1-overwhelmingly 压倒性地

2-saga 一长串的事情

The European parliament overwhelmingly approved Britain's departure terms from EU-a final major decision in the four-year brexit saga.

3-in the wake of 随……之后而来的

4-referendum 全民公投

5-contigency (可能发生的)意外事件，不测事件

6-chaotic 混乱的

While backing Britain's departure in the wake of the country's vote to leave in a referendum in June 2016, EU countries are already preparing the possibility that talks on a new trade deal with Britain could collapse in the end of the year, and no-deal contingency planning for a chaotic end to the transition period is necessary.

7-thrash out 彻底讨论，商讨（直到找到解决办法）

Britain is seeking to thrash out a comprehensive trade deal within 11 months.

8-timetable 时间表

9-drag on 拖延

That timetable is viewed as ambitious by many observers of trade discussions, which can often drag on for years.

10-in place 准备就绪的

The EU has said that timespan is far too short and fears remain that a chaotic exit might still happen at the end of the year if the transition ends without any agreement in place.

11-cliff-edge 千钧一发的，紧张的

12-scenario 可能发生的情况

13-to the detriment of sb/sth （结果）对……不利

De monchatlin said that unless Britain asks to extend the transition period before the summer, both sides will face the cliff-edge scenario by the end of the year where borders could be closed, tariffs imposed and rules changed overnight, to the detriment of the smooth trade.