important; momentous; essential; principal; major
subject; theme; homework; assignment; task; challenge
to rank next to; to come after
to read; to recite (e.g. a sutra); to chant; to predict; to guess; to decipher; to count
insight; discernment; perception; perspicacity; acumen
rough (estimate, manner, etc.); crude; broad; loose; careless (work)
without; unacceptable; not alright; unsatisfactory
the person in question; the person themselves; said person
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
to smash; to crush; to shut down; to put out of business; to wreck; to break; to butcher
where ... is concerned; when it becomes; if it becomes
(abstract) symbol; emblem; representation
authority; power; influence
abasement; fall; forfeiture; sinking (in people's estimation)
fall; decline; lowering; deterioration; degradation
to escape (disaster, death, etc.); to be saved from; to be rescued from; to avoid (e.g. punishment); to evade (e.g. responsibility); to avert
sprout; shoot; bud; germinal disk (in an egg)
to pick; to pluck; to snip; to cut; to nip
performance; execution; skill; dexterity; tact
one country; whole country; hotheaded; stubborn
to buy; to purchase; to value; to have a high opinion; to stir; to provoke
good story; heartwarming story; good prospect (e.g. marriage, business)
to knit one's brows (in discomfort, unease, disapproval, etc.); to raise one's eyebrows; to frown; to scowl
all times and places; all ages and countries
to begin; to start; to happen (again); to begin (anew); to date (from); to originate (in)
trickery; wiles; finesse; Machiavellism
Qing dynasty (China, 1644-1912); Ch'ing dynasty; Manchu dynasty
to pull oneself together; to focus one's mind; to brace oneself; to gird up one's loins
to fall down; to fall over; to turn out; to play out; to abandon Christianity (and convert to Buddhism); to apostatize
loss; damage; harm; disadvantage; handicap; drawback
to seem to be ...; to become like ...; to behave as ...
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
abruptly; suddenly; all of a sudden; without warning
topic; subject; much talked about; topical; in the news
dumbfounded; in mute amazement
ignoring; bypassing; doing something without consultation; going over someone's head
feeling; sensation; preparedness; readiness; thought; sentiment
to resemble; to look like; to be like; to be alike; to be similar; to take after
to give; to do (something) for