Hard Times

(of a monarch or ruler) to step down from a position of power

The king chose to abdicate the throne in favor of his successor.

to have a result contrary to what one desired or intended

His attempt to prank his friend backfired when she turned the tables on him.

causing a negative consequence or cost to someone or something in order to benefit another

His success came at the expense of his personal life, as he devoted all his time to work.

the condition of not having enough of something essential, expected, or required, whether in amount, quality, or strength

The test showed a serious iron deficiency.

to cleverly avoid or escape from someone or something

The criminal skillfully eludes the police, disappearing into the crowded city.

to intentionally cause something or someone to fail or experience a negative outcome by creating specific conditions

The unethical business practices were sure to doom the company's reputation and success in the long run.

a total failure that is often embarrassing

to remain the same and fail to make any progress

Sales figures flatlined after the initial surge in popularity.

to move clumsily or struggle while walking

The hiker, exhausted from the steep climb, began to flounder on the uneven terrain.

unable to result in success or anything useful

Their attempts to repair the old machinery proved futile, as it was beyond repair.

to irritate someone or cause problems for them, particularly by asking them to do something over and over again

Having to wait in long lines can hassle customers at the grocery store.

bringing bad fortune or ending in failure

The ill-fated expedition to the Arctic ended tragically when the explorers became stranded in a snowstorm.

to burst, fall, or collapse toward the inside violently

The star's core imploded, creating a supernova that lit up the galaxy.

putting someone or something at a disadvantage

The company’s inauspicious financial report worried investors.

difficulties caused by something that makes one irritated or uncomfortable

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the construction noise outside the hotel.

without success or achieving the desired result

Despite hours of searching, the lost keys were found in vain, and she had to get a spare set.

to weaken or deteriorate, often due to neglect, illness, or sorrow

The garden languished during the long drought.

a thing or person that is impossible to improve or succeed

After numerous failed attempts, the project seemed like a lost cause.

to fail to achieve a desired outcome

The project miscarried due to a lack of proper planning and resources.

a person who lacks influence or importance in a particular setting or community

The critic dismissed the artist as a nonentity in the art community.

to go beyond limits of one's power or authority, often resulting in negative consequences or failure

He overreached himself by taking on too many responsibilities, leading to burnout and decreased performance.

deserving pity due to perceived weakness or sadness

The abandoned puppy with its forlorn eyes and shivering body looked utterly pathetic, evoking a strong desire to offer comfort.

to continually cause someone or something difficulty, pain, or worry

Technical issues can plague the functionality of software applications.

unstable or insecure, often causing anxiety

The company's finances were in a precarious state, with bankruptcy looming on the horizon.

drain that allows water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard

a problem that gets in the way of a process or makes it worse

The unexpected financial setback forced them to postpone their expansion plans.

to eliminate someone or something from a list

The coach had to strike out injured players from the roster before the big game.

to undo or separate the threads or strands of something woven, knitted, or intertwined

She began to unravel the sweater to reuse the yarn.

to speak to someone in a way that suggests they are inferior or less intelligent than the speaker

Instead of talking down, offer constructive feedback for improvement.

an individual, team, etc. who is regarded as weaker compared to others and has little chance of success as a result

The underdog team surprised everyone by defeating the reigning champions in the final match.

not possible to reach or obtain

The project’s expectations were set so high that they seemed unattainable.

causing problem or difficulty

The negotiations between the two countries hit a thorny issue regarding trade tariffs.

(of a machine or vehicle) to stop working as a result of a malfunction

The machinery broke down during the production process, leading to delays.

(of a joke, remark, event, etc.) to be completely unsuccessful in amusing people or having the desired effect

The comedian's joke fell flat and no one in the audience laughed.

in a way that is capable of causing death

(of a ghost) to appear or be seen repeatedly in a building

The old mansion was said to be haunted by the ghost of a former resident.

to fail in achieving the desired result

Her speech missed the mark and failed to generate the public support she had been hoping for.