Commendable credentials, Im not qualified to pontificate

Big up her anti-corruption credentials, the country bio credentials

Inject impetus in the negotiation process, paragon of market economy

instructive, strike a
sympathetic chord,
Preposterous, ludicrous,
Conversant with, edifying,

time-honoured, boisterous,
throw a lavish/extravagant bash
cosy up (to sb)
to be very friendly to someone with the hope of getting an
advantage:
Opponents say he has a record of cosying up to polluters and accepting
their campaign donations.

be streets ahead idiom

be stretching it idiom

be struck dumb idiom

be stuck on sb/sth idiom

be sweet on sb idiom

be that as it may idiom

be the (living/spitting) image of sb idiom

be the armpit of sth idiom

be the bee's knees idiom

Loving and in love

absence absence makes the heart grow fonder idiom adoration
affection apple

adore adoring

bad be gone on sb idiom be soft on sb idiom be stuck on sb/sth

care care for sb carry carry a

torch for sb idiom cherish crush dear dote on sb doting dotty endearment fall
fall for sb fall in love idiom fondly gaga gone have (got) it bad idiom head
head over heels (in love) idiom infatuated infatuation light live live for
sth/sb lose lose your heart to sb idiom love love me, love my dog idiom
idiom be sweet on sb idiom beloved besotted

love sb to bits idiom love-struck lovebirds loved up loveless lovey-dovey loving

lurve madly moon moon over sb/sth puppy love romance

romantic

serious shine smitten soft stuck sun sweep sweep sb off

their feet idiom sweet take a shine to sb idiom the apple of sb's
eye idiom the light of your life idiom the way to a man's heart is
through his stomach idiom think the sun shines out (of) sb's

arse/backside idiom treasure unloved way worship worship the

ground sb walks on idiom young young love idiom

Weddings

aisle always a bridesmaid, never the bride idiom arranged marriage bachelor
party bachelorette party banns be joined in marriage/matrimony idiom best man
betroth bridal bride bride-to-be bridegroom bridesmaid bucks party confetti
diamond anniversary dowry elope get spliced idiom

give give sb away go/walk

down the aisle idiom golden anniversary golden wedding anniversary

groom guard of honour happy hen night honeymoon

intended join maid of honour married marry marry sb off name name the
day idiom nuptial nuptials pageboy plight pop the question idiom pop.
postnuptial prenuptial proposal propose register office
registry office ruby anniversary shotgun wedding shower
shower tea solemnize splice stag night/party the big day the

happy day idiom tie tie the knot idiom troth trousseau we'd
wedding wedding

band wedding planner wedding reception

wedding ring white wedding
The loved-up pair seemed as smitten as
ever as they left the eatery with beaming
smiles on their faces before heading into
their car.
showcases stunning physique flaunting her curves in
VERY sexy topless selfie

kicked off their celebrations with a romantic

dinner at Asanebo
in good spirits as she flashed a smile
a gush of disappointment/tenderness

favour sb with ample evidence

Satisfied and complacent
at one with the world idiom be on to a good thing idiom

buoyant complacency

complacent content gloat have a good run for your money idiom job satisfaction

life nicely pride rest rest on your laurels idiom run sate sated satiate
satiety satisfaction satisfied

self-fulfilment self-satisfied smug

smugly that'll do nicely idiom thing this is the life! idiom

triumphalism world

Profits & losses

balance sheet be

a licence to print money idiom bonanza bottom

line break break even idiom buoyant capital gains credit

deficit diminishing returns economic gold mine gross receipts in/out of
pocket idiom interim ka-ching licence lose lose your shirt idiom
loss loss-making lucrative margin markup money moneymaker
muck non-profit-making paper profit pay payback pocket proceeds
profit profit from sth profit margin profit sharing profitable profiteer rake-off
receipt return rig rig the market idiom roll

roll in speculation

speculative take takings trade deficit trade surplus turnover uneconomic

unprofitable where there's muck there's brass idiom winnings

yield

Successful (things or people)

a head of steam idiom a heavy hitter idiom achiever alive alpha male arrive
ascendant bandwagon bang be ahead of the pack idiom be alive and well/kicking
idiom be flying high idiom be home and dry idiom be home free idiom be on a roll
idiom be on the right lines idiom be on the right track idiom be on the right/wrong
track idiom be riding high idiom be riding/on the crest of a wave idiom
boy wonder buoyant

big time

chart coming up roses idiom crest established flourishing

flushed flushed with success idiom fly

go a long way idiom go with a bang idiom

golden good have (got) it made idiom have sth in your pocket idiom have
the world at your feet idiom head healthy heavy high-flyer highflying hit home howling lion long. made Midas no-lose of the week
idiom of the year idiom off the charts idiom onwards onwards and upwards
idiom pack

pass pass muster idiom performer phenom phenomenal

phenomenon pocket press/push the right button(s) idiom prizewinning

record record-breaking reformed character ride right rising star

roll rose self-made smash sovereign storming successful

swimmingly thrive through

to have arrived idiom top top-rated

track tried triumphant up and down idiom viable week well

developed whizz-kid winning with flying colours idiom wonder

world world-beater wow wunderkind year

Excitement, interest, energy and

enthusiasm
a new lease of life idiom alacrity animation ardour avid

buoyant buzz

bang brio brisk bug

character colour commotion dalliance

delirium dotty drama dynamism dynamite eager ebullient elan elation
energy enterprise enthusiasm excitement exhilaration exuberant fanatical
fascination fever fever pitch fight fire flap flirtation frenzy frisky
frisson frolic get-up-and-go glamour glitter go gusto hoo-ha hubbub
interest intoxication juice keen kick life lively meaty
missionary zeal mojo nail-biter new nibble oomph page-turner pep perky

physicality piquant pizzazz pzazz romance romanticism second wind

sensation sensationalism shiver shiver (up and) down your

spine idiom sparkle spice spirit sprightly stimulation stir
suspense thrill verve vibrant vigour vim vitality vivacious
voracious warmth whirl whirligig with a bang idiom zap zeal
zealous zest

Bad-tempered
argumentative bad-tempered be hell on wheels idiom be like a bear with a sore head
idiom be spoiling for a fight idiom

bear bed bilious bolshy cantankerous

contrary crabby cranky crotchety crusty curmudgeon

dispute dyspeptic fractious fuse get out of bed (on) the wrong
side idiom grouchy grumpy have a short fuse idiom he'll hot huffy illchippy contrariness

tempered impatient irascible irritable narky obstreperous ornery peevish

peppery petulant pugnacious quarrelsome quick temper ratty

scrappy sensitivity

short short-tempered shrew snappish

sour spiky spoil stroppy surly testy tetchy touchy
truculent wear wear thin idiom

Physically and mentally mature &

immature

adult ageing aging an old/a wise head on young shoulders idiom babyish childish

head immature infantile juvenile make a man

(out) of sb idiom man maturation mature maturely maturity
overgrown petulant precocious precociously puerile retarded
sophomoric young young at heart idiom
full-grown grown grown up

Doubt & ambivalence

blow blow hot and cold idiom chary
conflicted direction dither doubtful dubious fence-sitter foot have a foot in both
camps idiom haw hem hem and haw idiom hum hum and haw idiom indecision
indecisive insecure irresolute jury lack direction idiom limbo noncommittal
nonplussed quandary rudderless shade shades of grey idiom shillyambivalent askance be in two minds idiom

shally sit sit on the fence idiom straddle tentative the jury is

(still) out idiom two uncertain uncertainty unclear undecided

unsure vacillate wary waver wet

wobbly

wishy-washy wobble

veneer
[S] something that hides something unpleasant or unwanted:
She managed to hide her corrupt dealings under a veneer of
respectability.

Decorating or making something

attractive

bind bound cartouche cheer cheer sth up

deck decorate decoration do (sth) up do 1 doll doll yourself up dress
dress sth up dress up edged embellish festoon flatter flock garland
glam glam (yourself) up glamorize grace hanging jazz jazz sth up jolly jolly
accessorize adorn beautify bedeck

sth up makeover marquetry ornament ornamentation

prettify redecorate redo revamp scroll

ornate pimp

set set sth off suit tart

tart sth up tart yourself up tassel titivate twiddly window
dressing zhuzh

Naive & trusting

an easy touch idiom be easy game/meat idiom be easy prey idiom be wet behind the
ears idiom

black butter butter wouldn't melt in sb's mouth idiom callow childlike

dewy-eyed easy idealist impressionable ingenuous jejune look at/see sth

through rose-coloured/rose-tinted glasses idiom naive naivety

prey

pushover rose see things in black and white idiom simple soft
touch starry-eyed sucker trusted trusting

unsophisticated unsuspecting wet wide-eyed

Linguistics: very & extreme

absorbing action-packed alley arresting barnstorming be better than sex idiom be up

better blow blow sb's mind idiom blow/knock your

socks off idiom breathtaking captivate climax colorful colourful compelling
compulsive coruscating dazzle dazzling dramatic
dramatically electric electrifying engrossing enthralling enthusiasm
eventful exciting exhilarating fascinating fast glittering glowing gnarly
gripping high-voltage hot interesting interestingly intoxicating
intriguing invigorate juicy kick-ass live meaty mesmeric mesmerizing
your street idiom bell

newsworthy orgasmic orgiastic pacy piquant prepossessing provocative

pulsating racy rich rip-roaring riveting romantic rousing Roy

of the

Rovers stuff scintillating sensational sensationally

sex sex
sth up sexy showstopper sock sparkle spectacular
spectacularly spellbinding spicy stimulating storming street

swing swinging thought-provoking thrilling titillating

unputdownable up/down your alley idiom vibrant watchable
whirlwind with bells on idiom zhuzh zing zingy

Soil
clay dirt earth earthy gravelly grit
ground ground water heavy humus laterite lime limy loam
loess mud mudslide ooze ore peat peat bog peaty sandy sediment silt
aerator boulder clay chalk

sludge sod soil soil science subsoil topsoil worm cast

Urging & persuading

argumentation badger

be/go on at sb idiom blag brainwash bring

bring sb around bring sb round browbeat butter butter sb up cajole

carry charm charming chase chase sb up chivvy coax coerce coercion

convincing dissuade encourage exhort fast-talker fob fob sb off
force/ram sth down sb's throat idiom get get (sth) through (to sb) get round
sb get sth out of sb go go on goad heat highpressure hustle incite induce inducement intercede intercession
inveigle jawbone

messianic on

jockey jockey sb into sth jolly lean lean on sb lobby

persuade persuasion persuasive pitch preach preach

to the converted idiom press press-gang pressure pressurize prevail

prevail on/upon sb proselytize push pushy put

put sb up to sth put

the heat on sb idiom reverse psychology rope rope sb in rush

rush sb

into (doing) sth sales pitch sales talk sell snow job soft
sell soft-soap soften soften sb up spiel sucker sucker sb into sth sway

swing talk talk sb down talk sb into sth talk sb out of

sth talk sb round talk your way into/out of sth idiom
throat tub-thumping twist twist sb around your little finger idiom twist sb's arm
sweet talk

way well argued wheedle wiles win win sb over win the
day idiom woo work work on sb wrap wrap sb around your little
idiom urge

finger idiom

Attractive
a sight for sore eyes idiom adorable aesthetic alluring angelic appealing arresting
artistic attractive be a picture idiom beauteous beautiful beauty beauty is in the eye
of the beholder idiom becoming beguiling bewitched bewitching bijou

blooming bonny charismatic charming cherubic chocolate-box

classical classy comely contagious cunning curvaceous cut cut a fine
figure idiom cute daintily dainty darling dashing dazzling debonair
decorative delectable delicate disarm distinguished dreamy easy easy on
the eye/ear idiom elegant enchanting endearing engaging enticing
entrance 1 esthetic exquisite eye candy eye-catching fair
feline fetching finely gay glam glammed up glamorous glorious glossy
go go together good-looking gorgeous graceful handsome haunting
imposing infectious inviting irresistible jolly knockout look/feel
like a million dollars idiom lovable lovely lush magnetic magnificent
majestic melting mesmerizing million nice-looking noble not be just a
pretty face idiom ornamental pert photogenic photograph
picture picture postcard picturesque poetic prepossessing
presentable prettily pretty proportioned pulchritude radiant
ravishing rich rock rugged sculptured seductive seraphic
shapely shimmering

sight slimming smart spiffy

stately statuesque striking stunning style suave suit svelte
sweet sweetly sylphlike tasteful telegenic tempting to die

for idiom turn turn sb out voluptuous

winsome zaftig

well built winning

Words & phrases expressing

agreement & acceptance
(it's) just as well (that) idiom accha achha agree all right
amen amen to that idiom as as you wish/like idiom bad beggar
beggars can't be choosers idiom bet couldn't agree more/less idiom couldn't

agree/disagree more idiom course done done fair go

go on good hear
hear, hear! idiom how I bet idiom I don't mind if I do idiom I know
idiom I should hope/say/think so/not idiom I wouldn't say no idiom I'll say!
idiom indeed isn't it/aren't they just? idiom jolly jolly good idiom just know
might just as well idiom mind more my point exactly idiom no
problem idiom no problemo of course idiom OK okey-doke on please
please yourself idiom point point taken idiom precisely problem put

right right on right you are! idiom roger same

same here idiom say say the word idiom shake should size
sure sure thing idiom take take the bad with the good idiom tell ten-four
that that's about the size of it idiom that's it idiom that's life! idiom 1
there there you go idiom 1 too right idiom touch very very
good idiom very well idiom viva 1 why why not...? idiom yeh yes
you you can say that again! idiom you can't say fairer than that idiom you got it
put it there! idiom quite

idiom you said it! idiom you're on! idiom you're telling me! idiom

Feeling pleasure and happiness

(as) pleased as Punch idiom

air be as high as a kite idiom be

dancing in the streets idiom be floating on air idiom be full of the joys of spring idiom
be in seventh heaven idiom be on cloud nine idiom be over the moon idiom be
walking/floating on air idiom beatific believe bittersweet bliss bliss (sb) out blissed

breezy bright bright-eyed and bushy-tailed idiom

brighten buck buck (sb/sth) up charmed cheer cheer (sb) up cheerful
cheery chipper chirpy chuffed cloud contented dance delighted delirious
ecstatic elated enraptured epicurean euphoric exalted exultant festive float
footloose fulfilled full gaily gay glad gladly glee gruntled happily happy
happy camper high high-spirited incandescent jaunty
jocund jolly joyful joyous jubilant jump jump for joy idiom lightout blissful blithe

hearted look/feel like a million dollars idiom loved up made up

merrily merry million moon nostalgic not believe your luck
idiom on top of the world idiom overjoyed perky pleased pleased
with yourself idiom proud proudly rapturous seventh

sunny
swoon thrilled thrilled to bits idiom top transport up walk
walk on air idiom wrapped

Linguistics: interjections

(you) know what I

mean idiom ahoy alack alas alas and alack idiom all April fool aw
(oh) Lord idiom (well) what do you know! idiom

shucks bang bang goes sth idiom bless bless

charming come

you! idiom boo boy bravo

come again? idiom come off it! idiom

come on

compliment congrats couldn't agree/disagree more idiom cut cut the crap!
idiom d'oh

dear diddums! do

1 do me/us a favour! idiom doctor dream eat

eat your heart out idiom encore! enjoy enough eureka favour

get get a life! idiom get

away get real! idiom give me strength! idiom go go figure! idiom go on god
good good for you! idiom good heavens/grief/gracious! idiom good show
idiom goodness goodo goody gotcha guess heave-ho heck hello help
hip hooray hot hot dog! idiom how hurray hush I don't know how,
what, why, etc. idiom I know idiom I should be so lucky! idiom I
should think not/so (too)! idiom idea in inverted commas
fiddlesticks figure gangway! Gawd gesundheit

idiom indeed inverted commas it's/that's the story of my life idiom jolly jolly good
show! idiom just what the doctor ordered idiom

long live sb/sth! idiom long.

know life like live loaf

look look who's talking! idiom lord Lord

knows idiom man mea culpa mean mind mind your own business
idiom more more power to your elbow! idiom need need I say more? idiom never
never fear idiom never look a gift horse in the mouth idiom no

sir idiom not

to

worry idiom O, o oh yes idiom OK only order pardon period

power real really rest right roll roll up! idiom same
same to you idiom say see shame shock shock, horror! idiom
should shove shove it idiom shucks sir small small wonder idiom
so so there idiom sorted stand stand and deliver! idiom steady
stuff stuff and nonsense idiom stuff it,
them, you, etc. idiom sugar suit suit yourself! idiom surprise surprise,
steady on! idiom story strength

surprise idiom take

take that! idiom talk

thank God idiom that's all

I/you/we need! idiom that's done it! idiom the more the merrier idiom the rest is

history idiom there is a God! idiom timber tush up up with idiom use your loaf

watch watch it idiom watch out

we'll well done idiom what an idea! idiom what do you mean? idiom
idiom voil wake wake up! idiom

whoopee why

worry yay yeah yeah, right! idiom yes yippee yoo-hoo

you know idiom you know something? idiom you live and learn idiom
you see idiom you should have seen/heard sth/sb idiom you the man! idiom
yum

Giving out light

alight beam blaze blink brighten burn

cast catch dazzle

flash flicker gild glance glare gleam glimmer glint glisten glitter glow go
go out illuminate light redshift reflected ray shimmer shine shiny
sparkle sparkly spotlight strobe trick twinkle UV waxy wink
burnish

Attention-seeking, distracting and

showing off

bravura chichi conspicuous consumption dressed dressed (up) to the nines

idiom exhibitionism

exhibitionist flamboyant flash

flash sth around

flashy flaunt gaudy gimmick gimmickry glitzy grandstanding hot

dog!
idiom hotdog meretricious ostentation ostentatious parade play
play to the gallery idiom posturing push push yourself
forward razzle-dazzle razzmatazz show show off show sth/sb off
showboating showman showy show off slut snazzy splashy streak
streaker strut strut your stuff idiom swank swanky tarty theatre tinsel

Burning, burnt & on fire

ablaze aflame alight

blaze blazing burn

burn (sth) down burn (sth) up

burn out burned out burning burnt burnt offering burnt out burst

catch char charred combustible combustion consume

fire flame flammable flare frazzle frazzled go up in flames
idiom immolate incinerate inextinguishable inflammable lighted live scald
scorch scorched sear singe smoke smolder smoulder spontaneous
carbonize

combustion

Temporary
a flash in the pan idiom

acting be a nine days' wonder idiom casual ephemeral

flash fleeting fugitive here here today, gone tomorrow idiom

impermanent interim makeshift moment nine pop up pro tem
provisional scratch short-lived short-term sticking plaster
stopgap temporary transient transitory
evanescent

Hurrying and doing things quickly

accelerate acceleration

against against the clock idiom against time/the clock

idiom alacrity arse at the stroke of a pen idiom at/on the double idiom be in a tearing
hurry idiom be on the run idiom be pressed for time idiom bring bring sth forward

business bustle clapper clock cobble cobble sth together dash dash
sth off dispatch dose double double-quick envelope expedite
expedition expeditious fashion flash flat frantic frantically gallop gallop

through sth get a move on idiom get off your arse idiom grease haste hasten hasty

hit/press/push the panic button idiom hop hurried hurry hurry (sb/sth) up in
a flash idiom jump jump the gun idiom light like a dose of salts idiom like
greased lightning idiom like mad idiom like nobody's business idiom like the

clappers idiom like there is/was no tomorrow idiom mad make short shrift of
sth idiom make short work of sth idiom more haste, less speed idiom move

on the back of an envelope idiom on the run idiom panic

button patch

patch sth together pounce precipitate precipitately precipitation

promptly quick quickie rattle rattle sth off rattle

prompt

through sth run

rush rush into sth rush job rushed scrabble scramble sharpish
shoot shoot sth off short short shrift smart snap speed
speedy step step on it idiom stroke take tear 1 throw throw
sth together time tomorrow trot with dispatch idiom

Painting & drawing materials

black camera camera-shy capture carousel cheese close-up
come come out daguerreotype darkroom definition develop
developer digital camera enlarge enlarger exposure fast film fisheye lens fix
fixative flash flashbulb flashgun focal length focus focused foreground
frame full-frontal glossy grain grainy happy slapping hi-res high-resolution
airbrush aperture

hologram holography lo-res low-resolution microfiche microfilm mount

mugshot negative overexpose pap paparazzi photo photo photo

opportunity photo session photocall photogenic photograph photographer

photographic photography photojournalism pic picture pin-up Polaroid

print process project projection red-eye say cheese idiom

self-portrait selfie sepia sharp shoot shot shutter slide
slide show SLR camera snap snapshot speed still
superimpose telephoto lens tripod underexpose viewer
viewfinder wide-angle lens zoom zoom in/out zoom lens

General ranks in the armed forces

captain chief of staff CINC

co- commandant commander-in-chief commissioned officer five-star flash
four-star generalissimo lieutenant Lt marshal NCO noncommissioned officer officer ranking top brass warrant officer
ADC adjutant aide-de-camp bombardier C-in-C

Communications - general words

broadband buzz buzzer cable caller ID communication
communications satellite constructive interference cybernetics dead
destructive interference entryphone fibre optics fibre-optic cable

zone

flash hookup

impulse interfere interfere with sth interference landline microwave

multimedia network noise noisy on-screen optical fibre QR

code relay replay roaming satellite satellite dish signal silent smart
card techno telegraph trace volume

Meeting people

appointment assignation audience blind date bump bump into sb

conclave cross cross sb's path/cross paths with sb idiom date deal deal
with sb encounter engagement farewell fish

gathering hello hook

how how are things (with you)? idiom how do you do? idiom how's
tricks? idiom indaba it's a date idiom known make yourself
known idiom mass massed meet meet up meet-and-greet
meeting meeting point muster point night open house path paths
hook up

cross idiom pay your respects idiom power

reconvene remember remember

breakfast/lunch rally

sb to sb rendezvous respect round-

up run run across sb run across sth run into sb salon same same to

you idiom see see you (later) idiom stand up the red carpet there are
plenty more fish in the sea idiom thing throw throw sb together town
meeting trick tryst welcome

Decorations for clothes

flash flounce frill fringe frou-frou piping sequin shoulder

pad spangle stud studded tassel train trim trimming
epaulette eyelet

Moving quickly

barrel beetle belt bob bolt bomb bowl bowl down/along sth careen career
cavort

charge chase dart dash dive flash flit fly foot forge free-

flowing gallop

glide go great guns idiom go like a bomb idiom go/send sth/sb flying

good great gun hare haste haul haul ass idiom hie hightail hotfoot
hurtle hying leg lunge make make good time idiom make haste idiom make off
nip outran outrun pelt pop. power put your foot down idiom
race run running rush sail scamper scoot scorch scrabble
scramble scud scurry scuttle shoot skip skitter slip snap spin
spring sprint stampede step step on it idiom streak streaker surge
sweep swoop tear 1 tear off ton trip trot weave whisk whizz whoosh
zap zip zoom
idiom

Beginnings and starts

a baptism of/by fire idiom a clean sheet/slate idiom advent baptism beginning

clean commencement dawn emergence flare-up flash from get-go

go/be back to square one idiom honeymoon inception initiation

institution

introduction jumping-off point kick

salvo seed square

off onset opening outbreak preface

start starting date starting point starting time the

outset the thin end of the wedge idiom thin trigger zero hour

Relating to regular periods of time

-ly account

advisement agonize over/about sth ask

attention

battle battle of wits idiom cerebration chew chew sth over chew the
cud idiom chew your cud idiom cogitate cold consider consideration
contemplate contemplation count counterfactual critical thinking cross cud
cudgel cudgel your brains idiom dally dally with sth dawn dawn on sb debate
deliberate deliberation depth dip entertain explore flash flit food
gaze at/contemplate your navel idiom give sb food for thought idiom give sb pause
idiom grapple grapple with sth harbour have another think coming idiom have
sth on your mind idiom have your business, sensible, etc. head on idiom

head

hit hit on/upon sth I/we'll (have to) see idiom in the cold light of
day idiom introspect introspection joined-up thinking lateral thinking let let me
see/let's see idiom let's see idiom long. look look at sth meditate
meditation methinks mind mindfulness mull mull sth over muse navel
heart-searching

navel-gazing not be thinking straight idiom not think twice idiom occur occur to
sb pause play

play with sth ponder put your thinking cap on idiom

puzzle puzzle over sth puzzle sth out rack rack your brains idiom
rationalize reason reassess reckon reconsider reflect reflection
rethink revisit ruminate rumination run run through sb's mind/head idiom
scratch scratch your head idiom see soul-searching spare spring
spring to mind idiom still still waters run deep idiom stinking thinking

strike take take a long, hard look at sth idiom take sth into account idiom
the thought crosses sb's mind idiom think think sth out think
sth over think sth through thinking thought toy toy with sth
turn turn (sth) over use use your head idiom weigh weigh your
words idiom wonder worry worry at sth wrestle wrestle with
sth your mind is on sth idiom

Knowledge and awareness

abroad acquaintance alert as every schoolboy/schoolchild knows idiom
at/in the back of your mind idiom awareness back be ahead of the game idiom be
in the loop/be out of the loop idiom best cognizance common
consciousness edification epistemic experience experiential familiarity
firsthand game general knowledge given glimpse grounding have a
nodding acquaintance with sb/sth idiom have a passing/slight/nodding
acquaintance with sth idiom idea insight introduction ken knowledge

literacy loop nod omniscient perception perceptive

perceptual schoolboy secret seize sensibility street smarts

In the past
back back in the day idiom before before the Flood
idiom bygone clock day departed dot ex flood former formerly
from/since the year dot idiom go go by good history just lapsed last
late lately latterly long. many moons ago idiom memory mist moon
ago any more idiom anymore

more no longer idiom of late idiom of old idiom old once once upon a time idiom
one-time only

other past previously put/turn the clock back idiom

recent recently retro sometime step step back (in time) idiom the good old

days idiom the

mists of time idiom the status quo ante the

week/month/year before last idiom the year dot idiom then

time

use used water water under the bridge idiom week within your
memory idiom year yesterday yesteryear yore

Memory and memories

back clear corporate memory dim dj
vu flash flash back from memory idiom ghost go go down haunting have
a memory like an elephant idiom learn sth by rote idiom live live (on) in the
at/in the back of your mind idiom

memory idiom long memory memory nostalgia nostalgic off the top of your

head idiom photographic memory recall recollection remembrance

reminiscence retentive rote to the best of my recollection idiom top within

living memory idiom within

your memory idiom

Ceremonies
cavalcade ceremonial ceremony commemorate commencement coronation

crown dedicate dedication enthrone exercise flyby flypast

function funeral funerary guard of honour hara-kiri
inaugurate Inauguration Day induct induction initiate initiation

initiation ceremony installation investiture knight master of ceremonies MC

nuptials officiate open opening pageant pageantry peace pipe pomp

powwow presentation procession processional protocol

remember requiem rite of passage ritual

salute sense solemnize

speech day state state occasion swearing-in take the salute

idiom the

red carpet the trooping of the colour idiom tickertape parade troop unveil

Announcing, informing & stating

account acquaint sb/yourself with sth adjudge advise advisement affirm

announce announcement apprise avow avowed awake awaken awaken sb
to sth bear break break it/the news to sb idiom breathe/say a word idiom bruit

come come out come through commit confront confront sb with sth
declaration declare declared disclose disclosure disseminate

flash fyi give give sb a heads up idiom go on record

idiom hand hand sth down head I don't know about you
but... idiom impart inform know known lay lay sth on let let it be
known idiom let sb know idiom misery misinform misreport news notify
official on the record idiom pass pass sth on post posted
enunciate

predicate proclaim proclamation profess profession promulgate pronounce

pronouncement propagate put put sb out of their misery idiom put sth before
sb put sth out 1 rapporteur record

report report back reported

say self-declared self-proclaimed self-professed sensitize smoke

signal spread spread the word idiom stake stake a claim idiom state
statement tell trumpet unannounced update word
rollout

The skin, & skin colour

(as) white as a sheet idiom albino ashen bag beauty
spot black blanch bloodless bronzed catch coloring colour
coloured colouring complexion craggy crevice crimson cutaneous

drain epidermis fair florid flush flushed follicle

freckle freckle-faced fresh ghastly goosebumps gooseflesh half-caste
ink jaundiced lined mole non-white pale pallid pallor pasty pasty-faced
dermatome dermis

skin
skin graft strawberry mark subcutanea subcutaneous sun
sunbath sunbathe sunbed sunburned suntan swarthy tan tanning bed tat
tattoo tattooist veined wan waxen wheat complexion white wizened
wrinkle wrinkled yellow
pigment pigmentation

pore purple

ray rubicund sallow seamed

Expressing and showing feelings

beat beat your

breast/chest idiom beetroot blush bubble bubble over colour crimson
emoji emote erupt exclamatory explode explosion express
expression exude feelingly flame flash fling fling up your hands
idiom flush flushed freak gleam go/turn beetroot (red) idiom hot hot and
heavy idiom impassioned lose lose it idiom marvel moved overflow pale
picture pine pour pour sth out red roar roar with sth sb's face is a
picture idiom spill spill (sth) out state sulk switch switch sth on
throw throw up your hands in horror/despair idiom unload vent vocalize
wail wear wear your heart on your sleeve idiom whimper whoop
abandon affective articulation be in/get into a state idiom

wring wring your hands idiom

Immediately

a stitch in time (saves nine) idiom ado at/in one fell swoop idiom bat cuff directly

fell flash

forthwith glance immediate immediately in a flash idiom instant

instantaneous instantly no sooner said than done idiom off the bat idiom off the

cuff idiom offhand once pronto quickly

right soon spot stitch

straight straightaway then then and there idiom thereupon

time

Less common colours

apricot aqua aquamarine azure

beige blood red blue-black bottle

green brassy bronze buff burgundy burnish burnt sienna carmine cerise

cherry chestnut chocolate chrome yellow claret

cobalt coffee-coloured copper coppery coral cream crimson
cerulean

cyan dun earth colour earth

tone ecru emerald fawn fiery flesh-coloured

fuchsia ginger

gold golden goldish hazel ice blue indigo kelly

green khaki lavender lemon lilac lime green livid magenta
magnolia maroon mauve navy ochre olive drab olive green pea
green peach peacock blue plum plummy puce purple raw sienna
rose roseate rosy royal blue ruddy russet rust saffron sage green
salmon pink sapphire scarlet sepia shocking pink silver silvery sky
blue slate steely tan tangerine tawny teal terracotta turquoise ultramarine
verdure vermilion violet

Wise and sensible

an old/a wise head on young shoulders idiom be a victory for common sense idiom

best better canny discerning discriminating discrimination do as you think

best idiom down-to-earth far-sighted fly foot forward-looking
gnomic grounded had best idiom hard-headed hard-nosed have your head

screwed on (the right way) idiom have/keep your feet on the ground idiom

head

healthy hindsight hurt it doesn't hurt/never hurts to do sth idiom judicious

legitimacy level-headed mature method mouth neat neatly no flies
on sb idiom no-nonsense out of the mouths of babes (and sucklings) idiom
perspective perspicacious perspicacity politic practical practicality
pragmatic pragmatically pragmatism prescient rationally realism realist

realistic realistically reasonable reasonably reasoned responsibility

responsible right-minded sagacious sage savoir-faire sense

sensible sensibly shrewd softly-softly sound soundness

steady street smarts street-smart streetwise there's method in

your madness idiom think think on your feet idiom thinking to

be wise after the event idiom victory well advised wily wisdom

wise wisely

Road surfaces & features

asphalt bitumen black spot blind spot camber cattle grid central reservation

chicane chipping cobble crash barrier curb curbside double yellow line
grating gravel gravelled gritter gutter hairpin bend island kerb
kerbside lay-by manhole median strip metalled nature strip pavement paver
paving stone pothole potholed pull-in ramp

rest area rest stop

resurface roadside rumble strip S-bend salt truck sander

sleeping policeman speed bump tar tarmac tight turn traffic
calming traffic island tramlines twist verge
weighbridge

Class & class-consciousness in

general
class class struggle class-conscious classless come/go
down in the world idiom common commoner dinky down elevate genteel
gentrify go/come down in the world idiom go/come up in the world idiom gutter
heap high society Hooray Henry inverted snob landless lower class lowest
arriviste bourgeois

common denominator marry marry beneath you idiom middle class Middle
England parvenu patrician peasantry pedigreed petit bourgeois petty
bourgeois pleb plebeian polarize posh prole proletarian rags-to-

riches riff-raff Sloane Ranger snob snobbery snobbish social

climber social mobility the bottom of the heap idiom the
bourgeoisie the chattering classes the gentry the petite
bourgeoisie the proletariat the ruling class the upper crust

tweedy underclass untouchable upper class upwardly

mobile well bred working class world yeoman

Parts of buildings: roofs & parts of

roofs

chimney chimney pot chimney stack cupola dome domed eave frieze gable

loft mansard roof pediment pinnacle

pitch rafter rib ridge roof roof sth in/over roofer roofing roofless
rooftop shingle slate sun deck thatch thatcher tile turret
gabled gutter guttering leading 1

Expensive & luxurious

big-ticket costly delicacy deluxe exclusive executive

expense expensive extravagance fancy gracious grand grandly
lavish lush luxuriant luxurious luxury luxury

goods no expense is spared

idiom opulent plush posh precious premium-rate prestige priceless richly
ritzy sumptuous swish tony

upscale valuable

top-of-the-range unaffordable upmarket

white elephant

Informal words for good

ace all right bad badass banging be the bee's knees idiom be the
business idiom beat beaut bee bodacious bonzer boss brill business
canny champion cheap choice class cool cracking dandy def
die dope dream fab far out groovy half head head and shoulders
above idiom hunky-dory immense jim-dandy juicy killer knob knock knock
spots off sth idiom magic mean mega much neat nifty no mean
A-OK

achievement/feat idiom no mean sth idiom not so shabby/not too shabby idiom

now now you're talking idiom out of sight idiom out of this world idiom
phat pisser plum pukka quality rad red-hot rock royal rule rule OK
idiom sb/sth rocks idiom serious shabby shit hot sight smashing some
splendiferous steal steal the show/scene idiom stonking
stupendous suck sucking diesel idiom swell take some beating
idiom that was a game, meal, walk, etc. and a half! idiom tip-top to
die for idiom top-notch unmissable unreal wicked wild with
(brass) knobs on idiom world

Stopping fires

beat beat sth out blow blow (sth) out damp damp sth down douse extinguish

go go out gutter quench smother snuff snuff sth out sprinkler sprinkler
system

Doing things without fear or proper

thought
bravado daredevil desperado devil-may-care foolhardy heroics hothead impetuous

impulsive lemming like lemmings idiom like there is/was no tomorrow idiom

precipitate precipitately precipitation

rash reckless second

thought snap thought throw throw caution to the wind/winds

idiom tomorrow trigger-happy with no thought for sth idiom

Stupid and silly

(as) thick as two short planks idiom -brained absurd adolescent against your better
judgment idiom
idiom be

all asinine bananas barking barmy batty be (as) daft as a brush

crazy about sb/sth idiom be not all there idiom be off your chump

idiom be off your nut idiom be quick/slow on the uptake idiom birdbrain bonkers

certifiable chump cockamamie cockeyed

cracked crackers crackpot cranky crazy credulous cretin cuckoo
daffy daft dense dim dim-witted dippy ditsy ditzy dizzy dopey dorky dotty
dozy drink, laugh, etc. yourself silly idiom drivel dull dumb empty-headed
farce fathead fatuous feeble-minded fond fondly fool foolish four-oh-four
funny get it into your thick head idiom gibber goofy gormless gullible
bovine brainless bumbling

half-assed half-baked half-witted harebrained have shit for brains idiom

head idiotic ill-advised ill-conceived illogical imbecile impolitic imprudent

in his/her/their wisdom idiom in sb's infinite wisdom idiom inadvisable

infinite injudicious insane insanely insanity joke judgment

laughable loco loony loopy

ludicrous lumpen lumpish mad

madcap mental messed up mind mindless misbegotten
moronic namby-pamby no-account nonsensical nut nuts
nutty oafish obtuse out of 2 out of your mind idiom
out of your mind/head idiom peabrained potty preposterous
puerile ridiculous risible screwy

senseless shit silly

simple-minded slow slow-witted spastic stupid subnormal
the joke is on sb idiom thick uncritical unreasonable unwise
uptake vacuous vapid wanky weak-minded wisdom witless
wrongheaded

