starting line; starting point
to make sure of; to assure oneself of; to see with one's own eyes; to ascertain
mature age; advanced age; maturity; age when one is old enough to know better
to let loose (e.g. a fart); to utter (e.g. a lie); to do
dictionary; lexicon; (arch.) letter of resignation
to place on (something); to give (someone) a ride; to give a lift; to load (luggage); to carry; to send out (on the airwaves, etc.); to deceive
good at storytelling; good at telling (funny) stories; having the gift of gab
if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is; there's a flip side to every coin
to sink deeply into one's mind; to come home to; to go to one's heart; to pierce one's body (e.g. of wind, cold, etc.)
written oath; covenant; pledge
recommendation; referral; endorsement
utmost limits; extremity; limit
brains (of an operation); advisor; brain trust; brain (organ)
light; illumination; ray; happiness; hope; influence
clothing; costume; outfit; garment; dress
to wear; to be dressed in; to be adorned in; to clad oneself with
subordination; dependency
by choice; of one's own free will; on one's own initiative; off one's own bat
nothing ventured, nothing gained; (lit.) you will not get the tiger cub without entering the tiger's den
road; path; way; set of practices; Buddhist teachings; Taoism; modern administrative region of Japan (Hokkaido)
subject; theme; homework; assignment; task; challenge
life or death; existence; destiny
knock; knocking; fungo hitting; hitting balls for fielding practice
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
to take (a person) unawares; to make a surprise attack
arrogant; insolent; disdainful
qualitative difference; disparity; gap
social standing of a family; lineage; parentage; good family
awfully; frightfully; desperately; violently; unduly; extremely
dressing oneself up to look young; altering one's appearance to look young; dressing younger than one's age
to be crushed; to be smashed; to become useless; to cease functioning; to go bankrupt; to go out of business
to weigh on one's mind; to trouble one's heart; to be concerned about; to worry about
astonished; shocked; amazed; astounded; aghast
vomit; spew; puke; confessing
old person; elderly person; trustee of the Japan Sumo Association; retired high-ranking wrestler who is licensed to coach and receives retirement pay; senior statesman (of the Tokugawa shogunate); important local official (under the Tokugawa Shogunate)
gently; mildly; leniently; don't be too hard on me (us, them); go easy on me
grandfather; male senior-citizen
without holding anything back; mercilessly; relentlessly; energetically; vigorously