stupidity; silliness; asininity; imbecility; dim-wittedness
face; honour; meld; lineup (of players participating in a mahjong game); attendees (e.g. at a meeting); members
roots of grass; (fig.) places hidden from sight; grassroots (e.g. of a political party); rank and file
to push aside; to push one's way through
to support; to maintain; to bring up; to raise; to adopt (a child); to cultivate (a habit, a quality, etc.)
jingle; ding; ringing of small bells
programme; program; plans; arrangements
effect; virtue; efficacy; impression
to palm off; to force a sale
piece; fragment; one (object)
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum
bad reputation; infamy; ill repute; unfavorable criticism; unfavourable criticism
to appear on the market; to be in season (e.g. fruit); to circulate widely; to make the rounds; to go around
to use one's influence; to pull strings; to take measures; to make the necessary preparations
victim; injured party; sufferer
watchful waiting; careful supervision
by sheer strength; by brute force
defect; deficiency; imperfection; Yours in haste
to introduce oneself; to announce oneself (e.g. as the person sought); to come forward (e.g. as a witness, with a claim, etc.)
uncertain; vague; ambiguous
work; workmanship; craftsmanship; artifice; trick; device
raging waves; stormy seas; hardships; troubles; adversities
absurd; ridiculous; silly; ludicrous; nonsensical; asinine
was it?; I think it was ...; if I've got it right; (I, we) used to ...; I remember ...; it was ...
to spread; to propagate; to popularize; to broaden; to extend; to widen
who on earth; just exactly who; who the heck
real image; real form; real-life image; true picture
touchstone; Lydian stone; touchstone (e.g. of success); test; litmus test
to probe; to search; to sound out; to investigate
mid-range; mid-scale; mid-size
to manipulate (someone); to make (someone) dance to one's tune; to lead astray; to make (someone) dance; to let dance
unfounded (e.g. rumour); groundless; baseless; completely untrue
to take on a role; to take part
glaring; flaming; fiery; blazing
cup (drinking vessel, measure, brassiere, prize, etc.)
virtual image; false image; pretense; pretence
quiet; still; surreptitious
to build; to construct; to erect; to amass (e.g. fortune); to pile up