stealing a march on; getting a head start; secretly acting before others; solo raid on an enemy's camp (for glory)
hogging; having all to oneself; monopolising; monopolizing
clicking one's tongue; tut-tut; smacking one's lips (with relish)
strange; weird; wonder; mystery; cleverness; adroitness
to irritate one; to get on one's nerves
treatment; service; handling (of a machine, tool, etc.); operation; treating as; treating like
possessiveness; desire to monopolize (monopolise); desire for control
impertinent; saucy; cheeky; impudent; audacious; cocky
to calm down; to compose oneself; to calm down; to settle down; to settle down (in a location, job, etc.); to settle in; to be settled
just barely; only just; at the very limit; at the last moment
tolerance level; permissible range; acceptable limits
to tailor; to make (clothing); to train; to bring up; to make it seem like; to pass off
gloomy (e.g. mood); depressing; irritating; troublesome; heavy (weather); cloudy
in that case; (might not be what was expected or hoped for but) if that's the case
called; named; as many as; as much as; all ...; every single ...
to throw away; to cast away; to abandon; to desert; to give up; to resign
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
seductive; carnal; troubling; difficult; anxious; uneasy
to break; to destroy; to wreck; to ruin; to break (a bill, etc.)
overbearing; coercive; pushy; forcible; high-handed
to finger; to touch; to make changes to; to tinker with; to dabble in; to do as a hobby
to taste; to eat; to drink; to speak (of); to refer (to); to say
number (in a series); (one's) turn; watch; guard; rank; standing; bout
then; and then; and; if so; because then; if that's the case
ecstatically; spellbound; with rapt attention; abstractedly; absentmindedly; absorbedly
to make light of; to ignore; to slight
lack of virtue; immorality; vice; depravity; unworthiness
anxiety; uneasiness; worry; apprehension; fear; insecurity
thorough; exhaustive; complete
essential; important; crucial; vital; main
to be worried; to be troubled
overheating; overexcitement
answer; reply; response; answer; solution; result
to lose one's way; to get lost; to waver; to hesitate; to give into temptation; to lose control of oneself
advance; moving forward; progress
to that extent; to that degree; so much; so
to love one another; to be affectionate towards each other; to have sex; to make love
question (e.g. on a test); problem; problem (e.g. societal, political); question; question (i.e. doubt); public discussion
won't; hasn't; isn't; won't you