R 1 … miss the boat
… miss the boat
… I missed the boat on that opportunity.
… Don’t miss the boat—apply now.
… miss the boat
/ miss the boat
… I missed the boat on that opportunity.
/ I missed the boat on that opportunity.
… Don’t miss the boat—apply now.
/ Don’t miss the boat—apply now.
R 2 … histrionic
… histrionic
… His histrionic reaction was over the top.
… She gave a histrionic performance.
… histrionic
/ histrionic
… His histrionic reaction was over the top.
/ His histrionic reaction was over the top.
… She gave a histrionic performance.
/ She gave a histrionic performance.
R 3 … ineffable
… ineffable
… The beauty of the sunset was ineffable.
… She felt an ineffable joy.
… ineffable
/ ineffable
… The beauty of the sunset was ineffable.
/ The beauty of the sunset was ineffable.
… She felt an ineffable joy.
/ She felt an ineffable joy.
R 4 … kindle
… kindle
… The story kindled his imagination.
… She kindled a fire in the hearth.
… kindle
/ kindle
… The story kindled his imagination.
/ The story kindled his imagination.
… She kindled a fire in the hearth.
/ She kindled a fire in the hearth.
R 5 … obstreperous
… obstreperous
… The obstreperous crowd refused to leave.
… He’s known for his obstreperous behavior.
… obstreperous
/ obstreperous
… The obstreperous crowd refused to leave.
/ The obstreperous crowd refused to leave.
… He’s known for his obstreperous behavior.
/ He’s known for his obstreperous behavior.
R 6 … throw in the towel
… throw in the towel
… He threw in the towel after trying for years.
… Don’t throw in the towel yet.
… throw in the towel
/ throw in the towel
… He threw in the towel after trying for years.
/ He threw in the towel after trying for years.
… Don’t throw in the towel yet.
/ Don’t throw in the towel yet.
R 7 … sycophantic
… sycophantic
… His sycophantic attitude annoyed the team.
… She gave a sycophantic compliment.
… sycophantic
/ sycophantic
… His sycophantic attitude annoyed the team.
/ His sycophantic attitude annoyed the team.
… She gave a sycophantic compliment.
/ She gave a sycophantic compliment.
R 8 … fend off
… fend off
… He fended off the attacker.
… She fended off the tough questions.
… fend off
/ fend off
… He fended off the attacker.
/ He fended off the attacker.
… She fended off the tough questions.
/ She fended off the tough questions.
R 9 … zealous
… zealous
… The zealous fan followed every update.
… He’s zealous about environmental issues.
… zealous
/ zealous
… The zealous fan followed every update.
/ The zealous fan followed every update.
… He’s zealous about environmental issues.
/ He’s zealous about environmental issues.
R 10 … diaphanous
… diaphanous
… She wore a diaphanous scarf.
… The curtains were diaphanous and elegant.
… diaphanous
/ diaphanous
… She wore a diaphanous scarf.
/ She wore a diaphanous scarf.
… The curtains were diaphanous and elegant.
/ The curtains were diaphanous and elegant.
R 11 … immutable
… immutable
… The law is immutable and must be obeyed.
… Her beliefs were immutable.
… immutable
/ immutable
… The law is immutable and must be obeyed.
/ The law is immutable and must be obeyed.
… Her beliefs were immutable.
/ Her beliefs were immutable.
R 12 … labyrinthine
… labyrinthine
… The labyrinthine corridors confused us.
… The plot was labyrinthine and complex.
… labyrinthine
/ labyrinthine
… The labyrinthine corridors confused us.
/ The labyrinthine corridors confused us.
… The plot was labyrinthine and complex.
/ The plot was labyrinthine and complex.
R 13 … palpitate
… palpitate
… His heart palpitated with excitement.
… She felt her chest palpitate with fear.
… palpitate
/ palpitate
… His heart palpitated with excitement.
/ His heart palpitated with excitement.
… She felt her chest palpitate with fear.
/ She felt her chest palpitate with fear.
R 14 … rhapsodize
… rhapsodize
… He rhapsodized about the concert.
… She rhapsodized over the new book.
… rhapsodize
/ rhapsodize
… He rhapsodized about the concert.
/ He rhapsodized about the concert.
… She rhapsodized over the new book.
/ She rhapsodized over the new book.
R 15 … vainglorious
… vainglorious
… His vainglorious boasting annoyed everyone.
… She made a vainglorious speech.
… vainglorious
/ vainglorious
… His vainglorious boasting annoyed everyone.
/ His vainglorious boasting annoyed everyone.
… She made a vainglorious speech.
/ She made a vainglorious speech.
R 16 … yore
… yore
… In days of yore, knights rode horses.
… The tale comes from the days of yore.
… yore
/ yore
… In days of yore, knights rode horses.
/ In days of yore, knights rode horses.
… The tale comes from the days of yore.
/ The tale comes from the days of yore.
R 17 … ignominious
… ignominious
… The team suffered an ignominious defeat.
… His ignominious exit shocked the crowd.
