Gratitude
Friday is dedicated to Crusoe, the man who saves
him from being eaten by the cannibals.
The second English ship’s captain is grateful
to Crusoe for rescuing him from the mutineers.
Power and Control
Crusoe lives on the deserted island for twenty-eight years.
He makes it his comfortable home. He has control over Nature there.
During his rescue of Friday, he kills a cannibal. A grateful Friday
is willing to be his slave. Crusoe teaches Friday to speak in
English and about his religious beliefs. Thus, Crusoe has power over Friday.
Crusoe is viewed as owner and lord of the island. Crusoe is also
able to bring peace between the Spanish and the English
living on the island. He divides the island between the two
groups and this proves his control over the island and its inhabitants.
Faith in God
Robinson Crusoe has great faith in God. He does not give up
hope when he is shipwrecked and finds himself all alone
on a deserted island. His faith that God will sustain him
through the many trials in life keeps him going.
Crusoe says, ‘All… God for an answer.” (p. 41, para. 3)
Crusoe’s strong belief in God is also seen when he teaches
Friday about the goodness and power that comes with having faith in God.
Good versus Evil
Robinson Crusoe shows that good triumphs over
evil when he helps Friday to escape from the cannibals.
Crusoe also teaches Friday about God’s
goodness and how it triumphs over the Devil’s evilness.
The mutineers who are disloyal to their captain are
finally overcome by the ‘good’ forces of Crusoe and Friday.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Robinson Crusoe Main themes
Courage and Determination
Robinson Crusoe’s parents want him to become a lawyer but Crusoe is
determined to become a sailor. He leaves home without his parents’
blessing and works hard to become a good sailor.
He shows great courage when he escapes from his Turkish master.
He ensures he has guns and food before he escapes.
When he is shipwrecked on a deserted island, Crusoe overcomes great
obstacles to survive. He struggles alone in order to carry food, equipment
and other materials from the ship so that he can make a life for himself until
he is rescued. He builds two homes, a raft and a canoe. He is also able to
make tools and plant enough food for himself and his companions.
He shows great courage when he saves Friday, Friday’s father, the Spaniard
and the second English sea captain. He does all this
at the risk of being captured and eaten by the cannibals!
Importance of Hard Work
It is important to work hard as this makes you disciplined and successful
in life. Robinson Crusoe is a good example of a man who is fearless,
positive and hard-working. Instead of complaining about his fate,
he looks at the situation and does what is needed to make the situation
better. For example, he salvages useful items from the sinking ship,
makes a canoe and safe shelters for himself, and hunt for food.
He creates a comfortable life for himself and is able to survive on
the island for twenty-eight years.
Friendship and Loyalty
Humans need friendship and good relationships with others.
When Crusoe runs away to London, he makes friends with
a ship’s captain who grows to like and trust him. He teaches
Crusoe mathematics and navigation until Crusoe becomes a good sailor.
Crusoe is a friendly and sociable person. The captain invites
Crusoe to go with him to Guinea, thus starting Crusoe’s involvement
in business and sailing. Crusoe also makes many friends while farming in Brazil.
When Crusoe gets shipwrecked on the island, he is desolate
and miserable. Deprived of human company, he finds comfort and companionship with two dogs he rescues from the shipwreck, the parrot and the cats.During his twenty-fifth year on the island, he manages to save a savage from a group of cannibals who land on the island. This man is so grateful that he wants to be Crusoe’s slave. However, Crusoe prefers him to be a friend. Crusoe teaches him to eat animal flesh, speak English and share his religious beliefs. Friday, as Crusoe calls him, becomes his faithful companion and friend. Crusoe also becomes a friend to the Spanish and English mutineers who were left on the island. He solves their disputes and helps them to form friendships with each other.
Relationship with Nature
Humans are part of Nature and, therefore, should live and work harmony with Nature. Crusoe is a man at peace with Nature. He loves the sea and the outdoors. So when he is marooned on the island and finds himself alone with only Nature as his companion, he adapts easily.He is quick to use things from Nature to help him survive.He uses the trees and plants to build himself a canoe and homes, ant to provide him with food.
Robinson Crusoe’s parents want him to become a lawyer but Crusoe is
determined to become a sailor. He leaves home without his parents’
blessing and works hard to become a good sailor.
He shows great courage when he escapes from his Turkish master.
He ensures he has guns and food before he escapes.
When he is shipwrecked on a deserted island, Crusoe overcomes great
obstacles to survive. He struggles alone in order to carry food, equipment
and other materials from the ship so that he can make a life for himself until
he is rescued. He builds two homes, a raft and a canoe. He is also able to
make tools and plant enough food for himself and his companions.
He shows great courage when he saves Friday, Friday’s father, the Spaniard
and the second English sea captain. He does all this
at the risk of being captured and eaten by the cannibals!
Importance of Hard Work
It is important to work hard as this makes you disciplined and successful
in life. Robinson Crusoe is a good example of a man who is fearless,
positive and hard-working. Instead of complaining about his fate,
he looks at the situation and does what is needed to make the situation
better. For example, he salvages useful items from the sinking ship,
makes a canoe and safe shelters for himself, and hunt for food.
