Wag the dog – The Hindu (March 20, 2017)

Wag the dog – The Hindu (March 20, 2017)

When the tail wags the dog, the dog risks losing control of it altogether. The national leadership of the BJP may or may not have been… For further reading, visit “The Hindu”.

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Word List-1:

1. wag the dog (phrase) – something of lesser significance takes the role of something else of greater improtance purposefully.
2. hardline (adjective) – strict, tough, extreme.
3. the fringe (noun) – unconventional, unorthodox, experimental (activity).
4. wag (verb) – swing, move to and fro, sway.
5. vociferous (adjective) – outspoken, vigorous, insistent.
6. firebrand (noun) – radical, revolutionary, an orator expresses opinions strongly about a particular subject.
7. cede (verb) – surrender, concede, relinquish/give up.
8. faction (noun) – group, camp, section.
9. defiant (adjective) – uncooperative/non-compliant, confrontational, challenging.
10. divisive (adjective) – isolating/separating, dividing; disharmonious.
11. rhetoric (noun) – bombast, loftiness, hyperbole/extravagant language.
12. willy-nilly (adverb) – whether one likes it or not; randomly, without planning.
13. hold (noun) – power, control, authority.
14. discourse (noun) – debate, argument, discussion.
15. bound to (adjective) – certain, sure, very likely.
16. bait (noun) – trap, enticement, temptation/inducement.
17. implicate in (verb) – involve in, concern with, associate with.
18. triumphalism (noun) – an attitude or a belief that a particular doctrine, religion, culture, social system is superior to and should triumph all over others.
19. rein in (verb) – restrict, control, regulate.
20. standing (noun) – status, social position, level.
21. persuasion (noun) – character, nature, disposition.
22. outflank (verb) – circumvent, bypass, throw off.
23. alter ego (noun) – companion, close/trusted friend, intimate.
24. the helm (noun) – in charge, responsible, in authority.
25. beholden (adjective) – indebted, obligated, duty-bound.
26. clout (noun) – influence, power, control.
27. mend (verb) – set right, amend, improve

Note:

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