![[B+] Survival and Suspense](https://images.ctfassets.net/r30ratzbtbbf/6wbTcHXAOxDdtrwwVC5y4i/d63d4f87c86c369a387d70c91cf51f82/Survival_and_Suspense.png)
LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐
podium
[ 'poh-dee-uhm ]
noun
He looked nervous as he got up on the podium to make his speech.
swerve
[ swurv ]
verb
The bus driver swerved to avoid hitting a bike rider.
close off something
phrasal verb
They closed Pennsylvania Avenue off to vehicles.
out of hand
idiom
He went to see his doctor because he felt his drinking was getting out of hand.
suspension bridge
noun
It was then the longest suspension bridge in the country.
LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
A. have a narrow escape
- just manage to avoid danger or trouble
Dialogue
Alex
John
What happened?
Alex
I almost got hit by a speeding car while crossing the street. I jumped back just in time. I definitely had a narrow escape.
B. too close for comfort
- so close in distance or similar in amount that you are worried or frightened
Dialogue
Sally
Did you see that huge spider in the living room this morning?
Cindy
Yes, I did! It was crawling right next to my foot.
Sally
That sounds too close for comfort.
Cindy
Absolutely, I was terrified!
C. cut things fine
- leave yourself only just enough time to do something
Dialogue
Alex
I heard you arrived just in time for your presentation at the conference.
John
Yes, my flight got delayed, and traffic was terrible. I arrived and went straight to the podium.
Alex
Wow, that's really cutting things fine!
John
Definitely! I prefer being early, but it was out of my hands this time.
D. something sets alarm bells ringing
- something worries you because it is a sign that there may be a problem
Dialogue
Take
I have just been offered the job of my dreams! The pay is very enticing and its part of my promotion. The only issue is that the job requires me to relocate to a different country, which means I have to leave my wife and kids behind.
Belle
Wow! That's really a great opportunity if you'd ask me. You should definitely seize it.
Take
I can't make up my mind. I feel like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.
Belle
Wow! That's really a great opportunity if you'd ask me. You should definitely seize it.
E. hang by a thread
- if a serious situation hangs by a thread, it means that even a slight change can decide what will happen and that a bad result such as death and failure.
Dialogue
Alex
Did you hear about the old suspension bridge near the hiking trail?
John
No, what about it?
Alex
It's been closed off. They say it's hanging by a thread and could collapse any day now.
F. your life is in someone's hands
- likely to fail in the near future
Dialogue
Sam
I'm feeling nervous about the surgery tomorrow.
John
It's natural to feel that way when your life is in someone's hands.
Sam
Yes, but I trust the surgeon. He comes highly recommended.
John
That's good. Having trust in your surgeon is really important.
LET'S PRACTICE! 📝
Part I
Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct idiomatic expression.
| have a narrow escape | too close for comfort |
| cut things fine | set alarm bells ringing |
| ones life is in someone's hands | hanging by a thread |
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In that moment of crisis, I knew that , and it was a scary thought.
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The old overpass, creaking and swaying in the wind, was clearly .
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When he started asking for personal details over the phone, something for me.
-
We arrived at the airport just as our boarding was closing, really with our timing.
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Standing so close to the wild bear was for me; I've never been so scared.
-
When the car swerved in front of her at the last second, she realized she'd .
Part II
Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statements twice. Then, repeat after your mentor.
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Part III
Direction: Paraphrase the following sentences. Make sure to paraphrase the underlined idiomatic expressions.
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As the firefighter carried the child out of the burning building, it was clear that her life was in someone's hands.
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The peace talks between the two countries are hanging by a thread; any minor disagreement could cause a breakdown in negotiations.
You won't believe what happened to me today!