Compulsory vocabulary for week 2

as it happens
if/when push comes to shove
plead
take sth as it comes
venture
narrow sth down
run the risk of sth
keep a low profile
stranded
malicious
surplus
train of thought
in retrospect
auspicious
dilapidation
a passport to sth
on the spot
a drop in the ocean
uncouth
shrewd
do your utmost
homely  
recur
congenial
get/gain the upper hand
opulence
restraint
retailer
retain
retreat
be out of the question
slip your mind
misnomer
deficient
pundit
be at the mercy of sb/sth
abject
fickle