Classes Voluntary Powers Voluntary Action
Voluntary Action
Nouns
action, performance
doing, c. v.
perpetration
exercise, excitation
movement, operation, evolution, work
labor etc. (exertion) Exertion
praxis, execution
procedure etc. (conduct) Conduct
handicraft
business etc. Business
agency etc. (power at work) Agency . deed, act, overt act, stitch, touch, gest transaction, job, doings, dealings, proceeding, measure, step, maneuver, bout, passage, move, stroke, blow
coup, coup de main
tour de force etc. (display) Ostentation
feat, exploit
achievement etc. (completion) Completion
handiwork, workmanship
manufacture
stroke of policy etc. (plan) Plan . actor etc. (doer) Agent .
Verbs
do, perform, execute
achieve etc. (complete) Completion
transact, enact
commit, perpetrate, inflict
exercise, prosecute, carry on, work, practice, play. employ oneself, ply one's task
officiate, have in hand etc. (business) Business
labor etc. Exertion
be at work
pursue a course
shape one's course etc. (conduct) Conduct . act, operate
take action, take steps
strike a blow, lift a finger, stretch forth one's hand
take in hand etc. (undertake) Undertaking
put oneself in motion
put in practice
carry into execution etc. (complete) Completion
act upon. be an actor etc. Agent
take a part in, act a part in, play a part in, perform a part in
participate in
have a hand in, have a finger in the pie
have to do with
be a party to, be a participator in
bear a hand, lend a hand
pull an oar, run in a race
mix oneself up with etc. (meddle) Activity . be in action
come into operation etc. (power at work) Agency .
Adjectives
doing etc. v.
acting
in action
in harness
on duty
in operation etc. Agency .
Adverbs
in the act, in the midst of, in the thick of
red-handed
while one's hand is in.
Phrases
action is eloquence" [Coriolanus]
actions speak louder than words
actum aiunt ne agas [Terence]
awake, arise, or be forever fall'n" [Paradise Lost]
our deeds are sometimes better than our our deeds are sometimes better than our thoughts" [Bailey]
the great end of life is not knowledge but the great end of life is not knowledge but action" [Huxley]
thought is the soul of act" [R. Browning]
we live in deeds not years" [Bailey] .
Nouns
inaction, passiveness, abstinence from action
noninterference, nonintervention
Fabian policy, conservative policy
neglect etc. Neglect . inactivity etc. Inactivity
rest etc. (repose) Repose
quiescence etc. Quiescence
want of occupation, inoccupation
idle hours, time hanging on one's hands
sinecure, featherbed, featherbedding, cushy job, no-show job
soft snap, soft thing.
Verbs
not do, not act, not attempt
be inactive etc. Inactivity
abstain from doing, do nothing, hold, spare
not stir, not move, not lift a finger, not lift a foot, not lift a peg
fold one's arms, fold one's hands
leave alone, let alone
let be, let pass, let things take their course, let it have its way, let well alone, let well enough alone
rest and be thankful, live and let live
lie rest upon one's oars
stand aloof
refrain etc. (avoid) [Absence of pursuit.] Avoidance
remit one's efforts, relax one's efforts
desist etc. (relinquish) Relinquishment
stop etc. (cease) [Change from action to rest.] Cessation
pause etc. (be quiet) Quiescence . wait, lie in wait, bide one's time, take time, tide it over. cool one's heels, kick one's heels
while away the time, while away tedious hours
pass the time, fill up the time, beguile the time
talk against time
let the grass grow under one's feet
waste time etc. (inactive) Inactivity . lie by, lie on the shelf, lie in ordinary, lie idle, lie to, lie fallow
keep quiet, slug
have nothing to do, whistle for want of thought. undo, do away with
take down, take to pieces
destroy etc. [Nonproduction.] Destruction
Adjectives
not doing etc. v.
not done etc. v.
undone
passive
unoccupied, unemployed
out of employ, out of work
fallow
Adverbs
at a stand, with folded arms
with the hands in the pockets, with the hands behind one's back
Phrases
If it ain't broke don't fix it" [Bert Lance]
let the decision stand
Nouns
activity
briskness, liveliness etc. adj.
animation, life, vivacity, spirit, dash, energy
snap, vim. nimbleness, agility
smartness, quickness etc. adj.
velocity, c. Velocity
alacrity, promptitude
despatch, dispatch
expedition
haste etc. Haste
punctuality etc. (early) Earliness . eagerness, zeal, ardor, earnestness, intentness
abandon
vigor etc. (physical energy) Physical Energy
devotion etc. (resolution) Resolution
exertion etc. Exertion . industry, assiduity
assiduousness etc. adj.
sedulity
laboriousness
drudgery etc. (labor) Exertion
painstaking, diligence
perseverance etc. Resolution .Existence
indefatigation
habits of business. vigilance etc. Care [Vigilance.]
wakefulness
sleeplessness, restlessness
insomnia
pervigilium, insomnium
racketing. movement, bustle, stir, fuss, ado, bother, pottering, fidget, fidgetiness
flurry etc. (haste) Haste . officiousness
dabbling, meddling
interference, interposition, intermeddling
tampering with, intrigue. press of business, no sinecure, plenty to do, many irons in the fire, great doings, busy hum of men, battle of life, thick of the action. housewife, busy bee
new brooms
sharp fellow, sharp blade
devotee, enthusiast, zealot, meddler, intermeddler, intriguer, busybody, pickthank
hummer, hustler, live man [U.S.] , rustler [U.S.] .
Verbs
be active etc. adj.
busy oneself in
stir, stir about, stir one's stumps
bestir oneself, rouse oneself
speed, hasten, peg away, lay about one, bustle, fuss
raise up, kick up a dust
push
make a push, make a fuss, make a stir
go ahead, push forward
fight one's way, elbow one's way
make progress etc. [Motion forward; progressive motion.] Progression
toll etc. (labor) Exertion
plod, persist etc. (persevere) Resolution .Existence
keep up the ball, keep the pot boiling. look sharp
have all one's eyes about one etc. (vigilance) Care [Vigilance.]
rise, arouse oneself, hustle, get up early, be about, keep moving, steal a march, kill two birds with one stone
seize the opportunity etc. Occasion , lose no time, not lose a moment, make the most of one's time, not suffer the grass to grow under one's feet, improve the shining hour, make short work of
dash off
make haste etc. Haste
do one's best take pains etc. (exert oneself) Exertion
do wonders, work wonders. have many irons in the fire, have one's hands full, have much on one's hands
have other things to do, have other fish to fry
be busy
not have a moment to spare, not have a moment that one can call one's own. have one's fling, run the round of
go all lengths, stick at nothing, run riot. outdo
overdo, overact, overlay, overshoot the mark
make a toil of a pleasure. have a hand in etc. (act in) Action
take an active part, put in one's oar, have a finger in the pie, mix oneself up with, trouble, one's head about, intrigue
agitate. tamper with, meddle, moil
intermeddle, interfere, interpose
obtrude
poke one's nose in, thrust one's nose in.
Adjectives
active, brisk, brisk as a lark, brisk as a bee
lively, animated, vivacious
alive, alive and kicking
frisky, spirited, stirring. nimble, nimble as a squirrel
agile
light-footed, nimble-footed
featly, tripping. quick, prompt, yare, instant, ready, alert, spry, sharp, smart
fast etc. (swift) Velocity
quick as a lamplighter, expeditious
awake, broad awake
go-ahead, live wide-awake [U.S.] etc. (intelligent) Intelligence, Wisdom . forward, eager, strenuous, zealous, enterprising, in earnest
resolute etc. Resolution . industrious, assiduous, diligent, sedulous, notable, painstaking
intent etc. (attention) Attention
indefatigable etc. (persevering) Resolution .Existence
unwearied
unsleeping, never tired
plodding, hard-working etc. Exertion
businesslike, workaday. bustling
restless, restless as a hyena
fussy, fidgety, pottering
busy, busy as hen with one chicken. working, at work, on duty, in harness
up in arms
on one's legs, at call
up and doing, up and stirring. busy, occupied
hard at work, hard at it
up to one's ears in, full of business, busy as a bee, busy as a one-armed paperhanger. meddling etc. v.
meddlesome, pushing, officious, overofficious, intrigant. astir, stirring
agoing, afoot
on foot
in full swing
eventful
on the alert, c. (vigilant) Care [Vigilance.] .
Adverbs
actively etc. adj.
with life and spirit, with might and main etc. Exertion , with haste etc. Haste , with wings
full tilt
Int
be alive, look alive, look sharp!, move on, push on!, keep moving!, go ahead!, stir your stumps!, jaldi! , karo! , step lively!
Phrases
seize the day
the plot thickens
No sooner said than done etc. (early) Earliness
catch a weasel asleep
hard work in youth means soft rest in age
the busy hum of men" [Milton] .
Nouns
inactivity
inaction etc. Inaction
inertness etc. Physical Inertness
obstinacy etc. Obstinacy . lull etc. (cessation) [Change from action to rest.] Cessation
quiescence etc. Quiescence
rust, rustiness. idleness, remissness etc. adj.
sloth, indolence, indiligence
dawdling etc. v.. ergophobia, otiosity. dullness etc. adj.
languor
segnity, segnitude
lentor
sluggishness etc. (slowness) Slowness
procrastination etc. (delay) Lateness
torpor, torpidity, torpescence
stupor etc. (insensibility) Insensibility
somnolence
drowsiness etc. adj.
nodding etc. v.
oscitation, oscitancy
pandiculation, hypnotism, lethargy
statuvolence heaviness, heavy eyelids. sleep, slumber
sound sleep, heavy sleep, balmy sleep
Morpheus
Somnus
coma, trance, ecstasis, dream, hibernation, nap, doze, snooze, siesta, wink of sleep, forty winks, snore
hypnology. dull work
pottering
relaxation etc. (loosening) [Want of adhesion, nonadhesion, immiscibility.] Incoherence
Castle of Indolence. [Cause of inactivity] lullaby, sedative, tranquilizer, hypnotic, sleeping pill, relaxant, anaesthetic, general anaesthetic etc. Moderation
torpedo. [person who is inactive] idler, drone, droil, dawdle, mopus
dummy, sleeping partner
afternoon farmer
truant etc. (runaway) [Absence of pursuit.] Avoidance
bummer, loafer, goldbrick, goldbicker, lounger
lubber, lubbard
slow coach etc. (slow.) Slowness
opium eater, lotus eater
slug
lag, sluggard, slugabed
slumberer, dormouse, marmot
waiter on Providence
Verbs
be inactive etc. adj.
do nothing etc. Inaction
move slowly etc. Slowness
let the grass grow under one's feet
take one's time, dawdle, drawl, droil, lag, hang back, slouch
loll, lollop
lounge, poke, loaf, loiter
go to sleep over
sleep at one's post, take things as they come
lead an easy life, vegetate, swim with the stream, eat the bread of idleness
loll in the lap of luxury, loll in the lap of indolence
waste time, consume time, kill time, lose time
burn daylight, waste the precious hours. idle away time, trifle away time, fritter away time, fool away time
spend time in, take time in
peddle, piddle
potter, pudder, dabble, faddle fribble, fiddle-faddle
dally, dilly-dally. sleep, slumber, be asleep
hibernate
oversleep
sleep like a top, sleep like a log, sleep like a dormouse
sleep soundly, heavily
doze, drowze, snooze, nap
take a nap etc. n.
dream
snore one's best
settle to sleep, go to sleep, go off to sleep
doze off, drop off
fall asleep
drop asleep
close the eyes, seal up the eyes, seal up eyelids
weigh down the eyelids
get sleep, nod, yawn
go to bed, turn
get some z's, stack z's [Coll.] . languish, expend itself, flag, hang fire
relax. render idle etc. adj.
sluggardize
mitigate etc. Moderation .
