sweat, follow (orders), fill (a quota), pride oneself (in a working well), keep up, take (instructions/a break), withstand (rigorous conditions), muscle, solve (work problems), break for, team up, step up (production), shut up, slog through, carry out/on, figure out, repeat, suffer, endure (working conditions), cooperate, zone out, go through the motions, hang together, stagnate, toil, trudge, heckle, slack off, slacken

sterilize, pull on (gloves/a helmet), wear (leather chaps/leather pants), stuff (ears), roll (ear plugs), put on (safety goggles), decontaminate, ventilate, abide (by osha rules), contain (a pathogen), comply (with safety laws), spray (cleaner), wipe up (blood/chemicals), bag, rope off, secure (an area)

break off, sign in/out, punch in/out, set off (to work), clock in, count (hours until quitting time), idle, collect (wages), cash (a paycheck), fulfill (a quota), sterilize, enter (wind tunnel), file out, file in, head out to

bust, snap, pop, shatter, break, breach, burst, explode, erupt, blow up, rupture, splinter, split open, fly open, burst apart, go bang

smash, bang, ram, bash, slap, hit, knock, wham, slam, plunk, blast, thunk, thud, thump, smack, pound, whomp, strike, thwack, wallop, rear-end, chink, clink, knock back, bump, butt, crack, bong, ricochet, carom, bounce, recoil, propel, crunch, ding, dong, jingle, screech, slam into, crash, jar, clash, find its mark, collide, impact, sideswipe, blindside, plow into, boom

clap, blast, crash, discharge, pop, thunder, roar, burst, explode, ignite, erupt, boom, blow up, rupture, go off, detonate, break open, set off (a bomb), fly open, burst apart, go bang, bust open, fly apart

break apart, shatter, break, fragment, rupture, splinter, split open, fly open, burst apart, go bang, bust open, fly apart, snap apart, burst (into pieces)

wring, clamp, clench, squeeze, smash, mash, ram, squash, crunch, jam, cramp, constrict, constrain, strangle, sandwich, smother, choke, suffocate, bind, flatten, press, compress, crush, push down, squinch, scrunch, depress, twist, crimp, pinch, screw, contract, pucker, tighten, put the screws to, wrench, ratchet

smash, scrape, mash, crunch, press, compress, crush, gnash, file, sand, chew, mince, grind, chomp, gnaw, juice, liquefy, mill, process (into a pulp), powder, pulverize, atomize, granulate, concentrate, abrade

force, chop, hack, hew, lop, sever, cleave, smash, ax, axe, chip away, gouge, lop off, mangle, slash, maim, mutilate, butcher, eviscerate, disembowel, disarticulate

gouge, eviscerate, hollow out, scoop, dig out, excavate, unearth, exhume, bore, scoop out, tunnel, disinter, cut into/out, burrow, mine, punch, drill, quarry, extract, strip-mine, scrape out, spoon out, dip

sever, cleave, chip away, crosscut, saw, rip, trisect, saw off, saw through/into, shave, shave off, shear, nip, cube, hash, scrape, cut away/down, skin, chip, snip, dice, clip, score, trim, nick, cut into, dig into, graze, notch, break off, sunder, disunite, amputate, slice off

force, wrestle, smash, ram, knock, bust, jar, press, dislodge, jolt, jerk, jimmy, crowbar, smash in, kick in, thrust, shove, inject, break in

wrest, force, wrestle, cleave, bang, twist, wrench, drive a wedge between, drive apart, pull apart, extricate, separate, dislodge, pry apart, tease apart, part, rive, yank (apart), prize, lever, knock loose, wedge, tweak

force, wrestle, squeeze, bang, mash, pound, squash, hammer, jam, press, wedge, thrust, shove, ram (together), push, pack, squish, insert, drive, cram, stuff, wad, fit

lever, jerk, sling, heft, heave, hike up, pick up, raise, hoist, push up, boost, lift, crank, rope, ratchet something up, winch, upraise, elevate, levitate

