to refuse; to reject; to decline; to prevent (from doing); to deny (e.g. access); to block
(length of one's) step; stride; pace
corridor; hallway; passageway
along the road; along the way
soon; before long; slowly; quietly; already; about time
to become familiar with; to get used to; to become accustomed to; to come to fit; to go (well) with; to suit
beginning; outset; first; onset
study; diligence; working hard; experience; knowledge; discount
serious; earnest; sober; honest; sincere
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
hearty; tremendous; magnificent; glorious; splendid; heroic
violently; without holding anything back; firmly; resolutely
terrific; staggering; tremendous; frightful; ghastly; horrific
duty; function; office; mission; task; role
to make a successful bid (for an article); to buy at auction; to outbid (someone); to knock down (at an auction)
beforehand; in advance; ahead of time; previously
another person; other people; unrelated person (i.e. not related by blood); outsider; stranger
to sell; to betray; to sell out (one's friend, country, etc.); to make (oneself) known; to establish (a reputation) for oneself; to pick (a fight, quarrel, etc.)
not feeling like doing ...; having no mind to ...; being in no mood for ...; indifferent; half-hearted; dispirited
in name only; figurehead; (only) by name
to spread; to propagate; to popularize; to broaden; to extend; to widen
attraction (of people); draw
newsworthiness; news hook; topicality; popularity (of a topic, issue, etc.)
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
publicity; advertisement; advertising; propaganda
seller; vendor; exhibitor
specific; particular; designated; specifying; designating; identifying
participant; entrant; player; competitor
to arrange; to agree (on); to prearrange
to lift (with a crane, ropes, etc.); to raise; to hoist; to manipulate (a price) upward; to (artificially) raise; to push up
successful bid; winning a tender
contract price; successful tender price
transactions; dealings; business
actual article; goods in stock; stocks
to fix; to settle; to standardize; constant; definite; uniform
to pile up; to heap up; to stir up; to enliven; to bring to a climax
so to speak; so to call it; as it were; in a sense
performance (at a party or banquet, etc.); side show; entertainment
fraud; swindle; graft; saying you're going to do something but in the end not doing it; making promises without keeping them; flaking out
kind; sort; type; equal; match; peer
originally; primarily; essentially; intrinsically; proper; rightful
unexpected; unforeseen; inconceivable
mention (in a document); record; entry; statement; listing
reluctant; unwilling; involuntary; unintentional; unintended; unlooked-for
achievement; feat; meritorious deed; distinguished service