Very important or urgent

above all-important arch at all cost(s) idiom be a matter of life and/or death
idiom big burning cardinal chief considerable cost critical crucial
de rigueur earth-shattering elevated epoch-making exigent far-reaching first first
and foremost idiom first and last idiom focal foremost God-given grand great
hand hot impactful imperative important indispensable issue key
last last but not least idiom leading 1 less life-and-death life-changing main
mainly major major league make the world go around/round idiom
material materially matter meaningful minor league mission-critical
moment momentous no less idiom notable notably noteworthy overarching

overriding paramount pivotal pre-eminent predominant predominantly

premier preponderant preponderantly pressing prestigious primacy primary
prime principal principally prior prized

prominent radical
sacred salient seminal serious seriously significant
substantial substantially substantive subtle supreme the

job/matter in hand idiom titanic top top-level transcendent

ultimate ultimately uppermost urgent value valued vital
weighty world

Not believable

(that's) a likely story! idiom belief by no stretch (of the imagination) idiom fanciful

hard hard to swallow idiom hear I must be hearing

things idiom implausible incredible incredibly joke likely miraculous
pass pass (all) belief idiom see smell fishy idiom sth has to be seen to be
believed idiom stretch the unthinkable idiom too too good to be true idiom
far-fetched fishy flimsy

unbelievable unbelievably unconvincing unthinkable

untrustworthiness untrustworthy wash wash (with sb) idiom

you're joking! idiom

Not believing

(that's) a likely story! idiom are my eyes deceiving me? idiom arse as

as

if! idiom authority believe believe sth when you see it idiom credibility credibility gap
credulity deceive

denial disbelief disbelieve don't give me that! idiom dream

foot free-floating give give over give over have something on good
authority idiom hear heresy I'll eat my hat idiom iconoclastic in your
dreams! idiom incredulous is he/she for real? idiom joke leave leave it
eat fool

out! idiom likely Marines moment my arse! idiom my foot idiom not for a

moment idiom pass pass as/for sth/sb perceive pinch pull pull the other
leg/one (it's got bells on)! idiom quarrel quarrel with sth real
satisfied self-deception

salt

since when idiom take sth with a pinch of

salt idiom tell tell me another one! idiom tell that/it to the

Marines! idiom when won't hear a word (said) against sb/sth

idiom worship worship at the shrine/altar of sth idiom yeah

yeah, right! idiom you must be joking idiom

Distant in space and time

(in) the middle of nowhere idiom afar afield all/the four corners of the world/earth

away back be out of the

way idiom beaten cold corner distance distant distantly down
extreme eye far far-flung far-off faraway farther farthest further
furthermost furthest infinity light year light years away idiom lonely
long-distance long-range middle mile miles from anywhere/nowhere
idiom near not anywhere near idiom of off off the beaten track idiom out
idiom anywhere as far as the eye can/could see idiom

outlying remote remotely

tele- the back of beyond idiom virtually

way wide you're getting colder idiom

Morally wrong and evil

bad base be rotten to the core idiom black
canker corrupt criminal dark darkly dastardly debauched
abhorrent amoral anomie

debauchery decadence decadent degenerate demoniacal demonic depraved

depravity devilish diabolical disgrace dissipated dissolute enormity evil evildoer

fast fell force go to the bad idiom godless good hanky-panky

heinous immoral impure indecency indecent inglorious malevolent
malignant monstrous monstrously Mr nefarious no good idiom no more
Mr Nice Guy idiom obscene obscenity outrageous rotten satanic scandal

scandalous seamy seedy shocking shockingly sin

1 sinful

sleaze sleaze factor sleazy sordid squalid subhuman the forces

of evil idiom trespass turpitude unethical unprincipled

unsavoury unscrupulous vice vile villainous who're

wickedness wrong

wicked

Praising and applauding

(to give) credit where credit's due idiom a pat on the back idiom acclaim
acclamation accolade adulation applaud applause backslapping

big big sb/sth up

brief brownie build build sth/sb up celebrate cheer cheer sb on cheering

citation cite clap commend commendation compliment
complimentary congratulate congratulation credit credit sb with sth
decorate dedicate dedication dispatch earn/get/score brownie points idiom
encomium enthrone eulogize eulogy exalt exaltation extol felicitations fete

five full full marks to sb idiom give give (sth) up give sb five idiom
glorify glowing good good/great/lovely stuff! idiom gush gushing hail
hail sb/sth as sth hand handclap hat hats off to sb idiom have (got) to hand
it to sb idiom heap heap sth on sb highly honour it says a lot for
sb/sth idiom laud laudatory laurel laurel wreath lay lay it on a bit thick
idiom mention ooh ooh and aah idiom ovation paean panegyric pat
pat sb on the back idiom plaudit praise puff put in a good word for sb
idiom rave recognize rhapsodic rhapsody round round of
applause idiom say shout-out sing the praises of sb/sth idiom
sing. slap slow handclap standing ovation star stuff take your
hat off to sb idiom there there's a good boy/girl/dog! idiom
tribute vaunted we'll well done idiom word you're a star!
idiom

Intelligent people
academic bluestocking bookish bookworm brain bright spark clever
clever dick/clogs idiom egghead gnome intellect intellectual laureate mind
not be just a pretty face idiom pandit polymath pretty quick sage scholar
smart-arse swot the intelligentsia thinker wit wonk

Teachers

academic academician associate professor board of education coach

dean director docent don educationalist educator faculty fellow governess
guru handler head headmaster headmistress headship headteacher
housemaster housemistress instructor lecturer lectureship master
mentor miss mistress moralist pandit pedagogue principal prof prof
professor professorial professorship reader rector residence
schoolie schoolmarm schoolmaster schoolmistress
schoolteacher scribe

substitute substitute teacher

supervisor supply teacher teacher trainer tutor

Famous people
big name celebrity centre glitterati

great household name icon

immortal legend luminary megastar movie star name notable personage

personality public figure rising star star

superstar VIP

Important people and describing

important people
august baron be the cat's whiskers idiom

big big fish/gun/noise/shot/wheel idiom

big hitter bigwig cat chief colossus dignitary doyen

doyenne eminent exalted

fat cat first first among equals idiom get get over sth/sb get over
yourself! idiom grand grandee great guest of honour
heavyweight high high up high-level high-powered high-ranking
highly honcho kingpin lead 1 lead singer leading light linchpin lord
luminary lynchpin Mister Big mogul moment movers and shakers nabob
nibs notable number one of the moment idiom outrank
personage senior superior superiority the big boys the
bigger they are, the harder they fall idiom the grand old man of
sth idiom the great and the good idiom titan top dog uncrowned
VIP worthy

Rich people

better off billionaire capitalist champagne socialist

county deb debutante designer socialist elite fat cat gilded glitterati
haves jet-setter laird magnate means millionaire moneybags
multimillionaire nabob nob nouveau riche old money plutocracy preppy
rentier rich scion smart set socialite society squattocracy
squillionaire tax exile the beau monde the beautiful people idiom
the jet set toff tycoon wealthy well heeled well off yuppie yuppify
beautiful

a sprawling chteau near Cannes

Sounds made by objects, movement

or impact
babble bang

beep blare bleep bong boom

bump burble burr

chime chink chug clack clang clank clap clash clatter click clink clunk
crack crackle crackling crash crashing creak crunch ding ding-a-ling
ding-dong drone echo fizz fizzle go go off gunshot gurgle hiss
honk hoot hum jangle jangling jingle knock murmur patter peal ping
pink pip pitter-patter plonk plop plunk pop. pounding putter rasp rattle
report resonance resonate ring ringer roar roll rumble rumbling
rustle rustling scrape scream screech scrunch sing. sizzle slam
smack smash snap sonic boom sound spit splash splat
sputter squeak squelch swish swoosh thud thump thwack tick ting ting-aling tinkle toll toot tramp tread twang wash whine whirr whisper
whistle white noise whoosh

Fruits & seeds & their parts

acorn berry boll bur burr chaff chitin cocoa bean coffee bean cone

core endosperm flesh fruit fruiterer grain husk kernel mielie

nut oilseed peel peelings pine cone pine nut pip pit pith pithy rind seed
seed corn seed potato seeded seeded seedless sesame seed she'll skin
stalk stone thistledown windfall zest
conker

Movement through the air

buzz flight flit float flown fly glide hover levitate lift skim
skip soar somersault swish swishy swoop track waft wheel wing
airborne

Polite and respectful

civil civility civilized civilly courteous courtesy courtly couth

deferential euphemism gallant gentlemanly grace graceful
gracious keep a civil tongue in your head idiom pc polite
politely politically correct refined respect respectful
respectfully urbane well mannered
chivalrous chivalry

Royalty, aristocracy & titles

accede to sth accession archduke aristocracy aristocrat baron baroness
baronet baronetcy baronial barony be in line to the throne idiom blue blood blue-

civil list consort count countess court crown prince

crown princess crowned head czar czarina dame dethrone dowager ducal
blooded Britannic

duchess duke dukedom earl earldom emir emperor empress ennoble er esquire

grace hereditary hereditary peer Highness Hon. honourable honours list

honours system house HRH king kingship knight knighthood lady
ladyship liege life peer life peerage line lord lord lordship ma'am

maharaja maharani majesty marchioness marquis master MBE Messrs

miss mister monarch monarchist

Mr Mrs ms nobility noble

nobleman noblewoman order patrician peer peer of the realm

peerage peeress pharaoh prince prince consort Prince of Wales
princess queen queen mother R, r rajah ranee rani regal Regina

Rex royal Royal Highness royal prerogative royalist royalty Rt.

Hon. Shah sheikh sir

sire sovereign squire sultan the

Crown the Palace throne titled tsar tsarina tzar VC

viceroy viscount viscountess

Beauty and attractiveness

bloom chic crowning glory idiom dainty desirability elegant

fairness glory good looks gorgeous grace graceful grandeur homely
hourglass figure jewel lovely luscious lustre magnificent majesty nobility
attractive beauty

picturesque poetry pretty pulchritude radiance resplendent

shapely splendour stately sublime

voluptuous

sultry vision

Manners & levels of formality

buttoned-down ceremonial ceremonious ceremony decency decorum elevated

familiar formal formality formally genteel gentility grace

ground rules impropriety informal manner mind mind your p's and q's
etiquette

idiom non-U not the done thing idiom propriety pukka

refinement

solemnity stand stand on ceremony idiom stiff stiffly stiffness

the done thing idiom thing U, u valediction valedictory

Periods of time - general words

age at/in one sitting idiom chapter day duration gap grace grace period
headship in the making idiom interval leeway length life lifetime making
me time period rest run session shortly sitting slot span spasm

spell spree standing stint stretch term tide time frame time lag
timescale while

Uncontrolled

be like feeding time at the

zoo idiom cut cut loose idiom extravagance extravagant feed feral
free-floating frenzied hand harum-scarum have a mind of its own idiom he'll
indiscipline intemperate like mad idiom mad maniacal mind out of hand
idiom rampant raw rebellious riot riotous run run riot idiom run wild idiom
runaway spin spin out of control idiom spiral spread like wildfire
all hell breaks loose idiom amok amuck

idiom tearaway unbridled unchecked uncontrollable

unmanageable unregulated unrestrained unruly untamed
wayward wild

wildfire

Miscellaneous criminals
arson bigamy black market blackmail body snatcher

bootleg breaker brigand

burglar bushranger carjacking cat burglar con artist con man confidence trickster
counterfeit dacoit desperado embezzle expropriate extortioner fake fence fire

starter fire-raising fly-posting forger fraudster grass grifter gun-runner

gunslinger hacker hijack hoax housebreaker hustler intruder

joyriding kidnap kleptomania loiter loot lowlife lynch mob

mafioso man of straw mule mutineer nark phishing pickpocket
pirate plagiarize plunder poacher prowler punk racketeering
ram-raiding receiver riot robber rowdy-sheeter runner

rustler safebreaker safecracker shicer shoplifting skyjack smalltime smuggler snatcher stool pigeon stowaway straw

man

suicide bomber swindle terrorist thief tout

trafficker trespass vandal war criminal

Crimes against property

arson criminal damage fire-raising fly-posting hooligan interloper

trespass

vandalism vandalize

General words for fun

amusement crack craic fling fun gas giggle hoopla horseplay jollification
laugh merriment play riot rough rough and tumble idiom sport

Falling and dropping

arse ass

ass over teakettle idiom base

jumping collapse collapse/fall in a

drop drop like flies idiom drop sb/sth off fall fall
away fall down fall out fall over fly go arse over tit/tip idiom go/send sth/sb
flying idiom head first idiom headlong heap hit hit the deck idiom keel keel over
let let go idiom litter nosedive over overbalance parachutist plunge
pratfall put put sth/sb down relinquish shower sling slip spill stumble
take a spill idiom teakettle thump tip tip (sth/sb) over topple trip trip (sb)
heap idiom cropper crumple

up tumble wayside

Taking action against people in

power
anarchist angry young man bring bring sb down counter-revolution coup dharna
direct action firebrand freedom fighter guerrilla insurgency

insurgent

overthrow palace coup

partisan poacher poacher turned gamekeeper idiom put put sth
down 1 putsch rabble-rouser rebel rebellion rebellious red flag revolt
revolution revolutionary ringleader riot riotous rise rising secede
insurrection jihadi mujahideen mutineer mutiny

state of emergency street subversion subversive suicide

bomber terrorist the

IRA the Resistance the Troubles topple

troublemaker underground ungovernable
uprising

upheaval
a great change, especially causing or involving much difficulty,
activity, or trouble:
Yesterday's coup brought further upheaval to a country already struggling
with famine.
I'm not sure it's worth the upheaval of moving to gain just a little more
space.

Social order & disorder

affluenza anarchic anarchism anarchist anarchy ASBO bedlam breach

civil war disorder disorderly disorganized disturb

ferment free-for-all havoc instability law and order lawless
madhouse maelstrom mayhem order organized chaos pandemonium
chaos chaotic

pell-mell ragged riot riotous social exclusion strife

tinderbox

turbulence turbulent turmoil unrest upheaval water

cannon

News reporting & the press

carry chequebook city desk CNN columnist
correspondent court correspondent cover coverage cub reporter
current affairs desk dispatch file Fleet Street free press front-page gonzo
gossip column hack hit hit the headlines idiom hot hot off the press idiom
investigative journalism journalism journalist journo lay lay bare sth idiom
lead 1 lead with sth lobby correspondent make muckraking news
ambulance chaser

news agency news conference newshound newsroom newsworthy pap

paparazzi photojournalism press baron press

box press conference

press gallery press release press secretary reportage reported reporter
scoop silly season spoiler story syndicate syndicated the
gutter press the Press Association wire service 1

Government ministers & civil

servants
a.m. aide attorney general backbencher cabinet chancellery

Chancellor of

the Exchequer civil servant commissar commissioner customs officer

Eurocrat first minister Foreign Secretary functionary government Home

Secretary kitchen cabinet mandarin marshal minister ministerial MSP

MWA no. permanent secretary politician portfolio press secretary
private member private

secretary public servant registrar

regulator secretary Secretary of State senior statesman

servant shadow sitting member spin doctor superdelegate
supervisor Surgeon General the civil service the Opposition the

Privy Council town clerk undersecretary wet whip

Whitehall

New
a breath of fresh air idiom afresh avant-garde brand new brave new

break break

breath clean emerging fresh fresh freshly

groundbreaking imaginative infancy injection ink innovation innovative
latest latter-day mint minute 1 neo- new new newfangled newfound
newish newly novel novelty original originality pristine
the mould idiom

revolutionary the ink is not dry/still wet idiom the new kid on the
block idiom third-generation unheard-of unprecedented up-to-

the-minute idiom

Different and difference

a breath of fresh air idiom a whole new ballgame idiom a world of difference idiom

break break the

mould idiom breath changed changing chasm clash contrary
contrast contrasting cusp difference different differential
alternative another asymmetric atypical ballgame borderline

differentiation disambiguate discrepancy disjunction disparate disparity dissimilar

distinct distinction distinctive distorted diverge divergence divers diverse

diversify divide else exception extreme

from gap groundbreaking

gulf half heterogeneous how the other half lives idiom incompatible
incongruent juxtapose light and shade idiom magic margin misc. misfit
new nuance odd other otherness otherwise permutation pocket
refreshing several shade spread step sundry tangential
the exception that proves the rule idiom the odd one out idiom

uncharacteristic unequal uneven unlike unrepresentative

untypical variance variant variation varied variety various

various and sundry idiom which which is which idiom widely

world yawning

Humour & humorous

a bundle of laughs idiom amusing

barrel be a barrel of laughs/fun idiom

black humour blackly bring bring the house down

idiom bundle comedy comic comical coruscating crack don't
make me laugh! idiom drily droll dry facetious for a laugh idiom
funny funny ha-ha or funny peculiar? idiom gag gallows humour geddit?
GSOH hilarious hilarity humorous humour hysterical in-joke jest
jocose jocular joke joker jokester jokey jokingly josh killing knock
knock, knock! idiom lambent laugh lavatorial levity light lightly ludicrous
make a joke of sth idiom many a true word is spoken in jest idiom moon one
one-liner play play on words idiom playful priceless pun punchline punster
quip rapier rib rib-tickling ridiculous

sarcasm sarcasm is the lowest form of

smart stand
up standing joke the one about idiom tickle tongue
wit idiom satire satirize

scream sense

side-splitting

tongue in cheek idiom tongue in cheek uproarious wag wise guy wisecrack wit
witticism witty

wordplay wry you've

got to laugh idiom zany

Continue & last

(it's) business as usual idiom ball

bash bash on business

carry
carry (sth) on cease cont. contd continuation continue continued die drag
drag sth out draw draw sth out duration echo echo down/through the ages

flow further gavel-to-gavel get get on get on with sth

go go along go back go on go up to sth hang hang in there idiom have
legs idiom hold hold on/tight idiom hold out hold up holdover hour immortal in
the making idiom insist insist on doing sth keep keep at sth keep on doing
sth keep on trucking idiom keep sb at it idiom keep sth up last leg length
lengthen live making never say die idiom nine outlast outlive overran
idiom edifice endure

overrun perpetuate persist pick up/take the ball and run with it idiom plough
plough on press press on/ahead proceed progress prolong prosecute

prosecution protracted push push (sth) forward push ahead push on run

run on run over (sth) see see sth out segue show soldier

soldier on span spill spill over spin spin sth out stand stand

the test of time idiom stay stay the course idiom stick stick to

sth stick with it idiom stick with sth/sb stretch string string sth
out swerve the show must go on idiom the whole nine yards
idiom time-tested today today North America, tomorrow the
world idiom truck

Backwards, sideways and back and

forth

back back and forth idiom backward backwards

broadside counterclockwise crabwise dorsiflexion fro from hither hither and
thither idiom retro reverse right/wrong way round idiom round saw
side sideways stand stand back step step aside swept-back there
there and back idiom to and fro to-ing and fro-ing up wrong
anticlockwise aside

Disapproving & criticizing

acid aspersions assail attack back bad-mouth bag bash

bashing be down on sb idiom be gunning for sb idiom be on sb's
back idiom beat beat up on sb belabour blast boo boot brief broadside
call call sb out case censure cluck come under fire idiom
come/suffer under the lash idiom condemn criticism criticize damn
-basher

damn sb with faint praise idiom decry denounce denunciation deprecate derogate

dig dim dirty disapprobation disapproval disapprove

disapproving disparage down eat eat sb alive idiom excoriate fault find
fire fit flak frontal fulminate get off sb's back idiom get off sb's case
derogation

idiom get on sb's case idiom give sb a dirty look idiom give sb hell idiom

glass go go for the jugular idiom grief gun hammer hammering

hate hate on sb hater he'll heap heap sth on sb hit hit out hold hold
it/that against sb iconoclast if the cap fits (wear it) idiom inveigh against sb/sth

jump jump all over sb idiom knife knock knocker lash lash out
lashing low blow malign maul mauling monster nag nagging needle
niggle nitpick nitpicking not hold with sth opprobrium pan people who live in
jugular vein

glass houses shouldn't throw stones idiom personalize pick/pull sb/sth to

pieces idiom piece pillory pitch pitch into sb/sth poorly

potshot pounce pounce

on sth pound

pop. pot

pound away at sth/sb pour pour

put put sb down put the

boot in idiom put/stick the knife into sb idiom rip rip into sb/sth
rubbish run run sb/sth down sail sail in sarcasm sarcastic
sarky satirize say second-guess shred slag slag sb off slam slap slap
sb/sth down slate snipe stick stigma stricture strike strike out (at
scorn on sb/sth idiom pull pull sth apart

sb/sth) swipe
syndrome tear

take a dim view of sth idiom talk trash idiom tall poppy
1 tear sb/sth apart tear/rip sb/sth to shreds idiom thank

you

the pot calling the kettle black idiom there there you go idiom 1 there's little to
be said for sth idiom think think of sth/sb think poorly of sb/sth idiom

throw throw sb to the dogs idiom thumb thumbs down idiom

traduce trash turn turn on sb union-basher vitriol

cast your net wide

cast aspersions on sb/sth,

Knowledge and awareness

abroad acquaintance alert as every schoolboy/schoolchild knows idiom

at/in the back of your mind idiom awareness back be ahead of the game idiom be
in the loop/be out of the loop idiom best cognizance common
consciousness edification epistemic experience experiential familiarity
firsthand game general knowledge given glimpse grounding have a
nodding acquaintance with sb/sth idiom have a passing/slight/nodding
acquaintance with sth idiom idea insight introduction ken knowledge

literacy loop nod omniscient perception perceptive

perceptual schoolboy secret seize sensibility street smarts

Pop, rock & soul

B-side band bhangra blue-eyed soul boy band Britpop chart crunk
deejay disc jockey DJ drum and bass dub emo Europop gangsta rap garage
goth grunge hard rock headbanger headbanging heavy metal hip-hop
hit parade house jukebox jungle mod Motown New Age music pop
group pop. punk rock rap rock rock and roll rock chick rocker
sample sampler soul music techno thrash metal Tin Pan Alley
agit-pop

top ten trance trip-hop

Stupid and silly people

arse arsehole ass asshole berk birdbrain
blithering idiot blockhead blunder bogan bonehead boob booby bozo bright
spark buffoon bugger bungle burk charlie child chinless wonder chump clod clot
clown crackpot crank cretin cutup deadhead dickhead dimwit dingbat
dipstick div divvy dolt doofus dope dork duffer dullard dumbbell
a right one idiom airhead

dummy dunce dunderhead fathead figure of fun flibbertigibbet fool fucker

fuckwit galah goof goon goose half-wit headbanger headcase horse's

ass hoser idiot ignoramus imbecile jackass jerk joker klutz knucklehead
laughing stock lemon

lug lummox lump mopoke moron mouth-

breather mug muggins muppet mutt need need your head

examined idiom nincompoop ninny nit nitwit numbskull
numskull nut

nutcase nutter oaf peabrain peasant pillock

pinhead pipsqueak plonker prat prick putz retard right sap
scatterbrain schlub schmuck shithead silly silly billy idiom
simpleton stupid thicko

twit wally zombie

tit tosser turkey twerp twirp

Not saying much

a few well-chosen words idiom a

man/woman of few
words idiom abrupt brevity brief briefly cat concise crisp curt
few gnomic has the cat got your tongue? idiom laconic monosyllabic not

say

waste words idiom pithy quiet quietly

reticent say short subdued succinct taciturn taut terse wall walls have
ears idiom waste well chosen
boo idiom not

Easy to understand
(as) clear as day idiom accessible assimilate axiomatic clarity

clear clearly

come come across comprehensible crisp

crystal crystal clear idiom digestible explicit express
expressly graphic graphically hang hang together in words of one
syllable idiom incisive intelligible limpid lite loud loud and clear idiom
lucid open book pikestaff put/set someone straight idiom sharp sharply
straight taut transparent unambiguous understandable
undiluted unmistakable well defined word
cogent cohere coherence coherent

Apparent and obvious

(from) under your nose idiom apparent be (as) plain as the nose on your face idiom
be (right) under your nose idiom be etched somewhere idiom be writ large idiom

bold clarity clear clearly come come through

conspicuous course crisp definite distinct emblazon etch evident evidently
blatant blazon

explicit flagrant foregone conclusion glaring

greet I need hardly do sth idiom in

your face idiom it goes without saying idiom it stands to reason idiom leap leap out

at sb linear

loud loud and clear idiom manifest manifestly marked mile

naked nakedly need need I say idiom needless needless to say idiom no prizes
for guessing sth idiom no wonder idiom nose

obtrude obtrusive obvious

course idiom open open secret overt palpable

patent patently perceptible plain plainly prize pronounced public
publicly recognizable register say scream self-evident
shine shine out shine through speak speaks for itself idiom
squeaky stage stand stand/stick out a mile idiom stare
stare sb in the face idiom stark starkly straight striking take
obviously obvs of

centre stage idiom the squeaky wheel gets the grease idiom

undisguised visibility visible visibly wonder writ write written

all over sb's face idiom

Affected & insincere

arch artificial artsy-fartsy arty-farty camp camp it

up campy cheesy cloying constrained contrived cupboard love cutesy
emptiness empty factitious false falsely falsity fey forced front glib histrionic
histrionics hokey hollow hollowly insincere la-di-da lah-di-dah
mannered melodramatic meretricious oily oleaginous phoney pious
ponce ponce about/around posey precious preciously precocious
affectation affected

pretension pretentious pseud pseudo- rent-a- ring/sound hollow

idiom saccharine show

slick slimy smarmy smooth

smoothie stagy studied sugary talk talk the talk ... walk the
walk idiom theatre theatrical two-faced

Various qualities of food

cheesy citrus cordon bleu creamy crisp crispy crunchy crusty diabetic diet
digestible doughy dry

eggy farmhouse

fat-free fatty fibrous fishy

green halal herby homegrown homemade

hoppy instant isotonic kosher lean long-life low-fat macrobiotic
mature mealy mild mush mushy natural non-fat nutritious nutty
on the side idiom out of date oven-ready processed raw real rich richness
ripe ripen salt salted side solid starchy store-bought sugar-coated
sugar-free travel unbalanced unbleached undercook
unsliced untouched vinegary white yeast
floury fruity full-fat gamy garlicky

Helpers and accomplices

a tower of strength idiom abet accessory accomplice acolyte aide ally altar boy altar

auxiliary backup buddy collaborator confederate

girl assistant Asst

contact enabler facilitator father figure handyman help helper lifesaver man Friday mate moll partner right-hand man
second 1 support group support network tower
victim support

Hard and firm

crisp crispy crunchy
crusty erect firm firmness fossilized hard harden horny ossification
ossify petrified ramrod rigid rock-hard rock-solid solid solidly stiff
(as) stiff/straight as a ramrod idiom cast iron congeal

stiffly stiffness

temper tense unyielding

Sandwiches & snacks

chip club sandwich corn chips crisp crostini double-decker

fairy bread finger chip hero hoagie jam sandwich melt munchies nachos
BLT butty canap

nibble open

sandwich open-faced sandwich popcorn pork

scratchings potato chip round sandwich sarnie sub submarine

sandwich toasty

tortilla chip wrap

Puddings, desserts & ices

baked Alaska banana split banoffee pie blancmange choc ice Christmas pudding

cone cornet crisp crumble crme brle crme caramel dessert

dumpling Eton mess flan fool fruit salad granita ice ice cream ice cream cone
ice cream soda ice lolly iceblock Jell-O jelly knickerbocker glory lolly
mousse pavlova peach Melba plum pudding Popsicle pudding
rice pudding ripple roly-poly sago semolina sherbet slush
compote

smoothie sorbet souffl spotted dick summer pudding sundae

syllabub tapioca

zabaglione

tiramis trifle water ice whip

Also, extra, and in addition

(and) all the rest idiom -cum- ... at that idiom added addition additional again

all

the more idiom along also ancillary and and all that jazz idiom and
another thing idiom and co. idiom another at any rate idiom bargain
bells and whistles besides bolt-on boot
way idiom cap
etc. excess

buffer by the same token idiom by the

case co- content cowbell cumulative either else et al. et cetera

extra extra for good measure idiom for luck idiom further

furthermore good

hand have sth in hand idiom icing increasingly

incremental inter alia into the bargain idiom jazz like luck makeweight
margin margin of error more more cowbell idiom moreover not content

with sth/doing sth idiom not to say idiom on the side idiom on top of sth idiom

only other over parenthetical parents-in-law plus premium rate

rather regardless rest rider same say second 1 secondly side
still suchlike that the icing on the cake idiom then thing thirdly
to boot idiom to cap it all idiom to say nothing of ... idiom together

too top touch value-added way we'll what what's more

idiom whatnot yet

Things remaining

balance bastion cutpiece deposit dregs end for the

rest idiom ground hangover leave lee leftover loose ends mopping-up
other redoubt relic remainder remains remnant residual residue rest
(and) all the rest idiom

ruin rump scrapings sediment shirt stub

stump survival the shirt off

sb's back idiom throwback time capsule vestige wreckage

Using the eyes

a watch out idiom all eyes are on sb/sth idiom avert be all eyes
idiom be watching the clock idiom before your very eyes
idiom beheld behold bore bore into sb breathe breathe down sb's neck idiom
butcher case cast catch chart clap/lay/set eyes on sb/sth idiom clock
come come to sb's attention/notice idiom corner dart discern double
take espy eye eye contact eye sb up eye sth up eyeball eyeful

meet idiom fall fall on/upon sth feast feast your eyes on
sth/sb idiom fix focus gander gape gawk gawp gaze get get a load of that!
eyeing eyes

idiom get an eyeful idiom get him, her, you, etc.! idiom glance glare glimpse

just looking idiom keep tabs on

sth/sb idiom keep your eyes peeled/skinned idiom leer line line of sight idiom
lo load look look on look out for sb/sth look-see lookout meet not
take your eyes off sb/sth idiom notice observation observational observe
goggle have a butcher's idiom I'm

ogle out

of/from the corner of your eye idiom passer-by peek peep

peer penetrate penetrating perceive piercing regard rest

rubbernecker saw

scan see

seeing is believing idiom shoot shoot a glance at

sb idiom shufti sidelong sight sighting

stand over sb stare

rest on sb/sth

sneak spot spy squint stand

surveillance survey tab take take sth in throw

turn turn away unblinking unseeing view visual visualize visually

watch watch out for sb/sth watch the world go by idiom
witness

Informal words for good

ace all right bad badass banging be the bee's knees idiom be the
business idiom beat beaut bee bodacious bonzer boss brill business
canny champion cheap choice class cool cracking dandy def
die dope dream fab far out groovy half head head and shoulders
above idiom hunky-dory immense jim-dandy juicy killer knob knock knock
spots off sth idiom magic mean mega much neat nifty no mean
A-OK

achievement/feat idiom no mean sth idiom not so shabby/not too shabby idiom

now now you're talking idiom out of sight idiom out of this world idiom

phat pisser plum pukka quality rad red-hot

rock royal rule rule OK

idiom sb/sth rocks idiom serious shabby shit hot sight smashing some

splendiferous steal steal the show/scene idiom stonking

stupendous suck sucking diesel idiom swell take some beating
idiom that was a game, meal, walk, etc. and a half! idiom tip-top to
die for idiom top-notch unmissable unreal wicked wild with
(brass) knobs on idiom world

Newspapers & magazines

circulation colour supplement
comic daily paper e-zine edit edition editorial fanzine freesheet fullpage gazette glossy glossy magazine house journal house organ issue
back copy broadsheet brochure chronicle

journal lad mag magazine mail manga monthly

newsprint number

mouthpiece newspaper

organ page paper periodical press

print publication pulp quarterly rag reader readership run sentinel
serialize slick

Sunday paper supermarket tabloid tabloid the FT

trade tribune webzine weekly zine

Costing little or no money

affordable bargain bargain bin budget cheap cheap

rate cheaply

cheapness cheapo cheesy chintzy compliment complimentary cut-price cut-rate

dirt cheap downmarket downscale economical economically economy

pack

entry level ex gratia for a song idiom free free freeto-air give give sth away giveaway glossy gratis half-price
house inexpensive knock-down low-cost low-end low-rent
mass market mates' rate miserable miserably modest nominal nothing
economy-size

off-peak off-season

offer on the house idiom pants

reasonably rent-free rock bottom schlock small change snip

something something

for nothing idiom song steal supersaver tacky

there's no such thing as a free lunch idiom trinket valueless worthless

Paints, dyes & pigments

colour colourway distemper dye emulsion enamel fast flaxseed oil
gloss glossy henna Indian ink ink inky invisible ink lacquer linseed
oil marbling matt non-drip paint paint thinner pigment pigmentation poster
paint primer propanone rinse satin sienna spray gun thinner tint
tinted toner topcoat turpentine undercoat varnish varnished
warpaint white spirit whitewash

Light
beam brilliance candlelight daylight firelight floodlight fluorescent
glossy illumination incandescent incident ray infrared lamplight light
luminescent luminous moonbeam moonlight opalescent phosphorescent
photo

shiny starlight sun sunlight sunshine torchlight

The qualities of light

ablaze aglow backlit blinding bright

brilliant coruscating dazzling

flicker floodlit fluorescent glaring gleaming glittering glittery glossy

incandescent lambent light luminescent luminous lustrous moonlit
opalescent

optical phosphorescent polychromatic shimmering shine

spangly sparkling

starlight sun-drenched sunlit torchlight

ultraviolet wet-look

Making things better

a shot in the arm idiom add salt to sth idiom allay alleviate ameliorate assuage benefit

best better boost booster bootstrap brush brush up (on) sth

clear clear the air idiom clear up comfort cultivate cushion
cushion the blow idiom deepen difference ease edge elevate embroider
embroidery enhance enhancer enliven enrich fillip freshen freshen sth up

ginger ginger sth up hand heal heat help hone humanize improve
improve on/upon sth improver invigorate iterative knock/lick sth/sb into shape idiom

lift lighten liven (sb) up liven (sth) up make make a world of

difference idiom make sb/sth over mitigate mollify more palliate patch patch
sth up performance-enhancing perk perk up pill polish polish sth up
pull/haul yourself up by the/your (own) bootstraps idiom purify raise raise
your game idiom rationalize rectify redeem refine reform reformed
reformer regenerate rehabilitate rehabilitation reinvigorate relieve
leaven

remedial remediate remediation reorganize repair restructure revamp

revitalize revivify revolutionize right

salt salvage salve save save

the day idiom shape sharpen sharpen (sth) up shore shore sth up
shot smooth smooth sth out smooth sth over spice spice sth up
sting straighten straighten sb out streamline sugar the pill
idiom sugar-coated sweeten take sb/sth in hand idiom take the
edge off sth idiom take the heat off sb idiom take the sting out of
sth idiom that's more like it! idiom time time's a great healer

idiom tonic

touch touch sth up turn turn sth around turn sth

round tweak upgradation upgrade uplift upliftment upskill

upskilling vamp vamp sth up work work sth out world

Complete and whole

(up) to the hilt idiom A, a a/one hundred percent idiom absolute

absolutely aggregate all all all or nothing idiom all told idiom all-in-one
all-inclusive altogether at/in one fell swoop idiom away be an artist, professional,
etc. to your fingertips idiom blanket catch-all clean closure complete
completely completeness comprehensive comprehensively consummate
cover cross dead diametrically direct entire entirely entirety
exhaustive fairly fell fibre fingertip flat flat out 2 flatly from A to Z idiom from
head to toe idiom from stem to stern idiom full full-blown full-fledged full-length
full-scale fullness fully fully fledged global hand head heart
heart and soul idiom hilt holistic hundred implicit in toto in. inclusive
intact integrity last macro nothing once out of hand idiom outright
overwhelmingly piece plain plumb proper pure quite regular
root root and branch idiom self-contained sound soundly start stem
sweeping systemic thorough thoroughly through through and
through idiom to the last idiom told total totality totally toto unabridged
unadulterated unconditional

uncut undivided unequivocal

unexpurgated unfiltered unmitigated unqualified utter whole

wholesale wholly with every fibre of your being idiom

Cleaning generally

brush brush sb/sth off clean cleaner cleaning cleanse cleansing come
come out decontaminate disinfect fumigate fumigator groom Hoover

hose mop purification purifier purify rinse rinse sth out sanitize scour
scrub sluice sluice sth down/out sponge spring-clean squeegee
sterilization sterilizing swab sweep swill wash wash (sth) out wash
sth down wipe wipe sth down wipe sth up

Virtue and moral good

altruism angel angelic be as pure as the driven snow idiom be on the side of the

clean ethical good goodness high high-minded

incorruptible justifiable justified lily-white lofty moral nobility noble
principled pure purity right righteous rightful rightly rightness road saint
selfless spinach straight the road to hell is paved with good
angels idiom

intentions idiom the straight and narrow idiom unselfish

upliftment upright uprightly uprightness upstanding virtue

virtuous worthiness

Straight, even and level

clean clean-cut cleanly consistency even flat

flatness flush glassy level mellow peg plane rhythm seamless sleek
smooth square steady straight true
be (as) flat as a pancake idiom

