to falter; to flinch (from); to recoil (from); to quail (at)
-like; pseudo-; comical character who mocks or apes the main character (in Japanese performing arts); (arch.) criticism; (arch.) censure
intelligence gathering; information gathering
reprimand; rebuke; reproach; scolding
son of a distinguished family; son of a noble
flight; running away; absconding; elopement
outskirts (of a town); run-down district
many; numerous; various; large number of
ordinary; common; commonplace; mediocre; unremarkable; undistinguished
to be talented; to be able
mass meeting; convention; tournament; competition; grand event
preliminary contest; qualifying round; trial; heat; primary
lowering; sinking; depreciation; price fall; punch line (of a rakugo story); (arch.) sword strap
good person; virtuous person
to be defeated; to be beaten; to be unsuccessful; to lose
remote place; backcountry; the sticks; hinterland
to make something one's own; to appropriate for oneself
route (bus, train, air, etc.); line; line (taken by a group, organization, etc.); policy; course
to curry favour (with); to play up (to); to cozy up (to); to butter up
to wager; to bet; to risk; to stake; to gamble
feng (male Chinese firebird)
dagger; stiletto; confidant; right-hand man
person standing watch; guard duty
lowest seat; foot of the table; seat furthest from the seat of honour; lowest rank; bottom (e.g. of the class)
evil deed; wrongdoing; crime; misfortune; calamity
to place in a row; to line up; to list; to enumerate; to talk a lot of nonsense; to tell a lot of lies
firmly rooted; deep-seated
yearning; longing for; deep affection
battle formation; battle array; lineup (of a team, etc.); cast; staff
from time immemorial; ancient; time-honoured; time-honored
to insist; to assert; to be obstinate in saying
practice; practising; exercises; manoeuvres; seminar (student debates, presentations, etc.); practicum
to be of use as a reference; to be helpful