a blind alley a direction that leads nowhere
a bolt from the blue a great surpise
a cat's paw a person used as a tool or dupe
a feather in one's cap something to be proud of
a flash in the pan promising at the start but then disappointing
a fly in the ointment something that spoils or lessens the enjoyment
a lick and a promise to do something in a hasty and superficial manner
a pig in a poke an item you purchase without having seen; a disappointment
a pretty kettle of fish a messy situation, a problem
a pretty kettle of fish a mess, trouble
a red herring something that diverts attention from the main issue
a sacred cow a person who cannot be criticized
a square peg in a round hole an able man in the wrong job
a wet blanket one who spoils the fun; killjoy; spoilsport
a white elephant a costly and useless possession
abhor to utterly hate
abjure abstain from, renounce
abortive fruitless, failing
abound to exist in great numbers
abrogate repeal by law
abstemious moderate in eating or drinking
absurd ridiculous
access admittance
accommodate to make fit, adjust to
accomplice an associate in crime
accost to greet first; to approach and speak to
Achilles heel weak spot
acknowledge admit
acme zenith, pinnacle, peak
acrimonious caustic, bitter
acute severe, keen, sharp
adamant inflexible, unyieding
adherent supporter, backer
admonish to scold, warn
adroit clever; skillful
advent coming of an important event
adversary enemy, foe, opponent
adverse unfavorable
advocate to support
aegis protection, sponsorship, shield
afflict to trouble greatly
affluent wealthy
alacrity quick willingness
allay soothe, calm
alleged supposed, reported
alleviate lighten, make easier
allude suggest, hint
aloof reserved, apart. distant
altruistic unselfish
ambiguous undefined, vague, not specific
ameliorate relieve, improve
amicable friendly
amnesty a general pardon
amorous full of love
an ax to grind having a selfish motive in the backround
analogous comparable, similar
anathema a curse
annals historical records
anomaly abnormality, irregularity
anthropologist person who studies mankind's customs
antipathy hate, distaste, dislike
antiquated out-of-date, obsolete
antithesis exact opposite
apathy unconcern, lack of interest
appalled shocked, dismayed
appellation a name
apple polishing trying to gain favor by gifts or flattery
arbiter judge
arbitrary based on whim
archaic out of date
ardent eager, passionate
array system, arrangement
artifact a hand-made object
artifice strategy, trickery
artless naive, innocent
as broad as it is long "it makes very little difference"
ascend to rise
ascertain find out about, discover
ascetic one who practices self-denial
asinine stupid, silly
asperity bitterness of temper
aspirant candidate for better job
aspire to strive for
asset something of value
assiduous busy, attentive
astute keen, shrews
atrophy waste away
attenuated decreased, weakened, thinned
attest confirm as accurate, vouch for
atypical nonconforming
au courant up-to-date
audacity daring, boldness
augment increase, enlarge
austere unadorned, simple, hard
automaton a robot; a mechanical person
avarice passion for riches, greed
aversion opposition, strong dislike
avid enthusiastic; eager
awesome inspiring terror, weird
badger to pester; nag; annoy persistently
bagatelle a trifle
balk to refuse to move
banal meaningless from overuse, trivial
barometer instrument for measuring change
bedlam uproar, confusion
begrudge to be resentful or reluctant
behind the eight ball in trouble
belated delayed, late
belittle speak of as unimportant
belligerent seeking war, hostile
benevolent charitable, kindly
bereft deprived of
besiege to surround
besmirch stain, soil, dim the reputation
bias prejudice
bigot one who is not tolerant of others' ideas
bigot prejudiced person
bitter pill to swallow a humiliating defeat
bizarre fantastic, odd
bizarre weird
blase indifferent, not responsive to excitement
blatant disagreeably loud
bliss pleasure, happiness
blow hot and cold swing for and against something"
blue chip a highly valuable asset, stock, or property
blunt plain spoken
bogus fake, counterfeit
bona fide genuine
brash insolent
brass tacks the real problem or situation
break the ice to make a start by overcoming initial difficulties
brigand bandit, robber
bring home the bacon to earn a living, to succeed
bristle to have one's hair stand up
