The eldest was a termagant, imperious, prodigal, lewd, profligate wench, as ever breath'd; she used to rantipole about the house, pinch the children, kick the servants, and torture the cats and dogs; …

Perhaps the surface of the red brick, long unpainted, had scaled off a little more here and there.

The epic defense was rewarded with the highest military decorations

After nasty phone calls, curses hurled over the back fence, fist-shaking, and other attempts to impress him with your seriousness, you meet him at the supermarket, lose control, and punch his lights out.