U.S. Crude Oil Exports Restart After 40 Years

  The U.S. made its first export of crude oil in four decades last Thursday. The exports were banned in the mid-1970s. That ban was lifted a few weeks ago. The Arab Oil Embargo began in 1973. Arab nations who produce oil dramatically limited their shipments to the U.S. This was done to punish the U.S. over its military support for Israel. The Arab cartel later expanded the embargo to other countries, and oil prices soared worldwide. By 1974, the price of oil had risen from $3 per barrel to nearly $12 globally. U.S. prices were much higher. The embargo had many short- and long-term effects on global politics and the global economy. The skyrocketing prices led to a drop in demand for oil. Countries looked to alternative energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear energy and coal, says the Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History. Oil-producing nations outside the Middle East increased their production and relied more on domestic supply.  “The embargo set U.S. energy policy on a path that still guides us 40 years later,” wrote Robert Rapier in an article on the website Oilprice.com. That website reports oil and energy news. Every president since Nixon has made energy security a top priority, he continued. But each president has dealt with the problem in different ways.     President Barack Obama has looked for energy sources apart from imported oil, such as natural gas from wells in the U.S. In addition, the U.S. produces 9.2 million barrels of oil per day, close to 10 percent of the world oil supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Oil prices are near an 11-year low, reports the Oil Price Information Service. U.S. oil now sells for around $37 per barrel. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is currently selling its oil for about $32 per barrel. OPEC is an organization of 12 oil-exporting nations. Its members are Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.    I’m Mary Gotschall.        Mary Gotschall adapted this story for Learning English from VOA News. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you have an opinion about this topic? Let us know what you think in the Comments section below, or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   cargo – n. something that is carried from one place to another by boat, airplane, etc.decade – n.  a period of 10 years embargo – n. a government order that limits trade in some way cartel – n. a group of businesses that agree to fix prices so they all will make more money barrel – n.  a round usually wooden container with curved sides and flat ends skyrocketing – adj.  increasing quickly to a very high level or amount

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Let's Get Down to the Nitty-Gritty!

Hello and welcome to the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories. This is a program about the history of words and how we use them in conversation. Today we talk about the noun nitty-gritty. Nitty-gritty is one of many rhyming compounds in the English language. As with many rhyming compounds, nitty-gritty is informal. It is often used in casual conversation. It is a useful word that serves many purposes. When using it in a sentence, we often say “to get down to the nitty-gritty.” One meaning of nitty-gritty is the most important part or basic truth of any situation or subject. But, if you are not a fan of rhyming compounds or if you need to use a more formal word, you can use many other English expressions.                  For example, nitty-gritty could be the heart and soul of a matter, the gist of a conversation or the essence of an argument. If you want to focus on only the most important part of a problem, you want to focus on the crux or core. The nitty-gritty can also mean the bottom line or reality of a situation, as in this example: The ideas behind planning a city are so interesting. I could talk about it all day! I agree. But the city council needs to get down to the nitty-gritty. Washington, D.C. needs more apartments close to the Metro for young professionals moving here. The nitty-gritty does not have to be part of a problem. Any matter or situation can have nitty-gritty. The nitty-gritty can also mean the practical details that need to be finished. Used in this way, you can also say the nuts-and-bolts of a task or situation. Here is another example. We have talked about our vacation plans all week. Enough talk! You’re right. Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of booking flights and hotel rooms. Nitty-gritty can also be used as an adjective. You can say someone is good at dealing with the nitty-gritty details of a problem. In his song, “Jungle Gym,” Jack Johnson sings about New York City being nitty-gritty. This song is from the 2006 movie Curious George. It's a jungle gym The city's nitty gritty but it's so much fun We can take a ride go tell everyone It's a jungle gym. As with many words, the origin of nitty-gritty is unclear. Even though it is commonly used, some word experts have debated about the political correctness of “nitty-gritty.” Some word historians say that nitty-gritty refers to the debris – or remains -- left on the floor of slave ships. This reference may make the word offensive to some people. However, there is no written proof that nitty-gritty originated on the floors of slave ships. Many word historians say that the claim is an example of a mythical word origin trying to become fact. British word experts have also researched the origins of “nitty gritty.” Word historians on the British website The Phrase Finder say that nitty-gritty first appeared in 1937 as a musical composition. The song ‘That Nitty Gritty Dance’ was copyrighted by Arthur Harrington Gibbs. Merriam-Webster Dictionary says nitty-gritty was first used in 1956. The Online Etymology dictionary claims it was first used in the early 1960s, mainly by black jazz musicians. But no one really knows for sure. What we do know is that these dates place the origin of the word long after slave ships and slavery in America. We also know singer Shirley Ellis recorded “The Nitty Gritty” in 1963. It was a popular song and dance. Let’s listen to Shirley and get right down the real nitty-gritty. I’m Anna Matteo.   Practice using nitty-gritty in the Comments sections. Or get to the heart of the matter by using words like “crux” or “core.” Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Here is Shirley Ellis in 1964 performing her 1963 hit song "The Nitty Gritty" on the television show American Bandstand and her interview with host Dick Clark. And here are some dancers on a television show from the 1960s dancing to "The Nitty Gritty." Check out the male dancer in front who really "gets into it!"   _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   gist - n. the main point or part essence - n. the basic nature of a thing : the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is crux - n. a main or central feature (as of an argument) mythical  - adj.  based on or described in a myth : existing only in the imagination ​

