firm; determined; resolute; conclusive
contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
to hesitate; to hold back; to be reluctant; to be unwilling; to have loose painful bowel movement; to suffer from tenesmus
to meddle; to poke one's nose into; to interfere; to make a pass at; to flirt with; to make a move on
tactician; strategist; schemer; maneuverer
estrangement; alienation; disaffection
to check; to hold back; to keep at bay; to stop; to prevent; to stem
huge rock; firmness; solidity
far away; far off; nowhere near; far cry
to divulge one's true feelings; to open one's heart
sake cup; cup for alcoholic beverages; counter for cupfuls, bowlfuls, spoonfuls, etc.; counter for boats; counter for octopuses and squid; cup (in sports)
to become serious; to take something seriously (joke, teasing); to become irritated or angry (usu. at something trivial); to get worked up
breaking off; snapping off; suddenly stopping
before; previously; ahead; Pardon me for leaving (before you)
absorption; suction; attraction
the very end; finish; to the very end; to the last; thoroughly
practice; training; drill; (an) exercise; workout
mineral deposit; ore deposit
about to start out; just about to leave or go out; outing; trip
preliminary inspection; having a look in advance; preparatory read-through (e.g. of lesson notes); siding (on a house); clapboard
stepping (in place); stamping (up and down); stomping; standstill; stalemate
important matter; matter of great importance; serious affair; major incident; emergency
(stage) appearance; performance; participation (e.g. in a tournament)
to launch oneself upon; to make one's debut
clever; bright; sharp; wise; intelligent; sagacious
to be careful; to pay attention; to take care
have a good day; take care; see you
to sharpen; to hone; to wash (rice); to scour; to polish
half-cooked; vague; halfhearted; indecisive
taking a breather; relaxation; vent hole
suddenly; all of a sudden
to well (up); to gush forth (of water); to appear (esp. suddenly) (sweat, tears, etc.); to feel emotions from (joy, bravery, etc.); to hatch (esp. of parasitic insects, etc.)
maximum permissible level or dosage
to the limit; to the fullest extent; absolutely the limit; one cup after another; cup by cup
therefore; for that reason; so; because of that
whereabouts; place where one is; position; location
characteristic; feature; idiosyncrasy; spot color (in printing)
thankfully; fortunately; luckily; mercifully
out of season; unseasonal