retract - recant, withdraw a statement make smaller in amount or value⏎
unskilled - untrained, unqualified, inexpert⏎
wake-up call - sudden warning⏎
used - second-hand, pre-owned, employed, utilised, utilized⏎
stable - steady, unchanging, firmly fixed⏎
upbeat - positive, enthusiastic, optimistic⏎
talent - aptitude, natural ability, gift, passion, calling⏎
value - worth, price, importance⏎
simulate - imitate, create artificially⏎
white elephant - bane, useless (big, expensive) thing⏎