life story; personal narrative; story of one's life
to say goodbye; to bid farewell
next-door neighbors; (living, sitting) next to each other
to just appear; to be half out; to be on the tip of one's tongue
manly; masculine; like a man
regrettable defeat; defeat by a narrow margin
to eat; to drink; to smoke; to suffer (e.g. defeat); to receive a blow
August; eighth month of the lunar calendar
distinctive of; characteristic of; uniquely applying to; but; except; without
it's precisely for that reason that ...; which is precisely why ...
diligent application (to work or study); cultivating one's character by studying hard; mutual encouragement (to improve); working hard together; friendly rivalry
self-restraint; voluntary restraint; self-imposed control; self-discipline
stubborn person; bonehead; bullethead; pig-headed person
to divulge one's true feelings; to open one's heart
preparatory school (for entrance examinations); cram school; cramming school
summer term (e.g. school); summer period
to do something by choice; to like; to be fond of
faint hopes; dim prospects; little hope; unlikely (to be successful)
adjournment; pause; moratorium; temporary suspension
the end (of); last time (doing); finishing up; closing
striking (at something) and missing; swing and a miss; vain attempt
heat; hot air; enthusiasm; excitement; fever
weather forecast; weather report
fine weather (i.e. little or no clouds); fair weather; clear weather; clear sky; fair skies
to set one's mind on doing; to get the idea of doing; to make up one's mind
to swell (out); to expand; to be inflated; to get cross; to get sulky; to pout
gym bag; sports bag; duffel bag; duffle bag; drum-shaped bag; cylindrical bag
to examine; to check; to inspect
somewhat larger (amount); quite a lot; a little more (than usual); a little extra
medical cream; ointment; salve; liniment
model; standard; pattern; norm; criterion; example
excavation; exhumation; discovery (e.g. new talent)
in search of; in order to look for
presentation (of documents); submission (of an application, report, etc.); production (e.g. of evidence); introduction (e.g. of a bill); filing; turning in