The Hidden Staircase[10] 🌬

Front 1

feeling or showing that you are grateful for something

Back 1

The company was very appreciative of my efforts.

Hint 1

The audience was highly appreciative.

Front 2

​in a happy, cheerful way

Or...

without thinking about the problems that your actions might cause

Back 2

They chatted merrily

Hint 2

She carried on merrily, not realizing the offence she was causing.

Front 3

give time, money, tasks, etc. to somebody/something as a share of what is available

Back 3

I completed the test within the time allotted.

Hint 3

How much money has been allotted to us?

Front 4

to start doing something

Back 4

I need to get/set to work on my essay.

Front 5

to hold or wave something, especially a weapon, in an aggressive or excited way

Back 5

She started brandishing her flashlight 🔦

Hint 5

She brandished a saucepan at me so I ran out of the kitchen.

Front 6

to be useful

Back 6

Don't throw that away—it might come in handy.

Hint 6

Take your penknife—you never know when it might come in handy.

Front 7

to practise a play, dance, etc. in order to prepare for a performance

Back 7

We were given only two weeks to rehearse.

Hint 7

She walked along rehearsing her excuse for being late

Front 8

to fall downwards, often hitting the ground several times, but usually without serious injury; to make somebody/something fall in this way

Back 8

He slipped and tumbled down the stairs.

Hint 8

We tumbled down into the hole

Front 9

excellent; wonderful

Or..

very large; very great

Back 9

I feel absolutely terrific today!

Hint 9

I've got a terrific amount of work to do.

Front 10

(especially of something bad) believed to have probably happened, although there is no proof

Or..

of a person) believed to be guilty of something, although there is no definite proof

Back 10

a suspected broken arm

Hint 10

suspected terrorists

Front 11

a round switch on a machine such as a radio that you use to turn it on and off, etc

Back 11

the volume control knob

Front 12

tools and equipment that are used in the house and garden

Back 12

a hardware shop/store

Front 13

any of the joints in the fingers, especially those connecting the fingers to the rest of the hand

Back 13

She clenched the phone till her knuckles were white.

Front 14

to put something into something else or between two things

Back 14

Insert coins into the slot and press for a ticket.

Hint 14

She picked up a knife and inserted it between the top of the drawer and the desk.

Front 15

the fact of trying to prevent something/somebody from making progress

Back 15

He was arrested for obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty.

Hint 15

the obstruction of justice

Front 16

​ one part of something larger

Back 16

The central portion of the bridge collapsed

Hint 16

Only a small portion of the budget is spent on books.

Front 17

a feeling that something is true even though you do not have any evidence to prove it

Back 17

My hunch is that the burglars are still in the area.

Hint 17

It seemed that the doctor's hunch had been right.

Front 18

to make an effort to do something, using all your mental or physical strength

Back 18

I strained my ears (= listened very hard) to catch what they were saying.

Hint 18

People were straining to see what was going on.

Front 19

to put your foot down while you are stepping or walking

Back 19

Ouch! You trod on my toe!

Hint 19

Careful you don't tread in that puddle.

Front 20

a piece of furniture in a dining room for putting food on before it is served, with drawers in it for storing knives, forks, etc.

Back 20

Don't you guys have a buffet drawer?

Front 21

a cupboard or small room in a house, used for storing food

Back 21

There’s bread and cheese in the pantry

Front 22

A particular item or separate thing, especially one of a set

[item]

Back 22

articles of clothing

Hint 22

The articles found in the car helped the police to identify the body.

Front 23

an official note from one person to another in the same organization

Back 23

to write/send a memo

Hint 23

Memo pad

Front 24

a person who listens secretly to what other people are saying.

Back 24

He's an eavesdropper

Front 25

to show the time by making a ringing noise, etc.

Back 25

Four o’clock had just struck

Hint 25

Did you hear the clock strike?

Front 26

to wait for somebody/something

Or...

to be going to happen to somebody

Back 26

We are awaiting the results of the tests.

Hint 26

Who knows what dangers may await us?

Front 27

(of time) to pass

Back 27

I had to get to the airport by two, and the minutes were ticking away/by