to try to have it both ways; to try to sit on two stools
to tuck (e.g. sleeves); to roll up
sixth heaven (of the desire realm)
His Majesty the Emperor; the present emperor; the reigning emperor
incarnation of selfishness; lump of avarice
stimulant effect (e.g. caffeine)
to be thoughtful (of a gift, etc.); to be from the heart; to be made with loving care
aspiration; volunteering; desire; application
grey starling (Sturnus cineraceus); gray starling; starling (any bird of family Sturnidae); bumpkin; gullible person; sixty-nine (sexual position)
holding out for a short while; putting up resistance for a while; briefly holding one's own
to hit the bottom; to bottom out
need not; (not) have to; need not have; need not exist
to become familiar with and cherish; to get to know and love
one's cherished opinion; pet theory
communist bloc; Iron Curtain
The Travels of Marco Polo
to be told or made to hear something so often that you (metaphorically) get calluses on your ears
command group (behind the front lines)
full of wiles and tricks; match between persons equal in shrewdness mobilizing all the tricks each can muster; shrewdly avoiding the opponent's strong points and attacking its weaknesses
overly serious; serious to a fault; humorless
counterfeit goods; knock-off; imitation
pirate flag; black flag; Jolly Roger
to pluck; to pick; to nip off
political system; political institution; regime
to make fun of; to look down on; to make light of; to take a tea break; to rest
of good omen; auspicious; lucky; auguring well (for); boding well (for)
spreading out like an open fan; becoming prosperous; folding fan; ceremonial folding fan
skilled; skillful; skilful; competent; capable; good
clumsy; unskillful; bungling; poor; bad