Glossary:

1. plaintive: used to describe sth that sounds slightly sad

2. whimper: to make a series of small, weak sounds expressing pain or unhappiness
3. daintiness: the quality of being small and delicate
4. disposition: the particular type of character that a person naturally has
5. corner (v): force sb into a situation from which they cannot easily escape
6. deftness: the quality of being skillful, clever, or quick
7. subdue: to reduce the force of sth, or to prevent sth from existing or developing
8. gobble up: to use a lot of your supply of sth, usually money
9. defiance: behaviour in which you refuse to obey sb or sth
10. wait in the wings: not yet active or important, but are ready or likely to be so soon
11. saturated with = be completely wet with
12. up in arms about: angry or upset
13. on principle: follow a personal standard or behavior
14. on the spot: immediately
15. on the make: trying hard to succeed, esp. in a way that is dishonest
16. on the dole: receive money from the government because you do not have a job
17. on the cards: to be likely to happen
18. on the ball: to be quick to understand and react to things
19. on its last legs: in such bad condition that it will soon be unable to work as it
should
20. on one’s high horse: in an arrogant or condescending manner
21. on a shoestring: within a very tight financial budget
22. habituated: used to sth, esp sth unpleasant
23. nod off: begin to fall asleep
24. thrash out: discuss all aspects of sth in order to reach agreement
25. figure on: expect or allow for the possibility of sth
26. toy with: consider sth, but no seriously
27. home in on: identify and concentrate on sth
28. shrug off: treat sth as unimportant
29. dredge up: remind sb of sth embarrassing, etc
30. ring true: seem to be genuine
31. rise to the bait: react to sth tempting or provocative
32. rolling in the aisles: laughing uncontrollably
33. rooted to the spot/ ground: unable to move
34. coming up roses: happening successfully
35. show/ teach sb the rope: show/ teach sb how to do sth
36. rule with an iron fist: govern strictly and harshly
37. give sb a run for their money: compete well, challenge
38. go overboard: be excessively
39. spin a yarn: ​tell a lie or only part of the truth to convince one of sth or to avoid the
consequences of sth
40. lead sb astray: ​to encourage someone to do bad or illegal things that they would
not normally do
41. proffer:​ to ​offer​ something by ​holding​ it out, or to ​offer​ ​advice​ or an ​opinion
42. plausible: seeming likely to be true, or able to be believed
43. presiding: in charge of a formal meeting, ceremony, or trial
44. overcome: to prevent sb from being able to act or think in the usual way
45. nondescript: very ordinary, having no interesting or exciting features
46. Commission: to formally choose sb to do a special piece of work
47. Methodical: done in a very ordered, careful way
48. Commendable: deserving praise
49. Disburse: to pay out money, usually from an amount that has been collected for
a particular purpose
50. Disperse: to spread across or move away over a large area