Words used only with another word

These words are almost exclusively used in conjunction with a specific other word – guess which one!
Based on this list by journalist John Rentoul
feel free to question the accuracy in the comments, but don't ask me to change the quiz since I didn't make the selection
Quiz by
Gumbledalf
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Last updated: February 8, 2026
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First submittedFebruary 6, 2026
Times taken38
Average score54.2%
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word combination
run amok
look askance
cast aspersions
bated breath
woe betide
bide your time
clarion call
high dudgeon
dulcet tones
figment of your imagination
heaven forfend
to and fro
halcyon days
hale and hearty
inclement weather
death knell
nape of the neck
hoist with your own petard
whole shebang
short shrift
scot free
serried ranks
spick and span
damp squib
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6 Comments
+1
Level 80
Feb 6, 2026
Huh, I've only really heard "woe betide" and "heaven forfend."
+1
Level 77
Feb 6, 2026
It seems these are indeed more popular. Sorry, this was an error in the secondary source. I'll change it.
+1
Level 68
Feb 6, 2026
I actually typed “God forfend” first, but eventually got around to Heaven because of the length of the line. Regardless, nominated!
+1
Level 77
Feb 6, 2026
Thanks! I'll add it as a type-in, it seems both are reasonably common.
+1
Level 61
Feb 8, 2026
"Squib" is used in many more contexts than "damp".

The Merriam Webster entry has four examples from recent publications, none of which include "damp".

I've also seen "nape" used without the "of the neck". At the very least "of your neck", "of his neck", "of her neck", and so on should all be accepted.

+1
Level 77
Feb 8, 2026
Yeah the original list doesn't use very strict criteria I think. I'll add the type-ins