diagonally upward; (going in a) completely unexpected direction (of a story, result, etc.)
idea; conception; way of thinking; approach; expression
suitable; appropriate; becoming; fitting
well-known only to those in the know; be well-known but to the few; highly regarded by a select few
to chuckle to oneself; to gloat (over)
this and that; various things
to pass; to elapse; to pass through; to go through; to experience; to go through
grace (of God); benevolence (of Buddha); assistance; help; effects; influence
to continue (for a long time); to occur in succession; to come next (e.g. on TV)
far away; far off; nowhere near; far cry
one by one; one at a time; in turn
the best one can do; one's best effort; with all one's might; to the best of one's ability
something or other; one thing or another; this or that
closing up shop (for the day); stopping business; going out of business
in this way; along these lines; similarly
to take a breath; to take a short rest
after (practically) no time; immediately after; just; having no time to
soft; tender; gentle; mild; informal; light
amount necessary to fill a container (e.g. cupful, spoonful, etc.); drink (usu. alcoholic); full; one squid, octopus, crab, etc.; one boat; fully; to capacity
yearned for; longed for; missed
to be impatient for; to wait (anxiously) for; to eagerly look forward to; to long for
staring-out (down) game; game in which two children looking at each other try to make the opponents laugh first; constant looking at something (e.g. the computer screen, the clock, etc.)
to work hard at; to devote oneself to; to be diligent in
but; however; even though; even if
as (X, then Y); with; in accordance with; in proportion to
nodding off (while sitting); dozing
to come out; to appear; to turn up; to emerge
impossible; unlikely; improbable
to declare; to assert; to state definitively; to finish saying; to say it all; to finish one's sentence
gradually; by degrees; little by little; steps; stairs; staircase
unable to contain oneself; itching to do something; cannot sit still
to ask for permission (before doing something); to ask first
softly; gently; stealthily; secretly; to leave alone; to leave as it is
great; excellent; very troublesome; awful; tiring; tough
to hold back others from achieving success; to stand in the way of; to sabotage
uneventfully; without incident; without a hitch; peacefully
retreating figure; appearance from behind
these days; nowadays; present day; at this time (of the day)
small; little; slight; below average (in degree, amount, etc.); low (e.g. sound); soft (e.g. voice)
and yet; despite this; but even so; but even then; however; nevertheless
unthinkable; unexpected; absolutely not!; far from it!; (it was) no bother at all; not at all
manjū; steamed yeast bun with filling