Snow Day? Don't Be 'Left Out in the Cold'
2024-01-28
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language.
3We give definitions, examples, notes on usage, and sometimes we use them in short conversations.
4In a recent science report we explained about a weather system called the polar vortex.
5It caused a snowball effect on extreme weather around the world.
6The event led to record-high temperatures in many parts of the world.
7But much of North America had to deal with extreme cold.
8Some areas recorded temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.
9In an earlier Words and Their Stories program, we explained how to use the expression snowball effect to describe a situation where one action or event causes many other similar actions or events.
10Are you thinking that there must be many more English expressions related to snow, ice, and cold weather? You are right! The term "snowball effect" is just the tip of the iceberg!
11Or, to put it another way, we have many more expressions in American English related to the cold weather.
12So, today we will explore some winter words and expressions.
13In the dead of winter, many people like to skate on frozen lakes.
14But watch out! You don't want to skate on thin ice.
15That is dangerous.
16If it breaks you could fall into the cold, dark water below.
17You could even drown.
18So, the expression skating on thin ice serves as a warning.
19For example, if a friend is always late to work, you might tell him he is skating on thin ice with his employer.
20But, you might not want to say anything to your friend.
21Maybe it is none of your business when your friend arrives at work.
22So, you decide to put your warning on ice.
23To put something on ice means to suspend action on something - a temporary halt.
24In fact, today a co-worker asked me to put my project on ice, so I would have time to help her with today's lesson.
25When we put food on ice we preserve its quality for a time.
26We can wait to eat it later and it will still be good.
27What about when we break the ice, though?
28That sounds dangerous, right?
29However, it just means reaching out personally to a stranger. Like in this example:
30A: Hi Matt. Have you met our new teacher, Jennifer?
31B: No. Not yet.
32A: Why don't you break the ice and introduce yourself this afternoon?
33B: I certainly will.
34Ice is not all we might face in winter.
35Sometimes the snow is so deep we cannot even get out of the house.
36At those times, you might say there is a snowball's chance in hell I'm leaving home today.
37Hell is fiery and extremely hot.
38A snowball has no chance at survival there.
39So, the expression describes something that is impossible.
40Now that we are stuck inside the house, we say we are snowbound or snowed under.
41And we often use snowed under to describe a situation in which we have too much work to do.
42American children usually love a snow day!
43That phrase is used to mean schools are closed.
44Students might spend the day outdoors throwing snowballs or building a snowman.
45Or maybe they stay inside, covered up in a warm blanket next to a hot fire, snug as a bug in a rug.
46We use the expression snug as a bug in a rug to describe a soft, warm and safe position or situation.
47Sounds like a great place to be, especially during a snow storm.
48I mean, no one wants to be left out in the cold.
49That can really hurt, physically and emotionally!
50Sometimes we use this phrase, left out in the cold, when someone has rejected or forgotten us.
51We will never leave English learners out in the cold, to be sure!
52Especially not in the dead of winter!
53And that's Words and Their Stories.
54I'm Caty Weaver.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give definitions, examples, notes on usage, and sometimes we use them in short conversations. 3In a recent science report we explained about a weather system called the polar vortex. It caused a snowball effect on extreme weather around the world. The event led to record-high temperatures in many parts of the world. But much of North America had to deal with extreme cold. Some areas recorded temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. 4In an earlier Words and Their Stories program, we explained how to use the expression snowball effect to describe a situation where one action or event causes many other similar actions or events. 5Are you thinking that there must be many more English expressions related to snow, ice, and cold weather? You are right! The term "snowball effect" is just the tip of the iceberg! 6Or, to put it another way, we have many more expressions in American English related to the cold weather. So, today we will explore some winter words and expressions. 7In the dead of winter, many people like to skate on frozen lakes. But watch out! You don't want to skate on thin ice. That is dangerous. If it breaks you could fall into the cold, dark water below. You could even drown. 8So, the expression skating on thin ice serves as a warning. For example, if a friend is always late to work, you might tell him he is skating on thin ice with his employer. 9But, you might not want to say anything to your friend. Maybe it is none of your business when your friend arrives at work. So, you decide to put your warning on ice. 10To put something on ice means to suspend action on something - a temporary halt. In fact, today a co-worker asked me to put my project on ice, so I would have time to help her with today's lesson. 11When we put food on ice we preserve its quality for a time. We can wait to eat it later and it will still be good. 12What about when we break the ice, though? That sounds dangerous, right? However, it just means reaching out personally to a stranger. Like in this example: 13A: Hi Matt. Have you met our new teacher, Jennifer? 14B: No. Not yet. 15A: Why don't you break the ice and introduce yourself this afternoon? 16B: I certainly will. 17Ice is not all we might face in winter. Sometimes the snow is so deep we cannot even get out of the house. At those times, you might say there is a snowball's chance in hell I'm leaving home today. 18Hell is fiery and extremely hot. A snowball has no chance at survival there. So, the expression describes something that is impossible. 19Now that we are stuck inside the house, we say we are snowbound or snowed under. And we often use snowed under to describe a situation in which we have too much work to do. 20American children usually love a snow day! That phrase is used to mean schools are closed. Students might spend the day outdoors throwing snowballs or building a snowman. Or maybe they stay inside, covered up in a warm blanket next to a hot fire, snug as a bug in a rug. 21We use the expression snug as a bug in a rug to describe a soft, warm and safe position or situation. 22Sounds like a great place to be, especially during a snow storm. I mean, no one wants to be left out in the cold. That can really hurt, physically and emotionally! 23Sometimes we use this phrase, left out in the cold, when someone has rejected or forgotten us. 24We will never leave English learners out in the cold, to be sure! Especially not in the dead of winter! 25And that's Words and Their Stories. 26I'm Caty Weaver. 27Hai Do wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 28__________________________________________________ 29Words in This Story 30preserve - v. to keep something in its original state or in good condition 31introduce - v. to make someone known to someone else