threat, thereat

Threat or threat means a stated intention to do harm or injury, or, generally, a potential harm or injury--
The police considered the threat serious, and went to get an arrest warrant.
The threat of losing his job straightened him right up.

Thereat or thereat is an archaic ( no longer used ) word meaning at that place, or because of that--
"Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat."
They gathered around the strange object, and wondered thereat.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"When he heard the king's threat, he told the truth, and the court wondered thereat."

put, putt

Put or put ( pronounced to rhyme with foot ) means to move something to a particular place or spot, or, figuratively, to bring someone to a particular state or condition--
Put the soda in the refrigerator.
Try to put him at ease; he's very nervous.

Putt or putt ( pronounced to rhyme with but ) means a light golf stroke, meant to roll the ball into the hole--.
He'll never make the putt; I'm sure to win.
You can putt the ball into the cup; it'll be good practice.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He put the ball back where he started; he wants to try that putt again."

beetle, beadle

Beetle or beetle means an insect of the order Coleoptera, with a hard shell and chewing mouth parts--
The cat is trying to catch a beetle that crawled under my desk.
A beetle usually has wings hidden under its shell.

Beadle or beadle means an officer or assistant employed by a church or possibly a school--
The beadle had to ask them to be quiet during the service.
The beadle will help you find a place to sit.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He got in trouble with the beadle when he put a beetle on the shoulder of the child in front of him."

inflames, in flames

Inflames or inflames ( one word ) is the third per son singular ( he, she, it ) form of "inflame", meaning to make red, hot, or sore,physically or emotionally--
Eating spicy food always inflames his gout.
The reporters hope to be standing by if his speech inflames the crowd.

In flames or in flames ( two words ) means on fire, literally, or completely and suddenly ruined, figuratively--
They watched helplessly as the building went up in flames.
Our plans for a new house went down in flames.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Agitation inflames his ulcer; don't tell him the project went down in flames."

mead, meed

Mead or mead is a fermented alcoholic drink made from honey--
He brought a bottle of mead back with him from Poland.
They want to have a medieval dinner, with mead and a roast ox.

Meed or meed ( rhymes with mead ) is an archaic ( no longer used ) word, meaning a deserved share or reward--
He has slain the dragon; what meed should we offer him?
He will have his meed of fame when the battle is over.

Mede or mede is an archaic word for a piece of meadow or grassland--
What a fine day to frolic on the mede!
He is writing a poem about a cow in a mede, forsooth.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Tell the squire we would offer him a meed, a fine bottle of mead, if he will meet us in the mede."

Note--"Mede" ( a proper noun, always capitalized, rhymes with mead ) means a person from Ancient Media in Persia--
Darius the Mede was the ancient king who saw the handwriting on the wall.

impetuous, impetus

Impetuous or impetuous means done quickly, without thought or care--
Calm down; don't make an impetuous decision you'll regret later.
He can be impetuous; he feels and then acts, without thinking.

Impetus or impetus means the driving or motive force--
The directors have offered a bonus, as an impetus to innovation.
A deadline can provide the impetus needed to finish a project.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"His last episode gave him the impetus to seek help for his impetuous behavior."

helpless, hapless

Helpless or helpless means unable to care for oneself; unable to deal with a problem--
This little kitten is still helpless; we'll have to take care of it.
He seems helpless; he doesn't take care of himself or his apartment.

Hapless or hapless means unlucky or unfortunate--
The hapless passenger left his passport at the counter.
The hapless man was walking under the window just as the pot fell off the ledge.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Everything seemed to go wrong; the hapless homeowner was helpless without a real professional to advise him."