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English in a Minute: Branch Out

We have already learned a few tree-related idioms, such as "go out on a limb" and "barking up the wrong tree." Here is another one for you. Find out what it means to "branch out" in this week's English in a Minute!

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Warm Winter Gives Ice Fishermen the Cold Shoulder

People usually think of fishing as a warm-weather pastime. But some fishers say the activity is best when it is freezing outside. Those people are called ice fishermen. When it gets really cold, they are in their element. In parts of the northern United States and all over Canada, ice fishing is a big sport. People wait all year for lakes and rivers in their cities to freeze. They drive trucks and snowmobiles on the ice, cut a hole into the water, and drop a lure. Here is how it works: First, fishers drill a hole in the ice. Then they drop a line into the water. Then they wait. Hopefully, a fish bites the hook at the end of the line. It is just like regular fishing, but it is done in the winter. The fishermen wear heavy coats and gloves to stay warm. Some people build small shelters on the ice around the hole. They leave the shacks on the ice all winter, so they can come and go easily. The shelters provide some protection from the cold and wind. The shelters are called “shanties,” or shacks. Some have rugs. Some have electricity. Brian King owns a bait shop near Detroit, Michigan. He says he is hoping for ice to form on Anchor Bay, and everyone is wondering if it is going to happen this year. Dan Thompson is a meteorologist from the National Weather Service. He says he expects this year’s warmer weather to continue. “It’s likely due to El Nino. It’s hard to point to one specific factor because there’s a lot of things working. But in an El Nino year, warmer temperatures are favored and certainly that is what we’re seeing this year.” Some people are still buying ice-fishing supplies. They are waiting for enough ice to form on smaller bodies of water, like canals. Other people are happy fishing in the winter, as during the fall or spring, from the shoreline. In some parts of Minnesota, much further north, low temperatures have been below freezing since December 1. The ice fishing has already started. In Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, people like to catch a fish called walleye. It is the most popular fish in Minnesota because it is hard to catch. It has a covering on its eyes that is pearly, and helps them to see in low light, says the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that by January 5, ice fishing was active. Resorts are busy with people who like to catch fish. A local tourism bureau told the newspaper that ice fishing adds about $10 million to the economy each year. An ice-fishing guide in Lake of the Woods tells the Pioneer Press the season began about one month early in 2014. Things are different this year. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reporting from the Associated Press, Pioneer Press and Star-Tribune. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Have you ever gone ice fishing? Did you catch anything? Did you have fun? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   bait – n. something (such as a piece of food) that is used to attract fish or animals so they can be caught meteorologist – n. a person who works in a science that deals with the atmosphere and with weather pastime – n. an activity that you enjoy doing during your free time snowmobile – n. a vehicle designed for travel in snowy conditions lure – n. a device used for attracting and catching animals, birds, or especially fish shoreline– n. the land along the edge of an area of water (such as an ocean, lake, etc.) : a coast or shore

