to abate; to decrease; to diminish; to shorten
to shave (wood, leather, etc.); to sharpen (e.g. pencil); to cut down (budget, expenses, staff, time, etc.); to curtail; to delete; to erase
originally; primarily; essentially; intrinsically; proper; rightful
show (of power, ability, etc.); exhibition; demonstration; display; manifestation
example; instance; precedent; custom; habit
until something reaches the very limit; until the very last minute; up to the breaking point
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
demonstration; verification; substantiation; actual proof
as (much) as possible; as (much) as one can; wherever practicable; if possible
basics; fundamentals; basis; basically; fundamentally
father-in-law; foster father; stepfather
gnashingly (e.g. gritting one's teeth); with a grinding sound; with a creak
to; for; from the standpoint of; as far as ... is concerned
throat; singing voice; gutter (inner margins of a book)
to bend; to warp; to curve
dangerous; in danger; facing imminent danger; precarious (situation); perilous (state, balance, etc.); in doubt
dropping (of tears, dew, etc.); falling off; dropping off; inadvertently (coming to the surface); letting out (e.g. a secret)
to come out; to fall out; to fade; to discolour; to wear a hole (e.g. clothes); to leave (e.g. a meeting); to be clear
end; ending; close; end of (one's) life; death
to say; to speak; to tell; to be called
it is ... that ...; precisely; although; while; it is precisely because ... that ...; only because ...
pardon; forgiveness; exemption; permission
to have (urgent) business; to have something one needs to attend to; to have something one wants to say (to someone)
(many) trees; every tree; all kinds of trees
to wear a mask; to hide one's true intentions
to make an appearance; to show up
to scream; to whine; to grumble; to complain
mask; disguise; guise; mask
to spoil; to ruin; to destroy; to make a mess of
(on a) closer look; closer scrutiny; second look
meeting up; gathering; assembly; set
probably not; probably won't; intend not to; will not; trying not to; attempting not to; whether you ... or not
errand; mission; messenger; bearer; familiar spirit; use
worthy opponent; good match for someone; well-matched adversary
because of; owing to; due to
to warp; to bend; to contort; to be perverted; to be warped (of a view, mind, etc.); to be distorted