… ignominious
/ ignominious
… The team suffered an ignominious defeat.
/ The team suffered an ignominious defeat.
… His ignominious exit shocked the crowd.
/ His ignominious exit shocked the crowd.
R 18 … jocular
… jocular
… His jocular tone lightened the mood.
… She made a jocular remark.
… jocular
/ jocular
… His jocular tone lightened the mood.
/ His jocular tone lightened the mood.
… She made a jocular remark.
/ She made a jocular remark.
R 19 … smell a rat
… smell a rat
… I smelled a rat in his story.
… She smelled a rat and investigated.
… smell a rat
/ smell a rat
… I smelled a rat in his story.
/ I smelled a rat in his story.
… She smelled a rat and investigated.
/ She smelled a rat and investigated.
R 20 … wily
… wily
… The wily fox escaped the trap.
… He’s a wily negotiator.
… wily
/ wily
… The wily fox escaped the trap.
/ The wily fox escaped the trap.
… He’s a wily negotiator.
/ He’s a wily negotiator.
R 21 … abstain
… abstain
… He abstained from voting.
… She abstains from alcohol.
… abstain
/ abstain
… He abstained from voting.
/ He abstained from voting.
… She abstains from alcohol.
/ She abstains from alcohol.
R 22 … cavort
… cavort
… The children cavorted in the park.
… They cavorted around the bonfire.
… cavort
/ cavort
… The children cavorted in the park.
/ The children cavorted in the park.
… They cavorted around the bonfire.
/ They cavorted around the bonfire.
R 23 … feral
… feral
… The feral cat avoided humans.
… Feral instincts took over.
… feral
/ feral
… The feral cat avoided humans.
/ The feral cat avoided humans.
… Feral instincts took over.
/ Feral instincts took over.
R 24 … hew
… hew
… They hewed the path through the forest.
… He hewed the wood with an axe.
… hew
/ hew
… They hewed the path through the forest.
/ They hewed the path through the forest.
… He hewed the wood with an axe.
/ He hewed the wood with an axe.
R 25 … impede
… impede
… The traffic impeded our progress.
… Fear can impede decision-making.
… impede
/ impede
… The traffic impeded our progress.
/ The traffic impeded our progress.
… Fear can impede decision-making.
/ Fear can impede decision-making.
R 26 … squander opportunities
… squander opportunities
… He squandered opportunities by procrastinating.
… Don’t squander opportunities that come your way.
… squander opportunities
/ squander opportunities
… He squandered opportunities by procrastinating.
/ He squandered opportunities by procrastinating.
… Don’t squander opportunities that come your way.
/ Don’t squander opportunities that come your way.
R 27 … lilt
… lilt
… Her voice had a cheerful lilt.
… The song’s lilt made it easy to dance to.
… lilt
/ lilt
… Her voice had a cheerful lilt.
/ Her voice had a cheerful lilt.
… The song’s lilt made it easy to dance to.
/ The song’s lilt made it easy to dance to.
R 28 … paltry
… paltry
… He received a paltry sum for his work.
… The paltry effort didn’t impress anyone.
… paltry
/ paltry
… He received a paltry sum for his work.
/ He received a paltry sum for his work.
… The paltry effort didn’t impress anyone.
/ The paltry effort didn’t impress anyone.
R 29 … vex
… vex
… His constant interruptions vexed the speaker.
… She was vexed by the delay.
… vex
/ vex
… His constant interruptions vexed the speaker.
/ His constant interruptions vexed the speaker.
… She was vexed by the delay.
/ She was vexed by the delay.
R 30 … pass the buck
… pass the buck
… He tried to pass the buck to his assistant.
… Stop passing the buck and take responsibility.
… pass the buck
/ pass the buck
… He tried to pass the buck to his assistant.
/ He tried to pass the buck to his assistant.
… Stop passing the buck and take responsibility.
/ Stop passing the buck and take responsibility.
R 31 … xylophone
… xylophone
… The child played the xylophone with joy.
… A xylophone adds a bright tone to the music.
… xylophone
/ xylophone
… The child played the xylophone with joy.
/ The child played the xylophone with joy.
… A xylophone adds a bright tone to the music.
/ A xylophone adds a bright tone to the music.
R 32 … bedraggled
… bedraggled
… She arrived bedraggled from the rain.
… The dog looked bedraggled after playing in the mud.
… bedraggled
/ bedraggled
… She arrived bedraggled from the rain.
/ She arrived bedraggled from the rain.
… The dog looked bedraggled after playing in the mud.
/ The dog looked bedraggled after playing in the mud.
R 33 … cajole
… cajole
… He cajoled her into joining the trip.
… She tried to cajole the teacher for extra credit.
… cajole
/ cajole
… He cajoled her into joining the trip.
/ He cajoled her into joining the trip.
… She tried to cajole the teacher for extra credit.
/ She tried to cajole the teacher for extra credit.
R 34 … equivocate
… equivocate
… He equivocated when asked about the issue.
… Stop equivocating and give a clear answer.
… equivocate
/ equivocate
… He equivocated when asked about the issue.
