to beat someone to the punch; to get the drop on (someone); to forestall
good-for-nothing; spineless; gutless; spiritless; feckless; pluckless
adopted parents; temporarily assumed parents
many times over; often; repeatedly; time after time
and then; in addition to that; also; even so
death; the next world; to pass away; to die
official document; archives
spectators; onlookers; members of the audience
cheers; applause; ovation; acclamation
handrail; railing; banister
to give a round of applause; to applaud
to impose a gag order; to hush up; to order someone not to mention something
what people say; rumours; public opinion
strict order; peremptory command
extreme; excessive; terrible; intense; severe; serious
eccentric; oddball; character; weirdo
last week; the week before
resentment; indignation; anger
well-matched (esp. of a couple); becoming; suitable
efforts; exertion; endeavour; assistance; services
to work assiduously; to give one's all; to make the utmost effort; (lit.) to make (grind) one's body into dust
to breathe out; to exhale
in comparison with; when compared with; according to; in light of; in view of
country with a constitutional government; constitutional state; country where the rule of law prevails; system based on the rule of law
to dig up; to turn up; to tear up; to rake up (e.g. old scandal); to dig over
stubbornness; obstinacy; disposition; nature; appetite; desire
mud; slush; (wet) dirt; thief
final coat (of paint, plaster, varnish, etc.); finish; glazing; adding more of the same (of something negative, e.g. shame)
to make noise; to make racket; to rustle; to swoosh; to make merry; to clamor; to clamour
to be undeserved; to be more than one deserves; to be more than one can handle
tip-top; top; top-drawer; best; foremost; elite
lifetime supply; lifetime's worth (of something)
to darken one's face; to assume a gloomy look