1.prone to 易于；倾向于

As they shorten, cells become more prone to disease and death.
细胞变小后就会更容易感染疾病，也更容易死亡。

He's prone to flit between subjects with amazing ease.
他往往会轻松自如地转换话题。

2.compare to 比作；与…相比

How does this final presidential debate stack up and compare to the others, do you think?
你认为这最后一次总统竞选辩论和其他几次相比怎么样？

He programmed his computer to compare all the possible combinations.
他给他的计算机编制了一套程序，以比较所有可能的组合。

3.at the expense of 以为代价；付费

The orchestra has more discipline now, but at the expense of spirit.
那个管弦乐团现在更有纪律性了，却丧失了灵魂。

They are worth having but not at the expense of better services.
它们值得拥有，但是不能因此放弃更好的服务。

4.shift to 转向；转变成为

They see the shift to the right as a worldwide phenomenon.
他们认为政治上的右翼倾向是一个世界现象。

Some suppliers were selling at a loss to shift stock.
一些供应商赔本销售存货。