background knowledge; prerequisite knowledge
guess; speculation; supposition
thick; dense; rich (as in taste or content); crowded
image (on a screen); picture (e.g. on a TV); video; film; reflection; image (in one's mind)
to put oneself on guard; to stand ready; to square off
(not) ever; (not) by any means; (not) in the least; (not) in any way; (not) at all
mistake; error; accident; mishap; improper conduct (e.g. between man and woman); indiscretion
to exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.); to surpass; to be more than; to be better than
component; factor; item (e.g. in list); element (e.g. in array); member (e.g. data structure)
action film; action movie; action drama; riotous scene; fight scene
interesting; fascinating; amusing; funny; enjoyable; fun
leaving out; omitting; skipping; (beating) in succession; in a row
to come apart at the seams; to be ripped; to begin to open; to begin to bloom; to smile broadly; to break into a smile
opening (in a game of go, chess, etc.); early stages; initial phase; outset
scene; sight; scenario; setting
every corner; every nook and cranny; all the ins and outs
joy; delight; rapture; pleasure; gratification; rejoicing
to fill; to become full (of); to wax (of the moon); to rise (of the tide); to flow; to expire (of a period of time)
depiction; description; portrayal
tipsy; pleasantly drunk; mellow; entranced; enchanted; captivated
overlooking; looking down at; having an overhead view; having a bird's-eye view; having a high-angle view
protagonist; main character; hero(ine) (of a story); head of household
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
stage (theatre, theater); scene or setting (e.g. of novel, play, etc.)
in a lively way; vividly; freshly; animatedly; actively; energetically
to some extent; to a certain extent
the real pleasure (of something); the real thrill; flavour of ghee; (fig.) delicious taste; Buddha's gracious teachings
sky; the air; weather; far-off place; distant place; state of mind; feeling
whole; entirety; whatever (is the matter)
feeling; sensation; mood; sensation of doing
change of key (during piece); modulation
meeting; rendezvous; encounter; confluence
suddenly and forcefully (e.g. jerk, poke, shove); in a single gulp; in one go
to pull into; to draw in; to bring in; to win over
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to show someone (into a room)
even if; even though; even; too; whether ... or ...; no matter (what, where, who, etc.)
up through; up until; down to; from ... to ... (e.g. from head to toe); everything from ... to ...
turning point; critical juncture; knot (in a tree, etc.)
the same as it was long ago; unchanged; traditional
part; assigning (allotment of) parts; role; duties
to carry on one's shoulder; to shoulder; to bear; to bear (burden, responsibility, etc.); to take upon oneself
world; society; life; lifetime; age; era; reign
since some time or another; since who-knows-when
space on a page (e.g. in a newspaper); surface of paper; letter; writings
to lessen; to decrease; to diminish