stronghold; inner citadel; base; headquarters
to rub together; to reconcile (ideas, proposals, plans); to compare and adjust
appropriate; suitable; fitting; apt; proper; right
inside and outside; interior and exterior; inside and outside the country; home and abroad; around; about
with a glitter; with a sparkle; brand new; shiny and new
yellow; high-pitched (voice); shrill
inquiry; enquiry; query; reference
to enquire; to inquire; to seek information
cancellation; rescinding; release; calling off; lifting (sanctions); delisting
had better ...; had better not ...
quick; speedy; prompt; rapid; swift
direct talks; direct negotiations; talking to somebody in person
network disturbance; communication failure; telecommunication malfunction
dinner party; ceremonial dinner; dinner meeting (or lunch, breakfast)
whole year; all year round; always; all the time; during an era; middle class (of a nursery school, etc.)
late autumn (fall); (arch.) ninth month of the lunar calendar
to set aside; to keep in reserve; to hold on to
degree of relative priority
to warm oneself; to sun oneself; to warm up; to get warm
to miss a chance; to miss an opportunity
distinguished family; noted family; family status in the Imperial Court; master (of a craft); expert
to become known; to come to light; to be known; to be understood; to clearly not amount to much; to be insignificant
barking up the wrong tree; calling at the wrong house
retailing; repeating (someone else's words, opinion, etc.); parroting; echoing
crash; smash; bang; sound of a large, heavy object falling
special; auspicious; happy; naive; innocent; good-natured
selfish; egoist; (arch.) self-indulgent; (arch.) wilful; (arch.) willful
to amass; to accumulate; to store; to leave unpaid
lack of common sense; thoughtlessness; senselessness; irrationality; absurdity
system; institution; organization; organisation
This isn't over; I will get my revenge
to make muddy (of a liquid); to make cloudy; to make turbid; to make ambiguous; to evade (e.g. the point); to be noncommittal about
strong interaction; strong force
manned mission (e.g. space probe)
certainly; without fail; right and wrong; pros and cons
foundation stone; cornerstone
to house; to contain; to carry (a baby); to be pregnant; (arch.) to give lodging to; (arch.) to accommodate
to gather strength; to take heart
in a lively way; vividly; freshly; animatedly; actively; energetically