| Reduction in rank |
DEMOTION |
| Roman poet |
VIRGIL |
| Scrimp, barely subsist |
MAKEENDSMEET |
| Ship's officer |
BOSUN |
| South African freedom fighter |
MANDELA |
| Stalemate |
IMPASSE |
| Supposedly suicidal rodent |
LEMMING |
| Take advantage of one's seniority |
PULLRANK |
| Thread |
STRING |
| Unintentional error revealing subconscious emotions |
FREUDIANSLIP |
| Vertical part of staircase |
RISER |
| Wide boy |
SPIV |
