Aberration

Aberration: deviation; abnormality Abstruse: Difficult to comprehend Acumen: sharpness of mind Adroit: skill-ful (Maladroit = clumsy) Adulation: worship;
great praise Advocate: support Affability: friendliness; cordiality Affinity: kinship Affluence: wealth; oppulence Agnostic: unsure of the existence of god Alacrity: speed & eagerness; promptness Alleviate: make less serve; reduce Altruism: self-sacrifice Amalgam: mixture Amassed: accumulated Ambiguous: vague; doubtful; equivocal Ameliorate: make better; improve Amiable: friendly; lovable Anachronistic: out of normal time range (Root -- chron always implies the time) Animosity: hostility; hatred; ill-will Apathetic: lacking energy or interest; indifference Arable: cab be cultivated; fit for pillowing (example: arable land) Arbitration: mediating between disputing sides Arboreal: living in trees (Root -- Arbor always relates to trees) Arcane: esoteric; obscure; known only to few people Archaic: old-fashioned Articulation: joining; speaking clearly; distinct Ascertain: find out; make sure Astute: wise; mentally sharp Augment: increase in size or number Aural: through the sense of hearing Autocrat: absolute ruler; dictator Autonomy: self-government Barrage: bombardment; stream (of abuse etc.); continous attack Belabor: over-emphasizing Belied: contradicted Belitters: people who criticize/disparage Benevolent: kindly; cheritable Boorishness: rudeness; ill-mannered behavior Bountiful: generous Brevity: briefness Bypass: avoid; find a way around Byzantine: excessive; decadent Cacophony: noise; din Callous: cruel & unfeeling Candid: truthful; straight forward; free from prejudice Capricious: whimsical; changeable Censure: criticize; blame Cerebral: concerned with thinking
Circumstantial: accidental; indirect Insightful: perceptive; can be understood Insipid: flavourless; bland Insolence: lack of respect; rudeness; impudence Insolvent: bankrupt Insufferable: can not be tolerated Insular: narrow-minded Insurrectionist: rebel; combative Integrity: honor; honesty Intemperate: not moderate; excessive Intermittent: on & off; not continous; spasmodic Intonation: tone of voice intrigued: interested and curious Intuition: sixth sense; gut feeling Invocation: prayer Irony: something unexpected; words to convey opposite meaning Irreproachable: can not be criticized; blameless (Reproach = critize) Irresolute: lacking firmness of purpose; hesitant Irreverence: lack of respect Jaded: tired; bored Jeopardize: put at risk; endanger Judicious: fair; wise Juxtaposition: placing two things next to each other Knack: trick; skill Lackadaisical: lazy; careless; lax Lamentable: regrettable Languid: Lacking energy; weak Lavish: to spend freely(v); costing alot; opulent(adj) Legitimate: to make legal; give approval to Libelous: open to prosecution forr libel (libel = written slander) Lithe: flexible; supple Litigious: seeking legal remedies Lobby: to try to persuade; entrance hall Lucid: clear; explained Magnanimous: generous minded; big-hearted Mandate: permission Mandatory: compulsory Manifesto: statement of values Manipulative: deceptive; skill-ful at handling people Marred: spoiled; ruined Meager: small; scanty; unimportant Mercenary: seeking money above all else; interested in money and gain Meticulous: thorough; taking care of details Miffed: annoyed; vex Mitigate: moderate; reduce intensity Modicum: tiny amount Momentous: of great importance Monotonous: dull; repetitive Morbidity: concern with death and disease
Motley: varied; miscellaneous Circumvent: avoid; outwit; baffle Coalition: a union of two parts Ceorce: compel; force Cognitions: mental knowledge Compendious: containing a lot in a small space/few words Conciliatory: bringing together; ending a dispute; soothing Concord: agreement Condone: tolerate Conflagration: great fire Congenial: friendly; sociable; suitable Connoisseur: expert with good taste/ judgement Consecrate: dedicate; make holy Consummate: supremely good Contagious: passed on through touch; infectious Convergence: coming together Convivial: sociable Copious: in large amount Corollary: consequence; inference Corpulence: very fat-ness Corroborated: supported; given supporting evidence Credulity: belief on slight evidence Cumulative: building up Cursory: superficial Curtail: cut short Dalliance: non-serious involvement; toying or playing Dearth: shortage; lacking Debacle: disaster Debilitate: weaken Debunk: throw out old indeas Deferment: putting off Deleterious: harmful Deliberation: careful thought Delineate: outline Demagogue: mob leader; agitator Demonstrative: expressing emotions freely Denuded: stripped Depreciatory: devaluing; criticizing Derelict: rundown; abandoned Derided: mocked Despoiled: plunder; rob; deprive Devious: cunning Didactic: intending to preach or teach; an act of teaching Dilatory: slow; sluggish Disarming: charming; unthreatening Discernment: judgement Discrepancy: inconsistency Disillusioned: freed from wrong ideas Disingenuous: crafy; double dealing
Disparaging: critical Distension: swelling; distend; expand
English (Prcis and Composition) 1972
Consciousness: Meaning: the state of understanding and realizing something. Use in sentence: Her consciousness that she's different makes her feel uneasy.
Conscientiousness: Meaning: putting a lot of effort into your work/ controlled by or done according to conscience Use in sentence: She has always been a very conscientious worker.
Ingenious: Meaning: very clever and skilful Use in sentence: She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly.
Ingenuous: Meaning: honest, sincere and trusting/ showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness Use in sentence: It has to be said it was rather ingenuous of him to ask a complete stranger to look after his luggage.
Fantastic: Meaning: extremely good Use in sentence: You look fantastic in that dress.
Fanatical: Meaning: describes someone whose admiration for something is considered to be extreme or unreasonable Use in sentence: His enthusiasm for aerobics was almost fanatical.
Honourable: Meaning: a title used before the name of some government officials Use in sentence: The Honourable Andrew Robinson
Honorary: Meaning: given as an honour to someone Use in sentence: She received an honorary doctorate from Oxford University in recognition of her work for the homeless.
Politician: Meaning: a member of a government or law-making organization Use in sentence: We do not have good politicians in our country.
Statesman: Meaning: an experienced politician, especially one who is respected for making good judgments Use in sentence: He was a soldier and statesman.
Grateful: Meaning: showing or expressing thanks, especially to another person Use in sentence: I'm so grateful (to you) for all that you've done.
Gratified: Meaning: to please someone, or to satisfy a wish or need Use in sentence: We were gratified by the response to our appeal.
Imaginary: Meaning: describes something that is created by and exists only in the mind; that is not real Use in sentence: As a child I had an imaginary friend called Polly.
Imaginative: Meaning: of, relating to, or characterized by imagination Use in sentence: The architects have made imaginative use of glass and transparent plastic.
Negligent:
Meaning: not being careful or giving enough attention to people or things that are your responsibility Use in sentence: The judge said that the teacher had been negligent in allowing the children to swim in dangerous water.
Negligible: Meaning: too slight or small in amount to be of importance Use in sentence: The difference between the two products is negligible.
Placable: Meaning: to stop from being angry Use in sentence: The Canaanites had many gods and they ran here, there and everywhere to placate these gods.
Placeable: Meaning: capable of being recognized Use in sentence: An easy thing you could do is making clocks placeable on walls.
Restive: Meaning: unwilling to be controlled or be patient Use in sentence: The audience was becoming restive as they waited for the performance to begin.
Restless: Meaning: unwilling or unable to stay still or to be quiet and calm, because you are worried or bored Use in sentence: He's a restless type - he never stays in one country for long.
Amiable:
Meaning: describes a person or their behavior that is pleasant and friendly Use in sentence: So amiable was the mood of the meeting that a decision was soon reached.
Amicable: Meaning: relating to behavior between people that is pleasant often despite a difficult situation Use in sentence: His manner was perfectly amicable but I felt uncomfortable.
Considerable: Meaning: large or of noticeable importance Use in sentence: The fire caused considerable damage to the church.
Considerate: Meaning: kind and helpful Use in sentence: She promises to be quieter and more considerate in future.
Ingenious: Meaning: very clever and skillful Use in sentence: She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly.
Ingenuous: Meaning: honest, sincere and trusting/ showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness Use in sentence: It has to be said it was rather ingenuous of him to ask a complete stranger to look after his luggage. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Momentary: Meaning: lasting for a very short time Use in sentence: Be careful not to make even momentary short circuits with metal tools.
Momentous: Meaning: very important because of effects on future events Use in sentence: Whether or not to move overseas was a momentous decision for the family.
Virtuous: Meaning: having good moral qualities and behavior Use in sentence: He described them as a virtuous and hard-working people.
Virtual: Meaning: describes something that can be done or seen using a computer and therefore without going anywhere or talking to anyone Use in sentence: In tests, we have found the virtual machine runs at a reasonable speed.
Par: Meaning: the same as or equal to someone or something Use in sentence: The regeneration of the city's downtown dock front will put it on a par with Nice or Cannes.
At a par: Meaning: A term that refers to a bond, preferred stock or other debt obligation that is trading at its face value. Use in sentence: Due to ever-changing interest rates, financial instruments almost never trade exactly at par..
Compliment: Meaning: remark that expresses approval, admiration or respect Use in sentence: I take it as a compliment when people say I look like my mother.
Complement: Meaning: to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it Use in sentence: The music complements her voice perfectly.
Complacent: Meaning: Satisfied Use in sentence: We can't afford to become complacent about any of our products.
Complaisant: Meaning: willing to please; affably agreeable; obliging Use in sentence: Can we really sit back and watch the suffering of a whole nation and be so complaisant?
State: Meaning: a country or its government Use in sentence: Britain is one of the member states of the European Union.
Government: Meaning: the group of people who officially control a country Use in sentence: The government is expected to announce its/their tax proposals today.
Eminent: Meaning: famous, respected or important Use in sentence: An eminent historian
Prominent: Meaning: very well-known and important Use in sentence: The government should be playing a more prominent role in promoting human rights.
Below: Meaning: in a lower position Use in sentence: From the top of the skyscraper the cars below us looked like insects.
Beneath: Meaning: in or to a lower position
Use in sentence: Jeremy hid the letter beneath a pile of papers.
Portly: Meaning: fat and round Use in sentence: He was a portly figure in a tight-fitting jacket and bow tie.
Comely: Meaning: describes a woman who is attractive in appearance Use in sentence: She is very comely.
Setup: Meaning: the way in which something is set up Use in sentence: This allows simplified setup of Local Area Networking devices.
Set upon: Meaning: to attack someone Use in sentence: He was set upon by a vicious dog.
Shall: Meaning: used instead of 'will' when the subject is 'I' or 'we' Use in sentence: Shall we be able to get this finished today, do you think?
Will: Meaning: used to talk about what is going to happen in the future, especially things that you are certain about or things that are planned Use in sentence: Clare will be five years old next month.
Sink: Meaning: to (cause something or someone to) go down below the surface or to the bottom of a liquid or soft substance Use in sentence: Enemy aircraft sank two battleships.
Drown: Meaning: to (cause to) die by being unable to breathe under water Use in sentence: He drowned in a boating accident.
Altar: Meaning: a type of table used in ceremonies in a Christian church or in other religious buildings Use in sentence: A 3rd century Roman pagan altar was also recently found on the site.
Alter: Meaning: to change something Use in sentence: We've had to alter some of our plans.
Apposite: Meaning: suitable and right for the occasion Use in sentence: It is, however, apposite to note that this process will continue in the year ahead.
Opposite: Meaning: completely different Use in sentence: You'd never know they're sisters - they're completely opposite to each other in every way.
Bear: Meaning: to accept, tolerate or endure especially something unpleasant Use in sentence: It's your decision - you must bear the responsibility if things go wrong.
Bare: Meaning: without any clothes or not covered by anything Use in sentence: Don't walk around outside in your bare feet.
Complaisant: Meaning: willing to please; affably agreeable; obliging Use in sentence: Can we really sit back and watch the suffering of a whole nation and be so complaisant? (Pair Repeated: 1)
Confident: Meaning: having confidence Use in sentence: Be a bit more confident in yourself!
Confidant: Meaning: a person you trust and share your feelings and secrets with Use in sentence: Within a few short years he was a trusted confidant.
Disease: Meaning: illness of people, animals, plants, etc. Use in sentence: Starvation and diseases have killed thousands of refugees.
Decease: Meaning: a person's death Use in sentence: The house will not be yours till after your mother's decease.
Gate: Meaning: a part of a fence or outside wall that is fixed at one side and opens and closes like a door
Use in sentence: Take the next right turning through a large iron gate onto a cobbled road.
Gait: Meaning: a particular way of walking Use in sentence: He walked with a slow stiff gait.
Judicial: Meaning: involving a court of law Use in sentence: The defense team will seek a judicial review of the sentence.
Judicious: Meaning: having or showing reason and good judgment in making decisions Use in sentence: We should make judicious use of the resources available to us.
Yoke: Meaning: a wooden bar which is fastened over the necks of two animals, especially cattle, and connected to the vehicle or load that they are pulling Use in sentence: In just a few weeks another 10 nations, many freed from the yoke of Communist oppression.
Yolk: Meaning: the yellow, middle part of an egg Use in sentence: I like eggs lightly cooked so that the yolk is still runny.
Affection: Meaning: a feeling of liking for a person or place Use in sentence: He had a deep affection for his aunt.
Affectation: Meaning: behavior or speech that is not sincere Use in sentence: She has so many little affectations.
Urban: Meaning: of or in a city or town Use in sentence: The development is clearly urban in character, but lacks local shops and facilities.
Urbane: Meaning: confident, comfortable and polite in social situations Use in sentence: He was always well informed and brought an urbane authority to everything he did.
Official: Meaning: relating to a position of responsibility Use in sentence: He visited China in his official capacity as America's trade representative.
Officious: Meaning: too eager to tell people what to do and having too high an opinion of your own importance Use in sentence: He's an officious little man and widely disliked in the company.
Beside: Meaning: at the side of, next to Use in sentence: Come and sit here beside me.
Besides: Meaning: in addition to; also Use in sentence: Do you play any other sports besides football and basketball?
Casual: Meaning: describes clothes that are not formal or not suitable for special occasions Use in sentence: I dress casual as I am in a casual setting.
Causal: Meaning: a relationship, link, etc. between two things in which one causes the other Use in sentence: Is there a causal relationship between violence on television and violent behavior?
Pour: Meaning: to make a substance flow from a container, especially into another container, by raising just one side of the container that the substance is in Use in sentence: I spilled the juice while I was pouring it.
Pore: Meaning: a very small hole in the skin of people or other animals, or a similar hole on the surface of plants or rocks Use in sentence: Sweat passes through the pores and cools the body down.
Humiliation: Meaning: to make someone feel ashamed or lose their respect for themselves Use in sentence: How could you humiliate me by questioning my judgment in front of everyone like that?
Humility:
Meaning: the quality of not being proud because you are conscious of your bad qualities Use in sentence: He doesn't have the humility to admit when he's wrong.
Wreck: Meaning: to destroy or badly damage something Use in sentence: Our greenhouse was wrecked in last night's storm.
Reek: Meaning: to have a strong unpleasant smell Use in sentence: Her breath reeked of garlic.
Temporal: Meaning: relating to practical matters or physical things, rather than spiritual ones Use in sentence: Her starting point: 'The future is the only temporal area over which people have power.
Temporary: Meaning: not lasting or needed for very long Use in sentence: The ceasefire will only provide a temporary solution to the crisis.
Cession: Meaning: a ceding or giving up (of rights, property, territory, etc.) to another Use in sentence: The Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) led to further cessions of territory by China.
Session:
Meaning: a formal meeting or series of meetings of an organization such as a parliament or a law court Use in sentence: The parliamentary session is due to end on May 27th.
Canon: Meaning: a Christian priest with special duties in a cathedral Use in sentence: He was first appointed as a residentiary canon and only became Chancellor after several years with us.
Cannon: Meaning: a large, mounted piece of artillery; sometimes, specif., a large gun with a relatively short barrel, as a howitzer Use in sentence: Instead of eight machine guns, it now had twelve, or four 20mm cannon.
Barbarism: Meaning: extremely cruel and unpleasant behavior Use in sentence: He witnessed some appalling acts of barbarism during the war.
Barbarity: Meaning: behavior that is very cruel, or a very cruel act Use in sentence: This barbarity must cease!
Artist: Meaning: someone who paints, draws or makes sculptures Use in sentence: Monet is one of my favorite artists.
Artisan: Meaning: a person who does skilled work with his or her hands Use in sentence: They were concerned about the skilled artisan, not the factory masses.
Antic: Meaning: funny, silly or strange behavior
Use in sentence: But the rock-star whose stage antics used to include smashing guitars is older and wiser now.
Antique: Meaning: something made in an earlier period and collected and valued because it is beautiful, rare, old or of high quality Use in sentence: My mother collects antiques.
Illusion: Meaning: an idea or belief which is not true Use in sentence: He had no illusions about his talents as a singer.
Allusion: Meaning: something that is said or written that is intended to make you think of a particular thing or person Use in sentence: Her novels are packed with literary allusions.
Aspire: Meaning: to have a strong want or hope to do or have something Use in sentence: Few people who aspire to fame ever achieve it.
Expire: Meaning: If something which lasts for a fixed length of time expires, it comes to an end or stops being in use Use in sentence: Our television license expires next month.
Collision: Meaning: an accident that happens when two vehicles hit each other with force Use in sentence: There has been a collision on the southbound stretch of the motorway.
Collusion: Meaning: agreement between people to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone Use in sentence: It is thought that they worked in collusion with the terrorist network.
Counsel: Meaning: to give advice, especially on social or personal problems Use in sentence: The police have provided experts to counsel local people affected by the tragedy.
Council: Meaning: a group of people elected or chosen to make decisions or give advice on a particular subject Use in sentence: This play is supported by a grant from the local arts council.
Expedient: Meaning: helpful or useful in a particular situation, but sometimes not morally acceptable Use in sentence: It might be expedient not to pay him until the work is finished.
Expeditious: Meaning: quick Use in sentence: The bank was expeditious in replying to my letter.Meaning: a ceding or giving up (of rights, property, territory, etc.) to another Use in sentence: The Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) led to further cessions of territory by China.
Canvas: Meaning: a piece of cloth used by artists for painting on, usually with oil paints, or the painting itself Use in sentence: These two canvases by Hockney would sell for 500 000.
