no matter how you put it; whatever the circumstances may be; say what you like; no matter how you look at it
preface; introduction; lead in (to a joke, question, etc.); lead up; payment in advance (by bank transfer); swinging (one's body) forward
bolt from the blue; great surprise
close (e.g. in terms of relationship); intimate
fellow; mutual; companion; comrade
two persons; two people; pair; couple
nicely; properly; frequently; often; I'm glad that you ...; thank you for ...
to hear; to listen (e.g. to music); to ask; to enquire; to hear about; to hear of; to follow (advice, order, etc.)
to be sensible; to be smart; to be tasteful; to be thoughtful; to be tactful; to be sensitive
obedient; meek; docile; honest; frank; upfront (about one's feelings)
to apologize; to apologise
previously; before; first; before (something or someone else); beforehand; in advance
what; how many; many; a lot of; several; a few
contents; content; substance; matter; detail; import
any; anything; whatever; I am told; I hear; I understand
immediately; right away; at once; instantly
to hurry (up); to urge on; to press; to rush
sense of duty (obligation)
as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all possible
carefree; comfortable; at ease; easygoing; happy-go-lucky
lasting long; continuation; keeping at (something); sticking to (something)
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); still; all the same; even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
to begin to say; to start talking; to broach (a matter); to be the first to say; to suggest (doing); to propose
too; also; still; as before; even so; either way
trouble; bother; annoyance; to be troubled (by); to be bothered (by); to be inconvenienced (by)
to take (a resource, e.g. time or money); to hang; to come into view; to arrive; to come under (a contract, a tax); to start (engines, motors); to attend
now (when it is already much too late); at this stage; afresh; anew; again
as expected; sure enough; after all (is said and done); in the end; too; also
to stop (an activity); to cease; to discontinue; to cancel; to abandon; to give up
it is ... that ...; precisely; although; while; it is precisely because ... that ...; only because ...
to become confused (disconcerted, disorganized, disorganised); to be flustered; to panic; to hurry; to rush; to hasten
premodern; old-fashioned; outmoded; antiquated
very interesting; of absorbing interest; having a keen interest (in); being immensely curious (about)
reverse; opposite; converse (of a hypothesis, etc.); inverse (function)
to draw in; to take in; to retract; to withdraw; to take back (e.g. words)
already; now; no longer; not any more
treachery; betrayal; perfidy
equal; identical; the same; no different (to); just like; equivalent
grateful; thankful; welcome; appreciated; evoking gratitude
well then ...; in that situation; in which case
to start; to begin; to start up (a business, society, etc.); to open (e.g. a store); to start ...; to begin to ...
it is I who should say so
request; favour (to ask); wish; please
to be (of animate objects); to exist; to stay; to be ...-ing; to have been ...-ing