He creates a comfortable life for himself and is able to survive on
the island for twenty-eight years.
Friendship and Loyalty
Humans need friendship and good relationships with others.
When Crusoe runs away to London, he makes friends with
a ship’s captain who grows to like and trust him. He teaches
Crusoe mathematics and navigation until Crusoe becomes a good sailor.
Crusoe is a friendly and sociable person. The captain invites
Crusoe to go with him to Guinea, thus starting Crusoe’s involvement
in business and sailing. Crusoe also makes many friends while farming in Brazil.
When Crusoe gets shipwrecked on the island, he is desolate
and miserable. Deprived of human company, he finds comfort and companionship with two dogs he rescues from the shipwreck, the parrot and the cats.During his twenty-fifth year on the island, he manages to save a savage from a group of cannibals who land on the island. This man is so grateful that he wants to be Crusoe’s slave. However, Crusoe prefers him to be a friend. Crusoe teaches him to eat animal flesh, speak English and share his religious beliefs. Friday, as Crusoe calls him, becomes his faithful companion and friend. Crusoe also becomes a friend to the Spanish and English mutineers who were left on the island. He solves their disputes and helps them to form friendships with each other.
Relationship with Nature
Humans are part of Nature and, therefore, should live and work harmony with Nature. Crusoe is a man at peace with Nature. He loves the sea and the outdoors. So when he is marooned on the island and finds himself alone with only Nature as his companion, he adapts easily.He is quick to use things from Nature to help him survive.He uses the trees and plants to build himself a canoe and homes, ant to provide him with food.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Synonyms
abduct
kidnap
leery
cautious
abhor
detest
legacy
bequest
above
over
legible
readable
abridge
shorten
licentious
lewd
abroad
overseas
listen
hear
abrogate
cancel
lithe
supple
abstain
refrain
little
small
accord
agreement
livid
enraged
admit
confess
loathe
abhor
adversary
opponent
lofty
high
affable
friendly
logo
symbol
aggravate
worsen
look
see
agree
consent
loquacious
talkative
air
discuss
lost
misplaced
akin
related
loving
fond
alive
lively
loyal
true
allocate
distribute
lucrative
profitable
allow
permit
ludicrous
absurd
also
too
luminous
bright
ameliorate
improve
lure
entice
amount
quantity
luster
gloss
annul
cancel
luxuriant
lush
answer
response
macabre
gruesome
appease
pacify
mad
insane
arraign
indict
maelstrom
whirlpool
ask
Inquire, request
magnitude
size
assembly
gathering
malice
spite
assent
agree
margin
edge
attire
dress
meager
scanty
avarice
greed
mean
cruel
baby
infant
messy
untidy
bad
evil
middle
center
badger
pester
misshapen
deformed
beg
implore
moral
ethical
begin
commence
morsel
piece
behaviour
conduct
mundane
ordinary
belief
opinion
name
title
benevolent
kind
narrate
tell
berate
scold
near
close
big
large
nefarious
evil
bilk
swindle
negate
cancel
blamed
accused
negligible
insignificant
blank
empty
nepotism
favouritism
bliss
happiness
new
unused, modern
bottom
foot
noisy
rowdy
brave
daring, bold
noted
well-known
brawn
strength
obey
submit
bright
shinning
obstinate
stubborn
broad
wide
odyssey
journey
brook
tolerate
often
frequently
bucolic
rustic
old
ancient
build
construct
omen
sign
busy
active
omnipotent
all-powerful
buy
purchase
omniscient
all-knowing
calamity
disaster
oppress
persecute
canon
rule
opulence
wealth
capitulate
surrender
oral
verbal
careen
swerve
orator
speaker
careful
cautious
outset
beginning
careful
cautious
outside
exterior
castigate
criticize
ovation
applause
catastrophic
disastrous
pacify
appease
catch
capture
paltry
scarce
caucus
meeting
pandemic
widespread
cavort
frolic
paranormal
supernatural
cede
Relinquish
parcel
package
celestial
heavenly
part
portion
centre
middle
patent
obvious
champion
winner
paucity
scarcity
change
alter
peddle
sell
cheat
deceive
pen
write
chide
scold
perhaps
maybe
choose
select
perilous
dangerous
chubby
plump
perish
die
circumspect
cautious
persevere
persist
clemency
forgiveness
pertinent
relevant
clergyman
minister
pick
choose
close
near
pious
devout
clothes
dress
placate
appease
clout
influence
plentiful
abundant
coagulate
thicken
policeman
constable
coddle
pamper
polite
courteous
coercion
force
poor
destitute
collusion
conspiracy
port
harbour
commend
praise
portion
piece
commodity
product
praise
compliment
compulsory
obligatory
prank
joke
concise
brief
pretty
beautiful,
attractive
concur
agree
protect
guard
confer
bestow
pull
drag
conversant
familiar
purloin
steal
converse
opposite
push
thrust
copy
imitate
putrefy
decay
cordial
friendly
quack
charlatan
correct
accurate
qualms
misgivings
courtesan
prostitute
quay
wharf
covert
secret
queen
empress
crave
desire
queue
line
culvert
drain
quick
rapid
cunning
sly
quiet
peaceful
cure
remedy
quill
feather
curtail
shorten
quip
joke
damp
moist
rare
scarce
dangerous
risky
rarely
seldom
deadly
fatal
rash
hasty
dear
expensive
read
peruse
dearth
scarcity
ready
alert
debilitate
weaken
real
genuine
deceive
trick
reap
harvest
decimate
destroy
rebuke
reprimand
decipher
decode
receptacle
container
decrease
reduce
reckless
rash
deduce
conclude
recollect
remember
deleterious
harmful
rectify
correct
delude
deceive
recur
repeat
demeanour
behaviour
red
ruddy
demise
death
reek
smell
demobilize
disband
regal
royal
demoralize
dishearten
rein
curb
denigrate
defame
rejoice
celebrate
denounce
condemn
relic
antique
depart
leave
remain
stay
deplete
exhaust
remedial
corrective
deride
ridicule
remember
recollect
desecrate
profane
remnant
residue
desiccate
dehydrate
remorse
guilt
despot
tyrant
renown
fame
destitute
poor
replenish
refill
detain