Adjectives
inactive
motionless etc. Quiescence
unoccupied etc. (doing nothing) Inaction
unbusied. indolent, lazy, slothful, idle, lusk, remiss, slack, inert, torpid, sluggish, otiose, languid, supine, heavy, dull, leaden, lumpish
exanimate, soulless
listless
drony, dronish
lazy as Ludlam's dog. dilatory, laggard
lagging etc. v.
slow etc. Slowness
rusty, flagging
lackadaisical, maudlin, fiddle-faddle
pottering etc. v.
shilly-shally etc. (irresolute) Irresolution . sleeping, c. v.
asleep
fast asleep, dead asleep, sound asleep
in a sound sleep
sound as a top, dormant, comatose
in the arms of Morpheus, in the lap of Morpheus. sleepy, sleepful
dozy, drowsy, somnolent, torpescent, lethargic, lethargical
somnifacient
statuvolent, statuvolic
heavy, heavy with sleep
napping
somnific, somniferous
soporous, soporific, soporiferous
hypnotic
balmy, dreamy
unawakened, unawakened. sedative etc. Moderation .
Adverbs
inactively etc. adj.
at leisure etc. Leisure .
Phrases
the eyes begin to draw straws
bankrupt of life yet prodigal of ease" [Dryden]
idly busy rolls their world away" [Goldsmith]
the timely dew of sleep" [Milton]
thou driftest gently down the tides of sleep" [Longfellow]
tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep" [Young] .
Nouns
haste, urgency
despatch, dispatch
acceleration, spurt, spirt, forced march, rush, dash
speed, velocity etc. Velocity
precipitancy, precipitation, precipitousness etc. adj.
impetuosity
brusquerie
hurry, drive, scramble, bustle, fuss, fidget, flurry, flutter, splutter.
Verbs
haste, hasten
make haste, make a dash etc. n.
hurry on, dash on, whip on, push on, press on, press forward
hurry, skurry, scuttle along, barrel along, bundle on, dart to and fro, bustle, flutter, scramble
plunge, plunge headlong
dash off
rush etc. (violence) Violence
express. bestir oneself etc. (be active) Activity
lose no time, lose not a moment, lose not an instant
make short work of
make the best of one's time, make the best of one's way. be precipitate etc. adj.
jump at, be in haste, be in a hurry etc. n.
have no time, have not a moment to lose, have not a moment to spare
work against time. quicken etc. Velocity
accelerate, expedite, put on, precipitate, urge, whip
railroad.
Adjectives
hasty, hurried, brusque
scrambling, cursory, precipitate, headlong, furious, boisterous, impetuous, hotheaded
feverish, fussy
pushing. in haste, in a hurry etc. n.
in hot haste, in all haste
breathless, pressed for time, hard pressed, urgent.
Adverbs
with haste, with all haste, with breathless speed
in haste etc. adj.
apace etc. (swiftly) Velocity
amain
all at once etc. (instantaneously) [Point of time] Instantaneity
at short notice etc.
immediately etc. (early) Earliness
posthaste
by cable, by express, by telegraph, by forced marches. hastily, precipitately etc. adj.
helter-skelter, hurry-skurry, holus-bolus
slapdash, slap-bang
full-tilt, full drive
heels over head, head and shoulders, headlong, by spurts
hop skip and jump.
Phrases
[panic] sauve qui peut [Fr.] , every man for himself [Fr.Tr.] , devil take the hindmost, no time to be lost
no sooner said than done etc. (early) Earliness
a word and a blow
haste makes waste
[Goethe's motto]
stand not upon the order of your going but go at stand not upon the order of your going but go at once" [Macbeth]
swift, swift, you dragons of the night" [Cymbeline] .
Nouns
leisure
convenience
spare time, spare hours, spare moments
vacant hour
time, time to spare, time on one's hands
holiday, relaxation etc. (rest) Repose
ease. no hurry
no big rush
no deadline.
Verbs
have leisure etc. n.
take one's time, take one's leisure, take one's ease
repose etc. Repose
move slowly etc. Slowness
while away the time etc. (inaction) Inaction
be master of one's time, be an idle man.
Adjectives
leisure, leisurely
slow etc. Slowness
deliberate, quiet, calm, undisturbed
at leisure, at one's ease, at loose ends, at a loose end.
Adverbs
unhurriedly, deliberately, without undue haste
anytime.
Phrases
time hanging heavy on one's hands
Nouns
exertion, effort, strain, tug, pull, stress, throw, stretch, struggle, spell, spurt, spirt
stroke of work, stitch of work. a strong pull a long pull and a pull all a strong pull a long pull and a pull all together
" dead lift
heft
gymnastics
exercise, exercitation
wear and tear
ado
toil and trouble
uphill work, hard work, warm work
harvest time. labor, work, toil, travail, manual labor, sweat of one's brow, swink, drudgery, slavery, fagging, hammering
industry, industriousness, operoseness, operosity. trouble, pains, duty
resolution etc. Resolution
energy etc. (physical) Physical Energy .
Verbs
exert oneself
exert one's energies, tax one's energies
use exertion. labor, work, toil, moil, sweat, fag, drudge, slave, drag a lengthened chain, wade through, strive, stretch a long arm
pull, tug, ply
ply the oar, tug at the oar
do the work
take the laboring oar bestir oneself (be active) Activity
take trouble, trouble oneself. work hard
rough it
put forth one's strength, put forth a strong arm
fall to work, bend the bow
buckle to, set one's shoulder to the wheel etc. (resolution) Resolution
work like a horse, work like a cart horse, work like a galley slave, work like a coal heaver
labor day and night, work day and night
redouble one's efforts
do double duty
work double hours, work double tides
sit up, burn the candle at both ends
stick to etc. (persevere) Resolution .Existence
work one's way, fight one's way, lay about one, hammer at. take pains
do one's best, do one's level best, do one's utmost
give one hundred percent, do the best one can, do all one can, do all in one's power, do as much as in one lies, do what lies in one's power
use one's best endeavor, use one's utmost endeavor
try one's best, try one's utmost
play one's best card
put one's best leg foremost, put one's right leg foremost
have one's whole soul in his work, put all one's strength into, strain every nerve
spare no efforts, spare no pains
go all lengths
go through fire and water etc. (resolution) Resolution
move heaven and earth, leave no stone unturned.
Adjectives
laboring etc. v.. laborious, operose, elaborate
strained
toilsome, troublesome, wearisome
uphill
herculean, gymnastic, palestric. hard-working, painstaking
strenuous, energetic. hard at work, on the stretch.
Adverbs
laboriously etc. adj.
lustily
with might and main, with all one's might, with a strong hand, with a sledge hammer, with much ado
to the best of one's abilities, tooth and nail, hammer and tongs, heart and soul
through thick and thin etc. (perseverance) Resolution .Existence . by the sweat of one's brow, suo Marte.
Phrases
and still be doing, never done" [Butler]
it is better to wear out than to rust out" [Bp. Hornel]
labor, wide as the earth, has its summit in labor, wide as the earth, has its summit in Heaven" [Carlyle]
Nouns
repose, rest, silken repose
sleep etc. Inactivity . relaxation, breathing time
halt, stay, pause etc. (cessation) [Change from action to rest.] Cessation
respite. day of rest, dies non, Sabbath, Lord's day, holiday, red-letter day, vacation, recess.
Verbs
repose
rest, rest and be thankful
take a rest, take one's ease, take it easy. relax, unbend, slacken
take breath etc. (refresh) Refreshment
rest upon one's oars
pause etc. (cease) [Change from action to rest.] Cessation
stay one's hand. lie down
recline, recline on a bed of down, recline on an easy chair
go to rest, go to bed, go to sleep etc. Inactivity . take a holiday, shut up shop
lie fallow etc. (inaction) Inaction .
Adjectives
reposing etc. v. [of people]
relaxed etc. v.
unstrained. [of materials and people] unstressed.
Phrases
The best of men have ever loved repose" [Thompson]
to repair our nature with comforting repose" [Henry VIII] .
Nouns
fatigue
weariness etc. Weariness
yawning, drowsiness etc. Inactivity
lassitude, tiredness, fatigation, exhaustion
sweat
dyspnoea. anhelation, shortness of breath
faintness
collapse, prostration, swoon, fainting, syncope, lipothymy
goneness.
Verbs
be fatigued etc. adj.
yawn etc. (get sleepy) Inactivity
droop, sink, flag
lose breath, lose wind
gasp, pant, puff, blow, drop, swoon, faint, succumb. fatigue, tire, weary, irk, flag, jade, harass, exhaust, knock up, wear out, prostrate. tax, task, strain
overtask, overwork, overburden, overtax, overstrain.
Adjectives
fatigued, tired etc. v.
weary etc. Weariness
drowsy etc. Inactivity
drooping etc. v.
haggard
toilworn, wayworn:, footsore, surbated, weather-beaten
faint
done up, used up, knocked up
bushed [U.S.]
exhausted, prostrate, spent
overtired, overspent, overfatigued
unrefreshed, unrestored. worn, worn out
battered, shattered, pulled down, seedy, altered. breathless, windless
short of breath, out of breath, short of wind
blown, puffing and blowing
short-breathed
anhelose
broken winded, short-winded
dyspnaeal, dyspnaeic. ready to drop, all in, more dead than alive, dog-weary, walked off one's legs, tired to death, on one's last legs, played out
tiresome, irksome, wearisome
weary, trying.
Nouns
bracing etc. v.
recovery of strength, recuperation etc. [Degree of power.] Strength
restoration, revival etc. Restoration
repair, refection, refocillation, refreshment, regalement, bait
relief etc. Relief . break, spell. refreshment stand
refreshments
[Refreshments] , ice cream, cold soda, soda pop, hot dogs (food) .
Verbs
brace etc. (strengthen) [Degree of power.] Strength
reinvigorate
air, freshen up, refresh, recruit
repair etc. (restore) Restoration
fan, refocillate
refresh the inner man. breathe, respire
drink in the ozone
take a break, take a breather, take five, draw breath, take a deep breath, take breath, gather breath, take a long breath, regain breath, recover breath
get better, raise one's head
recover one's strength, regain one's strength, renew one's strength etc. [Degree of power.] Strength
perk up, get one's second wind. come to oneself etc. (revive) Restoration
feel refreshed, feel like a giant refreshed.
Adjectives
refreshing etc. v.
recuperative etc. Restoration . refreshed etc. v.
untired, unwearied.
Nouns
doer, actor, agent, performer, perpetrator, operator
executor, executrix
practitioner, worker, stager. bee, ant, working bee, termite, white ant
laboring oar, servant of all work, factotum. workman, artisan
craftsman, handicraftsman
mechanic, operative
working man
laboring man
demiurgus, hewers of wood and drawers of water, laborer, navvy
hand, man, day laborer, journeyman, charwoman, hack
mere tool etc. Instrument
beast of burden, drudge, fag
lumper, roustabout. maker, artificer, artist, wright, manufacturer, architect, builder, mason, bricklayer, smith, forger, Vulcan
carpenter
ganger, platelayer
blacksmith, locksmith, sailmaker, wheelwright. machinist, mechanician, engineer. sempstress, semstress, seamstress
needlewoman, workwoman
tailor, cordwainer. minister etc. (instrument) Instrumentality
servant etc. Servant
representative etc. (commissioner) Consignee , (deputy) Deputy . coworker, party to, participator in
personnel.
