Do you have a flair for choosing the right words? Put your vocabulary skills to the test.
Start the Quiz
Question 1
According to all the polls, Donna was a _____ to win the election.
Answer: shoo-in
Shoo-in got its start in horse racing. A horse allowed to win easily in a fixed race was said to have been shooed across the finish line. The term is now commonly used to describe a certain winner.
Question 2
Oscar was distracted at work because he was in the _____ of a messy divorce.
Answer: midst
Unless Oscar was getting divorced in a particularly foggy place, midst is the better choice, as it refers to a time or place in the middle of something.
Question 3
Kevin’s outburst was not a surprise as he’s known for having a _____ for the dramatic.
Answer: flair
Flair is often used to describe a tendency or inclination, or to describe an attractive quality (“the house had a European flair”) or a skill (“a flair for painting”). Flare is often used to describe a flame or a sudden fit of intensity (“the barbecue grill flared up”).
Question 4
After hearing about the fire, Rick was in a state of _____ shock.
Answer: utter
A cow that wanders too close to an electric fence might suffer udder shock, but more often utter is the correct word. Similar to absolutely, utter is used to describe something that is the most extreme degree.
Question 5
Noticing her new clothes and jewelry, Rose _____ Julie had a new high-paying job.
Answer: inferred
To imply an idea is to express it indirectly. Infer most frequently means making a conclusion based on a premise. Rarely, the word can also mean suggest or hint.