Canvass: Meaning: to try to get political support or votes, especially by visiting all the houses in an area Use in sentence: I've been out canvassing for the Labor Party every evening this week.
Cast: Meaning: to choose actors to play particular parts in a play, film or show Use in sentence: He was often cast as the villain.
Caste: Meaning: a system of dividing Hindu society into classes, or any of these classes Use in sentence: The Indian government banned caste discrimination at independence from Britain in 1947.
Appraise: Meaning: to examine someone or something in order to judge their qualities, success or needs Use in sentence: At the end of each teaching practice, trainee teachers are asked to appraise their own performance.
Apprise: Meaning: to tell someone about something Use in sentence: The President has been apprised of the situation.
Ingenious: Meaning: very clever and skilful Use in sentence: She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly.
Continual: Meaning: happening repeatedly, usually in an annoying or not convenient way Use in sentence: I've had continual problems with this car ever since I bought it.
Continuous: Meaning: without a pause or interruption Use in sentence: My computer makes a continuous low buzzing noise.
Berth: Meaning: a bed in a boat, train, etc., or a place for a ship or boat to stay in a port Use in sentence: She booked a berth on the train from London to Aberdeen.
Birth: Meaning: Childs birth Use in sentence: He weighed eight pounds at birth.
Opposite: Meaning: completely different Use in sentence: You'd never know they're sisters - they're completely opposite to each other in every way. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Artist: Meaning: someone who paints, draws or makes sculptures Use in sentence: Monet is one of my favorite artists.
Artiste: Meaning: a skilled performer, especially a dancer, singer or actor Use in sentence: Denise has been a solo artiste for over 20 years working all over the world.
Adapt: Meaning: to change something to suit different conditions or uses
Use in sentence: Many software companies have adapted popular programs to the new operating system.
Adopt: Meaning: to choose or take as your own Use in sentence: Dr Kennedy has been adopted as the party's candidate for South Cambridge.
Mitigate: Meaning: to make something less harmful, unpleasant or bad Use in sentence: It is unclear how to mitigate the effects of tourism on the island.
Alleviate: Meaning: to make something bad such as pain or problems less severe Use in sentence: The drugs did nothing to alleviate her pain/suffering.
Persecute: Meaning: to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion, or political beliefs or to annoy someone by refusing to leave them alone Use in sentence: Religious minorities were persecuted and massacred during the ten-year regime.
Prosecute: Meaning: to officially accuse someone of committing a crime in a court of law, or (of a lawyer) to try to prove that a person accused of committing a crime is guilty of that crime Use in sentence: He was prosecuted for fraud.
Popular:
Meaning: liked, enjoyed or supported by many people Use in sentence: She's the most popular teacher in school.
Populace: Meaning: the ordinary people who live in a particular country or place Use in sentence: Some studies show that workers in the nuclear industry are more likely than the general populace to get cancer.
Complement: Meaning: to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it Use in sentence: The music complements her voice perfectly. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Excite: Meaning: to make someone have strong feelings of happiness and enthusiasm Use in sentence: Nothing about my life excites me at present.
Incite: Meaning: to encourage someone to do or feel something unpleasant or violent Use in sentence: She was expelled for inciting her classmates to rebel against their teachers.
Voracity: Meaning: excessive desire to eat Use in sentence: On reaching the ship they were offered some bread, which they devoured with a voracious appetite.
Veracity: Meaning: the quality of being true, honest or accurate
Use in sentence: The veracity of the second claim can be tested against the findings of archeology.
Virtual: Meaning: describes something that can be done or seen using a computer and therefore without going anywhere or talking to anyone Use in sentence: In tests, we have found the virtual machine runs at a reasonable speed. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Exceptional: Meaning: much greater than usual, especially in skill, intelligence, quality, etc Use in sentence: The Company has shown exceptional growth over the past two years.
Exceptionable: Meaning: offensive or upsetting Use in sentence: This action is normally only taken in exceptionable circumstances.
Allusion: Meaning: something that is said or written that is intended to make you think of a particular thing or person
Use in sentence: Her novels are packed with literary allusions. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Ardor: Meaning: great enthusiasm or love Use in sentence: Similarly, the Japanese seem to have less ardor for luxury goods than in the boom years of the late 90s.
Order: Meaning: the way in which people or things are arranged Use in sentence: The children lined up in order of age/height.
Conquer: Meaning: to take control or possession of foreign land, or a group of people, by force Use in sentence: The Spanish conquered the New World in the 16th century.
Concur: Meaning: to agree with someone or have the same opinion as someone else Use in sentence: The new report concurs with previous findings.
Cite: Meaning: to mention something as proof for a theory or as a reason why something has happened Use in sentence: She cited three reasons why people get into debt.
Site: Meaning: a place where something is, was, or will be built, or where something happened, is happening, or will happen Use in sentence: The council hasnt yet chosen the site for the new hospital.
Addict: Meaning: a person who cannot stop doing or using something, especially something harmful Use in sentence: There are a reported two million male cocaine addicts in the US.
Edict: Meaning: an official order, especially one which is given in a forceful and unfair way Use in sentence: Most shops are ignoring the government's edict against Sunday trading.
Proceed: Meaning: to continue as planned Use in sentence: His lawyers have decided not to proceed with the case.
Precede: Meaning: to be or go before something or someone in time or space Use in sentence: It would be helpful if you were to precede the report with an introduction.
Right: Meaning: correct Use in sentence: You got three answers right and two wrong.
Rite: Meaning: a set of fixed words and actions Use in sentence: You have to go through an initiation rite before you become a full member.
Weather: Meaning: the conditions in the air above the Earth such as wind, rain or temperature, especially at a particular time over a particular area Use in sentence: The weather in the hills can change very quickly, so take suitable clothing.
Whether: Meaning: if, or not Use in sentence: I wasn't sure whether you'd like it.
Eminent: Meaning: famous, respected or important Use in sentence: An eminent historian
Imminent: Meaning: coming or likely to happen very soon Use in sentence: A strike is imminent.
Deference: Meaning: respect and politeness Use in sentence: He treats her with such deference.
Difference: Meaning: the way in which two or more things which you are comparing are not the same Use in sentence: What's the difference between an ape and a monkey?
Eligible: Meaning: having the necessary qualities or satisfying the necessary conditions Use in sentence: Only people over 18 are eligible to vote.
Illegible: Meaning: impossible or almost impossible to read because of being very untidy or not clear Use in sentence: His writing is almost illegible.
Judicial: Meaning: involving a court of law
Use in sentence: The defense team will seek a judicial review of the sentence.
Judicious: Meaning: having or showing reason and good judgment in making decisions Use in sentence: We should make judicious use of the resources available to us. (Pair Repeated: 1)
President: Meaning: the person who has the highest political position in a country which is a republic and who, in some of these countries, is the leader of the government Use in sentence: The President of France.
Precedent: Meaning: an action, situation or decision which has already happened Use in sentence: There are several precedents for promoting people who don't have formal qualifications.
Superficial: Meaning: never thinking about things that are serious or important Use in sentence: He's fun to be with, but he's very superficial.
Superfluous: Meaning: more than is needed or wanted Use in sentence: The report was marred by a mass of superfluous detail.
Immigrant: Meaning: a person who has come to a different country in order to live there permanently Use in sentence: Illegal immigrants are sent back across the border if they are caught.
Emigrant: Meaning: a person who emigrates Use in sentence: There was only a small number of emigrants on board.
Rightful: Meaning: A rightful position or claim is one which is morally or legally correct Use in sentence: Don't forget that I am the rightful owner of this house.
Righteous: Meaning: morally correct Use in sentence: He was regarded as a righteous and holy man.
Contemptible: Meaning: deserving contempt Use in sentence: Her behavior was contemptible.
Contemptuous: Meaning: expressing contempt Use in sentence: He was very contemptuous of 'popular' writers, whom he described as having no talent.
Outbreak: Meaning: a time when something suddenly begins, especially a disease or something else dangerous or unpleasant Use in sentence: Last weekend saw further thundery outbreaks.
Breakout: Meaning: a violent escape, especially by a group, from prison Use in sentence: There has been a mass breakout from one of Germany's top security jails.
Facilitate: Meaning: to make possible or easier Use in sentence: The current structure does not facilitate efficient work flow.
Felicitate: Meaning: to wish happiness to; congratulate Use in sentence: Asian medal winners to be felicitated next Sunday.
Proceed: Meaning: to continue as planned Use in sentence: His lawyers have decided not to proceed with the case.
Precede: Meaning: to be or go before something or someone in time or space
Use in sentence: It would be helpful if you were to precede the report with an introduction. (Pair Repeated: 2)
Layout: Meaning: the way that something is arranged Use in sentence: I like the layout of the house.
Outlay: Meaning: an amount of money spent for a particular purpose, especially as a first investment in something Use in sentence: For an initial outlay of 2000 to buy the equipment, you should be earning up to 500 a month if the product sells well.
Cease: Meaning: to stop something Use in sentence: The Company has decided to cease all UK operations after this year.
Seize: Meaning: to take something quickly and keep or hold it Use in sentence: I seized his arm and made him turn to look at me.
Career: Meaning: a profession or occupation which one trains for and pursues as a lifework Use in sentence: Graduates may pursue careers in the public or private sector.
Carrier: Meaning: a person or thing that carries something Use in sentence: The parcels carriers used by most online retailers tend to be less flexible.
Acculturate: Meaning: to undergo, or alter by acculturation Use in sentence: Today the Iroquois are highly acculturated, holding jobs in communities surrounding the reservations.
Acclimatize: Meaning: to (cause to) change to suit different conditions of life, weather, etc Use in sentence: We found it impossible to acclimatize ourselves to the new working conditions.
Disclosure: Meaning: the act of making something known or the fact that is made known Use in sentence: Any public disclosure of this information would be very damaging to the company.
Exposure: Meaning: when something bad that someone has done is made public Use in sentence: The exposure of the minister's love affair forced him to resign.
Rigorous: Meaning: very strict or harsh Use in sentence: We shall now proceed by making the discussion more rigorous.
Vigorous: Meaning: very forceful or energetic Use in sentence: There has been vigorous opposition to the proposals for a new road.
Custom: Meaning: a way of behaving or a belief which has been established for a long time Use in sentence: An ancient custom was for the oldest son to have a double portion of the inheritance.
Habit: Meaning: something which you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it Use in sentence: I always buy the same brand of toothpaste just out of habit.
Peculiar: Meaning: unusual and strange, sometimes in an unpleasant way Use in sentence: She has the most peculiar ideas.
Particular: Meaning: special, or this and not any other Use in sentence: She wanted a particular type of cactus.
Prescribe: Meaning: to say what medical treatment someone should have Use in sentence: The drug is often prescribed for ulcers.
Proscribe: Meaning: to not allow something Use in sentence: The Athletics Federation has banned the runner from future races for using proscribed drugs.
Accident: Meaning: something bad which happens that is not expected or intended, and which often damages something or injures someone Use in sentence: Josh had an accident and spilled water all over his work.
Incident: Meaning: something that happens; happening; occurrence Use in sentence: We also investigate incidents which affect, or could affect, drinking water quality.
Choice: Meaning: an act or the possibility of choosing
Use in sentence: If the product doesn't work, you are given the choice of a refund or a replacement.
Preference: Meaning: when you like something or someone more than another person or thing Use in sentence: Her preference is for comfortable rather than stylish clothes.
Ascent: Meaning: when someone or something climbs or moves upwards Use in sentence: As the plane made its ascent, we saw thick smoke coming from one engine.
Assent: Meaning: official agreement to or approval of an idea, plan or request Use in sentence: Once the directors have given their assent to the proposal we can begin.
Emigrant: Meaning: a person who emigrates Use in sentence: There was only a small number of emigrants on board. (Pair Repeated: 2)
Continual: Meaning: happening repeatedly, usually in an annoying or not convenient way Use in sentence: I've had continual problems with this car ever since I bought it.
Continuous: Meaning: without a pause or interruption Use in sentence: My computer makes a continuous low buzzing noise. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Custom: Meaning: a way of behaving or a belief which has been established for a long time Use in sentence: An ancient custom was for the oldest son to have a double portion of the inheritance.
Habit: Meaning: something which you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it Use in sentence: I always buy the same brand of toothpaste just out of habit. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Deface: Meaning: to damage and spoil the appearance of something by writing or drawing on it Use in sentence: He was fined for defacing library books.
Efface: Meaning: to remove something intentionally Use in sentence: The whole country had tried to efface the memory of the old dictatorship.
Differ: Meaning: to be not like something or someone else, either physically or in another way Use in sentence: The twins look alike, but they differ in temperament.
Defer: Meaning: to delay something until a later time; to postpone Use in sentence: My bank has agreed to defer the repayments on my loan while I'm still a student.
Conduct:
Meaning: to behave in a particular way, especially in a public or a formal situation, or to organize the way in which you live in a particular way Use in sentence: How should I conduct myself at these dinners? I know nothing about etiquette.
Character: Meaning: the particular combination of qualities in a person or place that makes them different from others Use in sentence: Politeness is traditionally part of the British character.
Considerable: Meaning: large or of noticeable importance Use in sentence: The fire caused considerable damage to the church.
Considerate: Meaning: kind and helpful Use in sentence: She promises to be quieter and more considerate in future. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Feet: Meaning: plural of foot Use in sentence: Your feet look horrible.
Feat: Meaning: something difficult needing a lot of skill, strength, bravery, etc. to achieve it Use in sentence: The Eiffel Tower is a remarkable feat of engineering.
Fair: Meaning: just and honest; impartial Use in sentence: It's not fair that she's allowed to go and I'm not!
Fare: Meaning: the money that you pay for a journey on a vehicle such as a bus or train Use in sentence: Train fares are going up again.
Enviable: Meaning: good enough to be envied or desired Use in sentence: She's in the enviable position of being able to choose who she works for.
Envious: Meaning: wishing you had what another person has Use in sentence: I'm very envious of your new coat - it's lovely.
Collusion: Meaning: agreement between people to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone Use in sentence: It is thought that they worked in collusion with the terrorist network. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Verbal: Meaning: spoken rather than written Use in sentence: Airport officials received a stream of verbal abuse from angry passengers whose flights had been delayed.
Verbose: Meaning: using or containing more words than are necessary Use in sentence: He was a notoriously verbose after-dinner speaker.
Felicitate: Meaning: to wish happiness to; congratulate Use in sentence: Asian medal winners to be felicitated next Sunday. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Consciousness: Meaning: the state of understanding and realizing something. Use in sentence: Her consciousness that she's different makes her feel uneasy.
Conscientiousness: Meaning: putting a lot of effort into your work/ controlled by or done according to conscience Use in sentence: She has always been a very conscientious worker. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Wave: Meaning: to raise your hand and move it from side to side as a way of greeting someone Use in sentence: I waved to him from the window but he didn't see me.
Waive: Meaning: to give up or forgo (a right, claim, privilege, etc.)
Use in sentence: The bank manager waived the charge as we were old and valued customers.
Wreak: Meaning: to cause something to happen in a violent and often uncontrolled way Use in sentence: The recent storms have wreaked havoc on crops.
Flatter: Meaning: to praise someone in order to make them feel attractive or important, sometimes in a way that is not sincere Use in sentence: I knew he was only flattering me because he wanted to borrow some money.
Flutter: Meaning: to make a series of quick delicate movements up and down or from side to side, or to cause something to do this Use in sentence: Brightly coloured flags were fluttering in the breeze.
Deference: Meaning: respect and politeness Use in sentence: He treats her with such deference.
Difference: Meaning: the way in which two or more things which you are comparing are not the same Use in sentence: What's the difference between an ape and a monkey? (Pair Repeated: 1)
Humiliation: Meaning: to make someone feel ashamed or lose their respect for themselves Use in sentence: How could you humiliate me by questioning my judgment in front of everyone like that?
Humility: Meaning: the quality of not being proud because you are conscious of your bad qualities Use in sentence: He doesn't have the humility to admit when he's wrong. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Adept: Meaning: having a natural ability to do something that needs skill Use in sentence: She's very adept at dealing with the media.
Adapt: Meaning: to change something to suit different conditions or uses Use in sentence: Many software companies have adapted popular programs to the new operating system.
Adopt: Meaning: to choose or take as your own Use in sentence: Dr Kennedy has been adopted as the party's candidate for South Cambridge.
Alleged: Meaning: said or thought by some people to be the stated bad or illegal thing Use in sentence: It took 15 years for the alleged criminals to prove their innocence.
Accused: Meaning: the person who is on trial in a court or the people on trial in a court Use in sentence: The accused protested her innocence.
Suspected: Meaning: to think or believe something to be true or probable Use in sentence: So far, the police do not suspect foul play.
Bear: Meaning: to accept, tolerate or endure especially something unpleasant Use in sentence: It's your decision - you must bear the responsibility if things go wrong.
Borne: Meaning: past participle of bear Use in sentence: The weight was more than could be borne by a lone man
Born: Meaning: brought into life by birth Use in sentence: She was born in 1950.
Raise: Meaning: to lift something to a higher position Use in sentence: Would all those in favor please raise their hands?
Rise: Meaning: to move upwards Use in sentence: New buildings are rising throughout the city.
Raze: Meaning: to completely destroy a city, building, etc Use in sentence: The town was razed to the ground in the bombing raid - not a building was left standing.
