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id="post-20571" class="post-20571 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-the-english-language category-vocabulary tag-english-language tag-idioms tag-improve-your-english tag-risk-taking tag-vocabulary"> <div class="entry-wrapper"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title">Playing with fire (The language of risk)</h1> <div class="entry-meta"> <span class="posted-on">On <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-11-27T12:00:41+00:00">November 27, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-11-18T14:18:51+00:00">November 18, 2024</time></a></span><span class="byline"> By <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/katewoodford/">Kate Woodford</a></span></span><span class="cat-links">In <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/category/the-english-language/" rel="category tag">the English language</a>, <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/category/vocabulary/" rel="category tag">Vocabulary</a></span> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p><em>Listen to the author reading this blog post.</em></p>  <audio class="wp-audio-shortcode" id="audio-20571-1" preload="none" style="width: 100%;" controls="controls"><source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-Fire_Kate_27.11.24.mp3?_=1" /><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-Fire_Kate_27.11.24.mp3">https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-Fire_Kate_27.11.24.mp3</a></audio> <p> </p> <figure id="attachment_20661" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-20661" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="20661" data-permalink="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/one-lit-match-share-your-passion-ignite-it-in-others/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?fit=1926%2C1399&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1926,1399" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"7.1","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","caption":"One Lit Match; Share Your Passion, Ignite It in Others","created_timestamp":"1308043717","copyright":"James Brey","focal_length":"105","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.04","title":"One Lit Match; Share Your Passion, Ignite It in Others","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Playing with fire: the language of risk" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>JamesBrey / E+</p> " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?fit=300%2C218&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?fit=640%2C465&ssl=1" class="size-medium wp-image-20661" src="https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706-300x218.jpg?resize=300%2C218&ssl=1" alt="a lit match held very close to the first in a row of unlit matches" width="300" height="218" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?resize=300%2C218&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?resize=1024%2C744&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?resize=768%2C558&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?resize=1536%2C1116&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?resize=900%2C654&ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?resize=1280%2C930&ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Playing-with-fire_155285570-e1730909905706.jpg?w=1926&ssl=1 1926w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-20661" class="wp-caption-text">JamesBrey / E+</figcaption></figure> <p>by <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/katewoodford2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kate Woodford</a></strong></p> <p>This week’s post looks at the language that we use to talk about risk – that is, the possibility of something bad happening. I look at phrases that include the word ‘risk’ itself and then consider a range of useful idioms on this theme.</p> <p><span id="more-20571"></span></p> <p>We say that we <strong>take</strong> <strong>a risk</strong> when we do something that we know could cause a bad thing to happen. Someone who often takes risks is called a <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/risk-taker"><strong>risk taker</strong></a> while someone who avoids taking risks as much as possible may be described with the adjective <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/risk-averse"><strong>risk-averse</strong></a>:</p> <p><em>You don’t want to take any risks with your health.</em></p> <p><em>She’s always been a risk taker and so far, she’s been pretty lucky.</em></p> <p><em>I suspect I’m too risk-averse to be successful in business.</em></p> <p>Someone or something that is in a dangerous situation may be described as <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/at-risk#cald4-1"><strong>at risk</strong></a>, and to <strong>put </strong>someone or something <strong>at risk </strong>is to cause them to be in a dangerous situation:</p> <p><em>Three out of six of these species are now at risk of extinction.</em></p> <p><em>People who are regularly exposed to very loud noise in the workplace are at risk of hearing loss.</em></p> <p>Let’s look at idioms in this area. In UK English, if you take a risk in order to get something you want, you may be said to <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/chance-arm?q=chance+your+arm"><strong>chance </strong>your <strong>arm</strong></a>:</p> <p><em>Why would you give up a solid teaching career to chance your arm as an actor?</em></p> <p>Meanwhile, if you say that someone is <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/play-with-fire"><strong>playing with fire</strong></a>, you mean they are taking a big risk, doing something that might cause serious trouble for them. Another very visual idiom with the same meaning is <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/be-skating-on-thin-ice"><strong>skating on thin ice</strong></a>:</p> <p><em>I wouldn’t get involved if I were you. You’re playing with fire.