Nouns
workshop, workhouse, workplace, shop, place of business
manufactory, mill, plant, works, factory
cabinet, studio
office, branch office bureau, atelier. [specific types of workplace: list] , hive, hive of industry
nursery
hothouse, hotbed
kitchen
mint, forge, loom
dock, dockyard
alveary
armory
laboratory, lab, research institute
refinery
cannery
power plant
beauty parlor
beehive, bindery, forcing pit, nailery, usine, slip, yard, wharf
foundry, foundery
furnace
vineyard
crucible, alembic, caldron, matrix.
Adjectives
at work, at the office, at the shop
working.
Nouns
conduct [actions of an individual agent]
behavior
deportment, comportment
carriage, maintien, demeanor, guise, bearing, manner, observance. dealing, transaction etc. (action) Action
business etc. Business . tactics, game, game plan, policy, polity
generalship, statesmanship, seamanship
strategy, strategics
plan etc. Plan . management
husbandry
housekeeping, housewifery
stewardship
menage
regime
economy, economics
political economy
government etc. (direction) Direction . execution, manipulation, treatment, campaign, career, life, course, walk, race, record. course of conduct, line of conduct, line of action, line of proceeding
role
process, ways, practice, procedure, modus operandi, MO, method of operating
method etc.
path etc. Method [Path.] .
Verbs
transact [cause to occur] , execute
despatch, dispatch
proceed with, discharge
carry on, carry through, carry out, carry into effect, put into effect
work out
go through, get through
enact
put into practice
do etc. Action
officiate etc. Business . bear oneself, behave oneself, comport oneself, demean oneself, carry oneself, conduct oneself, acquit oneself. run a race, lead a life, play a game
take a course, adopt a course
steer one's course, shape one's course
play one's paint, play one's cards, shift for oneself
paddle one's own canoe
bail one's own boat. conduct
manage, supervise etc. (direct) Direction . participate etc. Action . deal with, have to do with
treat, handle a case
take steps, take measures.
Adjectives
conducting etc. v.. strategical, businesslike, practical, executive.
Nouns
direction
management, managery
government, gubernation, conduct, legislation, regulation, guidance
bossism [U.S.]
legislature
steerage, pilotage
reins, reins of government
helm, rudder, needle, compass
guiding star, load star, lode star, pole star
cynosure. supervision, superintendence
surveillance, oversight
eye of the master
control, charge
board of control etc. (council) Council
command etc. (authority) Authority . premiership, senatorship
director etc. Director
chair, portfolio. statesmanship
statecraft, kingcraft, queencraft. ministry, ministration
administration
stewardship, proctorship
agency. [person who directs] director etc. Director .
Verbs
direct, manage, govern, conduct
order, prescribe, cut out work for
bead, lead
lead the way, show the way
take the lead, lead on
regulate, guide, steer, pilot
tackle, take the helm, be at the helm
have the reins, handle the reins, hold the reins, take the reins
drive, tool. superintend, supervise
overlook, control, keep in order, look after, see to, legislate for
administer, ministrate
matronize
have the care of, have the charge of
be in charge of, have charge of, take the direction
boss, boss one around
pull the strings, pull the wires
rule etc. (command) Authority
have the direction, hold office, hold the portfolio
preside, preside at the board
take the chair, occupy the chair, be in the chair
pull the stroke oar.
Adjectives
directing etc. v.
hegemonic.
Adverbs
at the helm, at the head of.
Nouns
director, manager, governor, rector, comptroller. superintendent, supervisor, straw boss
intendant
overseer, overlooker
supercargo, husband, inspector, visitor, ranger, surveyor, aedile
moderator, monitor, taskmaster
master etc. Master
leader, ringleader, demagogue, corypheus, conductor, fugleman, precentor, bellwether, agitator
caporal, choregus, collector, file leader, flugelman, linkboy. guiding star etc. (guidance) Direction
adviser etc. Advice
guide etc. (information) Information
pilot
helmsman
steersman, steermate
wire-puller. driver, whip, Jehu, charioteer
coachman, carman, cabman
postilion, vetturino, muleteer, arriero, teamster
whipper in. head, head man, head center, boss
principal, president, speaker
chair, chairman, chairwoman, chairperson
captain etc. (master) Master
superior
mayor etc. (civil authority) Master
vice president, prime minister, premier, vizier, grand vizier, eparch. officer, functionary, minister, official, red-tapist, bureaucrat
man in office, Jack in office
office bearer
person in authority etc. Master . statesman, strategist, legislator, lawgiver, politician, statist, statemonger
Minos, Draco
arbiter etc. (judge) Judge
boss [U.S.] , political dictator. board etc. (council) Council . secretary, secretary of state
Reis Effendi
vicar etc. (deputy) Deputy
steward, factor
agent etc. Consignee
bailiff, middleman
foreman, clerk of works
landreeve
factotum, major-domo, seneschal, housekeeper, shepherd, croupier
proctor, procurator.
Nouns
advice, counsel, adhortation
word to the wise
suggestion, submonition, recommendation, advocacy
advisement. exhortation etc. (persuasion) Motive
expostulation etc. (dissuasion) Dissuasion
admonition etc. (warning) Warning
guidance etc. (direction) Direction . instruction, charge, injunction, obtestation
Governor's message, President's message
King's message, Queen's speech
message, speech from the throne. adviser, prompter
counsel, counselor
monitor, mentor, Nestor, senator
teacher etc. Teacher . guide, manual, chart etc. (information) Information . physician, doctor, leech, archiater. arbiter etc. (judge) Judge . reference, referment
consultation, conference, pourparler.
Verbs
advise, counsel
give advice, give counsel
suggest, prompt, submonish, recommend, prescribe, advocate
exhort etc. (persuade) Motive . enjoin, enforce, charge, instruct, call
call upon etc. (request) Request
dictate. expostulate etc. (dissuade) Dissuasion
admonish etc. (warn) Warning . advise with
lay heads together, consult together
compare notes
hold a council, deliberate, be closeted with. confer, consult, refer to, call in
take advice, follow advice
be advised by, have at one's elbow, take one's cue from.
Adjectives
recommendatory
hortative etc. (persuasive) Motive
dehortatory etc. (dissuasive) Dissuasion
admonitory etc. (warning) Warning .
Phrases
give every man thine ear but few thy voice" [Hamlet]
I pray thee cease thy counsel" [Much Ado About Nothing]
my guide, philosopher, and friend" [Pope]
'twas good advice and meant, my son be good" [Crabbe]
a word to the wise is sufficient
we, ask advice but we mean approbation" [Colton] .
Nouns
council, committee, subcommittee, court, chamber, cabinet, board, bench, staff. senate, parliament, chamber of deputies, directory, rigsdag, storthing, witenagemote, junta, divan, musnud, sanhedrim
classis
Amphictyonic council
house of representatives
legislative assembly, legislative council
riksdag, witan, caput, consistory, chapter, syndicate
court of appeal etc. (tribunal) Tribunal
board of control, board of works
vestry
county council, local board. audience chamber, council chamber, state chamber. cabinet council, privy council
cockpit, convocation, synod, congress, convention, diet, states-general. [formal gathering of members of a council: script] assembly, caucus, conclave, clique, conventicle
meeting, sitting, seance, conference, convention, exhibition, session, palaver, pourparler, durbar, house
quorum
council fire [U.S.] , powwow [U.S.] , primary [U.S.] . meeting, assemblage etc. Assemblage . [person who is member of a council] member
senator
member of parliament, M.P.
councilor, representative of the people
assemblyman, congressman
councilman, councilwoman, alderman, freeholder.
Verbs
assemble, gather together, meet (assemblage) Assemblage
confer, caucus, hold council
huddle [Coll.] .
Adjectives
senatorial, curule
congressional, parliamentary
legislative, law-making
regulatory
deliberative.
Nouns
precept, direction, instruction, charge
prescript, prescription
recipe, receipt
golden rule
maxim etc. Maxim . rule, canon, law, code, act, statute, rubric, stage direction, regulation
form, formula, formulary
technicality
canon law
norm. order etc. (command) Command .
Nouns
skill, skillfulness, address
dexterity, dexterousness
adroitness, expertness etc. adj.
proficiency, competence, technical competence, craft, callidity, facility, knack, trick, sleight
mastery, mastership, excellence, panurgy
ambidexterity, ambidextrousness
sleight of hand etc. (deception) Deception . seamanship, airmanship, marksmanship, horsemanship
rope-dancing. accomplishment, acquirement, attainment
art, science
technicality, technology
practical knowledge, technical knowledge. knowledge of the world, world wisdom
tact
mother wit etc. (sagacity) Intelligence, Wisdom
discretion etc. (caution) Caution
finesse
craftiness etc. (cunning) Cunning
management etc. (conduct) Conduct
self-help. cleverness, talent, ability, ingenuity, capacity, parts, talents, faculty, endowment, forte, turn, gift, genius
intelligence etc. Intelligence, Wisdom
sharpness, readiness etc. (activity) Activity
invention etc. Imagination
aptness, aptitude
turn for, capacity for, genius for
felicity, capability, qualification, habilitation. proficient etc. Proficient . masterpiece, tour de force
good stroke etc. (plan) Plan .
Verbs
be skillful etc. adj.
excel in, be master of
have a turn for etc. n.. know what's what, know a hawk from a handsaw, know what one is about, know on which side one's bread is buttered, know what's o'clock
have cut one's eye teeth, have cut one's wisdom teeth. see one's way, see where the wind lies, see which way the wind blows
have all one's wits about one, have one's hand in
cut one's coat according to one's cloth
live by one's wits
exercise one's discretion, feather the oar, sail near the wind
stoop to conquer etc. (cunning) Cunning
play one's cards well, play one's best card
hit the right nail on the head, put the saddle on the right horse. take advantage of, make the most of
profit by etc. (use) Use
make a hit etc. (succeed) Success
make a virtue of necessity
make hay while the sun shines etc. (occasion) Occasion .
Adjectives
skillful, dexterous, adroit, expert, apt, handy, quick, deft, ready, gain
slick, smart etc. (active) Activity
proficient, good at, up to, at home in, master of, a good hand at, au fait, thoroughbred, masterly, crack, accomplished
conversant etc. (knowing) Knowledge . experienced, practiced, skilled, hackneyed
up in, well up in
in practice, in proper cue
competent, efficient, qualified, capable, fitted, fit for, up to the mark, trained, initiated, prepared, primed, finished. clever, cute, able, ingenious, felicitous, gifted, talented, endowed
inventive etc. Imagination
shrewd, sharp, on the ball etc. (intelligent) Intelligence, Wisdom
cunning etc. Cunning
alive to, up to snuff, not to be caught with chaff
discreet. neat-handed, fine-fingered, nimble-fingered, ambidextrous, sure-footed
cut out for, fitted for. technical, artistic, scientific, daedalian, shipshape
workman-like, business-like, statesman-like.
Adverbs
skillfully etc. adj.
well etc. Good
artistically
with skill, with consummate skill
suo Marte
to the best of one's abilities etc. (exertion) Exertion .
Phrases
heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, or heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, or the hand to execute
" [Junius]
if you have lemons, make lemonade.
