degree of familiarity; popularity
rapid increase; proliferation; surge; explosion
to give a little chuckle; to let out a giggle
being in love with each other
having one's guard up; not showing weak points; (of women) resisting attempts of being hit on; being distrustful of potential love interests; prudish
to talk big; to be bombastic
to be responsive; to show immediate results
speaker; one who is skilled at speaking
reaction; response; reaction
to narrow; to reduce; to contract
sometimes; occasionally; now and then; from time to time
free translation; liberal translation
ill-natured; mean; nasty; sadistic; cruel; mean-spirited
to split finely; to splinter; to get frayed; to become irritable; to feel on edge
net weight; useful part; actual content; real; effective
becoming irritated (suddenly); getting annoyed
foil; (gold, etc.) leaf; prestige
to fire a gun; to let off a gun; to loose off a shell
to be betrayed; to be brought to grief (by an enemy); to be given a hard time
sense of impending crisis; sense of danger
to say no more; to sink into silence
to compete (with each other); to contend for; to vie for; to rival
(wrestling) ring; forum (e.g. for discussion); sandbag; gabion
bowing (a string instrument)
tuber; taro; yokel; bumpkin; dud; worthless thing
heating power; thermal power; firepower
pushing though; bulldozing; doing something by force; arm twisting
ultimate; final; last; eventual
weeding out; elimination (e.g. of unneeded employees); culling; selection (e.g. natural selection)
to think of; to come up with
without hesitation; without a qualm; at the drop of a hat
to replace; to exchange; to interchange; to substitute
appearance; expression; manifestation
to begin talking; to open up