confine
retain
keep
detrimental
harmful
revenue
income
devise
plan
rich
wealthy
devout
pious
rift
split
diabolical
devilish
riot
revolt
diffident
shy
roam
wander
discernible
visible
robust
vigorous
discreet
prudent
rostrum
podium
disease
sickness
rough
coarse
disfigure
mar
round
circular
dismal
gloomy
rude
impolite
disorder
chaos
rue
regret
dispatch
send
rule
govern
disperse
scatter
ruse
trick
disseminate
distribute
rustic
rural
distend
swell
sack
pillage
distract
divert
sad
unhappy
diversity
variety
safe
secure
divulge
disclose
saga
story
dodder
tremble
sanction
approval
dull
gloomy
saturate
soak
dumb
mute
savour
relish
duress
coercion
scant
inadequate
eatable
edible
scared
frightened
ebb
recede
scatter
disperse
eccentric
odd, weird
schism
rift
edifice
building
scion
offspring
efficacious
effective
scorn
disdain
egocentric
self-centered
sear
burn
electorate
voters
secede
withdraw
elucidate
explain
seclusion
solitude
elude
evade
seduce
lure
empty
vacant
seldom
rarely
end
conclusion
semblance
likeness
enemy
foe
separate
sever
enough
sufficient
serene
peaceful
ensnare
trap, lure
sham
pretense
enterprise
undertaking
sheen
luster
entice
lure
short
brief
entreat
plead
shorten
abbreviate
envoy
messenger
show
exhibit
ephemeral
short-lived
shun
avoid
epoch
era
sibling
brother/sister
equitable
fair
sick
ill
error
mistake
siege
blockage
escape
elude
silent
quiet
exorbitant
expensive
silly
foolish
exorcise
expel
simple
easy
fable
myth
sinister
evil
fall
drop
site
location
false
untrue, wrong
skeptical
doubtful
fantasy
daydream
slay
kill
far
distant
sleepy
drowsy
feather
plume
slim
slender
feign
pretend
sloth
laziness
fertile
fruitful
smart
intelligent
fidelity
loyalty
smell
scent
fierce
ferocious
smite
strike
fight
battle
snare
trap
filch
steal
snub
ignore
find
discover
sovereign
monarch
first
initial
specimen
sample
fiscal
monetary
squalid
filthy
flagellate
whip
squander
waste
float
drift
static
inactive
force
compel
steed
horse
foretell
predict
stern
strict
free
release
stick
adhere
friend
companion, ally
stifle
suppress
friend
ally
stimulate
excite
funny
amusing
stingy
miserly
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stop
halt
gain
profit
strange
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game
recreation
strife
conflict
gargantuan
large
strive
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garrulous
talkative
strong
powerful
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collect
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pupil
gay
cheerful
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diligent
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common
style
fashion
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beginning
subdue
conquer
ghastly
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submit
yield
give
donate
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diminish
glad
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succulent
juicy
glaring
dazzling
superb
excellent
gnarl
deform
surmount
overcome
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bloody
surprise
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guest
visitor
surrender
yield
guffaw
laughter
surround
encircle
habit
custom
susceptible
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accustom
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marsh
hallucination
delusion
taint
pollute
hamper
obstruct
talk
conversation
hapless
unlucky
talon
claw
harangue
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tangible
touchable
hard
difficult
tarnish
taint
hate
detest
taut
tight
haven
refuge
teach
educate
height
altitude
teacher
instructor
help
assist
tedious
boring
herald
harbinger
tempest
storm
hew
cut
tempo
speed
hide
conceal
tempt
entice
hideous
horrible
tenet
doctrine
high
tall
tepid
lukewarm
home
residence
terse
concise
hone
sharpen
tested
tried
horde
group
thief
burglar
hue
colour
thin
lean
hug
embrace
thrive
prosper
huge
enormous
throng
crowd
humane
compassionate
titillate
arouse
hygienic
sanitary
titular
figurehead
hyperbole
exaggeration
toil
drudgery
idiosyncrasy
peculiarity
top
summit
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path
illimitable
limitless
tranquilize
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famous
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copy
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cross
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trek
journey
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huge
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impale
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trust
believe
impassive
calm
try
attempt
impeccable
faultless
twain
two
impede
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tyrannical
dictatorial
impending
imminent
ubiquitous
omnipresent
imperil
endanger
ulterior
hidden, covert
implicate
incriminate
unassuming
modest
implore
entreat
uncanny
mysterious
inculcate
instill
under
beneath
incursion
raid
undermine
weaken
indelible
permanent
underscore
emphasize
indigent
poor
understand
comprehend
indiscriminate
random
unduly
excessive
indolent
lazy
unison
together
industrious
hardworking
usually
generally
inexorable
relentless
utter
complete
infamous
notorious
vacant
empty
infamy
shame
vacillate
waver
infer
conclude
vain
unsuccessful
infirmity
ailment
valiant
brave
influx
inflow
value
worth
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vanish
disappear
infuriate
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conquer
inhibit
restrain
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unjust
vendetta
feud
initiate
begin
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hint
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location
innate
