Говори и пиши как The Eсonomist

Since the eastward expansion of the European Union in 2004, re­form in parts of Eastern Europe has become something of a Potemkin village — что-то сомнительного качества, имеющее пропагандист­скую направленность.

The moment was portentous — предсказывающий дурное; зло­вещий.

The performance of Geert Wilders and his far-right Freedom Par­ty (PVV), it was said, would be a portent of Marine Le Pen's chances in France's presidential election — действенный, эффективный.

He is his own man, a potentate of the north with huge wealth and carefully consolidated support — правитель, монарх.

No worse than a string of nonproducing, potty-mouthed MBA guys who promise the Moon but deliver a hunk of Limberger cheese — матерщинник.

If he can set up the Republicans for failure and get another demo­crat majority and POTUS then he will have achieved more in his view — президент Соединенных Штатов (President Of The United States).

Picasso gives his subject the confrontational pout and posture of a Parisian demimondaine — недовольная гримаса.

Can India's original economic powerhouse get its act together again? — центр власти.

A five-hour pow-wow hosted by a lame duck president - церемо­ния заклинания; сборище, совет.

Handing out pralines is an easy way to make friends — пралине (разновидность конфет).

Barack Obama is still prattling about having 1m of them on Amer­ica's roads by 2015 — лепетать.

A post-prandial snooze, Dr Walker has discovered, sets the brain up for learning — послеобеденный.

Old politicians looked uncomfortable prancing on the world stage with their publicity — скачущий, важный (о походке, манере держаться).

A minor prang or proscribed medical condition might end some­one's driving career prematurely — авария, катастрофа.

They say they thought they were taking part in a prank — шалость, проделка.

But there is no doubt that criminals and pranksters are thriving by attacking computers and networks — шутник.

Our tips below are part of a series designed to help business trav­ellers avoid pratfalls when they head abroad — нарочито неуклюжее падение на ягодицы (обычно c расчетом произвести комический эффект), осечка, оплошность, вызывающая смех.

Proxy resolutions are precatory since boards are free to ignore them — содержащий просьбу; выражающий надежду.

This created a two-tier labour market, with the lower tier popu­lated by a young precariat — социальный класс, испытывающий ма­териальные и психологические проблемы в связи с его непредска­зуемым состоянием.

So attempts to apply precepts devised by ancient Chinese philoso­phers to the modern world are in vogue — принцип; заповедь.

Opinion polls show public support for the government falling precipitously — стремительный, безудержный; precipitous current — стремительный поток.

He gave a blunt precis of Russian grievances — краткое изложе­ние, конспект, резюме.

We were laughing and dancing our way to the precipice — обрыв, пропасть, опасное положение.

A precocious student, Yardley learned poker in the saloons of Worthington, where he probably also developed his lifelong affinity for tall tales — не по годам развитой.

Although such an attack was anticipated — the first response was efficient and calm — the grim reality is that it may be the precursor to many similar ones — предтеча, предвестник.

Recent events have encapsulated his predicament — затрудни­тельное положение; затруднение.

Predictwise, which looks at polls, betting markets and bookies, puts her chance of becoming president at more than 70% — с точки зрения прогнозов.

Such public preening must be deeply depressing — чистить перья клювом, прихорашиваться.

The OPCW announced in June that all identifiable agents and pre­cursor chemicals had been removed from the country — предшествен­ник; предтеча, предвестник.

Japan has found original ways to make money out of people's sexual predilections — склонность, пристрастие.

Cancun, Mexico, is a favourite seaside destination for young gringos keen to primp, Exerciseany pre-emption rights it purports to have — преимущественное право на покупку государственной земли; использование преимущественного права покупки.

Politicians preen when they are positive — and blame their pre­decessors — гордиться собой; нравиться самому себе.

The words "We are sorry", which he said a good deal, prefatory to adverse weather conditions, leaves on the line, staff absences and signal failures, were controversial — вводный, предварительный.

The creation of Mr Tusk's job in the prelapsarian Lisbon treaty of 2007 was for some the first step towards a "president of Europe" — до грехопадения; безгреховный.

Nietzche's premonitions and insights often agree in the most amazing manner with the laborious results of psychoanalysis — предчувствие.