Financial Crisis Vocabulary

adjective describing a situation where someone is left in a difficult or helpless position

adverb in a manner that leaves someone in a difficult or helpless position

• The boat was left high and dry on the shore after the tide went out.
• I was left high and dry when my friend didn't show up to give me a ride.
• Don't worry, I won't leave you high and dry at the party.
• After losing his job, he felt high and dry with no source of income.

noun a condition of extreme emotional distress or frustration

verb to collapse or break down completely due to extreme heat or pressure

• The nuclear reactor experienced a meltdown due to a failure in the cooling system.
• I had a complete meltdown when I found out I failed the exam.
• She had a total meltdown when she saw her ex with someone new.
• After a long day at work, I feel like I'm going to meltdown from stress.

verb to exhaust the supply of something

adverb in a manner that exhausts the supply of something

• The company will run out of inventory if we don't order more supplies soon.
• I forgot to buy milk, so we might run out soon.
• If we keep partying like this, we're gonna run out of beer real quick.
• His patience is running out after waiting for hours.

noun a situation in which something is completely destroyed or eliminated

verb to completely destroy or eliminate something

• The government is working to wipe out corruption in the highest levels of power.
• I need to wipe out all the junk food in my pantry and start eating healthier.
• That new video game is so addicting, I can't stop playing until I wipe out all the levels.
• The tsunami wiped out entire villages along the coast, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

verb to cause severe damage or destruction to something

adjective damaged beyond repair or in a state of ruin

• The ship was wrecked during the storm and had to be salvaged.
• I heard you wrecked your car last night, are you okay?
• He was so drunk, he totally wrecked the party.
• His heart was wrecked after the breakup.

noun A combination of the noun 'fiscal' (related to government revenue and spending) and the noun 'cliff' (a steep drop or decline), used metaphorically to describe a sudden and severe financial crisis.

• The country faced a looming fiscal cliff as the deadline for budget negotiations approached.
• I heard we might go over the fiscal cliff if they don't figure out a budget deal soon.
• We're on track to drive off the fiscal cliff if Congress doesn't get its act together.
• Their reckless spending habits are leading them straight towards a fiscal cliff.