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IS Fighter Executes His Mother in Syrian Town Square

[Editor's Note: Audio will be added shortly. Thank you for your patience.] A 20-year-old Islamic State fighter executed his mother in front of hundreds in the Syrian city of Raqqa. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, she had asked her son to leave the militant group and flee the city with her. He shot his mother in a central square as others watched. U.S. defense officials say people living in areas controlled by the Islamic State are increasingly forced to join the terrorist group. In Raqqa, a city of 400,000 people, the militant group requires all men and boys at the age of 14 to register with the “Islamic police” for service. Intelligence experts say that more than 34,000 foreign fighters from 120 countries have joined the group in Syria and Iraq. An official says that at least 6,000 of those fighters are Westerners. These numbers show a small increase since October 2015. Patrick Skinner is a security expert with the Soufan Group. He says Western nations have made it harder for people, mostly young men, to join the militant group. But he adds, “As long as people are willing to go there, they can get there.” Young people are drawn to jihad, or Islamic holy war. There is also evidence that the jihad message continues to appeal to European youth and women. David Sterman is an expert with the New America International Security program. He says the average age of a foreign fighter is 24. And many of them are teenagers. Sterman adds, “Women continue to be quite well represented.” The Washington Post reports that 1-in-6 young people who go to join the IS terrorists are young women. They see romance in the role of terrorist's wife, the newspaper reported.  U.S. officials say they are worried that Russia’s entry into the Syrian conflict would bring more militants to the fight. A counterterrorism official says, “It would not be surprising if ISIL features the Russian build-up as a tie into their apocalyptic narrative, and to help bridge the generational divide among jihadists with Moscow’s actions in Afghanistan and Syria as bookends.”  

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Abigail Adams: Feminist, Partner, First Lady

