Intermediate Level
🗣️ Dialogue Transcript
Maya: Did you see the news? The government practically pulled the plug on the entire offshore wind industry yesterday.
Alex: Yeah, it looks like a total code red situation. They suspended leases citing national security concerns.
Maya: The companies involved must be reeling from the shock, especially after investing billions to get started.
Alex: Definitely. I read that one project might bleed cash at a rate of 50 million dollars a week because of this pause!
Maya: Ouch. They were already facing massive headwinds with high interest rates and supply costs.
Alex: True. And now with the construction halted, the uncertainty is going to be hard to handle.
Maya: I guess we’ll have to wait and see if the industry can weather the storm.
Alex: Fingers crossed, but it doesn’t look good for clean energy right now.
🔑 Key Expressions
Here are the five idioms we focused on in today’s dialogue. Try using them in your next meeting or conversation!
1. Pull the plug
Meaning: To stop an activity, project, or venture, usually suddenly.
- Origin: Comes from the literal action of pulling a plug to disconnect an electrical device.
- Example: “We had to pull the plug on the marketing campaign because it was too expensive.”
- Example: “The government pulled the plug on the new stadium plans.”
2. Code red
Meaning: A warning of a serious emergency, immediate danger, or a critical threat.
- Example: “The falling sales figures are a code red for the department.”
- Example: “It’s code red in the kitchen; we are out of ingredients and the restaurant is full!”
3. Reeling from
Meaning: To feel very shocked, confused, or upset because of a sudden negative event.
- Imagery: Imagine being punched and stumbling backward (reeling) trying to regain your balance.
- Example: “The stock market is reeling from the unexpected news.”
- Example: “She is still reeling from the shock of losing her job.”
4. Bleed cash
Meaning: To lose a large amount of money very quickly (often used in business contexts).
- Synonym: Hemorrhage money.
- Example: “That airline has been bleeding cash ever since fuel prices went up.”
- Example: “We need to cut costs immediately, or we will continue to bleed cash.”
5. Headwinds
Meaning: Forces or influences that inhibit progress or make success difficult.
- Antonym: Tailwinds (forces that help you move forward).
- Example: “Despite the economic headwinds, our team managed to launch the product.”
- Example: “The company faces regulatory headwinds in the European market.”
🧠 Quiz
Question: Which country recently generated more than half of its total electricity from wind power for the first time in history?
A) The United States
B) China
C) Denmark
Answer: C) Denmark 🇩🇰
Denmark is a global pioneer in wind energy! In fact, Ørsted, the developer mentioned in our news story who is “reeling from” the US suspension, is a Danish company.
