panic

Everyday

1. Panic is a sudden, very strong fear that makes people stop thinking clearly and act wildly. tree →
2. To panic means to feel this fear and act without thinking. tree →
3. In a panic can also mean in a great hurry and worry («a last-minute panic»). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety pupils learn «don't panic»: in emergencies (fire, getting lost, water) staying calm and following a plan helps more than running about. Breathing slowly can stop panic. In stories panic builds tension. Phrases: «don't panic», «in a panic», «panic attack», «panic buying», «panic button».

Examples

• Don't panic; just walk calmly to the fire exit. tree →
• When she lost her mum in the shop, she started to panic. tree →
• There was panic when the lights went out. tree →
• He panicked and forgot all his lines. tree →
• If you get lost, don't panic: find a safe adult to ask. tree →
• We were in a panic because we had overslept. tree →
• Breathe slowly when you feel panic rising. tree →
• Panic buying emptied the shelves of toilet paper. tree →
• The man who had found the purse fell into a panic. tree →

Note

The verb adds k before -ed, -ing and -y: «panicked», «panicking», «panicky». Usually uncountable as a feeling; «a panic» for one episode. In a water emergency, panicking uses up energy; the advice is to float and keep calm.