calm before a storm; lull before the storm
merger; (presenting a) united front
one large ...; a great ...
offensive (movement); aggression
doubt; question; uncertainty; skepticism; scepticism; suspicion
check station; checkpoint
to exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.); to surpass; to be more than; to be better than
several; a number of; quantity; amount; counting; figures; number
habit; behavior; behaviour; trait
troop headquarters; stronghold; inn designated for use by a daimyo (Edo period)
to tie; to bind; to bear (fruit); to close (e.g. deal); to confirm; to connect (two distant places); to close tightly
to distribute; to arrange; to arrange; to lay out (as in decorating); (arch.) to marry off; (arch.) to exile
to sever; to cut off; to suppress; to eradicate; to abstain (from); to give up
consideration; taking into account
adjustment; tweaking; improvement; modification; tinkering; minor alteration
roughly; approximately; round about; cursorily; briefly; quickly
to diffuse; to spread throughout; to prevail; to become widespread; to reach everyone
alternation; change; relief; relay; shift; substitution (sports, etc.)
massing (of troops); gathering
to take by storm (e.g. a castle); to assault; to capture; to reduce
stronghold; inner citadel; base; headquarters
integration; unification; unity; combination; consolidation; synthesis
front part; frontage; facade; initial pledge (e.g. election); opening slogan
to set up; to raise; to nominate; to choose as a representative; to push; to shove
establishment; founding; setting (a record)
soon; shortly; nearly; almost
simultaneous; all at once
to exchange glances; to look at each other; to postpone; to put off; to contrast; to compare
to overdo; to go too far; to go to excess
mum; mom; mummy; the missus
yearned for; longed for; missed
loudly (wailing, making a noise, etc.)
to keep (a pet or other animal); to have; to own; to raise; to rear; to feed
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum
to gain a reliable foundation and be in a safe condition; to rest easy; (lit.) to board a large ship
to mix; to stir; to blend
to blow strongly and continuously; to brag endlessly; to boast ceaselessly
tension; mental strain; nervousness
to come untied; to come apart; to be softened; to be relaxed
being full; (counting) completed years (e.g. when calculating age); full (years, months, etc.); Manchuria
to be distracted from feelings of depression, boredom, tension, etc.