BBC news 2010-06-09 加文本

1.The resolution was watered down during negotiations with Russia and China, but it does tighten existing restrictions on areas like shipping and finance.

water down削弱; 使缓和

例句：In the negotiations, they agreed to water down their original stiff demand to one acceptable to both sides.
      在谈判中, 他们同意把原来的强硬要求降低到双方都可以接受的地步。

      The story was watered down so much it was no longer interesting.
      故事情节已被冲淡, 再也没有趣味了。

2.The United States has charged six people with conspiring to provide Iran with satellite surveillance equipment in defiance of an American trade embargo in place since 1995.

in defiance of不管…; 无视…
 
例句：She acted in defiance of my orders.
      她无视我的命令行动了。

      He climbed the ladder in defiance of the warning.
       他蔑视警告爬上了那架梯子。

3.GM conducted a similar recall in 2008 but says it's come across new reports of fires in vehicles that have been fixed.

come across偶然发现, 偶然遇见

例句：I came across him in the street yesterday.
      昨天我在街上无意中碰到了他。

4.but he said that at 91, Mr Mandela was unlikely to sit through the whole match.

sit through一直挺到结束,耐着性子看完(或听完)

例句：Are you able to sit through the play?
      你能耐着性子看完戏吗？

      I can't sit through six hours of Wagner!
      看六小时的瓦格纳歌剧我可坐不住。