to become dim; to become blurred
to be in the spotlight; to come into focus (of attention); to come into the spotlight
once; before; formerly; never yet; never before; first time
black; black (coffee); exploitative (company); overly harsh; boldface; blackface
failing to be elected; election defeat; losing an election; not being accepted (for a prize, exhibition, etc.); rejection; failing to win a prize
citizenship; civic rights; civil rights; widespread acceptance; social recognition; common use
to get; to earn; to understand; to comprehend; to receive something undesirable (e.g. a punishment); to get (ill)
intently; single-mindedly; devotedly; solely; earnestly; with all one's heart
concept; general idea; notion; intention; aim; design
to crown; to cap; to prefix with; to start with; to begin with
obvious; clear; plain; evident; apparent; explicit
off the mark; off base; misdirected; irrelevant
advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint
second year of elementary school; second year elementary school student
shallow thinking; superficial view; insufficient consideration
astonished; shocked; amazed; astounded; aghast
to continue; to keep up; to keep on; to continue ...; to keep on ...
actually; in fact; as a matter of fact
comfort; ease; easy; simple; (economically) comfortable; raku pottery
very; greatly; immense; enormous; serious; grave
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
middle; centre; center; midpoint; heart
bang; bam; noontime signal gun (carried out early Meiji to Taishō); noon gun; last round in a game of 12 rounds; precisely
taking part on the spur of the moment; participating without registering beforehand; last-minute entrant; specking on flower petals
skillful; skilful; delicious; tasty; good (deal, idea, etc.); profitable
to swell; to rise; to bulge; to rouse; to get excited
person inside a cartoon body suit; voice actor (of a particular character); insider; person on the inside
hard fight; close game; struggle; tight contest
(being) empty-handed; lapse of manners of paying a visit without taking a gift
fine (grain, workmanship, etc.); close (weave); delicate; precise; accurate; careful
certainly; without fail; right and wrong; pros and cons
to drink; to swallow; to smoke (tobacco); to swallow up; to engulf; to suppress (one's anger, bitter feelings, etc.); to keep down
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
to turn; to rotate; to go around; to circle; to make the rounds (of); to go around (several places); to go by way of
minor character; secondary character
protagonist; main character; hero; head (of a household); proprietor (of a store)
to shine; to sparkle; to twinkle; to light up (with happiness, hope, etc.); to beam; to gleam
no; you're welcome; not at all; don't mention it
to protect (someone); to look after (e.g. an injured leg); to defend; to cover for; to stand up for; to stick up for