Nouns
unskillfulness etc. adj.
want of skill etc. Skill
incompetence, incompentency
inability, infelicity, indexterity, inexperience
disqualification, unproficiency
quackery. folly, stupidity etc. Imbecility. Folly
indiscretion etc. (rashness) Rashness
thoughtlessness etc. (inattention) Inattention (neglect) Neglect
sabotage. mismanagement, misconduct
impolicy
maladministration
misrule, misgovernment, misapplication, misdirection, misfeasance
petticoat government. absence of rule, rule of thumb
bungling etc. v.
failure etc. Failure
screw loose: too many cooks. blunder etc. (mistake) Error
act of folly, balourdise
botch, botchery
bad job, sad work. sprat sent out to catch a whale, much ado about nothing, wild-goose chase. bungler etc. Bungler
fool etc. Fool .
Verbs
be unskillful etc. adj.
not see an inch beyond one's nose
blunder, bungle, boggle, fumble, botch, bitch, flounder, stumble, trip
hobble etc. Slowness
put one's foot in it
make a mess of, make hash of, make sad work of
overshoot the mark. play tricks with, play Puck, mismanage, misconduct, misdirect, misapply, missend. stultify oneself, make a fool of oneself, commit oneself
act foolishly
play the fool
put oneself out of court
lose control, lose control of oneself, lose one's head, lose one's cunning. begin at the wrong end
do things by halves etc. (not complete) Noncompletion
make two bites of a cherry
play at cross purposes
strain at a gnat and swallow a camel etc. (caprice) Caprice
put the cart before the horse
lock the stable door when the horse is stolen etc. (too late) Untimeliness . not know what one is about, not know one's own interest, not know on which side one's bread is buttered
stand in one's own light, quarrel with one's bread and butter, throw a stone in one's own garden, kill the goose which lays the golden eggs, pay dear for one's whistle, cut one's own throat, bum one's fingers
knock one's head against a stone wall, beat one's head against a stone wall
fall into a trap, catch a Tartar, bring the house about one's ears
have too many eggs in one basket (imprudent) Rashness , have too many irons in the fire. mistake etc. Error
take the shadow for the substance etc. (credulity) Credulity
bark up the wrong tree
be in the wrong box, aim at a pigeon and kill a crow
take the wrong pig by the tail, get the wrong pig by the tail, get the wrong sow by the ear, get the dirty end of the stick
put the saddle on the wrong horse, put a square peg into a round hole, put new wine into old bottles. cut blocks with a razor
hold a farthing candle to the sun etc. (useless) Inutility
fight with a shadow, grasp at a shadow
catch at straws, lean on a broken reed, reckon without one's host, pursue a wild goose chase
go on a fool's goose chase, sleeveless errand
go further and fare worse
lose one's way, miss one's way
fail etc. Failure .
Adjectives
unskillful etc. Skill
inexpert
bungling etc. v.
awkward, clumsy, unhandy, lubberly, gauche, maladroit
left-handed, heavy-handed
slovenly, slatternly
gawky. adrift, at fault. inapt, unapt
untractable, unteachable
giddy etc. (inattentive) Inattention
inconsiderate etc. (neglectful) Neglect
stupid etc. Imbecility. Folly
inactive etc. Inactivity
incompetent
unqualified, disqualified, ill-qualified
unfit
quackish
raw, green, inexperienced, rusty, out of practice. unaccustomed, unused, untrained etc. Teaching , uninitiated, unconversant etc. (ignorant) Ignorance
shiftless
unstatesmanlike. unadvised
ill-advised, misadvised
ill-devised, ill-imagined, ill-judged, ill-contrived, ill-conducted
unguided, misguided
misconducted, foolish, wild
infelicitous
penny wise and pound foolish etc. (inconsistent) Caprice .
Phrases
one's fingers being all thumbs
the right hand forgets its cunning
out of the frying pan into the fire
Nouns
proficient, expert, adept, dab
dabster, crackerjack
connoisseur etc. (scholar) Scholar
master, master hand
first fiddle, top gun, chef de cuisine, top sawyer
protagonist
past master
mahatma. picked man
medallist, prizeman. veteran
old stager, old campaigner, old soldier, old file, old hand
man of business, man of the world. nice hand, good hand, clean hand
practiced hand, experienced eye, experienced hand
marksman
good shot, dead shot, crack shot
ropedancer, funambulist, acrobat
cunning man
conjuror etc. (deceiver) Deceiver
wizard etc. Sorcerer . genius
mastermind, master head, master spirit. cunning blade, sharp blade, sharp fellow
jobber
cracksman etc. (thief) Thief
politician, tactician, strategist. pantologist, admirable Crichton, Jack of all trades
prodigy of learning.
Nouns
bungler
blunderer, blunderhead
marplot, fumbler, lubber, duffer, dauber, stick
bad hand, poor hand, poor shot
butterfingers. no conjurer, flat, muff, slow coach, looby, lubber, swab
clod, yokel, awkward squad, blanc-bec
galoot. land lubber
fresh water sailor, fair weather sailor
horse marine
fish out of water, ass in lion's skin, jackdaw in peacock's feathers
quack etc. (deceiver) Deceiver
lord of misrule. sloven, slattern, trapes. amateur, novice, greenhorn (learner) Learner .
Phrases
he will never set the Thames on fire
Nouns
cunning, craft
cunningness, craftiness etc. adj.
subtlety, artificiality
maneuvering etc. v.
temporization
circumvention. chicane, chicanery
sharp practice, knavery, jugglery
concealment etc. Concealment
guile, doubling, duplicity etc. (falsehood) Falsehood
foul play. diplomacy, politics
Machiavelism
jobbery, backstairs influence. art, artifice
device, machination
plot etc. (plan) Plan
maneuver, stratagem, dodge, sidestep, artful dodge, wile
trick, trickery etc. (deception) Deception
ruse
finesse, side blow, thin end of the wedge, shift, go by, subterfuge, evasion
white lie etc. (untruth) Untruth
juggle, tour de force
tricks of the trade, tricks upon travelers
net, trap etc. Deception . Ulysses, Machiavel, sly boots, fox, reynard
Scotchman
Jew, Yankee
intriguer, intrigant
floater [U.S.] , Indian giver [U.S.] , keener [U.S.] , repeater [U.S.] .
Verbs
be cunning etc. adj.
have cut one's eyeteeth
contrive etc. (plan) Plan
live by one's wits
maneuver
intrigue, gerrymander, finesse, double, temporize, stoop to conquer, circumvent, steal a march upon
overreach etc. Deception
throw off one's guard
surprise etc. Inexpectation
snatch a verdict
waylay, undermine, introduce the thin end of the wedge
play a deep game, play tricks with
flatter, make things pleasant
have an ax to grind. dodge, sidestep, bob and weave.
Adjectives
cunning, crafty, artful
skillful etc. Skill
subtle, feline, vulpine
cunning as a fox, cunning as a serpent
deep, deep laid
profound
designing, contriving
intriguing etc. v.
strategic, diplomatic, politic, Machiavelian, timeserving
artificial
tricky, tricksy
wily, sly, slim, insidious, stealthy
underhand etc. (hidden) Concealment
subdolous
deceitful etc. Deception
slippery as an eel, evasive etc. [Absence of pursuit.] Avoidance
crooked
arch, pawky, shrewd, acute
sharp, sharp as a tack, sharp as a needle
canny, astute, leery, knowing, up to snuff, too clever by half, not to be caught with chaff. tactful, diplomatic, politic
polite etc. Courtesy .
Adverbs
cunningly etc. adj.
slyly, slily, on the sly, by a side wind.
Phrases
diamond cut diamond
something is rotten in the state of something is rotten in the state of Denmark" [Hamlet] .
Nouns
artlessness etc. adj.
nature, simplicity
innocence etc. Innocence
bonhomie, naivete, abandon, candor, sincerity
singleness of purpose, singleness of heart
honesty etc. Probity
plain speaking
matter of fact man
Verbs
be artless etc. adj.
look one in the face
wear one's heart upon his sleeves for daws to peck wear one's heart upon his sleeves for daws to peck at
think aloud
speak out, speak one's mind
be free with one, call a spade a spade.
Adjectives
artless, natural, pure, native, confiding, simple, lain, inartificial, untutored, unsophisticated, ingenu, unaffected, naive
sincere, frank
open, open as day
candid, ingenuous, guileless
unsuspicious, honest etc. Probity
innocent etc. Innocence
Arcadian
undesigning, straightforward, unreserved, aboveboard
simple-minded, single-minded
frank-hearted, open-hearted, single-hearted, simple-hearted. free-spoken, plain-spoken, outspoken
blunt, downright, direct, matter of fact, unpoetical
unflattering.
Adverbs
in plain words, in plain English
without mincing the matter
not to mince the matter etc. (affirmation) Affirmation .
Phrases
as frank as rain on cherry blossoms" [E.B. Browning] .
Nouns
action, performance
doing, c. v.
perpetration
exercise, excitation
movement, operation, evolution, work
labor etc. (exertion) Exertion
praxis, execution
procedure etc. (conduct) Conduct
handicraft
business etc. Business
agency etc. (power at work) Agency . deed, act, overt act, stitch, touch, gest transaction, job, doings, dealings, proceeding, measure, step, maneuver, bout, passage, move, stroke, blow
coup, coup de main
tour de force etc. (display) Ostentation
feat, exploit
achievement etc. (completion) Completion
handiwork, workmanship
manufacture
stroke of policy etc. (plan) Plan . actor etc. (doer) Agent .
Verbs
do, perform, execute
achieve etc. (complete) Completion
transact, enact
commit, perpetrate, inflict
exercise, prosecute, carry on, work, practice, play. employ oneself, ply one's task
officiate, have in hand etc. (business) Business
labor etc. Exertion
be at work
pursue a course
shape one's course etc. (conduct) Conduct . act, operate
take action, take steps
strike a blow, lift a finger, stretch forth one's hand
take in hand etc. (undertake) Undertaking
put oneself in motion
put in practice
carry into execution etc. (complete) Completion
act upon. be an actor etc. Agent
take a part in, act a part in, play a part in, perform a part in
participate in
have a hand in, have a finger in the pie
have to do with
be a party to, be a participator in
bear a hand, lend a hand
pull an oar, run in a race
mix oneself up with etc. (meddle) Activity . be in action
come into operation etc. (power at work) Agency .
Adjectives
doing etc. v.
acting
in action
in harness
on duty
in operation etc. Agency .
Adverbs
in the act, in the midst of, in the thick of
red-handed
while one's hand is in.
Phrases
action is eloquence" [Coriolanus]
actions speak louder than words
actum aiunt ne agas [Terence]
awake, arise, or be forever fall'n" [Paradise Lost]
our deeds are sometimes better than our our deeds are sometimes better than our thoughts" [Bailey]
the great end of life is not knowledge but the great end of life is not knowledge but action" [Huxley]
thought is the soul of act" [R. Browning]
we live in deeds not years" [Bailey] .
Nouns
inaction, passiveness, abstinence from action
noninterference, nonintervention
Fabian policy, conservative policy
neglect etc. Neglect . inactivity etc. Inactivity
rest etc. (repose) Repose
quiescence etc. Quiescence
want of occupation, inoccupation
idle hours, time hanging on one's hands
sinecure, featherbed, featherbedding, cushy job, no-show job
soft snap, soft thing.
