incompetence; inefficiency; inability; incompetent person
leisurely post; do-nothing job; sinecure
to take (seat, position, course, office, etc.); to assume; to ascend (the throne); to accede; to start (on a journey); to commence
promotion; advancement; rising in rank
demotion; relegation; reduction in rank; degradation; downward move
to become a (bad) habit; to become a habitual practice; to become addictive; to grow on one; to become moreish
scolding; telling-off; rebuke; complaint; grumbling; fault-finding
to stab; to stick; to pierce; to thrust
objet d'art; item of artwork; object; curio
purpose; utility; objective; way to use something
moving to a different location to start a new job; (proceeding to) new appointment
indication; denotation; designation; instructions; directions
station; office; guardroom
inspection (e.g. customs, factory); examination; test; check; scan (e.g. MRI, PET); audit
chance; stroke of luck; (curious) turn of events
it's different when ... but; it's not so bad when ... but
border (between countries); national border
direct line; direct communication; connecting directly; through service; nonstop service
good flavor (flavour); good taste; umami (fifth category of taste in food); skill; cleverness; profit
work; workmanship; craftsmanship; artifice; trick; device
counter for large animals (e.g. head of cattle); counter for insects in a collection; counter for helmets, masks, etc.
profound; deep; grave; solid; dignified; stately
creak; squeak; creaking; discord; strife; friction
full load; being fully loaded (with); being full of (articles, photos, etc.; of a newspaper or magazine); being packed with (e.g. fun, excitement)
suggestion; hint; implication
to take (someone) along; to bring along; to be accompanied by
skill; proficiency; experience; dexterity
to stop (moving); to come to a stop; to stop (doing, working, being supplied); to come to a halt; to alight; to perch on
dress; attire; clothing; getup; outfit; personal appearance
handsome man; looker; good guy; great guy; influential person (esp. in the yakuza); sumo wrestler
pass (e.g. backstage pass); permit (to pass or travel); laissez passer; passport
(giving) birth; childbirth; native (of); product of; produced in; assets
distilled liquor; spirits
nasty; disgusting; detestable; unpleasant; disagreeable; creepy
to continue (for a long time); to occur in succession; to come next (e.g. on TV)
mid-range; mid-scale; mid-size