A year long cruise

Micro-listenings | C1

…there was a palpable sense…

If something is palpable, then you can you can physically feel it or touch it (or it feels like you can). We often use this to describe intense feelings or atmosphere’s.

e.g. The tension at the meeting was palpable.

…calling each other out…

The phrasal verb ‘to call someone out’ is used to describe highlighting or drawing attention to someone’s negative behaviour, to their face.

The direct element of this is important – if you call someone out on something, you’re noting and criticisng their behaviour directly to that person, instead of ignoring it or just complaining about it with other people.

e.g. Well done for calling him out on his behavior – I’m glad someone finally said something to him.

…had been a little short with the crew members…

If someone is short with someone, it means that they are impatient, direct and possibly rude with them.

e.g. Sorry I was short with you this morning. I was really late for work.