Diplomacy Mediation and Face Saving

C2 · 100 entries · Five themes

Diplomacy Mediation and Face Saving

Created by , British English teacher.

Open a theme, then select a word or phrase for its meaning, example and pronunciation.

1. Indirect objections (20 entries)
  1. enter a note of caution
  2. demur
  3. mediation
  4. concede the force of an objection
  5. without recourse
  6. revoke
  7. unmediated
  8. walk back a claim
  9. rescind
  10. annul
  11. court favour
  12. renege on
  13. special pleading by an interested party
  14. countermand
  15. renege on an undertaking
  16. waive an objection
  17. give someone their due
  18. recourse
  19. an interlocutory order
  20. punitive damages
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2. Sensitive concessions (20 entries)
  1. acquiesce
  2. grudging acceptance
  3. relent under pressure
  4. withhold one's assent
  5. not go so far as to concede
  6. without conceding the wider point
  7. yield the point
  8. temporise over a decision
  9. make a grudging concession
  10. refuse to be drawn on
  11. retreat into generalities
  12. grant someone that much
  13. go back on an undertaking
  14. for all that
  15. with one material qualification
  16. qualify one's endorsement
  17. row back on a promise
  18. give ground on a point of principle
  19. subject to one overriding condition
  20. climb down from a position
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3. Defusing antagonism (20 entries)
  1. recrimination
  2. draw the sting from
  3. proximity talks
  4. be at daggers drawn
  5. put a grievance to one side
  6. air a long-standing grievance
  7. conciliation
  8. mediate
  9. raise hackles
  10. entrench an opposing position
  11. get under someone's skin
  12. put someone's nose out of joint
  13. cut off one's nose to spite one's face
  14. belligerent
  15. stir up a hornets' nest
  16. have a foot in both camps
  17. rub salt into the wound
  18. grievance
  19. wash one's hands of something
  20. besiege
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4. Preserving relationships (20 entries)
  1. make overtures
  2. good offices
  3. show forbearance
  4. rapprochement
  5. interlocutor
  6. an intermediary's good offices
  7. reconciliation
  8. recall an ambassador for consultations
  9. broker an understanding
  10. draw disparate interests together
  11. reach an honourable settlement
  12. make common cause with
  13. build bridges between rival groups
  14. trade on a connection
  15. meet someone on their own terms
  16. find an unlikely ally
  17. be in someone's pocket
  18. bridge the gulf between
  19. win someone over to a cause
  20. speak to a shared concern
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5. Careful negotiated wording (20 entries)
  1. constructive ambiguity
  2. subject to ratification
  3. moderate
  4. a tentative rapprochement
  5. mutual recognition
  6. a framework agreement
  7. a diplomatic overture
  8. accede to a treaty
  9. letter of intent
  10. a road map for talks
  11. a non-aggression pact
  12. a memorandum of understanding
  13. a joint communiqué
  14. a carefully choreographed visit
  15. back-channel talks
  16. convene a plenary session
  17. a diplomatic démarche
  18. ratify an accord
  19. an observer mission
  20. an unofficial envoy
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