</em></p> <p><em>I think he’s skating on thin ice with that strategy.</em></p> <p>In US English, someone who <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/bet-the-farm-ranch?q=bet+the+farm"><strong>bets the farm/ranch</strong></a> on something risks losing everything as a result of an investment, betting on a sports event, or another course of action:</p> <p><em>They’re betting the farm on unproven technology and it’s extremely unwise.</em></p> <p><em>His plan sounds good, but I wouldn’t bet the ranch on it.</em></p> <p>Some idioms refer specifically to people risking death. For example, someone who <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/dice-with-death"><strong>dices with death</strong></a> (UK) or <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/take-life-in-hands?q=take+your+life+in+your+hands"><strong>takes </strong>their<strong> life in </strong>their<strong> hands</strong></a> does something so dangerous that they risk being killed:</p> <p><em>Inexperienced surfers who go out when the waves are this big are frankly dicing with death.</em></p> <p><em>The road is so busy here, you take your life in your hands every time you cross it!</em></p> <p>Similarly, a person (especially a soldier, police officer, firefighter, etc.) who <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/put-lay-on-the-line?q=put+sth+on+the+line"><strong>puts/lays</strong> their life <strong>on the line</strong></a>, risks death, often by doing their job:</p> <p><em>These people put their lives on the line every day to keep the public safe.</em></p> <p>This post covers a selection of idioms and phrases related to taking risks. 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class="screen-reader-text">Post navigation</h2> <div class="nav-links"><div class="nav-previous"><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/25/new-words-25-november-2024-2/" rel="prev"><span class="meta-nav">Previous</span> <h4>New words – 25 November 2024</h4></a></div></div> </nav> <div id="comments" class="comments-area"> <div class="comments-wrapper"> <h2 class="comments-title"> 7 thoughts on “<span>Playing with fire (The language of risk)</span>” </h2> <ol class="comment-list"> <li id="comment-252547" class="comment even thread-even depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-252547" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0cdb4ed349d42d74a22779547fd2453a?s=60&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0cdb4ed349d42d74a22779547fd2453a?s=120&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='60' decoding='async'/> <b class="fn">helle</b> </div> </footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>run a risk ?</p> <div class='jetpack-comment-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded' id='like-comment-wrapper-18458032-252547-67489a09c04a7' data-src='https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#blog_id=18458032&comment_id=252547&origin=dictionaryblog.cambridge.org&obj_id=18458032-252547-67489a09c04a7' data-name='like-comment-frame-18458032-252547-67489a09c04a7'> <div class='likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes'><span class='loading'>Loading...</span></div> <div class='comment-likes-widget jetpack-likes-widget comment-likes'><span class='comment-like-feedback'></span><span class='sd-text-color'></span><a class='sd-link-color'></a></div> </div> </div> <div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/#comment-252547"> <time datetime="2024-11-27T12:19:09+00:00"> November 27, 2024 at 12:19 pm </time> </a> <span class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-link" href="#comment-252547" data-commentid="252547" data-postid="20571" data-belowelement="div-comment-252547" data-respondelement="respond" data-replyto="Reply to helle" aria-label="Reply to helle">Reply</a></span> </div> </article> </li> <li id="comment-252548" class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-252548" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12bebb47e7fd8f84418bc846e7ac2ddb?s=60&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12bebb47e7fd8f84418bc846e7ac2ddb?s=120&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='60' decoding='async'/> <b class="fn">the dreamer</b> </div> </footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>tha</p> <div class='jetpack-comment-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded' id='like-comment-wrapper-18458032-252548-67489a09c0a7a' data-src='https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#blog_id=18458032&comment_id=252548&origin=dictionaryblog.cambridge.org&obj_id=18458032-252548-67489a09c0a7a' data-name='like-comment-frame-18458032-252548-67489a09c0a7a'> <div class='likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes'><span class='loading'>Loading...</span></div> <div class='comment-likes-widget jetpack-likes-widget comment-likes'><span class='comment-like-feedback'></span><span class='sd-text-color'></span><a class='sd-link-color'></a></div> </div> </div> <div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/#comment-252548"> <time datetime="2024-11-27T17:08:02+00:00"> November 27, 2024 at 5:08 pm </time> </a> <span class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-link" href="#comment-252548" data-commentid="252548" data-postid="20571" data-belowelement="div-comment-252548" data-respondelement="respond" data-replyto="Reply to the dreamer" aria-label="Reply to the dreamer">Reply</a></span> </div> </article> </li> <li id="comment-252549" class="comment even thread-even depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-252549" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12bebb47e7fd8f84418bc846e7ac2ddb?s=60&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12bebb47e7fd8f84418bc846e7ac2ddb?s=120&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='60' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <b class="fn">the dreamer</b> </div> </footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>thanks for this amazing post ,could you please speak up because I always try to listen to the audio to improve my English and this is the second post By you I face the issue ,sorry if my English bad and thanks again</p> <div class='jetpack-comment-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded' id='like-comment-wrapper-18458032-252549-67489a09c1005' data-src='https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#blog_id=18458032&comment_id=252549&origin=dictionaryblog.cambridge.org&obj_id=18458032-252549-67489a09c1005' data-name='like-comment-frame-18458032-252549-67489a09c1005'> <div class='likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes'><span class='loading'>Loading...