buff (n) a fan, follower, enthusiast
bulwark protection
burgeoned grew, flourished
burn the midnight oil study or work late into the night
bury the hatchet to make peace
by hook or by crook at any cost, any way at all
cache secret hiding place
cacophony harsh sound, discord, dissonance
cajole coax; wheedle
callous unfeeling, hardened
callous unfeeling
callow inexperienced, youthful
calumny slander, false accusation
canard a made-up sensational story
candid open, honest, frank
candor honesty, frankness
cant insincere or almost meaningless talk
capitulate make terms, surrender
capricious fanciful, whimsical
carnage slaughter
castigate punish, chastise
castles in the air to dream about a wonderful future
catastrophic disastrous
cause celebre a famous law case or controversy
caustic stinging
celerity rapidity, speed
cessation a pause
chagrin disappointment
charisma quality of leadership inspiring enthusiasm
charlatan fraud, pretender
chicanery underhandedness, trickery
chimerical imaginary, fantastic
chip off the old block a son who is like his father
clandestine hidden, secret
cliche a commonplace phrase
clique small, exclusive group of people
coerce to force
cogent forceful, convincing, persuasive
cognizant aware
cold feet to hesitate because of fear or uncertainty
cold shoulder to disregard or ignore
comely handsome, beautiful
commodious spacious, large
compassion kindness, sympathetic feeling
compatible well-matched, harmonious
compensatory serving to pay back
complacent self-satisfied
complicity partnership in wrongdoing
component element, part
compound to increase or add to
comprehensive thorough
concoct devise
concomitant attending, accompanying
concur agree
condescend lower oneself, stoop
condolence expression of sympathy
condone pardon, excuse
conductive leading, helpful
confidant(e) person you tell your secrets too
conflagration great fire
confront come face to face with
congenial agreeable, sympathetic
conjecture guess
conjugal relating to marriage, connubial
connoisseur expert
connubial related to marriage
consternation dread, dismay
constrict bind, limit, squeeze
construe to interpret
consummate perfect, complete
contemptuous looking down on someone or something
contort twist violently
controversial debatable
cope to be a match for
copious plentiful, abundant, ample
corpulent excessively fat, fleshy, obese
corroborate confirm
coterie small exclusive group
countenance approve, tolerate
coup revolution, overthrow
coup de grace the finishing stroke
covert secret
covet wish, envy, want
crave to desire
criterion test, model, standard
crocodile tears insincere tears
cryptic puzzling
culminate reach the highest point
culpable deserving blame
culprit one who commits a crime
cumbersome burdensome, unwieldy
cumulative accumulated
cupidity greed
curry to seek favor by flattery
cursory not thorough, hasty
curtail cut short
cynic skeptic, pessimist
dearth lack, scarcity
debacle collapse, ruin
debilitate weaken
debris ruins, fragments
decade ten years
decadence decay
decapitate behead
declaim speak loudly
decorum correct behavior, politeness
decrepit worn out, broken down
deem believe, to judge
defamatory damaging character by false reports
degrade lower, make contemptible
deleterious harmful, bad
delineation description in words, sketch
delude to fool
deluge flood
delve to do research, dig
demeanor bearing, conduct
demur to object
denote mean, show, indicate
depict portray, picture, describe clearly
deplorable sad, pitiable
deploy spread out in battle formation
deprecate express disapproval
deride to make fun of
derived received from a source, descended from
derogatory expressing a low opinion
desist cease
destitution extreme poverty
desultory disconnected, random
deter discourage, hinder
detriment hurt, damage, injury
devout sincere, religious
dexterity physical or mental skill
diatribe bitter criticism
dilettante one with little knowledge and great interest
diminutive small, tiny
discern recognize
disciple follower
discreet prudent, careful, cautious
disdain scorn
disgruntled displeased, unhappy
disheveled disorderly clothing or hair
dismantle take apart, disassemble
disparage to discredit
disparate different
dispersed broken up, scattered, spread
disseminate scatter, spread
dissent protest, differ, disagree
distraught harassed
diversity change, variety
divulge reveal, disclose