Treating people or animals badly

bag bank be one in the eye for sb idiom beat beat sb at their own
game idiom beat sb hollow idiom beat sb out beating best better blow
annihilate

blow sb/sth away blow sth/sb out of the water idiom bring sb/sth to their knees

clean clean (sth) up cleaner clobber come come

from behind idiom comfortable conquer conquest
convincing crush defeat demolish down eye finish finish sb/sth off
front get the better of sb idiom hammer hammering hand head
heads I win, tails you lose idiom hiding hit hit the jackpot idiom 1 kick kick (some)
ass idiom kill knee lick licking make mincemeat of sb idiom massacre medal
idiom checkmate

mincemeat moral victory move/go in for the kill idiom near thing outclass outgun
outmanoeuvre outpace outperform

outplay outscore overpower overturn

overwhelm own pasting pip polish polish sth/sb off prevail psych
psych sb out pulverize pummel pwn Pyrrhic victory reel

reel sth off

ring rout run run away with sth run rings round sb idiom run sth off
scoop scoop the pool idiom scrape scrape home idiom see see sb/sth
off sew sew sth up shake shake sb/sth off shellacking slaughter
smash snatch snatch victory (from the jaws of defeat) idiom stomp stomp
on sb/sth sweep sweep the board idiom take take sb apart take sb down
take sb to the cleaner's idiom thrash trail triumph triumphal triumphalism
triumphant trounce trouncing trouser trump unassailable

unbeaten
undefeated upset vanquish victorious victory walk walk away
with sth walk off with sth walkaway whop win win (sth) hands

down idiom win hands down idiom winning wipe wipe the floor
with sb idiom worst

Forbidding and banning things

black blacklist bound cannot censor censorship

clean clean (sth) up curfew debar deny disallow disqualify forbid
forbidden impermissible interdict nix no. off-limits out of bounds
abolish abolitionist ban bar

idiom outlaw prohibit prohibition proscribe quash restricted selfcensorship taboo

unauthorized veto

Honesty, openness & sincerity

(as) straight as a die idiom above board
after after all idiom artless be on the level idiom bona fide bone
bottom candid candour card clean cleanly confide devoutly
earnest fair fair dinkum forthcoming from the bottom of your heart idiom
genuine good good-faith greet/welcome sb with open arms idiom guileless
(as) man to man idiom

heartfelt honest honest (to God/goodness) idiom honestly honesty honesty is the
best policy idiom honor system honorably honourable in all
honesty/seriousness/truthfulness idiom in good faith idiom

in. integrity joke

joking apart/aside idiom let let's face it idiom 1 level level with sb make no
bones about sth idiom man

nail nail your colours to the mast idiom on the

up (and up) idiom open open up open-hearted openly openness plain

speaking practise practise what you preach idiom probity put/lay your cards
on the table idiom raw

record rectitude scrupulous sincere sincerely

sincerity skinny spotless squeaky-clean stainless straight straight
arrow idiom straight up idiom straightforward tell the straight
and narrow idiom transparency transparent true truly

truthful unimpeachable unpretentious unvarnished up upfront

upright uprightly uprightness wart warts and all idiom

Stealing
abscond aggravated burglary appropriate appropriation

booty break

break in break in/break into sth breaking and entering idiom burglary burgle
carjacking case clean clean sb/sth out do 1 duff expropriate filch
finger go go off with sth have sticky fingers idiom have your fingers in the till
idiom heist hold hold sb/sth up hold up hot hot-wire housebreaker jemmy
jimmy job joyriding kleptocracy kleptomania knock knock sth off knock sth

lift light-fingered loot looting make make off with sth

misappropriate mug mugging nab nick palm pickpocket pickpocketing
over larceny liberate

pilfer pilferage pillage pinch piracy pirate plunder poach purloin raid ramraiding relieve relieve sb of sth rifle rip rip sth off rob

robbery run

run off with sth rustle rustling scrump shoplifting skim smashand-grab raid snaffle snarf snitch steal
stick up sticky

stick stick sth/sb up

sting stole stolen swag swipe theft thieve

thieving turn turn somewhere/sth over walk walk off with sth

whip

Running away and escaping

back back away back off bail bail out be at large idiom be on the
run idiom beat beat a retreat idiom bird bolt break break away break
out breakout bunk bunk off (sth) cheat cheat death idiom decamp defect
defection do a moonlight flit idiom elope elude escape escapology evade fled
abscond

flight flit fugitive gaolbreak getaway go/be run to ground idiom

ground heel jailbreak lam large leg loose make make a run for
flee

it idiom make off make yourself scarce idiom moonlight narrow on the loose
idiom pull pull

away reprieve retreat run run away runaway scarce scarper

scram shake shake sb/sth off shoot

shoot through skedaddle slip

stand stand clear take take to somewhere take to your heels

idiom the bird has flown idiom throw throw sth/sb off turn turn
tail idiom

Correcting and mending

catharsis clean

correct correction fiddle fiddle (around)

with sth fine-tune fix fix sth up I tell a lie idiom lie mend mending mess mess
with sth overhaul patch patch sth up purge put/set sb right idiom
recondition reconstruct reconstruction record rectify redress refine
clean (sth) up

refinement refit remediate remediation remedy repair repairable repairman

revised right service set/put the record straight

idiom smooth smooth sth away sort sort sth/sb out tinker
troubleshooting tune tune (sth) up tune-up under repair idiom
work work on sth
retrofit revise

Admitting & confessing

acknowledge acknowledgment admission admit admittedly avow

back back down clean climb climb down climbdown

come clean idiom concede concession concessionary confess
avowed

confession deny eat eat humble pie idiom eat

your words idiom fess up

hand hold/put your hands up idiom I must say idiom I stand

corrected idiom make a clean breast of it idiom mea culpa own own
up retract say self-confessed stand swallow swallow your words
idiom take take sth back

Animal physiology: fit & healthy

a clean bill of health idiom able-bodied acrobatic agile agree agree
with sb amazon an apple a day keeps the doctor away idiom apple athletic
athleticism be (as) fit as a fiddle idiom be (as) right as rain idiom be

back

on your feet idiom bionic blooming bonny bouncing brawn buff

clean clean-limbed coordinated early early to bed and early to rise (makes a
man healthy, wealthy, and wise) idiom fettle fighting fit fine fit fitness
foot get-well card glow good hale and hearty hard/tough as nails idiom
healthful healthy how are you keeping? idiom in the pink idiom iron
man keep limber lithe lusty match fit match fitness muscle-bound
muscled muscleman muscly muscular nail pink right robust
sound sportive sporty stalwart strapping strength sturdy tone toned
top trim vigorous virility we'll

Assertions & asserting

affirm airing assert assertion attestation aver avowal claim

contend designate

foot lay lay sth on the line idiom maintain make

make out sth misstate plead pled pretend put your foot down
idiom reaffirm rooftop set set yourself up as sth shout/proclaim sth
designation emphatic

from the rooftops idiom soi-disant

story take take it from me idiom

take sth from sb that's my story and I'm sticking to it idiom

Cleaning & tidying places & things

air airing bed brush char clean clean

(sb/sth) up clean sth out clean up after sb clean-up clear clear (sth) up clear
out clear sth away clear sth out clear up do 1 dry dry (sb/sth) off dry sth up
dust dusting fix freshen freshen (sb/sth) up going-over Hoover
housekeeping housework lick mop mop sth up muck muck (sth) out
neaten once-over sandblast scald shampoo smarten (sb/sth) up spiff
sb/sth up spit spit and polish idiom spring-clean spruce spruce sb/sth up
straighten straighten sth out straighten sth up tidy tidy sth
away vac vacuum valet ventilate wash wash (sth) up wash off
a lick and a promise idiom adjust

wash sth off washing-up

Beginnings and starts

a baptism of/by fire idiom a clean sheet/slate idiom advent baptism beginning

clean commencement dawn emergence flare-up flash from get-go

go/be back to square one idiom honeymoon inception initiation

introduction jumping-off point kick

salvo seed square

institution

off onset opening outbreak preface

start starting date starting point starting time the

outset the thin end of the wedge idiom thin trigger zero hour

a leap of faith idiom

a leopard can't/doesn't change its spots idiom

A level

a level playing field idiom

a lick and a promise idiom

a list as long as your arm idiom

a little bird told me idiom

a load of crap, nonsense, rubbish, etc. idiom

a load/weight off your mind idiom

Obeying & breaking the law

abide abide by sth adhere adhere to sth afoul

idiom book breach break

aid bend bend the law/rules

breaker buck

buck the system idiom

clean clean up your act idiom commission commit

compliant comply conform conform to/with sth contempt contravene derogate

fall fall foul of sth idiom flout follow go by

the book/do sth by the book idiom guilty hold hold sb to
sth infraction infringe infringement jump law and order lawabiding legit mind obey observance observe offend on the
derogation disobey enforce

right/wrong side of the law idiom perpetrate pervert recidivist

respect self-incrimination shalt side stick stick to sth transgress venal

violate violation

Not liking

abhor abide abominate allergic antipathy averse be no/little love lost between
idiom blench can't be doing with sth idiom can't stand the sight of sb/sth idiom civil

contempt contemptuous cordial cup cut cut no ice with sb idiom deplore
despise detest disdain disgusted dislike

do 1 down go go off sb/sth hate

hate sb's guts idiom have have a problem with sth/sb idiom have a thing

about sth/sb idiom have it in for sb idiom have no time for sb idiom house-room
how would you like...? idiom ill will kindly knife leave leave sb cold idiom

like loathe love mind misanthropic much not be sb's cup of tea
idiom not go much on sth idiom not have a civil word to say about sb idiom not

know what sb sees in sb/sth idiom not take kindly to sth idiom

off phobic problem put put sb off (sth/sb) see see sth in
sb/sth shy stand take take against sb the knives are out idiom
thing think time tire tire of sth turn turn (sb) against sb/sth
unlike

Obedient and compliant

according to acquiescent adherence answer answer to
sb be (like) sheep idiom be the creature of sb/sth idiom clean clean up
your act idiom complaisance compliance compliant creature dutiful
accordance

easy follower I'm easy idiom obedience obedient obeisance pliable

pursuant sheep slavish slavishly subservient tie tied to your

mother's/wife's apron strings idiom tractable what
what/whatever sb says goes idiom yielding

Flexible, loose and yielding

adrift bendable bendy ductile elastic elasticated elasticity elasticized expandable

floppy flowing full fullness give jointed loose

loose-fitting loosely looseness malleable plastic plasticity play pliable
pliant rubbery slack slacken slackness sloppy spring springy
sprung stretch stretchy supple tensile unstuck yield yielding
extendable flexible

Clean & tidy

(as) clean as a (new) pin idiom a place for everything and everything in its place
idiom apple aseptic be in apple-pie order idiom

clean cleanliness cleanness

clipped fresh godly groomed immaculate manicured neat neatly neatness

place potable pure purity salubrious shipshape so

span spick spotless squeaky-clean stainless sterile straight
tidy trim unmarked well kept
ordered orderly

Perceptive

acute acutely alert antenna eagle eye eye

idiom

gimlet have an eye for sth

have eyes in the back of your head idiom have

gimlet eyes idiom have/keep (all) your wits about you idiom hawk-eyed insight

observant perceptive percipient razor-sharp

sharp sharp-eyed sharply

wit

Sharp and blunt

blunt hone

keen point pointed pointy prickly razor-sharp sharp

sharpen sharply spike spiked spiky spiny whet

Potential
accident an accident waiting to happen idiom auspicious be an actor, cook, etc. in
the making idiom budding commanding

embryo embryonic fertile

fertile ground for sth idiom have (all) the makings of sth idiom latent making not be

beyond the wit of man/sb idiom potential potentiality potentially promise

promising propitious prospect prospective realizable

room room

for improvement idiom rosy sleeper untapped viable vista

wit yet

Accidents and disasters

a knockout blow idiom accident accidental accidentally accidentally on purpose

idiom accidents will happen idiom an accident waiting to happen idiom banana skin

calamity cataclysm catastrophe debacle devil disaster disaster

disastrous emergency holocaust knockout

area

meltdown
misadventure mishap perfect storm snafu the devil to pay
idiom tragedy

Frightening and scaring

blood chill chill sb to the bone/marrow idiom cow creep curdle daylight
fear flesh frighten frighten sb into sth frighten sb/sth away/off frighten/scare
sb out of their wits idiom ghoulish hair life make sb's blood curdle idiom
make sb's blood run cold idiom make sb's hair stand on end idiom make sb's skin
crawl idiom make your flesh crawl/creep idiom overawe petrify put the fear of God

into you idiom put/get the wind up sb idiom scare scare sb away/off scare sb
into doing sth scare sb shitless idiom scare sb/sth away/off scare, frighten, etc.
the (living) daylights out of sb idiom scare/frighten the life out of sb idiom
scaremonger send send chills down/up sb's spine idiom send

shivers
down/up sb's spine idiom send shudders/a shudder down your
spine idiom shiver shiver (up and) down your spine idiom
shudder skin spook strike strike fear/terror into sb idiom
terrify terrorize wind

1 wit witless

Complaining

be/go on at sb idiom beef bellyache bemoan besiege bewail

bitch bleat brouhaha bugger, sod, etc. this for a lark! idiom but carp cavil
chunter clamorous clamour complain complainant complaint
conchie create/kick up/raise a stink idiom cry cry foul idiom cry out
against sth expostulate gnash your teeth idiom gnashing of teeth
idiom grievance gripe grizzle groan grouch grouse grumble harp harp

issue kick kick off kick up a

fuss/row/stink idiom kvetch lark lodge make a noise about sth idiom make
on (about sth) huff huff and puff idiom

noises idiom make representations/a representation to sb/sth idiom moan

moaning minnie murmur

mutter mutterings nag nagging nark

noise

old woman on pardon pardon me for breathing/existing/living! idiom

peep petty protest protestation querulous quibble rail raise a rumpus
idiom remonstrate report represent representation rumbling rumpus
sit sit in squawk squeal start start on at sb stink vituperative
wail whine whiner whinge whinger whiny write write sb up

make representations/a representation to sb/sth idiom

make sb look small idiom

make sb sweat idiom

make sb's blood boil idiom

make sb's blood curdle idiom

make sb's blood run cold idiom

make sb's day idiom

make sb's hair stand on end idiom

make sb's heart flutter idiom

Self-control and moderation

ahold be in command (of yourself) idiom collect command

constraint continent cut cut your coat according to your cloth idiom
decorous dignified dignity disciplined easy frugal get a grip (on yourself) idiom go
easy idiom go steady on sth idiom grip

impervious level light

lightly master mind mind over matter idiom moderation moderation

in all things idiom monastic monasticism pull pull yourself together puritanical
puritanism restrained restraint restrict

restrict yourself to sth rise

rise above sth self-controlled self-denial self-discipline selfrestraint sparing steady stint temperance willpower

Calming and relaxing

a weight off your mind idiom
bread bread and circuses idiom break break the ice idiom calm calm (sb)
down chill chill out chillax compose cool cool (sb) down/off cool it
idiom decompress decompression defuse ease ease up/off emollient gather
your wits idiom hang/stay loose idiom home humour icebreaker keep your
ahold assuage bask be/take

shirt on idiom kick kick back let/blow off steam idiom lie down lighten lighten sth

up lighten up loose lull lull sb into sth make yourself at home idiom mellow

melt pacifier pacify placate placatory placebo pour pour oil on troubled
waters idiom propitiate propitiatory put

put sth up put your feet up idiom

quiet relax relaxation relaxing sedate settle settle (sb) down

shirt shower simmer simmer down slow slow down soften soothe
steady steam still take things easy idiom take/need a cold

shower idiom thaw thing unbend unwind weight

wind down wit

wind 1

Extremely good

ask ask for sb/sth award-winning awesome bang-up banging

beauty blow/knock your socks off idiom bowl brilliant capital
classic commendable compare crack divine every excellence
excellent exceptional extraordinaire extreme fabulous fabulously famously
fantastic favourable fine first class first-rate five-star flight form
four-star golden gourmet grand great high-class high-grade
admirable amazing

immense incandescent incomparable incredible inspired irreplaceable

keen

life is just a bowl of cherries idiom magnificent marvellous matchless of the

year idiom optimal optimum outstanding

par excellence parallel

peerless pre-eminent pre-eminently premium prime prize prodigious

quality record-breaking select sensational sick

sock splendid star

stellar sterling sublime super super superb superior

superiority

superlative superlatively supremacy supreme terrific textbook the

the top flight idiom times

top top top-drawer top-flight tops 2

towering tremendous vintage wonderful wonderfully wondrous

wondrously world-class year ber-

Succeeding, achieving and fulfilling

accomplish ace achieve acquit

act actualize attain be a hard/tough act to follow

idiom be getting somewhere idiom be in at the death idiom be on the road to sth idiom

be the making of sb idiom be/get in the groove idiom

bed down big bomb break

bear bear fruit idiom bed

break the back of sth idiom bring bring sth off

carry carry sth off carry sth out carry sth through carve carve sth out (for yourself)
catch catch on chalk chalk sth up clear

climax climb clock clock sth up

come come back from the dead idiom come into your own idiom come off come
up to sth come up with the goods idiom consummate count count towards sth
dead death deliver distinguish do nicely idiom do sb proud idiom do the
job idiom dream effect establish excel execute far first base
follow follow (sth) through foot fulfil get get (sth) off the ground idiom get
ahead get away with sth get in/get into sth get off on the right/wrong foot idiom get

through sth get to/reach first base idiom get your own way idiom go (like/down) a
bomb idiom go (off) without a hitch idiom go far idiom go from strength to strength
idiom go into orbit idiom go places idiom go the whole hog idiom

good

grade groove ground have the last laugh idiom have your/its moments
idiom hit hit the ground running idiom hitch hold if it/a thing is worth
doing, it's worth doing well idiom job job done idiom kill kill two birds with
one stone idiom last lead 1 leap live live out your dreams/fantasies idiom
live up to sth look make make a splash idiom make good idiom
make good on sth idiom make it (to the top) idiom make it big idiom make out
make the grade idiom make your way idiom making manage

measure

measure up meet moment necessity necessity is the mother of invention

idiom never look back idiom nicely not put a foot wrong idiom notch notch sth
up omelette on target idiom only orbit own
dividends idiom pay off place

pan pan out pay pay

play play your cards right idiom prosper

proud pull pull sth off pull sth together punch punch above your weight idiom

qualify reach reap reap the benefit, reward, etc. idiom ride, drive, walk,

etc. (off) into the sunset idiom rise

road romp romp through sth sail sail

through (sth) scale scale the heights idiom score scrape scrape
through (sth) see see sth through sew sew sth up shine somewhere
splash spur squeak stand stand out storm streak streak
ahead strength succeed sunset take take hold idiom take off
target there thrive throve true trump turn/come up trumps
idiom wade wade through sth walk walk it idiom waltz waltz
through sth way whole win win out win through win/gain
your spurs idiom wish-fulfillment wonder work work
wonders/miracles idiom work/do wonders idiom work/go like a
dream idiom worth you can't make an omelette without
breaking eggs idiom

Linguistics: very & extreme

absolutely achingly all

all and any arch arrant as

guilty/miserable/ugly as sin idiom awful awfully bad badly beyond big big
time bit bitterly blindingly but classic classical complete
abject absolute

completely damn dashed deadly dearly deeply desperate desperately

devastating devilishly downright drop dead! idiom eminently enormously esp.

especially even ever exceedingly extraordinarily extreme

extremely fantastic far fearfully fiendishly fierce fiercely flat out 2 frightfully
gnarly great greatly heartily heavily hella helluva hideously highly
honestly how hugely imagine immensely impossibly incredibly
indeed infinitely innit jolly jolly well just like literally little majorly
massive mighty monumentally most must none none too idiom

not not all that idiom one particularly peculiarly perfect

perfectly plain positive positively precious precisely profound
profoundly quite

rank rather raving real

really resounding richly

right screamingly scrupulous searing sensationally serious seriously

sheer significantly sin 1 smack so something fierce idiom sorely
spanking specially

spectacular spectacularly stark stiff stonking

strongly strongly held stupefy sublimely such super supremely surpassing

too totally
tremendous ultra- uncommonly unutterably v vastly veritable very violently
way we'll whatever whatsoever whole wide wonderfully
terrible terribly terrific thorough thoroughly thumping

Stupid and silly

(as) thick as two short planks idiom -brained absurd adolescent against your better
judgment idiom
idiom be

all asinine bananas barking barmy batty be (as) daft as a brush

crazy about sb/sth idiom be not all there idiom be off your chump

idiom be off your nut idiom be quick/slow on the uptake idiom birdbrain bonkers

certifiable chump cockamamie cockeyed

cracked crackers crackpot cranky crazy credulous cretin cuckoo
daffy daft dense dim dim-witted dippy ditsy ditzy dizzy dopey dorky dotty
dozy drink, laugh, etc. yourself silly idiom drivel dull dumb empty-headed
farce fathead fatuous feeble-minded fond fondly fool foolish four-oh-four
funny get it into your thick head idiom gibber goofy gormless gullible
bovine brainless bumbling

half-assed half-baked half-witted harebrained have shit for brains idiom

head idiotic ill-advised ill-conceived illogical imbecile impolitic imprudent

in his/her/their wisdom idiom in sb's infinite wisdom idiom inadvisable

infinite injudicious insane insanely insanity joke judgment

laughable loco loony loopy

ludicrous lumpen lumpish mad

madcap mental messed up mind mindless misbegotten
moronic namby-pamby no-account nonsensical nut nuts
nutty oafish obtuse out of 2 out of your mind idiom
out of your mind/head idiom peabrained potty preposterous
puerile ridiculous risible screwy

senseless shit silly

simple-minded slow slow-witted spastic stupid subnormal
the joke is on sb idiom thick uncritical unreasonable unwise
uptake vacuous vapid wanky weak-minded wisdom witless
wrongheaded

Full

alive alive with sth idiom awash be a rich seam to mine idiom be riddled with sth
idiom be shot through with sth idiom

block brimful bristle bristle with sth bulge

burst burst at the seams idiom bursting at the seams idiom chock-a-block chockfull chocka chocker clog congested crammed cramped crawl crowded
flooded full fullness gunwale heaped heaping heaving heavy
heavy with sth idiom jam jam-packed jammed laden level litter load
loaded lousy overcrowded overflow overstuffed packed packed
packed/squashed like sardines idiom populous replete ridden riddled rife

sardine saturate saturation point seam seethe shot

sit sit on

sb's stomach idiom squash stuffed swarm swarm with sth

teem teem with sth teeming to the gunwales idiom

Spectacles & performances

act aerobatics airshow amateur dramatics barnstorm bullfight coproduction command performance curtain-raiser date double bill enact
entertainment extravaganza first night floor show happening mano

a mano

masque matinee minstrel show music hall night one-night stand one-person

opening night pageant pantomime party piece performance

performance art premiere preview production Punch and Judy show
pyrotechnics rendering rendition repertoire review revival revue road
routine run season show show business showbiz sideshow sneak
preview son et lumire spectacle spectacular spot staging stand
star-studded street theatre strip striptease swansong tableau talent contest

tattoo theatricals tour

turn variety warhorse

Places and locations

action behind
capital core direction ground zero heartland hub in. locale locality location
loci locus lot Mecca nestle of oxygen bar place point position
post scene seat set setting site situation spot station stronghold
a place for everything and everything in its place idiom

the holy of holies venue whereabouts

General location and orientation

-oriented about abroad along anterior around back back onto sth bearing
direction endways

every exposure far fix front frontal here here and

there idiom hind in situ left left-hand nearside

orientation overleaf place

offside on-site orientated

point position positional R, r

reachable rear rearmost right right-hand right/wrong way round idiom

round side-on spot surface way

Patterns and shapes

boss cake candy-striped check checked
checkered chequered contort contour corrugated criss-cross cross
amorphous arabesque argyle bar

curvilinear cutout dappled deform deformed design dimensioning Fair Isle figure

floral flowery form format formless

geometry grain herringbone kaleidoscope line linear lined
marbled mill misshapen motif mottled outline paisley pattern patterned
pinstripe pocket handkerchief polka dot print quadrangular reshape
reticulation rhomboid ribbing sagittal semilunaris shape shaped
shaped shapeless sigmoid silhouette silhouetted speckled spot
spotted square squared stick stippled streak streamline
striated striation stripe striped stripy style styloid swoosh take
of eight filigree flecked

shape idiom tartan tessellate tessellated tooled V-shaped

variegated wavy weave willow pattern work zigzag

Dirt & untidiness

blot blotch clutter contaminant contaminate

crud daub defile dirt dirtiness disarray disaster area disorder dog dust
a dog's breakfast idiom bloodstain

filth filthiness fleck grime gunge gunk guttersnipe impurity ingrained jumble

jungle mark mess muck muddle muddled omnishambles

pollutant polluter pollution scruff shambles slime slob

slovenly slut smear smudge speck speckle splodge splotch

spot squalid stain streak tidemark untidy

Passive and not working

action anywhere arse arse about/around backside breather breathing

space bum bum around dormant downtime drift drift with the tide idiom
five float gaze at/contemplate your navel idiom hands-off have time on your
hands idiom have time to kill idiom idle idle sth away idly inaction inactive inert
knock knock around laissez-faire layoff laze leave leave sb be idiom lie lie
around moribund navel neutral not get/go anywhere idiom nurse
out of action idiom own passive passivity recharge recharge your
batteries idiom repose rest rest up sedentary siesta sit sit (around) on
your backside idiom sit around sit by sit down sit on sth sit on your arse idiom

sit on your hands idiom 1 sit on your hands slob slob around (sth)
slop slop around (sth) spare stagnant stew take five idiom

time torpid veg veg out vegetate

Boredom, tedium and boring things

bromide cabin fever commonplace

corn crashing bore dead zone drab dreary dull ennui flatness
a wet weekend idiom banal bland boredom

frustration insipid longueur monotony platitude restless screed sterility

stodgy stuffy tedious tedium torpor treadmill turgid wet

yawn

Using the eyes

a watch out idiom all eyes are on sb/sth idiom avert be all eyes
idiom be watching the clock idiom before your very eyes
idiom beheld behold bore bore into sb breathe breathe down sb's neck idiom
butcher case cast catch chart clap/lay/set eyes on sb/sth idiom clock
come come to sb's attention/notice idiom corner dart discern double
take espy eye eye contact eye sb up eye sth up eyeball eyeful
eyeing eyes meet idiom fall fall on/upon sth feast feast your eyes on
sth/sb idiom fix focus gander gape gawk gawp gaze get get a load of that!
idiom get an eyeful idiom get him, her, you, etc.! idiom glance glare glimpse

just looking idiom keep tabs on

sth/sb idiom keep your eyes peeled/skinned idiom leer line line of sight idiom
lo load look look on look out for sb/sth look-see lookout meet not
take your eyes off sb/sth idiom notice observation observational observe
goggle have a butcher's idiom I'm

ogle out

of/from the corner of your eye idiom passer-by peek peep

peer penetrate penetrating perceive piercing regard rest

rubbernecker saw

scan see

seeing is believing idiom shoot shoot a glance at

sb idiom shufti sidelong sight sighting

stand over sb stare

rest on sb/sth

sneak spot spy squint stand

surveillance survey tab take take sth in throw

turn turn away unblinking unseeing view visual visualize visually

watch watch out for sb/sth watch the world go by idiom
witness

a tower of strength idiom

a treat idiom

a turn of the screw idiom

a walk in the park idiom

a watch out idiom

a wet weekend idiom

a whale of a idiom

a whole lot idiom

a whole new ballgame idiom

Words meaning small pieces and

amounts

bit by a nose idiom chip clipping crumb dab dash dice dollop
drip drop droplet filing flake fraction fragment gently germ gobbet grain
granule handful hint iota jot knob length lick lite little matter
mite modicum morsel mote nose oddments ounce paring particle pat
patch peewee pennyworth piece piece pinch pinpoint pinprick
ray scattering scintilla scrap section shadow shard shred skinny
-grained

slice slip sliver smattering smidge smidgen smithereens soupon spark

speck splinter spot

suggestion suspicion swatch tad thimbleful

tidbit tiddler titbit touch trace trickle

Embarrassing

awkward cringe cringe-making curl curl up and die idiom embarrass embarrassing

information painful put sb on the spot idiom show show sb up spare

spare sb's blushes idiom spot

idiom

toe-curling too much information

The skin, hair & bone of non-human

animals
-haired alpaca angora astrakhan

beard bearskin bone bristle bushy

coat coated cocoon coney cony cowhide dander

down downy ermine feather feathered fleece fluff fox fur furry fuzz
fuzzy goatskin hackles hairless hairy hide horsehair ivory
lambswool mane mink mother-of-pearl pearl pelt plumage plume
plumule prickle quill root ruff sable scale sealskin seashell she'll
sheepskin skin spine spinneret spiny tortoiseshell vellum whisker wirehaired wishbone wool
carapace chitin

Watercourses & waterfalls

beck billabong brook burn canal

cascade cataract creek downriver downstream fall flume fluvial
ford ghat gorge gulch gully maelstrom R, r rapids river riverbed rivulet
rushing sluice spate stream the Thames torrent upriver upstream
arroyo barrage bayou

watercourse waterfall

watershed waterway whitewater

Masses and large amounts of things

accumulation amplitude an embarrassment of riches idiom any number of things

battery bit blizzard block boatload body

bonanza bounty bucketload bulk cascade chunk clod clot cloud clump
conglomeration cornucopia corpora corpus deal deluge embarrassment end
few fistful flood foam force fund gallon generality good hail haul
heap heaps hoard host hulk hump hunk lashing lather legion lion
idiom backlog

logjam lot

lump many mass mound mountain

end of sth idiom no fewer than idiom

multitude myriad no

number oodles outpouring panoply pile

plethora predominance preponderance profusion pulp raft

reservoir river rivers of sth idiom scads score

rash ream

sea shedload

sheet shitload shower sight slab slew 1 smorgasbord soapsuds

spate squillion stack stacked stream suds superabundant tablet
the lion's share idiom thousand tidal wave ton torrent umpteen
volley wadge wall wave wave after/upon wave idiom wedge welter
whoosh wodge

Precipitation: rain

acid rain bucket bucket down cloudburst deluge downpour driving

drizzle heaven
piss piss

it's raining cats and dogs! idiom mizzle pelt pelt (down) idiom

down precipitation puddle rain rain gauge rainbow

raindrop rainfall rainstorm rainwater Scotch mist sheet

shower spatter
spit spot sprinkle teem the heavens open idiom tip torrential
wash wash (sth) out washout wet

Environmental issues

acid rain anti-consumerist biodegradable biodegrade biological

control biome biotic biotic index carbon capture carbon credits carbon
emissions carbon footprint carbon offset carbon sink carbon tax
carbon trading carbon-neutral carbon-zero climate change
compostable conservation conserve decontaminate defoliant

deforestation demographic depopulate disafforest disposable

dumping

dumping ground eco- eco-audit eco-footprint eco-friendly

eco-

label ecological ecological footprint ecologist ecology ecosystem

ecotourism emission

energy-efficient environment

environmental environmentalism environmentalist

environmentally friendly exhaustible fallout fuel-efficient
geoengineering global warming globalization green green
audit greenhouse gas greening greenwash grey water insolation
landfill life-support system litter litterbug low-energy natural
resources noise pollution non-renewable nuclear waste nuclear
winter off-grid off-the-grid offset oil slick oil spill organophosphate
overpopulated ozone ozone-friendly particulate

PCB peak oil

poison pollutant pollute polluter pollution

pop. populate population preservation preservationist
protect rape reclaim reclamation recyclable recycle recycled
recycling reduce reduce, reuse, recycle idiom refuse dump renewable
renewables reprocess reuse scrapyard scrubber season creep slick slow
city smog solar energy solar power spillage sustainable the
greenhouse effect the National Trust the ozone layer the
polluter pays principle idiom throwaway tip tipping point tree hugger
photochemical smog

unleaded unsustainable upcycle upcycling zero-carbon

Spreading and scattering

all over the place idiom bedaub bestrew billow circulate cross-contamination daub

diffuse disperse dispersion disseminate distribute distribution dot

fan fan out go go round (somewhere)

go/do the rounds idiom out percolate place radial radiate ramble
rambling round scatter scattered slap slap sth on slather smear
smudge spatter spattered splay sprawl spread spread out sprinkle
sprinkling straggle stretch strew suffuse sweep widespread
dredge dusting encroach on/upon sth

Skin complaints & blemishes

abscess acne

alopecia athlete's foot bedsore birthmark black

black
and blue idiom black eye blackhead blister blotch boil
bruise bruised bruising calloused callus carbuncle chapped chilblain
cold sore come come out in sth contusion corn

cradle cap crusta lactea

cyst dandruff dermatitis diaper rash dry eczema erythema first-

degree burn fleabite head heat rash hickey hive horny

impetigo itch

itchy jaundice jaundiced jock itch Kawasaki disease leper

leprosy livid love

bite lupus melanoma nappy rash nettlerash peel

pimple pimply pitted pizza face pockmark pockmarked port wine stain prickle
prickly heat pruritus psoriasis pustule pyoderma gangrenosum rash

red ringworm rosacea running sore sac scab scabby scabies scald
scaly scar scurf second-degree burn shiner shingle shoe bite sinus
sore spot spotty sunburn sunburned third-degree burn ulcer
ulcerated verruca vesicle wart warty weal welt zit

Disorders of muscles & the nervous

system

agnosia akinetic-rigid HD ALS Alzheimer's amnesia amyotrophic lateral

sclerosis aphasia Arnold-Chiari malformation atrophy brachial plexus injury

brain death brain-dead catalepsy cerebral palsy

charley horse Chiari malformation chronic fatigue syndrome CJD

coma comatose corticobasal ganglionic degeneration cramp CreutzfeldtJakob disease crick demyelinating disease dystonia EA encephalitis

epilepsy epileptic fibromyalgia fit GBS Guillain-Barr syndrome

hernia Huntington's chorea Huntington's disease hydrocephalus
hydrophobia kink leper leprosy Lou Gehrig's disease lubag me
meningitis meningocele Morton's metatarsalgia motor neuron disease ms
multiple sclerosis multiple system atrophy muscular dystrophy
myalgic encephalomyelitis myasthenia gravis myelin damage
myelocele myoclonus narcolepsy nervous neuralgia
neurodegenerative neuropathic neurosurgery NMO paraplegia paraplegic
Parkinson's peripheral nerve injury persistent vegetative state progressive
supranuclear palsy punch-drunk

quadriplegic rabid rabies

rupture Saint Vitus' dance sciatica shin splints shingle ShyDrager syndrome spasm spasmodic dysphonia spasmodic torticollis spastic

tic Tourette's syndrome

trigeminal neuralgia twitch vapour white matter disease writer's cramp
Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome

Skin complaints & blemishes

abscess acne

alopecia athlete's foot bedsore birthmark black

black
and blue idiom black eye blackhead blister blotch boil
bruise bruised bruising calloused callus carbuncle chapped chilblain
cold sore come come out in sth contusion corn

cradle cap crusta lactea

cyst dandruff dermatitis diaper rash dry eczema erythema first-

degree burn fleabite head heat rash hickey hive horny

impetigo itch

itchy jaundice jaundiced jock itch Kawasaki disease leper

leprosy livid love

bite lupus melanoma nappy rash nettlerash peel

pimple pimply pitted pizza face pockmark pockmarked port wine stain prickle
prickly heat pruritus psoriasis pustule pyoderma gangrenosum rash

red ringworm rosacea running sore sac scab scabby scabies scald
scaly scar scurf second-degree burn shiner shingle shoe bite sinus
sore spot spotty sunburn sunburned third-degree burn ulcer
ulcerated verruca vesicle wart warty weal welt zit