scoop, pack, heft, heave, manhandle, hoist, lift, crank, rope, winch, load, cable, shovel, bundle, deposit, slide, forklift, stow, crane, stack

operate, rig, fabricate, tool, retool, engineer, stock, build, supply, turn out, coke, smelt, plate (a metal surface), chrome, order, parcel out, model, debut, degrade, tailor, register, license, appraise, resource, devise, warehouse, research and develop, certify, standardize, calibrate, overhaul, synchronize, commercialize

discharge, produce (products), turn out (products), process (raw materials), refine, manufacture, employ, bring (employment), fabricate, generate, tool, retool, recycle, pollute, stink, smell, fuel, belch, smoke, fume, smolder, emit (pollution), distill, hydrate, replicate, cycle, decarbonize, break down, churn, pump, disgorge, retrofit

clip, unload, load, fulfill (a quota), maneuver, fit, install, cut, apply, gird, store, grade (a product), reformulate, inspect, quality-check, test (a product), engineer, feed, stock, supervise, tie down (a load), bungee, deliver, paint, measure, upholster, secure, count, swing, weigh, insulate, lock, unlock, package

tug, yank, lever, push, lug, skid, roll, drag, tow, haul, schlep, trundle, cart, wheelbarrow, rake, heft, heave, manhandle, carry

mishandle, set aside, shove aside, whisk, scoot, chuck, shunt, brush aside, sweep (papers off a table), sling, push aside, unload, divert, cast aside, push over

flex, squeeze, mangle, jerk, slide, thumb, toy with, tap, scratch, fiddle with, fumble, squirm, twist loose, play with, jiggle, wring one's hands, bob, bounce (one's leg), twitch, twiddle, wiggle, fool around with, fret (a hole in one's napkin), smooth (something with one's hand), rock, shift (one's weight), wriggle, twirl, fidget, fan, wind, brush off (one's clothing), pull at, tinker, twaddle, ripple, worry (something with one's hand), swivel, bother, shimmy, flounder, fuss

grip, clench, clasp, clutch, constrict, choke, scrunch, twist, pinch, contract, tighten, fumble, draw oneself up, sweat, perspire, brace, freeze, freeze up, tense up, coil, bite (one's nails), pick at, flare (one's nostrils), drop, stiffen, bristle, stammer, stutter, falter, hem and haw, fold and unfold (one's arms), shred, hesitate, splutter, quiver, trail off, wring (one's hands), grind (one's teeth), quicken (one's speech), rise, overuse (force), purse (one's brow)

trim, sand, prime, paint, insulate, stain, finish, sheetrock, drywall, tape, texture, mud, plaster, wallpaper, nail (wainscoting/trim), tile, stucco, caulk, grout

bind, sand, level, mold, measure, model, stain, flute, taper, engrave, incise, plumb, carve, whittle, fashion (a trellis), sculpt, miter, plane, chisel, stencil, bevel, groove, cure, tiller, route, strip, finish, refinish

crimp, rewire, test (charge), connect, install (circuit box), drag (wires), attach (wire to transformer), run (electrical wiring), troubleshoot, measure (charge), service (an electrical system), trip (a fuse), wire, test, staple, drill (holes), twist (wing nuts), strip (wires), screw (wire to outlet), tighten (nuts), pull (wire through hole), fuse, tap into, draw (power), ground, turn on/off (power), reverse (polarity), feed (wires)

excavate, drive, operate, maneuver, finish, pour (concrete), dig (a basement), drill (a well), lay (septic lines), bury (septic tank), sweep, broom, raise up (a cherry picker), lower, pan

scrape, trim, sand, prime, seal, paint, measure, stain, tape, mud, brush, remove, caulk, scaffold, power-wash, mix (paint), dilute (paint color), clean (brushes), apply (paint), fill, putty, spray, stir (paint), mask (with tape), prep

knock, hammer, compress, crimp, wrap, bend, fold, analyze, screw (into place), cut, measure, shape, hang (duct work), construct, bolt