docile easy to manage
doddering trembling, shaking with old age
doleful sad
domicile home
dormant asleep, resting
Draconian Code a very severe set of rules
draw in one's horns to check one's anger, to restrain oneself
dregs most worthless part
drudgery unpleasant,dull, or hard work
dubious uncertain
dulcet sweet or melodious to the ear
dupe an easily fooled person
duplicity double-dealing
duress force, coercion
dyed-in-the-wool set in one's ways
edifice building
efficacy power to produce an effect
effigy a likeness
effrontery boldness
egotist a conceited, vain person
egregious outstanding for undesirable quality
elapse to passs by
elicit extract
elucidate to make clear
elusive hard to grasp
emaciated wasted away
embellish adorn
eminent of outstanding reputation
emissary an agent
emit to give off
emulate strive to equal, rival
encomium high praise
encumbrance load, handicap, burden
engrossed absorbed
enhance to make greater; intensify; heighten
enigma a riddle, puzzle
ennui boredom
entourage followers
entreaty plea, appeal
enunciate to utter, proclaim
epithet descriptive name
epitome person or thing that represents the best
equanimity self-control
equanimity composure, eveness of mind
eradicate wipe out
erudite very scholarly
eruption bursting out
escalation intensification
eschew keep away from
ethics moral philosophy
euphemisim saying something in a less direct way
evaluate find the value of, review
evanescent momentary, passing, fleeting
eventuate to result finally
evince show plainly, exhibit
exacerbate to irritate
excoriate criticize severely
excruciating agonizing
exhort urge strongly, advise
exonerate to free from guilt
expatriate an exile
expedient fit, adviseable
expedite carry out promptly
exploit utilize, profit by
expunge erase
expurgate to remove objectionable parts or passages
extant still existing
extinct no longer existing
extol praise highly
extortion getting money by threats
extraneous not belonging, foreign
extrinsic coming from outside, foreign
exult rejoice greatly
exultation triumphant joy
fabricate to lie
fabricate to make up a lie; to construct; to lie
facade superficial appearance, front
facet one side or view of person or situation
facetious humorous, comical, witty
facile easily accomplished or attained
factitious artificial, sham
fair-weather friends unreliable, they fail one in time of distress
fallacious misleading, false
falter hesitate, waver, stumble
fastidious choosy, particular
fat is in the fire the mischief is done
fatal disastrous, deadly
fatuous inane, foolish, silly
feasible uncertain
feeling no pain drunk
feint a false attack; pretense; sham
felicitous happy
felon criminal
ferment agitation, turmoil, uproar
fervid enthusiastic, passionate, intense
fetish a magical object
fetter (v) to hamper, to chain
fiasco complete failure
fiat an official order, a decree
flabbergasted astounded
flagrant notorious
flamboyant colorful
flay scold harshly, strip off the skin
fledgling little known, newly developed
flout to show contempt
fluctuate alternate, shift
foist pass as genuine, pass off slyly
foment stir up, instigate
forthwith immediately
fortuitous accidental
forty winks a short nap
fracas brawl, noisy fight
fractious quarrelsome
frail weak, delicate
fraught filled
fray a conflict, fight
frenetic frenzied, frantic
frenzy frantic outburst
fretful worrisome
from pillar to post from one place to another
frugal thrifty
fruitless useless
frustrate foil
fulsome excessive
furtive sly; secret; stealthy
futility uselessness
galvanize arouse or excite to activity
gamut range
garbled confused, mixed up
garrulous wordy, talkative
gaudy showy, flashy
gaunt haggard, thin
genocide planned destruction of an entire people
genre a certain form or style in painting or literature
germane in close relationship to, appropriate
gesticulate to use lively gestures
gild the lily to praise extravagantly
gist main point, essence
glean collect, gather
glib smooth of speech
go against the grain to irritate
gratuity tip
gregarious enjoying the company of others
grimace facial expression of disgust
grotesque fantastic, strange, bizarre
guise mien, appearance, manner
gullible easily fooled
gusto zest, enjoyment, enthusiasm
habitat natural environment
halcyon calm, peaceful
hapless unlucky; unfortunate
harass to torment
harbinger forerunner
have the upper hand to gain control
