outage/stranded/backlog/pull out/blew hot and coldd/in the cold light of the day/
Dear teachers,
Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?
Eurostar’s four day outage has left thousands stranded.
outage = a temporary suspension of operation
strand (v) = leave stranded or isolated with little hope of rescue
stranded (adj.) = cut off or left behind
Passengers who were due to travel over the weekend will have priority for these first journeys, as Eurostar scrambles to clear a backlog of up to 75,000 passengers in time for Christmas.
backlog = an accumulation of jobs not done or materials not processed that are yet to be dealt with (especially unfilled customer orders for products or services)
The first train pulled out of Paris at 08:10 local time, but left hundreds more passengers waiting on the platforms.
pull out = leave, depart
Dave, who at first blew hot and cold at the idea, eventually agreed to take on the task.
blow hot and cold = change one's mind, vacillate
Suspenseful, poignant, and at times humorous, In the Cold Light of Day offers a fast-paced, compelling account of the horrific tragedy that rocked the South.
in the cold light of the day = when you can think clearly about something
fast-paced = of communication that proceeds rapidly
They had a terrible fight about the mix-up, but in the cold light of day they realized they were both at fault.
mix-up = a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another
in the cold light of the day = dispassionately, unemotionally, especially at a later time
at fault = responsible for a mistake, trouble, or failure; deserving blame
Throughout the next seven days many of the regulars were in a cold sweat wondering what the outcome would be.
cold sweat = a reaction to nervousness, fear, pain, or shock, characterized by simultaneous perspiration and chill and cold moist skin.
In the end Martin, the oldest member of the club, found himself in the hot seat and reluctantly agreed.
hot seat = in a position of extreme stress or discomfort, as when subjected to harsh criticism
Thank you for your efforts.
Regards,
V.
Re: outage/stranded/backlog/pull out/blew hot and coldd/in the cold light of the day/
Quote:
Originally Posted by
vil 
Dear teachers,
Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?
Eurostar’s four day outage has left thousands stranded.
outage = a temporary suspension of operation
strand (v) = leave stranded or isolated with little hope of rescue
stranded (adj.) = cut off or left behind
Passengers who were due to travel over the weekend will have priority for these first journeys, as Eurostar scrambles to clear a backlog of up to 75,000 passengers in time for Christmas.
backlog = an accumulation of jobs not done or materials not processed that are yet to be dealt with (especially unfilled customer orders for products or services)
The first train pulled out of Paris at 08:10 local time, but left hundreds more passengers waiting on the platforms.
pull out = leave, depart
Dave, who at first blew hot and cold at the idea, eventually agreed to take on the task.
blow hot and cold = change one's mind, vacillate
Suspenseful, poignant, and at times humorous, In the Cold Light of Day offers a fast-paced, compelling account of the horrific tragedy that rocked the South.
in the cold light of the day = when you can think clearly about something
fast-paced = of communication that proceeds rapidly
They had a terrible fight about the mix-up, but in the cold light of day they realized they were both at fault.
mix-up = a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another
in the cold light of the day = dispassionately, unemotionally, especially at a later time
at fault = responsible for a mistake, trouble, or failure; deserving blame
Throughout the next seven days many of the regulars were in a cold sweat wondering what the outcome would be.
cold sweat = a reaction to nervousness, fear, pain, or shock, characterized by simultaneous perspiration and chill and cold moist skin.
In the end Martin, the oldest member of the club, found himself in the hot seat and reluctantly agreed.
hot seat = in a position of extreme stress or discomfort, as when subjected to harsh criticism
Thank you for your efforts.
Regards,
V.
You have basically nailed them all (that is, gotten them exactly right.) Fast-paced means anything that moves quickly, as in an action-packed, fast-paced movie.
Stranded doesn't generally to be left behind intentionally but rather to be stuck somewhere -- such as in a snowstorm.
Re: outage/stranded/backlog/pull out/blew hot and coldd/in the cold light of the day/
Quote:
Originally Posted by
vil Dear teachers,
Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?
Eurostar’s four day outage has left thousands stranded.
outage = a temporary suspension of operation
strand (v) = leave stranded or isolated with little hope of rescue
stranded (adj.) = cut off or left behind
Passengers who were due to travel over the weekend will have priority for these first journeys, as Eurostar scrambles to clear a backlog of up to 75,000 passengers in time for Christmas.
backlog = an accumulation of jobs not done or materials not processed that are yet to be dealt with (especially unfilled customer orders for products or services)
The first train pulled out of Paris at 08:10 local time, but left hundreds more passengers waiting on the platforms.
pull out = leave, depart= Withdraw from an undertaking or remove oneself from an obligation; as:
After the crash many investors pulled out of the market.
He pulled out when he heard how much work was involved in the task.
Dave, who at first blew hot and cold at the idea, eventually agreed to take on the task.
blow hot and cold = change one's mind, vacillate
Suspenseful, poignant, and at times humorous, In the Cold Light of Day offers a fast-paced, compelling account of the horrific tragedy that rocked the South.
in the cold light of the day = when you can think clearly about something
fast-paced = of communication that proceeds rapidly
They had a terrible fight about the mix-up, but in the cold light of day they realized they were both at fault.
mix-up = a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another
in the cold light of the day = dispassionately, unemotionally, especially at a later time
at fault = responsible for a mistake, trouble, or failure; deserving blame
Throughout the next seven days many of the regulars were in a cold sweat wondering what the outcome would be.
cold sweat = a reaction to nervousness, fear, pain, or shock, characterized by simultaneous perspiration and chill and cold moist skin.
A cold sweat is in fact a kind if disease. A majority of the population that ends up with this are, unfortunately, women. This is not to say that it is always women, but just that - most often - the reason behind such cold sweats is, of course, menopause.
In the end Martin, the oldest member of the club, found himself in the hot seat and reluctantly agreed.
hot seat = in a position of extreme stress or discomfort, as when subjected to harsh criticism
Thank you for your efforts.
Regards,
V.
Fine examples.
