love of one's country; patriotism; Ireland
on the surface; ostensibly; superficially; apparently
personal use; private use; private business; personal business
peacetime; time of peace; ordinary times; normal times
crowd of people; great number of people; in great numbers
double-dealing; double tongue; going back on what one has said; repeating oneself
going on and on (about inconsequential things); talking nonsense; idling away the time; dawdling
to keep company; to listen to; to associate with; to play against (e.g. a team); to take on (e.g. a rival)
spoiled; spoilt; ruined; loss of face
ear; hearing; edge; crust; selvedge (non-fray machined edge of fabrics); selvage
surmise (about somebody's feelings); guess; conjecture
and so; therefore; for that reason
yes; yeah; hum; hmmm; oof
how should I put it?; what shall I say?; well, you know; like
to come to the point; to get straight to the point; to speak frankly; to speak plainly; to talk straight
other party; opposite party; opposing team; one's opponent; one's adversary
insight; discernment; perception; perspicacity; acumen
excess; surplus; superabundance; overabundance
tedium; boredom; dullness; to feel bored; to get bored with; to get tired of
past; after; too (much); over- (e.g. eating)
well; in good health; safe; free from accident
bureaucratic organization; bureaucracy
voluntary; optional; free; elective
technique; art; skill; move
authority; power; influence
lever; agent (causing something to happen); instrument; assistant; helper
somersault; looping-the-loop
lending (money); finance; loan; adaptability; versatility; flexibility
to be effective; to take effect; to work; to function well; to be possible (to do, use, etc.); to be able to
government service; official position; civil service
to be able (to); to be possible (to)
attendant; attendance upon another
to raise one's voice; to shout; to yell; to speak up (e.g. in protest); to speak one's mind
sound argument; fair argument; just reasoning
outside of one's area of expertise