Apparent and obvious

(from) under your nose idiom apparent be (as) plain as the nose on your face idiom
be (right) under your nose idiom be etched somewhere idiom be writ large idiom

bold clarity clear clearly come come through

conspicuous course crisp definite distinct emblazon etch evident evidently
blatant blazon

explicit flagrant foregone conclusion glaring

greet I need hardly do sth idiom in

your face idiom it goes without saying idiom it stands to reason idiom leap leap out

at sb linear

loud loud and clear idiom manifest manifestly marked mile

naked nakedly need need I say idiom needless needless to say idiom no prizes
for guessing sth idiom no wonder idiom nose

obtrude obtrusive obvious

course idiom open open secret overt palpable

patent patently perceptible plain plainly prize pronounced public
publicly recognizable register say scream self-evident
shine shine out shine through speak speaks for itself idiom
squeaky stage stand stand/stick out a mile idiom stare
obviously obvs of

stare sb in the face idiom stark starkly straight striking take

centre stage idiom the squeaky wheel gets the grease idiom

undisguised visibility visible visibly wonder writ write written

all over sb's face idiom

Not of good quality

apology atrocious awful

awfully bad badly be an apology for sth idiom cheap cheapo
cheesy clunky come/be a poor second, third, etc. idiom crap crappy day job
a miserable, poor, etc. excuse for sth idiom

don't give up the day job! idiom downmarket

downscale dreadful dreadfully

excuse garbage garbage in, garbage out idiom gay gimcrack ill
inadequacy inadequate low mean meretricious motley mouldy not set
the world on fire idiom of sorts idiom paltry pants pathetic pisser poor
rinky-dink schlock set shite shitty shocking shockingly sort tacky
dreck dross

terrible third-class third-rate tinny trinket unattractive unimpressed

worst wretched

Morally wrong and evil

bad base be rotten to the core idiom black

canker corrupt criminal dark darkly dastardly debauched
abhorrent amoral anomie

debauchery decadence decadent degenerate demoniacal demonic depraved

depravity devilish diabolical disgrace dissipated dissolute enormity evil evildoer

fast fell force go to the bad idiom godless good hanky-panky

heinous immoral impure indecency indecent inglorious malevolent
malignant monstrous monstrously Mr nefarious no good idiom no more
Mr Nice Guy idiom obscene obscenity outrageous rotten satanic scandal

scandalous seamy seedy shocking shockingly sin

1 sinful

sleaze sleaze factor sleazy sordid squalid subhuman the forces

of evil idiom trespass turpitude unethical unprincipled
unsavoury unscrupulous vice vile villainous who're

wickedness wrong

wicked

Surprising and shocking

a blinding flash idiom a bolt from/out of the blue idiom amaze amazing astonish

blow blow sb away

bolt book bowl bowl sb over breath breathtaking catch catch sb
astonishing astound astounding awe blinding blindside

napping idiom catch sb off guard idiom catch sb on the hop idiom catch sb on the
wrong foot idiom catch sb with their pants/trousers down idiom confound creep

creep up on/behind sb dismay dynamite earth-shattering expectation eye-opener

faze flabbergast floor

guard have a sting in the/its tail idiom hit hit sb

between the eyes idiom hop jaw-dropping jump kicker mind-blowing
mind-boggling miraculous one for the books idiom overtake pull pull sb
up short idiom pull sth out of the bag/hat idiom raise raise (a few) eyebrows
idiom reality check revelation sensationalism shock shock tactics
shocking spring spring sth on sb stagger staggering startle
startling sting stun stunning stupefy stupendous surprise
surprising surprisingly take take sb aback take sb's breath
away idiom thunderbolt titillating turn up turn-up for the
book(s) idiom unbelievable walk walk in on sb world-shattering

wrong

a bitter pill (to swallow) idiom

a blanket of sth idiom

a blast from the past idiom

a blessing in disguise idiom

a blinding flash idiom

a blitz on sth idiom

a blot on sb's character idiom

a blot on the landscape idiom

a bolt from/out of the blue idiom

Confusion, confusing and feeling

confused

a chicken and egg situation idiom addle all of a doodah idiom all over the place idiom
at sea idiom at sixes and sevens idiom baffle be at a loss idiom be no/without rhyme
or reason idiom be none the wiser idiom be one/another of life's great mysteries idiom

beg beg the question idiom bemused bewilder bewildering boggle

brainstorm bushed chaos chaotic chicken Chinese puzzle
come confused confusion consternation conundrum culture shock dazed
depth disarray discombobulate disorder disorganized disorientate
disoriented distraction dither dizziness dizzy dizzying doodah enigma
enigmatic ferment flummox flutter fog fuddle garbled get
guess havoc head/mind is whirling idiom hit in a flutter idiom in a spin
idiom inexplicable information overload jigsaw know life loss
mind-boggling miracle mistake mistake sb/sth for sb/sth mix mix sb/sth up
muddle muddle sb/sth up muddle-headed muddled mush muzzy
mysterious mystery mystification mystify mystique not know what
befuddled

hit you idiom not know where/which way to turn idiom not know
whether to laugh or cry idiom not know whether you are coming
or going idiom off balance out
perplexity place

of your depth idiom perplex

play play a joke/trick on sb idiom poser

puzzle puzzle over sth puzzled puzzlement puzzler puzzling

ramshackle red herring rhyme riddle sea search shambolic six
spin stuck talk/speak in riddles idiom tangle topsy-turvy
turbulence turmoil unaccountable unexplained whirl wise
woolly

Puzzle and confuse

addle baffle bemuse bewilder blind blind sb with science idiom blur boggle

cloud confound confuse discombobulate disorientate do sb's head in idiom

flummox fog fox fuddle get head knock/throw sb for a loop idiom loop
mix mix sb up muddy muddy the waters idiom mystify perplex puzzle
ravel reel search throw throw (sb) a curve (ball) idiom throw sb
off balance idiom tie tie sb (up) in knots idiom unbalance

The supernatural - general words

conjunction crystal ball demonology effigy
exorcise exorcist ghostly ghoul levitate mystic near-death experience
astral aureole black mass

occult paranormal supernatural tarot the powers of darkness

thing things that go bump in the night idiom vision

Outcomes and consequences

-ment action aftereffect aftermath age

backwash bang

be a

come come of sth

consequence consequent corollary effect end result fallout first fruit fruit
monument to sth idiom bed bite bitter by-product child

function impact implication in. ironic irony knock-on effect

monument more bang for your buck(s) idiom net result offshoot outcome

outgrowth payoff product ramification repercussion result

resultant resulting reverberation ripple effect sequel

spillover spin-off

stench the bitter fruits of sth idiom the upshot trickle-down

you've made your bed, now lie in it idiom clat

Enormous
a whale of a idiom almighty astronomical astronomically behemoth

bumper by

chart colossal dirty elephantine enormity

enormous epic extreme far gargantuan giant gigantic ginormous
gross huge humungous immeasurable immense immensity inordinate
jumbo king king-size know mammoth massive monster monumental
mountainous off the charts idiom oversize overwhelming
precipitous prodigious sth knows no bounds idiom
stratospheric terrific thumping titanic towering vast vastness
far and away idiom cavernous

voluminous walloping whacking whale whopper whopping

yawning

Calm and relaxed

(as) cool as a cucumber idiom at (your) leisure idiom be at peace with the world idiom

calm care carefree careless chilled comfort comfortable

comfortably composed composure cool cool customer idiom coolheaded
defuse demure dignified dignity docile downbeat ease easy easy come, easy go

free free-flowing genteel hair happy-golucky harmonious harmony head imperturbable insouciance keep your
idiom easy-going equilibrium

hair on idiom keep your head idiom laid-back lamb languor leisure

level level-headed like a lamb to the slaughter idiom mellow nerveless

own pace peace peaceful phlegm placid poised quiescent
relaxed rested sangfroid sedate self-possession serene stable
stolid take it/things easy idiom the human touch unfazed
unflappable uninhibited unruffled unstressed without a care in
the world idiom zen

Plenty and abundant

ample aplenty be plenty more
where sb/sth came from idiom bountiful bounty copious free-flowing
fruitfulness galore generosity generous handsome lavish liberal
long on sth and short on sth idiom long. luxuriant manifold
ocean oceans of sth idiom plentiful plenty profuse prolific rich richly
richness superabundant teeming wealth well off
abound abound in/with sth abundance abundant

Animal physiology: fat or well-built

ample baby fat beefy blob blubber broad broad in the beam
idiom buxom chubby chunky corpulent dumpy fat fatness fatso
fatten sb/sth up fatty flab flabby fleshy heavily heavy heavyset
husky love handles matronly meaty middle-age spread
obese obesity overweight paunch plump podgy porky portly potbelly
pudgy puppy fat roll roly-poly rotund spare tyre stocky stout stubby
thickset tubby well built zaftig

Causing pleasure

agreeable all things to all people idiom attractive banging be better than sex idiom be

better blessed blessing bliss bliss (sb)

out blow blow sb away brighten buck buck (sb/sth) up catchy
charming cheer cheer (sb) up cheerful civilized comedic congenial
music to sb's ears idiom beautiful

content day delicacy delicate delicious deliciously delight delightful distraction

do sb the world of good idiom dreamy ducky enchant engaging enjoyable

entertain entertaining feel-good friendly fulfil fulfilling fun gladden glorious
gratify gratifying guilt-free heartwarming heavenly hit hit the spot idiom

homely homey indulgent jolly jovial keep on the right side of sb idiom keep

sb sweet idiom knock knock sb out leafy lift

light light (sth) up

lighten lovely luxurious make sb's day idiom mercy music

must nice nicely peachy pleasant please pleasing
pleasurable quench ravish rewarding rollicking satiety
satisfy satisfying sensual sensuous serendipity side sweet
sweeten thing tickle uplifting welcome world worth

Taking pleasure in something

ball bask bask in sth bask/bathe in reflected glory idiom be a glutton for
punishment idiom be a great one for sth idiom be meat and drink to sb idiom be the
pride of somewhere/sth idiom be your pride and joy idiom be/go into ecstasies
over/about sth idiom delight delight in sth drink drink sth in

drool drool over

ecstasy enjoy exult fast lane feast feast your eyes on sth/sb
idiom field day flatter gad about/around (somewhere) gallivant get
get off on sth get over sth/sb glory glory in sth glutton go go in for
sth great have a ball idiom have a field day idiom have a rare old time idiom
sb/sth

hedonic hedonism jollies kick kick up your heels idiom lap lap sth up

large let let it all hang out idiom let your hair down idiom let yourself
go idiom lick lick your lips idiom life in the fast lane idiom live live it
up idiom luxuriate in sth masochism meat perk perk (sb) up pride rare
relish revel revel in sth ride ride (on) a wave of sth idiom run
run to sth savour self-indulgent slake slaver 1 soak soak sth
up sportive sun-worshipper sybarite wallow wallow in sth
whoop whoop it up idiom

Pleasure and happiness

cheer
cheerful cheery chirpy delectation delight delirium ecstasy Elysium
enchant enjoyment euphoria exaltation exult feast felicity fulfilment
fun gaiety glad glee glow good goody gratify halcyon days
happiness have your cake and eat it (too) idiom heaven high high
abandon afterglow bed bed of roses idiom bliss bonus cake careless

spirits idyll indulgence intoxication jaunty joie de vivre jovial

joy joyful
joyous jubilation mirth nostalgia perky pleasant pleasure

privilege rapture rejoicing relish revelry savour

Schadenfreude sensual sensuous stardust sunshine treat
well-being

Saddening, shocking and upsetting

agonizing arrogant baleful be cold

comfort idiom bombast brash brass neck bruising bumptious cheerless
cloud cold comfortless conceit condescend cutting
a cloud hanging over sb idiom affecting

demoralized depressing depressingly devastating dispirited disrespect distressing

dolorous ego ego trip egocentric egoism egomania egotism exceptionable

gut-wrenching harrowing haughty hauteur heartbreaking horrified horrifying
hubris hurtful immodest

imperious lofty miserable narcissism

officious painful poignant poisonous pompous pride

pride comes/goes before a fall idiom self-importance selfsatisfied shocking shockingly staggered supercilious

superiority superiority complex touching tragic traumatic

unmentionable upsetting vanity

a clean bill of health idiom

a clean sheet/slate idiom

a close call idiom

a close/near thing idiom

a cloud hanging over sb idiom

a cloud on the horizon idiom

a cog in a/the machine idiom

a conflict of interest idiom

a crock (of shit) idiom

a drop too much (to drink) idiom

a drowning man will clutch at a straw idiom

a fair crack of the whip idiom

a fate worse than death idiom

a feather in your cap idiom

a few well-chosen words idiom

a few/couple of steps idiom

a fifth/third wheel idiom

a fight to the finish idiom

Success and achievements

a feather in your cap idiom a narrow squeak idiom a roaring success idiom
accomplishment achievement achievement test ascent attainment be half the battle
idiom be no mean feat idiom

belt big time blinder boom chef-d'oeuvre

coup CSF dizzy dog early escapade every dog has its day idiom feat

feather

fruition future

half have sth under your belt idiom he who laughs last,
laughs longest/best idiom height history in your own right idiom joy
laugh luck lulu magnum opus make history idiom masterpiece
masterstroke miracle narrow pass perform/work miracles/a miracle idiom
prospect quantum leap record result right roaring sellout
success success story the dizzy heights of sth idiom the early
bird catches the worm idiom top tour de force track record
triumph triumphal turnaround

Treating people or animals badly

abuse at the hands of sb idiom batten batten on sb be heavy on

sb idiom be put upon bleed bleed sb dry idiom bring sb/sth to their knees idiom
brutalize bully dehumanize do 1 do a number on sb idiom do sb/yourself a
a raw deal idiom

mischief idiom doormat downtrodden enslave eve-teasing exploit exploitation

feed feed sb to the lions idiom fuck fuck sb around get

get to sb grind grind sb down grind the faces of the poor idiom hand
harassment have your knife into sb idiom he'll heavy hit hit sb where it hurts
idiom ill-treat impose inflict jerk jerk sb around knee knife knock knock sb
exploitative exploiter

around lay lay a finger on sb idiom lay a hand on sb idiom malevolent

maltreat man man's inhumanity to man idiom mess mess sb

about/around mess with sb mete sth out mischief mistreat molest neglect
neglected negligence number objectification objectify persecute
persecution persecutor prey prey on sb put

put sb through sth

put upon raw reduce reduce sb to sth reject ride ride roughshod over
sb/sth idiom sexual harassment shit shit on sb shortchange
shove shove sb around smite smote spite spoil spoil sb's party
idiom squeeze squeeze sb dry idiom step step on sb stomp
stomp on sb/sth suck suck sb/sth dry idiom sweatshop take
take sth out on sb the knives are out idiom torment torture
toy toy with sb/sth trample treat treat sb like dirt idiom
trespass trespass on/upon sth tyrannical tyrannize tyranny
uncared for usage use victimize visit visit sth on/upon sb

walk walk all over sb idiom wrong

Murder & attempted murder

asphyxiate assassinate assassination attempt blow

blow sb away blow sb's

bump bump sb off butcher butchery decapitate

disembowel dispatch do 1 do away with sb do sb in eliminate eternity
ethnic cleansing finish finish sb/sth off fratricide garrotte gas genocide
gun gun sb down hit holocaust homicide ice infanticide kill killing
knock knock sb off life lynch lynch law manslaughter martyr martyred mass
murder massacre matricide mow mow sb down murder necklace off
brains out idiom

parricide patricide pogrom poison polish polish

sb off pop sb off

pop. put sb to the sword idiom regicide rub rub sb out send sb to eternity
idiom shoot shoot sb down shooting slain slaughter slay

slaying slew 1 smother snuff snuff sb out spill spill blood idiom
strangle strangulate strangulation suffocate sword take take
sb's life idiom take sb/sth out throttle

waste

Killing
abattoir assisted suicide butcher butchery carnage
idiom commit commit suicide idiom cull

claim claim sb's life

deadly decimate decimation

1 do for sb/sth do yourself in drive/send sb to an early

grave idiom drown early electrocute end end it all idiom euthanasia
exterminate fatal finish finish sb/sth off hara-kiri hit immolate justifiable
homicide kamikaze kill killer knacker's yard lethal life lifedestroy do

threatening liquidate malignant mercy killing misery mortal mortally nonfatal overlie poison polish polish sb off predation

put put sth down 1 put

sth out of its misery idiom put sth to sleep idiom right to die sacrifice
sacrificial shooting

slaughter slaughterhouse sleep smother

suicide suicide pact take take sb down take your (own) life
idiom terminal top wring zap

Winning and defeating

bag bank be one in the eye for sb idiom beat beat sb at their own
game idiom beat sb hollow idiom beat sb out beating best better blow
annihilate

blow sb/sth away blow sth/sb out of the water idiom bring sb/sth to their knees
idiom checkmate

clean clean (sth) up cleaner clobber come come

from behind idiom comfortable conquer conquest

convincing crush defeat demolish down eye finish finish sb/sth off
front get the better of sb idiom hammer hammering hand head
heads I win, tails you lose idiom hiding hit hit the jackpot idiom 1 kick kick (some)
ass idiom kill knee lick licking make mincemeat of sb idiom massacre medal
mincemeat moral victory move/go in for the kill idiom near thing outclass outgun
outmanoeuvre outpace outperform

outplay outscore overpower overturn

overwhelm own pasting pip polish polish sth/sb off prevail psych
psych sb out pulverize pummel pwn Pyrrhic victory reel

reel sth off

ring rout run run away with sth run rings round sb idiom run sth off
scoop scoop the pool idiom scrape scrape home idiom see see sb/sth
off sew sew sth up shake shake sb/sth off shellacking slaughter
smash snatch snatch victory (from the jaws of defeat) idiom stomp stomp
on sb/sth sweep sweep the board idiom take take sb apart take sb down
take sb to the cleaner's idiom thrash trail triumph triumphal triumphalism
triumphant trounce trouncing trouser trump unassailable

unbeaten
undefeated upset vanquish victorious victory walk walk away

with sth walk off with sth walkaway whop win win (sth) hands

down idiom win hands down idiom winning wipe wipe the floor
with sb idiom worst

Showing arrogance and conceit

(as) proud as Lucifer idiom a cut above idiom

above air airs and graces idiom

arrogant as if you owned the place idiom be too clever by half idiom be up yourself
idiom beneath your dignity idiom

big bigheaded bigheadedness bombastic boor

brash bumptious clever clever-clever cock cock a snook at sb/sth idiom cock of
the walk cocksure cocky come/get (down) off your high horse idiom
conceited condescend condescend to sb condescending cut de haut en bas
deign delusion delusions of grandeur idiom dignity disdain disrespect dog

egocentric egoistic egotistic fancy

flatter full get on your high horse

idiom haughty have a lot to say for yourself idiom hifalutin
high high and mighty idiom high-flown highfalutin hoity-toity immodest
imperious infra dig jumped-up know know all the answers idiom know-all
know-it-all lofty lord lordly Lucifer narcissist nose nose in the air idiom
officious opinionated overbearing overweening own patronize
patronizing pompous portentous preen proud proudly put on the dog
idiom revolve revolve around sb/sth say self-appointed selfimportance self-opinionated self-satisfied sententious smart
alec smart mouth smarty-pants smug smugly sniff snook
snooty snotty

stand stand on your dignity idiom stuck up

supercilious superior swanky swollen head talk talk down
to sb the big I am idiom think the (whole) world revolves around
you idiom throw throw your weight around idiom thumb tin
god toffee-nosed too big for your boots idiom up uppity vain

Feeling morally superior

claim claim the moral high ground idiom de haut en bas holier-than-thou
judgmental moralistic preachy priggish

sanctimonious self-righteous

superior superiority complex

Poles, rods, shafts and sticks

baton billy club boathook bollard boom broomstick cane crook

crop curtain rail curtain rod flagpole flagstaff lathi lathi-charge lightning
conductor mast maypole pointer pole post rod rung shaft
shank shooting stick ski pole slat slatted spar spoke staff stake
staves stick stilt telegraph pole telephone pole totem pole
bar

truncheon utility pole waddy wand

Unsafe and insecure

at stake idiom be on the line idiom day endangered exposed

fire hang hang by a

thread idiom hang over sth in the firing line idiom indefensible insecure jeopardy

line precarious precariously risk sb's/sth's days are numbered idiom

shadow shaky sketchy stake struggle threat unattended
unbalanced unguarded unsafe unsecured unsound
unstable

stake a claim idiom

stake a claim (to something) idiom

Changing homes & moving

asylum seeker diaspora economic migrant emigrate foreign-returned greener

migrate move move on

move out mover moving pasture post pull up stakes idiom relocate
removal removalist remover resettle residence settle shelter
stake stick the Diaspora transfer up sticks idiom winter
pastures idiom immigrant immigration migrant

Parts of buildings: windows & parts

of windows
bay window bow window casement dormer double glazing draught excluder fanlight

glass glass sth in/over glaze glazing lattice window leaded window lintel
louvre mullioned pane picture

window rose window sash sash

window shutter sill skylight storm door/window transom

triple glazing window window ledge windowpane

windowsill

Taking legal action

accuse appear

appear for sb arraign bring citation

cite civil action class

contest court court martial double jeopardy

enter file file for sth have have sb up indict indictment instruct law
legal litigant litigate litigation litigious make legal history idiom petitioner
plaintiff prefer press proceed proceed against sb proceedings prosecute
prosecution serve subpoena sue summons try
action complainant

Fastening and tying

anchor anchorage attach bale be locked together idiom bind

board board sth up bolt bound bow 1 buckle buckle up bundle bundle
sth up chain clamp clip coupling fasten fastener fetter fix fixation gag gird
granny knot harness hitch hobble knot lash ligature lock mount nail
peg pin put put sth up reef knot rivet rope screw secure Sellotape
slipknot square knot stake strap strap sb in strap sth up string tack

tape tape sth up tether tie tie (sb/sth) down tie sb up tie sth up truss
twist tie tying wire yoke

Increasing and intensifying

-en -ify a snowball effect idiom accretion accumulate accumulative add fuel to the

balloon be in/go into high gear idiom blaze

boost build build (sb/sth) up build-up bump bump sth up crank crank sth
fire idiom amplify ascending

up creep creep up crescendo escalate expand explode explosion explosive

fade (sth) in fan fester fuel

fade

gear go go into orbit idiom go into

the stratosphere idiom go up grow growing heighten hot hot up increase
increment inflame intensify jump leap lift magnify maximize mission
creep mount mount up mounting multiply mushroom orbit pile pile
(sth) up proliferate pump pump sth up push push sth up/down quicken
rack rack sth up raise ramp ramp sth up ratchet ratchet sth up/down
redouble rise rocket scale scale sth up shoot shoot up
snowball soar speed-up spike spurt stake step step sth up
supersize surge temperature the stratosphere up upsurge
gain

Situations and circumstances

affair backdrop background case circumstance climate condition
farce footing going matrix perfect storm picture position practicality
scheme situation snapshot

stake the scheme of things idiom thing

Gambling & bookmaking

back bank banker bet betting betting shop bingo blackjack

book bookie bookmaker casino chip cockfight crap croupier dice
double double or quits idiom draw each even fancied favourite
flutter football pools fruit machine gamble gambler gambling gaming
gaming table grab bag head heads or tails? idiom high roller
horse hot juke joint lay lose lose your shirt idiom lot lottery
lucky dip money odds one-armed bandit place play poker poker
machine pontoon pool Premium Bond punt punt on sth punter put (your)
ante

money on sb/sth idiom raffle roulette Russian roulette scratch card slot machine

spin spin a coin idiom spread betting stake stake sth on sth stakeholder
sweepstake

tip tipster tombola toss tote turf accountant wager winnings

Detection & solving crimes

case criminology
detection detective dick E-FIT electronic tagging fingerprint forensic frisk
genetic fingerprinting gumshoe identikit identity parade
informant lie detector line-up manhunt mugshot neighbourhood
all-points bulletin APB breath test breathalyse breathalyser

watch offender profile photofit (picture) polygraph posse private detective

profiling psychological profile questioning radar trap raid random

breath test RBT reconstruction reward rogues' gallery sleuth

sniffer dog speed camera speed trap stake stake sth out

stakeout sting strip search surveillance tighten tighten the

net idiom tracker

dog videofit

Prizes, rewards and medals

bronze bronze medal carrot

carrot and stick idiom colour commendation consolation prize cross cup
decoration Emmy go gold idiom gold gold disc gold medal gong Grammy honor
honorable honour honourable mention honours system jackpot laurel
wreath medal MVP Nobel prize Oscar payment platinum disc
presentation prize Purple Heart quid pro quo reward ribbon
rollover rosette shield silver silver medal spoil stake the
golden boot the wooden spoon tony trophy trophy cabinet VC
Academy Award award blue ribbon booby prize

Horse racing
dark horse derby flat racing furlong gee-gee horse
racing hurdle hurdler jockey nobble photo finish post race race
meeting racecourse racehorse racetrack racing ringer runner stable
bloodstock

stake steeplechase turf unplaced

Stock markets
bear bear market bearish bluechip bond bourse broker bull bull market bullish buy-in buyback capital
arbitrage arbitrageur asset-stripping bagger

investment carpetbagger cash

cash out sth

city copper-bottomed

crash dead cat bounce disinvest dividend Dow Jones electricals equity faller
flotation footsie future gainer gilt growth-oriented haircut holding

industrial insider dealing intangible asset investment issue

list listed company mature maturity negotiable OFEX
option par payback period plan portfolio principal pyramid
scheme pyramid selling quant rentier rig

rig the market idiom rogue trader

security seed money share shareholder speculation speculative

stock stock exchange

stock market stockbroker stockbroker belt stockholder subscribe
spread betting stag stake stakeholder

tender the Big Board the FTSE 100 the grey market the Nikkei index the

trade trader trading Treasury bond unit trust unlisted

venture capital Wall Street
Square Mile

Having and owning - general words

-ful -owned

attach attach to sb/sth be endowed with sth idiom bear

bearer

call carry claim combine dibs endow fractional

fully glint have hold holder interest lay
belong belong to sb boast

lord/master/mistress/king/queen of all you survey idiom make sth (all) your own
idiom mistress

my not/never want for anything idiom of on own owner

ownership possess possessed possession possessive possessor

proprietary proprietor proprietorial proprietress

reclaim reside reside in

sth/sb revert to sb stake stake a claim idiom stake somewhere/sth
out survey title want with

Death penalties
behead

block burn capital capital punishment chair condemn

condemn sb to (do) sth condemned condemned cell crucifixion crucify death row
death sentence death warrant decapitate

executioner firing

electrocute execute execution

squad gallows garrotte gas chamber gibbet

guillotine hang hanging

hangman hung, drawn, and quartered

idiom noose scaffold stake

stone string string sb up the

death penalty the electric chair

Suggestions & proposals

about advance

approach bold bounce bounce sth off sb brainstorm

brainstorming canvass come come up with sth could

get at sth grab hint

drop float get

how how about...? idiom how does... grab you? idiom

I may be/make so bold (as to) idiom

if you take my meaning idiom implication imply imputation indicate
indication insinuate insinuating intimate 1 it wouldn't hurt you to do sth
how/what about...? idiom hurt idea if

idiom let make noises idiom maybe might moot motion move

mover noise nominate nomination nominee nudge nudge nudge (wink wink)
idiom

offer on the table idiom overtone overture point point sb

towards/in the direction of sth idiom posit postulate proposal

propose

proposition propound put put ideas into sb's head idiom put sth in put sth to

should submission submit

suggest suggestion table take that's a thought idiom
thought what what about? idiom
sb put sth/sb forward put sth/sb up

Activism & pressure groups

activism activist agitate agitation agitator agitprop animal rights anti-nuclear

banner battle cry camp follower campaigner canvass

champion civil disobedience CND demonstrate demonstration

demonstrator dissident eco-warrior firebrand foam pie Freedom Rider freegan gay

activist gherao groundswell guerrilla hunger strike insurgency insurgent

insurrection interest group lobby lobbyist march marcher militant

movement non-violence objector passive resistance

petitioner pressure group protest protest march protest song
protester radical rasta roko rebel rebellion reformer

revolutionary rise

round robin sedition sit in special

interest group stir underground women's movement

Enterprises
.com absorb

absorption acquirer acquiror agency agribusiness airline

annual general meeting answering service auction house

automaker big beast big business brewery brick bricks and clicks idiom brokerage

business carrier cartel chamber of commerce citadel click

clicks and mortar idiom co- collective combine company
concern conglomerate consortium consultancy contractor
bureau

cooperative Corp. corporate corporation cottage industry Crown corporation dating

agency dotcom

empire enterprise est. establishment firm

fragmented franchise franchisee franchiser GmbH group group-wide head

office holding company house Inc. Incorporated independent

industrial industry joint venture joint-stock company label limited limited

company line listed company LLC Ltd management consultancy
marriage bureau monolith multinational multiple office
operation operator organization outfit packer parent
company partnership plc

private company private practice Pty

public company public limited company public utility publishing
house record label secretariat service industry shipbuilder

software house spin-out start-up studio subsidiary the

private sector the public sector the rag trade trade travel
agency travel agent

Elections
absentee ballot absentee vote absolute majority abstain abstention

aye ballot

ballot rigging barnstorm block vote by-election campaign trail candidacy

canvass card vote carry

cast casting vote contest country

deselect direct election disenfranchise disenfranchised disfranchise divide
division lobby dream ticket elect election election campaign election day

electioneering elective electoral enfranchise exit poll first-past-the-post franchise

Gallup poll general election gerrymandering go to the country idiom hat

hung incoming lame duck landslide majority mandate marginal

no. nominate nomination out outvote overturn pass

plebiscite plurality politicking poll polling booth polling day polling
station popularly postal ballot PR president primary proportional
representation proxy re-elect re-election referendum return

rig

rigging run run off running mate safe scrutineer secret

ballot show of hands spoil stand straw poll stump suffrage
suffragette suffragist tactical voting tally-room teller the
hustings throw your hat into the ring idiom unseat vote vote of
confidence vote of no confidence vote sth down vote sth
through vote-getter voting voting machine ward write write
sb in X, x

Selling

block bundle chain of production concession divest do 1

export flip flog franchise go on the block idiom hard sell hawk highpressure hock missell move outsell outsold oversell oversold
auction

package panic selling peddle pile pile it high and sell it cheap idiom ply
price price yourself out of the market idiom privatize
purvey realizable realization realize remainder resell retail rid run salable
sale saleable sales drive sales pitch sales talk salesmanship sell
sell out sell sth off sellout serve service shift shop soft sell
sold sting supersize telesales

tout transfer list undercharge

undercut undersell unsold upsell upselling vending wholesale

Questioning people & asking

questions in general

ask ask after sb ask around badger be sb's for the

asking idiom beat beat sth out of sb bombard bombard sb with sth canvass
card check consult consultation consultative cross-examine
cross-question debrief desk research don't ask me idiom doorstep
drag drag sth out of sb enquire enquiry feel feel sb/sth out fire Gallup
poll grill grilling if you like idiom inquire inquire after sb inquire into
$64,000 question

sth inquire within idiom inquirer inquiry inquisition inquisitor interrogate

interview interviewee interviewer leading question like make/take

soundings idiom mill nail nail sb down no-questions-asked
opinion poll pin pin sb down ply ply sb with sth poll pollster pose pry
pump put put sb through the mill idiom put sb through the wringer idiom put sth
to sb Q and A Q, q query question questioner questioning quiz
rhetorical question roll roll call say shoot shoot questions at sb idiom
sound sound sb out soundings survey test test the water(s)
idiom the third degree idiom third tie tie sb down trick question

what do you have to say for yourself? idiom worm worm sth out of sb wringer

you may well ask idiom

Signs of the zodiac

cancer Capricorn Gemini Leo Libra Pisces Sagittarius

Scorpio Taurus the Crab Virgo Virgoan
Aquarius Aries

Supporters, members & defenders

-arian -ista -ite adherent

advocate ally apologist apostle benefactor blood

cadre camp follower campaigner canvass card-carrying member cardholder

champion chaperone cohort company man contributor

crony custodian

defender disciple evolutionist exponent follower

founder member friend handmaiden have friends in

high places idiom henchman initiate member new/fresh
blood idiom on partisan patron player promoter prophet
proponent proposer protagonist recruit

referee renegade respecter

second 1 sidekick sponsor stakeholder supporter sympathizer

uphold well-wisher yes-man

Conditions and characteristics

-ance -ancy -ence -ency -ibility -ity -ive -ness -ous ability

age air ambience

appearance as aspect atmosphere attribute be sb's middle name idiom

be the nature of the beast idiom be the picture of health, innocence, etc. idiom

character characteristic complexion condition detail

dimension er essence externals face facet feature feel flavour

form good/bad karma idiom hallmark have have it in you idiom health
hood humanity image in the shape of sth idiom in. karma local colour
look mark middle name mien nature nick picture plight point
presentation property quality reek reek of sth reflection resonate
respect savour savour of sth shape shine side smack smack of sth
smell stamp state stock-in-trade strain streak style tenor texture
the face of sth idiom trait trappings undercurrent undertone vein vibe

be sb's bag idiom

be sb's department idiom

be sb's for the asking idiom

be sb's main squeeze idiom

be sb's middle name idiom

be sb's own flesh and blood idiom

be sb's poodle idiom

be scattered to the four winds idiom

be set fair idiom

Nomadic & alternative lifestyles

a rolling stone (gathers no moss) idiom beatnik bohemian boho

communal commune counter-culture crusty flower child go/get back to nature

idiom greaser hermit hippie nature

New Age New Age traveller

nomad rolling subculture the Beat Generation traveller

underground

Habitual and customary

'n' accustomed all in a day's work idiom as a (general) rule idiom as a matter of
course idiom as per usual/normal idiom be par for the course idiom beaten

course customary day ever expect generally

habitual inveterate knee-jerk mainline make it a rule idiom matter
mechanical mechanically more more often than not idiom 1
more often than not natural naturally nature need need you ask! idiom
nine nine times out of ten idiom ninety ninety-nine times out of a hundred
idiom normal normalize normally of course idiom often ordinarily
par per prevail pro forma regulation rule surprise
surprise, surprise idiom territory the rule idiom trad usu.
commonly confirmed

usual usually well trodden wonted

Death and dying

accidental death at

peace idiom be as dead as a doornail idiom be

fading away/fast idiom be on your deathbed idiom be pushing up (the) daisies

idiom be

six feet under idiom bereave beyond the grave idiom bite bite the

body brain death breath breathe breathe your last

idiom bury buy cadaver carcass casualty come to/meet a sticky end idiom
coroner corpse cot death crib death croak d. dead death death throes
death toll death wish deathbed decease deceased demise depart depart
this life idiom departed die die off die out done done for idiom
doornail drop drown drowning dying end expire extinction fade fall
fallen fatality flatline foot ghost ghoulish give up the ghost idiom go
god gone goner grave have one foot in the grave idiom hour in extremis
inquest kick kick off kick the bucket idiom knell last late lay lay down your
dust idiom

leave let nature take its course idiom

life life-and-death lifeless long. lose lose your life idiom loss
macabre make the ultimate/supreme sacrifice idiom meet meet your maker
idiom morbid morbidity mortal mortality nature necrophilia necrophiliac
not long for this world idiom number on your last
legs idiom open verdict pass pass away pass on passing
pay pay the ultimate price idiom peace peg peg out perish pop
off pop your clogs idiom pop. posthumous predecease push remains
rest rigor mortis road kill road toll sacrifice sb has bought it
life for sth idiom lay sth down

idiom sepulchral shuffle shuffle off this mortal coil idiom SIDS sink sinking
fast idiom six snuff snuff it idiom starvation starve starving sticky

stiff

stillbirth stillborn stone-dead

strike strike sb down succumb sudden infant

death syndrome suffocate terminal the disappeared the Grim Reaper those
whom the gods love die young idiom to/until my dying day idiom toll watery

your hour has

come idiom your number is up idiom
watery grave idiom with your last/dying breath idiom

Court cases, orders & decisions

accidental death action actionable administer admissible affidavit
affiliation order alibi annul appeal appellate jurisdiction ASBO bail bail sb
out bale bale out beyond bond brief case come come before
sth/sb compensation compulsory contributory negligence
conveyancing convict conviction cop cop a plea idiom counter-suit court
martial court order criminal justice system damage de jure defence
defend deportation order diminished responsibility docket exhibit

extrajudicial

file finding forfeiture gagging order habeas corpus hearing

hung imposition inadmissible injunction

inquest judgment judicature judicial

jurisdiction lawsuit legal aid legalistic lien maintenance order miscarriage of

justice mistrial moot no-fault null and void nullify oath obligatory open

verdict order original jurisdiction out-of-court overturn pass

patent patentee plea plea bargain plead pled power power of
attorney precedent pretrial probate property provide Regina remand
remedy representation restraining order retrial Rex right ruling
separation sequester settlement show trial sit sitting
stand stand bail idiom stay sub judice suit summation
summing-up surety test case testify testimony the Bosman
ruling the Webster ruling tort trial

witness witness to sth writ

up verdict void waiver

The Earth & outer space - general

words
ablation aeolian air alluvium atmosphere

atmospheric cosmic

cosmology eolian ether evapotranspiration geo- geocentric geophysicist

geophysics global

globe gravity ground

heaven horizon
land landslide macrocosm mid-air Mother Nature nature oceanic
crust outer space riches sky slide space space platform
stratospheric subterranean terra firma

terrestrial the Big Bang the big bang

theory the biosphere the cosmos the exosphere the firmament the ionosphere the
lithosphere the mesosphere the stratosphere the thermosphere the troposphere
unconformity underground

universe world

Fighting

a fight to the finish idiom action action stations affray array

battle battle cry bloodless bloodletting blow brawl buffer zone civil
war close combat come close to blows idiom come to blows
idiom conflict counterinsurgency disturbance do battle idiom
dogfight duel dust-up engage engagement fight fighting firefight
fistfight fisticuffs fought fracas

fray friendly fire gladiatorial grapple grapple

with sb gunfight he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day idiom

join battle idiom knock-down-dragout last lock lock horns idiom mano a mano mobilize outfight outgun
pitched battle pugilistic punch-up roughhouse rout rumble scrap
scrimmage scuffle send send sb in service set set to shadowbox
shoot shoot it out shootout single combat skirmish slug slug it out idiom
square square off square up start struggle tangle tangle
with sb tilt tilt at windmills idiom to the last (man) idiom turf war
tussle vanquish wage war
hostility hotspot internecine join

Damaging and spoiling

adulterate

alloy at the expense of sb idiom at-risk attack bandh bang

bang up sb/sth bastardize be hoist(ed) with/by your own petard idiom bite blemish
blight bollocks bollocks sth up bugger bugger sth up

cheapen come

come between sb cook

bust bust sth up

cost cost sb dear idiom

cut cut off your nose to spite your face idiom damage damper debauch
deface deform degradation degrade desecrate despoil detriment dig dig your
cripple

do 1 do for sb/sth down drive

drive a wedge between sb idiom eat eat away at sth erode expense flame
flaw foul foul (sth) up fuck fuck (sth) up gild gild the lily idiom gilt gloss
gnaw gnaw away at sth go up in flames idiom go west idiom
goonda harm hit hoist hurt ill impair impairment interfere interfere
with sth invade joint kibosh kick/hit sb when he/she is down idiom louse
own grave idiom disservice distort

louse (sth) up make

(a) nonsense of sth idiom make a muck of sth idiom

mangle mar mess mess around with sth mess sth up mischief mockers
monkey monkey around with sth muck muck sth up muck-up muff nickel-

and-dime nonsense overhang overhung play play (merry) hell with sth idiom

poison pot punishing punishment put sth out of joint idiom queer rain
rain on sb's parade idiom rampage ravage ravages ruin

scourge seismic

shatter shoot shoot sth up shred smash sour spoil spoiling

tactic strike strike a blow against/at sth idiom strike at the heart
of sth idiom taint take its/a toll idiom take the gilt off the
gingerbread idiom take the gloss off sth idiom tamper with sth
tamper-evident tear/rip sb/sth to shreds idiom tell

tell on sb

the damage is done idiom threaten toll too many cooks spoil the
broth idiom touch

trash unrestricted upset upset the apple

cart idiom visit visit sth on/upon sb wear wear (sth) out west
worn wreck write-off

