senior; elder; person older than oneself
important post; important office; key position
successive jobs; consecutive jobs
collapse; crumbling; breaking down; (radioactive) decay; disintegration
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
dot; spot; mark (in an exam, etc.); grade; point (in a game); score; point
good policy; wise policy; best plan
picked troops; elite soldiers; crack troops
right away; without delay; as soon as possible; very soon
to rush into; to surge into; to crowd into
to know; to be aware (of); to be acquainted (with); to think; to consider; to believe
military movements; military actions; military operations; military campaigns
hard to say; inexpressible; hesitant to say; embarrassing; delicate
depends entirely on; depends above all on
close (e.g. friend); familiar; familiar (e.g. story); well-known (to one); close (relatives); closely related
duty; responsibility (incl. supervision of staff); liability; onus
to untie; to unfasten; to unsew; to unstitch; to solve; to work out; to dispel (misunderstanding, etc.)
to hang (something) on the wall
tapestry; wall hanging; banner
to play a leading role; to play a central part
to weave a pattern; to begin to weave
territory; domain; dominion; possession
abdomen; belly; womb; one's mind; one's real intentions; courage; nerve
rules are rules; a rule is a rule
to lend; to loan; to let out on hire
without (doing); instead of; if (it) isn't done; if (one) doesn't do ...; if not ...; unless ...
pretending to be kind; self-aggrandizement under pretense of aiding another (aggrandisement, pretence)
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); just like (someone)
ingenious idea; excellent plan; bright idea
draft (for a speech, bill, etc.)
to knead; to thicken into a paste (stirring over a flame); to polish (a plan, etc.); to refine; to train; to drill; to gloss (silk)
important task; important duty; important mission; heavy responsibility
gradually; by degrees; little by little; bit by bit
diplomatic negotiations; negotiations through diplomatic channels
entrusting (everything to); leaving (a matter) entirely with
hot-blooded; hot-headed; temperamental; impulsive
ambassador plenipotentiary
appointment; nomination; ordination; commission; designation
to run (of liquid); to spread; to blur; to blot; to ooze; to well up (of tears, etc.)
grey moustache; gray mustache; white beard