Get these flashcards, study & pass exams. For free! Even on iPhone/Android!

loans bought from other financial institutions which failed to make money because people and organisations were unable to pay them back; such loans are thought of as poisonous

services that financial companies offer to help them make money, such as bank loans, mortgages and insurance policies

was suddenly worth a lot less money than before

... a Japanese shopping centre, an American supermarket chain and other commercial property that had plunged in value.

collection of investments which the owners believe will go up in value rather go down


But as confidence has returned to the market, it's become clear that the toxic asset pool wasn't nearly as toxic as had been thought.

has suddenly increased or gone up


The toxic bonus fund has soared in value by 72 percent.

money that has been given to an institution or a person to save them from going out of business


Credit Suisse is safely back in profit and unlike its rivals at UBS, Credit Suisse didn't take a bail out from the Swiss Government

a person who dumps waste illegally

German translation:
fly-tipper = jemand der Abfall bzw. Müll unzulässig entsorgt


Sample text:
FLY-TIPPER gangs caught on camera
(BBC - News Headline)

---
"The message to FLY-TIPPERS is clear, don’t dump your rubbish in Birmingham, we will catch you, and you will pay a heavy price."
(Birmingham UK city council member)

"Five years ago nobody would have understood the phrase fly-tipper, today it's always in the news."

[U] (formal) the fact of not complaining or showing what you are feeling when you are suffering:
She endured her long illness with stoicism.

(formal) a person who is able to suffer pain or trouble without complaining or showing what they are feeling

stoic also sto·ic·al  adjective:
her stoic endurance 
his stoical acceptance of death

sto·ic·al·ly adverb
ORIGIN 
From the Stoics, a group of ancient Greek philosophers, who believed that wise people should not allow themselves to be affected by painful or pleasant experiences.

a scientist who studies meteorology


me·teor·ology noun
[U] the scientific study of the earth’s atmosphere and its changes, used especially in forecasting the weather (= saying what it will be like)

me·teoro·logic·al adjective

Cultural guide
[U] a drink made by adding hot water to the dried leaves of a plant. It is very popular in Britain, where it is usually drunk hot, with milk, and sometimes sugar. Many British people have a cup of tea in the morning, and several more during the day. Some people stop work for a few minutes to have a tea break. Most people in Britain offer a cup of tea to anybody visiting their home or office. Tea also suggests comfort and warmth, and sitting down with a ‘nice cup of tea’ is a common response to problems and worries: Mr Lewis will be with you in a minute. Would you like a cup of tea or coffee while you are waiting?
2 [U, C] (in Britain) a light meal eaten in the late afternoon. It usually consists of tea and cakes, biscuits or sandwiches:
Mary has invited us to tea.
The hotel serves afternoon teas.
3 [U] (in Britain) the word used by some British people to refer to their main evening meal. It consists of cooked food and is usually eaten early in the evening, when the family arrives home from work, school, etc: What’s for tea tonight, mum?

[not usually before noun]
oblivious (of / to sth) not aware of sth:
He drove off, oblivious of the damage he had caused. 
You eventually become oblivious to the noise.

> ob·livi·ous·ly adverb

transitive verb: verb+ NP

1. [often passive] deck sb/sth (out) (in / with sth) to decorate  sb/sth with sth: The room was decked out in flowers and balloons.
2. (informal) to hit sb very hard so that they fall to the ground

Definition: a holiday that is really work, - time away from work that is spent doing something that is similar to your usual job

German translation: der Arbeitsurlaub

Beispiel: "As a cook, going out to eat is too much like a busman's holiday for me."