EOI - Metals

EOI

aluminium /ˌæljʊˈmɪniəm/ (aluminum /əˈluːmɪnəm/ in American English) aluminio: aluminium window frames ^ aluminium foil

brass /brɑːs/ latón: a brass plaque ^ a brass buckle ^ The brass band gives regular concerts.

bronze /brɒnz/ bronce: He won a bronze medal.

caesium /ˈsiːziəm/ (cesium in American English) cesio: Caesium is the most reactive metal, and one of the softest. It occurs in minute quantities in the Earth's crust.

cobalt /ˈkəʊbɔːlt, -bɒlt/ cobalto: Cobalt is used especially for heat-resistant and magnetic alloys.

copper cobre: He worked in a copper mine. ^ Copper wire is being stolen all the time.

chrome / chromium cromo: There are rich deposits of chromium in the nearby hills.

gold oro gold plate baño de oro gold-plated chapado,-da en oro: a gold watch/ring/bracelet

iron hierro: Iron is the most used and cheapest metal. ^ During the Iron Age, this metal for the most part replaced bronze in implements and weapons.

lead /led/ plomo: The heavy lead container was lifted into the cargo bay of the aircraft.

mercury mercurio: Through the years, doctors began to recognize the poisonous side effects of the mercury used in many medical treatments and in industrial procedures.

nickel /ˈnɪkəl/ níquel: The Earth's core is made of metals ‒ mostly iron and nickel.

palladium /pəˈleɪdiəm/ paladio: Only a few corners of the planet produce palladium, platinum's lesser-known relative.

platinum /ˈplætɪnəm/ platino: rich veins of platinum and palladium

plutonium /pluːˈtəʊniəm/ plutonio: There are few peaceful uses for plutonium. ^ a plutonium rod

In Back to the Future (1985), Doc Emmet Brown ‒ talking about the fuel used in his time machine ‒ says: “Unfortunately, no. It requires something with a little more kick: plutonium.”

rubidium /ruːˈbɪdiəm, rʊ-/ rubidio: In 1860, Bunsen along with Kirchoff discovered the elements caesium and rubidium.

silver plata sterling silver plata de ley solid silver plata maciza silver plate baño de plata silver-plated plateado,-da: He won a silver medal. ^ a silver-plated ring

tin estaño: a low shack with a tin roof

titanium /tɪˈteɪniəm, taɪ-/ titanio: He had a titanium rod inserted in one leg.

zinc /zɪŋk/ zinc: Copper, lead and zinc were mined in the centre and north of the country.

DID YOU KNOW?

The four primary precious metals are gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

IDIOMS

a golden age/opportunity/rule una edad/oportunidad/regla de oro: Thames police are offering a golden opportunity to improve your driving.

all that glitters is not gold (saying) no es oro todo lo que reluce: She quickly became a member of Hollywood's elites. But in show business, all that glitters is not gold.

an iron fist/hand (in a velvet glove) mano de hierro (en un guante de terciopelo): Like an iron fist in a velvet glove, you charmingly but determinedly get what you want. ^ He ran the place with an iron fist.

as bold as brass (British English, informal) con más cara que espaldas: She marched into his big library as bold as brass, and stood in front of his favourite chair.

a/your golden wedding (British English) las bodas de oro: They celebrated their golden wedding on Tuesday. ^ a golden wedding anniversary

speech is silver, silence is golden (saying) calladito,-ta estás más guapo,-pa: Early in my childhood, it was imprinted that silence is golden.

strike while the iron is hot (saying) la ocasión la pintan calva: She looks pretty available to me. I'd strike while the iron is hot.

the top brass (British English, informal) los de arriba, los jefes: He moved in important circles, and occasionally with the top brass.

be a gold mine ser una mina: Magazines are a gold mine for freelance writers.

be as good as gold portarse como un ángel, ser más bueno,-na que el pan [a child]: Maggie is as good as gold.

be born with a silver spoon in you mouth (saying) nacer de pie: You weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Your mama worked 2 or 3 jobs.

be like gold dust ser muy difícil de conseguir: Tickets for the final are like gold dust. ^ This kind of watch is like gold dust these days.

get down to brass tacks (informal) ir al grano: I think we have to get down to brass tacks. ^ Let's get down to brass tacks, gentlemen.

go down like a lead balloon (informal) caer en picado, irse a pique; ser muy mal recibido,-da: I'm afraid the idea went down like a lead balloon.

have a tin ear no tener oído (para la música): He seems to have a tin ear for music.

have several/many/etc. irons in the fire tener varios/muchos/etc. asuntos entre manos: The one problem that he has is he's got too many irons in the fire, and he hasn't done enough to implement the ideas.

pump iron (informal) hacer pesas: When you tell them that they need to go to the gym and pump iron, some think that they will end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Pumping Iron (1977) is an American docudrama about professional bodybuilding, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and other bodybuilders.

rule (somebody/something) with a rod of iron/with an iron hand (informal) gobernar con mano dura: He ruled with a rod of iron, and I think that was what was needed.

swing the lead (British English, informal, old-fashioned) hacerse el remolón,-na, escaquearse, tener mucho cuento: “Where's David ?” “Swinging the lead, as usual.”

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