Putnam's Phrase Book
by Edwin Hamlin Carr · English · Gutenberg #48441 · 342,871 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: Putnam's Phrase Book
Author: Edwin Hamlin Carr
Release date: March 8, 2015 [eBook #48441]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUTNAM'S PHRASE BOOK ***
Transcriber’s Note
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Putnam’s Phrase Book
An Aid to Social Letter Writing and to
Ready and Effective Conversation, with
Over 100 Model Social Letters
and 6000 of the World’s
Best English Phrases
Compiled and Arranged by
Edwin Hamlin Carr
G. P. Putnam’s Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press
1921
Copyright, 1919
BY
EDWIN HAMLIN CARR
[Illustration: Knickerbocker Press Logo]
_Printed in the United States of America_
FOREWORD
Since we talk in phrases as well as in words every home needs a phrase
book as well as a dictionary.
This book has been prepared to meet that need, and contains a
dictionary of six thousand choice phrases arranged synonymously for
general use; many polite expressions, phrases of charm and courtesy,
for use in letter writing; one hundred sample social letters, including
instruction concerning the method of their preparation by the use of
the dictionary of phrases; a guide to choice phrases for social letter
writing; and finally, a handy index, very helpful, even though the
phrases have been arranged in dictionary form.
I have made an effort to emphasize phrases of commendation, optimism,
and courtesy. Also many for use in letter writing——especially phrases
suitable for letters of condolence. There is perhaps no more difficult
letter to write than one of condolence, hence a considerable number
under this designation in order to assist in this necessary and yet
most blessed task.
The primary purpose of this book is that it may serve as a synonymous
phrase dictionary, yet I have so planned it that it can also be used
as a social letter writer. The dictionary of phrases is to be used
in letter writing in connection with the sample letters. In case the
sample letters are not desirable, the instructions and guide, upon pp.
275-81 will show how to use the book when one desires to write his own
social letters.
Some of the social letters were written by using the phrases in the
dictionary section of the book; others were suggested by the perusal of
the same.
The very fact that one keeps his eyes open for new expressions tends
to make him more careful of his own phraseology, and to encourage the
constant improvement of his own style either by the addition of old
phrases, new to him, or by the coining of new ones.
Whenever and wherever I have found in any volume, magazine, newspaper,
or in conversation, a usable phrase I have made note of it. This
method has given me the material for the book. As far as possible I
have endeavored to collect phrases which are the common speech of all,
phrases which are not quotations, and are the property of all.
I am very greatly indebted to all I have heard and read, especially to
the standard authors.
I have included and located a goodly number of phrases from Shakespeare
and the Bible.
E. H. C.
CONTENTS
PAGE
I.——A Dictionary of Six Thousand Expressions and General
Phrases for Use in Conversation, Social Letter Writing,
and Public Speaking 1
II.——A Sample Letter Showing how this Book may be Used in
Preparation of Social Letters 275
III.——A Guide to Phrases for Use in Preparing One’s Own
Letters if the Sample Letters are not Satisfactory 279
IV.——One Hundred Social Letters 283
Of Condolence 285
Of Congratulation 298
Of Friendly Appreciation 300
With Gifts 301
Of Introduction 301
Of Invitation 302
Of Recommendation 304
Of Resignation 305
Of Thanks 306
Replies 308
V.——Index 313
I
DICTIONARY OF 6000 EXPRESSIONS AND GENERAL PHRASES FOR USE IN
CONVERSATION, SOCIAL LETTER WRITING, AND PUBLIC SPEAKING
ACTIVE
Alive Alert
As full of fight as ever
Eager for the fray
Full of business
Teeming with life
Alive as never before
Working like mad
Full of high spirits
Up and doing
As lively as a thrush
Step lively
Quick in every part
Keenly alive to——
Ready in a trice
With a fine swinging step
With more than a languid interest
On a furious march with sealed orders
Nobody wants to be caught napping
No whit behind——
A project tinglingly alive
ADMONITION
Advice Counsel
The only wise course to follow
No intelligent man can afford to disregard the——
No pains should be spared to avert this eventuality
If this thing occurs the fat will be in the fire
There is food for abundant thinking in——
He had warning to set his house in order
He talked to him like a Dutch uncle
Keep a strong curb chain on
To some it will seem like the touch of a profane hand upon the ark of
the Lord
The thought is one to sober all responsible men
Little foxes among the tender vines
It seems like going out of one’s way to face a hazard
Better alone than in bad company
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
_Hamlet_, I., 3
AFFIRMATION
Asseveration Avowal
Unreservedly, unequivocally, and absolutely right
I feel called upon to asseverate that——
I shall prove to a demonstration that——
I shall not die happy unless I——
Of one thing there can be no doubt
I assert without fear of successful contradiction that——
I am living in the irresistible conviction that——
I am told by persons considering themselves sagacious in business
that——
Nothing is more certified than that——
There is no vain assumption in saying that——
I lack words to express the full extent of my conviction that——
Let me say as strongly as I can that——
It is as certain as anything in human calculation can be made certain
that——
The fact is irrefutable that——
The explicit dictum upon——
It has been avouched again and again that——
I would say so in the presence of an Apostle
They were making unusual asseverations
Few events are better attested than——
From that result there will be no dissent
I am confidently persuaded that——
It leads to the inevitable conclusion that——
I am absolutely sure that——
It may be safely asserted that——
Beyond question the——
I asseverate that——
I am bold to aver that——
I need not scruple to repeat my assertion
AGREEMENT
Concurrence Assent
I am perfectly of that opinion
I quite agree with you
It fits exactly with my notions
I concur entirely with you
I am heartily of your opinion
It is agreed by the vast majority of students that——
We are all in agreement with the thought that——
My own reading sustains the same view
I give my word gladly
I thoroughly agree with you
I am most heartily in favor of——
The opinion is widely held that——
The tacit admission is made that——
Your plan is quite to my mind
AID
Help Assistance
Ready to go to all lengths
I am trying to help him compose his difficulties
I am thankful to have been the means of——
With fine helpfulness
He would go through fire and water for——
A friend in need is a friend indeed
An awkward corner is turned by——
A positive service to——
He takes a solicitous interest in——
Leaving no stone unturned
The stars in their courses fought for——
Substantial benefits
A mission of mercy
A salutary restraint
A clear instance of a gracious Providence
He would have fared badly had it not been that——
An ardent champion in——
He took his stand squarely with——
He aligns himself with——
By full and hearty coöperation
A high allegiancy
In a charmingly cordial way
A very signal interposition of——
He did his best to fan the fires of——
The best that is in me is to——
ANXIETY
Worry Apprehension
I shall be extremely distressed if——
It caused me a thousand apprehensions
A miserable victim of anxiety
I was quite apprehensive about——
It is like a nightmare for me to think of——
On the anxious seat
The paralysing fear of——
Foolishly apprehensive of the future
As frightened as a child in the dark
A cause for much anxiety
Harried by uncertainties
He betrays a most suspicious anxiety lest——
With unwarrantable concern
Robbed of tranquillity
A growing fear of consequences
It haunted me like a ghost
I am apprehensive that——
A perfect paroxysm of restlessness
I note with concern the tendency of——
APOLOGY
Excuse Defense
I should not have intruded on you at this hour
In an unguarded moment, I——
In an evil hour, I——
Owing to a foolish error, I——
In the exasperation of the moment——
It was purely a Pagan impulse
There was no intention to discriminate against——
I offer my humblest apologies
Your forgiveness for all these offences is very penitently and humbly
invoked
He did not feel that he was committing an indiscretion when he——
I am hardly presentable for polite society
I am far from being as well informed as you suppose me to be——
Forgive me all my delinquencies
The horrible consciousness has just dawned upon me that——
I find my tongue is too foolhardy.
_All’s Well that Ends Well_, IX., 1
I did play a lamentable part.
_The Two Gentlemen of Verona_, IV., 4
If hearty sorrow be a sufficient ransom for offence, I tender’t here.
_The Two Gentlemen of Verona_, V., 4
APPRECIATIVE
Sympathetic Sensible
With a beautiful sense of the fitting
A very delicate appreciation of——
It was perfectly charming to see how——
I shall be happy to recall the fact that we——
A nice sense of appreciation
The beautiful thing about it is——
With the inevitable grace that is French
Than this there is none other
He has a mind acutely responsive to——
He has a nice regard for——
You did it in the way that will count
It is a capital piece of work
That was splendid of you
It would do him a world of good
I am keenly interested in what you say
Thoroughly imbued with respect for——
I admire your foresight
I compliment you on your good sense
I have contracted a most religious veneration for——
Let us give him a hearty word of appreciation
Sensitive to every nicety of——
With a swift apprehension of——
I have a very high regard for your——
APPROBATION
Approval Confirmation
I wish to give my hearty endorsement to——
It was a proposal which met with unanimous approbation
It is highly desirable
It is perfectly proper
It will promote instead of hinder
It is a wholesome and heartening conviction that——
It is a salutary and successful work
It was the conduct of splendid magnanimity
I felt I could leave it to your generous consideration
You have my unqualified approval
On that issue he is splendidly right
They cannot fail of producing the happiest effects
He was generous in his approbation
Unmixed approbation
This lends confirmation to——
ASTONISHING
Surprising Startling
It takes away one’s breath
A man can but rub his eyes in amazement when he sees that——
I was never so astonished
It is incredible that——
The thing fell like a thunder-clap
This is passing strange
Without having any previous inkling of——
The most amazing thing about it all is——
I was quite overcome
I was struck dumb by——
It completely surpasses my comprehension
What you tell me is simply astounding
Doubly striking
I flamed amazement.
_The Tempest_, I., 2
It was like a bombshell in our midst
Challenging even the stupid to consideration
AUDACIOUS
Brazen Presumptuous
In unblushing impudence
Guilty of high-handed procedure
He was never accused of exaggerated modesty
In unctuous fashion
In a tone of virtuous superiority
A piece of ridiculous conceit
Nobody takes such precious advantage of it as he
An attempt to be smart
He had the nerve to——
It was a case of sheer audacity
He made peremptory demand that——
He is full of all kinds of sure prophecies
BEAUTIFUL
Attractive Fascinating
Beautiful to look at
The land of the beautiful
A potent charm
A perfect riot of color
The cult of the beautiful
Through an Eden of beauty
As beautiful as any poem
Winsome in appearance
With a certain fascination
Singularly attractive
Exquisitely dainty
Extremely prepossessing
The charm of the beautiful
Exquisitely shaped
BLUFF
Brag Bluster
He who threatens is afraid
I cannot abide swaggerers.
_II. King Henry IV._, II., 4
We consider him a huge joke
He has parted company with the facts
He makes unqualified assertions
Farcical pretensions
With a great assumption of dignity
A sham so thin that it requires but one test to puncture it
By smooth words he can gloze over the fact that——
Very far adrift for explanations of——
Where there is no wind every man is a pilot
It was rather tall talk upon my part
The worst wheel always creaks most
He is camouflaging
He is certainly not making a reputation for accuracy by some of his
statements
Too affected to be real
It is not an explanation, it is only an excuse
Too transparently foolish to fool anybody
Adroit excuses
The whole proceeding was theatrical
He played up the bogey of——
He is not playing the game as a sport
CALM
Unperturbed Self-controlled
I am very tranquil about it
I am not at all solicitous about it
He generally takes things with equanimity
He kept a calm exterior in emergencies
Magnificent reserve
You could scarcely observe any of the evidences of inward perturbation
With the utmost composure
With stoical calm
With remarkable equanimity
No harm can come from stating calmly the reasons that——
He wears an unruffled front
Without the flick of an eyelid
An air of quiet, unaffected assurance
CAUTIOUS
Prudent Careful
I am not going to leap in the dark
It must be handled with gloves
It is a work of eternal vigilance
Ordinary prudence would suggest that——
It is well within the bounds of conservative statement to say that——
We must keep a sharp lookout for——
That is the part of the sane caution
In spite of the most scrupulous precautions
Prudential regulations
Pull gently at a weak rope
He has infinite capacity for taking care
Haste onward with caution
Things done well, and with a care, exempt themselves from fear.
_Henry VIII._, I., 2
After adding the necessary salt of incredulity, it is to be concluded
that——
It should receive careful consideration
It is worthy of attentive study
A conclusion not to be accepted without long deliberation
It is the part of rational protection for all concerned
We must wait for a propitious moment
On sober second thought, I——
We have to be as severe as justice
He seldom speaks without carefully considering what he is to say and
the probable effects
He is prudence itself
The dictum must be taken with reserve
He took time for careful deliberation
He took every precaution to——
I have carefully inquired into——
The precaution necessary to insure safety
For prudential reasons
Without any undue haste
CLEAR
Manifest Plain
As clear as daylight
The issue was clearly drawn
It makes forever clear that——
Left with no misapprehensions
It is self-evident that——
An axiomatic truth
Give me ocular proof.
_Othello_, III., 3
The apparently inevitable conclusion is that——
It is a matter of the simplest demonstration that——
A lucid explanation
It is a vivid portrayal of——
The results are everywhere apparent
Plain to every eye
I have a very clear conviction that——
I am perfectly clear in my mind as to——
There is nothing ambiguous about it
As significant as raised letters to the blind
With admirable clarity of mind
Open, aboveboard, and explicit
That clears the air
I see it
That simplifies everything enormously
It needs no great play of imagination to see that——
The plain unvarnished fact is——
It can be demonstrated to a mathematical nicety that——
It requires no extraordinary perception to discern that——
It has become perfectly evident that——
A mere cursory examination will make it clear that——
It casts an informing light upon——
As simple and as matter-of-fact as a fever chart
COMMENDATION
(Shakespeare)
Second to none.
_The Comedy of Errors_, V., 1
There’s nothing ill can dwell in such a temple.
_The Tempest_, I., 2
A lovelier gentleman——the spacious world cannot again afford.
_King Richard III._, I., 2
He’s the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken.
_Coriolanus_, V., 2
He reads much; he is a great observer, and he looks quite through the
deeds of men.
_Julius Cæsar_, I., 2
A dish fit for the gods.
_Julius Cæsar_, II., 1
This comes off well and excellent.
_Timon of Athens_, I., 1
That stirs good thoughts in my breast.
_King John_, II., 1
He should have a volume of farewells.
_King Richard II._, I., 4
My man’s as true as steel.
_Romeo and Juliet_, II., 4
A kinder gentleman treads not the earth.
_The Merchant of Venice_, II., 8
Ay, every inch a King.
_King Lear_, IV., 6
I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise.
_The Merchant of Venice_, I., 2
He has done nobly.
_Coriolanus_, II., 3
Happy the parents of so fair a child.
_The Taming of the Shrew_, IV., 5
The kindest man, the best-condition’d and unwearied spirit in doing
courtesies.
_The Merchant of Venice_, III., 2
Sing again: mine ear is much enamour’d of thy note.
_A Midsummer-Night’s Dream_, III., 1
Her voice was ever soft, gentle, and low, an excellent thing in woman.
_King Lear_, V., 3
Your fair discourse hath been as sugar, making the hard way sweet and
delectable.
_King Richard II._, II., 3
You know the very road into his kindness, and cannot lose your way.
_Coriolanus_, V., 1
Neat, trimly dressed, fresh as a bridegroom.
_I. King Henry IV._, I., 3
They say, best men are moulded out of faults.
_Measure for Measure_, V., 1
Not meanly proud of two such boys.
_The Comedy of Errors_, I., 1
Your worth is very dear in my regard.
_The Merchant of Venice_, I., 1
A countryman of yours that has done worthy service.
_All’s Well that Ends Well_, III., 5
I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name.
_Measure for Measure_, III., 1
We lack’d your counsel and your help.
_Othello_, I., 3
Thy charge exactly is performed.
_The Tempest_, I., 2
Thy counsel’s sound.
_The Taming of the Shrew_, I., 1
He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one; exceeding wise, fair-spoken,
and persuading.
_King Henry VIII._, IV., 2
The very thought of this fair company clapp’d wings to me.
_King Henry VIII._, I., 4
This was the noblest Roman of them all.
_Julius Cæsar_, V., 5
I do applaud thy spirit.
_The Two Gentlemen of Verona_, V., 4
Good phrases are surely, and ever were, very commendable.
_II. King Henry IV._, III., 2
Gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good
fellowship.
_I. King Henry IV._, II., 4
Here is everything advantageous to life.
_The Tempest_, II., 1
It hath done meritorious service.
_The Merry Wives of Windsor_, IV., 2
Upon such sacrifices——the gods themselves throw incense.
_King Lear_, V., 3
A good heart’s worth gold.
_II. King Henry IV._, II., 4
My father’s honours live in me.
_Titus Andronicus_, I., 1
Never man sigh’d truer breath.
_Coriolanus_, IV., 5
O, this boy lends mettle to us all.
_I. King Henry IV._, V., 4
One of the prettiest touches of all.
_The Winter’s Tale_, V., 2
COMMENDATORY
Praise Encomiums
(Of Persons)
He treated me very handsomely
When you speak to him you are sure of a civil reply
He is not swayed by any such considerations
He has a humor that keeps the vision true and the mind sweet
The whole record of his life was that of unselfish generosity
He is entirely free from all personal bitterness
He has a good word for every one
He is gifted with the power of expressing his knowledge
He has a very pleasing manner
I should have to think long if I were asked to name one who had done
more valuable service
He strikes a splendid average
Everybody is proud of him
He was kindness itself
He has lovable qualities
He carries sunshine
He is free from ill-speaking
It was a pretty instance of——
The place has attractive features
High tribute has been generously paid to——
A very attractive girl
Decidedly handsome
I am wealthy in my friends.
