Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[kerstin]

scandals are like a snowball rolling downhill;gathering "momentum" and size.
what does that mean?
And can you give me more examples?



risk a" double-cross"=?


Thanks

[CP]

Momentum is a term from physics. Here it means that scandals grow bigger and go faster, like a snowball rolling downhill. The more momentum, the greater the force when the snowball hits something.

To double-cross someone is to betray the person; a double-cross is a betrayal.

Example: Two men rob a bank. One is caught. He could keep his mouth shut, take his punishment, and save his partner in crime. But instead he squeals, cutting a deal with the prosecuter. He gets a lighter sentence because he double-crossed his partner.

In the old movies, he would be "a dirty double-crosser."
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