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harmless
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vex
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evil, cruel
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virile
manly, strong
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incite
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fascinating
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intrepid
fearless
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push
whole
entire
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jump
leap
wonder
amazement
just
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court
kudos
acclaim
wrath
anger, fury
last
final
wrest
snatch
lazy
indolent
writ
summons
least
minimum
yearly
annually
leave
abandon
young
youthful
kidnap
leery
cautious
abhor
detest
legacy
bequest
above
over
legible
readable
abridge
shorten
licentious
lewd
abroad
overseas
listen
hear
abrogate
cancel
lithe
supple
abstain
refrain
little
small
accord
agreement
livid
enraged
admit
confess
loathe
abhor
adversary
opponent
lofty
high
affable
friendly
logo
symbol
aggravate
worsen
look
see
agree
consent
loquacious
talkative
air
discuss
lost
misplaced
akin
related
loving
fond
alive
lively
loyal
true
allocate
distribute
lucrative
profitable
allow
permit
ludicrous
absurd
also
too
luminous
bright
ameliorate
improve
lure
entice
amount
quantity
luster
gloss
annul
cancel
luxuriant
lush
answer
response
macabre
gruesome
appease
pacify
mad
insane
arraign
indict
maelstrom
whirlpool
ask
Inquire, request
magnitude
size
assembly
gathering
malice
spite
assent
agree
margin
edge
attire
dress
meager
scanty
avarice
greed
mean
cruel
baby
infant
messy
untidy
bad
evil
middle
center
badger
pester
misshapen
deformed
beg
implore
moral
ethical
begin
commence
morsel
piece
behaviour
conduct
mundane
ordinary
belief
opinion
name
title
benevolent
kind
narrate
tell
berate
scold
near
close
big
large
nefarious
evil
bilk
swindle
negate
cancel
blamed
accused
negligible
insignificant
blank
empty
nepotism
favouritism
bliss
happiness
new
unused, modern
bottom
foot
noisy
rowdy
brave
daring, bold
noted
well-known
brawn
strength
obey
submit
bright
shinning
obstinate
stubborn
broad
wide
odyssey
journey
brook
tolerate
often
frequently
bucolic
rustic
old
ancient
build
construct
omen
sign
busy
active
omnipotent
all-powerful
buy
purchase
omniscient
all-knowing
calamity
disaster
oppress
persecute
canon
rule
opulence
wealth
capitulate
surrender
oral
verbal
careen
swerve
orator
speaker
careful
cautious
outset
beginning
careful
cautious
outside
exterior
castigate
criticize
ovation
applause
catastrophic
disastrous
pacify
appease
catch
capture
paltry
scarce
caucus
meeting
pandemic
widespread
cavort
frolic
paranormal
supernatural
cede
Relinquish
parcel
package
celestial
heavenly
part
portion
centre
middle
patent
obvious
champion
winner
paucity
scarcity
change
alter
peddle
sell
cheat
deceive
pen
write
chide
scold
perhaps
maybe
choose
select
perilous
dangerous
chubby
plump
perish
die
circumspect
cautious
persevere
persist
clemency
forgiveness
pertinent
relevant
clergyman
minister
pick
choose
close
near
pious
devout
clothes
dress
placate
appease
clout
influence
plentiful
abundant
coagulate
thicken
policeman
constable
coddle
pamper
polite
courteous
coercion
force
poor
destitute
collusion
conspiracy
port
harbour
commend
praise
portion
piece
commodity
product
praise
compliment
compulsory
obligatory
prank
joke
concise
brief
pretty
beautiful,
attractive
concur
agree
protect
guard
confer
bestow
pull
drag
conversant
familiar
purloin
steal
converse
opposite
push
thrust
copy
imitate
putrefy
decay
cordial
friendly
quack
charlatan
correct
accurate
qualms
misgivings
courtesan
prostitute
quay
wharf
covert
secret
queen
empress
crave
desire
queue
line
culvert
drain
quick
rapid
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sly
quiet
peaceful
cure
remedy
quill
feather
curtail
shorten
quip
joke
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fatal
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dear
expensive
read
peruse
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scarcity
ready
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weaken
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genuine
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decimate
destroy
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reprimand
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decode
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container
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reduce
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conclude
recollect
remember
deleterious
harmful
rectify
correct
delude
deceive
recur
repeat
demeanour
behaviour
red
ruddy
demise
death
reek
smell
demobilize
disband
regal
royal
demoralize
dishearten
rein
curb
denigrate
defame
rejoice
celebrate
denounce
condemn
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antique
depart
leave
remain
stay
deplete
exhaust
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corrective
deride
ridicule
remember
recollect
desecrate
profane
remnant
residue
desiccate
dehydrate
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despot
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destitute
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detain
confine
retain
keep
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harmful
revenue
income
devise
plan
rich
wealthy
devout
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rift
split
diabolical
devilish
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revolt
diffident
shy
roam
wander
discernible
visible
robust
vigorous
discreet
prudent
rostrum
podium
disease
sickness
rough
coarse
disfigure
