taking a story with a grain of salt; discounting half the story
close combat; close(-quarter) fighting; in-fighting
sky; air; ether; firmament; the heavens
equal (in ability); even; evenly matched; well-matched; on par (with)
to knock down; to shoot down; to lop off
Herculean task; next-to-impossible undertaking
to divide; to separate; to share; to distribute; to distinguish
to prepare; to provide; to set up; to establish; to organize
in order; sequential; seriatim
overweight; too heavy (burden, workload, etc.); too severe
water vapour; water vapor; steam
by (means of); by doing; due to; via; through
adhering to; being a stickler for; being particular about; worrying too much about
drop (e.g. of water); drip
icicle; ice pillar (for cooling a room); (arch.) ice
bright white (esp. for snow and ice); brilliant white
pleasure; supreme pleasure obtained by freeing oneself from earthly desires
peace (of mind); tranquility; tranquillity; serenity
comprehension; understanding; enlightenment; spiritual awakening; satori
partly open; in half bloom
click-clack; clickety-click; clicking sound; clattering sound
sense organ; sensory organ
(kicking and) struggling; wriggling; floundering; to get into a panic; to make a fuss; to make a scene
appearing drowsy or intoxicated (of eyes, actions, etc.)
plenipotentiary powers; full authority; plenipotentiary; delegate with full powers
no sooner ... than ...; hardly ... when ...; as soon as ...
quite a chore; not that easy; fairly difficult
to make (a thundering sound); to let resound; to make (one's name, etc.) widely known; to make (one's heart) pound; to throb
to freeze (of one's body); to be frozen; to become numb (with cold); to be chilled
midwinter; dead of winter
like-mindedness; (being of the) same mind; shared sentiment; comrade; fellow; kindred soul
closing (properly); shutting; firmness; tightness; carefulness (with money); economy
demanding; difficult; strict
to be dazzled by; to be dizzied by; to be lost in (greed, lust, etc.); (arch.) to become dark
companion; follower; attendant; retinue
certified (as genuine, valuable, etc.); guaranteed (article); of established reputation; acknowledged; pièce de résistance
beginning of the world; creation
retirement (from work); leading a quiet life (after retirement); retired person; retiree; surrendering headship of the family (pre-WWII)
gunfight; exchange of shots; firefight
transition; changeover; switchover; transfer (of powers, weight, etc.); shift (e.g. of centre of gravity)