terremoto
Definition
A sudden, violent shaking of the ground caused by movements in the Earth's crust, often resulting in damage to structures and landscapes.
Figuratively, a major upheaval or shocking event that disrupts stability, as in politics or personal life.
Examples
El terremoto fue tan repentino que mi gato maulló como si estuviera en un karaoke fallido.
The earthquake was so sudden that my cat meowed like it was in a failed karaoke session.
Durante el terremoto, el político prometió reconstruir todo, empezando por su credibilidad.
During the earthquake, the politician promised to rebuild everything, starting with his credibility.
Sobrevivimos al terremoto gracias a la ingeniería moderna y a mi habilidad para ignorar las evacuaciones.
We survived the earthquake thanks to modern engineering and my talent for ignoring evacuations.
El terremoto sacudió la ciudad, pero no tanto como el precio del café después.
The earthquake shook the city, but not as much as the coffee prices afterward.