haven place of safety
havoc ruin
heinous hatefully evil
heresy lack of faith, dissent, unbelief
heterogeneous dissimilar
hirsute hairy
histrionics display of emotions
hoard accumulate, save, store up
hoax a trick
Hobson's choice to have no choice at all
homogenous uniform, same
hook, line, and sinker completely, all the way
hostile angry, antagonistic
humility modesty, meekness, humbleness
hyperbole exaggerated figure of speech
iconoclast attacker of beliefs, image-breaker
idyllic peaceful, simple
ignominious disgraceful, humiliating
ilk kind, sort
I'm from Missouri a skeptic, one who is not easily convinced
imbibe drink
imminent about to happen
impeccable faultless
impede hinder, interfere, block
imperative necessary
imperceptible extremely slight or gradual
imperturbable serene, steady, calm
impetuous impulsive
impious irreverent, lacking respect
implacable relentless, unappeasable
implore to plead urgently for aid or mercy
importune ask urgently
impresario organizer
impromptu offhand, spur of the moment
imprudent unwise
impunity exemption
in a bee line take the straightest, shortest route
in apple pie order in neat order, good condition
in seventh heaven the highest happiness or delight
in the arms of Morpheus asleep
in the doldrums in a bored or depressed state
in the lap of the gods out of one's own hands
inadvertent due to an oversight, negligent
inane silly
inanimate without life
incapacitated disabled
inchoate in an early stage
incipient just starting
incisive keen, acute
inclement stormy, harsh
incoherent disjointed
incompatibility lack of harmony
incongruous having inconsistent elements
incontrovertible undeniable
incredulous skeptical
incumbent morally required
Indian summer warm autumn weather
indict accuse
indifference lack of concern
indigenous native
indigent poverty-stricken
indiscriminate choosing at random without careful selection
indoctrinate to teach certain principles
indolent lazy
inebriated intoxicated, drunk
ineffectual not effective
inert powerless to move
inevitable unavoidable, certain, sure
inexorable cannot be moved by persuasion, inflexible
infallible exempt from error, right
infamous evil
infraction violation
ingratiate charm, win confidence
inherent inborn, natural
inhibition restraint
iniquity wickedness, injustice
initiate set going, start
innate natural, inborn
innocuous mild, innocent, harmless
inordinate excessive
insatiable cannot be satisfied
insidious treacherous, sly, seductive
integral essential
interject interrupt
interloper an unauthorized person
interminable unending
internecine mutually destructive, involving conflict in a group
interrogate question
intimidate to make afraid
intrepid courageous; brave
intrinsic inborn, natural, essential
intrinsic inherent, within itself
introspective looking into one's own feelings
inundate to flood, to swamp
invalidate to deprive of legal force, cancel
invective insulting, abusive speech
inveigh attack verbally
inveterate firmly established, habitual
inviolable completely protected
irascible irritable
irate angry; incensed
irrational absurd, unreasonable
irrelevant not related to the subject
itinerant going from place to place
someone usually benefits from another person's misfortune
ivory tower out of touch with life
jaunty sprightly
jeopardize endanger
jettison throw overboard, discard
jocose merry, humorous
jostle to push, to elbow
jubilant in high spirits, joyful
jurisdiction range of authority
juxtapose to place side by side
keep a stiff upper lip keep up courage, stand up to trouble
keep the pot boiling to see that interest doesn't die down
know the ropes to be fully acquainted with the procedures
labyrinth winding passages
laceration rough cut
lackluster lacking brightness
it's an ill wind that blows nobody good
laconic concise, pithy
lampoon ridicule
landmark (adj) historic
largess liberality, gift, gratuity
lassitude fatigue, weariness
lassitude weakness, weariness
latent lying hidden
laudable commendable
lax careless
left holding the bag to be left to suffer the blame
legerdemain deceptive adroitness, sleight of hand
legion large number
let sleeping dogs lie to let well enough alone, to avoid stirring up old hostilities
lethal deadly
lethargic lazy, indifferent
levity humor, lightness of disposition
libel degradation by writing or publishing
like Caesar's wife above suspicion
