minimum; minuscule; local minimum
poor excuse (of a); nearly non-existent; barely sufficient; token (effort, etc.); symbolic
O-Bon; Obon; Bon Festival; tray
decoration; ornament; trimmings
to create (an atmosphere, feeling, etc.); to produce; to engender
to disagree; to dispute; to fight (over)
ignoring; disregarding; taking no notice of; refusing to comment on; turning a deaf ear to
plan; scheme; plot; design; project; intention
subordinate; underling; henchman; minion
sender; consignor; remitter
to stifle a smile, yawn, etc.; to bite to death
near; close by; within reach; familiar
to sit down; to take a seat
in short; in a word; to sum up; to put it simply; to make a long story short; after all
president (of a society); chairman
to give (as a gift); to present; to confer; to bestow; to award
affected; smug; pompous; conceited; snobby; pretentious
to bring up a subject; to touch on a matter
to re-think; to think back upon; to change one's mind
guess; conjecture; surmise
(one's) identity; background; upbringing; (one's) character
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
to join hands together; to join forces; to collaborate
to keep away; to keep at a distance
riskiness; (level of) danger
to allot; to allocate; to supply with; to furnish; to fit to; to fasten to
even at the best of times; already; (even) under normal circumstances; in addition to; as it is
being clearheaded; having a keen (sharp, brilliant) mind
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
breaking down; defeating; abolishing
to feel really ashamed; to feel extremely embarrassed; to feel humiliated; to have egg on one's face
stupid; foolish; idiotic; fool; idiot; blockhead
to grow angry; to display one's anger
(please) try to; (please) look; seeing; looking
what one desires; what one hopes for; suits me well; could ask for nothing better; bring it on
wholehearted; earnest; determined; intent; single-minded; straightforward
explanation; interpretation
at a disadvantage; in an unfavourable position; having poor prospects; standing little chance
feeling of a full stomach after a meal; satisfaction of having a full stomach
putting into operation; invocation