_Timon of Athens_, II., 2
An exceptionally fine man
We regard him highly
A beautiful character
A genuine human being
One of the most agreeable men
A most attractive talker
A most agreeable companion
A man of high probity
A man of splendid merit
A most delightful personality
He deserves great praise
He played a worthy part
He is great fun
They all behaved very handsomely
I have great regard for him
He speaks in the highest terms of——
A feather in any man’s cap
It is to the credit of all concerned that——
It is a mark of public esteem when——
No one ever displayed a sweeter spirit
A fine example of self-forgetfulness
It comes from one whose praise is an honor
A strong as well as lovely character
One of the most amiable of men
He wins golden opinions
In the good graces of——
Very agreeable people
She is a very tender and indulgent mother
He is full of generous sympathies
He has a sunny temperament
He is quite an adroit flatterer
He seems to have an inexhaustible supply of affection
His modesty is worthy of wide imitation
He is brimming over with new ideas
He gives you a jolly shake of the hand
He has a wonderful gift of making friends
He has a circle of interesting friends
There is something very likable about him
He is truly regardful of the interests of others
He cultivates the amenities and civilities
He understands the art of making allowances
He would shun to break the bounds of courtesy
His polite best
He is above the meanness of tale-bearing
He spoke in language clear and expressive in the highest degree
He spoke with his accustomed felicity of language
It was a very neat and appropriate expression
He labored in a simple and straightforward manner to——
He possesses nerves that seem to be of iron
He is a perpetual surprise even to those who know him best
She is a charming person to set people at their ease
He is a noble character
She talked beautifully
He has a fine face full of vigor
He is very patient and very brave
We have beautiful neighbors
I never have seen you looking in better health
They form a delightful group
With him there is little seeking after effect
It is an evidence of good breeding
He possesses the rare faculty of——
She is without a shadow of affectation
He is incapable of hurting any one’s feelings
He possesses a masterly understanding of the subject
He is irresistibly funny
He is uncommonly quick
A man whose merit equals his reputation
He acquitted himself admirably
He possesses a good deal of homely dignity
He has the talent of dispensing pleasure
You have great reason to congratulate yourself on——
His name was never mentioned by us without the most tender regard
He has a character of sterling excellence
He is of consequence in the world
She is a model of propriety
There is an indefinable charm about her
He has an air of businesslike decisiveness
He is a facile talker
He is a plain frugal man
He is untinged by prejudice
He has a taste for polite conversation
He discharged his difficult task admirably
He was actuated by the most laudable motives
He never fumbles
He is always in such perfect good humor
He behaved very handsomely
He has calm good sense
He did it with good grace
He fitted his environment perfectly
You could not apply to any one better able than he
He made a most delightful impression
He is chock-full of fine sentiment
My heart warms towards him
He is a person whom I always recall with pleasure
His letters are full of heartiness
He has such a kindly and sympathetic spirit
No one ever displayed a sweeter spirit than he
He is every whit a man’s man
He has fine manners
He acted as one to the manor born
May his tribe increase
He impressed me prodigiously
He has the highest ideals of fine, clean, strong manhood
She is possessed with the most delicate intuitions
He possesses a certain suavity of manner
She is of exceptional personal beauty
He is above the average in point of conversation
He took the hugest pains to accommodate us
There is no more noble and beautiful character than she
There was something captivating in his manner
He was eloquent without being declamatory
You will go a long way before you find a better man
COMMENDATORY
Praise Encomiums
(Of Things)
It is rather a fascinating theme
A message worthy of the widest attention
There is a certain quaint charm about the——
Free from fulsome adulation
A work replete with charm
It was a palpable hit
A favorable impression
Whole-hearted praise
Giving due meed of praise to——
Good to look upon
Beyond praise
Worthy of all praise
Isn’t it fine
I have nothing but praise for it
It was magnificent
Of great charm
Of superlative excellence
Exceptionally good
It is highly desirable
Truly admirable
Remarkably fine
A very handsome appearance
A masterly effort
Deserving high approval
In a very commendable manner
It is superb
I think it is charming
Without parallel
A neat stroke
It was a grand sight
A very rare trait
Most charming manners
Well worthy of a place in our remembrance
A most desirable outcome
Fitting words of felicitation
The loveliest and most endearing memories of life
Not the least interesting part of the——
Exquisitely dainty
In a truly elegant manner
The occasion went off beautifully
In a very handsome manner
With singular appropriateness
We shall take new pride in it
One of the most beautiful things that ever happened to us
A counsel of perfection
The never ending charm of——
A matter of surpassing interest
It has been well said that——
It is a high tribute to the——
A tribute of praise
Little short of perfect
A full meed of praise
In the most handsome terms
Handsome is that handsome does
Singularly attractive
It has the notable merit of——
It is uncommonly good
It is quite in keeping with the best traditions
It is the fashion to talk with pride of——
I think there is nothing more fascinating than——
We feel a special pride in——
It would be all the more delightful if——
It has novelty and is refreshing
It is perfectly justifiable
It is a magnificent achievement
I know no pleasanter fact than——
A rare combination of——
Beyond cavil and criticism
A fine example of——
A very signal example of——
On a fine scale
Beyond all imagination
Of exquisite taste
A most entertaining presentation of——
Surpassingly fine
It could not have been improved
The occasion was very propitious for——
An exquisite picture
It is worthy of a world of praise
It is worthy of high praise
It bears the stamp of excellence
A very promising beginning
A delight to all right-minded people
A work of unique value
The finest thought the human mind can cherish
A master-stroke of policy
A task of immense interest
Big with promise
A most excellent speculation
It is the ideal method of solving the problem
An asset of incomparable value
With new and increased capacities
A very pretty problem in——
An experiment of absorbing interest
In the most fetching style
It has much to commend it to the sober judgment of thinking men
COMMENT
Opinion Note
A not unfair inference is——
The clear upshot of it all is——
It remains to be seen whether——
I feel confident that——
In any event
There is a phase of the discussion going on which says——
I candidly think that——
I notice a very widespread tendency to——
I am never carried to any great lengths of reflection by——
It is a matter of common knowledge that——
My idea of it is quite the reverse
One thing struck my unskilled eye
At first sight it seems——
It is altogether probable that——
Have you considered that possibly the——
And it is worth remembering that——
All competent evidence points to the fact that——
It is highly probable that——
I am more than convinced every day that——
This is the short and the long of it.
_The Merry Wives of Windsor_, II., 2
And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.
_Twelfth Night_, V., 1
It seems reasonably certain that——
A reasonable inference is that——
I feel myself scarcely competent to judge
COMPLIMENT
Adulate Flatter
It was so charming of you to——
As handsome as a picture
I am perfectly fascinated by that idea of yours
It is so kind of you to——
Well done, accept congratulations
That is certainly ideal
A very creditable performance
I think you have summed it up perfectly
It is surpassingly fine
Whom to have known was a great pleasure
I fancy you are of a good temperament for
Here is diplomacy of the highest order
Your views are most satisfactory
Cheerful company shortens the miles
Cold hand, a warm heart
How nicely you put that
Those friends of yours are delightful people
Permit me to compliment you
He is able to extract comfort out of hard experiences
You are looking as lovely as usual
I always thought the hour struck sooner in your home than anywhere else
You have a very helpful suggestion
I greatly like what you say about——
I offer my congratulations on your taste
I am not given to making compliments, but I would like to say that——
CONCEITED
Egotistic Opinionated
The one and only man who knows what to do and how to do it
Hypnotized by his own visions
A self-satisfied, confident attitude
He has an overweening opinion of himself
He had the hardihood to assert that——
Conscious of his own worth
A complacent indifference to evidence
He who tickles himself laughs when he likes
Complacently egotistical
With pedantic exactitude
It irked him to be in second place
A touch of the will to survive on the ruin of others
He is inflexible in any resolution formed in his own interest
He takes zealous care of a fancied dignity
They also plumed themselves on the——
He has a well-developed case of self-importance
The incarnation of self-importance
Opinionated self-esteem
Overweening self-love
Of narrow-minded complacency
A certain haughty inaccessibility
With overbearing arrogance
With pride of singularity
He has a very high opinion of himself
Naturally self-contained
His vanity was delicately tickled
He is captivated by a sense of his own importance
She came in with insufferable condescension
With a sort of bravado
In a very supercilious manner
With a surly grunt of recognition
A few curt remarks
All the grist must be ground through his mill
He proceeded with the greatest gusto to——
With sulky acquiescence
Reticent and self-contained
An affected civility
CONCERN
Tenderness Solicitude
Taking a living loving interest in men
A self-restraint which refuses to make capital of the faults of others
No selfish purpose to serve
There is something beautifully touching in the——
He has the deepest veneration for the——
A mind teeming with tender concern for human happiness
It is impossible to look with insensibility of feeling upon the——
He entertains a very adequate respect for——
He has a fellow feeling for——
Frequent expressions of solicitude for——
It is not until one has entered sympathetically into——
I am not unmindful of——
With a motherly tenderness
CONDEMN
Denounce Censure
No message but the message of anathema and excommunication
One aspect of it should be assigned to oblivion
Atrociously bad
The worst of irresponsibles
Ripe for merited destruction
In utter defiance of the rights of others and common decency
A gross miscarriage of justice
A wretched state of affairs
Such methods are incapable of defense
You can make your own mental deductions
Destroyed in the fires of its own presumption
Those who report such things are equally culpable
It digs its own grave
He stultifies his own soul who——
It is but a conspiracy to thwart justice
It is hard to say just what maledictions should be pronounced upon one
who——
One finds it difficult to measure his epithet when——
Stirred to unmeasured wrath
They are all tarred with the same stick
He should come in for some rather rough handling
The mere thought of it fills me with disgust
It is empty talk to speak of——
It is a shortsighted policy
The indictment might be lengthened
An attitude morally impossible
Certainly not inviting
Reduced to plain language, the——
Such conduct seems unjustifiable
A rather bold innovation
Certainly injudicious and ill-timed
It is crude stuff
Foolish and pernicious talk
Most reprehensible
Utterly futile as well as mischievous
Gross injustice
CONDONE
Excuse Overlook
We all have our little vanities
There are always two sides to a story
All this is water which long since flowed over the mill
It is time to bury the hatchet
That was not necessarily to his discredit
It is human nature to ignore the——
Not quite so radical as the description would seem to indicate
Undoubtedly there are times when——
Guilty of occasional indiscretions
We must endeavor to establish amicable relations
That is a thing of the past
There is another plausible side to it
Of course there are mitigating circumstances
Extenuating nothing of the enormity of the offence charged it may be
asked what——
We are all willing to condone but not to forget
I can only plead in extenuation that——
There will be extenuating circumstances
No doubt he was in a playful mood when he spoke it
He did it all in good faith
The trouble with us poor mortals is——
It must in fairness be added that——
Very likely the explanation lies in the fact that——
That is far from being the whole truth
We must be willing to make the best of a bad affair
After all he possesses some fine qualities
No hard and fast line can be drawn between——
There is a view which palliates our case a little
And it is fair to remember that——
There is a certain truth in the criticism that——
The best of us make mistakes
Softening the asperities of life
Apparently he has done all he can to placate the ire of——
It is a great mercy that——
We attempted to smother down some very harsh asperities
I will give you absolution from——
Progressive thinkers would fain ameliorate the harsher aspects of——
Please say something nice to him
A tendency to conciliate those who oppose
Their efforts smoothed away many asperities
One of the chronic frailties of human nature
Things past redress are now with me past care.
_King Richard II._, II., 3
CONSECRATION
Devotion Dedication
All there is of us for God
Willing to take a lowly place anywhere to serve God
There is a constancy of spirit that beats like the pulse of God
A heart full of longing to live in a larger way
The hardships and joys of a life of toil
My heart is set to do all the will of God
A fervent and vigilant life in the service of God
Men and women who are living beautiful lives of sanctified service
A work in which every man may bear a share
The depth and fervor of our belief
To lay our tribute at the feet of one who is nobler than the noblest
Perfect abandon unto the will of God
Not much engaged in cumbering affairs
Into spheres of sublime service
In harmony with His character
The free-will offering of our lips and purses
Men who tried to stem the flood-tide of sin
In fearless pioneering
In plucky unyielding struggle with evil
In unapplauded toil among the poor
A path of whole-hearted consecration to God
CONSIDERATE
Regardful Thoughtful
Given to the niceties of deportment
He has the courtesy of the old school
In manner he was deferential
The flower of courtesy.
_Romeo and Juliet_, II., 5
Always time for the considerate word
Positive claims to consideration
Kindly and considerately
Every consideration should be shown to——
I very much doubt whether others will be equally considerate
CONTENTED
Satisfied Gratified
I am in a very happy state of mind
I have not had one melancholy hour
I think it is a settled temper of my soul that I——
I lived melodious days with——
He loves the sunny side of the road
An air of moderation and sweet reasonableness
Not one minute’s uneasiness
I want the satisfactions and complacencies of——
To every bird its nest seems fair
He may well be content
It pleased me greatly to find that——
It is a very great satisfaction to know that——
I am rejoiced to find that——
That was one of the pleasantest experiences of my life
It was hailed with unmixed joy
Every cat loves its own garret
I am perfectly comfortable about it
It is with the liveliest satisfaction that——
One of the few true delights of——
A very pleasing sort of experience
It is a source of inexpressible comfort to find that——
It is the panacea for all ills
It was heavenly
It was concluded in the most gratifying way
It is a matter of great gratification to me to find that——
There is no use blowing a fire that burns well
Quite in keeping with the best traditions
It will pass muster
An arrangement to our mutual advantage
We had no reason to complain of——
It must be a very confirmed pessimist who would refuse a smile of
satisfaction at——
Snug as a bug in a rug
It was a great find
A perfectly proper proceeding
Elegant ease
Snugly ensconced
COURAGE
Resolution Mettle
Always unafraid
Unshakable resolution in the face of adversity
Through the ordeal unflinchingly
As bold as a hawk
A recklessness that snatches victory out of the jaws of danger
There is no such word as compromise in his vocabulary
He has the courage of his convictions
Fighting for imperishable moral treasures
Fortune aids the bold
With the splendid heroism of a man sure of life
Certain fearless minds
He had the fortitude to resist the——
Faint heart never won a fair lady
Look danger in the face
Upholding the finest traditions of——
A fighting heart
Our staying power is sure to be well tested
It takes a very daring man to——
As a test of the mettle of——
Unmoved by fear
The stuff of a hero in him
With red blood in his veins
Facing the problem squarely
With a bold disregard for danger
The daring mood
Not afraid to tackle big things
COURTESY
Civility Politeness
(Conventional——Apology)
I am afraid I am trespassing on your time
I beg your pardon for intruding
I hope my coming will not put you to any inconvenience
I offer my most sincere apology
I beg you will excuse me
I regret it more than I can express
Excuse me for having detained you so long
I warmly regret being unable to oblige you
I must apologize for my stupidity
This is quite unforgivable, I fear
I am very awkward, pray forgive me
I regret that I cannot assist you
It is with no small regret that——
I am exceedingly sorry that your request comes to me at a time when I
am so pressed by my own affairs, that I cannot, with any
convenience, comply with it
Pardon my indiscretion
(Conventional——Assistance)
I shall be very happy to assist you
I have had great pleasure in being useful to you
Permit me to serve you in any way I can
May I give you some assistance
If you can assist me I shall take it as an extraordinary kindness
(Conventional——At Weddings)
I wish you much joy
Let me wish you every happiness
I wish to offer you my heartiest congratulations
I congratulate you heartily on the good fortune that is yours to-day
Kindly accept my sincerest good wishes
It is impossible to wish you any greater good fortune than you have had
to-day
Please accept my congratulations
Hearty congratulations
(Conventional——Condolence)
Kindly accept my sincere esteem and sympathy
I beg to offer my profound sympathy
We all share in your loss, and you have my deepest sympathy
I sympathize with you in your great affliction
I wish to assure you of my heartfelt sympathy
I could not refrain from assuring you in person of my sincerest
sympathy
We can all splendidly trust God in life, no matter what its
vicissitudes, if we but feel that we are drawn nearer to Him
Please accept my sincere condolences
(Conventional——Congratulatory)
I cannot refrain from expressing my admiring appreciation of——
You are to be congratulated upon the——
I wish to congratulate you, and express my appreciation of——
Will you permit me to make an acknowledgment of appreciation to you
for——
Permit me to make appreciative acknowledgments of——
Please accept my congratulations upon your——
Since the news of the joy that has happened to you reached me, I have
been anxious to write you a word of congratulation
I congratulate you on the very fortunate opportunity which presents
itself
I had the great pleasure of hearing that——
I take this opportunity of assuring you that——
It is with great pleasure I hear of your safe arrival
(Conventional——Greeting)
It is a great pleasure to me to welcome you
I am delighted to see you here
I am delighted to make your acquaintance though indeed I seem to know a
great deal about you through——
I am mightily glad to see you
I am so pleased to see you
How happy we are to see you
Welcome once more
This is a most unexpected pleasure
(Conventional——On Leaving)
This has been a delightful occasion
This has been a most enjoyable evening
I want to make my parting compliments
Many thanks for your kind hospitality
I will not forget this agreeable day
I am under the greatest obligation to you for a charming evening
I have enjoyed this little glimpse of you very much
This has been a most agreeable experience
It has been delightful to have you with us
I hope you may be persuaded to come again
I wish you were not going quite so soon
Come to see us again before you leave town
I trust you will repeat this experience at some future date
(Conventional——On Being Introduced)
I am very happy to meet you
It is a great pleasure to meet you
I am delighted to know you
I am sure the pleasure is mine also
You are most kind
It is a great pleasure
I was not clever enough to catch your name
(Conventional——Parting, On Chance Meeting)
It is a very great pleasure to have met you
I hope we may meet again
I hope to see you again soon
I must wish you good morning
I want to cultivate your acquaintance
I beg to present my compliments to all your family
I hope you will favor us with a call
I wish you a pleasant journey
Kindly convey my warmest regards to——
Be so good as to present my most respectful compliments to——
It has given me great pleasure to have this chat with you
Present my remembrances to——
Remember me very kindly to——
I hope we shall meet under happier circumstances
(Conventional——Request)
Could I interrupt you for a minute
I shall be glad if you will join me
I wish you would take it into serious consideration
Would you be good enough to give him a message for me
Please do not give yourself that trouble
Please accept this as a slight token of my gratitude
Will you not do me the favor to tell me——
I beg you to excuse me
If you don’t mind, I——
Let us have the pleasure of hearing you——
(Conventional——Request to Accompany Another and Response)
May I have the pleasure of your company
May I accompany you
I like good company, may I go with you
May I go along with you
With very great pleasure
Most assuredly
With pleasure
I shall feel highly honored
I shall be very happy of your company
(Conventional——Response to Compliment)
I am delighted to hear you say so
I am delighted to have your approbation
That is very gracious
Thank you, I appreciate your kindly thought of me
It is good of you to say so
(Conventional——Thanks)
I trust I shall have an opportunity of returning your kindness
You anticipate my wishes
Many thanks for doing me the honor to inquire
This is extremely kind of you
My best thanks are due to you for——
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it
I thank you very cordially
You are very obliging
I am deeply indebted to you for your kindness
I beg your acceptance of my very hearty thanks for——
Permit me to thank you
(Conventional——Shakespeare)
_Apology_
Excuse my manners, that so neglected you.
