《Lesson 3 Blackmail》.ppt

81. You people are hot: You are now wanted/sought by the police. Hot: (slang) sought by the police, of objects as well as people 82. kept firm, tight rein on her racing mind: She kept firm and tight control of her mind which is working quickly. Here the Duchess is thinking quickly but at the same time keeping her thoughts under control, not letting them run wild. Keep a rein on: to check, control and restrain, it is used figuratively. Rein: a narrow strap of leather attached to each end of the bit in the mouth of a horse, and held by the rider or driver to control the animal. 83. It was essential that her thinking remain calm and reasoned: It was very important for her to think calmly and logically. The subjunctive mood in “that” clause: It is natural that beginners should make such mistakes. It is essential that everybody take part in it. 84. … as if the discussion were of some minor domestic matter and not survival itself.: as if the discussion were about some unimportant domestic matter, not concerned with life and death 85. … her husband now a tense but passive spectator…: nominative absolute construction with a noun plus a noun. Her husband watched anxiously and nervously, incapable of taking an active part. 86. calculated coolness: She was not cool, in fact, her mind was racing, but she deliberately appeared to be cool. 87. incriminating evidence: evidence that might prove somebody guilty of a crime 88. …to fall victim to some sharp-eyed policeman.: to be seen and arrested by an observant and alert policeman 89. It would be hazardous, but no more than waiting here for certain detection: To drive the car north would be risky, but not more risky than to wait here without doing anything, because if they did nothing, they would surely be discovered. Hazardous: risky, dangerous Detection: a finding out or being found out, especially of what tends to elude notice 90. back roads: out-of-the-way, unfrequented roads. 91. an unlikely route: a route which the police did