saw, chip, skid, haul, load, log, fell (trees), chop (trees), clear (the land), harvest (trees), clear-cut, cross-cut, reforest, plant (seedlings), select, truck, float (trees downstream), extract (mature trees from the forest), process, chainsaw, topple, lop off (branches), deforest

pull, drill, twist, grind, mill, push, thread, torque, disconnect, cut away, measure, secure, power up, compare, bore (a hole into), ream, fixture

hew, cut, carve, chisel, dress, mason

grab, clamp, hammer, sand, bend, cut, fabricate, engrave, shape, cool, heat, forge, weld (materials together), arc weld, join (iron and steel), solder, braze, brush, clean, melt (workpieces together), wear (a face shield), operate (welding power supply), heliarc weld, etch, emboss

bang, hit, hammer, twist, hoist, bend, position, level, lubricate, overhaul, construct, fix, shir, feather, set, align (a turbine), install (a machine), couple, erect (machines), assemble (a machine from prefabricated parts), dismantle, replace (bearings), maintain (machinery)

flex, insert, level, plumb, fuse, solder, vent (a pipe), siphon, galvanize, reinforce, weld, unclog, flush, interlock, assemble, snake

lift, position, repair, seal, replace, measure, secure, sweep, fix, climb onto (a roof), hammer (into place), put down (felt paper), lay (shingles), use (pneumatic gun), overlap (roof tiles), tear off, re-shingle, shingle over, roof, tar, nail (shingles), pound (nails), attach, harness, carry (rolls of tar paper), roll out, tear off (old roof), remove, caulk, lay down (shingles), shingle (a roof)

dip, sandwich, scrunch, twist, envelop, bend, lie, sprawl, kneel, seat (oneself), tip, crouch, stoop, duck, shift, hang, turn away/aside, face (an audience), hold still, slink down, stand, stand back, draw oneself up, curl, curl up, lounge, slouch, droop, sag, slump, hunch, sit, sit up, brush against, arch, stretch out, lean back/forward, lean into, fold, spread, spread out, recline, prop against, raise (an arm), squat, loll, settle, straddle, nestle, straighten (one's spine), huddle, hover, compose oneself, incline, cushion, hunker down, parallel, encircle, elevate (a leg), position, reposition, turn toward, sit down

jerk, nod, toss (one's hair), shake, snap, face (a direction), turn (one's head), cock (one's head), crane (one's neck), bend (at the neck), bounce (one's head), tuck (one's chin), jut (one's chin), turn toward, leer, shrivel, incline (one's head), bow (one's head), raise (one's head), signal, swivel (one's neck), mirror, tilt (one's neck)

grab, scoop, shrug, wave down, flag down, hold up/out, hold, reach out, gather (in one's arms), fold (one's arms), cross (one's arms), knock over, switch (arms), square (one's shoulders), round (one's shoulders), gesticulate, cue, slice, beckon, motion, tense, flex (one's biceps), stiff-arm, wave

slap, knock, clap, drum, press, pinch, push aside, rub, pat, tap, stroke, touch, turn in one's hand, turn over, cue, beckon, motion, wave, rap (on the table), flash, point, sign, ball up, run one's hand along, smooth (a sheet), applaud, fan (one's face), twiddle (one's thumbs), crack (one's knuckles), knuckle, wag (one's finger), crook (one's finger), snap (fingers), contact, caress, flip the bird, give someone the finger, flip (paper), flick (one's wrist), dig, wring (one's hands), deaf, deafness, run one's finger over

pelt, propel, chuck, sling, heave, let fly (an object), toss, flick, pitch, fling, lob, strew, throw, dump, hurl, fly, fly off, arc, shoot, fire, launch, buck, rifle (a fast ball), catapult, bombard, discharge, broadcast, defenestrate

chuck, pitch, strew, dump, broadcast, defenestrate, discard, get rid of, dispose of, throw out/away, shed, spew, scrap, cast off/out, eject, evict, expel, deport, boot out, oust, scatter, kick out, toss (out), take out the trash, litter, trash

