influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
to hold (in one's hand); to take; to possess; to have; to maintain; to keep; to last
(world of) politics; political world; political circles
that is so; that is right; it looks to me; people say that; it is said that; I hear that
to protect; to guard; to defend; to keep (i.e. a promise); to abide (by the rules); to observe
to subsist; to keep on living
to take pride in; to pride oneself; to be proud of
tightly (holding on); firmly; strongly (built); solidly; properly; well
to take; to pick up; to pass; to hand; to get; to obtain; to adopt (a method, proposal, etc.)
testimony; (verbal) evidence
indication; denotation; designation; instructions; directions
et cetera; etc.; or something; the likes of; for example; for instance
materials; data; document
to collect; to put (it all) together; to summarize; to aggregate; to bring to a conclusion; to finalize
concern; circumstance which is becoming a problem; case (court)
to miss; to overlook; to let pass (a matter); to overlook (e.g. a wrongdoing); to pass up (e.g. an opportunity); to let (a good ball) go by
knock; knocking; fungo hitting; hitting balls for fielding practice
goodbye; so long; saying goodbye to (e.g. life as a bachelor); putting an end to; farewell (performance, party, etc.); final
to leave; to go away; to pass; to elapse; to be distant; to send away; to drive off
belief; faith; conviction
bad; poor; poor (quality); inferior; evil; sinful; ugly
very hard; with utmost effort; as hard as one can; with all one's might; for dear life; eagerly
to think (something) is improper; to question; to have a problem with
even if ...; even supposing that ...; also as ...; also for ...; also from the position of ...
dissatisfaction; discontent; displeasure; complaint; unhappiness
perhaps; probably; generous; many; much
lonely; lonesome; solitary; desolate
somewhere; anywhere; in some respects
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
to pass (of time); to elapse
approximately; about; to (about) the extent that; (almost) enough that; as ... as ...; like
and the like; such as; or something; something like; I hear that ...; people say that...
one-by-one; separately; every single; each and every; without omission
easy; simple; there's no way that ...
disagreeable; detestable; unpleasant; reluctant
retirement; resignation; stepping down
good story; heartwarming story; good prospect (e.g. marriage, business)
as a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth; to be honest; frankly
very; greatly; much; just about to; almost; very nearly