Columbo S10E1: English vocabulary

having little or no skill; awkward and ineffective

in a nervous way

an expression of sympathy, especially when someone has died

a lucky result that seems unlikely or accidental

the study of crime, criminals, and how to prevent crime

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

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

more able or skilled than someone or something else

too large or too high, especially in a way that is not true or reasonable

a person who is very charming and good at making people like them

to breathe air out of your lungs

a person who has graduated from a school, college, or university

funny or unusual in a slightly odd way

giving out or handing out something, often quickly or generously

to waste money, time, or an opportunity in a careless way

likely to cause strong anger or conflict

the act of combing hair

the act of keeping horses in stables

the practical details of something, especially the technical ones

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

written or marked lightly with a pencil

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

yes; used to show agreement or approval

a plant with a strong, fresh smell and taste, used in food and drinks

relevant to the subject being discussed

to speak with repeated sounds or pauses because of a speech difficulty

to read or look through something quickly, without paying close attention

to shout loudly because you are excited or happy

the act of pulling back a gun’s hammer or firing mechanism

to make a deep sound because of pain, sadness, or tiredness

a long, low ship used in the past, often moved by oars

to a very great degree; extremely

the act of lending something to someone

the process of combing and separating wool or other fibers

to say something suddenly and loudly, especially because you are surprised or excited

making quick, sharp movements

a loud, harsh, high-pitched sound

to move very slowly and carefully in a particular direction

to fill something with air or gas so it becomes bigger or firmer

the work of making or altering clothes so they fit well

locked with a key

to kill or try to kill by squeezing someone's throat or neck

moving or walking with quick, light steps

a young man who is very fashionable and widely talked about

to hear something spoken by someone else without meaning to or without being invited to listen

used to tell someone to stop talking or stop making excuses

to have sex

the act of sealing a hole or gap

in a situation where failure or disaster seems certain

the crime of getting money or something else by threats or force

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

a bullet with a hollow tip that expands on impact

the right side of the set or stage as seen from the camera

an elected official who acts as the deputy to a state governor in the US

a person or thing that cuts or trims something

a fence made of upright wooden stakes

the process of grinding grain into flour or other small particles

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

an informal date that is expected to be romantic or sexual

past tense and past participle of shoot

moving quickly with light, springy steps

a short, sharp ringing sound

to cry in a noisy way with short, broken breaths

to make something more difficult or harder to understand

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

the act of directing energy, money, or attention into something

to do something with full effort or confidence

to kill a person or animal in a violent way

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

the act of fastening something with a screw

a person whose job is cleaning and taking care of a building

to take advantage of someone's weakness, fear, or beliefs

a dress code that means formal evening wear

a large, expensive car, often driven by a chauffeur