a little; a bit; slightly
to cock one's head in puzzlement; to tilt one's head in contemplation; to wrack one's brain; to think hard
to glare at; to scowl at; to stare intensely at; to examine carefully; to estimate; to guess
to be amazed; to be shocked; to be astonished; to be astounded; to be disgusted; to be exasperated
to mutter; to murmur; to grumble; to tweet; to post on Twitter
to grow up; to become an adult
the old days; the past; former times; the past ten years; the past decade
to break (into pieces); to be broken; to collapse; to crumble; to become less formal; to throw off reserve
exchange (of words, views, punches, cups, etc.); give-and-take; reply; answer; response
to bend forward; to stoop; to bow
cannot be helped; unavoidable; pointless; useless; hopeless (person); annoying
to discuss; to talk together
very interesting; of absorbing interest; having a keen interest (in); being immensely curious (about)
to urge; to encourage; to press; to stimulate (e.g. growth); to hasten (e.g. development); to quicken
to become frightened; to be frightened (of); to be scared (of)
to suddenly understand (esp. on basis of experience or memory); to come to mind; to recall (in a flash); to be reminded of; to call to mind; to think of
single word; a few words; brief comment
clearing one's throat; cough
to sell out; to sell widely; to sell on a large scale
simultaneously; all at once; in unison
to manage; to control; to supervise; to crack down on; to keep under strict control; to enforce
to leak out; to escape; to find expression; to give vent; to leak out; to be divulged
underling; person of low standing; grunt; petty (work, official, etc.); minor; lowly
gaining time; stalling for time; time-buying
negligent; careless; slipshod; slovenly; reckless; irresponsible
to declare; to assert; to state definitively; to finish saying; to say everything; to tell all
sharp (words); harsh (manner, tone, etc.); hostile (mood, attitude, etc.); spiky; prickly; jagged
to spill; to drop; to grumble (about); to complain (of); to let (one's feelings) show
to hit (e.g. one's head); to strike; to throw (at); to fling (at); to vent (e.g. one's anger); to express (one's feelings)
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple
in spite of; despite; although; nonetheless; nevertheless; but
with a bump (esp. of a head hitting something); with a clonk; with a clank
unskillful; poor; awkward; imprudent; untactful
bulky and heavy; massive; solid; dignified; imposing; composed
firmly; solidly; sturdily; strongly; toughly
reliability; trustworthiness; dependability
first meeting; first interview with
with a (cry of) "ah!"; with a shout (of surprise, shock, etc.); in surprise; in astonishment
in a daze; absent-mindedly; dimly; hazily; with a roar (of flames); with a whoosh
sudden; abrupt; unexpected; unforeseen
towards (a destination); for the purpose of; with the goal of; targeting (a group, a demographic)
thereabouts; vicinity; that area; that situation; those circumstances