sophism; chop logic; far-fetched argument; quibble; cavil; argument for argument's sake
transactions; dealings; business
informant; informer; contact; Information Provider
just; justifiable; right; due; proper; equitable
(find) common (meeting) ground
(political) power; authority; influence
authority; power; influence
decently; gracefully; plausibly; politely; tactfully; discreetly
ghastliness; dreadfulness; grimness; intimidation; menace; threat
with a shiver (down one's spine); with a sudden chill
superior; first-class; excellent; (that's) just fine!; bring it on!
cheap; inexpensive; calm; peaceful; quiet
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
(a) step; one step; level; stage; small degree; small amount
because; the reason is; if you want to know why
sentence; verdict; pronouncement
to compromise; to meet halfway; to step up to; to walk up to; to approach
permission; allowance; acceptance; tolerance; pardon
disorderly; messy; absurd; unreasonable; very; extremely
to have something on one's mind; to have (undisclosed) reservations; to feel conflicted
remembering; recollection; recall; to remember; to recall; to recollect
to make a cynical remark (about); to make a sarcastic remark (about); to satirize; to mock
provocative; incendiary; inflammatory; suggestive; lascivious; risqué
originator; ringleader; perpetrator; main culprit; person responsible
discovery (of a plot, misdeed, etc.); detection; exposure; disclosure
right hand; right-hand side; right-hand direction; (on) the right
permission; approval; authorization; to permit; to authorize
loose; lenient; lax; gentle (curve, slope, etc.); slow; weak; soft
conclusion; resolution; gathering and bundling; convergence; focusing (e.g. light); convergence
skipping out; cutting class; truancy; procrastination
act of God; irresistible force; inevitability; force majeure; vis major
erotic; sexy; arousing; risque; sultry
poor physical health; bad shape
to be caught; to be arrested; to hold on to; to grasp; to find (e.g. proof); to get (e.g. a taxi)
to cut into (a line, conversation, etc.); to force oneself into (e.g. a crowd); to wedge oneself into; to fall below (of stock prices, sales, etc.); to drop below
to rub; to pat; to stroke; to massage
although at this late hour; now, although it is too late; afresh; anew; again
to protect (someone); to look after (e.g. an injured leg); to defend; to cover for; to stand up for; to stick up for
slowly (but steadily); gradually; irritatedly; impatiently; scorchingly (of the sun); sizzling (i.e. sound of frying in oil); sound of a warning bell, alarm clock, etc.