several people; a few people
irony; sarcasm; unexpected; different from what one expected; (only) surface; something superficial
to ward off (e.g. an attack); to fend off (e.g. a question); to elude; to evade; to dodge; to turn aside (e.g. a joke)
unexpectedly; unusually; considering all that
to worry about; to be anxious about; to be concerned about; to lament; to grieve; to mourn
particularly; only; in the case of
chance; stroke of luck; (curious) turn of events
uneasy; unsure; unreliable; untrustworthy; (arch.) nervous; (arch.) impatient
cross-examination; close questioning; demanding an explanation
time; season; period; phase; stage
to dodge; to evade; to avoid; to sidestep
to start; to begin; to challenge; to pick (a fight); to set (traps); to plant (explosives)
(confronting a problem, etc.) head-on; directly; outright; (lit.) from the front
to be packed (with); to be filled; to be blocked (of a pipe, nose, etc.); to be clogged; to be become shorter; to shrink; to be at a loss (for)
prudent; thoughtful; discreet
to pity; to feel sympathy for; to sympathize with; to enjoy the beauty of; to appreciate; to admire
to go away; to become more distant; to fade away; to be estranged
confident; full of confidence; cocky; full of oneself
doubt; suspicion; fear; apprehension
trying to think of a way (to do); devising means (to do); working out (how to do); contriving (to raise money); managing
to be lucky; to be in luck; to be attached; to have; to be included
quick on the uptake; quick to catch on; perceptive; intuitive
retention; maintenance; preservation
to step forward; to step forth; to advance; to start; to embark on; to set forth on
what did you just say (to me)?; what's that?
obstruction; hindrance; blocking; disturbance; interference; interruption
one eye; one of one's eyes; being blind in one eye; person who is blind in one eye
charm; fascination; glamour; glamor; attraction; appeal
to get lost; to lose one's bearings; to be puzzled; to be perplexed; to be tempted; to be seduced
subject; theme; homework; assignment; problem (that needs solving); task
unsatisfying; disappointing; abrupt; not enough; too quick; too short
to regain one's footing; to get back on one's feet; to recover; (of the market) to improve
to mix (with); to be mixed (together); to be mingled
not feeling like doing ...; having no mind to ...; being in no mood for ...; having no intention of ...
to deliver; to extradite; to stretch across; to hand over
what is it (that); the meaning of something; what something is about
understanding (of people's circumstances and feelings); perceptiveness; sympathy; wisdom
to seal (e.g. a letter); to prevent (e.g. movement); to forbid; to block (e.g. speech)
deliberate; careful; thoughtful; deeply laid plan
don't worry about it; forget about it
care; precaution; guarding; caution
modesty; humility; being humble
to look at again; to re-examine (policy, estimate, plan, etc.); to review; to get a better opinion of; to see in a more positive light; to improve