Foreign words/phrases Flashcards by Renee Muchechetere

Q

terra firma

A

Solid ground (earth)

Origin: Latin

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Q

nemesis

A

Arch enemy

Origin: Greek

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Q

modus operandi

A

Method of operation

Origin: Latin

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Q

bona fide

A

Good faith

Origin: Latin

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Q

angst

A

Anxiety/suffering

Origin: German

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Q

eureka

A

I’ve found it!

Origin: Greek

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Q

status quo

A

Current state of affairs

Origin: Latin

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Q

Et tu brute

A

And you, Brutus

Origin: Latin

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Q

bwana

A

The boss

Origin: Swahili

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Q

femme fatale

A

Deadly woman

Origin: Latin

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Q

ex post facto

A

After the fact

Origin: Latin

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Q

et al

A

And others

Origin: Latin

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Q

savoir faire

A

Social tact (class)

Origin: French

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Q

au naturel

A

As in nature

Origin: French

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Q

pro bono

A

For the public good

Origin: Latin

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Q

per capita

A

Per person

Origin: Latin

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Q

re:

A

Regarding

Origin: Latin

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Q

c’est la vie

A

Such is life

Origin: French

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Q

coup de grace

A

Death blow

Origin: French

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Q

kamikaze

A

Suicide

Origin: Japanese

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Q

hakuna matata

A

No worries

Origin: Swahili

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Q

par excellence

A

The best example

Origin: French

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Q

connoisseur

A

Expert judge

Origin: French

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Q

aqua vitae

A

Water of life

Origin: Latin

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guerrila

Little war Origin: Spanish

mano y mano

Man on man Origin: Spanish

in vitro

In the test tube Origin: Latin

alter ego

Other self Origin: Latin

ad lib

Without preparation Origin: Latin

faux pas

Social blunder Origin: French

schlep

To carry Origin: Yiddish

karma

Fate Origin: Sanskrit

P.S. (post scriptum)

After the writing Origin: Latin

crème de la crème

Best of the best Origin: French

post mortem

After death Origin: Latin

mantra

Sacred writing Origin: Sanskrit

hubris

Pride and arrogance Origin: Greek

vice versa

Other way around Origin: Latin

rigor mortis

Stiffening after death Origin: Latin

hoi polloi

The masses Origin: Greek

a la mode

Fashionable Origin: French

karate

With open hands Origin: Japanese

alma mater

Nourishing mother Origin: Latin

caveat emptor

Let the buyer beware Origin: Latin

prima donna

Emotional performer Origin:

guru

Leader / expert Origin: Sanskirt

persona non grata

Person not wanted Origin: Latin

gringo

American (Non-Spanish) Latin: Spanish

carte blanch

A blank check Latin: French

deja vu

Same thing again Origin: French

RSVP

Please respond Origin: French

ante meridian (A.M.)

Before noon Origin: Latin

post meridian (P.M.)

After noon Origin: Latin

aurora borealis

Northern lights Origin: Latin

gesundheit

Bless you Origin: German

nouveau riche

Newly rich Origin: French

non sequitur

Illogical; doesn't follow Origin: Latin

etc,

And so on Origin: Latin

hors d'oeuvre

Appetizers Origin: French

entree

Main meal Origin: French