mar
round
circular
dismal
gloomy
rude
impolite
disorder
chaos
rue
regret
dispatch
send
rule
govern
disperse
scatter
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disseminate
distribute
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rural
distend
swell
sack
pillage
distract
divert
sad
unhappy
diversity
variety
safe
secure
divulge
disclose
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sanction
approval
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saturate
soak
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scatter
disperse
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scion
offspring
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effective
scorn
disdain
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self-centered
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burn
electorate
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withdraw
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explain
seclusion
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elude
evade
seduce
lure
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vacant
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end
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semblance
likeness
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separate
sever
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peaceful
ensnare
trap, lure
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luster
entice
lure
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brief
entreat
plead
shorten
abbreviate
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messenger
show
exhibit
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short-lived
shun
avoid
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era
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brother/sister
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fair
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siege
blockage
escape
elude
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quiet
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expel
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myth
sinister
evil
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drop
site
location
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untrue, wrong
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doubtful
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daydream
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kill
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drowsy
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feign
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laziness
fertile
fruitful
smart
intelligent
fidelity
loyalty
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scent
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ferocious
smite
strike
fight
battle
snare
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filch
steal
snub
ignore
find
discover
sovereign
monarch
first
initial
specimen
sample
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monetary
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whip
squander
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force
compel
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horrible
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colour
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embrace
thrive
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huge
enormous
throng
crowd
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compassionate
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sanitary
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idiosyncrasy
peculiarity
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summit
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unlawful
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limitless
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copy
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instill
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emphasize
indigent
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understand
comprehend
indiscriminate
random
unduly
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hardworking
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notorious
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conclude
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valiant
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disappear
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enrage
vanquish
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inhibit
restrain
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begin
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poison
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location
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inborn
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wordy
innocuous
harmless
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veto
reject
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excessive
vex
annoy
inquisitive
curious
vicious
evil, cruel
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engrave
victory
triumph
inside
interior
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compete
insignia
emblems
vilify
defame
insolvent
bankrupt
virile
manly, strong
instigate
incite
vital
necessary
inter
bury
vocation
occupation
interesting
fascinating
vogue
fashion
intrepid
fearless
volatile
unstable
intricate
complex
vulgarity
obscenity
intrigue
plot
vulnerable
susceptible
intrinsic
inherent
wager
bet
inundate
flood
wages
salary
involve
implicate
waive
forgo
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angry
wallow
indulge
irrational
illogical
want
need
jeer
