large number (of); many; majority
kidnapper; kidnaper; abductor
occupation; calling; livelihood
walking; pace; step; course (of history, one's life, etc.); history; pitch (of a screw, etc.)
to take (someone) out (for a walk, to lunch, etc.); to entice out; to lure away
interruption (e.g. of a conversation)
to catch fire; to be ignited; to ignite; to flare up (of an emotion, controversy, etc.); to blaze; to be ignited (of a dispute, commotion, etc.)
to draw near; to draw closer; to press (e.g. for an answer); to hound
tone (of voice); manner of talking
self-awareness; awareness (of one's position, abilities, duty, etc.); perceiving (something); taking in (a sensation); self-consciousness
unpleasant; awkward; embarrassing; uneasy
accursed; damned; blasted
deciding first; settling (a matter) first; first priority
to chip; to be chipped; to be missing (from a set, team, etc.); to be absent; to be lacking (in); to be short (of)
literally; to the letter; literal
expectation; anticipation; forecast
ambush; troops in ambush; unexpected opposition; unexpected obstacle
to tag along; to follow; to tail; to shadow
to climb over; to get over; to overcome (a difficulty, obstacle, etc.); to surmount; to surpass (a predecessor); to overtake
left in a state of neglect; left to go to ruin; left to run wild (e.g. of a garden)
shod feet; wearing shoes; muddy feet; dirty feet
to find fault with other people rather than oneself; (for the pot) to call the kettle black
lever; agent (causing something to happen); instrument; assistant; helper
bed; bedding; sickbed; alcove; riverbed; seedbed; straw "core" of a tatami mat
to tear off; to peel off; to rip off; to strip off; to skin; to flay
at the critical moment; when the time comes; when it's most important; when necessary; in an emergency; when push comes to shove
branch road; forked road; branch; crossroads (of a course of events); turning point; parting of the ways
bright; intelligent; clever; smart
rage; fury; exasperation; indignation
to act first; to act precipitously; to be rash; to get ahead of oneself; to jump the gun
scheme; plot; artifice; stratagem; trick
incitement; sedition; agitation; abetting
ringleader; main culprit; main cause; source
residence; stay; (job) posting; residential police box; residential police box officer
illegal; illicit; unlawful
certainly; surely; definitely
evil influence; (evil) clutches; tentacles of evil