main point; gist; essentials; bones (e.g. of an idea); pith
to pick out item(s) from a group to keep
exterior; packaging; cladding; armor (armour); arm
integrity; consistency; conformity; compliance
to project; to overhang; to stick out; to put up (a notice); to post
ordering (materials); placing an order; order
finished product; finished goods; completed article
loitering on the way; wayside grass
pongee; soft thin cloth woven from raw silk
most recent work (e.g. book, film, etc.); latest work; latest offering
the scruff or nape of the neck
grip (of hand); grip strength
complete set (of volumes); every volume; whole volume; whole film; whole reel
like cats and dogs; (on) very bad terms; (lit.) relationship of dogs and monkeys
several types; several kinds; several species
broken into small fragments; smashed to atoms; fragments and splinters; smithereens
pulverization; pulverisation; smashing; demolishing
fragment; broken piece; splinter; chip; shard
seeming like an excuse; seeming like a justification; defensive; in an apologetic tone
don't worry about it; it's nothing; don't give it a thought
wet towel (supplied at table); hot, moistened hand towel
being lost for words; becoming speechless; jueju (Chinese quatrain with lines of either five or seven syllables)
impossible; unlikely; improbable
crocodile; alligator; (arch.) shark
tough; strong; stiff; tenacious
making a swift decision; making immediate decisions and taking quick actions
to be renewed; to change; to be improved; to be reformed; to stand on ceremony; to be formal
waiting expectantly; waiting eagerly; looking forward to; long-awaited
idly; lazily; aimlessly; evasively; elusively; vaguely
unedited remarks; frank opinions