Make Your Point > Archived Issues > JEOPARDIZE

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"JEOPARDIZE" Pronunciation: JEP er dize Part of speech: Transitive verb. (Like “eat,” “try,” and “want,” all transitive verbs do something to an object. You eat a banana, try a game, and want a new phone. Likewise, you jeopardize something.) Meaning: To jeopardize something is to put it in a situation so that it's likely to get lost, hurt, injured, or killed. Other forms: jeopardized, jeopardizing, jeopardy How to use it: Talk about jeopardizing your health, your sanity, your friendships, your job, your education, your safety, your street cred, your marriage, national security, herd immunity, public safety, the company's reputation, and so on. I can't help but shake my head at people who text while driving--what could possibly be so important to text about that's worth jeopardizing the lives of everyone around them? If you see the movie before reading the book, you jeopardize the uniqueness of your own internal visualization of the story. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "jeopardize” means when you can explain it without saying “endanger” or “pose a threat to." Think of something unwise you did when you were younger, and fill in the blanks: "These days, I don't _____, because I understand now how it (jeopardizes/would jeopardize) _____." Example: "These days, I don't wait until the very last minute to prepare for a tutoring session, because I understand now how it jeopardizes the quality of the lesson." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: Messages that go through an automated translator into several languages and back into English again often end up sounding funny and garbled-- but still somehow meaningful. We’re having fun with that phenomenon this month as we play our game: Guess the moral from Aesop’s Fables after it has been translated into a few foreign languages and back again by a computer program. Some of the morals may be very familiar to you, others not so much. You don’t need to quote Aesop verbatim but rather just understand the message being conveyed. Try it out each day and see the right answer the following day.   Yesterday’s answer: The translation-babble said, “People who many words someone in time of crisis talks is inadequate misplaced.” Aesop said, “People who lecture someone in a moment of crisis are offering criticism that is inappropriate and out of place.” Try this one today: “Do not try to take a bite someone tusks are even more acute than yours.” A Point Well Made: Japanese proverb: “If you understand everything, you must be misinformed.” 1. The opposite of JEOPARDIZE is A. TRIVIALIZE B. SAVE C. ENUNCIATE 2. If college students _____, they might jeopardize their existing scholarships. A. register for additional summer courses B. fill out all their aid applications on time C. allow their grades to fall below a certain level Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. C