early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
here and there; in twos and threes; sporadically; now and then; from time to time; occasionally
to gouge; to hollow out; to greatly perturb; to cause emotional pain; to get to the bottom of things; to relentlessly bring the truth to light
laconic; of few words; reticent; quiet
at the last moment; this late in the game
transition; change; progress; passing (of time)
to exchange (messages, thoughts, etc.); to communicate
conversion; diversion; changeover; commutation; switchover
oral; verbal; spoken; parol
how long; how far; how much
to have the personal support of (an influential person); to be under the patronage of
now (when it is already much too late); at this stage; afresh; anew; again
to take out; to carry out; to bring out from where it belongs; to mention something; to broach a topic; to bring up (a subject)
adviser; someone to consult with; someone to turn to about one's concerns; confidant
victory or defeat; match; contest; game
encouragement; inspiration; rousing; stirring up; raising (e.g. morale)
provocative; incendiary; inflammatory; suggestive; lascivious; risqué
to be visible; to be clear; to be evident; to be certain
to rub; to crumple; to massage; to argue; to have a heated discussion; to train; to coach
to muster (e.g. one's courage); to call forth; to rouse up; to be enlivened; to be invigorated
to screw; to twist; to distort; to parody; to torture; to wrest
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
leader of a group of juvenile delinquents
to deem acceptable; to approve of; to value; to consider a good thing
putting on a brave face; put-on cheeriness; pretending one is fine; show of courage; bravado; Dutch courage
correction; revision; compensation (e.g. to a pendulum)
to rush over; to run up to
cold reception; unwelcoming treatment
(good) result; outcome; fruits (of one's labors); product; accomplishment
rote memorization (memorisation); rote learning; indiscriminate memorizing (memorising)
to mix; to stir; to blend
joint together; opposite; facing
in short; the point is; the important thing is; in a word; basically
transcendence; excellence; superiority
something; what; why; how
to (an extent); up to; doesn't amount to doing ...; not significant enough to require ...; even if ...
to wear (in modern Japanese, from the shoulders down); to put on; to bear (guilt, etc.)
to be fascinated (by); to be captivated by; to be enchanted by; to gaze admiringly at; to watch in fascination
without hesitation; with great optimism; (pushing or pulling) strongly; (drinking) heavily
body; torso; trunk; build; physique; health