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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.

adjective

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stranded - Unable to leave somewhere because of a problem such as not having any transportation or money

After the shipwreck, Arthur was stranded on the island for 2 years until the was discovered and brought back to civilisation.

verb

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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.

verb

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procrastinate - To keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.

They would procrastinate doing their taxes, because they found it such as stressful and boring activity.

noun

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limbo - An uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; an intermediate state or condition

Because Ian had so much trouble making decisions, he often felt stuck in limbo, unsure of which direction his decisions would be taking him.

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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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.

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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impediment - Something that makes progress or movement difficult or impossible

Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing when she was only19 months old, but she overcame these impediments and went to college at Radcliffe and became a great author and speaker.

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.

noun

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obstacle - Something that blocks your way so that movement or progress is prevented or made more difficult.

Bill wanted to become a doctor, but a major obstacle that made that goal difficult was that he hated studying.

adjective

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reluctant - Not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it

They were reluctant to invest in the startup without more solid information.