discretion; discretionary power
to be flexible; to be accommodating
to sell well; to sell out; to be worldly and understanding; to be sensible; to be sorted out; to be put in order
palace examination (national Chinese civil servant examination based largely on classic literature); someone who has passed this examination; examination for promotion in the Ministry of Ceremonies (based largely on political duties and Chinese classics); someone who has passed this examination
producing (people) in great numbers; appearing one after the other
literary and military arts; the pen and the sword
to shake off; to shake free from; to swing completely (bat, club, etc.); to take a full swing; to break off from (pursuer); to pull away
to do physical exercise; to be physically active; (lit.) to move one's body
someone who is in their element; (lit.) fish that has found water
to speak with restraint; to understate; to downplay; to put it mildly; to say the least
slim figure; lean figure; weight reduction
child's face; childlike face; boyish face; baby face
second; number two; runner-up
green calabash; unripe gourd; scrawny, pale person; sallow-faced person
to be fit (for a role); to be qualified (for); to be equal (to a task); to be able to fulfill one's duties (as)
to dominate (usu. one's husband)
simple substance (e.g. chemical); something standing alone; separate item; solo item
to quit one's job; to resign
construction; building; putting up; erecting; creation; formulation
to antagonize; to provoke antipathy
to be ill; to suffer from; to have trouble doing ...; to be unable to ...; to fail to ...
tough; strong; stiff; tenacious
impudent; brazen; shameless; bold
document circulated to staff to obtain approval (for a decision, policy, etc.)
to rustle; to sway; to stir; to flutter
top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
Minister of War (Zhou-dynasty China)
pride of place; most prominent; top-ranking
three lords (highest ranking officials in the old Imperial Chinese or Japanese governments)
being settled quickly; reaching a quick conclusion; no need to say any more; no problem
ability to take action; ability to take initiatives; energy; dynamism; drive
camp (supporters of a doctrine, party, etc.); faction (of a party); military camp; encampment; cantonment
to recommend; to endorse (e.g. a candidate); to infer (from); to deduce; to think (something) through; to ponder deeply
to be awash with; to teem with; to be full of
self-evident truth; obvious fact; truism; axiom
intention; idea; inclination; wish
to lend a hand; to give a hand; to help; to extend a helping hand
in some cases; sometimes; on occasions
reaching a decision by using a circular letter; reaching a decision via a document circulated to all employees
military affairs; military service
Grand Protector (lowest of the top three civil positions of the Zhou Dynasty); Minister of the Right (official in Nara and Heian periods)