how the potato went from banned to beloved

despise

to feel a strong dislike for someone or something, often accompanied by a sense of superiority

ex: She ___ him for the way he treated her sister.

stigma

a strong feeling of disapproval that most people in a society have about something, especially when this is unfair

ex: There’s a ____ associated with low-income food programs.

sacred

considered to be holy, and deserving respect, especially because of a connection with a god; considered too important to be changed

ex: This area is ____ to the Apaches.

indigenous

referring to the original inhabitants of a region, often with cultural ties to the land and a distinct identity; native

ex: Are there any species of frog

_____ to the area?

menace

a person or thing that is likely to cause harm or injury; a threat to safety or well-being

ex: Drunk drivers are a ____ to everyone

ascent

the act of rising to a higher position or level; a climb or upward movement; become successful

ex: She made her first successful _____ of Everest last year.

elite

the richest, most powerful, best-educated group in society

ex: Instead, the story is of group ____ and long-term trends, with a different focus and different tempo.

hand something down

to give or pass on something to someone else, typically from one generation to the next

ex: This necklace was _____ to my mother by my grandmother.

optics

the public's opinion and understanding of a situation after seeing it as the media shows it

ex: The political ___ of this are horrible for the GOP.

sprawling

existing or reaching over a large area, often ones that have been added gradually over a period of time

ex: Somewhere in this _____ metropolis, there is a secret military laboratory.

spoils

refers to valuable items or benefits gained from victory in war, competition, or exploitation

ex: Soldiers were recruited with promises that they would share in the ____ of war.

dazzle

If you are dazzled by someone or something, you think they are extremely good and exciting

ex: she was _____ by the headlights

divine

relating to God or a deity; supremely good or beautiful, often associated with a sense of awe or reverence

nstead of trying to change the situation, they simply pray for ___ intervention (= help from God).

respectability

the quality of being socially acceptable or respectable

ex: The company operates out of modern offices to create an air of ______.

staple

a basic food item widely used and relied upon in a diet

ex: Shortages mean that even ___ like bread are difficult to find.

fortune

chance or luck, often related to wealth or success; a very large amount of money or property

ex: She inherited a _____ from her grandmother

orchard

a piece of land planted with fruit trees

ex: In these places, a considerable number of apricot ______ has been planted and new apricot trees are still being planted on fallow fields.

deem to

regard or consider in a specified way

ex: She is currently ____ be the best British athlete.

peasant

small farmers or laborers of low socioeconomic status, typically working the land and often dependent on landowners

ex: ____ women with scarves around their heads were working in the fields.

akin to

similar to or comparable in quality or character

ex: They speak a language _____ French

literally and figuratively

referring to something in both its exact meaning and its symbolic or metaphorical interpretation

ex: He was _______ the rock of our team.

dreadful

causing great fear or suffering; terrible; extremely bad and serious

ex: The food was bad and the service was ____.

accolade

praise and approval; earn/receive an accolade

ex: Her approval was the highest _____ he could receive.

staunch

strongly loyal to a person, organization, or set of beliefs or opinions

ex: He gained a reputation as being a _____ defender/supporter of civil rights.

boil over

If a difficult situation or negative emotion boils over, it cannot be controlled any more and people start to argue or fight

ex: Union members’ frustrations _____ in demonstrations this weekend.

reap

cut or harvest crop; to get something, usually something good, as a result of your actions or other people's actions (reap the benefit)

ex: She studied every evening and _____ the benefit at exam time.

coveted

strongly desired by many

ex: They are this year's winners of the _____ trophy

exclusivity

the quality of being available only to a small number of people who are rich enough or considered good enough; the right to have or do something that is limited to only one person or organization

ex: The ______ of the hotel is what attracts some people.

tactic

a planned method for achieving a particular result

ex: These bomb attacks represent a change of ______ by the terrorists.

resist

to fight against something or someone that is attacking you; to refuse to accept or be changed by something

ex: he soldiers ______ (the enemy attacks) for two days.

palatable

a pleasant taste; good enough to eat/drink

ex: The meal was barely ______

demonize

to try to make someone or a group of people seem as if they are evil

ex: The mayor _____ anyone who disagrees with him

fall out of favor

loss of populization; no longer popular with investors or consumers

ex: While the markets' attention remains firmly focused on the yen, the euro has _____.

put it best

to express something in the most accurate or compelling way

ex: When she said ‘teamwork makes the dream work,’ she really _____

be nothing short of

used to emphasize a situation, quality, or type of behaviour

ex: The party was _______ a disaster.

humble

ordinary; not special or very important; poor or of a low social rank

ex: she came from a ____, unprivileged background

upend

to turn somebody/something the wrong way up or onto one end

ex: She ______ the chessboard halfway through the game because she was losing.