The Hidden Staircase[11] 🌬

Front 1

​difficult to find, define or achieve

Back 1

Eric, as elusive as ever, was nowhere to be found.

Hint 1

A solution to the problem of toxic waste is proving elusive.

Front 2

next to or at the side of something

Back 2

A police car pulled up alongside us.

Hint 2

Nick caught up with me and rode alongside.

Front 3

a hollow in a wall, especially one made to put a statue (= artistic object) in so that it can be seen

Back 3

The niche was just big enough to hold two small candles.

Hint 3

I found a niche in the rock and sat and watched while the sun rose and filled the valley with light.

Front 4

to pull something hard, often several times

Back 4

She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention.

Hint 4

The baby was tugging her hair.

Front 5

​(of an idea or a thought) to come into your mind

Back 5

The idea occurred to him in a dream.

Hint 5

It didn't occur to her to ask for help.

Front 6

​not one nor the other of two things or people

Back 6

Neither answer is correct.

Hint 6

Neither of them has/have a car.

Front 7

​looking or feeling embarrassed because you have done something silly or wrong

Back 7

Mary gave her a sheepish grin.

Hint 7

He came into the room looking distinctly sheepish.

Front 8

​a situation in which people shout and make a lot of noise because they are angry or upset about something

Back 8

The room was in (an) uproar

Hint 8

We could no longer hear him above the uproar

Front 9

a person who lives or works in a particular house, room, building, etc.

Back 9

All outstanding bills will be paid by the previous occupants.

Hint 9

The car was badly damaged but the occupants were unhurt.

Front 10

​very near to the moment when somebody does something or something happens

Back 10

He was on the verge of tears

Hint 10

They are on the verge of signing a new contract.

Front 11

plan to deceive someone, such as telling the police there is a bomb somewhere when there is not one, or a trick:

Back 11

He'd made a hoax call claiming to be the president

Hint 11

He was accused of using a bomb hoax to empty a rival restaurant.

Front 12

to stop somebody who is going somewhere, especially in order to talk to them or attack them

Back 12

I got waylaid on my way here

Front 13

of a person) to shake because you are very frightened or nervous

>[tremble]

Back 13

Quaking with fear, Sahir Muhsen opened the door.

Hint 13

They are quaking in their boots at the prospect of tomorrow’s game.

Front 14

a person whose job is to be in charge of the entrance to a hotel, large building, college, etc.

Back 14

The hotel porter will get you a taxi

Hint 14

the night porter

Front 15

one or the other of two; it does not matter which

Back 15

You can park on either side of the street

Hint 15

You can keep one of the photos. Either of them—whichever you like.

Front 16

going away from a particular place rather than arriving in it

Back 16

This telephone should be used for outgoing calls.

Hint 16

outgoing flights/passengers

Front 17

at the right time and not before

Back 17

Your request will be dealt with in due course.

Front 18

To be lucky

Back 18

You're in luck there's only one ticket left.

Front 19

in a quick, confident and not very friendly way.

Back 19

‘Take a seat; she said crisply

Front 20

​to hear, especially by accident, a conversation in which you are not involved

Back 20

I overheard a conversation between two boys on the bus.

Hint 20

I overheard him say he was going to France.

Front 21

Someone who take somebody away illegally, especially using force

[Kidnapper]

Back 21

He had attempted to abduct the two children and still people don't call him abductor

Front 22

to try all possible means to find a solution or some hope in a difficult or unpleasant situation, even though this seems very unlikely

Back 22

I know I’m just clutching at straws here, but is it possible that the doctors are wrong

Front 23

​the place where somebody/something is

Back 23

His whereabouts are/is still unknown.

Front 24

become unconscious for a short time[faint]

Back 24

The driver had probably blacked out at the wheel.

Front 25

to feel more positive about something, especially when you thought that you had no chance of achieving something

Back 25

The government can take heart from the latest opinion polls.

Front 26

to hold somebody/something tightly

Back 26

I clutched on to the chair for support.

Hint 26

She stood there, the flowers still clutched in her hand.