Verbs
not do, not act, not attempt
be inactive etc. Inactivity
abstain from doing, do nothing, hold, spare
not stir, not move, not lift a finger, not lift a foot, not lift a peg
fold one's arms, fold one's hands
leave alone, let alone
let be, let pass, let things take their course, let it have its way, let well alone, let well enough alone
rest and be thankful, live and let live
lie rest upon one's oars
stand aloof
refrain etc. (avoid) [Absence of pursuit.] Avoidance
remit one's efforts, relax one's efforts
desist etc. (relinquish) Relinquishment
stop etc. (cease) [Change from action to rest.] Cessation
pause etc. (be quiet) Quiescence . wait, lie in wait, bide one's time, take time, tide it over. cool one's heels, kick one's heels
while away the time, while away tedious hours
pass the time, fill up the time, beguile the time
talk against time
let the grass grow under one's feet
waste time etc. (inactive) Inactivity . lie by, lie on the shelf, lie in ordinary, lie idle, lie to, lie fallow
keep quiet, slug
have nothing to do, whistle for want of thought. undo, do away with
take down, take to pieces
destroy etc. [Nonproduction.] Destruction
Adjectives
not doing etc. v.
not done etc. v.
undone
passive
unoccupied, unemployed
out of employ, out of work
fallow
Adverbs
at a stand, with folded arms
with the hands in the pockets, with the hands behind one's back
Phrases
If it ain't broke don't fix it" [Bert Lance]
let the decision stand
Nouns
activity
briskness, liveliness etc. adj.
animation, life, vivacity, spirit, dash, energy
snap, vim. nimbleness, agility
smartness, quickness etc. adj.
velocity, c. Velocity
alacrity, promptitude
despatch, dispatch
expedition
haste etc. Haste
punctuality etc. (early) Earliness . eagerness, zeal, ardor, earnestness, intentness
abandon
vigor etc. (physical energy) Physical Energy
devotion etc. (resolution) Resolution
exertion etc. Exertion . industry, assiduity
assiduousness etc. adj.
sedulity
laboriousness
drudgery etc. (labor) Exertion
painstaking, diligence
perseverance etc. Resolution .Existence
indefatigation
habits of business. vigilance etc. Care [Vigilance.]
wakefulness
sleeplessness, restlessness
insomnia
pervigilium, insomnium
racketing. movement, bustle, stir, fuss, ado, bother, pottering, fidget, fidgetiness
flurry etc. (haste) Haste . officiousness
dabbling, meddling
interference, interposition, intermeddling
tampering with, intrigue. press of business, no sinecure, plenty to do, many irons in the fire, great doings, busy hum of men, battle of life, thick of the action. housewife, busy bee
new brooms
sharp fellow, sharp blade
devotee, enthusiast, zealot, meddler, intermeddler, intriguer, busybody, pickthank
hummer, hustler, live man [U.S.] , rustler [U.S.] .
Verbs
be active etc. adj.
busy oneself in
stir, stir about, stir one's stumps
bestir oneself, rouse oneself
speed, hasten, peg away, lay about one, bustle, fuss
raise up, kick up a dust
push
make a push, make a fuss, make a stir
go ahead, push forward
fight one's way, elbow one's way
make progress etc. [Motion forward; progressive motion.] Progression
toll etc. (labor) Exertion
plod, persist etc. (persevere) Resolution .Existence
keep up the ball, keep the pot boiling. look sharp
have all one's eyes about one etc. (vigilance) Care [Vigilance.]
rise, arouse oneself, hustle, get up early, be about, keep moving, steal a march, kill two birds with one stone
seize the opportunity etc. Occasion , lose no time, not lose a moment, make the most of one's time, not suffer the grass to grow under one's feet, improve the shining hour, make short work of
dash off
make haste etc. Haste
do one's best take pains etc. (exert oneself) Exertion
do wonders, work wonders. have many irons in the fire, have one's hands full, have much on one's hands
have other things to do, have other fish to fry
be busy
not have a moment to spare, not have a moment that one can call one's own. have one's fling, run the round of
go all lengths, stick at nothing, run riot. outdo
overdo, overact, overlay, overshoot the mark
make a toil of a pleasure. have a hand in etc. (act in) Action
take an active part, put in one's oar, have a finger in the pie, mix oneself up with, trouble, one's head about, intrigue
agitate. tamper with, meddle, moil
intermeddle, interfere, interpose
obtrude
poke one's nose in, thrust one's nose in.
Adjectives
active, brisk, brisk as a lark, brisk as a bee
lively, animated, vivacious
alive, alive and kicking
frisky, spirited, stirring. nimble, nimble as a squirrel
agile
light-footed, nimble-footed
featly, tripping. quick, prompt, yare, instant, ready, alert, spry, sharp, smart
fast etc. (swift) Velocity
quick as a lamplighter, expeditious
awake, broad awake
go-ahead, live wide-awake [U.S.] etc. (intelligent) Intelligence, Wisdom . forward, eager, strenuous, zealous, enterprising, in earnest
resolute etc. Resolution . industrious, assiduous, diligent, sedulous, notable, painstaking
intent etc. (attention) Attention
indefatigable etc. (persevering) Resolution .Existence
unwearied
unsleeping, never tired
plodding, hard-working etc. Exertion
businesslike, workaday. bustling
restless, restless as a hyena
fussy, fidgety, pottering
busy, busy as hen with one chicken. working, at work, on duty, in harness
up in arms
on one's legs, at call
up and doing, up and stirring. busy, occupied
hard at work, hard at it
up to one's ears in, full of business, busy as a bee, busy as a one-armed paperhanger. meddling etc. v.
meddlesome, pushing, officious, overofficious, intrigant. astir, stirring
agoing, afoot
on foot
in full swing
eventful
on the alert, c. (vigilant) Care [Vigilance.] .
Adverbs
actively etc. adj.
with life and spirit, with might and main etc. Exertion , with haste etc. Haste , with wings
full tilt
Int
be alive, look alive, look sharp!, move on, push on!, keep moving!, go ahead!, stir your stumps!, jaldi! , karo! , step lively!
Phrases
seize the day
the plot thickens
No sooner said than done etc. (early) Earliness
catch a weasel asleep
hard work in youth means soft rest in age
the busy hum of men" [Milton] .
Nouns
inactivity
inaction etc. Inaction
inertness etc. Physical Inertness
obstinacy etc. Obstinacy . lull etc. (cessation) [Change from action to rest.] Cessation
quiescence etc. Quiescence
rust, rustiness. idleness, remissness etc. adj.
sloth, indolence, indiligence
dawdling etc. v.. ergophobia, otiosity. dullness etc. adj.
languor
segnity, segnitude
lentor
sluggishness etc. (slowness) Slowness
procrastination etc. (delay) Lateness
torpor, torpidity, torpescence
stupor etc. (insensibility) Insensibility
somnolence
drowsiness etc. adj.
nodding etc. v.
oscitation, oscitancy
pandiculation, hypnotism, lethargy
statuvolence heaviness, heavy eyelids. sleep, slumber
sound sleep, heavy sleep, balmy sleep
Morpheus
Somnus
coma, trance, ecstasis, dream, hibernation, nap, doze, snooze, siesta, wink of sleep, forty winks, snore
hypnology. dull work
pottering
relaxation etc. (loosening) [Want of adhesion, nonadhesion, immiscibility.] Incoherence
Castle of Indolence. [Cause of inactivity] lullaby, sedative, tranquilizer, hypnotic, sleeping pill, relaxant, anaesthetic, general anaesthetic etc. Moderation
torpedo. [person who is inactive] idler, drone, droil, dawdle, mopus
dummy, sleeping partner
afternoon farmer
truant etc. (runaway) [Absence of pursuit.] Avoidance
bummer, loafer, goldbrick, goldbicker, lounger
lubber, lubbard
slow coach etc. (slow.) Slowness
opium eater, lotus eater
slug
lag, sluggard, slugabed
slumberer, dormouse, marmot
waiter on Providence
Verbs
be inactive etc. adj.
do nothing etc. Inaction
move slowly etc. Slowness
let the grass grow under one's feet
take one's time, dawdle, drawl, droil, lag, hang back, slouch
loll, lollop
lounge, poke, loaf, loiter
go to sleep over
sleep at one's post, take things as they come
lead an easy life, vegetate, swim with the stream, eat the bread of idleness
loll in the lap of luxury, loll in the lap of indolence
waste time, consume time, kill time, lose time
burn daylight, waste the precious hours. idle away time, trifle away time, fritter away time, fool away time
spend time in, take time in
peddle, piddle
potter, pudder, dabble, faddle fribble, fiddle-faddle
dally, dilly-dally. sleep, slumber, be asleep
hibernate
oversleep
sleep like a top, sleep like a log, sleep like a dormouse
sleep soundly, heavily
doze, drowze, snooze, nap
take a nap etc. n.
dream
snore one's best
settle to sleep, go to sleep, go off to sleep
doze off, drop off
fall asleep
drop asleep
close the eyes, seal up the eyes, seal up eyelids
weigh down the eyelids
get sleep, nod, yawn
go to bed, turn
get some z's, stack z's [Coll.] . languish, expend itself, flag, hang fire
relax. render idle etc. adj.
sluggardize
mitigate etc. Moderation .
Adjectives
inactive
motionless etc. Quiescence
unoccupied etc. (doing nothing) Inaction
unbusied. indolent, lazy, slothful, idle, lusk, remiss, slack, inert, torpid, sluggish, otiose, languid, supine, heavy, dull, leaden, lumpish
exanimate, soulless
listless
drony, dronish
lazy as Ludlam's dog. dilatory, laggard
lagging etc. v.
slow etc. Slowness
rusty, flagging
lackadaisical, maudlin, fiddle-faddle
pottering etc. v.
shilly-shally etc. (irresolute) Irresolution . sleeping, c. v.
asleep
fast asleep, dead asleep, sound asleep
in a sound sleep
sound as a top, dormant, comatose
in the arms of Morpheus, in the lap of Morpheus. sleepy, sleepful
dozy, drowsy, somnolent, torpescent, lethargic, lethargical
somnifacient
statuvolent, statuvolic
heavy, heavy with sleep
napping
somnific, somniferous
soporous, soporific, soporiferous
hypnotic
balmy, dreamy
unawakened, unawakened. sedative etc. Moderation .
Adverbs
inactively etc. adj.
at leisure etc. Leisure .
Phrases
the eyes begin to draw straws
bankrupt of life yet prodigal of ease" [Dryden]
idly busy rolls their world away" [Goldsmith]
the timely dew of sleep" [Milton]
thou driftest gently down the tides of sleep" [Longfellow]
tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep" [Young] .
Nouns
haste, urgency
despatch, dispatch
acceleration, spurt, spirt, forced march, rush, dash
speed, velocity etc. Velocity
precipitancy, precipitation, precipitousness etc. adj.
impetuosity
brusquerie
hurry, drive, scramble, bustle, fuss, fidget, flurry, flutter, splutter.
Verbs
haste, hasten
make haste, make a dash etc. n.
hurry on, dash on, whip on, push on, press on, press forward
hurry, skurry, scuttle along, barrel along, bundle on, dart to and fro, bustle, flutter, scramble
plunge, plunge headlong
dash off
rush etc. (violence) Violence
express. bestir oneself etc. (be active) Activity
lose no time, lose not a moment, lose not an instant
make short work of
make the best of one's time, make the best of one's way. be precipitate etc. adj.
jump at, be in haste, be in a hurry etc. n.
have no time, have not a moment to lose, have not a moment to spare
work against time. quicken etc. Velocity
accelerate, expedite, put on, precipitate, urge, whip
railroad.
Adjectives
hasty, hurried, brusque
scrambling, cursory, precipitate, headlong, furious, boisterous, impetuous, hotheaded
feverish, fussy
pushing. in haste, in a hurry etc. n.
in hot haste, in all haste
breathless, pressed for time, hard pressed, urgent.