_Othello_, V., 1
Pardon, my haste made me unmannerly.
_King Henry VIII._, IV., 2
I am heartily sorry that——
_All’s Well that Ends Well_, IV., 3
_Congratulatory_
Many years of sunshine days.
_King Richard II._, IV., 1
Take from my mouth the wish of happy years.
_King Richard II._, I., 3
Prosperous life, long and ever happy.
_King Henry VIII._, V., 5
I wish thee happiness.
_Pericles_, I., 1
Many, many, merry days.
_The Merry Wives of Windsor_, V., 5
_Greeting_
You are very welcome.
_Cymbeline_, I., 6
I am very glad to see you.
_As You Like It_, III., 3
A hundred thousand welcomes.
_Coriolanus_, II., 1
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.
_Measure for Measure_, V., 1
Your presence makes us rich.
_King Richard II._, II., 3
Although the last, not least.
_King Lear_, I., 1
Happily met.
_The Taming of the Shrew_, IV., 5
Good morrow to this fair assembly.
_Much Ado about Nothing_, V., 4
Heartily well met, and most glad of your company.
_Coriolanus_, IV., 3
_Inquiry_
Whither bound?
_Cymbeline_, III., 6
Why did you stir so early?
_Pericles_, III., 2
Are you the lady of the house?
_Twelfth Night_, I., 5
How goes the world?
_Timon of Athens_, I., 1
_Parting_
I thank you for your company.
_As You Like It_, III., 2
I am heartily glad I came.
_As You Like It_, I., 1
We leave you now with better company.
_The Merchant of Venice_, I., 1
I take leave with many thousand thanks.
_III. King Henry VI._, III., 2
Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you.
_The Merchant of Venice_, III., 4
Bear my greetings to——
_Julius Cæsar_, II., 2
Let us take ceremonious leave——of our several friends.
_King Richard II._, I., 3
The heavens give safety to your purposes,
Lead forth and bring you back in happiness.
_Measure for Measure_, I., 1
I desire more acquaintance of you.
_The Merry Wives of Windsor_, II., 2
_Request_
Bear me company.
_The Two Gentlemen of Verona_, IV., 3
Will you dine with me?
_Julius Cæsar_, I., 2
Let me have audience for a word or two.
_As You Like It_, V., 4
Commend me to him.
_Timon of Athens_, I., 1
Trouble yourself no further.
_Othello_, IV., 3
Which is the readiest way to the house of——
_The Taming of the Shrew_, I., 2
If along with us, we shall be joyful of thy company.
_The Taming of the Shrew_, IV., 5
Come home with me to supper; and I’ll lay a plot shall show us all a
merry day.
_King Richard II._, IV., 1
Go on before——I’ll presently attend you.
_The Two Gentlemen of Verona_, II., 4
Will not your honours bear me company?
_I. King Henry VI._, II., 2
I’ll keep you company.
_Coriolanus_, II., 3
_Response_
What your pleasure is, shall satisfy me.
_III. King Henry VI._, III., 2
I count myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul remembering my
good friends.
_King Richard II._, II., 3
I’ll eat nothing; I thank you as much as though I did.
_The Merry Wives of Windsor_, I., 1
Of much less value is my company than your good words.
_King Richard II._, II., 3
I enjoyed the golden dew of sleep.
_King Richard III._, IV., 1
Tell him this from me, I count it one of my greatest afflictions that I
cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman.
_Timon of Athens_, III., 2
_Thanks_
For your many courtesies I thank you.
_Much Ado about Nothing_, V., 1
I can no other answer make but thanks and thanks.
_Twelfth Night_, III., 3
It is an honour that I dream not of.
_Romeo and Juliet_, I., 3
I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased to wish it back on you.
_The Merchant of Venice_, III., 4
I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.
_Much Ado about Nothing_, V., 1
With more than common thanks I will receive it.
_Timon of Athens_, I., 2
I humbly thank him, and thank you all.
_Titus Andronicus_, V., 1
A thousand thanks.
_The Taming of the Shrew_, II., 1
Many and hearty thankings to you.
_Measure for Measure_, V., 1
Hearty thanks.
_King Lear_, IV., 6
I thank you, you are always my good friend.
_King Henry VIII._, V., 3
CRITICISM
Stricture Animadversion
We are not all of that ilk
He is not able to get the right perspective
We are quite reluctant to follow his lead
He has no ground of complaint
He is in no small degree responsible for——
He shall be condemned in no uncertain terms
He cuts a sorry figure
He has no sense of the fitness of things
His conclusions are hopelessly detached from his premises
The theory has gone into bankruptcy
He is over-quick in reproof
He richly deserves his fate
I will not use terms of endearment
He takes himself too seriously
He has the unhappy knack of saying things that are not so
He should be the last man in the world to——
He is desperately in earnest but terribly mistaken
A purely professional cheeriness of manner
A most inexcusable breach of confidence
That sort of thing not only wearies but disgusts sensible men
It is a case of mean yielding in places of responsibility
Such a course is eternally alien to us
No one with any polite breeding can possibly sympathize with——
Too clever by half
I cannot resist taking him down a peg or two
Which is more than a figure of speech
A clumsy attempt
Not beyond just criticism
Little to charm the eye
An unfortunate notion
It is a situation to be lamented
Not altogether a wise thing to do
Not the most reassuring thing in the world
It presents an ugly aspect
Pure cussedness
The revival of an old humbug
A suggestion to be taken with reserve
It is but the legitimate offspring of his policy
A theory which has sins enough of its own to answer for
A little top-heavy
DANGEROUS
Perilous Risky
Steering a wobbling course
Skating over thin ice
The risk is too plain to be blinked
Things which snuff the light out of life
The mischief is easier to do than to undo
A warning which we dare not ignore
It is to light a fuse
Most sedulously to be avoided
A shining mark for the attacks of——
A menace to true faith
Subversive of all social order
Nothing is more inimical to society than——
A standing menace to——
Risks it would be madness to take
It may easily become a bogey
It contains the muffled accents of compromise
The consequences of which it is exceedingly difficult to foresee
A concession which the future will deplore
It is a condition which destroys the morale
It is a fear which cuts the nerve
It has obvious risks
The perilous undertow of——
The blighting effects of pride
It seems a mere flying in the face of notorious facts to maintain
that——
Taking all sorts of daring little liberties
The fatal folly of——
Can any one view that prospect with complacency when——
It is bad form to——
It is of doubtful propriety at best
It is a delicate and dangerous thing to do
It will sink beyond hope of salvage
A very precarious situation for obvious reasons
It is a perilous thing to do
He is a real man who should affirm that——
A bold stroke
A tendency to attribute undue importance to——
It never seems to give him pause that——
He laid himself open to attack when——
A delicate sort of performance
An awkward doctrine to preach now
A source of alarm
An evidence of sinister plot
A deadly menace to——
It will add fuel to the flame
A bit of fine-spun fallacious reasoning
A supremely critical hour
A danger of mistaking the eddy for the full current
A crisis in the affairs of——
DECEIT
Duplicity Guile
Calculated to deceive the very elect
Hoodwinked by chicanery
It lacked every mark of authenticity
To play fast and loose with
Fair words have stolen away your heart
Birds of prey do not sing
Words which mislead and deceive the unthinking
A whole web of intrigue
An illusion born of vanity
It is a gigantic hoax
A man given to sharp practice
It was a mean decoy
He made a feint of going——
A cowardly subterfuge
As slippery as an eel
DEFEAT
Frustrate Thwart
His last state is worse than his first
He is waiting for an excuse to climb down gracefully
Out of the frying-pan into the fire
It made serious inroads upon the——
His plans suffered an eclipse
From bad to worse
The plot thickens
It cost the pangs of keenest misery
They have been adversely affected by it
A sort of dehumanizing effect
An adept in getting into hot water
An omen of evil significance
We nipped it in the bud
DEFEND
Shield Protect
In my humble judgment he did right
I should defend that with real verve
He should not be consigned to execration simply because——
There is not one jot nor tittle nor scintilla of evidence to show
that——
The matter should not be permitted to go by default
We must place safeguards against further occurrences of the same kind
He does not do so perversely
I am going to defend him from the animadversions of——
He is above any such intractable position
He is a jealous defender of——
Truly it is not meet and just that——
One in order to maintain his self-respect must——
In spite of all that has been said to the contrary, I——
It is all very well for——
DENY
Disavow Disclaim
I wish to disclaim any responsibility for——
Nothing could be farther from the facts than——
He is wholly mistaken
I emphatically deny it without fear of contradiction
There was never a greater mistake
Quite the contrary
I am far from saying that——
It is a contradiction of terms
It is absurd to suppose that——
Far from it
It is a pure invention of mischief-making spite
We wish to disclaim any purpose of that nature
If any such idea found lodgment it should be dismissed forthwith as
contrary to——
It is without a vestige of truth in it
It will be met by a flat refusal
It is too much of an extravagance to assert that——
We are not justified in making unqualified assertions
It is deliberately false
An absurd proposition hardly worth contradiction
No more false charge was ever brought
The thing was absurd and incredible on the face of it
Relegated to the limbo of——
DEPENDABLE
Trustworthy Reliable
Something more than mere vaporings of the imagination
Unalterable principles of rectitude
It always has a strict business basis
Stable as the hills
As steady as a clock
No mere makeshift policy
Not swerving from the path of duty
Painstaking and faithful in the performance of duty
Of most rare fidelity
With unswerving fidelity to each and every trust
He does not play fast and loose
DESCRIPTIVE
(Of Persons)
A matchless eye
A winning smile
With feminine ease and grace
A very pretty manner
A finely molded chin
A great lubberly boy
A maid of winning charm
A most winsome expression
A dainty little miss
A mere slip of a girl
Nimbly moving hands
In robust health
A husky youngster
A tar of the jolly old sort
A son frightfully dissipated
An officer immensely officious
The habit of gentle speech
The habit of accurate observation
The pink of perfection
A vast amount of good sense
A superior man
An obliging person
A magnanimous soul
A pleasing countenance
A voice delightfully musical
Of graceful deportment
His person was commanding
Elegant propriety of attire
A jaunty demeanor
A good-natured fellow
A most agreeable creature
A natural sweetness of disposition
A charmingly simple person
A quiet unassuming person
A man of sound sense
A man of immovable convictions
A lawyer of marked ability
A discriminating eye
A countenance which beautifully expressed a deep interest in all things
good
A well-governed mind
With the intuitive perceptions of a lover
Many charming qualities
A heart alive to all the beauties of nature
With the most fastidious punctilio
Fond of dwelling on the scenes of other days
So frankly and innocently happy
Skilled in the graces of conversation
An unsympathetic reader
A man of dignity, force, and ease of manner
A decent pride
A clear brain
A flash of intelligence
A quick sympathy
A wise tolerance
An acute observer
A splendid fellow
A very mercenary person
A trustworthy friend
A fond mother
A good listener
An excellent musician
An exceptional man
A character worth knowing
A mind of penetrating keenness
A scholar of considerable eminence
(Of Things)
A lovely landscape
A quiet nook
A crimson rosebud
A fertile region
A drowsy drone
A snug farm
A dainty flower
The blissful skies
Serene weather
The most perfect night possible
In very picturesque surroundings
A charming aspect
A rugged background
A high-crested crag
A pool of transparent clearness
The kindly fruits of the earth
The most appetizing confection
The pleasing odor of good food
A delicious condiment
A deadly contagion
A munificent gift
Snowy table-linen
The boundless beauty of springtime
A rattling good story
A savory odor
A quaint old house
Of a make quite metropolitan
A suit of faultless cut
Delicate traceries
A facile pen
The larger mood
A gala night
A marvel of detail
DESERVING
Worthy Meritorious
Nor can we be too warm in our grateful appreciation of the——
Posterity will give its proper meed of praise to——
He has done a real service
He proved himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him
It is the highest tribute to his sincerity
He commands the entire respect of the community
He is by all odds the best
He has earned the right to be regarded as——
It was a severe test and he came off victorious
They deserve the cordial thanks of——
DESIRE
Wish Crave
I have often cast a thought but now I begin to cast an eye towards——
A thirst after more from the same spring
A praiseworthy desire
With a feverish desire to——
To this end it is hoped that——
A secret fondness for——
He has a genuine hankering for——
From my very heart I desire——
’Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.
_Hamlet_, III., 1
I covet for myself——
What we want is——
I have a burning desire to——
I am profoundly anxious to——
It is our earnest hope and most fervent prayer that——
It would be the culmination of my fondest hopes to——
I am ardently wishing for it
An insatiable thirst for——
Legitimate desires
An irrepressible desire for——
I am not very strong for——
DETERMINATION
Grit Resolution
Perseverance and pluck triumphed
He held stoutly to the creed that——
Quenchless zeal
A fixed and unalterable determination to——
Where there is a will there is a way
No, not if I work my fingers to the bone
With the determination of a born fighter
The vow is registered in heaven that——
Facing life with resolute purpose
With indomitable zeal
No one need ever say he cannot make good
A relentless determination to continue
Invincible in determination
Resolute in will
Well defined in purpose
Dauntless purpose
An inspiration amounting to a fixed resolve
Nothing can faze him
He delights to smite his enemies hip and thigh
Dyed-in-the-wool conservatives
Dauntless perseverance
We had already steeled our hearts for it
With an air of stolid desperation
With unflinching determination
Not to be tempted into foolhardiness
He held on with grim determination
With determined perseverance
Gently but firmly
A vigorous determination
With stoical fortitude
With all the energy of one’s soul
With redoubled energy
Consumed by the intensity of a passion for——
A quiet determination to do their part nobly
A grim endurance
Struggling with circumstances
With indomitable patience
He has a phenomenal capacity for pegging away
Not swerved from his position by a hair’s breadth
In proportion to the strength and persistency of an intelligent effort
Pretty persistently
He is disputing the crown of his profession with his neighbor
He gave us a clear and vigorous presentation of his own position
With indomitable spirit
With unremitting assiduity
Unsubdued in spirit and undepressed in mind
A grim hold upon
An obtuse human
A persistent tendency to
The resolute kind
There is no earthly likelihood of his complying
I was resolute
I would not give in
It admits of no extenuation
With splendid purpose in his eyes
DIFFICULT
Arduous Hard
It is a hard school
With drawbacks of its own
A fight against great odds
A hard nut to crack
I had a pretty stiff time
He had to face an arduous task
Hard work ahead and plenty of it
Ay, there’s the rub.
_Hamlet_, III., 1
Not easy of accomplishment
Hard facts against which we chafe and fret
Not an easy task
It is easy to preach to the converted
It was rather a trying ordeal
The goal is far more remote than we had supposed it to be
It is difficult enough under the most favorable circumstances
It is difficult to possess one’s soul in patience when——
The situation was very badly complicated by——
He is up against a tough proposition
The way is not wholly smooth
It may seem a hard doctrine to preach at such a moment
We live in no soft and easy days
I find the medicine worse than the malady
As tangled as a hank of yarn that runs into knots continually
Processes which defy analysis
A great inertia which must be overcome
DISCERNMENT
Insight Penetration
He has eyes that see to the very heart of things
His mind is all daylight
It lets us into the soul of things
A remarkably acute dissection of——
Distinguished by candor and insight
Discriminating insight
It testifies to his farsightedness that——
He knows the ins and the outs of it
He put his finger on the nerve
A very delicate discernment
A shrewd, acute man of the world
A fine discernment of the issue
A penetrating declaration that——
With keen discriminating insight
He fully appreciated the potentialities of——
He awoke to a vivid realization of——
With the discerning eye of faith
A complete revelation of the inner life
Face to face with the purposes for which we were created
A fire which consumes the dross
Foregleams of the mercy that would save the blackest sinner
A deep knowledge of the things of God
The delicate hand of a discerning nurse
Submitted to the arbitrament of merciless justice
DISCRIMINATING
Accurate Particular
As accurate as a time-table
With the most painstaking care
Meticulously careful
With discriminating nicety
A monument of minutia
A distinction without a difference
A vital lack of discrimination
A new orientation of——
Drawing a line of demarcation between——
Nice distinctions
Fine discriminations
It is a nice point whether——
With close scrutiny
With a constantly vigilant eye
Under strict and precise supervision
Every statement carefully weighed and checked
By careful discrimination
He took cognizance of——
A work of discriminating selection
DISGUST
Aversion Repugnance
The game is not worth the candle
Most vexatious blunders
Profoundly distasteful
This is wretched business
It makes one shiver to think of——
It is not very pleasant to contemplate
How often have I been in a passion with him
Disgustingly enough
I have a deep-seated repugnance to——
Disgusted with fatuous pretensions
I had the disagreeable task of——
For which he has the most ardent disdain
I consider the action most reprehensible
Particularly approbrious
Nearsighted expediency
They were anathema to him
DOMINATE
Control Rule
There is a certain high-handedness about the way of going at the——
Savored too much of the arbitrary
In the saddle
They will brook no trifling
Conquer everything
The will to power
Prepared to lay on the mailed fist
The policy of a harsh aggressive paternalism
It must adapt itself to conditions not of its own making
Stop-watch methods
A yoke upon the necks of others
An effort to dragoon the——
Bound in the straitest bonds
Under the sense of stern compulsion
It has become the guiding principle of his life
Arbitrary procedure
Under the lash of——
The lure of despotic power
DOUBT
Misgiving Question
It will provoke a challenge in many minds
There seems to be a cloud of doubt about the matter
I very much question whether——
We doubt the expediency of going farther
The statement is so sweeping in scope as to require very close scrutiny
It will not bear the test of exact criticism
Its excellence has caused suspicion of its reality
All that can be said with assurance is that——
Full of misgivings
The best experience we have makes us skeptical of——
I am far from feeling sure that the——
It cannot be regarded as conclusive that——
It is now exceedingly doubtful whether——
Of very doubtful wisdom
The whole scheme is in the air
The matter has been wrapped in doubt
Harried by uncertainties
It was accepted with reluctance and misgivings
We have been secretly cherishing the suspicion that——
With the shadows of uncertainty hanging over us
Of that we are even unprepared to guess
It is an open question whether——
Little hope is cherished that——
A frail hope
Not sure, though hoping.
_King Lear_, V., 3
Our doubts are traitors.
