Hello!
I came across some collocations in a story. Will you explain some difficult moments?

1. “Under the immense starred roof people were walking past like threats of colour being woven into grey web”

Does “roof” in this sentence mean sky? A story takes place in the street near the Grand Central Station. Or it means the ceiling of the station?

2. What does “take a chance on” mean in this context? Please, see the photo.

3. A woman in this story says: “ I’ve got two boys with uncle Uncle Sam so I didn’t mind to oblige you”.
Does anybody use “to have somebody with Uncle Sam”, meaning someone is in the Army, nowadays?[Image]

Question

Hello!
I came across some collocations in a story. Will you explain some difficult moments?

1. “Under the immense starred roof people were walking past like threats of colour being woven into grey web”

Does “roof” in this sentence mean sky? A story takes place in the street near the Grand Central Station. Or it means the ceiling of the station?

2. What does “take a chance on” mean in this context? Please, see the photo.

3. A woman in this story says: “ I’ve got two boys with uncle Uncle Sam so I didn’t mind to oblige you”.
Does anybody use “to have somebody with Uncle Sam”, meaning someone is in the Army, nowadays?[Image]

Answer

1. grand central station has constellations painted on its ceiling, so the text is talking about the ceiling

2. take a chance on means that he would be basing his decision to have a relationship with (or meet in person) this woman based on her appearance. when you take a chance on something you decide to do something even though the outcome is not guaranteed to be what you want. it's similar to saying "bet on".

3. by the way this woman is speaking it sounds like she comes from the southern or midwestern  united states, where this type of expression might be more commonly used than, say, the northeast.

3.

Answer

1 If they are clearly in the station then it means the roof of the station. Maybe the stars are lights or it could have a glass roof through which you can see the stars. Threads not threats probably.

2 Take a chance on is the same as risk. They have been writing to each other without knowing what the other looks look. Maybe he has only been writing because she might be beautiful.

3 It means in the army. Whether people use it now only Americans would know!