1. Meeting the minimum standard requirements; as good as is required.

I wasn’t very happy with the last batch of dresses that came off the assembly line. The buttons fell off easily, the seams were not straight and the quality of the fabric was poor. The dresses really weren’t ....

2. Blissfully happy.

Lucy met Frank three weeks ago and fell madly in love with him. She’s been ... ever since.

3. Young and inexperienced.

Ben is new to this business. He’s ....

4. An item that no one wants to buy or that is difficult to get rid of; a costly but useless possession.

The salesman has been trying to get rid of that car for more than a year. It costs too much to run and insure, so no one wants it – it’s a ....

5. A useless or difficult search.

First my cousin told me I could buy what I needed at one store; then she sent me to three more. I never did find it. She sent me on a ....

6. Cowardly.

I bought this big dog for protection from burglars, but he’s a coward. He ... a mile long.

7. At a loss about what to do next; in a state of frustration.

When the woman looked around and couldn’t find her little daughter, she looked up and down every aisle in the store until she was .... She was almost hysterical when another customer in the store suggested that she notify the store’s security officer.

8. On any pretext; without needing an excuse or reason.

Those workmen look for any reason to stop working. They’ll put down their tools ....

9. A hidden reason for wanting something or for not liking someone or something.

Why do you keep telling me not to buy anything from that store? Do you really think they sell bad products, or do you have some kind of an ...?

10. Negative or ill feelings.

The young man and woman knew their parents would not approve of their marriage because there was ... between the families.