beginning; outset; first; onset
plain; frank; candid; open; direct; straightforward
barking up the wrong tree; calling at the wrong house
to get angry; to take offense; to take offence; to be furious
with a start; in a fright; alarmedly
abruptly; suddenly; all of a sudden; without warning
police questioning (of a suspicious person); police checkup
to obtain; to get; to procure; to win; to secure
a little; a bit; a little while; a short time; a little way; a short distance
to get irritated; to get annoyed; to be on the edge; to fret; to lose patience
specific; particular; designated; specifying; designating; identifying
reason; significance; cause; piece of information that one has heard; I hear that ...; it is said that ...
personal; individual; private
only; just; (ever) since; after; continuously; remaining (in a particular state)
particularly; especially; in particular; expressly
funny; amusing; strange; odd; wrong; unsuitable
year; age; years; past one's prime; old age
old gentleman; elderly gentleman
in one's own way or style
dissatisfaction; discontent; displeasure; complaint; unhappiness
neighbourhood; neighborhood; vicinity
conversation (just) between you and me; confidential talk
one's home; one's humble abode
your house; your home; your husband; your organization; you
to call on someone; to call at a place; to ask; to inquire; to hear; to be told
not feeling like doing ...; having no mind to ...; being in no mood for ...; having no intention of ...
spreading around (news, rumor, etc.); making widely known; making public; publicizing; proclaiming
skillful; skilful; delicious; tasty; good (deal, idea, etc.); profitable
to dodge; to evade; to avoid; to sidestep
gradually; by degrees; little by little; step by step
the said person; he; she; same surname
to creep in; to steal in; to sneak in
to undertake; to take on (task); to assure; to guarantee; to vouch (for)
by chance; by accident; accidentally; occasionally; once in a while; now and then
holiday; day off; sleep; rest; good night
actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.); (on) site; (on) the ground; filming location; (movie) set
to run to; to come running; to rush (someplace); to hasten
robbery; pillage; seizure; hijacking; plunder; extortion
to have been decided (so) that; to have been arranged (so) that; to be the result (of); to be the outcome; to be the reason (for)
to compete; to contest; to quarrel; to argue; to deny (e.g. evidence)
trace; tracks; site; remains; scar
arm; ability; skill; (physical) strength
courage; bravery; pluck; nerve; grit; guts