Snow Day? Don't Be 'Left Out in the Cold'

Snow Day? Don't Be 'Left Out in the Cold'

　　And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

　　On 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.

　　In 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 Celsius¹.

　　In 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.

　　Are 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 iceberg²!

　　Or, 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.

　　In 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.

　　So, 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.

　　But, 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.

　　To 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.

　　When 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.

　　What 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:

　　A: Hi Matt. Have you met our new teacher, Jennifer?

　　B: No. Not yet.

　　A: Why don't you break the ice and introduce yourself this afternoon?

　　B: I certainly will.

　　Ice 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.

　　Hell is fiery³ and extremely hot. A snowball has no chance at survival there. So, the expression describes something that is impossible.

　　Now 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.

　　American 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, snug⁴ as a bug⁵ in a rug.

　　We use the expression snug as a bug in a rug to describe a soft, warm and safe position or situation.

　　Sounds 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, physically⁶ and emotionally!

　　Sometimes we use this phrase, left out in the cold, when someone has rejected or forgotten us.

　　We will never leave English learners out in the cold, to be sure! Especially not in the dead of winter!

　　And that's Words and Their Stories.

　　I'm Caty Weaver⁷.

　　Hai Do wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

　　__________________________________________________

　　Words in This Story

　　preserve - v. to keep something in its original state or in good condition

　　introduce - v. to make someone known to someone else

1 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

2 iceberg   

n.冰山，流冰，冷冰冰的人

参考例句：

• The ship hit an iceberg and went under.船撞上一座冰山而沉没了。
• The glacier calved a large iceberg.冰河崩解而形成一个大冰山。

3 fiery   

adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的

参考例句：

• She has fiery red hair.她有一头火红的头发。
• His fiery speech agitated the crowd.他热情洋溢的讲话激动了群众。

4 snug   

adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房

参考例句：

• He showed us into a snug little sitting room.他领我们走进了一间温暖而舒适的小客厅。
• She had a small but snug home.她有个小小的但很舒适的家。

5 bug   

n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器

参考例句：

• There is a bug in the system.系统出了故障。
• The bird caught a bug on the fly.那鸟在飞行中捉住了一只昆虫。

6 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

7 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。