secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
meddling; interfering; choosing to keep the drawn tile and discarding a different one
complexion; one's colour; one's color; countenance; expression; one's face
to pull up; to drag up; to increase; to raise (e.g. taxes); to withdraw; to leave; to promote (someone to a higher position)
to sever relations (with somebody; esp. a relative or spouse); to break off (with)
guarantee; security; assurance; pledge; warranty
to finish off; to ensure (something) is dead; to put an end to; to deliver the final blow; to be the best for A
garden; yard; courtyard; field (of action); area
confusion; complications; being gripped by strong feelings; fit (e.g. of anger); moment (e.g. of frustration)
to take off; to jump; to take the plunge; to decide; to step out of the ring
suddenly (appear, stick out); abruptly; (stand) still and expressionless; imposingly; suddenly (stand up)
inadequacy; inappropriateness; unfitness; impropriety
hesitation; indecision; vacillation
to bear responsibility for; to be liable for; to answer for; to take the blame for
powerful person; influential person
a short while ago; already
demotion; relegation; reduction in rank; degradation; downward move
quick; fast; rapid; swift; prompt; streamlined
the point of ...; the place where ...; a place called ...; places known as ...; I would say ...; ... is how I'd put it
frame (e.g. of film, panel in a comic, etc.); scene; time block (e.g. of a class schedule)
aptitude; aptness; suitability
other people's affairs; somebody else's problem
to line up; to put in a row; to add (to a group); to accept (as a member of an organization, etc.); to link; to put together
infiltration; sneaking in; going undercover
entering; setting (of the Sun); containing; content; income; beginning
to underrate; to belittle; to look down on; to despise
stuffing; packing; end (esp. the foot of a bridge); lowest-ranking guest at tea ceremony; tea master; endgame (esp. in shogi or used figuratively); sweet eel sauce
to destroy; to crush; to break by striking; to spoil; to ruin
warm; mild; warm (of a colour); mellow; having enough money
to criticize harshly; to blame; to accuse; to urge; to press
lowest-ranking; one-star (hotel, restaurant, etc.)
rank-and-file member of staff; ordinary employee; low-grade employee
transfiguration; transformation; change of appearance
garden (esp. man-made); orchard; park; place; location
remote place; backcountry; the sticks; hinterland
as a matter of fact; actually; effectively; in reality; in effect
to get permission; to get approval; to get the go-ahead
anything and everything; just about everything
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
being resented (by someone one holds resentment towards); thinking ill of a person based on a misunderstanding; unjustified resentment caused by a misunderstanding; responding to kindness with resentment
someone working behind-the-scenes; scene shifter; lady consort (to a high personage)
to harmonize; to harmonise; to be in harmony; to say the same thing in unison (inadvertently)