mock
watch
look
jest
joke
weak
feeble
jocular
humorous
wet
damp
join
connect
whet
stimulate
jostle
push
whole
entire
judicious
prudent
wither
shrivel
jump
leap
wonder
amazement
just
fair
woo
court
kudos
acclaim
wrath
anger, fury
last
final
wrest
snatch
lazy
indolent
writ
summons
least
minimum
yearly
annually
leave
abandon
young
youthful
Antonym
absence presence
accept refuse
accurate inaccurate
advantage disadvantage
alive dead
always never
ancient modern
answer question, query
approval disapproval
approached receded, departed
abundant scarce
admit deny
advance retreat, retire
artificial natural
arrival departure
ascend descend
attack defense
attractive repulsive
attention inattention
asleep awake
ally enemy
agree disagree
bad good
backward forward, onward
bend straighten
beautiful ugly
beginning ending
below above
bent straight
big small, little
blunt sharp
better worse
best worst
blame praise
bless curse
bitter sweet
borrow lend
bravery cowardice
build destroy, demolish
bold timid, meek
bright dull
broad narrow
clear vague, cloudy
careful rush, careless
calm troubled
capable incapable
captivity freedom, liberty
cellar attic
cheap dear, expensive
close distant
clever stupid
cold hot
combine separate
clockwise anti-clockwise
correct incorrect
conceal reveal
come go
common rare
comfort discomfort
courage cowardice
cruel kind
courteous discourteous, rude
cunning simple
dainty clumsy
danger safety
dark light
deep shallow
decrease increase
definite indefinite
demand supply
despair hope
disappear appear
disease health
discourage encourage
dismal cheerful
doctor patient
dry wet
dull clear, bright
dusk dawn
early late
easy difficult
ebb flow
East West
economise waste
encourage discourage
entrance exit
employer employee
empty full
excited calm
end beginning
expand contract
expensive inexpensive, cheap
export import
exterior interior
external internal
fail succeed
false true
feeble sturdy, strong, powerful
foolish wise
fast slow
few many
famous unknown
forelegs hind legs
fat thin
find lose
first last
freedom captivity
fold unfold
frequent seldom
forget remember
found lost
fresh stale
friend enemy
fortunate unfortunate
frank secretive
full empty
generous mean
gentle rough
gather distribute
glad sorry
gloomy cheerful
giant dwarf, pygmy
granted refused
great minute, small, little
guardian ward
guest host
guilty innocent
happy sad, miserable
hard soft
harmful harmless
hasten dawdle
hate love
healthy unhealthy, ill, diseased
here there
heavy light
height depth
hero coward
hill valley
horizontal vertical
hinder aid, help
honest dishonest
humble proud
hunger thirst
imitation genuine
immense tiny, minute
imprison free
include exclude
increase decrease
inhabited uninhabited
inferior superior
inside outside
intelligent unintelligent, stupid
inhale exhale
interior exterior, outside
interesting uninteresting, dull
internal external
intentional accidental
join separate
junior senior
justice injustice
king subject
knowledge ignorance
laugh cry
lawful unlawful
lazy industrious, energetic
land sea
landlord tenant
large little, small
last first
lawyer client
lecturer student
lender borrower
lengthen shorten
left right
less more
light dark, heavy
like dislike, unlike
likely unlikely
leader follower
little large, much, big
lofty lowly
long short
loud soft
loss find, win
low high
loyal disloyal
mad sane
magnetize demagnetize
master servant
mature immature
maximum minimum
me you
merry mirthless, sad
minority majority
miser spendthrift
misunderstand understand
narrow wide
near far, distant
neat untidy
new old
night day
noisy quiet
North South
obedient disobedient
odd even
offer refuse
open shut
optimist pessimist
out in
parent child
past present
patient impatient
peace war
permanent temporary
please displease
plentiful scarce
poetry prose
possible impossible
poverty wealth
powerful feeble, weak
polite impolite, rude
private public
prudent imprudent
pretty unsightly, ugly
pure impure
qualified unqualified
rapid slow
regularly irregularly
rich poor
right wrong, left
rigid pliable, soft
rough smooth
satisfactory unsatisfactory
security insecurity
scatter collect
serious trivial
second-hand new
sense nonsense
shopkeeper customer
singular plural
simple complicated
slim thick, stout
solid liquid
sober drunk
speaker listener
sour sweet
sorrow joy
sow reap
stand lie
straight crooked
strong weak
success failure
sunny cloudy
take give
tall short
tame wild
teacher pupil
thick thin
tight slack, loose
top bottom
transparent opaque
truth untruth, lie
up down
vacant occupied
valuable valueless
victory defeat
virtue vice
visible invisible
voluntary compulsory
vowel consonant
wax wane
wisdom folly
within without
accept refuse
accurate inaccurate
advantage disadvantage
alive dead
always never
ancient modern
answer question, query
approval disapproval
approached receded, departed
abundant scarce
admit deny
advance retreat, retire
artificial natural
arrival departure
ascend descend
attack defense
attractive repulsive
attention inattention
asleep awake
ally enemy
agree disagree
bad good
backward forward, onward
bend straighten
beautiful ugly
beginning ending
below above
bent straight
big small, little
blunt sharp
better worse
best worst
blame praise
bless curse
bitter sweet
borrow lend
bravery cowardice
build destroy, demolish
bold timid, meek
bright dull
broad narrow
clear vague, cloudy
careful rush, careless
calm troubled
capable incapable
captivity freedom, liberty
cellar attic
cheap dear, expensive
close distant
clever stupid
cold hot
combine separate
clockwise anti-clockwise
correct incorrect
conceal reveal
come go
common rare
comfort discomfort
courage cowardice
cruel kind
courteous discourteous, rude
cunning simple
dainty clumsy
danger safety
dark light
deep shallow
decrease increase
