status; position; method; way; rule; regulation
to master (a skill); proprietor; manager; leader; chief; master (of arts, science, etc.); master (recording)
backdoor; rear entrance; rear exit; unauthorized; illicit; illegal
exit; way out; outlet; vent
to hit; to strike; to strike (noon, etc.); to sound (cymbals, etc.); to beat (rhythmically, e.g. pulse, waves, etc.); to move; to impress
to put to use; to make good use of; to exploit
renewal; update; replacement; renovation; breaking (a record)
regrettable; unfortunate; disappointing; vexing
to pretend; to act (as if)
spot; point; place; position
selection; choice; choosing; picking; election
the art of war; martial arts; military force; the sword; (arch.) valor; (arch.) bravery
meeting; assembly; party; society; association; club
recognition; awareness; perception; understanding; knowledge; cognition
repulse; repelling (e.g. the enemy); driving back
top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
adversary; opposition; hostile forces
to take home; to carry home; to bring back home; to take out (e.g. food)
cheap and low-quality play; performance not worth paying to see; transparent act; see-through scheming
side street (often parallel to a main street); back street; alley; alleyway
turning round; going around; turning about; surrounding; encircling
to surround; to crowd around; to gather around; to encircle; to besiege
to be scrupulous; to be attentive; to be prudent; to be complete; to be thorough
here and there; in places
to peel off; to come off; to flake off
underground; below the ground; world of the dead; the grave; underground (activities, movement, etc.); secret
to continue; to last; to continue (without a break); to be unbroken; to occur again and again; to lead to; to connect to
stairs; stairway; staircase
passage; pathway; roadway; avenue; aisle
several minutes; a few minutes
woodcutter; lumberjack; logger
inspection; examination; check; checkpoint; screening; inspection (esp. by police or security)
now that you mention it; come to think of it; that reminds me; on that subject; speaking of which
sure; certain; reliable; trustworthy; If I'm not mistaken; If I remember correctly
doubt; misgivings; distrust; suspicion
to see through; to see into (someone's heart, mind, etc.); to perceive; to find out; to detect
success in life; getting ahead; successful career; promotion; climbing the corporate ladder; eminence
seems; I think; I guess; right?; don't you agree?
perception; intuition; the sixth sense
sharp (knife, claws, etc.); pointed; sharp (pain, tone, etc.); acute; keen (intuition, sense of smell, etc.); acute
first meeting; first interview with
zealous; enthusiastic; ardent; fervent; keen; eager
more or less; though not quite satisfactorily; tentatively; for the time being; just in case; once
the old days; the past; former times; the past ten years; the past decade