setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
use; utilization; utilisation; application
joint; knuckle; tune; melody; knot (in wood); node in a bamboo stem
in that manner; like that
expectation; anticipation; purpose; intention; others' opinions of one; speculation
what is it (that); the meaning of something; what something is about
to keep up (appearances); to smooth over (an error, etc.); to gloss over; to mend; to repair
to add (numbers); to add (something); to top up (with something); to take care of (e.g. one's business)
gradually; by degrees; little by little; steps; stairs; staircase
weak ending; tapering; anticlimax; tame ending
to hang one's head; to droop one's head
to encourage (someone); to cheer (someone) up; to give someone a charge; to empower
to peek (through a keyhole, gap, etc.); to look down into (a ravine, etc.); to peek into (a shop, bookstore, etc.); to sneak a look at; to take a quick look at; to peep (through a telescope, microscope, etc.); to stick out (a scarf from a collar, etc.)
to make a mistake; to be incorrect; to be mistaken
that is so; that is right; it looks to me; people say that; it is said that; I hear that
to trick; to cheat; to deceive; to coax; to wheedle; to soothe and humor (humour)
source of information; intelligence source; message source
to happen to hear; to overhear
uncertain; unreliable; inauthentic; insecure
anything and everything; just about everything
to be taught; to learn; to take lessons in
fashion; trend; vogue; prevalence (of a disease); epidemic
living; life (one's daily existence); livelihood
close examination; careful investigation; investigation of a crime; inquiry into someone's guilt; winner (of the most rounds, i.e. a full game); (arch.) reciting and appreciating traditional poetry
to accept; to receive; to agree
dissatisfaction; discontent; displeasure; complaint; unhappiness
to keep within limits (e.g. spending); to restrain (e.g. emotions); to control; to hold back (e.g. an enemy); to check; to curb
pretending not to see something; turning a blind eye to; burying one's head in the sand
pains; hard work; effort; trouble; labour; labor
frustrated (over a failure, humiliation or injustice); annoyed; chagrined; (bitterly) disappointed; bitter; vexed
feeling refreshed; feeling relieved; neat; tidy; frank; open-hearted; completely
ill will; spite; bad meaning; mala fides; bad faith; malice
to think of; to hit upon; to come into one's mind; to remember; to recall
to bring; to take (something) along; to fetch; to get
judge; judiciary; administration of justice; judicial authorities
truth or falsehood; genuineness; authenticity; veracity
anyhow; anyway; somehow or other; apart from ...; setting ... aside
to seize; to catch; to obtain; to acquire; to understand; to grasp
thinly; slightly; vaguely; a little
to sense; to suspect; to get an inkling (of something); to get wind of; to smell (e.g. danger); to become aware of (e.g. a plot)
nonchalant; unconcerned; in a casual manner