splendid; fine; praiseworthy; creditable; legal; legitimate
to that extent; to that degree; so much; so
instant; moment; for an instant
to snatch away; to dispossess; to steal
clearing one's throat; cough
effort; exertion; endeavour; endeavor; hard work; striving
homecoming; returning home
overseas assignment; overseas posting
flapping; rattling (sound); noisily; commotion; kerfuffle
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
to mistake someone for someone else; to misread; to misjudge
frustrated (over a failure, humiliation or injustice); annoyed; chagrined; (bitterly) disappointed; bitter; vexed
one o'clock; once; at one time; for a time; for a while; a time
My goodness (expresses surprise, wonder, etc.); very; extremely
to be wounded; to get injured; to get hurt feelings; to get damaged; to get chipped
to condemn; to blame; to urge; to press; to torture; to torment
to turn up; to roll up (e.g. sleeves); to do over and over again; to do relentlessly; to stage a comeback (against) (in mahjong, horse racing, etc.); to come from behind
intently; single-mindedly; devotedly; solely; earnestly; with all one's heart
to get angry; to snap; to blow one's top; to lose one's temper; to flip
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that
pardon; forgiveness; forbearance
to give up; to abandon (hope, plans); to resign oneself (to)
strong; potent; strong; brawny; good (at); skilled; being able to handle
to get angry; to get mad; to tell someone off; to scold; to be angular; to be square
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
courage; bravery; valour; valor; nerve; boldness
patience; perseverance; persistence; tenacity; energy
to ascertain; to make sure of; to determine; to probe; to get to the bottom (of something)
to leave; to go away; to pass; to elapse; to be distant; to send away; to drive off
... all over again (repeating the same failure)
nevertheless; at any rate; even so; all things considered; be that as it may
New Year's holiday; period encompassing the close of the old year and the start of the New Year
closing; closure; shutdown; lockout
staying at home during the New Year's holiday
unwillingly; grudgingly; shaking head in refusal (like a child); no!; no no!
New Year (esp. first three days); first month of the year; January
well; properly; best regards; please remember me; just like ...; as though one were ...
time; season; period; phase; stage
guest; visitor; customer; client; shopper