_Measure for Measure_, I., 4
Right down in my heart of hearts I cannot say that——
We can hardly take his _ipse dixit_ for a decision
DULL
Uninteresting Tiresome
As dry as desert dust
Ineffably dull
Devoid of interest
An intolerable tedium
Without conscious appreciation of the meaning of——
With all the virility taken out
A gray day
The gray drab of life
No one could accuse him of any inspiration
It is almost impossible to strike any fire in him
The embodiment of stupidity
It needs the infusion of new blood
As tedious as a twice-told tale
As tedious as a tired horse
Unutterably wearisome
In the usual humdrum way
A dull and tedious statement
EFFECTUAL
Efficacious Operative
It turns wheels and grinds corn
In the way that will count
To achieve the maximum result with the minimum expenditure of effort
In a far more powerful and effective way
There can be no denying the effectiveness of——
The work brought out certain fine qualities in——
One of his most telling strokes
Well begun is half done
Weighed in the balances and not found wanting
It represents the very acme of——
Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well
It fulfills the expectation of——
It dispels the fear of——
The lance which unhorses everyone is——
The only sure deterrent of——
With inspiring cogency
Highly beneficial
EFFICIENCY
Ability Aptitude
Efficient in the highest degree
A man of large resourcefulness
He will have no loose ends
The matter is in capable hands
Well qualified for the tasks assigned
He is versed in all the intricacies of——
He has a singular aptitude for——
He knows how to get things done
He is past master in the art of——
The masters of circumstance
He is able to cope with the——
He is making good
The brains of progress
One cannot do these things off-hand
He is quite capable of——
He has great aptitude
We have the invincible weapons with which to put to rout the——
There are some who go instinctively to the bottom of any matter
With consummate skill
A typical example of efficiency
Quite able to meet all emergencies
In a broadly capable way
I have not head enough to——
Masterly execution
EFFORT
Zeal Work
A zeal which one cannot but admire
With all the arduous duties he has to perform
The result of downright hard work
Many hands make quick work
Engaged in gainful occupations
He has done much to redeem the——
It is better to wear out than to rust out
Arduous study
There were strenuous attempts to——
He made a prodigious effort
No tree falls at the first stroke
Beating at the bars of circumstance
Hotly competing with one another
A great inertia which must be overcome
Puissant efforts
A brave endeavor to deal with the——
A desperate effort to keep afloat
In the sweat of the fray
Laboring with honest zeal
EMERGENCY
Exigency Urgency
He took the bull by the horns
He took matters into his own hands
He decided upon his own initiative
Any port in a storm
It will not do to refer it to some remote futurity
The urge underlying our efforts
He took the bit in his teeth and ran away with——
EMPHASIZE
Stress Insistence
The expression is not too strong
I wish to stress the fact that——
It only served to accentuate the——
A praiseworthy insistence upon——
This is specially and emphatically so if——
This fact throws into a high light the——
Much stress has rightly been laid on the——
I want to say with all possible emphasis that——
It is inconceivable that——
There is a persistent rumor that——
We must ever insist upon the point that——
He attached the utmost importance to——
Express and repeated mention of——
ENGLISH
Language Rhetoric
That expresses it beautifully
Gifted with the power of words
Clear and lofty speech
A clean-cut expression
The gift of lucid expression
Replete with literary charm
He wields a facile pen
Master of the use of virile and nervous English
He has the gift of clothing his opinions in piquant dress
A clean phrase and no frills
Happy expressions
Swift phrase
With adroit felicity of speech
A wealth of picturesque language
Gifted with rare powers of speech
In such neat and elegant language
Transparency of expression
A graceful letter-writer
A pleasing knack of expression
The princes of literature
The phrase brims over with melody and loveliness
He has talent for rhetorical expression
Neat phrases
Phrases of delightful aptness
A crystalline lucidity of style
Of felicitous fluency
The art of graceful expression
In popular parlance
Unique literary charm
In exquisite literary form
Ever ready in repartee
With all the energy of diction
A desire to excel in speech and expression
Unable to express himself with any degree of force or fluency in
conversation
A good converser
A condensed verbal statement
The art of conversation
The luxury of talk
An eloquent, fascinating talker
A man whose genius shone in conversation
He charmed everybody he met by his talk
He fused the thoughts of others into his own
A suggestive talker
The charm of conversation
Brilliant conversation
A felicitous talker
New beauties of verbal effect
Striking forms of expression
Phrases which cling
ENJOYMENT
Complacency Satisfaction
Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
_I Tim._ VI., 17
He will ever be mindful of his covenant.
_Ps._ CXI., 5
He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
_Ps._ CXLVII., 14
He satisfieth the longing soul.
_Ps._ CVII., 9
He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
_Zech._ II., 8
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd.
_Isa._ XL., 11
As the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercy toward them
that fear him.
_Ps._ CIII., 11
He filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
_Ps._ CVII., 9
He healeth the broken in heart.
_Ps._ CXLVII., 3
He is kind to the unthankful.
_Luke_ VI., 35
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
_II Cor._ IX., 15
As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
_Isa._ XXXII., 2
The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.
_Isa._ XXXV., 1
The God of truth.
_Isa._ LXV., 16
The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with
it.
_Prov._ X., 22
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.
_Ps._ XXXVII., 23
Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
_Deut._ XXVIII., 5
In every thing give thanks.
_I Thess._ V., 18
I have a goodly heritage.
_Ps._ XVI., 6
A feast of fat things.
_Isa._ XXV., 6
The promise of eternal inheritance.
_Heb._ IX., 15
His soul shall dwell at ease.
_Ps._ XXV., 13
Thy sleep shall be sweet.
_Prov._ III., 24
More precious than rubies.
_Prov._ III., 15
The peace of God which passeth all understanding.
_Phil._ IV., 7
With joy unspeakable and full of glory.
_I Pet._ I., 8
Underneath are the everlasting arms.
_Deut._ XXXIII., 27
Let us put on the armour of light.
Rom. XIII., 12
More than heart could wish.
_Ps._ LXXIII., 7
ENTHUSIASM
Fervor Energy
They made the welkin ring
The military fires of youth
It stirred us like a blast from a bugle
A vigorous element of young blood
Strong in the advocacy of——
Working whole-heartedly
Always abreast of the times
In fine fettle
Shot through with——
Zest for the fray
Promptly upon the heels of——
Very much alive
Seizing every available occasion
When he tackles a job he tackles it vigorously
Unaging vitality
Fired with enthusiasm for——
With fervent aspiration after——
A dash of recklessness
With tremendous earnestness
A mighty dynamic
A fountain of boundless energy
Hot for the fray
A brimming tide of energy
Ginger and go
Never relaxing
Fine enthusiasm
It is very tonic to me
In high feather
He gave himself without stint
A strenuous life
An eye of fire
Throbbing with life
Full tilt
ENTREAT
Appeal Urge
Let me plead without ceasing
The cause must be kept at flood tide
I call upon you to——
Why not keep the same steadfast eye on realities
I am addressing your understanding
I am setting forth the rationale of things
I am pleading with you to——
I am trying to exhort you to an unwavering belief
It is not enough for us to say that——
I want to press the thought with all the earnestness I have
Pledge me your word that you will——
I beseech you that——
With loving urgency
Passionate earnestness
Would that I could persuade some who are halting between two opinions
ERROR
Mistake Blunder
Very far afield
Utterly wide of the mark
He will have to guess again
An absurdly distorted view
I was shown how erroneous was my preconception
We shall make a great mistake if we allow an easy optimism to encourage
the belief that——
Sincere but mistaken
Woefully mistaken
A ridiculous contradiction in terms
An erroneous notion
A self-evident falsity
Misleading in appearance
Not conforming exactly to the truth
Not in accordance with the facts
He is laboring under the false notion that——
He put the saddle on the wrong horse
He is out in his reckoning
The report was unfounded
The most culpable blundering
He would kill the goose that lays the golden egg
On the wrong scent
Manifestly incorrect
ESTEEM
Admiration Regard
He is a man of rare personal qualities
A delightful man to do business with
An altogether delightful companion
I always entertained the very highest regard for——
I was full of admiration for the way in which——
He is winning golden opinions from all sides
A high-class man
A nine days’ wonder
Absolutely matchless
Held in high esteem
If I were a Pagan I would raise altars to him
Everybody was proud of him
We give our admiration without reserve
EVASIVE
Double-minded Shifting
He evades the point at issue
Warped out of the true meaning
Veering to the other extreme
The futility of such double-dealing was seen in——
Ye cannot serve God and Mammon
He cannot worship at two shrines at once
He skirted the edges of——
He is infected with the disease of indirection
A dozen different exigencies
A responsibility he is in no way prepared to assume
The trick of turning a blind eye on the shortcomings of——
I feel myself forced to feign a particular interest in——
I am thankful to be furnished with so good a pretense
Excuse enough for any extravagances
He has apparently lost his grip by wobbling
One can kiss it away by——
That is neither here nor there
I haven’t sufficient information to pass judgment upon it
That is not one of my accomplishments
It is very difficult to say
It is hardly the language of strict propriety
EVIDENCE
Proof Attestation
It has the hall-marks of——
I have such lamentable proofs every day before my eyes of the——
Prima facie evidence of——
Indisputable and overwhelming evidence
The proofs are plentiful that——
It was abundantly proved that——
Substantial evidence
Signs are multiplying that——
The facts bear sufficient witness
The incontrovertible evidences are——
It is pretty good evidence that——
It has been proved that——
A substantial evidence of——
I am always telling that to——
I have no less authority for the statement than——
It seems to prove conclusively that——
Tangible evidence
Conclusive evidence
EVIL
Wicked Corrupt
The seat of vice
The throne of iniquity
The brood of the serpent
The pit of perdition
Another sinister symptom of——
Blacker than Egypt’s night
As black as the pit
He has dealings with the prince of darkness
An inspiration coming otherwheres than from heaven
Incurably asinine
From the harshest brutality to the lowest shade of petty meanness
In wanton defiance of every law of God and man
Manifold iniquities
The sum of all villainies
The deeps of degradation
The tents of wickedness
An unsanctified dream
EXACT
Accurate Correct
Mapped out with rigid precision
It will bear the test of exact criticism
He is capable of accurate estimate
As accurate as a time-table
No loose ends
No slipshod work
No unfortified assertions
Master of every detail
Severe exactitude
Faultily faultless
To be precise——
EXAGGERATE
Overstate Overdo
He who proves too much proves nothing
Violence of statement
Stronger language than the facts justify
It is altogether too extravagant a fancy
Made out of whole cloth
He makes a mountain out of a mole-hill
He quite overshot the mark
A gross exaggeration
Extravagant promises
He made as much of his facts as they would carry
He went to the limit
He has shot his bolt
He sees a glow-worm and thinks it a conflagration
A difficulty we are apt to overrate
EXCEPTIONAL
Excellent Choice
Second to none in importance
A star of the first magnitude
Of capital importance
The finest asset
A step of prime moment
The high-water mark of——
It calls for talents of rather an unusual order
A notable exception
On an unprecedented scale
How very unusual to find that——
Of a rather unusual sort
Its finest flower and fulfillment
The height of elegance
Of rare talent
It will not be easy to match
100% capacity men
Scarcely to be paralleled
EXPECTANT
Hopeful Anticipatory
I am living in the fond hope that——
It bodes well for the future
A most reassuring phase
He hopes to ride safely into the harbor of——
The net effort seems to warrant the hope that——
There is a bare possibility that——
What a gleam of hope in——
We set out under happier stars
A promise of the future
I think we may indulge the hope that——
As hopeful as the dawn
We are enabled to look beyond the mists which fill the valley
Full of splendid promise
In the happy and beautiful millennial time when——
Rich in promise
Big with possibilities
A star in blackest night
I nurse a lingering hope that——
In all probability I——
It is the expression of a glorious fact that——
EXPERIENCE
Knowledge Proof
The burnt child dreads the fire
A momentous experience
I have tasted all the consequences of——
There is no hunting but with old hounds
Experience is the best teacher
It is the consensus of experience that——
I can tell where my own shoe pinches
A word that has no meaning to him
Tried experience
I soon had occasion to know better
Of value to those who have eyes to see its significance
He is utterly heedless of the teachings of experience
This has been convincingly demonstrated in the past
Proof has been furnished with painful frequency
A testimony which is conclusive to all fair-minded men
An exemplification of——
The crucible of experience
Tested in the fires of experience
FAILURE
Ill-success Shortcoming
He is headed straight for the auctioneer’s block
They have lost not only the meat from the bone but the bone itself
He beat the bushes and another caught the birds
He has fallen outside the breastworks
The wick in the lamp is already beginning to flicker
He has not made out a case for it
It is a fatuity
He was broken at the wheel in the attempt
An end of all that pleasing vision
My hand has lost its cunning
The tragedy of unfulfillment
In the vain hope that——
Many signs of hereditary degeneration
It has gone stale
Was there ever a maxim that proved so false
We have seen all the hopes snapped
Not functioning with satisfactory efficiency
After vain endeavors upon my part
The big fish ate the little ones
With few results and most of them not worth tabulating
In a bad way
It will collapse like a house of cards
At a low ebb
It is a prophecy that will sleep in a pigeon-hole
The keystone has fallen out of the arch
The idol is off his pedestal
Feeding on the swine-husks of——
Gone by the board
Dropped away like autumn leaves
FANCIFUL
Visionary Capricious
It was a gallant dream
Based on ephemeral conditions
A mirage of iridescent tints
A dreamer of vain and impossible dreams
An illusion born of vanity
Nothing is more visionary than trying——
A rose-buddy sort of——
Purely fantastic
Idle dreams
Capricious ways
Various foibles
Ghostly recitals of——
The enticing illusions of——
Building castles in the air
FICKLE
Wavering Changeable
Tossed about by every wind of doctrine
He is a creature of moods and moments
He is as whimsical as a butterfly
He is without anchor and without port
The mood of the moment
Conquered by every passing whim
The very sport of adverse winds
The caprice of the moment
No one can blow and swallow at the same time
Like a butterfly driven aimlessly before the breeze
An inspiration not amounting to a fixed resolve
An impractical sort of dreamer
The refinement of speculation
He flits from scheme to scheme
As changeable as the moon
Drifting like an idle straw at the mercy of the wind
Like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed
Fickle and irresolute
I am a feather for each wind that blows.
