cruelty; hard-heartedness
virtue; charm; merit; good point
very; considerably; by no means; not readily; middle; half-way point
to be vague; to speak ambiguously; to be evasive; to not commit oneself
apt to (do); liable to; predominantly; mostly; ... reaps the rewards; ... takes the prize
timidly; nervously; with nervous diffidence; trembling with fear
main question; real issue at hand
to hesitate to say; to mumble; to hem and haw; to falter
to resolve; to ready (oneself); to make up one's mind
to speak; to say; to vocalize
it is assuredly that ...; can say with confidence that ...
wild; in disarray; harum-scarum; hysteric
straight to the point; point-blank; frank; direct
to press a question; to cross-examine
proximity; nearness; being nearby; approaching; drawing near; coming close
vortex; maelstrom; whirlpool; (in the middle of a) scandal; controversy; quarrel
ringleader; main culprit; main cause; source
greengrocer; fruit and vegetable shop
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
notice; attention; observation
shopping basket; market basket
congratulation; congratulations; celebration; congratulatory gift; present
freebie (e.g. with a purchase); something additional; price reduction; discount; exaggeration
to offer; to propose; to suggest; to put forward; to request; to ask (for)
tune; tone; vein; mood; condition; state of health
to put on a bold front; to act big; to be unyielding; to act formally; to act stiffly
equality (esp. of status); equal footing; equal terms
opposition; resistance; antagonism; reverse; opposite; inverse
surface; face (i.e. the visible side of an object); front (of a building, etc.); obverse side (i.e. "head") of a coin; outside; exterior; appearance
opportunity; occasion; (arch.) order; (arch.) sequence; (arch.) successor
enjoyment; pleasure; diversion; anticipation; looking forward to
potato (Solanum tuberosum)
vain person; ostentatious person; show-off
grasping; gripping; handful; fistful; handle; grip; rice ball
after this; henceforth; henceforward; from now on
seriousness; earnestness; truth; sanctity
no, not like that (but like this)
with trouble; at great pains; rare; valuable; kind; generous
to state; to express; to mention
on this occasion; now; in these circumstances; with this opportunity
unpredictability; element of surprise