Smell: Meaning: to have a particular quality that others can notice with their noses Use in sentence: That cake smells good.
Stink: Meaning: to smell very unpleasant Use in sentence: The woman next to me sprayed on some perfume and stank up the whole shop
Scent: Meaning: a pleasant natural smell Use in sentence: The scent of roses
Least: Meaning: less than anything or anyone else; the smallest amount or number Use in sentence: This group is the least likely of the four to win.
Less: Meaning: a smaller amount (of); not so much, or to a smaller degree Use in sentence: We must try to spend less money.
Lest: Meaning: in order to prevent any possibility that something will happen Use in sentence: They were afraid to complain about the noise lest they annoyed the neighbors.
Quiet: Meaning: making very little noise
Use in sentence: It's so quiet without the kids here.
Quite: Meaning: a little or a lot but not completely Use in sentence: I'm quite tired but I can certainly walk a little further.
Their: Meaning: of or belonging to them Use in sentence: He gave them their coats.
There: Meaning: that place Use in sentence: Put the chair there.
Theyre: Meaning: they are Use in sentence: They're so annoying.
Access: Meaning: the method or possibility of getting near to a place or person, or the right to use or look at something Use in sentence: The only access to the village is by boat.
Excess: Meaning: an amount which is more than acceptable, expected or reasonable Use in sentence: An excess of enthusiasm is not always a good thing.
Accent: Meaning: the way in which people in a particular area, country or social group pronounce words Use in sentence: He's got a strong Scottish accent.
Resources: Meaning: a useful or valuable possession or quality of a country, organization or person Use in sentence: The country's greatest resource is the dedication of its workers.
Recourse: Meaning: using something or someone as a way of getting help, especially in a difficult or dangerous situation Use in sentence: It is hoped that the dispute will be settled without recourse to litigation.
Weather: Meaning: the conditions in the air above the Earth such as wind, rain or temperature, especially at a particular time over a particular area Use in sentence: The weather in the hills can change very quickly, so take suitable clothing.
Whether: Meaning: if, or not Use in sentence: I wasn't sure whether you'd like it. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Premier: Meaning: best or most important Use in sentence: He's one of the nation's premier scientists.
Premiere:
Meaning: the first public performance of a play or any other type of entertainment Use in sentence: The world premiere of the opera will be at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
Felicitate: Meaning: to wish happiness to; congratulate Use in sentence: Asian medal winners to be felicitated next Sunday. (Pair Repeated: 2)
Conscious: Meaning: to notice that a particular thing or person exists or is present Use in sentence: I think she's very conscious of being the only person in the office who didn't have a university education.
Conscientious: Meaning: putting a lot of effort into your work/ controlled by or done according to conscience Use in sentence: She has always been a very conscientious worker.
Disease: Meaning: illness of people, animals, plants, etc.
Use in sentence: Starvation and diseases have killed thousands of refugees.
Decease: Meaning: a person's death Use in sentence: The house will not be yours till after your mother's decease. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Assent: Meaning: official agreement to or approval of an idea, plan or request Use in sentence: Once the directors have given their assent to the proposal we can begin. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Ballot: Meaning: a system or occasion of secret voting Use in sentence: They decided to hold a ballot.
Ballet: Meaning: a type of dancing where carefully organized movements tell a story or express an idea Use in sentence: By the age of fifteen he had already composed his first ballet.
Corps: Meaning: a military unit trained to perform particular duties Use in sentence: The EU could set up the "external action service, a kind of EU diplomatic corps.
Corpse: Meaning: a dead body, usually of a person Use in sentence: In the morning they found his corpse on the ground.
Due: Meaning: expected to happen, arrive, etc. at a particular time Use in sentence: The next meeting is due to be held in three months' time.
Dew: Meaning: drops of water that form on the ground and other surfaces outside during the night Use in sentence: There was moderate dew on the grass.
Diary: Meaning: a book with a separate space or page for each day, in which you write down your future arrangements, meetings, etc., or one used to record your thoughts and feelings or what has happened on that day Use in sentence: Don't forget to write the date of the meeting in your diary.
Dairy: Meaning: A commercial establishment for processing or selling milk and milk products. Use in sentence: Dairy farm may be supplied by water from a nearby spring.
Momentary: Meaning: lasting for a very short time Use in sentence: Be careful not to make even momentary short circuits with metal tools.
Momentous: Meaning: very important because of effects on future events Use in sentence: Whether or not to move overseas was a momentous decision for the family. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Route:
Meaning: a particular way or direction between places Use in sentence: The route we had planned took us right across Greece.
Rout: Meaning: to defeat an enemy completely and force them to run away Use in sentence: The Russian chess team has routed all the rest.
Veil: Meaning: a piece of thin material worn by women to cover the face or head Use in sentence: The women wore black veils which covered all but their eyes.
Vale: Meaning: used in the name of some valleys Use in sentence: The Vale of Evesham
Queue: Meaning: a line of people, usually standing or in cars, waiting for something Use in sentence: There was a long queue of traffic stretching down the road.
Cue: Meaning: a signal for someone to do something Use in sentence: They started washing up, so that was our cue to leave the party.
Differ: Meaning: to be not like something or someone else, either physically or in another way Use in sentence: The twins look alike, but they differ in temperament.
Defer: Meaning: to delay something until a later time; to postpone Use in sentence: My bank has agreed to defer the repayments on my loan while I'm still a student. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Conscious: Meaning: to notice that a particular thing or person exists or is present Use in sentence: I think she's very conscious of being the only person in the office who didn't have a university education.
Conscience: Meaning: the part of you that judges how moral your own actions are and makes you feel guilty about bad things that you have done Use in sentence: You didn't do anything wrong - you should have a clear conscience.
Confidant: Meaning: a person you trust and share your feelings and secrets with Use in sentence: Within a few short years he was a trusted confidant.
Confidante: Meaning: a woman or girl confidant Use in sentence: Within a few short years he was a trusted confidant.
Atheist: Meaning: someone who believes that God or gods do not exist Use in sentence: I know an atheist who says ' Oh god!
Agnostic: Meaning: someone who does not know, or believes that it is impossible to know, whether a god exists Use in sentence: Although he was raised a Catholic, he was an agnostic for most of his adult life.
Loose:
Meaning: not firmly fixed in place Use in sentence: There were some loose wires hanging out of the wall.
Lose: Meaning: to no longer have something because you do not know where it is, or because it has been taken away from you Use in sentence: I've lost my ticket.
Briefing: Meaning: information that is given to someone just before they do something or a meeting where this happens Use in sentence: They received thorough briefing before they left the country.
Debriefing: Meaning: to question someone in detail about work they have done for you Use in sentence: The pilots were thoroughly debriefed after every mission.
Dual: Meaning: with two parts, or combining two things Use in sentence: This room has a dual purpose, serving as both a study and a dining room.
Duel: Meaning: a formal fight in the past, using guns or swords, arranged between two people as a way of deciding an argument Use in sentence: The composer Strauss was once challenged to a duel.
Complement: Meaning: to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it
Use in sentence: The music complements her voice perfectly. (Pair Repeated: 4)
All: Meaning: every one (of), or the complete amount or number (of), or the whole (of) Use in sentence: All animals have to eat in order to live.
Awl: Meaning: a small, pointed tool for making holes in wood, leather, etc. Use in sentence: That awl causes loud noise.
Boy: Meaning: a male child Use in sentence: As a young boy, my father used to walk three miles to school.
Buoy: Meaning: a floating object on the top of the sea, which is used for directing ships and warning them of possible danger Use in sentence: The zones for swimming and the zones for water sports are clearly marked by buoys.
Fallow: Meaning: describes land that is not planted with crops, in order to improve the quality of the soil Use in sentence: Farmers are eligible for government support if they let a certain amount of land lie fallow.
Fellow:
Meaning: describes someone who has the same job or interests as you, or is in the same situation as you Use in sentence: She introduced me to some of her fellow students.
Jewry: Meaning: all the Jews Use in sentence: Dr. Lisa is an expert of Latin American Jewry.
Jury: Meaning: a group of people who have been chosen to listen to all the facts in a trial in a law court and to decide whether a person is guilty or not guilty Use in sentence: Police officers aren't usually allowed to be on a jury.
Functional: Meaning: designed to be practical and useful rather than attractive Use in sentence: Project work is used to integrate material and make knowledge functional.
Dysfunctional: Meaning: not behaving or working normally Use in sentence: The craftsman is likely to seem dysfunctional in a culture of innovation and change.
Yew: Meaning: an evergreen tree with flat leaves like needles and small red cones, or the wood from this tree Use in sentence: There is little sound except for the breeze stirring in the churchyard yew trees.
Eue: Meaning: Unable to find this word in dictionaries Use in sentence: An eue passed in his life which made him dull for an year.
Allusive: Meaning: containing a lot of allusions Use in sentence: Her music is allusive.
Elusive: Meaning: difficult to describe, find, achieve or remember Use in sentence: The answers to these questions remain as elusive as ever.
Ladylike: Meaning: graceful, controlled and behaving in a way that is socially acceptable for a woman Use in sentence: Laura is very ladylike and elegant.
Ladyship: Meaning: a respectful way of referring to or talking to a woman or girl who has the rank of a peer or knight without using her title Use in sentence: We are honored to welcome your ladyship here tonight.
Altogether: Meaning: completely or in total Use in sentence: The government ought to abolish the tax altogether.
All together: Meaning: all at the same time Use in sentence: The last time we were all together was in 1999.
Ambiguous: Meaning: having or expressing more than one possible meaning, sometimes intentionally Use in sentence: His reply to my question was somewhat ambiguous.
Ambivalent: Meaning: having two opposing feelings at the same time, or being uncertain about how you feel Use in sentence: I felt very ambivalent about leaving home.
Appraise: Meaning: to examine someone or something in order to judge their qualities, success or needs Use in sentence: At the end of each teaching practice, trainee teachers are asked to appraise their own performance.
Apprise: Meaning: to tell someone about something Use in sentence: The President has been apprised of the situation. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Bad: Meaning: unpleasant; causing difficulties or harm Use in sentence: Our holiday was spoiled by bad weather.
Badly: Meaning: in a severe and harmful way Use in sentence: She was badly affected by the events in her childhood.
Compare: Meaning: to examine or look for the difference between two or more things Use in sentence: If you compare house prices in the two areas, it's quite amazing how different they are.
Contrast: Meaning: an obvious difference between two or more things Use in sentence: The antique furnishing provides an unusual contrast to the modernity of the building.
Deduce:
Meaning: to reach an answer or a decision by thinking carefully about the known facts Use in sentence: We cannot deduce very much from these figures.
Imply: Meaning: to communicate an idea or feeling without saying it directly Use in sentence: I detected an implied criticism of the way he was treated.
Differ from: Meaning: to be not like something or someone else, either physically or in another way Use in sentence: His views differ considerably from those of his parents.
Differ with: Meaning: to disagree Use in sentence: I beg to differ with you on that point.
Farther: Meaning: to a greater distance Use in sentence: The fog's so thick, I can't see farther than about ten meters.
Further: Meaning: to a greater distance or degree; at a more advanced level Use in sentence: We discussed the problem but we didn't get much further in actually solving it.
Occlude: Meaning: to close, shut, or block
Use in sentence: I try to set the end distance (at which the fog totally occludes everything) no lower than 4000.
Occult: Meaning: relating to magical powers and activities, such as those of witchcraft and astrology Use in sentence: She claims to have occult powers, given to her by some mysterious spirit.
Practical: Meaning: relating to experience, real situations or actions rather than ideas or imagination Use in sentence: Qualifications are important but practical experience is always an advantage.
Practicable: Meaning: able to be done or put into action Use in sentence: The troops will be brought home as soon as practicable.
Raze: Meaning: to completely destroy a city, building, etc Use in sentence: The town was razed to the ground in the bombing raid - not a building was left standing.
Raise: Meaning: to lift something to a higher position Use in sentence: Would all those in favor please raise their hands? (Pair Repeated: 1)
Canon: Meaning: a Christian priest with special duties in a cathedral Use in sentence: He was first appointed as a residentiary canon and only became Chancellor after several years with us.
Cannon: Meaning: a large, mounted piece of artillery; sometimes, specif., a large gun with a relatively short barrel, as a howitzer Use in sentence: Instead of eight machine guns, it now had twelve, or four 20mm cannon. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Avenge: Meaning: to do harm to or punish the person responsible for something bad done to you Use in sentence: He swore he would avenge his brother's death.
Revenge: Meaning: harm done to someone as a punishment for harm that they have done to someone else Use in sentence: He is believed to have been shot by a rival gang in revenge for the shootings last week.
Caret: Meaning: a mark () used in writing or in correcting proof, to show where something is to be inserted Use in sentence: Some screen readers use the system caret to determine which area of the screen to read or magnify.
Carat: Meaning: a unit for measuring the weight of jewels Use in sentence: 24-carat gold is the purest.
Revel: Meaning: to separate the parts, esp. threads Use in sentence: The road raveled rapidly and became merely a pile of loose stones.
Reveal: Meaning: to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret Use in sentence: He was jailed for revealing secrets to the Russians.
Aviary: Meaning: a large cage or closed space in which birds are kept as pets Use in sentence: I have an aviary with 17 birds.
Apiary:
Meaning: a place where people keep bees, especially a collection of hives kept to provide honey Use in sentence: I once visited an apiary where there were numerous cardboard boxes scattered around.
Demeane: Meaning: Unable to find in dictionaries Use in sentence: Unable to find in dictionaries
Demean: Meaning: to cause someone to become less respected Use in sentence: The entire family was demeaned by his behavior.
Brooch: Meaning: a small piece of jewelry with a pin at the back that is fastened to a woman's clothes Use in sentence: She wore a small silver brooch.
Broad: Meaning: very wide Use in sentence: We walked down a broad avenue lined with trees.
Collusion: Meaning: agreement between people to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone
Use in sentence: It is thought that they worked in collusion with the terrorist network. (Pair Repeated: 2)
Fain: Meaning: glad; ready Use in sentence: He is fain to do all things himself.
Feign: Meaning: to pretend to feel something, usually an emotion Use in sentence: You know how everyone feigns surprise when you tell them how old you are.
Hoard: Meaning: to collect large amounts of something and keep it in a safe, often secret, place Use in sentence: During the siege people began hoarding food and supplies.
Horde: Meaning: a large group of people Use in sentence: Hordes of students on bikes made crossing the road difficult.
Delusion: Meaning: when someone believes something that is not true Use in sentence: He's under the delusion that he will be promoted this year.
Prosecute: Meaning: to officially accuse someone of committing a crime in a court of law, or (of a lawyer) to try to prove that a person accused of committing a crime is guilty of that crime Use in sentence: He was prosecuted for fraud. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Prescribe: Meaning: to say what medical treatment someone should have Use in sentence: The drug is often prescribed for ulcers.
Proscribe: Meaning: to not allow something Use in sentence: The Athletics Federation has banned the runner from future races for using proscribed drugs. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Respectfully: Meaning: in a way that shows you want to be polite or honor someone Use in sentence: As the body was carried through the crowd, people drew back respectfully.
Respectively: Meaning: relating or belonging to each of the separate people or things you have just mentioned Use in sentence: In the 200 meters, Lizzy and Sarah came first and third respectively.
Complaisant: Meaning: willing to please; affably agreeable; obliging Use in sentence: Can we really sit back and watch the suffering of a whole nation and be so complaisant? (Pair Repeated: 2)
Auger: Meaning: a tool consisting of a twisted rod of metal fixed to a handle, used for making large holes in wood or in the ground Use in sentence: In order to measure the pH directly; the kit includes a plastic auger to perforate the ground.
Augur: Meaning: to be a sign of especially good or bad things in the future Use in sentence: Do you think that this recent ministerial announcement augurs a shift in government policy?
Feign: Meaning: to pretend to feel something, usually an emotion Use in sentence: You know how everyone feigns surprise when you tell them how old you are. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Emigrate: Meaning: to leave a country permanently and go to live in another one Use in sentence: Millions of Germans emigrated from Europe to America in the nineteenth century.
Immigrate: Meaning: to come to live in a different country Use in sentence: He immigrated with his parents in 1895, and grew up in London.
Envy: Meaning: to wish that you had something that another person has Use in sentence: I envy her ability to talk to people she's never met before.
Jealousy: Meaning: a feeling of unhappiness and anger because someone has something that you want Use in sentence: The team has performed very badly this season due to petty jealousies among the players.
Invade: Meaning: to enter an area of activity in a forceful and noticeable way Use in sentence: Concentrations of troops near the border look set to invade within the next few days.
Attack: Meaning: to try to hurt or defeat using violence Use in sentence: He was attacked and seriously injured by a gang of youths.
Trifling: Meaning: A trifling matter or amount of money is small or not important Use in sentence: It was such a trifling sum of money to argue about!
Trivial: Meaning: having little value or importance Use in sentence: I don't know why he gets so upset about something that is utterly trivial.
Simulation: Meaning: a model of a set of problems or events that can be used to teach someone how to do something Use in sentence: The manager prepared a computer simulation of likely sales performance for the rest of the year.
Dissimulation: Meaning: To conceal one's true feelings or intentions.
Use in sentence: As an actress she had been trained to dissimulate, so she had no trouble hiding her true feelings offstage as well.
Venal: Meaning: A venal person is willing to behave in a way that is not honest or moral in exchange for money Use in sentence: A venal ruler
Venial: Meaning: describes a wrong action that is not serious and therefore easy to forgive Use in sentence: Aristocracy is not an institution: aristocracy is a sin; generally a very venial one.