_The Winter’s Tale_, II., 3
FINAL
End Last Resort
Dead without hope of resurrection
With an atmosphere of finality
I agree that you have spoken the decisive word
Reduced to barest terms
The irreducible minimum
In the final analysis
The court of final appeal
Ere the curtain is rung down on the drama
In his heart of hearts he——
The ultimate solution of the problem
It’s all over
We want no inconclusive settlement
Wellnigh snuffed out
The last sad estate
The ultimate goal
FIRM
Resolute Steadfast
Proof against all propaganda
As impregnable as Gibraltar
We stuck to our guns
Courteously but firmly expressed
The time for laying on a vigorous hand
I was utterly inexorable
He stands four-square to all the winds that blow
The same unyielding quality
With moral fixity of purpose
He resolutely declared his intention of——
In the unalterable decision that——
With implacable purpose
An impregnable bulwark against the——
In no uncertain terms
Master of the situation
The resolute kind
We have to be as unbending as truth
Hearts of oak
With unswerving fidelity
By strict adherence to——
As unalterable as the Laws of the Medes and Persians
A resolute decision
FIRST
Foremost Vital
It is of first consequence that——
It is a red-letter day in——
It is enormously important
It is highly significant that——
The vital thing now is——
Besides this everything pales
First things first
Their wishes are paramount
The ruling considerations were——
There is a cardinal place in the scheme of things for——
The outstanding features of the——
Matters of primary importance
It was the first and foremost consideration
For the present the significant thing is——
It is a notable circumstance that——
It is worthy of chronicle that——
The prime reason for——
FIT
Appropriate Suitable
Exquisite fitness
The eternal fitness of things
Fruits ripening to their full value
A sense of the fitness of things
Most appropriate
As the hand fits the glove
FLIMSY
Weak Superficial
There is very little wheat in that chaff
Your defenses will crumble at the assault
A faint kind of policy
Lack of recuperative power
What wretched dilettante business it all is
To what degree is this a fair-weather enterprise
Like the flimsy fortification of a cobweb
Little better than sound and foam
Without rhyme or reason
As frail and as fleeting as a bubble
It will make ludicrous the flimsy assertion that——
With rudimentary notions of——
The weak spot in the——
He may swim boldly who is held up by the chin
In a cheap and bizarre fashion
FORCIBLE
Weighty Trenchant
In words of trenchancy
The driving wheel of the——
Presented in a striking and strong light
A very growing influence
The argument is irresistible
A formidable man with an idea
A crescendo of power
Of wonderful fortitude
Every ounce of strength and vitality
A power to be reckoned with
A telling argument
There is great potency in——
Clear-cut and convincing
In no measured terms
A compelling reason
FORTUNATE
Lucky Favored
I could not help felicitating myself that——
I feel very grand at this issue of things
I thank my good star that——
I am thankful that Providence managed otherwise
It was uncommon luck that——
I was certainly fortunate in that——
By a turn of good fortune, I——
FRATERNAL
Brotherly Social
The foundations of a stable order of brotherly helpfulness
Efficient social citizenship
A perfect social order
A well developed social consciousness
A burning zeal for service
In the way of noble endeavor
The stewardship of wealth
A heart-warming fellowship
FRENCH
_À la mode_, according to the style
_À outrance_, without mercy
_Au fait_, up to the mark
_Au reste_, besides
_Au revoir_, adieu until we meet again
_Beau monde_, the fashionable world
_Bête noire_, a pet aversion
_Bonhomie_, good nature
_Bon jour_, good morning
_Bonne bouche_, a delicate morsel
_Bon soir_, good evening
_Chapeaux bas_, hats off
_Chef de cuisine_, head cook
_Contretemps_, an awkward situation
_Coup d’état_, a stroke of policy
_Croix de guerre_, cross of war
_De trop_, superfluous
_Edition de luxe_, a splendid edition
_En déshabillé_, in undress
_Enfin_, finally
_En masse_, in a body
_En rapport_, in harmony
_En route_, on the way
_Entre nous_, between ourselves
_Esprit de corps_, the animating spirit of a collective body
_Faux pas_, a mistake
_Hors de combat_, down and out
_Laissez faire_, let things take their natural course
_Lèse-majesté_, high treason
_Ma chère_, my dear
_Ma foi_, on my honor
_Mal à propos_, ill-timed
_Mal de mer_, seasickness
_Mon ami_, my friend
_Noblesse oblige_, rank imposes obligations
_On dit_, they say
_Par excellence_, preëminently
_Peu a peu_, by degrees
_Raison à état_, a reason of state
_Raison d’étre_, reason for existence
_Robe de chambre_, a morning gown
_Sans souci_, free from care
_Tout ensemble_, the general effect
FUNDAMENTAL
Basal Permanent
It is well to have a few well established limitations and restrictions
The solid fact behind it all is——
The one indispensable qualification for——
A settled principle as old as the hills
Of permanent significance
One of the root reasons
My own irrefragable argument for——
The old simplicities of faith
A faith centered in the everlasting
Subject to the eternal things or perish
A guiding principle which admits of no exceptions
Thinking things through to their final and logical outcome
The elemental realities
The eternal verities
As old as the evening star
A basis of enduring justice and right
The established states of human society
Like deep calling unto deep
At the root of things
It makes for the permanent stability of——
The ultimate fact is——
As well founded as the law of gravitation
Long-cherished opinions
A solid underpinning
A very vital equation in the problem is——
Strong and deep-rooted beliefs
The underlying reasons
Solid reasons
One of its fundamental tenets
They have gone down beneath superfluities to bedrock
The fundamental principle is irrefutable
The abiding significance of——
So solid in principle that it has resisted every shock
At the bottom of all
FUTILE
Useless Unavailing
The protest was of no avail
The proposition is equally _aliunde_ and futile
I might as hopefully have entreated the wind
He would dig a well with a needle
He catches the wind with a net
Scanty prospects
It is a hopeless proposition
It is futile to——
I am afraid he is indulging in a futile hope
The matter will never be consummated
Their hope is without foundation
He is on a fruitless errand
It will result in the inevitable breakdown of——
But in spite of all our optimism the evidence is overwhelming that——
That has been tried before but with no distinct success
The game is not worth the candle
It has cooled my resolutions
It may be something of a damper to be told that——
GENEROUS
Liberal Magnanimous
A man of generous disposition
Built on a generous scale
Not the least mite stingy
Kindly disposed
A revelation of tenderness which is very reassuring
With noticeable consideration
His kindness knew no bounds
A generous view of life
No man of breadth cares one whit whether——
Large minded men with liberal views
A breadth of outlook
Broad tolerance
A magnanimous man
In the most generous fashion
A people known for their warm hearts
Kinder than the kindest
GIFTED
Talented Extraordinary
He is a capable fellow
He is my beau ideal in every respect
He has a genuine aptitude for business
He has considerable colloquial talents
He is finely qualified by exceptional advantages
Of rare powers
Of no ordinary faculties
He is a man of many fascinations
He is one who can think for a commonwealth
You can leave it to him for being clever
He is a man of real ability and fitness
One of the most fascinating persons I——
He rendered brilliant service in——
Few men have rendered more conspicuous service
He possesses in an unusual degree the power of——
He shakes the pillars of the temple
He presided with rare dignity
He is the organizer of victory
He could not fail to delight a cultivated public
He plays with wonderful expression
He passes things through the alembic of his own mind
With the suavity of conscious power
A man of consequence
He creates confidence
He carries conviction
He has the qualities of triumphant leadership
GOOD-HUMORED
Good-natured Cheerful
He is anointed above his fellows with the oil of good-feeling
In his happiest mood
The era of good feeling
A bit of good-humored chaff
The friendly relations so happily subsisting between——
He did not think it in any way demeaning to his dignity——
Put the best construction upon every action
Like a boy before a holiday
Grumpiness is no feature of his nature
An irrepressible youthfulness of heart
Beaming with good humor
His nature is all sunshine
As full of happiness as a hive is full of bees
As merry as a child
Happy as an angel
A real delight to me
A source of æsthetic pleasure
Those were halcyon days
His good humor was so infectious
A breezy good-humor
The era of good feeling
The happiest moods which can fill the soul
GROUCHY
Petulant Irritable
As sullen as an ill-tempered boy
The impression of pure pique
Skulking in his tent
As impatient as the wind
In a huff
Symptoms of an attack of nerves
He could brook no delay
Sullen silence
Tears of vexation
One in whom the milk of human kindness had turned sour
One of those people who make themselves wretched and pass on their
misery to those near them
A man with a hair-trigger constitution
He does not suffer fools gladly
So provoking
I shall be right glad when——
Solemn as the day of judgment
He took umbrage at what I said
Not in a particularly genial frame of mind
As acid as vinegar
As gloomy as an old man by a fireless hearth
I’m afraid he started the day in a contradictory mood
A censorious attitude toward one’s fellowmen
GULLIBLE
Ignorant Stupid
Given out for gospel to the ignorant
An easy mark
The optimism of ignorance
The prey of profiteers
I am afraid he will be taught by many a sore and scalding lesson
The easy prey of——
He fell into the trap
He nibbled at the bait
The unsuspecting victim of——
HABITUAL
Customary Usual
He had become habituated to——
Of frequent iteration
An inveterate habit
Of immemorial usage
Over a well-beaten path
Addicted to the habit of——
He moves in a rut
Custom calls me to ’t.
_Coriolanus_, II., 3
Until it shall become an indispensable and delightful habit
HASTE
Rapidity Hurry
A high-pressure haste
With all practical speed
As quick as a wink
A concession to the requirements of brevity
HASTY
Premature Rash
A little premature
Crossing the bridge before we come to it
We need not say good morrow to the devil until we meet him
Unseemly haste
The more haste the worst speed
He shocked the proprieties
It would be premature to forecast the——
He ran before he was sent
It is too early at this time to state the——
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.
_Romeo and Juliet_, II., 6
The letting down of restraint
The loosening of bonds
HESITANT
Reluctant Indecisive
I should hate like sixty to——
His heart was not exactly set upon the matter
In a mixed mood
This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd
With perceptible hesitation
A certain disinclination to——
He was unwilling to go the full length
For a moment I was at fault——
One almost feels reluctant to——
It may make us hesitate in making our dictum too positive
I had little inclination to do so
The paralyzing hesitation of self-consciousness
After a sufficient show of reluctance
I confess it is not without trepidation that——
I am duly sensible of my own limitations
It is not without reluctance that——
HINDERED
Hampered Straits
Hard pressed by the cohorts of——
At a distinct disadvantage
Attended with many inconveniences
A series of singular perplexities
Certain unforeseen emergencies
Entangled in technicalities
As helpless as a sick child
As helpless as animals driven to slaughter
Helplessly caught in the meshes of——
They will doubtless do their worst to bring about a——
Many plans disrupted
It slackens resolution
Impaired its usefulness
Eking out an all too small living
A man who wants bread is ready for anything
Necessity is the mother of invention
The greatest drawback to my comfort is——
For every new method a counter-method
HONORED
Noted Acclaimed
Recipient of most unusual attentions
The thought of him doth breed in us perpetual benediction
A man of splendid merit
His star is in the ascendant
Treated with great consideration
One of nature’s noblemen
No man is a hero in the eyes of his valet
There is none so poor to do him reverence
A name which stands very high on the scroll of fame
A tribute of reverence and love
He reaps golden sheaves who——
A high compliment to——
Whom to have known was a great pleasure
He is easily the foremost man in——
A man whose life is rich in unselfish service
His attitude wins universal admiration
HOPE
Promise Encouragement
Prisoners of hope.
_Zech._ IX., 12
Heir of all things.
_Heb._ I., 2
We are saved by hope.
_Rom._ VIII., 24
The eye of the Lord is upon them that hope in his mercy.
_Ps._ XXXIII., 18
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast.
_Heb._ VI., 19
We are perplexed, but not in despair.
_II Cor._ IV., 8
Thou shalt be secure because there is hope.
_Job_ XI., 18
The children of promise.
_Gal._ IV., 28
He hath given everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.
_II Thess._ II., 16
Hope to the end.
_I Pet._ I., 13
From strength to strength.
_Ps._ LXXXIV., 7
He staggered not at the promise of God.
_Rom._ IV., 20
When the human heart sings with rejoicing hope
When smiles begin to chase the tears
A real breath of heaven
With radiant face
A draught of heavenly pleasure
A triumphant hour
A lively sense of exultation
The dove of peace sings in our hearts
I begin to discover somewhat of His beauty
Transported with joy
A current of pure and hallowed joys flowing through the channels of the
heart
An intense inner happiness
A most happy glimpse into the things of God
Secret essences which turn life into a garden of unspeakable delights
HUMOROUS
Ludicrous Funny
A candidate for the psychotherapeutic clinic
This is one of the consequences of getting into good society
Isn’t that a sad state of affairs
It was excruciatingly funny
I threatened him with unspeakable things if——
Less mobile than I could wish
You are appointed the official——
Can you imagine anything more ludicrous than——
My roseate expectations have recently suffered a very severe setback
A strong spice of Irish wit
Bonds for your good behavior will be required
Irresistibly droll
A fusillade of laughter
An awful illustration of——
I was in stitches
I’m in a pickle
Now will you be good
He has a whimsical way of expressing himself
IMPARTIAL
Just Unbiased
Every man has a deep seated instinct for fair play
The thing must be done decently and in order
Strictly impartial
If we are to make both sides balance we must——
Let us not revert to old animosities
IMPECUNIOSITY
Penniless Involved
In a state of habitual impecuniosity
A hand-to-mouth existence
No woman marries an old man for God’s sake
He has seen better days
In desperate circumstances
The futility of riches
In more affluent days
In reduced circumstances
Deeply involved
In embarrassed circumstances
IMPORTANT
Significant Momentous
It was a high day in the——
It is noteworthy that——
A work of paramount importance
Each man has a vital part to perform
This is no small problem
Of transcendent moment
It is imperative that——
One of the great outstanding features of——
One of the most significant items was——
It is a fact of tremendous significance that——
The notable feature of it all is——
Great days
The crucial question is——
Profoundly significant
Of no little moment
There is the fact and it is one of cardinal importance
The one outstanding reason for——
Back of it lies one fact yet more primal
This is the one thing needful
The dominant note of——
It must weigh sensibly with every one
It is high time that——
It has momentous importance
It is worth making note of that——
I dare not abate my vigilance
IMPOSSIBLE
Hopeless Impracticable
As easily as one could mend a spider’s web
As impossible as to count the stars
It is virtually impossible to——
There is no getting blood from a turnip
A practical impossibility
No more than one can sail past the north star
It is simply out of the question
It is not in the least degree likely that——
INDEPENDENT
Flippant Uncontrolled
With an air of injured innocency
He cares not a fig
It matters not a straw
It matters not a whit whether the——
He cares little for conventionalities
It is not worth shucks
It is not a matter of the slightest consequence
He brushed the matter aside as a vagary
With smug complacency
He held himself perfectly aloof from——
Without blush or tremor
INDICATIVE
Evidential Disclosing
It is a straw pointing with evidential import
Where there is so much smoke there is some fire
Straws show which way the current is set
What an apocalypse that will be when——
There are not wanting signs that——
A most infallible indication of——
INDICTMENT
Arraignment Accusation
None the worse for a spark of decent indignation
The hollow shams and conventionalities of our day
No adequate sense of His holiness
Baser than a beast
No keen and poignant perception of sin
The lessening sense of sin
His own heart as cold as frost
Sad and sinful days
Our hearts hot with wrath and indignation against sin
Evil to its core
The devil’s signet
Of decidedly earthly passions
All dried up in one’s soul
Lust was kindled in his heart
Base, mean, prudential, paying no tribute to the Divine excellence
The parching blight of sin
Beware of artful, designing persons
Sins come in groups, in battalions
Like the frosts of sin which blight the sweet blossoms of youth
And taste the tang of the bitter cup
The hundred and one enemies of our peace, comfort, and efficiency
The burning poison in his veins
There is nothing more likely to betray a man into absurdity than
It vexes, grieves, thwarts, repels, drives off the Spirit of God
Beware of the beginnings of sin
Over head and ears in debt and drink
The peril of riches
A coronet of shame
The secret beginnings of sin
An eternal arraignment of all who——
By so doing, he is sowing the seed of a fatal infection
Trifling with great spiritual realities
Lest it might lead to things undesirable
The horror of a bottomless pit
Habits which quietly sap the foundations of life
Words which will shock some dainty soul
A sickening devotion to the pursuit of wealth
The evils of unrighteousness in civic life
It seems to contradict the designs of Providence
A narrowing effect on the conscience of those who have embraced it
Care lest one be inveigled into perdition
Words which ought to make us twinge
Words of worldly wisdom
A brewing storm of hostility
The world’s hardest battlefields of sin and sorrow
In their hearts the feuds of ages
A wretched, dejected, sin-blasted soul
Carnality in the heart
The great enemy of mankind
The black enormity of sin
A miserable grudge in your heart
The spawn of the evil one
A heritage of hate
A dauntless worldling
From whose very touch one’s delicacies shrink
The fires of a sensitive religious experience no longer glow
The grip of evil forces
All alarming, all hateful, all detestable
A gnawing sense of condemnation in the heart
Those who abuse God’s great gift of speech
Some of these enormities put to blush heathenism itself
No deeply seated opinions of right and wrong
A state of lazy indifference
Apparently destitute of ambition
Worthy neither of respect nor honor
Soft and easy days
Mean, petty, social prejudices
The temptation to fritter away life in interests that are small and
mean
Everlasting confusion
The enemy shall come in like a flood
The man that speaketh froward things
The resurrection of damnation
A rebellious house
God resisteth the proud
The works of darkness
Unstable as water
Spreading himself like a green bay-tree
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter but war was in his
heart
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool
than of him
An unprofitable servant
His mouth is full of deceit and fraud
The wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire
A sad vocation
A heart of adamant
A hardened cynic
The vain things
The enormity of sin
A scoffing world
A defeated one
Tenements of dust
The jealous eye
The everlasting burning
The hell of hate
A despicable heart
A sullen silence
A disdainful glance
A brittle promise
A sorry specimen
INDIFFERENCE
Disregard Apathy
It is not worth a moment’s regard
Let “by-gones” be “by-gones”
It is a matter of no importance
Cast it to the winds
What is past shall go for nothing
Of it I really make no account
Let it pass
Quite apathetic
The exceptions are so few as to be negligible
Extremely trivial
In one ear and out at the other
The edge of my inclination is much taken off
A half-hearted interest at best
INFLUENCE
Control Sway
In the hollow of his hand
What he says has great force
It gripped like steel bands
His words touched me most profoundly
He dominates the situation by the sheer force of his personality
A bright beacon shedding light
The creative influences of——
He succeeded in making his presence felt
One cannot get within gunshot of——
It roused the last smouldering spark of——
It may have far greater consequences than——
In the seats of the mighty
Far reaching in its consequences
It does not have a feather’s weight with practical men
Leaven that is gradually purifying the world
Salt that keeps civilization from decay
INGENIOUS
Shrewd Adroit
A situation that requires artful handling
He understands the fine art of the omission of unessentials
He is temperamentally gaited to do things
It was cleverly done
He carries the torch of his genius into——
Taxing the acutest ingenuity of——
With the intuitive sense of affairs
Shrewdness of perception
A masterly exhibition of adroitness and skill
A first-rate master of affairs
He has conceived the happy idea of——
By hook or by crook
A surprising way of——
They will have to do a lot of political tight-rope walking to——
It must put him to his trumps
A fertility of resource that——
INTERESTING
Fascinating Impressive
On tiptoe with expectation
As eager-hearted as a boy
My eyes have been wide open for——
I am mightily concerned to think out how——
It is a matter in which I have a most heartfelt concern
It is highly interesting to note that——
I was fascinated by——
It has all the fascination of an adventure
Life would be very dull without it
An element of excitement in it
Everything to fascinate the imagination
A fine touch of romance in it
He was very keen to gain possession of——
With unflagging interest
Every man rides his own hobby
What is new is always fine
The signs are multiplying that——
The circumstance which gave it such a thrilling interest is the fact
that——
It was decidedly impressive
We are not indifferent to——
Fascinating as a Romance
I read with quickened attention the——
This was his meat and drink
There is a growing disposition among——
You have quite excited my curiosity
As fascinating as a romance
It holds the interest with a good grasp
A fascination for many minds
Of enthralling interest
I know the nicest little secret
I have news for you
INTRODUCTION
(Of Speakers)
I have the esteemed privilege of presenting——
I feel highly honored to have the opportunity to present——
I have the great honor of asking you to welcome——
I esteem myself fortunate to have the privilege of presenting——
I count myself happy in being permitted to——
We have with us to-night ————. It is my very great pleasure to present
him
It is my good fortune to be called upon to introduce ———— the speaker
of the evening. Let us give him an attentive hearing while he
speaks to us upon the topic——
I have very great pleasure in presenting to you the speaker of the
evening ————. He will address us upon the topic——
It has fallen to my lot to introduce one who is known to many here. I
have great pleasure in presenting ————
INTRODUCTORY
Prefatory Preliminary
(For General Conversation)
It goes without saying that——
I am obliged to confess that——
It was a happy thought which led me to——
I venture to propose that——
We had great fun when——
I indulge the modest hope that——
It must be very gratifying to you to——
I am deeply persuaded that——
Reverting to another matter——
I ought not omit remarking that——
And so it befell that——
After expatiating on the——
It is a very curious circumstance to see how——
I frankly confess that——
It is really disconcerting to find that——
I am revealing no secret in saying that——
I must not leave you under misapprehensions so——
I am rather inclined to the opinion that——
I do not find anything in the tenets of my religion which requires me
to——
I have a peculiar tenderness for——
As I am continually saying——
In a very humble way, I——
My impression is that——
The upshot of it all was——
Far be it from me to——
It is hardly necessary to add that——
You will be very much pleased to hear that——
I will venture to express a hope that——
I have but one rule to guide my conduct and that is——
I have been strongly tempted to——
Besides this there is to be said——
There is but a thousand-to-one chance that——
It is an open secret that——
I have an impression that——
I informed you wrongly when I said that——
If I mistake not, I believe that——
If I may use the expression I think that——
Quite regardless of my remark, you——
I had the inexpressible comfort of knowing that——
He made a touching proof of his regard by——
I flatter myself that——
Is it not a great mercy to have such a helper
Again and again, I——
Inadvertently, I——
I felt like uttering a mild disclaimer when——
I have little predilection for——
I had the rare satisfaction of——
I was strangely moved when I heard that——
There is a certain distinctive advantage in——
I was amazed to find that——
In my poor judgment, I——
I hold in all seriousness that——
Has the tide of victory set in your favor
By what magic have you found out the secrets of——
We have plumed ourselves upon our ability to——
As luck would have it, I——
To be candid, I——
It seems a positive calamity that——
Do you seriously imagine that——
No one could be so rash as to assert that——
I am satisfied that——
I strongly suspect that——
I fancy that——
Further than this——
Paradoxical as it may seem——
I dare say that——
It is with great pleasure that——
It would ill become me to remark that——
For instance,——
The redeeming feature of it all is——
Quite by chance, I——
I have been wondering whether——
In all probability we——
It is not likely that——
Luckily I——
It is a singular coincidence that——
I took particular pains to notice whether——
It is with problems such as these that——
How very fortunate it is that——
It is a particular piece of good fortune that he——
As a matter of fact, I——
None the less, I——
It can be admitted too that——
Certain it is that——
In some quarters it is believed that——
If that be the case, I——
I confess I look with some alarm at——
I have the great good fortune to have heard that——
I realize afresh that——
The art of arts is——
I flatter myself that——
It is from the heart that I can request that——
I am perfectly convinced that——
The full gravity of the situation is seen in the fact that——
Regardless of anything I said——
I am painfully conscious that——
I wasn’t by any means sure I——
It dawned upon him gradually that——
It is seldom that——
We may be quite sure that——
I have repeatedly said that——
It cannot but carry with it instant conviction that——
By some mischance, I——
Prior to this, we——
I was greatly elated to find that——
I am heartily glad that——
I had a happy thought to-day which I——
I cannot but realize that——
It is scarcely conceivable that——
Frankly, I——
It is intellectually unthinkable that——
On the other hand——
I appreciate most deeply the——
I am devoutly thankful for——
At all events——
I rather apprehend that——
I have sometimes thought that——
It must be owned too, that——
I scarcely feel as if I——
I rather imagine that——
To this day I hardly know whether I——
A very striking proof of the fact is——
I will hazard the observation that——
On the other hand——
May I give you an instance
It is quite indifferent to me whether I——
He used frequently to observe that——
Now that I am a little seasoned, I——
I have heard him often lament that——
You may guess what luck——
I regret extremely that——
It would have been quite out of the question for us to——
Recently I came across this——
I was about to inquire what you thought of——
I have the deepest veneration for——
I suppose the inference we are expected to draw is——
I am confident of one thing that——
My principal motive for acting thus was——
I am fully aware that——
I perceive, moreover, that——
It is surely true that——
I marvel that——
I sometimes fancy that——
I humbly conceive that——
I apprehend that——
Of course, I am perfectly aware that——
I presume that——
There are pretty certain indications that
It often amazes me that——
It seems hardly probable that——
I affirm that——
I have the consolation to hope that——
It is still permitted us to hope that——
It would be futile to deny that——
It is reasonable to assume that——
There is no prospect that——
In these circumstances it——
I suppose that——
I warrant that——
I confess I am not indifferent to——
I shrink instinctively from——
I confess a less and less relish for——
I am impatient and querulous under——
It is a sort of presumption to expect that——
I cannot imagine to myself——
I have a kindly yearning toward——
I heartily approve of——
I do not advert to——
I have long believed that——
It has long been the fashion to——
I have been falsely assuring everybody that——
One cannot help noticing that——
There are plenty of evidences that——
The difference, I take it, is this——
The fact of the matter is——
If I rightly remember——
It is a just cause for praise that——
It was a happy circumstance for me that——
I wish with all my heart that——
I am grateful to find that——
I devoutly wish it may prove to be that he——
It is not to be supposed that——
My attention has been directed to the——
I have a mental reservation with regard to——
A very affecting circumstance happened yesterday
I have a story worth telling
I had the rare distinction of——
I had a very civil note from——
If I may hazard a conjecture, I should rather think that——
It was unusual for me to——
He seems to be obsessed with the idea that——
JOY
Gladness Bliss
The nameless responsive thrill of something deep within us
A treasure better than gold
Pleasures pure and lasting
Heaven’s eternal spring
The song lifting its pæan out of the night
In the sweetest fellowship
Strains that sweetly soothe
The exquisite little joys of life
An atmosphere of tranquillity
A new-found joy
Tears of joy and gratitude
Joy which flows like a river
In joyful anticipation
With joyful enthusiasm
Possibilities of which we hardly dreamed
The sweet melodies of heaven
The great glad tidings
The glory of his grace
The sweetest name on earth
The blissful refuge
A balm for the weary
The very friend you need
The priceless gems of God’s book
A joy divine
Songs of sweetest praise
A triumphant hope
Thrones of love
A heaven of love
The kingdom of light
The fullness of his blessing
The life-giving stream
The best of our delights
A world of happy memories
The reckless joy of the Lord
Our gladness of the world
The ultimate source of real happiness
An eternal weight of glory
JUSTICE
Judgment Indignation
He must be brought sharply to book
Brought to the bar of justice
Impartial justice
A noble contempt for deliberate wrong-doers
Fired by righteous indignation
The eternal principles of justice
The foe of tyranny
The well-established right of every citizen
Very intolerant of sin, but not vindictive
A life strictly legal
KEEN
Foxy Cunning
With a special axe to grind
He caught you napping
A piece of sharp practice
A shrewd surmise
A bit of keen reasoning
Too ingenious by half
Neutrals think to tread on eggs and break none
As cunning as a weasel
A mind like a steel-trap
Bait the hook well; the fish will bite.
