a little short; sawed-off (pants)
key; lock; key (to a problem); clue
to look (stare) back at (somebody); to look at again; to re-examine; to prove oneself superior (to someone who had previously been condescending); to look back (behind oneself)
with; by; because of; on account of; on (a day, date); at (a time); adds emphasis to preceding word
complaint; grumbling; objection; phrase; words; expression
to put on airs; to assume importance
intention; wish; purpose; mind (to do)
robot; (mere) puppet; pawn; figurehead
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
original idea; originality
devising (a way); contriving; device; design; dedication to spiritual improvement (esp. through Zen meditation)
to concentrate; to devote; to apply; to strain; to rack
finely chiseled (features)
glaringly; dazzlingly; blazingly
ambition; aspiration; sinister designs; treachery
all; completely; totally; entirely; thoroughly
to disappear; to vanish; (arch.) to die
willpower; energy; vitality
to lose strength; to become weak; to wither; to droop; to feel demotivated; to lose interest
everything one does; whatever one does
criticism; judgement; judgment; comment
(real) ability; true strength; merit; arms; force
desperation; despair; self-abandonment
to taper to a point; to become pointed; to become sharp; to look displeased; to look sour; to be on edge
full of confidence; brimming with (self-)confidence; having great faith in oneself
(a) little; (a) few; slight; only; just; merely
to rot; to go bad; to corrode; to weather; to become useless; to blunt; to become depraved
common occurrence; everyday occurrence; not an uncommon case; normal thing; everyday affair
brittle; fragile; weak; tender-hearted; sentimental; easily moved
setback; failure (e.g. plans, business); frustration; discouragement
to be disheartened; to lose heart; to be sprained; to be snapped; to be broken
uninterested; unconcerned; plain; light; flowing gently
(fictional) character; character; personality; persona
to reach an agreement; to come to an understanding; to compromise (with); to get along well with
root (of a plant); stump (of a tree); root (of a problem, etc.); base
characteristic; like oneself; worthy of oneself
show (of power, ability, etc.); exhibition; demonstration; display; manifestation
starting a business; promotion of enterprise
work style; way of working
to bear; to stand; to support; to withstand; to be fit for; to be equal to
to break; to destroy; to wreck; to ruin; to break (a bill, etc.)
casual; unconcerned; nonchalant
shuddering; shivering; trembling; being horrified; being disgusted