C2 · Mastery
Historical & Literary Allusions
Recognize historical and literary references used figuratively, separating the reference itself from a claim about an expression's origin.
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- Words & phrases
- 30
- Lessons
- 2
- Conversations
- 1
- Readings
- 1
A preview of what you’ll master
Words you’ll make your own.
Explore every meaning in this unit. Learn how to say it in Danish when you start.
- to make a humiliating submission or apology
- to meet one's Waterloo, one's decisive defeat
- a Pyrrhic victory
- to cross the Rubicon, to pass the point of no return
- the die is cast
- to cut the Gordian knot
- a Potemkin facade, a deceptive front
- a fifth column, hidden enemies within
- an éminence grise, a power behind the throne
- a quisling, a traitor
- draconian punishments
- to live spartanly, austerely
- a Napoleon complex
- to throw down the gauntlet
- to take up the gauntlet
- a witch hunt
- to burn one's boats, to leave no way back
- the emperor's new clothes
- behind the Iron Curtain
- the same few people appearing again and again
- a kingdom for a horse, anything for what one desperately needs
- to run amok, to go berserk
- a turncoat
- to play Russian roulette
- to hold the fort, to keep things going
- a tale of comic stupidity, a fiasco of foolishness
- to tilt at windmills, to fight imaginary enemies
- to live in a cold war, in silent hostility
- to go underground, into hiding
- to be a pariah, an outcast
Danish words, pronunciation, and practice are waiting inside your learning account.
Understand the why
Your lessons, step by step.
- Lesson 1
Historical and Literary Allusions
- Lesson 2
A Political Downfall in Historical Images
Where this unit fits
Courses with this unit.
Mastery · Part 1
Work through the vocabulary, lessons, conversations and reading activities in this part. Practice grammar along the way.
27 Units · about 20 h
Idioms in Cultural Context
Understand and use the idioms and proverbs native speakers take for granted.
10 Units · about 7 h
Your next conversation starts here
Make these words part of your Danish.
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Start learning this unitOne account. Your progress, on the web and in the app.