And no one ever wreaks anything except havoc.
Can you think of any other words that are only used in one expression?
Uncork is used only for champagne and wild pitches. Begonias are the only tuberose things I know.
I’ve only ever heard of a farrago of lies.
Ah, uncorked is used for lots of stuff.
…uncorked a string of profanity…
…uncorked a nasty fart…
tintinabulation (spelling?) is only of the bells!
I have heard the expression wreaks mayhem or violence. Also, one’s mood may inclement.
I can’t think of a single word that is used in ONLY one expression, unless it’s created for that expression.
But I’m probably wrong.
abject poverty
wishful thinking
civil disobedience
senseless violence
pointless violence
charismatic leader
unrequitted love
exceptions, yes, but usually found paired in a cliché
lorenzo: civil law
One can wreak vengeance upon someone or something. Of course, these days not many people do…
You’re only “unabated” (spelling?) to the quarterback. Yes, I’m watching a football game and LSU is kicking butt. GEAUX TIGERS!
Lots of stores have ample parking. What else is ever “ample”?
So far the ONLY candidate that’s in the running in this list is “inclement” weather. Everything else isn’t even close.
There was a thread like this a year or two ago. My entry, “arms akimbo,” went unchallenged to the end of the thread.
Hips.
Ample is used all over the place, it just means “plenty of”. Ample space, ample supplies, etc.
I stand by my earlier post. Not one of the words mentioned is used exclusively in a single phrase. I had my doubts about “farrago”, but if you Google the exact phrase “farrago of” you will find many expressions.
The language is too flexible, and people too creative in its use, to allow words to be so restricted.
Well, I once saw the John Hancock Tower in Chicago described as having it’s bracing akimbo.
Legs can also be akimbo. So there.
Bosoms can be ample.
high dudgeon: you never hear about anyone in low dudgeon, or even moderate dudgeon
fine fettle: how many other varieties of fettle are there?
The Sports Guy on ESPN’s page 2 touched on this. Right now the only one I can remember is “ensuing”. It’s only ever used with “ensuing kickoff”.
Oh, and “scantily clad”.
Ensuing possession.
Ensuing drive.
Ensuing restart (hear this all the time during auto racing highlights).
Ensuing power play.
Ensuing brawl.
Some days I really think The Sports Guy should just try a little harder.
Agree with scantily clad and inclement weather. Actually, I don’t even have a clear idea what inclement means, and I’ve certainly never used the word. (What’s wrong with “rain”?)
Here’s a possible one: delinquent. When it refers to a person, does it ever refer to any other kind of person than “juvenile?”