recently; lately; these days; nearest; closest
to break (into pieces); to be broken; to collapse; to crumble; to become less formal; to throw off reserve
easy; likely to ...; have a tendency to ...; easy to ...
to have a talk; to tell a story
conversational ability; speaking ability
acknowledged; accepted; agreed
regarding as important; attaching importance to; taking a serious view of; putting emphasis on
item; heading; category; headword (in a dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.); entry
interpersonal; between individuals
dozens; scores of; decades
war; battle; match; game; competition
collision; crash; running into; conflict; quarrel; clashing
influence; clout; leverage
small; fine; minute; minor; trivial; sensitive
to listen attentively to; to be lost in
the farthest ends; the furthest ends
to aim at (for, to do, to become); to try for; to have an eye on; to go toward; to head for
diligent study; devoting oneself to one's studies
negligent; neglectful; careless; remiss
to peek (through a keyhole, gap, etc.); to look down into (a ravine, etc.); to peek into (a shop, bookstore, etc.); to sneak a look at; to take a quick look at; to peep (through a telescope, microscope, etc.); to stick out (a scarf from a collar, etc.)
to deal with (a person); to treat; to deal with (a problem); to handle; to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to deal in
pride; self-confidence; thinking highly of oneself; being proud of one's abilities or achievements
ruffian; scoundrel; rogue; rascal; villain; hoodlum
wisdom; intelligence; intellect
as; because; with; due to
to excel at; to be proficient at; to grow old; to ripen; to rise high (e.g. the sun)
research establishment; research institute; laboratory
construction; establishment
to hear; to hear by chance; to hear by accident; to catch (the sound)
mostly; almost; nearly; roughly; approximately; about
thin; pale; light; watery; thin; weak (taste, etc.); little (affection, etc.) not much (of a presence)
comparatively; relatively; unexpectedly; unusually; considering; for one's ...
safe (e.g. choice); secure; innocuous; acceptable; passable; satisfactory
to stuff into; to jam; to shorten; to move closer together; to reduce (spending); to conserve; to focus intently on
to increase; to add to; to augment
foreign enemy; outside invader
to defend oneself; to protect oneself
honest; frank; candid; honestly; frankly
babysitting; babysitter; taking care of; assisting; assistant
lack of ability; inadequacy; (being) out of one's depth
by your leave; with your permission
money loser; high-cost, low-return project
suddenly; in a flash; rapidly; attractive; distinguished; showy
military service; conscription
restriction; restraint; binding; constraint