main question; real issue at hand
to quarry; to cut (timber); to begin to talk; to break the ice; to start a fire (with flint, by rubbing sticks together, etc.); to select and extract (from a media file)
sneakily; secretly; stealthily; on the sly
to sniff around; to snoop around; to nose about
to jerk one's chin; to nod toward; to point one's chin at
trend; tendency; movement; attitude
to write down; to note; to jot down; to remember
participation; taking part in; participating in; being concerned in
powerful person; influential person
simple; plain; uncomplicated; straightforward; simple-minded; naive
blind spot (on the retina); blind spot; weak point; loophole
dull; uninteresting; insignificant; unimportant; absurd; foolish
to put one's life on the line; to risk one's life; to put everything one has into it
(a) step; one step; level; stage; small degree; small amount
apprehensions; misgivings; uneasiness; anxiety; fear
north; the North; northern territories; North Korea; (arch.) north wind
amount necessary to fill a container (e.g. cupful, spoonful, etc.); drink (usu. alcoholic); full; one squid, octopus, crab, etc.; one boat; fully; to capacity
to smoke; to smoulder; to be sooty; to be smoke-stained; to smoulder (e.g. a dispute); to smolder
to die down (storm, anger, conflict, etc.); to calm down; to be at peace; to be governed well; to subside (of pain, symptoms, etc.); to be alleviated
war damage; ravages of war; horrors of war
war; battle; campaign; (arch.) troops; (arch.) forces
the way there; outbound leg; bound for ...; outbound ticket
military authorities; army circles
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
to shoot through something (wall, body, etc.); to pierce (e.g. with an arrow or a look)
bold; daring; dauntless; intrepid; stout-hearted
making use of; application; practical use; operation; handling; steering (esp. a boat)
to bash; to hit hard; to strike; to beat (someone in battle)
bitter experience; misery; distress; grief; sad thoughts; hardship
to meet; to encounter; to see; to have an accident; to have a bad experience
chestnut-color; chestnut-colour
nodding; greeting (with eyes)
arranged; taken care of; settled; completed; finished
to throw; to fling; to hurl; to neglect; to abandon; to leave alone
tail (animal); tail end; tip
assistant; adjunct; lieutenant
able; capable; competent; talented; efficient