squash, bust, break, negotiate, bargain, organize, compromise, benefit from, arbitrate, infiltrate, convene, concede, object, protect, litigate, establish, draw up (a contract), promote (communication with workers)

strike, negotiate, boycott, picket, protest, bargain, organize, unionize, walk off, brave, stand together, collect (union dues), rally, assist, compromise, benefit from, arbitrate, infiltrate, convene, concede, draw (up a contract), object, protect, litigate, dictate, complicate, interfere, solicit, raise (issues)

clamp, hack, hew, bore, drill, shear, chip, snip, trim, notch, jab, jam, crimp, file, sand, separate, smooth, tip, idle, thread, seal, stab, gauge, slit, cut away, cast, cock, glue, split, cut, pound together, laminate, bottle, mold, pour, stir, apply, sew, stitch

lever, crank, rope, ratchet up/down, chain, operate, rotate, turn (a crankshaft), start up (an engine), put one's weight into, maneuver, control (a load), jack up, fire up

flatten, tip, level, level out/off, even, even out, steady, align, plane (wood), hold in place, right, press down, stabilize, add (weight), straighten, balance (scales)

pull, twist, wrench, tweak, push, install, tighten (bolts), loosen (bolts), replace (a part), repair, analyze, determine (what's wrong), torque, up, disconnect, apply (putty), seal, remove (screws/residue), screw (into place), patch (a leak), replace, tackle, disassemble, take apart, reactivate, unjam, cannibalize

flex, wrestle, saw, hit, wallop, drive, lug, drag, tap, wipe, dig, muscle, operate, ply, fit, oil, stoop (to oil), screw on, pad, whet, plug, bar, thread, ping, plug in, switch on/off, install, charge (hand tools), wind up, kick, tack, fine-tune, power, trip (a switch), grease, lubricate, rig, turn on/off, steer, prime, outfit, activate, deactivate, reactivate

wrest, force, yank, wrestle, cleave, wrench, extricate, lever, jerk, snap, unfasten, unbolt, unscrew, unclasp, unhook, crack open, pull apart/up, pry open/apart, prize loose/off, pry, pop

screw, distract, cheat, deceive, trick, dupe, screw over, outsmart, count cards, conceal (cards), double-deal, weight (the dice), mark (a card), past post, hide (cards)

screw, cheat, deceive, trick, dupe, screw over, outsmart, double-deal, scam, double-cross, hoodwink, finagle, deprive (of one's share of profits), betray, resort to, con, pressure, charm, twist (facts or information)

extract, tap, chisel, milk, filter, cheat, trick, dupe, double-deal, fleece (tourists by overcharging), pad (an account), make off with, rake in, con, use false pretenses, defraud someone of, swindle, profit by, funnel, launder, siphon off, exploit, commandeer, falsify, embezzle, appropriate, misappropriate, violate, manipulate (numbers), cook the books, skim off the top, rip off, help oneself to, pocket, screw (over), line one's pockets, diddle, bribe, commit (fraud), gull, shaft, bilk, rook, receive kickbacks

frame, stun, muddy, cloud, deceive, trick, dupe, scam, double-cross, hoodwink, con, shaft, delude, seduce, beguile, baffle, polarize, divide, backstab, fool, mess with, vex, confuse, cozen, confound, stupefy, befuddle, bamboozle, hornswoggle, sucker, gyp, bewilder, stagger, mystify, nonplus, sabotage, disorient, lose (trust), exact (revenge)

lie, fabricate, pretend, belie, embellish, blur, spin, con, falsify, fib, fudge, bluff, twist the truth, hyperbolize, exaggerate, manufacture (an alibi), feign, fake, pad (figures), bend the truth, claim, make up, invent, concoct (a story), libel, slander, peddle (lies/half-truths), defame, misrepresent, tell a white lie, withhold (information), pull the wool over one's eyes