</span></div> <div class='comment-likes-widget jetpack-likes-widget comment-likes'><span class='comment-like-feedback'></span><span class='sd-text-color'></span><a class='sd-link-color'></a></div> </div> </div> <div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/#comment-252549"> <time datetime="2024-11-27T17:12:45+00:00"> November 27, 2024 at 5:12 pm </time> </a> <span class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-link" href="#comment-252549" data-commentid="252549" data-postid="20571" data-belowelement="div-comment-252549" data-respondelement="respond" data-replyto="Reply to the dreamer" aria-label="Reply to the dreamer">Reply</a></span> </div> </article> </li> <li id="comment-252552" class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-252552" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/72acf137c149ab4309dc330c010c8f61?s=60&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/72acf137c149ab4309dc330c010c8f61?s=120&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='60' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <b class="fn">Raf</b> </div> </footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>Thanks for sharing, a very insightful piece, wonderfully combining the UK and US phrases.</p> <div class='jetpack-comment-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded' id='like-comment-wrapper-18458032-252552-67489a09c1595' data-src='https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#blog_id=18458032&comment_id=252552&origin=dictionaryblog.cambridge.org&obj_id=18458032-252552-67489a09c1595' data-name='like-comment-frame-18458032-252552-67489a09c1595'> <div class='likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes'><span class='loading'>Loading...</span></div> <div class='comment-likes-widget jetpack-likes-widget comment-likes'><span class='comment-like-feedback'></span><span class='sd-text-color'></span><a class='sd-link-color'></a></div> </div> </div> <div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/#comment-252552"> <time datetime="2024-11-27T22:13:47+00:00"> November 27, 2024 at 10:13 pm </time> </a> <span class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-link" href="#comment-252552" data-commentid="252552" data-postid="20571" data-belowelement="div-comment-252552" data-respondelement="respond" data-replyto="Reply to Raf" aria-label="Reply to Raf">Reply</a></span> </div> </article> </li> <li id="comment-252555" class="comment even thread-even depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-252555" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ee3423df851200e0493f6369c4c75cac?s=60&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ee3423df851200e0493f6369c4c75cac?s=120&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='60' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <b class="fn">Corbin</b> </div> </footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>She knew she was taking a gamble.</p> <div class='jetpack-comment-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded' id='like-comment-wrapper-18458032-252555-67489a09c1b20' data-src='https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#blog_id=18458032&comment_id=252555&origin=dictionaryblog.cambridge.org&obj_id=18458032-252555-67489a09c1b20' data-name='like-comment-frame-18458032-252555-67489a09c1b20'> <div class='likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes'><span class='loading'>Loading...</span></div> <div class='comment-likes-widget jetpack-likes-widget comment-likes'><span class='comment-like-feedback'></span><span class='sd-text-color'></span><a class='sd-link-color'></a></div> </div> </div> <div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/#comment-252555"> <time datetime="2024-11-28T08:44:33+00:00"> November 28, 2024 at 8:44 am </time> </a> <span class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-link" href="#comment-252555" data-commentid="252555" data-postid="20571" data-belowelement="div-comment-252555" data-respondelement="respond" data-replyto="Reply to Corbin" aria-label="Reply to Corbin">Reply</a></span> </div> </article> </li> <li id="comment-252556" class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-252556" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f6279c137449ea4499b2a4e6e971e29e?s=60&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f6279c137449ea4499b2a4e6e971e29e?s=120&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='60' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <b class="fn">Genius</b> </div> </footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>that’s cool</p> <div class='jetpack-comment-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded' id='like-comment-wrapper-18458032-252556-67489a09c209d' data-src='https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#blog_id=18458032&comment_id=252556&origin=dictionaryblog.cambridge.org&obj_id=18458032-252556-67489a09c209d' data-name='like-comment-frame-18458032-252556-67489a09c209d'> <div class='likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes'><span class='loading'>Loading...