Chapter I (1)

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