Abigail Adams was like a modern woman, even though she lived in colonial times. She strongly supported the American Revolution, women’s rights and education. She worked to get public schooling for girls. She was a smart businessperson during a time when women in the U.S. could not even own property. Abigail Adams and her husband, John Adams, were also strong voices against slavery at a time when owning another person was legal in the U.S. Unlike some of America’s other founders — including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson — John and Abigail Adams did not own any slaves. Journalist and author Cokie Roberts has written several books about women in the early days of the U.S., including “Ladies of Liberty.” She says Abigail Adams is best known for this phrase: “Remember the ladies.” “When the men were meeting in Philadelphia to think about creating a new country, breaking away from the British, she wrote to her husband and said, ‘Well I suppose we will have to have to have a new code of laws and when you write those laws, remember the ladies, because all men would be tyrants if they could.’  And those have become some of the most famous words in the English language, or the American English language. ‘Remember the ladies.’” Roberts adds that nobody knows exactly what Abigail was arguing for at the time. She thinks Abigail, who was a strong supporter of women’s rights, was probably arguing in favor of legal rights for women. A life in letters Abigail Smith was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts in 1744. Her father was a pastor and she received a fine education at home -– but not a formal one at a school. She married John Adams when she was 20 years old. John became a prominent lawyer in Boston. Historians know a lot about Abigail and John Adams because they wrote each other many letters over the course of their marriage. And, unlike Martha and George Washington, the Adams did not burn their letters. More than 1,100 still survive. Abigail and John often wrote to each other when they were apart. First, during the American War of Independence against the British, John left the family farm in Massachusetts and stayed in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was an important part of the Continental Congress there. Journalist Cokie Roberts says Abigail managed the family’s affairs while her husband was gone. “She was very good at math. We know that because even though women, married women, were not allowed to own property at that time, she bought and sold property all the time. And she made a very handy income which supported the family for long periods of time, when her husband was away and not making any money.” Abigail and John were apart again when he went to Europe as one of the first U.S. diplomatic ministers. When John was in Europe, Abigail would see what people needed in America. She asked John to send items such as lace, cloth and handkerchiefs from Europe, then she would sell them at home to make money. The separations were difficult for the couple. Cokie Roberts says, “John Adams really could not function without her.” One example: When John was sworn in as president of the United States in 1796, Abigail was still at their home in Massachusetts. She was taking care of the family’s farm, as well as John Adam’s mother, who was dying.  But John wanted Abigail at his side. “He wrote her letters every day saying, 'You must come, you must come. I cannot do this without you! Come, I can't do this! You must come!' The letters became more and more and more insistent. Because he really depended on her so mightily to help him make decisions about what was important and what political decisions he should make.” Eventually, Abigail was able to join her husband. They became the first people to live in the president’s mansion in Washington, D.C. – what we call today, the White House. The house was still being built when they moved in. Abigail wrote that it was cold and drafty.  She hung up the laundry to dry in the East Room. Today, the East Room is where formal dinners and important events are held. Abigail Adams said her situation as first lady was one of “splendid misery.” John lost the presidential election of 1800 to Thomas Jefferson. Then Abigail and John retired to their land in Massachusetts. She was 73 years old when she died in 1818. Legacy Three of her daughters and one of her sons died before she did. Two other sons survived her, including John Quincy Adams. He became the sixth president of the United States. However, Abigail did not live to see him elected president.  Until recently, she was the only woman to be both the wife and mother of a U.S. president. When George W. Bush was elected president in 2000, his mother, Barbara Bush, became only the second woman to have both a husband and a son be president. Reaching back all those years to the 1700s, what many people say stands out the most about Abigail Adams is her relationship with her husband. Journalist Cokie Roberts says they were a team. “The relationship with John was one that was very, very close, and quite romantic.” Sometimes Abigail Adams was an outspoken adviser to her husband. Roberts says she had “an abrasive style” and there were times when “she could not hold her tongue.” People complained about her, especially those from the opposing political party. Some called her “Presidentess.” The term was not a compliment. If one is to believe White House lore, Abigail Adams still appears at the White House ... as a ghost. The White House Historical Association says,  “Abigail Adams hung laundry in the East Room, and contemporary staff can smell wet laundry and the scent of lavender.” Like Martha Washington before her, Abigail Adams set an example of what a political wife and a first lady could be. She was more outspoken than Martha, as well as more modern in her thinking and style. But both were treasured partners for their husbands, the first, and second, presidents of the United States of America. I’m Anne Ball.         What do you think are important qualities in the spouse or partner of a politician? Write to us in the Comments section and on our Facebook page. Anne Ball wrote this story. Kelly J. Kelly was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   insistent – adj. demanding that something happen or someone do something mightily –adv. very much prominent –adj. well known and important endured – v. to experience something painful for a long time lace – n. a very light and thin cloth made with patterns of holes handkerchief – n. a small cloth used for wiping your ears, nose, or face drafty – adj. cold air moving through that makes it feel cold outspoken –adj. talking freely about what one thinks abrasive – adj. having a rough, unpleasant quality she could not hold her tongue – phrase. She was not able, or unable, to control what she said, and said things other's disagreed with.

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New York Street Vendors Battle Over Permits

