diffidence

And Singh's unassuming personality, which once made his every move seem like a revelation, was labelled as showing complacency, diffidence and even arrogance by some.

The scene says a lot with a little, hitting comic beats but ending deflatedly thanks to the art dealer’s ruthless reaction to this diffidence.

“It is probably this diffidence that has made it difficult to make progress on solutions.”

One video shows the two cats at their first meeting exhibiting mutual curiosity and typical feline diffidence.

Eventually, Hilary’s boss, Mr. Ellis — played with characteristic diffidence by Colin Firth — arrives, stiffly giving her a box of candy “with deep affection.”