I need a little help - "get back on terms" and "break clear"

Teppei · Apr 30, 2004, 17:32

Hi.

There's a sentence I don't understand in this article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3362355.stm

This is it.

Ethiopian-born Abeylegesse tried valiantly to get back on terms after Dibaba broke clear

What does "get back on terms" mean? From the context, I guess it's "catch up" or something, but I have no idea why the word "term" is used here.

Also I'm not sure about the meaning of "break clear". I think it's to get ahead of someone and widen the gap. Is that right?

Thanks in advance.

PaulTB · Apr 30, 2004, 18:55

Originally Posted by Teppei

Ethiopian-born Abeylegesse tried valiantly to get back on terms after Dibaba broke clear.

I think it is missing a word.

The usual phrase is "to get back on even terms."

Elizabeth · May 1, 2004, 01:01

Getting back on terms usually refers to getting back to a prior level of understanding or rapport with someone, but I haven't read the article so I'm not sure in this context.

PaulTB · May 1, 2004, 02:50

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

but I haven't read the article so I'm not sure in this context.

You don't need to read the article - just look at the url.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3362355.stm

Apr 30, 2004, 17:32	#1
Teppei Junior Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2004 Location: Japan Posts: 14	I need a little help - "get back on terms" and "break clear" Hi. There's a sentence I don't understand in this article. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3362355.stm This is it. Ethiopian-born Abeylegesse tried valiantly to get back on terms after Dibaba broke clear What does "get back on terms" mean? From the context, I guess it's "catch up" or something, but I have no idea why the word "term" is used here. Also I'm not sure about the meaning of "break clear". I think it's to get ahead of someone and widen the gap. Is that right? Thanks in advance.

Apr 30, 2004, 18:55	#2
PaulTB Manga Psychic Join Date: Jan 22, 2004 Posts: 2,111	Originally Posted by Teppei Ethiopian-born Abeylegesse tried valiantly to get back on terms after Dibaba broke clear. I think it is missing a word. The usual phrase is "to get back on even terms."

May 1, 2004, 01:01	#3
Elizabeth Regular Member Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: アメリカ Posts: 8,509	Getting back on terms usually refers to getting back to a prior level of understanding or rapport with someone, but I haven't read the article so I'm not sure in this context. __________________ たとえ辛くても、永遠に続く苦しみなどないでしょう。

May 1, 2004, 02:50	#4
PaulTB Manga Psychic Join Date: Jan 22, 2004 Posts: 2,111	Originally Posted by Elizabeth but I haven't read the article so I'm not sure in this context. You don't need to read the article - just look at the url. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3362355.stm

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