ironically enough; as irony would have it; in a nice little twist
measure; step; countermeasure; counterplan; countermove; strategy
as a test; as an experiment; by way of experiment; by way of trial; tentatively
that much; as much; to that extent; only that; that alone; no more than that
to confess one's love; to profess one's feelings
to boost; to force up; to push up
to do completely; to do accidentally; to do without meaning to; to happen to do
thereabouts; vicinity; that area; that situation; those circumstances
to be to the point; to hit the mark; to be relevant
to whirl; to eddy; to be all jumbled together (feelings, thoughts, etc.); to surge; to sweep
to blink (one's eyes); to wink; to bat
grounds; foundation; authority; support; prop; something upon which to rely
malicious gossip; backbiting; speaking ill behind someone's back
to let (someone) hear; to tell (e.g. a story); to make (someone) listen; to make (someone) understand; to grip (someone) with skilful singing, storytelling, etc.; to hold (someone) enchanted by
to put a burden on; to tax (e.g. strength)
iron (Fe); strong and hard (as iron); railway; railway enthusiast
to taste; to taste of; to have a taste
blood; blood; ancestry; (the) blood; feelings
to admonish; to persuade; to warn; to remonstrate
to cuddle; to comfort; to rock; to soothe; to dandle; to humor
to worry (about); to fret (over); to be anxious
cavity; hollow; void; hollow (voice, smile, etc.); blank (eyes, look, etc.); vacant (expression, stare, etc.)
focus (e.g. photographic); focal point
to project; to reflect; to cast (shadow)
isolated; standing alone; falling in drops (e.g. rain); saying a single word; muttering just a few words
to be touching; to be moving
to say enough (as much as required); to say plenty; to say well; to say cleverly; to say often; to say frequently
adaptability; flexibility
social status; social position
to continue to hold; to hold on to (for a long period); to maintain; to keep
to desire; to wish; to beg; to request; to have something done for oneself
individuality; personality; quirk; idiosyncrasy; character; individual characteristic
absolutely; unconditionally; never (with neg. verb)
selfish; self-centred; egotistical
duty; responsibility (incl. supervision of staff); liability; onus
reason; logic; sense; truth; right
self-satisfaction; (self-)complacency; smugness
(arch.) word; waka (classic Japanese poem, esp. a tanka)
to grow senile; to be childish with age; to be mentally slow; to be befuddled; to play stupid; to say something stupid (oft. on purpose; esp. as part of a comedic routine)
to be full; to wax (e.g. moon); to rise (e.g. tide); to mature; to expire