divert, manipulate, play with, maneuver, fabricate, devise, suppress, hide, secrete, evade, conceal, camouflage, simulate, pretend, belie, impersonate, veil, mask, cover up, shroud, disguise, pose, blind, shade, distract, front, spin, trick, double-deal, fudge, bluff, twist the truth, feign, fake, concoct (a story), misrepresent, gloss over, mislead, sham, hustle, jive, bull, warp, pique, obfuscate, twist (information), finesse, muddle, delude, obscure (information), cover over/up, outwit, convince, persuade, whitewash, outfox, masquerade as, flatter, seduce, beguile, distort (facts), insinuate, disseminate (misinformation), propagandize, oversimplify, vilify, equivocate, prevaricate, palter, counterfeit, dissimulate, hoax, machinate, neglect to (inform), exclude (information), omit (information), keep quiet, withhold, fail to (disclose), zip one's lips, keep something to oneself, refuse to disclose, keep secret, dissemble, refrain from, swear to secrecy, gatecrash

complicate, rattle, stun, scramble, imply, obscure, riddle, blur, blind, muddy, distract, cloud, hoodwink, fake, mislead, obfuscate, muddle, baffle, fool, vex, confuse, confound, stupefy, befuddle, bamboozle, bewilder, mystify, nonplus, disorient, blunt (someone's judgment/perception), addle, stump, hide (evidence), fog, miscue, perplex, puzzle, boggle, jumble, misconstrue, discombobulate, contradict oneself, fluster, throw off-kilter

blindside, flatten, crush, strip, topple, demolish, wreck, destroy, paralyze, overpower, trap, beat down, drain, ravage, overwhelm, derail, ruin, hurt someone's image, sap, doom, suck out, spoil, tear someone apart, wreak havoc, break someone's will, finish someone off, defeat, cripple, disable, deplete, devastate, overcome, disrespect, go into shock, throw for a loop

jolt, stun, startle, surprise, trick, baffle, stupefy, befuddle, bamboozle, bewilder, stagger, mystify, nonplus, disorient, overwhelm, stump, perplex, discombobulate, shock, take by surprise, astonish, dumbfound, flummox, astound, unnerve, flabbergast, daze, faze, floor, amaze, alarm, upset, catch off guard, ambush, test (one's assumption), undermine, throw for a loop, throw off-kilter

overtake, slip, snarl, follow, occur, disintegrate, fall apart, happen, happen to, take place, transpire, snag, arise, crop up, come undone/loose, backfire, visit upon, skew, devolve, deteriorate, crumble, slide downhill, befall, come about, result, ensue, tumble, lead to, fuck up

break down, topple, whirl, rear up, explode, turn, implode, spin out of control, erupt, run amok, plummet, disintegrate, ramp up, come apart, spiral out of control, fuck, fuck up

strike, divert, expel, rock, topple, dismantle, unseat, black out, foil, disperse, resort to, sabotage, tamper, cancel, revoke, abort, call off, hamper, restrict, filibuster, waylay, halt, stop, tip over, trip up, thwart, undo, disturb, impose, hinder, impede, derail, interrupt, intercept, delay, deter, throw off course, redirect, deflect, inundate

squash, cramp, constrain, strangle, press, crush, load, worry, complicate, restrain, saddle, strain, curb, put at risk, burden, bog down, tie up/down, hamper, flood with (duties), mire, clog, pressure, encumber, entangle, restrict, suspend, inconvenience, hold back/down, weigh down, overload, tax, overwhelm, stress, trouble, throttle

yank, choke, dislodge, bar, suppress, interfere, hitch, overpower, curb, rend, foil, eclipse, check, block, resort to, sabotage, hijack, intrude, pressure, thwart, hinder, impede, derail, intercept, inundate, cross, cut off, squelch, impair, prohibit, prevent, forestall, alert (authorities), impinge on/upon, dissuade, throttle, censor, stifle, control (someone's actions), obstruct, deprive, intervene, inhibit, countermand, meddle, butt in, barge in, interject