Injuring and injuries

at-risk be in the wars idiom bite boo-boo cripple damage deafen
yourself an injury idiom eviscerate flesh wound gash harm

disable do

incapacitate

injure injury lesion maim manhandle muscle mutilate paralyse paralyze

pull rick

sprain strain toll trample trauma turn

war whiplash wound 1 wounded wrench

twist victim

War

anti-war bellicose belligerent biological warfare campaign

chemical warfare collateral damage concord conflagration crusade
germ warfare gung-ho holy war hostile jungle warfare martial militarism
militarist pacific peace peacekeeping phoney war pro-war
antebellum

scorched-earth policy SDI sinew sinews of war idiom smokescreen Star Wars
tactic test ban the First World War the Great War the

Second World War

war war clouds are gathering idiom war-torn warfare warlike

warring wartime world war World War I World War II

Arguments & disagreements

altercation argument argy-bargy barney

battle belligerent bicker blow up

bust up clash cleavage collision conflict confrontation

contention contretemps controversy counter-argument cut cut and
thrust idiom difference ding-dong disagreement discord disharmony
dispute dissension dissonance division dust-up exchange
falling-out feud fight fracas fray friction infighting kerfuffle logjam

Mexican standoff misunderstanding personality clash quarrel quibble rhubarb

1 ruckus ructions rumpus run-in running

running battle idiom scene scrap set to shindig shouting
rift rivalry row

match showdown skirmish slanging match spat squabble tiff

war tussle vendetta

war word wrangle

trouble turf

Types of fruit
angelica apple

apricot avocado aa banana beef tomato bilberry blackberry

blackcurrant blood orange blueberry bramble breadfruit calabash cantaloupe

cherry Chinese gooseberry clementine coconut cooker cooking

apple crab apple cranberry cucumber cumquat currant damson date dried
carambola

fruit durian eating apple elderberry fig. golden raisin gooseberry gourd grape

grapefruit greengage guava hip honeydew huckleberry juniper kiwi kumquat

lemon lime litchi loganberry lychee mandarin mango maraschino

cherry melon mulberry navel orange nectarine olive orange
papaw papaya passion fruit pawpaw peach pear persimmon
pineapple plantain plum pomegranate prickly pear prune
pumpkin quince raisin raspberry redcurrant rhubarb
rockmelon rose hip satsuma satsuma plum sloe soft
fruit starfruit strawberry sultana tamarind
tangerine tomato watermelon

Praising insincerely or too eagerly

bow 1 bow and scrape idiom brown-nose crawl crawler creep

cupboard love curry dance dance attendance on sb idiom dance to sb's tune
idiom fawn fawn over/on sb fawning flatter flattery flattery will get you
nowhere idiom glad-handing grovel idealize ingratiate ingratiating lefthanded compliment lick lick sb's boots idiom love-in make
arse-licker

make up to sb massage massage

sb's ego idiom obsequious play

play up to sb schmooze servile slobber slobber over sb snow

job suck suck up to sb sycophantic toady unctuous

Insults & abuse

abuse abusive affront arse-licker arsehole asshole be close to the

bone idiom belittle brickbat call cheek close cut cut (sb) to the
quick idiom denigrate dis disparage diss do 1 do sb down give
someone a mouthful idiom hatchet job insult insulting jeer lefthanded compliment look lousy make

sb look small idiom monkey

chanting moon mother motherfucker mouth mouth off (to/at sb)

name name-calling

mouthful

personal put put sb down put-down revile

score score points off sb idiom shit slap sledging slight slighted snub
stick sticks and stones may break my bones, (but words can never hurt me)
idiom take sb's name in vain idiom term trifle trifle with sb/sth

Full

alive alive with sth idiom awash be a rich seam to mine idiom be riddled with sth
idiom be shot through with sth idiom

block brimful bristle bristle with sth bulge

burst burst at the seams idiom bursting at the seams idiom chock-a-block chockfull chocka chocker clog congested crammed cramped crawl crowded
flooded full fullness gunwale heaped heaping heaving heavy
heavy with sth idiom jam jam-packed jammed laden level litter load
loaded lousy overcrowded overflow overstuffed packed packed
packed/squashed like sardines idiom populous replete ridden riddled rife

sardine saturate saturation point seam seethe shot

sit sit on

sb's stomach idiom squash stuffed swarm swarm with sth

teem teem with sth teeming to the gunwales idiom

Groups of people
army assemblage band bee bevy body breakout brigade
bunch cabal camp caucus circle clique clutch cohort colony
commune community constellation contingent corps coterie couple
covey crew crop crowd crush delegation demographic dream team dregs
alliance an

drove dyad elect enclave entourage faction faculty federation First Nation
flashmob flock focus group foursome fraternity gaggle galaxy gang

generation ginger group group grouping harem herd horde house

houseful huddle in-group incestuous knot league line-up lobby
lot machine mafia melee minority mob movement multitude
new wave number one outsider pack pair party peer group
phalanx platform posse public quarter rabble rank relay retinue
ring sandwich generation school scratch scrum set shoal side
silent majority sisterhood special interest group splinter group squad

stable steering committee subcommittee subgroup suspect swarm

syndicate table team team building the dregs of society/humanity
idiom the usual suspects idiom think tank threesome

throng triad tribe

trinity trio triumvirate twosome unit vintage wall

Friends, acquaintances &

contemporaries

wing

-mate a friend in need is a friend indeed idiom acquaintance acquainted

associate bedmate BFF blood brother boon companion bosom

friend/buddy/pal boy buddy chum cobber companion companionship
company compatriot comrade confidant connection
contemporary crony crowd escort fair-weather friend familiar flatmate
friend friendless gang girl girlfriend housemate intimate 1 kindred
spirit lad mafia mate mother figure mutual friend mnage neighbour
next door office spouse pal partner peeps peer peer group pen pal
penfriend playmate posse roommate schoolmate social network

society sparring partner stranger the company sb keeps idiom

the lads idiom two two's company, three's a crowd idiom what
are friends for? idiom with friends like you, who needs enemies?
idiom

Animal groupings
flight flock gaggle herd
hive menagerie pack pair pod pride school shoal skein stable
stud swarm team
bevy biomass brood colony covey drove family

Feeling sad and unhappy

(down) in the dumps idiom a dog's life idiom a long face idiom abject be cut up

be out of
sorts idiom bereft bit bittersweet blue blues born broken
broken-hearted brooding broody bruised careworn chagrin choked
idiom be down in the mouth idiom be in a funk idiom be in bits idiom

crestfallen

cut dark deflated dejected demoralized depressed desolate

despondent disaffected disappointed disconsolate discouraged disenchanted

disgruntled dishearten disillusioned dismal dismay displease dissatisfied distraught

distressed dog doleful dour down

downcast downhearted dump

dystopia feel hard done-by idiom forlorn frustrated funk glum grieving
grim gutted hapless happy

hard harrowed have the blues idiom heart

heartbroken heartsick homesick hurt inconsolable injured isolated
joyless lachrymose lonely lonesome long. lovelorn lovesick low lowspirited lugubrious martyred maudlin melancholic melancholy
miserable miserably moody mope mope around
(somewhere) morose mournful mouth not be a happy camper
idiom pained repine sad sadly sb's heart is in his/her boots idiom
screwed up self-pity shaky shattered sick sick at heart idiom

smart sorrowful sorry sort suicidal the doldrums this

vale of tears idiom traumatize unfulfilled unhappy unsmiling

upset vale wish you had never been born idiom wistful woe woe
is me idiom woebegone woeful wounded

Pain & painful

wretched

act act up agonized agonizing agony bad cluster

headache cramp dodgy dull earache excruciating feel footsore give sb hell
idiom groan gyp he'll hurt irritant irritate irritation kill masochism
neuralgia non-ulcer stomach pain pain painful painfully painless
pang pinprick prickle rack racking raw saddle-sore sciatic sciatica
sharp shooting pains smart sore stab stabbing sting stitch
-racked ache achy

suffering tender throb thump tingle torment twinge ulnar wrist pain
wince

Decaying and staying fresh

biodegradable biodegrade compostable decay
decompose go go off keep molder moulder mouldy out of date
perish perishable pull date putrefaction putrefy putrid rack rot rotten
seed sell-by date shrivel spoil withered wormy
best-before date

Confidence & self-assurance

(as) bold as brass idiom back
churlish chutzpah

talk backchat bold cheek cheeky

coarse cocksure cocky crass crude discourteous

effrontery form foul foul-mouthed fruity gall gobby graceless

ignorant ill-bred ill-mannered impertinent impolite impudent incivility

leave liberty lip lippy mouthy neanderthal

nerve obnoxious off offensive personal personally pert
presume presumptuous prickly printable ripe rough-hewn rude
sass sassy sauce saucy scatological sick smart smart mouth sneering
surly take the liberty of doing sth idiom talk talk back temerity
indelicate insolent irreverent

unceremonious uncivil uncouth unpleasant unprintable unrepeatable vulgar

without so much as a by-your-leave idiom

Punishing by causing pain

birch

cane cat-o'-nine-tails corporal punishment flagellate flay flog flogging hard

labour hiding horsewhip

kneecap lash lynch lynch law mortification

rack screw six six of the best

idiom smack spank spanking stock stone tar tar and feather
sb idiom thrash thumbscrew treadmill walloping whip whipping
mortification of the flesh idiom paddle

Cuts of meat
boneless braising steak

breast brisket chop chuck steak chump chop cold

cuts cutlet drumstick escalope filet fillet flank steak ground beef hamburger

hock jerky joint

loin medallion mince minced minute steak nugget

oxtail porterhouse rack rasher rib saddle schnitzel shin
shoulder side silverside sirloin (steak) spare ribs steak
stewing steak strip steak T-bone steak tenderloin

Smart & elegant

clean-cut

cut cut a fine figure idiom dapper debonair done/dressed (up) to the

nines idiom dressed dressed

elegant hair natty nine

(up) to the nines idiom dressed to kill idiom

not a hair out of place idiom

resplendent smart smarten (sb/sth) up soign spiff sb/sth up spiffy

spruce spruce sb/sth up stylish well dressed well groomed

Hurrying and doing things quickly

accelerate acceleration

against against the clock idiom against time/the clock

idiom alacrity arse at the stroke of a pen idiom at/on the double idiom be in a tearing
hurry idiom be on the run idiom be pressed for time idiom bring bring sth forward

business bustle clapper clock cobble cobble sth together dash dash

dose double double-quick envelope expedite

expedition expeditious fashion flash flat frantic frantically gallop gallop
sth off dispatch

through sth get a move on idiom get off your arse idiom grease haste hasten hasty

hit/press/push the panic button idiom hop hurried hurry hurry (sb/sth) up in
a flash idiom jump jump the gun idiom light like a dose of salts idiom like
greased lightning idiom like mad idiom like nobody's business idiom like the

clappers idiom like there is/was no tomorrow idiom mad make short shrift of
sth idiom make short work of sth idiom more haste, less speed idiom move
on the back of an envelope idiom on the run idiom panic

button patch

patch sth together pounce precipitate precipitately precipitation

promptly quick quickie rattle rattle sth off rattle

prompt

through sth run

rush rush into sth rush job rushed scrabble scramble sharpish
shoot shoot sth off short short shrift smart snap speed
speedy step step on it idiom stroke take tear 1 throw throw
sth together time tomorrow trot with dispatch idiom

Intelligence
academic acuity acumen agile apt. artful as (if) to the manner born idiom
astute be quick/slow off the mark idiom be quick/slow on the uptake idiom brain
brainpower brainy

bright brilliance brilliant cerebral clarity

clear-sighted clever clever-clever cleverly cleverness common sense cute

discernment donnish enterprising fool gifted grey matter gumption

head

highbrow horse sense hot imaginative ingenious ingenuity initiative insight

intellect intellectual intelligence intelligent IQ judgment learned literate
manner mark mental age nimble nous owlish penetrating penetration
penetrative perceptive

percipient perspicacious perspicacity presence

of mind profound profundity quick quick-witted razor-

sharp ready real resource resourceful resourcefulness

sagacious savvy say scholarly sharp sharply shrewd
smart smarts strong subtle subtlety uptake well educated
well grounded well informed well read well versed when all is
said and done idiom wisdom wit

Drinks - general words

beverage caffeinated carbonated chaser cooler drink

eggnog fizz fizzy flat

drop effervescent egg flip

gassy glass gulp hospitality ice cube iced

milky nectar on the rocks idiom refreshment rock

sparkling still

straw thirst-quenching top-up weak witches' brew

Physically strong and powerful

acrid bad bitter bitterness bland chewy curdle

dishwater glop go go off gristle high inedible insipid like dishwater
idiom mouldy off overripe pappy pigswill pungent rancid rotten sinewy
sour stale stick stick to sb's ribs idiom stodgy swim tasteless
(as) tough as old boots idiom

tough undercook underdone unpalatable unripe watery

Critical & uncomplimentary

a cheap shot idiom aloof astringent barbed captious censorious
cheap critical critically damning deprecating derogatory
disapproving disparaging hard-hitting hypercritical ill pejorative

pointed pointedly pungent scathing snide snidely sniffy uncomplimentary

venomous vinegary

vitriol withering

Strong feelings
agonized agony

all-consuming anguish ardent

be beside

yourself idiom be convulsed with laughter, rage, etc. idiom beside blind
burn burn up with sth burn with sth burning burst consuming convulse
deep deep down idiom deep down devouring effusion emotion emotional
explosive fierce fiery fit fit to burst idiom flame grip hormonal hotblooded impassioned ineffable inexpressible intense intensity outburst
outpouring overheated palpable paroxysm passion passionate passions run
high idiom profound

profoundly pungent rabid rhapsodic rooted

run run high idiom run/go deep idiom rush safety valve searing
siren call smoulder supercharged tempestuous tingle torrid

unquenchable vehement vehemently virulent visceral wave

weak-kneed

Flavours & tastes

acid acidic acidity aftertaste bite bitter
bitterness bittersweet bland cheesy chocolatey creamy dishwater eggy
fishy flavour flavourful flavourless flavoursome fruity full full-bodied
-bodied -flavoured -tasting

fullness gamy garlicky gustatory herby hoppy insipid like dishwater idiom

mature nutty oaky palate plummy pungent salty savour

savoury sharp smoked sour sugary sweet sweet-and-sour

sweetness tang tangy tart taste tasteless taster tasty toasty

umami watery woody

Smells & smelling

acrid aroma

aromatic beery BO body odour bouquet cheesy

fragrance fragrant frowsty full fullness fusty malodorous

minging musk musty niff nose odour odourless olfactory perfume
pine pong pungent putrid rank redolent reek ripe savour scent
scented scratch-and-sniff smell smell somewhere out smell sth/sb
out smelly smelt 1 sniff sniff sth/sb out sour stagnant stench stink
stinking stinky waft whiff whiffy woody
fetid foetid

Making people sad, shocked and

upset
aback amiss appal be laughing on the other side of your face idiom bite bother

break break sb's heart idiom bum bum sb out burn cast a shadow over/on
sth idiom come back to bite sb idiom crush demoralize depress devastate dismay

drag drag sb down dystopia eat eat away at sb

effect empty nest syndrome end exception feeling foundation
frustrate fuck fuck (sth) up get get sb down get to sb gnaw go/fall to pieces
idiom grieve haunt head hit/touch a (raw) nerve idiom horrify hurt hurt
distress do sb's head in idiom

sb's feelings idiom hurtful it'll (all) end in tears idiom jar jolt knife knock knock

sb sideways/for six idiom laugh

mess mess sb up move

nerve nose offence offend offense order out of order idiom outrage

pain piece poleaxe pull pull sb down put sb's nose out of joint idiom
ruffle sadden scandalize screw screw sb up sear sensitivity
shadow shake shake sb out of sth shake sb up shake/rock sth to its
foundations idiom shattering shock shocker sick sicken sorrow
stagger sting take take sb aback tear 1 tear sb apart tear sb's
heart out idiom torture touch toxic traumatize twist/turn the
knife (in the wound) idiom unhinged upset wipe wipe the smile
off sb's face idiom work work sb up wound 1

Making & accepting apologies

absolution afraid amends apologetic apologize apology atone for sth

bad beg bury bury the hatchet idiom bygone clear clear
the air idiom conciliate crawl crawl back (to sb) idiom cut cut sb some
slack idiom excusable excuse excuse/pardon my French! idiom expiate forge
forge ahead forgivable forgive forgiveness forgiving French if you'll
pardon the expression idiom make make it up to sb idiom
make up mend mend your fences idiom my bad idiom overlook pardon
atonement

pardon (me) idiom pardonable penance penitent recompense reconcile

reconciliation remission reparation repent repentant sink sink your
differences idiom sorry
cheek idiom unrepentant

take take sb back turn turn the other

HIDEOUSLY EXPENSIVE

Linguistics: very & extreme

absolutely achingly all

all and any arch arrant as

guilty/miserable/ugly as sin idiom awful awfully bad badly beyond big big
time bit bitterly blindingly but classic classical complete
abject absolute

completely damn dashed deadly dearly deeply desperate desperately

devastating devilishly downright drop dead! idiom eminently enormously esp.

especially even ever exceedingly extraordinarily extreme

extremely fantastic far fearfully fiendishly fierce fiercely flat out 2 frightfully
gnarly great greatly heartily heavily hella helluva hideously highly
honestly how hugely imagine immensely impossibly incredibly
indeed infinitely innit jolly jolly well just like literally little majorly
massive mighty monumentally most must none none too idiom
not not all that idiom one particularly peculiarly perfect
perfectly plain positive positively precious precisely profound
profoundly quite

rank rather raving real

really resounding richly

right screamingly scrupulous searing sensationally serious seriously

sheer significantly sin 1 smack so something fierce idiom sorely
spanking specially

spectacular spectacularly stark stiff stonking

strongly strongly held stupefy sublimely such super supremely surpassing

too totally
tremendous ultra- uncommonly unutterably v vastly veritable very violently
way we'll whatever whatsoever whole wide wonderfully
terrible terribly terrific thorough thoroughly thumping

Not attractive to look at

a blot on the landscape idiom be no oil painting idiom be not much to look at idiom

bleak blot blowsy charmless chintzy clash dag desolate dowdy

excrescence eyesore face florid fright fugly fussy gaunt

ghoulish glum godforsaken graceless hatchet-faced have a face like the

horsey icky inelegant

let let yourself go idiom look look a fright idiom loud minger
back end of a bus idiom hideous hideously homely

minging monstrosity mousy mutton mutton dressed as lamb idiom not be a

pretty sight idiom oil painting photograph piggy plain plug-ugly pretty
pretty-pretty putrid reptilian stolid tasteless twee ugly

ugly duckling

unappealing unattractive unbecoming unflattering unglamorous

uninviting unsightly vulgar

Getting involved for one's own

benefit or against others' will
a piece/slice of the action idiom

act action bandwagon be in bed with idiom

finger get get in on sth get/muscle in on the act idiom glom onto sth/sb
have a finger in every pie idiom have a finger in the pie idiom horn horn in
bed

interfere interference intrude intrusion jump/climb/get

on the
bandwagon idiom meddle snoot stick your snoot in/into (sth)
idiom

Being important and having

importance
bulk bulk large idiom centrality

come come before sth/sb count cut cut to

the chase idiom echo echo down/through the ages idiom equally essence

fish

have bigger/other fish to fry idiom have/take pride of place idiom

loom loom

large idiom matter mean the world to sb idiom outweigh override

preponderant pride reign rise signify top

weigh world

Arriving, entering and invading

access admission annex appear arrive barge barge in be on the
scene idiom been break break in breaking and entering idiom bugger come
come along come down come in come through come to
sth crash descend descend on/upon sb/sth dock enter fetch fetch up find
foot gatecrash get get in get sb in go go down go in go up to sth
hit hove immigrate in. incoming infiltrate infiltration ingress interloper intrude
intrusion invade keep keep (sb/sth) out land let let sb/sth in loom
make pile pitch pitch invasion pitch up present pull pull in/pull into
somewhere push push in queue-jump raid re-enter reach report rock
rock up roll roll up! idiom scene set foot in somewhere idiom show
show up stretch there trespass turn turn out turn sth up turn up
(somewhere)

Masses and large amounts of things

accumulation amplitude an embarrassment of riches idiom any number of things

battery bit blizzard block boatload body

bonanza bounty bucketload bulk cascade chunk clod clot cloud clump
conglomeration cornucopia corpora corpus deal deluge embarrassment end
few fistful flood foam force fund gallon generality good hail haul
heap heaps hoard host hulk hump hunk lashing lather legion lion
idiom backlog

logjam lot

lump many mass mound mountain

end of sth idiom no fewer than idiom

multitude myriad no

number oodles outpouring panoply pile

plethora predominance preponderance profusion pulp raft

reservoir river rivers of sth idiom scads score

rash ream

sea shedload

sheet shitload shower sight slab slew 1 smorgasbord soapsuds

spate squillion stack stacked stream suds superabundant tablet
the lion's share idiom thousand tidal wave ton torrent umpteen
volley wadge wall wave wave after/upon wave idiom wedge welter
whoosh wodge

Throwing
cast catapult chuck flick fling heave hurl overarm overhand overthrow
peg pelt pitch precipitate project projectile shy sling slung
stone throw throw-in thrown toss underarm underhand unseat

Playing music
accompaniment accompany

beat beat sth out blow busk chop conduct

go improvisation improvise interpret interpreter

intonation ivory jam music music-making musical musicality
musicianship noodle on perform phrasing pitch play playable pluck
raise the roof idiom range roof serenade sight-read sound strain
strike strike up (sth) strum swell tap tap sth out tickle the ivories idiom
transpose tune virtuoso wah-wah
fiddle fingering gig

Trying and making an effort

act all all-out assault attempt attempted backside

backwards bash battle be all (that) you can do idiom be banging, etc. your
head against a brick wall idiom bear bear down beg beg, borrow, or steal idiom
bend/lean over backwards idiom best bid blitz bother call call on sth
crack dabble damnedest die do or die idiom do your level best idiom do/try
your utmost idiom drive effort endeavour essay exert extend extra faint faint
a blitz on sth idiom

heart never won fair lady/maiden idiom fight tooth and nail idiom flirt flirt with sth for
all you are worth idiom foray gather get off your backside idiom get your act
together idiom get your head down idiom

give give sth a whirl idiom give sth your

go go after sth go all out idiom go for it idiom go for sth go out
of your way idiom go the extra mile idiom go to great lengths idiom god God
best shot idiom

helps those who help themselves idiom grasp grasp at sth grope grope for
sth half have/make a stab at sth idiom head

heart heroic if at first you

don't succeed, try, try again idiom keep/put your nose to the grindstone idiom

leave leave no stone unturned idiom length level make a play for
sth/sb idiom might move move heaven and earth idiom nose not do
things by halves idiom or die in the attempt idiom performance-related

persevere play play hardball idiom 1 pressure pull pull out all the stops
idiom pursuance pursue pursuer pursuit push push your luck idiom put
put your back into sth idiom put your best foot forward idiom put your heart
and soul into sth idiom quest run run after sth scrabble see

seek
shoot shoot for sth shoot for the moon idiom shoot the works idiom shot
smarten (sb/sth) up smarten up your act idiom sortie spare square
square the circle idiom stab stayer stick stick at sth stick to sth strain

every nerve idiom stretch stretch

a/the point idiom strive strove struggle succeed suck suck it and
strain after/for effect idiom strain

see idiom summon sweat sweat blood idiom take take the time

idiom tooth trier try try for sth try your hand at sth idiom try your
luck idiom tussle tussle with sth undeterred utmost way whirl
with might and main idiom work work at sth worth

Towns & regions: environments &

localities
belt environment environs field hood in your
backyard idiom local locale locality localize localized locally
manor milieu neck neighbourhood pitch quarter surround
backyard

surroundings this, our, etc. neck of the woods idiom turf vicinity

aggregate airbrick asbestos asphalt bitumen boarding brick

cement chipboard cinder block clapboard concrete course creosote decking
fibro flag flagged flagstone floorboard flooring hard core hardboard
insulation lacquer lagging laminate laminated lath leading 1
limestone masonry paving pitch prestressed putty razor wire
adobe

reinforced concrete roofing rubble screed sealant shingle

siding slate stanchion staple stone-clad stonework tack

tar tarmac thatch tile timber two-by-four wattle and daub
weatherboarding

acid aspersions assail attack back bad-mouth bag bash

bashing be down on sb idiom be gunning for sb idiom be on sb's
back idiom beat beat up on sb belabour blast boo boot brief broadside
call call sb out case censure cluck come under fire idiom
come/suffer under the lash idiom condemn criticism criticize damn
-basher

damn sb with faint praise idiom decry denounce denunciation deprecate derogate

dig dim dirty disapprobation disapproval disapprove

disapproving disparage down eat eat sb alive idiom excoriate fault find
fire fit flak frontal fulminate get off sb's back idiom get off sb's case
derogation

idiom get on sb's case idiom give sb a dirty look idiom give sb hell idiom

glass go go for the jugular idiom grief gun hammer hammering

hate hate on sb hater he'll heap heap sth on sb hit hit out hold hold
it/that against sb iconoclast if the cap fits (wear it) idiom inveigh against sb/sth

jump jump all over sb idiom knife knock knocker lash lash out
lashing low blow malign maul mauling monster nag nagging needle
jugular vein

niggle nitpick nitpicking not hold with sth opprobrium pan people who live in
glass houses shouldn't throw stones idiom personalize pick/pull sb/sth to

pieces idiom piece pillory pitch pitch into sb/sth poorly

potshot pounce pounce

on sth pound

pop. pot

pound away at sth/sb pour pour

put put sb down put the

boot in idiom put/stick the knife into sb idiom rip rip into sb/sth
rubbish run run sb/sth down sail sail in sarcasm sarcastic
sarky satirize say second-guess shred slag slag sb off slam slap slap
sb/sth down slate snipe stick stigma stricture strike strike out (at
scorn on sb/sth idiom pull pull sth apart

sb/sth) swipe
syndrome tear

take a dim view of sth idiom talk trash idiom tall poppy
1 tear sb/sth apart tear/rip sb/sth to shreds idiom thank

you

the pot calling the kettle black idiom there there you go idiom 1 there's little to
be said for sth idiom think think of sth/sb think poorly of sb/sth idiom

throw throw sb to the dogs idiom thumb thumbs down idiom

traduce trash turn turn on sb union-basher vitriol

awning backpack

backpacker billy bivouac bivvy bivvy sack camp

camp out camper campfire campground camping camping

ground campsite canvas caravan park caravan site caravanning cot

fly flysheet glamping groundcloth groundsheet guy

latrine lean-to peg peg sth out pitch Primus stove pup tent site sleeping
bag strike tent tent city trailer camping trailer park yurt
encamp encampment

(straight) from the horse's mouth idiom afflict affliction almost/nearly die of sth
idiom be

a martyr to sth idiom be a victim of your own success idiom be

devoured by sth idiom be in the grip of sth idiom be on the rack idiom be on the
receiving end idiom be pitched into sth idiom be staring at sth idiom be/fall prey to sth
idiom bear bear the scars idiom burn by the seat of your pants idiom casualty

come come in for sth come over come under sth condemn condemn sb to
sth consume count count the cost idiom creep creep over sb creep up on sb
cursed dearly depth devour die eat eaten up with/by sth idiom emerge
encounter enjoy experience exposure fall fall prey/victim to sth/sb
idiom feel feel sb/sth out firsthand gauntlet get the short end of the stick idiom
get/have your fingers burned idiom go go through sth grip hands-on have
hold hold on horse in for sth idiom in. incur keep knock martyr
meet meet with sth nurse nurture of on pay pay for sth pay the price
idiom pitch plunge plunge (sb/sth) into sth practical prey rack receive
ride ride (out) the storm idiom rough rough justice/luck idiom run run
into sth run the gauntlet idiom run up against sth sample seat see
see life idiom sense short stare stricken subject suffer survive

survivor sustain take/have a knock idiom target

torturous under

taste temporal time

undergo underwent ups and downs victim

witness writhe

Taking part and getting involved

along

association attendee be (a) party to sth idiom be heavily into sth idiom

be mixed up with/in sth idiom be on the case idiom be up to your neck (in sth) idiom

bit bury bury yourself in sth case catch caught in the crossfire idiom
centre come come in come/go/be along for the ride idiom complicit
complicity concern count count sb in crossfire deep dirty dirty your
hands idiom embroil engage

engage in sth entanglement enter enter into

get get (sb) into sth get into

sth get the bit between your teeth idiom get your teeth into sth idiom go go in on
sth hand hat heavily immersive in on sth idiom in too deep idiom in.
incursion interested interloper intervene invade involve involvement join
join in (sth) joiner jump jump in at the deep end idiom jump in with both
feet idiom let let yourself in for sth mess mess with sth/sb mix
muscle muscle in neck on part partake participant participate
participation partook party pitch pitch in plunge plunge in/plunge
into sth punch punch above your weight idiom ring-in sign
sign on stake step step in submerge submerge yourself in sth
suck suck sb/sth in/suck sb/sth into sth take take sth up
tangled throw your hat into the ring idiom too tooth wade wade
sth enter on/upon sth excursion fool fool with sth

into sth

angle askew bank cock cockeyed fall fall away gentle inclination incline
lean list lopsided oblique obliquely pitch pitched rake raked roll
shelve skew skew-whiff slant slanted slanting slope

tip tip (sth/sb) over yaw

a good/bad turn idiom abet

band band

steep steepen tilt

aid alms assist assistance attend auxiliary avail

together be cruel to be kind idiom be of service (to sb) idiom be your

last resort idiom

bridge carry carry sb through (sth) collaborate

common contribution cooperate cooperation cooperative cruel crutch dirty

do sb a power of good idiom do sb a service idiom do sb's dirty work idiom do-gooder
door Dunkirk spirit enable errand errand of mercy idiom facilitate fag

favour for

force foreign aid give sb a leg up idiom give/lend sb a helping hand

idiom go a long way toward(s) doing sth idiom good

hand hang hang

together help help (sb) out helpful interest leap leg long. make
yourself useful idiom manna manna from heaven idiom muck muck in oblige

oblige sb with sth obliging oil oil the wheels idiom open the door to sth idiom
1 partner

pay pitch pitch in platform play play along power

pull pull (sb) through (sth) pull strings idiom pull together pull your weight
idiom rally rally round (sb) reach

reach out to sb recourse relief

resort run run errands idiom sake 1 save

scene see see sb

through sth service set the scene idiom share a platform
idiom start start sb off succour supportive tide tide sb over
(sth) turn useful wait wait on sb well disposed

up to the mark idiom

broad calibre centi- chunky cubic deep depth dimension distance
draft draught drop elevation factor floor-length full-scale gauge halfsize hecto- ht imperial kilo knee-deep knee-length length length
lengthways level light year linear longways mark measurable
altitude aspect be running at sth idiom be

measure measurement mega megaton metric metrication micro millipico- pitch ply pollen count proportion radius

reading run scale

setting SI

size soundings span stopping distance tera- tyre pressure unit

vital statistics wheelbase wide width

aquaplaning
up bike

back back sth up behind behind the wheel idiom belt belt

bomb boxed in brake branch branch off sth bump start

bump start car seat carve carve sb up change chauffeur coast corner

cut cut in cut sb off cut sb up defog demist dip disengage downshift
drink-driving drive drive off drive time drive-by driver driver's license
driving driving licence drove DWI ferry filter filter in foot from a
standing start idiom give give way idiom grind grind to a
halt/standstill idiom gun

handle handling have a heavy foot idiom

heavy hog hog the road idiom hold hold the road idiom
hydroplane hydroplaning indicate

jam jam on the brakes idiom joyriding

jump-start learner's permit lock manoeuvrable manoeuvre manoeuvring

merge mileage motor motoring motorist mpg mph nose overtake overtook

off pull out pull over

pull up pull up short idiom push-start put your foot down idiom
rev reverse right of way road road rage road test roadholding run
run away with sb running costs scorch self-drive shift skid skidpan
speed speed limit speeding stall standing steer tailgate test drive the
provisional licence pull pull

away pull

Highway Code the RAC three-point

turn toll tolled ton tootle

traction travel trundle turning circle U-turn

action stations agreeable amenable at sb's beck and call idiom at your

command idiom be good to go idiom be in business idiom be in good shape idiom be

in the mood (for sth/to do sth) idiom be ready to do sth idiom beck bring bring sth

business can 1 command compliance disposed eager fain

find find it in your heart to do sth idiom game good happily keen
on

mettle mood on your mettle idiom packed pleased poised prepared raring

readily readiness ready ripe ripe for sth idiom set

shape
speed up to speed idiom wait wait in the wings idiom will
willing

bicycle bike bike rack bike shed biker brake cable brake
pad chopper crossbar cycle cycle clips cycle rack cycle rickshaw
cyclist derailleur dirt bike exercise bike freewheel handlebars inner
tube mountain bike mudguard off-road pannier pedal pedal power
penny-farthing pushbike racer racing bike reflector rider saddle
saddlebag skibob speed spoke sprocket stabilizer tandem training
backpedal

wheels tricycle trike unicycle wheelie

caper carrying-on complicit complicity copycat count

crime crime of passion

criminal criminal record delinquency delinquent

drink-driving drive DWI felony first-degree foul play game
crime wave crime-ridden

hate crime illegality inside job juvenile delinquent lawless loitering

misdeed netherworld offence offense outrage petty crime racket rap
sheet second-degree speed

speeding stitch-up tort transgress

trespass vagrant vice victimless war crime wrongdoing zero

tolerance

at full tilt

at full pelt

at full strength

at full stretch

at close quarters/range idiom

at each other's throats idiom

at every turn idiom

at first idiom

at full tilt idiom

at full/half throttle idiom

at hand idiom

at heart idiom
at His/Her Majesty's pleasure idiom

Fast and rapid

(at) full speed/tilt/pelt idiom a mile a minute idiom apace as fast as your legs would
carry you idiom as if it is going out of style idiom at a rate of knots idiom at full tilt

idiom before you can say Jack Robinson idiom blistering breakneck brisk chop-

crash express fast fleet full full steam ahead idiom gallop
galloping go/sell like hot cakes idiom have a heavy foot idiom he'll
headlong heavy hell for leather idiom helter-skelter high-speed hot hotfoot
hustle in the twinkling of an eye idiom Jack Robinson lick lickety-split
chop

lightning like a shot idiom like a streak of lightning idiom like lightning idiom
meteoric mile nimble nippy PDQ pell-mell poky posthaste precipitous

prompt promptly quick quick-fire quickly rapid rapid-fire rate

say

shot smartly souped-up spanking speed spread like wildfire

idiom streak style supersonic swift tilt top twinkling whoosh
wildfire zippy

Air travel: aviation

aerial aero- aerobatics aerodynamic aerodynamics aeronautics
aerospace air

Air Miles air

traffic control air-dash aircraft airlift

airline airshow airsick airspace airspeed airworthy aviation avionics

bail out bank barnstorm barrel roll be stacked

up bomber buzz carrier carry on crash-land depressurize
ditch excess baggage FAA flight flight path flight simulator fly fly-bywire flyby glide ground speed holding pattern lane level level
off/out loop loop the loop idiom no-fly zone pancake
landing pressurize put put (sth) down (somewhere) roll
baggage allowance bail

set set sth down slipstream sonic boom stack supersonic tailspin tailwind
take off throttle throttle (sth) back/down touch touch down vapour
trail yaw

