or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
whole story; full picture; full particulars
noble; lofty; high-minded; virtuous; upright
trickery; wiles; finesse; Machiavellism
using freely; making full use of; having a good command of; working (someone) hard; driving (someone) on
politician (esp. one who works only for their own personal gain)
sentimental; on an emotional level; in one's heart
zealous; enthusiastic; ardent; fervent; keen; eager
to swallow (e.g. a story); to accept without questioning; to swallow (food) whole; to gobble up; to gulp down
detective work; detective industry
it is not possible (to, that); there is no such thing as
plot; intrigue; scheme; conspiracy; agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act
have to (verb); must (verb); is indispensable; absolutely necessary
trouble; difficulties; dispute; confusion; disorder; mess
to take out; to carry out; to bring out from where it belongs; to mention something; to broach a topic; to bring up (a subject)
representation; agency; proxy; deputy; agent; attorney
testimony; (verbal) evidence
innocence; guiltlessness; purity; uprightness; integrity
skilled person; capable person; doer; performer; giver; bestower
it cannot be that...; it is highly unlikely that...; it is impossible that...
to make a lasting impression
seat; place; position; status; gathering; party; stand
inside and outside; interior and exterior; inside and outside the country; home and abroad; around; about
to drop like a rock (e.g. of reputation, power, influence); to go down the toilet
you have only to; all you have to (do); all that's required; as long as; if only
script; screenplay; scenario
judging from; on the basis of; from the point of view of
to irritate; to grate on one's nerves; to aggravate; to be galling; to be invidious
to think of; to come up with
to cut into (a conversation); to interject
to determine (esp. a culprit or underlying cause); to pin down; to ascertain; (arch.) to stab to death
useless; futile; unnecessary; needless; not on business; unrelated
link (e.g. in a chain of events); part (of a plan, campaign, activities, etc.); monocyclic
conclusive evidence; positive proof; definite proof; confirmation
being at cross-purposes from the start; getting off on the wrong foot; (lit.) doing up one's buttons wrongly
failure; collapse; breakdown; break-up; bankruptcy
for (some) doubtful points to remain
to stand watch; to stand guard; to look out; to open (one's eyes) wide