A conflict is forming on the streets of New York City between legal and illegal food trucks and carts. The city grants 5,100 food vending permits every two years. The permit is issued by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Most of the permit holders pay $200 to renew their permit every two years. Some permit holders rent their license, or permit, for a profit. Some cart or truck operators pay more than $20,000 for a food vending permit. Because there is greater demand than supply of permits, a black market for the licenses has emerged. The Wall Street Journal reported that transferring or renting these permits to another vendor is illegal. But many vendors have turned to this illegal black market for permits. Business owners who have legal permits, or who compete with the food carts and trucks, are against the black market. “The people out there operating the carts are not the ones who have the permits,” said business official Dan Pisark. He questioned the permit owners’ motives. The vendors say getting a cart or truck permit can take 10 to 15 years. Some vendors work the street unlicensed. Vendors have protested at City Hall about the permit system. They call for vendors to be licensed. They say vendors should have a permit in their own name. Others call for more permits to be issued. “People got to live. They’ve got families. They got kids, children,” said Bernard Thompson, a New York City street vendor. “You know, they’ve got to eat.” I'm Mario Ritter.   Bernard Shusman wrote this story for VOAnews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   vending – adj. to offer for sale, especially by peddling renew – v. to cause something to continue to be effective or valid for an additional period of time​ black market – n. a system through which things are bought and sold illegally emerge – v. to become known or apparent transferring – v.  to move someone or something from one place to another motives – n. a reason for doing something ​

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Americans: Jobs More Important Than Terrorism

Better jobs, pay and economy are the top issues for voters, a Voice of America informal study revealed. VOA listened to the questions that voters ask presidential candidates. These are questions voters ask at rallies and meetings. Rallies were recently held in New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Illinois. Of all the questions voters asked of candidates, 27 percent were about the economy. “What plans do you have to create better-paying jobs than minimum wage?” a man asked Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders in Iowa last week. Health care came in second-most asked, at 15 percent of the questions. Concerns about immigration came in at 12 percent. Just 10 percent of the questions asked of the candidates were about national security or terrorism. A Gallup poll in December found 16 percent of Americans listed terrorism as their top concern. VOA observed that Republicans were more likely to ask about terrorism than Democrats. Sometimes, the issues were connected, or overlapped. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is a Republican and says he wants to be president, was asked about terrorism and gun violence. “It may score [political] points to mention ISIS and the threats to America, but more people have been killed in America by homegrown extremists than by international terrorists,” a man said to Christie. “When do we consider gun violence a credible threat to our safety and security?” Candidates were often asked about the Second Amendment. That amendment states that “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Many Americans interpret, or define it, different ways. That has led to conflict about gun use in America. More people were killed in America in the past 10 years by guns (280,000) than by terrorism (24), according to numerous news sources and confirmed by PolitiFact. PolitiFact “is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics.” It is staffed by editors and reporters at the Tampa Bay Times. Democratic contenders were often asked to assist in solving problems aligned with their party. For example, Hillary Clinton repeatedly hears questions on healthcare insurance and the economy. Republican candidates were more likely to be asked about welfare abuse and immigration. Questions about climate were asked 5 percent of the time. Race issues were asked 2.5 percent of all questions. Republican candidate Donald Trump was not part of the VOA study. He does not field questions from audiences at his campaign events. I’m Jim Tedder.   This Article was written by Michael Bowman for VOAnews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think is the biggest problem facing America? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   aligned – v. in line with, of interest to stance – n. a publicly stated opinion

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VOA English Newscast: 2200 January 8, 2016

From Washington, this is VOA News. I’m David Byrd reporting. Mexican authorities have captured the notorious drug cartel kingpin known as “el Chapo.” Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced Joaquin Guzman's recapture in a brief announcement in Spanish on Twitter Friday. Guzman was arrested after a shootout with Mexican marines in Sinaloa, his home state. The leader of the Sinaloa cartel escaped from a maximum security prison in July by using a 1.5-kilometer-long underground tunnel, dug in secret from his cell to a nearby village. The escape was a major embarrassment for President Pena Nieto, who had been praised for his administration's aggressive push against Mexico's top drug lords. U.S. officials have arrested two refugees from Iraq on terrorism charges, but it does not appear that the men were planning any attacks in the United States. At the White House, spokesman Josh Earnest said the arrests show how the U.S. government is working to fight terrorism. "This case, these cases in particular are good examples of how the Department of Homeland Security, the Intel community, law enforcement, and other national security agencies work effectively together to keep us safe." Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab was arrested Thursday in Sacramento, California. He was charged with making false statements involving international terrorism. Omar Faraj Saeed Al-Hardan, 24, was arrested in Houston, Texas. He is accused of attempting to provide material support, including "training, and expert advice and assistance" to the Islamic State group. Both men were Palestinians from Iraq who have been in the U.S. for several years. This is VOA News ______________________________________________________ Words in this Newscast notorious –adj. well known or famous, especially for something bad cartel –n. a group of businesses that agree to fix prices to make more money kingpin –n. a person who generally controls an organization or activity maximum –adj. the most, the highest level

