to rub out; to clean off; to clear away; to efface; to erase
(this is only) the beginning; just the start; jonokuchi; lowest division in sumo
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)
far-infrared rays; far-infrared radiation; FIR
weak (constitution); sickly; feeble; in poor health
notes; remarks (reference) column
contagious disease; communicable disease; transmissible disease; infectious disease; epidemic
partly open; in half bloom
important matter; matter of great importance; serious affair; major incident; emergency
interview (e.g. for a job)
endlessly; continuously; (going) on and on; meandering; winding; sinuous
pinch; tough spot; bind; clothespin; clothes peg
to get complicated; to grow worse; to turn sour
kerosene; paraffin; lamp oil
price increase; rise in price; wage increase
pocket heater; hand warmer; heater pack
in the confusion of the moment; taking advantage of the confused state of affairs
sharp increase; sudden rise
(in) dire straits; (in a) serious bind; (in a) big pinch
to be in the news; to be talked about; to become a popular topic of conversation; to become the talk of the town; to become topical
Japan's best; number one in Japan
hasty; rash; impatient; restless; quick (to draw conclusions, make decisions, etc.)
planning; plan; project; arrangements
to await; to wait for; to expect
small number; few; minority
rudeness; impoliteness; discourtesy; insolence
subject (of study); course of study; department (of a university)
moderate; proper; just right
overtime; outside of hours (school, office, surgery, etc.)
again; once again; yet again
self-study; teaching oneself; studying by oneself (at school) while the teacher is absent
in 8 or 9 cases out of ten; in all probability
suddenly; abruptly; slowly; without haste; calmly
complete stranger; total stranger
to knock together; to strike against each other; to clash; to arrange (e.g. a meeting); to discuss (in advance); to coordinate
to have troubles; to have concerns