BBC news 2010-05-11 加文本

1.The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that he intends to stand down as leader of the Labour Party within months.

stand down退位，退让

例句：If you want this job, I'll stand down.
      如果你想得到这工作，我愿意退让。

相当于：

step down退休, 辞职

例句：The manager had to step down on account of poor health.
      那位经理由于身体不好, 只能辞职不干。

2. He said that his party was willing to give ground on a key Liberal Democrat demand and move towards a more representative voting system.

give ground退却; 让步; 失利

例句：The army was forced to give ground when the enemy started its new offensive.
      当敌人发动新的进攻时, 部队被迫撤退。

      In the end, both sides gave ground in the argument.
      最后, 双方在辩论中都作了让步。

3.In the interests of trying to create a stable, secure government, we will go the extra mile, and we will offer to the Liberal Democrats, in a coalition government,....

go the extra mile做比期望的多得多的努力

例句：In that case, you have to go the extra mile to prove your credibility.
      如果是这样的话, 你就得多作一点, 来证明你的可信度啰。

4.The Dow Jones Index closed up nearly 4% on Monday following heavy losses last week.

close up(使)关店

例句：The shop is closing up. I must ask you to leave.
      本店要关门了, 我们必须请你们离开。

      We are closing up the house for the summer.
      夏季我们商号暂停营业。