to shorten; to narrow; to close; to shrink
to wound; to injure; to hurt someone's feelings (pride, etc.); to damage; to chip
finishing blow; coup de grâce
to finish; to get it over with; to settle; to pay back; to get along (without something); to make do with (without)
to realize; to realise; to hit upon something
intricate workmanship; delicate handiwork; cheap trick; petty trick; obvious stratagem
to play with; to joke; to use (esp. trick, sophistry, etc.); to deride; to scoff at; to make fun of
sweet words; smooth talk; cajolery; flattery; sycophancy
to coax; to cajole; to wheedle; to roll up and put into (something); to bundle up
mark; guide; purpose; aim; sight (on a firearm)
to track down; to locate; to find out; to smoke out; to ferret out; to chase up
how; in what way; I wonder
to seclude oneself; to shut oneself away
to run around; to bustle about
to break; to snap; to be injured; to wear out; to be worn out; to break; to burst
indication; expression; display; displaying; representation; (copyright) attribution
substitute; replacement; stand-in; proxy; compensation; exchange
already; now; no longer; not any more
to look back on (the past); to reflect on; to look behind (at); to turn round (and look); to consider; to concern oneself about
to say enough (as much as required); to say plenty; to say well; to say cleverly; to say often; to say frequently
half; 50%; tie; 5 parts; 5%
to telephone; to make a phone call
(telephone) call; (telephone) ring; shout; call; call loan (e.g. 30-day call); call money
to increase; to add to; to augment
passage (of time); elapsing; progress; development; transit
irresponsible; perfunctory; lukewarm; half-baked; reasonable; moderate
completely; absolutely; (not) at all; (not) a bit; earnestly; intently
there's no other way; there are no other options; there are no alternative means
in some way or other; one way or another; somehow; only just; barely
by today; before the day is over
silent profile (in cell phones); silent mode; vibrate mode
leaving as is; leaving alone; leaving to chance; neglecting; abandoning
to grow light; to become white; to turn grey (gray)
action; movements; motions; bearing; behaviour; behavior
surprise attack; surprise visit; catching a person off guard
silence; being silent; quiet; reticence; inaction
sophism; chop logic; far-fetched argument; quibble; cavil; argument for argument's sake
to hold one's tongue; to shut up
unattractive; ugly; unstylish; uncool
disagreeableness; unpleasantness; nastiness; cutting remark; disagreeable remark; snide comment
to hit (e.g. one's head); to strike; to throw (e.g. a ball, a question, a demand); to express; to vent (e.g. one's anger)
popular; folksy; plebeian; ordinary; unpretentious