_Much Ado about Nothing_, II., 3
Reared in the school of diplomacy
A discipleship with mental reservations
He turns a blow with a jest
KINDNESS
Sympathy Gentleness
Sympathies as wide as the world
A sensibility as tender as it is refreshing
Wider sympathy
Of cosmopolitan sympathies
Poverty-stricken in his sympathies
World-wide sympathies
A great soul
The very heart of kindness
Diffusing the gospel of kindliness
The employments of active benevolence
Full of kindly deeds
The milk of human kindness
A stray word of kindness
Kinder than the kindest
With utmost gentleness
Of gentlest sympathy
Of a kind and forgiving disposition
They exchanged mutual assurances of continued good-will
The secret of contented and fruitful living
The staple interests and occupations of the common life
Heaven and earth brought into strange accord
An unembittered disposition
The sign of God-like charity
Slow to speak ill of any one
Beautiful in the eyes of fond affection
A heaven of love in your heart
A wonderfully kind heart
Members of a forgiving family
Sweet in disposition
Glorifying God in the common round
The gracious inclination of the will
The outcome of a rich experience
The spirit of brotherly kindness and concord
An attitude of brotherly helpfulness
A genuine concern for——
Many calls upon one’s generous impulses
A kindly soul
I could not find it in my heart to——
It pulls upon our heartstrings
Cherishing a cordial good-will to all men
I cannot find it in my heart to——
LATIN
_Ab extra_, from without
_Ab initio_, from the beginning
_Ad captandum vulgus_, for the sake of pleasing the crowd
_Ad infinitum_, endlessly
_Ad interim_, in the meanwhile
_Ad libitum_, at pleasure
_Ad nauseam_, to the point of disgust
_Ad rem_, to the matter in hand
_Ad valorem_, according to the value
_A fortiori_, all the more surely
_Alma mater_, fostering mother
_Alter idem_, another precisely similar
_Anno Domini_, in the year of our Lord
_A posteriori_, from facts back to principles
_A priori_, from principles to facts
_Argumentum ad hominem_, an appeal to interests rather than to reason
_Bona fide_, in good faith
_Cui bono_, who benefits by it
_De facto_, on the basis of facts
_De novo_, anew
_Deo gratias_, thanks to God
_Deo volente_, with God’s consent
_De profundis_, out of the depths
_Dramatis personæ_, the actors in a play
_Ecce homo_, behold the man
_E pluribus unum_, one composed of many
_Ergo_, therefore
_Esto perpetua_, let it endure forever
_Et cetera_, and so on
_Ex cathedra_, with high authority
_Ex officio_, by virtue of his office
_Ex parte_, partisan
_Ex post facto_, after the deed is done
_Ex tempore_, on the impulse of the moment
_Gloria in excelsis_, Glory in the highest
_Ibid_, in the same place
_Id est_, that is
_Idem_, the same
_Item_, also
_In articulo mortis_, at the point of death
_In extenso_, at full length
_In extremis_, in the last extremity
_In loco_, in the proper place
_In medias res_, in the midst of things
_In memoriam_, to the memory of
_In perpetuum_, forever
_In re_, in the matter of
_In statu quo_, in the former state
_In toto_, completely
_In transitu_, in passing
_Ipsissima verba_, the very words
_Ipso facto_, by virtue of that very fact
_Jubilate Deo_, rejoice in the Lord
_Jus gentium_, the law of nations
_Labor omnia vincit_, labor overcomes every difficulty
_Lapsus linguæ_, a slip of the tongue
_Lis pendens_, the pending suit
_Magnum opus_, a great work
_Mala fide_, in an underhanded way
_Meum et tuum_, mine and thine
_Mirabile dictu_, wonderful to be told
_Modus operandi_, manner of operation
_Multum in parvo_, much in little
_Ne plus ultra_, nothing better
_Nil desperandum_, no need to despair
_Nolens volens_, whether he will or not
_Non sequitur_, it does not follow
_Nota bene_, mark well
_Omnes_, all
_Paterfamilias_, the head of a household
_Pater noster_, Our Father
_Particeps criminis_, a sharer in the crime
_Peccavi_, I have erred
_Per annum_, by the year
_Per capita_, by the head
_Per centum_, by the hundred
_Per contra_, contrariwise
_Per diem_, by the day
_Per se_, intrinsically
_Pro bono publico_, for the public good
_Pro et con_, for and against
_Pro rata_, an equal division
_Pro tanto_, to a certain extent
_Pro tempore_, for the time being
_Quantum libet_, as much as you please
_Quid pro quo_, an equivalent
_Quod vide_, which see
_Requiescat in pace_, peace to his spirit
_Scripsit_, he wrote it
_Semper felix_, always fortunate
_Semper fidelis_, always faithful
_Semper eadem_, always the same
_Seriatim_, in sequence
_Serus in cœlum redeas_, after living for a long time may you enter
heaven
_Sine cura_, without care
_Sine die_, without a day appointed
_Sine qua non_, an indispensable prerequisite
_Status quo_, the current situation the existing condition
_Sub rosa_, secretly, confidentially
_Sui generis_, unique
_Summum bonum_, the highest good
_Tempus fugit_, time flies
_Terra firma_, the solid earth
_Tuum est_, it is your own
_Una voce_, unanimously
_Ut infra_, as stated below
_Ut supra_, as stated above
_Verbatim_, word for word
_Versus_, against
_Via_, by the way of
_Vice versa_, the terms being exchanged
_Vi et armis_, by main force
_Viva voce_, by the living voice
_Vox populi est vox Dei_, the voice of the people is the voice of God
LAZY
Lackadaisical Dawdling
Altogether disinclined to the effort of exercise
Dawdling over duties
A profitless frame of mind
A strong disposition to inactivity
With folded arms
The tragedy of ease
The picture of placid content
Sleeping in a fool’s paradise
Luxury that unfits the soul
Never stirred by noble ambitions
As motionless as a tombstone
A little flaccid
A lazy ox is little better for the goad
As sleepy as a ground-hog in winter
Nothing is had for nothing
In a half-hearted manner
While away the time
Free from all care
He suffers from acute laziness
He wants to be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease
He treads the path of least resistance
His mind cankers
Predisposed to loiter
LETTERS
(GENERAL PHRASES)
For Letters of Acceptance
I thank you for your very kind invitation which I am happy to accept
It will give me great pleasure to——
I accept with much pleasure your kind invitation to——
I accept with pleasure and will——
It is most kind of you to include me in——
Many thanks for your thoughtfulness in inviting me
I shall be pleased to comply with your request
It was most kind of you to remember me
Thank you so much for your kindness in remembering me
How very thoughtful of you to——
For Letters of Apology
I trust you will pardon me for——
I write to apologize for my failure to——
I hope you will forgive me when I tell you that——
I am sorry I could not do as I had promised to do
I am very much mortified to find that——
Trusting you will forgive my great carelessness
I hope you have not suffered any inconvenience from——
Hoping you will pardon the——
I am afraid you will accuse me of rudeness, but I——
I hasten to repair my apparent neglect of——
You must have felt almost slighted to notice that I——
I am sure you will acquit me of any rudeness when——
For Letters of Condolence
Be assured of my deep sympathy with you in this time of great sorrow
I know too well that words cannot comfort you
Trusting that you will see the bright side of the dark cloud——I am with
deep sympathy your friend
How can I attempt to comfort you in the bitter affliction which has
befallen you
Would there were more like——
I regret to hear of your continued indisposition and hope that before
long you may return to your wonted good health
A sweet and uncomplaining spirit
I should rejoice if I could be with you
I can only send my sympathy and best wishes for your speedy and
complete recovery
Courage——hope remains
Time will heal many heartaches
May the Father of Mercies give you the rich consolation of His grace
and preserve and strengthen you for your family
May you be sustained in this most bitter trial
The grateful sense of your kindness will never be erased from my mind
If my services can in any way assist you do not hesitate to ask for
them
I am sincerely sorry to hear of your loss
He carried the riches of God within himself
He was a royal-hearted man
We are greatly afflicted by the melancholy intelligence which reached
us that——
I knew the sterling integrity of his character
May God breathe into your heart peace and cheerful resignation
My mind is filled with very grateful memories
He was greatly beloved
I fall back upon a very delightful verse of Scripture: “He is able to
subdue all things unto himself”
My heart is filled with the deepest gratitude as I think of ————
We send our earnest wishes for your speedy recovery
My most affectionate regards to ————
You seem to have your full share of human vicissitudes
He had such a fund of courage and good cheer
Dear, sweet, loving mother
A letter replete with tenderness and affection
All things work together for good to them that love God
A bruised reed shall he not break
Many daughters have done virtuously but thou excellest them all
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of
feasting
He giveth his beloved sleep
A very present help in trouble
We took sweet counsel together
God will take us into their goodly company some glad day
Glimpses of the reality which we instinctively feel will sometime be
ours
The unmeasured things of hope which God has prepared for men
Our lives we must humbly commit to the guiding hand whose blessing we
adore
Filled with strong consolation
There are many avenues by which God would come in and richly bless us
He had the secret of keeping the sacred fires aglow
He knew the deep principles of experimental religion
Ordinary consolations do not avail us
He knew the secret of beautiful living
He was a silent witness of right living
Many admiring friends
One who ministered so carefully and tenderly
All the more tragic because——
And this thought will be our comfort that——
Of gentle presence
All the gentle virtues came into full blossom
Looking forward with a Christian’s bright anticipation of a glad
reunion
Persisted in keeping mind and spirit on the sunny side of life however
hard the trials and difficulties
Mother’s fortitude and hopefulness is a lesson to us all
We send our united and sincere condolences
The news of your painful loss has been a great surprise to me
I have read of your bereavement with the deepest sorrow
You, who have so often comforted others, are now to be comforted
May you live in the confidence that ———— is in the enjoyment of
everlasting happiness
It is a great comfort to us that
Words are inadequate to express my feelings
There are times when one cannot express himself in written words
The pen refuses to express adequately my sympathy to you
I sympathize keenly with you in the loss of your excellent ————
They are not lost to us
God will surely give you a kindly guidance in this hour of trial
The intimations of a future life shall some day be realized and we
shall see and know again those whom we have “loved, and lost
awhile”
Many beautiful traits made up his character
I join with you and his other friends in mourning his death most
sincerely
It shocked me very much
I have heard with the greatest distress of——
I had learned to have a very warm feeling for ————
I had been intimately enough associated with him to feel that I knew
him very well
Cast thy burden upon the Lord
Thou hast known my soul in adversities
I know their sorrows
A refuge from the storm
A shadow from the heat
In the furnace of affliction
I will hedge up thy way with thorns
Tribulation worketh patience
Our light affliction
In all their affliction he was afflicted
He healeth the broken in heart
For a small moment have I forgotten thee but with great mercies will I
gather thee
God that comforteth those that are cast down comfort you
We shall have to bear our crosses with meekness and patience
So good a friend is capable of making any calamity light
The great loss you have sustained has caused me much uneasiness
I know not how to express my sorrow at the news which I have just
received
That God may give you great consolation under this heavy burden is my
fervent prayer
I should be glad if I could suggest anything to lighten your trouble
and make your path a little more smooth and easy
Such a sad circumstance has come to you
Your sorrow’s night
When one’s heart is unspeakably tender
We extend our heartfelt sympathy
In your hour of trial
She was such a beautiful character, loved by every one
In these lonely hours you must not be cast down for there is help from
God
His Word says that they that wait upon Him shall renew their strength
She was God’s good angel in your home
Grief that saps the heart
I account you mine
His name will long linger in our household
We must be brave in the face of trying circumstances
Of gracious memory
She bears up with the utmost fortitude
I received the melancholy intelligence last evening that——
He was the kindest, and most generous of men
The sweet remembrance of the just
A workman that needeth not to be ashamed
If God be for us who can be against us
Of whom the world was not worthy
Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth
Let not your heart be troubled
I know that your heart must be sorely grieved
God shall overcome this King of terrors
It is written, “As thy days so shall thy strength be”
We expect to see our loved ones in happier, brighter worlds above
God is able to soothe and sustain the distressed soul
May God’s love shine more and more in our hearts until the day breaks
and the shadows flee away
He careth for you
A stronghold in the day of trouble
A covert from the storm
We unite in sending our love and sympathy
With warm regards
We beg you to accept our commiseration
Our hearts sorrow with you
He is such a very great comfort to us
We are uplifted by the assurance that——
A light which sorrow cannot quench
We must all wait the call of God with a calm trust
Let me have the comfort of hearing from you
The hand of God has been heavy
His sterling qualities of character will leave an indelible impress on
those with whom he associated
His good life will live on
Dying in the triumphs of faith
Securely anchored in the never failing promises of God
A life of good-will, kindliness of spirit, and firm character
The benediction of his brotherly heart will bless many who knew him
We must live in the blessed anticipation of the glory that is to come
Do not fear, for God knows what is in your heart
Your path seems full of thorns
Your weather is bleak, but the storms will cease
Your sky is dark, but the sun shines
May the everlasting arms sustain you in the flood of sorrow
May God comfort you
Out of the thorn springeth the rose
I know you are in grief and heaviness
We commend you to the mercy and grace of God
The bitterness of affliction
The present floods of sorrow
You will have to cast your anchor in the dark
May your heart be constant
The Lord will surely give you rest from the days of adversity
I would that you should always have the sweet experience of the
consolations of God
We all have the good-will of Him who dwelt in the bush
My heart is heavy for you
We must wait till the fair morning of the resurrection
I write my blessing, earnest prayers, the love of God, and the sweet
presence of Christ to you and yours
You have suffered a grief which no human friend can assuage
I feel deeply your misfortune
I am grieved to hear that——
We are greatly concerned about——
We are sometimes called to sow in tears, but the harvest will be a
series of everlasting joys. This blessed hope softens the trials of
life
My times are in the Lord’s hands
I hope it may please God to endue us with a proper temper, and quiet
perseverance, and that these trials may help us to purify our
motives
One of the severest and most trying dispensations of Providence
Yours is indeed deep sorrow
You have the blessed reflection of having done all that could possibly
be done
You have my earnest prayers that the Almighty may graciously support
you
That the Almighty may bless, support, and comfort you, is the hearty
prayer of——
Be assured of our cordial esteem and fervent prayers
May every consolation and blessing be granted to you
As long as I shall remember anything, I shall remember her virtues and
her kindness
I hope I need not tell you how anxious I have been since I first heard
of your great loss
May I share with you the deep sorrow you are called upon to bear at the
loss of your——
Please accept for yourself my assurance of deep sympathy
Allow me to express my very sincere sympathy for you in the death of
your——
Permit me to express on behalf of ———— and myself our deepest sympathy
May I express to you my sincere condolence in your hour of sorrow
Mrs. ———— and I offer you our most sincere sympathy in your great
sorrow
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement
I hope you will find some consolation in the tribute of affection and
esteem which——
I sympathize deeply with you
I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto
him against that day.
