Vocab - The Real Back Yard

Front 1

all in all

Back 1

adverb. On the whole, generally. Example: All in all, things might have been worse.

Front 2

governance

Back 2

noun. Government. Example: They have very different approaches to the governance of the city.

Front 3

by leaps and bounds

Back 3

phrase. With extraordinary rapidity. Example: The town is growing by leaps and bounds.

Front 4

a trend

Back 4

noun. A prevailing tendency or inclination, a general movement, swing, a line of development, approach. Example: The trend toward suburban living... Example: New trends in cancer research are very promising.

Front 5

beleaguered

Back 5

adjective. Troubled, harassed. Example: It's an economically beleaguered city.

Front 6

plenty

Back 6

noun. A full or more than adequate amount or supply, a large number or amount. Example: They thought of America as the land of plenty. Example: Don't worry, there's still plenty of time.

Front 7

wise

Back 7

adjective. Characterized by wisdom, showing judgment or prudence, possessing inside information. Example: I'm wiser now than I was back then. Example: The police got wise to his whereabouts. Example: That was a wise choice.

Front 8

think-tank

Back 8

noun. n institute, corporation, or group organized for interdisciplinary research (as in technological and social problems). Example: ...one of the many think-tanks found in Washington.

Front 9

dire

Back 9

adjective. Dismal, oppressive, desperately urgent, extreme, warning of disaster. Example: They live in dire poverty. Example: Some analysts are issuing dire economic forecasts.

Front 10

know-how

Back 10

noun. Knowledge of how to do something smoothly and efficiently, expertise. Example: He has the know-how we are missing.

Front 11

to pinpoint

Back 11

verb. To locate, aim, fix, determine, or identify with great precision or accuracy. Example: He pinpointed the cause. Example: He pinpointed the city on a map.

Front 12

to antagonize

Back 12

verb. To make hostile or unfriendly, to act in opposition to, to oppose. Example: His speech antagonized many voters.

Front 13

to whinge (British and Australian)

Back 13

verb.To complain or whine. Example: He keeps whingeing about the high maintenance costs.

Front 14

tricky

Back 14

adjective. Deceptive, uncertain, difficult to deal with or handle, skilled in tricks or dodges, characterized by deceitful tricks. Example: Abortion is a tricky issue.

Front 15

to summon up

Back 15

phrasal verb. To call into action, to rouse, to call forth. Example: He summoned up the courage to make the call.

Front 16

domestic

Back 16

adjective. Of or pertaining to one's own or a particular country as apart from other countries. Of or pertaining to the home, the household or the family. Example: GDP is the value of domestic goods and services produced in a given year. Example: Domestic politics often complicate international affairs.