The company was on the brink of a financial abyss. 公司已濒临财政危机的绝境。

Phew, that was a close shave! He almost saw me.

Where's all the action in this town? 这镇上所有的活动都在哪儿呢？

The nuclear power station was an environmental disaster waiting to happen. 这座新的核电站可能对环境造成灾难性的影响。

An ageing nuclear reactor is an accident waiting to happen. 老化的核反应堆早晚会出事故。

He'd had a few brushes with the law, but nothing serious. 他有几次差点犯法，但幸亏不严重。

a scene of carnage 大屠杀的惨象

The city had become a cauldron of lawlessness and unrest. 该市情况危急，已经变得无法无天、动荡不安。

TV and films are full of Doomsday scenarios.

He had never been reduced to such an extremity before. 他以前从来没有遇到过如此棘手的情况。

Other bidders are now likely to enter the fray. 其他竞标者现在可能卷入冲突。

I got such a fright when Joe burst through the door. 乔破门而入吓了我一大跳。

Such a major policy reversal is certain to spark a furore among conservatives. 如此重大的政策逆转肯定会在保守派中引起骚动。

This policy would lead to greater instability in the region. 这个政策将给这个地区带来更大的不稳定。

Politically, the party has put its head in a noose. 该党在政治上已是自寻死路。

the storm over working conditions 对工作条件的强烈不满

Officials were confident there had been no threat to public health. 官员们确信没有对公众健康造成威胁。

I knew we were in trouble when the lift stopped. 电梯停下来时，我知道我们遇上麻烦了。