to ascertain; to check; to make sure
as expected; predictably; not surprisingly
key; lock; key (to a problem); clue
to be negligent in doing something; to shirk; to be off one's guard
achievement; attainment; accomplishment; realization
unclear; obscure; unknown; unidentified; ignorance; lack of wisdom
giving something a try because it will not do any harm
to ask; to enquire; to inquire; to search; to look for; to look into
influenced (by); under an influence
attention; notice; care; caution; advice; warning
in some way or other; one way or another; somehow; only just; barely
that's the way it is; such is life
to give one's name (as); to introduce oneself (as); to claim to be; to call oneself; to reveal oneself (as); to admit to being
futility; waste; uselessness; pointlessness; idleness
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that
not covered (by); not subject (to)
proposal; proposition; suggestion
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
materials; ingredients; material (for a novel, experiment, etc.); subject matter; grounds (for a decision, judgement, etc.); basis
component; factor; item (e.g. in list); element (e.g. in array); member (e.g. data structure)
answer; reply; response; answer; solution; result
to arrive at (after a struggle); to finally reach; to find one's way to; to finally hit on (e.g. an idea)
process; course; mechanism
naturally; in due course; by itself; of its own accord
yes?; no?; isn't it?; is it?
good bye; I'm off; see you later
trump card; ace up one's sleeve; secret weapon
(moment of) departure; (upon) leaving; retirement
fixtures; furnishings; equipment
desirable; hoped for; preferable; advisable
dark gray; dark grey; slate (color, colour)
to learn; to acquire knowledge; to carry; to wear (clothes, etc.); to put on
material; material properties; quality of material; quality of wood; quality of lumber
skin; outer skin; integument; husk; hull; shell