communication skills; communication ability
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); still; all the same; even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
when it comes to ...; as for ...
habit (usu. a bad one); tendency; peculiarity; idiosyncrasy; crease; wrinkle
miserable; pitiable; shameful; deplorable; pathetic
kiss; squeak (of a mouse); with a slurp
decline; downturn; drop; (mental) depression; low spirits
to keep in mind; to bear in mind; to try; to aim to do; to endeavor; to endeavour
what; how; what (a) ...!; how ...!; surprisingly; to my amazement
to praise; to commend; to compliment; to speak well of; to speak highly of
on this occasion; now; in these circumstances; with this opportunity
(looking) blankly; vacantly; dazedly; (staring) in puzzlement; with a look of amazement
strange; odd; unexpected; change; incident; disturbance
very fast; in a twinkle; before one's eyes
treating someone like a child
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
to be offended; to get angry; to be stuffy; to be stifling; firmly (shutting one's mouth)
I feel that ...; I feel as though ...; I have a feeling that ...; I have the impression that ...; I think that ...
handshake; reconciliation; joining hands; cooperation
that kind of; that way; that move; that trick; that game
on good terms (with); on friendly terms (with); (getting along) well; in harmony; happily; peacefully
early on; earlier on; from early
creakingly; squeakingly; tightly (squeezing, pressing, etc.); (drinking) in one go
flapping (of a flag, fan, etc.); fluttering; pitter-patter (of footsteps); quickly (making progress); in quick succession
to lose heart; to lose interest; to become stale (i.e. of a carbonated beverage); to go flat; to lose focus; to let one's guard down
to leave; to go away; to pass; to elapse; to be distant; to send away; to drive off
to steel oneself to; to brace oneself
going out to shop; going shopping; buying in quantity; buying wholesale; bulk purchasing
I'm off (and will be back later); see you later; to go (and then come back)
just barely; only just; at the very limit; at the last moment
bathing (in cold water); showering; swimming
intelligence gathering; information gathering
soon; shortly; before long; nearly; almost
inconvenience; inexpediency; unhandiness
to accompany; to follow; to keep up with
gentle; quiet; mild; quiet (color, pattern, etc.); sober
to attach; to join; to furnish (a house with); to wear; to put on; to keep a diary; to make an entry
to go out and away; to leave
(a person's) appearance from behind; person as seen from behind; back view; retreating figure