</span></div> <div class='comment-likes-widget jetpack-likes-widget comment-likes'><span class='comment-like-feedback'></span><span class='sd-text-color'></span><a class='sd-link-color'></a></div> </div> </div> <div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/#comment-252556"> <time datetime="2024-11-28T12:58:14+00:00"> November 28, 2024 at 12:58 pm </time> </a> <span class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-link" href="#comment-252556" data-commentid="252556" data-postid="20571" data-belowelement="div-comment-252556" data-respondelement="respond" data-replyto="Reply to Genius" aria-label="Reply to Genius">Reply</a></span> </div> </article> </li> <li id="comment-252557" class="comment even thread-even depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-252557" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ca4dd80c3c6240e498ac1739f287c11?s=60&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ca4dd80c3c6240e498ac1739f287c11?s=120&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='60' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <b class="fn">Dang Huy HUng</b> </div> </footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>i wish i can immigrate the uk</p> <div class='jetpack-comment-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded' id='like-comment-wrapper-18458032-252557-67489a09c2617' data-src='https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#blog_id=18458032&comment_id=252557&origin=dictionaryblog.cambridge.org&obj_id=18458032-252557-67489a09c2617' data-name='like-comment-frame-18458032-252557-67489a09c2617'> <div class='likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes-widget-placeholder comment-likes'><span class='loading'>Loading...</span></div> <div class='comment-likes-widget jetpack-likes-widget comment-likes'><span class='comment-like-feedback'></span><span class='sd-text-color'></span><a class='sd-link-color'></a></div> </div> </div> <div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/#comment-252557"> <time datetime="2024-11-28T14:09:39+00:00"> November 28, 2024 at 2:09 pm </time> </a> <span class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-link" href="#comment-252557" data-commentid="252557" data-postid="20571" data-belowelement="div-comment-252557" data-respondelement="respond" data-replyto="Reply to Dang Huy HUng" aria-label="Reply to Dang Huy HUng">Reply</a></span> </div> </article> </li> </ol> <div id="respond" class="comment-respond"> <h3 id="reply-title" class="comment-reply-title">Leave a Reply<small><a rel="nofollow" id="cancel-comment-reply-link" href="/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/#respond" style="display:none;">Cancel reply</a></small></h3> <form id="commentform" class="comment-form"> <iframe title="Comment Form" 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https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Nobody-blames-you_1497595879-e1727211216513.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Nobody-blames-you_1497595879-e1727211216513.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1 4x" alt="Nobody blames you: phrases for offering reassurance" data-pin-nopin="true"/></a></div><div class="widget-grid-view-image"><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2016/11/16/describing-landscapes/" title="Describing landscapes" class="bump-view" data-bump-view="tp"><img loading="lazy" width="200" height="200" src="https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/landscape.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/landscape.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/landscape.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/landscape.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https://i0.wp.com/dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/landscape.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1 3x" alt="Describing landscapes" data-pin-nopin="true"/></a></div></div> </aside><aside id="authors-2" class="widget widget_authors"><h1 class="widget-title">Authors</h1><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/aezrac/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/26f314c4585b5bdb9d749f149ee7f10b?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/26f314c4585b5bdb9d749f149ee7f10b?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Ron Carter</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2011/12/14/a-few-words-on-corpus-linguistics-part-2/" title="A few words on corpus linguistics part 2">A few words on corpus linguistics part 2</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2011/12/12/a-few-words-on-corpus-linguistics/" title="A few words on corpus linguistics">A few words on corpus linguistics</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/cambridgewords/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aef1e4cb2fd31e8f50444ca18ada3b49?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aef1e4cb2fd31e8f50444ca18ada3b49?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Cambridge Words</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/25/new-words-25-november-2024-2/" title="New words – 25 November 2024">New words – 25 November 2024</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/20/cambridge-dictionary-word-of-the-year-2024/" title="Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2024">Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2024</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/colinjmcintosh/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/50053df1e6dad3114823d445b2ffaa08?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/50053df1e6dad3114823d445b2ffaa08?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>colinjmcintosh</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2016/08/02/a-life-beyond-fiction/" title="A life beyond fiction">A life beyond fiction</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2016/07/26/whats-in-a-name/" title="What’s in a name?">What’s in a name?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/domcambridge/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0f327ac6616afccb2cad6596b5597928?