Leçon 9 Flashcards
morne, austère
bleak
de sombres perspectives
The economic outlook is _____, at least in the short term.
a bleak outlook
The economic outlook is bleak, at least in the short term.
une bénédiction
The government has given its _____ (= ______) a plan to improve the rights of children.
a blessing
The government has given its blessing to (= approval to) a plan to improve the rights of children.
un mal pour un bien, un bien malgré les apparences
A ________ is something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but result in something good happening later.
a blessing in disguise
A blessing in disguise is something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but result in something good happening later.
aveugle
blind
fermer les yeux sur quelque chose
The British Conservative Party would prefer the public to ________ Britain’s weapon sales to Saudi Arabia.
to turn a blind eye to
The British Conservative Party would prefer the public to turn a blind eye to Britain’s weapon sales to Saudi Arabia.
avoir une confiance aveugle dans
Many people believe that Trump’s mistakes do not matter to his supporters, they _________.
to have blind faith in
Many people believe that Trump’s mistakes do not matter to his supporters, they have blind faith in him.
conduire dans une impasse (fig.)
Our employer has no idea what she is doing, she is ______.
to lead up a blind alley
Our employer has no idea what she is doing, she is leading us up a blind alley.
sur ce point, il avait un bandeau devant les yeux (il refusait d’y voir clair)
Democrats in America will often argue that climate change is one of the Trump administration’s _______.
That was his blind spot.
Democrats in America will often argue that climate change is one of the Trump administration’s blind spots.
une petite anomalie
The European Union has its ______ from time to time but remains a solid foundation for a more connected Europe.
The European Union has its blips from time to time but remains a solid foundation for a more connected Europe.
de manière inattendue
The announcement came ____________.
out of the blue
The announcement came out of the blue.
un investissement de père de famille
A _______ is sure to weather any unexpected downturn or obstacle that comes its way.
a blue chip investment
A blue chip investment is sure to weather any unexpected downturn or obstacle that comes its way.
brusque, brutal (discours, paroles)
blunt
une affimation brutale
The manager gives very ________ if he was angry.
a blunt statement
The manager gives very blunt statements if he was angry.
un film à grand succès
Titanic was a worldwide _________.
a blockbuster
Titanic was a worldwide blockbuster.
une ombre au tableau
Many people think that wind farms are ________.
a blot on the landscape
Many people think that wind farms are a blot on the landscape.
un coup
Having the most recent bill he introduced to Congress be voted down was a real _______ to the Congressman’s confidence.
a blow
Having the most recent bill he introduced to Congress be voted down was a real blow to the Congressman’s confidence.
exploser au visage
The president was warned by his advisors that holding a referendum would _______ if the public used it as an opportunity to express disapproval of his record.
to blow up in one’s face
The president was warned by his advisors that holding a referendum would blow up in his face if the public used it as an opportunity to express disapproval of his record.
tomber à l’eau, échouer
Unfortunately, all their plans have ________, since he lost his job.
to go by the board
Unfortunately, all their plans have gone by the board, since he lost his job.
vanter
to boast
il n’y a pas de quoi se vanter
You have started your own company yes, but _______, your profit margin is terrible.
That’s nothing to boast about
You have started your own company yes, but that is nothing to boast about, your profit margin is terrible.
un ensemble, un corps constitué
a body
la grande masse des lecteurs
the great body of readers
faux, bidon
This was a _____ reform: it ended in _____ (une impasse).
bogus
This was a bogus reform: it ended in deadlock (une impasse).
s’enliser, s’embourber
The debates _________ how much cash the UN’s family-planning arm ought to have.
to get bogged down
The debates got bogged down over how much cash the UN’s family-planning arm ought to have.
se résumer à, se réduire à
This article _______ a list of the main drawbacks of G.M.O.s.
to boil down to
This article boils down to a list of the main drawbacks of G.M.O.s.
audacieux
This is a ______ experiment against illegal drug use.
bold
This is a bold experiment against illegal drug use.
une décision courageuse
a bold decision
soutenir
The parity of the Euro against the Dollar must be constantly _______.
to bolster
The parity of the Euro against the Dollar must be constantly bolstered.
agir selon les règles
In order to have a successful business, you must _________.
to do by the books
In order to have a successful business, you must do everything by the book.
prospérer, être en plein essor
Social media has ______ internationally.
to boom
Social media has boomed internationally.
une économie en dent de scie
a boom-bust economy
l’évolution en dents de scie de la nouvelle économie
The boom-bust pattern of the new economy.