lily-livered cowardly
liquidation destruction, disposal of
lithe graceful
livid pale
loaded for bear to be well prepared
loath unwilling
loathe despise
lock, stock, and barrel entirely, completely
longevity long duration of life
look a gift horse in the mouth to be critical of a present
lucrative profitable
lugubrious very sad
lurid sensational
lush luxurious
Machiavellian not principled, governed by opportunity
magnanimous noble, generous
maim cripple, disable
make bricks without straw
maladjusted disturbed
malady disease
malevolant ill-disposed, ill-intentioned
malign slander, abuse
malignant becoming progressively worse
malleable capable of being formed or shaped
to attempt to do something without having the necessary materials
malnutrition inadequate diet
mammoth huge
mandate authoritative command
manifest obvious, evident
manifold many
martinet strict disciplinarian
masticate to chew
mastiff large dog
materialism concern with possessions
matron an older married woman
maudlin sentimental
megalomania abnormal desire for power
mendacious false, lying
menial degrading, humble
mentor tutor, counselor, coach
mercenary greedy, motivated by desire for gain
metamorphosis change
meticulous careful
mien bearing, appearance
milieu setting, environment
modify to change
mollify appease, pacify
monolithic having a massive structure
moribund at the point of death, dying
mortality death
mortify humiliate, embarrass
motivate provoke, stimulate, inspire
mundane earthly
munificent generous
murky dark, obscure
myriad countless number
nadir lowest point
naive unsophisticated, unworldly
nascent beginning to develop or exist
nebulous vague, not clear
nefarious villianous
negligible inconsiderable, trifling
nepotism favoritism towards relatives
nettle irritate
neurotic having a nervous disorder
neutralize counteract
nirvana heavenly place
noisome unwholesome, foul
nomadic wandering
nominal in name only, slight
nondescript difficult to describe, undistinguished
nonentity one of no importance
nostalgia yearning for the past
nuance shade of difference
nullify cancel, abolish
nurture nourish
nutritive having nourishing properties
obese very fat
obliterate wipe out, erase
obloquy dishonor, disgrace, shame
obscure unclear, unknown, lowly
obsequious seeking favor
obsess preoccupy
obsolescence process of wearing out
obviate do away with
occult supernatural, mysterious, secret
octogenarian person of eighty
of the first water of the best quality, of the greatest
off the beaten track not usual, out of the ordinary
ominous menacing
omnipotent unlimited in power or authority, almighty
omnivorous eatting any kind of food
on pins and needles to be on edge, jumpy
on tenter hooks in a state of anxiety
on the bandwagon joining with the majority
on the carpet being scolded
on the dot exactly on time
on the qui vive on the alert
on the spur of the moment without thinking, on impulse
once in a blue moon on a very rare occasion
don't jump to conclusions based on incomplete evidence
opprobrium insult, scorn
opulence wealth
originate begin, arise
ostensible seeming, pretend, outward
ostentatious showy
oust eject
out of one's depth in a situation that is too dificult to handle
out of the frying pan into the fire to go from a difficult situation to a worse one
out on a limb in a dangerous or exposed position
one swallow doesn't make a summer
overt evident, open
pall become dull, cease to please
palliate relieve without curing
paltry of little importance
panacea cure-all
pandemonium uproar, disorder
parable a moralistic story
paradox seemingly self-contradictory situation
paragon model of excellence
paramount foremost, supreme
pariah social outcast
paroxysm violent outburst
parsimonious miserly
pass the buck to evade responsibility
passe old-fashioned, outmoded
pathetic pitiful, sad, distressing
paucity shortage
pecuniary financial
pedagogue teacher
penance atonement for sin
penchant a strong leaning in favor
penitent regretful, confessing guilt
pensive reflective, thoughtful
penury poverty
perceive to come to have an understanding of
peregrination travel (n)
peremptory binding, compulsory, absolute
perfidious false, treacherous
perfunctory careless
permeate to spread through
pernicious damaging, harmful
perpetrate commit
perpetuate to cause to continue
persevere persist
perspicacious shrewd
pertinent appropriate
