předzvěst, náznak, první vlaštovka

There were one or two straws in the wind yesterday that suggested an offensive was imminent. CIDI

A final straw in the wind may be Tolkien's increasing desire to pull strands together. BNC

A straw in the wind will be who is appointed to an important new quango that will control university funding, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.BNC

kyselý déšt´

Climate change is already more important than acid rain, genetic engineering a more topical issue than saving whales. BNC

This must surely mean that acid rain was natural and the acidification of lochs had nothing to do with power stations. BNC

The Canadians say that sulphur, falling as acid rain, is killing fish in the lakes of southern Ontario and Nova Scotia and damaging forests. BNC

letecký most ( humanitární pomoci)

UN planes have made air drops to 300 flood-hit villages. CIDI

He was shown a videotape of people swimming in the Drina River in bitter winter weather after an air drop, trying to save food that was floating downstream. BNC

He was the only soldier on board; his job was despatch, loading equipment for air drops. BNC

v nouzi všechno dobré

I don't even like him very much, but I had to move out of my flat and he offered me a place to stay. Any port in a storm, as they say. CIDI

Obviously, trombones would be best, but any port in a storm, right?! WebCorp

In today's turbulent economy one would think " any port in a storm" would be a true statement when deciding where to host your website. WebCorp

vyzývat k zachování klidu

The appeal for calm, linked with the threat of a crackdown, followed similar warnings on Wednesday by the armed forces and the government. BNC

The Governor-General, Sir Paul Scoon, broadcast an appeal for calm to the country's 103,000 people. BNC

Those scenes and others outside the murder investigation headquarters in Bootle yesterday prompted an appeal for calm from the Bulger family and the police. BNC

jasný jako facka, nad slunce jasnější

The instructions were as clear as day. CIDI

I saw their uncircumcised members as clear as day and shuddered. BNC

I remember as clear as day, standing talking to Penny and I was calling their plumber, I'll always remember that and er I was quite took back and Penny said ooh she's been very good to me. BNC 

naprosto nejasný

What this really means, of course, is still as clear as mud. BCN

'Does that make sense?' 'Yes, it's as clear as mud.' CIDI

His explanation was as clear as mud. MED

být křivý

George W. Bush (demonstrably as crooked as a dog's hind leg in water) will nominate the next chief justice. (Google)

The politician was as crooked as a dog's hind leg and everybody disliked him. (Google)

Snatch is full of cartoon cruelty, of men as crooked as a dog's hind leg.(Google)

suchý jako troud

I don't think he's been watering these plants - the soil is as dry as a bone. CALD

Her mouth felt as dry as a bone and her eyes were closed against the intrusive light. BNC

It was as dry as a bone, under a never-ending, roaring waterfall. BNC

bez zaváhání, z fleku

I can't go rushing off to Florida at the drop of a hat. CIDI

We now have a situation where laws may be changed at the drop of a hat. CIDI

The ability to produce flowers at the drop of a hat or a cake to celebrate a customer's birthday should all be at his or her fingertips. BNC

znečištění ovzduší

Nylon was chosen for its strength and its resistance to extremes of temperature and atmospheric pollution. BNC

 It is a robust tree, tolerant of atmospheric pollution, making it ideal for urban areas, easily grown in all but shallow, chalky soils. BNC

Concern at the effect of atmospheric pollution on the Taj Mahal is rising as the marble displays increasingly visible signs of erosion and yellowing. BNC

chmurné, hanebné počasí

Atrocious weather made conditions almost unbearable overnight . WASP

He feels he has done his share of slogging through atrocious weather and will not miss getting up at 4.30am . WASP

Despite atrocious weather conditions the officers and crew of Buffalo gave the Duke and Lord Sterling a rousing cheer as the royal yacht sailed by .WASP

blankytné nebe

Now picture in your mind something gentle and peaceful ; perhaps white clouds drifting in an azure sky; perhaps gentle wavelets on a sandy shore. BNC

In seconds the air is filled with hexagons, their Dacron lines shining bright white against the azure sky. BNC

Thin streaks of high cloud trailed across an azure sky. BNC

marná snaha

They are usually eager to end this barren effort.  WebCorp

Without our knowing or feeling it, this apparently barren effort has brought more light into the soul. WebCorp

Notwithstanding that, his expressions in public, in a barren effort to allure the North Carolinians to his cause, and in his letter to Lord George Germaine, did not convey his weakness.WebCorp

vyhřívat se na slunci

When it’s too hot to view game, a sparkling pool provides the ideal place to bask in the sun.  WebCorp

Emerging from the bottom of the pond, the turtles bask in the sun to speed up their metabolism. WebCorp

Gardeners in colder climates overseas commonly put it where it can bask in the sun, even growing it against a sunny wall to show off its yellow flowers in summer. WebCorp