in a whisper; in a low voice; in undertones
to make a display of; to show off; to flaunt
winning over; placation; gentle persuasion
kind offices; services; through the good offices of; intercession; mediation
top university; leading university; first-rate university
(university) admission category for recommended candidates
split among friends; falling out; internal discord
forcing; enforcement; forced; enforced
threat; intimidation; menace
going backward; turning back; backtracking; retrogression; relapse; returning to a bad state
not having enough workers; being understaffed; being undermanned; having nothing one can do about something; having no options
the minute (that) ...; no sooner than ...; as soon as; whether or not
to cover (with something); to put on (e.g. on someone else's head); to plate something (with a metal); to pour or dash a liquid (on something); to charge (a person with a guilt)
stubbornness; obstinacy; disposition; nature; appetite; desire
like everyone else; like most people; like an ordinary person; as much as anyone else
simultaneously; all at once; in unison
disaster; calamity; misfortune; trouble; woes
by the way; meanwhile; on the other hand
to get strong; to gain strength
as you see; as you can see
to launch a surprise attack
modus operandi; criminal technique; trick
to take advantage (of somebody's weaknesses, carelessness, etc.); to impose on
studies; schoolwork; classwork
principal occupation; core business
to be prolonged; to drag on
decisive battle of brief duration
of no concern at all; no skin off my nose
floating; drifting; weightlessness; softly; gently; lightly
chance (of success); odds
to be on the right track; to go well
hiding one's embarrassment
violent shock; agitation; turbulence; turmoil; upheaval; excitement
choral chanting; chanting in chorus (e.g. at a demonstration)
neighborhood; neighbourhood; street; block; town