upper stratum (classes, stories, storeys); upper layer; layer above
time (three times, each time, etc.); times
highest; uppermost; topmost; oldest; eldest
to be completed; to be finished; to be ready (e.g. to serve or eat); to be very drunk; to get plastered
old; aged; long; since long ago; of the distant past; long-ago
lower layer; layer beneath; lower strata (classes)
one step higher; one better; cut above; one up
origin; source; basis; base; cause; (raw) material; ingredient
science; to think about scientifically; to think in terms of science
development; growth; progress; development; expansion (of a typhoon, low-pressure area, etc.); developmental disability
magic; witchcraft; sorcery; spell
any; anything; whatever; I am told; I hear; I understand
to add (one thing to another); to add (a few more words, an explanation, etc.)
dark; gloomy; depressed; dispirited; dark (in colour); dull; ill-boding
main topic; main subject; main issue; this subject
pushing back one's opponent while locked in close quarters; having a tendency towards; being close to
flight; desertion; escape
pasturing (e.g. cattle); letting (an animal) run loose; letting (someone) do as they please; leaving (something) to take its own course; letting (an issue) go unchecked
superscription (on a letter, parcel, etc.); address; overwriting (data, file, etc.)
in fact; as a matter of fact; actually; in reality; to tell the truth
copy; photocopy; book jacket blurb; (advertising) slogan
to finger; to touch; to make changes to; to tinker with; to dabble in; to do as a hobby
change; alteration; modification
judging from; on the basis of; from the point of view of
to think of; to hit upon; to come into one's mind; to remember; to recall
easy; simple; easygoing; lighthearted; simplistic
memory; sense; experience
to draw (conclusion); to deduce; to derive
to praise; to commend; to compliment; to speak well of; to speak highly of
fingertip; finger; toe tip; toe
space; air; midair; (from) memory; (by) heart
x (mark); cross; MDMA; ecstasy; molly
change; variation; variety; diversity; inflection; declension
exclusion; removal; elimination; clearing away; getting rid of
reflection (of light); reflection (of society, attitudes, etc.); application (of an update, changes, etc.); taking effect
as one would expect from ...; given that ... (naturally ...); because ...; for good reason; there is a (good) reason that ...
point (of a story, argument, etc.); key point; point; site; point (in scoring); point (in a loyalty program); points
-ish; -like; resembling; appearing to be; seeming to be
I couldn't care less; not caring less
early days; early years; early stages; initial stages; beginning
stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
clearly; plainly; distinctly; decisively; flatly; definitely