bewilderment; perplexity; embarrassment; discomfiture; bafflement
to hold back (e.g. emotions); to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people); to get the better of; to control; to command
dashing around on a horse; running around; exerting oneself (for another)
to thrust away; to send flying
to collapse; to crumble; to get out of shape; to lose one's shape; to break down; to be thrown into disarray; to crash (stock market)
to fall to one's knees; to go down on one's knees (e.g. to express respect)
to bash; to hit hard; to strike; to beat (someone in battle)
sobbing; weeping; fit of crying
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
writing something on commission; newly written text
episode; anecdote; vignette
disturbance; agitation; commotion; upheaval; riot
to lie down; to retire; to go to bed (with an illness)
wholly; solely; entirely; principally; mostly; chiefly
to straighten up; to sit upright
body; oneself; one's place; one's position; main part; meat (as opposed to bone, skin, etc.)
to break; to fracture; to fold; to bend; to make (origami); to interrupt
exceptional; unusual; extraordinary; unprecedented; singular
cannot be helped; unavoidable
origin of an affair; spark that lit the fuse; beginning
retirement; resignation; stepping down
recommendation; referral; endorsement
factional dispute; factional strife; rivalry between factions
belonging to (a group, organization, etc.); affiliation (with); being attached to; being under the control of
obstruction; check; hindrance; prevention; impediment; interdiction
political maneuvering; politicking; political machinations
ruffian; scoundrel; rogue; rascal; villain; hoodlum
abduction; kidnapping; kidnaping
rescue; extricate; reclaim; deliverance
concerning the result (as opposed to the means used to achieve this result or the original goal)
opposition; rebellion; rebounding; recoiling; rally (e.g. in stock prices); recovery
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
investigation (esp. in academic and scientific contexts)
betterment; improvement; kaizen (Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement)
ringleader; mastermind; leader (of a plot)