ability; capacity; capability; physical strength
clicking one's tongue; tut-tut; smacking one's lips (with relish)
to ask elsewhere; to try another (store, service, etc.)
support; backing; aid; assistance
beginning of hostilities; beginning of competition; first match (in a series)
to use excessively; to use too much; to spend too much; to overwork someone
retention; maintenance; preservation
to get torn; to tear; to rip; to be broken off (of negotiations, etc.); to break down; to collapse
that gentleman; that lady; he; she
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
thin (air); weak (liquid); dilute; lacking (enthusiasm, consideration, substance, etc.); insubstantial; deficient
in general; generally; as a whole; all in all; altogether
to break; to be broken; to be folded; to give in; to back down; to turn (a corner)
there is nothing more that can be done; it's all over
poison; toxicant; harm; evil influence; ill will; spite
to be sore; to be inflamed; to be bleary; to be dissipated; to be dissolute; to indulge in
to spill over and fall; to scatter (petals, leaves, etc.)
what (e.g. "what rudeness"); what (something) is like
(not) a single person; (no) one
a long time ago; long ago
confusion; distraction; derangement
to burst into tears; to burst out crying; to begin to cry; to be moved to tears
to let out a cry; to shout
stout-hearted; firm; courageous; brave; tough
painful; heartrending; trying; oppressive; suffocating; miserable
to have a hard time of it
how much; how many; however
to be choked up; to be crushed (emotionally); to be overcome (with emotion); to be shocked; to be horrified
siege; encirclement; envelopment; surrounding; besiegement
ring; circle; hoop; wheel; circle (e.g. of friends); planetary ring
to narrow; to reduce; to contract
more and more; all the more; at last; finally; (at the) last moment; worst possible time
visit (to someone affected by illness or misfortune); call; inquiry (about someone's health); letter of inquiry; letter of sympathy; get-well letter
to pull (the puppet) strings; to direct things from behind the scenes; to stretch out (and keep going); to linger on