a kick; mounting a bar with a kick
B-movie; B-picture; B-film
being put to shame; being outshone; being eclipsed; feeling embarrassed
shame; embarrassment; disgrace
to weigh on a scale; to weigh up options; to compare pros and cons
a cut above; one step above
midsummer feast; summer solstice celebration; St John's day
ascent; climbing; ascending (path); upbound (esp. toward Tokyo)
scaling; climbing; ascending
projection; protrusion; lump; bulge
fuel consumption; gas mileage
absolute beginner; complete amateur
ascending air current; updraft; upward trend; rise in popularity, influence, etc.
careful; cautious; wary; watchful; vigilant; prudent
metal rod; metal bar; iron rod; iron club; iron staff with rings on top (traditionally used by night watchmen)
to watch for an unguarded moment
to come to one's senses; to recover consciousness; to feel relieved; to feel relaxed
subordination; dependency
to present; to dedicate; to obey; to follow; to proudly bear
cool; indifferent; apathetic; cold; cold-hearted; heartless
somehow; in some way; for some reason; faintly; vaguely
to live in hiding; to live as a recluse
smelling of mud or earth; unrefined; uncouth
one's student (esp. a former one); one's pupil; one's disciple
playhouse; theatre; theater
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
to look down on; to treat with contempt; to treat disparagingly; to sneer at
to make out to be; to set someone up (as); to prepare (e.g. someone for a role); to make (e.g. "a man out of him"); to frame
blank period; window period; interregnum