I'm off; see you later; to go (and then come back)
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
to pull apart; to separate; to have a lead over; to pull ahead of; to outdistance
to close (e.g. book, eyes, meeting, etc.); to shut
on the contrary; far from it; if anything; in fact; instead
to speak distinctly; to speak clearly; to put it bluntly; to get to the point; to be frank
to take an aggressive position; to stir up trouble
main cause; primary factor
consideration; taking into account
to bare one's fangs; to snarl (at)
to blow off; to be blown off
certain; sure; definite; reliable; sound; solid
rising; developing; emergent; burgeoning; new
shield; buckler; escutcheon; pretext
easy; trifling; harmless; nothing of the sort; not at all
strict; severe; stern; rigid; rigorous; tough
you could say; you might say; verging on the
to play with (a toy, one's hair, etc.); to fiddle with; to toy with (one's emotions, etc.); to trifle with; to do with something as one pleases; to appreciate
doing as one is told; yes-man
to explain; to dispel doubts
to determine (esp. a culprit or underlying cause); to pin down; to ascertain; (arch.) to stab to death
clue; lead; key; handhold; hold
advantages and disadvantages; interests (of parties)
riddle; puzzle; enigma; enigmatic; mysterious
to do together; to share; to participate in
cordial welcome; hearty welcome; kind treatment; hospitality
motherland; fatherland; native country
to cough violently; to have a coughing fit
to press down; to hold down; to pin down; to suppress (feelings, disorder, opposition, etc.); to repress
having a crush on someone; flushing
to rise; to erect; to get up
to hang over; to cover; to fall upon someone (responsibility, burden, pressure, etc.)
to wager; to bet; to risk; to stake; to gamble
to persuade; to coax; to solicit; to seduce; to make advances; to make a play
to save; to rescue; to help; to assist; to support (financially); to contribute (to)
actual place; actual location; the spot; place where one is currently living