to coin	to introduce a new word or phrase
to epitomise	to be a perfect example of sth
to underpin	to form the basis of sth
retribution	deserved punishment for one's sins or misbehaviour
to dispense with	to part with/ to give out/ to distribute
to ascribe sth to sth	to consider sth to be a part/cause of sth
to advocate	to support publically
to denigrate	to slender, to lower the value of sth
to relocate sth to sth	to move sth into another place
succor	help, support given to sb in need
erstwhile	previous, former
asside	critical remark
trepidation	great worry of fear, trembling
flamboyant	showy, extravagant
not to be a patch on sb/sth	not to be nearly as good as sth
to snarl at sb	to speak angrily
standing joke	the kind of joke that never fails to be effective
ostensibly	apparently
to festoon sth in sth	to decorate, to do up, to adorn
to lodge a complaint	to complain, to beef
floppy	soft and flexible
to gloat over sb	to express selfish delight at one's good fortune or sb's misfortune
seminal works	influencing further development
a spoof of sth	humorous imitation, parody
sojourn	stay
versimilitude	an instance of being true or real
to snub	to refuse with scornful contempt
to spurn	to refuse with contempt
flabbergasted	greatly surprised
to nag	to ask a question over and over again
to whine	to complain in an annoying way
to pester	to nag
a scam	sth invented to deceive sb
a snare	a trap
a gimmick	a trick meant to encourage sb to do sth
to scatter	to make people go in different directions, to cause to disperse
to set	to become stiff
to join off	to become a member of sth
to watch/listen for sth	to remain alert in order to see/hear sth
to live off sb	to use sb's resources
freelance	not being employed on regular basis
to be all fingers and thumbs	to be clumsy, awkward
a storm in a teacup	a lot of fuss about sth that is not important
to give sb the cold shoulder	to ignore, to shun sb, to pass sb over
to bring sth home to sb	to make sb unbderstand how important sth is
to bite off more than one could chew	to try to do sth that is too difficult
to put one's heard and soul into sth	to be devoted to sth
in clover	living a luxurious and comfortable life
to have a sharp tongue	to tend to say unkind and harmful things, wisecraps
tooth and nail	fiercely
pain in the neck	an annoying thing or person
to look down one's nose at sb/sth	to feel or act superior to sb, to gloat over sb
to face the music	to be criticised or punished for sth that you've done