peruse read carefully
perverse contrary
pesky annoying
phenomenon unusual occurrence
Philadelphia lawyer a lawyer of outstanding ability
phlegmatic calm, sluggish
phobia strong dislike, persistent fear
pinnacle peak, crown, summit
pique fit of resentment
pittance small amount
placard poster
plaintiff the complaining party, in law
platitude trite saying
plea bargain
plethora overabundance; excess
plight predicament
poignant painful to the feelings, moving
ponder consider carefully
potent intense, strong, powerful
potentate ruler
potential possible
potpourri mixture, melody
pragmatic based on experience, practical
precedent custom, model
precipitate hasten
preclude prevent
precocious reaching maturity early
prelude introduction
premise a proposition for argument
premonition forewarning
prerogative an exclusive power or right
prestigious well-known
pretext an excuse
prevalent general, common, prevailing
prevarication lying, deviation from the truth
privation lack of necessities
procrastinate put off, delay
prodigious enormous, extraordinary
prodigy phenomenon, marvel
proffer offer for acceptance
profligate wasteful
profound intense, deep
profuse abundant, overflowing
progeny descendants
prognosticate to be able to tell what will happen in the future
prohibition forbidding of certain actions
prolific fertile
promulgate make public, proclaim
propagate multiply, spread, produce
to agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge so as to avoid trial for a more serious offense
propensity bent, inclination, disposition
propinquity nearness in time and place
propitious favorable
propriety correctness, suitability
proximity nearness
prudent cautious, wise
pugnacious combative
puissant powerful
pungent sharply stimulating
puny weak, unimportant
put the cart before the horse to reverse the proper order, do things backwards
Pyrrhic victory a too costly victory
qualm twinge of conscience
quandary dilemma, doubt
quarry something hunted or pursued
quell crush, stop
quip to joke
rabid furious, mad, fanatical
raconteur a skilled storyteller
rail use abusive language, scold
raiment clothing, dress
rampant flourishing
rash reckless
rationalize use or give a reason other than the real one
raucous shrill, harsh
raze destroy
realm someone's special field
rebuke reprimand, reproach, criticize
recant renounce previous statements
recoil draw back
recondite obscure, hidden
red-letter day day of happiness, time for rejoicing
redolent fragrant
redress to right a wrong
refute prove wrong, disprove
relegate banish, assign to inferior position
remiss negligent, careless
remote distant
renumeration reward
repent desire to make ammends, regret
repertoire works that an artist is ready to perform
replenish to restock, fill again
replete completely filled with
repose state of rest
reprehensible blameworthy
repress to put down
reprimand to scold severely
reproach rebuke, reprimand
repudiate disown, refuse to accept
repugnant repulsive, distasteful
repulse drive back
reputed believed, thought, supposed
requisite requirement
resourceful able to meet any situation
respite postponement
restrictive harsh, confining
reticent uncommunicative; silent
reticent reserved, silent
retort reply, answer
retrospect looking backward
reverberating reechoing
revere admire, respect, honor
revert go back
reviled scolded
rhetoric use (sometimes exaggerated) of language
rife widespread
rift an opening, a split
romp move in a lively manner
roster a list of names
rudimentary basic, elementary
rue regret
ruminate reflect upon, ponder
rustic unpolished, countrified
saga heroic story
sage wise man, philosopher
salient outstanding
sally sudden rushing forth
salubrious wholesome, healthful
salvation deliverance from ruin
sanctimonious hypocritically religious
sanction certify, endorse
sanctuary place of protection
sanguine hopeful
satiety surfeit, excess, fullness
saturate fill up completely
save face to avoid disgrace
schism split
scion descendant
scoff to mock
scrutinize examine closely
scurrilous vulgar, using indecent language
scurry run quickly
sedate sober, still, quiet, undisturbed
sedentary largely inactive
senile infirm, weak as a result of old age
serenity peaceful repose
servile submissive, slavish
shibboleth slogan, pet phrase
sinecure soft job
singular remarkable, uncommon
sinister evil
site location
