precipice
gb/pɹˈɛsɪpɪs/ us/pɹˈɛsɪpɪs/
B2
Inglés
~ 27900
szakadék, meredély, valami szélén, valami küszöbén
SUSTANTIVO
B2
1
Patrón de uso:
to stand on the edge of a precipice
One wrong step on the narrow path and you could go over the precipice.
A keskeny ösvényen egyetlen rossz lépés, és lezuhanhatsz a szakadékba.
The village sits on a plateau above a sheer precipice that drops to the sea.
A falu egy fennsíkon fekszik, egy meredek, a tengerig lezuhanó sziklafal fölött.
They peered carefully over the precipice to see the river far below.
A metal barrier was put up to keep tourists away from the edge of the precipice.
The trail suddenly opened onto a precipice with a breathtaking view of the valley.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
The man stood on the edge of the precipice and looked down.
A férfi a szakadék szélén állt, és lenézett.
There is a high precipice next to the mountain road.
A hegyi út mellett meredek szakadék van.
She was afraid to walk near the precipice.
A sign warned hikers to stay back from the precipice.
From the precipice, we could see the small town far below.
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'precipice' with 'precipitation' and think it is related to rain or weather. 'Precipice' is only about a steep rock or cliff, not about rain.
Significado
very steep cliff or rock face
Colocaciones
sheer precipice
|steep precipice
|high precipice
|the edge of a precipice
|fall over the precipice
|plunge down the precipice
Sinónimos
cliff (More general; does not always suggest the same extreme steepness or danger as 'precipice'.)
|
rock face (Describes the surface of rock; less focused on the idea of a dangerous edge.)
Antónimos
plain (A large, flat area of land with no steep drop, opposite of a sheer drop like a precipice.)
Temas
nature
|travel
|danger
Definición
A very steep, high side of rock or land, like the edge of a cliff, that is dangerous to fall from.
A very steep or almost vertical rock face or cliff, especially one that is high and dangerous to stand near or fall from.
SUSTANTIVO
C1
LITERARY
2
Patrón de uso:
on the precipice of [disaster/change]
The country is on the precipice of civil war.
Az ország a polgárháború szélén áll.
Years of debt have left the company teetering on the precipice of bankruptcy.
Az évek óta halmozódó adósságok miatt a vállalat a csőd szélén tántorog.
Scientists warn that we are standing on the precipice of irreversible climate damage.
Careless decisions had brought their relationship to the precipice.
Bold reforms pulled the economy back from the precipice of collapse.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
The two nations are on the precipice of war.
A két nemzet a háború szélén áll.
Without help, the hospital is on the precipice of closing.
Segítség nélkül a kórház a bezárás szélén áll.
Many people feel we are on the precipice of big social change.
Her careless spending put the family on the precipice of debt.
Strong action is needed to pull the country back from the precipice.
Error frecuente:
Learners may think this meaning is still about an actual cliff. In this figurative use, no real cliff is involved; it just means a situation is very close to a big change or disaster. It is also sometimes confused with 'precipitate', a verb meaning 'to cause something to happen quickly'.
Significado
critical point just before disaster
Colocaciones
on the precipice of war
|on the precipice of collapse
|on the precipice of bankruptcy
|on the precipice of change
|teetering on the precipice
|pull back from the precipice
Sinónimos
brink (Very close in meaning; more common and slightly less dramatic than 'precipice'.)
|
verge (Also means 'point just before something happens', but is more neutral and less vivid than 'precipice'.)
Antónimos
stability (A safe, steady condition, the opposite of being at a dangerous turning point.)
Temas
politics
|economy
|emotions
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definición
A very dangerous point in a situation, when something very bad or very big may happen soon.
A very dangerous or critical point in a situation where a major disaster, failure, or extreme change is very close to happening.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
precipice
AFI
GB/pɹˈɛsɪpɪs/
US/pɹˈɛsɪpɪs/
Sílabas y acento
pre - cip - ice (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (pre)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: precipice
- Plural: precipices
Familia de palabras
Forms
precipices
noun
Core family
precipitous
adjective
Advanced or less common
precipitously
adverb
Expresiones
on the edge of a precipice
1/ˈɔn ðə ˈɛd͡ʒ əv ə pɹˈɛsɪpɪs/
idiom
literary
very close to extreme danger
To be in a situation that is very close to something extremely dangerous or life-changing.
Ejemplos
- The negotiations left both sides feeling on the edge of a precipice.
- Some scientists say humanity is on the edge of a precipice with climate change.
- Living with such high debt keeps them on the edge of a precipice.
on the precipice of
1/ˈɔn ðə pɹˈɛsɪpɪs əv/
fixed phrase
literary
very close to a big change
To be in a situation where something very big, usually very good or very bad, is about to happen soon.
Ejemplos
- The world is on the precipice of a technological revolution.
- Experts say the region is on the precipice of a serious humanitarian crisis.
- They felt they were on the precipice of something extraordinary.
pull back from the precipice
1/pˈʊl bˈæk fɹˈʌm ðə pɹˈɛsɪpɪs/
idiom
literary
move away from near disaster
To take action so that a very bad event, such as war or collapse, does not happen.
Ejemplos
- Diplomats are working hard to pull the two countries back from the precipice.
- Urgent budget cuts were needed to pull the company back from the precipice.
- Community leaders helped pull the neighborhood back from the precipice of violence.
teetering on the precipice
1/tˈitɚɪŋ ˈɔn ðə pɹˈɛsɪpɪs/
idiom
literary
in a very unstable, risky position
To be in a very shaky and unsafe situation, very close to serious trouble or a big change.
Ejemplos
- The fragile peace agreement is teetering on the precipice.
- With growing losses, the business is teetering on the precipice again.
- Their marriage was teetering on the precipice after months of arguments.