit; tid-bit (2)
pronunciation tid·bit noun a small piece of tasty food a small and particularly interesting item of gossip or information
unbecoming (2)
pronunciation uhn·buh·kuh·muhng adjective (especially of clothing or a color) not flattering (of behavior) not fitting or appropriate; unseemly
depravity
pronunciation di·pra·vuh·tee noun moral corruption; wickedness
downhearted; down-hearted
pronunciation dawn·haar·tuhd adjective discouraged; in low spirits
unbeknownst
pronunciation uhn·bi·nown adjective without the knowledge of (someone)
confidant
pronunciation kaan·fuh·daant noun a person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it to others
money-grubbing; moneygrubbing; money-grabbing; moneygrabbing
adjective | informal overeager to make money; grasping
Gordian knot
noun an extremely difficult or involved problem
tantamount
pronunciation tan·tuh·mawnt adjective equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as
justify
pronunciation juh·stuh·fai verb show or prove to be right or reasonable
casus belli
noun an act or situation provoking or justifying war
bludgeon2 (2)
pronunciation bluh·jn verb force or bully (someone) to do something make one's way by brute force
allegiance
pronunciation uh·lee·jns noun loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause
distraught
pronunciation duh·straat adjective deeply upset and agitated
cerulean3
pronunciation sr·oo·lee·uhn adjective deep blue in color like a clear sky
helmsman
pronunciation helmz·man noun a person who steers a ship or boat
theatrics
pronunciation thee·triks noun excessively emotional and dramatic behavior
*staunch2
verb stop or restrict (a flow of blood) from a wound
lapdog; lap-dog
pronunciation lap·daag noun a person or organization which is influenced or controlled by another
fiscal3
pronunciation fi·skl adjective relating to government revenue, especially taxes
allege
pronunciation uh·lej verb claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof that this is the case
a drop in the ocean; a drop in the bucket
a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected
fait accompli
noun a thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it
discreet
pronunciation duh·skreet adjective careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage
bicker (2)
pronunciation bi·kr verb | literary (of water) flow or fall with a gentle repetitive noise; patter verb argue about petty and trivial matters
notion (2)
pronunciation now·shn noun a conception of or belief about something an impulse or desire, especially one of a whimsical kind
categorical
pronunciation ka·tuh·gaw·ruh·kl adjective unambiguously explicit and direct
anticlimactic; anti-climactic
pronunciation an·tee·klai·mak·tuhk adjective causing disappointment at the end of an exciting or impressive series of events
archenemy; arch-enemy
pronunciation aar·cheh·nuh·mee noun a person who is extremely hostile or opposed to someone or something
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gondola pronunciation gaan·duh·luh noun a light flat-bottomed boat used on Venetian canals, having a high point at each end and worked by one oar at the stern