ESL Podcast 921 - Describing Chance and Probability
chance - probability; likelihood; a measure of how likely it is that something will happen
What are the chances that they'll have another girl when they already have four daughters?
fifty-fifty - with two possible outcomes that are equally likely; equally likely to have either result
The weather reporter said there's a fifty-fifty chance of rain tomorrow.
fat chance - an informal phrase used to mean that something is very unlikely, almost impossible
Fat chance that Drake will apologize. He still thinks he did nothing wrong.
to stake (one's) life on (something) - to be completely sure about something; to so strong believe that something will happen that one is willing to die if one is not right
I believe she'll will the election. In fact, I'd stake my life on it.
to exaggerate - to make something seem more extreme that it really is, especially to make something seem bigger or worse than it really is
Gerald said he has 10 sports cars, but I think he was just exaggerating.
irresponsible - not responsible or accountable; careless and not worried about the negative consequences of one's actions
Olga is an irresponsible driver. I would never let her drive my car.
probability - likelihood; odds; a measure of how likely it is that something will happen
If you fill a hat with seven yellow balls and four blue balls, and then close your eyes and take out one ball, what's the probability that you'll pick a blue ball?
intention - what one meant to do or what one planned to do, but not necessarily what actually happened
Our intention was to help, not to make the situation even worse.
to lose track of time - to not pay attention to what time it is and not realize how much time has already passed, especially when one has an obligation or commitment at a particular time
Heather and her girlfriends were having so much fun that they lost track of time and didn't get home until almost 4:30 a.m.
follow-through - an attempt to do what one has promised to do or what one is expected to do
Yuki has a lot of great ideas, but I won't get too excited until I see her follow- through during implementation.
on (one's) way - en route; coming or going to a particular destination, but not yet having arrived
Please don't start the meeting without me. I'm on my way and I should be there in just a few minutes.
to not hold (one's) breath - to not stop breathing while waiting for something to happen, meaning that something will not happen for a long time, if it ever happens at all
We all hope the economy will start to improve, but we aren't holding our breath.
when hell freezes over - an expression used to show that one does not believe something will ever happen
Sure, he'll pay back the money when hell freezes over.
wee bit - a little bit or a tiny amount, especially when used sarcastically because someone is actually talking about a large amount
The contractors said the project was a wee bit over budget, but it's actually more than seven million dollars over budget!
cynical - doubtful; not believing something, especially not believing in the goodness of other people
When the government does bad things like that, it makes people cynical about politicians and their promises.
to indulge in wishful thinking - to make oneself feel happy or content with optimistic thoughts, assuming that only good things will happen; believing that something will happen as one wants it to happen
Adam is convinced his business will succeed, but given how many of his competitors have failed, it seems like he's indulging in wishful thinking.
to eat (one's) words - to be forced to admit (say) that one was wrong about something, especially when doing so is embarrassing
Justin never believed his sister would be able to lose the weight, but she did, and now he has to eat his words.