definite indefinite
demand supply
despair hope
disappear appear
disease health
discourage encourage
dismal cheerful
doctor patient
dry wet
dull clear, bright
dusk dawn
early late
easy difficult
ebb flow
East West
economise waste
encourage discourage
entrance exit
employer employee
empty full
excited calm
end beginning
expand contract
expensive inexpensive, cheap
export import
exterior interior
external internal
fail succeed
false true
feeble sturdy, strong, powerful
foolish wise
fast slow
few many
famous unknown
forelegs hind legs
fat thin
find lose
first last
freedom captivity
fold unfold
frequent seldom
forget remember
found lost
fresh stale
friend enemy
fortunate unfortunate
frank secretive
full empty
generous mean
gentle rough
gather distribute
glad sorry
gloomy cheerful
giant dwarf, pygmy
granted refused
great minute, small, little
guardian ward
guest host
guilty innocent
happy sad, miserable
hard soft
harmful harmless
hasten dawdle
hate love
healthy unhealthy, ill, diseased
here there
heavy light
height depth
hero coward
hill valley
horizontal vertical
hinder aid, help
honest dishonest
humble proud
hunger thirst
imitation genuine
immense tiny, minute
imprison free
include exclude
increase decrease
inhabited uninhabited
inferior superior
inside outside
intelligent unintelligent, stupid
inhale exhale
interior exterior, outside
interesting uninteresting, dull
internal external
intentional accidental
join separate
junior senior
justice injustice
king subject
knowledge ignorance
laugh cry
lawful unlawful
lazy industrious, energetic
land sea
landlord tenant
large little, small
last first
lawyer client
lecturer student
lender borrower
lengthen shorten
left right
less more
light dark, heavy
like dislike, unlike
likely unlikely
leader follower
little large, much, big
lofty lowly
long short
loud soft
loss find, win
low high
loyal disloyal
mad sane
magnetize demagnetize
master servant
mature immature
maximum minimum
me you
merry mirthless, sad
minority majority
miser spendthrift
misunderstand understand
narrow wide
near far, distant
neat untidy
new old
night day
noisy quiet
North South
obedient disobedient
odd even
offer refuse
open shut
optimist pessimist
out in
parent child
past present
patient impatient
peace war
permanent temporary
please displease
plentiful scarce
poetry prose
possible impossible
poverty wealth
powerful feeble, weak
polite impolite, rude
private public
prudent imprudent
pretty unsightly, ugly
pure impure
qualified unqualified
rapid slow
regularly irregularly
rich poor
right wrong, left
rigid pliable, soft
rough smooth
satisfactory unsatisfactory
security insecurity
scatter collect
serious trivial
second-hand new
sense nonsense
shopkeeper customer
singular plural
simple complicated
slim thick, stout
solid liquid
sober drunk
speaker listener
sour sweet
sorrow joy
sow reap
stand lie
straight crooked
strong weak
success failure
sunny cloudy
take give
tall short
tame wild
teacher pupil
thick thin
tight slack, loose
top bottom
transparent opaque
truth untruth, lie
up down
vacant occupied
valuable valueless
victory defeat
virtue vice
visible invisible
voluntary compulsory
vowel consonant
wax wane
wisdom folly
within without
Analogy
Reasoning or explaining from parallel cases. A simile is an expressed analogy; a metaphor is an implied one.
•"Writing a book of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo."
(Don Marquis)
•"Being obsessed with deficit reduction when the economy has suffered its largest setback since the Depression is like being obsessed with water conservation when your house is on fire--an admirable impulse, poorly timed."
(Daniel Gross, "A Birder's Guide to D.C." Newsweek, Nov. 16, 2009)
•"Harrison Ford is like one of those sports cars that advertise acceleration from 0 to 60 m.p.h. in three or four seconds. He can go from slightly broody inaction to ferocious reaction in approximately the same time span. And he handles the tight turns and corkscrew twists of a suspense story without losing his balance or leaving skid marks on the film. But maybe the best and most interesting thing about him is that he doesn't look particularly sleek, quick, or powerful; until something or somebody causes him to gun his engine, he projects the seemly aura of the family sedan."
(Richard Schickel, Time magazine review of Patriot Games)
•"If I had not agreed to review this book, I would have stopped after five pages. After 600, I felt as if I were inside a bass drum banged on by a clown."
(Richard Brookhiser, "Land Grab." The New York Times, Aug. 12, 2007)
•"One good analogy is worth three hours discussion."
(Dudley Field Malone)
•"MTV is to music as KFC is to chicken."
(Lewis Black)
•"Memory is to love what the saucer is to the cup."
(Elizabeth Bowen, The House in Paris, 1949)
•"Writing a book of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo."
(Don Marquis)
•"Being obsessed with deficit reduction when the economy has suffered its largest setback since the Depression is like being obsessed with water conservation when your house is on fire--an admirable impulse, poorly timed."
(Daniel Gross, "A Birder's Guide to D.C." Newsweek, Nov. 16, 2009)
•"Harrison Ford is like one of those sports cars that advertise acceleration from 0 to 60 m.p.h. in three or four seconds. He can go from slightly broody inaction to ferocious reaction in approximately the same time span. And he handles the tight turns and corkscrew twists of a suspense story without losing his balance or leaving skid marks on the film. But maybe the best and most interesting thing about him is that he doesn't look particularly sleek, quick, or powerful; until something or somebody causes him to gun his engine, he projects the seemly aura of the family sedan."
