to be closed; to be blocked; to be clogged; to be plugged up; to be occupied; to be taken (e.g. accommodation)
hand luggage; hand baggage
frequently; repeatedly; eagerly; keenly; hard; terribly
is something wrong?; what's wrong?; what's the matter?; slightest; mere; trivial
the person in question; prominent figure; distinguished person; that person
to ask; to enquire; to inquire; to search; to look for; to look into
to shelter (e.g. a fugitive); to harbour; to harbor; to hide; to give refuge to
curtain; bunting; act (in play)
to be outdone (by); to be in inferior (to); to compare unfavorably (with); to be behind
daring and resolute; having dauntless courage
could result in (something undesirable); might end up (doing, happening); run the risk of
to make somebody lose face; to embarrass someone; to make someone look foolish
to intrude; to butt in; to meddle; to be forward; to be self-assertive; to show off
to return a favor (favour); to repay
commander; general; leader
overestimation; overvaluing
(how) many times; (how) often
viewing optimistically; thinking optimistically; taking an optimistic view; looking on the bright side
people (of a country); nation; citizen; national
suitable age (esp. for marriage); marriageable age
on this occasion; now; in these circumstances; with this opportunity
to puzzle over; to think deeply about; to rack one's brains over (wrack)
to bring someone happiness; to make someone happy
to bite at; to snap at; to jump at (e.g. an offer); to snap at; to hold on to; to cling to
stupidity; silliness; asininity; imbecility; dim-wittedness
marriage proposal; marriage talks
stock; share; stump; (clump of) roots; plant with attached roots or stem; strain (of bacteria, etc.); stock company
being in love with each other
poor; pitiful; piteous; pitiable
to loiter; to putter; to prowl; to wander about; to roam about; to knock around
marriage of convenience; marriage for political reasons
ill will; malice; evil intent
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
(a) weakness; shortcoming; failing; sore point
to fall in love; to be in love; to be charmed with; to lose one's heart to
to bother; to meddle; to poke one's nose (into another's business); to be too helpful
brisk and efficient; diligent; devoted; spirited