volatible	changeable, unstable
sloppy	done in a careless manner
to go to the dogs	to deteriorate (idiom)
to return to the fold	to join the group of people of the same beliefs or interests (idiom)
tertiary	third in a rank
to commence	to start
up for grabs	open to those who are interested (idiom)
to cash in on	to benefit from sth (idiom)
to gain grounds	to become popular (idiom)
to condone	to overlook, to forgive
serendipity	finding good things without looking for them
to acquiesce	to agree without protesting
obtuse	lacking intelect, stupid
sycophant	sb who flatters for self-gain
circumspect	cautious, wary
avarice	greed for money
perusal	an instance of reading sth carefully
unassuming	modest, self-effacing
to ruminate on	to think deeply, to meditate
to keep out of harm's way	to keep out of danger (idiom)
to meet sb halfway	to come to a compromise, agreement
to burn the midnight oil	to study late at night (idiom)
forlorn	lonely and unhappy, uncared
presence of mind	ability to remain calm in crisis and act quickly (idiom)
maudlin	foolishly sentimental
misnomer	the wrong use of a word, description or definition
fortitude	resistance, courage, endurance
partisan	an enthusiast
platitude	a commonplace remark
to cobble together	to put sth hastily and clumsily
to take offence at	to be offended (idiom)
to be left to one's own devices	to be left unattended (idiom)
to indict	to accuse sb officially at court
plaintive	sounding sad, sorrowful
to hold water	to be valid (idiom)
sanguine	hopeful, optimistic