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Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
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 Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:21 am Post subject: threathen to do sth |
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| It was then that she threatened to spill the beans about her affair with the president. |
1.which means 'She almost spilt the beans about her affair with the president then.'
2.or which means 'She had to spill the beans about her affair with the president then.
3.or which means 'She was likely to spill the beans about her affair with the president then.'
4.or other meanings?
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Bluegum
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 89
Location: Melbourne
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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Number 3 is the closest. We say the sky threatens to rain when rain looks likely. However when a person threatens, it usually means they show their intention to do something
Therefore the implication is that she said she would spill the beans under certain circumstances. |
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CP
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 2875
Location: California
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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It can also mean that she said, in so many words, that she intended to spill the beans, perhaps seeking some kind of favor to keep quiet.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb |
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