'to become suddenly very successful or very well known': Jodie Foster made quite a ____ in the film 'Taxi Driver'.

The professor initiated a [stimulate] discussion between the students.

Our personalities result from the complex [play] between our genes and our environment

After he lost his job, he spent weeks moping ____ his house all day.

She takes pride in stating her political [convince].

'to please someone, esp. by praising that person in order to get him or her to agree to something': A company wishing to influence the government must butter ___ both parties in the House and the Senate.

The tabloid feature bizarre and [speculate] theories

The party's rank and ____ are beginning to question the prime minister's choice of advisers

'To attempt to get power or get into a better position than other people using any methods you can': Since the death of the president, opposition parties and the army have been jockeying ____ power

His father was able to pull some ____ to get him a good job with the company.

The French were completely [play] by the Russian team

The book will provide a [stimulate] to research in this very important area.

'To be old and no longer working properly': This TV is totally clapped _____. I can't even get a picture.