Counsel: Meaning: to give advice, especially on social or personal problems Use in sentence: The police have provided experts to counsel local people affected by the tragedy.
Council: Meaning: a group of people elected or chosen to make decisions or give advice on a particular subject, to represent a particular group of people, or to run a particular organization Use in sentence: This play is supported by a grant from the local arts council. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Distinct: Meaning: clearly noticeable; that certainly exists Use in sentence: There's a distinct smell of cigarettes in here.
Distinctive:
Meaning: Something that is distinctive is easy to recognize because it is different from other things Use in sentence: She's got a very distinctive voice.
Opposite: Meaning: completely different Use in sentence: You'd never know they're sisters - they're completely opposite to each other in every way. (Pair Repeated: 2)
Deprecate Meaning: to not approve of something Use in sentence: We deprecate this use of company funds for political purposes.
Depreciate: Meaning: to (cause something to) lose value, especially over time Use in sentence: Our car depreciated by $1500 in the first year we owned it.
Punctual: Meaning: arriving, doing something or happening at the expected, correct time Use in sentence: He's fairly punctual.
Punctilious: Meaning: very careful to behave correctly or to give attention to details Use in sentence: He was always punctilious in his manners.
Judicial: Meaning: involving a court of law Use in sentence: The defense team will seek a judicial review of the sentence.
Judicious: Meaning: having or showing reason and good judgment in making decisions Use in sentence: We should make judicious use of the resources available to us. (Pair Repeated: 2)
Salutary: Meaning: causing improvement of behavior or character Use in sentence: It is however salutary to remember the genuine need for originality in the creation of a copyright protectable database.
Salubrious: Meaning: describes a place that is pleasant, clean, and healthy to live in Use in sentence: He doesn't live in a very salubrious part of town.
Canvas: Meaning: a piece of cloth used by artists for painting on, usually with oil paints, or the painting itself Use in sentence: These two canvases by Hockney would sell for 500 000.
Canvass: Meaning: to try to get political support or votes, especially by visiting all the houses in an area Use in sentence: I've been out canvassing for the Labor Party every evening this week. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Voracity: Meaning: excessive desire to eat
Use in sentence: On reaching the ship they were offered some bread, which they devoured with a voracious appetite.
Veracity: Meaning: the quality of being true, honest or accurate Use in sentence: The veracity of the second claim can be tested against the findings of archeology. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Moat: Meaning: a long wide hole which is dug all the way around a place such as a castle, and usually filled with water, to make it more difficult to attack Use in sentence: The site of the manor house is surrounded by a narrow moat which is fed by water from the New River.
Mote: Meaning: something, especially a bit of dust, that is so small it is almost impossible to see Use in sentence: Dust motes swam alongside the gloomy corridor.
Loath: Meaning: to be unwilling to do something Use in sentence: I'm loath to spend it all at once.
Loathe:
Meaning: to hate someone or something Use in sentence: From an early age the brothers have loathed each other.
Feign: Meaning: to pretend to feel something, usually an emotion Use in sentence: You know how everyone feigns surprise when you tell them how old you are. (Pair Repeated: 2)
Emigrant: Meaning: a person who emigrates Use in sentence: There was only a small number of emigrants on board. (Pair Repeated: 2)
Wreak: Meaning: to cause something to happen in a violent and often uncontrolled way Use in sentence: The recent storms have wreaked havoc on crops. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Affluence: Meaning: having a lot of money or owning a lot of things Use in sentence: What we are seeing increasingly is a society of private affluence and public squalor.
Effluence: Meaning: a thing that flows out or forth Use in sentence: How can Reef Entertainment justify releasing this effluence on the general public?
Wretch: Meaning: a person who experiences something unpleasant Use in sentence: A gentleman said that a week ago he was the wretch in the county, but now saved.
Retch: Meaning: to react in a way as if you are vomiting Use in sentence: The sight of blood makes him retch.
Euphemistic: Meaning: a word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word Use in sentence: 'Senior citizen' is a euphemism for 'old person'.
Euphuistic: Meaning: Affected elegance of language. Use in sentence: Euphuistic style has been used in many of his writings.
Amoral: Meaning: without moral principles Use in sentence: The spies are younger, less jaded but equally cynical and still operating in a wholly amoral world.
Immoral: Meaning: morally wrong Use in sentence: It's an immoral tax, because the poor will pay relatively more.
Imperial: Meaning: belonging or relating to an empire or the person or country that rules it Use in sentence: Delhi is a city of two centers, comprising imperial Lutyens architecture and numerous monuments to the Moghul Empire.
Imperious: Meaning: unpleasantly proud and expecting obedience Use in sentence: He sent them away with an imperious wave of the hand.
Degrade: Meaning: to lower in rank or status Use in sentence: He likes to degrade people by calling them embarrassing names.
Denigrate: Meaning: to say that someone or something is not good or important Use in sentence: You shouldn't denigrate people just because they have different beliefs from you.
Temporal: Meaning: relating to practical matters or physical things, rather than spiritual ones
Use in sentence: Her starting point: 'The future is the only temporal area over which people have power.
Temporary: Meaning: not lasting or needed for very long Use in sentence: The ceasefire will only provide a temporary solution to the crisis. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Precipitate: Meaning: to make something happen suddenly or sooner than expected Use in sentence: Fear of losing her job precipitated her into action.
Precipitous: Meaning: sheer Use in sentence: Precipitous slopes of Reid's Ridge are visible on the right.
Mitigate: Meaning: to make something less harmful, unpleasant or bad Use in sentence: It is unclear how to mitigate the effects of tourism on the island.
Alleviate: Meaning: to make something bad such as pain or problems less severe Use in sentence: The drugs did nothing to alleviate her pain/suffering. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Persecute:
Meaning: to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion, or political beliefs or to annoy someone by refusing to leave them alone Use in sentence: Religious minorities were persecuted and massacred during the ten-year regime.
Popular: Meaning: liked, enjoyed or supported by many people Use in sentence: She's the most popular teacher in school.
Populace: Meaning: the ordinary people who live in a particular country or place Use in sentence: Some studies show that workers in the nuclear industry are more likely than the general populace to get cancer. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Excite: Meaning: to make someone have strong feelings of happiness and enthusiasm Use in sentence: Nothing about my life excites me at present.
Incite: Meaning: to encourage someone to do or feel something unpleasant or violent
Use in sentence: She was expelled for inciting her classmates to rebel against their teachers. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Exceptional: Meaning: much greater than usual, especially in skill, intelligence, quality, etc Use in sentence: The Company has shown exceptional growth over the past two years.
Exceptionable: Meaning: offensive or upsetting Use in sentence: This action is normally only taken in exceptionable circumstances. (Pair Repeated: 1)
Luxuriant: Meaning: growing thickly, strongly and well Use in sentence: This stretch of land was once covered with luxuriant forest, but is now bare.
Luxurious: Meaning: very comfortable and expensive Use in sentence: They have a very luxurious house.
Mean: Meaning: to express or represent something such as an idea, thought, or fact Use in sentence: These figures mean that almost 7% of the working population is unemployed.
Mien: Meaning: a person's appearance, especially the typical expression on their face Use in sentence: His aristocratic mien and smart clothes singled him out.
Observation: Meaning: when you observe something or someone
Use in sentence: The police are keeping the suspect under observation.
Observance: Meaning: when someone obeys a law or follows a religious custom Use in sentence: The State must enforce the observance of human rights in its domestic legal order.
Naughty: Meaning: not behaving properly; mischievous or disobedient Use in sentence: Now that's naughty - you mustn't throw food on the floor!
Knotty: Meaning: complicated and difficult to solve Use in sentence: That's rather a knotty question.
Ghostly: Meaning: pale and transparent Use in sentence: The image is fading which gives the figure a rather ghostly appearance.
Ghastly: Meaning: unpleasant and shocking Use in sentence: Today's newspaper gives all the ghastly details of the murder.
Hew: Meaning: to cut a large piece out of rock, stone or another hard material in a rough way Use in sentence: The monument was hewn out of the side of a mountain.
Hue: Meaning: a particular shade or tint of a given color Use in sentence: In the Caribbean waters there are fish of every hue.
Adverse: Meaning: having a negative or harmful effect on something Use in sentence: The match has been canceled due to adverse weather conditions.
Averse: Meaning: strongly disliking or opposed to Use in sentence: Few MPs are averse to the attention of the media.
Maize: Meaning: a tall plant grown in many parts of the world for its yellow seeds which are eaten as food, made into flour or fed to animals Use in sentence: Some of our foods may contain ingredients produced from genetically modified maize.
Maze: Meaning: An intricate, usually confusing network of interconnecting pathways Use in sentence: The old part of the town was a maze of narrow passages.
Medal: Meaning: a small, flat piece of metal with a design or inscription stamped or inscribed on it, made to commemorate some event, or awarded for some distinguished action Use in sentence: She won three Olympic gold medals.
Meddle: Meaning: to concern oneself with or take part in other people's affairs without being asked or needed Use in sentence: People shouldn't meddle with things they don't understand.
Imperial: Meaning: belonging or relating to an empire or the person or country that rules it Use in sentence: Delhi is a city of two centers, comprising imperial Lutyens architecture and numerous monuments to the Moghul Empire.
Imperious: Meaning: unpleasantly proud and expecting obedience Use in sentence: He sent them away with an imperious wave of the hand. (Pair repeated: 1)
Allusion: Meaning: something that is said or written that is intended to make you think of a particular thing or person Use in sentence: Her novels are packed with literary allusions. (Pair repeated: 2)
Ordinance: Meaning: a law or rule made by a government or authority Use in sentence: City Ordinance 126 forbids car parking in this area.
Ordnance:
Meaning: all military weapons together with ammunition, combat vehicles, etc. and the equipment and supplies used in servicing these Use in sentence: Do not touch any military ordnance that may be found lying around this area.
Willing: Meaning: to be happy to do something if it is needed Use in sentence: You said you needed a volunteer - well, I'm willing.
Willful: Meaning: said or done deliberately or intentionally Use in sentence: Willful killing is a grave breach.
Capital: Meaning: a city which is the centre of government of a country or smaller political area Use in sentence: Australia's capital city is Canberra.
Capitol: Meaning: the building in which a state legislature meets Use in sentence: A state legislature will meet in a capitol building.
Assay: Meaning: an examination or testing Use in sentence: A positive result has been obtained in a mouse lymphoma assay.
Essay:
Meaning: attempt/ a short piece of writing on a particular subject Use in sentence: The Diploma is assessed by three essays of 3,000 words each.
Envelop: Meaning: to cover or surround something completely Use in sentence: The graveyard looked ghostly, enveloped in mist.
Envelope: Meaning: a flat, usually square or rectangular, paper container for a letter Use in sentence: A stamped, addressed envelope should be enclosed for reply.
Decree: Meaning: an official statement that something must happen Use in sentence: More than 200 people were freed by military decree.
Degree: Meaning: amount or level of something Use in sentence: This job demands a high degree of skill.
Desolate: Meaning: describes a place that is empty and not attractive Use in sentence: The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape.
Dissolute: Meaning: immoral Use in sentence: He led a dissolute life.
Species: Meaning: a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other Use in sentence: Over a hundred species of insect are found in this area.
Specie: Meaning: Coined money Use in sentence: The next insinuation is that the Bank has refused specie payments.
Tortuous: Meaning: not direct or simple Use in sentence: He took a tortuous route through back streets.
Torturous: Meaning: causing torture Use in sentence: It was torturous to think that he could have stopped the boy from running into the road.
Wet: Meaning: covered in water or another liquid Use in sentence: My bike got wet in the rain.
Whet: Meaning: to increase someone's interest in and wish for something Use in sentence: I've read an excerpt of the book on the Web and it's whetted my appetite.
Idoms
Solved Idioms (1971 - 2010)
1971
b) Use the following idiomatic expressions in illustrative sentences: 1- Carry out Accomplish, bring to a conclusion
They carried out the mission successfully. Shakespeare had this term in King Lear (5:1): And hardly shall I carry out my side, her husband being alive Put in practice or effect, We will carry out the new policy. Please carry out my instructions. 2- Taken over Assume control, management, or possession of The pilot told his copilot to take over the controls. Theres a secret bid to take over our company. [Late 1800s] 3- Bring about cause She hopes to bring about a change in his attitude. 4- Beat out Knock into shape by beating She managed to beat out all the dents in the fender. [c. 1600] Surpass or defeat someone, be chosen over someone He got to the head of the line, beating out all the others. Beat out of Cheat someone of something He was always trying to beat the conductor out of the full train fare. 5- Bear with Put up with, make allowance for He'll just have to bear with them until they decide. Nicholas Udall used this term in Ralph Roister Doister (c. 1553): "The heart of a man should more honour win by bearing with a woman." It may also be used as an imperative. Bear with meI'm getting to the point. __________________________
1972
b) Use the following expressions in sentences to bring out their meanings: 1- To fall back on something / fall back upon Rely on, have recourse to I fall back on old friends in time of need. When he lost his job he had to fall back upon his savings
2- To fall through Fail, miscarry The proposed amendment fell through. I hope our plans won't fall through. [Late 1700s] 3- On right earnest 4- Vested interests A personal stake in something She has a vested interest in keeping the house in her name. This term, first recorded in 1818, uses vested in the sense of "established" or "secured." 5- Meaningful dialogue __________________________
1973
b) Use any five of the following idiomatic expressions in your own sentences to illustrate their meaning: 1- Turn to account Use for one's benefit He turned the delay to good account, using the time to finish correspondence. This idiom, first recorded in 1878, uses account in the sense of "a reckoning." 2- To beat the air / beat the wind Continue to make futile attempts, fight to no purpose The candidates for office were so much alike that we thought our vote amounted to beating the air. These phrases call up a vivid image of someone flailing away at nothing. [Late 1300s] 3- To break a lance with To engage in a tilt or contest 4- To foul of, (foul play) Unfair or treacherous action, especially involving violence The police suspected he had met with foul play. This term originally was and still is applied to unfair conduct in a sport or game and was being used figuratively by the late 1500s. Shakespeare used it in The Tempest (1:2): "What foul play had we that we came from thence?" 5- To keep open house To entertain friends at all times, to be hospitable
6- To put out of countenance 7- Got up to kill 8- To have a finger in the pie Have an interest in or meddle in something When they nominated me for the board, I'm sure Bill had a finger in the pie. Another form of this idiom is have a finger in every pie to have an interest in or be involved in everything She does a great deal for the town; she has a finger in every pie. The precise origin of this metaphor, which presumably eludes either to tasting every pie or being involved in their concoction, has been lost. [Late 1500s] __________________________
1974
b) Use any five of the following idioms in your own sentences to illustrate their meaning: 1- When all is said and done / After all is said and done In the end, nevertheless When all's said and done, the doctors did what they could for Gordon, but he was too ill to survive. This term was first recorded in 1560. 2- An axe to grind A selfish aim or motive The article criticized the new software, but the author had an axe to grind, as its manufacturer had fired his son. This frequently used idiom comes from a story by Charles Miner, published in 1811, about a boy who was flattered into turning the grindstone for a man sharpening his axe. He worked hard until the school bell rang, whereupon the man, instead of thanking the boy, began to scold him for being late and told him to hurry to school. "Having an axe to grind" then came into figurative use for having a personal motive for some action. [Mid-1800s] 3- Turn a new leaf Make a fresh start, change one's conduct or attitude for the better He promised the teacher he would turn over a new leaf and behave himself in class. This expression alludes to turning the page of a book to a new page. [Early 1500s] 4- Burn the candle at both ends Exhaust one's energies or resources by leading a hectic life Joseph's been burning the candle at both ends for weeks, working two jobs during the week and a third on weekends. This metaphor originated in France and was translated into English in Randle Cotgrave's Dictionary (1611), where it referred to dissipating one's wealth. It soon acquired its present broader meaning.
5- Leave in the lurch Desert or leave alone and in trouble, refuse to help or support someone He left me in the lurch when he didn't come over to help me although he had promised to earlier in the day. 6- Goes without saying Be self-evident, a matter of course It goes without saying that success is the product of hard work. This expression is a translation of the French cela va sans dire. [Second half of 1800s] 7- Like a red rag to a bull If something is a red rag to a bull, it is something that will inevitably make somebody angry or cross. 8- Not a leg to stand on With no chance of success He tried to get the town to change the street lights, but because there was no money in the budget he found himself without a leg to stand on. A related idiom is not having a leg to stand on Once the detective exposed his false alibi, he didn't have a leg to stand on. This metaphoric idiom transfers lack of physical support to arguments or theories. [Late 1500s] 9- Under the thumb of Controlled or dominated by someone He's been under his mother's thumb for years. The allusion in this metaphoric idiom is unclear, that is, why a thumb rather than a fist or some other anatomic part should symbolize control. [Mid-1700s] 10- The writing on the wall / handwriting on the wall If the writing's on the wall for something, it is doomed to fail. A warning or presentiment of danger The Company was losing money, and seeing the handwriting on the wall, she started to look for another job. This expression comes from the Bible (Daniel 5:5-31), in which the prophet interprets some mysterious writing that a disembodied hand has inscribed on the palace wall, telling King Belshazzar that he will be overthrown __________________________
1975
b) Use any five of the following idioms in your own sentences to illustrate their meaning: 1- To sow one's wild oats Behave foolishly, immoderately or promiscuously when young
