The lack of bidders could indicate that market strains are easing, and that the mere promise of a lifeline was enough.

缺乏竞标者能表明这个市场趋于缓和，并且仅仅许诺生存线就足够了。

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there was a parliamentary enquiry into the issue in 2006 and a promise, this year, to begin widening citizenship, initially to a mere 2,000 people.

2006年科威特国民议会就此议题进行了质询，并承诺今年开始放宽公民权——不过开始仅仅授予2000人。

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But in the most secret recesses of her soul the question whether her engagement to Boris were really a mere jest or a solemn, binding promise worried her.

但是在她那隐秘的灵魂深处，她对鲍里斯作出的保证是否是戏言，还是紧要的、具有约束力的诺言，这个问题一直使她觉得难受。

youdao

But in the most secret recesses of her soul the question whether her engagement to Boris were really a mere jest or a solemn, binding promise worried her.

但是在她那隐秘的灵魂深处，她对鲍里斯作出的保证是否是戏言，还是紧要的、具有约束力的诺言，这个问题一直使她觉得难受。

youdao