defuse -
To reduce the tension or danger in a difficult situation.
The mediator worked hard to defuse the conflict and tension between the two sides that were trying to negotiate an agreement.
noun
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laggard -
A person who makes slow progress and falls behind others
Once the runners ahead of him were specks in the distance, Terry knew he was the laggard of the race.
verb
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restrain -
To physically or metaphorically prevent someone or something from moving, acting, or progressing.
The police officer had to restrain the crowd to prevent further chaos during the protest.
verb
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shirk -
To avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility.
Employees who shirk their duties result in unhappy customers and lower profits.
verb
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dally -
To do something slowly or too slowly; to waste time
Ike had dozens of reports to read through, but he decided to dally in the office for most of the day instead of doing his work.
verb
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linger -
To stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave
The waiter and waitress staff needed to head home, but they first had to wait for the lingering customers to leave.
verb
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deflect -
To direct attention away from a topic
At the press conference the Mayor didn't want to talk about the issue being asked, so he deflected the question and talked about a different subject.
noun
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hurdle -
a problem that you must solve or deal with before you can make progress.
To take an idea and turn it into a successful and profitable product invovles countless hurdles that must be overcome.
noun
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backlog -
A quantity of work that should have been done already, but has not yet been done
When Bill got back from his vacation, there was such a backlog of work to catch up with, that he had to work until 10pm every night for a week.
verb
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dillydally -
To waste time through aimless wandering or indecision
Beth and Kat dillydallied outside the store instead of going inside and buying something.
verb
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balk -
To hesitate or be unwilling to continue with an idea or action.
Max had made all the plans to move from his apartment to the senior citizens home, but at the last minute, he balked and just couldn’t go through with it.
adjective
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stagnant -
Showing no activity; dull and sluggish
In the last few decades, the income of the richest 10% has increased while that of the bottom 90% has remained stagnant.