Adverbs
with haste, with all haste, with breathless speed
in haste etc. adj.
apace etc. (swiftly) Velocity
amain
all at once etc. (instantaneously) [Point of time] Instantaneity
at short notice etc.
immediately etc. (early) Earliness
posthaste
by cable, by express, by telegraph, by forced marches. hastily, precipitately etc. adj.
helter-skelter, hurry-skurry, holus-bolus
slapdash, slap-bang
full-tilt, full drive
heels over head, head and shoulders, headlong, by spurts
hop skip and jump.
Phrases
[panic] sauve qui peut [Fr.] , every man for himself [Fr.Tr.] , devil take the hindmost, no time to be lost
no sooner said than done etc. (early) Earliness
a word and a blow
haste makes waste
[Goethe's motto]
stand not upon the order of your going but go at stand not upon the order of your going but go at once" [Macbeth]
swift, swift, you dragons of the night" [Cymbeline] .
Nouns
leisure
convenience
spare time, spare hours, spare moments
vacant hour
time, time to spare, time on one's hands
holiday, relaxation etc. (rest) Repose
ease. no hurry
no big rush
no deadline.
Verbs
have leisure etc. n.
take one's time, take one's leisure, take one's ease
repose etc. Repose
move slowly etc. Slowness
while away the time etc. (inaction) Inaction
be master of one's time, be an idle man.
Adjectives
leisure, leisurely
slow etc. Slowness
deliberate, quiet, calm, undisturbed
at leisure, at one's ease, at loose ends, at a loose end.
Adverbs
unhurriedly, deliberately, without undue haste
anytime.
Phrases
time hanging heavy on one's hands
Nouns
exertion, effort, strain, tug, pull, stress, throw, stretch, struggle, spell, spurt, spirt
stroke of work, stitch of work. a strong pull a long pull and a pull all a strong pull a long pull and a pull all together
" dead lift
heft
gymnastics
exercise, exercitation
wear and tear
ado
toil and trouble
uphill work, hard work, warm work
harvest time. labor, work, toil, travail, manual labor, sweat of one's brow, swink, drudgery, slavery, fagging, hammering
industry, industriousness, operoseness, operosity. trouble, pains, duty
resolution etc. Resolution
energy etc. (physical) Physical Energy .
Verbs
exert oneself
exert one's energies, tax one's energies
use exertion. labor, work, toil, moil, sweat, fag, drudge, slave, drag a lengthened chain, wade through, strive, stretch a long arm
pull, tug, ply
ply the oar, tug at the oar
do the work
take the laboring oar bestir oneself (be active) Activity
take trouble, trouble oneself. work hard
rough it
put forth one's strength, put forth a strong arm
fall to work, bend the bow
buckle to, set one's shoulder to the wheel etc. (resolution) Resolution
work like a horse, work like a cart horse, work like a galley slave, work like a coal heaver
labor day and night, work day and night
redouble one's efforts
do double duty
work double hours, work double tides
sit up, burn the candle at both ends
stick to etc. (persevere) Resolution .Existence
work one's way, fight one's way, lay about one, hammer at. take pains
do one's best, do one's level best, do one's utmost
give one hundred percent, do the best one can, do all one can, do all in one's power, do as much as in one lies, do what lies in one's power
use one's best endeavor, use one's utmost endeavor
try one's best, try one's utmost
play one's best card
put one's best leg foremost, put one's right leg foremost
have one's whole soul in his work, put all one's strength into, strain every nerve
spare no efforts, spare no pains
go all lengths
go through fire and water etc. (resolution) Resolution
move heaven and earth, leave no stone unturned.
Adjectives
laboring etc. v.. laborious, operose, elaborate
strained
toilsome, troublesome, wearisome
uphill
herculean, gymnastic, palestric. hard-working, painstaking
strenuous, energetic. hard at work, on the stretch.
Adverbs
laboriously etc. adj.
lustily
with might and main, with all one's might, with a strong hand, with a sledge hammer, with much ado
to the best of one's abilities, tooth and nail, hammer and tongs, heart and soul
through thick and thin etc. (perseverance) Resolution .Existence . by the sweat of one's brow, suo Marte.
Phrases
and still be doing, never done" [Butler]
it is better to wear out than to rust out" [Bp. Hornel]
labor, wide as the earth, has its summit in labor, wide as the earth, has its summit in Heaven" [Carlyle]
Nouns
repose, rest, silken repose
sleep etc. Inactivity . relaxation, breathing time
halt, stay, pause etc. (cessation) [Change from action to rest.] Cessation
respite. day of rest, dies non, Sabbath, Lord's day, holiday, red-letter day, vacation, recess.
Verbs
repose
rest, rest and be thankful
take a rest, take one's ease, take it easy. relax, unbend, slacken
take breath etc. (refresh) Refreshment
rest upon one's oars
pause etc. (cease) [Change from action to rest.] Cessation
stay one's hand. lie down
recline, recline on a bed of down, recline on an easy chair
go to rest, go to bed, go to sleep etc. Inactivity . take a holiday, shut up shop
lie fallow etc. (inaction) Inaction .
Adjectives
reposing etc. v. [of people]
relaxed etc. v.
unstrained. [of materials and people] unstressed.
Phrases
The best of men have ever loved repose" [Thompson]
to repair our nature with comforting repose" [Henry VIII] .
Nouns
fatigue
weariness etc. Weariness
yawning, drowsiness etc. Inactivity
lassitude, tiredness, fatigation, exhaustion
sweat
dyspnoea. anhelation, shortness of breath
faintness
collapse, prostration, swoon, fainting, syncope, lipothymy
goneness.
Verbs
be fatigued etc. adj.
yawn etc. (get sleepy) Inactivity
droop, sink, flag
lose breath, lose wind
gasp, pant, puff, blow, drop, swoon, faint, succumb. fatigue, tire, weary, irk, flag, jade, harass, exhaust, knock up, wear out, prostrate. tax, task, strain
overtask, overwork, overburden, overtax, overstrain.
Adjectives
fatigued, tired etc. v.
weary etc. Weariness
drowsy etc. Inactivity
drooping etc. v.
haggard
toilworn, wayworn:, footsore, surbated, weather-beaten
faint
done up, used up, knocked up
bushed [U.S.]
exhausted, prostrate, spent
overtired, overspent, overfatigued
unrefreshed, unrestored. worn, worn out
battered, shattered, pulled down, seedy, altered. breathless, windless
short of breath, out of breath, short of wind
blown, puffing and blowing
short-breathed
anhelose
broken winded, short-winded
dyspnaeal, dyspnaeic. ready to drop, all in, more dead than alive, dog-weary, walked off one's legs, tired to death, on one's last legs, played out
tiresome, irksome, wearisome
weary, trying.
Nouns
bracing etc. v.
recovery of strength, recuperation etc. [Degree of power.] Strength
restoration, revival etc. Restoration
repair, refection, refocillation, refreshment, regalement, bait
relief etc. Relief . break, spell. refreshment stand
refreshments
[Refreshments] , ice cream, cold soda, soda pop, hot dogs (food) .
Verbs
brace etc. (strengthen) [Degree of power.] Strength
reinvigorate
air, freshen up, refresh, recruit
repair etc. (restore) Restoration
fan, refocillate
refresh the inner man. breathe, respire
drink in the ozone
take a break, take a breather, take five, draw breath, take a deep breath, take breath, gather breath, take a long breath, regain breath, recover breath
get better, raise one's head
recover one's strength, regain one's strength, renew one's strength etc. [Degree of power.] Strength
perk up, get one's second wind. come to oneself etc. (revive) Restoration
feel refreshed, feel like a giant refreshed.
Adjectives
refreshing etc. v.
recuperative etc. Restoration . refreshed etc. v.
untired, unwearied.
Nouns
doer, actor, agent, performer, perpetrator, operator
executor, executrix
practitioner, worker, stager. bee, ant, working bee, termite, white ant
laboring oar, servant of all work, factotum. workman, artisan
craftsman, handicraftsman
mechanic, operative
working man
laboring man
demiurgus, hewers of wood and drawers of water, laborer, navvy
hand, man, day laborer, journeyman, charwoman, hack
mere tool etc. Instrument
beast of burden, drudge, fag
lumper, roustabout. maker, artificer, artist, wright, manufacturer, architect, builder, mason, bricklayer, smith, forger, Vulcan
carpenter
ganger, platelayer
blacksmith, locksmith, sailmaker, wheelwright. machinist, mechanician, engineer. sempstress, semstress, seamstress
needlewoman, workwoman
tailor, cordwainer. minister etc. (instrument) Instrumentality
servant etc. Servant
representative etc. (commissioner) Consignee , (deputy) Deputy . coworker, party to, participator in
personnel.
Nouns
workshop, workhouse, workplace, shop, place of business
manufactory, mill, plant, works, factory
cabinet, studio
office, branch office bureau, atelier. [specific types of workplace: list] , hive, hive of industry
nursery
hothouse, hotbed
kitchen
mint, forge, loom
dock, dockyard
alveary
armory
laboratory, lab, research institute
refinery
cannery
power plant
beauty parlor
beehive, bindery, forcing pit, nailery, usine, slip, yard, wharf
foundry, foundery
furnace
vineyard
crucible, alembic, caldron, matrix.
Adjectives
at work, at the office, at the shop
working.
Nouns
conduct [actions of an individual agent]
behavior
deportment, comportment
carriage, maintien, demeanor, guise, bearing, manner, observance. dealing, transaction etc. (action) Action
business etc. Business . tactics, game, game plan, policy, polity
generalship, statesmanship, seamanship
strategy, strategics
plan etc. Plan . management
husbandry
housekeeping, housewifery
stewardship
menage
regime
economy, economics
political economy
government etc. (direction) Direction . execution, manipulation, treatment, campaign, career, life, course, walk, race, record. course of conduct, line of conduct, line of action, line of proceeding
role
process, ways, practice, procedure, modus operandi, MO, method of operating
method etc.
path etc. Method [Path.] .
Verbs
transact [cause to occur] , execute
despatch, dispatch
proceed with, discharge
carry on, carry through, carry out, carry into effect, put into effect
work out
go through, get through
enact
put into practice
do etc. Action
officiate etc. Business . bear oneself, behave oneself, comport oneself, demean oneself, carry oneself, conduct oneself, acquit oneself. run a race, lead a life, play a game
take a course, adopt a course
steer one's course, shape one's course
play one's paint, play one's cards, shift for oneself
paddle one's own canoe
bail one's own boat. conduct
manage, supervise etc. (direct) Direction . participate etc. Action . deal with, have to do with
treat, handle a case
take steps, take measures.
Adjectives
conducting etc. v.. strategical, businesslike, practical, executive.
Nouns
direction
management, managery
government, gubernation, conduct, legislation, regulation, guidance
bossism [U.S.]
legislature
steerage, pilotage
reins, reins of government
helm, rudder, needle, compass
guiding star, load star, lode star, pole star
cynosure. supervision, superintendence
surveillance, oversight
eye of the master
control, charge
board of control etc. (council) Council
command etc. (authority) Authority . premiership, senatorship
director etc. Director
chair, portfolio. statesmanship
statecraft, kingcraft, queencraft. ministry, ministration
administration
stewardship, proctorship
agency. [person who directs] director etc. Director .
Verbs
direct, manage, govern, conduct
order, prescribe, cut out work for
bead, lead
lead the way, show the way
take the lead, lead on
regulate, guide, steer, pilot
tackle, take the helm, be at the helm
have the reins, handle the reins, hold the reins, take the reins
drive, tool. superintend, supervise
overlook, control, keep in order, look after, see to, legislate for
administer, ministrate
matronize
have the care of, have the charge of
be in charge of, have charge of, take the direction
boss, boss one around
pull the strings, pull the wires
rule etc. (command) Authority
have the direction, hold office, hold the portfolio
preside, preside at the board
take the chair, occupy the chair, be in the chair
pull the stroke oar.