(Richard Schickel, Time magazine review of Patriot Games)
•"If I had not agreed to review this book, I would have stopped after five pages. After 600, I felt as if I were inside a bass drum banged on by a clown."
(Richard Brookhiser, "Land Grab." The New York Times, Aug. 12, 2007)
•"One good analogy is worth three hours discussion."
(Dudley Field Malone)
•"MTV is to music as KFC is to chicken."
(Lewis Black)
•"Memory is to love what the saucer is to the cup."
(Elizabeth Bowen, The House in Paris, 1949)
Imperatives
Imperatives are verbs used to give orders, commands and instructions. The form used is usually the same as the base form. It is one of the three moods of an English verb. Imperatives should be used carefully in English; to give firm orders or commands, but not as much when trying to be polite or show respect to the other person.
•"Think Small."
(slogan of Volkswagen)
•"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
(Mark Twain)
•"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back."
(Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
•"Seek simplicity, and distrust it."
(Alfred North Whitehead)
•Westley: Give us the gate key.
Yellin: I have no gate key.
Inigo Montoya: Fezzik, tear his arms off.
Yellin: Oh, you mean this gate key.
(The Princess Bride, 1987)
•"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
(President John Kennedy, 1961)
•"Leave the gun. [pause] Take the cannolis."
(Clemenza in The Godfather, 1972)
•"Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia!"
(El Jefe, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, 1974)
•"Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face!"
(John Candy as Buck Russell in Uncle Buck, 1989)
•"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."
(Darth Vader, Star Wars, 1977)
•"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut."
(Ernest Hemingway)
•"Forget them, Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown up things again."
(Peter in film adaptation of Peter Pan, 2003)
•"Think Small."
(slogan of Volkswagen)
•"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
(Mark Twain)
•"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back."
(Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
•"Seek simplicity, and distrust it."
(Alfred North Whitehead)
•Westley: Give us the gate key.
Yellin: I have no gate key.
Inigo Montoya: Fezzik, tear his arms off.
Yellin: Oh, you mean this gate key.
(The Princess Bride, 1987)
•"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
(President John Kennedy, 1961)
•"Leave the gun. [pause] Take the cannolis."
(Clemenza in The Godfather, 1972)
•"Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia!"
(El Jefe, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, 1974)
•"Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face!"
(John Candy as Buck Russell in Uncle Buck, 1989)
•"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."
(Darth Vader, Star Wars, 1977)
•"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut."
(Ernest Hemingway)
•"Forget them, Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown up things again."
(Peter in film adaptation of Peter Pan, 2003)
Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic expressions are a type of informal English that have a meaning different from the meaning of the words in the expression.
20 Common Idiomatic Expressions
& Their Meanings
1. She was tickled pink by the good news.
•Made very happy
2. You were hands down the best player on the team.
•There was no competition
3. I've been feeling pretty down in the dumps lately.
•Sad or depressed
4. I'm feeling sick as a dog!
•Very sick
5. I've been feeling under the weather.
•Not well
6. Rise and shine!
•Wake up and be happy!
7. Close, but no cigar.
•You were very close, but you did not make it.
8. I could play outside till the cows come home.
•For a very long time
9. Wow! It's raining cats and dogs out there!
•Very hard rain
10. That sound is driving me up the wall!
•Making me very annoyed
11. This assignment is a piece of cake.
•Very easy
12. Although he broke the rules, he was only given a slap on the wrist.
•A mild punishment
13. Yikes! This shirt costs an arm and a leg.
•It is extremely expensive.
14. No, I was just pulling your leg.
•Just joking
15. It's Greek to me!
•I don't understand.
16. Keep your chin up.
•Be happy.
17. Hold your horses.
•Be patient.
18. We're all in the same boat.
•All of us are in the same position.
19. He's a bit of a loose cannon.
•Unpredictable
20. I will clean my room when pigs fly.
•Never
20 Common Idiomatic Expressions
& Their Meanings
1. She was tickled pink by the good news.
•Made very happy
2. You were hands down the best player on the team.
•There was no competition
3. I've been feeling pretty down in the dumps lately.
•Sad or depressed
4. I'm feeling sick as a dog!
•Very sick
5. I've been feeling under the weather.
•Not well
6. Rise and shine!
•Wake up and be happy!
7. Close, but no cigar.
•You were very close, but you did not make it.
8. I could play outside till the cows come home.
•For a very long time
9. Wow! It's raining cats and dogs out there!
•Very hard rain
10. That sound is driving me up the wall!
•Making me very annoyed
11. This assignment is a piece of cake.
•Very easy
12. Although he broke the rules, he was only given a slap on the wrist.
•A mild punishment
13. Yikes! This shirt costs an arm and a leg.
•It is extremely expensive.
14. No, I was just pulling your leg.
•Just joking
15. It's Greek to me!
•I don't understand.
16. Keep your chin up.
•Be happy.
17. Hold your horses.
•Be patient.
18. We're all in the same boat.
•All of us are in the same position.
19. He's a bit of a loose cannon.
•Unpredictable
20. I will clean my room when pigs fly.
•Never
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