to be degraded; to come down in the world; to lose status; to be ruined; to fall low
to be at a loss; to think and think but get nowhere; to fail to come up with a good idea
to look down on; to treat with contempt; to treat disparagingly; to sneer at
to relax one's efforts; to let up; to let one's guard down
flax color; flax colour; beige; ecru
to take over; to hand over
upward compatible; forward compatible; compatible with input or components intended for higher tier or later systems, versions, etc.; downward compatible; backward compatible; compatible with input or components intended for lower tier or older systems, versions, etc.
to make the most of the present; to live for the moment; to seize the day
doubt; suspicion; fear; apprehension
ugly; unsightly; hideous; mean; repulsive; disgraceful
formation; establishment; conclusion (e.g. of a deal); reaching (e.g. an agreement); being valid (of a theory, argument, etc.); holding
often; again and again; frequently; repeatedly
immersing oneself in; being absorbed in; devoting oneself to; giving oneself up entirely to
makings (of); aptitude; talent; nature; character; temperament
when it comes to the cause; when you get right down to it; as for what started it; as for the reason; originally
drawing board; drafting board
sublimation; sublimating (an emotion, impulse, etc.); channelling; diverting
in spite of; nevertheless; although; despite; no matter the; regardless of
basics; rudiments; elements; ABCs of ...
blind (devotion, faith, etc.); reckless
other people's affairs; somebody else's problem
being enthusiastic about; being wild about; being absorbed in; being engrossed in; being devoted to
cavity; hollow; void; hollow (voice, smile, etc.); blank (eyes, look, etc.); vacant (expression, stare, etc.)
optimism; taking an optimistic view
to buy again; to buy anew
to boast; to brag; to exaggerate
back-facing; backwards; backward-looking; retrogressive; reactionary
for better or worse; luckily or unluckily
to be mixed; to be blended with; to be combined; to associate with; to mingle with; to interest
to excite; to incite; to stimulate; to arouse; to tempt; to stir up
to place (in position); to fix; to install; to seat (someone); to settle (upon something); to fix (e.g. one's gaze)
stallion brought close to a mare to test her readiness to mate; stalking horse; spoiler
absentmindedly; vacantly; carelessly
failing to properly evaluate the (relative) importance (of); putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the cause for the end; mistaking the insignificant for the essential; getting one's priorities backwards
indicates concession or compromise; indicates permission
official history; authorized history
too; also; still; as before; even so; either way
easy; simple; simple (way of thinking, etc.); simple-minded; soft; lax
to expose; to lay open (e.g. secret); to take apart; to disassemble; to kill; to murder; to dress (meat)
passion; enthusiasm; zeal