quick on the uptake; quick to catch on; perceptive; intuitive
crisis; critical situation; emergency; pinch
ability; performance; efficiency
to ascertain; to check; to make sure
teaching; instruction; teachings; precept; lesson; doctrine
being stark-naked; having no possessions; losing all one's belongings
to take down; to bring down; to drop off (a passenger); to let off; to withdraw (money); to use for the first time; to wear for the first time
to run to; to come running; to rush (someplace); to hasten
certain; sure; definite; reliable; sound; solid
to catch; to capture; to grasp (e.g. meaning); to perceive; to captivate; to move (one's heart)
how can (one) do something
total darkness; pitch dark; bleak future; poor prospects
to subsist; to keep on living
simple; easy; uncomplicated; brief; quick; light
to rescue from; to help out of; to save
to continue; to keep up; to keep on
pistol; handgun; revolver
to clasp; to grasp; to hold (the answer); to have (e.g. the solution); to seize (power); to hold (the reins)
what!; oh; what the heck; what the; damn
qualifications; requirements; capabilities
to decide; to choose; to clinch (a victory); to decide (the outcome of a match); to persist in doing; to go through with; to always do
selfish; egoist; (arch.) self-indulgent; (arch.) wilful; (arch.) willful
on the contrary; far from it; if anything; in fact; instead
you must be kidding; hey, come on!; surely not!
called; named; as many as; as much as; all ...; every single ...
trouble; bother; annoyance; to be troubled (by); to be bothered (by); to be inconvenienced (by)
rather; better; instead; if anything
rather; sooner; preferably
to tie; to bind; to bear (fruit); to close (e.g. deal); to confirm; to connect (two distant places); to close tightly
body; body blow (in boxing)
to jump in; to leap in; to plunge into; to burst in; to barge in
valuable article; valuables
to look after; to take care of; to be put in charge of; to be given responsibility for; to withhold (an announcement); to reserve (judgment)
the (one's) best pupil; the (one's) top disciple
coming; going; being (somewhere); come; go; stay