BBC news 2010-06-28 加文本

1.lackwater, which recently changed its name to Xe Services in an attempt to rehabilitate its image, saw off competition from two other American security companies to land the contract.

see off把(某人)赶走

例句：He saw the boys off with a gun.
      他用枪赶走了那些男孩。

      See him off the premises and sure he never returns!
      把他从这房屋赶走, 决不让他再回来!

2.In a rare television interview, the CIA director Leon Penatta said the organization had come to rely on such companies to provide security for forward basis, and since Xe appeared to have, in his words, “shaped up their act” and its bid was lower than everyone else's, there was little choice but to award them the contract.

rely on信赖, 依赖,依靠

例句：You can rely on me for help.
      你可指望我来帮忙。

shape up改进, 顺利发展

例句：Plans for our picnic are shaping up very well.
      我们的野餐计划进展顺利。

      The new students seem to be shaping up quite nicely.
      新生们看来表现得相当不错。

little choice but,little是否定的意思，在这里其实相当于no choice but别无选择只能

3.Roza Otunbayeva said the country had now embarked on a path towards true democracy.

embark on着手, 开始做某事

例句：He is about to embark on a new business venture.
      他就要开始新的商业冒险活动。

4.With last week's tough budget, Britain is on course to halve its deficit by 2012, let alone 2013.

let alone更不用说, 还不算

例句：We can't afford a bicycle, let alone a car.
      我们连自行车也买不起, 更不用说汽车了。

5.He told an Internet site he'd increased his security measures in light of a growing number of attacks on Mexican musicians, especially those playing songs which celebrate the lives of drug barons.

in light of鉴于，由于

例句：We will be finalising the plan during December in the light of your comments.
      鉴于你的评论，我们将在十二月份完成计划。