Speed of motion
airspeed at full/half throttle idiom brisk burst celerity clip clock
going ground

rapid rate

zip

fleet gallop

speed haste instantaneous velocity momentum pace pacy

speed speedy supersonic swift throttle top velocity

Specific types of drug

acid addictive amphetamine amyl nitrite antiretroviral aphrodisiac
barbiturate betel blow caffeine cannabis cisplatin cocaine coke
corticosteroid crack crystal meth depressant designer drug dope
downer E, e ecstasy ganja grass hallucinogen hallucinogenic hash
hashish heroin horse joint junk legal high LSD marijuana

meow meow mephedrone mescaline methadone methamphetamine miaow miaow

mickey mind-altering narcotic non-addictive opiate opioid opium

over the counter idiom paan pan pep pill peyote popper pot
psychedelic psychoactive psychotropic reefer roach roid skunk skunkweed
smack snow

speed spliff statin steroid stimulant tab upper

visionary weed whizz

Increasing and decreasing speed of

motion
accelerate acceleration brake

catch catch (sb) up decelerate downshift

foot gather gun inhibition motor put your foot down idiom quicken
retard retardation slacken slow slow (sb/sth) down/up sped speed speed
(sth) up spurt throttle

throttle (sth) back/down

Photography
black camera camera-shy capture carousel cheese close-up
come come out daguerreotype darkroom definition develop
developer digital camera enlarge enlarger exposure fast film fisheye lens fix
fixative flash flashbulb flashgun focal length focus focused foreground
frame full-frontal glossy grain grainy happy slapping hi-res high-resolution
airbrush aperture

hologram holography lo-res low-resolution microfiche microfilm mount

mugshot negative overexpose pap paparazzi photo photo photo

opportunity photo session photocall photogenic photograph photographer

photographic photography photojournalism pic picture pin-up Polaroid

print process project projection red-eye say cheese idiom

self-portrait selfie sepia sharp shoot shot shutter slide
slide show SLR camera snap snapshot speed still
superimpose telephoto lens tripod underexpose viewer

viewfinder wide-angle lens zoom zoom in/out zoom lens

Hurrying and doing things quickly

accelerate acceleration

against against the clock idiom against time/the clock

idiom alacrity arse at the stroke of a pen idiom at/on the double idiom be in a tearing
hurry idiom be on the run idiom be pressed for time idiom bring bring sth forward

business bustle clapper clock cobble cobble sth together dash dash
sth off dispatch dose double double-quick envelope expedite
expedition expeditious fashion flash flat frantic frantically gallop gallop

through sth get a move on idiom get off your arse idiom grease haste hasten hasty

hit/press/push the panic button idiom hop hurried hurry hurry (sb/sth) up in
a flash idiom jump jump the gun idiom light like a dose of salts idiom like
greased lightning idiom like mad idiom like nobody's business idiom like the

clappers idiom like there is/was no tomorrow idiom mad make short shrift of
sth idiom make short work of sth idiom more haste, less speed idiom move
on the back of an envelope idiom on the run idiom panic

button patch

patch sth together pounce precipitate precipitately precipitation

promptly quick quickie rattle rattle sth off rattle

prompt

through sth run

rush rush into sth rush job rushed scrabble scramble sharpish
shoot shoot sth off short short shrift smart snap speed

speedy step step on it idiom stroke take tear 1 throw throw

sth together time tomorrow trot with dispatch idiom

Painting & drawing materials

acrylic airbrush brush

canvas chalk

charcoal drawing board easel

glitter Indian ink lead 1 manikin mannikin oil oil paint paint
paintbrush palette palette knife

pastel pencil poster colour poster paint

sitter sketchpad stencil template watercolour woodblock

The engine & engine parts

abs air brake air-cooled alternator anti-lock antifreeze automatic

transmission battery brake camshaft carburettor catalytic converter
choke combustion chamber connecting rod crankshaft cutout cylinder

differential disc brake distributor drive drive shaft engine exhaust

pipe fan

belt first flywheel gasket gear idle ignition internal

combustion engine manual

transmission motor motorized muffler neutral

plug point power steering radiator rev reverse

second 1 shock absorber silencer spark plug speed starter motor
sump supercharger suspension tailpipe tappet throttle
transmission turbocharger universal joint water-cooled
pickup piston

The human torso

abs axilla back beer belly

belly button bosom breast chest core crotch crutch diaphragm
flank glute gluteus groin gut hip love handles mediastinum middle
midriff muffin top navel paunch pectoralis pectorals phrenic pot potbelly
shoulder side six-pack small smooth muscle solar plexus spare
-bellied -chested abdomen abdominals

tyre stomach ache thoracic thorax torso trunk tummy tummy button
umbilicus visceral muscle waist waisted waistline

Containers for carrying personal

possessions
backpack bag baggage baggage allowance billfold
briefcase bumbag carry on carryall change purse clutch bag duffel bag
attach case

excess baggage fanny pack garment bag grip hand luggage handbag hatbox
haversack holdall kitbag knapsack luggage pack

pannier pillbox

pocket pocketbook port portmanteau purse rucksack sack

saddlebag satchel shopping bag shoulder bag sling sponge bag
sporran suit bag suitcase toilet bag toiletry bag tote tote bag
waist pack wallet

Informal words for parties

bash beanfeast beano blast blowout booze-up do 1 knees-up mixer

piss-up shindig

shivoo

Gardens & yards

allotment backyard barnyard boatyard cloister cloistered

compound

court courtyard farmyard forecourt formal formally garden

ground junkyard precinct quad roof garden yard

Travellers & visitors

a rolling stone (gathers no moss) idiom backpacker bird of passage

caravan carpool commuter daily passenger day

caller

trip drifter expedition

explorer fare flyer frequent flier globetrotter grief tourist guest guest
of honour hitchhike hobo holidaymaker houseguest itinerant office-goer

passenger peripatetic pickup pilgrim pioneer ridership rolling

sightseeing stayer tinker tourist tourist office touristic traffic
traveller tripper vacationer visitor voyager wander well travelled

Nomadic & alternative lifestyles

a rolling stone (gathers no moss) idiom beatnik bohemian boho

communal commune counter-culture crusty flower child go/get back to nature

idiom greaser hermit hippie nature

New Age New Age traveller

nomad rolling subculture the Beat Generation traveller

underground

Extremely small

be knee-high to a grasshopper idiom fractional imperceptible infinitesimal

micro microscopic miniature

minuscule minute 1 nano- slim subatomic teeny tiddly tiny
irreducible itsy-bitsy knee-high Lilliputian

titchy vanishingly weeny

Sharing
allocate allot allotment apportion cake carpool

club club together collective

common commonality commonly communal corporate distribute distribution

divide/split (sth) down the middle idiom divvy divvy sth up double double
up Dutch fifty-fifty go Dutch idiom go shares idiom half job-share
joint mate middle part portion portion sth out ration ration sth out
redistribute share share and share alike idiom share-out
shareable shared slice slice of the cake idiom split syndicate
the slice/share of the cake idiom whack

a narrow squeak idiom

a nasty piece of work idiom

a needle in a haystack idiom

a new broom sweeps clean idiom

a new lease of life idiom

a night on the town idiom

a nip (here) and a tuck (there) idiom

a nip and tuck idiom

a nod is as good as a wink idiom

Excitement, interest, energy and

enthusiasm

a new lease of life idiom alacrity animation ardour avid

buoyant buzz

bang brio brisk bug

character colour commotion dalliance

delirium dotty drama dynamism dynamite eager ebullient elan elation
energy enterprise enthusiasm excitement exhilaration exuberant fanatical
fascination fever fever pitch fight fire flap flirtation frenzy frisky
frisson frolic get-up-and-go glamour glitter go gusto hoo-ha hubbub
interest intoxication juice keen kick life lively meaty
missionary zeal mojo nail-biter new nibble oomph page-turner pep perky

physicality piquant pizzazz pzazz romance romanticism second wind

sensation sensationalism shiver shiver (up and) down your

spine idiom sparkle spice spirit sprightly stimulation stir
suspense thrill verve vibrant vigour vim vitality vivacious
voracious warmth whirl whirligig with a bang idiom zap zeal
zealous zest

Augmenting and supplementing

a new lease of life idiom accrual accrue add add on sth addendum

addition

append augment beef beef sth up bolt bolt sth on broaden/expand/widen sb's
horizons idiom bulk bulk sth up

extension gain graft horizon

incremental interpolate new optimization optimize sup supplement tack

tack sth on tag

tag sth on top top sth up transfusion weight

write write sth into sth

Busy and active

a head of steam idiom a hive of activity/industry idiom active

all arena

be (as) busy as a bee idiom be all go idiom be at work idiom be back in harness idiom
be chasing your tail idiom be in a tearing hurry idiom be in the middle of sth idiom be
in the process of doing sth idiom be in/go into high gear idiom

be on the

move idiom be on the run idiom be one thing after another idiom be up to
your ears in sth idiom be up to your eyeballs in sth idiom be up to your eyes in sth
idiom be up to your neck (in sth) idiom bee burst busily bustle bustling busy

buzz chase circus ear engage engaged eye eyeball feverish foot
frenetic full gear girlie swot hand hard-working harness have have
(got) sth on have sth on your plate idiom have your hands full idiom head
headless hectic hive

hothouse hum hurly-burly hustle industrious

intensive jump kick kick up knee-deep

mad make make up for lost

time idiom make up for sth middle move moving multitasking neck
on on the go idiom overdrive peak plate process rev rev up (sb/sth)
rough rough and tumble idiom run run around run round in circles idiom
run round like a headless chicken idiom rush/run sb off their feet idiom

spread spread yourself too thin idiom spurt stimulating tear 1 thing tie
tie sb up we'll well away idiom work

Violent or aggressive
aggression aggressive aggro all hell breaks loose idiom atrocious atrocity

blood blood and guts idiom blood lust bloodbath

bloodletting bloodshed bloodthirsty bloody bovver brutal brutality brutish
cold combative confrontation desperate fell ferocious fierce
bellicose belligerent

fiercely fighting words flex flex your muscles idiom forced forcible frenzied

gay-basher gory hawkish he'll homicidal hostile in cold blood idiom lout

marauding mean militarist murderous offensive outrage physical

pugnacious raging Rambo rampage road

rage rough roughhouse

roughly run running with blood idiom sabre-rattling savage
savagely savagery stand up steep steeped in blood idiom
strong-arm thug tough trigger-happy trouble ugly vicious
violence violent violently warlike warmonger wild

Sly & devious

calculation conniving conspiratorial crafty

cunning devious disingenuous fox foxy guile Machiavellian scheme
sleight of hand sneaky trick tricky underhand wily
artful backdoor calculating

Physics: energy, force & power

-powered

a head of steam idiom atmospheric pressure

barometric pressure binding energy bioenergy cathode ray tube centripetal

chemical bond constructive interference depressurize

distance multiplier

drag dynamic dynamics dynamo electric field electric field

intensity electrolytic cell electromotive energy equilibrant force force
multiplier friction fundamental force geothermal gravitation head

high-pressure hydro- impact incident inertia insolation internal

energy jet

propulsion joule kilojoule longitudinal wave low-pressure

meltdown micropower normal force osmotic pressure potential

energy power pressure pressurization propulsion pulse

radiant energy repulsion self-propelled shock solar specific heat static
equilibrium stored energy strain stress stress fracture strong force
surface tension the sound barrier thermodynamics thrust torque
transverse wave vector weak force work

Faults and mistakes

(that's) your hard luck idiom a blot on sb's character idiom aberration
Achilles heel adrift black mark blemish bloomer blooper

blot blunder bodge

boob botch bug chink chink in sb's armour idiom clanger

clinker corrigendum creep creep in/creep into sth defect
demerit discrepancy eccentricity errata erratum error failing false alarm
false move fault faux pas flaw foot foul-up Freudian slip funeral gaffe
goof hard have feet of clay idiom hole howler imperfect
boner boo-boo

imperfection imprecise inaccuracy inappropriate incongruity inconsistent

invalidity irregularity kink lapse loophole

malapropism

malfunction misprint misspell mistake mistaken mix-up

oversight peccadillo price screw-up short short circuit
shortcoming slip slip of the tongue idiom slip out slip up
solecism strike that's/it's your funeral! idiom typo weakness
what price...? idiom

Arguing & disagreeing

(how much) do you want to bet? idiom a bone of
contention idiom adversarial afoul aggressor agitate agree agree to
differ idiom arguable argue argue the toss idiom at each other's
throats idiom bandy bandy words idiom battle battlefield be

at

odds idiom be on a collision course idiom beg bet bicker bone

case cat circular clash collision conflict conflicting contestation
cross cross swords idiom demur dicker differ difference disagree
discordant dispute dissent dissenter do battle idiom duel
exchange exchange words idiom expostulate fall fall foul of sb idiom fall
out fat feud fight fight like cat and dog idiom fur gherao hammer
hammer sth out have a bone to pick with sb idiom I beg to differ/disagree idiom

issue lock lock horns idiom loggerheads make a case for sth
idiom make the fur fly idiom mano a mano matter mike check mix
mix it idiom non-consensual odds piggy in the middle put/set the cat
among the pigeons idiom quarrel quibble row 1 schism score set set
sb against sb settle a score idiom shadowbox slang slug slug it out
idiom spar spark sparks fly idiom split squabble start tangle tangle
incongruent

with sb that's a matter of opinion idiom the fat is in the fire idiom the fur flies idiom

throat tussle variance wrangle

Expressing and asking opinions

air ask come come out couch day editorialize express expression
eye far for my money idiom get on your soapbox idiom give voice to sth idiom
have your day in court idiom how do you like...? idiom I should hope/say/think so/not

like mind money mouthy opine parapet pass

personally pronounce pronounce on/upon sth propound put put sth
idiom if you ask me idiom

across put sth over/across put your head over/above the parapet idiom put yourself
across remark

run run sth by sb say screed shoot should soapbox

sound sound off sounding board speak speak out/up speak your mind
idiom stake stake sth out stand stand (up) and be counted idiom statement
strike strike a note idiom take

talk talk sth over the think to my

eye idiom to my mind idiom to sb's way of thinking idiom ventilate vocalize
vociferous voice

what with would

Attracting and tempting

appeal arrest attract attraction bait be under sb's spell idiom

beckon become beguile bewitch bewitched captivate catch charisma charm
charm offensive charm the pants off sb idiom chemistry come on
counterattraction crowd-puller cute disarm draw enchant entice glamorous
glamour glitter incentive jump jump out at sb lure magnet
magnetism modesty pull pulling power reel reel sb/sth in seduce
seduction seductive spell spellbinder suave tantalize
tantalizing tempt temptation tickle tickle sb's fancy idiom
affinity allure

Reacting and responding

alert and the same to you with (brass) knobs on idiom backlash bite bite back
(at sb/sth) chain reaction counteract countermeasure go go over greet hairtrigger hypersensitive knob on your toes idiom overreact react

reaction reactive

receive reception recoil reflex reflexive reflexively reply

respond response responsive rise rise to the occasion/challenge
idiom sensitive sensitivity sensitize shock wave strike strike
while the iron is hot idiom that the worm turns idiom ticklish toe wake
wake (sb) up worm

tickle sb's fancy

Attacking & invading

aggressor ambush attack

beleaguered besiege blitz blitzkrieg blockade

charge come come at sb conquer conquest counteroffensive

cyberattack cyberbully cyberwarfare engage engagement foray
blue-on-blue

going-over hit-and-run incursion invade invader invasion invasive

kamikaze

lunge move move sb/sth in occupation occupy offensive onslaught

outflank pincer movement push raid reducer relieve

rip rip into sb/sth

rush sack sacking sally seize siege sortie storm strike strike
force surgical strike swoop the Blitz

an easy touch idiom

an elephant in the room idiom

an embarrassment of riches idiom

an Englishman's home is his castle idiom

an eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth) idiom

an iron hand/fist in a velvet glove idiom

an old/a wise head on young shoulders idiom

Revenge and vengefulness

back bite bite back (at

sb/sth) don't get mad, get even idiom even eye fix get get even with sb
an eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth) idiom avenge

idiom get sb back get your own back (on sb) idiom give sb a dose/taste of their own
medicine idiom have half a mind/a good mind to do sth idiom

medicine mind

hit hit back mad

own pay pay sb back payback reprisal retaliate

retaliatory revenge revenge is sweet idiom revengeful settle settle an (old)

score idiom settle an account idiom show
sb idiom tit

strike strike back that will show

for tat two two can play at that game idiom vengeance

vengeful vindictive

Interrupting & preventing from

speaking
accost barge

barge in belt belt up blurt sth out break

break in butt

butt in button button it idiom buttonhole chime chime in chip chip

in collar cut cut in cut the crap! idiom gag gagging order give it a rest
idiom heckle horn

horn in interject interjection interpolate interpose

interrupt interruption jump

jump in just just a

minute/moment/second idiom mike check muzzle nobble not get a word in

edgeways idiom obtrude punctuate

put put a sock in it! idiom put sth in rest

shush shut shut (sb) up shut your mouth/face idiom slap slap sb down sock

speak speak when you're spoken to! idiom spit spit it out! idiom spit sth out
squelch strike strike up (sth) take the words out of sb's mouth idiom talk
talk sb down wait wait a minute/moment/second idiom waylay word

UK politics: legislation & lawmaking

article assemblyman assemblywoman

ban bill constitution constitutional constitutionally
copyright criminalize debar decriminalize disallow draftsman enact enforce
equal protection executive extraterritoriality Green Paper guillotine house
abolish abrogate amend amendment

jurisprudence lawmaker legalize legislate legislative legislative assembly

legislative council legislator legislature legitimate legitimize outlaw

parliamentarian pass

passage penal reform pilot pocket veto

private member's bill prohibit prohibition

promulgate proscribe quash

reading repeal rescind rescission revoke rider rule

sanction speaker strike strike sth down the Dil White Paper
writ

Accepting & agreeing

accept acceptance accord accredit accredited acknowledgment

after your own heart idiom agree agree to sth agree with sth
agreed agreement alignment allow approve approved arrive
arrive at sth assent be at one idiom be ruled by sb idiom buy-in by
certify check compact conclude conclusion concordance concur
concurrence consensual consensus consent cool countenance court
currency daresay embrace establish face value fall fall in line
idiom fall in with sth formal formalize formally gauntlet gentleman's agreement
go go ahead go along with sth/sb go through go with sb/sth grant grasp
grumble heart internalize jump jump at sth language leap leap at sth
listen to reason idiom memorandum middle ground
murmur mustn't grumble idiom nod OK on the nod idiom one play
play ball idiom pounce pounce on sth rapprochement ratify reach
reason recognition recognize reconcile reconciliation
registered respect respectful rise rise to the bait idiom root rule
sanctify sanction seal see see eye to eye idiom see your
way (clear) to doing sth idiom settle settle on sth settlement
sign sign on the dotted line idiom signatory so so be it idiom social contract
solidarity speak/talk

the same language idiom strike strike a chord

take take root idiom take

sb up on sth take sth at face value idiom take-up take/pick up the
idiom swallow swallow the bait idiom sympathy

gauntlet idiom traction unanimity unanimous unchallenged understanding

unquestioned unquestioning uptake validate

idiom

volunteer without a murmur

within your memory idiom

without

without (so much as) a backward glance idiom

without a care in the world idiom

without a murmur idiom

without fear or favour idiom

without issue idiom

without so much as a by-your-leave idiom

Almost

all almost as good as idiom as much as idiom be on the way to sth idiom border
border on sth close come within a whisker of (doing) sth idiom come within an
inch of sth idiom fairly get get on going on good inch intent more more or
less idiom most much near near nearly next nigh on the verge (of)
idiom part practically pretty pushing quasi- scant strike sub that was
close! idiom the best/better part of idiom to/for all intents and
purposes idiom up to verge verge on sth virtual virtually way
well-nigh whisker within striking distance idiom

Detonation & bombardment

air raid airstrike barrage blanket bombing blitz blitzkrieg bomb bombard

bomber bombing booby trap carpet-bombing detonate detonation detonator

direct hit dive-bomb fire firebomb first strike flak

get go go off
guidance hit let let loose sth idiom let sth off loose mine mine

detector nuke pepper pepper sth with sth petrol bomb prime release
saturation bombing she'll

shoot shoot sth down shooting

strafe strike strike home idiom the Blitz torpedo

Being & falling ill

ail be a martyr to sth idiom be green around the gills idiom be

laid up

idiom be off your food idiom be out of sorts idiom be/feel

under the weather idiom break break out bring bring sb out in
sth burned out burnt out catch your death of cold idiom come come
down with sth contract death declension develop disagree disagree
with sb food get gill 1 go go down with sth have KO laid lay lay sb
like death warmed up idiom martyr
pneumonia predisposed prone recurrence recurrent relapse shiver shivery
low idiom lay sb up look/feel

sicken sort strike strike sb down succumb suffer upset weather

be kind, generous, etc. to a fault idiom

be knee-high to a grasshopper idiom

be knocking (on) 60, 70, etc. idiom

be known to be/do sth idiom

be laid up idiom

be laughed out of court idiom

be laughing idiom

be laughing all the way to the bank idiom

be laughing on the other side of your face idiom

Starting and beginning

arrive ball

be in the first flush of idiom become begin branch branch out

break break into sth break out bring bring sth in burst burst into
song/tears/laughter idiom business come come into play idiom come
on commence crack dawn develop dip dip a/your toe in (the water) idiom
dive dive in/dive into sth embark embark on/upon sth enter enter into sth enter

export fall fall into sth fall to first from scratch idiom
germinate gestation get get (sth) off the ground idiom get cracking idiom
get down to business idiom get down to sth get into sth get on
on/upon sth erupt

with sth get stuck in idiom get the/this show on the road idiom get weaving idiom

go go ahead go into sth good ground grow

half-cock here here goes! idiom hit hit the ground running idiom ignite inaugurate
incipient initiate initiator instate institute introduce kick kick (sth) off
kick in kick-start lead 1 lead off lead with sth lead off life motion
move move on nascent open opening originate pilot play plunge
get/set to work idiom

plunge in/plunge into sth put/set sth in motion idiom put/set sth in train idiom

run run with sth sail sail in scratch set set about sth set in set out set
sb off set sth off set the wheels in motion idiom set to show spark
spring spring to life idiom start start (sth) off start on sth start out
start/set/get the ball rolling idiom stir stirring strike strike out stuck
stumble stumble into sth swing swing into action idiom take take
sth up throw touch touch sth off train trigger wade wade in
weave wheel work

bellows combust fire fire starter firelighter ignite

kindle kindling light

ignition incendiary

make make sth up match put put sth out 1 set

fire to sth/sb idiom set sth/sb on fire idiom splutter strike tinder

-ly account

advisement agonize over/about sth ask

torch

attention

battle battle of wits idiom cerebration chew chew sth over chew the
cud idiom chew your cud idiom cogitate cold consider consideration
contemplate contemplation count counterfactual critical thinking cross cud
cudgel cudgel your brains idiom dally dally with sth dawn dawn on sb debate
deliberate deliberation depth dip entertain explore flash flit food
gaze at/contemplate your navel idiom give sb food for thought idiom give sb pause
idiom grapple grapple with sth harbour have another think coming idiom have
sth on your mind idiom have your business, sensible, etc. head on idiom

head

hit hit on/upon sth I/we'll (have to) see idiom in the cold light of
day idiom introspect introspection joined-up thinking lateral thinking let let me
see/let's see idiom let's see idiom long. look look at sth meditate
meditation methinks mind mindfulness mull mull sth over muse navel
heart-searching

navel-gazing not be thinking straight idiom not think twice idiom occur occur to
sb pause play

play with sth ponder put your thinking cap on idiom

puzzle puzzle over sth puzzle sth out rack rack your brains idiom
rationalize reason reassess reckon reconsider reflect reflection
rethink revisit ruminate rumination run run through sb's mind/head idiom
scratch scratch your head idiom see soul-searching spare spring
spring to mind idiom still still waters run deep idiom stinking thinking
strike take take a long, hard look at sth idiom take sth into account idiom
the thought crosses sb's mind idiom think think sth out think
sth over think sth through thinking thought toy toy with sth
turn turn (sth) over use use your head idiom weigh weigh your
words idiom wonder worry worry at sth wrestle wrestle with
sth your mind is on sth idiom

attention bend bestride cross-legged crouch ease footing

four get get up hunker down kneel line lotus position on all fours idiom
akimbo astride

perch pew plop plump plump (sb/sth) down pose rampant seat seated

up sit-down squat
stance stand stand around stand aside stand round stand up
stand-up strike surface take a pew! idiom take the weight
off your feet/legs idiom weight
seating sit sit (sb) up sit back sit down sit

sth out sit

blank blank sth out cross cross sb/sth off (sth) cross sth out delete deletion

edit edit sth out efface erase rub rub sth out score score sth
out/through strike strike sth out/through x

act affect applicability be/fall under sb's influence/spell idiom

bear bear on sth bearing carry carry sth over claw colour come come
over sb cross cross over determinant dispose do 1 do something, nothing,
etc. for/to sb idiom ear effective exertion extend force get your claws into sb
idiom go to sb's head idiom governing guide have the ear of sb idiom head
impact infiltrate infiltration inflect influence influential inroad inspiration
instrumental jerk lead 1 leave leave your/its mark on sb/sth idiom major
league make a/your mark (on sth) idiom manoeuvre mark minor league
mould one-to-one pen play play on/upon sth play politics idiom
across-the-board

politics predispose sb to/towards sth prompt psych ops psychological

warfare resonate

reverberate run run away with sb sb/sth does

things to you idiom shape sphere of influence spill spill over start start sb

tell tell against sb/sth the pen is mightier than the sword idiom
thing tilt tilt the balance/scales idiom turn turn sb's head idiom
under unlock warp weigh work work against/for sb
off strike

come come out cooling-off period demarcation dispute

direct action down down tools idiom general strike go-slow industrial action
industrial tribunal job action lightning strike lock lock sb out lockout pay
claim picket picket line picketer restrictive practice scab sit down
stoppage strike strike pay strikebound strikebreaker
striker sympathy union-basher walk walk out walkout
abstain blackleg

wildcat strike work-to-rule

a blast from the past idiom aide-mmoire

and don't you forget it

idiom awaken awaken sb to sth be engraved on sb's memory/mind idiom

be etched on/in sb's memory idiom be your epitaph idiom blast bring bring sth back
bring/call sth to mind idiom by-heart

cast catchy cherish clock come

come back to sb come to sb commemorate commemoration commit

conjure

echo engrave epitaph etch evocative

evoke flashback for old times' sake idiom forget go go in hark hark
back to sth have a familiar ring (to it) idiom have/know sth off pat idiom heart
conjure sth up day dredge dredge sth up

hold hold that thought idiom if my memory serves me right idiom imprint
indelible jog jog sb's memory idiom keepsake know learn let let's see
idiom look look back mark memento memorabilia memorable memorize
memory memory span mental note mind mindful mnemonic old pat
place prompting put sb in mind of sth idiom rake rake sth up recall
recapture recollect refresh refresh sb's memory idiom relive remember
remind remind sb of sth/sb reminder reminisce reminiscence reminiscent

resonance resonant resonate resurface retrace retrospect ring

ring a bell idiom serve

shade souvenir stamp stamped on

sb's memory idiom stick stick in sb's mind/head/memory idiom
store store sth up strike strike a chord idiom suggestive take
take a stroll/trip/walk down memory lane idiom take sb back
think think back those were the days idiom transport trophy
turn back the clock idiom unforgettable you know idiom

Meals & parts of meals

accompaniment afternoon tea afters antipasto appetizer banquet barbecue BBQ

blowout board box lunch braai breakfast brown-bag brunch buffet

burnt offering carryout clambake cocktail collation continental breakfast
cooked breakfast cookout course cream tea cut lunch dinner dinner party
dinner time dish elevenses English breakfast entre feast feed
feeding finger buffet finger food go high tea hors d'oeuvre light liquid
lunch little lunch lunch hour luncheon lunchtime main course meal
mealtime meat meat and two veg idiom midnight feast nosh-up packed lunch

picnic plate meal ploughman's lunch postprandial pot luck

power breakfast/lunch pub grub pudding ready meal

repast sack lunch side side dish side order sit down sitting
smorgasbord snack spread square meal starter supper
suppertime sweet table d'hte takeaway takeout tapas tea tea
party teatime tiffin TV dinner working
lunch/breakfast la carte

a cut above idiom

a damsel in distress idiom

a dog in the manger idiom

a dog's breakfast idiom

a dog's life idiom

a drop in the ocean idiom

a drop too much (to drink) idiom

a drowning man will clutch at a straw idiom

Failures
a dog's breakfast idiom abortion another/the final nail in the coffin idiom basket

case bomb

breakdown car crash cock-up collapse crash

dead duck dead loss default delinquency dereliction disaster dog dud fail
failure false dawn false start fiasco flameout flop fool's gold foul-up free
fall fuck-up hash lemon loser lost cause low lulu meltdown
mess mess-up might-have-been miss mockery nail near miss nemesis
no-hoper non-starter omnishambles parody pratfall reversal reverse
slim pickings slush pile strike tailspin track record train wreck
turkey underachiever underdog undoing washout

Showing and demonstrating

act act sth out argue attest barometer bespeak betray bring bring sth forward
bring sth out define demo demonstrate demonstration demonstrative

disclose

express externalize flash flaunt

flicker give give sb away giveaway glimmer guide indicate
indication indicative manifest manifestation mark mark sth out outlet
outline point point (sth/sb) out point the way idiom point to/towards sth
pointer proclaim produce production project prove put put up
sth radiate reflect reflection register release reveal revealing
say says something about sb/sth idiom shew show showcase sign
signify signpost speak speak volumes idiom splash strike strike an
attitude/attitudes idiom suggest testimony token trace tribute unveil
unwrap vent view way wear whiff witness
display emanate evince exhibit expose

Watches & clocks

24-hour clock against the clock idiom alarm alarm clock analogue at/on the
stroke of sth idiom bezel carriage clock chronograph chronometer clock clock

crystal cuckoo clock digital face fast

gain grandfather clock hand hour hand hourglass jewel keep lose
radio clockwise clockwork

minute hand movement pendulum quartz radio alarm clock second hand
shockproof slow snooze button stem stopwatch strike
synchronize tell

stroke sundial

tick timekeeper timepiece twenty-four-hour clock watch

watchband watchstrap

wind 1 winder wristwatch

Death and dying

accidental death at

peace idiom be as dead as a doornail idiom be

fading away/fast idiom be on your deathbed idiom be pushing up (the) daisies

idiom be

six feet under idiom bereave beyond the grave idiom bite bite the

body brain death breath breathe breathe your last

idiom bury buy cadaver carcass casualty come to/meet a sticky end idiom
coroner corpse cot death crib death croak d. dead death death throes
death toll death wish deathbed decease deceased demise depart depart
this life idiom departed die die off die out done done for idiom
doornail drop drown drowning dying end expire extinction fade fall
fallen fatality flatline foot ghost ghoulish give up the ghost idiom go
god gone goner grave have one foot in the grave idiom hour in extremis
inquest kick kick off kick the bucket idiom knell last late lay lay down your
life for sth idiom lay sth down leave let nature take its course idiom
life life-and-death lifeless long. lose lose your life idiom loss
macabre make the ultimate/supreme sacrifice idiom meet meet your maker
idiom morbid morbidity mortal mortality nature necrophilia necrophiliac
not long for this world idiom number on your last
legs idiom open verdict pass pass away pass on passing
pay pay the ultimate price idiom peace peg peg out perish pop
off pop your clogs idiom pop. posthumous predecease push remains
rest rigor mortis road kill road toll sacrifice sb has bought it
dust idiom

idiom sepulchral shuffle shuffle off this mortal coil idiom SIDS sink sinking

fast idiom six snuff snuff it idiom starvation starve starving sticky

stiff

stillbirth stillborn stone-dead

strike strike sb down succumb sudden infant

death syndrome suffocate terminal the disappeared the Grim Reaper those
whom the gods love die young idiom to/until my dying day idiom toll watery

your hour has

come idiom your number is up idiom
watery grave idiom with your last/dying breath idiom

accidentally on purpose idiom

Success & failure in business

administration axe bankrupt bankruptcy basket

case belly branch

branch

buy buy into sth Chapter 11 charter close close (sth) down close
up shop idiom closure collapse corner corner the market idiom crash
diversify do a roaring trade idiom dying entrepreneurship establish
establishment fail fire sale float flotation fly-by-night fold foreclose
found foundation game changer game-changing go go belly up idiom go to
out bust

the wall idiom go

under go under growing pains have a corner on a market

idiom joint venture

liquidate liquidator locate lose moribund official

receiver organic growth prosper receiver

receivership roaring seed

money sell sell out sell sth off set set sth up set up shop idiom shakeout
shingle shop shut shut (sth) down shut up shop idiom sink sinking
ship idiom spin spin sth off stagnant

start start (sth) up start-up

turn turn sth around turn sth round turnaround under venture wall
wind (sth) down wind 1 wind sth up

a bit on the side idiom

a bitter pill (to swallow) idiom

a blanket of sth idiom

a blast from the past idiom

a blessing in disguise idiom

a blinding flash idiom

a blitz on sth idiom

Good luck and bad luck

a blessing in disguise idiom bad/hard/tough luck! idiom be a good idiom be bad luck
on sb idiom be down on your luck idiom be in/out of luck idiom be just as well idiom
be laughing idiom beginner's luck

best blessed blessing break break a

leg idiom charmed day draw/get the short straw idiom fairy godmother fateful

favour foot for (good) luck idiom for luck idiom foredoomed fortunate
fortunately fortune fortune cookie fortune smiles on sb idiom godsend
good grace hapless happenstance happily happy hard hard luck!
idiom heaven-sent in the lap of the gods idiom in the right place at the right

time idiom jammy jinx knock knock on wood idiom land land on your feet
idiom 1 land on your feet lap

laugh luck luck out luckily luckless lucky may

the best man/person win! idiom merciful mercy misadventure

mischance
misfortune mishap mixed blessing Murphy's law not be sb's day
idiom regrettable right serendipity shame
something star-crossed streak

short Sod's law

strike strike it lucky idiom

stroke the best of British (luck) idiom there but for the grace of
God (go I) idiom thing touch touch wood idiom tough
unfortunate unfortunately unlucky voodoo we'll with any luck
idiom your luck's in! idiom

Singing

a cappella accompaniment accompany alto anthem aria Auld Lang Syne

backing backup ballad barbershop baritone bass 1 belt

belt sth out boy band busk calypso cantor carol carol singer chant chanteuse
chantey choir choirboy choirmaster chorale chorister chorus Christmas carol
contralto countertenor croon crooner dirge ditty diva duet elegy falsetto glee

club Gregorian chant hum hymn intonation

jingle karaoke lead singer

lip-synch lullaby lyric madrigal mezzo-soprano national anthem number
nursery rhyme octet oldie oratorio perform pitch plainsong playback
singer prima donna psalm quartet quintet raise the roof idiom range rap
refrain roof round sang septet serenade sextet shanty sing
along sing. singalong singer singsong song song form
songfest songster songstress soprano spiritual Star-Spangled
Banner strike strike up (sth) sung tenor the Internationale

theme theme music theme song torch song treble tune

verse vocal vocalist voice warble yodel

bag banish be scattered to the four winds idiom bin carbon capture
cast cast sb/sth aside/off cast sb/sth out change chase chuck chuck
abandon

sth away/out chuck/throw/toss sth/sb overboard idiom clear out clear up consign sth

cut defoliate denude discard dismantle dispense dispense

with sth/sb disposal dispose dispose of sb/sth ditch do 1 do away with sth doff
drop drop it/the subject idiom drop sb/sth like a hot potato idiom dump
to the dustbin idiom

dumping dumping ground dustbin eliminate elimination eradicate

erase evacuate expunge expurgate flay fling fling sth/sb out flush flush
sth out fly-tipping free free sb from/of sth haemodialysis jettison

junk

leach lose neutralize off offload overboard pension pension sth off
pull purge redact redaction rid rid sb/sth of sth/sb riddance scatter scrap

scrape see see the back of sb/sth idiom shake she'd shift shoo

shot shrug shrug sth off shuck shuck sth off shuffle shuffle sth off
sling sling sth out slough slough sth off strike strip take take
sth down throw throw sth away/out throw sth out throw the
baby out with the bathwater idiom tip toss toss sth aside toss
sth out turf turf sth out unplug walk walk sth off waxing weed
weed sth/sb out wick work work sth off

alloy amalgam anodize arc welding base metal beaten blacksmith brass

bronze bullion cast iron copper-bottomed Duralumin electroplate farrier

fatigue ferromagnetic ferromagnetism ferrous galvanized gild gilded gilt

gold leaf gold-plated goldsmith hallmark heavy

metal ingot

iron ironwork ironworks lode magnet magnetic magnetic field

magnetism magneto manganese melt melt sth down mercury metal
metal detector metallurgist metallurgy metalwork mill nickel-plated nonferrous pewter pig iron plate precious metal rolled gold scrap
shear silver silver plate silversmith smith solder soldering iron
solid spot-welding stainless steel steel steelworker steelworks
sterling strike tarnish tin tinplate titanium transition metal
tungsten verdigris weld welder welding wire wrought iron zinc

hallmark
a typical characteristic or feature of a person or thing:
Simplicity is a hallmark of this design.
This explosion bears/has all the hallmarks of (= is likely to have
been) a terrorist attack.

axe be out on your ear idiom bloodletting

boot cashier chop

constructive dismissal defrock delayering depose deposition disbar dismiss

ear ease ease sb out elbow elbow sb

out fire firing furlough get the push idiom give sb the heave-ho idiom grass
heave-ho invalid 1 invalid sb out lay lay sb off layoff marching orders
notice oust ouster pasture pay pay sb off pension pension sb off
pink slip pink slip push push sb out put sb out to grass idiom put sb out to
dismissal dooce drum drum sb out of sth

pasture idiom relieve

relieve sb of sth removal remove retire

retrench retrenchment sack sacking severance shakeout slashand-burn strike strike sb off (sth) termination walking
papers wastage

