in advance; beforehand; previously
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
vivid; bright; brilliant; skillful; skilful; adept
grasping; seizing; holding; commanding; having control over
one's nature; characteristic; inherent; natural
intelligence or information network
collecting; accumulating; collection (of art, stamps, insects, etc.); garbage collection; waste collection
arranged; taken care of; settled; completed; finished
torrentially; swiftly flowing (water, esp. river); (speak) eloquently; fluently; flood of the times (moving strongly in one direction); current of the times
support (e.g. for an argument); backing; proof; evidence; corroboration; substantiation
to have (e.g. lunch); to take (e.g. vitamins)
real condition; actual circumstances; actual state of affairs
to admire greatly; to salute (in admiration); to take one's hat off to
thought; imagination; mind; desire; wish; love
stifled (laughter); simmering
to arrive at (e.g. a decision); to reach (a stage); to lead to (a place); to get to; in the extreme case of; (arch.) to come
domestic affairs; internal administration
more or less; though not quite satisfactorily; tentatively; for the time being; just in case; once
scrap; piece; fag end; unimportant (person); petty (official); barely (in a role)
cool; refreshing; clear (e.g. eyes); bright; clear; distinct
modesty; humility; being humble
wise; sagacious; intelligent; sensible
action; conduct; behaviour; behavior; mobilization; mobilisation
long ago; already; a long time ago
opposition; rivalry; competition; antagonism
backing (for a position); giving support to; helping (someone) to a position
to turn inside out; to turn the other way; to look at (something) from another perspective; to put it the other way round; to visit the same prostitute or geisha for a second time
king; ruler; tycoon; magnate; king (of the senior player)
three generations; third generation immigrant; sansei; the third (e.g. Henry III)
to entrust (someone) with; to leave (a matter) with someone; to have someone deliver (a message, parcel, etc.); to send (through someone); to use (something) to express (one's feelings, opinion, etc.); to express in the form of (something)
to say in other words; to put another way; to express in different words; to reword; to rephrase
expression; presentation; representation; notation
knowing; (an) acquaintance
underwater; behind closed doors; behind the scenes; below the surface
(in) the middle of; (in) the midst of; (in) the course of; (at) the height of
backing; support; backer; shield that protects one's back
clique; group; (political) faction; wing; school; sect
retainer; attendant; escort
ordinary person; member of the general public; non-celebrity
quiet (place); still; silent; inconspicuously; modestly; quietly
thank you; thanks; much (thanks); very (sorry); quite; really; somehow
surroundings; environs; circumference
state of affairs (around you); situation; circumstances
to permit; to allow; to forgive; to pardon; to exempt (someone) from; to remit; to acknowledge