Vocabulary

• look at: To use your eyes to focus on something
• family members: People related by blood, marriage, or adoption.
• at least: As a minimum
• out there: In or to a place that is far away
• on alert: In a state of readiness or vigilance; watchful and prepared for potential danger or action.
• shut down: To close an operating system, e.g. on a computer
• at sea
• spin off: A company that is formed from part of an existing company.
• tear up: To cause someone much grief
• on the air: Being broadcast on radio or television.
• flood out: To evacuate a place due to flooding.
• set to: To energetically begin to do, e.g. making a fire
• along with: In addition to; together with.
• feel like: To have a desire or inclination for something.
• at times: Sometimes; occasionally.
• depending on: To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
• as soon as: In a short time after (something happens)
• bring in: To earn a certain amount of money or profits
• ramp up: To increase the level or amount of something sharply.
• rule of thumb: A practical and approximate way of doing or measuring something.
• watch out: To be careful; to be alert to danger
• stay in: To remain inside one's home.
• storm out: To leave a place angrily and noisily.
• on the verge of: Very near to doing or experiencing something.
• stay away: To keep a distance from something or someone; to avoid approaching.
• have to: Must do
• search for: To try to find someone or something.
• setting off: To start a journey
• out of view: Not visible; hidden from sight.
• on the ground: Located on the surface of the earth.
• next to: Being located along side another
• in the back seat: Having a less active or secondary role; not in control.
• threat to: A person or thing likely to cause damage or danger.
• chief among them: Most importantly; the most significant of a group.
• for someone: On behalf of or intended for a particular person.
• bring down: To destroy (government, etc.) forcefully
• on board: Being on a ship, plane, or other vehicle
• absolutely: Completely; totally; very
• massive: Very big; large; too big
• surge: Sudden movement in one direction by many
• expect: To believe something is probably going to happen
• category: Groups of things that are similar in some way
• fuel: To give power to (a mob, anger, etc.); incite
• vice: used as part of the title of particular positions. The person who holds one of these positions is next below in authority to the person who holds the full position and can act for them
• suspect: Person thought to have committed a crime
• backlash: a strong negative reaction by a large number of people, for example to something that has recently changed in society
• involve: To have or be included as a part of something
• threat: Warning of probable trouble
• break: To create a new record e.g. running the 100m dash
• emergency: Sudden event needing an immediate action
• major: High-ranking officer in the army
• tropical: Hot and humid; near to the equator
• turbulence: Violent or unsteady movement of air or liquids
• bill: Plan for a new law being discussed by a government
• coast: Land near the sea or ocean
• hit: To have a negative impact on a person/place/thing
• president: Person in charge of a country, or organization
• storm: To act violently or angrily
• hurricane: Very severe storm usually occurs near the ocean
• crash: To damage an object by causing it to hit something
• zone: Area of space designated for a particular use
• bring: To take or go with someone to a place
• crumble: To break into small parts or crumbs
• worse: Comparative of 'bad'; more bad
• tsunami: Huge sea wave often caused by an earthquake
• squad: A sports team
• grow: To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
• execution: Killing a person as a (usually legal) punishment
• secretary: Office worker who makes appointments, etc.
• wind: A current of air moving approximately horizontally, especially one strong enough to be felt
• shoot: To kick or throw a ball at a goal
• start: First time or place that a thing exists; beginning
• attack: To try to destroy, beat, or injure
• area: Amount of measured space
• overnight: (Becoming famous, etc.) in a short amount of time
• mayor: Head of a town or city government
• time: Speed at which music is played; tempo
• dangerous: Involving the chance of hurt or damage; risky
• shake: To cause someone to be surprised or upset
• diesel: Heavy mineral oil used for power engines
• live: To be alive
• southern: Concerning a region in the south
• gulf: Part of a sea partially surrounded by land
• bridge: Structure built over river, road so you can cross
• earthquake: Heavy shaking of the ground due to natural forces
• landfall: Seacoast first sighted on a voyage or flight
• officer: Person of high position in an organization