ESL Podcast 1012 - Preventing Shoplifting
to redesign - to change the shape, style, and/or organization of something
We need to find a way to redesign this coffee shop so that it has more seating.
anti-theft - with protection against things being stolen; with ways to make it more difficult for thieves to take things without permission
The cashier forgot to remove the anti-theft tags from the shopper's purchases, so when she walked out the door, the alarm system started beeping.
surveillance camera - a small video camera that constantly records what is happening in a room, store, or area
Have you thought about installing a surveillance camera so that you can see what the babysitter is doing when she's watching your kids?
security guard - a person whose job is to protect a building against intruders, thieves, and damage
The security guard won't let anyone into the building without checking their identification first.
shoplifter - a person who steals things from a store by walking in and taking items without paying for them
The store manager started locking up small electronics to protect them from shoplifters.
zero tolerance - a policy of following the rules very strictly, not making any exceptions to those rules
The school has a zero-tolerance policy against weapons. Any student who brings a knife or gun to school will be suspended.
petty thief - a person who steals things that are unimportant and have little value
Are you really going to arrest a petty thief for stealing a piece of candy?
kleptomaniac - a person who feels compelled to steal things and cannot control his or her actions
Ingrid is a kleptomaniac who always wears a large jacket with big pockets so that she can steal items without getting caught.
to root out - to investigate and completely destroy or eliminate something so that no trace of it remains
The mayor is determined to root out corruption in city government.
instance of - occurrence; happening; existence
Please don't interpret this one instance of murder as meaning that the entire city is unsafe.
to prosecute - to pursue a legal decision against someone in a court of law; to try to have the consequences of breaking a law enforced on someone
Mrs. Sawyer has agreed not to prosecute you for the broken window if you simply apologize to her.
to the full extent of the law - as much as possible; as much as is allowed by law; with the maximum legal punishment
If judges always punished criminals to the full extent of the law, our prisons would be overflowing.
merchandise - items that are for sale; products that are being sold
Please don't touch the merchandise unless you're prepared to buy it.
under lock and key - locked up; protected by a lock so that something cannot be touched or taken by others
Quentin sometimes wishes that he could put his daughter under lock and key until she's at least 35 years old.
security tag - a small device that is attached to valuable items so that, if they are taken out of a building, an alarm sounds
This security tag is in the waistband of the pants, so it's really uncomfortable to try them on.
to weigh - to consider the advantages and disadvantages of doing something; to balance the pros and cons of something
We need to carefully weigh the benefits against the potential problems before we make a decision.
exit inspection - an examination of a person and his or her belongings as he or she leaves a building
If you choose to keep your bag with you while you are in the museum, it will be subjected to an exit inspection when you leave.
to go overboard - to do too much of something; to do something at an extreme level
When you said you wanted to redecorate, I thought you'd get some new paint and buy a lamp. But you've really gone overboard, spending thousands of dollars at the furniture store.