Political Jargon

noun a person or thing that is competing for something

preposition used to indicate the person or thing that is being competed against

• As a manager, you must contend with various challenges in the workplace.
• I have to contend with my noisy neighbors every night.
• I'm tired of contending with my boss's ridiculous demands.
• She had to contend with her inner demons before finding peace.

noun a person who leads others into error or misfortune; a cheat or trickster

• The con artist was known as a skilled deceiver, able to manipulate people with ease.
• I can't believe he lied to us like that, what a deceiver!
• She's such a snake, always deceiving people for her own gain.
• The mirage in the desert was a deceiver, tricking travelers into thinking there was water ahead.

noun the act of giving orders or commands

verb to say or read aloud for someone else to write down

• The company policy dictates that all employees must attend the mandatory training session.
• My schedule is dictated by my boss, so I can't make any plans for this weekend.
• I hate how society tries to dictate what is cool and what is not.
• His emotions often dictate his actions, leading to impulsive decisions.

noun an act of kindness or a preference for one option over another

verb to support or prefer one option over another

• I would like to ask for a favor from you regarding the upcoming project presentation.
• Hey, can you do me a favor and pick up my dry cleaning on your way home?
• Do me a solid and cover my shift tomorrow, I'll owe you a favor.
• The weather forecast is not in our favor for the outdoor event.

verb to obtain or achieve something by devious or dishonest means

• The lawyer tried to finagle a better deal for his client.
• I'm going to try to finagle some extra time off work.
• She managed to finagle her way into the VIP section of the concert.
• He always knows how to finagle his way out of trouble.

noun a person who is skilled at solving problems or making arrangements, typically in a professional capacity

• The fixer was able to negotiate a deal that satisfied both parties.
• My friend is a real fixer when it comes to solving problems.
• He's known as the fixer around here because he can always find a solution.
• She was like a fixer, piecing together the broken parts of their relationship.

noun a person who supports or helps another person, especially in a difficult situation

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• Having a friend at court can often help in navigating legal matters more smoothly.
• It's always good to have a friend at court who can give you inside information.
• If you ever get in trouble, make sure you have a friend at court to bail you out.
• In the corporate world, having a friend at court can be crucial for advancing your career.

adjective impressive or magnificent in appearance or style

• The architect presented a grandiose design for the new city hall.
• She always has grandiose ideas for our weekend plans.
• That party was going to be so grandiose, but it got shut down by the cops.
• His grandiose dreams of becoming a famous actor kept him going through tough times.

noun the buying and selling of horses, typically involving shrewd or underhand bargaining

• The political parties engaged in horse trading to secure enough votes for their candidate.
• There's a lot of horse trading going on behind the scenes to get this deal done.
• I heard there was some shady horse trading happening in that business deal.
• In the world of finance, successful investors are skilled at the art of horse trading.

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, typically indicating the manner in which something is done

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• She mentioned the new policy in passing during the meeting.
• He just brought it up in passing, didn't go into much detail.
• I heard about it in passing, but I didn't really pay attention.
• The idea floated in passing through her mind before she dismissed it.

noun a secret or underhanded scheme; a plot

verb to arouse the curiosity or interest of; to fascinate

• The intricate plot of the novel managed to intrigue even the most discerning readers.
• I can't wait to find out what happens next in the story, it's really intriguing.
• That movie had so many twists and turns, it really had me intrigued.
• Her mysterious smile always managed to intrigue those around her.

noun A mock court in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted

• The defendant's lawyer argued that the trial was nothing more than a kangaroo court, lacking any semblance of due process.
• I can't believe they're making us go through this kangaroo court just to get a parking ticket dismissed.
• The whole trial felt like a total kangaroo court, with the judge clearly biased against the defendant.
• The disciplinary committee was accused of running a kangaroo court, where decisions were made without fairness or proper procedures.

noun meaningless or foolish talk; nonsense

• The politician dismissed the accusations as mere malarkey.
• Don't listen to him, he's just spouting malarkey.
• I can't believe she fell for that load of malarkey.
• His excuses were nothing but a smokescreen of malarkey.

noun language or ritual that is meaningless or unintelligible

adjective used to describe something that is confusing or nonsensical

• The speaker's presentation was filled with technical jargon and mumbo-jumbo that made it hard to follow.
• I tried reading that contract but it was full of legal mumbo-jumbo that I couldn't make sense of.
• Don't listen to him, he's just spouting a bunch of mumbo-jumbo.
• Her explanation was so confusing, it sounded like she was speaking in mumbo-jumbo.