Skid Row disreputable part of town, inhabited by derelicts and people
skirmish small battle
sleep on it postpone a decision while giving it some thought
slovenly disorderly, carelessly
sojourn temporary stay
solace comfort
solicit seek earnestly
somber sad, gloomy
sophistry false reasoning or argument
sordid filthy, ignoble
sour grapes to disparage something that you cannot have
spate rush, flood
spew vomit
spontaneous on the spur of the moment
sporadic occasional
spurious counterfeit, false, specious
squeamish easily shocked
stagnant inactive, dull, motionless
staunch firm, trusty, strong
steal one's thunder
steeped soaked; saturated; drenched
stentorian loud
stereotype conventional custom
stiff upper lip to be courageous in the face of trouble
stigmatize to mark with a disgrace
stipulate make a specific demand
to weaken one's position by stating the argument before that person does
stock in trade the goods, tools, and other requisites of a trade
straight from the shoulder in a direct, open way
strident rough, harsh, shrill
strife unrest, discord
stunted held back or checked in natural growth
stupor insensible condition, daze
stymie to hinder
subjugate conquer
subservient obsequious, servile
substantiate ratify, confirm
subterfuge a trick, deception
subterranean underground
succinct concise, brief
succulent juicy
succumb yield
sullen grim, ill-humored
sultry torrid
sumptuous lavish
superficial on the surface, slight
superfluous surplus, excessive
supine lying on the back
supplication earnest prayer
surfeit superabundance, excess
surge to rush suddenly
surmise guess
surreptitious accomplished by secret
susceptible easily affected
swan song final or last
swap horses in midstream
symptomatic indicative
taboo forbidden
tacit not stated, understood, implied
taint contaminate
take the bull by the horns to face a problem directly
take the wind out of one's sails to remove someone's advantage
tangible able to be touched
tantalizetease or torment by offering something good, but fail to deliver
tantamount identical, equivalent
taut on edge, keyed up, tense
technology related to science of engineering
technology applied science
temerity foolish boldness
to vote against a candidate running for reelection, to change one's mind
tenable supportable; defendable
tenacious stubborn, tough
termagant a shrew, a scolding woman
terminate to end
terra firma solid, firm land
terse compact, brief, concise
the acid test a severe test
the die is cast an unchangeable decision has been made
the distaff side women
the grapevine a secret means of spreading information
the lion's share the major portion
the sum and substance the heart or substantial part
the sword of Damocles any imminent danger
the world, the flesh, and the deviltemptations that cause man to sin
the writing on the wall an event that predicts the future
therapy curing or healing process
throng great number of people, crowd
through thick and thin in spite of all sorts of difficulties
thumbs down signal of rejection
thwart to hinder
timorous fearful
tinge a small amount of; a trace; smattering
to be at large not confined or in jail
to be in fine fettle to be in fine spirits, feeling well
to be under a cloud to be in temporary disgrace or trouble
to beard the lion to visit and oppose a person on his own grounds
to break the ice to make a beginning
to bring down the house to cause great enthusiasm
to build upon sand to have a poor base, or not sufficient preparation
to burn the midnight oil to study or work until very late
to carry the day to win the approval of the majority
to cool one's heels to be kept waiting
to do one's heart good to make one feel happy or better
to draw in one's horns to become cautious
to eat humble pie to admit your error and apologize
to feather one's nest to enrich oneself at every opportunity
to feather one's nest grow rich by taking advantage of circumstances
to flog a dead horse to continue to make an issue of something that is over
to get off one's high horse to act like an ordinary person
to get one's back up to become angry
to get the sack to be discharged or fired
to be in a bad moodto get up on the wrong side of the bed
to go up in smoke to come to no practical result
to have at one's fingertips to have ready, to have a thorough knowledge
to hit the nail on the head to state or guess something correctly
