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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Ran the gamut |
to cover a wide range [from one thing to another] Musical dynamics give the movement its impetus, with elements that run the gamut from wicked humor to poignant drama. |
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All but |
This construction means very nearly, almost. The castaway had all but given up on escaping the desert island, when he looked up and saw a helicopter. A perfect GRE score will all but guarantee admission into some institute of higher learning. |
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At once X and Y |
This is a funny construction. It is intended to show that two totally different qualities are present at the same time or in the same thing. His life story was at once sad and inspiring—he had come from the most impoverished background, yet he found away to become wealthy. At once pioneering and derivative, her research draws on others’ work while expanding the theoretical domain. |
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By no means |
Not at all. He was by no means partial to her cause, yet he heard her out before railing against her beliefs. The Internet by no means augurs the end of face-to-face interactions but simply provides another medium for communication. |
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Indeed |
is used to add emphasis to a preceding statement. The old GRE is one of the most challenging standardized tests. Indeed, few people ever attained a perfect score. |
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Notwithstanding |
This is a fancy way—and a cumbersome one—of saying ‘despite. ’Notwithstanding his laudable effort, he was unable to ever bowl more than 100. The rebel group, notwithstanding earnest entreaties from the international community, continued to hold the besieged city. Indeed, it sacrificed its own members to do so. |
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a feather in one's cap |
something to be proud about |
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A flash in the pan |
promising at the start, but then dissapointing |
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A blind alley |
A direction that leads nowhere |
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A bolt from the blue |
A great surprise |
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A cat's paw |
A person used as a tool or dupe |
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a fly in the ointment |
something that spoils or lessens the enjoyment |
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a lick and a promise |
to do something in a hasty and superficial manner |
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a pig in a poke |
an item you purchase without having seen; a disappointment |
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"exact a toll" |
basically means "force to pay a price" (and the meaning of price is figurative). The sense is negative. - His high pressure job has exacted a toll on his health. (i.e. The job has had a negative impact on his health.) |
