to make sure of; to ascertain; to confirm; to grasp
one way or another; in many ways; in various ways
to offend someone; to give offence; to hurt someone's feelings
I'm sorry; (it's) inexcusable; I feel regretful; thank you very much (for help, etc.)
walking; pace; step; course (of history, one's life, etc.); history; pitch (of a screw, etc.)
fast-talking; rapid talking
prejudice; bias; distorted view
fame; distinction; rise; advancement
from the beginning; without hesitation; flatly (e.g. refusing); entirely; completely
to resemble; to look like; to be like; to be alike; to be similar; to take after
sincere; earnest; serious
underling; person of low standing; grunt; petty (work, official, etc.); minor; lowly
respect; esteem; reverence; honour; honor
to make a mistake; to be incorrect; to be mistaken
dangerous weapon; lethal weapon; deadly weapon; murder weapon
to fall into someone's hands; to place oneself in someone's power
famous utensil; excellent utensil; famed musical instrument (e.g. a Stradivarius); excellent musical instrument; excellent vagina; formidable vulva
secretly (cheer, pray, etc. for someone); in secret; from the sidelines; at a distance
to drizzle; to become bleary (eyes)
stake; post; pile; (arch.) stump
ordinary; run-of-the-mill; usual
bashing; fierce criticism; busing (catering); bussing; removing dirty plates, cutlery, etc. from a table in a restaurant
to lend a hand; to give a hand; to help; to extend a helping hand
insistent; obstinate; persistent; too rich (taste, etc.); fatty; heavy
8th in rank; eighth sign of the Chinese calendar
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum
thorn; spine; splinter (esp. lodged in one's flesh); hard sharp item (esp. lodged in one's throat, e.g. fish bone); biting words
established fact; fait accompli
in that case; (might not be what was expected or hoped for but) if that's the case
nostrils; wings of the nose
to follow in succession; to happen one after another
outward appearance; ostensible; public; official
hoop (of a barrel, bucket, etc.)
immediate reply; quick answer; ready agreement
to persevere; to persist; to insist that; to stick to (one's opinion); to remain in a place; to stick to one's post
leisurely; slow; deliberate; easygoing
to; for; from the standpoint of; as far as ... is concerned
pair; the two; both persons; both things
to have the personal support of (an influential person); to be under the patronage of