to lay one's cards on the table to talk frankly
to leave no stone unturned to make every effort, to try one's best
to lionize a person to make a big fuss over someone
to live in a fool's paradise to be happy without a real basis
to maintain the status quo to keep things as they are
to make ends meet to manage on a given income
to make the best of a bad bargainto change or go along with a poor situation
to pay the piper to bear the consequences
to play possum to try to fool someone; to make believe one is asleep or dead
to pour oil on troubled waters to make peace; to calm someone down
to pull one's own weight to do a fair share of the work
to pull up stakes to quit a place
to raise Cain make a fuss, cause trouble
to rub a person the wrong way to do something to irritate or annoy
to rule the roost to be in charge, to be master
to show one's hand to reveal one's intentions
to sow wild oats to lead a wild, carefree life
to spill the beans to give away a secret
to split hairs to make fine distinctions
to strike while the iron is hot to take action at the right moment
to imitate or follow the example
to take by storm to make a fast impression
to take down a peg to take the conceit out of a braggart
to take French leave to go away without permission
to take under one's wing to become responsible for
to tell tales out of school to reveal harmful secrets
to throw cold water to discourage a plan or idea
to throw down the gauntlet to challenge someone
to throw the book at someone to give maximum punishment
to tighten one's belt to get set for bad times or poverty
to tilt at windmills to fight imaginary enemies
to toe the mark to obey or stick to a rule or policy
to twist around one's finger tto control completely
to upset the apple cart to overturn or disturb a plan or intention
to whitewash
tolerate to permit, to put up with
tongue in cheek insincerely
tortuous winding
to take a leaf out of someone's book
to cancel defects, to give a falsely virtuous appearance to something
tounge in one's cheek not to be sincere
tradition long-standing practice
tranquil peaceful
transient fleeting, passing, short-lived
tremulous trembling
trenchant keen, sharp, biting
trend general direction
trivial petty, worthless
truncated cut short
turbulent unruly, agitated, riotous
turn the tables to turn a situation to one's own advantage
turpitude evil, wickedness, vileness
tussle a rough struggle
two strings to one's bow two means of achieving one's aim
tyro novice, beginner
ubiquitous being everywhere at once
ultimate final
umbrage offense, resentment
unabated without subsiding
unconcionable unreasonable, without conscience
unctuous affectedly emotional
under the wire just in time
underwrite agree to finance
universal widespread
unkempt neglected, untidy
unmitigated as bad as can be, unrelieved
unsavory morally bad, disagreeable, offensive
unwieldy difficult to handle, bulky
urbane polished, civilized
usurp annex, grab, seize
utopia place of perfection
vacillate fluctuate, hesitate
valor courage
vapid dull, uninteresting
vehemently passionately, violently, eagerly
veneer thin covering
venerable respected, worshipped
venial forgivable, pardonable
venom poison
vertigo dizziness
vestige evidence, trace
vexatious annoying
viable workable
vicissitudes difficulties
vigil wakeful watching
vigilant alert; watchful
vilify slander, malign
vindicate justify, absolve
virile manly, masterful
virtuosity great technical skill
virulent harmful
vitiate destroy the use or value
vitriolic biting, burning
vituperation abuse, blame
vivacious gay, lively
vogue fashion
volition willpower; choice
voluble talkative
voluminous bulky, large
voracious desiring huge amount
vulnerable able to hurt
vulnerable susceptible, open to attack
wan pale
wane decline, decrease
wary watchful, shrewd
wash dirty linen in public to openly discuss private affairs
wear one's heart on one's sleeve to make one's feelings evident
wheedle persuade, coax, cajole
whet stir up, stimulate
whimsical witty, humorous
wince flinch, draw back
windfall unexpected financial gain
wink at to pretend not to see
wistful wishful, pensive, longing
without rhyme or reason making no sense
woolgathering absentmindedness or daydreaming
worth one's weight in gold extremely valuable, very useful
wrest seize
yen strong desire, strong longing
zealous enthusiastic
zenith top, prime, summit