Soft and fluffy

anneal as smooth as silk/a baby's bottom idiom feathery flaccid floaty fluffy foamy

furry fuzzy gauze lather limp macerate satiny shaky silken

silky smooth soft soften softener soggy spongy squashy
frothy

squidgy squish sudsy velvet workable

bang bang up
sb/sth bash bashing bashing batter battered battering battery beat beat
a bunch of fives idiom a rap on/over the knuckles idiom at-risk

sb to a jelly idiom beat sb to a pulp idiom beat sb up beat sb's brains out idiom beat
the (living) daylights out of sb idiom beat the hell out of sb idiom beat up on sb
beat/kick/knock the stuffing out of sb idiom beat/knock/whale the tar out of sb idiom

belabour belt biff blow bonk boot bop box box sb's ears idiom brain

bunch butt clap clip clobber clock clout club conk cosh crack
crown cudgel cuff daylight deck drive drum duff duff sb up fetch
flick floor hammer he'll head-butt hit jab jelly kick knee knock knock
sb's block off idiom lash lay lay sb out lick licking mess mess sb up
nut paddle pasting pistol-whip poleaxe pound pulp pummel punch
punch sb's lights out idiom put the boot in idiom raise raise

your hand to/against sb idiom rap seeing-to six six of the best idiom slap
slap sb around slash slog slug

smack sock stick stomp stomp on

sb/sth strike strike out (at sb/sth) stroke stuffing swat swing swing at

tan tan sb's hide idiom tar thump thwack wallop

walloping whack whop wind 1
sb swing for sb swipe

borehole coal

coal mine coal miner coalface coalfield collier colliery

derrick digger excavate excavator extract field

fracking gold mine

mine miner mineral

mining oil rig oil well oilfield oilman OPEC open-cut open-pit
opencast petrodollar pit pit pony pithead prospect quarry rig shaft slag
heap strike strip mining vein workings
goldfield gravel pit gusher hydraulic fracturing

blood chill chill sb to the bone/marrow idiom cow creep curdle daylight
fear flesh frighten frighten sb into sth frighten sb/sth away/off frighten/scare
sb out of their wits idiom ghoulish hair life make sb's blood curdle idiom
make sb's blood run cold idiom make sb's hair stand on end idiom make sb's skin

crawl idiom make your flesh crawl/creep idiom overawe petrify put the fear of God

into you idiom put/get the wind up sb idiom scare scare sb away/off scare sb
into doing sth scare sb shitless idiom scare sb/sth away/off scare, frighten, etc.
the (living) daylights out of sb idiom scare/frighten the life out of sb idiom
scaremonger send send chills down/up sb's spine idiom send

shivers
down/up sb's spine idiom send shudders/a shudder down your
spine idiom shiver shiver (up and) down your spine idiom
shudder skin spook strike strike fear/terror into sb idiom
terrify terrorize wind

1 wit witless

in the black idiom be in the

money idiom be made of money idiom 1 be quids in idiom
be rolling in it idiom be sitting pretty idiom be stinking rich idiom better
off be made of money black born born with a silver spoon in
affluent affluenza afloat bankable be

your mouth idiom clover comfort

comfortable comfortably creditworthy

deep deep pockets idiom easy fat feather feather your own nest idiom filthy
flush get-rich-quick have money idiom have money to burn idiom

high in the lap of luxury idiom landed landowner lap live live high on/off

the hog idiom live

like a king/lord idiom live off the fat of the land

idiom live/be in clover idiom loaded make marry money idiom Midas

money money talks idiom money-minded moneyed not be short of a

bob or two idiom nouveau riche off on easy street idiom
privilege prosperity prosperous purchasing power quid rags-to-riches

roll self-made self-supporting short sit solvent

stinking strike strike gold idiom strike it rich idiom the high life tweedy
wealth wealthy well endowed well heeled well off well-to-do
resource rich

a few/couple of steps idiom a hair's breadth idiom a stone's throw idiom

ace

approach approachable at close

quarters/range idiom at hand idiom back back-to-back be too close for comfort
idiom be within hailing distance of somewhere idiom by by a whisker idiom cheek
cheek by jowl idiom cling close close-set closely closeness come within an
ace of sth idiom convenient direct directly doorstep eyeball eyeball to
eyeball idiom face-to-face float float around hail hair hand hand to
anywhere anywhere near idiom

hand idiom hard by here hereabouts hug immediate immediately in/within

spitting distance idiom mould near near at hand idiom nearby neighbouring
next door nr off on sb's doorstep idiom point-blank propinquity

proximity roof

round round the corner idiom scarcely

shadow shout spit squeaky step stick stick together
stone strike tailgate towards under the same roof idiom

warm whisker within shouting distance idiom within striking

distance idiom

beat beat sb off beat sb/sth back capitulate counterattack defensive

fend sb off fight fight back fight fire with fire idiom hold hold out human
shield parry pull pull (sb/sth) out reflex repel

repulse resist resistance

retreat see see sb off stand stand up to sb/sth strike strike back the
Resistance ward ward sb/sth off white flag withdrawal

alight ascertain break break fresh/new ground

idiom breakthrough catch catch sb red-handed idiom catch sb with their
pants/trousers down idiom come come across sth come upon sb/sth detect
a fishing expedition idiom

dig dig sth out dig sth up discover discovery

drilldown ferret ferret sth out find find (sth) out find sb out finder finders keepers
(losers weepers) idiom finding finger fish flush flush sb out get hold of
detection determination determine

idiom get wind of sth idiom happen happen on/upon sth/sb have a (good) nose

for sth idiom have got something there idiom hear hidden hold infiltration
introduce introduce sb to sth latch latch onto sth light light on/upon sth

localize locate location look look sth out nose nose sth out on the scent
idiom orientate pin pin sth down pinpoint pull put put sb onto sth put
your finger on sth idiom rake rake sth out red-handed rediscover root

root

sth/sb out rumble run run sb/sth down run sb/sth to ground

idiom scent search search sth/sb out smell smell sth/sb out
sniff sniff sth out sniff sth/sb out something source strike

strike on/upon sth stumble stumble across/on/upon sth/sb

suss tease tease sth out trace

track track sth/sb down turn

turn up uncover unearth unlock wind 1 winkle winkle sth/sb
out

aback agape aghast amazed appal astonished astounded awe be like a deer/rabbit
caught in the headlights idiom be struck dumb idiom believe boggle dumbfounded

fall flabbergast flat-footed ghost gobsmacked

goggle-eyed headlight heart attack hit horror horror of
horrors idiom jaw jump/leap out of your skin idiom know look like/as
eyes out on stalks idiom

though you've seen a ghost idiom nearly/almost fall off your chair idiom

nearly/almost have a heart attack idiom nonplussed not believe your eyes/ears
idiom not believe your luck idiom not know what has hit you idiom not know
what hit you idiom open-eyed open-mouthed

palpitations pop.

round-eyed sb's jaw drops (open) idiom shock

jawed staggered stalk

skin slack-

start startle strike stunned stupefy

surprised thunderstruck wonder your eyes pop out of your head

idiom

adulterate

alloy at the expense of sb idiom at-risk attack bandh bang

bang up sb/sth bastardize be hoist(ed) with/by your own petard idiom bite blemish
blight bollocks bollocks sth up bugger bugger sth up

cheapen come

come between sb cook

bust bust sth up

cost cost sb dear idiom

cut cut off your nose to spite your face idiom damage damper debauch
deface deform degradation degrade desecrate despoil detriment dig dig your
own grave idiom disservice distort do 1 do for sb/sth down drive
drive a wedge between sb idiom eat eat away at sth erode expense flame
flaw foul foul (sth) up fuck fuck (sth) up gild gild the lily idiom gilt gloss
gnaw gnaw away at sth go up in flames idiom go west idiom
goonda harm hit hoist hurt ill impair impairment interfere interfere
with sth invade joint kibosh kick/hit sb when he/she is down idiom louse
cripple

louse (sth) up make

(a) nonsense of sth idiom make a muck of sth idiom

mangle mar mess mess around with sth mess sth up mischief mockers

monkey monkey around with sth muck muck sth up muck-up muff nickel-

and-dime nonsense overhang overhung play play (merry) hell with sth idiom

poison pot punishing punishment put sth out of joint idiom queer rain
rain on sb's parade idiom rampage ravage ravages ruin

scourge seismic

shatter shoot shoot sth up shred smash sour spoil spoiling

tactic strike strike a blow against/at sth idiom strike at the heart
of sth idiom taint take its/a toll idiom take the gilt off the
gingerbread idiom take the gloss off sth idiom tamper with sth
tamper-evident tear/rip sb/sth to shreds idiom tell

tell on sb

the damage is done idiom threaten toll too many cooks spoil the
broth idiom touch

trash unrestricted upset upset the apple

cart idiom visit visit sth on/upon sb wear wear (sth) out west
worn wreck write-off

Backing, supporting & defending

-backed advocate

ally ally yourself to/with sb anchor argumentation back

back sb up backbone backing bail bail sb/sth out bailout bale bale out
bang/beat the drum idiom be

behind sb (all the way) idiom bear bear

sb/sth out behind behind every great/successful man there stands a woman

carry champion championship close close

ranks idiom close-knit collective security come come down
idiom buoy buttress

countenance crusade cudgel declare declare for/against sth defence

defend defense defensible drum endorse endorsement espouse favour

fight fight your corner idiom flag flag-waving for go to the

stake for sth idiom jump jump to sb's defence idiom keep the flag flying idiom

lend lend

your name to sth idiom lip service pander to sb/sth part

patronage pro

pro prop prop sth up provide provide for sb

recommend recommendation reinforce right right behind sb
idiom root root for sb say second 1 shoulder side side with sb
solidly speak speak in sb's favour idiom speak up for sb/sth sponsor stake
stand stand by sb stand by sth stand for sth stand shoulder to shoulder
with sb idiom stand up for sth/sb stick stick by sth/sb stick

together stick up

strike strike a blow for sth idiom subscribe subscribe to sth

support supportive sustain sustenance sympathetic sympathize
for sth/sb

sympathy take sb's part idiom take up the cudgels for/against sb/sth idiom
testimonial there's

something to be said for idiom tip

tip the balance/scales idiom underpin uphold wave/show/fly the flag idiom

welcome with word worship worship at the shrine/altar of sth idiom

Departing

check
check out clear clear out clear sb off sth come come down
depart desert desertion do a moonlight flit idiom drive drive off egress
exit forsake fuck fuck off get get away get off get the hell out of
somewhere idiom go go away go down go off go out he'll hit
hit the road idiom leave leave sth/sb behind let let sb/sth out make a
move idiom make tracks idiom make yourself scarce idiom migrate
abandon backward be ready to roll idiom bog bog off bugger bugger off

moonlight move not see sb for dust idiom outgoing p.o.q. parting peel peel

out push push along

push off ready retire road run run away run away to sea idiom run
away/off piss piss off pull

pull away pull off pull

off sally sally forth idiom scarce scarper scram sea see see sb out see
yourself out set set off/out set out shoot shoot through show show sb
out show sb the door idiom show yourself out sling sling your hook idiom slip

start strike strike out

(somewhere) take take off take to the road idiom track turf
turf sb out up vacate vertical take-off walk walk off (somewhere)
slip away slope slope off spill spill out split

walk out without (so much as) a backward glance idiom

.net against the run of play idiom bag best blinder blow blow sb/sth away
close-run come come from behind idiom come in
concede convincing crash

crash out crown dead heat dethrone do the

double down draw drubbing equalize fell game

changer game-changing give give sth away go go away goalscorer
going away idiom golden generation golden goal grand slam
hammering hold in. knock knock sb out lap lead 1 offence on out
outdistance outplay outrun photo finish pip point points deduction
promedios pull pull sth back pummel record reel reel sth off relegation zone
retire romp romp home/in idiom run run away with sth score
scoreboard scorecard scoreless scratch second 1 shutout sink
square strike strike gold idiom sudden death the golden boot the Hand
double over sb idiom

of God tie top half treble trophyless varsity walk walk

walkover walloping whitewash win

it idiom walkaway

winner winner-take-all won

at-risk backbencher backfire balls-up be running on empty idiom

beat beat a

dead horse idiom belly beta male blow blow (it)! idiom bodge bomb

boomerang botch bottom

close close, but

no cigar idiom cock cock sth up collapse come come to sth crack
crash crash and burn idiom cropper default die die a/the death idiom
draw draw a blank idiom dust elude fail fall fall apart fall behind fall
bottom out bungle choke

between two stools idiom fall down fall down on sth fall flat idiom fall short idiom fall

fight fight a losing battle idiom flog flog a dead horse idiom flop flub
fluff flunk flunk out foot founder fray fray around/at the edges idiom
fuck fuck (sth) up fumble get off on the right/wrong foot idiom give give up
on sb/sth go go against sb go belly up idiom go down like a lead balloon
through

idiom go down the pan idiom go down the tubes idiom go pear-shaped idiom
go/fall to pieces idiom grief

hash hash sth up have something/nothing to

show for sth idiom last lead

1 lose lose your touch idiom make a pig's

ear of sth idiom mess mess sth up misdirect misfire mishandle miss miss
the mark idiom much muff neglect nobble not last long idiom overreach

pale pale into insignificance idiom pan pear-shaped piece pig

rebound rot run screw screw

(sth) up show sink sink like a stone

idiom 1 sink like a stone smoke so much for sth idiom stagnate

stone strike strike out the rot sets in idiom the writing is on

the wall idiom tube

writing wrong

turn turn to dust idiom underachieve

accord accord with sth align alignment balance balance (sth) out/up
balance of power balanced compatible complement complementary consistent

even harmonious
harmonize harmony imbalance jar jarring loss match match up mesh
misalign mismatch never never the twain shall meet idiom off balance offset
counterbalance counterpoise counterweight equilibrium

on an even keel idiom one

man's loss is another man's gain idiom

realign square square (sth) with sth strike strike a balance

idiom symmetry synchronize tally top-heavy trade-off
unbalance wash well balanced well rounded

bang bowl bowl sb over broadside buffet bump cannon catch collide
collision crash dash ding fell fender bender go go into sth head-on hit
into jarring jog knock knock sb down knock sb over pile-up plough plough into
sth/sb prang rear-end run run (sth) down run (sth) into sth/sb run
sb/sth down sideswipe slam smash smash-up stack stack up
strike stub

Arcadia consummate faultless flawless golden age Goldilocks ideal ideally idyll

idyllic immaculate impeccable irreproachable land land of milk and honey

idiom made made to order idiom make

mint nirvana perfect

perfection perfectly Prince Charming Shangri-La sin 1
storybook tee to a tee idiom unblemished unimpeachable utopia
utopian white whiter than white idiom

Preventing and impeding

against anti arm avert avoid avoidable bar barrier bay be a
drag on sb/sth idiom block block sth out blot blot sth out bottleneck
bust bust sth up check combat come come between sth conspire

conspire against sth contra- cook cook sb's goose idiom

count count against

crack crack down crackdown cut cut the ground from under
sb's feet idiom dead deal defy derail deter deterrence deterrent discourage
discouragement door drag encumber fence fence sb in fireproof flameretardant flameproof foil forestall frustrate frustration guard guard against
sth hamper handicap hang have sb/sth hanging round your neck idiom
head head sth off high hinder hold hold out on sb hold sb/sth back
sb/sth counter

hold/keep sb/sth at bay idiom holding pattern impede impedimenta inhibit

inhibition jam

keep keep (sb/sth) away keep (sb/sth) off sth keep (sb/sth)

out of sth keep (sth/sb) back keep from doing sth keep sb at arm's length
idiom keep sb in keep sb/sth from sth keep sth from sb keep sth off (sb/sth)
kettle kettling knock knock sth on the head idiom leave sb high and dry idiom
lockdown lockout militate against sth nip nip sth in the bud idiom nix

obstruct obstruction occlude open the door to sth idiom 1 over my dead body
idiom overcome paralyse paralyze preclude prejudice prevent preventable
prevention prevention is better than cure idiom preventive

prohibit pull

pull the rug from under sb's feet idiom put put sb off put/throw

a spanner in the works idiom repressive retardant roil rule rule

sth out runaround sabotage saboteur safeguard safeguard

against sth scotch scuttle set set sth back smother snooker
spanner spike spike sb's guns idiom spoiling tactic stamp

stamp on sth stand stand in the way of sth/sb idiom stay stay

away from sb/sth stifle stonewall stop stultifying stunt stymie

subdue suffocate suppress suppression suppressor throttle
thwart

(as) blind as a bat idiom

(as) bold as brass idiom

(as) clean as a (new) pin idiom

(as) clear as a bell idiom

(as) clear as day idiom

(as) clear as mud idiom

(as) cool as a cucumber idiom

(as) deaf as a post idiom

(as) easy as pie/ABC/anything/falling off a log idiom

Easy to understand
(as) clear as day idiom (as) sure as eggs is eggs idiom (there's)

about it. idiom all

no two ways

right and that's flat! idiom assure assured assuredly

bag be in the bag idiom be no mistaking sth idiom bet beyond beyond a shadow
of a doubt idiom black black-and-white idiom bound cannot carve carved in stone
idiom cast iron categorical cert. certain certainly certainty certitude clear clearcut conclusive conclusively concrete consider consider it done idiom cut and

dried decided decidedly definite definitely definitive determinate determinist

deterministic die

dispute doubt doubtless easily ensure final firm

firmly firmness flat foredoomed given guarantee hard have it on
the highest authority idiom high incontestable incontrovertible indeed
indisputable indubitable inviolable ironclad irrefutable lock make make
no mistake (about it) idiom mistake

natch pronounced proof positive

really seal set/put the seal on sth idiom shadow shall

sign signed and sealed idiom solid solidity solidly squarely
sure surefire sureness the die is cast idiom two unanswerable
unarguable unassailable undeniable undisputed undoubted

unequivocal unquestionable unreserved watertight you can bet

your life idiom

watertight guarantees

Inevitable
all roads lead to Rome idiom

automatic automatically be (only) a

matter of time idiom be damned if you do and damned if you don't idiom be nothing
for it idiom be part and parcel of sth idiom carve carved in stone idiom certain
certainty damned doom fate fated

help implacable inalienable ineluctable

inescapable inevitable inevitably inexorable it

can't be helped idiom

matter nothing part relentless remorseless road seal seal

sb's fate idiom self-fulfilling self-fulfilling prophecy unalienable
unavoidable unstoppable

Wasting

down down the drain idiom fritter fritter sth away

gluttonous go down the gurgler idiom gurgler lose misspend piss piss sth
boondoggle dissipate

away prodigal profligate reinvent reinvent the wheel idiom spendthrift

squander throw throw good money after bad idiom throw sth away toss

toss sth away uneconomic wastage waste waste not, want

not idiom wasted wasteful waster

Products & producers

-ware boondoggle brand

buy by-product cash crop commodity

consignment consumables consumer durables creator deliverable dry goods end

good goodsproducing haberdashery ironmonger line loss leader made make

product experiment export general-purpose generic generically

maker manufacturer marque me-too merchandise mover notion output

product production proprietary purchase

range second 1 seller shopping special spin-off stock
supply side swadeshi throughput unit wares widget work
overstock producer

Morally wrong and evil

bad base be rotten to the core idiom black

canker corrupt criminal dark darkly dastardly debauched
abhorrent amoral anomie

debauchery decadence decadent degenerate demoniacal demonic depraved

depravity devilish diabolical disgrace dissipated dissolute enormity evil evildoer

fast fell force go to the bad idiom godless good hanky-panky

heinous immoral impure indecency indecent inglorious malevolent
malignant monstrous monstrously Mr nefarious no good idiom no more
Mr Nice Guy idiom obscene obscenity outrageous rotten satanic scandal

scandalous seamy seedy shocking shockingly sin

1 sinful

sleaze sleaze factor sleazy sordid squalid subhuman the forces

of evil idiom trespass turpitude unethical unprincipled
unsavoury unscrupulous vice vile villainous who're

wickedness wrong

wicked

Humiliating and degrading

abase be under a cloud idiom bring/take sb down a peg (or two) idiom

bruise

cloud compromise cut cut sb down to size

idiom deflate degradation degrade degrading demean demeaning deprave
detract from sth discredit disgrace dishonour doghouse exhibition fall fall from
bruise sb's ego idiom

grace idiom forget grubby humble humiliate humiliated humiliating ignoble

the doghouse idiom indignity knock knock

sb off their pedestal idiom 1 knock sb off their pedestal lower your
ignominious ignominy in

sights idiom make an exhibition of yourself idiom pedestal peg

reflect reflect on sb/sth ruin shame shameful shoddy sight

stoop stoop to sth

Far too well aware

Aware

au fait awake awakening aware

ball be no stranger to sth idiom be on the ball idiom born
clued up conscious conscious conversant cultivated cultured educated
enlightened erudite eye familiar forearmed full functional illiterate gen
gen up genned up have/keep your finger on the pulse idiom informed
inside insider ivory tower keep sb in the picture idiom know know of
abreast acquainted alive alive to sth idiom

sb/sth know when you are well off idiom know where you stand idiom knowing

knowingly knowledgeable literate not be born yesterday idiom omniscient on

the inside idiom onto

perceive picture preliterate privy profound

pulse put sb in the picture idiom repository sad sadder but wiser
idiom sensible stand stranger touch trained versed well off
with it with your eyes open idiom

accident-prone all thumbs idiom

amateur amateurish at your worst idiom

awkward awkwardly be all fingers and thumbs idiom be lost without sb/sth idiom
blunder

boil bull bumble bumbling bungle butterfingers cack-handed can't boil

an egg idiom can't do sth to save your life idiom clodhopper clumsy couldn't organize

crap finger fit for toffee idiom fumble

gauche geek great ham-fisted have have nothing on sb or sth idiom have
two left feet idiom hopeless hulk ill-equipped inability incapable
incapacitate incapacity incompetence incompetent inept inexpert jacka piss-up in a brewery idiom cowboy

of-all-trades jack-of-all-trades, master of none idiom klutz like a bull in a china

shop idiom lost lumpish maladroit

nerd no great shakes idiom not

have a prayer idiom obey organize paper paralysed paralyzed

piss artist prayer prone

rubbish save sb couldn't act,

argue, fight, etc. their way out of a paper bag idiom show pony
spirit talent the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak idiom

thumb toffee two unable uncoordinated unequal ungainly

unskilled weak wooden woodenly worst

April fool bad faith bamboozle bilk blackmail blag

bluff bullshit casuistry cheat cheat sb out of sth cleaner con confidence trick
cook cook sth up deceive diddle dirty dirty tricks do 1 do sb out of sth do
the dirty on sb idiom double-cross double-dealing dupe eye fall fall for sth fall
a numbers game idiom

for sth hook, line, and sinker idiom fall into the/sb's trap idiom fast-talk feint

fiddle

fix fixing flannel fleece fool fox funny business gag gamefixing grift grifter gyp had have have an eye to/for the main chance idiom
have sb on hoax hocus-pocus hoodwink hook hustle impersonate jape
jiggery-pokery jockey jockey sb into sth lead 1 lead sb a (merry)
dance idiom lead sb on lead sb up the garden path idiom live live by your
wits idiom match-fixing missell monkey business nick number old on the
take idiom opportunism outsmart outwit overcharge patsy play play dirty
idiom play games idiom ploy poison poison sb's mind idiom practical joke
finesse

prank prankster pretext pull pull a fast one idiom pull the wool over sb's eyes

idiom put put one over on sb idiom put sb on put sth across/over sb racket

reel reel sb/sth in ride ringer rip rip sb off rook ruse scam scammer
screw sell sell sb a bill of goods idiom send/give out (all) the
wrong signals idiom set set sb up shaft shake shake sb

down shakedown shenanigans snooker spin

stack stack the

cards idiom string string sb along subterfuge sucker sucker sb

into sth swindle take take sb for a ride idiom take

sb in take
sb to the cleaner's idiom the oldest trick in the book idiom trick

trickery trump trump sth up trumped-up wheel and deal wind up

wool worm worm yourself/your way into sth wrong wrongfoot

agrarian agribusiness agricultural

agriculture arable corn earworm

crop crop rotation cultivate farm farming grain harrow harvest

harvester haystack homestead husbandry intensive farming land landless

mixed farming pick-your-own

produce PYO rabi reap rick

seed sharecropper slash-and-burn soil subsistence farming terrace the

Agrarian Revolution the green revolution thrash thresh till vertical farm yield

Justice and fairness

a fair crack of the whip idiom all's fair in love and war idiom an eye for an eye (and a
tooth for a tooth) idiom balanced by rights idiom cleanly comeuppance cop cop it
idiom democratic do justice to sb/sth idiom due process egalitarian equitable

equity even-handed eye

fair fair go fair play fair-minded fairly

fairness fear get your just deserts idiom it's a fair cop idiom just justice
law liberalize much non-partisan payback payback's a bitch idiom
play play fair idiom play the game idiom poetic justice pound
pound of flesh idiom reap reap what you have sown idiom right
sporting sportsman sportsmanlike sportsmanship term
there's one law for the rich and another for the poor idiom
without fear or favour idiom

banger catherine wheel firecracker firework fuse pyrotechnics rocket

Roman candle sparkler

squib touchpaper

a magic touch idiom ability accomplishment accuracy acumen adroit apt. aptitude art
artistry bent

capability capacity command competence

competency coordination craftsmanship

dash day job deft dexterity don't give

ear effortless endowment expertise facility faculty

finesse flair form forte genius gift great have a (good) nose for sth idiom
up the day job! idiom

have an ear for sth idiom have another/more than one string to your bow idiom
knack know know your stuff idiom know-how long suit magic make

nose polish power proficient

prowess pyrotechnics qualification service ship skill smarts
speciality star quality strength string strong point talent
technically touch turn turn your hand to sth idiom virtuoso
manqu manual dexterity mtier

what sb is (really) made of idiom wizardry workmanship

(as) clear as a bell idiom audible background bass 1

brassy clear consonance crackle creaky deep deepen depth
discordant dissonance dulcet ear-splitting easy easy

on the eye/ear idiom

full fullness grating harmonious high high-pitched

hollow hollowly inaudible low low-pitched mellifluous melodic
euphonious

melodious pitched plaintive pounding pure raucous resonance

shrill silvery sonorous squeaky squelch staccato sweet

tone tune

tuneful tuneless

rhythmic

timbre tinny

air arrangement bolero bossa nova Britannia cantata carillon cha-cha-cha

chorus coda composition concerto conga dirge duet earworm fanfare
fantasia flamenco foxtrot fugue gavotte intermezzo jig jingle lick
march mass medley melody movement nocturne number octet
op opus overture part passage playlist polka prelude quartet
quickstep quintet rag reel requiem rhapsody riff rondo rumba salsa samba
scherzo septet serenade sextet signature tune solo sonata song
form standard string quartet suite symphony tango the

last post theme tone poem trio tune variation waltz

air airplay airtime airwaves anchor announcement break broadcast

cable cable television carry clapometer come come in commentary
box commentator digital audio broadcasting DSL edition guest headline
host live location modulate news newsroom playlist present preview
prime time produce producer production program public
broadcasting public service broadcasting radio rerun run scheduler
season serialize slow motion station station break subtitle
syndicate syndicated telecom telecommunications televise tower
transmission transmit transmitter tune tune in voice-over

accent accidental adagio allegro andante arpeggio arr. arrange

atonal bass clef breve cadence chord clef contrapuntal counterpoint
crescendo descant diatonic discord

discordant dissonance dodecaphonic

dynamics harmonic harmony key key signature legato line mike

check motif overtone pizzicato reprise rhythm score set slur
sound check staccato staff stave step syncopated tempo timbre
tonal tonality tone treble clef tremolo trill tune tune (sth) up tuning

twelve-tone twelve-tone scale unison up-tempo vibrato whole

step

a price idiom
bank charges carfare carriage carrying charge cash flow charge child
admission airfare alimony asking price at/for

support compensation consideration consumer price index

cost cost an arm and a leg/a small fortune idiom cost of living
cost price cost-effective cost-of-living index cover charge daily bread
corkage

damage dent deposit deposit bottle/can entrance fee expenditure expense

face value fare fee flat rate free transfer freight gate money get

your money's worth idiom go go for sth guide price incidentals

indirect cost keep list price maintenance make/put a dent in
sth idiom market price one-to-one out-of-pocket outgoings outlay
overhead overrun overspend par pennyworth price price tag price war
purchasing power quotation quote redress relocate remittance reserve
restitution retail price index RPI running costs service
service charge settlement spend spending standard of living
starting price sticker price stoppage street value surcharge ticket
time time is money idiom top-up fees trade price transfer fee travel
expenses tune upkeep value whack what's it worth (to you)? idiom what's
the damage? idiom wholesale worth

aside beneath the/sb's radar idiom block

block sth out brush brush sth off

close close your ears idiom close

your eyes to sth idiom cold cold-shoulder cut cut sb dead idiom deaf deprive
deprive sb of your company idiom disregard dog ear fall fall on deaf ears idiom
bury/have your head in the sand idiom bypass

fall on stony ground idiom fend sth off fiddle fiddle while Rome burns idiom give

sb the cold shoulder idiom go

leave sth aside

head ignore lay lay sth aside leave

let let sleeping dogs lie idiom let sth go/pass idiom let sth ride

idiom look look straight/right through sb idiom lost lost in the shuffle idiom

mind moulder neglect neglected neglectful negligence negligent not go

there idiom nothing on the shelf idiom ostrich pass pass sb/sth over
push push sb/sth aside put put sth aside put sth out of your mind idiom
radar ride ride roughshod over sb/sth idiom scrap heap set set sth aside
shelf shun shut shut sth out shut your eyes to sth idiom slight snub
step step on sb stony sweep sweep sth aside there's none so
deaf as those who will not hear idiom trample tune tune

(sb/sth) out turn turn a blind eye idiom turn a deaf ear idiom
unheard wave wave sth aside wink wink at sth

HIS FIRST BRUSH WITH THE POLICE

appreciate appreciation apprehend apprehension at your fingertips idiom

bear bear in on/upon board catch catch on click
come home to sb idiom

cognizant colour

common comprehend comprehension concept

construe cotton cotton on decode

dig digest discern drift enlightenment

feel feel sb/sth out figure figure sth/sb out find

fingertip follow get get hold of idiom get it into your thick head idiom get
epiphany fathom

sth into your (thick) skull idiom get the picture idiom get your mind around sth idiom

grasp have sb taped idiom have sb's number idiom head

hold home

hit hit home idiom

keep keep up know know the score idiom know/see where

sb is coming from idiom latch latch on learn make make sth/sb of sth/sb
make sth/sb out message mind nail nail sth down number OK
penetrate penny picture plumb read read between the lines idiom
reading realization realize right say say no more idiom scale see
see sb's true colours idiom see sense/reason idiom see the joke idiom see the
light idiom see the point of sth idiom see through sb/sth sink sink in skull

soak soak sth up take take sth in take sth on board idiom tape the

common touch idiom the penny drops idiom the scales fall from sb's eyes idiom

tumble tumble to sth tune tune in twig understand understanding

voice recognition wake wake up to sth where wisdom wise wise up

with with the wisdom of hindsight idiom work work sb out

all right ass be laughed out of court idiom blow blow

sb out brush brush past sb bugger cast-offs challenge civil
disobedience close/shut the door on sth idiom cold contest
abjure abnegate

damned deceive

decline defy demur denial deny derecognize disavow

disclaim disclaimer disown door draw

draw the line

idiom far foreclose frown frown on/upon sth gainsay give sb the cold
shoulder idiom have none of sth idiom hear hound hound sb out I'm buggered
if... idiom I'm damned if idiom ill-disposed jettison kick kick against sth laugh
life miss miss a chance/opportunity idiom nix none not hear of sth not
on your life! idiom nothing opt opt out opt out override overrule pass
pass on sth pass sth up pooh-pooh

punt punt on sth react react against sth

rebel rebuff refusal refuse regret reject rejection renounce
renunciation repudiate repulse resist resistant

rule rule sth or sb out scorn

see shoot shoot sth/sb down (in flames) idiom shove/stick sth up your ass!
idiom shun sit sit sth out spurn stand stand sb up tea tear 1 tear sth
up the brush-off throw throw sth out thumb thumbs
down idiom turn turn (sb) back turn sb away turn sth/sb down
turn your nose up idiom unclaimed veto vote vote sth down wash
wash your hands of sth idiom we'll (soon) see about that

idiom wild wild horses wouldn't drag me idiom would not do sth for
all the tea in China idiom

all right be green with envy idiom covet covetable covetous enviable envious
envy green grudge jealous

jealousy possessive

earth eccentric
eccentricity eerie ethereal extraordinary fantastic far out fey freak freakish
funnily funnily enough idiom funny funny ha-ha or funny
peculiar? idiom ghostly ghoul heterodox how idiosyncrasy
interesting interestingly joker joker in the pack idiom kinky kooky like nothing
(else) on earth idiom like nothing on earth idiom not add up idiom nothing
nowt odd oddball oddly oddness off the wall idiom offbeat outlandish
outrageous outr peculiar peculiarity peculiarly perverse perverted
aberrant abnormal add bizarre curious deviant

presence preternatural quaint queer random

rum sicko singularity

singularly strange strangely strangeness surreal surrealistic

suspect suspicious suspiciously suss there's nowt

so queer as folk idiom transcendental twilight twisted
unaccustomed uncanny unconventional unearthly unorthodox

wack wacky wall warped way-out weird

whimsical

whacky

actual actuality actually all that glitters is not gold idiom apocryphal

appearance at heart idiom authentic baseless be a matter of record idiom be

off the mark idiom believe bogus bona fide case chimera come come to that
idiom concrete counterfeit de facto documentary dreamlike dummy effect
effective effectively empirical escape exclude fabulous fact factual fair fairy
tale faithful false falsely fictional fictitious foundation further
genuine glitter gritty have have a/the ring of truth idiom heart
hold hold true idiom hold water idiom honest-to-goodness idealize illusory
imaginary in all but name idiom in name only idiom incontrovertible
insubstantial invention legendary lifelike made up mark

matter
mendacious mind mythical name nominal nothing nothing could
have been further from my mind/thoughts idiom officially practical
practically pretend proper properly properly speaking idiom
pukka real realistic realistically really reify remain ring ring
true idiom ring true/false idiom see seeing things idiom
something spurious tangible the fact remains idiom there's no
escaping the fact idiom there's nothing in sth idiom there's

something in sth idiom true truly truth undeniable unfounded

unlikely unreal untrue urban myth verifiable verily well founded

a fifth/third wheel idiom be neither here nor there idiom be no object idiom beside

enter enter into sth extraneous immaterial irrelevance irrelevant make no odds
idiom moot neither nothing
picture point prejudice red

object odds out of the picture idiom

herring tangential unconnected

unrelated wheel

Serious and severe

acute acutely chronic critical

critically desperate dire egregious fatal

grave gravity grievous heaviness heavy matter mortal non-fatal

serious seriously severe severely severity stiff stiffness stringent
swingeing terminal utmost

acute acutely alert antenna eagle eye eye

idiom

gimlet have an eye for sth

have eyes in the back of your head idiom have

gimlet eyes idiom have/keep (all) your wits about you idiom hawk-eyed insight

observant perceptive percipient razor-sharp

wit

sharp sharp-eyed sharply

a question mark over sth idiom abbreviate accent

acute ampersand apostrophe

asterisk backslash block capitals bracket capital capitalization

capitalize caron cedilla circumflex colon comma cross
ellipsis exclamation mark full

dash ditto

stop grave (accent) guillemet hyphen

hyphenate hyphenated inverted commas lower case oblique
parentheses period punctuate punctuation punctuation mark
question mark quotation marks quote round brackets semicolon
slash square brackets star stop stress mark stroke tilde umlaut
upper case

abnormality acute ailment attack autoimmune disease bilharzia bluetongue

bout canker CFS CGD Chagas disease chronic CMV coated common variable

complaint complication condition crisis

Crohn's disease dehydration diabetes mellitus disease disorder dose
immunodeficiency

fit illness impairment incurable industrial

disease kwashiorkor lay lay sb up life-threatening living death
dreaded lurgy endemic

lurgy malady man flu metastasis morbidity outbreak

pandemic pinkeye

predisposition retrovirus seizure strangulated sudden infant death

syndrome superbug syndrome
upset viral

terminal touch turn untreated

virus wasting disease

apply assiduous be running on empty idiom bust bust a gut idiom concentrated
conscientious doing effort elbow grease exertion fight hard hard at it idiom
heroic jump jump through hoops idiom kill labour mightily mind

overcompensate pains painstaking painstakingly perseverance plough plough

put put sth in/put sth into sth rearguard action run
set/put your mind to sth idiom shot slog slugger strenuous struggle
thirsty work trial and error work work up sth
through sth push

Complicated and difficult to do

advanced ambitious another arduous as much as you can do idiom at a push idiom
awkward awkwardly backbreaking be another matter/thing idiom be murder idiom be
no joke idiom be no picnic idiom be too hot to handle idiom begin
burdensome can't (even) begin idiom

blood

challenge challenged challenging

demanding despair devil devilish difficult easier said than done idiom easy exacting
exhausting fatiguing fiddly fiendish fierce formidable get blood out of/from a

stone idiom gruelling hard hard going hard-fought hard-won have a rare old
time idiom have your work cut out (for you) idiom heavy going Herculean

high-pressure hot house house of cards idiom impossible

insoluble insupportable insurmountable intractable irreconcilable joke
jump jump through hoops idiom killing knackering knotty laborious
labour-intensive laboured make a production (out) of sth idiom much
murder murky obdurate obstinate onerous painstaking picnic
problematic production punishing push rare rigorous
schlep sensitive sensitivity severe severely shag
shattering shitty stern sticky strenuous stubborn tax taxing
testing the devil's own idiom the holy grail thorny ticklish tiring
too too much like hard work idiom tortured touchy tough
toughen tricky unplayable unresolved unsolved unwieldy
uphill vexed wearing wearying work
-brained absent-minded amnesia be on the tip of your tongue idiom beneath

blank blank sth out blot blot sth out blur board
bury count ear elude erase exorcise expunge extinguish
the/sb's radar idiom

featherbrained forget forget it idiom forgetful get sth out of your mind idiom go by the
board idiom go in one ear and out the other idiom hazy least least said soonest

mended idiom lose lose sight of sth idiom 1 lose track idiom 1 lose sight of sth

mind miss obliterate oblivion out of sight, out of mind idiom overlook
put put sth behind you idiom radar remove rusty scatterbrain scatty
sight sink sink without (a) trace idiom slip slip sb's memory/mind
idiom slip through the net idiom take sb's mind off sth idiom tip
track unlearn your mind is a blank/goes blank idiom

addle baffle bemuse bewilder blind blind sb with science idiom blur boggle

cloud confound confuse discombobulate disorientate do sb's head in idiom

flummox fog fox fuddle get head knock/throw sb for a loop idiom loop
mix mix sb up muddy muddy the waters idiom mystify perplex puzzle
ravel reel search throw throw (sb) a curve (ball) idiom throw sb
off balance idiom tie tie sb (up) in knots idiom unbalance

blind blur blurred fuzzy imperceptible inconspicuous indiscernible indistinct

invisible melt melt (away) into sth neutral not see hide
nor hair of sb idiom see sink sink without (a) trace idiom smudged subtle
subtlety unclear unobtrusive unseen vague wraith

bit blink blitz bout brevity brief briefly

dose ephemeral evanescent fit fleeting flurry flutter in small doses idiom in
the blink of an eye idiom instant jag jiffy minute 1 mo moment momentarily
momentary msec. quick sec. second 1 short short and sweet
idiom short-lived short-range shortish split second tick time transient
awhile be short notice idiom

trice twinkling wee hours

Limelight

alliteration antihero baddy ballad bard belles-lettres blank verse caesura

canon character chorus classic conceit couplet curtain-raiser
cyborg deconstruct deconstruction doggerel drama dramatic monologue
dramatis personae dramatist elegiac elegy enjambement epigram

epitaph exegesis fairy godmother farce foot free verse haiku

hermeneutics hero heroine iambic ingnue limerick lit lit crit literary literary

agent literary criticism literature lyric lyrical masque metafiction metre

mime monologue mystery play nativity play naturalism naturalistic

nonsense verse nursery rhyme ode pantomime passion play play
poem poet poet laureate poetic poetic licence poetry prose poem
prosody protagonist psalm quatrain refrain review revue
rhyme rhyme scheme Sapphic scan scansion scrooge skit
soliloquy son et lumire sonnet speech spondee stanza street
theatre strophe structuralism stylistics subject superhero
sympathetic tragedy tragicomedy trilogy trochee two-hander
verse villain

a fault, mistake, or weakness, especially one that happens while

something is being planned or made, or that causes something not
to be perfect:
I returned the material because it had a flaw in it.
There's a fatal flaw in your reasoning.
This report is full of flaws.
a character flaw

Diamonds are still valuable, even when they are flawed.