_II Tim._ I., 12
The resurrection of life.
_John_ V., 29
Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
_I Cor._ II., 9
In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
_John_ XIV., 2
There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the
righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but
unto all them also that love his appearing.
_II Tim._ IV., 8
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
_Heb._ IV., 9
We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness.
_II Pet._ III., 13
Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
_Rev._ II., 10
They shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.
_Rev._ III., 4
There shall be no night there.
_Rev._ XXII., 5
The Lord shall be thy everlasting light and the days of thy mourning
shall be ended.
_Isa._ LX., 20
He is able to present you faultless before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy.
_Jude_, 24
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be revealed in us.
_Rom._ VIII., 18
Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
_II Cor._ IV., 17
The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
_Eph._ I., 18
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not
away.
_I Pet._ I., 4
So shall we ever be with the Lord.
_I Thess._ IV., 17
They shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads.
_Rev._ XXII., 4
The righteous shall go away into life eternal.
_Matt._ XXV., 46
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine
heart.
_Ps._ XXVII., 14
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that
trust in him shall be desolate.
_Ps._ XXXIV., 22
The Lord knoweth them that trust in him.
_Nah._ I., 7
Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you.
_I Pet._ V., 7
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about
his people from hence forth even for ever.
_Ps._ CXXV., 2
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
_Ps._ CXII., 6
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
_Ps._ XXX., 5
Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him
out of them all.
_Ps._ XXXIV., 19
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and
weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
_Ps._ CXXVI., 5-6
Their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any
more.
_Jer._ XXXI., 12
I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make
them rejoice from their sorrow.
_Jer._ XXXI., 13
A refuge in times of trouble.
_Ps._ IX., 9
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world.
_John_ XVI., 33
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his
holy habitation.
_Ps._ LXVIII., 5
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
_Ps._ CXVI., 15
My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in
weakness.
_II Cor._ XII., 9
I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.
_Gen._ XV., 1
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
_Deut._ XXXIII., 27
The promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.
_II Tim._ I., 1
A bruised reed shall he not break.
_Isa._ XLII., 3
For Letters of Congratulation
I take great pleasure in sending hearty congratulations and best wishes
It is with heartfelt pleasure I——
I cannot refrain from sending a few words of congratulation that——
We offer you our cordial congratulations and best wishes
My most sincere congratulations are yours
I hope in a few days to be able to offer my congratulations in person
Accept hearty congratulations
With most sincere congratulations
I write to offer my heartfelt congratulations
You will receive many hearty congratulations but none more sincere than
mine
It must have been a great joy to you. I heartily congratulate you
I applaud you
For Letters of Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you ————
I take this opportunity of presenting to you ————
I take great pleasure in making known to you ————
This letter is presented by my friend ————
I shall regard it as a kindness to myself if——
Any courtesy you can extend to ————
I shall appreciate any assistance you may give to ————
I shall regard any attention you can pay ———— as a personal favor
I shall warmly appreciate any attention you may pay to ————
For Letters of Invitation
Will you give us the pleasure of your company to——
I am asking a few friends to——
It would be a pleasure to have you——
Will you join us in——
The pleasure of your company is requested to——
Hoping that your engagements will permit
In anticipation of seeing you next——
———— requests the presence of ————
———— requests the pleasure of your presence at——
For Letters of Regret
I write at once to thank you, regretting most sincerely that——
I very much regret that I cannot accept your kind invitation to——
I regret that a previous engagement will prevent my acceptance of your
very kind invitation to——
I very much regret that I cannot avail myself of the opportunity to——
I am grateful to you for your kind invitation, but——
I regret that I am unable to comply with your request because——
I regret extremely that——
For Letters of Thanks
Please accept my grateful acknowledgments for——
I will ever cherish your beautiful gift
My compliments and thanks to ————
Thank you most heartily for the——
Many thanks for the——
With hearty thanks for your kind thought of me
Best of thanks for your kind thought of me
I cannot express my thanks for the kindness which prompted you to——
Many thanks for the kind remembrance
With grateful appreciation for——
Thank you most heartily for——
How can I ever hope to repay you for——
I am extremely grateful to you for——
I am sending this letter as the silent messenger of my thanks and good
wishes to you
I must find some way to make due acknowledgment of your goodness to me
I trust I may be able to do you some service, that I may be worthy of
your kind approbation
I will not write more but wait until a better opportunity enables me to
more fully express myself
Please allow me to send my most thankful acknowledgments for the favor
you have conferred upon me
I know not how to express my grateful thanks for your——
The grateful sense I have of your kindness will never be erased from my
mind
I take this first opportunity to send you my thanks for——
You have exceedingly obliged me by——
I beg to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of——
I am grateful to you for your kind expression of sympathy
Though your kind letter has waited so long for a reply, you may be
assured that I was not unmindful of its messages of sympathy
Please accept my warmest thanks for your kindness
I am deeply indebted to you for——
I received your very agreeable letter, and hasten to give you my most
hearty thanks for your——
I thank you for your hospitality
We had a most delightful time while with you
For Letters with Gifts
Please accept this little memento of our regard
Please accept this ———— as a token of high esteem and regard
Please accept as an evidence of unchanging friendship this ————
Please accept this token with my best wishes for many happy returns of
your birthday
Will you be so kind as to accept the enclosed ————
I am sending to you a little token of my high regard
(CONCLUDING ASSURANCES)
For Christmas Letters
I send you tender tidings of regard this Christmas Day
I hope you will lack nothing to make a Merry Christmas
On this day I think of you, and wish you happiness without limit
May all joys combine to give you a happy Christmas Day
With best wishes and heartiest greetings for Christmas
I wish you a joyful Christmas from the bottom of my heart
With kind remembrances and all good wishes for a Merry Christmas and a
Bright New Year
With best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a New Year of health and
happiness
The best of good wishes for a happy Christmas
May Christmas bring you plenteous store of happiness and joy
Heaps of Christmas wishes
With the kindest thoughts and the best of good wishes for a happy
Christmas
I heartily send all good Christmas wishes to you and yours
For Letters of Condolence
My prayer is that you may be wonderfully sustained by Him who hath
said, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Most sincerely yours,
I commend you to Him who hath said, “There shall be no more death,
neither sorrow.”
Affectionately yours,
May you have great comfort in the presence of Him who hath said, “I
will not leave you destitute.”
Your friend,
Ever remember the good word which tells us that “He shall change our
vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,
according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all
things unto himself.”
Faithfully yours,
Though we pass through the valley and the darkness of death let us fear
no evil since He is with us.
Ever your friend,
God gives us a fine assurance concerning the future in the word which
says, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle
were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Most sincerely yours,
With a prayer for every blessing on your self,
Affectionately, your friend,
Be assured of our cordial esteem and fervent prayers.
Very sincerely yours,
May God that comforteth those that are cast down comfort you in this
trial is the prayer of
Your friend,
We can meet the trials of life in the comforting conviction that this
mortal must put on immortality.
With warmest regards,
No doubt you are inclined to say that all is vanity and vexation of
spirit, but do not do so for He knoweth the way that we take.
Faithfully yours,
Now that the time has come that you are “Like Niobe, all tears” also
the rather remember the word which says that “God shall wipe away
all tears.”
Most sincerely yours,
We send our love and commend you to Him who hath said He will “Swallow
up death in victory.”
Most sincerely yours,
While your heart is heavy, and one feel quite deserted, yet we can be
much comforted in remembering that “He knoweth our frame.” and is
ever mindful of us.
With sincere sympathy,
Your friend,
For New Year Letters
May this New Year turn out to be the happiest and the best
With best New Year wishes
May all your plans and wishes come true in this New Year
May the New Year be a happy year for you
A joyous New Year
With all best wishes for a splendid New Year
With all the kindest wishes for good health and good fortune throughout
the year
With my most hearty greetings and sincere good wishes for you for all
the coming year
With best wishes for a year of great blessing
May the New Year be full of the kindliest benedictions
With kind wishes for a year of the brightest prospects
For General Letters
I am ever, with sincerest regard,
Your friend,
Remember me very kindly to ————
Sincerely,
I beg to be most kindly remembered to ————
With cordial regard,
Accept the sincerest esteem of
Your friend,
My compliments to your ————
Very sincerely,
With sincere regard,
With kindest respects to your whole family,
Yours affectionately,
I beg you will give my affectionate respects to all.
Most cordially yours,
———— best and kindest wishes accompany mine.
Most sincerely,
With truest regard,
With my best wishes for your recovery, and kindest regard to ————
I remain, affectionately yours,
———— joins me in kindest regards and best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
Kind remembrance to all, and doubly to ————.
As ever,
If you are at ————, remember me kindly to ————
Yours ever,
Give my kind respects to ————
Very sincerely yours,
We join in affectionate regards to ————
Sincerely,
———— present their respects, with those of
Yours truly,
———— desire me to add their kind regards to mine,
Your affectionate friend,
With truest good wishes.
As ever,
When you see ———— assure ———— of my kind remembrance.
Sincerely yours,
With my best regards to ————
I remain your friend,
With our joint regards to ————, I am ever,
Yours sincerely,
My most affectionate respects to ————
Yours sincerely,
With kindest regards of my family and myself,
I am sincerely yours,
Yours ever, my dear and honored friend, with true regard,
———— desires particularly to be remembered.
Yours ever,
With every sentiment of regard.
Your greatly obliged friend,
With truest sentiments of affectionate esteem.
Your friend,
———— sends her best love.
Yours ever most affectionately,
———— joins in every kind wish and remembrance.
Yours ever,
With cordial wishes for your health,
I am,
Yours very sincerely,
My best respects to ————
Very faithfully yours,
———— is away or I should have been charged with ———— kindest regards to
you.
Very sincerely,
My best respects and kindest remembrances to the whole family circle
at ————
Very sincerely yours,
We unite in kindest remembrance to your family.
Sincerely yours,
———— begs her most affectionate remembrance to you.
Affectionately yours,
(FINAL ASSURANCES)
Conventional
Very sincerely yours,
Yours most sincerely,
Very respectfully,
Sincerely yours,
Respectfully yours,
To Friends
Yours faithfully,
Yours affectionately,
Heartily yours,
Yours in all fellowship,
Warmly your friend,
Your affectionate friend,
Yours ever truly,
Ever warmly yours,
With warmest regards,
Yours in heart,
For Lovers
All yours,
As ever,
Your own,
Yours forever and ever,
Ever with the whole heart yours,
Most devotedly yours,
Yours constantly,
Yours ever,
Ever yours,
Yours, with love,
To Relatives
Your loving ————,
Affectionately your ————,
Your devoted ————,
With much love,
Your ever loving ————,
Devotedly your ————,
With much affection, your ————,
LIKENESS
Similarity Resemblance
As like as two peas
A striking parallel
As like as two drops of water
Nearly identical in appearance
The same in essential characteristics
Cast in the same mold
A striking similitude between——
Having a very close resemblance
A speaking likeness
It is somewhat analogous to——
It typifies most perfectly the——
With a very exact resemblance
There is no material difference between——
Terms which will be tantamount to——
Have you been struck with the similarity between——
It bears an evident analogy to——
Cut out of the same cloth
You can make it tally with——
LOSS
Damage Waste
This particular milk has been spilt
Incalculable waste and loss will be avoided if——
Doomed to ethical decline
Irreparable loss
Rapidly sapping the strength of——
In the blackness of darkness forever
Where does it end
LOVE
Attachment Affection
He’s the great heart-maker
Winsomely and lovingly
The sacrifices of love
Matchless kindness
Unwavering love
A redeeming love-energy
A glad service of love
A legacy of love
A flame of sacred love
The sweet kingdom of God’s love
The wondrous story of God’s love
The wonderful words of life
The genial flame of affection
The marvel of His love
The love that conquers
Love divine, all loves excelling
The glorious sense of the Divine right of love
Made beautiful by Divine love
The warm yearning intimacy of God’s love
The sweet and unpolluted flower of love
The richest joys out of heaven
If our bosom burns with the fires of love
Love that translated us from alienation to family favor
Love, pure, warm, and changeless
Songs of redeeming love
An eye of love
A heaven of love
Abounding love
With undiminished love
Love is the universal language
What the world needs is love
MANLY
Strong Upright
The sanctifying love of a strong victorious man
A patient, loving, uncomplaining soul
A clear-eyed seer of the things of God
An uncompromising foe of evil
Sagacious in spiritual things
A mind full of vigorous hopeful uplifting thoughts
He has a wonderful experience of grace
He passed through the fires of affliction
He is a graduate of the University of Difficulty
We are resolved to lay no stumbling-blocks in the way of the progress
of the redemption of the world
We have the abiding consciousness that we are fundamentally right with
God
He is in the apostleship of spiritual beauty
A great lover of mankind
He takes a living, loving interest in men
Moral worth
Resolved not to depart from the channel of truth
Holy in character
A warmth of temperament
Generous impulses
The imposing grace of a noble self-restraint
A chaste refinement of spirit
Splendid reserve power
Well content to go down to the grave unpraised
Taking steps toward the threshold of heaven
Walking in the blessed path of peace, power, and purity
A nobility of life
Worthy of more attention than it has yet received
A worthy friend
Hands full of character and delicacy
With unfaltering lip and heart
Men who love their fellow-men and prove their love by service
He did not once deviate from his principles
He has a profound contempt for show and humbug
Men broad-brained and broad-shouldered for the task
Men of breadth of outlook
Men who foresee great things
Large-hearted and clear-eyed men
Real leaders
Men who keep in the straight path of duty
Every man shall bear his own burden
Men whose fidelity merits the highest praise
Men who would dare hell-heat or Arctic cold
Men whose intentions were never open to honest doubt
A man whose happiness was in serving others
Strong men
Untinged by prejudice
Clouded by no unfriendliness
Without acrimony
With no preconceived theories
In whole-hearted simplicity
Above suspicion
With entire frankness
No feeling of estrangement
A gleam of friendly light
The right mental attitude
The right hand of fellowship
In the sunshine of a genial nature
In the genial glow of the firelight
Of gentle mien
The contagion of noble lives
A rare maturity of judgment
He has an unswerving loyalty to principle
He has an unconquerable purpose to be true
He is unfalteringly devoted to duty
He is inflexible in purpose
He is not paralysed by fear of consequences
He is beautifully loyal to——
He is proof against all blandishments
He sits tight in the saddle
MEMORIES
Impressions Sentiments
Among the most haunting memories of——
I treasure the memory of it as one of my most precious recollections
A time full of happy memories
I brought away with me a store of happy memories
Rich in historical memories
It moves me to happy memories
It entitles him to grateful remembrance
There are no disturbing reminders
They can console themselves with the reflection that——
It was reminiscent of——
I have many choice recollections of——
Etched forever by the——
MILITARISTIC
Martial Soldierly
The zone of hostilities
The harmless victims of war
Tactical retreat
Martial enthusiasm
A crack regiment
Universal disarmament
Strict neutrality
The inevitable horrors of war
A military advantage
The ruthlessness of war
The neutrality of nations
The international equivalent of the policeman’s club
The lust of empire
The cruel indignities of war
The long-nurtured passions of a nation
When the thunders of war are heard around the world
The arbitrament of arms
A test of materialism
An age crammed with war
The federation of the world
The policy of military preparedness
The patriotism of the common people
A military tattoo in the streets
The dominant military power in the world
The nightmare menace of war
The crime of Cain multiplied a million fold
The maintenance of peace
A sin against civilization
The stunning sense of some great calamity
The futility of militarism
The theater of hostilities
The allied armies
The pitiful misery of the people
An appalling cost of human life
The diplomatic corps
A compact front
Wanton destruction
The military camarilla at ————
Military necessity
Deliberate and wanton vandalism
With ruthless hand
The guilty madness of war
The inveterate belligerence of ————
A crushing indictment of Twentieth-Century civilization
The city tense with the excitement due to militarism
Imbued with the spirit of war
Prepared for vigorous operations
Under cover of the artillery
The oft-trodden battle-ground of the Low Countries
A warless world
An armed peace
The mailed fist
A religion of valor
The terrorism of military might
MYSTERIOUS
Dark Inscrutable
Into those invisible regions where we cannot follow
Clothed in a cloak of mystery
The fascination of the inscrutable
In some incomprehensible way
It seems a Sphinx whose riddle no man can read
Shrouded in mystery
A great deal of hokus-pokus
Hidden under the impenetrable veil of metaphor
Absolutely inexplicable
It was Greek to me.
_Julius Cæsar_, I., 2
Some enigma, some riddle.
