failing to properly evaluate the (relative) importance (of); putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the cause for the end; mistaking the insignificant for the essential; getting one's priorities backwards
main cause; primary factor
to hold back (e.g. emotions); to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people); to get the better of; to control; to command
independent; autonomous; voluntary; of one's own initiative
criticism; judgement; judgment; comment
being struck mad by love; foolish passion; blind love; infatuation; jealousy
tangle; entanglement; snarl; complication; difficulties; trouble
money matter; question of money; money trouble
composite; combined; complex
apathy; lassitude; lethargy; languor
ghastliness; dreadfulness; grimness; intimidation; menace; threat
strange; unfamiliar; mysterious; not knowing the true nature
capable of anything; liable to do
to shake; to tremble; to sway; to be unsettled; to be unstable; to fluctuate
to feel dizzy; to have blood rush to one's head; to lose one's cool; to be obsessed; to be infatuated; to become conceited
to sit down at the dining table (with someone); to eat with company; to share a table
chafing; grinding (e.g. teeth); binding tightly; pulling tight (e.g. a bow); rotating quickly; hurting sharply
scoop (e.g. of icecream); scoopful; small ornamental spoon
to turn away (one's eyes, face, etc.); to avert; to displease; to annoy; to miss (the target, ball, etc.)
silver utensil; silverware
in one's hands; in one's control
low (atmospheric) pressure; low-pressure system; depression; bad temper; foul mood; tense situation
locked-room murder (e.g. in murder mystery fiction)
spring; spring (in one's legs); bounce; springboard; impetus
Hanlon's razor ("Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity")
incompetence; inability; disability; incapacity
accidental death; casualty
baton (of command); order; command; direction
gaudy; showy; garish; loud
epitaph; inscription on a tombstone
to exhaust one's vocabulary (in trying to persuade somebody or explain something, etc.); to run out of words; to be verbose; to cajole; to talk someone's head off
arguing someone down; scolding; rebuking; proclaiming (the truth); expounding
talking in delirium; incoherent muttering
breaking off; snapping off
fast (walking); quick; brisk; quick (passing of time); rapid; swift
to get late; to advance; to wear on
secondary residence; vacation home; villa
violently; without holding anything back; firmly; resolutely
good-quality; superior in quality
how much; how many; however (much); no matter how; what matters is ...; it all comes down to ...