before one knows it; before one realises; without one's knowledge; without noticing
to cling to; to depend on; to embrace; to hug
to be dented; to be indented; to be beaten; to be overwhelmed; to be disheartened; to feel down
inadvertently; for no special reason; truthfully; unexpectedly; after realizing; without knowing
middle-aged man; Buddhist priest
et cetera; etc.; and the like; the likes of; something like
granny; grandma; gran; old lady; old woman
century; hundred years; (fig.) a long time
seniority by length of service
rate; ratio; profit; assignment; 10%; unit of ten percent; match
selfish; self-centred; egotistical
self-examination; reflection
green; greenery (esp. fresh verdure)
meek; quiet; docile; mysterious; marvelous; marvellous
repetition; iteration; recursion; recurrence; recapitulation
to draw a line (between); to make a distinction (between); to distinguish (between)
reckless; thoughtless; rash; ill-advised; impulsive; mad (e.g. scheme)
withdrawal; retraction; revocation; repeal
beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning; initially
accompanying; travelling together; traveling together; same bank
to offer; to propose; to suggest; to put forward; to request; to ask (for)
forcing; enforcement; forced; enforced
suicidal act; self-destroying action; suicidal action
midway; halfway through; in the course of
desperation; despair; self-abandonment
to be on the verge; to be on the brink; to get close
in terms of both ... and ...; from the perspective of ... as well as ...; whether it be ... or ...
accidental death; casualty
consensus; collective will; collective opinion
going out to shop; going shopping; buying in quantity; buying wholesale; bulk purchasing
indicates concession or compromise; indicates permission
watch-keeping; guard; lookout
to each his own; people differ; different people (have different likes)
blind alley; cul-de-sac; dead end street; deadlock; impasse; dead end
unable to move; dead in the water; completely helpless
to regain one's footing; to get back on one's feet; to recover; (of the market) to improve
to hold a thing in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to embrace (e.g. a baby); to take upon oneself; to be saddled with
possibly; apparently; (seem) likely; somehow or other; with difficulty; barely
inside a car (train, bus, etc.)
to stagnate; to settle (at the bottom); to deposit; to become sluggish; to become dull; to be delayed
to recognise; to recognize; to know by sight; to become acquainted with
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still