_Love’s Labour’s Lost_, III., 1
A bottomless sea of speculation
NECESSARILY
Needfully Essentially
The pressure of absolute necessity
I am under the imperative necessity of——
It is absolutely essential that——
It must needs be that——
Infinitely more so now
The imperative necessity of——
The need is urgent that——
Of all the essential cogs in the world’s great machine the——
Of extreme importance
Of vital necessity
Conditions will make it imperative that——
It is of prime importance to——
The first and most important requisite of——
Put to it
The supreme need of the hour is——
It is time for him to come to the scratch and——
All important factors in the case
As much as plants need sunshine
Indispensably necessary
The imperative needs of——
In the vigorous school of necessity
OPPORTUNE
Timely Seasonable
Every door is open
Virgin soil
A work in which every man may bear a share
Seize with avidity this opportunity to——
The time seems ripe to——
The keynote to——
Entrée to all the best
Open sesame
A plain opportunity for——
We must take opportunity by the forelock
Had I been so disposed, I——
The hour of opportunity
Now is the time of all times to——
OPPOSITION
Protestation Objection
Nothing could go more against the grain with me than——
He set his face like flint against——
There is a decided opposition to——
It is one of the counts in the indictment against him that——
He was debarred from——
With strongly divergent opinion
He should be unhorsed
A man who must be discriminated against
It is sheer nonsense to——
The thinness of that kind of argument is seen in——
Hotly contested
His one weapon of defense is——
He made of this fact a telling answer to those who——
It is common to hear deprecations of——
He would have made a more happy effect if——
All this is in direct contradiction to——
Through flinty opposition
Persistently hostile
It has only one defect——it is not true
I differ from him very widely
It is a cry that is raised in the old senseless spiteful way
It is scarcely worth raising our heads to look at
I assure you such is not the case
I think it would be quite inadvisable to do so
It is a convincing demonstration of the fatuity of the notion that——
The latest and most absurd theory is——
Issues which are poles apart in their true significance
I regret to be compelled to join issue with you
The answer will be a firm and decided negative
I have inly resented the——
I must with all respect demur
It is a wooden-headed scheme
It represents everything repugnant to my convictions
I cannot refrain from expressing my regret that——
It is a manifest absurdity
In which case I should remonstrate
I protested in vain
It is very annoying to me
I fervently hope not
A good stout protest
It is out of the question
A decided negative
It is time to protest and to protest vigorously
I won’t hear it without a protest——
It has not even the saving grace of——
He met with stout opposition
He came out squarely against——
He rubbed the cat the wrong way
They will brook no trifling
A point-blank refusal
There is just ground for objection in the fact that——
It is not exactly fitting that——
There could be no greater fallacy
It was the only rift in a perfect lute
Unless they made a fidget about it
The whole plan is repellent
The suggestion arouses in us only moral disgust
Give it the lie
Such an opinion runs counter to the facts
He delivered a frontal attack upon——
It is playing at cross-purposes
Promptly and vigorously disposed of
It is going to get a short shrift
A railing accusation
A storm of protest
Stubborn resistance
In the face of mighty passions and desires
In the teeth of clenched antagonisms
It is time to protest and to protest vigorously
Not under any circumstances
Too heavily handicapped
A disposition in some to resent
A combination of hindrances
Without flinching
An insuperable barrier
I have the greatest aversion to——
He met with a hot welcome
A defiant note
OPTIMISM
Cheer Gladness
I am very sanguine about it
In a highly gratifying way
It is refreshing to know that——
The uplift of great ideas
All clouds do not rain
No day is so long but has its evening
No news is good news
All is not lost that is delayed
One of the most heartening signs of the days is——
We are with you to the last man and the last dollar
I have a crumb of consolation in the thought that——
We can say with much assurance that——
The plan has attractive features
With unalloyed satisfaction
This is no time to intone funeral ululations
Let us strengthen each other’s hands in God
We need a ringing message to steel the purpose
We are with you from center to outer edge
The news is decidedly reassuring
I was splendidly heartened by——
A word of magnificent promise
A happy confidence
Let’s make the best of it.
_Coriolanus_, V., 6
A day of great things
One of the bright sides of a dark picture is——
Our lucky star was in the ascendant
In spite of dismal forebodings
In the heyday of confidence
He meets every situation with an inspiration
On the victory side
In the mountains of God
A harbinger of success
Life’s brightest meaning
A bad beginning may make a good ending
No such inept and doleful talk has been coming from——
Cheering in a high degree
In his happiest mood
The outlook is in the highest degree encouraging
We have reason to thank God and take courage
Everything is propitious
The night is long that never finds a day
A pack of blessings
A buoyant optimism
Prospects are very bright for the success of——
The finest game in the world
I have nothing dismal to remember
A happy earnest life
Without grudge or grumbling
A hopeful attitude
An attitude of assurance
An inborn belief in the superiority of——
Always hailed with joy
Quickening and cheerful influences
Assuredly we shall win
Of splendid augury
The habit of expectancy
A hopeful prospect
A promising beginning on intelligent lines
It is bound to accomplish a world of good
A brisk cheerful sense of things present and things to come
Some cheerful hope-laden ideas
No gloomy forebodings
We will have the fun of beginning again
An abiding optimism
With high expectations
Not a lurking doubt or suspicion lingers
The most hopeful sign of the times is
I know nothing more pleasant than to
This is indeed good fortune
How pleasant it is to
I have had a great piece of luck
Let us turn to more pleasant reflections
But, after all, in this as in everything else one must be hopeful
Unquestioned confidence
Without the least misgiving
It is an assured success
Conscious of being able to cope with the situation
Genuine confidence
It is in no wise inimical to your interests
To believe him guilty of deliberate mendacity would be painful
With undiminished confidence
With radiant hopes
We are able for it
A place of peace and unfailing cheeriness
A cheery greeting
In high glee
With many a cheering smile
He manifests a cheerful willingness
Deeply and unfeignedly happy
It is a cheerful sign of progress when
He is capable of taking the highest view which the circumstances of the
case may admit
He has the habit of holding an expectant attitude
To attain that will be a supreme delight
He is all the time pressing forward with keen expectancy
There are many hopeful aspects of the situation
The situation is greatly improved
May we have a part in bringing in a new and better day
A happy augury for the future
A happy prospect
Like a sunbeam on a winter’s day
With superb optimism
Let us do it with a shout
A jubilant mood
I am fully prepared for all eventualities
He is quite sure of himself
He has a new and sure grip on the facts
In the full assurance of success
It may be averred with confidence that——
I have every assurance that——
In the result alone will be confidence
I have the certitude of all this
He staked his faith on——
With the easy assurance of——
PARTIAL
Incomplete Meager
A beggarly account of——
The whole truth is not known
That is not the sole question
We have not heard the whole of the facts
He does but scant justice to——
PASSION
Fervency Zeal
Like a fire in the bones
With soul aflame for truth and justice
His one absorbing passion
His whole concern centered in——
The thought was like a raging fever
With a great strain of the eternal in his message
A spiritual passion which would break through all formal proprieties
He seemed obsessed with the desire to——
PATIENCE
Endurance Forbearance
What can’t be cured must be endured
A small stock of patience
Time brings everything to those who wait
We must placidly bear the strain of——
You have an infinite deal of patience
With the most angelic patience
Least said, soonest mended
PATRIOTIC
Democratic Loyal
Putting other ambitions aside in order to serve his country
A noble temper of patriotism
The great humane movements of events towards liberty
The accents of democracy
Against the notion that whatever is profitable is right
A passion for ideals
The unspeakable boon of freedom
The foundations of a mighty nation
Aflame with the spirit of opposition against tyrannies
A thorough-going patriot
A magnificent spirit of self-abnegation
In the ardor of self-sacrifice
Hearts afire with love for liberty
Unshakable loyalty
Emblem of everything we hold most dear and desirable
A royal pride of country
Soundly and unimpeachably a loyal citizen
The new patriotism
The golden age of the federation of the world
A world-wide democracy
A United States of the world
A world patriotism
A universal alliance
A league of peace
A glorious future for the nations of the world
International patriotism
A democracy as broad as humanity
International federation
The new prosperity
One of our chief claims to glory is——
Universal democracy
A supreme court of arbitrament
A peace federation
The end of autocracies
The end of secret diplomacy
It is subversive of every principle of our democracy
Pan-Americanism
The menace of military might——
The most far-reaching extensions of freedom and democracy the world has
ever known
The unconquerable mind of freemen
As fine soldiers as ever despised death
Shakespeare
This land of such dear souls, this dear-dear land.
_King Richard II._, II., 1
Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s, Thy God’s, and
truth’s.
_King Henry VIII._, III., 2
God, for some strong purpose, steel’d the hearts of men.
_King Richard II._, V., 2
Let men say we be men of good government.
_I. King Henry IV._, I., 2
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts, that no
dissension hinder government.
_III. King Henry VI._, IV., 6
I do love my country’s good with a respect more tender, more holy and
profound.
_Coriolanus_, III., 3
I have watch’d the night, ay, night by night, in studying good for
England.
_II. King Henry VI._, III., 1
England never did, nor never shall, lie at the proud foot of a
conqueror.
_King John_, V., 7
In our country’s cause fell bravely.
_Cymbeline_, V., 4
Good fortune bids us pause, and smooth the frowns of war with peaceful
looks.
_III. King Henry VI._, II., 6
PENALTY
Punishment Forfeit
Sent to cool his heels in——
He got what was due to him
He is face to face with the remorseless judgment of his times
He would have been put to it to have gotten into a worse quagmire
than——
This will make interesting reading for——
Reaping a dragon-tooth harvest
The direct result of his own unsocial acts
The direful consequences of——
PERPLEXED
Nonplused Mystified
Utterly at sea
I am really at the end of my tether
I am mightily at a loss to know what——
This further complicates the problem
And in like quandary I find myself touching the——
It is very vague
I had it inchoately in my mind
We cannot make much of it
His thoughts do not run in the natural order of sequence
An inextricable dilemma
My wits faint.
_Romeo and Juliet_, II., 4
Involved in inextricable confusion
Left in a mood of perplexity
Utterly inscrutable
The problem is surely perplexing
Full of confusion worse confounded
It would serve only to becloud the issue
A question of sufficient complexity to tax the power of the wisest
PESSIMISTIC
Cynical Gloomy
A peddler of pessimism
He has always had a plentiful stock of gloomy ideas
A heart of lead in my breast
It hangs like a dark pall over——
The unpleasant intelligence of——
The most ominous feature of it all was——
Any attempt was foredoomed to failure
No rosy delusions should be permitted to warp our judgment
There is a little of the melancholy element in——
Augured evil
Doleful recollections
Smothered under the wet blanket of——
He indulges in the gloomiest forebodings
A most discouraging frame of mind
Fallen into the Slough of Despond
I found myself under my juniper tree
It is the very mystery of perversity
He is in a woeful state of mind
A sense of desolation
There came upon my heart an intolerable burden of despondency
A dreary conclusion
The unexpected and adverse strokes of fortune
A damper of my hopes
A gloomy consolation
A discouraging moment
Friendless, homeless, hopeless, undone
Impossible of accomplishment
Grave symptoms
A forlorn hope
A nameless foreboding
One has to be optimistic to find anything hopeful in the present
outlook
A somber and mournful aspect
A sign of ill omen
He has the habit of dating existence by the memory of its burdens
A sea of trouble
Under the pressure of calamity
A welter of sordid interests
A very flood of wretchedness
A sorry plight
Moments when one grows sick of mankind
Inexpressibly miserable
A very gloomy report
He is etching the black pictures deeper and deeper into his
consciousness
By some strange fatality
Hearts bursting with despair
A terrible legacy
With a groan of sickening remorse
With a sense of desolation
Many vicissitudes
All true in a finished civilization
He has seen many a bitter day of sorely tried hopes
The many accessories of evil
Crushed by burdens
The misspent strivings of mankind
Errant human nature
To move in paralyzing dread
Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward
A particularity which converts every trifle into a thorn
A dark and stormy sea
PICTURESQUE
Poetic Graphic
The singing river
The place of wraithing tempests
The mood of poetry
The slow wind crooning among the pines
The dank odor of autumn leaves
The scent of damask roses
A skein of cloud
A star of orange light
A dim blue haze
A gently sloping hill
A shimmer of golden sunlight
A blossom passing fair
Delicious days
A cloud of fire
Lingering lover-wise
A billowy prairie
Nodding grasses
Rugged seas
The merriest voices of the spring
Deathless music
The jargon of the tempest
Lovely, ivy-mantled
Checkered with sunlight and shadow
The distant gloom of foreboding mountains
Bewilderments of beauty
The ermine of the snows
Marble dawns
The first kindling stars of dusk
Pine-grown mountains
_En rapport_ with the earth
A bewildering field of fragrance and delight
A robe of verdure
The inviting air
Lovely clusters
Gracefully pendent
Delicately adorned
The balmy breath of spring
Fair as virgin snows
Grand with imperial purple
The silence of eternity
PLEASED
Glad Delighted
Sweeter than honey and the honey-comb
I am quite in raptures with——
To my great satisfaction, I——
I do not know a pleasure more appealing than——
You cannot imagine what pleasure it gives me to——
I went on my way with a merry heart
There is a certain undiluted bliss in——
Cheering in a high degree
Could anything be more agreeable than——
As bright as a sunbeam
I am very glad and genuinely pleased that——
I think it admirable and meets the case fully
The most gratifying features of the——
Frank delight
Out of sheer enjoyment of doing it
I dote upon it
It was most gratifying
I enjoyed it prodigiously
Not an inconsequential part
This is indeed a pleasure
I greatly rejoice in the——
We always look back with pleasure to——
It is gratifying to know that——
I was never so proud of it as I am to-day
This is the panacea for all my disabilities
This is the elixir of life
I had the good fortune to——
This is certainly ideal
Enamored of——
Perfectly in raptures over——
To my agreeable disappointment I found that——
Genuinely glad
I am quite delighted
We were delighted beyond measure
To my inexpressible delight
Much to our profit and delight
In the most delightful fashion
A day I still recall with pleasure
It exceeded my greatest expectation
A wonderful time
This is the sort of thing I enjoy
I like the idea very much
That’s simply splendid
There is an unfailing charm in it
A delightful idea truly
I like it prodigiously
Isn’t that jolly
Of first-rate merit
I was highly pleased with it
It was in the best taste
It is a beautiful piece of industrial accomplishment
I call it a delightful spectacle
A capital idea
Altogether a fine thing
A sentiment worthy of emulation
A source of constant pleasure
A very real asset
With none of the slight faults of immaturity
It is an uplifting habit
The sight filled me with admiration
Of no ordinary cleverness
It was perfectly splendid
It is a fine instance of
It called forth unqualified admiration
It was strikingly impressive
The result exceeded my most sanguine expectations
The finest flower that ever blossomed
It is an amiable habit by no means to be discouraged
Genuine gratification
Much to our profit and delight
POINT
Crux Gist
Very much to the point
That is the very core of it
There is the milk in the cocoanut
You hit the nail on the head
The crux of the whole matter is——
The paramount issue is——
More truth than fiction
That is where the shoe pinches
It went straight and close to the very heart of——
That is the sum and substance of the whole matter
To the point
Here in a nutshell is the——
The case could not be put more succinctly
An epitome of——
The very quintessence of——
To comprehend it all in a word
POLITICAL
Diplomatic Legislative
An unworthy piece of legislation
An odious piece of class legislation
A grave indictment of independent citizenship
Names of genuine weight on the roster of delegates
Signs of a genuine awakening in the nation
Deliberate malfeasance in office
A flagrant offense against public opinion
Indulging simply in pure buncombe
Logrolling schemes
A public disgrace
A blaze of popular resentment
Political fakery
Blind partisanship
An unfortunate deadlock
Public apathy
Under the old régime
In the initial days of the campaign
A shifty self-seeking politician
Astute diplomats
A corrupt public sentiment
From long association with politics
The real state of affairs in the nation
The last word of political wisdom
The pressing questions of the hour
Facts officially winked at
Recreant to a solemn trust
A sincere desire to safeguard the public
Refreshing to the people
Close to the heart of affairs
Hesitating at no extravagance
These recriminations go on endlessly
An era of good feeling
For political advantage
Scrupulously avoiding any offense against his party
One of the most prominent and potential among the leaders of his party
One cannot blame him for being resentful when the organ of his party
flouts and ridicules him
He is quick to anticipate the veerings of public taste
It is regarded as a mere eczema on the body politic
The engrossing questions of the day
We must set ourselves to hunt out helpful policies
A stroke of diplomacy
Guilty of gross political impropriety
In the throes of an acute political crisis
A diplomatic victory
A new world order
Special interests
Political vicissitudes
Desirable reforms
Certain inalienable rights
Astute leadership
Political prestige
Leaving the individual decision to each man’s enlightened judgment
Upon the firm foundation of liberty, justice, and equality
Conspicuous in public affairs
POSSIBLE
Contingent Probable
In the event that——
If conditions are favorable
If the Fates smile
It is possible and not by any means improbable that——
The argument is thoroughly convincing if——
The antecedent probability is——
Entirely within the realm of probability
It is highly probable that——
It is by no means unthinkable that——
There is a bare possibility that——
In any event——
If this is an acceptable explanation then——
Were it not for “If” and “But” we should all be rich forever
That is humanly conceivable
Perfectly possible
It might be a very happy means of——
PREJUDICED
Biased Narrow
A prejudice sevenfold in thickness
Wresting it to suit a preconceived theory
Blind prejudices
It is another case of not being able to see the woods for the trees
The wish the father to the thought
He is crotchety and full of conceits
He is wedded to his opinions
He has no adequate idea of the task
It is a piece of embittered old fogeyism
It is based purely on personal considerations
Arrogantly ignorant
He approaches every problem from a preconceived point of view
He gives his energies to fanning the flame of——
For an unprejudiced mind it is not difficult to admit the
reasonableness of the claim of——
Subject to spasmodic deafness
If he doesn’t understand a thing he damns it
PRIVILEGE
Latitude Freedom
The grant of a blank check
A free hand
It leaves a charming latitude of guessing
_Carte blanche_
Free from all allegiance to——
He exercises a freeman’s right
Tenfold the justification for——
PROGRESS
Advance Development
The growing magnitude of——
It passed from a dream to a reality
It is fated to grow into greatness
It is a step forward in the right direction
It will mean that we have taken a big step toward——
It forged a new link in the chain of progress
A thorough-going reform
In no small degree the progress is due to——
Now we have passed away beyond that
Unhampered development
A genuine step toward——
The desire is growing by geometrical progression
A constructive program
An aggressive movement
The chariot of progress
In the experimental stage
PROPHESY
Conjecture Guess
The suggestion is not wholly fanciful that——
Judging the future
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