ESL Podcast 739 - Performing an Intervention
intervention - a meeting where close friends and relatives surprise an individual who did not expect the meeting because they are concerned about his or her activities, especially an addiction, and want him or her to realize there is a problem and agree to fix it
They planned an intervention to help Pauline, but she became so angry at them that it really didn't work.
to affect - to have some influence or impact on something; to change something in some way
How has your wife's unemployment affected your marriage?
to be addicted to - to not be able to stop doing something; to need more and more of something in order to feel good, especially taking drugs, drinking alcohol, or gambling
Doctor, what will happen if I become addicted to these pain medications?
to attest - to say and/or prove that something is true based on one's experience and beliefs
We have hundreds of client who can attest to the effectiveness of our program.
obsession - something that one thinks about all the time; something that one cannot stop thinking about
Video games used to be a hobby for Jan, but now they are an obsession and she plays them all the time.
consequence - result; something that happens because something else has happened
High inflation is the consequence of printing too much money.
to interfere - to interrupt and become involved in something in a way that makes it slower, less successful, or less effective
When Percy broke his wrist, it interfered with his writing because he couldn't type as quickly as before.
cornered - trapped in a place and unable to leave or escape
The men used their nets to chase the bear until it was cornered.
therapist - a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor who helps a patient talk about a problem or mental disease and find a solution
Their marriage isn't doing well, so they've decided to start seeing a therapist once a week.
treatment - a program to cure a physical or mental disease, or to recover from an injury
The doctor explained that Marsha's treatment could take years.
ultimatum - a threat; a statement that one must do something, or else some bad thing will happen
Sheila gave her boss an ultimatum: give her a raise or she would quit, taking her clients with her.
healthy - good for one's physical, mental, and/or emotional wellbeing
Craig's kitchen is full of healthy foods, like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts.
to go overboard - to do too much of something; to engage in extreme behavior
I know you like baking, but you've gone overboard. How is our family of four going to eat eight dozen cookies, four pies, and three cakes?
to promise - to seriously say that one will do something; to make a commitment to do something
Victor promised to take his daughter to the zoo, even though he had a lot of work to do.
cold turkey - an immediate end to some activity, usually one that is unhealthy and that one wants to quit doing
Is it easier to stop smoking cold turkey, or by reducing the number of cigarettes a little at a time?
to be weaned off - to reduce the number or amount of something one is addicted to slowly, not all at once; to gradually end some addictive activity
Changing your diet all at once can be very difficult. You'll be more successful if you are weaned off sugary, salty, and fatty foods.
to cut back - to reduce; to decrease the number or amount of something
They're cutting back on how often they eat at restaurants so that they can save up some money to buy a house.