ahead (of); before; slightly earlier
detoxification; counteracting poison; neutralizing poison
creation; generation; formation; derivation
to extract essence by boiling; to extract flavor; to decoct
smell; scent; aura; whiff; faint, mist-like pattern along the temper line of a Japanese sword
neutralization; neutralisation; neutralization (e.g. of a poison); counteraction
full portrait; whole aspect; full story
to explain; to preach; to advocate; to persuade; to prevail upon; to reason with
with repeated sharp blows; whack after whack; strictly; harshly; vigorously; singlemindedly
to become damaged; to break; to worsen; to spoil (one's mood); to decrease; to diminish (profits, gains)
by (means of); by doing; due to; via; through
victory or defeat; outcome (of a game, battle, etc.)
to decide; to determine; to resolve; to break and overflow (e.g. levee); to collapse; to give way
injured person; wounded person
every one (of them); (one and) all; without exception; to a man; to the last person
way out; means to escape; escape route
clear; precise; definite; distinct
adviser; someone to consult with; someone to turn to about one's concerns; confidant
natural features; topography; climate; spiritual features
to arrest; to capture; to seize
to be effective; to be fruitful; to be worthwhile; to be worth; to be rewarded; to pay off
(not) by any means; (not) for anything; wouldn't do for anything; had enough; flatly refusing
to take pride in; to pride oneself; to be proud of
to read aloud; to read to someone
to let (someone) hear; to tell (e.g. a story); to make (someone) listen; to make (someone) understand; to grip (someone) with skilful singing, storytelling, etc.; to hold (someone) enchanted by
dreamworld; dreamland; la-la land
implementation (e.g. of a system); materialization; materialisation; realization; realisation; actualization
look like; sound like; seem like; savor of; smack of
conclusion; resolution; gathering and bundling; convergence; focusing (of light); convergence
adversity strengthens the foundations; after a storm comes a calm; what doesn't kill you makes you stronger; (lit.) the ground hardens after it rains
to put together; to gather; to collect; to scrape together
black curtain; wirepuller; mastermind; backroom manipulator
running off in the night (to leave one's old life behind, e.g. to get away from debt); moonlight flit; skipping town overnight; upping and leaving under the cover of darkness; midnight vanishing act
desperate; frantic; excited; worked up; heated; eager
extended game; overtime; extra time; extra innings
to decide (e.g. an outcome); to dictate; to determine
to punish; to penalize; to penalise
arrangement; pact; agreement
good-quality; superior in quality
pork bones; broth made from pork and pork bones