to take the initiative; to forestall; to beat to the punch
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall
as many as one likes; as much as one likes; great many; plenty; almost (none); (not) much
irritating; aggravating; upsetting
quickly (esp. actions); suddenly (esp. wind, rain, etc.)
to challenge to (a fight, game, etc.); to throw down the gauntlet; to tackle (e.g. a problem); to attempt; to pressure (someone) for sex; to make advances to
tightly (hold, squeeze, etc.); firmly; forcefully (e.g. push); hard
to chew thoroughly; to bite (e.g. one's lip); to reflect upon; to digest
to shine; to glitter; to be bright
(at) high speed; as fast as one can; with lightning speed
to run off; to break into a run; to start running
to respond; to answer; to meet (e.g. demands, expectations); to affect; to take a toll; to strike home
to run down (stairs, etc.)
footpath; walkway; sidewalk
(horse-drawn) cab; gharry; fiacre
to stop; to turn off; to park; to prevent; to suppress (a cough); to stop (someone from doing something); to dissuade
to board; to embark on; to get into (a car); to march into; to enter
with a clatter; with a rattle; empty; bare; raspy (voice); gravelly; with a gargle
to run; to dash; to gallop (on horseback); to canter; (arch.) to advance (against one's enemy); (arch.) to charge (on horseback)
in low spirits; dejected; sad
to turn back; to go back; to come back; to return; to retrace one's steps
to fall completely silent; to become still as death
to pick up; to find; to gather
dissatisfied-looking; looking discontented
large part; greater part; people in general; general public; mostly; for the most part
widower; divorced man not remarried
influential; powerful; popular; prosperous; doing well
merchant; trader; tradesman; dealer; shopkeeper
suspicious; dubious; doubtful; unsure; untrustworthy; unreliable; strange
ex-wife; former wife; previous wife
boy; son; baby boy; young man
to give birth; to bear (child); to lay (eggs); to produce; to yield; to give rise to
both in name and reality; both in name and substance
middle-age; middle age; midlife; one's middle years
frank; candid; outspoken; unreserved
open; frank; outspoken; unreserved; straightforward; honest
particularly; only; in the case of
thorn; spine; splinter (esp. lodged in one's flesh); hard sharp item (esp. lodged in one's throat, e.g. fish bone); biting words
bitter (e.g. criticism); sharp; biting; severe; scathing; harsh
to leak out (a secret); to be exposed (a lie, improper behaviour, etc.); to be found out; to get away (of fish)
severe; harsh; stringent; rigorous; strict; unfair