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antiquated out-of-date, obsolete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archaic out of date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