influence; clout; leverage
retention; maintenance; preservation
method; process; manner; way; means; technique
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); just like (someone)
orpiment; gamboge; falsification; alteration
hmm; well ...; humph; roughly; harshly; violently
at any rate; in any case; at the very least; if nothing else
gem; jewel; precious stone
trouble; bother; trouble; difficulty; care; attention
to see (a doctor, etc.); to consult (someone)
-ness; indicates assertion; come; come now
letter of invitation; letter of recommendation; reference
that's the way it is; such is life
other than; except for; aside from; apart from; save for
to be amazed; to be shocked; to be astonished; to be astounded; to be disgusted; to be exasperated
something or other; one thing or another; this or that
very caring; kind; helpful; service-minded
to draw or pull something towards oneself (e.g. chair)
where; what place; how much (long, far); what extent
to make matters worse; besides; what's more; in addition; on top of that
(not) particularly; (not) especially; (not) specially; separately; apart; additionally
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that
opposite side; other side; over there; that way; the other party; the other person
to quarry; to cut (timber); to begin to talk; to break the ice; to start a fire (with flint, by rubbing sticks together, etc.); to select and extract (from a media file)
kind, careful, and thorough (of an explanation, advice, etc.); thoughtful and scrupulous
promptly; immediately; quickly; indifferently
business; thing to be done; something that should be performed; information that should be conveyed
anyhow; in any case; at any rate; at best; at most
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still
matter (to discuss); item (on the agenda); issue; (court) case
bitter smile; wry smile; strained laugh; sarcastic laugh
to be lucky; to be in luck; to be attached; to have; to be included
suddenly and forcefully (e.g. jerk, poke, shove); in a single gulp; in one go
to approach; to draw near; to be imminent; to press (someone for something); to urge; to compel
to go mad; to lose one's mind; to get out of order; to go amiss; to go wrong (of a plan or expectation, etc.); to fall through
to lend; to loan; to rent out; to hire out
to be late; to be delayed; to fall behind (in a race, one's studies, etc.); to lag behind; to be bereaved of; to be preceded by (someone) in death
even at the best of times; already; (even) under normal circumstances; in addition to; as it is
look (in someone's eyes); expression (of the eyes); eyes
at last; finally; barely; narrowly; just
at hand; on hand; way of moving one's arms; skill; money at hand; pocket money