top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
consent; agreement; acceptance; understanding; satisfaction (e.g. with an explanation); being convinced
opposition; resistance; antagonism; reverse; opposite; inverse
self-deprecation; self-derision; self-mockery; laughing at oneself
apt to (do); liable to; predominantly; mostly; ... reaps the rewards; ... takes the prize
uninterested; unconcerned; plain; light; flowing gently
(personnel) change; transfer; relocation; reassignment; reshuffle
insufficiency; deficiency; shortage; dissatisfaction; discontent; complaint
technology; engineering; technique; skill; art; craft
to drive into (e.g. a nail into a board); to hit into (e.g. a home run into the stands); to throw into (e.g. jail); to drum into (someone) (an idea, skill, etc.); to hammer into
to attach; to join; to furnish (a house with); to wear; to put on; to keep a diary; to make an entry
seniority by length of service
basics; fundamentals; basis; basically; fundamentally
(one's) superior; (one's) boss; the higher-ups
inner thoughts; real intention; at heart; deep down; inner center (centre)
shame; embarrassment; disgrace
if that is the case; if it becomes so; when it becomes so
to be noticeable; to notice; to catch one's eye
(feeling of) hatred; (strong) dislike; disgust; aversion; revulsion; loathing
to boil up; to come to the boil; to arise; to break out; to get excited; to be in uproar
in the end; on top of that
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
towards (a destination); for the purpose of; with the goal of; targeting (a group, a demographic)
tenacious; persevering; persistent; sticky
alone; by oneself; on one's own
to digest; to break down; to break to pieces; to be able to use; to be good at; to finish; to complete
near; neighbourhood; nearly (e.g. "it took nearly one year"); close to; shortly; soon
passage (of time); elapsing; progress; development; transit
finally; at last; barely; narrowly; gradually; little by little
recognition; awareness; perception; understanding; knowledge; cognition
to change; to alter; to reform; to correct; to examine; to check
medium (size); average (grade, level, etc.); in; within; during; while; currently (doing)
to get irritated; to get annoyed; to be on the edge; to fret; to lose patience
sermon; preaching; homily; remonstration; scolding; lecturing
point; gist; essentials; knack; trick; the ropes
to press against; to push against; to force against; to foist on (task, responsibility); to impose (one's will)
sharp (words); harsh (manner, tone, etc.); hostile (mood, attitude, etc.); spiky; prickly; jagged
snide remark; insinuation; sly dig; disguised reproach; indirect criticism
great; excellent; distinguished; important; awful; terrible
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
physical strength; power; stamina; strength (of a business, economy, etc.)
vague; ambiguous; shady; disreputable; fuzzy