to come to nothing; to be in vain; to lead nowhere
foothold; footing; toehold; stepping stone
device; contrivance; trick; trap; (small) scale; half finished; commencement
meticulous; careful; discreet; scrupulous; prudent
to hesitate; to think twice; to flinch; to get cold feet
ahead (of); before; slightly earlier
leaving (a decision, job, etc.) to someone else; entrusting; leaving the choice of a meal to the chef; omakase
hiding; concealing; being hidden; pocket
to fold one's arms; to link arms with someone
to change; to alter; to reform; to correct; to examine; to check
one move (in go, shogi, etc.); only way; only means; doing alone; doing single-handed
to eat oneself out of house and home; to eat up completely
to anyone; to everyone; by anyone; by everyone; in everyone; in anyone
discovery (of a plot, misdeed, etc.); detection; exposure; disclosure
one's confidant; trusted friend; trusted retainer
direct control; direct supervision
dark side (of nature, town, etc.)
a handful (of); small amount (of); small number (of); trouncing; crushing
start; beginning; build up; how well a pitcher pitches at the start of the game
steadily; unflaggingly; untiringly; knocking; tapping; clicking
sole (of a shoe); sole (fish)
stone paving; cobble paving; stone steps; check (pattern); pavé (rectangular dessert, usu. made from chocolate or several layers of sponge cake)
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
turning around (once); suddenly; abruptly; completely (wrapped in something); quickly (unwrapping something); beautiful, round (eyes)
to turn; to rotate; to pass around; to send around; to move (someone or something to where its needed); to send; to turn (to a new use)
to be open (to traffic); to lead (to); to flow (of a liquid, current, etc.); to pass (through); to be conveyed (of an intention, meaning, etc.); to be understood (by); to be well versed (in)
to prepare; to provide; to set up; to establish; to organize
obsession; fixation; complaining; criticizing; speciality (e.g. of a restaurant)
hmm; well ...; humph; roughly; harshly; violently
please; if you would; somehow or other; one way or another; whether (or not); if
yes?; no?; isn't it?; is it?
image (on a screen); picture (e.g. on a TV); video; film; reflection; image (in one's mind)
to lie down; to stretch out; to lie ahead (of danger, difficulty, etc.); to lie in wait
to respond; to answer; to accept (an invitation, offer, etc.); to comply with (a request, etc.); to suit; to match
to recall; to remember; to recollect
huge; vast; enormous; swelling; expansion
cranial nerves; cerebral nerves