Adjectives
directing etc. v.
hegemonic.
Adverbs
at the helm, at the head of.
Nouns
director, manager, governor, rector, comptroller. superintendent, supervisor, straw boss
intendant
overseer, overlooker
supercargo, husband, inspector, visitor, ranger, surveyor, aedile
moderator, monitor, taskmaster
master etc. Master
leader, ringleader, demagogue, corypheus, conductor, fugleman, precentor, bellwether, agitator
caporal, choregus, collector, file leader, flugelman, linkboy. guiding star etc. (guidance) Direction
adviser etc. Advice
guide etc. (information) Information
pilot
helmsman
steersman, steermate
wire-puller. driver, whip, Jehu, charioteer
coachman, carman, cabman
postilion, vetturino, muleteer, arriero, teamster
whipper in. head, head man, head center, boss
principal, president, speaker
chair, chairman, chairwoman, chairperson
captain etc. (master) Master
superior
mayor etc. (civil authority) Master
vice president, prime minister, premier, vizier, grand vizier, eparch. officer, functionary, minister, official, red-tapist, bureaucrat
man in office, Jack in office
office bearer
person in authority etc. Master . statesman, strategist, legislator, lawgiver, politician, statist, statemonger
Minos, Draco
arbiter etc. (judge) Judge
boss [U.S.] , political dictator. board etc. (council) Council . secretary, secretary of state
Reis Effendi
vicar etc. (deputy) Deputy
steward, factor
agent etc. Consignee
bailiff, middleman
foreman, clerk of works
landreeve
factotum, major-domo, seneschal, housekeeper, shepherd, croupier
proctor, procurator.
Nouns
advice, counsel, adhortation
word to the wise
suggestion, submonition, recommendation, advocacy
advisement. exhortation etc. (persuasion) Motive
expostulation etc. (dissuasion) Dissuasion
admonition etc. (warning) Warning
guidance etc. (direction) Direction . instruction, charge, injunction, obtestation
Governor's message, President's message
King's message, Queen's speech
message, speech from the throne. adviser, prompter
counsel, counselor
monitor, mentor, Nestor, senator
teacher etc. Teacher . guide, manual, chart etc. (information) Information . physician, doctor, leech, archiater. arbiter etc. (judge) Judge . reference, referment
consultation, conference, pourparler.
Verbs
advise, counsel
give advice, give counsel
suggest, prompt, submonish, recommend, prescribe, advocate
exhort etc. (persuade) Motive . enjoin, enforce, charge, instruct, call
call upon etc. (request) Request
dictate. expostulate etc. (dissuade) Dissuasion
admonish etc. (warn) Warning . advise with
lay heads together, consult together
compare notes
hold a council, deliberate, be closeted with. confer, consult, refer to, call in
take advice, follow advice
be advised by, have at one's elbow, take one's cue from.
Adjectives
recommendatory
hortative etc. (persuasive) Motive
dehortatory etc. (dissuasive) Dissuasion
admonitory etc. (warning) Warning .
Phrases
give every man thine ear but few thy voice" [Hamlet]
I pray thee cease thy counsel" [Much Ado About Nothing]
my guide, philosopher, and friend" [Pope]
'twas good advice and meant, my son be good" [Crabbe]
a word to the wise is sufficient
we, ask advice but we mean approbation" [Colton] .
Nouns
council, committee, subcommittee, court, chamber, cabinet, board, bench, staff. senate, parliament, chamber of deputies, directory, rigsdag, storthing, witenagemote, junta, divan, musnud, sanhedrim
classis
Amphictyonic council
house of representatives
legislative assembly, legislative council
riksdag, witan, caput, consistory, chapter, syndicate
court of appeal etc. (tribunal) Tribunal
board of control, board of works
vestry
county council, local board. audience chamber, council chamber, state chamber. cabinet council, privy council
cockpit, convocation, synod, congress, convention, diet, states-general. [formal gathering of members of a council: script] assembly, caucus, conclave, clique, conventicle
meeting, sitting, seance, conference, convention, exhibition, session, palaver, pourparler, durbar, house
quorum
council fire [U.S.] , powwow [U.S.] , primary [U.S.] . meeting, assemblage etc. Assemblage . [person who is member of a council] member
senator
member of parliament, M.P.
councilor, representative of the people
assemblyman, congressman
councilman, councilwoman, alderman, freeholder.
Verbs
assemble, gather together, meet (assemblage) Assemblage
confer, caucus, hold council
huddle [Coll.] .
Adjectives
senatorial, curule
congressional, parliamentary
legislative, law-making
regulatory
deliberative.
Nouns
precept, direction, instruction, charge
prescript, prescription
recipe, receipt
golden rule
maxim etc. Maxim . rule, canon, law, code, act, statute, rubric, stage direction, regulation
form, formula, formulary
technicality
canon law
norm. order etc. (command) Command .
Nouns
skill, skillfulness, address
dexterity, dexterousness
adroitness, expertness etc. adj.
proficiency, competence, technical competence, craft, callidity, facility, knack, trick, sleight
mastery, mastership, excellence, panurgy
ambidexterity, ambidextrousness
sleight of hand etc. (deception) Deception . seamanship, airmanship, marksmanship, horsemanship
rope-dancing. accomplishment, acquirement, attainment
art, science
technicality, technology
practical knowledge, technical knowledge. knowledge of the world, world wisdom
tact
mother wit etc. (sagacity) Intelligence, Wisdom
discretion etc. (caution) Caution
finesse
craftiness etc. (cunning) Cunning
management etc. (conduct) Conduct
self-help. cleverness, talent, ability, ingenuity, capacity, parts, talents, faculty, endowment, forte, turn, gift, genius
intelligence etc. Intelligence, Wisdom
sharpness, readiness etc. (activity) Activity
invention etc. Imagination
aptness, aptitude
turn for, capacity for, genius for
felicity, capability, qualification, habilitation. proficient etc. Proficient . masterpiece, tour de force
good stroke etc. (plan) Plan .
Verbs
be skillful etc. adj.
excel in, be master of
have a turn for etc. n.. know what's what, know a hawk from a handsaw, know what one is about, know on which side one's bread is buttered, know what's o'clock
have cut one's eye teeth, have cut one's wisdom teeth. see one's way, see where the wind lies, see which way the wind blows
have all one's wits about one, have one's hand in
cut one's coat according to one's cloth
live by one's wits
exercise one's discretion, feather the oar, sail near the wind
stoop to conquer etc. (cunning) Cunning
play one's cards well, play one's best card
hit the right nail on the head, put the saddle on the right horse. take advantage of, make the most of
profit by etc. (use) Use
make a hit etc. (succeed) Success
make a virtue of necessity
make hay while the sun shines etc. (occasion) Occasion .
Adjectives
skillful, dexterous, adroit, expert, apt, handy, quick, deft, ready, gain
slick, smart etc. (active) Activity
proficient, good at, up to, at home in, master of, a good hand at, au fait, thoroughbred, masterly, crack, accomplished
conversant etc. (knowing) Knowledge . experienced, practiced, skilled, hackneyed
up in, well up in
in practice, in proper cue
competent, efficient, qualified, capable, fitted, fit for, up to the mark, trained, initiated, prepared, primed, finished. clever, cute, able, ingenious, felicitous, gifted, talented, endowed
inventive etc. Imagination
shrewd, sharp, on the ball etc. (intelligent) Intelligence, Wisdom
cunning etc. Cunning
alive to, up to snuff, not to be caught with chaff
discreet. neat-handed, fine-fingered, nimble-fingered, ambidextrous, sure-footed
cut out for, fitted for. technical, artistic, scientific, daedalian, shipshape
workman-like, business-like, statesman-like.
Adverbs
skillfully etc. adj.
well etc. Good
artistically
with skill, with consummate skill
suo Marte
to the best of one's abilities etc. (exertion) Exertion .
Phrases
heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, or heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, or the hand to execute
" [Junius]
if you have lemons, make lemonade.
Nouns
unskillfulness etc. adj.
want of skill etc. Skill
incompetence, incompentency
inability, infelicity, indexterity, inexperience
disqualification, unproficiency
quackery. folly, stupidity etc. Imbecility. Folly
indiscretion etc. (rashness) Rashness
thoughtlessness etc. (inattention) Inattention (neglect) Neglect
sabotage. mismanagement, misconduct
impolicy
maladministration
misrule, misgovernment, misapplication, misdirection, misfeasance
petticoat government. absence of rule, rule of thumb
bungling etc. v.
failure etc. Failure
screw loose: too many cooks. blunder etc. (mistake) Error
act of folly, balourdise
botch, botchery
bad job, sad work. sprat sent out to catch a whale, much ado about nothing, wild-goose chase. bungler etc. Bungler
fool etc. Fool .
Verbs
be unskillful etc. adj.
not see an inch beyond one's nose
blunder, bungle, boggle, fumble, botch, bitch, flounder, stumble, trip
hobble etc. Slowness
put one's foot in it
make a mess of, make hash of, make sad work of
overshoot the mark. play tricks with, play Puck, mismanage, misconduct, misdirect, misapply, missend. stultify oneself, make a fool of oneself, commit oneself
act foolishly
play the fool
put oneself out of court
lose control, lose control of oneself, lose one's head, lose one's cunning. begin at the wrong end
do things by halves etc. (not complete) Noncompletion
make two bites of a cherry
play at cross purposes
strain at a gnat and swallow a camel etc. (caprice) Caprice
put the cart before the horse
lock the stable door when the horse is stolen etc. (too late) Untimeliness . not know what one is about, not know one's own interest, not know on which side one's bread is buttered
stand in one's own light, quarrel with one's bread and butter, throw a stone in one's own garden, kill the goose which lays the golden eggs, pay dear for one's whistle, cut one's own throat, bum one's fingers
knock one's head against a stone wall, beat one's head against a stone wall
fall into a trap, catch a Tartar, bring the house about one's ears
have too many eggs in one basket (imprudent) Rashness , have too many irons in the fire. mistake etc. Error
take the shadow for the substance etc. (credulity) Credulity
bark up the wrong tree
be in the wrong box, aim at a pigeon and kill a crow
take the wrong pig by the tail, get the wrong pig by the tail, get the wrong sow by the ear, get the dirty end of the stick
put the saddle on the wrong horse, put a square peg into a round hole, put new wine into old bottles. cut blocks with a razor
hold a farthing candle to the sun etc. (useless) Inutility
fight with a shadow, grasp at a shadow
catch at straws, lean on a broken reed, reckon without one's host, pursue a wild goose chase
go on a fool's goose chase, sleeveless errand
go further and fare worse
lose one's way, miss one's way
fail etc. Failure .
Adjectives
unskillful etc. Skill
inexpert
bungling etc. v.
awkward, clumsy, unhandy, lubberly, gauche, maladroit
left-handed, heavy-handed
slovenly, slatternly
gawky. adrift, at fault. inapt, unapt
untractable, unteachable
giddy etc. (inattentive) Inattention
inconsiderate etc. (neglectful) Neglect
stupid etc. Imbecility. Folly
inactive etc. Inactivity
incompetent
unqualified, disqualified, ill-qualified
unfit
quackish
raw, green, inexperienced, rusty, out of practice. unaccustomed, unused, untrained etc. Teaching , uninitiated, unconversant etc. (ignorant) Ignorance
shiftless
unstatesmanlike. unadvised
ill-advised, misadvised
ill-devised, ill-imagined, ill-judged, ill-contrived, ill-conducted
unguided, misguided
misconducted, foolish, wild
infelicitous
penny wise and pound foolish etc. (inconsistent) Caprice .