adverb ostensibly is an adverb that is used to describe something that appears to be true or real, but may not actually be so

• The company's decision to cut costs was ostensibly to improve efficiency.
• She ostensibly went to the store to buy groceries, but ended up buying clothes instead.
• He ostensibly said he was sick to skip school and go to the beach.
• Her smile was ostensibly bright, but her eyes revealed her true sadness.

noun side refers to one of the two surfaces of a thin, flat object such as a sheet of paper or a coin

adjective other is used to refer to something different or additional

• The data from the experiment showed significant differences between the two groups, with one side performing better than the other side.
• I always sit on the other side of the classroom because it's quieter over there.
• Let's ditch this party and check out what's happening on the other side of town.
• Sometimes it's good to look at a problem from the other side to gain a new perspective.

noun a system in which a telephone line is shared by multiple users, each having their own designated ring pattern to distinguish their calls

• The government officials stuck to the party line during the press conference.
• Everyone at the meeting seemed to be on the same party line about the project.
• I don't know why you're so worried about sticking to the party line, just say what you think.
• She always follows the party line, never straying from the group's opinions.

adjective having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

• The pernicious effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident.
• That pernicious rumor has been spreading like wildfire.
• I can't stand that pernicious dude, he's always causing trouble.
• The pernicious grip of addiction can be hard to break free from.

noun a person who is not welcome or accepted in a particular country or group

adjective not welcome or accepted in a particular country or group

• After the scandal, the diplomat was declared persona non grata by the host country.
• Once he caused trouble at the party, he became persona non grata among his friends.
• She's basically persona non grata in our group now.
• His outdated views on social issues made him persona non grata in the modern world.

noun a criticism or insult that is directed at someone or something in a casual or careless manner

• The politician took a potshot at their opponent during the debate.
• I can't believe you took a potshot at me like that!
• She always takes potshots at her coworkers behind their backs.
• The comedian's potshots at society's norms are both hilarious and thought-provoking.

noun a religious talk or sermon given by a preacher

verb to deliver a religious talk or sermon to a group of people

• The minister stood at the pulpit to preach the word of God to the congregation.
• My mom always preaches about the importance of eating healthy.
• Stop preaching at me, I already know what I need to do.
• The coach continued to preach the value of teamwork to his players.

noun a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason

• He used the pretext of a family emergency to leave work early.
• She made up a pretext about feeling sick to skip the party.
• He always has some wild pretext for not doing his homework.
• The smile on her face was just a pretext to hide her true feelings.

verb to prove more powerful or superior; to be widespread or current

• Despite the challenges, justice will prevail in the end.
• Don't worry, I'm sure your team will prevail in the competition.
• I know you've been through a lot, but you'll prevail, trust me.
• In the battle between good and evil, good always prevails in the end.

noun a person who advocates for a cause or idea; a supporter or champion

• The proponent of the new policy presented a detailed analysis to support their proposal.
• The proponent of the idea is really passionate about it.
• The proponent of the project is totally gung-ho about it.
• The proponent of change is like a beacon of progress in our organization.

verb used as a present participle of the verb 'respect', meaning to show regard or consideration for someone or something'

• Respecting the rules and regulations is essential in maintaining order within the organization.
• We should all make sure we're respecting each other's boundaries.
• Dude, you gotta start respecting your elders, man.
• Respecting nature is crucial for our survival on this planet.

noun A person who is someone's chief assistant or close associate, typically in a position of authority or trust

• He is considered the CEO's right hand man, always by his side during important meetings.
• She's like the boss's right hand man, always getting things done efficiently.
• He's basically the big boss's right hand man, doing all the dirty work behind the scenes.
• In the world of superheroes, Robin is Batman's right hand man, always ready to assist in any situation.

noun the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's vices or foolishness

• The novel is a brilliant piece of satire that critiques societal norms.
• I love watching satire shows that poke fun at current events.
• That meme is pure satire, it's hilarious!
• His painting is a clever satire on consumer culture.

noun a position or attitude taken in a dispute or conflict

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• In this debate, I tend to side with the experts who have conducted thorough research.
• I always side with my best friend when we're arguing about movies.
• I usually side with the cool kids at school because they know all the latest trends.
• When it comes to choosing between two options, I always side with my gut instinct.

