CNN news 2010-03-24 加文本

1.Well that's a pressure cooker of a day on Capitol Hill as we wait and wonder how this vote for healthcare plays out, the final vote is expected Sunday and Democratic house leaders are trying to convince undeclared members to vote yes.

pressure cooker高压锅，这里明显是比喻的用法

例句：subjecting children to a pressure-cooker situation in the school.
      学生在学校里处于高压的境遇。

play out进行到底

例句：Shall we call it a draw, or play it out?
      我们是算平局呢还是继续比赛决出胜负?

2.Maisano was among 10,000 plaintiffs who sued and is happy lawyers reached a settlement with the city.

reach a settlement达成协议，达成和解

例句：The pressure is now on the unions to reach a settlement.
       目前正对各工会施加压力，要他们达成协议。