●brace v. 準備迎接（難關等）
Let's brace ourselves for the deadliest scourge of the influenza pandemic, probably come after the killer SARS epidemic.
我們要做好準備，預防可能緊接致命傳染病煞而來、極度致命的大流感。
  scourge是「禍端、痛苦之原因」。

●askance adv. 斜眼看
The diners all looked askance at the only piece of fried fish steak on the plate, wondering who would take it.
座上食客全都望著盤子裡最後一塊煎魚排，心想誰會把它要走。
 「askance」一字初看，可能以為它是名詞，其實它是個副詞來的，讀者千萬不要把它弄錯。

●overture n.（希望達成某事而作出的）提議、行動
The unilateral repudiation of the peace overtures by the provisional military governemnt was a great menace to local peace.
該臨時軍政府單方面拒絕和平建議，嚴重威脅地方和平。

●showdown n.（為結束持續多時的鬥爭、糾紛而作出的）攤牌、解決行動
The showdown should be done now without any more delay. It's of course painstaking to do so to your friends but it's absolutely necessary.
現在必須向朋友攤牌，不能再拖。這固然是痛苦的決定，卻絕對必需。

●national solidarity  全國團結一致
The saying "A house divided against itself cannot stand" illustrates the importance of national   solidarity, especially in times of crisis.
有言：「家庭不逵，萬事不興」，這揭櫫全國上下一心的重要，特別是國家面臨危機時。

●play up 渲染、過分強調（某事的重要性等）
I find that Derrick tends to play up those things he has done alone and say nothing about those which we've done together.
我發覺德里克傾向渲染自己獨力所做的事，而絕口不提我們合力所做的。
  相反詞是「play down」或「downplay」（輕描淡寫）。

●pull together 齊心協力
The President called on the citizens to pull together to support the government in stifling the rebellion.
總統呼籲國民萬眾一心，全力支持政府彌平叛亂。