The Hidden Staircase[3] 🌬

Front 1

showing that something exists or has happened

Back 1

telltale clues/marks/signs/sounds

Hint 1

The telltale smell of cigarettes told her that he had been in the room.

Front 2

done in a way that was planned, not by chance

Back 2

She's been deliberately ignoring him all day.

Hint 2

The fire had been started deliberately

Front 3

a long step when walking ......or running or to walk with long steps in a particular direction

Back 3

We strode across the snowy fields.

Hint 3

She came striding along to meet me.

Front 4

to notice or become aware of something...... Or....... to understand or think of somebody/something in a particular way

Back 4

I perceived a change in his behaviour.

Hint 4

I do not perceive myself as an expert.

Front 5

used to add a comment on something that you have just said, usually adding something that you think the other person will be interested in.....or.....I....

Back 5

It's a nice place. We've stayed there ourselves, as a matter of fact.

Hint 5

I suppose you'll be leaving soon, then?’ ‘No, as a matter of fact [(actually)] I'll be staying for another two years.’

As a matter of fact, I used to live near him.

Front 6

to have somebody/something as the main interest or subject

Back 6

The discussion revolved around the question of changing the club's name.

Hint 6

She thinks that the world revolves around her.

His whole life revolves around football.

Front 7

used to ask if somebody managed well or was successful in a particular situation

Back 7

How did he make out while his wife was away?

Front 8

a white-skinned woman with dark brown hair

Back 8

A hot brunette

Front 9

if your eyes twinkle, you have a bright expression because you are happy or excited 😊

Back 9

Her eyes twinkled with merriment.

Hint 9

twinkling blue eyes 👀

Front 10

very pleasant or attractive

Back 10

The cottage is tiny, but it's charming

Hint 10

What a charming name.

Front 11

strange and frightening

Back 11

a spooky old house 👻 🏚

Hint 11

It got a bit spooky when James started telling ghost stories. 👻

Front 12

to add a small amount of a particular emotion or quality to something

Back 12

a look of surprise tinged with disapproval

Front 13

the furniture, carpets, curtains, etc. in a room or house

Back 13

soft furnishings

Hint 13

The wallpaper should match the furnishings.

Front 14

heavy curtains made with thick cloth:

Back 14

These drapes will need to be professionally cleaned.

Hint 14

Could you open the drapes?

Front 15

in a way that looks untidy and in poor condition because things have been worn or used a lot

Back 15

He was shabbily dressed .

Hint 15

a shabbily furnished room

Front 16

the hard red-brown wood of a tropical tree, used for making furniture

Back 16

a mahogany table

Front 17

(especially of an old person) physically weak and thin

Back 17

Mother was becoming too frail to live alone.

Front 18

to move down or go down

Back 18

We descended the stairs.

Hint 18

She descended the stairs slowly.

Front 19

to put your hand or arms, or something in your hand, towards somebody, especially to give or offer something

Back 19

He held out the keys and I took them.

Hint 19

I held out my hand to steady her.

Front 20

in a way that shows signs that something is likely to be successful in the future

Back 20

His career started auspiciously with a silver medal at the World Junior Championships.

Hint 20

Our holiday didn't start auspiciously - the flight was delayed for 12 hours.

Front 21

happiness and excitement:

Back 21

She loved the gaiety of the holiday season

Hint 21

The colourful flags added to the gaiety of the occasion

Front 22

small, delicate, and often moving in a careful way:

Back 22

She was a small, dainty child, unlike her sister who was large and had big feet.

Hint 22

The chicken salad was served in dainty pastry shells

Front 23

​impressive in size, appearance or manner or .... ​slow and formal

Back 23

a tall, stately woman

Hint 23

a stately dance

Front 24

anxious and nervous

Back 24

I felt jittery before going on stage.

Hint 24

All this talk of war was making him jittery.

Front 25

attractive in an unusual or old-fashioned way

Back 25

quaint old customs

Front 26

to put something down somewhere

Back 26

He deposited his books on the table.

Front 27

continue to do something despite difficulties or opposition, in a way that can seem unreasonable

Back 27

If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor

Hint 27

She persisted in her search for the truth.