Friday January 6, 2006
Common expressions
risk life and limb
(cliché) to run the risk of death or serious injury; often used in journalese or as an exaggeration in informal or humorous contexts:
The fire-fighters risked life and limb to rescue the people on the top floor of the burning building.
against all the odds
(cliché) in spite of very great difficulties or problems:
Against all the odds, the injured climber managed to crawl down the mountain to safety.
The word “odds” refers to the degree to which something is likely to happen:
Joe thinks that he will get the job, but the odds are heavily against him; many well-qualified people have also applied for it.
* From English in Context: Popular Sayings by Betty Kirkpatrick (Learners Publishing), distributed by University Book Store, www.ubsm.com.my (03-91001868; fax: 03-91024730), e-mail: enquiry@ubsm.com.my
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