noun a mark or stain, especially one that damages the appearance of something

verb to damage the reputation or character of someone or something

• The politician's reputation was smirched by the scandal.
• I can't believe she tried to smirch my name like that!
• Don't let anyone smirch your good name.
• The dark clouds seemed to smirch the otherwise clear blue sky.

noun A task or assignment that is meant to distract or deceive someone

• The company was accused of giving a snow job to investors by presenting false financial statements.
• Don't believe everything he says, he's just trying to give you a snow job.
• I can't stand that guy, he's always trying to pull a snow job on me.
• Her compliments felt like a snow job, insincere and superficial.

noun a high-pitched sound or cry

verb to narrowly pass or succeed

preposition indicating the manner or means by which something is done

• The mouse managed to squeak by the cat without being noticed.
• I was able to squeak by the security guard and sneak into the concert.
• I barely squeaked by on the exam, but at least I passed.
• Despite the challenges, she was able to squeak by and make ends meet.

adjective done in secret or privately

adverb in secret or privately

• The negotiations were conducted sub rosa to maintain confidentiality.
• Let's keep this sub rosa for now, just between us.
• They're meeting sub rosa to plan a surprise party.
• The true intentions were hidden sub rosa, only revealed later.

noun a change of direction or course

verb to change direction suddenly or swerve

• The car started to veer off course due to the icy road conditions.
• I had to veer around the fallen tree on the hiking trail.
• The skateboarder tried to veer past the group of pedestrians on the sidewalk.
• Her thoughts began to veer towards more positive outcomes as she focused on gratitude.

preposition a word or phrase that connects a noun or pronoun to a verb or adjective in a sentence, such as 'against' or 'in contrast to'

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence, such as 'but' or 'and'

• The court case will be a battle of evidence, with the prosecution versus the defense.
• It's Lakers versus Celtics in tonight's game.
• It's like a showdown, Batman versus Superman.
• In the eternal struggle of good versus evil, the hero always prevails.

noun a term used to describe the language or jargon commonly used in Washington, D.C., especially in political or governmental contexts

• The diplomat was fluent in Washingtonese, allowing him to navigate political conversations with ease.
• I couldn't understand a word of that Washingtonese jargon during the meeting.
• Some people find Washingtonese to be a bunch of political mumbo jumbo.
• Her ability to speak Washingtonese was like having a secret code to unlock political doors.

noun a substance used for whitening walls or other surfaces, typically made from a mixture of lime and water

verb to cover with whitewash; to attempt to conceal or gloss over faults or mistakes

• The company was accused of attempting to whitewash their unethical business practices.
• I can't believe they tried to whitewash the whole situation!
• They're just trying to whitewash their mess.
• He tried to whitewash his mistakes, but everyone could still see the truth.

noun Canberra bubble - a term used to describe the insular world of Australian politics centered around Canberra, the capital city

• The politicians seem to be disconnected from the real world due to their constant presence in the Canberra bubble.
• It's like the politicians live in their own little Canberra bubble and have no idea what's going on outside.
• Those politicians are so out of touch, living in their Canberra bubble.
• The Canberra bubble shields politicians from the harsh realities of everyday life.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

article a word that is used to specify a noun, such as 'the', 'a', or 'an'

• The chef instructed his apprentice to stir the pot gently to avoid burning the sauce.
• Hey, can you stir the pot for a minute while I grab the ingredients?
• I love to stir the pot and watch drama unfold.
• The politician's controversial statement really stirred the pot in the media.

noun a phrase used to express disappointment or disapproval in a humorous or sarcastic manner

• The speaker's argument was met with a response of 'womp womp' from the audience.
• I told my friend I couldn't make it to the party and all they said was 'womp womp'.
• I failed my exam and all I could think was 'womp womp'.
• After hearing the disappointing news, she felt like everything around her was saying 'womp womp'.

noun clean - the state of being free from dirt or marks

adjective clean - free from dirt, marks, or unwanted substances

• The government is aiming for a clean Brexit, with minimal disruptions to the economy.
• I hope we can just have a clean Brexit without any drama.
• I'm all for a clean Brexit, no messing around.
• Achieving a clean Brexit is like untangling a complicated knot without making a mess.

noun a term used to describe a turn or opportunity for someone to do something, often in a sequential or ordered manner

• The concept of 'Buggins' turn' refers to taking turns in a strictly fair and orderly manner.
• We'll just have to wait our turn, it's all Buggins' turn around here.
• Don't worry, everyone will get their chance eventually, it's just a Buggins' turn situation.
• In the game of politics, it often feels like it's always Buggins' turn to be in power.

noun a slang term used to describe nonsense or foolishness

• I do not appreciate being accused of spreading false information; such accusations are nothing but horse hockey.
• I can't believe you're still buying into that horse hockey about aliens living among us.
• Stop feeding me that horse hockey, I know the truth.
• His excuses for being late were just a load of horse hockey.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'Westminster' is a noun referring to a district in central London that houses the UK Parliament and government offices.

