threat

Everyday

1. A threat is when someone says they will hurt you or do something bad if you do not do what they want. tree →
2. A threat is also something or someone that could cause danger or harm, like a storm or a disease. tree →
3. A sign that something bad may happen is a threat of it, like «a threat of rain». tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons a threat must be told to a trusted adult and never kept secret; in science, threats to animals include pollution and habitat loss. Phrases: «make a threat», «under threat», «a threat to», «the threat of», «an empty threat».

Examples

• The bully made a threat, so I told my teacher. tree →
• Pollution is a threat to sea animals. tree →
• There is a threat of thunderstorms tonight. tree →
• Pandas were under threat, but their numbers are growing. tree →
• Don't give in to threats; get help. tree →
• His warning was just an empty threat. tree →
• Wildfires are a threat in hot, dry summers. tree →
• The old Fairy fancied she was slighted, and muttered some threat between her teeth. tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: threaten; adjective: threatening. Pronounced THRET (th as in «thin»). Online threats are serious too: save them and tell an adult. «Under threat» means in danger.