Brad has spent the last couple of years sowing his wild oats, but now he seems ready to settle down. This expression alludes to sowing inferior wild oats instead of good cultivated grain, the verb sowingthat is, planting seedin particular suggesting sexual promiscuity. [Mid-1500s] 2- Storm in a tea cup If someone exaggerates a problem or makes a small problem seem far greater than it really is, then they are making a storm in a teacup 3- To keep late hours Stay awake until late at night Never call Ethel before noon; she keeps late hours and sleeps all morning. 4- To throw cold water on to discourage, to remove hope, deter Steve wanted to expand the business into China, but his boss threw cold water on the idea, and told him to focus on the domestic business. Cutting my year-end bonus poured cold water on my loyalty to the company. Hearing about the outbreak of cholera threw cold water on our plans to visit Bolivia. This term, with its image of putting out a fire with water, at one time meant defame or slander; the modern meaning dates from about 1800. 5- A cock and bull story An unbelievable tale that is intended to deceive; a tall tale Jack told us some cock and bull story about getting lost. This expression may come from a folk tale involving these two animals, or from the name of an English inn where travellers told such tales. W.S. Gilbert used it in The Yeomen of the Guard (1888), where Jack Point and Wilfred the Jailer make up a story about the hero's fictitious death: "Tell a tale of cock and bull, of convincing detail full." [c. 1600] 6- To bear the brunt of Put up with the worst of some bad circumstance It was the secretary who had to bear the brunt of the doctor's anger. This idiom uses brunt in the sense of "the main force of an enemy's attack," which was sustained by the front lines of the defenders. [Second half of 1700s] 7- Tied to apron-strings of Wholly dependent on or controlled by a woman, especially one's mother or wife. At 25, he was still too tied to her apron strings to get an apartment of his own. This expression, dating from the early 1800s, probably alluded to apron-string tenure, a 17th-century law that allowed a husband to control his wife's and her family's property during her lifetime. 8- To move heaven and earth
Exert the utmost effort I'd move heaven and earth to get an apartment here. This hyperbolic expression was first recorded in 1792. 9- To blow ones own trumpet / blow one's trumpet Vast in a boastful, self-promoting manner , brag about oneself Within two minutes of meeting someone new, Bill was blowing his own horn. [Late 1500s] 10- To rest on one's laurels Rely on one's past achievements, especially as a way of avoiding the work needed to advance one's status. Now that Julian's in his eighties, he's decided to rest on his laurels and let some of the younger agents do the work. This term alludes to the crown of laurels awarded in ancient times for a spectacular achievement. [Late 1800s] __________________________
1976
b) Use the following words, expressions and idioms in your own sentences so as to bring out their meaning: 1- Trudge along 2- Point-blank Close enough to go directly to a target 3- In the doldrums Depressed, dull and listless Dean's in the doldrums for most of every winter. This expression alludes to the maritime doldrums, a belt of calms and light winds north of the equator in which sailing ships were often becalmed. [Early 1800s] 4- Dole out / on the dole receiving payment from the government, as relief They couldn't afford any luxuries while living on the dole. 5- At cross purposes When people are at cross purposes, they misunderstand each other or have different or opposing objectives With aims or goals that conflict or interfere with one another I'm afraid the two departments are working at cross purposes. This idiom, first recorded in 1688, may have begun as a 17th-century parlor game called cross-purposes, in which a series of subjects (or questions) were divided from their explanations (or answers) and distributed around the room. Players then created absurdities by combining a subject taken from one person with an explanation taken from another.
6- Check by jowl in close intimacy, side by side :a row of houses cheek by jowl 7- Succinctly Characterized by clear, precise expression in few words; concise and terse a succinct reply; a succinct style. 8- Hilarious detract from 9- Plain sailing Easy going; straightforward, unobstructed progress The first few months were difficult, but I think it's plain sailing from here on. Alluding to navigating waters free of hazards, such as rocks or other obstructions, this term was transferred to other activities in the early 1800s. __________________________
1977
b) Use any five of the following expressions in your own sentences to illustrate their meaning: 1- To bear the brunt of Put up with the worst of some bad circumstance It was the secretary who had to bear the brunt of the doctor's anger. This idiom uses brunt in the sense of "the main force of an enemy's attack", which was sustained by the front lines of the defenders. [Second half of 1700s] 2- To call a spade a spade A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience. 3- To fight shy of Avoid meeting or confronting someone I have had to fight shy of invitations that would exhaust time and spirits"(Washington Irving, Life and Letters, 1821). This usage may allude to a military reluctance to meet or engage with the enemy. [Late 1700s] 4- To cry over the spilt milk This idiom means that getting upset after something has gone wrong is pointless; it can't be changed so it should
be accepted. 5- To burn the candle at both ends Someone who burns the candle at both ends lives life at a hectic pace, doing things which are likely to affect their health badly. Exhaust one's energies or resources by leading a hectic life. Joseph's been burning the candle at both ends for weeks, working two jobs during the week and a third on weekends. This metaphor originated in France and was translated into English in Randle Cotgrave's Dictionary (1611), where it referred to dissipating one's wealth. It soon acquired its present broader meaning. 6- To rob peter to pay Paul If you rob Peter to pay Paul, you try to solve one problem, but create another in doing so, often through short-term planning 7- To take the bull by the horns Taking a bull by its horns would be the most direct but also the most dangerous way to try to compete with such an animal. When we use the phrase in everyday talk, we mean that the person we are talking about tackles their problems directly and is not worried about any risks involved. 8- Playing to the gallery If someone plays to the gallery, they say or do things that will make them popular at the expense of more important issues 9- Holding out the olive branch If you hold out or offer an olive branch, you make a gesture to indicate that you want peace. 10- To make out Discern or see, especially with difficulty I can hardly make out the number on the door. [Mid-1700s] Manage, get along How did you make out with the accountant? This usage was first recorded in 1820. Understand I can't make out what she is trying to say. [Mid-1600s] Establish or prove He made out that he was innocent. [Colloquial; mid-1600s] Amply or suggest. This usage often occurs with an infinitive Are you making me out to be a liar? [Colloquial; mid-1600s]
Write out, draw up; fill in a written form He made out the invoices, or Jane started making out job applications. This usage was first recorded in 1465 __________________________
1978
b) Use the following expressions and idioms in your own sentences so as to bring out their meaning: 1- The acid test An acid test is something that proves whether something is good, effective, etc, or no 2- A bad hat Someone who deliberately stirs up trouble 3- In a blue funk In a state of panic or terror Just because the bride's mother is late, you needn't get in a blue funk. This term originated in the mid-1700s as in a funk, the adjective blue, meaning "affected with fear or anxiety", being added a century later. In a state of dejection, sad Anne has been in a blue funk since her dog died. This usage employs blue in the sense of "sad" a meaning that first emerged in the late 1300s. 4- Set one's cap Down at heel Also, on someone's heels. Immediately behind, in close pursuit. Literal use Jean's dog was always at her heels. Figurative use Although his company dominated the technology, he always felt that his competitors were on his heels. This idiom appeared in the 14th-century romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The expression is sometimes intensified as hard on someone's heels or hot on someone's heels 5- To die in harness Expire while working, keep working to the end He'll never retirehe'll die with his boots on. She knows she'll never get promoted, but she wants to die in harness.
Both phrases probably allude to soldiers who died on active duty. Until the early 1600s the noun boot denoted a piece of armor for the legs, which may have given rise to this usage. Shakespeare used harness in the sense of armor when he wrote: "At least we'll die with harness on our back" (Macbeth 5:5). 6- Dead as doornail / dead as a dodo or herring Totally or assuredly dead; also finished The cop announced that the body in the dumpster was dead as a doornail. The radicalism she professed in her adolescence is now dead as a dodo. The Equal Rights Amendment appears to be dead as a herring. The first, oldest, and most common of these similes, all of which can be applied literally to persons or, more often today, to issues, involves doornail, dating from about 1350. Its meaning is disputed but most likely it referred to the costly metal nails hammered into the outer doors of the wealthy (most people used the much cheaper wooden pegs), which were clinched on the inside of the door and therefore were "dead", that is, could not be used again. Dead as a herring dates from the 16th century and no doubt alludes to the bad smell this dead fish gives off, making its death quite obvious. Dead as a dodo, referring to the extinct bird, dates from the early 1900s. 7- To raise coin 8- To strike one's colours 9. To carry the day Win, prevail At auctions the wealthiest bidders usually carry the day. [Late 1600s] __________________________
1979
b) Use any five of the following expressions and idioms in your own sentences so as to bring out their meanings: 1- Taken down at peg If someone is taken down a peg (or taken down a peg or two), they lose status in the eyes of others because of something they have done wrong or badly. 2- To monkey with 3- In hot water in trouble
4- Petticoat Government 5- To pull oneself together Regain one's composure or self-control After that frightening episode, it took her a while to pull herself together. [Second half of 1800s] 6- To rise from the ranks / come up through the ranks Work one's way to the top He's risen through the ranks, starting as a copy boy and ending up as senior editor. Originally this term was used for an officer who had worked his way up from the rank of private, a rare feat. It was being applied to non-military advances by the mid-1800s 7- To rub shoulders If you rub shoulders with people, you meet and spend time with them, especially when they are powerful or famous. __________________________
1980
b) Bring out the meaning of any five of the following in appropriate sentences: 1- Pocket the affront 2- Thin end of the wedge The thin end of the wedge is something small and seemingly unimportant that will lead to something much bigger and more serious. 3- Flash in the pan If something is a flash in the pan, it is very noticeable but doesn't last long, like most singers, who are very successful for a while, then forgotten 4- To keep at Persevere or persist at doing something. If you keep at your Math, you'll soon master it. It is also put as keep at it He kept at it all day and finally finished the report. [Early 1800s] Keep at someone Nag, harass, or annoy someone You have to keep at Carl if you want him to do the work. He keeps at Millie all the time.
5- At one's beck and call Ready to comply with any wish or command 6- Go against the grain A person who does things in an unconventional manner, especially if their methods are not generally approved of, is said to go against the grain. Such an individual can be called a maverick. 7- Bring grist to the mill Something that you can use to your advantage is grist for the mill. ('Grist to the mill' is also used. 8- Upset the apple cart Spoil carefully laid plans Now don't upset the apple cart by revealing where we're going. This expression started out as upset the cart, used since Roman times to mean "spoil everything". The precise idiom dates from the late 1700s. 9- Hoist on one's own petard If you are hoist with your own petard, you get into trouble or caught in a trap that you had set for someone else. 10- Live on the fat of the land The best or richest of anything The tiny upper class lived off the fat of the land while many of the poor were starving. This expression alludes to fat in the sense of "the best or richest part". The Bible has it as eat the fat of the land (Genesis 45:18). __________________________
1981
b) Use any five of the following expressions in sentences so as to bring out their meaning: 1- To have your cake and eat it too If someone wants to have their cake and eat it too, they want everything their way, especially when their wishes are contradictory. 2- Between the devil and the deep blue sea If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma; a difficult choice. 3- To be in hot water
If you get into hot water, you get into trouble 4- To be on the carpet Summoned before someone in authority for punishment 5- It never rains but it pours when things go wrong, they go very wrong. 6- A miss is as good as a mile Coming close to success but failing is no better than failing by a lot He was beaten by just one vote, but a miss is as good as a mile. This proverbial expression, first recorded in 1614, is a shortening of the older form, "An inch of a miss is as good [or bad] as a mile of a miss." 7- To give oneself airs Assume a haughty manner, pretend to be better than one is I'm sick of Claire and the way she puts on airs. Airs here means a manner of superiority. [c. 1700] 8- To have the courage of ones convictions Behave according to one's beliefs Carl wouldn't give his best friend any of the test answers; he had the courage of his convictions. This expression is believed to have originated as a translation of the French le courage de son opinion ("the courage of his opinion"), dating from the mid-1800s and at first so used. By the late 1800s it had changed to the present form. 9- The onlooker sees most of the game 10- Out of sight out of mind It is used to suggest that someone will not think or worry about something if it isn't directly visible or available to them __________________________
1982
3. Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: 1- To come to a dead end A passage that has no exit This street's a dead end, so turn back. [Late 1800s]
An impasse or blind alley, allowing no progress to be made This job is a dead end; I'll never be able to advance. [c. 1920] 2- To turn a deaf ear If someone turns a deaf ear to you, they don't listen to you. 3- Every dark cloud has a silver lining An element of hope or a redeeming quality in an otherwise bad situation The rally had a disappointing turnout, but the silver lining was that those who came pledged a great deal of money. This metaphoric term is a shortening of Every cloud has a silver lining, in turn derived from John Milton's Comus (1634): "A sable cloud turns forth its silver lining on the night." 4- Blowing hot and cold together Change one's mind, vacillate Jean's been blowing hot and cold about taking a winter vacation. This expression comes from Aesop's fable (c. 570 B.C.) about a man eating with a satyr on a winter day. At first the man blew on his hands to warm them and then blew on his soup to cool it. The satyr thereupon renounced the man's friendship because he blew hot and cold out of the same mouth. The expression was repeated by many writers, most often signifying a person who could not be relied on. William Chillingworth put it: "These men can blow hot and cold out of the same mouth to serve several purposes"(The Religion of Protestants, 1638). 5- To let the cat out of the bag If you accidentally reveal a secret, you let the cat out of the bag, Give away a secret Mom let the cat out of the bag and told us Karen was engaged. This expression alludes to the dishonest practice of a merchant substituting a worthless cat for a valuable pig, which is discovered only when the buyer gets home and opens the bag. [Mid-1700s] 6- To put the cart before the horse Reverse the proper order of things or events Don't put the cart before the horse and give away the punch line. This expression has been used since antiquity but was first recorded in English in 1520. 7- To sail in the same boat If people are in the same boat, they are in the same predicament or trouble. 8- A Swan Song A final accomplishment or performance, one's last work. I'm resigning tomorrow; this project was my swan song.
This term alludes to the old belief that swans normally are mute but burst into beautiful song moments before they die. Although the idea is much older, the term was first recorded in English only in 1890 __________________________
1984
3.Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: 15 a) To look a gift horse in the mouth Be critical or suspicious of something received at no cost Dad's old car is full of dents, but we shouldnt look a gift horse in the mouth. This term, generally expressed as a cautionary proverb (Don't look a gift horse in the mouth), has been traced to the writings of the 4th-century cleric, St. Jerome, and has appeared in English since about 1500. It alludes to determining the age of a horse by looking at its teeth b) To have an axe to grind If you have an axe to grind with someone or about something, you have a grievance, resentment and you want to get revenge or sort it out. In American English, it is 'ax' c) To wash ones dirty linen in public / air one's dirty linen or laundry Expose private matters to public view, especially unsavory secrets These metaphors are reworking of a French proverb, IL fault laver son linge sale en famille (One should wash one's dirty linen at home), which was quoted by Napoleon on his return from Elba (1815). It was first recorded in English in 1867. d) To pocket an insult e) To take to one's heels Run away When the burglar alarm went off they took to their heels. This expression alludes to the fact that the heels are all one sees of a fugitive running away fast. Although similar expressions turned up from Shakespeare's time on, the exact idiom dates only from the first half of the 1800s f) To win laurels g) A gentleman at large Free, unconfined, especially not confined in prison To our distress, the housebreakers were still at large. [1300s] At length, fully; also, as a whole, in general The chairman talked at large about the company's plans for the coming year Shakespeare wrote in Love's Labour's Lost (1:1): "So to the laws at large I write my name" (that is, I uphold the
laws in general). This usage is somewhat less common. [1400s] Elected to represent an entire group of voters rather than those in a particular district or other segment Alderman at large, representing all the wards of a city instead of just one, or delegate at large to a labor union convention. [Mid-1700s] __________________________
1985
4. Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: 10 a) By and by After a while, soon She'll be along by and by. The expression probably relies on the meaning of by as a succession of quantities (as in "two by two"). This adverbial phrase came to be used as a noun, denoting either procrastination or the future. William Camden so used it for the former (Remains, 1605): "Two anons and a by and by is an hour and a half." And W.S. Gilbert used it in the latter sense when Lady Jane sings plaintively that little will be left of her "in the coming by and by," that is, as she grows old (Patience, 1881). [Early 1500s] b) The lion's share The greater part or most of something Whenever they won a doubles match, Ethel claimed the lion's share of the credit. As usual, Uncle Bob took the lion's share of the cake. This expression alludes to Aesop's fable about a lion, who got all of a kill because its fellow hunters, an ass, fox, and wolf, were afraid to claim their share. c) In black and white When it is very clear who or what is right and wrong, then the situation is black and white. d) To bring to book Call to account, investigate He was acquitted, but one day soon he'll be brought to book. As for your records, the IRS is sure to bring you to book concerning your tax deductions. This term uses book in the sense of "a written record," such as an account book or ledger. [c. 1800] e) To read between the lines Perceive or detect a hidden meaning They say that everything is fine, but reading between the lines I suspect they have some marital problems. This term comes from cryptography, where in one code reading every second line of a message gives a different meaning from that of the entire text. [Mid-1800s]
f) To stick to one's guns Hold fast to a statement, opinion, or course of action The witness stuck to her guns about the exact time she was there. This expression, originally put as stand to one's guns, alluded to a gunner remaining by his post. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1800s. g) To be under a cloud If someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud. h) By fits and starts / in fits and starts With irregular intervals of action and inaction, spasmodically The campaign is proceeding by fits and starts. This expression began in the late 1500s as by fits, the noun fit meaning a "paroxysm" or "seizure"; starts was added about a century later. __________________________
1987
4. Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: 10 1- To back out / back away / back out of something Move or retreat backwards without turning, withdraw from a situation, or break an agreement or engagement. After the announcement appeared in the papers, Mary found it doubly difficult to back out of her engagement to Todd. [Early 1800s] 2- To keep out of 3- Bang into Crash noisily into, collide with A clumsy fellow, Bill was always banging into furniture. [Early 1700s] Strike heavily so as to drive in; also, persuade I've been banging nails into the siding all day. I can't seem to bang it into his head that time is precious. The literal usage dates from the mid-1500s, the figurative from the second half of the 1800s. 4- To smell a rat If you smell a rat, you know instinctively that something is wrong or that someone is lying to you. 5- To burn one's fingers
Harm oneself I'm staying away from risky stocks; I've burned my fingers often enough. Some believe this expression came from a legend about a monkey who gets a cat to pull its chestnuts out of the fire (see cat's paw); others hold it is from an English proverb: "Burn not thy fingers to snuff another's candle" (James Howell, English Proverbs, 1659) 6- Null and void Cancelled, invalid The lease is now null and void. This phrase is actually redundant, since null means "void," that is, "ineffective." It was first recorded in 1669. 7- To catch up with Suddenly snatch or lift up The wind caught up the kite and sent it high above the trees. [First half of 1300s] catch up with Come from behind, overtake literal: You run so fast it's hard to catch up with you. figurative: The auditors finally caught up with the embezzler. [Mid-1800s] Become involved with, enthralled by We all were caught up in the magical mood of that evening. [Mid-1600s] catch up on or with Bring or get up to date Let's get together soon and catch up on all the news. Tonight I have to catch up with my correspondence. [First half of 1900s] 8- To stand up for Remain valid, sound, or durable His claim will not stand up in court. Our old car stood up well over time. [Mid-1900s] Fail to keep a date or appointment with Al stood her up twice in the past week, and that will be the end of their relationship. [Colloquial; c. 1900] 9- To skim through 10- To narrow down __________________________
1988
1. Use any five of the following idioms in your sentences: 15 a) As cool as a cucumber If someone is as cool as a cucumber, they don't get worried by anything. b) Have your cake and eat too If someone wants to have their cake and eat it too, they want everything their way, especially when their wishes are contradictory c) In a Pickle If you are in a pickle, you are in some trouble or a mess. d) Take a cake Be the most outstanding in some respect, either the best or the worst. That advertising slogan really took the cake. What a mess they made of the concert that takes the cake! This expression alludes to a contest called a cakewalk, in which a cake is the prize. Its figurative use, for something either excellent or outrageously bad, dates from the 1880s. e) Sell like hot cakes If something is selling like hotcakes, it is very popular and selling very well. f) As flat as a Pancake It is so flat that it is like a pancake- there is no head on that beer it is as flat as a pancake. g) Take something with a grain of salt / pinch of salt If you should take something with a grain of salt, you shouldn't necessarily believe it all. h) Like two peas in a pod Things that are like two peas in a pod are very similar or identical. __________________________
1989
4. Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: 10 a) Account for Be the determining factor in; cause The heat wave accounts for all this food spoilage, or Icy roads account for the increase in accidents.
Explain or justify Jane was upset because her son couldn't account for the three hours between his last class and his arrival at home. Both of these related usages are derived from the literal meaning of the phrase, that is, "make a reckoning of an account." [Second half of 1700s] b) Carry weight / carry authority or conviction Exert influence, authority, or persuasion No matter what the President says, his words always carry weight. Shakespeare combined two of these expressions in Henry VIII (3:2): "Words cannot carry authority so weighty." [c. 1600] c) To fall back upon Rely on, have recourse to I fall back on old friends in time of need, or When he lost his job he had to fall back upon his savings. [Mid-1800s] d) To be taken aback Surprise, shock He was taken aback by her caustic remark. This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the mid-1700s, when be taken aback referred to the stalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1829. e) A wild goose chase A wild goose chase is a waste of time- time spent trying to do something unsuccessfully. f) By leaps and bounds Rapidly, or in fast progress The corn is growing by leaps and bounds School enrollment is increasing by leaps and bounds. This term is a redundancy, since leap and bound both mean "spring" or "jump," but the two words have been paired since Shakespeare's time and are still so used g) As cool as a cucumber If someone is as cool as a cucumber, they don't get worried by anything. h) To burn midnight oil Stay up late working or studying The semester is almost over and we're all burning the midnight oil before exams. This expression alludes to the oil in oil lamps. [Early 1600s]
__________________________
1990
3. Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of any four of the following: 8 a) White elephant A white elephant is an expensive burden; something that costs far too much money to run, like the Millennium Dome in the UK. b) Blue Blood Someone with blue blood is royalty. c) Cleanse the Augean stable d) Apple of discord Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy e) In good books If someone is in your good books, you are pleased with or think highly of them at the moment. f) Between the devil and the deep sea If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma; a difficult choice. g) Stare in the face / look in the face Be glaringly obvious, although initially overlooked The solution to the problem had been staring me in the face all along. I wouldn't know a Tibetan terrier if it looked me in the face. [Late 1600s] h) Make off with Depart in haste, run away The cat took one look at Richard and made off. [c. 1700] Take something away; also, steal something I can't write it down; Tom made off with my pen. The burglars made off with the stereo and computer as well as jewellery. [Early 1800s] __________________________
1991
6. Make sentences for any five of the following to illustrate their meaning: 10 i) Damocles' sword
Impending disaster The likelihood of lay-offs has been a sword of Damocles over the department for months. This expression alludes to the legend of Damocles, a servile courtier to King Dionysius I of Syracuse. The king, weary of Damocles' obsequious flattery, invited him to a banquet and seated him under a sword hung by a single hair, so as to point out to him the precariousness of his position. The idiom was first recorded in 1747. The same story gave rise to the expression hang by a thread. ii) Every inch Completely, wholly He was every inch a leader. I had to argue this case every inch of the way. iii) Spade a spade Speak frankly and bluntly, be explicit You can always trust Mary to call a spade a spade. This term comes from a Greek saying, call a bowl a bowl, that was mistranslated into Latin by Erasmus and came into English in the 1500s. iv) On the sky v) Palm off Pass off by deception, substitute with intent to deceive The salesman tried to palm off a zircon as a diamond. The producer tried to palm her off as a star from the Metropolitan Opera. This expression alludes to concealing something in the palm of one's hand. It replaced the earlier palm on in the early 1800s. vi) Lip service When people pay lip service to something, they express their respect, but they don't act on their words, so the respect is hollow and empty. vii) A turn coat One who goes to work / fight / play for the opposing side, traitor viii) A wild goose chase A futile search or pursuit I think she sent us on a wild goose chase looking for their beach house. This idiom originally referred to a form of 16th-century horse racing requiring riders to follow a leader in a particular formation (presumably resembling a flock of geese in flight). Its figurative use dates from about 1600.
__________________________
1992
4. Frame sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: i) Between the devil and the deep sea If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma; a difficult choice ii) A wild goose chase A worthless hunt or chase; a futile pursuit iii) Over head and ears iv) Time and tide One must not procrastinate or delay Let's get on with the voting; time and tide won't wait, you know. This proverbial phrase, alluding to the fact that human events or concerns cannot stop the passage of time or the movement of the tides, first appeared about 1395 in Chaucer's Prologue to the Clerk's Tale. The alliterative beginning, time and tide, was repeated in various contexts over the years but today survives only in the proverb, which is often shortened (as above). v) To live from hand to mouth With only the bare essentials, existing precariously After she lost her job she was living from hand to mouth. This expression alludes to eating immediately whatever is at hand. [c. 1500] vi) To beat about the bush If someone doesn't say clearly what they mean and try to make it hard to understand, they are beating about (around) the bush. vii) To fish in troubled waters Try to take advantage of a confused situation He often buys up stock in companies declaring bankruptcy; fishing in troubled waters generally pays off. This term, first recorded in 1568, expresses the even older notion that fish bite more readily when seas are rough. viii) A bird's eye-view If you have a bird's eye view of something, you can see it perfectly clearly.
__________________________
1993
Use any five of the following in your sentences to bring out their exact meanings: 10 a) Play truant To stay away from school without permission b) Play down Make little of, minimize the importance of A skillful salesman plays down the drawbacks of the product and emphasizes its good features. [First half of 1900s] Play down to Lower one's standards to meet the demands of someone Some stand-up comics deliberately play down to the vulgar taste of their audiences. [Late 1800s] c) Turn turtle Capsize, turn upside down When they collided, the car turned turtle. This expression alludes to the helplessness of a turtle turned on its back, where its shell can no longer protect it. [First half of 1800s] d) Turn the corner Pass a milestone or critical point, begin to recover. Experts say the economy has turned the corner and is in the midst of an upturn. The doctor believes he's turned the corner and is on the mend. This expression alludes to passing around the corner in a race, particularly the last corner. [First half of 1800s] e) A fair weather friend A fair-weather friend is the type who is always there when times are good but forgets about you when things get difficult or problems crop up. f) Under a cloud If someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud. g) Burn ones boats / burn one's boats Commit oneself to an irreversible course. Denouncing one's boss in a written resignation means one has burned one's bridges. Turning down one job before you have another amounts to burning your boats. Both versions of this idiom allude to ancient military tactics, when troops would cross a body of water and then
burn the bridge or boats they had used both to prevent retreat and to foil a pursuing enemy. [Late 1800s h) Horse-trading Negotiation marked by hard bargaining and shrewd exchange The restaurant owner is famous for his horse trading; he's just exchanged a month of free dinners for a month of free television commercials. This expression alludes to the notorious shrewdness of horse traders, who literally bought and sold horses. [c. 1820] __________________________
1994
Frame sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: 15 (i) Between Scylla and Charybidis In a position where avoidance of one danger exposes one to another danger. (ii) Hobsons choice An apparently free choice that actually offers no alternative My dad said if I wanted the car I could have it tonight or not at all that's Hobson's choice. This expression alludes to Thomas Hobson of Cambridge, England, who rented horses and allowed each customer to take only the horse nearest the stable door. [Mid-1600s] (iii) Sting in the tail (iv) With open arms Enthusiastically, warmly They received their new daughter-in-law with open arms. This term alludes to an embrace. [Mid-1600s] (v) Wash one's hand of (To) Refuse to accept responsibility for; abandon or renounce I've done all I can for him, and now I'm washing my hands of him. This expression alludes to Pontius Pilate's washing his hands before having Jesus put to death, saying "I am innocent of the blood of this just person" (Matthew 27:24). (vi) Count one's chickens (To) Make plans based on events that may or may not happen You might not win the prize and you've already spent the money? Don't count your chickens before they hatch! I know you have big plans for your consulting business, but don't count your chickens.
This expression comes from Aesop's fable about a milkmaid carrying a full pail on her head. She daydreams about buying chickens with the milk's proceeds and becoming so rich from selling eggs that she will toss her head at suitors; she then tosses her head and spills the milk. Widely translated from the original Greek, the story was the source of a proverb and was used figuratively by the 16th century. Today it is still so well known that it often appears shortened and usually in negative cautionary form (don't count your chickens). (vii) Burn midnight oil (To) Stay up late working or studying The semester is almost over and we're all burning the midnight oil before exams. This expression alludes to the oil in oil lamps. [Early 1600s] __________________________
1996
5. Explain FIVE of the following idioms by using them into sentences: (10) 1- Bear out Back up or confirm The results bear out what he predicted. His story bears me out exactly. [Late 1400s] 2- Back out / back out of something Move or retreat backwards without turning; same as back away; withdraw from a situation, or break an agreement or engagement After the announcement appeared in the papers, Mary found it doubly difficult to back out of her engagement to Todd. [Early 1800s] 3- Carry over To keep something, usually merchandise, for a subsequent period We'll carry over this summer's bathing suits for next winter's resort season. Persist from one time or situation to another His leadership in sports carried over to the classroom. [Late 1800s] 4- Come off Happen, occur The trip came off on schedule. [Early 1800s] Acquit oneself, reach the end This usage always includes a modifier Whenever challenged he comes off badly. This model is doomed to come off second-best. [Mid-1600s]
Succeed, as in Our dinner party really came off. [Mid-1800s] 5- Fall back Give ground, retreat The troops fell back before the relentless enemy assault. He stuck to his argument, refusing to fall back. [c. 1600] Recede The waves fell back from the shore. [c. 1800] 6- Figure out Discover or determine Let's figure out a way to help. [Early 1900s] Solve or decipher Can you figure out this puzzle? [Early 1800s] To begin to comprehend someone or something; to come to understand someone or something better I just can't figure you out. I can't figure out quiet people readily. 7- learn to live with Get used to or accustom oneself to something that is painful, annoying, or unpleasant The doctor said nothing more could be done about improving her sight; she'd just have to learn to live with it. Pat decided she didn't like the new sofa but would have to learn to live with it. 8- Set in Insert, put in I still have to set in the sleeves and then the sweater will be done. [Late 1300s] Begin to happen or become apparent Darkness was setting in as I left. [c. 1700] Move toward the shore, said of wind or water The tide sets in very quickly here. [Early 1700s] 9- Cover up Wrap up or enfold in order to protect Be sure to cover up the outdoor furniture in case of rain. It's cold, so be sure to cover up the baby. [Late 1800s] Conceal something, especially a crime The opposition accused the President of covering up his assistant's suicide. [c. 1920] 10- Iron out Work out, resolve, settle They managed to iron out all the problems with the new production process.
John and Mary finally ironed out their differences. This expression uses ironing wrinkled fabric as a metaphor for smoothing differences. [Mid-1800s] __________________________
1997
6. Explain FIVE of the following Idioms by using them into sentences. (10) a) To beat the air / beat the wind Continue to make futile attempts, fight to no purpose The candidates for office were so much alike that we thought our vote amounted to beating the air. These phrases call up a vivid image of someone flailing away at nothing. [Late 1300s] b) To beggar description Defy or outdo any possible description The stage set was so elaborate, it beggared description. This term, alluding to the idea that words are insufficient to do something justice, was already used by Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra (2:2): "For her own person It beggared all description." c) To bring to mind Cause to be remembered The film brought to mind the first time I ever climbed a mountain. This idiom, first recorded in 1433, appears in Robert Burns's familiar "Auld Lang Syne" (1788), in which the poet asks if old times should never be brought to mind. d) To call in question / call into question Dispute, challenge; also, cast doubt on How can you call her honesty into question? This usage was first recorded in John Lyly's Euphues (1579): "That ... I should call in question the demeanour of all." e) To cap it all / cap it all off Finish or complete something To cap it all off they served three kinds of dessert. Surpass or outdo something This last story of Henry's caps them all. Both usages employ cap in the sense of topping something. [First half of 1800s]
f) To clip one's wings To end a person's privileges; to take away someone's power or freedom to do something My father said that if I dind't start behaving, he was going to clip my wings. In acient Rome thousands of years ago, people clipped the wings of pet birds so that they couldn't fly away. For centuries people have used the idiom "Clip one's wings" to mean brings a person under control. g) To cross the Rubicon Irrevocably commit to a course of action, make a fateful and final decision. Once he submitted his resignation, he had crossed the Rubicon. This phrase alludes to Julius Caesar's crossing the Rubicon River (between Italy and Gaul) in 49 B.C., thereby starting a war against Pompey and the Roman Senate. Recounted in Plutarch's Lives: Julius Caesar (c. A.D. 110), the crossing gave rise to the figurative English usage by the early 1600s. h) To feel the pulse / feel the pulse of Try to determine the intentions or sentiments of a person or group These exit polls allegedly take the pulse of the voters, but I don't believe they're very meaningful. [First half of 1600s] i) To fly in the face of / fly in the teeth of Act in direct opposition to or defiance of This decision flies in the face of all precedent. They went out without permission, flying in the teeth of house rules. This metaphoric expression alludes to a physical attack. [Mid-1500s] j) To rise like a phoenix from its ashes In life we should all learn from the mistakes that we have made and try not to repeat them. We should not let sorrow overcome us and stand in our way. Learn to overcome hardships in life is all what life is worth living about. After all that's the definition of life. Hence the saying "rise like a phoenix from the ashes" Phoenix is supposed to be a mythological bird of fire that is believed to die in flames and turn to ash. But then it comes back to life from the same ash. __________________________
1998
7. Explain FIVE of the following idioms by using them into sentences: (10) 1- The last ditch A desperate final attempt We're making a last-ditch effort to finish on time. This expression alludes to the military sense of last ditch, "the last line of defence." Its figurative use dates from
the early 1800s. 2- A square meal A substantial or complete meal These airlines never feed you; I haven't had a square meal on one yet. [Mid-1800s] 3- Go public Become a publicly held company, that is, issue ownership shares in the form of stock. As soon as the company grows a little bigger and begins to show a profit, we intend to go public. [Mid-1900s] 4- Run riot (wild) Behave in a frenzied, out-of-control, or unrestrained manner I was afraid that if I left the toddler alone she would run amok and have a hard time calming down. The weeds are running riot in the lawn The children were running wild in the playground. Amok comes from a Malay word for "frenzied" and was adopted into English, and at first spelled amuck, in the second half of the 1600s. Run riot dates from the early 1500s and derives from an earlier sense, that is, a hound's following an animal scent. Run wild alludes to an animal reverting to its natural, uncultivated state; its figurative use dates from the late 1700s. 5- The backroom boy Men who play poker and smoke in a room at the back of the store When the police raided Gino's they arrested four of the backroom boys. 6- Foot the bill The person who foots the bill pays the bill for everybody, settle the accounts The bride's father was resigned to footing the bill for the wedding. This expression uses foot in the sense of "add up and put the total at the foot, or bottom, of an account." [Colloquial; early 1800s] 7- Set the pace Establish a standard for others to follow Jim has set the pace for the department, exceeding the monthly quota every time. This expression comes from racing, where it is said of a horse that passes the others and leads the field. It was transferred to other activities in the early 1900s. 8- At times Occasionally, sometimes Away from home for the first time, Mary was homesick at times. [Early 1500s] 9- Steal the show / steal the spotlight
