# People & Character vocabulary — C2

https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-c2

- Title: People & Character Expert
- CEFR: C2 (Proficient)
- Theme: Idioms & Expressions
- Words: 22

People and character idioms for precise, often critical descriptions, with phrases like a paper tiger, a stuffed shirt and a curmudgeon.

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## Word list

* **a shrinking violet**: A very shy and timid person who avoids attention. — “She's no **shrinking violet** when it comes to public speaking.”
* **a glutton for punishment**: Someone who repeatedly chooses difficult or unpleasant tasks, seemingly for no reason. — “He signed up for another marathon — he's **a glutton for punishment**.”
* **a paper tiger**: Someone or something that appears powerful or threatening but is actually weak. — “The rival company turned out to be **a paper tiger** with no real market share.”
* **a stick in the mud**: A person who resists change or new ideas and is seen as dull or old-fashioned. — “Don't be **a stick in the mud** — come and try the new restaurant with us.”
* **an armchair critic**: Someone who freely judges decisions or performances without any direct experience of doing the task themselves. — “It's easy to be **an armchair critic** when you've never coached a team.”
* **a silver-tongued speaker**: Someone remarkably persuasive and eloquent, able to charm others with words. — “The lawyer was **a silver-tongued speaker** who rarely lost a case.”
* **a Jekyll and Hyde**: Someone who has two very different sides to their personality, one pleasant and one unpleasant. — “He's **a Jekyll and Hyde** — charming at work, awful at home.”
* **an also-ran**: Someone who takes part in a competition but fails to succeed or be noticed. — “He was just **an also-ran** in the leadership race.”
* **a fair-weather friend**: Someone who is only supportive of you when things are going well, not during difficulties. — “He disappeared the moment I needed help — typical **fair-weather friend**.”
* **a stuffed shirt**: Someone who is very formal, pompous and old-fashioned, especially in a professional setting. — “The new director is a bit of **a stuffed shirt**.”
* **an eminence grise**: Someone with great influence who stays out of sight. — “There was **an eminence grise** behind every appointment.”
* **a prima donna**: Someone difficult who expects special treatment. — “One **a prima donna** in a small team is one too many.”
* **a philistine**: Someone with no interest in art or culture. — “He called himself **a philistine** and rather enjoyed it.”
* **a curmudgeon**: A bad-tempered older person who complains constantly. — “The letters page is written by the same **a curmudgeon** every week.”
* **a bon vivant**: Someone who enjoys good food, drink and company. — “He was **a bon vivant** and the accounts showed it.”
* **a raconteur**: Someone who tells stories entertainingly. — “As **a raconteur** he had no equal and no editor.”
* **a martinet**: Someone who insists on very strict discipline. — “The new head was **a martinet** and half the staff left.”
* **a firebrand**: Someone who stirs up strong feeling and trouble. — “He arrived as **a firebrand** and left as a committee man.”
* **a killjoy**: Someone who spoils other people's enjoyment. — “There is always **a killjoy** with a clipboard at these things.”
* **a scaremonger**: Someone who spreads alarming stories. — “Every **a scaremonger** in the county had a view on the reservoir.”
* **a doormat**: Someone who lets others treat them badly. — “He was **a doormat** at work and a tyrant at home.”
* **a rolling stone**: Someone who never settles in one place or job. — “He was **a rolling stone** until the second child arrived.”

## Other levels

- [People & Character · A2](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-a2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-a2.md
- [People & Character · B1](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-b1) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-b1.md
- [People & Character · B2](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-b2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-b2.md
- [People & Character · C1](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-c1) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/people-and-character-c1.md

## More Idioms & Expressions vocabulary — C2

- [Sport Idioms](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/sport-and-game-idioms-c2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/sport-and-game-idioms-c2.md
- [Time & Frequency](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/time-and-frequency-c2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/time-and-frequency-c2.md
- [Weather & Nature Idioms](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/weather-and-nature-idioms-c2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/weather-and-nature-idioms-c2.md
- [Animal Idioms](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/animal-idioms-c2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/animal-idioms-c2.md
- [Body Idioms](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/body-idioms-c2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/body-idioms-c2.md
- [Business Idioms](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/work-and-business-idioms-c2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/work-and-business-idioms-c2.md
- [Conversation Idioms](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/everyday-conversation-c2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/everyday-conversation-c2.md
- [Expressions & Sayings](https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/fixed-expressions-and-collocations-c2) — markdown: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/fixed-expressions-and-collocations-c2.md

## Related

- All Idioms & Expressions sets: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary#idioms-expressions
- Vocabulary library: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary
- Section guide: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/llms.txt