ESL Podcast 674 - Threatening Other Countries
military exercise - war game; a way to train an army or navy group, or a way to test equipment for warfare,by testing systems as if an actual battle or war is happening
Sometimes countries use computer simulations as military exercises to help officers develop the best ways to make decisions.
border - the line between two countries, states, or provinces; the geographic line separating or dividing two parts of a piece of land on a map
Which states share a border with Nebraska?
to send (someone) a message - to communicate indirectly; to make sure someone understands what one is thinking without saying it directly
Dan has bad breath, but nobody wants to tell him directly, so his co-workers are trying to send a message by putting a large bottle of mouthwash in the office bathroom.
saber-rattling - a display, demonstration, or show of strength and fighting power
Are they really going to attack us, or is it just saber-rattling?
to amass - to collect and accumulate; to gather many items and keep them in one place
It has taken ten years and thousands of dollars to amass this DVD collection.
weapon - a tool used to hurt or kill other people while fighting
Which weapon would you prefer: a sword or a knife?
to posture - to present oneself in a particular way; to convey a certain impression
Delia is always posturing as an expert in music, but she has never studied music in any serious way.
threat - risk; something that can cause harm or danger and may do so in the near future
The conference speaker said that the personal automobile is a serious threat for the environment.
to bear the responsibility - to be held accountable for something; to admit that one has done something wrong and accept the consequences of it
Who will bear the responsibility if this deal fails? Your company or mine?
to violate - to break a rule or agreement; to disobey or not follow a rule or agreement
If you violate the terms of this agreement, you might have to pay hundreds of dollars in fines.
treaty - an official agreement between two countries
According to the treaty, our country has to help if their country is attacked.
military aggression - for a nation's armed forces (army, navy, air force, etc.) to show their power and strength against another country's armed forces
The members of this church believe that all military aggression is wrong, so they never serve in the army.
to attack - to initiate or begin a fight or battle; to begin to hurt or kill another person or group, without waiting for them to hurt one's own group first
That dog just attacked the little girl for no reason!
to retaliate - to take revenge; to do something bad to another person after he or she has done something bad to oneself
If you read your sister's diary, she might retaliate by doing something worse to you.
to escalate - to increase in intensity or importance; to become more serious or important, involving more people and authority
When the teacher caught the student cheating on the exam, he escalated the situation by calling the principal and the student's parents.
underground bunker - a strong, safe place where soldiers can find protection below the surface of the earth
The soldiers were cold and wet in the underground bunker, but at least they were protected from gunfire.
to strike - to attack; to hit someone; to send a bomb
If the enemy strikes tonight, will we be prepared to fight back?