Phrases and Expressions

in defense of
supporting 维护；为…辩护
shake off
get rid of 抖落；摆脱
rely on
depend on 依靠，依赖
so far
up to the present 到目前为止
turn out
be found or known to be 结果（是）；原来（是）；证明（是）
hit/touch a nerve
refer to a subject that causes sb. pain, anger, etc.触及要害；触到痛处
do damage to
损害，破坏
back out
with draw 退出，撒手不干
many a
(fml) many ［正式］许多
climb down
1. 往下爬
2. admit that you are wrong 认错；退让
might as well
还是…为好，不妨
drive... into
force (sb.) into a usu. unpleasant condition 迫使，逼使
cut back on
reduce 缩减，削减
pay off
pay (a debt) in full 还清
scale back
reduce (sth.) by a fixed rate 按比例缩减

Proper Names

Bill McKibben
比尔·默基本（人名）
Sophie
索菲（女子名）
Christ
基督