state of things; state of affairs; situation; conditions; circumstances
free city (of Germany); commune (of medieval Europe)
self-proclaimed; self-professed; professing oneself to be; calling oneself; first person
had better ...; had better not ...
in any case; at any rate; anyhow; because; since; for
that sort of; that kind of; like that; such; so
to be surprised; to be taken aback; to be amazed; to be frightened; to be startled; to be alarmed
to scratch; to perspire; to shovel; to paddle
expressly; especially; specially; intentionally; deliberately; on purpose
to go (to); to make one's way (to); to visit
nothing but; none other than
to go; to come; to lose; to be defeated; to be stumped (by); to be at a loss; to visit (a shrine, grave, etc.)
to lose one's way; to get lost
calamity; misfortune; disaster
embarrassing; embarrassed; ashamed; disgraceful; shameful
company; lot; people; troupe; company (of musicians)
to stop up; to close up; to stand in the way; to obstruct; to occupy; to fill up
encounter; running into; meeting with (e.g. an accident); being confronted with (e.g. a difficulty)
beyond expectations; beyond what one expected; not foreseen; exceeding assumptions
to destroy; to demolish; to disturb; to put into disorder; to relax (one's pose); to make oneself at ease; to break (a bill)
questions and answers; dialogue
prior; beforehand; in advance; before the fact; ex ante
hypothesis; supposition; assumption; expectation; anticipation
to borrow; to rent; to hire; to make use of (another's help, wisdom, etc.); to obtain; to use (for another purpose)
to forestall; to beat to the punch; to anticipate; to play the first move (e.g. in go)
to ask a question; to ask questions
to feel around for; to fumble for; to investigate; to probe into; to explore (parts unknown); to enjoy (natural beauty)
observation; survey; watching
field of vision; view; one's outlook (e.g. on life); one's horizons
ordinary person; run-of-the-mill people; John Doe; Jane Doe
to stand watch; to stand guard; to look out; to open (one's eyes) wide
deed (esp. negative); act; action; one's doing; one's work
some; any; please; anyway; anyhow
your Excellency; his Excellency; her Excellency
(in) secrecy; behind closed doors
with trouble; at great pains; rare; valuable; kind; generous
next (e.g. "next April"); forthcoming; coming; to come; to arrive; to be due to
it's probably so; it stands to reason
description; expression (in words); qualification (e.g. of a noun with an adjective); form; figure; appearance
(one) matter; (one) item; (one) case