Phrases
one's fingers being all thumbs
the right hand forgets its cunning
out of the frying pan into the fire
Nouns
proficient, expert, adept, dab
dabster, crackerjack
connoisseur etc. (scholar) Scholar
master, master hand
first fiddle, top gun, chef de cuisine, top sawyer
protagonist
past master
mahatma. picked man
medallist, prizeman. veteran
old stager, old campaigner, old soldier, old file, old hand
man of business, man of the world. nice hand, good hand, clean hand
practiced hand, experienced eye, experienced hand
marksman
good shot, dead shot, crack shot
ropedancer, funambulist, acrobat
cunning man
conjuror etc. (deceiver) Deceiver
wizard etc. Sorcerer . genius
mastermind, master head, master spirit. cunning blade, sharp blade, sharp fellow
jobber
cracksman etc. (thief) Thief
politician, tactician, strategist. pantologist, admirable Crichton, Jack of all trades
prodigy of learning.
Nouns
bungler
blunderer, blunderhead
marplot, fumbler, lubber, duffer, dauber, stick
bad hand, poor hand, poor shot
butterfingers. no conjurer, flat, muff, slow coach, looby, lubber, swab
clod, yokel, awkward squad, blanc-bec
galoot. land lubber
fresh water sailor, fair weather sailor
horse marine
fish out of water, ass in lion's skin, jackdaw in peacock's feathers
quack etc. (deceiver) Deceiver
lord of misrule. sloven, slattern, trapes. amateur, novice, greenhorn (learner) Learner .
Phrases
he will never set the Thames on fire
Nouns
cunning, craft
cunningness, craftiness etc. adj.
subtlety, artificiality
maneuvering etc. v.
temporization
circumvention. chicane, chicanery
sharp practice, knavery, jugglery
concealment etc. Concealment
guile, doubling, duplicity etc. (falsehood) Falsehood
foul play. diplomacy, politics
Machiavelism
jobbery, backstairs influence. art, artifice
device, machination
plot etc. (plan) Plan
maneuver, stratagem, dodge, sidestep, artful dodge, wile
trick, trickery etc. (deception) Deception
ruse
finesse, side blow, thin end of the wedge, shift, go by, subterfuge, evasion
white lie etc. (untruth) Untruth
juggle, tour de force
tricks of the trade, tricks upon travelers
net, trap etc. Deception . Ulysses, Machiavel, sly boots, fox, reynard
Scotchman
Jew, Yankee
intriguer, intrigant
floater [U.S.] , Indian giver [U.S.] , keener [U.S.] , repeater [U.S.] .
Verbs
be cunning etc. adj.
have cut one's eyeteeth
contrive etc. (plan) Plan
live by one's wits
maneuver
intrigue, gerrymander, finesse, double, temporize, stoop to conquer, circumvent, steal a march upon
overreach etc. Deception
throw off one's guard
surprise etc. Inexpectation
snatch a verdict
waylay, undermine, introduce the thin end of the wedge
play a deep game, play tricks with
flatter, make things pleasant
have an ax to grind. dodge, sidestep, bob and weave.
Adjectives
cunning, crafty, artful
skillful etc. Skill
subtle, feline, vulpine
cunning as a fox, cunning as a serpent
deep, deep laid
profound
designing, contriving
intriguing etc. v.
strategic, diplomatic, politic, Machiavelian, timeserving
artificial
tricky, tricksy
wily, sly, slim, insidious, stealthy
underhand etc. (hidden) Concealment
subdolous
deceitful etc. Deception
slippery as an eel, evasive etc. [Absence of pursuit.] Avoidance
crooked
arch, pawky, shrewd, acute
sharp, sharp as a tack, sharp as a needle
canny, astute, leery, knowing, up to snuff, too clever by half, not to be caught with chaff. tactful, diplomatic, politic
polite etc. Courtesy .
Adverbs
cunningly etc. adj.
slyly, slily, on the sly, by a side wind.
Phrases
diamond cut diamond
something is rotten in the state of something is rotten in the state of Denmark" [Hamlet] .
Nouns
artlessness etc. adj.
nature, simplicity
innocence etc. Innocence
bonhomie, naivete, abandon, candor, sincerity
singleness of purpose, singleness of heart
honesty etc. Probity
plain speaking
matter of fact man
Verbs
be artless etc. adj.
look one in the face
wear one's heart upon his sleeves for daws to peck wear one's heart upon his sleeves for daws to peck at
think aloud
speak out, speak one's mind
be free with one, call a spade a spade.
Adjectives
artless, natural, pure, native, confiding, simple, lain, inartificial, untutored, unsophisticated, ingenu, unaffected, naive
sincere, frank
open, open as day
candid, ingenuous, guileless
unsuspicious, honest etc. Probity
innocent etc. Innocence
Arcadian
undesigning, straightforward, unreserved, aboveboard
simple-minded, single-minded
frank-hearted, open-hearted, single-hearted, simple-hearted. free-spoken, plain-spoken, outspoken
blunt, downright, direct, matter of fact, unpoetical
unflattering.
Adverbs
in plain words, in plain English
without mincing the matter
not to mince the matter etc. (affirmation) Affirmation .
Phrases
as frank as rain on cherry blossoms" [E.B. Browning] .
Nouns
promise, undertaking, word, troth, plight, pledge, parole, word of honor, vow
oath etc. (affirmation) Affirmation
profession, assurance, warranty, guarantee, insurance, obligation
contract etc. Compact
stipulation. engagement, preengagement
affiance
betroth, betrothal, betrothment.
Verbs
promise
give a promise etc. n.
undertake, engage
make an engagement, form an engagement
enter into an engagement, enter on an engagement
bind oneself, tie oneself, pledge oneself, commit oneself, take upon oneself
vow
swear etc. (affirm) Affirmation , give one's word, pass one's word, pledge one's word, plight one's word, give one's honor, pass one's honor, pledge one's honor, plight one's honor, give credit, pass credit, pledge credit, plight credit, give troth, pass troth, pledge troth, plight troth
betroth, plight faith. assure, warrant, guarantee
covenant etc. Compact
attest etc. (bear witness) Evidence [On one side.] . hold out an expectation
contract an obligation
become bound to, become sponsor for
answer for, be answerable for
secure
give security etc. Security
underwrite. adjure, administer an oath, put to one's oath, swear a witness.
Adjectives
promising etc. v.
promissory
votive
under hand and seal, upon oath. promised etc. v.
affianced, pledged, bound
committed, compromised
in for it.
Adverbs
as one's head shall answer for.
Phrases
in for a penny in for a pound
gage d'amour.
Adjectives
absolute
unconditional etc. (free) Freedom .
Nouns
compact, contract, agreement, bargain
affidation
pact, paction
bond, covenant, indenture
bundobast, deal. stipulation, settlement, convention
compromise, cartel. Protocol, treaty, concordat, charter, Progmatic Sanction, customs union, free trade region
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT
most favored nation status. negotiation etc. (bargaining) Barter
diplomacy etc. (mediation) Mediation
negotiator etc. (agent) Consignee . ratification, completion, signature, seal, signet.
Verbs
contract, covenant, agree for
engage etc. (promise) Promise . treat, negotiate, stipulate, make terms
bargain etc. (barter) Barter . make a bargain, strike a bargain
come to terms, come to an understanding
compromise etc. Compromise
set at rest
close, close with
conclude, complete, settle
confirm, ratify, clench, subscribe, underwrite
endorse, indorse
put the seal to
sign, seal etc. (attest) Evidence [On one side.]
indent. take one at one's word, bargain by inch of candle.
Adjectives
agreed etc. v.
conventional
under hand and seal.
Nouns
conditions, terms
articles, articles of agreement
memorandum. clauses, provisions
proviso etc. (qualification) Qualification
covenant, stipulation, obligation, ultimatum, sine qua non
Verbs
make terms, come to terms etc. (contract) Compact
make it a condition, stipulate, insist upon, make a point of
bind, tie up.
Adjectives
conditional, provisional, guarded, fenced, hedged in.
Adverbs
conditionally etc. (with qualification) Qualification
provisionally
on condition
with a string to it.
Nouns
security
guaranty, guarantee
gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration
real security
vadium. stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution. promissory note
bill, bill of exchange
I.O.U.
personal security, covenant, specialty
parole etc. (promise) Promise . acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal. sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship
surety, bail
mainpernor, hostage
godchild, godfather, godmother. recognizance
deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity. authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet
record etc. Record
probate, attested copy. receipt
acquittance, quittance
discharge, release. muniment, title deed, instrument
deed, deed poll
assurance, indenture
charter etc. (compact) Compact
charter poll
paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil.
Verbs
give security, give bail, give substantial bail
go bail
pawn, impawn, spout, mortgage, hypothecate, impignorate. guarantee, warrant, warrantee, assure
accept, indorse, underwrite, insure
cosign, countersign, sponsor, cosponsor. execute, stamp
sign, seal etc. (evidence) Evidence [On one side.] . let, sett
grant a lease, take a lease, hold a lease
hold in pledge
lend on security etc. Lending .
Phrases
gone where the woodbine twineth."
Nouns
observance, performance, compliance, acquiescence, concurrence
obedience etc. Obedience
fulfillment, satisfaction, discharge
acquittance, acquittal. adhesion, acknowledgment
fidelity etc. (probity) Probity
exact etc. [Object of knowledge.] Truth
observance.
Verbs
observe, comply with, respect, acknowledge, abide by
cling to, adhere to, be faithful to, act up to
meet, fulfill
carry out, carry into execution
execute, perform, keep, satisfy, discharge
do one's office. perform an obligation, fulfill an obligation, discharge an obligation, acquit oneself of an obligation
make good
make good one's word, make good one's promise, keep one's word, keep one's promise
redeem one's pledge
keep faith with, stand to one's engagement.
Adjectives
observant, faithful, true, loyal
honorable etc. Probity
true as the dial to the sun, true as the needle to the pole
punctual, punctilious
literal etc. (exact) [Object of knowledge.] Truth
as good as one's word.
Phrases
to God, thy country, and thy friend be true" [Vaughan] .
Nouns
nonobservance etc. Observance
evasion, inobservance, failure, omission, neglect, laches [Law] , laxity, informality. infringement, infraction
violation, transgression
piracy. retraction, retractation, repudiation, nullification
protest
forfeiture. lawlessness
disobedience etc. Disobedience
bad faith etc. Improbity .
Verbs
fail, neglect, omit, elude, evade, give the go-by to, set aside, ignore
shut one's eyes to, close one's eyes to. infringe, transgress, violate, pirate, break, trample under foot, do violence to, drive a coach and six through. discard, protest, repudiate, fling to the winds, set at naught, nullify, declare null and void
cancel etc. (wipe off) [Suppression of sign.] Obliteration
stretch a point, strain a point.
Adjectives
violating etc. v.
lawless, transgressive
elusive, evasive. unfulfilled etc. (fulfill) etc. Observance .
Nouns
compromise, commutation, composition
middle term
compensation etc. Compensation
abatement of differences, adjustment, mutual concession.
Verbs
compromise, commute, compound
take the mean
split the difference, meet one halfway, give and take
come to terms etc. (contract) Compact
submit to arbitration, abide by arbitration
patch up, bridge over, arrange
straighten out, adjust, differences, agree
make the best of, make a virtue of necessity
take the will for the deed.