This page gathers the 5,691 dictionary entries of which at least one sense is labelled “Figuratively” by Wiktionary. The definition shown is that sense; each word leads to its full entry. Page 37 of 57: from “phosphoric” to “plummet”.
- phosphoric adj Pertaining to a phosphor; phosphorescent.
- photograph verb To fix permanently in the memory etc.
- photographic adj Synonym of accurate.
- phylactery noun A profession of faith, or religious or traditional observance; also, a reminder.
- picayune noun A person regarded as unworthy of respect or useless; also, something of very little value; a trifle.
- pick oneself up off the floor verb To resume normal activities after a period of being incapacitated by grief or circumstances.
- picket noun A sentry.
- picnic noun An easy or pleasant task.
- picture postcard adj Scenic, like the image on a postcard.
- picturesque adj Strikingly graphic or vivid; having striking and vivid imagery.
- piddle noun Nonsense or a trivial matter.
- pie noun The whole of a wealth or resource, to be divided in parts.
- piebald adj Of mixed character, heterogeneous.
- piece together verb To reconstruct an event or goal from incomplete or flawed elements.
- pierce verb To get to the heart or crux of (a matter).
- pig noun Someone who overeats or eats rapidly and noisily.
- pig in a blanket noun An uncircumcised penis.
- pig pile verb To act similarly with regard to residential density: to live or cause to live in high-density settlements.
- pigeonhole verb To arrange (items) for future reference or use.
- piggy bank noun Any supply of money or savings.
- pigswill noun nonsense, rubbish
- pile on verb To criticize someone or something in a concerted effort; to add on some additional critique.
- pillar noun An essential part of something that provides support.
- pillorize verb To humilliate or criticise
- pillory verb To subject to humiliation, scorn, ridicule or abuse.
- pimp hand noun A pimp's ability to maintain effective control of the prostitutes who work for him, by means of intimidation etc.
- pimpernel noun Someone resembling the fictional Scarlet Pimpernel; a gallant dashing resourceful man given to remarkable feats of bravery and derring-do…
- pin up noun A figurehead, a person who represents an idea, cause, etc.
- pin-drop noun The sound of a small metal pin dropping onto the ground or a floor; notable because a falling pin makes almost no sound when it hits the…
- piñata noun Something which is repeatedly hit or damaged over a period of time.
- pinball noun A situation where a ball is frantically kicked between many players.
- pincer verb To surround with a pincer attack.
- pinch verb To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve.
- pinch of salt noun Caution, doubt, consideration.
- pincushion verb To jab or stick repeatedly with one or more sharp objects, as with pins into a pincushion.
- ping pong noun An instance of figuratively bouncing something or someone back and forth.
- pinion verb To restrain; to limit.
- pink tea noun Something (as an event or policy) excessively polite and refined; specifically, one regarded as ineffective and weak.
- pinnacle noun An all-time high; a point of greatest achievement or success.
- pipe verb To lead or conduct as if by pipes, especially by wired transmission.
- pipe-opener noun A brisk walk or other aerobic exercise; a constitutional.
- pipeline noun A system or process through which something is conducted.
- pipes noun One's vocal capacity.
- piranha noun Someone, especially a critic, who appears to be part of a swarm and attacks someone when they are vulnerable, as if in a feeding frenzy.
- piss in the wind verb To waste time on a pointless or fruitless task; do something that is ineffective or counterproductive.
- piss oneself verb To be very scared (to the extent that one might lose control of one's bladder).
- pit noun A bleak, depressing state of mind.
- pit bull noun A person with a reputation for pugnacity.
- pit of despair noun A feeling of utter dread and that there is absolutely nothing that can be done to improve the situation.
- pit of the stomach noun The part of a person's abdomen that experiences a fluttery sensation due to nervousness or excitement.
- pit stop noun A utilitarian stop on a figurative journey.
- pitbull noun An aggressive person.
- pitch and toss noun Careless treatment of something, or trusting to luck about it.
- pitch-perfect adj Extremely accurate.
- pitchfork verb To throw suddenly.
- pitfall verb To trap, snare, or ensnare someone or something.
- pith noun The central or innermost part of something; the core, the heart.
- pivot noun Something or someone having a paramount significance in a certain situation.
- pivotal adj Being of crucial importance; central, key.
- pivotman noun A central or key person; someone around whom a particular project etc. rotates.
- place in the sun noun A favorable position, characterized by comfort, success, wealth or general well-being.
- plague noun A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates.
- plague spot noun A location that is a plague or scourge; a place of corruption and degeneracy.
- plain sailing noun Something that is easy, simple, or straightforward; something that offers no difficulties or trouble.
- plait fog verb To perform an action in which the result falls apart immediately or to work on organizing something that cannot be organized.
- plane sailing noun Alternative spelling of plain sailing (“navigation of waters free from hazards or unfavourable winds; (figurative) something that is easy…
- planetic adj Ever-changing; erratic, turbulent.
- plank noun A political issue that is of concern to a faction or a party of the people and the political position that is taken on that issue.
- plash verb To hit (someone or something) with water or some other liquid, causing a splashing sound; to splash.
- plasmatic adj Malleable or flowing like plasma.
- plaster verb To bombard heavily or overwhelmingly; to overwhelm (with weapons fire).
- plastic noun Insincerity; fakeness; a person who is fake or arrogant, or believes that they are better than the rest of the population; a narcissistic…
- plastic beauty noun Beauty achieved by cosmetic surgery.
- platband noun Any border.
- plate noun An agenda of tasks, problems, or responsibilities
- plate spinning noun Any activity that requires a considerable amount of multitasking.
- platform noun A place or an opportunity to express one's opinion.
- platinum adj Very expensive, or of very high quality.
- play noun The sphere or circumstance in which a playing implement, such as a ball, is played or available to be played (see also in play, out of…
- play booty verb To double-cross someone.
- play pendulum verb To sway from one emotion or state of mind to another.
- play-act verb To engage in pretence or insincere behavior, often in order to mislead someone or gain an advantage.
- play-acting noun The act of engaging in pretence or insincere behavior, often in order to mislead someone or gain an advantage.
- playbook noun A book or (especially) any set of commonly employed tactics, strategies, and tips.
- playground noun Any physical or metaphysical space in which a person or organization has free rein to do as they please.
- playing field noun Any place or context within which competitive activity takes place, such as market competition between companies.
- playpen noun An area or domain in which a person can exercise their activities or endeavors freely.
- playtime noun A duration of time when one is not as serious or committed as one could be, especially in a conflict of sorts.
- plenum noun A state of fullness, a great quantity (of something).
- pliant adj Easily influenced; tractable.
- plonky adj Dull, stiff, unadventurous.
- ploughed adj Well-trodden or well-researched, previously explored.
- pluck noun Guts, nerve, fortitude or persistence.
- plug into verb To join something in the manner of a plug.
- plug walk noun A smooth, confident strut.
- plumage noun A person's dress, especially when elaborate or fine.
- plumb verb To think about or explore in depth, to get to the bottom of.
- plumbing noun Practical, concrete work serving to support other work.
- plume verb To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.
- plummet noun A decline; a fall; a drop.