gradually; by degrees; little by little; steps; stairs; staircase
to become damp; to become moist; to become wet; to lack energy; to be in a slump; to be in low spirits
to mince; to cut fine; to carve; to engrave; to tick away (time); to beat out (e.g. rhythm); to etch (into one's mind)
to feel hot; to flush; to burn
cool; chilly; feeling nice and cold
deep down; special place in one's heart; in the back of one's mind
passing the baton (in a relay race); baton pass; baton handoff; passing the baton; handing over (a job, responsibility over something, etc.)
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 be dented; to be indented; to be beaten; to be overwhelmed; to be disheartened; to feel down
presentiment; premonition; hunch; to have a premonition; to have a hunch
to be too much for one; to find unmanageable; to be beyond one's control; to not know what to do with
lightly; gaping wide; suddenly; unexpectedly
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
dangling; hanging; suspended; pending; half done; in limbo
fast; quick; early (in the day, etc.); premature; (too) soon; not yet
to hurry (up); to urge on; to press; to rush
slowly; tardily; complaining; grumbling; unsettled (e.g. weather); loose
leaving somebody behind; abandoning someone; marooning someone
to accomplish; to finish; to fulfill
adviser; advisor; consultant
to (call and) stop; to call (someone) to stop; to hail (e.g. a taxi)
in bad shape; not doing well; not going well; out of condition; in poor form
to apply the art of resuscitation (in judo, etc.); to breathe life into; to stimulate; to encourage someone
July; seventh month of the lunar calendar
war; battle; match; game; competition
to rise; to swell; to be promoted
to take; to catch; to capture
all talk; glib; insincere; empty; specious
one lump; one body; one group
giving two or three light tugs (or pushes); (arch.) worrying about; (arch.) moping; (arch.) suddenly angry; (arch.) feeling a surge of anger
folding chair (with tubular metal frame)
to put one's strength into
serious; grave; dignified; solemn
with a snap; with a crack
precise; accurate; appropriate; exactly the right
indication; denotation; designation; instructions; directions
to choose one's words (with care); to be careful with one's words
the prospects look brighter; there is hope of accomplishing (something)