hardening; vulcanization; hardening (of attitude, stance, etc.); stiffening; upturn (in the market); firming up
which reminds me ...; come to think of it ...; now that you mention it ...; on that subject ...; so, if you say ...
composition; constitution
passion; temper; irritability
congeries of many households; scratch (combined) team; hodge podge of parties
contest; competition; struggle; scramble
unsanitary condition; lack of hygienic care; inattention to hygiene; unhygienic conditions
internal strife; internal struggle
wedge; chock; linchpin; tie; bond
to be careful; to be discreet; to do in moderation; to refrain (from overdoing); to be purified; to be chaste
ultrahigh speed; ultrafast
crown; diadem; bottle cap
charm; incantation; spell; magic formula
if one is unlucky; if one is careless; if things don't go well
gotcha; alrighty; got it; OK
underhand grip; backhand grip (e.g. in tennis); unexpected twist; turning the tables (on an opponent)
being very busy; busyness
small point; knob; protuberance; aloneness; loneliness; solitude
lack of expression; blank look (on one's face)
taciturn; reticent; quiet; silent; untalkative
rotary; roundabout; traffic circle; rotary; rotating
to prepare oneself for the worst; to strengthen one's resolve; to accept one's fate; to prepare oneself
surface of a board or record
unexploded ordnance; unexploded shell; unexploded bomb; UXO
to be extremely cautious; to be as sure as sure can be; to make assurance doubly sure
nothing but; nothing more than; nothing less than
demonstration; verification; substantiation; actual proof
to set off an explosive; to start a fire under someone; to motivate someone with rough words
eagerness; enthusiasm; fervor; excitement; fighting spirit; fighting mood
to dry up completely; to become stale
daring and resolute; having dauntless courage
to surge like an avalanche; to flood; to swarm; to stampede
phantom; vision; illusion
plump; with a thud; heavily
pale (of complexion); green around the gills; looking unwell