Vocabulary and Idioms Study Set

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, idioms, descriptive adjectives, and terminology from the transcript.

accoutre (v.)

To equip, appoint, or outfit.

accoutrements (n.)

The equipment needed for a particular activity of life.

shack up (pv.)

To start living in the same house as sexual partners without being married.

crease (sb) up (idm.)

To laugh a lot, or make someone else laugh a lot.

tweedy (adj.)

Describes the lifestyle of rich people with homes in the countryside and an interest in sports like hunting.

sabre-rattling (adj.)

Talking and behaving in a way that threatens military action.

gormless (adj.)

Stupid and slow to understand.

masticate (v.)

To chew food.

interminable (adj.)

Continuing for too long and therefore boring or annoying.

nosey parker (n.)

A person who is overly inquisitive, meddlesome, and excessively interested in others' private business.

stuffed shirt (n.)

A person who is overly formal, pompous, and often lacking a sense of humor.

smart aleck (n.)

A person who is irritatingly clever and conceited.

live wire (n.)

An energetic, unpredictable, and highly vibrant person.

soft touch (n.)

A person who is easily convinced, deceived, or very generous.

run sb to ground (idm.)

To track down and discover someone or something after an intensive search.

thoroughgoing (adj.)

Thorough, complete, absolute, or encompassing every detail.

gustatory (adj.)

Relating to the sense of taste.

gusto (n.)

Great enjoyment, energy, or enthusiasm taken by someone performing an activity.

mutiny (n./v.)

An open rebellion against proper authorities; to refuse to obey orders from a person in authority.

run a tight ship (idm.)

To control a business or organization firmly and effectively to prevent any form of dissent or mutiny.

mangle (v.)

To severely damage, crush, or tear something violently.

put sb through the wringer (idm.)

To subject someone to a highly stressful, exhausting, or difficult ordeal.

back-street (adj.)

Taking place in a poor, hidden, or illegal manner; illicit or uncertified.

cut off your nose to spite your face (idm.)

To do something out of anger or revenge that ends up hurting yourself more than anyone else.

placard (n.)

A large written or printed notice, poster, or sign posted in a public place or carried in a demonstration.

fool's errand (n.)

An effort that is unlikely to succeed.

antiseptic (adj.)

Completely free from infection; overly clean and lacking imagination or character.

buttoned-down (adj.)

Formal, old-fashioned, or boring.

chocolate-box (adj.)

Looking attractive but traditional and boring.

corny (adj.)

Having no new ideas; repeated and hackneyed.

earthbound (adj.)

Showing no imagination.

fallow (adj.)

Describing a period of time during which very little happens.

flat-footed (adj.)

In a difficult or unexpected situation that leaves one unable to react skillfully; boring.

leaden (adj.)

Without energy or feeling.

staid (adj.)

Serious, boring, formal, and a bit old-fashioned.

threadbare (adj.)

No longer persuasive because of overuse.

turgid (adj.)

Too serious about its subject matter; boring.

would rather watch paint dry (idm.)

Used to describe something as soul-destroying and extremely tedious.

interloper (n.)

An uncalled-for participant in an activity/social group, or an unpermitted entrant in a place.

disinter (v.)

To exhume; to find and bring back into use something that was forgotten or neglected.

recrudescence (n.)

A sudden new appearance and growth, especially of something dangerous and unpleasant.

depoliticize (v.)

To cause something or someone to have no political connections.

profane (adj.)

Blasphemous, sacrilegious; secular.

autoeroticism (n.)

The use of one's own body and imagination to gain sexual pleasure.

concupiscence (n.)

Sexual desire.

artless (adj.)

Honest, open, and unwilling to deceive.

bona fide (adj.)

Real, genuine, and not false.

probity (n.)

Complete honesty and integrity.

rectitude (n.)

Honesty and correct moral behavior.

unimpeachable (adj.)

Unquestionable in integrity, nobility, and moral goodness.

artifice (n.)

The use of a clever trick intended to deceive someone.

canard (n.)

A false report or piece of information intended to deceive someone.

charade (n.)

An act or event that is clearly false or deceptive.

flannel (n.)

Speech containing many words used to avoid telling the truth or answering a question directly.

sleaze factor (n.)

A part of a situation, especially a political one, that reveals low moral standards.

economical with the truth (idm.)

Avoiding stating the true facts or lying about a situation.

drive a coach and horses through sth (idm.)

To completely destroy a rule, argument, or plan.

coup de grâce (n.)

An action that ends something that has been gradually worsening, or that kills to end suffering.

coup de théâtre (n.)

A sudden and surprising event in a story or situation.

impresario (n.)

An organizer, manager, or promoter of entertainment events or shows.

imprimatur (n.)

Official permission or approval given by a person or group in a position of authority.

schist (n.)

A coarse-grained, shiny, sparkly, and scaly metamorphic rock.

slate (n.)

A fine-grained, dull, flat, and smooth rock.

filigree (n.)

Delicate, ornamental wire work, typically in silver or gold.