badger game; scheme in which a man and woman trick another man into a compromising situation for blackmail
these days; nowadays; present day; at this time (of the day)
to be popular; to come into fashion; to be prevalent; to spread widely (e.g. disease); to flourish; to thrive
together; jointly; at the same time; with; both
stronghold; citadel; headquarters
opposite; reverse; contrary
worldly wise; sophisticated; street smart; knowledge of the world (acquired in the school of hard knocks); toughness
to be to the point; to be pertinent
otherworldliness; detachment from the real world; lack of worldly sense
escape from reality; escapism; ostrichism
to attract; to draw near; to charm; to attract; to have a convulsion
to follow; to accompany; to cleave to; to join up with; to obey implicitly; to flatter
maximum; to the maximum degree; to the full
even a little; any at all; if only a little; no matter how little
advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint
thin; skinny; delicate; fragile; feeble
perhaps; probably; generous; many; much
poor; pitiable; pathetic; pitiful
to feel goodwill (towards); to wish someone well; to have a strong liking (for); to be emotionally involved
to drive away; to clear; to scatter; to disperse
several times; several degrees
throughout; over a period of ...; over a span of ...
spell (that restricts one's movements); binding spell
to exploit; to extort; to squeeze (someone); to squeeze (e.g. oil, juice); to wring out; to press out
to be seen from the point of view of an onlooker
(religious) piety; faith; devotion
to interfere (with); to hinder; to be hindered (from doing); to become impeded; to have difficulty; to suffer inconvenience
commonplace (of people or animals); ordinary; typical; ubiquitous; run-of-the-mill; found around every corner
among (other things); especially; particularly; inter alia; above all (else)
certain; sure; doubtless; I have no doubt; You can depend on it; It's a safe bet
(physical) appearance (of a person); one's face and figure
fault; defect; flaw; failure (in an examination); failing grade
to stroll about; to saunter; to wander; to dangle; to swing
hm; um; huh?; what?; nuh-uh; no