Spies in the newsroom

Glossary of difficult words

to turn the tables on someone - to reverse one’s position relative to someone else; to go from a position of disadvantage to one of advantage;

vile - morally bad, wicked;

cum - together with, plus;

hike - a sharp increase, esp. in price;

preemptive - serving to prevent an attack by disabling the enemy;

field team - a team of agents or representatives who operate on the ground as conditions demand.