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0f327ac6616afccb2cad6596b5597928?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Dom Glennon</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2014/11/26/countability-grammar-codes/" title="Countability – grammar codes">Countability – grammar codes</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2014/06/04/hairdryers-and-squeaky-bums-the-colourful-world-of-football-words/" title="Hairdryers and squeaky bums: the colourful world of football words">Hairdryers and squeaky bums: the colourful world of football words</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/drheikek/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ca0ebdcb2fdc28a6eeaf6b28ca63a6cb?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ca0ebdcb2fdc28a6eeaf6b28ca63a6cb?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Dr Heike Krüsemann</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2020/08/21/how-to-stay-motivated-during-the-pandemic-what-you-told-us-and-why-it-matters/" title="How to stay motivated during the pandemic: What you told us, and why it matters">How to stay motivated during the pandemic: What you told us, and why it matters</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/hughrawson/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b0b0435c3c567be5d0f6979e5d464be5?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b0b0435c3c567be5d0f6979e5d464be5?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>hughrawson</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2013/07/01/janus-words-two-faced-english/" title="Janus Words – Two-faced English">Janus Words – Two-faced English</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2013/06/24/yet-more-yiddish/" title="Yet More Yiddish">Yet More Yiddish</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/katewoodford/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bac5c241ed0266a1b470307bc436f58f?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bac5c241ed0266a1b470307bc436f58f?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Kate Woodford</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/27/playing-with-fire-the-language-of-risk/" title="Playing with fire (The language of risk)">Playing with fire (The language of risk)</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/13/a-safe-pair-of-hands-newspaper-idioms/" title="A safe pair of hands (Newspaper idioms)">A safe pair of hands (Newspaper idioms)</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/lizwalter2/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4a29a1e94375522c0920818e6d4c4249?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4a29a1e94375522c0920818e6d4c4249?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Liz Walter</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/11/06/nobody-blames-you-phrases-for-offering-reassurance/" title="Nobody blames you: phrases for offering reassurance">Nobody blames you: phrases for offering reassurance</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/10/16/wise-brainy-or-astute-words-for-describing-intelligent-people/" title="Wise, brainy, or astute: words for describing intelligent people">Wise, brainy, or astute: words for describing intelligent people</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/patriciaferraz/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6cc62e6d9d2486f6f3e1d23e8ed1954c?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6cc62e6d9d2486f6f3e1d23e8ed1954c?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Patricia Ferraz</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/07/24/idioms-in-the-guernsey-literary-and-potato-peel-pie-society/" title="Putting a spanner in the works – Idioms in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society">Putting a spanner in the works – Idioms in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2024/07/17/idioms-in-the-thursday-murder-club/" title="In for a penny, in for a pound: Idioms in The Thursday Murder Club">In for a penny, in for a pound: Idioms in The Thursday Murder Club</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/pheacock/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4e3a803c8f45bbf76eeaa384a0210bd5?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4e3a803c8f45bbf76eeaa384a0210bd5?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Paul Heacock</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2013/06/12/asadfarewell/" title="A sad farewell">A sad farewell</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2012/12/18/the-words-of-2012/" title="The words of 2012">The words of 2012</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/racheledf/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/13391686972a7e5cb25e9c3e7c977088?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/13391686972a7e5cb25e9c3e7c977088?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>racheledf</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2012/01/13/what-can-we-learn-from-emails/" title="What can we learn from emails?">What can we learn from emails?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/author/trevorbryden/"> <img alt='1' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c1bae3f8b5386d3c4e41bef30ba924e8?s=48&d=identicon&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c1bae3f8b5386d3c4e41bef30ba924e8?s=96&d=identicon&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <strong>Trevor Bryden</strong></a><ul><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2012/04/17/mind-your-ps-and-qs/" title="Mind your p’s and q’s">Mind your p’s and q’s</a></li><li><a href="https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2012/02/27/what-makes-a-litter/" title="What makes a litter?">What makes a litter?</a></li></ul></li></ul></aside><aside id="twitter_timeline-3" class="widget widget_twitter_timeline"><h1 class="widget-title">Latest 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