almost; very nearly; only just; barely; just in time
brilliance; luster; lustre; vividness; life
to believe implicitly; to believe firmly; to believe entirely
to do something distinguished; to perform great deeds; to distinguish oneself (e.g. in war)
from what I've heard; according to reports; from what they say
ha ha ha; hee hee hee; chuckling
henchman; right-hand man; trusted confidant; inner circle
to be among the top five; to be one of the five best
meanwhile; in the meantime; by the same token; in contrast
prostrating oneself (in submission, respect, etc.)
ten; 10; ten years of age
with a single blow; with one stroke
smirkingly; smugly; broadly
power; authority; influence
to sense; to infer; to gather; to pick up on; to get wind of; to perceive
teaching the basics; initiation; introduction
strong and weak points; likes and dislikes; strengths and weaknesses
foolish; idiotic; stupid; ridiculous; absurd
nasty; disgusting; detestable; unpleasant; disagreeable; creepy
crude; unrefined; coarse; ill-mannered; rude; insensitive
what the hell; oh, great!; son of a gun; holy mackerel; oh no!; holy cow!
just what you'd expect from ...; that's just like (him, her, etc.); that's (exactly) why ...; that's (precisely) the reason ...
going to bed; retiring (for the night)
as always; as ever; though it's always the case
easy to do; apt to do; prone to do; liable to do
bulging; swelling (e.g. with water); loose-fitting or baggy (clothing); bubbling; foaming
brave; valiant; gallant; stirring; vigorous; rousing
having no thought for; having no consideration for; disregarding; overlooking; (arch.) being found not guilty (in an Edo-period court); (arch.) acquittal
where ... is concerned; when it becomes; if it becomes
club budget; club expense
to go round and cut in; to take a roundabout path
to be effective; to be fruitful; to be worthwhile; to be worth; to be rewarded; to pay off
being all smiles with joy
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still
in hand; on hand; on one; handheld