swim ring; swimming ring; life buoy; life belt; life preserver; lifesaver
accepted; fully-fledged; clear; respectable
the proof of the pudding is in the eating; (lit.) evidence is better than debate
to pull up; to drag up; to increase; to raise (e.g. taxes); to withdraw; to leave; to promote (someone to a higher position)
swan (Cygnus spp.); white-feathered bird
just kidding; not!; ersatz; imitation; phony
serious look (on one's face); straight face
bad pun; corny joke; worn-out joke; dad joke
fall; crash (e.g. aircraft)
half in doubt; half-convinced; dubious; incredulous
translation; shift; parallel displacement
descent; fall; drop; decline; downturn; subsidence
turning round; going around; turning about; surrounding; encircling
left side; left-hand side
turning round; going around; turning about; surrounding; encircling
one revolution; one rotation
to shake one's head (in denial)
even more; still more; further
(practical) application; putting to practical use; applied
free; unrestricted; (with) complete mastery; completely in control
sudden drop; sharp fall; nosedive; swoop
gear; speed (e.g. 4-speed transmission)
having an aptitude (for); having a talent (for)
improvement (e.g. in skill, ability); advance; progress; communication of opinions of the general populace to those of high rank
sound of thin metal or plastic surface caving in and springing back; action of quickly bowing or lowering one's head; (with a) bob of the head
to ask a big favour; to ask unreasonable things; to be unreasonable
details; particulars; whole story; sequence of events; chronology; circumstances
to let go by; to let pass; to overlook; to miss
personal; individual; private
balance of power (in a relationship); power dynamic
means of making contact; intermediary; go-between; connections; influence; pull
to work on (someone); to appeal to; to make approaches to; to begin to work