wrest, divert, manipulate, distract, break in, interrupt, delay, deter, redirect, deflect, meddle, butt in, barge in, lure, draw away, sidetrack, discourage, detour, shunt (an issue to the side), disrupt, sway, deviate

lob (curses), send out (a spell), scheme, hex, cast a spell on, put a spell on, stick (needles in a voodoo doll), plan (the demise of someone), practice (black magic), curse, bewitch

team up, rig, bait, set (a trap), coordinate, plot, draw up (a plan), hatch (an idea), scheme, conspire, connive, brainstorm, orchestrate, collaborate, collude, aid and abet, plan (a conspiracy), contrive, be in cahoots, mastermind, target, funnel (money)

maneuver, rig, devise, fix, strategize, bait, set (a trap), set someone up, plot, scam, con, bribe, draw up (a plan), hatch (an idea), scheme, conspire, connive, orchestrate, contrive, target, arrange (a scheme), concoct, engineer (a scheme), cook up (a scheme), plan, entrap, pay off, buy off, suborn

duck, pry, hide, slink, crawl, hunt, skulk, lurk, prowl, stake out, stalk, scout, investigate, spy, shadow, sneak, snoop, lie (low/in wait), creep around, tap (a telephone), search out, nose around, poke around, tiptoe, rummage around, sidle, eavesdrop, overhear, dig around, gatecrash, sneak in

trap, snare, ensnare, bog down, mire, entangle, mix up, demand, encompass, enmesh, involve, catch up, ensnarl, embroil, over-involve

mishandle, fumble, flounder, falter, wreck, flop, tangle, fluff, trip up, jumble, spoil, mess up, screw up, bumble, blunder, fail, mix up, mangle (a mission), botch, bungle, bollix, fail to, blow it, make a hash of, waste, mismanage, flub, fuck up

flounder, freeze, stumble, guess, misread, drift, stagger, reel, doubt, miss (cues/the point), lose (one's bearings), lose sight of, bumble, misunderstand, misjudge, cross (signals), misplace (one's belongings), appear (baffled), blurt, vacillate

screech, shoot, discharge, flash, leap, dart, run, bound, burst, explode, take off, flee, jump into, jump ship, storm off/out, hurl (insults/rocks), charge into (the fray), shout, yell, dash, hurry, speed, rush, blunder, dive into, fly into a rage, slam (one's brakes)

grasp, thrash, freeze, scramble, stumble, spin, stagger, nonplus, spin out of control, tumble, reel, fly into a rage, tear around, lose control, dance around, fall, frazzle, toss and turn, knot up

fend off, bear down, block, withhold, refuse to, balk, throw a temper tantrum, reject, deny, hold off/at bay, eschew, spurn, shut off/down, defend oneself, close off, stop one's ears, plant one's feet, draw a line in the sand

jar, cramp, crush, crimp, bar, challenge, unleash, bear down, threaten, explode, ignite, polarize, subvert, undermine, spin out of control, erupt, refuse to, fly off the handle, twist (someone's meaning), pin (blame), demoralize, violate (standards of conduct), ban, forbid, oppose, combat, lose perspective, lose (the confidence of others), blow something out of proportion

crash, stand, freeze, break down, flop, reach an impasse, stall, pause, agree to disagree, opt out, stalemate, deadlock, back (away/down), yield, forfeit, succumb, admit, come to a halt, stand down, fizzle, flatline, hit a roadblock, fail, flame out

seize, grab, force, snatch, swipe, jimmy, rake, unlock, strip, snap up, nab, mug, strip (of possessions), pickpocket, pick a lock, break in, tear (off), burgle, burglarize, intrude, prize open, break and enter, pick (a lock), shoulder

replicate, forge, imitate, reproduce, simulate, alter, falsify, fake, counterfeit, pirate, pass off as, copy, mock up, doctor, tamper with, present as