His argument is deeply flawed.
flawed beauty

aberrant abnormal amiss anomaly awry

back back the wrong horse idiom

bark be barking up the wrong tree idiom be out in left field idiom be wide of the
mark idiom business delusive erroneous fallacious false falsely flawed
gross grossly have no business doing sth idiom imprecise improper
impropriety inaccurate incongruent inconsistent incorrect inexact iniquitous

1 irregular left field liberal mal- mismisspeak mistaken off beam out quarrel quarrel with sth
speak speak too soon idiom specious spurious unsound
untenable what what's up? idiom wide wrong wrongheaded
wrongly x
iniquity invalid

advertisement apotheosis archetype benchmark

case classic classical

copy core cross-section e.g. embodiment epitome example

exemplar exemplify flavour for instance idiom forerunner icon illustration
incarnation instance job lodestar master model original paradigm
paradigmatic pattern precedent prize prototype qua quintessence role model

sample showpiece sort specimen standard swatch taste

taster tester touchstone walk yardstick

acid acidic acidity aftertaste bite bitter

bitterness bittersweet bland cheesy chocolatey creamy dishwater eggy
fishy flavour flavourful flavourless flavoursome fruity full full-bodied
-bodied -flavoured -tasting

fullness gamy garlicky gustatory herby hoppy insipid like dishwater idiom

mature nutty oaky palate plummy pungent salty savour

savoury sharp smoked sour sugary sweet sweet-and-sour
sweetness tang tangy tart taste tasteless taster tasty toasty
umami watery woody

acquire an acquired taste idiom be in sb's good/bad books idiom be the new rock and
roll idiom be welcome to idiom

big book consider cross cross over cult

desirable desired evergreen fans' favourite flavour flavour of the month idiom gain

golden boy/girl killer

app limb lose lose ground idiom must-have out

on a limb idiom pack pack sb in pop. popular popularity popularize
popularly rock and roll sought after stock top-rated undesirable

unlovable unpopular unwanted unwelcome viral welcome well

liked well thought of

(in) any way, shape, or form idiom a means to an end idiom actively another

approach avenue basis best practice better by by (sheer) force/weight

of numbers idiom by fair means or foul idiom by hook or by crook idiom catch

up

channel convention course device dog-eat-dog drill every trick in

the book idiom fair fashion fast track for better or (for) worse idiom for its own
sake idiom formula framework half measures hook instrument jump jump
through hoops idiom key line machinery manner mean means
measure mechanic mechanism media medium method methodology
mixed media modality mode modus operandi number one one way
or another idiom one-handed open sesame own passport path pathway
pattern posture precedent procedure process regime resort route
shortcut somehow someway standard operating procedure style style
styleless stylistic system technique the key to sth idiom thus thusly trick
trick of the trade idiom vehicle vein via way ways and means idiom
what's the drill for sth? idiom whereby with workings

accidentally accidentally on purpose idiom

according to advisedly aim

aim at sth aim sth at sb allow allow for sth anticipate anticipation arrange

bargain bargain for/on sth by numbers idiom calculate

calculate on sth

call call your shot idiom cart chart confirm confirmation

conscious considered contrivance contrive count count on sth cross
calculated

cue day deliberate deliberately design destined don't count your chickens before

due engineer
expect expectancy expectant expectation fallback figure firm firm sth
they're hatched idiom don't hold your breath idiom 1

up fixed foresight foretaste forethought formulate game-fixing hatch have

something in mind idiom have sth up your sleeve idiom

head hold how are

you fixed for sth? idiom I might have known idiom I'll/we'll cross that bridge when
I/we come/get to it idiom in the pipeline idiom intend intent intention intentional it

figures idiom key key sth to sb/sth lay

line line sth up logistics look

look ahead malice map map sth out mastermind match-fixing mean
mean business idiom might mind must muster muster your forces
idiom not put it past sb (to do sth) idiom number obligatory on track idiom
order order your thoughts idiom orientate outlook past pencil
pencil sth/sb in pipeline place plan plan on doing sth plan on sb/sth
doing sth plan sth out planner pre-empt prearranged predetermine
premeditated preordain presentiment prognosis

promise propose

provide provide against sth provide for sth provident provision purpose
purposely put the cart before the horse idiom put their heads together idiom

rearrange reckon reckon on sth reschedule schedule scheme

scientific see see sth coming idiom set set sth up settle sleeve
strategic strategize summon supposed swing systematic

tactical tactician take take it one day at a time/take each day as

it comes idiom take sth out think think ahead thought out time
timetable track unpremeditated unsurprising up

watch
watch this space idiom weighted well thought out work

bolt catch

combination deadbolt deadlock fastener fastening hasp

ring keycard keyhole latch lock locksmith master key mortise

key key

lock

padlock pass key skeleton key Yale lock

Machines - parts
axle ball bearing bearing

clutch cog cogwheel compressor console

feed fulcrum guard hub inlet input instrumentation

jet jib key lever manifold mechanism monitor panel pedal
pinion pivot plunger rack rack and pinion ram ratchet regulator roller safety
valve screen shaft shovel skirt sleeve slide spindle split pin stepney
time switch timer unit universal joint valve vee belt wheel
differential gear

annotate asterisk author

be (down) in black and white

idiom black blank blog blot borrow calligraphy caption chalk
chart chronicle co-author co-write commit compose contribute
copy copy sth down correspond creative writing date document dot
down draw draw sth up enter fair fair sth out fire fire sth off get get sth
down ghostwrite graffiti graphology hand hand-lettered handwriting
hermeneutic hermeneutics inscribe jot jot sth down keep key key sth in
keyboard keyboarder log longhand make make sth out make/take
a note idiom mark mark sth down mark sth up microblogging minute
1 misspell note note sth down orthography overwrite pen pencil plot
print punch punch sth in put put sb down for sth put sth/sb down put/set
pen to paper idiom put/set pencil to paper idiom read record
register registration rewrite rhetorical strategy run run sth off scrawl
scribble semiotics spell speller spelling tag take take sth down tap tap
sth out textual

the written word touch-type transcribe transcription

type type sth in type sth out/up typing unwritten use waffle well documented
well-written writ write write back write in write off/away for sth write sth
down write sth up writer's block writing

written wrote

Solving and solutions

answer antidote band-aid solution be at the bottom of sth idiom bottom

clear clear (sth) up clue conquer crack cure cure-all do 1 expedient
fall fall into place idiom figure figure sth/sb out find a way idiom get to the bottom
of sth idiom get/put your own house in order idiom halfway house have (got) sth
licked idiom holding operation

house iron iron sth out key kill kill or cure

idiom lateral thinking lick magic wand modus vivendi palliative panacea
quick fix rack rack your brains idiom remedy

resolution resolve result

round salve solution solvable solve surmount talk talk sth out
untangle way way round idiom work work sth out work through sth
workaround

very great in amount or level, or extremely good:

They were making a tremendous amount of noise last night.
She's been a tremendous (= very great) help to me over the last few months.
You won? That's tremendous!

a (whole) heap of sth idiom a hundred/thousand/million and one idiom a whole lot
idiom

above amount and then some idiom another any amount of idiom

appreciable bag bags of sth idiom beyond/without number idiom bucket bulky
countless elevated fantastic fashion full-on

good half heap high huge

hundred in buckets idiom in spades idiom incalculable infinity innumerable

legion load load up on sth lot maxi- measurable million more
more (...) than you can shake a stick at idiom most

much myriad
number numberless numerous one out over poly score shake
shower so so much so idiom some spade strength thick thick on the
ground idiom thing thousand tremendous untold upward(s) of
whole

acrimonious aggrieved amused

angry annoyed apoplectic arm be not

amused idiom be out for/after sb's scalp idiom be up in arms idiom berserk bitter

blistering brassed off brooding browned off cheesed off choleric

crazy cross discontent disgruntled dudgeon embittered exasperated fed
up fed up to the back teeth idiom fit fit to be tied idiom furious furiously
hacked off had happy have had it (up to here) with idiom heated
heatedly het up hop hopping mad idiom hotly huff ill-tempered
incandescent incense indignant irate irritated jaundiced kick
livid mad miffed murder not be a happy camper idiom outrage peeved
pique pissed off rancour resentful scalp seethe sharply
black look

shirty snaky sore

steam steam (sth) up steamed up idiom stircrazy stormily stormy temper venomous volatile warpath
wound up wrath

beat beat down blistering boil boiling broiling burn

burning close closeness dog days fug geothermal glow heat
heat haze heated heating heatwave hot mirage oppressive overheat
airless bake

piping hot red-hot roasting scalding scorcher scorching sizzler sizzling

steaming stifling stuffy swelter sweltering thermal thermo- torrid white

heat white-hot

babble bang

beep blare bleep bong boom

bump burble burr

chime chink chug clack clang clank clap clash clatter click clink clunk
crack crackle crackling crash crashing creak crunch ding ding-a-ling
ding-dong drone echo fizz fizzle go go off gunshot gurgle hiss
honk hoot hum jangle jangling jingle knock murmur patter peal ping
pink pip pitter-patter plonk plop plunk pop. pounding putter rasp rattle

report resonance resonate ring ringer roar roll rumble rumbling

rustle rustling scrape scream screech scrunch sing. sizzle slam
smack smash snap sonic boom sound spit splash splat
sputter squeak squelch swish swoosh thud thump thwack tick ting ting-aling tinkle toll toot tramp tread twang wash whine whirr whisper
whistle white noise whoosh

extremely unpleasant, especially because of being dirty:

I found a pair of his skanky underpants on the floor.
US of low quality or not stylish, like something that a skank would wear:
I wouldn't be caught dead in that skanky outfit!

-stained all over the place idiom anyhow bedraggled besmeared

bloody cat clutter contaminate dag dirty dishevelled

disorderly dusty filthy grimy grubby grungy higgledy-piggledy inky
bespattered bloodstained

insalubrious insanitary lie lie around look like something the cat

muddy place
ragged ragtag rumple scraggly scrappy scruffy scum shaggy skanky
brought/dragged in idiom mangy manky messy mucky

slattern slob slovenly slut soiled sordid squalid

tangled tarnish

straggly streaky tangle

tousled unclean unhygienic unkempt

unmade unruly unsanitary untidy untreated unwashed
willy-nilly

worth having, considerable, substantial, sizeable, fairly large, largish,

biggish, significant;
fairly good, passable, reasonable, moderately good, not bad, worth taking
into account

I'm not prejudging the result of the investigation but

70,000 is not to be sneezed at for them.

big bloated burly capacious commodious expansive

extensive fair four-square full fullness good goodish goodly grand
grandiose grandly great heaping hearty heavy hefty high hulking
juicy L, l large large-scale largish macro macroscopic man-sized mass
mega on the large, small, etc. side idiom outsize palatial rambling real
roomy royal savage side sizeable spacious supersize swamp
appreciable baronial

sweeping the bigger the better idiom uncommon voluminous

walk-in XL

any bit certain degree faintly fairly ha'porth halfway little marginally mildly
mite moderate pretty quite rather reasonably remotely several shade
slightly some some ... or other idiom somewhat sort sort of idiom to
a/some degree idiom touch trifle

bad faith be rotten to the core idiom be up to no good idiom bent cowboy crooked
deceit deceptive designing devious dirty dishonest

dodgy down-and-dirty

dubious false finagle fishy fly-by-night fraudulent funny

grifter hypocritical iffy ill-gotten improper

good grift

low low-down malfeasance

mendacious misleading perjure rich rotten shabby shady
sham shifty sketchy slippery sugar-coated underhand unreliable

unscrupulous unsporting weasel weasel out (of

sth)
to give a lot or too much of something to someone or
something:
She lavishes more attention on that dog than she does on her
children.
The dining room was lavishly decorated.
very generous:
The critics were lavish in their praise for the paintings.

large in quantity and expensive or impressive:

lavish gifts/ promises/ praise
lavish spending
lavish banquets
The evening was a lavish affair with glorious food and an endless supply
of champagne.
The lavish production makes this musical truly memorable.

altruistic beneficent big-hearted bountiful

charitable free generosity

generous handout humane humanitarian humanity Lady Bountiful largesse

lavish munificent open-handed philanthropic philanthropist

public-spirited sweet unsparing unstinting

Giving, providing and supplying

-en accommodate

accord administer administration afford arm assign

assignment award award-winning be good for sth idiom be vested in sb/sth bestow

cast cast pearls

before swine idiom cater cater for sb/sth cater to sb/sth coal come come
forward confer contribute dangle deliver dish dish (sth) up dish
sth out dispense do 1 dole dole sth out donate entrant entrust equip
equipment extend farm farm sth out favour favour sb with sth fit fit sth out
fix fix sb up foist sth on sb furnish furnish sb with sth gift gimme give give
bring sth to the party idiom carry/take coals to Newcastle idiom

sth away give sth back give sth in give sth out give sth over to sth/sb give/hand
sth to sb on a plate idiom

given go go round (somewhere) good grant

hand hand sth around hand sth back hand sth down hand sth in hand
sth out hand sth over hand sth round hand sth/sb over help here hold
hold sth out impart in. invest invest sb with sth issue keep kick
kick in sth kit kit sb/sth out ladle ladle sth out lavish lavish sth on sb/sth lay
lay sth on lend lent maintain maintenance make make sth over
to sb make with sth offer outfit palm palm sb off with sth palm sth off
parcel parcel sth out part part with sth party pass pass sth around
pass sth on pass sth out pass sth round pay plate ply ply sb with

sth present press press sth on sb proffer provide provider provision

purvey purveyor put
sth up set

put sth on render resource reward serve serve

set sb up set sth/sb up shower shower sb with sth

spare spoon-feed stake stake sb to sth step step forward stock

supplier supply supply chain surrender tender there there you
go idiom 1 tide tide sb over (sth) trickle feed turn turn sb in turn
sb over to sb vest vouchsafe

garrulous
all mouth idiom chatterbox chatty communicative cry
eloquent expansive expressive fluent garrulous gift gossip in full
cry idiom loquacious lucid mouth oratory silver-tongued smooth
articulate be

talkative the gift of the gab idiom turn

of phrase voluble well turned

speech or writing intended to be effective and influence people:

How far the president will be able to translate his campaign rhetoric into
action remains to be seen.
I was swayed by her rhetoric into donating all my savings to the charity.
specialized language the study of the ways of using language
effectively
disapproving clever language that sounds good but is not sincere or
has no real meaning:
In reply to the question, he just produced a lot of empty (= meaningless)
rhetoric.

affricate allophone anaphor anaphora anaphoric appropriacy basilect bathos

cardinal vowel chatty cleft sentence colloquial

construction

context contextual contextualize deictic diacritic diaeresis dieresis

distributive double entendre downtoner ellipsis etymology
exclamatory exclamatory sentence flowery head idiom idiomatic
indirect speech inflected language irregular language lexeme
lexical lexicology linguistic linguistics litotes natural
language neurolinguistics oxymoron parallelism pathetic fallacy
philology polysemous portmanteau word prosody register regular
reported speech rhetoric rhetorical rhetorical strategy
rhetorician semantic semantics semiotics sociolinguistic
sociolinguistics spoonerism stylistics subject tone language
tongue usage

vex
aggravate alienate anger annoy annoyance antagonize

ass back bait be like a

red rag to a bull idiom be looking for trouble idiom be on sb's ass idiom bedevil

bend bite bite me! idiom blood

bug burn burn sb up cause a

stink idiom cheese cheese sb off cross discomfit displease drive drive sb
bother

around the bend idiom drive sb potty idiom drive sb up the wall idiom embittered
enrage exasperate

face far fuck fuck sb off gall get get a rise out of idiom

get in sb's hair idiom get on sb's tits idiom get on sb's wick idiom get on the
right/wrong side of sb idiom get sb's goat idiom get under sb's skin idiom get up

sb's nose idiom get/go beyond a joke idiom give sb the shits idiom go too far

idiom goat grate hack hack sb off hackles

hair harass harry hassle

hound importune in your face idiom incense infuriate irk irritate

jangle sb's nerves idiom jar jar on sb joke

jangle

kill leave leave a bad taste in

sb's mouth idiom look madden make (sb's) hackles rise idiom make mischief
idiom make sb's blood boil idiom mischief nark

needle nerve nettle niggle

nose nuisance oar outrage peeve pester piss piss sb off plague play
play (sb) up potty provocation provoke put put sb out put/get sb's back up
idiom put/stick your oar in idiom rankle red rile rise rub rub sb up the
wrong way idiom ruffle ruffle sb's feathers idiom set sb's teeth on
edge idiom shit

side skin step/tread on sb's toes idiom stick

stick in sb's craw idiom stick in sb's throat idiom stink tasteless
taunt tee tee sb off thank tick tick sb off tit

toe tooth touch

touch/strike/hit a (raw) nerve idiom trouble try turn turn sb's
stomach idiom vex wall wick wind 1 wind sb up won't thank
you for doing sth idiom

to examine something in order to make a judgment or form

an opinion:
After sizing up the opposition, Abe suggested a strategy.

Upfront
speaking or behaving in a way that makes intentions and beliefs
clear:

She's very upfront about why she wants the job - she'd earn a lot more
money.

up uphill uplift uplifted

upper uppermost upright upturned upward upwards vertical
ascent climbing heavenward perpendicular skyward

uphill
needing a large amount of effort:
It'll be an uphill struggle/ battle/ fight to get the new proposals
accepted.

Stampede
an occasion when many large animals or many people suddenly all
move quickly and in an uncontrolled way, usually in the same
direction at the same time, especially because of fear:
Two shoppers were injured in the stampede as shop doors opened on the
first day of the sale.
When animals or people stampede, they all move quickly in the
same direction, often because they are frightened:
A loud clap of thunder made the herd stampede.
figurative No amount of pressure will stampede (= force) this committee
into making hasty decisions.

Stance
a way of thinking about something, especially expressed in a publicly stated
opinion:
The doctor's stance on the issue of abortion is well known.

a particular way of standing:

Jenny took up a stance with her feet slightly apart, ready to catch the ball.

-ist angle article of faith attitude baggage

banner be a matter of opinion idiom

book broad church contention conviction core count credo creed

current denial estimation eye feeling fervour for one idiom frame from
belief

where sb stands idiom have/take a notion to do sth idiom helicopter view idea

idealism idealist ideological impression in my book idiom in sb's eyes idiom

judgment line manifesto matter

message mindset mythology

notion one opinion outlook perception perspective persuasion

philosophy point point of view pole politics position posture

pretension proposition school of thought sentiment should

side

slant stance stand standpoint stereotype take the other side of the coin

try try sth out on sb turn of mind two vantage point

view viewpoint voice what makes sb tick idiom your idea of
idiom tick

sth idiom your two cents' worth idiom youth culture

the prototype was in the vanguard of technical

development

cutting-edge
very modern and with all the newest features:
cutting-edge design/ technology

Sophistication with a sizzling

delightful taste
Sizzling Sophistication in Premier
Location
A stunning transformation of this Petworth row house ideally
located right off of Grant Circle. Thoughtfully designed, the
house offers 2,560 square feet of living including four bedrooms,
three and a half bathrooms with a separate entertaining space
on the main floor, fully finished lower level suite with wet bar,
urban oasis in the backyard and parking. For technology lovers,
the house features a five-zone sound system, video intercom
and Nest Learning Wi-Fi Thermostat.
Though new, must try restaurants are popping up around the
neighborhood.
Added bonus space off the kitchen and dining room, offers a
perfect spot to relax and watch a movie, play a game or curl up
with a good book.
No skimpy bedrooms in this house!
This season's summery trend is all about sophistication in a sizzling palette.

J. Furmani evening bags add an extra touch of elegance to any night-out ensemble.

AucklandNewZealand'slargestcityisasizzlingblendof
urbansophistication,multiculturalstyleandmagnificent
coastalexpansessetbetweentwoharbours.
Ratedasthethirdmostliveablecityintheworld,Aucklandishometo
onethirdofNewZealandersincludingtheworldslargestPolynesian
populationathrivingmulticulturalmixinfusingcolouranddiversity
intothecuisine,music,artandculture.Perchedonanarrowisthmus
betweentwoharbours,lifeinAucklandrevolvesaroundtheseaandthe
subtropicalclimatepromotestheeaseandenjoymentofcasualcoastal
living,outdooradventureandactivity.

Theregionsdiversityofpeopleandplaceaddsscopetotheexperience
andwithinhalfanhourofthefashionableboutiquesandcafsof
downtownAucklandvisitorscanbesippingwineatanislandvineyard,
hikingthroughrainforestorwalkingalongablacksandbeachonthe
ruggedwestcoast.

It sizzles with sophistication, epulance and opulence

glitz and glamour, a glitzy restaurant
We welcome you in a traditional warm Indian way that will make you feel part
of our large family. Our dedicated team of staff will cater for your discerning
palate.
At Tamarind our ethos is simple; to stay true to the revered authentic taste and
cooking techniques of the Indian sub-continent.
We bring a fresh level of innovation to the traditional menu, delivering mouthwatering Indian / Bangladeshi cuisine to our clientle.
Our food is cooked fresh to order, using the finest produce and ingredients,
combined with the freshest of herbs and many exciting blends of exotic spices.
Our menu embodies unique dishes with exhilarating flavours and subtle aromas
that have evolved through old traditions and modern tastes.

Situated in the rural village of Blofield Heath, on the edge of the Norfolk Broads
Britains Magical Waterland, we welcome you to Tamarind.
Recently converted from a run down pub, we bring to you a restaurant
synonymous with style, luxury and elegance. Every care has been taken to
create the ultimate fine dining experience.
The radiant allure of Tamarind is instantly apparent with an atmosphere that
sizzles with elegant sophistication. The aura is scintillating and beguiling, while
the service is warm, always with a smile.

dashing
attractive in a confident, exciting, and stylish way:
a dashing young soldier

be knee-high to a grasshopper idiom fractional imperceptible infinitesimal

micro microscopic miniature

minuscule minute 1 nano- slim subatomic teeny tiddly tiny
irreducible itsy-bitsy knee-high Lilliputian

titchy vanishingly weeny

teeter on the brink/edge of sth

If something is teetering on the brink/ edge of a bad situation, it is likely that

the situation will happen soon:

What we are seeing now is a country teetering on the brink of civil war.

(just) around the corner idiom about air at hand idiom be on the point of (doing)

come come up coming

corner forthcoming hand horizon imminent impending in the air
idiom in the pipeline idiom in-store loom looming make make to do sth
sth idiom be ready to roll idiom beckon brew

idiom offing on the horizon idiom on the threshold of sth idiom pending pipeline

point ready store teeter teeter on the brink/edge of sth idiom

threshold to-be up-and-coming upcoming upon wait wait in the

wings idiom

application apply asphalt bestrew bind binder blanket

blindfold bookbinder bound bound bury cake carpet cased cement clad
coat coated coated concrete cover creosote crust daub drape dust
encase encrusted enshroud face fall fall over sth/sb film film over front
fur gild gilded gilt grit gum gum sth up inlay lacquer lag layer line
obliterate over overlap overlay pad paint palimpsest pave plaster
plate prime proof reapply remould render resurface retread
seal silver size slap slap sth on smother smother sth in/with sth
studded surface swathe tier tile tip treat varnish veil waterproof
-covered

wax whitewash wreathe

appear as as if/though idiom by the look(s)

of things idiom come come across come over face formal impression
invest invest sb/sth with sth judge look make make as if to do sth idiom
on paper idiom on the face of it idiom ostensible outward paper persona prima
-looking apparent apparently

facie purport putative reportedly reputed seem seeming seemingly

semblance so-called

sound superficial supposed supposedly

surface verisimilitude you can't judge a book by its cover idiom

Revealing secrets & becoming

known
(the) word is/gets out idiom bare bare your heart/soul idiom be
the talk of somewhere idiom be the talk of the town idiom
blow blow sb's cover idiom blow the gaff idiom blow the whistle on sb/sth idiom

blow/take the lid off sth idiom break break cover

idiom buy cat come come out come to light idiom confide
confide in sb declassify disgorge dish divulge dob sb in

exposure finger fink fink on sb game

emerge expose

get get around (somewhere) get

out get round (somewhere) give give sth away give the game
away idiom gossip grass grass on sb huddle inform inform
against/on sb King's evidence kiss

kiss and tell idiom kiss and tell leak

leakage let

let on let sb in on a secret idiom let sb in on sth let sth slip idiom
let the cat out of the bag idiom lid light nark open open (sth) up
open sb's eyes idiom open your heart to someone idiom
out pour pour sth out pour your heart out idiom put the word out idiom Queen's
evidence rat rat on sb/sth report reveal revealing revelation revelatory shit
stirrer shop show show your hand idiom sneak snitch spill
spill the beans idiom spill your guts idiom split squeal state's

surface take the wraps off sth idiom talk

evidence stir

tell tell on sb telling

telltale the game is up idiom tip tip sb off tip sb the wink idiom tip your
hand idiom tongue tongues wagging idiom transpire turn turn out

turn the spotlight on sth idiom uncover unload unmask unravel whisper

word has it idiom

dabble dip

word

float hydroplane paddle raft row 1 sail surface swim tack

wade wallow

back base bed bottom crust face facet flange flank floor fore
front lateral meniscus nap obverse outside overlay plate rear
reverse side substrate superficialis surface surface area top
-backed

underneath underside ventral

extent fragmentary half imperfect imperfection in a manner of speaking

idiom incomplete long story short idiom

long. manner part partial partially

partly patchy point scratch/scrape the surface idiom semi superficial

surface unfinished up to a point idiom

(as) bold as brass idiom amour propre aplomb assertive assertiveness

assurance assured assuredly attitude bold bound brass

brazen brazen sth out breezy brio bullish can-do certain certainty certitude
training

confidence confident convinced dignity dogmatic dogmatism dogmatist

ego

forward forwardness fresh hold hold your head (up) high idiom
inadequacy inadequate it's safe to say (that) idiom know know your own
mind idiom morale panache poise polished positive positively pride
pride yourself on sth proud proudly pump pump sb up put your shirt on
sth idiom rakish respect safe sassy secure security selfassertive self-assured self-belief self-confident selfcongratulatory self-esteem self-respect self-worth shirt
stand/walk tall idiom sure surefooted surely tall to be sure idiom

nicety
a detail or small difference that is only obvious after careful
thought:
They spent a lot of time arguing about legal niceties.
We don't bother with all the social niceties here.

detail detailed diligent elaborate encyclopedic fine-tooth comb

granular granularity in-depth intimate 1 intricate meticulous
minutely nice nicety painstaking painstakingly precise precisely
blow-by-blow

scrupulous sedulous studious thorough thoroughgoing

thoroughly

(as) regular as clockwork idiom cue

psychological moment punctual

dot on the dot idiom opportune prompt

regular schedule sharp the time is

ripe idiom time timekeeper timekeeping timely timing well

timed

(almost) burst a blood vessel idiom -tempered ape ballistic bananas

bay bay

for blood idiom be after sb's blood idiom be foaming at the mouth idiom be jumping
up and down idiom

be/go off on one idiom bent blood blood

vessel blow blow a fuse/gasket idiom blow up blow your lid/top/stack idiom boil
boil over bridle bristle chafe chip

cut cut up rough idiom dander

deep do your nut idiom enough fit flip flip (your lid) idiom flip out fly fly
create

into a rage idiom fly off the handle idiom foam

fray froth fume get bent out of

shape idiom get your knickers in a twist idiom go ape idiom go nuts idiom go

off on one idiom go off the deep end idiom go postal idiom go
through the roof idiom grave growl have a chip on your shoulder idiom
have hysterics idiom have/throw a fit idiom hit hit the ceiling/roof idiom

hysterics jump kick kick

off knickers launch launch into sth let

let rip/fly idiom lose lose your head idiom lose your rag idiom nut nuts off
one postal resent roof sb's blood is up idiom see see red idiom
seethe sharp snap spare stew storm temper tempers get frayed
idiom throw turn in your grave idiom umbrage wobbly

Style & appearance of clothes

-necked -sleeved backless bag baggy bespoke black tie bootcut bootleg

brief calf-length casual clingy close-fitting crease crumpled dandified drape

dress dressy drip-dry easy-care elasticated elasticized figure-hugging fit fitted

flared flattering floor-length flouncy fold frilly fringed full-fashioned fully
fashioned gather granny half-size half-sleeve hang ill-fitting kneelength knitted light low slung low-cut M, m made to order idiom madeto-measure modest modesty off-the-peg one-size-fits-all open-necked
outmoded outsize padded petite pinstripe pleat plunging preppy
preshrunk quilted raglan ready-to-wear reversible ribbed ruched ruck ruck
(sth) up ruffle S, s scantily scoop-neck see-through sequin
sharp sharply sit skinny skintight sleeveless slim-fit
slimming slinky snug sporty stonewashed strapless
strappy swamp tailor-made tailored tassel tight trimmed tuck
tweedy two-tone unbecoming unflattering V-neck voluminous
waisted warm washable wasp-waisted water-repellent
wearable weatherproof well worn white-tie wraparound

Unkind, cruel & unfeeling

a cheap shot idiom acerbic acid acidly backbiting
backhanded barbaric barbarism barbarity barbarous barbed beastly below
below the belt idiom bestial bestiality bilious bitch bitchy biting brittle
callous catty caustic cheap cold-blooded cold-hearted cruel cruelty
cutthroat fiendish hard-hearted harsh have a heart of stone idiom have a
sharp tongue idiom heart heartless horrid inhuman inhumane inhumanity

insensible insensitive malice malicious malign malignant

mean meanly meanness mental cruelty merciless monster mordant
nasty pitiless remorseless

ruthless sadism sadist savagery severe

sharp shitty short shrift sick snarky spite stony swinish

tart thick-skinned trenchant uncharitable unchristian unfeeling

unkind unsparing unsympathetic waspish

Not expected or planned

abrupt ad hoc ad

lib ad-lib adventitious against (all) the odds/against all

odds idiom all at once idiom all of a sudden idiom as, if, when, etc. the spirit moves sb

automatic automatically autopilot

blue come out of left field idiom drop event explosive
idiom at the drop of a hat idiom

extemporaneous extempore extemporize forced freak freakish from/out of

get hoof impromptu improvident inadvertent inconceivable

innocent instinctive involuntary it's just one of those things idiom just just like
that idiom left field make make sth up as you go along idiom muddle
muddle along nowhere odd odds on autopilot idiom on the hoof idiom on
the spur of the moment idiom once only only to do sth idiom out of the blue
idiom out of thin air idiom overnight piecemeal queer reckon reckon
without sth rude sharp sharply sine die spirit spontaneous spur
sudden suddenly summary thin unannounced unawares
nowhere idiom

undreamed of unexpected unforeseen unintended unintentional

unlikely unlooked-for unplanned unpredictable unprepared

unprompted unscripted unsuspected untimely untoward

unwitting wing

Sharp and blunt

blunt hone

keen point pointed pointy prickly razor-sharp sharp

sharpen sharply spike spiked spiky spiny whet

an iron hand/fist in a velvet glove idiom austere authoritarian be heavy on sb idiom
disciplinarian draconian flaming

flinty hard

harsh heavy iron

nonsense not stand any nonsense idiom pitiless rigour roundly rule sth with an

iron hand/fist idiom severe severely severity sharp

sternly stiffly

sharply stern

strict strictly strictness take a hard line on sb/sth

idiom

Accurate and exact

accuracy accurate aright authoritative

bang be bang on idiom button

correct cut cut it/things fine idiom day determinate duly exact
exactly fair faithful faithfully faultless fidelity fine finely fineness flat
flawless for all the world idiom full Goldilocks got it in one! idiom hit hit the
nail on the head idiom in so many words idiom infallible infallibly just
letter letter-perfect literal literally many nose on the nose idiom one
copybook

pinpoint plumb precise precisely precision right right on the button

idiom rightly rigidly rigorous scrupulous sharp

slap smack specific

specifically spot on strict strictly strictly speaking idiom such technically to
the day idiom to the letter idiom truly unerring verbatim wart
warts and all idiom word
perfect world

word for word idiom word-

sharp
sharp adjective (ABLE TO CUT)
B1 having a thin edge or point that can cut something or make a
hole in something:
a knife with a sharp edge/ blade.
sharp teeth/ claws/ fingernails
The point of this pencil isn't sharp enough.
C2 producing or describing a quick, strong pain that makes you feel
like you have been cut:
She nudged me with a sharp elbow, to tell me to be quiet.
I have this sharp pain in my chest, doctor.
used to describe a part of someone's face that is very pointed:
a thin face with a sharp nose
If someone is sharp or makes a sharp statement, they speak or act
in a severe and angry way that can hurt other people:
He was a little sharp with me when I asked him to help.
The proposals came in for some sharp criticism.

sharp adjective (SUDDEN)

B2 happening suddenly, quickly, and strongly:

a sharp drop in temperature

a sharp decline in the standard of living
a sharp rise/ increase in the number of cases of the disease
a sharp bend in the road
to suffer a sharp blow to the head
More examples
sharp adjective (TASTE)
sour in taste:
Lemons have a sharp taste.
This cheese is rather sharp.
Synonym
acid
sharp adjective (CLEAR)
C1 clear; easy to see or understand:
This TV gives a very sharp picture.
The mountains stood in sharp contrast to the blue sky.
There is a sharp distinction between crimes which involve injury to
people and those that don't.
It was a sharp reminder of how dangerous the world can be.
sharp adjective (CLEVER)
B2 mainly approving intelligent or quick to notice things:
Birdwatchers need to have sharp ears and eyes.
She has a sharp eye for a bargain.
Our new director is very sharp.
She manages to combine a sharp mind/ intellect with a sympathetic
manner.
He was a man of sharp wit/sharp-witted man who always spoke his
mind.
The play was full of sharp one-liners.
US He may be old but he's still as sharp as a tack.
sharp adjective (FASHIONABLE)
informal fashionable:

Tony is a very sharp dresser.

a sharp- suited business executive