implication; nuance; shade of meaning; connotation
soft; software; soft hat; felt hat; soft serve ice cream; softball
route (bus, train, air, etc.); line; line (taken by a group, organization, etc.); policy; course
may I ask (for); might I ask (that)
prompt; immediate; in real time
to join (hands); to take (each other's hands); to scramble for; to struggle for; to pay attention to; to take notice of
maximum preference; maximum priority; priority handling
to take action; to start; to get started; to begin to do
strength in one's arms; physical strength; muscular strength; force; violence
to be able to manage somehow or other
unwillingly; reluctantly; grudgingly; shaking one's head in refusal (like a child)
show (of power, ability, etc.); exhibition; demonstration; display; manifestation
to threaten; to menace; to frighten (into doing)
very; extremely; exceedingly; top; highest; best
fear; dread; fright; terror; trepidation; panic
to fire (from a job); to sack; to dismiss
firm; determined; resolute; conclusive
pending question; unresolved problem
leading actor; star; leading figure; central figure; key figure
none other than; ... himself; ... herself
haughty; arrogant; pompous; self-important
pliantly; pliably; subserviently; ingratiatingly; servilely
drumming (noise); beating; rapidly; quickly; continuously; one after the other
demand; firm request; requisition; requirement; desire
attitude; manner; behaviour; attitude (towards an issue, etc.); position; stance
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
to a surprising degree; to a remarkable extent; surprisingly; astonishingly; amazingly; alarmingly
(weather) front; front line; the front; battlefront
freely; at liberty; at will; as one likes
spare time; free time; leisure time
to warm (up); to heat (up); to sit on (an idea, plan, etc.); to keep to oneself; to renew (an old friendship); to take for oneself
for a moment; for a minute; for a while; for some time; for the time being; for now
long ago; a long time ago; already
middle of summer; height of summer; midsummer
rushing into; breaking into; storming; plunging into (war, etc.); embarking on (a new venture)
to be too numerous; to be too much
morning; forenoon; just before noon
period of time; time slot; time zone
to peek (through a keyhole, gap, etc.); to look down into (a ravine, etc.); to peek into (a shop, bookstore, etc.); to sneak a look at; to take a quick look at; to peep (through a telescope, microscope, etc.); to stick out (a scarf from a collar, etc.)
order; system; the establishment; (ruling) regime; structural plan; body plan
these days; nowadays; recently