(company) director; executive; top management; important post; role with heavy responsibilities
in person; personally; directly
supervision; control; superintendence; director; superintendent; supervisor
gradually; steadily; slowly; little by little; step by step; by degrees
staff member; employee; worker; personnel
to pass; to elapse; to pass through; to go through; to experience; to go through
of all (things, people, places, days, etc.)
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall
odour; odor; scent; aura; whiff; smacks of ...
the person in question; prominent figure; distinguished person; that person
suppression (e.g. of free speech); force-out
that's the way it is; such is life
not only ... but also; in addition to; consequently
to finish; to get it over with; to settle; to pay back; to get along (without something); to make do with (without)
casualties; the killed and wounded
structure; construction; arrangement; plan; plot; contrivance
scene; setting; scene (in a movie, play); shot; state of the market
just before one's eyes; in one's presence; personally
pre-war days; before the war
the place for; the time for; the level of
shot; charge; blow; punch; home run; try
to pass (the night); to spend; to reveal; to divulge; to prove; to verify
to tip off (e.g. the police); to inform (on); to squeal; to rat
crime; sin; penalty; sentence; fault; responsibility
to disclose; to divulge; to expose; to open (a grave); to dig out
interest (in something); curiosity (about something); zest (for)
without; but if; otherwise; or else
to take seriously; to take someone at their word; to believe (to be true)
to grow hot (e.g. water); to boil; to get excited (at); to erupt (in applause, cheering, etc.); to ferment; to melt (of metal)
to have a go; to try and do (something); to take a chance with something
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
reason for living; something one lives for; purpose in life; raison d'être
source (of a spring, etc.); source (of payment, energy, knowledge, etc.); origin; wellspring
if it is the case that ...
matter of the highest priority; top priority; first priority
plot; intrigue; scheme; conspiracy; agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act
to poke one's nose into another's affairs; to have a hand in; to take a (deep) interest in; to poke one's head (into a room)
to offer (a suggestion, etc.); to propose (an idea, etc.); to approach with (a proposal, etc.)