splendid; fine; praiseworthy; creditable; legal; legitimate
recently; lately; these days; nearest; closest
to decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abate
(being in) the red; deficit; red letter; red writing; corrections (by a teacher or proofreader) written in red
to be much obliged (to someone); to receive favor (favour); to be indebted; to be grateful
older sister; elder sister
duration; continuance; survival; persistence; retention
real condition; actual circumstances; actual state of affairs
trouble; hardship; difficulty; anxiety; worry; concern
few; a little; scarce; insufficient; seldom
luxury; extravagance; to live in luxury; to indulge oneself; lavish (use of something); abundant
this and that; one thing or another
hour; o'clock; (specified) time; when ...; during ...
to pass through; to pass by; to pass (of time); to elapse; to have expired; to have ended; to exceed
beginning; start; first (in line, etc.); origin; such as ...; not to mention ...
to be surprised; to be amazed; to be frightened; surprise (e.g. surprise party)
to be palatable; to suit one's taste
just right (time, size, length, etc.)
eyes sparkling; with shining eyes; for one's eyes to gleam
shy; diffident; retiring; reserved
state; state of affairs; appearance; look; sign; indication
mouthful; morsel; gulp; sip; one word; in short
most; highest; maximum; best; wonderful; finest
another helping; second helping; seconds; command to have dog place its second paw in one's hand
cooking; cookery; cuisine; dealing with something; handling; administration
to be effective; to be fruitful; to be worthwhile; to be worth; to be rewarded; to pay off
silly; foolish; absurd; childish; easy; trifling
to have a talk; to tell a story
at leisure; in a relaxed manner; in a carefree manner; quietly; peacefully
(in a) long time; long time (ago); while (ago); long ago; long while (ago); (in a) long while
to turn over (face down); to lay face down; to point downwards (eyes, head, etc.); to cast down (eyes); to lie (one's body) face down; to lie flat (on the ground)
pure white; blank (e.g. mind, paper)
to fill to capacity; to pack; to complete; to tessellate
to be mixed; to be blended with; to associate with; to mingle with; to join
to burst into tears; to burst out crying; to begin to cry; to be moved to tears
taking refuge; finding shelter; evacuation; escape; seeking safe haven
preference; priority; precedence
parent; parents; dealer (in cards, mahjong, etc.); banker; founder; inventor; (pet) owner
just like; (virtually) no different from; (almost) the same as; as good as (e.g. dead, settled)
clergyman; churchman; clergy
to be sad; to mourn for; to regret