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Most Wanted Drug Kingpin ‘El Chapo’ Arrested

Fugitive drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has been captured six months after his bold escape from prison. He was one of the most wanted men in the world. Guzman was arrested in a raid on a home before dawn in Los Mochis, reported USA Today. That city is in Guzman’s home state of Sinaloa. The Mexican Navy said that marines acted on a tip about Guzman’s location. Guzman escaped from a maximum-security prison in Mexico last July 11. He broke out of the prison in a mile-long tunnel from his prison cell shower. News outlets broadcast pictures of the elaborate shower and tunnel. A motorcycle carried him through the long tunnel, away from the prison. Authorities have been hunting him ever since. It was not his first time he escaped a maximum-security prison. The drug lord was first jailed after being forcibly returned, or extradited, from Guatemala in 1993. He escaped his maximum security prison in 2001. That time he was said to have escaped in a laundry cart. He was found 13 years later in the seaside resort of Mazatlan. Guzman was returned to prison, only to break out again about 16 months later. The Mexican government has been criticized for Guzman’s escapes. Critics questioned whether El Chapo was able to buy off officials to escape. Guzman is a wealthy drug lord. He is worth about $1 billion, say news reports. The U.S. wants him arrested for trafficking illegal drugs to this country.  If he is extradited to the U.S., he would be held at a maximum security prison in this country. That would make another escape very difficult. CNN said the U.S. had a $5 million reward for his capture, and the Mexican government was offering $4 million for him as well. Guzman is nicknamed “Shorty” for his small height. I’m Anne Ball.   Anne Ball wrote this story.  Kathleen Struck was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   bold – adj. not afraid of danger or difficult situation tunnel – n. a passage that goes underground shower – n. the area that holds the device to spray water on your body elaborate – adj. planned or carried out with great care laundry cart – n. a wagon to hold and move clean or dirty clothes   

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German Officials Suspect 18 Asylum Seekers in New Year's Attacks

German officials say 18 asylum-seekers are among the suspects in thefts and sexual assaults on women in Cologne on New Year's Eve. Interior Ministry official Tobias Plate spoke to reporters Friday morning. He said police have identified 31 suspects. Eighteen had earlier requested asylum in Germany. Plate said two of the 31 suspects are German. Nine are Algerian, eight are from Morocco, five are Iranian, and four are Syrians. The remaining three are from Iraq, Serbia and the United States. Police have documented 32 criminal acts. Plate said the large majority were tied to theft and physical injury. Three were tied to sexual assaults. Also Friday, officials forced the police chief of Cologne to retire. He had faced growing criticism of the way his department dealt with the New Year’s Eve attacks. About 1,000 men had gathered near Cologne's main train station around midnight, throwing fireworks. After police moved in to stop them, smaller groups of men began surrounding women in the area. They reportedly groped the women and stole from them. A policewoman said she was among those attacked. About 90 people have filed criminal complaints, including one report of a rape. The assaults have intensified the debate over Germany's immigration policies. Some 1.1 million people registered as asylum seekers in Germany last year. Both Germany’s chancellor and its justice minister have called for the perpetrators to be punished. On Thursday, the German justice minister said any asylum-seekers among the suspects could be deported if found guilty. I’m Caty Weaver. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   assault – n. the crime of trying or threatening to hurt someone physically​ grope – v. to touch (someone) in an unwanted and unexpected sexual way​ complaint – n.a formal charge saying that someone has done something wrong​ perpetrator – v. the doer of something that is illegal or wrong deport – v. to force a person to leave a country ​of which she or he is not a citizen​

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