direct unforked road; straight path
going straight on; going straight ahead
being driven into a corner; having no way out; being caught between a rock and a hard place
to cling to ... in tears; to beg ... in tears; to appeal; to throw oneself on someone's mercy
these days; nowadays; now; at present; recently; lately
young person; youngster; greenhorn; novice; inexperienced person
(my) wife; inside the home; one's family
forcefulness of speech; influential voice
to devise a plan; to work out a plan
to put into effect; to put into practice
to pass (of time); to elapse
promotion; raising of status
achievement; feat; meritorious deed; distinguished service
to have been decided (so) that; to have been arranged (so) that
opponent; rival; adversary; menace; danger; threat
friend; ally; supporter; taking sides (with); supporting; standing by
good policy; wise policy; best plan
extent; scope; sphere; range; span
it's better to; it's best to; it's safest to; you can't go wrong with; it doesn't hurt (to be young, beautiful, have money, etc.)
recommendation; putting in a good word for someone
feelings; thoughts; meaning
to be fragrant; to smell (good); to stink; to smell (bad); to glow; to be bright
to reach one's ears; to come to one's knowledge; to hear about; to enter one's ears (e.g. of water)
to induce (someone to do something); to tempt; to act toward (someone in a certain way); to handle (men); to send; to forward to
rope; cord; policeman's rope
burning at the stake; burning to death
cruel; inhumane; callous; brutal
circumstances; sequence of events; how things got this way; details; particulars
servile; subservient; obsequious; slavish; self-abasing; grovelling
kneeling down on the ground; prostrate oneself
commercial value; commodity value; marketability
emphasizing (a point, argument, etc.); stressing; insistence; arguing strongly (for, against)
lingering attachment; lingering affection; regret; reluctance; ruefulness
minuteness; one millionth
as a matter of fact; to tell the truth
to keep in mind; to bear in mind; to try; to aim to do; to endeavor; to endeavour
good-for-nothing; parasite; deadbeat; loafer; drone; idler
to instigate; to tempt; to entice; to incite
to speak distinctly; to speak clearly; to put it bluntly; to get to the point; to be frank
bitter (e.g. criticism); sharp; biting; severe; scathing; harsh
(incredibly) cruel; atrocious; brutal; horrible; terrible; horrific
to drain; to pour; to float (e.g. logs down a river); to set adrift; to wash away; to carry away; to broadcast
to get angry; to take offense; to take offence; to be furious