Basic Details
Word: Skulduggery
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Secret or dishonest behaviour; trickery.
Synonyms: Trickery, deceit, dishonesty
Antonyms: Honesty, integrity, openness
Idioms and Phrases
- Skulduggery afoot: When there is evidence that something deceitful is happening. Example: "With all the missing funds, it seems there's skulduggery afoot in the organisation."
- In the midst of skulduggery: When someone is caught up in sneaky or dishonest activities. Example: "He found himself in the midst of skulduggery when he uncovered the office's hidden secrets."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The fairy tale was filled with skulduggery as the wicked witch tried to trick the unsuspecting villagers.
Example 2: The investigation revealed a web of skulduggery that involved several officials in the city.
Example 3: The detective specialised in uncovering skulduggery and exposing the truth behind shady dealings.
Fun Fact
The term "skulduggery" has origins in the Scottish language, where it referred to trickery or deceitful practices. It often conjures images of cunning thieves and crafty plots!
Famous Quote
"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." - Thomas Jefferson
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "skulduggery" mean?
a) A type of dance
b) Secret or dishonest behaviour
c) A kind of animal
d) An ancient ritual
Answer: b) Secret or dishonest behaviour
2. Which of these is a synonym of "skulduggery"?
a) Honesty
b) Trickery
c) Openness
d) Friendship
Answer: b) Trickery
3. What is an antonym of "skulduggery"?
a) Deceit
b) Dishonesty
c) Integrity
d) Trickery
Answer: c) Integrity
4. Which sentence uses "skulduggery" correctly?
a) She saw some skulduggery at the park yesterday.
b) The movie was about the skulduggery of a silly character.
c) There was a lot of skulduggery happening behind the scenes of the election.
d) They enjoyed a good meal after the game of skulduggery.
Answer: c) There was a lot of skulduggery happening behind the scenes of the election.
5. Which idiom indicates that something deceitful might be happening?
a) Skulduggery afoot
b) In the midst of skulduggery
c) Bring to the table
d) A horse of a different colour
Answer: a) Skulduggery afoot
