WORD FORM 2 COMPOUND

devil-may-care

showing a cheerful lack of concern about danger or consequences

stick-in-the-mud

a person who dislikes change and prefers old-fashioned ways

Johnny-come-lately

someone who joins or becomes interested in something much later than others

dog-in-the-manger

someone who prevents others from using something they do not want themselves

larger-than-life

unusually impressive, dramatic, or charismatic

life-and-death

involving the possibility of survival or death; extremely important

cut-and-dried

fixed in advance; lacking flexibility or originality

hard-and-fast

strict and allowing no exceptions

tongue-in-cheek

intended as a joke rather than seriously

down-at-heel

shabby, poor, or neglected in appearance

hand-to-mouth

having just enough money or food to survive

rough-and-ready

practical despite lacking refinement or precision

free-and-easy

relaxed and informal in manner

lily-livered

cowardly; lacking courage

yellow-bellied

extremely cowardly

iron-fisted

ruling or controlling with great severity

velvet-gloved

appearing gentle while actually being firm or ruthless

steel-nerved

remaining calm under extreme pressure

battle-hardened

made stronger through difficult or dangerous experiences

battle-scarred

physically or emotionally marked by hardship or conflict

conscience-stricken

suffering from intense guilt or remorse

panic-stricken

suddenly overwhelmed with fear

grief-stricken

overwhelmed by great sorrow

poverty-stricken

suffering from extreme poverty

weather-beaten

worn or damaged by long exposure to the weather

weather-bound

unable to travel because of bad weather

wind-swept

exposed to strong winds

careworn

looking tired or worried after prolonged anxiety

road-weary

exhausted from travelling

travel-worn

looking tired because of travelling

world-weary

tired of life due to long experience or disappointment

blood-curdling

causing intense fear or horror

earth-shattering

having an enormous or dramatic impact

mind-boggling

extremely surprising or difficult to understand

jaw-dropping

extremely surprising or impressive

eye-opening

revealing something surprising or previously unknown

thought-provoking

making people think deeply

soul-searching

deep and serious self-examination

hair-raising

extremely frightening

nerve-racking

causing great anxiety or stress

heart-rending

causing deep sadness or pity

ill-fated

destined to end badly or unfortunately

ill-starred

marked by persistent bad luck

self-effacing

modest and not drawing attention to oneself

all-singing, all-dancing

having every possible feature or capability

dog-eat-dog

fiercely competitive and ruthless

once-and-for-all

finally and permanently

out-of-the-way

remote or difficult to reach

matter-of-fact

straightforward and unemotional