right to decide; having say (in a decision)
to be left in the dust (of); to be outdone (by); to be subordinate (to); to play second fiddle (to); to take second billing (to)
for a long time; since long ago; always; already; far in advance (e.g. reservation)
capital investment; capital expenditure; investment in plant and equipment
to be ready; to be prepared; to be in order; to be put in order; to be adjusted; to be regulated
to fall behind; to lag behind; to lose (race, contest)
meanwhile; in the meantime; by the same token; in contrast
to concentrate one's effort (on something)
(tree) trunk; (arrow) shaft; (tool) handle; backbone; base
branches and leaves; foliage; unimportant details; nonessentials; side issue
contriving (to raise funds, to find time, etc.); working out (a solution)
reaching a decision by using a circular letter; reaching a decision via a document circulated to all employees
important person; strategic person; key figure
to win and advance to the next round
sponsorship (i.e. conducting under one's auspices); promotion; organizing; organising; hosting; staging
industrialist; entrepreneur
to meet; to assemble; to congregate
for today; for the time being
those present; attendance
individual plate; single individual's small dish on which food taken from shared serving dishes is placed
wonder; admiration; being struck with admiration
to dish up; to arrange food (on a plate)
standing figure; standing posture; dancing pose
trick that may deceive a child; transparent ploy; mere child's play; kid stuff; puerile trick
reaction; response; reaction
to become familiar with and cherish; to get to know and love
(company) director; executive; top management; important post; role with heavy responsibilities
prominent; leading; foremost; distinguished
lately; recently; nowadays
permutation; lining up in order; linear arrangement
easy to deal with; tractable; manageable
to share (someone's) good luck; to follow (someone's) example; to enjoy the same benefits (of someone or something); to be named after
correct or incorrect; right or wrong; accuracy; correction (of errors)
main guest; guest of honor; guest of honour
attendance; presence; appearance
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
to bless; to show mercy to; to give (money, etc.)
oh; ho; exclamation of surprise, admiration, etc.; hoo (owl call); toot (sound of a flute)
paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)
displeasure; ill humour; ill humor; pique
not funny; not a laughing matter; not a joke
supporter (e.g. of the arts); adherent; proponent
to be enigmatic; to be puzzling; to be wrapped in mystery
expedition; (military) campaign; tour (by a sports team, performer, etc.); visit