ESL Podcast 918 - Preparing for a Disaster
talk radio - radio programs where a host speaks with invited guests and listeners who call into the show to discuss certain topics
What's the best station for conservative talk radio in this area?
doomsday - the end of the world; Armageddon; a future time when everyone will die
Thirty years ago, people thought nuclear weapons would cause doomsday, but now climate change seems more likely.
garbage - something that is worthless; something that has no value
All of those ideas are garbage! Can't you guys come up with any more interesting proposals?
impending - happening soon and bringing negative consequences
Everyone is nervous about the impending storm.
to cry wolf - to say that something bad is going to happen when it is not true, often to play a joke or trick another person, based on a traditional story about a boy who was protecting sheep and told people in the village that a wolf was coming, just to laugh at their reaction, but then when the wolf actually came nobody believed him
Are we really in danger of losing the client, or are you just crying wolf?
proof - evidence; something that shows the truth of something
Do you have any proof that the housecleaner stole your jewelry?
to sound the alarm - to warn people about some danger or problem, especially before most other people are aware of it
If you suspect fraud, you have a responsibility to sound the alarm and let management know about it.
canary in the coal mine - an early indicator of a problem or a dangerous situation, based on how people used to lower canaries (small birds) into underground areas to test for dangerous air, so that if the bird died, they knew the area was not safe for humans
The company decided to open one small office in southeast Asia as a canary in the coal mine to determine whether further international expansion would be a good idea.
disaster - a bad, dangerous, and uncontrollable situation, especially caused by natural forces like hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods
The Carlsons have a suitcase filled with flashlights, a radio, batteries, canned food, and water, just so they can be prepared for any disasters.
voice of reason - a person who is calm, logical, and rational while speaking to other people who are panicked and not able to think clearly
Whenever Trent becomes stressed out from school and work, he calls his father, who can always offer him a voice of reason.
for real - actually happening; not imaginary or pretend; reality
Was that offer for real, or were they just teasing us?
disruption - an interruption; a temporary stop in some service; a brief stop in something
When the tree fell, it knocked down a power line and caused a disruption in electric service to homes and businesses.
a run on - a situation where many people want to buy or have the same thing, more than the amount available
Right before the storm, there was a run on flashlights, batteries, and bottled water.
chaos - disorder; an extreme lack or order and organization; a situation where things are very unpredictable and nobody is in control
There's so much chaos in this office, I don't understand how you can get anything done.
underground bunker - a safe room below the earth's surface, made with very strong walls and a locking door, that allows a person to live safely through any situation for a certain period of time
Kevin built an underground bunker to protect his family in case there's a major earthquake or a war.
to dig - to excavate; to use tools to move earth away from an area to create a hole in the ground
How long did it take you to dig that hole and to plant that tree?