preemptive strike; preemptive attack; first strike
doing as one pleases; having one's own way
irregular; undisciplined; disorganized; disorganised; slipshod
seen it once, seen it all; a single instance indicates what happens all the time; one case gives you an idea of what always happens
foreign enemy; outside invader
it's OK to ...; it's best to ...; it's alright to ...
cutting; severance; section; amputation; disconnection
to train; to discipline; to teach manners
at work; in the midst of work; working
to kneel down on one knee; to genuflect
(sign of) combing; comb pattern (esp. pottery)
to shine; to glitter; to sparkle
scolding; telling-off; rebuke; complaint; grumbling; fault-finding
to pull one's hair back into a bun
scent bag; sachet; scent gland
blank space (in documents); vacuum; blank; void
(personal) appearance; (personal) grooming; essential skill; required knowledge
cancellation; rescinding; release; calling off; lifting (sanctions); delisting
to underrate; to belittle; to look down on; to despise
case worker; case officer
impossible; unlikely; improbable
being out of office; lacking a title
Japan and the United States; Japanese-American
Kajiwara Kagetoki (?-1200)
common knowledge; being well-known; making (something) well-known
in preparation; (shop) not yet open for business
formal; courteous; ritual; ritualistic
short break; breather; brief recess; rest
to be hot on a person's heels
business district; shopping district; bustling street; shopping centre; shopping center; downtown
harvest; crop; ingathering; fruits (of one's labors); gain; result
quiet; peaceful; tranquil
ho-ho-ho (e.g. Santa Claus)