(essential) utilities; lifeline
literally; to the letter; literal
lifeline; matter of life or death; indispensable thing; life line (in palm reading)
to palm off; to force a sale
rise; increase; income; takings; completion; end; end result (e.g. of crafts)
qualitative difference; disparity; gap
several times (as large, over)
surely; clearly; without a doubt; in all probability; no matter how one slices it; no matter how one looks at it
at the critical moment; when the time comes; when it's most important; when necessary; in an emergency; when push comes to shove
to disdain; to look down on; to make light of; to hold in contempt; to scorn; to despise
so much; so often; oh, yes!; that's it; that's right; quite
being lost for words; becoming speechless; jueju (Chinese quatrain with lines of either five or seven syllables)
military force; military strength
indescribable; having no way to express
policy; course; plan (of action); magnetic needle
reality; actuality; hard fact
promotion; acceleration; encouragement; facilitation; spurring on
cancellation; liquidation; resolution; reduction (e.g. of stress)
to go against; to oppose; to disobey; to defy
to be frank with you; to tell you the truth; I'm going to lay my cards on the table
resignation; acceptance; consolation
to pull up; to drag up; to increase; to raise (e.g. taxes); to withdraw; to leave; to promote (someone to a higher position)
independence; self-reliance
associate; junior; assistant; runner-up
dominion; territory; possession
long and large; tall and large; grand; huge
defense; defence; guard; policing; security
national border; provincial border
to take (be in) charge of
battlefield; battleground
snugly; cosily; carefree; easily; freshly made and still warm; imprudently
to turn; to rotate; to pass around; to send around; to move (someone or something to where its needed); to send; to turn (to a new use)