valid; effective; yuko (judo)
discernment; penetration; insight; intellectual acumen
(just) making sure; just to be sure; just in case; for caution's sake
at that time; in those days; at that moment; then
being settled quickly; reaching a quick conclusion; no need to say any more; no problem
desperately; for one's dear life
to dig up; to turn up; to tear up; to rake up (e.g. old scandal); to dig over
and; moreover; besides; as well as; and on top of that; at the same time
famous; well-known; renowned; your name
in this way; thus; such; uh...
phantasmagoric; protean; shape-shifting; kaleidoscopic; capable of ever-changing appearance
dull (e.g. a knife); blunt; thickheaded; obtuse; dull (sound, color, etc.); dim (light)
hardness and softness; hard line and moderate line
to mix; to stir; to blend
to follow another's example
very; greatly; much; just about to; almost; very nearly
combat; battle; action; active service; actual fighting
to pile up; to stack; to load (car, ship, etc.); to pack; to acquire; to accumulate
seductive; carnal; troubling; difficult; anxious; uneasy
with a whiff; with a puff; suddenly; abruptly; without warning
to become loose; to slacken (e.g. rope); to become less tense; to relax; to slacken (e.g. coldness, supervision); to become lax; to become softer (e.g. ground, facial expression)
transactions; dealings; business
spreading around (news, rumor, etc.); making widely known; making public; publicizing; proclaiming
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
suddenly and forcefully (e.g. jerk, poke, shove); in a single gulp; in one go
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
frank; candid; straightforward; openhearted; direct; outspoken
trade; business; occupation; profession; job
confidence; trust; faith; credit (finance)
word of mouth; comments written online (about a product, service, etc.); online reviews
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
fall; tumble; spill; degradation; comedown; demotion
to be delighted; to be glad; to congratulate; to gratefully accept
to snarl (at each other); to growl (angrily); to quarrel; to fight; to argue
individual; private person; personal; private
to be sufficient; to be enough; to be worth doing; to be worthy of; to do (the job); to serve
oh!; good heavens!; ugh!; oh no!; ah!; the penny drops!
how long; how far; how much
to be affected; to be influenced; to be concerned with; to have to do with; to stick to (opinions)
sincere; earnest; serious
to lend an ear; to hearken; to give an ear to; to listen carefully
story; tale; talk; discussion
about when; about what time; how soon