16-30

Icarus/Fly too Close to the Sun

To fail or be destroyed because of lack of caution or excessive ambition (Greek Mythology)

Bread and Circuses

A Roman bribery method of coping with class difference. Entertainment and food was offered to prevent unrest without actually solving social problems. (History)

Deus ex Machina

Any surprising turn of events that suddenly makes things turn out all right; in literary works, its an unsatisfying and overly convenient way to end a story. (Literature)

Tabula Rasa

When someone or something is entirely unmarked or uninfluenced. (Language/ Idioms)

Tantalus/Tantalize

When you are being teased, tantalized with something enjoyable (Greek Mythology)

NIMBY/ NIMBYism

"Not In My Back Yard": while people may be aware of the necessity of some unpleasant realities (landfills, prisons, chemical plants, etc.), they insist that these places be located AWAY from where they live (Language/ Idioms)

Waterloo

To suffer an ultimate, decisive defeat (History)

The Emperor's New Clothes

When someone points out the falseness or pretentiousness of something, especially when others are afraid of admitting the truth (Literature)

Left-Handed Complement

A "compliment" that is insulting or rude in some way. (Language/ Idioms)

Golden Calf

An idol or any object, especially a material object, that is worshipped even though it is not worthy of worship. (Biblical)

Sword of Damocles

An awareness of impending or imminent danger (Greek Mythology)

Svengali

A person who exercises excessive control or influence over another person (Literature)

Non Sequitor

Means "It does not follow": a statement that is unrelated to what has been said before; a conclusion that does not logically follow from the premise. (Language/ Idioms)

White Elephant

An object that has no use to its owner and may even represent a financial burden or an inconvenience. (Language/ Idioms)

Fiddle While Rome Burns

To display indifference in the midst of an emergency or disaster. (History)