9th grade idioms and vocab inferences context clue | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

The company’s products had always seemed trustworthy. But when hidden safety reports surfaced, customers began questioning its integrity. Sales dropped almost overnight. What does INTEGRITY mean?

the quality of being honest and morally upright

After losing the first two matches, the team grew silent and stopped encouraging each other. Their coach sighed and said, “Don’t throw in the towel yet—we still have a chance.” What does THROW IN THE TOWEL mean?

give up or admit defeat

As the curtain rose, Ethan’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t sure if it was fear or adrenaline, but he couldn’t turn back now. He took a deep breath and began his lines. What does SKIPPED A BEAT mean?

felt sudden fear or excitement

When I told my friend what I’d done, she didn’t yell. She just said it was inexcusable, then walked away. Somehow, that hurt more than shouting would have. What does INEXCUSABLE mean?

too serious to be justified or forgiven

Rumors spread so fast that no one knew what was true anymore. Facts were twisted and forgotten. The truth had gone completely out the window. What does OUT THE WINDOW mean?

disappeared or been disregarded

The referee’s call was controversial, and the crowd’s reaction was loud. The coach clenched his jaw but stayed composed, waiting until after the game to speak. What does COMPOSED mean in this passage?

Calm and self-controlled

The professor’s lecture was filled with side stories and unrelated facts. Students kept glancing at each other, unsure what to write down. By the end, his point was completely convoluted. What does CONVULUTED mean?

Confusing and overly complicated

At first, the argument was just a disagreement. But as voices rose and tempers flared, things escalated quickly. The teacher had to step in before it got worse. What does ESCALATED mean?

increased in intensity or seriousness

Leo didn’t win the science fair, but he congratulated the winners and helped clean up afterward. His teacher noted that kind of integrity mattered more than any trophy. What does INTEGRITY mean?

honesty and moral character

The class had argued for an hour about the best solution. Then Emma spoke, connecting everyone’s points into one clear idea. The teacher nodded and said she had hit the nail on the head. What does HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD mean?

explained something exactly or accurately

The artist’s vision seemed unrealistic at first. When the final piece was revealed, though, the audience saw how bold and detailed it was. Critics called her work deeply ambitious. What does AMBITIOUS mean?

determined to achieve something challenging or impressive

After months of tension, Sam spotted his brother sitting alone. Without saying much, he joined him and shared a snack. It was his quiet way to bury the hatchet. What does BURY THE HATCHET mean?

end a disagreement and make peace

Tessa’s voice was steady and confident as she presented her argument. Even when challenged, she didn’t back down or sound rude. Her teacher praised her for being assertive. What does ASSERTIVE mean?

confident and self-assured in expression

Mia hadn’t spoken to her friend in weeks after their fight. Finally, she decided to text first, hoping to extend an olive branch. Her message simply said, “Can we talk?” What does EXTEND AN OLIVE BRANCH mean?

offer peace or reconciliation

The design wasn’t perfect, but it was fresh and daring. No one had seen a solution like it before. The teacher called the group’s project innovative. What does INNOVATIVE mean?

original or creatively new

After the tornado, neighbors worked side by side to clean debris. Within a week, the park looked almost new again. Their community proved remarkably resilient. What does RESILLIENT mean?

able to recover quickly from hardship

The politician’s excuse didn’t hold water. Reporters compared his words to the public records, and the numbers told a different story. Within hours, the scandal was all over the news. What does DIDN'T HOLD WATER mean?

If something HOLDS WATER it is believable or makes logical sense

Mr. Cho never fell for fake kindness. Students who tried to butter him up with compliments soon learned it didn’t affect their grades. Hard work did. What does BUTTER HIM UP mean?

flatter someone to gain favor

The team practiced every morning before sunrise. When they finally won the championship, the captain reminded everyone it hadn’t been a walk in the park. No one disagreed. What does NO WALK IN THE PARK mean?

something difficult, not easy

Alyssa’s essay didn’t have fancy language or dramatic claims. Every sentence was exact, every citation correct. Her teacher called her writing meticulous. What does METICULOUS mean?

extremely careful and precise

After their tent ripped in the rain, the campers used a tarp and rope to build a shelter. It wasn’t comfortable, but at least it kept them dry. They had to make do with what they had. What does MAKE DO mean?

manage or cope with limited resources

Javier invested in an online business that promised to double his money in a month. His friend warned him to be wary, but Javier brushed it off. Two weeks later, the website vanished along with his savings. What does WARY mean?

Cautious or alert to possible danger

Lena stood at the front of the room while whispers spread through the class. Instead of arguing or getting emotional, she spoke calmly and clearly. Her composed tone made the truth hard to ignore. What does COMPOSED mean?

calm and controlled under pressure

The scientist’s claim sounded plausible, though the evidence was thin. Her peers didn’t dismiss it, but they wanted more data before believing her. Some said her idea could reshape the entire field—if it turned out to be true. PLAUSIBLE

believable or reasonable but not certain

By the time the deadline arrived, Malik realized he hadn’t proofread his paper or cited his sources. His teacher’s comments were harsh but fair. On the way home, he sighed and admitted he’d really dropped the ball this time.

Failed to take responsibility or complete a task properly