Columbo S1E6: English vocabulary

a fee paid in advance to keep someone's services available

a small creature in stories that lives underground and is often shown guarding treasure

very stupid or silly, often in a way that annoys you

a long, warm coat worn over other clothes in cold weather

a person whose job is to design and decorate the inside of buildings

gloomy, dull, and unpleasant

a polite old-fashioned way of saying thank you

to burn something until it turns black

locked with a key

under someone’s control because they have been bribed

very drunk

the way words are arranged to make sentences in a language

a very strong, unpleasant smell

a person who looks after a building or property

to end well or be resolved successfully

the act of sealing a hole or gap

to talk in a casual, lively way

attractive, stylish, and confident

used to say something that is bold, rude, or about a taboo topic

a game in which a player or side must reach five points before the other side does

a person whose job is to drive a private car for someone

used to say that you agree to something, often reluctantly

to speak quietly and unclearly, so that it is hard to understand

a large company made up of several different companies or businesses

imagined rather than real

used to show that a word or passage is copied exactly as it appears, even if it looks wrong

a machine with keys that prints letters and numbers on paper

used to say that something is being done because a doctor said it should be done

to give the musical cue that lets someone start singing or playing

used to say that something is not surprising

a polite or informal way of saying that someone accidentally urinated or defecated in their clothes

a person's usual way of thinking about things

not related to the main subject or issue

to discover or learn something, especially by asking or checking

far away; at a great distance

to think you are seeing something that is not really there

believing that something is true, often when it is not

a rude or angry way of asking why someone is behaving badly or causing trouble

a metal part that joins two things and lets one swing open or shut

used in questions to express surprise, emphasis, or strong curiosity

to slide out of control on a surface, especially because it is wet or icy

to start opposing someone or something you used to support

a phone installed in a car for making calls

in basketball, to stand between an opponent and the basket so they cannot get the rebound

the pattern of lines on the tip of a finger, used to identify a person

the way words are chosen and put together in speech or writing

a person or animal that climbs

a narrow flat part that sticks out from a wall, cliff, or other surface

a group of male students at a college or university

to appear or happen, especially by chance

used to show approval or encouragement

to agree to something or let something happen, often reluctantly

to make a short stop somewhere while travelling

to give someone orders in a rude or controlling way

the way something is presented so that people understand it in a particular way

a device used to hold two things tightly together

used to refer to something similar to the thing just mentioned

ready, arranged, or working properly

to find time or space for something in a busy schedule or limited place

to visit or contact someone to see how they are doing

to end up in a particular place, situation, or state

to look around secretly, especially to find out private information

having many bends or turns

used to express surprise, worry, or mild annoyance

to check or read something quickly

a quick, informal check or inspection

somewhat like; in a way similar to

the bar on the front or back of a car that helps protect it in a crash

to support a claim with facts or proof

to visit someone or somewhere briefly and casually

people who have little money or wealth

done in a natural, unplanned way

as; in the same way that

a mild way of telling someone to calm down or stop arguing

the act of making something lower or of becoming lower

a casual way of saying you didn’t hear or understand something, or that you’re surprised by it