kneading; gloss; paste (e.g. bean paste, mustard paste); parading of portable shrines and floats at festivals
shady; underhanded; questionable
contacting; getting in touch; communication; call; message
presumptuous; impertinent; impudent; ridiculous; laughable; absurd
one thing after another; out of the frying pan and into the fire
smallish; on the small side; somewhat small; short swing of a bat, racquet, etc.
generally; in general; widely; commonly; universally
vivid; brightly colored; brilliant; radiant
a reclusive life; living secluded from the world; leading a sequestered life
to pin the enemy down; to glare another down (and render impotent)
old man; venerable gentleman; venerable; old; father
eternity; perpetuity; permanence
having spirit; (being) staunch; having backbone
the principle of the thing
how; in what way; how about; questionable
artist; painter; illustrator
rich person; millionaire; magnate; big spender; debauchee
military exploits; military feats; military achievements; distinguished military service
popular (with); in favour (with); well received
to weigh on a scale; to weigh up options; to compare pros and cons
sound of thin metal or plastic surface caving in and springing back; action of quickly bowing or lowering one's head; (with a) bob of the head
change of heart; change of mind; change in mental state
flan (baked tart with sweet or savoury filling in an open-topped pastry case); flan; crème caramel; caramel custard
source of revenue; financial supporter
work (film, book); production; creation; turning (something) out
mountain range; mountain belt
foot (of a mountain or hill); bottom; base
lever; agent (causing something to happen); instrument; assistant; helper
decomposition; ulceration
to save face; to show deference; to make someone look good
vein (of ore); reef; streak; lode
change; changing; vicissitudes; fading; waning
word root (the smallest portion of a larger word that holds meaning)
(on) one's own; (by) oneself