idioms
Idioms & Natural Expressions
Fixed expressions and idiomatic language to sound more natural and precise.
30 minC1c1idiomsnatural-disasters-geological-processesdisastersgeologyinstability
Lesson objectives
- Use idiomatic language connected to natural disasters & geological processes more naturally.
- Distinguish neutral, formal and contemporary expressions.
- Recognise when an expression improves fluency without sounding forced.
Idioms & expressions — Natural Disasters & Geological Processes
to be on shaky ground · neutral
neutralMeaning:to be in a precarious or unstable situation, often regarding an argument or relationship.
Significado:estar en terreno pantanoso / estar en una situación inestable.
Example:With the new evidence coming to light, the CEO's leadership is on shaky ground.
the calm before the storm · neutral
neutralMeaning:a period of peace or quiet before a period of great activity, trouble, or excitement.
Significado:la calma antes de la tempestad.
Example:The quiet morning at the office was just the calm before the storm of the product launch.
to weather the storm · neutral
neutralMeaning:to successfully deal with a very difficult period or situation.
Significado:capear el temporal / superar una situación difícil.
Example:Despite the sudden economic downturn, the startup managed to weather the storm.
to be a force of nature · neutral
neutralMeaning:to be a person with a very strong personality who is difficult to control.
Significado:ser una fuerza de la naturaleza.
Example:You can't argue with her when she's in that mood; she's a true force of nature.
to hit a fault line · formal
formalMeaning:[Contemporary] To encounter a fundamental disagreement or a breaking point in a social or professional structure.
Significado:[Contemporáneo] Chocar con un punto de ruptura o conflicto estructural.
Example:The debate over AI ethics hit a fault line within the tech community last week.
to be in the eye of the storm · neutral
neutralMeaning:to be at the centre of a lot of controversy or activity.
Significado:estar en el ojo del huracán.
Example:The journalist found herself in the eye of the storm after publishing the investigative report.
to trigger a landslide · informal
formalMeaning:[Contemporary] To cause a sudden, overwhelming shift in public opinion or a digital trend.
Significado:[Contemporáneo] Provocar un cambio masivo o repentino (en opinión o tendencia).
Example:The influencer's viral post triggered a landslide of support for the new environmental policy.
to be ground zero · neutral
neutralMeaning:the centre of a significant event or the place where something starts.
Significado:ser el epicentro / el punto de origen.
Example:This city has become ground zero for the new remote-work revolution.
to undergo a tectonic shift · formal
formalMeaning:[Contemporary] To experience a massive, fundamental change in how a system or industry operates.
Significado:[Contemporáneo] Experimentar un cambio estructural o radical.
Example:The integration of neural interfaces is causing a tectonic shift in the medical industry.
to be built on sand · neutral
neutralMeaning:to be based on something weak, unreliable, or likely to fail.
Significado:estar construido sobre arena (ser algo sin base sólida).
Example:Their entire business model is built on sand if they don't secure more funding soon.