laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
having in mind; happening to know of; idea
to be worried; to be troubled
uh-huh; mm-hmm; with a moan; with a groan
to groan; to moan; to roar; to howl; to hum (engine, wind, etc.); to buzz; to ooh and aah (in admiration)
specific; particular; designated; specifying; designating; identifying
bringing up (one's daughter) like a princess
to tease; to make fun of; to poke fun at; to make a crack about; to chaff; to kid
cute; adorable; dear; precious; innocent; childlike
to be raised (e.g. child); to be brought up; to grow (up)
subordinate; underling; henchman; minion
to smash up; to defeat crushingly
and so on; and so forth; et cetera; comment; criticism
he; she; that person; (arch.) you
tensely; tightly; erectly; intuitively; instinctively; with a burst
to grow long (e.g. hair, nails); to lengthen; to extend; to reach out; to hold out; to straighten; to smooth out
overhead; above one's head; high in the sky
animated cartoon; animated film
to occur to; to remind of; to come to mind
original (that was parodied or acted as an inspiration for something else, etc.); source
Gulliver's Travels (1726 novel by Jonathan Swift)
considerable; great; important; significant; a big deal
town; city; municipal; urban
anyway; either way; one way or the other; whichever; whatever
policy; course; plan (of action); magnetic needle
to decide; to choose; to clinch (a victory); to decide (the outcome of a match); to persist in doing; to go through with; to always do
to stand watch; to stand guard; to look out; to open (one's eyes) wide
literally; to the letter; literal
outside the country; abroad
to avoid (physical contact with); to avoid (situation); to ward off; to avert; to put aside; to move out of the way
by all means; at all costs; absolutely
face; honour; meld; lineup (of players participating in a mahjong game); attendees (e.g. at a meeting); members
to balance; to be in harmony; to be in equilibrium; to suit; to go well together; to be a good match
consent; approval; acceptance; agreement; compliance
somehow; for some reason; without knowing why
dissatisfaction; discontent; disapproval; objection; complaint; protest