(world of) politics; political world; political circles
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
to desire; to wish for; to expect; to see; to command (a view of)
(the) mainstream; main course (of a river); main stream
to carry on one's shoulder; to shoulder; to bear; to bear (burden, responsibility, etc.); to take upon oneself
(real) ability; true strength; merit; arms; force
proceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
that is to say; so that means
to a greater or lesser extent (degree); more or less
substitute; replacement; stand-in; proxy; compensation; exchange
more than most people; more than other people; compared with other people; more than others
success in life; getting ahead; successful career; promotion; climbing the corporate ladder; eminence
chance; start; cue; excuse; motive; impetus
mutually; with each other; reciprocally; together
to slurp; to sip (loudly); to sniffle; to sniff
to come together; to merge; to fit; to match; to be profitable; to be equitable
in terms of; from the point of view of
be (that) as it may; having said that
close (e.g. of business); leaving (e.g. school); being outdone; compare unfavourably (with); closing price (stockmarket); sink mark (casting, moulding)
having in mind; happening to know of; idea
gorgeous; brilliant; dazzling; ornate; gaudy; flowery
to dance (orig. a hopping dance)
sixth day of the month; six days
study; library; den; home office; reading room
to turn; to rotate; to pass around; to send around; to move (someone or something to where its needed); to send; to turn (to a new use)
contacting; getting in touch; communication; call; message
enjoyable; fun; pleasant; happy; delightful
to let your hair down; to have fun after a period of work or stress
circumference; outskirts; environs; (computer) peripheral
I'm told; is what I heard; is how it is, apparently; is what they said
foot; paw; leg; gait; pace; bottom structural component (i.e. radical) of a kanji; means of transportation
declining; refusal; rejection; announcement; notice
flesh; meat; flesh (of a fruit); pulp; the physical body (as opposed to the spirit); flesh; thickness
important person; influential figure; big shot; big thing; big one; big game
whole year; entire year; n-th year anniversary
commemoration; celebration; honoring the memory of something; turning something into a memento; memory
line (of text); row; carya (austerities); samskara (formations); semi-cursive style (of writing Chinese characters); running style
a little; some; somewhat; amount; quantity; number
criticism; judgement; judgment; comment
to be frugal; to be sparing; to value; to hold dear; to regret (e.g. a loss); to feel sorry (for)