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