explanation (e.g. for one's actions); excuse; justification; defense; defence
sly; cunning; sneaky; miserly; mean; stingy
to take care of; to bring up under one's personal care; to kill with one's own hands; to do personally; to handle (e.g. a job); to request that someone deal with (something)
self-justification; excuse
alluring words; endearing words; sugared words; sweet words; honeyed words; flattery
supporting role (actor); minor role
extremely talented; very gifted
well-bred; of good upbringing
papier mâché; something that looks good superficially
whirlpool; maelstrom; vortex; spiral (shape, pattern)
to disturb; to upset; to ruffle; to stir up; to mess up
belt (waist, seat, etc.); strap; belt; zone; drive belt; machine belt
for oneself; for one's own sake; on one's own account
unselfish; selfless; disinterested
to collapse (physically or emotionally); to fall down
short end of the stick; short straw; unlucky number; blank; bad bargain
second year of junior high school; second-year junior high school student
to send (someone) back; to send (someone) home
spell; charm; incantation; magic word
closing; closure; shutdown; lockout
... being the case; (precisely) because ...; as might be expected from ...
a few years ago; some years back
(talent) scout; recruiter; scouting; headhunting; Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts
adoration; admiration; devotion
wonder; admiration; being struck with admiration
easily mixed up (e.g. similar words); easily mistaken; confusingly similar; misleading; equivocal; ambiguous
range (of voice); vocal range; register
period; time; opportunity; chance; age; term (e.g. in office); session (e.g. of parliament)
to give (time, money, goods); to donate; to do; to perform; to apply (processing, makeup, etc.); to add (e.g. ornamentation, annotation)