The quick and quiet cracks as Connolly takes the stand at ICAC

A metaphorical contrast: 'steely' implies strength and resolve, while 'brittle' implies fragility and weakness. The author uses this to describe her demeanor.

反讽/对比修辞：字面指‘钢铁般坚硬’与‘易碎’。实指形容其神态坚忍、有定力，而非软弱可欺。此处通过否定‘脆弱’来强调其‘强硬’。

in contextappeared steely rather than brittle

Accompanied or surrounded by people, typically for protection or support.

正式用语：由……陪同或护卫。常用于描述被告或重要人物被律师、保镖等簇拥的场景，暗示其处于受保护或受审视的状态。

in contextarrived flanked by a legal team

Standing out so as to be clearly visible; attracting notice or attention.

正式词汇：显著的，引人注目的。此处指律师团队的着装（粉色）在严肃的法庭环境中显得格格不入或特别突出，带有某种视觉冲击力。

in contextconspicuous for their flashes of pink

Refers to the pink suits worn by female lawyers in Australian courts. It is a specific professional dress code tradition.

行业术语/文化指涉：指澳大利亚出庭律师（Barristers）的传统粉色法袍。此处用‘flashes’（闪烁/闪现）形容，暗示这种职业装束在严肃场合下的视觉突兀感。

in contextflashes of pink