nick, swipe, pinch, roll, rake, lift, skim, trash, siphon, snap up, steal, carjack, make off with, funnel, commandeer, appropriate, violate, rip off, thieve, case, filch, nab, poach, fence (stolen goods), rob, loot, mug, slip away/off, run off with (stolen goods), hold up, raid, rout, strip (of possessions), pillage, ravage, pocket (stolen merchandise), pirate, abscond, shoplift, usurp, rifle, spirit away, hijack, skyjack, plunder, ransack, pilfer, pickpocket, purloin, despoil, demand (money), commit larceny, gank, hold up (at gunpoint), run contraband

disregard, appropriate, misappropriate, violate, rip off, pirate, hijack, copy, co-opt, plagiarize, infringe (patent/trademark), torrent, fileshare, download, copy and share (files), alias, steal (intellectual property)

analyze, weigh, appraise, sense, listen, examine, observe, check, discern, focus, review, sort out, think through/about, sift through, piece together (a coherent story), rule out, mull over, turn something over in one's mind, assess, locate, fact-check, verify, redefine, intuit, decipher, deliberate, separate (fact from fiction), step back, consider, contemplate, evaluate, explore (accounts), ponder, play out, chew on/over, reflect on, take stock of

embrace, compose oneself, swallow, adapt, surrender, deal, abandon, redirect, breathe, take a deep breath, manage (one's emotions), center oneself, quiet oneself, reframe, resign oneself to, accept, work with, relinquish (control), reconcile oneself to, come to terms with, identify (one's feelings), practice, make the best of, give up, exchange, step aside/outside, clear one's head, calm (oneself/others), recover one's composure, pull oneself together, get a grip

struggle, grapple, handle, hunker down, bear, face, hold up, come to terms with, cope, deal with, wing it, hold out/on, do without, pull together/through, plug away, play to a strength, muddle through, contend with, juggle, carry on, endure, settle for/down, persevere, persist, manage, live through, tolerate, shake oneself out of, retrieve, seek (answers/help), come to grips with, ration out (resources), rein in (spending), encounter (opposition), lean on, pay out/off, extricate (oneself from a drama)

brush aside, turn away/aside, contain, hide, slink, curb, evade, block, disappear, bluff, finesse, keep quiet, step back, avert (one's eyes), lower (one's eyes), skirt (a topic), excuse oneself, divert (attention), deflect (attention), blunt (one's affect), avoid (attracting anger), ward off, parry, field, hold back, hold in (one's urge to retort), accede, comply, stand down/back, tread lightly, sit still, conform, sidestep, table, defer, dodge, modulate (one's voice), sublimate, self-censor, accommodate, restrain oneself, protect oneself (in a shroud of silence), submit to, stave off

retreat, disappear, decompress, quiet oneself, excuse oneself, bow out, slink back, back up/off, untangle, disentangle, unknot, extricate oneself, remove oneself, disengage, unsnarl, control (one's level of engagement), simmer down, cool down, chill (out), take a chill pill, hang loose, stay loose, untwist, sequester, remain silent, withdraw, detach

clench, clip, strangle, suffocate, bind, suppress, tether, trap, swaddle, buckle, cinch, tie up/down, restrict, weigh down, censor, stifle, inhibit, sublimate, gag, pin down, shut up/in, hold down, hold in/back/down, silence, limit, abstain, trammel (as though trapped in a net), repress, swallow (an expletive), swallow one's tongue, bite (the bullet), smother (an impulse to fight back), open and close one's mouth

handle, stand, suffer, strain, shoulder, accept, carry on, endure, live through, tolerate, restrain oneself, abide, hold one's tongue, hold out/up/on, smile, grin and bear, buck up, refuse to (give up), exercise (restraint), soldier, take, grin and bear it, suck it up, swallow one's pride, let go, resign oneself, rise (to the occasion), put up with, prove (one's mettle), withstand, survive, manage to, carry on/out, fortify oneself (for the long haul), stomach, reconcile, swallow (a bitter pill), wait (for something to pass), man up, exercise restraint