Be the center of attention The speeches were interesting but Eliza's singing stole the show. This idiom alludes to unexpectedly outshining the rest of the cast in a theatrical production. [First half of 1900s] 10- Grey matter Grey/gray matter is the human brain __________________________
1999
Make sentences of any FIVE of the following idioms. (15) (a) A jaundiced eye The phrase "Jaundiced eye" means to looks at something with a prejudiced view, usually in a rather negative or critical manner. (b) A left-handed compliment / backhanded compliment An insult in the guise of an expression of praise She said she liked my hair, but it turned out to be a left-handed compliment when she asked how long I'd been dyeing it. This expression uses left-handed in the sense of "questionable or doubtful," a usage dating from about 1600. (c) The ruling passion An interest or concern that occupies a large part of someone's time and effort (d) Tower of strength Someone who can be relied on to provide support and comfort. (e) Steal a march on someone To get ahead of, especially by quiet enterprise. (f) In one's bones Have an intuition or hunch about something I'm sure he'll succeedI can feel it in my bones. This expression alludes to the age-old notion that persons with a healed broken bone or with arthritis experience bone pain before rain, due to a drop in barometric pressure, and therefore can predict a weather change. (g) Hang in the balance Be in a precarious condition or in a state of suspense
The doctor said her life was hanging in the balance. This expression alludes to the suspended balance scale where an object is placed in one pan and weights are added one by one to the other pan until the two are balanced. (h) Fly in the ointment A drawback or detrimental factor The new library is wonderful but there's a fly in the ointment. Their catalog isn't complete yet. This term probably alludes to a biblical proverb (Ecclesiastes 10:1): "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour." (i) Close-fisted Tightfisted; stingy or unwilling to part with money __________________________
2000
Use any FIVE of the following idioms in sentences to make their meaning clear: (i) Blow one's top / blow one's stack Fly into a rage; lose one's composure If she calls about this one more time I'm going to blow my top. Warren is generally very easy-going, but today he blew his stack. The top here has been likened to the top of an erupting volcano; the stack alludes to a smokestack. Go crazy; become insane When she regains consciousness, she just may blow her top. (ii) A cock-and-bull story A fanciful and unbelievable tale (iii) Find one's feet To grow in confidence in a new situation as one gains experience. If you ask for help when you need it, you will soon find your feet. (iv) Call it a night To go to bed to sleep (v) The tip of the iceberg The tip of the iceberg is the part of a problem that can be seen, with far more serious problems lying underneath (vi) Below par / under par
Not up to the average, normal, or desired standard I am feeling below par today, but I'm sure I'll recover by tomorrow. This term employs par in the sense of "an average amount or quality," a usage dating from the late 1700s. (vii) From pillar to post If something is going from pillar to post, it is moving around in a meaningless way, from one disaster to another. (viii) Hang up/ hang up on Suspend on a hook or hanger, as in Let me hang up your coat for you. [c. 1300] Replace a telephone receiver in its cradle; end a phone conversation She hung up the phone He hung up on her. [Early 1900s] Delay or hinder; also, become halted or snagged Budget problems hung up the project for months. Traffic was hung up for miles. [Second half of 1800s] Have or cause to have emotional difficulties Being robbed at gunpoint can hang one up for years to come. [Slang; early 1900s] Obsessed with For years the FBI was hung up on Communist spies. [First half of 1900s] hang up one's sword or gloves or fiddle Quit, retire He's hanging up his sword next year and moving to Florida. The noun in these expressions refers to the profession one is leaving sword for the military, gloves for boxing, and fiddle for musicbut they all are used quite loosely as well, as in the example. hang up one's hat Settle somewhere, reside "Eight hundred a year, and as nice a house as any gentleman could wish to hang up his hat in" (Anthony Trollope, The Warden, 1855). (ix) Turn some one on To create feeling of excitement, interest, lust, pleasure etc (ix) Turn some one off To create feelings of dislike, repulsion, disgust etc (x) By and by After a while, soon She'll be along by and by.
The expression probably relies on the meaning of by as a succession of quantities (as in "two by two"). This adverbial phrase came to be used as a noun, denoting either procrastination or the future. William Camden so used it for the former (Remains, 1605): "Two anons and a by and by is an hour and a half." And W.S. Gilbert used it in the latter sense when Lady Jane sings plaintively that little will be left of her "in the coming by and by," that is, as she grows old (Patience, 1881). [Early 1500s] __________________________
2001
2. Use FIVE of the following in sentences to make their meaning clear. (10) (i) The teaming meanings (ii) To kick the bucket When someone kicks the bucket, they die (iii) To push to the walls To place in a desperate or extreme position (iv) To read between the lines If you read between the lines, you find the real message in what you're reading or hearing, a meaning that is not available from a literal interpretation of the words. (v) To be at daggers drawn If people are at daggers drawn, they are very angry and close to violence. (vi) To throw down the gauntlet Declare or issue a challenge The senator threw down the gauntlet on the abortion issue. This expression alludes to the medieval practice of a knight throwing down his gauntlet, or metal glove, as a challenge to combat. Its figurative use dates from the second half of the 1700s, as does the less frequently heard take up the gauntlet, for accepting a challenge. (vii) To be a Greek / it's all Greek to me It is beyond my comprehension This new computer program is all Greek to me. This expression was coined by Shakespeare, who used it literally in Julius Caesar (1:2), where Casca says of a speech by Seneca, deliberately given in Greek so that some would not understand it: "For mine own part, it was Greek to me." It soon was transferred to anything unintelligible.
(viii) To stand on ceremony Stand on ceremony, to behave in a formal or ceremonious manner. (ix) From the horse's mouth If you hear something from the horse's mouth, you hear it directly from the person concerned or responsible. (x) To carry the cross __________________________
2002
Make sentences with the given Idiomatic phrases so that their meaning become clear: (10) (1) take aback Surprise, shock He was taken aback by her caustic remark. This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the mid-1700s, when be taken aback referred to the stalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1829. (2) take after Follow the example of; also, resemble in appearance, temperament, or character Bill took after his uncle and began working as a volunteer for the Red Cross. [Mid-1500s] (3) take for (4) take ill (sick) Become ill It's just my luck to get sick on vacation. When was she taken ill? [Ninth century] Become disgusted We got sick as we learned how much money was wasted. I get sick when I hear about his debts. [Early 1500s] make one sick. get sick to one's stomach be sick, become nauseated, vomit If you eat any more candy you'll get sick. Sick to her stomach every morning? She must be pregnant. [Early 1600s] (5) take off
Remove Take off your coat and stay for a while. I took my foot off the brake. [c. 1300] Deduct, decrease He took 20 percent off the original price. I want you to trim my hair, but please don't take off too much. [c. 1700] Carry or take away The passengers were taken off one by one. [Late 1800s] take oneself off Leave, go away I'm taking off now. We take ourselves off for China next month as an imperative Take yourself off right now! [First half of 1800s] Move forward quickly The dog took off after the car. Become well known or popular, or achieve sudden growth That actor's career has really taken off. Sales took off around the holidays. [Mid-1900s] Rise in flight The air plane took off on time. [Mid-1800s] Discontinue The rail road took off the commuter special. [Mid-1700s] Imitate humorously or satirically He had a way of taking off the governor that made us howl with laughter. [Mid-1700s] Withhold service I'm taking off from work today because of the funeral. [First half of 1900s] (6) take over Assume control, management, or possession of The pilot told his copilot to take over the controls. There's a secret bid to take over our company. [Late 1800s] (7) take for To regard as Do you take me for a fool? To consider mistakenly Don't take silence for approval.
(8) take in To grant admittance to; receive as a guest or an employee To reduce in size; make smaller or shorter took in the waist on the pair of pants. To include or constitute. To understand Couldn't take in the meaning of the word. To deceive or swindle was taken in by a confidence artist. To look at thoroughly; view took in the sights. To accept (work) to be done in one's house for pay took in typing. To convey (a prisoner) to a police station. (9) take to task Upbraid, scold; blame or censure The teacher took Doris to task for turning in such a sloppy report. This term, dating from the mid-1700s, at first meant either assigning or challenging someone to a task. Its current sense dates from the late 1800s. (10) take to One's heels Run away When the burglar alarm went off they took to their heels. This expression alludes to the fact that the heels are all one sees of a fugitive running away fast. Although similar expressions turned up from Shakespeare's time on, the exact idiom dates only from the first half of the 1800s (11) take with a grain or pinch of salt. Skeptically, with reservations I always take Sandy's stories about illnesses with a grain of salt she tends to exaggerate. This expression is a translation of the Latin cum grano salis, which Pliny used in describing Pompey's discovery of an antidote for poison (to be taken with a grain of salt). It was soon adopted by English writers. __________________________
2003
6. Use the following in your own sentences to bring out their meaning: (10)
(1) Kick the bucket To die (2) Bolt from the blue If something happens unexpectedly and suddenly, it is a bolt from the blue. (3) Put your foot down When someone puts their foot down, they make a firm stand and establish their authority on an issue. (4) Worth your salt Someone who is worth their salt deserves respect. (5) Down the drain On the way to being lost or wasted; disappearing Buying new furniture when they can't take it with them is just pouring money down the drain. During the Depression huge fortunes went down the drain. This metaphoric term alludes to water going down a drain and being carried off. (6) All cars (7) Swan song A person's swansong is their final achievement or public appearance. (8) Cheek by Jowl If things or people are cheek by jowl, they are very close together. (9) in a nutshell Concisely, in a few words Here's our proposalin a nutshell, we want to sell the business to you. This hyperbolic expression alludes to the Roman writer Pliny's description of Homer's Iliad being copied in so tiny a hand that it could fit in a nutshell. For a time it referred to anything compressed, but from the 1500s on it referred mainly to written or spoken words. (10) Give me five If someone says this, they want to hit your open hand against theirs as a way of congratulation or greeting. __________________________
2004
6. (a) Use any FIVE of the following in your own sentences to bring out their meaning: (5) 1. To bring grist to the mill. Something that you can use to your advantage is grist for the mill. 2. Set one's cap at Pursue someone romantically We all thought Anne had set her cap for Joe, but we were wrong. In the 1700s this term, which may have alluded to donning one's best headgear, was applied to members of either sex, but by the early 1800s it generally described a woman chasing a man. It is probably obsolescent. 3. To draw the long bow If someone draws a long bow, they lie or exaggerate. 4. To send a person to Coventry To ostracize, or systematically ignore someone 5. Beer and skittles People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about self-indulgence and pleasure. 6. The acid test An acid test is something that proves whether something is good, effective, etc, or not. 7. A skeleton in the cupboard. If you have a skeleton in the cupboard, or in the closet, you have a secret in your past which could damage you if it became known. 8. To discover a mare's nest __________________________ 2005 6 (A) use any five of the following in your own sentences to bring out their meaning 1). Keep ones nose to the grindstone Stay hard at work We expect John to get good grades again, since he really keeps his nose to the grindstone. This expression, first recorded in 1539, alludes to a tool that must be sharpened by being held to a grindstone. 2). Throw someone for a loop / throw for a loop
knock down or over with a feather; knock sideways, overcome with surprise or astonishment The news of his death knocked me for a loop. Being fired without any warning threw me for a loop. Jane was knocked sideways when she found out she won. The first two of these hyperbolic colloquial usages, dating from the first half of the 1900s, allude to the comic-strip image of a person pushed hard enough to roll over in the shape of a loop. The third hyperbolic term, often put as You could have knocked me down with a feather, intimating that something so light as a feather could knock one down, dates from the early 1800s; the fourth was first recorded in 1925. 3). Letter perfect The precise wording rather than the spirit or intent. Since it was the first time he'd broken the rules, the school decided to ignore the letter of the law and just give him a warning. [Late 1500s] 4). Off the wall Something that is off the wall is unconventional. 5). Out to lunch If someone's out to lunch, they are crazy or out of touch. 6). Salt something away Keep in reserve, store, save He salted away most of his earnings in a bank account. This idiom alludes to using salt as a food preservative. [Mid-1800s] 7). Take someone to the cleaners Take or cheat one out of all of one's money or possessions Her divorce lawyer took him to the cleaners. That broker has taken a number of clients to the cleaners. [Slang; early 1900s] Drub, beat up He didn't just push youhe took you to the cleaners. [Slang; early 1900s] 8). Wear the pants in the family Exercise controlling authority in a household Grandma or husband (incase of husband and wife) wears the pants at our house. __________________________
2006
6 (A) Use ONLY FIVE of the following in sentences to bring out their meaning: (1) Twiddle with
To play with something; to play with something, using one's fingers; to fiddle with something. I asked Jason to stop twiddling with the pencils. Someone is twiddling with the stereo controls. (2) Vamp up Make up vamp up an excuse for not attending the meeting (3) Whittle away cut away in small pieces, to cut or carve something away The carver whittled the wood away until only a small figure was left. He whittled away the wood. (4) Winkle out Force from a place or position The committee winkled out the unqualified candidates. (5) Give someone the bum's rush To eject (or be ejected) forcibly (6) Loom large Appear imminent in a threatening, magnified form The possibility of civil war loomed large on the horizon. Martha wanted to take it easy for a week, but the bar exam loomed large. This term employs loom in the sense of "come into view", a usage dating from the late 1500s. (7) Besetting sin A sin which is habitually attending a person, a prevailing or predominant vice We regret to say that apathy is the besetting sin of our rural population. (8) To hang fire Delay The advertising campaign is hanging fire until they decide how much to spend on it. This expression originally referred to the 17th-century flintlock musket, where the priming powder ignited but often failed to explode the main charge, a result called hanging fire. [c. 1800] __________________________
2007
6 (A) Use only Five of the Following in sentences which illustrate their meaning 1) To put the lid on / keep the lid on
Suppress I don't know how but we'll have to put the lid on that rumor about her. Let's keep the lid on our suspicions. The word lid here is used in the sense of "a cover for a container." [Early 1900s] 2) Flavour if the mouth Something that is prominent in the public eye for a short time then fades out of interest. Originally a term of approval for something that was up to the minute and desirable. It has been used ironically from the late 20th century to pass disdainful comment on things which pass out of fashion quickly. For example, the "one hit wonders" of the music business. 3) Zero hours The time when something important is to begin is zero hour. 4) Gloom and doom the feeling that a situation is bad and is not likely to improve Come on, it's not all doom and gloom, if we make a real effort we could still win. 5) To pig out Eat ravenously, gorge oneself The kids pigged out on the candy they had collected on Halloween. [Slang; early 1970s] 6) Bag people 7) Compassion fatigue A weariness of and diminishing public response to frequent requests for charity. 8) No matters Some thing which is not important __________________________
2008
4. a. Use any FIVE of the following idioms in sentences to make their meaning clear: (5) i. Blow one's top To be very angry, Explode in anger, lose one's temper, go into a rage ii. A cock and bull story An unbelievable tale that is intended to deceive; a tall tale
Jack told us some cock and bull story about getting lost. This expression may come from a folk tale involving these two animals, or from the name of an English inn where travellers told such tales. W.S. Gilbert used it in The Yeomen of the Guard (1888), where Jack Point and Wilfred the Jailer make up a story about the hero's fictitious death: "Tell a tale of cock and bull, Of convincing detail full." [c. 1600] iii. Find one's feet To be confident, become adjusted; become established iv. Call it a night To stop what one has been doing, for the remainder of the night. v. The tip of the iceberg vi. Below par Less than average, less than normal vii. From pillar to post From one place or thing to another in rapid succession viii. Hang up Hold on , suspend; end a telephone conversation ix. Turn some one in x. By and by Pretty soon, it won't be long now; gradually, eventually __________________________
2009
6. (a) Use ONLY FIVE of the following in sentences with illustrate their meaning: (5) (i) Leave in the lurch Abandon or desert someone in difficult straits Jane was angry enough to quit without giving notice, leaving her boss in the lurch. Where were you Karman, you really left me in the lurch This expression alludes to a 16th-century French dice game, lourche, where to incur a lurch meant to be far behind the other players. It later was used in cribbage and other games, as well as being used in its present figurative sense by about 1600. (ii) Hard and fast
Defined, fixed, invariable We have hard and fast rules for this procedure. There is no hard and fast rule to start a computer This term originally was applied to a vessel that has come out of water, either by running aground or being put in dry dock, and is therefore unable to move. By the mid-1800s it was being used figuratively. (iii) Weather the storm Survive difficulties If she can just weather the storm of that contract violation, she'll be fine. This expression alludes to a ship coming safely through bad weather. [Mid-1600s] (iv) Bear the brunt Put up with the worst of some bad circumstance It was the secretary who had to bear the brunt of the doctor's anger. I had to bear the brunt of her screaming and yelling This idiom uses brunt in the sense of "the main force of an enemy's attack," which was sustained by the front lines of the defenders. [Second half of 1700s] (v) Meet halfway If you meet someone halfway, you accept some of their ideas and make concessions. If you want to settle the issues you have to meet me halfway (vi) Turncoat one who goes to work / fight / play for the opposing side, traitor That turncoat! He went to work for the competition - Sears. Ahmed is Turncoat and we should not relied upon him (vii) Where the shoe pinches The source of trouble, grief, difficulty, etc.

