The London Olympics will use 13,500 armed U.K. troops, compared to 17,000 competing athletes. More U.K. troops will be at the Olympics than those in Afghanistan. The city's Olympic zone will be surrounded by an 18km 5,000-volt electric fence. VIPs including corporate sponsors will have a
special traffic lane and 4,000 chauffer-driven BMW sedans at their disposal. Everyone else will have to take the bus or train.

worst-case scenario

Lynn: There don't seem to be any seats available on the flight to the island.

Conrad: Hmmm. What's the worst case scenario?

Lynn: The worst-case scenario is that we have to take an overnight ferry
boat. But at least it will save us money.

Explanation: A worst-case scenario is the worst possible situation that you will have to deal with. But with some planning, that situation can be avoided.

keep up with the treatment

Doctor: Has the medicine helped your lung condition?

Patient: I took the pills for a day, but they didn't help. So I stopped.

Doctor: Well, you need to keep up with the treatment for at least a week. Don't give up so easily.

Explanation: To keep up with the treatment means to follow the program
that the doctor advised.

a step in the right direction

Dear George:

I'm happy to hear that the water system was fixed at the new laboratory.
There are still other problems to deal with, but it's a step in the right
direction.

Explanation: A step in the right direction means that it is one step
towards solving a problem, or a set of problems.