the 36 (ancient Chinese military) strategies (of which the last resort was said to be beating a retreat)
black pepper (Piper nigrum)
breaking down; defeating; abolishing
on very good terms with each other; romantically attached
drinking and vomiting; coming and going
man among men; manly man; alpha male
staring (e.g. eyes); goggling; glaring
hut; shanty; hovel; house built directly into the ground with no supporting stones
goodbye; farewell; so long
detective team; study group; club
to carry through; to achieve; to complete
guess; speculation; supposition
outrageous; reprehensible; rude; insolent; nefarious
(short) run; drive; ride; spin
what (e.g. "what rudeness"); what (something) is like
nail; spike; tack; rivet; brad; (pachinko) pin
spear; lance; javelin; lance; (arch.) jeering
to be itching to put one's skills to use
detective bureau; detective agency; investigation firm
to knead again; to rework; to revise; to polish
ringtone (of mobile phones, portable phones, cellphones, etc.)
fully armed; armed to the teeth
teatime; tea break; coffee break
stand; rack; support; holder; counter for machines, incl. vehicles; setting (e.g. in jewellery); level (e.g. price level)
gradually; by degrees; little by little; step by step
incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; mysterious; meaningless
what's what; heads or tails
noisily (running around); with heavy feet; in a fluster; in a flurry; slapstick
to forgive and forget; to let bygones be bygones; to sweep under the carpet; to wipe the slate clean
following; pursuing; tracking; shadowing; tailing; chasing
(in) the middle of; (in) the midst of; (in) the course of; (at) the height of
(any) particular; special; particularly noteworthy; worth mentioning
rumour; rumor; report; hearsay; gossip; common talk