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Aberration: deviation; abnormality Abstruse: Difficult to comprehend Acumen: sharpness of mind Adroit: skill-ful (Maladroit = clumsy) Adulation: worship;

Disparaging: critical Distension: swelling; distend; expand

English (Prcis and Composition) 1972

English (Prcis and Composition) 1974

English (Prcis and Composition) 1975

English (Prcis and Composition) 1976

Eminent: Meaning: famous, respected or important Use in sentence: An eminent historian

Beneath: Meaning: in or to a lower position

Use in sentence: Jeremy hid the letter beneath a pile of papers.

English (Prcis and Composition) 1977

English (Prcis and Composition) 1978

English (Prcis and Composition) 1979

Antic: Meaning: funny, silly or strange behavior

English (Prcis and Composition) 1981

Adapt: Meaning: to change something to suit different conditions or uses

English (Prcis and Composition) 1982

Veracity: Meaning: the quality of being true, honest or accurate

English (Prcis and Composition) 1983

English (Prcis and Composition) 1985

Eminent: Meaning: famous, respected or important Use in sentence: An eminent historian

Judicial: Meaning: involving a court of law

English (Prcis and Composition) 1986

Precede: Meaning: to be or go before something or someone in time or space

English (Prcis and Composition) 1987

Choice: Meaning: an act or the possibility of choosing

English (Prcis and Composition) 1988

English (Prcis and Composition) 1989

Waive: Meaning: to give up or forgo (a right, claim, privilege, etc.)

English (Prcis and Composition) 1990

Quiet: Meaning: making very little noise

Use in sentence: It's so quiet without the kids here.

Theyre: Meaning: they are Use in sentence: They're so annoying.

English (Prcis and Composition) 1991

Disease: Meaning: illness of people, animals, plants, etc.

Use in sentence: Starvation and diseases have killed thousands of refugees.

English (Prcis and Composition) 1992

English (Prcis and Composition) 1993

English (Prcis and Composition) 1994

English (Prcis and Composition) 1996

English (Prcis and Composition) 1998

Occlude: Meaning: to close, shut, or block

English (Prcis and Composition) 2001

English (Prcis and Composition) 2004

Dissimulation: Meaning: To conceal one's true feelings or intentions.

English (Prcis and Composition) 2005

English (Prcis and Composition) 2006

Voracity: Meaning: excessive desire to eat

English (Prcis and Composition) 2007

English (Prcis and Composition) 2008

Incite: Meaning: to encourage someone to do or feel something unpleasant or violent

English (Prcis and Composition) 2009

Observation: Meaning: when you observe something or someone

English (Prcis and Composition) 2010

English (Prcis and Composition) 2011

Dissolute: Meaning: immoral Use in sentence: He led a dissolute life.

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