to put effort into; to strain; to put strength into; to put forth effort
crawling on all fours; getting on one's hands and knees; falling flat
dim light; faint light; half-light of early morning; twilight
hiding; concealing; being hidden; pocket
for convenience; as a matter of convenience
back-facing; backwards; backward-looking; retrogressive; reactionary
to give a little chuckle; to let out a giggle
human kindness; human weakness
powerlessness; helplessness; incompetent
hidden room; secret chamber
to illuminate; to shine a light on; to light up
counter for chairs or seats
stirring; slight movement
long-cherished ambition; satisfaction
to accomplish; to achieve; to carry out; to arrive at (a certain outcome); to come to; to end with
performance (at a party or banquet, etc.); side show; entertainment
imbecility; feeblemindedness; dark
to get tired of waiting; to grow impatient
patriarch; head of a family
to collect (debts); to dun; to appoint; to promote; to emphasize; to focus on
slipping out (a chuckle, giggle); unintentionally (letting out a quiet laugh)
to curry favour (with); to play up (to); to cozy up (to); to butter up
branch (of a river); tributary; branch; offshoot; something not mainstream
heir; inheritor; successor
head house (family); birthplace; originator
public works; public-works projects; public utilities
magnification; enlargement; expansion; amplification
topic of discussion; agenda
lowly people (esp. as a caste); humble people
good citizens; law-abiding people
discharge; outward flow; efflux; leak of (private) information or pictures
killing two birds with one stone
swelling; enlargement; becoming fat; hypertrophy
Chinese firebird; Chinese phoenix
guidance; lead; guide; primer; influence; connections
to shelter (e.g. a fugitive); to harbour; to harbor; to hide; to give refuge to
warmly; cordially; with tender care