to act first; to act precipitously; to be rash; to get ahead of oneself; to jump the gun
to punish; to penalize; to penalise
to take responsibility (for a fallout); to accept the blame; to take the blame
pouring one's energy into; focusing one's efforts on; concentrating on; committing oneself to
recovery; regaining; getting back; retrieval; restoration; revival
to rub (on); to wipe; to daub; to lay (the blame on someone); to pin; to shift
questioning; interrogation; examination (of a witness)
tight-lipped; able to keep a secret
sooner or later; in time; eventually
to smoke; to smoulder; to be sooty; to be smoke-stained; to smoulder (e.g. a dispute); to smolder
mountain range; mountain belt
from ancient times; from old times; from time immemorial
perilous pass (on a route or journey); rough spot
barrier; checkpoint; checking station
troublesome matter; burden; difficult task; chore; hassle
to cause a loss; to make a hole (in)
each country; every country; various countries; all countries
noninterference; nonintervention
no wonder; little wonder; after all; as expected; which isn't surprising
faculty (of a university); school; college; department
to announce; to tell; to sentence; to order
thuddingly; plumping down (like a heavy weight)
chattering (teeth); (frozen, worried) stiff; rigid (personality, thinking, etc.); inflexible; voracious (e.g. work, study); without slack or pause
dignity; majesty; solemnity; gravity
to make a speech; to address
state ceremony; laborious; troublesome; irksome
unripe; green; immature; immature; inexperienced; unskilled
party; set; gang; company; person
interruption; interference; butting in
pessimism; (taking a) gloomy view; discouragement; despondency; despair; disappointment
to compete; to contend; to vie; to contest
to fall behind; to lag behind; to be outdistanced; to be beaten
ripeness; mellowness; maturity
groundwork; foundation; inclination; aptitude; undercoat; first coat
smoothly; easily; readily
transfer (of authority, power, etc.); delegation; devolution
people; (all) persons; everyone; (arch.) you (usu. plural)
to be attentive to small details; to be attentive to others (or others' concerns); to have one's mind turn groundlessly to something negative
companion; follower; attendant; retinue
rare; exceptional; extraordinary; unique; incomparable; unparalleled
useless; futile; unnecessary; needless; not on business; unrelated
friction; discord; strife
to shoot through (a wall, the heart, etc.); to go through; to pierce; to hit (e.g. the bull's-eye)