Danger & Threat: English Vocabulary List

to cause fear or concern by showing a warning sign

"This sets the alarm bells ringing."

"The sudden drop in sales should ring alarm bells for the company's management team immediately."

used when a situation suddenly becomes very intense or chaotic

"All hell broke loose when the news came."

"All hell broke loose when the police announced that the concert had been cancelled at the last minute."

to worsen a situation to a point that it requires immediate action

"The fight brought things to a head."

"The escalating tensions between the two nations brought the conflict to a head, demanding urgent diplomatic intervention."

to become very dangerous or problematic in a way that demands immediate action

"The crisis came to a head."

"The long-standing dispute between the two countries finally came to a head last week."

used to refer to a situation in which someone is forced or committed to fulfill a responsibility, often due to prior agreements or expectations

"He is on the hook now."

"After agreeing to the terms, he found himself on the hook for the entire cost of the project."

to be killed or dead, typically conveying the body has been disposed of by being thrown into water

"The mobster is sleeping with the fishes."

"The gangster threatened to make his rival sleep with the fishes if he did not leave town immediately."

to cause significant damage or destruction to something by subjecting it to intense heat or fire

"The fire burned it crisp."

"I forgot the pizza in the oven and burned it to a crisp so we had to order takeout."

used to describe people who are easily targeted for criticism or are attracting significant negative attention

"The senator is in our crosshairs."

"The controversial politician found himself in the media's crosshairs after the scandal broke."

used when someone or something is subjected to a serious threat or danger

"My reputation is on the line with this deal."

"His reputation was on the line when he decided to publicly challenge the powerful politician during the televised debate."

(in reference to a business or relationship) in a difficult or troubled state, and may be at risk of falling apart

"It is on the rocks."

"Their marriage had been on the rocks for months, filled with constant arguments and lack of communication."

to cause significant damage or destruction to something by subjecting it to intense heat or fire

"Burn it to acrisp."

"The intense scrutiny threatened to burn the politician's reputation to a crisp."

used to threaten someone or seriously warn them

"Clean your room, or else."

"You need to finish your homework by dinner time or else you will not be allowed to watch television tonight."

used to refer to someone who is being targeted by another person or thing for a specific action, often with the intent to catch, arrest, stop, or harm

"He is in my crosshairs."

"The determined detective felt the fugitive was in her crosshairs after weeks of surveillance."