frank; direct; plain; straightforward; point-blank; concise
to be in the news; to be talked about; to become a popular topic of conversation; to become the talk of the town; to become topical
irregular (schedule, service, etc.); indeterminate (length of time); staggered (payments)
appearance; emergence; advent; arrival; showing up; coming to existence
to have something on one's mind; to have (undisclosed) reservations; to feel conflicted
one's own judgement (judgment); decision made without consulting others; arbitrary decision; dogmatism
to bend; to wind; to twist; to zig-zag
common occurrence; everyday occurrence; not an uncommon case; normal thing; everyday affair
obstinate; stubborn; obdurate; headstrong; willful; perverse
(right at the) side; just beside
to begin to run; to start running; to break into a run; to start moving (e.g. a vehicle); to take off; to get under way
to walk behind someone; to follow in someone's footsteps
to pull apart; to separate; to have a lead over; to pull ahead of; to outdistance
skin; hide; rind; peel; shell; sheath
to understand; to be convinced; to be satisfied
to cling to; to hold on to; to grapple; to set about doing; to begin; to possess (someone; of an evil spirit, idea, etc.)
way of saying (something); way of putting it; wording; phrasing; language; expression
sharp (words); harsh (manner, tone, etc.); hostile (mood, attitude, etc.); spiky; prickly; jagged
hasty; impatient; restless; rash
nervous; highly strung; sensitive; fussy; worried about petty things
to have a feeling (that); to have a sensation (that)
shy; diffident; retiring; reserved
to become frightened; to get scared; to be seized with fear; to be intimidated; to lose one's nerve; to get cold feet
left; left-hand side; left hand; the left (wing); leftist; fondness for alcohol
to slap; to strike; to spank
conduct; behavior; behaviour
to dust; to remove dust; to slap; to hit (with the palm); to use up money
crumpled; rumpled; to be annoyed; to be irritated; noisily (chewing)
to shed tears; to (begin to) cry
to turn upside down; to turn (face) downward
to pay (e.g. money, bill); to brush off; to wipe away; to drive away (e.g. one's competitors); to sell off (something unneeded); to dispose of; to pay (e.g. attention)
shoe; shoes; boots; footwear; footgear
element; component; factor; element (e.g. in array); member (e.g. data structure)
falling into a doze; dozing off; nodding off
to dream (i.e. while asleep); to have a dream; to dream (of the future); to have a fleeting experience
that is to say; so that means
clearly; plainly; distinctly; to be clear; to be definite; to be certain
the person in question; prominent figure; distinguished person; that person
bloodstained; bloody; covered with blood
tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa); moutan; wild boar (meat)
dark red; dark brown; reddish brown