laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
one's hand (when playing cards); name tag; nameplate; wallet-sized (photo)
to show one's true colors (colours); to expose one's faults; to give oneself away
difficult voyage; hard flight; rough going; rough passage; running into trouble
outside of one's area of expertise
to be affected; to be influenced; to be concerned with; to have to do with; to stick to (opinions)
legal; lawful; legitimate; law-abiding; in order
to drag into; to pull into; to lure inside; to win over; to entice into
to go through; to pierce; to run through (e.g. a river through a city); to pass through; to stick to (opinion, principles, etc.); to carry out
for better or worse; for good and bad; regardless of merit; both good and bad
to brace oneself; to focus one's energies; to focus one's mind
settlement (of affairs); remedial measures; cleaning up afterwards
bright (weather, mood, voice, etc.); clear; fine; beautiful; glorious; splendid
sunlight; rays of the Sun
aroma; fragrance; scent; smell
complete; completion; perfection; accomplishment
morning; breakfast; (arch.) next morning
already; now; by this time; quick; early; fast
than; other than; except; but
noisy; loud; boisterous; turbulent; unsettled; restless
to go uninvited; to call on without an invitation; to barge in on; to throng to; to crowd into; to converge upon
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
eccentric; oddball; character; weirdo
invention; intelligent; clever; (arch.) making sense (of something); (arch.) understanding
passion; enthusiasm; zeal
thirst for knowledge; intellectual thirst
business world; business circles; (the) industry
to take off one's hat to a person; to acknowledge another's superiority
wizard; genius; remarkable talent; exceptional ability
property; fortune; assets
to build; to construct; to erect; to amass (e.g. fortune); to pile up
to draw near; to draw closer; to press (e.g. for an answer); to hound
living; lifestyle; living room
to throw open; to leave open
quick pace; quick steps; quick march; trot (horse gait)
scolding; telling-off; rebuke; lecture
kitchen; galley; (Internet) troll