Shortly before Christmas, he was mysteriously taken ill.

圣诞节前不久，他突然莫名其妙地病了。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

They had escaped to America shortly before war broke out in 1939.

1939年战争爆发前不久他们逃到了美国。

《牛津词典》

He had engaged in genealogical research on his family shortly before the War.

就在战争爆发前不久，他从事过对自己家族的家谱研究。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

The C.R.U.became the object of widespread attention shortly before an international climate conference opened in Denmark last December.

VOA: special.2010.04.27

The spill comes shortly before the start of the fishing season for crab, shrimp and oysters.

VOA: special.2010.05.04

A third child was killed in a train accident shortly before Pierce was inaugurated.

VOA: special.2009.04.23

The bag was searched at the gate, shortly before he was to board the plane.

CNN: Airport security firm adopts 'zero tolerance'

Walder then pulled the deficit back to 16-13 with his second penalty shortly before half-time.

BBC: Dragons 16-23 Wasps

Firms ended up paying top dollar for brokers shortly before the financial markets collapsed.

FORBES: Broker Bonuses May "Haunt" Wall Street But They Aren't Going Away