• Many politicians are accused of being out of touch with the public due to living in the Westminster bubble.
• Those in the Westminster bubble often forget what life is like for everyday people.
• Politicians in the Westminster bubble are completely clueless about the real world.
• Breaking free from the Westminster bubble is essential for politicians to truly understand the needs of the people.

noun a term coined by comedian Stephen Colbert to describe the phenomenon where something becomes true because it appears on Wikipedia

• The concept of wikiality refers to the belief that something is true because it appears on Wikipedia.
• I always double-check information on Wikipedia because of wikiality.
• Don't believe everything you read on Wikipedia, it's full of wikiality.
• In today's digital age, we must be cautious of falling victim to wikiality and misinformation online.

noun a sharp turn made by a vehicle in the shape of the letter U

verb to make a U-turn

• The driver made a U-turn to head back in the opposite direction.
• I missed the turn so I had to do a quick U-turn.
• I pulled a U-ey to get back on track.
• She made a U-turn in her career path after discovering her true passion.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The men in grey suits arrived at the board meeting to discuss the company's financial performance.
• I always get nervous when the men in grey suits from HR come around the office.
• Watch out for the men in grey suits, they mean business.
• The men in grey suits represent the faceless bureaucracy that controls our lives.

noun a person who goes in advance of, and opens the way for, a group or institution

• The outrider was tasked with scouting ahead to ensure the safety of the convoy.
• The outrider rode ahead on his motorcycle to check for any obstacles on the road.
• The outrider was cruising on his bike, keeping an eye out for trouble.
• In the world of politics, the outrider is the one who tests the waters before the main candidate makes a move.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a person who is very interested in technical details, especially in political and economic theory

• The academic conference was filled with wonkish presentations on economic policy.
• My wonkish friend loves to debate about politics and government.
• I don't understand all that wonkish jargon they're using in the meeting.
• Her wonkish obsession with data analysis sometimes gets in the way of seeing the bigger picture.

noun can - a slang term for a metal container, often used in phrases like 'kick the can down the road'

verb kick - to strike or propel forcibly with the foot

preposition down - in or to a lower place or position

article a word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite

• The government's decision to delay addressing the issue only serves to kick the can down the road.
• Let's not just kick the can down the road, we need to deal with this problem now.
• Stop avoiding the problem and kicking the can down the road!
• By continuously procrastinating, you're just kicking the can down the road and making the situation worse.

verb to formally revoke or annul a law, agreement, or custom

• The treaty was abrogated by the government due to violations by the other party.
• They just abrogated the contract because they weren't happy with the terms.
• I heard they abrogated the deal because it wasn't making them enough money.
• Her decision to leave the company abrogated any sense of stability in the workplace.

verb to officially revoke or abolish a law, agreement, or custom

• The new law was aimed at abrogating outdated regulations that hindered economic growth.
• They are abrogating the rule that requires us to wear uniforms to work.
• I heard they're abrogating the curfew for the weekend.
• By abrogating the toxic relationships in her life, she found peace and happiness.

noun a word used to identify a person, place, thing, or idea, such as 'gospel'

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, such as 'accepting' or 'taking'

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, such as 'as'

article a word that is used to specify or limit a noun, such as 'the'

• It is not wise to accept everything you read on the internet as gospel without verifying the sources.
• Don't take everything your friend says as gospel, make sure to fact-check before believing it.
• I wouldn't take that gossip as gospel, it's probably just rumors.
• She tends to take his words as gospel, believing everything he says without question.

verb to accept, comply, or submit without protest or resistance

• After much deliberation, the board finally acquiesced to the proposed budget cuts.
• She wasn't happy about it, but eventually acquiesced to his request.
• I didn't want to go out, but my friends convinced me and I acquiesced.
• The waves relentlessly battered the shore until it acquiesced to their force.