old maid; frump; hag; old woman
please excuse the intrusion; I'm coming in
to read the situation; to sense the mood; to read the room
to break into song; to burst into song; to begin singing
usual; normal; everyday; usually; normally; generally
to be raised (e.g. child); to be brought up; to grow (up)
for this very reason; that is exactly why
development; growth; progress; development; expansion (of a typhoon, low-pressure area, etc.); developmental disability
opposite side; opposition
yes; that is correct; um; errr; huh?; grrr
essence; true nature; substance; reality
surface; face (i.e. the visible side of an object); front (of a building, etc.); obverse side (i.e. "head") of a coin; outside; exterior; appearance
to reach one's ears; to come to one's knowledge; to hear about; to enter one's ears (e.g. of water)
with intense concentration; eagerly; intently; devouringly
way; manner; (for) the first time in (e.g. ten years); after ...; ...-sized; amount (equivalent to ...)
just (now, at the moment, etc.); just as; in the act of; as soon as; at the moment that
curtain; hanging; veil (of darkness, mystery, etc.); mantle
to descend (e.g. a mountain); to go down; to alight (e.g. from bus); to get off; to step down; to retire; to be granted
to turn pale; to lose color; to lose colour
to carry off; to run away with; to sweep away; to take entirely for oneself; to monopolize
hustle and bustle; throng; crowd; congestion; traffic jam
incoherent; wandering; vague; rambling; whimsical
to catch; to capture; to grab; to clutch; to catch hold of (someone); to stop (e.g. a stranger in the street)
certainly; without fail; right and wrong; pros and cons
character (esp. kanji); letter; handwriting; penmanship; the ... word (e.g. "the L word" = "love")
solely; entirely; only; sharing; together
to all appearances; no matter how you look at it
flat; level; calm; tranquil; relaxed (sitting posture); comfortable
to flare up; to burst into flames
it's no big deal; it's no problem; it's nothing to worry about; safe (and sound); all right
to (make something) quiver; to shake; to tremble; to vibrate
harmless but pointless; neither bad nor good
enjoyment; pleasure; amusement; anticipation; looking forward to; something to look forward to
father; dad; husband; you (of an elderly person older than the speaker); he
in name only; figurehead; (only) by name
every time; whenever; as; whether; in (either case)