hit you in the stomach If a pang of familiarity hits you in the stomach or you hear your mother's voice in your head when you read a particular item, it's likely that it's circulating inside you like an indictment. what does "hit you in the stomach" and "circulating inside you like an indictment" mean?

tried and true institutions I found this a comfort as I contemplated what would rise up out of the rubble of the ruined U.S. economy, and how we would retain the essence of what is best about our tried and true institutions, while building up new structures and models that are completely different than anything we have ever experienced before. what does "retain the essence of what is best about our tried and true institutions, while building up new structures and models that are completely different than anything we have ever experienced before" mean?

sputter along Most people don't realize, but it auctually took Rome a long time to fall. It lingered, sputtering along for decades as best as it could, refusing to relinquish its daily routines, its familiar symbols and structures, even though it was clear to the rest of the world that the Empire was officially over. what does " sputtering along for decades as best as it could, refusing to relinquish its daily routines, its familiar symbols and structures" mean?