A strategic move… gambit A gambit is a strategic move, often in chess but also in politics or business, where a player sacrifices something up front for future gain. The noun gambit comes from an Italian word, gambetto, which means “tripping up.” When you make an opening move, offer something, or start a conversation with something that seems…
To be decorated with adornments spangled To be spangled is to be decorated with beads, jewels, sequins, or other adornments. The American flag is called star-spangled, because it is full of stars. Something spangled is covered with little decorations. A shirt with rhinestones all over it is spangled. A hat with little jewels on it…
Robin Williams toned down his usually manic comic approach in this successful period drama. In 1959, the Welton Academy is a staid but well-respected prep school where education is a pragmatic and rather dull affair. Several of the students, however, have their thoughts on the learning process (and life itself) changed when a new teacher…
To hinder or prevent… thwart A villain’s worst nightmare is the superhero who always seems to thwart his efforts, preventing him from carrying out his plans to take over the world. Thwart is a word you’ll hear in a lot of action movies, and usually it’s the hero who is trying to thwart the evil…