Power Words Week 3

Front

idle (adj)

Back

1. 1. having no employment or inactive; not in normal or appropriate use

2. 2. inefficient or lazy

Ethan hasn’t been able to hold a job for longer than two weeks and has a reputation as an idle worker. 

Front

idle (v)

Back

to run at low power and often disconnected so that power is not truly useful

Many new cars have a feature that turns off the engine if it has been idling for more than one minute.  

Front

sulk (v)

Back

to be moodily silent

After her parents refused to replace her broken phone, Susan sulked around the house all weekend, refusing to speak to anyone. 

Front

brusque (adj)

Back

1. 1. short and abrupt
   2. (adj) short in speech to the point of being ungracious and rude 

By the end of his 12-hour shift, Carl was quite brusque with the customers which affected his tips. 

Front

plead (v)

Back

to argue a case in a court of law

The lawyer advised his client to plead guilty since the crime was caught on three different cameras. 

Front

plead (v)

Back

to make a request in an urgent and emotional manner

Nancy knew she would have to plead with her mother if she hoped to stay out past curfew. 

Front

fume (n)

Back

a smoke, vapor, or gas that smells strongly or is dangerous to inhale

As soon as I walked in the freshly painted room, the fumes overwhelmed my senses. 

Front

fume (v)

Back

feel, show, or express great anger

The professed fumed and shouted at the class when he realized all the students cheated on the exams. 

Front

gruff (adj)

Back

a voice that is rough and low in pitch

The ranger’s voice was gruff and harsh, but he was actually a kind man who enjoyed helping park visitors. 

Front

gruff (adj)

Back

abrupt and unwilling to talk

My grandpa fits the stereotype of a gruff old man – he doesn’t like making small talk and yells at kids to get of his lawn!