Learning English

Brexit: Deal or no deal?

The UK and the European Union have entered final talks this week to try and agree a trade deal. The talks have been ongoing and the possible deal will set out future trading terms between the two entities. Catherine and Tom have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

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The story

Talks resume today between Britain and the European Union as they try to agree a post-Brexit trade deal. It's unclear when the discussions might conclude.

Negotiators from each side have been giving differing interpretations of what stage they are at.

Key words and phrases

one last push

one final effort

• With one last push, the company is confident it can reach a deal.
• I know you’re tired, but after this last push your exams will all be finished.

hang in the balance

remain in an uncertain state

• The president’s political survival hangs in the balance.
• The prospect of reaching a deal is hanging in the balance.

on a knife edge

in a difficult situation, with two different results possible

• The race to be president is on a knife edge right now!
• The doctor told the family that their father’s survival was on a knife edge after the surgery.

To do

Try our quiz to see how well you've learned today's language.

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