matter of the highest priority; top priority; first priority
brother-in-law (spouse's older brother or older sister's husband); older stepbrother
to be to the point; to hit the mark; to be relevant
collapse; break; cave-in; crash; (market) decline
act of terror; terrorist attack
empirical; from experience
to gather up into one's arms; to lift; to carry
to say things to ease one's mind
first of all; at once; right away; for now; for the time being
to carry up; to bring up; to lift up; to elevate (someone) to a high position; to convince someone to accept a post (esp. through flattery)
to be manageable; to be able to handle
to flow out; to stream out; to pour out; to gush forth; to leak; to ooze out
simultaneous terrorist attacks (esp. the Sep. 11 attacks); synchronized terrorist attacks
honour; honor; dignity; prestige; reputation; appearances
vortex; maelstrom; whirlpool; (in the middle of a) scandal; controversy; quarrel
upper floor (of a building)
outward appearance; exterior appearance; outward show; looks
exterior; outside; outer; external; lateral
skirmish; brush (with the enemy); small fight with a military enemy; squabble; quarrel; brief argument
rescue worker; emergency rescue team member; ambulance attendant; paramedic
situation report; status report; progress report
spreading around (news, etc.); talking about widely; noising about; circulating
impact (on); (strong) impression; effect; impact (of a ball against a racket, bat, club, etc.)
indispensable; essential; requisite; required; compulsory; necessary
administration; governance; the authorities; authority
to have much trouble; to have a hard time; to not know how to handle
display window; shop window; store window
to present; to offer; to show; to display; to assume (e.g. a shape)
lying face down; lying on one's face; placing upside down; placing face down
just friends; no romantic interest; (lit.) no pulse
to breathe one's last; to pass away; to die; to expire
practical business; practical work experience; practicum; practice