making efficient; optimization
materials; ingredients; material (for a novel, experiment, etc.); subject matter; grounds (for a decision, judgement, etc.); basis
nice; likeable; desirable
about; roughly; generally; on the whole; completely; quite
ill-preparedness; insufficient preparation; lack of preparation
to start work (on); to undertake; to start committing a crime; embarkation; launch
to be forced to do or experience something (against one's will); to be forced to do something because one has no other choice
ordinary; run-of-the-mill; usual
something like ...; something called ...
nevertheless; at any rate; even so; all things considered; be that as it may
front stage; center stage (of politics, etc.)
graduation; completion (of a course); moving on (from); outgrowing (something); leaving (a group, company, etc.)
perquisite; perk; side benefit; emoluments
to stop (in one's tracks); to come to a stop; to halt; to pause; to stand still
right arm; right-hand man; right hand; right-handed pitcher
glittering; sparkling; glistening; twinkling
to shine; to glitter; to be bright
daring; fearless; intrepid; bold; tough
tailoring; dressmaking; sewing; making; preparation
expectation; anticipation; hope; promising; rising; up-and-coming
time; hour; season; time of the year
I don't know about ... but; it may be possible for ... but
selection (esp. from many people for an important job position); exceptional promotion
support; backing; endorsement; support; holding up; propping
oneself (itself, etc.); I; me; you; by oneself (itself, etc.); interjection expressing anger or chagrin
to crush to death; to stifle to death; to squeeze to death; to stifle (a laugh, etc.); to muffle (one's breathing); to subdue (one's voice)
to recommend; to endorse (e.g. a candidate); to infer (from); to deduce; to think (something) through; to ponder deeply
heedless of danger; braving dangers
laboratory testing bench; laboratory table; subject of an experiment; (human) guinea pig
to pin one's hope on; to look forward to; to look toward; to get one's hopes up
to be(come) intertwined; to be entangled
human relations; personal relationships
difficult to ...; hard to ...
period; dot character; period (era, amount of time); period
rest period; intermission; break time; recess
to add; to add up; to increase; to gather (e.g. speed); to include; to count in
approximately; about; promise; appointment; shortening; reduction
to reach; to get to; to arrive at