imperial lands;  lands blessed by the emperor's reign
 to have a limit;  to go too far (e.g. joke)
 to leave something as it is
 harmful effect;  harmful influence;  evil practice;  abuse;  malady
 pinch;  crisis;  tough spot;  clothespin
 strong spirit;  mettle;  backbone;  guts;  fighting spirit
 class (of students);  group (of people);  party;  lot;  bunch;  crime family;  organized-crime syndicate
 how it came about;  how it originated;  how it happened;  the origins of the imbroglio
 having not the slightest idea
 telephone call;  phone call;  telephone (device);  phone
 email;  mail (usu. in compound words);  post;  message (sent over a chat application);  instant message;  male
 to use as an intermediary;  to worry;  to mind;  to care
 to express (in words);  to confess
 transmission;  propagation;  spread;  circulation;  diffusion;  dissemination
 gradually;  by degrees;  little by little;  steps;  stairs;  staircase
 taste (in fashion, music, etc.);  sense (e.g. of humour);  flair
 adaptation;  accommodation;  conformity
 here and there;  everywhere
 play;  recreation;  play (theatre);  performance;  staging;  praying
 to be buried;  to be covered;  to overflow;  to be crowded;  to be repaid (e.g. debt);  to be replenished
 to fill to capacity;  to pack;  to complete;  to tessellate
 independent action;  acting alone
 remarks;  comments;  way of talking;  speaking style;  excuse;  topic (of conversation)
 to match (rhythm, speed, etc.);  to join together;  to unite;  to face;  to be opposite (someone);  to compare;  to check with
 to have meaning;  to be meaningful
 to compromise;  to meet halfway;  to step up to;  to walk up to;  to approach
 effort;  exertion;  endeavour;  endeavor;  hard work;  striving
 to be able to manage somehow or another
 boastful;  conceited;  bragging;  impudent
 to live through;  to survive
 (a) step;  one step;  level;  stage;  small degree;  small amount
 to lose one's footing;  to slip
 tightrope walking;  high-wire act;  funambulism;  treading a tightrope;  walking on thin ice;  pulling a risky balancing act
 to come along;  to come around;  to turn up;  to arrive at the present;  to get where one is;  to have been doing something (for a period of time)
 great difference;  big difference;  wide margin
 to hit a nerve;  to go for the throat;  to touch a sore spot
 sharp (blade);  pointed;  sharp (pain);  stabbing;  perceptive;  keen