我来攒单词 1

From "Economist"

China and the G20
--Taking the summit by strategy
1. construe
~ sth (as sth) to understand the meaning of a word, a sentence, or an action in a particular way. [SYN] interpret
[text]
"There in the middle of the front row, in what the Chinese press construed as the most honoured position to the right of the British prime minister, Gordon Brown, was President Hu jintao of China."
2. nudge
- to push sb gently, especially with your elbow, in order to get their attention
He nudged me and whispered, "Look who's just come in."
- [figurative] to push sb/sth gently or gradually in a particular direction
He nudged the ball past the goalie and into the net.
She tried to nudge him into changing his mind (=persuade him to do it)
- to move forward by pushing with your elbow.
He nudged his way through the crowd.
- to reach or make sth reach a particular level
Inflation is nudging 20%. This afternoon's sunshine could nudge the temperature above freezing.
[noun] nudge nudge, wink wink
used to suggest sth to do with sex without actually saying it.
[text]
For China the purpose of the G20 summit in London on April 2nd was as much about nudging into place a new alignment of global power as it was about solving the world's economic problems.
3. not least
-especially
[text]
But it (China) has shown no interest in formal membership, not least for fear of being in a room full of (mostly) rich democracies.
4. cave in
- (on sb/sth) (of a roof, wall, etc.) to fall down and towards the centre
The ceiling suddenly caved in on top of them.
- (to sth) to finally do what sb wants after you have been strongly opposing them:
The president is unlikely to cave in to demands for a public inquiry.
[text]
Mr Sarkozy, it appears, did not cave in entirely to Mr Hu.
5. forthright
-adj. direct and honest in manner and speech [text] Chinese officials had been unusually forthright about the new economic order they wished to see.
6. clout
-power and influence
[text]
I knew his opinion carried a lot of clout with them.
7. revel
- to spend time enjoying yourself in a noisy, enthusiastic way [SYN] make merry
- [PHR] revel in sth : to enjoy sth very much.
She was clearly revelling in all the attention. [ing]
Some people seem to revel in annoying others.
[text]
Much as Chinese officials coyly (in coy manner) dismissed the notion that the meeting of real significance in London was that of the G2-China and America- the officials press revelled in the attention he received.
8. revelation / disclosure

-a fact that people are made aware of, especially one that has been secret and is surprising
9. spar
- to argue with sb, usually in a friendly way
[text]
During the summit itself the two leaders sparred over whether the G20 should publish a blacklist of tax havens.