SITUATION

ripple effect /ˈrɪpl ɪfekt/ (n):

# ​a situation in which an event or action has an effect on something, which then has an effect on something else.

His resignation will have a ripple effect on the whole department.

domino effect /ˈdɒmɪnəʊ ɪfekt/ (n):


legacy /ˈleɡəsi/ (n):

# a situation that exists now because of events, actions, etc. that took place in the past.

Future generations will be left with a legacy of pollution and destruction.

The problems were made worse by the legacy of centuries of neglect.


(caught/stuck) between a rock and a hard place (idiom):

#1. ​in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant.


MILIEU


BACKGROUND


MILESTONE


STAGE


CIRCUMSTANCE


SITUATION


state of siege /ˌsteɪt əv ˈsiːdʒ/ (n):

​# a situation in which the government limits people’s freedom to enter or leave a city, town or building.

Armed police placed the city centre under a virtual state of siege while the trial continued. (Cảnh sát có vũ trang đặt trung tâm thành phố trong tình trạng bị phong tỏa trong khi phiên tòa tiếp tục.)


impasse /ˈɪmpæs/ (n):

#1. [usually singular] ​a difficult situation in which no progress can be made because the people involved cannot agree what to do.

SYNONYM deadlock

to break/end the impasse

Negotiations have reached an impasse.

The Governor attempted to resolve Minnesota’s current budget impasse.

The proposal offered both sides a way out of the diplomatic impasse.




tension /ˈtenʃn/ (n):

#​ [uncountable, countable, usually plural] a situation in which people do not trust each other, or feel unfriendly towards each other, and that may cause them to attack each other.

There is mounting tension along the border.

international/ racial/ political tensions.

Family tensions and conflicts may lead to violence.

tension between A and B: The incident has further increased tension between the two countries.


# [countable, uncountable] tension (between A and B): a situation in which the fact that there are different needs or interests causes difficulties.

There is often a tension between the aims of the company and the wishes of the employees.


activity /ækˈtɪvəti/ (n):

# [uncountable] a situation in which something is happening or a lot of things are being done.

Economic activity has taken a downturn this year.

The streets were noisy and full of activity.

Muscles contract and relax during physical activity.

There was no criminal activity involved.

The machines can monitor brain activity.