Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumIdiomatic Expressions in Context

After repeatedly overlooking standard diagnostic protocols and receiving two formal reprimands, the systems technician was warned that he was skating on thin ice with the department supervisor.

In the scenario above, what is the closest meaning of the expression skating on thin ice?

  1. A
    Displaying calm and composed behavior during an emergency
  2. B
    Engaging in recreational winter sports on hazardous frozen waterways
  3. Taking dangerous risks that could lead to serious trouble or terminationAnswer
  4. D
    Requesting an immediate reassignment to a cold-weather facility

Answer

Taking dangerous risks that could lead to serious trouble or termination
The expression 'skating on thin ice' figuratively describes placing oneself in a precarious, high-risk situation where a single mistake could cause serious harm or disaster. In this context, the technician's repeated procedural violations and two formal reprimands signify that further misconduct will result in severe disciplinary action or termination.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the surrounding context clues and the tone of the scenario.
The technician has bypassed required procedures and received multiple formal reprimands, indicating that the supervisor's warning concerns severe disciplinary vulnerability.
Contextual clues provide the necessary framework to determine whether an idiom carries a positive, neutral, or hazardous connotation.
2
Deduce the figurative meaning of the idiom 'skating on thin ice' in this workplace setting.
The phrase signifies being in a highly precarious situation where even a minor misstep can lead to immediate failure or dismissal.
Idioms convey standardized metaphorical meanings that replace physical descriptions with figurative concepts.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Expressions in Context
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question

Topics

Idiomatic Expressions in Context

More questions from this topic