Tunnel Meaning
Tunnel Definition & Usage
A long, narrow passage or route that is typically underground, through a mountain, or beneath a structure, often used for transportation, utilities, or access.
Examples
- "The workers dug a tunnel through the mountain to connect the two cities."
- "They found an old tunnel beneath the castle that led to the river."
- "The subway train entered the dark tunnel as the passengers held their breath."
- "Explorers discovered an ancient tunnel system beneath the pyramid."
- "The tunnel collapsed during construction, trapping several workers inside."
A situation or period of time that seems confining or isolated, often leading to a feeling of being trapped or unable to see a way out.
Examples
- "After the accident, I felt like I was in a tunnel with no light at the end."
- "The company has been going through a tough financial period, but they’re slowly starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel."
- "She was stuck in a tunnel of depression for years before finding help."
- "The pandemic felt like a tunnel for many, with people wondering when things would get better."
- "The long winter months created a tunnel of darkness for those struggling with seasonal depression."
To dig or construct a tunnel.
Examples
- "The team tunneled through solid rock to create an underground passage."
- "The criminals tunneled their way out of the high-security prison."
- "They tunneled through the ground to lay cables for the new utility line."
- "Archaeologists tunneled deep into the ruins to discover hidden chambers."
- "The miners tunneled for several months before reaching the rich vein of gold."
Cultural Context
Tunnels have been used by humans for thousands of years, both for practical purposes such as transportation and utilities, as well as in military and criminal activities. The concept of a tunnel also appears in literature and culture, often symbolizing a journey, struggle, or transition.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Story
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Liam sat alone in his dimly lit office, staring at the report in front of him. It had been a long week, filled with endless meetings and frustrating delays on the new subway project. The team had been digging a tunnel beneath the city for months, but it felt like they were hitting one obstacle after another. 'Is there really a light at the end of this tunnel?' he wondered, rubbing his tired eyes. His phone buzzed, breaking his thoughts. It was an update from Maria, the lead engineer. 'We’ve made it,' the message read. 'The tunnel’s complete, and we’ve broken through to the next phase.' Relieved, Liam stood up, stretching. The metaphor of the tunnel had felt all too real, a dark and seemingly endless passage with no end in sight. But now, there it was: the breakthrough he’d been waiting for. Later that day, as he walked through the newly finished tunnel beneath the city, the echo of his footsteps seemed to carry a sense of victory. The dark, narrow passage that had consumed months of hard work was finally a path to the future—a new transportation link that would ease traffic congestion for thousands. But even as the light at the end of the tunnel appeared, Liam couldn’t help but think about the tunnel in his personal life. After losing his wife last year, he’d felt trapped in his own emotional darkness. He couldn’t see how he would ever find happiness again. But now, perhaps there was hope. Maybe, just like the tunnel he had just finished, there was a way out of the darkness. The next morning, Liam received a call from his sister. She wanted him to visit, to reconnect. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of his own light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel had led him to a new beginning, both professionally and personally.
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