Behind Closed Doors

• By: Rise Against

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
throw /θroʊ/ B1	verb - to propel something through the air with a quick movement of the arm
topple /ˈtɒp.əl/ B2	verb - to fall forward or over; to cause to fall
armed /ɑːrmd/ B2	adjective - equipped with weapons
bottle /ˈbɒt.əl/ A2	noun - a container with a neck used for holding liquids
stand /stænd/ A1	verb - to be in an upright position
chance /tʃæns/ B1	noun - a possibility of something happening
raise /reɪz/ B2	verb - to lift or move to a higher position
cast /kɑːst/ B2	verb - to throw something in a particular direction
smile /smaɪl/ A2	noun - a facial expression indicating happiness verb - to make a facial expression of amusement or pleasure
hope /hoʊp/ B1	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen verb - to want or desire something to happen
lock /lɒk/ A2	noun - a device for keeping a door or container closed
open /ˈoʊpən/ A2	adjective - not closed or blocked; allowing access
survive /sərˈvaɪv/ B2	verb - to continue to live despite danger or hardship
break /breɪk/ B2	verb - to separate into pieces suddenly or violently

Grammar:

• Standing no chance to win but

  ➔ Gerund phrase as adverbial of circumstance.

  ➔ The phrase "Standing no chance to win" acts as an adverbial modifier describing the circumstances under which they are not running. It means that they are not running *despite* not having a chance to win.

• It's in the air we raise our fists in

  ➔ Relative clause with a preposition at the end.

  ➔ "we raise our fists in" modifies "the air". The full relative pronoun would be "It's in the air *in which* we raise our fists".

• About the time we gave up hoping we'd ever find these locks still open

  ➔ Past perfect tense + that-clause as the object of 'hoping'. Subjunctive mood with 'we'd'.

  ➔ The past perfect "gave up hoping" emphasizes the action occurred before another point in the past. "we'd ever find" expresses a conditional possibility, hence the use of the subjunctive.

• The lines we cross in search of change

  ➔ Relative clause ('we cross in search of change') modifying 'lines'.

  ➔ The relative clause defines which lines are being referred to; specifically, the lines that they are crossing in their pursuit of change. It can be expanded to "The lines *that* we cross..."

• Although we have no obligation to stay alive

  ➔ Adverbial clause of concession using 'Although'.

  ➔ 'Although' introduces a clause that contrasts with the main clause, setting up a sense of defiance or determination. It acknowledges a lack of compulsion to continue living, but strengthens the commitment to survive.

• On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive

  ➔ Inversion for emphasis ('On broken backs' is fronted).

  ➔ Normal word order would be "We beg for mercy on broken backs." The inversion emphasizes the condition of their broken backs and the desperation of their plea.

• Bonfires burn like beacons

  ➔ Simile using 'like'.

  ➔ The sentence compares the bonfires to beacons to emphasize their guiding and signaling function. 'Like' connects two things that are unlike but share a quality.

• Flames dance on crashing waves

  ➔ Personification (Flames 'dance').

  ➔ The verb 'dance' is attributed to flames, giving them a human-like quality of movement and liveliness, adding imagery and emotional impact to the description.