extreme cold; intense cold; coldest season; midwinter
call; visit; inquiry; enquiry; question
to have a perverse character; to have a twisted personality
first experience (of something); first sexual experience
getting deeply involved; going deeply into; going too far (into something)
to set foot into; to enter; to step inside; to cross the threshold
with a bang (clash, bump)
to show one's age (e.g. to start creaking at the joints); to wear out (e.g. machinery)
just now; a little while back; a short time ago
to kill one's enemy (opponent)
to join hands; to join forces; to work in cooperation; to link up; to partner with
to become empty; to be emptied
to speak to; to give a (something) talk to; to speak words of (something)
to arrive home; to return
winds and clouds; nature; the elements; situation; state of affairs
to suck up; to absorb; to squeeze (money)
in comparison with; when compared with; according to; in light of; in view of
to wind (of a road, etc.); to meander; to twist; to undulate; to surge; to swell
hollow; cavity; dent; depression
old age; old person; the old; the aged
weakening; emaciation; decline
being clearheaded; having a keen (sharp, brilliant) mind
willpower; guts; determination; character; nature; disposition
manner of speaking; verbal argument; objection; protesting a decision (esp. that of a sumo referee); rumor; rumour
as a matter of fact; to tell the truth
choosing; selecting; deciding (on)
no wonder; little wonder; after all; as expected; which isn't surprising
halfway; midway; partway; mid-course
to convey (a message, e.g. to one's superior); to communicate; to pass on; to pass along
with all due respect; I'm sorry, but ...; I'm afraid ...
election by mutual vote; election from within a committee (party, etc.); internal vote
(saying) with one voice; unanimously; in chorus; in unison; as one
oppressive rule; tyrannical regime; despotism
becoming a mere shell; becoming a dead letter; losing (one's) substance; being reduced to a formality
figure of speech; rhetorical flourish