/ He equivocated when asked about the issue.
… Stop equivocating and give a clear answer.
/ Stop equivocating and give a clear answer.
R 35 … up in arms
… up in arms
… The community was up in arms over the new policy.
… Parents are up in arms about the school changes.
… up in arms
/ up in arms
… The community was up in arms over the new policy.
/ The community was up in arms over the new policy.
… Parents are up in arms about the school changes.
/ Parents are up in arms about the school changes.
R 36 … gesticulate
… gesticulate
… He gesticulated wildly during the argument.
… She gesticulated to emphasize her point.
… gesticulate
/ gesticulate
… He gesticulated wildly during the argument.
/ He gesticulated wildly during the argument.
… She gesticulated to emphasize her point.
/ She gesticulated to emphasize her point.
R 37 … hobnob
… hobnob
… He hobnobbed with celebrities at the gala.
… She enjoys hobnobbing with influential people.
… hobnob
/ hobnob
… He hobnobbed with celebrities at the gala.
/ He hobnobbed with celebrities at the gala.
… She enjoys hobnobbing with influential people.
/ She enjoys hobnobbing with influential people.
R 38 … imbibe
… imbibe
… He imbibed the wisdom of his mentor.
… They imbibed wine during the celebration.
… imbibe
/ imbibe
… He imbibed the wisdom of his mentor.
/ He imbibed the wisdom of his mentor.
… They imbibed wine during the celebration.
/ They imbibed wine during the celebration.
R 39 … maelstrom
… maelstrom
… The city was caught in a political maelstrom.
… She was swept into an emotional maelstrom.
… maelstrom
/ maelstrom
… The city was caught in a political maelstrom.
/ The city was caught in a political maelstrom.
… She was swept into an emotional maelstrom.
/ She was swept into an emotional maelstrom.
R 40 … palliate
… palliate
… The medicine helped palliate the pain.
… He tried to palliate her fears.
… palliate
/ palliate
… The medicine helped palliate the pain.
/ The medicine helped palliate the pain.
… He tried to palliate her fears.
/ He tried to palliate her fears.
R 41 … yelp
… yelp
… The dog let out a yelp when stepped on.
… She yelped in surprise.
… yelp
/ yelp
… The dog let out a yelp when stepped on.
/ The dog let out a yelp when stepped on.
… She yelped in surprise.
/ She yelped in surprise.
R 42 … bluster
… bluster
… He blustered about quitting, but never did.
… The wind blustered through the trees.
… bluster
/ bluster
… He blustered about quitting, but never did.
/ He blustered about quitting, but never did.
… The wind blustered through the trees.
/ The wind blustered through the trees.
R 43 … effulgent
… effulgent
… Her effulgent smile lit up the room.
… The sunrise was effulgent and breathtaking.
… effulgent
/ effulgent
… Her effulgent smile lit up the room.
/ Her effulgent smile lit up the room.
… The sunrise was effulgent and breathtaking.
/ The sunrise was effulgent and breathtaking.
R 44 … macabre
… macabre
… The film had a macabre atmosphere.
… He told a macabre story about ghosts.
… macabre
/ macabre
… The film had a macabre atmosphere.
/ The film had a macabre atmosphere.
… He told a macabre story about ghosts.
/ He told a macabre story about ghosts.
R 45 … obsequious
… obsequious
… His obsequious behavior annoyed the manager.
… She gave an obsequious compliment.
… obsequious
/ obsequious
… His obsequious behavior annoyed the manager.
/ His obsequious behavior annoyed the manager.
… She gave an obsequious compliment.
/ She gave an obsequious compliment.
R 46 … x marks the spot
… x marks the spot
… X marks the spot on the treasure map.
… He pointed and said, “X marks the spot.”
… x marks the spot
/ x marks the spot
… X marks the spot on the treasure map.
/ X marks the spot on the treasure map.
… He pointed and said, “X marks the spot.”
/ He pointed and said, “X marks the spot.”
R 47 … wan
… wan
… She looked wan after the illness.
… His wan smile faded quickly.
… wan
/ wan
… She looked wan after the illness.
/ She looked wan after the illness.
… His wan smile faded quickly.
/ His wan smile faded quickly.
R 48 … hit the hay
… hit the hay
… I’m tired—I’m going to hit the hay.
… He hit the hay early last night.
… hit the hay
/ hit the hay
… I’m tired—I’m going to hit the hay.
/ I’m tired—I’m going to hit the hay.
… He hit the hay early last night.
/ He hit the hay early last night.
R 49 … abysmal
… abysmal
… The service was abysmal.
… Her performance was abysmal.
… abysmal
/ abysmal
… The service was abysmal.
/ The service was abysmal.
… Her performance was abysmal.
/ Her performance was abysmal.
R 50 … jejune
… jejune
… His jejune remarks bored the audience.
… The book was too jejune for adults.
… jejune
/ jejune
… His jejune remarks bored the audience.
/ His jejune remarks bored the audience.
… The book was too jejune for adults.
/ The book was too jejune for adults.
