betterment; improvement; kaizen (Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement)
response; reply; answer; defence; defense
whereabouts; place where one is; position; location
vague; ambiguous; shady; disreputable; fuzzy
flag; banner; ensign; emblem
bitter smile; wry smile; forced smile; strained laugh
to put a burden on; to tax (e.g. strength)
to instruct; to tell to do; to ask to do; to order
avoiding or dodging responsibility
talking while standing; standing around talking
to get fed up with; to get sick of; to become disgusted with
immediately; as soon as possible; as quickly as possible
to declare; to assert; to state definitively; to finish saying; to say it all; to finish one's sentence
arrogance; insolence; disrespect
outward appearance; exterior appearance; outward show; looks
solemn; grave; impressive
mismatched; odd; irregular; inconsistent; incoherent; confused
empty (e.g. argument); insubstantial; hollow; fruitless
inside of a castle; area surrounded by castle walls
chest of drawers; bureau; cabinet; tansu; dresser
long; drawn-out; very long
safe; strongbox; cashbox; depository; cash office; treasury
expectation; assume will happen; forecast
makeshift; temporary expedient; stopgap measure
senior (at work or school); superior; elder; older graduate; progenitor; old-timer
new rice; first rice crop of the year; novice; beginner; newcomer
views; opinion; discernment; pride; self-respect
peace; security; tranquility; tranquillity
exterior; surface; outside; outward appearance; looks
to fold one's arms; to stand and watch (without interfering); to stand idly by; to lie in wait; to be ready and waiting
recognition; acknowledgement; acknowledgment; approval; consent; agreement
more than enough; more than ample; exhaustive
interest (on a loan, deposit, etc.)
to enquire of someone about something (inquire); to question; to interrogate; to grill (someone about a matter); to question in detail
to question again; to repeat a question (esp. a problematic point, or to verify understanding); to repeat a query
not straightforward; not dealt with by ordinary means
look of amazement; looking dumbfounded