VOA慢速英语:Sam Houston, 1793-1863: One of the Most Famous Leaders of Texas

短语讲解：

1. After the war, he served as an officer in the state military forces of Virginia.

serve as充当, 担任
例句：The general had served as a soldier in the earlier war.
在早期的战争中, 这位将军曾当过士兵。

2. Sam’s mother took care of the family farm while her husband was busy with his duties.

take care of照顾
例句：They appointed her to take care of that old man.
他们委派她照顾那位老人。

3. Missus Houston and her children had to build a house and clear trees off the land.

clear off (使)离开
例句：Go into the field and clear those boys off.
到田里去, 把那些男孩赶走。

4. Before she died, Missus Houston told her son that she was sure of his strength and that he would succeed in life.

succeed in成功;顺利完成
例句：They succeeded in solving the problem.
他们成功地解决了这个问题。

5. The talks were successful, and the Indians agreed to have peace.

agree to同意, 赞成, 同意照办
例句：We agreed to their proposal.
我们同意了他们的建议。

6. He thought new leaders would come to power in Mexico.

come to power (开始)掌权,上台
例句：A new political party has come to power.
一个新的政党已开始执政。

7. Months after Austin left, the Texans learned that he had been arrested in Mexico City and put in prison.

put in prison关进监狱
例句：He was put in prison for that fraud job.
他因欺诈罪被判入狱。

8. Others believed Texas should fight for a democratic Mexican government.

fight for为…而战斗〔竞争〕
例句：They fought for their country.
他们为祖国而战斗。

9. But Houston knew Santa Anna would not give up Texas so easil

give up放弃;交出; 自首
例句：We had to give up the castle to the enemy.
我们只得把城堡拱手让给了敌人。

10. Houston did not think the Alamo could be defended against a strong Mexican attack.

defend against保护…不受…, 防御
例句：The fort cannot be defended against an air attack.
这座要塞遭到空袭时无法防御。