Unit 7

Word

Definition

Example

threat

a potential danger to the interests of a company

Deregulation of the market is a real threat to established telecom operators

measure

to find the size, length, or amount of something, using standard units such as inches, metres etc

A metre is a measure of length

prevent

to stop something happening or to stop someone doing something

Before going to African countries you have to carry out an immunization to prevent dangerous illnesses

mitigate

make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful

Measures need to be taken to mitigate the environmental effects of burning more coal

calculated risk

a risk that you consider worth taking because the result, if it is successful, will be so good

I think we all agree that, we have to accept certain calculated risks

manage the risk

the process of identifying, assessing and controlling threats to an organization's capital and earnings

As a project manager or team member, you manage risk on a daily basis

be at risk

in a situation where you may be harmed

Our reputation is at risk

take a risk

to do something although something bad might happen because of it

Do you ever take risks?

potential risk

possible danger when the necessary conditions exist

We are trying to identify potential risks

fire resistant

degree of resistance of material to fire often measured in terms of time of withstanding a standard test fire

A fire resistant material is one which is designed to resist burning

suffer

to experience physical or mental pain

A lot of people in Africa suffer from hunger

emergency

a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action

About 8 out of every 10 phone calls we get aren't emergencies

assembly point

the place where people should go to if there is a fire or other emergency

They refused to come to the assembly point

anticipate

to imagine or expect that something will happen

We don't anticipate any trouble

fire hazard

a material, substance, or action that increases the likelihood of an accidental fire occurring

Fire hazard is the most common hazard, which is present in all areas of life

volatile

temporary, requires power to retain its state

Food and fuel prices are very volatile

variance

the fact or quality of being different, divergent, or inconsistent

We analyzed available resources and recent variances

groundbreaking

innovative; pioneering

His latest movie is interesting, but not groundbreaking

pursue

to continue trying to find out about or persuade someone about a particular subject

He decided to pursue a career in television

entitled

having a right to certain benefits or privileges

We are entitled to know the truth

vague

of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning

An FBI statement was vague about specific details

contribution

something that you give or do to help make something successful

A contribution of $250 will help us

real estate

property in the form of land or houses

Her dad sells real estate

entire

used when you want to emphasize that you mean all of a group, period of time, amount etc

He gave more than 100 live concerts during his entire career

outcome

the final result of a meeting, discussion, war etc – used especially when no one knows what it will be until it actually happens

A good memo is one in which both the desired outcome and the time frame are specified

time-consuming

the one that takes a lot of time

A blog is easy to start but difficult and time-consuming to maintain

foresee

to see or know something that will happen in the future

He needed no deep insight to foresee that future

cautious

careful to avoid problems or danger

Becky's become a very cautious driver since her accident

attitude

a settled way of thinking or feeling about something

A negative attitude towards Europe will deliver only negative results to Britain

urgent

requiring immediate action or attention

He had some urgent business in Athens

impact

the effect of something

Ann made a significant impact on the project

probability

how likely something is, sometimes calculated in a mathematical way

Actuaries put a price tag on probabilities

slow down

to become slower or to make something slower

Before turning, you should slow down your car

unable

lacking the skill, means, or opportunity to do something

A lot of these children are unable to read

spillage

the action of spilling a liquid, or the fact of a liquid being spilled

Spillage is an accidental release of a fluid

double-check

check (something) for a second time to ensure that it is accurate or safe

Double-check your final test, it's important