seeming like an excuse; seeming like a justification; defensive; in an apologetic tone
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that
meeting; rendezvous; encounter; confluence
to open one's heart; to throw off reserve; to be frank
raging fire; conflagration
double; twice (as much); times (as much); -fold; 1-nth; 1 to n
with a plunge (of something sharp into something soft); with a thrust; with a stab; sullenly; sulkily; glumly
to split finely; to splinter; to get frayed; to become irritable; to feel on edge
reproachful; hateful; bitter
to be reflected in a mirror
long ago; already; a long time ago
to be visible; to be clear; to be evident; to be certain
irresponsible; perfunctory; lukewarm; half-baked; reasonable; moderate
to lend a hand; to give a hand; to help; to extend a helping hand
upper part; upper stream; upper course of a river; right side of the stage (audience's or camera's POV); stage left (actor's POV); skillful (in comparisons)
to do up (hair); to dress; to arrange; to tie; to bind; to fasten
easy; simple; there's no way that ...
innocence; insentient (i.e. plants, inanimate objects, etc.); free from obstructive thoughts; to pester someone (for cash, etc.)
before one knows; before one becomes aware of; unnoticed; unawares
pigtails; two plaits hanging about one's shoulders; two plaits hanging down one's back; queue
to mow down; to scythe down; to knock someone off their feet
to take refuge in; to succeed in running away
stretching a rope around; roping off; one's turf; domain; territory (of an animal)
cat (esp. the domestic cat, Felis catus); shamisen; geisha; wheelbarrow; clay bed-warmer; bottom; submissive partner of a homosexual relationship
killing time; staving off boredom
not worth mentioning (with neg. verb); nothing special
important person; strategic person; key figure
secrecy; highly classified information
to hurry (up); to press; to urge on
(any) particular; special; particularly noteworthy; worth mentioning
things on hand; things in stock; money on hand; money in one's wallet; on hand; in stock
without; unacceptable; not alright; unsatisfactory
to say in other words; to put another way; to express in different words; to reword; to rephrase
acknowledgement; acknowledgment; understanding (e.g. "please be understanding of the mess during our renovation"); noting; acceptance
understanding; comprehension
to meet the requirements; to satisfy the conditions
awfully; frightfully; desperately; violently; unduly; extremely
to be lost in deep thought; to be deeply immersed in thought
elder brother; one's senior; older man; man older than oneself