Columbo S4E3: English vocabulary

the act of moving a boat by pushing a pole against the bottom of the water

easy to train, control, or manage

not happening often; rare

to remember something, especially after trying to

good at noticing small details

to get something, especially in a casual or slightly sneaky way

a small breaking of a law or rule

in a careless way, without enough attention

the science of how bullets, shells, and other projectiles move through the air

more able or skilled than someone or something else

to change sugar or other substances into alcohol, gas, or acid using yeast or bacteria

the back part of a gun where the cartridge is loaded

in a deep, peaceful sleep

mentally ill or behaving in a wild, uncontrolled way

the process of heating and cooling metal to make it harder and less brittle

full of longing or sadness for someone or something

a soft food made from vegetable oils, used instead of butter

a person, especially a young person, who breaks the law or behaves badly

to happen or become real after being expected or planned

giving out or handing out something, often quickly or generously

praise that is too much and not sincere, often used to get something

something that makes a surface, line, or shape even or level

the beginning of something

showing kindness and forgiveness

to enter a place or situation where you are not wanted or invited

the quality of not paying enough attention or being careful

happening too soon, too early, or at a bad time

kissing and touching someone in a sexual way

a chemical salt or ester of nitric acid

a building where soldiers live

a woman or girl with dark brown hair

the study of correct reasoning

a soldier in the cavalry or another military unit

to repair a hole in knitted cloth by sewing yarn through it

difficult to find, catch, understand, or remember

to keep someone or something within limits or in one place

the first light of morning; dawn

an officer in charge of a military base, prison, or similar institution

locked with a key

used to say that something is true or happens no matter what the situation is

covered with breadcrumbs or a similar coating before cooking

used to ask what something really means or is, especially in British English

moving or walking with quick, light steps

the day after a night of heavy drinking, when you feel hungover

used after an adjective to mean 'very' or 'as much as possible

to guess or form an opinion about something without enough evidence

the time when the sun goes down in the evening

to make someone or something more likely to act or happen

a process that makes cloth stiffer and stronger by coating it with a special substance

to make money quickly, especially in a casual or slang way

becoming weaker or less active

to do your best and put a lot of energy into something

to ask for information or details

moving quickly with light, springy steps

the act of postponing a proposal or motion for later discussion

an alcoholic drink made from fermented apple juice

to be in charge of a meeting, court case, or ceremony

used to say that you agree to something, often reluctantly

to make something more difficult or harder to understand

to breathe noisily while sleeping

failure to take proper care, especially when this causes harm or damage

the bitter taste of something

relating to rules, discipline, or punishment for breaking rules

a religious official who works for a hospital, school, prison, military unit, or similar group

a hard outer cover that protects or encloses something

a bed, especially one on a ship or in a train or bus

to cause a strong reaction or feeling, especially anger, fear, or excitement

causing a sudden unpleasant feeling because it does not fit well with what is around it

proof that someone was somewhere else when a crime happened

a small cloth used for wiping your nose or face

to shoot and kill someone with a gun

to watch or supervise someone closely, often in an annoying way

the person who did a crime or caused a problem

making secret plans to get what you want, often in a dishonest way

to be very effective and bring a big improvement

a brief remark that gives someone useful advice or a warning